Greensboro Daily Photo

"Bestway" on Market Street

Sometimes in a city there are people in our lives, we may not know much about them, but we come to take for granted that we will see them. Sometimes they bring us joy, sometimes the feeling is more neutral, and sometimes it is even negative- but we know we will see them. As we were walking to the opening of the North Carolina Folk Festival last week, someone walked past this man on a scooter and said, "Hi Bestway." We kind of looked at the man walking by and he said to us, "That's the guy that plays music out in front of Bestway. We see him all the time." Then we realized that we, too, recognized him and had seen him on many occasions out in front of the Bestway Grocery Store on Walker Avenue. When we asked him if we could take this picture downtown, we tried to interview him, but he had to go park his scooter and get settled into the festival.

Seeing him reminded us of how often we see him, really enjoy interacting with him, and also enjoy his musical talent, without really knowing much about him. Perhaps that is OK. Sometimes, people don't want us to know that much about them. However, we intend to let "Bestway" know we appreciate his talent and that seeing him in front of Bestway when we shop there is something we've come to expect. If he is not there, we wonder if he is OK. The gig economy is really unpredictable. You can be sure next time we walk past when he is playing, we'll drop a few bills in his instrument case, let him know how much we appreciate his music, and.... most importantly..... ask him his name!

Leah Junquera

Last Friday, en route to the North Carolina Folk Festival, we happened upon UNCG's Greensboro Project Space where Leah Junquera was installing art for her show. The gallery is the off-campus contemporary art center for the UNCG School of Art. It is in a new location, at 111 East February One Place, right beside Cincy's. Leah is a recent graduate with an MFA in painting. She loves to paint landscapes that focus on the relationships between trees and the earth. Leah is originally from the foothills of the Adirondack Park in New York and the landscape from that area really influences her work. According to her website, "her paintings oscillate between physical landscape and inner space"... and she "investigates where expired hopes go." Her paintings have thought provoking titles like, "Where do we go from here?" and "She sewed all the curtains herself before she even knew the road existed." 

Leah is especially fond of the color blue, all of the hues from turquoise to ultramarine. She has a deep understanding of color theory and it comes through in her paintings. This talented young artist has paintings available in all price points, and we predict her work will become well known. It is so wonderful UNCG has a gallery downtown and you do not have to be UNCG affiliated to show there or to be involved in their events. Community engagement is a priority. The gallery is free and open to the public. If you time your visit just right, you can get a hot dog at Cincy's and see Leah's artwork at the same time. If you are super lucky, Leah will be there you to take you on a mini-journey through her installation.

The Day the Cheerwine Van Came to Town

Cheerwine was created in Salisbury, NC, in nearby Rowan County, in 1917. Cheerwine set up at the 2021 North Carolina Folk Festival, offering free samples of regular and sugar-free Cheerwine. Their booth wasn't swamped, but people consistently wandered by for a sample. They were also selling cans of the unique cherry flavored beverage. It is always fun during special events when there are give-aways. Cheerwine has been very innovative with product development and marketing in the 2000s. There is Cheerwine ice cream, Cheerwine punch, and Cheerwine Krispy Kreme doughnuts. 

While Greensboro can't claim Cheerwine, just a few miles from this booth, we have our own flavor company. Mother Murphy is a food flavoring business that was established in in1946. For 75 years, those scents from very secret recipes have been wafting through Greensboro. Mother Murphy boasts a flavor library of of more than 60,000 flavors. Their motto is "If you can imagine it, we can create it."  Salisbury has Cheerwine and New Bern has Pepsi; we challenge you to order some special flavor from Mother Murphy and create the next soda sensation. Then, you can set up at an upcoming festival and we can snap a photo and boast that your soft drink was created right here in Greensboro, North Carolina! 

For those who were around in the Boar & Castle Days, you may remember the Green Drink. Hmmmm......

Happy Wednesday; happy innovating!

NC Folk Fest #DGSO Stage

One of the many nice things about the North Carolina Folk Festival is the way it brings people together, people from all walks of life. On Saturday, from 5-8pm, the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was held on the #DGSO Stage at the 500 block of South Elm Street, at MLK Jr. Drive. With Jim Gallucci's sculpture as a backdrop and Café Pasta feeding first responders, people spoke, played, music, danced, and expressed appreciation. In the above photo, the group "Doby," is preparing to perform and Keith Holliday is speaking about the event.

Doby is a funk/soul group from Greensboro, NC. Robin Easter fronts the band. Jonathan Wilson, Leo Kishore, Jeff Yetter, and Bon Lozaga are the other band members (see here). Keith Holliday, a former mayor of Greensboro, is the development associate for the economic development organization, Downtown Greensboro, or #DGSO. This was the #DGSO stage. Doby's set was fabulous and, standing around watching, we concluded that Robin and Keith know just about everyone in Greensboro. The event was special and the setting was just perfect. The NC Folk Festival will return in one year and two days. In the meantime, we'll be on the lookout for Doby's next gig and for #DGSO's next big event!

Happy Tuesday!

 

Bringing Closure to the Folk Festival 2021

And so another North Carolina Folk Festival is in the books. It was such a lovely weekend to have a festival. The footprint for the festival was smaller this year than it had been in previous years; however, there were many great options on the different stages and it was very easy to walk from one stage to the next. If you are willing to walk, the parking lot set up on the southwest corner of Gate City Boulevard and South Elm Street, is a great option. It is free and it is far enough away from downtown events that you don't get stuck in traffic. The above photo shows the crowd at the Old Courthouse Stage on West Market Street. The prominent, iconic Lincoln Financial building, with the time, temperature, and multicolored lights served as a beacon, guiding us to two of the stages. There was another stage at Greene and Commerce, and then another at LeBauer Park. On Saturday, the 9/11 ceremony took place on a stage at the corner of MLK Drive and South Elm Street. There were also performances on that stage. 

