Greensboro Daily Photo

City of Greensboro Orchard

Greensboro is so lucky to have a public orchard on the greenway at the corner of West Smith Street and Prescott Street, between the western edge of town and the Westerwood neighborhood. On Sunday, in conjunction with the City of Greensboro, the Greensboro Permaculture Guild held an informational session in the first public orchard in Greensboro. Above, guild member and horticultural specialist , Aubrey Cupit shares his expertise with a group. The event was free and open to the public. Aubrey explained how agricultural ecosystems can be sustainable and self-sufficient when people work with nature as opposed to against it. In the session, we learned that a grass mowed lawn with a tree stuck here and there is not a sustainable ecosystem.

In the above photo, you can see that multiple fruit trees have been planted, in what is now a healthy and productive orchard. Fruit trees that do well in Greensboro are plum, cherry, paw paw, persimmons, and figs. If we remember correctly, all of those fruit trees are planted in this space along the greenway. Fostering biodiversity in public spaces and setting up private permaculture spaces is an idea that is gaining traction in Greensboro. If you are interested, go to the Greensboro Permaculture Guild's website, or follow them on Facebook. They do meaningful, community-based activities. As an example, their members have been working to help this orchard thrive. It is a great group of people with a wealth of knowledge, committed to earth care, people care, and fair share!

Happy Tuesday!

It Will Be Baseball Season in a Little Over a Month.

Baseball season is almost upon us. The Greensboro Grasshoppers have their first game on Friday, April 5, 2025, against Asheville.* It is a home game and will be played at First National Bank Field. The above photo of the venue was taken from the back side of the stadium at Bellemeade. This stadium replaced the War Memorial Stadium on Yanceyville on April 3, 2005. So this year's opening day will be 20 years and 2 days since the first pitch was thrown in the above stadium. You may remember the controversy surrounding opening a new stadium; however, largely, people are in agreement that is was the right move to bring baseball downtown.

The 2025 schedule is shared below. We hope you will have time to take in a game and participate in the many special events in the stadium. When you are inside, watching the game, it really does feel like the all American thing to do. In the meantime, we will all need to find other things to do for the next month. We've got the whole weekend to see what, serendipitously, will come our way.

Happy Saturday!

*See schedule HERE.

Behind Scuppernong Books

Scuppernong Books has been a great 3rd space downtown since it opened in 2013. Over the last 12 years, they have had many community events, some ongoing and more like pop-ups. . Last weekend, we visited the bookstore and spent a great deal of time perusing the used book section in the back. The used section is even more appreciated, now that McKays is no longer in Greensboro. Both the new and used book sections are very nicely curated. You will find books there that are not in your average, corporate, chain bookstore.

As we took a break from reading, we noticed how lovely the alley behind the bookstore looked on the overcast day. Gina Franco painted it and named it Rainbow Alley. That painted asphalt is so cheerful and. The building  behind the truck is the Biltmore Hotel, which has a tremendous history all of its own and many different purposes since being built in 1903. We still need to feature the interior of the Biltmore. Maybe this weekend.

Happy Thursday!

Back Stage Coffee Shop, Greensboro's Latest Gathering Spot

Greensboro’s newest coffee shop, Back Stage, is located next to the Continental Club, just south of Gate City Boulevard on South Elm Street. Conveniently situated near a spacious gravel parking lot, it offers ample off-street parking. Another amenity is that the shop features a large back room, available for community groups to host music performances and other events. One such event took place on Saturday;  a group gathered in the back room to discuss the contested election (Nov. 5, 2024)  between Jefferson Griffin and incumbent NC State Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs. It remains the only election with uncertified results in the United States.

 Mr. Griffin is seeking to have 60,000+ votes excluded from the count. Those whose votes were in question shared their perspectives on the circumstances leading to this situation and why they believe their votes should be counted. Regardless of political views or voting choices, on Presidents Day, it is important to appreciate the right to peaceably assemble and to have unabridged free speech. This very spacious coffee shop is a venue that will likely be used by many for music,  public dialogue, and other community events.

Skenes Chapel Holiness Church

The East Gate City Boulevard view of Skenes Chapel Holiness Church is spectacular. It exudes strength and presence. Unfortunately, the front of the church is showing a lot of age. The giant white columns could use a paint job, and the porthole windows need to be replaced. The front of the church is located at 350 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in Old Asheboro, just down from Southside.  The building was built in 1915 and currently takes up most of the .45 acre on which it is built. It is one of the first churches in the nation to have an ordained female pastor. It would be so nice to see community organizations rally and help restore this church to its original glory. 

According to the sign out front, Sunday school is at 10:00 a.m. and the Sunday worship service is at 11:00 a.m., with Bishop Lawrence S. Tate leading the service. We stopped by yesterday but the church was locked up and there was no way to see past the small ante-room that leads to the sanctuary. Someday, we'd love to get inside. Here is a photo of the church we took 14 years ago.

Happy Sunday!

Valentines Day in a Few More Days

 

It is three more sleeps before Valentines Day. Do you celebrate? Are you ready? We were downtown this past weekend at Chandler's (formerly the Green Bean) and the place was really busy. It is nice to see downtown businesses doing well. Alexa was mixing specialty drinks almost as fast as people were ordering them. Lots of chocolate and some spirits were mixed, and the drinks all had cute names with a nod to love and chocolate. Espresso martinis were a big hit, as were the love and lattes.  There is lots oa artwork for sale and/or to look at. This area near the front window is so cozy and inviting

Chandler's hours may vary today depending on the weather. However, if they are open and you need a place to sit, have a great cup of coffee, and get some work done, this coffee shop is a great option.  Everybody needs a third space or two. Where are yours in Greensboro? Stay warm, and, as always, thank you for reading. We just love those arched windows on the Elm Street side of Chandler's. 

