Greensboro Daily Photo

Mythos Grill on North Battleground

This is an interior view of the new Mythos Grill at 3900 Battleground Avenue, the third in Greensboro. One is on West Market Street in the former Panera Bread Location. A second is on Battleground, on the back side of Target. The one on North Battleground, which we are branding as NoBa, is in a location near Horse Penn Creek where many restaurants have already come and gone. If the crowded parking lot and busy interior- on a Tuesday night- was any indication, this restaurant is a hit.

Slowly, this part of town is waking up. Dear Dad's (the old Waffle House) has a steady group of customers, Rody's  has a loyal customer base, especially when popular sports teams are playing. As the medical facilities and apartment complexes continue to pop up, the food and retail establishments will likely get busier. Fortunately, the NoBa Mythos has the same menu as the others. 

Happy Wednesday! See you in NoBa!

It Is Iris Time in Greensboro.

Easter weekend is upon us. It is time for flowers and floral dresses. We had the best time walking along Walker Avenue, taking the time to notice nature. Guess what? Irises are blooming. We saw these yellow lovelies and also learned that we have a friend who will volunteer to come and help people thin their iris beds; something that should be done every few years. She helps friends for free and since she is the third generation of people in her family to do so. She has agreed to help us in the fall. When she comes, we'll have to feature her on Greensboro Daily Photo. How wonderful life in Greensboro is, especially when it comes to friends helping friends and neighbors helping neighbors. 

Irises don't bloom for long, and each bloom only lasts a day; however, in their prime, they are stunning and the scent is delightful. Here's to everyone having a great weekend. Oh, and at the end of our walk, we landed at Bestway on Walker and found enough goodies to fill Easter baskets for the family. One of the highlights was PARTY CAKE Easter Peeps. Yes, Bestway has party cake flavored peeps. And, by the time you have read this, we just may have busted into the package of peeps.

Happy Saturday!

Along Walker Avenue

Walker Avenue comes by its name honestly as it is a very walkable street. There are sidewalks, it is safe, and you can almost always count on running into someone who will give you a good conversation. Yesterday, we ran into Bradley who lives at 2022 Walker Avenue and was painting a carving he made from a tree that needed to be cut down. He has been teaching himself to carve and, as you can see, is getting quite good at it. The antlered-owl post will hold books for friends and neighbors to trade out and read. To the right of this carving is a squirrel, carved from another tree. On down the road is a bouquet of flowers carved by Bradley. He says he hasn't made a business out of this venture (yet). But has a genuine interest in carving. And, as you can see, he is quite talented at it.

Bradley has lived in this location for about two years. Once you get the carving bug, we imagine it is hard to resist. It will be fun to see what he adds to his yard.  Here's to a great Friday with family and friends. Have a great weekend, everyone. We'll see you in the morning!

 

Mr Mullins: Quaker Acres Apiary

Today is Saturday and you will find Mr. Bill Mullins at the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville, across from the old War Memorial Stadium. He will be there selling honey from his hives in the back of his property at Quaker Acres. While many of us this season are suffering through allergies and struggling to keep the pollen off our vehicles, Mr. Mullins is happy, knowing his bees are getting well fed. He says"city bees" make such good honey because of the variety of  plants available to them. 

Mr. Mullins, raised in eastern Kentucky,  has been a lifelong keeper. This interest grew out of observing the bees on his grandmother's property. Mr. Mullins has been  a vendor of honey at the Greensboro Farmers Market for nearly fifty years. He became a vendor back when people sold food and produce at the curb market - literally on the curb- downtown on Commerce Street. 

Mr. Mullins gets great joy out of talking to people at the Saturday market. In our recent conversation, we learned he joined the Air Force at the tail end of WWII. Next, he served  in the Alabama National Guard. By career, and following in his father's footsteps, he started working in the insurance business, which is what ultimately brought him to Greensboro.  While retired from insurance,  Mr. Mullins has no plans to retire from keeping bees. Likely, all the time he spends outside with his bees is what keeps him so happy and healthy. We forgot to ask him what his wife thinks of his lifelong committment to the bees and their hives. We'll save that question for our next visit to the farmers market.

Happy Saturday! 