Greensboro is so lucky to host the North Carolina Folk Festival and we cannot take that responsibility lightly. We all need to do our best to promote it and get the word out to all corners of North Carolina, and beyond. Noticeably absent this year was the parking lot behind the News & Record Building. It is a little sad to know that the paper is no longer published in Greensboro and the presses are silent. Regardless, for three days and two nights, all of the Folk Festival staff, city employees, volunteers, musicians, Greensboro merchants, venders, and attendees brought to life, a very special event. Indeed, it was magical. A heartfelt thank you to all involved. And if you missed it, mark your calendar for next year.  It looks like the dates will be September 16-18, 2022. If that is incorrect, please let us know.

Angels In Heaven

"The angels in Heaven have signed my name." As Lalenja Harrington and Laurelyn Dossett performed this Badgett sisters song on stage, during "Songs of Hope and Justice", the sign language interpreter took their spoken words and transformed them into visual music. Throughout the evening, there were times interpreters were swaying to the music, too. Listening to beautiful music by talented North Carolina performers singing a song written by North Carolina women, nestled between the Greensboro Courthouse and the West Market Street United Methodist Church, seated with an attentive audience: It doesn't get better than that. It was as if we were holding church service, right in the middle of Market Street, Ground Zero for the city's north/south street designation.

West Market Street is peeking out of the right corner of the photo. Today, the NC Folk Fest events at this location, the Old Courthouse Stage, don't start up until 1:00 pm, giving church goers a chance to meet first. It is a good thing, as the first act on the stage is "Hard Drive" a North Carolina Old-time and Bluegrass group. Bluegrass, especially, can get a little loud and hard-driving flashy, a good thing- unless it is overpowering a preacher is trying to deliver a heartfelt sermon. Indeed, every detail of this festival is well-planned. As a matter of fact, just may attend the West Market Street UMC church service this morning and already be at the folk festival- the best of both worlds.

Happy Sunday!

NC Folk Festival 2021, The Festivities Have Begun!

And so, the North Carolina Folk Festival is well underway. Yesterday, after opening remarks at the Lee Wrangler Stage (formerly City Stage), the UNCG Old Time Ensemble treated us to some very great songs and tunes. Above, playing fiddle, smiling, and wearing sunglasses, is Dr. Christen Blanton Mack, who leads the ensemble. To her left, also playing the fiddle is Tristin, a UNCG senior, who lead co-lead the first song, "How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?" (Watch this video from another era to find out the answer). The song was so full of energy and upbeat. Dr. Mack has done so much to help the group get that tight, string-band sound that is so important in old-time music. The UNCG Old Time Ensemble was formed in 2008; for fourteen years, they have been playing a genre of music that has been a part of North Carolina's culture for generations. Last evening, the old time ensemble was playing music in there very spot we featured yesterdays.

As for the North Carolina Folk Festival, it will continue until Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. and literally, there is music for everybody's tastes. The festival extends along West Market Street, to the West Market Street United Methodist Church. The vendors are also along Market Street this year and there are some great ones. The weather, the music, the energy, and everything has been so perfect so far. Don your mask and head downtown to see some great singing, instruments, food, arts and crafts, and dancing! Happy Saturday!

 

NC Folk Festival 2021

Today is the day we've all been waiting for, the start of the North Carolina Folk Festival. The above photo is of the Lee Wrangler Stage, located at the corner of Davie and Market Street.Here is a map of where all of the stages are and Here is a schedule. Opening remarks start at 5:00 pm tonight and there will be so much to do until the festival ends on Sunday at 6:00. There is everything from local talent to many performances with an international connection, like Conjunto Guantanamo Cuban to Afghani rubab, tabla and dhol. The goal of the festival is to be as inclusive as possible and "to amplify the diverse voices of people and communities from all walks of life whose creative expressions are inextricably woven into the cultural fabric of our nation."*

The festival is outdoors and masks are encouraged. You may want to bring your best dancing shoes, plus a folding chair, or sports chair, as the above chairs will fill quickly. Here is a photo from 2019. The opening act, after the opening words on this stage, will be the UNCG Old-time Ensemble with traditional string band songs. There will be so much local talent on that stage and throughout the festival. You won't want to miss it!!!

*reference and more information here.

History by the Cup

Today's post is of a sculpture that is part of the "History by the Cup" collection. In 2008, eight bronze cups were placed around the city, They commemorate the historic lunch-counter sit-ins that began with the request for a cup of coffee. The above cup is placed in front of the Cultural Arts Center, near the outdoor seating of Café Europa. It is called, "In the Face of Strange Fruit," by the artist Derrick Monk. There is a quote on a plaque below it, by Antoine De Saint-Exupery, "He who is different from me does not impoverish me- he enriches me." That is a nice quote to keep handy and to live by. 

Next time you are walking around downtown, or if you are downtown for the North Carolina Folk Festival next weekend, you will likely be near the cups. It can be fun to try to find there. Here is a map to help you if you want a self-guided tour. On the day we first noticed this cup, we were in front of the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street listening to the Triad Ukulele Club. If you like ukulele music or want to learn to play, learn more about the group here. Exploring our community is so special. From listening to music on a First Friday, we learned about the ukulele club and took time to focus on one of the sculptures we had not stopped to look at before. "History by the Cup" reminds us of the power of one, and the fact that we all have the potential to enrich each other's lives.

Happy Saturday! 

