Greensboro Daily Photo

College Hill Sundries Interior

Recently, we posted an exterior view of College Hill Sundries. In case you haven't been side, here is an interior view. After a few visits, it is the kind of an everybody-knows-your-name sort of place. It is located at 900 Spring Garden Street, at the corner of Mendenhall Street. The establishment has been open for over 40 years and if you look around, it looks like not much has changed from yesteryear. The establishment is larger than it appears as in the back there is a pool table and more space for people to stand around. 

According to Triad City Beat, owner Jason Paul is part owner of Westerwood Tavern and Hops Burger Bar. Keep your out for special events held there. They are a perfect opportunity to visit the establishment and have a look around, especially if you don't just want to sit and have a brew. It has been such an anchor business in College Hill, a neighborhood that has been designated a historic district since 1980.

Happy midweek, almost April!

Shalom! Jewish Festival at Temple Emanuel- Today

The above photo was taken at Temple Emanuel during Friday evening services. Temple Emanuel is a Reform Jewish Temple, located at 1129 Jefferson Road. Today, from 11:00am-5:00 pm, they will hold their annual Jewish Festival, now in the spring, instead of the fall. This community-wide event, celebrating Jewish life and culture, will be held rain or shine. There will be Jewish and Israeli food, temple tours, exhibits, music, dance, arts and crafts and more. There will be a kids zone as well as characters from Tanakh (what Christians refer to as the Old Testament). So, if you attend the festival, don't be surprised if you see Moses, Abraham, Rachel, and Noah walking around.  It is a good chance for the community to learn about Judaism and to celebrate a community that has done so much for Greensboro. 

Word has it that one of our favorite jewelry artists, Anette, will be there with jewelry  inspired by the people and symbols in Judaism. We are also looking forward to the Rabbi telling us about the symbolism in the 12 stained glass windows, as well as the meaning of the gold letters at the top of the sanctuary. The tents are in place, the food is ready, and Moses will be there to tell you just how he felt when God delivered the 10 commandments to him.

Happy Sunday!

Ramadan Mubarak at Nazareth Bread

Ramadan is the holiest holiday for Muslims. Ramadan literally means "the hot month", a month of worship, prayer, studying the Quran, and fasting. Practicing Musilims get up before sunrise, eat breakfast, pray, and abstain from from food and liquids all day until after a final prayer at sunset. Once the sun sets, they break the fast and eat a meal. The above photo is the evening buffet at Nazareth Bread, located at 4507 West Market Street.  Due to demand, this Middle Eastern eatery offers this buffet during Ramadan. after a day of praying, reflecting and abstaining, people are ready to enjoy a meal together. This delicious buffet, which appears to extend forever, is $21.00.

Based on the People Groups website, There are over 10,000 people in Greensboro whose religion is Islam, and this number continues to grow. If you have Muslim friends you can help them by being mindful that they aren't able to eat or drink during the day. They may not want to be around while you are eating a meal or having your coffee break. If you want a great meal, stop by Nazareth Bread tonight and partake in this buffet. People of all faith groups are are welcome.

Happy Saturday!

College Hill Sundries

College Hill Sundries is located at 900 Spring Garden Street at South Mendenhall. Most people know the corner establishment from the iconic Pepsi sign painted on the South Mendenhall side. See our post from 2009 (HERE- 14 years ago!!!), and you will see the Pepsi sign. We like this photo from yesterday because it shows what a dynamic place this neighborhood bar is. First, you see the "WILD FREE" hand-painted sign on the wooden, corner door. We believe that that is from the artists' pop up held there yesterday. On the left, you see one of the artists showing his work. Above his head, you see the "bike lane" sign, an important features for a college neighborhood. On the right, is a masseuse giving a massage at the special event. Finally, the sun was very bright yesterday and formed an arc over the middle of the photo. To the very right, you can see someone sitting at the bar. The place was hopping. From patrons to bartenders to vendors, everyone seemed in a cheerful mood. 

It took a little internet sleuthing and a some math to figure out when College Hill Sundries opened as a bar. In a News & Record article from 12/12/2001, we saw a reference to the King family who turned the location from a drugstore to a bar "19 years ago", which, since the article was written in 2001, would mean the bar opened in 1982, making it 41 years old this December! College Hill Sundries had its years as a dive bar with bathrooms that were barely tolerable. As explained in the 2001 article and verified by us yesterday, the bathrooms have been upgraded and  the beer selections modernized. From that same era (2001), the magazine "Men's Journal" listed College Hill  as one of the 50 best bars in America. The only bar in North Carolina to receive recognition in the publication. Oh the things one can happen upon, merely driving around town. 

We hope to see an add for the next pop up. If you are a vendor, you may want to inquire within to see about getting a spot.

Happy Monday!

Wylie's Gourmet Cafe and Desserts

West Friendly Avenue, around Tex and Shirley's and Bandito Bodega, is slowly becoming branded as West End. Wylie's Gourmet Cafe and Desserts  is located in that area, and is part of a series of businesses that have opened over the last year or so. Wylie's opened October 1st 2021. Featured in the above photo is Sonya Wylie. She is a fabulous cook who learned from her grandmother and mother. Originally from Salsbury, Sonya has been in Greensboro for over 30 years. Formerly, she was a hair stylist and also had a food truck. However, now, she pours all of her time and love into the restaurant at 1608 West Friendly. 

