Greensboro Daily Photo

Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG)

The Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery* is part of an initiative similar to the Little Free Library initiative.  The owner keeps it stocked with delightful pieces of art, and even sometimes jewelry. You are always free to take a piece or art. This gallery box is located to the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville Street and we stop by for a look every time we go to the farmers market. We keep hoping to meet (and interview) the owners, but never see them out when driving by. We also want to honor their privacy and not go banging on their door at some early hour on a Saturday! The last time we were there, we picked up an ink drawing of a praying mantis. There were some rainbow earrings that were delightful, but we always limit ourselves to just one!

Here is a photo of the inside of the gallery from the day we visited in March 2022. We had a request by local artist, Bobby Craddock to feature the exterior of the box. We love requests and try to honor them, as time permits. Thanks to Bobby, we snapped this photo which, from this angle, really accentuates the little slice-of-pie shaped land that hosts the gallery. Bobby started a group 50+ Artists and Makers, and the members of that group will love to see this box. It would be wonderful to have more of them in the area. Whereas Greensboro Daily Photo inspires to keep showcasing and learning more about our community, a FLAG inspires you to make art every day! Stop by 717 Percy Street next time you are in the area and have a look for yourself. We didn't measure, but are guessing the box is 2' x 1'. 

Happy Friday! 

 

 

*Here is the home page to the Free Little Art Gallery, in case you want to start one or find one near you.

1633 Willomore Street

The day we were in Glenwood to see the Tiny Home property, we noticed this property, also on Willomore. It was built in 1901 and doesn't appear to have been sold since 1990, when it sold for $40,000. It is one of those homes that remind one of yesteryear. Time stands still on this 1/3 of an acre. The two bedroom, one bathroom house looks like it has been added on to, on the left. 

The original log home and chinking has been going strong for over 120 years. Of course we have as many questions as answers. We wonder how many owners it has had, what the inside looks like, what changes the owners have seen in the neighborhood over the years. What they love most about it- on and on. Perhaps we should call on them some day, just like people used to do back when it was built. We could knock and see if we could chat on the porch for a spell. Taking a plate of warm cookies might do the trick. 

What will you be doing this weekend?  Happy Friday!

 

Walkers on Walker in front of Walkers

Yesterday afternoon, the weather was lovely in Greensboro. It felt like a sunny spring day.The above photo was taken on Walker Avenue across the street from Walkers Bar. So, you can say it is a photo of walkers on Walker in front of Walkers. The Lindley Park area is so lively, especially after about 4:00 pm and on the weekend. The corner of Walker and Elam has changed significantly over the decades; however it has always been been dynamic. While the A&P and the drugstore are gone, Bestway is a thriving grocery store and suds and duds has long since replaced the drug store.*

Something about this photo feels like it should be set to music; perhaps something percussive like Henry Mancini's Pink Panther.

Have a great Saturday!

*if you can access the News and Record online, this 2015 article shares a lot about this area.

On North Battleground and Around the City

The above photo was taken on North Battleground, near British Woods, on a day that had been rainy, but then the sun came out. Those puffy white clouds look glorious against the blue sky and the winter trees. It shows you that there are still patches of Battleground with trees. However, the profile of this section is about to change; as it is near where the High Ground Project will be build, but maybe we can keep some of the greenery. This is very close to where the urban loop I-840 crosses Battleground. The signage has been changed to I-840 already now that the highway is completely open. It makes getting to Kernersville, Winston, McLeansville and Burlington much easier. Actually, it makes getting in to south Greensboro easier too. It will be interesting to see if that traffic is a little lighter now on the south side of town.

We need to get out an photograph this area more. The area between Westridge and I-840 in now six lanes wide. Change is everywhere. There is construction across from Applebee's. Also, for those of you who remember Laddies and Dukes Irish Pub, something is under construction in that area. It is so hard to remember what used to be on a lot, once something new is built. Please take pictures!

We hope you are getting ready for the weekend and we're betting a lot of you are planning urban loop rides. It would be informative, too, to drive from North Battleground at the urban loop through town to the south side to see just how much has changed. Take a senior citizen with your to hear the "I remember when" stories.

Honk if you love exploring. Happy Thursday!

Ebenezer Baptist in the Yarn Bombed Yard

The Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro is so full of creative people. If you live in Glenwood, likely, you have seen the Ebenezer Baptist Church bus parked in the yard that is yarn bombed in memory of Joseph. Joseph died on December 12, 2012 and thirteen years later, the yarn bombing continues to grow. This tree trunk in the photo is one of many trees in the yard filled with color. The day we were there, birds and squirrels were romping around on the yarn- probably helping keep it bug free. 

Ebenezer Baptist is located at 2700 West Vandalia Road. In 14 years of Sundays with spiritual posts on Greensboro Daily Photo (which would be over 700) , it appears we haven't featured Ebenezer Baptist yet! Oh well, that is the kind of carrot dangling that keeps us traipsing Greensboro, ever in search of new people and places. According to their website, the church is committed to helping people experience a life connected to Christ. They believe in evangelism, fellowship, and Christian family relationships. If you are interested, they have 8:45 am and 10:45 am in-person services. Their 10:00 am service is online. 

The next time we are at the corner of Hertford and Lexington in Glenwood, especially if we see someone in the yard, we're going to stop by and learn about Joseph and his relationship to the people in the house. We will also ask if the driver of the Ebenezer bus is the person yarn bombing. Well, we hope you have a happy Sunday and that you have people in your life who love you as much as this resident loved Joseph. The whole scene reminded us of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"-  Glenwood style.