First Friday Sept

It is First Friday tonight and downtown Greensboro will be full of goodness and joy tonight. The above photo features the drum circle that will be happening in Center City Park (200 North Elm Street)  from 6:30-9:00 pm. No experience is necessary, just bring your positive attitude and a drum if you have one. If you don't, there are usually extras available to borrow. The Healing Earth Rhythms organizes and facilitates the event, but they really depend on audience participation. You can play, watch, or dance. People of all ages are invited to participate. The only expectation is that you enjoy drums. 

From North Elm all the way to South Gate City Boulevard, there will be interesting things to see and do. Just across the street from Center City Park, First Friday Art Park will be set up in LeBauer Park. We hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend and that you save some energy for the upcoming North Carolina Folk Festival, from September 10th-12th. Read about the line up, the schedule, safety protocols and everything else, here. Happy Friday!

History Museum Shop & Event Tonight

Today's photo features the Gift Shop at the Greensboro History Museum. What a clever slogan- Bring HISTORY Home. If you want Greensboro's iconic Boar and Castle sauce, you can get it here. If you want something with the state bird on it, get it here. If you are looking for books about Greensboro, get them here! If you need a Wrangle jeans apron, see above! Related to Greensboro and books, there is a very special event tonight from 7-9pm. It it is called, "The Life and Works of O. Henry", with Ben Yagoda and Jim Dodson. The book they will be discussing tonight is an anthology of O. Henry stories. Ben, the editor of the collection, and an accomplished writer himself,  is coming in from Delaware to discuss Greensboro's favorite author. Jim Dodson, of Greensboro, also an accomplished writer, will co-present the event. You may recognize Jim's name from O. Henry magazine; not only does he write for the magazine, he is its founding editor. All of this good local history and lore is brought to us by the Greensboro History Museum, Greensboro Public Library, and Scuppernong Books. While we can't guarantee the museum's shop will be open, you can be sure there will be books available for purchase.

If you plan to attend, please visit the museum's website (HERE) for tickets. Also, you can learn about attending virtually from the comfort of your own home- the new normal. Almost as good as the wonderful event itself is the fact that it is FREE, but do reserve a spot! If you can't head downtown this evening for the event (130 Summit Avenue by Tanger Center), please put The Greensboro History Museum on your to-do list to get by at another time. The single best thing you can do for our community is support our public non-profits.

Christ's Blessing

Recently, we had a request to feature this stained glass window, located inside the Greensboro History Museum on Summit Avenue. Here is a view from the 3rd floor, looking down to the second, where the window is located. The stained glass window is here because the building was originally the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. There is not better way to describe it than to share what is on the plaque. As for its beauty, the window speaks for itself.

"Christ's Blessing, c 1903: Painted and kiln-fired stained glass using oxide paint, translucent opalescent glass, rippled cathedral glass and lead framing, including a memorial plate and original horizontal steel bracings. The theme for this beautiful Tiffany-style window comes from the Gospel verse, 'Let the little children come unto me... for such is the kingdom of heaven.'*  It was sponsored by members of the Scales family in memory of their mother Effie and Father Junius, who was a prominent 19th-century Greensboro attorney and state legislator. 

You are standing in the Smith Memorial Sunday school Building, one of the two areas in the museum that originally served as First Presbyterian Church. The other area, to the north, housed the sanctuary. Every arched window in the historic church building featured stained glass.

The window was removed in 1929 to the new First Presbyterian Church in Fisher Park and placed on display in a classroom. Experts reinstalled the stained glass in its original location in 1990." And, here it remains today. It is even more beautiful in person. The museum is free, and open to the public from 2:00- 5:00 pm today if you want to stop by and see it. Happy Sunday!

*Matthew: Chapter 19, Verse 14.

Echelman Fiber Sculpture

The above fiber sculpture, "Where We Met" is the work of artist Janet Echelman. It is installed over LeBauer Park and feels a little like a roof, giving a sense of being enclosed, yet in an open space at the same time. The diaphanous netting takes on a delicate translucent glow, suspended not-so-high above the park. It looks especially dramatic at night. The above netting, the original installment is slated to change Spring 2022. The new net will have some of the same colors, but Echelman will incorporate more of the blues that are associated with denim- Greensboro's iconic fabric.

When the above Echelman piece was installed in 2016, it had more yellows in it. The netting has faded over time, which is part of the reason that it is on a five-year-plan to be replaced. If you get a chance, head down to LeBauer this evening. And if not this evening for the free movie in the park, be sure to stop by during the (also free)  2021 North Carolina Folk Festival, which will be September 10th-12th throughout downtown Greensboro. Also, Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc.  will take the Echelman piece down for the winter; although the fibers are strong, the whole structure benefits from being indoors during inclement weather. 

We'd like to extend a special thanks to Amanda Mill, Director of Programs and Marketing for the Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc.  for telling us about the upcoming changes in the Echelman installation. Also, our apologies to Amanda for not getting her name right in yesterday's post. Thankfully, a loyal reader caught the mistake and we were able to correct it before the end of the day. This mom and pop blog appreciates our editors-at-large, all volunteers!

Amanda Miller

Last Friday night, at the free movie night in LeBauer Park, we met up with Amanda Miller, Director of Programs & Marketing for Greensboro Downtown Parks. Amanda was making sure everything was running smoothly in the park and monitoring the lightning situation the next county over. In addition to LeBauer Park, Center City Park is also under her perview. Allison is originally from Richmond, Virginia, but fell in love with the Piedmont while attending undergraduate school at Salem College. Her M.Ed is from Leslie University in Boston. She majored in Community arts with emphasis on Multicultural Education. That sounds like the perfect preparation for working with city parks in a community as diverse as Greensboro.

Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc. (GDPI), is a non-profit that focuses on managing our two downtown parks, including rentals and programming. See here for a list of features and amenities, and hours of operation. See here for the extensive calendar of events. Something is happening every day in our downtown parks andAllison said this past summer was the busiest ever. People have really responded for opportunities to have fun and be entertained outside. Perhaps because it was threatening to rain, last Friday's movie night was the sparsest attendance of the summer, but there was still a healthy crowd. This Friday's UNCG Spartan Cinema at LeBauer will be "Wonder Woman". Seating starts at 5:00 pm and the movie starts at dusk. If you go to the movie, and see Amanda there, know that she, too, is a wonder woman, working tirelessly day and night ensuring the downtown parks are the best they can be for our community!

Happy Thursday (which, they say, is the new Friday)! See you downtown!

(Sorry Amanda, I've updated the post and corrected your name. Sorry- I need an editor!!!).

Downtown's Very Own Dynamite Vault

Downtown Greensboro, south of the railroad tracks, has always had a special character, and somewhat different from Greensboro north of the tracks. Jim Schlosser reminded us that there wasn't an underpass, as an option to get around a passing train, until 1927. In the early 20th century, you either had to plan your trips over the tracks between trains, or be content to wait it out. Part of the special character of South Elm Street was Southside Hardware, in the 500 block. Southside hardware opened in 1902 and remained in business for 93 years.

It was said you could find literally anything you needed at Southside Hardware. One such item was dynamite,. The owners of Southside didn't want to store dynamite in their store. To be safe, they built a dynamite vault and stored it outside. The above photo shows the brick dynamite vault, now a dormant host to ferns.  Over the years the Southside Hardware customers dwindled. So much of their customer base no longer shopped at this downtown store.*  Unfortunately, Southside couldn't compete with the big, suburban box hardware stores and their doors closed in 1995.

Ironically, the dynamite was never an issue, but in 1936, a tornado swept through south Elm Street and blew off the third floor of the hardware store- and they never added it back on. The funny thing about the dynamite vault today is that it sits right behind a dozen large City of Greensboro garbage cans. Were dynamite to explode, garbage would be strewn from South Elm to Gate City Boulevard and beyond! However, we've been assured there is no dynamite in the vault! It is so fun finding these relics from yesteryear in Greensboro. We featured the ghost sign of Southside Hardware  on Greensboro Daily Photo in 2018.  After reading Jim Schlosser's article below, we have learned even more of the history of Southside Hardware! Happy Wednesday! Happy exploring. If you want to see the vault, it is down the alley from Hudson Hill and the sign that says Coe Grocery.

*Read Jim Schlosser's article from 1995, here.

Jim Schlosser

Today we are featuring Jim Schlosser, a career journalist who started with the afternoon Greensboro Record in 1967 and retired from the Greensboro News & Record in 2008.   For  four decades, Jim was dedicated to covering key stories about Greensboro. He also went on special assignment throughout the U.S. and abroad, always bringing back stories to the local community. From the hearthstone/everyday to the Olympian/sublime, Jim took great care to be informative, engaging, and accurate. Jim acknowledges he had the good fortune to work during the golden age of journalism, back in the day when the local paper had multiple photographers, several reporters, and 100,000 subscribers. 

While Jim is retired from the newspaper, he is a person who will never retire from documenting and writing about the history of Greensboro. Above, Jim is photographed in front of the Greensboro city directories, books he frequently references when volunteering at the Greensboro History Museum. One of Jim's many retirement endeavors has been to catalog the negatives of local photographer Mr. Carol  Martin. There are approximately half a million negatives, dating from 1947 to the early 1990s; Jim laments, to date,  he has only catalogued  through 1954.  In the Martin Collection, Jim finds negatives on every subject from weddings to Greensboro street scenes to photos from Curry High School. The mystery of what he will happen upon in the Martin Collection parallels the serendipity of what he uncovers just by walking up and down Elm Street. Hamburger Square, the area around the railroad tracks, and the 500-600 blocks of South Elm Street have always been of special interest to Jim.

Another "job" Jim found in retirement is playing golf, something he put on hold during his newspaper years. We extend a big thank you for all Jim has contributed to telling the story of Greensboro, and for all of the leads he gave us for future Greensboro Daily Photo  posts. Happy Friday!

The Edible Schoolyard

The above photo features the Edible Schoolyard in the back of the Greensboro Children's Museum. The view is from the Mary Lynn Richardson Park at the Greensboro History Museum. The photo was taken on a quiet, Saturday afternoon. The Edible Schoolyard and Kitchen Classrooms opened in 2010. They are situated on a half-acre lot behind the Children's Museum. Food activist and restauranteur, Alice Waters, started the project.*

The museum also has a play plaza in the front. In the play plaza, children can soar to new heights, climbing up, up, and away.  Between the museum proper with its 20-hands on exhibits, the Edible Schoolyard, and the play plaza, this complex is one of Greensboro's finest for children of all ages. 

Can you believe it is Thursday already? 

 

*reference and more information HERE.

Center for Visual Artists

The Center for Visual Artists, located at 200 North Davie Street, does so much to connect artists and the community and to help members of the community learn to be artists The center's origins date back to 1956 with the Greensboro Artist's League. The above photo was taken during First Friday in August when they were showing SMORGASBOARD: A Feast of Summer Art, an array of student work from summer camps. 

The three black and white scrolls on the left are part of the end of residency exhibition, Seeing Through, by local artist Karen Archia (see article here). They are 36' long and are called, "Black Lives Inspire."  Karen, one of the owners of the People's Perk Coffee Shop, has been a local figure making a positive impact on the community for a very long time. Now, instead of serving up little life lessons with a cup of coffee, she is doing it with brushes and ink. She is one of many examples of the talented artists you will have an opportunity to interact with if you get involved with the Center for Visual Artists.

Happy Wednesday! May your day be filled with joy and original art.