Lady Banks Roses

It is time for our annual photo of Lady Banks roses. The above bush is located at our friend's house in Sunset Hills. We anticipate its blooming with every visit in the spring. It is an heirloom rose that is fairly. hardy and known for being nearly thornless and having hundreds of miniature, buttery yellow blooms. This is the first year we noticed the lovely scent, reminiscent of violets. They love full sun and well-draining soil. It only blooms once in a season, but leaves behind canes of rich green foliage once the blooms are gone.

We may love to look at these roses; however, they are one of many culprits leaving pollen in Greensboro. The count is particularly high now and, if you look at this National Allergy Map, you can see we're in the red. One only needs to look on the cars to see, actually, we're in the yellow. Indeed, car washes are busy now. We hope you aren't too bothered by the pollen and are able to enjoy the abundant beauty around us.

Happy Tuesday! Happy April 1st! 

Weekend Walk around Lindley Park

 

 

The Lindley Park and Sunset Hills areas are such walkable neighborhoods; and springtime is a spectacular time to do so. As we walked yesterday afternoon and early evening, we were surrounded by the sights, sounds, and scents of spring. Birds were chirping, flowers had started blooming, and we could smell  what we assumed was the hardwood being used in nearby restaurant ovens.  While walking, we noticed that the curb appeal just keeps getting better and better in this area of Greensboro close to downtown.

The above home, 407 South Elam, caught our eye, early evening. We loved that combination of maroon, yellow, and blue with the rows of daffodils leading to the screened-in porch. The red-bud tree on the left mimics the canopy behind it. Online records indicate the house was built in 1931. Those original homeowners would be pleased to know that 94 years later, their home and neighborhood were still going strong. John Van Lindley, the man for whom Lindley Park was named, would be pleased to know that this area is thriving. Although, as a pomologist, Mr. Van Lindley would probably have hoped for more apple trees in the neighborhood. 

Happy Saturday, the last one of March!

In case you are looking for something to do this weekend... HERE is a list of events this weekend from YES! Weekly.

Electric Car Charger At Brooks Global Elementary School

Driving along Parkwood Drive, near the Greensboro Arboretum and Holden Road, we noticed the blink "EV Charging Station for Residences and Businesses." They are a business that tries to reduce the carbon footprint by providing sustainable energy. It is installed outside of the new Brooks Global Elementary School in the Lindley Park area. We're wondering if there is a teacher or two who brings an electric car to school. Also, it would be interesting to know if the neighborhood families have access to it. It would sure be convenient. How wonderful that the local schools are helping make students aware of alternative energy sources. It is fun to try to find all of the (free) charging stations in Greensboro.

Happy Wednesday!

Spring Has Sprung On Stony Glen Loop

Yesterday, we were driving around the neighborhoods between Wendover Avenue, Spanish Oak Drive, and Guilford College Road. We drove around Stony Glen Loop and noticed this house already has their Easter egg tree up, as well as their bunny mini-flag. It is so fun to drive around the neighborhoods in Greensboro to see if people are enjoying their neighborhoods and how their homes represent their personality. The homes in this area were built in the 1980's-1990's in a style that was very common then. They have held their value and, as you can see from this photo, curb appeal is nice.

Easter in late this year (April 20th) and so there is plenty of time to decorate, if you celebrate the holiday.

Happy Saturday!

Cast Iron Spinning Wheel

Do you have something that expresses your personality from the curb? Perhaps you have one of those Tiny Free Libraries? A birdbath or yard ornaments?  Special flowers beds? A vertical garden? We love to walk in neighborhoods and see how people decorate, or in some cases, what  they've inherited from previous occupants. The above street sign is located in the Glenwood neighborhood. We suspect that the ornament is a relic from previous decades. We actually found one of these cast iron, spinning wheel plaques on eBay. 

The 1407 sign reminded us that it is safest to have your street number clearly visible from the road. There is actually a law in North Carolina stating that street numbers must be visible from the road on residential homes. This house has it covered.  Likely, the spinning lady gives us a hint that previously someone who spun yarn and likely knitted or crocheted. With yesterday's temperatures in the mid-60s, it was perfect weather to get out and explore neighborhoods. Today should be warm and sunny, too.

Happy Wednesday!