Rainbow Series: Yellow House in Glenwood

Today's yellow house with the bright red roof is located at 1223 Gregory Street in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. It was built in 1938 and hasn't sold since 2013. It looks like whoever has owned it for the last ten years has really kept it up; probably even upgraded it. Between the red roof and bright blue sky, this yellow house really pops. As we drove around Greensboro this past weekend in search of houses for our "rainbow" house series, we started to think we could shoot the whole series in Glenwood. Green, blue, and yellow houses are pretty easy to find. Red, orange, and purple houses are a little harder. If you have a lead about houses in those three colors in Greensboro, please let us know.

Glenwood is a diverse neighborhood, said to be the most diverse in all of North Carolina. The more we look at these two bedroom, one bathroom homes, so typical of Glenwood, the more appealing we find them. If you are trying to move closer to town, you can't beat the location of this neighborhood.

Happy Tuesday!

Fern + Amelia and Elan Design Source

Today's photo features two businesses at 1615 West Friendly Avenue, Fern + Amelia and Elan Design Source. Both are owned and operated by Angie Besecker. Angie grew up in Greensboro, graduating from Ragsdale High School and UNCG. She is a talented designer who sells handmade customizable fabric and makes furniture in-house. She is conscious of reducing her store's carbon footprint and sources as much as possible in North Carolina. On the homewares/antiques side of the store (Fern + Amelia), she sells items that are fair trade and ethically sourced. At UNCG, she earned a degree in business, focusing on marketing; however, her love of design moved her in the direction of making furniture in-house, fitting the precise needs of the client and their living space. 

These businesses on West Friendly has been open for about 18 months. They are located is in the building next to Bandito Burrito, in a spot where Madison Avenue once extended, before Josephine Boyd Street was constructed-  ending Madison Avenue at Smyres Place. Angie pointed out some of the new businesses around hers. A small boutique, Tribe Thrift, will be opening soon. Directly across the street is Wylie's Gourmet Cafe and Desserts. Angie recommends their pimento cheese sandwiches. She is so encouraged about the growth in the area and mentioned there is talk of branding the area, from 1618 West Seafood Grill to the plaza where her store is located, as West End. If you know Winston-Salem's West End, you will get a feel for what is emerging in this part of town. It is encouraging to see new businesses there and inspiring to talk to an entrepreneur like Angie. 

Happy Wednesday!

Lovely Green Home at 806 Fairmont Street

The Westerwood subdivision of Greensboro dates to 1919. This 2-story, green beauty, built in 1925, is located at 806 Fairmont Street. This vibrant house is inspiring us feature a Greensboro home in each of the the rainbow colors. While not in rainbow order, the first up is GREEN. This 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home recently sold in 2020. The home was renovated and painted before it sold, and it almost sparkles in the sunlight. The yard is rather small, but well cared for; look at that mortarless, dry stone wall and inviting front porch.  This home is characteristic of Westerwood: Curb appeal, curb appeal, curb appea

Westerwood is a neighborhood conducive to walking  and is known for its mature trees.  Westerwood residents are community-minded.  Another special feature of the neighborhood is the they have maintained records regarding its history. In October, Westerwood holds an art walk, Art & Sole,  where artists open their studios or porches to people. COVID cancelled it for a while. Let's hope the event is back up and running this fall. There are so many artists in Westerwood!

Happy Tuesday! Please recommend a red, orange, yellow, blue, or purple house for us to photograph. 

Sunset Hills and the Stunning Display of Christmas Lights

Once again, the Sunset Hills neighborhood is aglow under the chicken-wire-covered balls of Christmas lights. The lights are literally shot and hoisted tens of feet into the air. They are very hard to photograph and the warmth of the colorful glow, felt as you walk through the streets, cannot be replicated in a photo. However, the above photo gives you an idea of how they look. Also, you can see an example of the many people who walk the neighborhood on any given night to experience the decorating. The neighborhood gained national attention and was featured on The Today Show because of their creativity in initiating this display. The whole venture started in the home of Jonathan and Anne Smith, whose daughter shared them an outdoor ornament she loved: a chicken wire ball, about the size of a volleyball, laced with Christmas lights. At the time, she was studying at the College of Art and Design at North Carolina State University and knew good design when she saw it. Her dad replicated the design, filling the trees in their yard with the decorations. The idea spread like Christmas cheer in the neighborhood and now, Ridgeway, Greenway, Madison Avenue have participation by at least 3/4 of the houses. Other streets participate as well.

On Saturday, December 10th will be the 11th annual 5K race through the neighborhood, billed as "The Greatest 5k(ish) in the History of the World." Be sure to bring food to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. About 2,000 people walk or run and the donated food and money really helps feed people in need in Greensboro. We are a giving community and this Sunset Hills tradition is one fine example how a small idea can blossom into a community event with a service component. Even more lights have been added around the park this year. You won't want to miss it. If you do go out, remember to dress in festive garb and add some lights. Go with a group and you become part of the decorations!

Happy Tuesday!

1401 Mimosa Drive

This yellow house in Westerwood, at the corner of Mimosa Drive and Aberdeen Terrace, is simply stunning as a backdrop to the fall colors. We noticed it again during the Westerwood NeighborWoods, tree-planting event. This maple tree in the foreground is glowing. It looks like they have several Japanese maples in the yard. The house was built in 1950. It is hard to believe it is over 70 years old. It has been well taken care of. According to Zillow, it last sold in 2003. You can tell the owners have invested a lot of time and effort into the yard. It will be fun to walk around this neighborhood and monitor the growth of all the new trees.