Burbon Bowl Fun

The Burbon Bown opened earlier this summer and it has so much character. The above photo features the 6-lane bowling alley in the back of the building. The outdoor seating covers a city lot! There is an extensive bar and also seating for meals. It is possible to order snacks in the bowling area and there are comfortable couches to sit on while waiting for others to take their turn. This venue fits with the changing profile of the South 500 and 600 block of Elm Street. There is a game arcade, several new restaurants, and lots of retail space for rent at 616 South Elm Street. 

One of the goals for the property that now houses the Burbon Bowl at 531 South Elm Street was to find a business that would attract college students to downtown. Bowling might be just the trick! The crowd last night was older than college, but then college students are just getting back to town and seem so excited to actually be back on campus that they are probably content to hang around the dorm and student union. Not to fear, they'll soon venture out to South Elm. Look at how cute those bowling balls are. They look like pool balls. Another cute feature, the bathroom doors look like office doors taken from an old high school. You have two options "Mr. Mill's class Room 34, or Mrs. Bell's class Room 22!

Greensboro History Museum

 

Yesterday was a beautiful day in downtown Greensboro, albeit 91+ degrees!  The above photo is of the Greensboro History Museum, located at 130 Summit Avenue. However, this side actually faces the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. While this building is now the history museum, as you can see from the historic marker on the left, during the Civil War, it served as a Confederate Hospital, receiving wounded soldiers from the battle of Bentonville. Even before serving as a confederate hospital, it had been built as the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. The above view features an almost identical orientation of the photo found on p. 49 of Gale Hicks Fripp's book "Greensboro Volume II Neighborhoods (Arcadia Publishing, 1998). 

In her book, Fripp explains that in 1892, The First Presbyterian congregation completed this sanctuary, the third iteration of the church. The style is Romanesque Revival.  The dormer windows to the right remain intact from the late 1800s; however, the upper portion of the tower, formerly pointed, is missing. This sanctuary is the oldest part of the complex. Other features of the property include Mary Lynn Richardson Park, a cemetery, and the Smith Memorial Building. If you were hoping for a church service, since the late 1920s, the First Presbyterian Church has been located on North Elm Street in Fisher Park. If you have not visited the Greensboro History Museum, you owe it to yourself to do so. You can learn so much about the history of Greensboro, and the exhibits are breathtakingly curated. The current (temporary) exhibit on the third floor, Pieces of Now, features murals, masks, community stories and conversations centered around the Black Lives Matter Movement and the COVID Epidemic. Perhaps you can schedule a visit during the upcoming North Carolina Folk Festival, September 10- 12.

The museum open today from 2:00 pm- 5:00 pm. Fortunately, there is no interest fee- although donations are always appreciated! 

Happy Sunday!

Dr Shine

Do you know anyone whose name matches their profession? We once knew a man who worked in a greenhouse and his name was Mr. Plant. The above person, who shines shoes professionally, is Dr. Shine. We don't know if that is his birth name or if it is a nickname, but shine he does. His Facebook page informs us that he comes from a long line of shiners. Shoes sparkle when he is finished with them. His personality shines if you talk to him while he is shining your shoes. Mr. Shine's business is called "First and Ten" and is located at 104 N. Westgate Drive in Greensboro. However, the above photo was taken at the 600 block of South Elm Street on First Friday. He came downtown to be part of the festivities and to help gain visibility for his business.If you want a shine, the store is open on Saturdays from 10-1pm. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday through Friday, the store is open from 9:30- 5:30. It is so nice when careers from previous centuries are still around.

Between the equipment Mr. Shine uses and the monochromatic photo, this seen looks like it could date from a century ago. Hats off to Mr. Shine for being so positive and for taking so much pride in his work. If you need a shoeshine, head over and see Mr. Shine, and be sure to get there early.  One o'clock is quitting time!  Happy Saturday.

Corner of Elm + Friendly

Let's close out the week with a final street scene. The above photo is on Friendly Avenue, heading west towards Elm Street. As seen on the flag in front of the maroon truck, to the right is Center City Park. The blue building to the right is Center Pointe. To the left is the Self Help Center. Friendly Avenue is one of the main east/west streets in Greensboro. As a matter of fact, it narrows really closet to East Market Street near NCA&T University. It continues through Greensboro back into West Market Street at a 90º angle at Sheetz near the airport, for a total of 9 miles. 

It is already Friday and summer vacation is quickly coming to a close. Teachers have already returned to the classroom and, very soon, students will return, too. If you head out of town this weekend, whether west to the mountains, or east to the beach, take time to catch your breath and notice the beauty of Greensboro. Happy Friday!

February 1st Place

Today's photo is of February 1st Place, located between Market and Washington Streets at Elm Street. It is a short and narrow street that carries a lot of history for our community. The street commemorates the Greensboro Sit-Ins when four African-American NCA&T students engaged in a sit-in at the F.W. Woolworth lunch counter. The Woolworth building, built in 1939, is part of the historic district in downtown Greensboro and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was save from demolition in 1993, estored, and plays a key role in the history of Civil Rights and social justice in Greensboro.

To the right, you can see one of the beautiful flower baskets maintained throughout downtown Greensboro. You can also see a Rolex Clock that stands in a metal case half way down February 1st Place. It harkens back to the days before cell phones and digital technology, when many people depended on analog clocks strategically set around  town. This one is well maintained and keeps accurate time. The metal casing says "Electric Time, Medfield, Mass. It is hard to believe that in less than 100 years, street clocks and downtown variety stores became obsolete. It will be interesting to monitor what future decades bring.