501 North Mendenhall Street

This four bedroom, three bathroom hose on North Mendenhall Street is beautiful by day, but by night, is takes on a personality all of its own. Built in 1920, the house has managed to remain contemporary over the last 105 years. That generous, southern porch is perfect for sipping lemonade and mint juleps and an example of the old with a new.  There has to be a back story to this lighting. If Zillow is correct, the current owners have been in the home for eight year, and, we're pretty sure this lighting is relatively recent. To add to the drama, that tree without leaves frames the house;  its gnarled branches reaching out, as if to get the attention of all who walk by.

Mendenhall is on the eastern of the Westerwood neighborhood. The value of houses on the street continues to grow, with many homes  being upgraded with each new seller.  Have a drive by this weekend and see this beauty. If you know the back story on the lighting, let us know.

Happy Friday!

Construction on Highwoods Boulevard

They have made considerable progress on building townhomes on Highwoods Boulevard, between Hobbs Road and Jefferson Village.  One hundred thirty three and four bedroom townhomes are being installed. These homes will be convenient to Jefferson Elementary, Kernodle Middle, Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch Library and all of the shopping in the area. Here is the change from August. At this rate, they will be completed within six months. We wish we had a photo of the land when it belonged to Jefferson-Pilot; however, it changed hands in 1997, twelve years before we started Greensboro Daily Photo. For sure, this process will be archived in our "then and now" category. This particular property is a little over 16 acres. The community will be called Harmon Jefferson Village. We're wondering what the street names will be. Perhaps it is not too late to make suggestions. Stay tuned for the next installment. We would love to know if anyone found and Revolutionary War artifacts on this previously unimproved land. It is in the vicinity.

Happy Tuesday!

404 Leawood Drive

We haven't featured a house lately and driving around Greensboro, this one caught our eye. On New Year's Day, the house at 404 Leawood Drive was a shining beacon up on a hill. The winter sun, already low to the horizon mid-afternoon, cast dramatic shadows over the lawn. The bright blue sky made everything look fresh and new on the first day of the new year!

404 Leawood is a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house, built in 1976 and, according to online records, last sold in 1986. The people living there must feel like they are in a cozy tree house or on a little oasis. The location, between Market Street and Friendly Avenue, near Guilford College, is super accessible to getting downtown Greensboro in one direction and to the bypass in the other. The house is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood we only saw because we were  visiting  friends in the neighborhood. Echoing Fred Rogers, it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Happy Saturday!

303 S Chapman Street: The Grinch Report...

Christmas has come and gone, but decorations still abound, especially in the Sunset Hills neighborhood. The above house at 303 South Chapman Street is quite a sight to behold for those who love animated characters. They've got Sponge Bob, Minions, the Grinch, Santa, and more! Sunset Hills is known for the light balls hurled high in the trees and they are a sight to behold. However, it is also fun to find other homes with Christmas spirit and 303 South Chapman does, indeed, have holiday spirit. The owners have been in the home for a couple of years, but they realize they are part of a neighborhood that values decorating. Their home is right down the street from Our Lady of Grace (OLG) Church and School. We imagine the children headed to and from OLG delight in seeing these decorations. We sure do.

Built in 1940, this house is a lot larger that it appears from this street view. Built in 1940, this WWII home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms. It was renovated in 2008 (and maybe since then) and has been well maintained. Perhaps the Grinch is aggravated with his neighbors and all of the balls in the trees. Somehow, we have the feeling, the Christmas spirit is not in danger in this great neighborhood. The Grinch hopes your holiday is everything you hoped it would be.

Happy Thursday!

The Running of the Balls 2024

Tonight's the night, the annual Running of the Balls in Sunset Hills. The 5K race will start at 6:00 p.m. in the dark, through the Greensboro neighborhood that garnered national attention for filling the mature trees with these round balls of  colorful light.  Tonight marks the 12th year of the event and nearly 50,000 people have participated. According to their website, over 10,000 balls have been hung and the community fundraiser have made possible nearly 6,000,000 meals through Second Harvest Food Bank. That is an impressive number and the display the neighborhood installs is equally impressive. Indeed, we are Greensboro proud, and we don't even live in this great neighborhood. 