Especially popular are wings, subs, chicken salad, and pimento cheese sandwiches. The chicken wings are very large and portions are generous. Wylie's is take out only and no beef or pork are served. There is ample parking beside the restaurant. It is always special to support local businesses where owners and regular customers get to know each other rather quickly. A heartfelt thank you to our friend, and loyal reader, Alice Hill, for encouraging us to feature Wylie's. We're confident we'll be back. When we asked Sonya if she knew Alice, she said "Of course we do and we love her."  Local businesses, with the proprietor on site, make a community feel like home.

Happy Wednesday!

From Beef (Burger) to (Timmy's) Chicken

Ralph Harvis brought Beef Burger to Greensboro in 1971 where it remained open until 2021. The iconic building at 1040 W Gate City Boulevard has remained closed and dormant since Ralph's death in 2021.  On January 26, 2023, WFMY ran a segment, sharing that Beef Burger will become Timmy's Hot Chicken- already a  popular restaurant in Winston-Salem. Not unlike that ever-popular Chick-Fil-A, Timmy's will have a limited, but tasty, menu. Owner Timothy Walker reports that there is much work that needs to be done to bring the venue up to 21st century standards and to pass inspections. He hopes to maintain the feel of the Beef Burger at his chicken restaurant. 

In the photo, you can see UNCG's John Moyer Sink Sr. building with a smokestack right behind the former Beef Burger. However, the railroad tracks- still in use- run between Beef Burger and UNCG.  (800 Oakland Avenue); so, this is a case of close, yet oh so far. At the left, front corner of the building, you can see the dumpster used to clear out items that need replacing. It is expected to open to this summer. To be sure, we'll store this in a before/after file.

See the WFMY News 2 article here.   See an older GDP write up here.

Happy Tuesday!

 

M'Coul's Public House

M'Coul's Public House seems to stay busy, especially on weekends. However, as we inch towards St. Patrick's Day a couple of Fridays from now, it will get super busy. Simmone McClinton, founder and owner, opened the establishment at 110 W. McGee Street in 2001. The building is historic and Simmone is committed to maintaining the integrity of the original structure, while adapting and updating whatever is needed to bring the restaurant into the 21st century. The building dates to 1892, and a lot has changed in 131 years.

In 2022, M'Coul's was recognized in the book "Hidden Gems of America: Restaurants" as one of their top pics in North Carolina. The above photo was taken upstairs, one of their  five options for dining. We love the mural and know there has to be a great story behind it. We're not sure, though. Do you know? It captures so perfectly the vibe of M'coul's. When we find out, we'll let you know.

Happy Saturday! Happy exploring!

Heavenly Buffaloes

Heavenly Buffaloes is a brick and mortar restaurant at 356 South Elm Street. However, they also have a truck that always catches our attention, especially when we see it parked on W. McGee Street downtown. Heavenly Buffaloes got their start in Durham, NC in 2014, but now also has locations in Chapel Hill and Greensboro. They pride themselves on using high quality ingredients, local and for the chicken wings, antibiotic free. They also have vegan (soy nugget) wings, made from a recipe they perfected over a year. They offer many flavors of sauce and levels of heat. 

It is nice to see a local (well, down the road) business doing well and, who knows, they could keep growing and expand to other states, like Biscuitville and Cook Out. Sundays- Tuesdays, HB is only open until 10:00 pm, but other nights until midnight. It is always nice to be able to grab a late night snack. We're always looking for new places to get a quick bite to eat when downtown. 

Happy Thursday! 

College Park Baptist: Astro Dog Food Truck

College Park Baptist Church is located at the southwest corner of Walker Avenue and Josephine Boyd. This photo is of the food truck Astro Dog that is set up there Thursday-Sunday afternoons and evenings.. The photo was taken last night. This high visibility corner, right across the street from the westernmost side of UNCG, is the perfect spot to attract students, as well as people who just happen to be driving by. College Park Baptist has many outreach initiatives;while the food truck doesn't appear to be related to outreach, who knows. If people start walking or driving to the church to nourish their bodies, they just may head there to nourish the soul. College Park Baptist describes itself as progressive, diverse, ecumenical, and welcoming to everyone.

We interviewed people in line waiting for food and they said they really liked it and were return customers. There appears to be one menu item, Korean style corn dogs. You can get them sweet or savory; mild or spicy; or, with toppings like hot Cheetos, nacho cheese Doritos, and cool ranch Doritos. If you want something to drink, Mexican sodas (Jarritos & Mundet) and water are available. On nicer nights, people often sit in the parking lot and enjoy their dogs.

Church services at College Park Baptist are at 8:30 in the chapel; 9:45 Sunday school; and 10:45 in the chapel. Astro Dogs is open from 3:00 pm- 10:00 pm. You could start and end your day right here. Happy Sunday! 

Common Grounds Downtown

Yesterday, after that brief afternoon shower, we had a chance to visit Common Grounds on South Elm Street. We affectionately refer to it as Common Grounds East, as the original location is in Lindley Park at the corner of Elam and Walker. The menu appears to be the same  with iced and hot coffee and smoothies. Their specialty lattes are named after actors, the Bill Murray, Amy Adams, Robin Williams, Charlie Chaplin, and more. They also have pastries and draft beer. They are the last business on South Elm, on the northeast corner of the South Elm/Gate City Boulevard intersection. The parking lot on the corner, the one with the giant globe/orb, is for Common Grounds. 

As the weather warms, you will start seeing people sitting outside in the front of the shop as well as in the charming area in the back. Common Grounds on Elm opened last Friday, February 17th. If you stop by today, wish them a happy, one week anniversary. As you can see from the above photo, there is plenty of room to spread out and get some work done, or, to socialize with friends. In general, Elm Street south of the railroad tracks is being transformed. We'll share other examples, soon.