MLK + Elm

Yesterday, we featured Tate + Gate; today, we feature MLK + Elm. This photo was taken during First Friday this past weekend. It is so fun to walk downtown and it is so easy to find inspiration for things to photograph. This photo was take at twilight, while there was still a little blue left in the sky. The ambient lighting and the red car on the right made the September 11th sculpture stand out. Local sculptor Jim Gallucci collected 16 tons of Steele from the Twin Towers rubble to use in sculpting, some of which is seen in the above sculpture. He got the last permit issued to visit the scrapyards. His credentials as a sculptor working in metal surely helped gain entrance. The above sculpture was installed on South Elm Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in 2017 after traveling to several places around the United States.

If you get a chance, head downtown and have a look at it. If you teach school, you may want to take some photos to share with students. The base is shaped like the Pentagon and the gate you see in the middle is held together by two steel beams from the World Trade Center. Jim put so much thought into the sculpture as well as much symbolism, Here is a good reference from the News and Record to learn more. Today's photo is a little effort to make art to showcase Jim Gallucci's art. Greensboro is so lucky to have Jim, a sculptor who is not only talented but also  connected to history and current events. His sculptures have so much meaning.

Have a great Tuesday!

Healing Earth Rhythms

Healing Earth Rhythms leads a community drum circle every First Friday at Center City Park in downtown Greensboro. The above photo was taken at their last gathering on August 6th from 6:30 pm- 9:00 pm. The next drumming event in Center City Park will be Friday, September 3rd. The event is presented by Greensboro Downtown Parks. You can bring your own drum or use one of the loaner drums. Drum therapy is an ancient approach to promote healing and self expression through rhythm. Some people drum because they enjoy the percussive sound; others drum because it resonates with them spiritually. Regardless of what you get out of the event, as long as you want to be there, you are invited. Drumming is encouraged, but not mandatory.

It is hard tell from the angle of this photograph, but most people in the audience had some type of instrument. The mom in the center of the photo is recording her son who was doing such a great job of keeping the beat to the music.  Healing Earth  also hold new and full moon drum circles. If you visit the First Friday event, you can learn more about other opportunities to drum.  We hope you have a lovely Sunday and that you have a chance to come downtown on a First Friday and participate in the  drum circle!

Corner of Washington and Elm

Last night was pretty busy in downtown Greensboro. Thursday is the new Friday. The above photo shows the corner of Washington and South Elm Street about 9:00 pm as the evening was winding down. There was a guest speaker at Scuppernong Books, a classic movie (Spellbound) at the Carolina Theatre, Grasshopper baseball, and the Piedmont Old Society was jamming away at the Green Bean Coffee Shop. The Green Bean held evening hours mainly to host the music group, and any people who wandered in to get something to drink and listen to the music. Some people came from the Scuppernong event to the Green Bean. Earlier, before dark, people were out riding bicycles and scooters up and down Elm Street. When days are long and daylight continues into the evening, people take advantage of less traffic and make good use of the downtown roads and sidewalks. There was a high of 85 yesterday and a low of 62; the 23º range hints that fall is on its way.

Even if Thursday is the new Friday, tonight is First Friday, which will bring people out. What will you do tonight? Whatever you decide, we hope you have a good time!

 

The Selfie Spot

A new business to sweep the nation is the selfie salon or selfie museum as they are sometimes known. In 2020, the Rich Girls Museum opened at 4000 Spring Garden Street. It has been well received and is widely popular. Today's photo features the selfie museum, The Selfie Spot,  at 320B South Elm Street. It is a place where you can go to take polished photos in a highly stylized room. You may recall that Old Photo Specialists used to be in this space. They did some creative things with photos- from restoring old photos to taking new photos and making them look old. Old Photo Specialists did all the work. In this new model, the venues (The Selfie Spot, Rich Girls Museum, and Selfie Fanatic) stage the room, but it is up to the client to dress for the occasion and shoot the creative shots. The Selfie Spot had a soft opening this past Wednesday. If you like to take photos or put together Tok Tok videos, he colorful vignettes of The Selfie Spot will be a lot of fun for you.

These selfie places reflect the growing trend to have creative "third places". Unlike home (first place) and work (second place), third places are places where you have no obligation to be. Third places are spaces where you can have meaningful experiences with family, friends, or alone. What are your favorite third places in Greensboro? The library, your house of worship? a coffee house? a bowling alley? There are so many third places in downtown Greensboro. The Selfie Spot may be the new kid on the block, but we're betting it will become an old friend to many very, very soon.

By the way, if you are looking for Old Photo Specialists, they are now located at 7713 Summerfield Road in Summerfield. Happy Tuesday and do take care of yourself-ie!

Hamburger Square

If you want to know what life was like at Hamburger Square about 100 years ago, Jim Scholsser's article "Hamburger Square Has a Past" is an outstanding place to start. It was published in the book, "27 Views of Greensboro". The Hamburger Square area had so many businesses, it makes one wonder how on earth they all fit. There were hotels galore, trains stopping all the time, and passengers boarding and exiting.  There was a cigar factory, and yes, there were seedy aspects that kept Hamburger Square teeming with life.  While those old businesses are gone, their architecture remains. The area is on the national register of historic places.

Tha above photo is of east/west rail lines at the 400 block of South Elm Street. Because of this rail traffic, Greensboro became known as "Gate City". Schlosser writes that the railroad actually transformed Greensboro. Because of the railroad, our city recovered from the Civil War quickly, growing and prospering.  In 1890, more than forty passenger trains stopped at the square daily. The railroad is what brought the textile industry here. In recent years (the 1990s) gentrification began downtown and started around Hamburger Square with Natty Greene's, Just Be, Green Bean, Design Archives, and McCouls. Schlosser reminds us: "One aspect of the square remains unchanged. Everyday, at all hours since 1856, trains have jolted the peace at Hamburger Square" (p. 93). The above photo shows a couple of young adults trying to get the perfect photos on these iconic tracks. People are quick to remind us that Greensboro doesn't have mountains, a beach, a river. Perhaps the railroad tracks, with their ability to move people and goods, are our geographic feature. Happy Tuesday!