Happy Tuesday!

Cultural Arts Center

Last night, the Greensboro Cultural  Center on Davie Street downtown was a hotbed of activity on First Friday. Galleries and hallways were filled with performing and visual arts. The above photo features the Greensboro Grow Residency Room in the center. Currently in residence is musician Jackie Spade and the room was hopping. Greensboro Grow residencies are available from one to four weeks and, once accepted, use of the space if free to the performing or visual artist. It can be considered an incubator space, or a place to interact and get feedback and publicity for one's craft. 

We serendipitously stumbled on Jackie Spade's performance last night. Sometimes, we research First Friday events and other times, we like just to see what we can see and learn as we go. Thanks to YES! Weekly, we learned that Jackies's Greensboro Grow residency was centered around his new album "Ugly Rose" and the immersive experience is entitled, "Ugly Rose: An Immersive Experience."  The themes of the experience, through the music, were beauty, pain, and personal growth.  If you want to see it for yourself, Jackie's residency continues for two more days. (Read YES! Weekly article here). We are so appreciative of local journalism and want to hold on to every opportunity to learn about local events. So thank you, Yes! Weekly. And, thank you to the City of Greensboro for making Grow Greensboro and Creative Greensboro possible. When these artistic initiatives are brought to the community, people come together and learn about each other and have fun. February's First Friday was so much fun and did not cost a dime!  We wonder what March 7th will bring.

Happy Saturday!

Exploring the Southside of Greensboro

Southside at MLK Drive and Gorrell Street has many businesses open to the public. From coffee and smoothies to salons to Bump. Baby. Bliss.- a doula, counseling, ultrasound studio- Southside has an array of options. Bump.Baby.Bliss is the business featured in the foreground of today's photo. Some of these  townhomes have a living quarters upstairs and retail down below. It is possible to have work and home in the same building, be able to close the door and head upstairs, and not have to drive anywhere.

These businesses and living quarters are within walking distance to Elm Street. It is fun to stroll by explore this neighborhood.  The east side of Greensboro has seen a lot of changes  over the last decade. With the greenway, it appealing to people who like to run or bike after work without having to get in the car and drive somewhere. Come explore with us!

Happy Saturday!

dog walk on south elm street

As we were walking the length of Elm Street on the crisp MLK Day holiday, we were struck by the beautiful colors of this empty storefront window on the right, in the 300 block of South Elm Street. That magenta pink and robin's egg blue took us back to our first 64-box of Crayola crayons in elementary school. To the left, an unidentified man with his dog happened to be walking by, letting his dog do what dogs do best- investigate who has been there earlier. The dog was very well behaved, got the information he needed, and headed on up the street with his owner. We were touched, because we had just seen a plaque that was recently placed in the 600 block of South Elm. It reads as follows:

"For ten years, four times a day, Jerry Leimenstroll and his family's dog, Watson, took long walks through downtown Greensboro. After Watson died, strangers would stop Jerry to ask where the dog was, sometimes crying when they heard he had passed. Their walks were a part of this neighborhood."

We wish we would have asked this man if he knew Jerry and Watson. Then we wondered, could this be Jerry? Could this be a new dog? Did this man and dog walk past Jerry and Watson on their daily walks?  We don't live downtown, but we would love it for we, too, would have known Jerry and Watson, and the whole cast of locals who walk along Elm Street on a daily basis. The weekend is a great time to get out and explore Greensboro. You will find beauty in unexpected places and have chance encounters with strangers who could become friends. We'll be out there hoping to meet you.

Happy Friday!

 

Sayaka Matsouka & Triad City Beat

Featured today is Sayaka Matsouka, managing editor and writer extraordinaire for Triad City Beat (TCB). For the past decade, she has covered current events and timely topics, making TCB a prime example of investigative community journalism. Sayaka is particularly skilled at crafting compelling ledes that draw readers in. Here is a link to the newspaper, where you can explore the newspaper and find articles by Sayaka.

As with most community newspapers, TCB faces the challenges of rising print costs and meeting budget demands. However, Sayaka assures us that regardless of what the future holds for TCB or for community journalism in general, she will continue to report on local issues and tell the stories that matter to the community.

Sayaka, the daughter of first-generation Japanese immigrants, grew up in Greensboro. She attended Summerfield Elementary, Kernodle Middle, Northwest High School, and UNCG. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, practicing yoga, and playing tennis and video games. True to her nature, Sayaka was at a community event the day we captured this photo. Triad City Beat had a table at "Point of Contact," an inauguration-day event focused on community resources held at Scuppernong Books.  As the photo shows, Sayaka’s smile radiates, and her passion for community journalism is clear.

New Construction Along Fisher Ave. & Spring St.

To continue on the "downtown street scene" theme from yesterday's post, above is a view of the signage of the new apartment complex going up at the corner of West Fisher and North Spring Streets. For a while, this has been an underdeveloped part of town, but lately, it is experiencing a Renaissance. This is the best of all worlds; to reclaim land and put it to good use in an already-urban area and to help downtown businesses gain customers. Just beyond this two block-long complex is a string of businesses: Dog Days Boarding Grooming Day Care, Arrowhead Coffee, and Windshield Glass, to name a few.

We can imagine a boost in business for people who need a windshield replaced, a dog groomed, or a good cup of coffee, when all it entails is walking across the street. Oh, the downtown Greenway and Cycles de ORO are just a short walk in the other direction.  If you want to have a look at that part of town, we suggest starting at Arrowhead Coffee, where you can get a good cup of coffee and park and look for free.