Speaking of Mimosa Drive, this Saturday from 10am-4pm, there will be a Holiday Home Show at 2103 Mimosa Drive. Please buy local and support the great artists and crafters who will be selling that day. Peek in on 1401 while you are in the neighborhood.

Happy Thursday! We hope you have a day off tomorrow and, if you know a veteran, be sure to thank them for their service.

Pickleball 101

Have you had a chance to play pickle ball yet? It is a sport that is sweeping the nation. It has been rising in popularity since it was first invented in the mid 1960s in Washington State. For the last two years, it was named the fastest growing sport in the United States.*  Pickleball has become quite popular in Greensboro, too. It is really popular in the Bryan and Spears YMCA; the Greensboro Sportsplex; Bur-Mil Park; Smith Senior Center; and, Proelific Park to name a few places. The above photo features pickleball in full swing at Hamilton Lakes this past weekend. The courts there are nice and players extremely friendly. They are happy to teach new players the rules, the moves, and to get them into games as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, this past Saturday, they offered a clinic for beginners, thirty minutes before matches started up. At the Hamilton Lakes open-club event this past weekend, pickleball was combined with an old-time, string band jam, and a potluck. Pickleball, music, socializing, and food. Could there be a more winning combination? Other than a little fall wind, the weather was perfect!

Happy Tuesday! Please remember to vote.

*read more here.

NeighborWoods Program Brings Trees to Westerwood!

This past weekend, people came out in droves to participate in the tree planting event in Westerwood. The NeighborWoods is funded by private donations to Greensboro Beautiful, with support from the City of Greensboro and the Guilford County Extension Master Gardeners. The initiative is an effort to create tree canopy in neighborhoods where trees have been lost or damaged. The trees get planted in public areas and on streets and front lawn areas. In order to be selected, the neighborhood must show that they have the person power to ensure the trees are watered for the first three years and continue with long term maintenance.*

In addition to the fact that Westerwood will get about 150 new trees, it was also wonderful that people of all ages and walks of life came out to help with the tree planting. There were teams of sororities, college groups, master gardeners, neighbors, and more. The 2021 neighborhood to win the grant was Friendly Homes neighborhood. Friendly Homes is the neighborhood between Wesley Long Hospital and Villa drive and Mimosa. It will be fun to drive around the neighborhood this spring, as well as through Westerwood to see how the trees are doing. Greensboro is known for being a beautiful, green city. These new trees are sure to contribute to the beauty. Let's hope they got planted clear of power lines. Finally, we're wondering where all the shovels get stored and if school groups can check them out for school beautification projects.

Happy Monday!

 

*reference and learn more HERE.

A Lovely, Rainy Day in Glenwood

The above photo was taken a few days ago in the Glenwood neighborhood, on Hertford Street, just off Josephine Boyd Street on a rainy afternoon. The streets were shiny and the yellow leaves made it clear that fall has arrived. We love the way the teal truck cab stands out against the leaves. The owner is diligent about putting up the cones and parking the vehicle off the road. Glenwood is such a wonderful neighborhood on the south side of UNCG.

 is said to be the most diverse neighborhood in Greensboro. According to city data, it is 44.4% black and 42.6% white, 5% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 3.5% 2 or more races. This little neighborhood is only 1/2 square mile with a little over 2,000 residents and almost evenly balanced between males and females. See more city data HERE. They have a strong Facebook group and do a good job of looking out for each other and, at the same time, leaving each other alone. There seems to be a high tolerance for the rooster who is quick to let residents know when it is time to get up. Wonder how quickly he will adjust to the time change this weekend when we switch to local standard time!

Happy Thursday! Don't forget that tomorrow is First Friday. Hope to see you downtown.

Pumpkin Wall in Sunset Hills

Dear Readers: We are having trouble with the Typepad server. In the meantime, we are determined to continue posting until they fix their site or we find a new site to host our blog. Today's post is the pumpkin wall at the tennis courts of Sunset Hills. See photo HERE. Neighbors carve a pumpkin and bring it to the pumpkin wall on East Greenway. Imagine the fun families have, especially families with small children. Our photo is just a slice of the pumpkins available to view. The wall makes a great backdrop for selfies. We imagine it will be here for a few more days.

For those who celebrate, did you have a nice Halloween? Did you get any trick or treaters? There were several in Sunset Hills last night, not droves, but at least a dozen groups came to the door of the house we were visiting. Happy  last day of October ! Can you believe tomorrow will be month 11, Day 305 of 2022?!

Halloween on Deep Green

Deep Green is another one of those streets with lots of Halloween spirit. The street is located between Westwood, North Friendly Acres, and British Woods. It is also on the south east corner of Westminster Gardens Cemetery and Crematory. The above white painted brick house, at 3420, was built in 1975. The current owners have been there about four years and their simple decoration of six witches gathering around a tree is hauntingly realistic. Don't you wonder what they are saying to each other!

Be on the lookout for Trunk-or-Treat events in Greensboro. Unity in Greensboro, at 501 South Mendenhall #302 is having theirs on Sunday (Oct 30) from 5-7pm. Tomorrow night (Wed., Oct. 26) , Elm Street is having an event at 6:00 pm. It is dubbed,  Nightmare-Off-Elm Street at 192 East Lewis Street. It sounds like other establishments will join in the fun. Be careful when you are downtown. It is NCA&T Homecoming week and there is always increased foot and vehicle traffic. Be mindful, especially of pedestrians when downtown- well, anywhere, actually. Meanwhile back at Deep Green, you won't be disappointed if you add to this to your map of Halloween viewing pleasure!

Happy Tuesday!