Happy Friday!

Piedmont Old Time Society Thursday Jam at The Continental Club

The Continental Club, located at 816 South Elm Street bills itself as "a cool, international social club, for disruptors and innovators." It is located in the building that years ago housed The Farmers' Exchange Store, a precursor to Southern States, where farmers would go to get grain, fertilizer, and other needs for farming. It is the white building on the southwest corner of Elm Street and Gate City Boulevard, the one with DAILY BREAD FLOUR on the back. 

Last night, The Continental Club hosted the open jam of the Piedmont Old Time Society (POTS), where acoustic fiddle and banjo music reigns supreme. POTS had previously held their jams at the Green Bean, but once that venue was no longer available, the group was on hiatus. When they learned the Continental Club would host the jam, they had eighteen people on the first night, playing well into the night. The lighting is absolutely beautiful at the Continental Club once your eyes adjust. However, it is a challenge to get crisp, color-balanced photos. The music sounded great last night. Hopefully, the Continental Club/Piedmont Old Time Society relationship will continue for a very long time and they will have all of their first and third Thursday jams there. The club is currently hosting an art exhibit by Trina Olson; the owner seems very supportive of visual and performing arts.

Happy Friday! May you find lots of great things to do in Greensboro this weekend.

Jazz Music at the O. Henry Hotel

Thursday, Jazz Night at the O. Henry Hotel is something we should all experience- regularly. If you like jazz music in an Old World, European atmosphere, this event is perfect. You can order tapas, specialty drinks, wine, and beer- or not. The music is so transporting and the staff does a great job of getting people served. This is the way hotel lobbies are meant to be; full of people out to see, and maybe be seen. O. Henry would have approves. In the above photo, Dave Fox is featured on piano, Neill Clegg on flute and saxophone, and Matt Kendrick on double bass. They are regulars at this event, which has been a Greensboro staple since 2015. The singer last night was Holly Hopkins. Holly has performed from Hickory, NC to NYC. We were glad to see her back at Jazz Night..

Last night was cold outside, but warm and cozy inside. Adding to the charm, men were wearing jackets and sweaters, mostly without ties. Women were in long sweaters and slacks; casual and sleek. While the crowd had many older patrons, some younger jazz aficionados were there, too. There were three birthdays; Holly and the band sang and played for them. Jazz night is a lovely way to spend a Thursday evening. Perhaps there is some truth to the saying, Thursday is the new Friday.

Happy Friday!

Weatherspoon: Great Art; Great Coffee

The Weatherspoon Art Gallery seems to be changing before our eyes.  The new director, Juliette Bianco, is working hard to make the Weatherspoon "a core learning resource for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the community" (WAM website, visited 1/24/23).  There are spaces set up specifically for community engagement with self-guided activities and themes coordinated with UNCG courses. As an example, Dr. Richard Hronek (UNCG lecturer of German), holds one meeting a week in the museum where pieces of art are brought into the Dillard Room, specifically related to his classroom assignments.

When we were there yesterday, we noticed the Borough Coffee Cart was inside the museum. You can see it below. Unfortunately, we arrived after the barrista had closed for the day. Now, there are places inside the museum where beverages are allowed. You can see from this second floor view, looking down on the first, a  seating in a space has been created; previously, where only special events were set up. At 4:00 pm on a Tuesday afternoon, the museum was busier than we have seen it in a long time. Also, a new exhibit just opened up "To Serve the People: Prints from Mexico's Taller de Gráfica Popular." That exhibit has generated much interest and is a must to see if you are interested in Mexican culture, printmaking, or the labor movement in North America. Yesterday's crowd was very young. How encouraging to see 20-something students working and enjoying the Weatherspoon. The well-thought-out commitment for community engagement seems to be paying off. Stop by and see for yourself. There is parking in the rear.

Happy Wednesday! It is the last one in January.

Girl Scout Cookie Time

It is Girl Scout cookie time. The above troop was selling at Friendly Center this past weekend. They were set up on the part of old Friendly near Build-A-Bear and Toys and Co. That is a place with a nice amount of foot traffic on Sundays. As they were selling, children were inside Build-A-Bear bringing their stuffed animals to life. People were coming and going from Barnes and Noble, as well as from the $5 and Under store. We hope sales went well. By the time we arrived, thin mints had sold out. The young scouts briefed us on the new cookies. They showed us the new cookie that looks like a thin mint, but it has a touch of raspberry jam inside the chocolate coating. Boxes are $5 this year. It is nice to see scouts out selling in person again.  The above scouts were so helpful and adults from the troop were right there with them the entire time, helping with salesmanship as needed. 

Surely, you know someone who knows a scout selling cookies. It is a great way to support an organization that fosters leadership in girls; they have a troop for all age levels. There are troops in almost all neighborhoods in Greensboro. The council office (Peaks to Piedmont), located at 303 Pisgah Church Road, opens at 12 noon today. They should be able to help with any questions you may have. You can get information about a troop to join, a way to volunteer, and even a description of all of the cookies- new and old. We got a little chuckle when the website informed us it USES COOKIES to enhance the browsing experience. It begs the question, "which flavor cookie"?!!!

Happy Monday!