Happy Tuesday!

A Mondrian Take on Perry's Service Center

Perry's Service Center, formerly known as Perry's Downtown Exxon, is located in the 400 block of North Greene Street, a block off North Elm.  On January 26, 2015, The Greensboro News and Record wrote an article about Perry's being the oldest, downtown gas station even in the early 1980s. As the article points out, in 1953, less than a decade after WWII, there were 47 places to buy gas downtown. Journalist Jim Schlosser cleverly combed Greensboro city directories and surmised that gas was first pumped there in 1929. *

A couple of years ago, we were walking past the property the day Exxon was leaving the site. A couple of guys were called in to remove Exxon signage and they didn't know what was happening next.  According to the Winston Salem Journal (3/26/24), as confirmed by their perusing the Register of Deeds filings, a Clemmons group purchased the site for $502,000.  This past December 29th, we were urban walking and noticed a fresh paint job on the building with the addition of yellow on the canopy. This must be new, because yellow was never an Exxon color. Also, the concrete car bumpers have been painted bright red.  Another sign of life was that bay being partially open.  However, what really caught our eye was the red, blue, and yellow composition against square and rectangular shapes. If the 20th century Dutch painter Piet Mondrian's canvases came to life in a street scene, they would not look unlike this scene!

Happy Monday!

 

*If you miss Mr. Schlosser's journalism and you like a good stories about Greensboro, see the original article HERE.

Trains Hamburger Square

The North Carolina Railroad was founded in Greensboro by John Motley Morehead. This view of the Hamburger Square area is located just across the railroad tracks of the historic marker we shared the other day, reminding us of our Gate City heritage. Our city was the perfect crossroads for north and south, east and west-bound trains.  The above Norfolk Southern train is headed east, going right past the former Southern Railway Station train depot. The city plans to renovate the building. Originally, it opened in 1899, the building has been closed for several years now. It will be fun to watch it come to life again.

According to Downtown Greensboro,  Inc., the plans are to return the building to a lively bustling, hub of activity (see HERE). While a change in the exterior brick footprint is not expected to change, the former awnings and roofline. This part of downtown has managed to keep its historic profile on the outside, even when interiors get modernized.  There is such beauty in those old brick buildings along South Elm Street. Of course if you venture downtown today, you will see snow and, quite possibly, some businesses closed. Check their social media or call for hours before venturing out.

Happy Saturday!

Remembering President Carter

As per national tradition, federal offices were closed since it was the day of President Carter's funeral.  Flags are still in the half-mast position. The above photo was taken at the Greensboro Veteran's Memorial, located downtown in the spot where Church St., Lindsay Street, and Summit Avenue converge. Specifically, the address is 301 North Church Street. The memorial honors fallen veterans who have died in battles since World War II. It was dedicated on November 10, 2014.*

President Carter won the 1976 election in North Carolina and many people remember him fondly. President Carter's term was from 1977-1981. In 1978, he visited Wake Forest University in Winston Salem to speak on his National Defense Policy. That is the only record we could find of his visiting the Triad during his presidency. While there aren't specific formal connections to Greensboro and President Carter, we're betting there are many personal ones, and if not for political reasons, likely for spiritual and humanitarian reasons. 

*see more information HERE.

Historic Marker Fun

Historic markers often go unnoticed, but they are so informative and very pre-digital age. Now, with AI and QR codes, you can access virtually any information. However, the old-school markers make us "one" with history, as in "on this very spot" or "near by" ...  But, now, in the digital era, if you notice that letter and number at the top, J-102, you can search additional information online.  See HERE where we searched for more information. The railroad system has been important to Greensboro since the 1800s.  The above marker was installed in its current location in 1996 and it is located at Hamburger Square, at the corner of McGee and South Elm. Below,  is the essay provided online at the above link. However, us this link to search by county in NC and any State marker can be found here, and there are a lot!

Essay:

     Appropriately, ceremonies marking the beginning and end of construction on the North Carolina Railroad took place in Greensboro or its environs. The Guilford County seat was positioned near the midpoint of the 223-mile arch that the road followed across the state from Charlotte to Goldsboro. The early annual meetings of the stockholders were held in the Gate City. And, most importantly, Greensboro was the home of John Motley Morehead, former governor (1841-1845) and “in large measure the road’s founding father,” according to railroad historian Allen W. Trelease.

     The formal groundbreaking took place on Friday, July 11, 1851, following the annual stockholders meeting. Thousands attended, a crowd which the local paper judged to be the largest in the town’s history. Morehead spoke, voicing his pride in the project. Calvin Gravesof Caswell County, who had sacrificed his political career by casting the deciding vote in favor of the railroad, had the honor of turning the first spade of soil. Those assembled filled a chest that served as a time capsule. Five years later, the two track-laying crews met at “Hilltop” midway between Jamestown and Greensboro. David F. Caldwell of Greensboro, legislator and railroad backer, drove the final spike. The Greensborough Patriot of February 1, 1856, headlined “Finished!!” and the Greensboro Times of January 21, 1856, “The Road Completed!”

     The railroad proved to be a key factor in Greensboro’s, indeed the Piedmont’s, prosperity and industrial growth. During the Civil War the city was both a storehouse and a rail center for the Confederacy. Civilian refugees and wounded soldiers were transported and sheltered there. In April 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis arrived in Greensboro in the course of his flight southward.