You may remember, earlier in the month, we interviewed the family that lives in the above photo. Their home, alone, is installing 65 balls. The display is so much prettier in person than it is in this photograph. If you are local, you'll have to get out an see for yourself. However, don't go tonight, unless, of course, you have signed up for the race. If you are looking for a great place to live, consider Greensboro... consider Sunset Hills. Oh, if you do move into a home in this neighborhood, there is an unwritten expectation for you to participate in this event.

Happy Saturday!

Glenwood Neighborhood- Smaller, Older Homes with Lots of Charm

The above photo was taken at a corner lot on the east side of the Glenwood neighborhood, not too far from Gate City Boulevard. It reminds us of just how charming these older neighborhoods can be in Greensboro. The lot is large and the scene looks like it could be way out in the country, not in the city limits. Glenwood dates back to the early 20th century, one of Greensboro's oldest neighborhoods. The neighborhood usually to get trolley service from town. There are several community initiatives in Glenwood, and the neighborhood prides itself in its diversity and the fact that people from all walks of life not only greet each other,  but interact on a regular basis.

Enjoy your day today, remember our small businesses and remember to #OptOutside. See you at the farmers markets first and then walking around seeing what we can uncover. We hope the lighting is a s good today as it was last week, when we took this photo.

Happy Saturday!

Opt Outside & the Really, Really Free Market

After preparing yesterday's post, we decided to dig a little deeper to learn about REI's # Opt Outside initiative. By closing their stores on Black Friday, 15,000 employees have the opportunity to spend time outside. They launched the initiative in 2015 and they encourage the nation, especially their 24 million members to have that mindset. (read more HERE).

The Really, Really Free Market on Black Friday is also an initiative with a purpose driven mindset. Greensboro's first Really, Really Free Market was  in 2008, offering people an alternative to mass consumption.  Kathy Clark,- in the red overalls in the above photo, welcoming us to the market in previous years-  replicated the market that started in Miami and Raleigh in 2003.*  At the Really, Really Free Market, people bring items to give away and everyone is free to take what they want. You do not have to barter, exchange, or even talk to anybody about what you are taking.  And, indeed, you never know what you're going to get. Today's event if from 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at 1312 Glenwood Avenue. The Glenwood neighborhood remains committed to this event, and is hosting it again this year. By the time the event starts, so many items will available; however, people will be bringing items all throughout the event. So many of us have an abundance of items we don't need, use, or wear. It is so nice to send them on to someone who would really appreciate them. 

So, today, you can spend the day outside, biking, hiking, walking, and swing by the free market. They day can be so meaningful, without being part of mass consumerism. If you are going to make retail purchases, remember, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday; you can get a jump start on it a day early.

Happy, Not-So Black Friday!

*read more about the Really, Really Free Market  HERE in Triad City Beat).

Sunset Hills at Sunset

We don't usually post nature photos two days in a row, but yesterday's sunset was so beautiful. This is an east-facing view of Sunset Hills yesterday, a little after 5:00 p.m. The western sky was a fiery red glow, but something about the pink tint cast here was so warm and calming. The archway shows you one of the many architectural details found in this well-established neighborhood. Sunset Hills was first established in the mid 1920s and has continued to be a popular neighborhood for the last 100 years. Development here continued through the 1950s. Over the last couple decades, the trend has been to take the smaller houses and add on to them, as is the case with the above home.  In an earlier iteration, it was a one-story, red brick home without a two car garage.

While visiting in the neighborhood, yesterday, we were reminded that next week, Sunset Hills residents will once again be shooting those round, chickenwire light balls way high in the trees. This has been a Sunset Hills tradition for over a decade. Twelve years ago, the annual, 5K run/walk was instituted beneath a breathtaking canopy of lights. Nearly 50,000 people have participated in "The Running of the Balls" and almost 6 million meals have been provided via Second Harvest. We don't know if they are still accepting reservations for the December 12th event (see HERE). We do know, if you want a calm, unadorned chance to enjoy a walk through the neighborhood, you might want to do so soon, as it is about to be the most jolly, festive, adorned time of year for this neighborhood with so much character.

Happy Tuesday!

Rain Along Battleground Avenue

Yesterday, Greensboro got some much needed rain. This is what Battleground Avenue at Irving Park looked like at a little after 5:00 pm.  The rain brought cooler weather. Temperatures dropped to 39º and the high was only 47º.  The reflection off the car lights made the scene look very beautiful. The white vehicles are real stands out, contrasting with the dark streets. 