Biscuitville, North Battleground Location

Biscuitville on North Battleground has been open since June 2021. It opened on the site where there was formerly a Pizza Hut. In the parking lot, the building really stands out on a sunny day with dramatic clouds as a background. This family-owned business was founded in Burlington, North Carolina in 1966. Maurice Jennings started with his family's recipe and one store in Danville, VA. Now there are 65 stores and the business keeps expanding. From time they launch new sandwiches (like a fried bologna biscuit). The latest product is a skinny biscuit that is thinner for those who like the taste but don't want the biscuit to overpower the sandwich. They make their biscuits from scratch and with local ingredients. Founder, Mr. Jennings actually got his start as a flour broker, then selling pizza, but focused on biscuits as a way to be busier in the mornings.* The corporate office is on Yanceyville Street in Greensboro. Greensboro central location in North Carolina and along the eastern part of the United States makes it a perfect location for businesses. 

We imagine having this location helps alleviate the congestion of the business on Battleground Avenue near the back entrance to Target. If you have a child in your life who has never seen a biscuit being made, it is fun to take them inside to the window where you see them being made. The people making biscuits have a way of always smiling when they make eye contact. Customer service contributes significantly to making a business successful.

Happy Thursday! (Are you craving a biscuit yet? We're heading out for a skinny!).

 

*reference and Biscuitville timeline.

The Day a Tabitha Brown Billboard Strolled through Hamburger Square

Tabitha Brown, Vegan Food & Kitchen Collection Drops January 8. Such was the signage at Hamburger Square yesterday afternoon. Tabitha Brown is an actress, published author, social media personality, and more from Eden, North Carolina. She became vegan to help her cope with chronic fatigue and pain. Her demeanor and programs are said to be comforting. She is a motivational speaker who has been on Good Morning America. If you have not heard of her before, start with the Wikipedia page, and you will go down the rabbit hole of wanting to know more and more. To give you insight into the kind of person she is, Ms. Brown moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career; however, when her mother was diagnosed with ALS, she returned to North Carolina to take care of her mother. She also lived in Greensboro for five years. Her breakthrough career in food and and healthy eating came when she made anvideo for a vegan BLT sandwich for Whole Foods Market. 

Now, we are curious as to the details of her kitchen collection being released this Sunday. We wonder where the billboard truck was headed yesterday, and why it was driving down Elm Street at 3:45 in the afternoon. Actually, you can learn a lot about Greensboro by hanging out at Hamburger Square. It is a little amusing that a mobile ad for veganism popped up on HAMBURGER Square. Ms. Brown is married to a retired LAPD police officer. They have two children, Choyce and Queston. The Browns are thriving in California. It is nice to know that they still have ties to North Carolina. We love the serendipity of what we will see, and have time to photograph, when traffic is stopped for a train rolling through The Gate City. 

Happy Thursday!

Let's Close Out the Year by Donating Food.

As we close out 2022, we leave you at one of the carts for donating food for NC food banks. This one is located at the corner of Ridgeway and Madison Avenues, Ground 0 for the light ball display in Sunset Hills. There is still time to enjoy the light display in the neighborhood. And, when these specific donation locations are gone, there are still plenty of locations to donate food around Greensboro. 

The Running of the Balls 5K for 2021 yielded $74,000, 19,000 pounds of food were donated, and 4 million meals were provided to food banks as a result of the Sunset Hills food drive. We don't know if the numbers are in for this year, but this may have been the largest crowd yet at the 5K event. Hopefully, it will be the best year ever for raising money and collecting non-perishable foods for local food banks. If you want to be part of this event in 2023, the date is already set, for 12/16/23. You can get more information about the race HERE. In the meantime, let's all go to a local farmers market today to help our vendors and close out the year by doing something to help the food insecure.

We hope you've had a great 2022 and that we have held your interest on Greensboro Daily Photo. Stop back tomorrow, January 1st 2023, when we will bring you a retrospective of this past year. On January 2nd, we will bring you our anniversary edition as we head into Year 15 of this project. 

Be safe and responsible tonight. See you in 2023!

The Day the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile Came to Greensboro

The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile was first launched in 1936. We don't know how many times it has been to Greensboro, but it was here during the Festival of Lights on Friday, December 2nd. In 1988, a fleet of 6 began making their way across the United States. They are 23-feet of advertisement and fun. People love getting their photo taken with them. If you want to know when it will be back in Greensboro, you can track it HERE. Greensboro isn't currently up on the map; however, you can even invite them to an event. We're guessing someone involved in organizing the Festival of Lights invited them.

In the above photo, this giant, plastic, bundle of joy was parked in the 500 block of South Elm Street, right across from the Community Theatre of Greensboro. They are often looking for enthusiastic people with great driving records to join the driving team. It would be so fun to have someone from Greensboro driving the Weinermobile! 

Happy Wednesday! After today, there are three more days until we close out 2022. Looking forward to seeing what the new year will bring our way. It is time to sit down and prepare a "Best of 2022" post for you. Also, we need to plan out a month-by-month activity spreadsheet to try to find 365 people, places, and events to share on Greensboro Daily Photo. Year 14 is going to be a good one!

Farmers Market, Plus Small Business Saturday

The above photo features the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceville Street. It was taken a few weeks ago and we had a ball buying a few of every single apple Leonard Orchards brought to the farmers market. We went home and rated them from favorite (honey crisp) to least favorite (Granny Smith) and everything in-between! We hope they are still there today and we have another chance to purchase apples! We hope to stop by and visit our friend Annette and buy another pair of earrings; and then over to purchase some handmade paper journals from our friend Suzanne. 