References:
Allen W. Trelease, The North Carolina Railroad, 1849-1871, and the Modernization of North Carolina (1991)
Burton Alva Konkle, John Motley Morehead and the Development of North Carolina, 1796-1866 (1922)
Cecil K. Brown, A State Movement in Railroad Development (1928)
Ethel Stephen Arnett, Greensboro, North Carolina: The County Seat of Guilford (1955)
Greensborough Patriot, December 20, 1851 and February 1, 1856

Print Media

Life is about change. January is a time when we often strive for change. We only need to look at the parking lots in front of the local gyms to see January is a time when people aspire to make lifestyle changes. One change that has been inching our way since the personal computer is the diminishing of print media. For old timers, seeing these boxes by the side of the road are a point of affection and nostalgia. To the younger generation, print media can seem like unnecessary clutter.

We are so fond of the O. Henry Magazine and cannot wait for a copy to be published every month. It is a great way to keep up with items of local interest and to rest one's eyes from the computer screen. Their print features and photos are fabulous.  The Carolina Peacemaker has been Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967. For a dollar, you can have a copy of this weekly paper with items of interest to the community at large, but with special focus on the African American community, a community.  With a staff of ten and a weekly circulation between 9,000 and 10,000, they do so much to keep the community informed. And every event we go to photograph in Greensboro, one of the Peacemaker's photographers, either Ivan Saul Cutler or Kevin Dorsey is there with their cameras and big lenses. The "Marry Me" magazine to the right is new to us (but then we've long been married). If you want any of these publications, head to the corner of McGee and South Elm Street. To orient to the location, that is the iconic Bennett College water tower in the distance. The "O. Henry" and "Marry Me" are free. Have four quarters handy if you want one of the Carolina Peacemakers. You owe it to yourself to give it a try. 

Happy Wednesday!

Noon Year's Eve at the Greensboro Children's Museum

Above is a photo of the entrance to the  Miriam P. Brenner Greensboro Children's Museum. It was well attended yesterday, but we mainly went to learn more about today's Noon Year's Eve event. This spectacular event, held today from 10:00 am- 12:30 pm is a grand way for children to celebrate the new year early by counting down to noon! There will be family-friendly crafts, music, and a balloon and confetti drop. The 12 noon toast will be apple juice. What a memory maker for children and to give them an idea of how adults celebrate the holiday. As a society, we tend to demand everything immediately. Learning to anticipate and wait, and that sometimes the anticipation is as fun as the actual event, is a great life lesson for people of all ages. The cost is $15 for members and $18 for non-members.*

Help your little ones be present in the moment and take them to the Noon Year's Eve event. The Children's Museum is located on Church Street, across from the Central Branch of the Greensboro Library. As for what adults in Greensboro will be up to, well, the sky's the limit. This is a big night for restaurants, bars, and other venues. Many of us will be maintaining the tradition of ringing in the new year at home, watching the ball drop in Times Square. Whatever you do, Happy New Year!  We're thinking somewhere downtown, or nearby, should have a Noon Year's Eve celebration for adults: Tanger Center, The History Museum; The Weatherspoon Art Museum; The Train Depot...

Stop by tomorrow for our 2024 year in review post and on January 2nd for the start of Year 17 on Greensboro Daily Photo!

*if you can't make this event, the Jerry Hyman Day of Community Service and Accessibility is January 2nd, 2025 with $2 admission all day. 

Greensboro's Adopt-A-Street Program

Have you ever notices the Adopt-A-Street signs around town? Are you part of an organization that has adopted a street? In Greensboro, the Parks & Recreation Department oversees the Adopt-A-Street program. This is a two year agreement for groups to clean their street four times a year and to report the clean up activity to the city. Trash bags and gloves are provided. Neon vests and trash grabbers are also available- unless they all happen to be checked out. There are guidelines for where and how to leave the bags of collected trash, but the program is a very relaxed one that brings great joy to the neighborhoods, businesses, and houses along the way.

For Greensboro Daily Photo, we urban-walk a lot and stumbled on the above sign when leaving Greene Street and turning right on Spring Garden (between Gateway Plaza and the railroad tracks). We were intrigued to see Spring Garden is sponsored by THE UNO CLUB. Could that possibly be Mattel's game of UNO?  As it turns out, UNCG, indeed, has an Uno Club. When classes are in session, the club meets to play UNO for about an hour a week,  as a way to relax and enjoy a little friendly competition. We're guessing the street cleaning is a way for university students to also get to know and give back to the community where they study. Spring Garden Street is five miles long. beginning in the 300 block of South Elm Street downtown and continuing to Market Street, after which point it becomes Muirs Chapel. Conveniently, the adopted street of the UNO CLUB runs through the UNCG campus. We tried to find a master list of all streets being sponsored and their sponsors. So far, no luck.

There are so many volunteer opportunities with the City of Greensboro. See HERE if you are looking to share your time and talents with our community. That would make a great New Year's resolution.

Happy Monday!

Cille & Scoe & Holiday Joy

Downtown Greensboro has become quite the place to meet up for food, spirits, coffee, and fellowship. From the little New York style pizza shop just up the street* to Cille and Scot (above), restaurants have been busy over the holiday season. The parades and Festival of Lights do a great job of bring people to the area from Tanger Center to Gate City. On the day of the Holiday Parade, the above Santa-hatted friends gathered at Calle & Scoe for a mid-day meal.

Cille and Scoe in downtown Greensboro opened on October 15, 2021. It is named for the grandparents of Chef Sean Reaves who owns the restaurant with his wife Tara. Cille and Scoe (Lucille and Roscoe) gave Sean a farm-to-table upbringing that he experienced with them.  Most of the food at the restaurant is sourced from North Carolina; as Sean and Tara remind us, not to be trendy, but to use what the earth around us is providing in a given season. Sean loves reinterpreting his grandmother's recipes, melding that good, old-fashioned flavor with a new presentation. Read more in the article from Our State magazine (here). From the wall murals to the plating of the food, the Reaves have put so much thought behind every detail of their restaurant, it is easy to see how it has thrived over the last three years. It is easy to see why all of Santa's helpers stopped by that day.