 

Suds and Duds

Suds and Duds, located at the corner of Walker Avenue and Elam, has been a Greensboro institution since 1980. The building formerly housed a drug store, Elam Drug Store, until Bill Wardle bought it and converted it into a coin-operated laundry mat and bar. Monday-Friday, the laundry mat opens at 2pm; Saturday and Sunday at noon. Closing time ranges from 10pm on Sunday to midnight and 2:00 am on other nights; perfect hours for college students. If you want something to drink, they have a bar inside. If you want something to eat, there are plenty of options around while the clothes are in the washing machine or dryer. To play a game of pool or darts, the bartender can help you get set up.

As we were leaving this weekend, the two women in the above photo were walking by. They may have been part of the religious group on the corner. The clothing of the women lend a stark contrast to the outfits of the Halloween characters trapped in the Suds & Duds window. Yet, the ladies'  blue and green outfits match the window decoration backdrop, as well as the blue car in the green grass. This was a fun scene, we happened upon by chance. Lindley Park is a perfect place to walk on a warm fall day. You never know what will catch your eye. Also, it is one of those neighborhoods that goes all out for Halloween. Even the laundry mat decorates!

Happy Monday!

Percy Street: Prayers Answered

Percy Street, located in the Dunleath Historic District (formerly, Aycock). It is the kind of neighborhood where everybody knows your name; neighbors look out for each other; and, people do things for the community at large- not expecting anything in return. Examples of this community mindedness include Porchfest, a tiny-library-like box for free puzzles and one for free art. As we were driving to the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville, we detoured through Dunleath and saw the above tree at the corner of Percy and Brandon had split in half. The owner of the house with the split tree was called over to the porch of a neighbor who wanted to make sure they were OK. Fortunately, the tree didn't hit the house and a removal service was on its way.  There didn't appear to be any damage to houses on Percy Street. Trees are so important to the eco-system; however, the mature ones in these older neighborhoods can do great damage. If you are one who prays, to be sure, this is a prayer answered.

From the remnants of Hurricane Ian, Greensboro had whipping winds and heavy rain. Many people were without power. As far as we could see, it was mostly branches dropping and not whole trees. We hope you were spared and that if there is a lot of debris in your yard, some Good Samaritan neighbor stops by to help you get things cleaned up. After all, Greensboro is known for greenery and, in a way, the trees belong to everyone.

Happy Sunday!

Banned Book Week with Liz Seymour

September 18- 24, 2022 is Banned (and Challenged) Book Week.  This annual awareness campaign is promoted by the American Library Association and also Amnesty International.  The above photo features Liz Seymour, who is hosting banned and challenged books in the Little Free Library box on Lexington Avenue in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. This little box, on the Florida Street side of Lexington, is filled exclusively with books that have been banned or challenged. Some of the titles may surprise you: The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald); The Catcher in the Rye (JD Salinger); The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck); To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee); The Color Purple (Alice Walker); Beloved (Toni Morrison); Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain) and the list goes on and on and on. Most of these just-mentioned classics are in the above box, to take for free (at least they were there at the time of our visit). Liz also has more contemporary selections like the graphic novel "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Koabe (2019).  All of the books in the Little Free Library are in terrific shape. Sharing banned and challenged books is a way to voice censorship concerns and celebrate free expression.

Liz Seymour has been an active community member throughout her decades in Greensboro. She is perhaps best known as the founding director of the Interactive Resource Center (IRC). The IRC is a day center in Greensboro for people who are experiencing homelessness. It opened in 2009 and Liz was at the helm until she retired in 2014. She retired to focus on writing full time. She is a compelling writer; one of her essays, "Inviting Anarchy Into My Home", was published in the New York Times (March 9, 2006). The piece describes her transforming her home from a conventional married-couple household into an anarchist collective with multiple, non-related people learning to live and thrive together.*  Liz has been one to take a stance and take action for what she believes in. The IRC is still going strong today, thirteen years later. While Liz has also moved on from her anarchist collective, people still talk about what a meaningful experience it was to them. Ever willing to push the envelope, Liz is currently sharing banned and challenged books. Whether they house banned books or just a couple of shelves of someone's mystery books they've finished, The Little Free Library is a great place to give and donate a book. There are many around Greensboro. May your weekend be filled with reading, fellowship with friends like Liz Seymour, and some good ole fall fun. 

*link to the original article.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Wednesday's double rainbow over east Greensboro was nothing short of spectacular. For some reason, it was harder to photograph than most rainbows- especially with a camera phone. However, seeing that perfect, vibrant, half circle was memorable. We did a little rainbow chasing and got the idea to capture it over Irving Park Elementary School (IPES) , since we were nearby and this  was just the first week of the school year. Also, we featured Ms. Japp yesterday, who recently retired after twenty years of teaching there.

Irving Park Elementary was established in 1923, so it is about to turn 100! While many of our schools have directional names or are named after people, IPES is named after the neighborhood where it is located.  This is the Cornwallis side of the school and located on the western end of the Irving Park neighborhood.  IPES is one of 71 elementary schools in Guilford County.  May all of the teachers and students have a great school year- in Irving Park, in Greensboro, in Guilford County, and everywhere! 

Happy Labor Day weekend, the only holiday in September.

3521 Battleground Avenue

Have you ever noticed the house on the west side of Battleground Avenue, between Britishwoods Park and New Garden Road? The above house 3521 Battleground Avenue sits on about 5 acres of property and will be part of the land that Will Stevens and Marty Kotis will develop as part of their High Ground Project. the project, estimated to be 35 million, will be a mixed use facility incorporating shops, restaurants, and lofts and  two five-story multi-family residential buildings constructed into a slope. Here is a link to a digital rendering of the project from Biz Journal. We had always hoped that the Britishwoods Park would be extended as it has a favorite sled riding hill, plus there is a stream and walking near it evokes the feeling of being on a mini-hike in a remote area when really you are on one of the busiest streets in town.