Remember, today is Small Business Saturday when we are all encouraged to buy from local businesses. It doesn't get much more local than a local farmers market! Of course there are downtown shops, State Street shops, and local shops throughout Greensboro. Nothing beats building a relationship with a local proprietor. It is the Cheers-bar phenomenon of the local business community. Became a repeat customer and they will know your name! Here is a photo of Kathryn at Just Be. She works tirelessly to bring local and fair trade to her shop in the 300 block of South Elm Street. Her nearby neighbor, Design Archives, is a collection of small businesses under one roof. Here is a photo of Design Archives from when we featured it ten years ago. 

The Fresh Market Reminds Us It Is Pumpkin and Mum Time!

It is pumpkin and mum season. The above photo features some of the fall options available at The Fresh Market. The Fresh Market has been helping us herald in the seasons since Ray and Beverly Berry founded it in Greensboro in 1982. If you've been inside, you will notice their efforts to make the market feel open just like a European market. The first store opened on Lawndale Drive. The above store is located on New Garden Road in the same plaza where Target is located. Today, there are 160 locations in 22 states, with the original blueprint of a butcher shop and flower shop inside.* In May of 2022, the Winston Salem Journal wrote an article on the $676 million dollar offer of the South American retailer Cencosud made for 67% ownership of the company. Regardless of changes, let's hope the corporate headquarters remains in Greensboro.

If you are out today, don't forget to purchase your pumpkins and mums. It is only 16 more days until Halloween. If you don't get by The Fresh Market, there should be plenty of churches selling pumpkins by now. We're headed out to have a look! Have a great weekend!

 

*reference and read more about their history HERE.

Matty Sheets & Open Mic at the Green Bean

Matty Sheets has been hosting open mic sessions in Greensboro for nearly twenty years. Since June of 2021, he has held the sessions at the Green Bean Coffee Shop downtown on Elm Street. The above photo was taken at the session held there last night. Poets, singer songwriters, a percussionist, a ventriloquist, and more shared their talent. Matty doesn't have a lot of rules, other than demanding people be ready when it is their turn, and that they are nice to each other. The Tuesday night open mics are from 7-10 pm and about 25 people performed and there was a nice little crowd of spectators.

Here is Matty Sheet's personal website, where he explains that he is an artist, musician, songwriter, and a storyteller. He also explains that he is living with multiple sclerosis and that he is dizzy most of the time. He is so personable and generous with his time to host everyone's favorite open mic, which is free to musicians. Matty opened the night last night a performance on his ukulele and introduced everyone; most of the performers seem to know him on a personal basis. Matty looks so elegant and in his element in the front part of the Green Bean, in front of the rows of filled chairs. Thank you, Matty for all you do for the local performance artists. Let's hope those new advances in MS research come your way. You deserve the best!

Happy Wednesday!

 

*Great Yes Weekly article on Matty Sheets HERE.

Boxcar Bar + Arcade Downtown on W. Lewis Street

The Boxcar Bar + Arcade was on the front end of making the  Elm/Lewis Street area a destination for in Downtown Greensboro fun and game entertainment. It opened on January 26, 2017, making it their 5th year of operation. The above photo features an interior view, located at 120 West Lewis Street. Since Boxcar is a bar, one must be 21 to enter. Even though it is for adults, it is a place where adults don't have to grow up. Look at how much fun those men are riding the virtual road on their motorcycles. It is quite a gaming experience with lots of visual stimulation. 

Boxcar has a boxcar off of the front, where you can order food. Also, there are times when live entertainment takes place on the front porch. When you've had enough arcading, you can walk around the corner to hang out at Elsewhere. They always have something engaging to do, see, and learn; or, you can head to Bourbon Bowl to bowl.  As for us, we're waiting for a turn on those motorcycles! Happy Thursday!

Kelly McGough

Last night, at Hops Burger Bar on Lawndale, we met up with Kelly McGough (Grimsley, Class of 1976). Kelly was back in town clearing out a storage unit, the last of the Greensboro goods, now that his mom lives with him in Boston, MA. The McGough family moved to Greensboro in 1969, setting up house on Redwine Drive. As of 2021, after 52 years, none of Kelly's family resides in Greensboro and it has been a long time since Kelly has lived here. After high school, he went to UNC Chapel Hill, majoring in geography. While he loved his major, Kelly has made a career in a very different field. He sells financial software to venture capital and private equity firms.

Let's hope we can entice Kelly to continue to come to town once in a while. He loves playing golf, road trips,  and driving around seeing all of his former haunts and catching up on how Greensboro has changed. If you know Kelly, invite him down for a round of golf. Last month, Kelly became a grandfather. Congratulations, Kelly, you will make a fabulous grandpa. We're betting Kelly has a plan to nudge his grandson in the direction of UNC Chapel Hill. Here's to his new venture as a grandpa and his keeping old friends- like us!

Greensboro Science Center at Family Night

Last night, the Greensboro Science Center teamed up with Chick-Fil-A at Friendly Center for their Family Night. From 5:30- 7:00, the theme was butterflies. There were coloring pages,  thumbprint art, and an opportunity to make a paper butterfly. The monarch backdrop was perfect for photo opportunities. There was also a balloon twister and a face painter. If you didn't get by the event last night and want to learn more about butterflies, head to the Greensboro Science Center. The Monarch Conservation Center/Butterfly House is quite a fun experience. There, you can learn how to make your yard a safe stopover area for monarch migration. Between now and early October, the monarch should be migrating south through North Carolina. It is not too late to start planting for their May to July journey from Mexico to Canada.