It is the last weekend before Christmas, a time of year when we speed up so we can find time to slow down. Hopefully, we can all find time for holiday joy not only in our homes, but also in some local eateries.

Happy Friday!

 

* Pizzeria L'Italiano 219 S. Elm street. There are actually 3 pizza places on Elm street the other two are Mellow Mushroom (609 S. Elm) and The Corner Slice (600 N Elm)

Greensboro Cultural Center

The Greensboro Cultural Center on Davie Street downtown is home to many non-profit arts organizations. There are art galleries, dance, and music studios. Here is a list of tenants. We love the cloth flags on display during the Festival of Lights. We aren't sure who installed it. Perhaps it was part of the Greensboro Residency for Original Works. The artwork hanging on the ceiling was such a great backdrop for framing photos. It is so fun to explore the Cultural Center because there is always something great to see. 

Happy Tuesday!

 

GTA Transit & the Winter Wonderland Bus

Have you seen the Greensboro Transit Authority's "Winter Wonderland" bus yet? The above photo was taken during the Winter Parade a couple of weeks ago.  This burst of holiday cheer is a plastic wrap. It was originally unveiled at the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot on December 3rd. There have been many themed wraps on our city busses. They command attention and help promote public transportation. We can't guarantee that you will get the Winter Wonderland bus on a route, but here is the schedule. If you want to track your GTA bus, see here.

In July, GTA was awarded a $22.4 million grant to purchase 6 battery-electric busses as part of a federal program.We should have a day where we all try to get to work and school using public transportation. The more people use it, the more public transportation we will get. Once we try it and learn about public transportation, the more likely we'll be to use it. We're imagining all of those shadows of people enjoying the Winter Parade are people waiting in line for the bus.  Come on, let's ride!!!

Happy Monday!

GTA Transit

Have you seen the Greensboro Transit Authority's "Winter Wonderland" bus yet?

Bookstores, Booksellers, and Librarians

Coffee shops are such charming places to meet up with friends and downtown Greensboro has at least eight now. All take on their own unique character. However, when you add a bookstore into the mix, the charm is even greater. The above photo was taken in Scuppernong Books in the 300 Block of South Elm recently, reminding us of just how fabulous bookstores are. Scuppernong is always having special events, book club meetings, author talks and more. They also have employee picks and sales associates  make great recommendations based on customers' preferences.

Physical book reading appears to be on the rise. Some say Gen Z is bringing back reading. According to "Toner Buzz",  in 2021, young adult fiction saw a 30.7% increase in sales and 843.1 million print books were sold in the U.S. A slightly alarming statistic is that 41% of all new books sales are on Amazon. Wouldn't it be nice if we all purchased and gave books for Christmas this year.  The smell of a new book, the sound of the pages, and the ensuing conversations keeps us going back to local bookstores. We love to buy a best seller and loan it to friend after friend so they can bypass the long waitlists at at the library. However, the Greensboro Public Library network is as fine as it gets. You can buy a friend a "Friend of the Library" membership or make a donation on their behalf. this Christmas. So, buy some books locally, donate to the library, and sit and sip your coffee or tea while entering the magical world of reading. We're hoping Santa brings us that James Patterson and Matt Eversmann book called, "The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians."

Happy Friday the 13th!

Downtown Greensboro INC

Downtown Greensboro, Inc. helps with economic development in the downtown area. Their boundaries are Spring Street to the west, Murrow Boulevard to the east, Fisher Avenue to the north, and Gate City Boulevard to the south. They were incorporated 28 years ago in 1996 and develop programs that encourage people to work, play, invest, and live downtown. Their commitment is to help downtown thrive when so many businesses have moved to more suburban areas. One of their current projects is developing the Gaylon Depot into a marketplace, food hall and public gathering space (see HERE). The Downtown Greensboro, Inc. website is a wealth of information, if you want to learn more,  see HERE.

Today's photo features their float in the recent Holiday parade. The Market Street sign anchors the photo at the crossroad with Elm Street. We recognize Zach Matheny, Keith Holliday, and Joseph Schorr, but aren't sure of other staff members. Here is a list of some of the downtown events some of which are yet to come. Indeed, we have a vibrant, downtown community and it continues to evolve each year. Thank you for all you do, Downtown Greensboro, Inc.!

Happy Wednesday!

Nutcracker Being Practiced on Ground Floor of Self-Help Building

The above photo of a scene from The Nutcracker ballet, was photographed through the ground floor window of the Self-Help Building at 122 North Elm Street, at Friendly Avenue. Formerly, the ground floor of the 10-story building housed the Junior League's Bargain Box. That wonderful business has long since moved to Mill Street and the ground floor of the Self-Help Building has been renovated. It is possible to walk by and see and hear performances by community groups. Just after the Tree Lighting in Center City Park last Friday, during the Festival of Lights, the Greensboro Ballet and the Greensboro Community Orchestra were practicing here for the upcoming performances of the Nutcracker (Dec 12- 14th at the Carolina Theatre see HERE).

The dress rehearsal in the window sure generated a lot of interest, which hopefully, will result in even more ticket sales. The Nutcracker seems to be Greensboro's favorite ballet.

Happy Tuesday!