Now that we know that the mixed-use property is moving forward, we are anxious to see how it will look. To be sure, we will miss this little house in the woods and driving past is early morning or late at night, seeing the lights on, and wishing we lived on that five acres. According to Zillow, this is a two-bedroom; two-bathroom house built in 1978. Who would have known that 44 years later, land this far north on Battleground would become mostly retail. At least according to the drawing, it looks like there will be some green space and that the stream will flow above ground. Watch for The High Ground Project to be underway soon!

Happy Monday!

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!

2416 Walker Avenue: Little Round House

Twelve years on Greensboro Daily Photo, we featured the 2 bedroom 1 bathroom, round house at 2416 Walker Avenue. We decided to return after over a decade and see if anything had changed. Well, the actual house still looks the same (see here). In a way, how are you going to change a round house? If you add on, it will no longer be round. Adding a second floor would be hard. Indeed, the house looks the same, but the big difference is the yard. It has going from being a fairly empty 1/4 acre lot to now being filled with plants, flowers for pollinators, and a giant plant that is either squash, gourds, or pumpkins. There were butterflies, bees, and goldfinches working the yard and the owners have definitely created a yard that they don't need to mow.

Leading up to the door (not visible in this photo) are round stepping stones and two heads that look like the Moai heads on Easter Island. 2416 Walker Ave., built in 1976,  is definitely a unique property and the owners seem to have a great spirit about them. It will be fun to watch what they will do with all of the squash, gourds, pumpkins they harvest over the next month. Wonder what it will look like if we stop back by in another decade. We're still waiting for that tour of the inside.

Happy First Friday! Be sure to head downtown this evening. There will be so much happening downtown, especially in the city parks, in the Cultural Arts Center, and on Elm Street.

National Night Out 2022

National Night Out (NNO) is always the first Tuesday in August. The seeds of the initiative began in 1970, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.*  It is an initiative to help build safe communities, for neighbors to get to know each other and their surroundings. It is a way for law enforcement and community members to get to know each other. NNO brings law enforcement and neighbors together for a positive reason.  There are 38 million "neighbors" and 16 thousand communities registered. However, who knows how many people participate who do not formally register. 

On "sure bet" neighborhood we knew we could find people out celebrating National Night Out in Greensboro was Lindley Park. They were having an ice cream social in front of the pool and recreation center. The above photo shows neighbors bicycling through the community at a little before 7:00 pm. The photo was taken at the corner of Walker Avenue and Wesdale Place. It looked like they were headed in the direction of the community center. In addition to the planned events, in Lindley Park, there were several people out walking their dogs and pushing babies in strollers; some doing both. Nothing beats a positive sense of community, which is precisely what makes a neighborhood a neighborhood. It doesn't take a big time commitment or anything super formal. NNO just takes a person, or two, or a few, banding together to celebrate the neighborhood. Hats off to Lindley Park for doing just that. If your neighborhood celebrates, please share with us what you do. Please share as many places and ways as you can. We'll try to get around to your neighborhood next year!

Happy Wednesday. Happy day after NNO!

 

 

* see the timeline, here.

518 Summit Avenue at Dunleath's Porchfest

The above photo is another shot of Porchfest, taken at the J.R. Holt house at 518 Summit Avenue.* It is a 4,282 sq. ft. house on the downtown side of the Dunleath neighborhood. This neoclassical revival house was built circa 1922, originally as a single family dwelling, but is now multi-family. The people who attended the music at this porch this past Saturday were thrilled with the level of musicianship performed there throughout the day. We're betting that this property is about to get a facelift.  Look at all of the good bones in this solid brick house.

Summit Avenue starts in downtown Greensboro, just south of Fisher Park, on the easternmost part of downtown and continues through the Dunleath neighborhood, and then north all the way to Reedy Fork. Summit Avenue  was developed as a middle to upper middle class neighborhood during the late 19th and early 20th century. It has some of the most remarkable houses of many different architectural styles with houses that are still getting refurbished. If you want to know more about Greensboro, study the historic architecture of Greensboro and the owners of those homes. In the meantime, early on a Saturday or Sunday morning when traffic is at a minimum, take a drive along Summit Avenue and take in the sights and sounds. Also, speaking of sounds, make a note to attend Porchfest next year and experience the area for yourself!

Happy Tuesday!

*see p. 21 of this document for more information about 518 Summit Avenue. The whole document is of interest to those interested in the Summit Avenue area of Greensboro.

The Many Faces of McConnell Road

Based on yesterday's post, we had questions about the exact location of Doodad Farm. It is very near the location in the above photo, about a mile west. McConnell Road is one of those areas in Guilford County undergoing great change. New meets old; industrial meets country. Front right, you see a crumbling building that has seen better days. If you look to the left, you see the giant, warehouses; the new Coca Cola Consolidated Bottling Company, Vistar Distribution Center, and O'Reilly Auto Parts Distribution Center. Doodad Farm is a cozy property with a two story country house, renovated outbuildings, and land that doesn't hint at the industrial property just beyond the trees. It is hard to belief something so idyllic is located just beyond the warehouses. Also, if it is your first time there, it is hard to believe that when you blink, you will be at a farm.