Over the last two decades, the Greensboro Science Center (4301 Lawndale Drive)  has grown by leaps and bounds; as have their community outreach efforts. The family night at Chick-Fil-A is one such example. This partnering was especially convenient for families who were eating out anyway and we hear the icedream sundaes were a hit. The above photo features set up for the event. How wonderful that in-person events are happening again.

Happy Wednesday!

Spring Garden Bakery- Fabulous Third Space

Third spaces, those spaces where we sometimes seek refuge, serve as a great option when a little break is needed from home and work. Spring Garden Bakery, on Spring Garden Street is one such space. The other day, we walked in through the back door and just loved the ambience in this view. The muted colors; two people talking; and, in person, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods. We have been eating their granola bars for twenty years now.

Sunday Afternoon at Double Oaks

The Double Oaks B&B at 204 North Mendenhall Street dates to 1909. It was built for Harden Thomas Martin who was a native of Rockingham County,  the next county north of Guilford. The home was first opened as a bead and breakfast in 1998 by Win and Ann Milan. In 2016, James and Amanda Keith purchased the property and they have been working very hard to not only have it be a bed and breakfast, but to also be a venue for activities that bring in the community. The Keiths host events and also make it possible for community members to host events. The above photo features the Sunday afternoon old-time music group during String Band Sunday (from 4-7 pm). On Wednesday evenings they have jazz- Wine Wednesday.

If you know old-time music, you know that the fiddler calls the tunes and pretty much sets the pace for the jam. The above fiddler, Christen Blanton Mack is part of the Zinc Kings. They will be one of the featured bands at the North Carolina Folk Festival in Greensboro (September 9-11). Head to the folk festival to hear Christen fiddle. Or, stop by Double Oaks on Sunday afternoons to hear her fiddling and, maybe even play a tune with her. Savory tacos with homemade tortilla shells are available on Sunday afternoons. We are so lucky that in Greensboro, so many of these local venues offer special events- music, arts and crafts events, food trucks, and more. They say Thursday is the new Friday. Head out and find some fun! A new adventure is only a google search away!

The People's Market in Glenwood

This photo was taken yesterday, early evening (about 7:00 pm) at the People's Market in Glenwood. The market is held every Thursday, at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Florida Street in the Glenwood neighborhood. Glenwood is a neighborhood just south of Gate City Boulevard between Coliseum Boulevard and Freeman Mill Road. The Glenwood neighborhood dates back to the early 20th century and is said to be THE most diverse neighborhood in all of North Carolina. The neighborhood works hard to celebrate its diversity and to get people at all income levels interacting and supporting each other. The clouds were so beautiful and, if you were outside at night, you saw the glorious Sturgeon moon; full and bright!

The People's Market is every Thursday from 5:30- 8:00pm from April through October. You can get everything from vegan food to fresh produce to hand pressed juices to free items, and MORE! Walking through this market reminded us that on the weekends in Greensboro,  and there are many options for purchasing produce and other goods locally. Please challenge yourself to support local farmers, vendors, and artists. Unless they are swamped, most will take the time to chat and make a personal connection with you. Tomorrow, there will be music at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville (9:00- 11:30). Recipes for success will be there and offering free tastings. We hope to see you there tomorrow and at the Peoples Market next Thursday- and everywhere else in between.

Happy Friday!

Time to Harvest Squash in the GDP Garden 2022

Squash in growing in the the Greensboro Daily Photo yard. We planted a little late and just got our first mess to eat this week. And, oh it was yummy. In Greensboro, you can plant squash several times; however, the later you plant in the season, the worse the bugs are. According to the botanical classification, squash is a flower and in the same family as pumpkins and zucchini. When it is on our dinner table, squash is a vegetable. You should be able to get squash in all of the farmers markets this weekend. If you like to visit farms directly, here is a website that tells you which farms have U-Pick options and what they are offering at the moment (see HERE).  You can really get to know Greensboro by visiting the various farms, and farmers markets. You might want to have this southern squash casserole recipe handy in case you bring some home with you. If you want to be part of a community garden, it is a little late in the season, but places like the Keeley Community Garden (McLeansville) are great places to start. At Keeley, you can learn a lot from other gardeners. Most are generous with their knowledge, and often with their produce.

In a couple of weeks, your friends will be offering you zucchini bread! If YOU are the bearer of "all things zucchini", here is an informative segment on zucchini from Southern Living.

Happy gardening and happy last day of June!

Strawberry Celebration

Last Saturday was Strawberry Celebration Day at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market and the strawberry waffle breakfast was a big hit! The guest chef was Denzell Berry who used locally sourced products like eggs from Massey Creek Farms and Reese's sausage and bacon. While Chef Denzell was busy working the grill, working his culinary magic in the background, the servers were the ones interacting with the public. As you can see from the smiles above, they helped make the experience special and memorable. We didn't get the names of the workers as they were busy helping another customer. As you can see from the name tag though, Aliyah is on the left. Somehow all of these frontline workers managed to smile and greet the public with enthusiasm, knowing the event was for a good cause. The proceeds provided funds for the hunger relief program the farmers market uses to provide fresh food for the community. 

Even if you missed last week's event, here is a link to look for upcoming events and to sign up for the newsletter. Tomorrow is a perfect day to attend one of the three main markets (on Yanceyville, on Market Street at Kensington, and at Sandy Ridge in Colfax). Even if there aren't special events, the markets are always special. There are so many options for buying plants, produce, bakery goods, prepared foods, arts and crafts, and more. Vendors will quickly become your friends and you will find yourself having your go-to stands for your favorite items. And, just like the money raised at the Strawberry Celebration Day, money at the farmers markets helps local people bring local goodness to us.