The Greensboro Holiday Parade

The Greensboro Holiday Parade was held this past Saturday (12/7/24) and while the weather was cold, it was sunny and enthusiasm was high. The above photo was taken at what we refer to as Greensboro's epicenter. The crossover of Market and Elm Street is the point that separates north/south (Elm) and east/west (Market). The iconic building in the background is the Jefferson Standard Building, built in 1922. At 374 ft. tall with 18 floors, when it was build, it was the tallest building between Atlanta and Washington D.C. 

In the foreground, you see children smiling, and they were from noon- 2:00 p.m. when the parade ended. The soccer ball was part of the float entry by the Guilford Futbol Club. Based on the children on the float, it looks like they have teams for children of all ages. The man navigating the inflatable soccer ball was encouraging little ones to kick it, which was a hit with all the children standing near us. Downtown Greensboro was hopping with energy this whole weekend. Let's hope the foot traffic continues through the season.

Happy Monday!

The Worship Place

On Friday, at the Festival of Lights, so many groups were out performing and interacting with the public. The Worship Place sang on the southeast corner of the 500 block of South Elm Street, under Jim Gallucci's 911 sculpture. The Worship Place is a contemporary, Christian church is located at 1808  Merritt Drive. Glenn and Melody Eliseo are the evangelists at the helm at The Worship Place. Glen grew up in California and preached his first service at age 18. They both settled in Greensboro in 1989 and have continued their ministry here since then. Melody is a second generation preacher. Their choice sings with such joy, enthusiasm, and talent, they fill the night with the message of the meaning of Christmas. In addition to Sunday services, they hold midweek services. We think this same group has been on this corner for several years and we anticipate their returning next year.

Happy Sunday-- only two more before Christmas!

Festival of Lights 2024

Last night, the Festival of Lights was held in downtown Greensboro. It was holiday fun from LeBauer Park to the 500 block of South Elm Street.  The above photo was taken at the corner of Market and Elm Streets, where north and south and east and west are divided.To the left, you can see Elm Street peeking out. 

This display was one of the many picture-perfect places for families to snap photos along Elm Street. The photo is a bit deceptive, because it doesn't look like there were any people. In all actuality, the First Friday/Festival of Lights was very well attended. It seems like the days in December start to pass quickly and it will be January before we know it. Tomorrow is the holiday parade. expect temperatures around 40º. Just like last night, getting out and interacting with others will be fun and rewarding. Head on out and see for yourself.

Happy Saturday!

Festival of Lights Tonight!

Tonight is the Festival of Lights in downtown Greensboro. The Festival of Lights will be tonight from 5:30- 9:00 p.m. The community tree lighting will happen at 6:56 in Center City Park. All night long, there will be plenty to do in the Cultural District, in the two downtown parks, and all along Elm Street. Here is a map. There will be music, food trucks, dancers, hand warmers, and more. The above photo, taken in a previous years in Hamburger Square, show how much the event brings the community together. The evening is so festive and has been a Greensboro tradition for nearly 40 years. 

It will be cold tonight, so if you head downtown, bundle up. If you are planning on taking photos, remember to dress in bright, holiday colors. Also, downtown, tomorrow is the Holiday Parade, from 12:00- 2:00 p.m. This is a busy weekend for holiday activities. After this weekend, there are two more weekends until Christmas.

Happy Friday, and let the fun begin!

Small Business Saturday at Just Be

Small business seems to have been a success in downtown Greensboro where all of the retail stores are small businesses. The above photo features Joseph Leonard of WFMY-2 News who was interviewing Kathryn Hashemi of Just Be. Just Be is a carefully curated gift shop at the corner of McGee and South Elm Street. Kathryn has owned Just Be for about six years, but the store has been going strong in that location since 2005.  The store is a perfect blend of items crafted by local artists to international, fair trade items. Jewelry, great candles, scarves, clothing, and puzzles are just a few of the items in the store. She also has quite a selection for small children. She is so personable and prides herself in knowing her regular customers and what they like. Some of us go in and ask "What's new that we need Kathryn?" and she usually quickly finds something perfect that we end up purchasing.

After Joseph was finished interviewing Kathryn, we interviewed him for Greensboro Daily Photo. Originally from Lexington, South Carolina. Joseph is a multi-media journalist with a degree from the University of South Carolina, now working for WFMY. He is so personable and interviewing him and being interviewed by him feels like talking to an old friend. Yes, he turned the tables on us for a quick interview about what we find special about shopping the small businesses. Of course we said the connection to the people who start out as proprietors and quickly become friends- like Kathryn.

Happy Tuesday! Three more sleeps until the Festival of Lights!

Hudson's Hill Has Relocated to 314 S. Elm St.!

Hudson's Hill, formerly in the 500 block of South Elm Street, in the old Coe's Grocery Building, relocated to 314 South Elm on Black Friday. After less than a week in the new location, they are already seeing increased foot traffic. This local store is known for its jeans, Greensboro shirts and sweatshirts, and leatherwork. They have jeans that still have a Greensboro connection. One of the owners, Evan Morrison, uses original machinery from closed Greensboro textile mills to weave denim for jeans. Hudson's Hill also carries Susan Ridenhour's pottery and many other products with a Greensboro connection.

The above photo features Tinker Clayton, one of the owners, and one of his employees, Jenny. We first spoke at length to Jenny because Tinker was busy setting up VHS Christmas movies in the storefront window. We guess when someone needs to patiently wait for their friend or partner to shop or get a fitting, they can sit in the window and watch old VHS tapes.

Hudson's Hill was open in the former location for 13 years. They have barely scratched the surface of filling the above space with inventory and equipment to make even more products on site. They have big plans, combined with all the talent it takes to make quality products, the old-fashioned way. This is the ultimate place to buy local and to learn about Greensboro's tradition as a mill town. It is so nice to see the Miller Furniture Store put to good use after being empty for decades. With a little arm twisting, Mr. Miller agreed to rent to Hudson's Hill. Perhaps he has been waiting all these years for just this type of tenants- people who value quality, tradition, and connection to community. Check out Hudson's Hill at the Festival of Lights this Friday.