Fire Station #4

Gorrell Street is located just southwest of downtown Greensboro, crossing over Morrow Boulevard and near Bennett College. We wanted to visit Station #4, photographed above and located at 401 Gorrell,  because Logie Meachum writes about it in his reflection, "Sweet Magnolia, in the book "27 Views of Greensboro".  Logie had to be bussed across town to attend a school that accepted African-American children. He made the most of the daily trip, ever eager to see what guests were playing at the Magnolia Hotel. Just down the road from the Magnolia was Fire Station #4, another favorite of his. Here's what he has to say, reflecting on his adventures  on the No. 5 bus.

"The No. 5 Gorrell Street bus went under the bridge at Market Street and Murow Boulevard, which was and remains the gateway to the soul side of town. As we headed toward Gorrell Street, my mind focused on two special places: Fire Station No. 4 had Greensboro's only all-black crew, who to me and the other kids at the time were local heroes; the other site was the Magnolia Hotel (p. 55). In retracing Logie's steps, we saw what he saw, firemen working hard to make sure they would be ready in the event of a fire. Engine #4 has been in this location since 1964 and it integrated in 1967.* The people who worked, lived, and traveled along Gorrell Street in the 1960s would be happy to know that the fire station, and the Magnolia Hotel down the street are still up and running. Have a drive and see for yourself. Happy Saturday!

*reference and additional information.

200 Block South Elm

Have you noticed that downtown Greensboro is really getting a little busier? The above photo was taken recently in the 200 block of South Elm Street. People are walking to and from places to get a bite to eat. People are going to get tattoos; others are going to get a cup of coffee and to spend time with friends. In the above photo, you can see the triangular pendants in the color of the Mexican flag. They are hanging in front of a New Mexican restaurant downtown, Los Chicos Mexican Restaurant. It is a newer establishment. We really suggest it, if you like traditional Mexican food. It is very near the International Civil Rights Center and Museum; just up the street from Scuppernong Books; and a mere few blocks from Center City Park and LeBauer Park; and the Greensboro Public Library. There is really so much to do in downtown Greensboro. Imagine yourself, right here!

Happy Saturday!

Inside Fordham's Drug Store

Yesterday, we shared a photograph of the exterior of Fordham Drug Store at 514 South Elm Street. As you can see, not a lot has changed, however, the soda fountain has been removed. That used to be where you could get Coke floats and flavored sodas. It has been said that the original owner of Fordham's, Christopher Columbus Fordham, originally rejected Coke serving Coke as he was convinced it wouldn't sell.* As for that Mexican marble soda fountain, it has been moved to Lane Drug Store 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.**

It does appear that changes are being made to the inside. It is fun to have these photos for archival purposes and when changes are made, we will have "then and now" photos. Today is Friday, always a good day to go downtown. Why don't you head downtown yourself and see what you can see? Hello weekend!

 

* see the article from Our State Magazine.

** reference and additional information, here.

Christman Building, Formerly Known As Cascade Saloon

Since we were already downtown yesterday, let's stay another day, at the railroad tracks just north on Barnhardt Street on Elm. Notice how the tracks flank the Christman building, which was known formerly as the Cascade Saloon. Christman has worked hard to maintain the integrity of the exterior of the building, while completely renovating the interior. There is a lot of history in the buildings south of the railroad tracks; none of them existed prior to the 1890s. The Christman building at 408 South Elm reflects the common look of the brick buildings built at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century.

This building, constructed in 1896, is a three-story Italianate building with granite lintels and and sills. It began life as a saloon and then became Clegg Grocery, and now has been completely structurally reinforced. Let's hope it lasts well into the next century- and beyond.  If you want to read a very informative history and description of downtown Greensboro, this government document, a National Register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form for the city of Greensboro is well worth bookmarking.

Downtown Fun Along Barnhardt Street

Today's photo leads us downtown, along the railroad tracks on South Elm Street at Barnhardt Street. The three people in the above photo were en route for a photo shoot back in the parking lot between Barnhardt and Lewis Street. Downtown Greensboro is a great place for photo shoots, whether one is shooting in color or black and white. Monochromatic photos like this one put more emphasis on lines and shapes. The triangular shape formed by the railroad tracks leads the eye to the horizon line, near the destination of the walkers.

To the right is the Jamison Building (which was recently for sale). This one-story, concrete-building was built in 1947 and it is the third on the site. The two previous buildings burned.* It will be interesting to see what kind of businesses open here. To be sure, it is a prime location, highly visible. So much has changed in this back area, just west of Elm Street and perhaps, the best is yet to come. Let's stay tuned!

 

*Reference.

South Battleground & Bellemeade Area

If you've walked along South Battleground and Bellemeade Street in downtown Greensboro, you've noticed the changes. The above photo was taken at Keto, just being the Carroll & Bellemeade Apartments.  The Zeto wine and specialty food shop just got a built in clientele with the addition of the apartments in their backyard. They have really brightened up the entrance and the signage is a stand-out feature. This part of town is looking very crisp and inviting. Of course, we are always happy when we can sneak in a view of the JP building, or, as the time and temp light on top remind us, the LFG- Lincoln Financial Group. Just think, those who live in the apartments to the right are only a block away from Zeto, Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, LeBauer Park, First National Bank Field, and more.

If we keep adding to this post, we just may convince ourselves to downsize an move to town! Happy Saturday! If time permits, head to town and explore!