Happy Friday!

This post goes out to loyal reader Katja Brown who saw us at the event taking photos and asked when we were planning to feature it. 

Church is Community, Fellowship, Worship, Blood Drives, and More

Morehead United Methodist Church on Horse Pen Creek Road (by the Y) is a dynamic church that has lots of events to engage the community. Recently, they held a blood drive, compete with red balloons and the drop-of-blood mascot. Tomorrow, from 5:30- 8:00, they are having a Monday Music Block Party with music by the Apple Pie String Band and Marty's BBQ Food Truck. They will continue these block parties all through May. So, if you aren't able to make it to church for a service today, or if you are interested in learning more about this church and meeting some of the people who attend, stop by one of the Monday afternoon events.

The Morehead UMC building of today was constructed in 1970. However, the congregation dates to 1888 and the property where the church is built was the site of the Piney Grove School, which Morehead UMC used as a sanctuary for 45 years. Be careful if you are on Horse Pen Creek Road as the lanes have been shifting while the road gets widened. Please In the end, all of the construction will have been worth it.

Happy Sunday; may your day be spent in a way that brings you happiness. 

Farmers Market Day

The above photo was taken at a special event last Sunday at the Greensboro Farmers' Market on Yanceyville Street. However, all of the farmers' markets today will have plants as May 1st is a perfect time to get your plants in the ground. You can head to the Greensboro Farmers' Market, the Corner Market on West Market Street beside St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, the Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge, or any of the other farms that are offering plants. One such opportunity will be Providence Farm. Spring is such a great time to get out and meet local people with their plants, food, and crafts.

 might not have plants for sale, but they are having live music, bread and meat for purchase, and vendors out to provide you with home made products.After a two year hiatus, Leanne Pizio's arts and crafts show will return on her property on Oak Ridge Road, just a mile east or ORMA. Look for the painted truck at the road as well as a person standing there parking cars. Spring is so glorious in Greensboro. You owe it to yourself to get out and enjoy spring happenings in Greensboro!

Food Truck Festival in Downtown Greensboro Returned Yesterday!

Yesterday, over 50 food trucks descended upon downtown Greensboro, filling the streets with everything from Kona ice to vegan dishes to burritos and fried fish. Sunny weather in the 80s and the thought of great food was all that people needed to inspire them to spend time on Elm, Market, and Greene Streets. It was good to have this spring event back after the two COVID years. We estimate that the most popular food trucks had between 150-200 people waiting in line. One of the most popular trucks was the macaroni and cheese truck. The craft vendors seemed to be doing well, too.

The above photo was taken on  Greene Street with the Lincoln Financial Group building in the background. Based on yesterday's response, it seems like Greensboro could support additional food truck festivals. It was also nice to see Governmental Plaza filled with people enjoying the day. Having the event on Sunday kept it from interfering with downtown businesses. We were a little concerned as to whether or not it affected the final day of Hamilton at the Tanger Center. Perhaps people going to Tanger or coming out of the matinee had an opportunity to partake in  these delicious food options.

Happy Monday, everyone!

A Special Blend

A Special Blend is a special coffee shop located at 3900 West Market Street in the same plaza with the Art Shop and Mythos Restaurant. A Special Blend is about to celebrate their third year as a coffee shop. Their staff is comprised of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The employees show that they are able to do much more than people often assume they can. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the coffee and pastries are delicious. As you can see from the above photo, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and clean. You can't see it from this photo but just beyond the counter, on the left, is a community room you can rent for business meetings, book club, or any gathering that would benefit from the use of a space out of the office or away from home.

If you want to help the mission of this non-profit, please become a regular, and you will be hooked. Also, on May 14th, they will have an event as Starmont Forest Country Club at 7:00 pm to celebrate their third year in business. At the event, there will be music, a silent auction, a dessert competition, and more. You can get more information about the event at aspecialblend.org

Sage Mule Inside

The Sage Mule is a restaurant located in the northwest section of downtown Greensboro. It is near the baseball park, Deep Roots Co-op, and Joymongers. We featured the exterior recently and had a request to show the inside. It is much larger than it appears outside. They've been open since November 2019, and homemade breakfasts are their speciality. They make special cinnamon rolls. On the day we were there, they had s'mores flavored rolls! In anticipation of Easter, last week, they had a pastel, chocolate, raspberry cinnamon bun; that's a lot of adjectives and it had lots of toppings! Not all is sweet. They have savory dishes, too.  The artwork and plants inside are a nice feature; however, the best visual appeal is the presentation of the delicious food.

While the photo gives you a good idea of the interior seating, what you can't see is the "singles" bar at the window where there must be about a dozen seats for small parties or people sitting alone. Service at the bar is very fast and the wait staff is attentive. 

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

The Sage Mule

Well, it's the weekend and people are talking about the great scratch-made breakfasts and Sunday brunch at The Sage Mule. In November of 2019, the restaurant opened at 608 Battleground Avenue. It is located at the end of a strip of establishments that are becoming quite the destination. On Wednesday, when we were out walking on National Walking Day, we walked through Green Hill Cemetery and on the walk back to town, this is the view. Look how lovely this side of the restaurant is here with the Adirondack chairs, dried grasses, and rock garden. If you look to the left of the pergola, you can see signage for the Sage Mule. This view is very different from the Battleground side. It is fun to look at things from a fresh perspective, be it a situation in your life, or a very special downtown restaurant.