This weekend is predicted to be cool, but dry with sunshine. It should be a good weekend to get outside.  This is weekend three of five in November and thirteen more days before Thanksgiving. And, if you look around, Christmas decorations have replaced Halloween decorations and election signs.

Happy Friday!

4235 Ashland Drive, the Exterior

Earlier in the week, we wrote a piece about Ruth Rachel Roberts (see HERE).  Above, is a photo of  Ruth Roberts's house at 4235 Ashland Drive. The house was built in 1920 in the Highland Park neighborhood of Greensboro. The above photo of the house a property looks like the exterior hasn't changed much over the last century. For the 1920's, this was a generous sized home, perfect for a husband, wife, and their eight children.

What has changed as the back yard, just beyond the yellow, caution tape and hedges is Wendover Avenue. However, most of the yard is on the side and front of the 1/3 acre property. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the property. Next time we're driving along Wendover Avenue, we're anxious to see the house from the back side. We seem to remember that it used to be decorated for Christmas, which would fit with Ruth's love of Christmas. 

Happy Thursday!

Changes on Battleground Ave & British Woods

Do you remember the house that was down over the hill at 3521 Battleground Avenue? It was the one at the park near British Woods and British Woods Park (see HERE). Well, that house got razed and the lot was dormant for a long time. Recently, the earth-moving equipment arrived and the lot is being prepared for the new construction at the corner of Battleground and New Garden. It will be interesting to monitor the change. The land and building in the background are part of the Brisish Woods neighborhood. There have been so many changes in Greensboro lately. We wondering how many trees will remain and what will be done with the creek that runs through the property.

We're heading out to see all of the changes in progress in Greensboro today. There is so much construction around town.

Happy Saturday!

 

Halloween in Westerwood: It's Getting Spooky!

On Sunday, on WFMY News 2, Meterologist Ed Matthews talked about neighborhoods really decorating for Halloween this year- especially Westerwood and College Hill. Ed, we couldn't agree more The above photo is of 510 North Mendenhall, near downtown. This house, built in 1924, really has the Halloween spirit. From the skull arch to the skeletons galavanting onto the roof, on the porch swings, and in the yard. this display is pure Halloween fun. October is to Westerwood what December is to Sunset Hills; the month that brings great recognition to the community. There was the Art & Sole gallery walk, the Chili Cook-Off, and 'tis the month of great decorations. Imagine being a small child and walking past this display at dusk. The current owners have been in the house for about three years and they sure seem to have cultivated the "Westerwood Spirit."

We overheard some young teens walking and talking, saying how many Halloweens they missed due to bad weather and Covid. They all agreed they should be given another year two of grace on trick-or-treating for candy. One teen commented, "Besides, those people who go all out and decorate really want people to come by to Trick-or-Treat." Many neighborhoods are quiet in October. However, Westerwood really comes alive!

Happy Wednesday!

Westerwood String Band

Yesterday, we featured the Westerwood Chili Cook Off. Today, we're featuring the Westerwood String Band with Carol Thompson dancing in front with her boards. Over the years, Carol has called dances, been part of the contra dance community, has danced at many of the folk festivals in Greensboro, and keeps the beat with her feet for the Westerwood String Band. It is so fun to see people come together around community, be it a neighborhood or a group with something in common. In this case, all of the string band members love traditional, old-time, acoustic music. 

Carol's neon orange shirt is from the recent Hirsch Wellness fundraising event, "Art Lives Here" . Carol is a visual artist and has worked in graphic design, skills that are useful during the Hirsch fundraiser. The more we talked to people at the Chili Cook Off, the more re noticed the overlap in friend groups. There are so many great people and neighborhoods in Greensboro, all working hard to bring people together. If you are still looking for things to do and a sense of community, don't give up. Better yet, organize something and invite people. 

Happy Tuesday!

The Annual Westerwood Chili Cook-Off

Yesterday afternoon, the Westerwood neighborhood held their annual Chili Cook-Off in Lake Daniel Park. Neighbors cooked chili in one of the following categories: Mild, Medium, Hot, Vegetarian, and Youth. Those who didn't make chili brought cornbread, dessert, and coleslaw. Strong neighborhood associations help keep neighborhoods nice and property values strong. Westerwood does so much as a community. Recently, they held the Art and Sole Art Sale with Westerwood artists opening their studios to the community at large.