Yes, dear readers, it is already December!  Happy Monday!

Tanger, the LeBauer Park Side

The above photo is of the LeBauer Park side of the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. It was taken a few weeks ago, when the hydrangea heads were dried up, but the roses were still going strong. This north side of town has blossomed over the last few years. We are so lucky to have live theatre in Greensboro, and especially all of the Broadway musicals. This 494 million facility has only been open since 2021, but it seems like it has been with us for a very long time.

Tanger seats about 3,000 people which seems to be just the right size for our community. It is not uncommon for people who give talks there, especially Bryan Series speakers, to mention how impressed they are with the venue. It just seems to fit that corner lot and serves as a gateway to the city parks and the Cultural Arts Center.  See here if you want to attend an event at Tanger. They have a different option every night this weekend.

Happy Thursday!

Mitchell's Grove Methodist Church at the Veterans Day Parade

Mitchell's Grove Methodist Church had the above float in the Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Greensboro last week. Mitchell's Grove, located in High Point, was founded in 1827, making it one of the oldest churches in Guilford County. This church is very active and dynamic.  They have lots of events, including youth groups, a backpack initiative for Union Hill Elementary School, hot dog Thursdays, Bible studies, praise band practices, and more. If you are looking for a Global Methodist Church  in High Point, this is a good one to visit. The height of attendance were the online services during COVID, soaring to over 450 people.

Their impressive Veterans Day float came at the end of the parade, just before the final entry, the police motorcycle quartet. The float was memorable in that participating veterans were listed by name with their branch of service mentioned on the signage. We hope you have a happy Sunday. 

 

Veterans Day 2024

Happy Veterans Day 2024. This year's  parade was held on Saturday, November 9th, mostly on North Elm Street, marching south and turning onto East Market Street. The above photo is of the Dudley High School Marching Band of Thunder (MBOT), as they  turned onto East Market Street, near the end of the parade route. The band adheres to a strict practice regimen which includes a dress code. The daily practices are mandatory.   All of the hard work and practice pays off as the band sounds and looks great. The band performs with show style movement and military-style operations-- evidenced by their moves such as about-facing, right flanks, and standing at attention. In addition to musicians, the band has a drum major in front and dancers, the Pantherettes, in the back. If you missed Dudley High School MBOT on Saturday,  they will be back for the December 7th Holiday Parade, downtown Greensboro from 12:00 noon- 2:00 pm. In the background, you can see the Lincoln Financial Group (formerly JP) building in the background, anchoring today's photo in Greensboro. 

On a more somber note, on Veterans Day 2021, we featured Tech Sergeant Albert Lochra (see HERE). This is Greensboro's second Veterans Day without him, as he died on July 1, 2023. He was loved by many in the Greensboro community (obituary HERE). With the sadness of the passing of another one of our remaining WWII veterans, we are reminded of the youthfulness and vitality of high school students today. The cycle of life continues as the Dudley students march on. Let's all do something to honor our veterans today. We are forever grateful for the day we interviewed Mr. Lochra and are on the lookout for our next veteran interviewee.

 

 

Our Vote Is Our Power!

Today is the day. Since half of North Carolina has already voted, today is the day the other half of the state  will vote. If you are not sure where you vote,  here is the list of polling places. Remember, today, you must vote in your assigned place and a few polling places have changed. The Greensboro Transit Authority announced that bus fares are waived today so people can go vote. You need a valid photo ID, but if you do not have one, you can fill out a "Photo ID Exemption Form."

The above photo was taken at the Greensboro Cultural Center on Davie Street at the Guilford Native American Art Gallery. According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, there are 1.012 American Indians registered in Guilford County. Out of North Carolina's 100 counties, the one with the most registered voters who identify as American Indian is Robeson County (26,403). Every vote matters, and indeed, "Our vote is our power." Today is the day to use your superpower, regardless of  your political affiliation and what demographic you fit!

Also, if you like original art, or want to know more about Greensboro's Native American community, stop by the Native American Art Gallery.

Happy Election Day 2024!

Downtown Greensboro in LeBauer Park

When we have community events in Greensboro, downtown comes alive with people, art, music and things to do. We didn't make it to First Friday last night, but we heard it was great. The Greensboro Cultural Center on Davie Street has exhibits that are still on display, including Casa Azul's  very colorful and thought provoking "Day of the Dead" exhibit. Downtown retail stores have holiday items for sale, with "Just Be" topping the list of Christmas gifts galore. 

The above photo was taken last weekend at LeBauer Park. The Greensboro Youth Council's Goulash was in full swing. The spotted standard poodle, Woody, stole everyone's hearts. He was so sweet and his owner was very kind. Woody was determined to strike up a friendship with the above black lab who is entering on the right of the photo. Downtown Greensboro is very dog friendly for friendly dogs.

The weather should be beautiful today. Head downtown and see what adventures you can have. We've got a lot of catching up to do and cannot wait until the Festival of Lights, held downtown on Friday, December 6th from 5:30- 9:00.

Happy Saturday!

Goulash 2024

Goulash 2024 was a resounding success! Goulash is a Halloween-themed event held annually. The above photo features a scene in LeBauer Park this past Saturday. Children 12 and under dressed up and high school students in the Greensboro Youth Council (GYC) volunteered to help for the day. Actually, they met and planned for the whole school year, and some students have earned 40 service learning hours preparing and volunteering for  this event. The event is a collaboration between GYC and Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. The Greensboro History Museum also has people who dress as historical figures for the event.