On down the road from this scene is McConnell Road Baptist Church and some very nice, small country homes. On Sunday evening, church was meeting, people were on their porches and in their yards making sure their property looked all neat and tidy. We always have to be ready for change. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the above structure.

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Earth Day... Pull Up a Chair!

Happy Earth Day! Let's celebrate together! A couple of weeks ago, we published a photo of a Deodar cedar tree in the center of the cul-de-sac on Clement Court. It was planted in 1970 by (then) County Manager, John Witherspoon. Today's photo shows life under the tree planted 52 years ago. Look at the cozy seating where neighbors can gather for fellowship and fun. Think if you plant a tree today how wonderful it will be for future generations. Imagine the wildlife that lives above in this tree. Greensboro has some fabulous, mature trees and this is one of them. Let's do what we can to keep our trees healthy. How will you be spending Earth Day? Do you have a special place to sit and converse with neighbors?

If you are looking for something to do today, there is an Earth Day Celebration at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library at 1420 Price Park Road from 3:00- 4:00 pm. They will talk about Earth Day and the importance of taking care of the planet. It is a family friendly program. There will also be an Earth Day Bug Safari at 6068 North Church Street from 3:30- 5:00pm. This is an initiative of the NC Arboretum.

Here's to celebrating the planet- every day and especially TODAY! Happy Friday!

Towering Cypress Tree On Clement Court

John Witherspoon moved to Greensboro in 1968 to assume the position of Guilford County manager. The Forest Valley neighborhood off of Hobbs Road was being developed at the time, and it was where the Witherspoons settled, a nice neighborhood for John and wife June to raise a family. In 1970, he planted a Deodar cedar tree in the center of the cul-de-sac at the end of the street. Over the next 2+ decades during the family's time in Greensboro, they watched the cedar grow. At Christmas, the family would decorate it, even when they had to bring in special equipment to get the lights on the top. Now, after 50 years, the tree is probably too large to decorate, but it still gets plenty of use. While it is hard to see from this angle, under the tree, residents of Clement Court have placed a swing, a bench, and some other seating. It is really a great gathering spot for the families on the street.

While Mr. and Mrs. Witherspoon moved on after his 23 years of service to Guilford County, the tree stands strong, serving as a visual legacy of his impact on the community. Of course other things came to fruition locally during Mr. Witherspoon's tenure with the county; including the consolidation of the courts, construction of a new courthouse and offices, the creation of an ambulance service, the establishment of countywide zoning, and more.* Mr. Witherspoon always loved the people of Guilford County, as well as the natural beauty of the area. His cypress tree adds to that beauty. As Arbor Day (4/29)  and Earth Day (4/22) draw near, let us all follow Mr. Witherspoon's lead and plant something that will contribute to the beauty of our community. 

 

*reference and more information.

Art and Creativity at 717 Percy Street

717 Percy Street is the house we featured recently with the Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG). Someone mentioned the lovely bottle tree at this home, so we thought we would feature it today, in the off chance that you will be able to drive by today en route to the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville. The above house on Percy Street was built in 1934. It last sold in 2016 and the current owners have been loving it for the last six years. In addition to the FLAG, they've added the rainbow colors to the front of the porch. Additionally, they added the bottle tree to the left. Many of these metal trees you see around Greensboro were made by Howard Beamus at Hughes Metal Works with the profits benefitting non-profits, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The bottle trees add so much to any yard and they are a visible sign of art that helps the community.

If you don't get by Percy Street this weekend, or the Greensboro Curb Market, please head somewhere to see the beauty of how the people of Greensboro do things in their yard for the good of a local cause. Thank you 717 Percy St. for all you do to promote the arts!

Happy Saturday; happy exploring!

Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery

 

Every time we head to the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville, we swing by the Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG). During COVID, these little galleries were popping up as a way for people to engage with art and to have their art seen when larger, brick and mortar galleries were closed. These "galleries" are the size of the Free Little Library boxes. As you can see from the above photo, it is a miniature diorama, stocked with small paintings, collage pieces, sculpture, and even a tiny figure. In the corner is a box with tiny art for the having. We usually only look, but a 1"xv2" mixed-media painting of an artichoke stole our heart, and yes, it was free for the taking.*  

These little boxes make art accessible to more people even people who don't tend to frequent galleries; people from all walks of life. Especially during the pandemic, they gave people something to talk about and gave artists a chance to show their work. There is something special about working in miniature. Anne Lamont gives her writing students an exercise to take a tiny 1" frame, look through it, and write about what one sees. That hyper focus on an encapsulated space is a fun experience that you should try. Even better, if you are an artist, consider curating a box! Perhaps best of all, they aren't closed on Mondays!

 

The Free Little Art Galleries (FLAG) have a Facebook page with posts from 2013, meaning the galleries have been around for almost a decade. To our knowledge, the Percy Street FLAG is the only one in Greensboro. If you know of others, please let us know. It would be fun to do an art tour.

*read this article in the Smithsonian Institution Magazine if you want more details about this innovative idea. Also, see here, for a Washington Post article.

904 Country Club Drive

Continuing on our stroll through the Irving Park Neighborhood of Greensboro, the above house really caught our attention. Located at 904 Country Club Drive, this beauty has a professionally manicured, striped lawn with terraced steps leading up to the grand entrance. While stately, the square design of the architecture indicates an efficient use of space. And without dormers and other complicated details, it is relatively easy to maintain. The house, built in 1948, overlooks the golf course of the Greensboro Country Club. It was built by Ray H. Taylor, who was vice president of  City Industrial and Savings Bank and of Wysong and Miles. The house has seen several owners over the years, including Maurice Jennings, Sr., founder of Biscuitville. As is the case with historic homes, regardless of who owns it, the house is always known as the house of the first owner.