The chili cook off is a chance to bring chairs and tablecloths to the park and spend time with neighbors. All throughout the event, people were playing volleyball in the background and the Westerwood String Band was playing music near the cook-off tables. The band's genre is acoustic, old-time music with Carol Thompson organizing the group. While the group entertained the crowd with their cheerful tunes in the Key of D, Carol danced on her board with cornmeal helps dancers glide across the wood. By 6:00 pm, all were full, the sun was getting low to the horizon, and it was time to head home to get ready for school and work. Every neighborhood would benefit from an event like this one.

Happy Monday!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

 

Happy Birthday Beth

Yard signs have really trended.  The above sign, "Happy 50th Birthday, Beth" was seen earlier this week at the corner of Bearhollow and Hobbs Roads. This 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom house was built in 1998 on a third of an acre, at a time when these yard signs had not yet been invented. It is a lot of fun to be celebrated by friends.

Would you want the signs in your yard? They look like the signs from Triad Yard Cards that were placed in our friend Jane's yard (HERE). These yard cards were very popular during COVID when people had limited contact with each other. The signs brought joy and contact when contact was mostly outdoors and at a distance They sure put a smile on our face, and we don't even know Beth. Happy birthday, Beth. Here's to many more.

Happy Saturday.

Glenwood Ave. in the Glenwood Neighborhood

On Saturday night, we went to a party in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. As we were leaving, we headed down the street to our car. We were struck by how beautiful the street looked at night. Curiously, all of the cars parked on the left are white. The cars on the right have a little more color. Notice that blue strip on the street, cast by that blue/purple street light. Duke Power has replaced a lot of those, but we find them charming and there are many in Glenwood.

The Glenwood neighborhood is located near downtown and on the south edge of the UNCG campus. It encompasses about 1/2 square mile of land with about 2,500 residents. Glenwood extends from Freeman Mill Road in the east to West Gate City Boulevard  in the north, and Coliseum Boulevard in the west. The southern tip of the neighborhood is a pie-shaped wedge, where Coliseum Boulevard and Freeman Mill intersect. Glenwood is one of Greensboro's earliest planned neighborhoods. Its residents have goals and plans to strengthen the community fabric; increase walkability and bikeability,  reduce perceptions of crime and danger, and more.*  Many of the houses are two bedroom, one bath and on about .10 acre lots. House prices are still affordable. While we don't live in the neighborhood, we have many friends there and are tempted to downsize take advantage of that great sense of community the residents are building.

Happy Tuesday!

* read about the neighborhood HERE.

Keystone Apartments at Horse Pen Creek Road

Yesterday morning, we noticed construction being put into place at the newest neighborhood on Horse Pen Creek Road. Keystone is a neighborhood of apartments near New Garden Road. Cresting the hill on Horse Pen Creek Road, we noticed this praying mantis-like piece of equipment hovering above the cleared acreage. The 1-3 bedroom apartments boast many amenities. The leasing office is on Seabiscuit Lane, the main entrance into the neighborhood.

According to the Triad Business Journal,  Keystone Homes, established 1996, is the #1 privately held housing developer in North Carolina. Scott Wallace is president and Mark Michael is vice president. Their headquarters is located at 3708 Alliance Drive, , off of Wendover near the car dealerships. Horse Pen Creek is no longer your sleepy little, heavily wooded road. It will be interesting to see this community finished.

Happy Friday!

Open Pasture on Highwoods Boulevard

We learned from a Triad Business Journal article (3/22/23) that a planned community of 136 single family homes will be built on the above 16.2 acres between Hobbs Road and Jefferson Village Shopping Center. Yesterday, we noticed that a road has been cut through and machinery is being put into place. This is one of the remaining undeveloped parcels of land that is part of the 414 acre property on New Garden Road.  The Jefferson-Pilot Club was located there for 73 years. All employees were entitled to use the club. It was open from 1924- 1997.*  Nearby Price Park and the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library are two small parcels of the land that are open to the public. The public school, Jefferson Elementary, was also built on the Jefferson-Pilot land.