This year, there were games, inflatables, a costume contest, free candy, roaming performers, and more. To be sure, fun was had by all. Here we see two volunteers helping Dorothy pick out just the right piece of candy with mom watching on. The event was so well orchestrated and is an example of one of the many, many free community events held in downtown Greensboro. GYC  also runs a Santa's Workshop Toy Drive and there may still be time to get involved. (See HERE). Between Trunk-or-Treats, Goulash, and other community events, costumes get plenty of opportunities to be worn, even for those who don't go door-to-door. And for those of you out tonight, Happy Halloween!

Full Moon over South Elm

Here was last night's full moon over South Elm Street. The photo was taken from the parking lot of the Continental Club. Tonight, at the Continental Club, at 7:00 pm, is the opening reception for a group of street photographers. Preston Wiles curated the exhibit and installed it last night. The show kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and the show is called "From Dark to Light." If you like black and white photography, you will love this exhibit. Plus, you will have a chance to meet the photographers. As people who have been publishing street photography for 16 years, we always love to meet other photographers committed to telling visual stories. At the exhibit, there are also paintings by local artist Jack Stone. The Continental Club, with its international vibe,  is a place that does a nice job of building community through visual arts, music, and libations. In the previous century, the building was the home of The Farmers Exchange Store. From the old wooden floor to the geometric roof, many of the hints of yesteryear remain; however the lighting definitely gives it a 21st century feel.

For those of you celebrating NC A&T's Homecoming, we hope you have a great weekend; stop by and see the art at the Continental Club, listen to a little music, and socialize! It is a great place to network.

Happy Friday!

1007 N. Elm Room with a View-- and with a History

The above photo was taken from the 3rd floor in the house at 1007 North Elm Street. The 7 bedroom, Fisher Park house is made out of the same rock as this back yard garage and servant's quarters. The architect of the house was Harry Barton. The original owner was John Marion Galloway, the largest grower of bright leaf tobacco in the world- back in the day.*  We need to return and get a photo of the front of the house, now that we found all of the details of the property on the form where it is nominated for the National Register of Historic places. (See Here).

We would love to see this same view once there is some fall color, and then in winter to see the backyard. This is a house for romantics. You need to be able to dream about how beautiful it will be,  decorated and full of people. There are so many rooms that invite different moods and purposes. If the walls could talk, oh the stories they would tell of people dancing, socializing, and sipping beverages up on the third floor. 

If you had a three story house with a library on the ground floor, bedrooms galore on the second floor, and a ballroom and full bar on the third, how would you use this house? 

*Imagine our joy upon researching this reference for the owner of the house and discovering that it is attributed to our dear friend Alice Moore. Alice, who died several years ago, was the architectural historian who wrote the national register nomination for the Galloway house. (see HERE).  Alice also wrote the  nomination for the Latham-Baker Mansion at 412 Fisher Park Circle. We'll need to make a note to photograph that one, too. We had no idea that a quick visit to an estate sale on Sunday would bring back memories of a friend who inspired us at the start of Greensboro Daily Photo in 2009.

Alice Moore (March 1983). "John Marion Galloway House" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved November 1, 2014.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Tanger Center for the Performing Arts-- & Juliet

The Tanger Center was full of energy this past week & weekend, as people filed in to see "& Juliet" a pop musical that is a coming-of-age tale about what would have happened had Juliet lived. It also has a sub narrative of Shakespeare's wife Anne Hathaway helping to drive the plot. If you know the music of Brittany Spears, Katie Perry, and Backstreet Boys you have an idea of the music in this play.The acting was superb and the lighting was breathtaking. It was fun to see the audience's reaction as the song lyrics became entangled in the plot. Greensboro is so lucky to have the fabulous Tanger Center for the Performing Arts venue. 

Crowds were good for this show. It is always fun to sit and talk to those seated around you-- especially when they know a lot about musical theatre. The Tanger Center has as many restrooms as a Buc-ee's travel center and lines move quickly. If you haven't been yet, you owe yourself a performance. If you are able to get a 'Tanger Center For All" ticket, they are sold for $20 (at least the last time we checked; see HERE). If you ever have a ticket or two you can't use, find someone who has never been and offer them your ticket(s). Performers love a full house. The audience has the power to bring the energy and enthusiasm that inspires the performers.  Next up, the week of December 26- January 5, 2025 is 'Hamilton.'  Don't throw away your shot to see it!

Happy Tuesday! 

GCS Celebration of Excellence & Teacher of Year

Last night, Guilford County Schools held their Celebration of Excellence at the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. The venue has a wonderful sound and lighting system and is such a special space.  At the celebration, Counselor-, Social Worker-, Rookie Teacher-, Mentor-, Assistant Principal-, Principal-, and Teacher-of-the-Year were selected. The most enthusiastic schools in the audience were also honored with a Spirit Award. To the right of the podium is Superintendent Oakley. Next to her is Jeffery Silverthorne, Western High, who was selected as GCS Teacher of the Year. He came to teaching after a couple of decades in the corporate world. And now, he is an adjunct instruct at High Point University as well as a teacher at Western High.

On the right side of the stage are the other Teacher of the Year Finalists: Suzanne Stringer, Triangle Lake Montessori (fourth from right in green dress); Natasha Richmond, Brightwood Elementary (third from right); next, Marthaniel Grinton, Northern High, and Christen Blanton, The Academy at Lincoln. Everyone on the stage was a winner, not only last night, but every day in their dedication to the children in the Guilford County Schools.

Happy Thursday!