The Taylor House sold in this past fall (2020) without even being listed.* It had been on and off the market, underwent updating, and during the pandemic, this 6,252 square foot beauty sold for $420 per square foot, a recent record for local historic homes. We're betting the current owners enjoy knowing the provenance of their historic home. If only these walls could talk! And, if the lawn could talk, we're betting it would chuckle about all of the premium golf balls that have landed on it from the 3rd fairway of the Greensboro Country Club across the street. We're wondering how far on the property a golfer has had to wander to keep a ball in play.

Happy Thursday!

*read David Arneke's article on the Greensboro Historic Homes website.

Golf in the Heart of Irving Park

Spring is the time for being outdoors and for outdoor sports. The people of Greensboro love golf and there are many courses in the area; at all price points. The above photo was taken at the Greensboro Country Club in Irving Park yesterday. However, given the black and white photo and the golfers using pull carts, the scene could have as easily been from the early 20th century as it is the 21st. Irving Park is one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods yet is is easily accessible. One can meander through the rolling hills of the neighborhood on foot or drive along in a car. It is so lovely this time of year with the manicured lawns and the spring flowering plants and trees. 

If you drive along Country Club Drive, you will notice that work is being done at the Greensboro Country Club (GCC). Summer 2020, GCC passed a 19.1 million dollar renovation plan. They are revamping the pool, restaurants, fitness center, and youth activities facility. They are getting two additional pools and recreational facilities.* The finished product promises to be a state-of-the-art facility rivaling any country club in the southeast.  While all of the upgrades in amenities will be appealing, there is something charming about the timeless look of the golf course itself.

Happy Wednesday!

*read more about the renovation, HERE.

Utility Line Construction Services

Utility Line Construction Services, ULCS, has been on Walker Avenue for at least a couple of weeks working on the Duke Power Lines. We're not sure what they are doing, but it appears to be a major job involving the actual lines, and doesn't appear to involve cutting trees. It is fun to watch the workers as they move around in the buckets. Of course you have to be careful and keep your distance, but, if you had "truck-obsessed" little ones, they would delight in seeing this set up. The above crew is stationed in the 1700 block of Walker Avenue between UNCG and Lindley Park. You have to allow a little extra time to navigate as the road is closed. However, everyone wants their power to be fully functioning, so a little detour once in a while is a small price to pay to have power!

It is Friday and, while it is not First Friday, there will be plenty to do in Greensboro. Remember the new policy is in effect where you can walk along the "Downtown Greensboro Social District" with cups of wine, beer, or mixed drinks from a bar or restaurant within the district. To date, the merchants we've talked to are reacting favorable. Of course, be sure not to drink and drive. Have a great weekend. If you missed St. Patrick's Day last night, maybe someone will have a cup of green brew left for you!

Spring is Just Around the Corner

If you were out driving on the north end of Glenwood on Haywood Street, behind the Kaplan Center for Wellness, you would have seen this landscaping crew hard at work. In this day and age, the internet if full of people complaining about others. Our post today is something along the lines of "caught being good"! As we drove by, we noticed everyone on the crew was working quickly and efficiently as a team. We stopped to ask if they were mulching or making major changes; they let us know they were mulching. We drove by their truck to and saw that this crew was truck 23 of Bland Landscaping Company. 

Bland is a full service landscaping company established in 1976. They serve the whole Piedmont area and the Costal Carolinas. Bland doesn't appear to have an office in Greensboro, but they service the area and have some big accounts here and we can see why. Whether you are going to do your own yard work, or if you are going to hire a landscaping company, today's photo reminds us it is time to start scheduling the work

Happy Wednesday!

Really Free Market in Arlington Park

This past Saturday, a Really, Really Free Market was held in Arlington Park. Arlington Park is a neighborhood located south of Gate City Boulevard and east of South Elm/Eugene Street. (Read about Arlington Park, HERE). This park is in today's photo is also called Arlington Park. Every Friday after Thanksgiving, there is a Really, Really Free Market in Glenwood. This is the first one we knew about in Arlington Park. But, the concept was the same. Everything was free. That whole shelter was full of food, clothing, books, and a few household goods. Someone was lucky enough to score a very high-end, like new bedspread. 

In addition to the above mentioned items, there were N-95 masks available,  The Guilford Green Foundation and LGBTQ Center had a booth. Nurses were there checking blood pressure, glucose levels, and giving flu shots. A Good Neighbor Movement and Greensboro Mutual Aid collaborated to bring us this great event. We left with two good books and two cabbages. There were many, many amazing pieces of clothing, but we resisted because we didn't really need the items. Usually, we take items to donate/share, but weren't really prepared. The free market was small but very, very successful. It was an event where people of all ages were talking to each other. The sense of community was so evident. If your neighborhood hasn't hosted one of these events yet, you owe it to yourself to organize one. They can be as small or as big as you want, as long as everything is.... FREE!

Happy Monday!

Heavy Winds Anticipated in Greensboro

Given the anticipated heavy winds today, we thought it would be appropriate to share this seen on Tremont Drive, just south of Sylvan Road. One of the homes was having trees removed by DC Tree Service. Their motto is "We will go out on a limb for you."  Some trees need to come down, especially if an arborist determines that there is decay inside. However, it is always sad to lose a mature tree, because we will never see anything mature in its place in our lifetime.  This part of town, between College Park, Lindley Park, and Sunset Hills, is known for their tree lined streets. Hopefully, something will be planted that will eventually add to the canopy. 