Happy Friday! May you find great things and restaurants to explore around town. Right now, we're trying to plan our trip to the Sage Mule and deciding between something savory or the cinny buns, which are so deliciously decadent they should be called sin-ny buns!

Northern Roots to Open on South Elm Street!

Great things are happening in the 300 block of south Elm Street. The above photo was taken at the building between 300 South Elm, where Glitters USED to be and just north of Scuppernong Books. If you have been in Greensboro since the 1990s, it is where Indigo Beads used to be, before Wenty moved her store to Pisgah Church. The store with the butcher paper on the windows will soon be Northern Roots, an antique store and coffee shop. What a great idea for a business on this block. The business is owned by a woman moving down from Ohio. Perhaps that's the reference "northern" in Northern Roots comes from.

The man in the suit is one of the people uplifting the space and getting it ready to becoming the coffee shop. The inside is painted white and fabulously clean, so ready to house a stand-out business. The company doing the work is Empire Building and Remodeling, and it looks like they are doing a fabulous job. We're not sure when the new business will open, but let's hope Northern Roots will  be in Greensboro for a very long time. Oh, and the white suit is for safety measures. When the shop opens, the guys in the white suits will have moved on to their next renovation. We can't wait to visit. Not only us, but the people on this block, are probably looking forward to this new business.

Happy Friday! Please get out and enjoy Greensboro- or whatever city happens to be your corner of the earth!

Ghassan's Fresh Mediterranean Eats

We love to find scenes in Greensboro that evoke scenes of famous artists. While waiting for our order at Ghassan's on Battleground the other night, this scene reminded us so much of an Edward Hopper painting. His scenes are never crowded or cluttered, feature a person or two, and have a lot of emphasis on geometric shapes. At least, that is what we felt as we were waiting for our food. Ghassan's features mediterranean food that is cooked fresh to order. They offer catering, take out, food trucks, eat in, grub hub; just about any way you want food, they can serve it up. We love seeing that red food truck in the window when we are there. The saturated color and contrast adds to the mood, making it very Hopper-esque.

As for the food, when you are in the mood for a wrap, sub, beef or chicken platter, great sauces and dips, Ghassan's is a great option. It has been locally owned and operated since 1975. There have been lots of successful spin offs, but they don't seem to be impacting this little taste of Lebanon, right here in Greensboro. While the flagship store (at Gate City Boulevard) closed in 2020, the other locations and the food truck continue to thrive. The Ghassan's at LeBauer Park on Davie Street seems to have been a good move for the restaurant. 

Happy Saturday, regardless of what or where you decide to eat!

The Sandlot

Saturday was such a glorious day in Greensboro. The weather felt like spring and there was every excuse to get outside. We went to the arts and crafts market at Odom Brewing. That was very nice, and we bought some jewelry from two local high school students who had a table there. As we walked around we noticed these elementary school aged children playing on the lot adjacent to Odom. While the parents were sitting at picnic tables keeping an eye on their children, the little ones played ball and were having a blast. The whole scene evoked memories of the way things used to be, back in the dark ages before cell phones, iPads, and video games. They were having a blast. The definition of a sandlot is "a piece of unoccupied land used by children for games." So, if you have children, go to Odom Brewing on West Gate City Boulevard and encourage the kids to play in the sandlot.

We're not sure how close to Odom the venue will extend, but the Tate + Gate: Hotspot for Innovation will be in this area. While it won't be a sandlot, any place that fosters innovation, art, and creativity will be a good thing. But for now, we're simply going to enjoy seeing children play in that inhibited, not-a-care-in-the-world way that only children can play!

Happy Monday!

Farm Fresh Dairy Products

Today is Farmer's Market Day again. We go between the one at Sandy Ridge and the one on Yanceyville.  The above photo was taken last weekend at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville. Featured in the photo is Mathura who runs Snow Creek Family Organics in Hanging Rock, Stokes County. Saturdays, when inventory permits, Mathura drives down to the market with his yogurt, ghee, paneer curd, and raw milk. He prides himself on how humanely he treats his animals. His grass fed cows produce a milk that many lactose intolerant people can actually drink. Like most of the vendors at the Yanceyville Farmers Curb Market, Mathura is happy to talk about his product. He makes sure that it meets your needs, before you make the purchase. The Yanceyville market has been going strong since 1874, almost 150 years!

Hope to see you stop by, today. Happy Saturday!

Vintage VW at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

Today's photo was taken on Saturday after another weekend snow.  This vintage Volkswagen was parked outside the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street while its owners were inside shopping. The farmers market is on the east side of Greensboro, just north of NC A&T University. If you look in the background, you can see the JP/LFG building, Greensboro's iconic landmark.

If you are from North Carolina, you recognize that the car is painted Carolina blue for UNC Chapel Hill. No, that is not an original VW color, but it really fits the vintage car and its owners. We are thinking it is a 1970-ish Volkswagen square back. The VW may be small, but it looks like it could hold a lot of fresh produce. While some times of year, the farmers market is open on Wednesday, it will not be open today, you'll have to wait until Saturday. Do you think the VW will be back? Eating healthy is so addictive and the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market is a great way to do so! It has bringing us great, local food products since it was founded in 1874!

Happy Candlemas! Happy Groundhog Day! We're headed out to see if the groundhog sees his shadow.