Chez Genèse at 616 South Elm Street

Today, we're sharing another photo of our downtown excursion on Memorial today. Today's photo is of Chez Genèse at 616 South Elm Street. Chez Genèse is a French cafe that employs people with intellectual and development disabilities. They serve breakfast and lunch. Here is the menu if you would like to see the options. It is hard to believe they've already been open three years. You may remember when Charlie and Ruth held their community dinners down here. While they've move on to Missouri, the current owners try to maintain that same feeling of being with community while you are eating here. The atmosphere is relaxed, but lively at the same time. There is some seating outside in front of the café.

Monday was pretty peaceful and, if you look closely, you can see people indoors as well as outside. The two sedans market out front really add to the scene. Let's hope the restaurant remains successful for a very long time! They do so much to help out the community. Happy Wednesday!

Memorial Day 2021 (Day After)

Happy Memorial Day 2021. Yesterday, we were on an urban walk downtown and so were these three young men. The guy in the middle is a recruiter originally from Detroit. When we saw them, they were in the 500 block of South Elm Street. We took this photo, and they asked if I would take a photo with their phone, so they could have a copy. They seemed to be enjoying their venture, which they actually said was a hike. It was so nice walking around town. Many stores were closed; however, ssome were open. After about noon, Elm Street started getting a little more traffic. It was so peaceful earlier in the day and nice to see how clean the streets were.

So many people from Greensboro either head to the mountains or the beach for holidays. With Greensboro being in the middle of the state, we are about equal distance from the mountains and sea. However, just like the guys in the photo, we opted for spending the day pounding the pavement. How did you spend Memorial Day? Happy Tuesday, happy June!

 

Downtown Is Getting Lively!

Downtown was busy this past Saturday afternoon, and at 4:00 pm, parts of Elm Street were closed so that pedestrians could have some fun! Are you feeling a little bit like Rip Van Winkle, going somewhere and seeing things that are completely new? Pre March 2020, it seemed that LimeBike (now Lime) electric scooters were everywhere. Now, Blue Duck Micro-mobility is sweeping the streets. It is comforting that most of the established downtown businesses survived the pandemic year and seem to be doing well now. These scooters are especially popular with the younger crowd. Also, going strong on Saturday was Brew Peddlers pedal pub trolley.

Another fun thing about downtown this past weekend was the diversity of demographic; people of diverse ages and ethnicities seemed to be enjoying our town equally. The weather was in the 80s, the sun was strong, and rain was nowhere in sight. The weather was perfect for all of the schools that had proms this past weekend. Let's this trajectory of reopening and events happening in person continues for a very long time. Who wants to try out a Blue Duck with us?

West Market Street UMC

Today's photo is a view of the iconic Lincoln Financial Corporation building and the West Market Street United Methodist Church. It was taken from the northwest corner of the Governmental Plaza, near the Dr. George Simkins statue. The JP Building, now LFC. At one time, it was the tallest building between Atlanta and Washington D.C. Especially with the time and temperature at the top, it stands as a beacon in Greensboro. To the left in the photo, you see the south side of the West Market Street United Methodist Church. This vibrant, dynamic church offers traditional and contemporary services. They have something for everyone! Their music services are quite impressive. Dating back to 1873, West Market Street UMC is one of the oldest churches in Greensboro. Their stained glass windows are stunning and the sound of the Dobson-Rosales organ is memorable. There are approximately 2,000 members at West Market Street UMC, and do, if you are looking for a church that offers many programs and services for its members, this may well be the church for you. 

Fortunately, the church has an extensive history online. See their timeline and more photos here. Have a happy Sunday, no matter how or where you spend it!

Rainbow Alley... and Reflecting on the Concept

Historically, alleys served a very important purpose. The narrow passageways behind buildings facilitate the delivery and removal of things. They lead to service entrances. They a provide a quick exit. As the weather warms up, alleys have a way of staying cooler longer and providing much needed breezes for the buildings around it. Often they become great public spaces.* Greensboro is not really known for its use of alleys, although with a little intervention by artists, people are starting to take notice. Rainbow Alley, by Gina Franco, starts beside the Biltmore Hotel at West Washington Street and continues behind Scuppernong Books, Jerusalem Market, Deuterman Law, and other businesses. It changes character with the weather. Last week, the shadows cast on a sunny day punctuated the painted stripes. It was as if there were a railroad on the rainbow road.

This alley, and the alley behind Elsewhere Museum in the 600 block of South Elm Street are the two alleys that seem to get the most use in Greensboro.  Let's examine our Greensboro alleys and imagine the possibilities. What alleys exist in Greensboro? Google searches only yield links about the Rainbow Alley and bowling alleys! Is there a list? If you want to orient to the location of the photo, find that JP/LFG clock peeking at you.

 

* Here is a publication for Seattle, WA meant to encourage additional use of alley spaces for the public. Perhaps this initiative is worth considering for Greensboro (#DGSO?).

Greensboro Bound Virtual

Yesterday, on GDP, we celebrated Greensboro's public library system. Today's photo is the window of Scupperonong Books, advertising the Greensboro Bound Virtual Literary Festival begins tomorrow; another example of literary goodness in our community. Greensboro Bound is billed as a festival for "readers, writers, students, academics, and volunteers who are passionate about books, writing, and reading". It is a non-profit organization established in 2017 (reference and more information). The festival is the brainchild of  Steve Colyer and Scuppernong Books owners. The annual festival has hosted many writers, many of whom are known internationally. 

Here is a link to see the list of events and RSVP to attend virtually. Many of the topics are timely and something for everybody across genres from young adult fiction to short stories, poems, cookbooks, crime writing, and more. When community partners, businesses, writers, and volunteers come together, in an event celebrating reading and writing, everyone benefits and the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts! Drop into a session and enjoy!