What an interesting week it has been. It started with Valentine's Day. There was a full moon. Today, there is a two-hour delay at the schools given the potential damage and downed power lines from the winds. Plus, some school students are out waiting for busses very early in the morning. It is best to keep them safe if there are high winds. As we are writing this post, we notice there don't appear to be any above ground wires on Tremont. We're wondering how it is that they have buried lines and some neighborhoods to not. 

Have a great weekend and may you, your friends and loved ones, and your home be safe. If you need a tree removed, branches removed or some firewood, DC Tree seems to be a great option. (See their website, HERE).

Prince of Peace Lutheran

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is located at 1100 Curtis Street in the Warnersville neighborhood of Greensboro. Worship services are held at 11:00 a.m. The church is a diverse, multi-cultural community committed to their African descent roots. They are a liberal church, accepting of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. They also have a 10:00 am Bible study and, if you can't attend in person, you can follow the livestream on their Facebook page @PrinceOfPeaceGSO.

This small church is actually down the street from the very gigantic Reynolds Center for Worship and Service. Look at the fabulous shape to this building. It has to look glorious inside. This Lutheran (ECLA) Church offers so many services; programs of community service, social justice involvement, a children's ministry, a choir, an adult education program, yoga/meditation, a young adult program, and a senior ministry. Truly, this church located just south of downtown offers something for everybody. If you are interested, today would be a good day to visit- in person or virtually!

Happy Sunday!

604 Scott Avenue

Our walking on the afternoon of New Year's Eve, we noticed this house on Scott Avenue, in the heart of the Lindley Park neighborhood, was getting work done. The two dormers and the garage on the right are being added to this house, built in 1917. At the time this home was initially built, there just weren't that many automobiles in the USA, only 49 per 1,000 people* At that time, the population of Greensboro was under 19,000, meaning there would have been under 400 cars in Greensboro. Today, the population of Greensboro is almost 300,000, and, on average, 80% of the population has cars. So, over the last 100 years, needs for maintaining and storing vehicles has increased dramatically. 604 Scott Avenue will be upgraded to the 21st center with this garage and extra room upstairs.

The houses on Scott Avenue are very diverse, and often get upgrades as they are sold. Lindley Park is a very desirable neighborhood. You can tell by the mature trees that the neighborhood was established long ago. And those sidewalks get a lot of use as the neighborhood is very walkable. Even though the profile of the house is changing, when completed, the additions will look like they have always been there. We can't wait till spring when the nearly one acre lot will be in full bloom. 

Happy Monday! Hard to believe it has been in the 70s and now, we might get snow today!

 

* reference and more cool facts about cars per 1,000, here.

Sunset Hills Is Still Aglow

Today, we return to Sunset Hills to feature the lighted balls of Sunset Hills. The above photo was taken on Ridgeway Avenue where it gets busy with carloads of people viewing the beautifully decorations. Sometimes, it can be hard to cross the street. From November to January, the neighborhood is a winter wonderland with this all-volunteer, free show of lights. While, in person, the lights are a picture perfect display of color, the monochromatic, black-and-white version emphasizes the light as it contrasts with the darkness.

Did you ever participate in one of those "how many jellybeans in the jar" contests? We think Sunset Hills should have contest to see who has the closest estimate of how many balls are in the trees. This would have to be within a well-defined perimeter, of course, as other neighborhoods and streets that extend beyond Sunset Hills have the lighted balls. We also wonder which street has the most; our guess would be Greenway with the park. If you haven't been yet, it isn't too late, but come January, neighbors will be helping neighbors pull down the displays only to be stored safely until next November.

It Sure Looks Like Christmas At 309 South Elam!

This house at 309 South Elam is a good example of the exuberant holiday decorating in the Sunset Hills, Lindley Park neighborhoods. Right across from the First Moravian Church, this house is as enthusiastically decorated as the church is calmly understated. The two tree/bushes are mature crepe myrtle. We're betting the Christmas tree on the porch probably sets the tone for what is inside the house. This single family home, built in 1945 is fairly typical of the houses around it, although many of the homes in the neighborhood were built in the 1920s and 1930s.

For those who value a sense of community and walkability in a neighborhood, these homes in the Walker/Elam area are very desirable. Have a drive this evening and experience the magic and neighborhood spirit.

A Sunset Hills Christmas

The above photo was taken, just as the sun was setting, in Greensboro. The corner of Ridgeway and Madison is "Ground Zero" for the giant ball decorations wrapped with lights. The neighborhood is decorated and ready for carloads to drive through. Last weekend, the Running of the Balls was held. All that remains now is to drop off your donations for local food banks and to simply enjoy all of the time and effort Sunset Hills has put into decorating. The display is especially beautiful because there isn't excessive light pollution. 

Perhaps you read about local middle school student, Cooper Dunning, who makes the lighted balls to sell, using the money to partially fund his college savings and to partially donate to a local charity. His goal is to make 1,000 of the balls this year; no easy task when you have to bend the chicken wire just right so it looks round and to space the lights evenly across the round surface. The non-profit he has chosen to help this year is the "Green for Greens" program that doubles food assistance vouchers for families in need.* How wonderful to see the younger generation stepping up and continuing the decorating and for their helping non-profits.

The Sunset Hills neighborhood was founded in 1924 and every year it just seems to keep getting better and better, as does this holiday decorating and collecting of food. The family of Jonathan and Anne Smith first started the tradition with two lighted, chicken-wire balls in 1996.  Also, their yard is one of the collection places for the local food bank. If you have not experienced Sunset Hills at Christmas, you need to do what you can to get there. Happy Thursday!

 

*read more HERE.