The road reveals the rocky, red clay soil so common around here. The land is fairly flat, so it should be relatively easy to build and homeowners will be surrounded by plenty of shopping.  It was such a beautiful day yesterday. Look at those clouds and notice, dead center in the photo, a bird is flying overhead.  As Greensboro, and all of North Carolina, really, continues to be developed. we hope there is some kind of master plan for green spaces and for land to remain undeveloped. Everybody deserves to sit and take in nature as seen here.

Happy Monday!

* see Jim Schlosser's article in the News & Record, HERE.

755 Perry Street- Dunleath Neighborhood

Look at this beauty of a green bungalow on Perry Street in the Dunleath neighborhood. It is hard to believe that it was built in 1895, 129 years ago. It is absolutely charming and the neighborhood has such a neighborly atmosphere. They are famous for Porchefest, an early June event where homeowners loan out their porches to musicians and people set up lawn chairs going from yard to yard enjoying the free concerts. They have sidewalks and you see people using them regularly.  Additionally, there is a Kentucky Derby Party and there is a free little library, a box to get free jigsaw puzzles, and one to get free art. Additionally, there are trails, access to the greenway and downtown. The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market and all of NCA&T's resources are within walking distance. It is such a special community and this is such a special house.

Happy Monday!

Hampton Homes

Hampton Homes is an apartment community located south of downtown Greensboro, between Gate City Boulevard, Elm/Eugene, and South Street. It is in the Warnersville neighborhood, and elementary school students attend the nearby Jones Elementary School. About four years ago, the Housing Authority of the City of Greensboro did a major interior and exterior renovation to Hampton Homes.  The 20+million dollar project greatly enhanced the community.*

The Warnersville Recreation Center is located nearby and they offer a lot of programs for children in the neighborhood, as do all of the local churches. This is a neighborhood that works to provide for children in the community. Monday-Thursday, free meals are available for children at  Jones Elementary School. Hopefully, there are other options for Fridays and the weekends. The school personnel who work through the summers work four day work weeks in the summer. The above photo, with no people outside is a little misleading, as this neighborhood is vibrant usually full of life. We'll have to stop back by and take a photo with children outdoors having some good old summer fun!

Happy Friday!

*reference and more information HERE.

Warnersville Traditions & Celebrations

Warnersville is a community that really nurtures a sense of community. There is a recreation center and a community park at 601 Doak Street. Summers are extra special. On First Fridays, they have free movies. This past Saturday, the above  celebration took place outside the recreation center. There were speakers, including James Griffin, Founder of the Warnersville Historical and Beautification Society. Laura Way, President & CEO of the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro spoke. There were food trucks, an art walk; the Warnersville Drumline played; and at 7:45, the film about the Warnersville neighborhood was shared.

Warnersville was built on a 35 acre plot of land, purchased by Pennsylvania Quaker Yardley Warner, who divided the land into plots made available to "freedmen" just after the Civil War. This was the first planned African American community in the area.* The Warnersville community continues to build memories with the current generations of residents. On Saturday, fun was had by all. Unless the Fourth of July changes the schedule, there should be a movie!

*reference and more information, HERE.

Happy Monday!

Dogwoods Are a Greensboro Tradition!

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago. Greensboro is so pretty in pink and white in March and April. However, the dogwoods have already are now green. The bracts are gone. But, they will be full of color again in the fall. The above photo was taken at the corner of Hobbs and Jefferson Roads. The pink variety of these slow-growing trees are less common than the white. Dogwoods do well in Greensboro. They like a little shade, and need just the right amount of water- not too wet, not too dry. They look especially beautiful when planted around azaleas.

We recently learned that the largest dogwood in the United States- possibly the world- is growing in a small cemetery in Clinton, Samson County, North Carolina. If you ever want to go see it, Clinton is about 150 miles from Greensboro and it takes about 2 1/2 hours to get there. It would be fun to ride down and see it when it is at peak. For now, we'll just keep walking and driving around Greensboro's neighborhoods to see all of the natural beauty we have here.

Happy Wednesday!

Lutheran Church of Our Father

Lutheran Church of our Father is located at 3304 Groomtown Road. This yellow brick church is so lovely by day and by night. The above photo was taken last night when friends of ours were having a party in the neighborhood. The people in this neighborhood are so nice and it seems like they have a nice relationship with the church. We absolutely loved the stained glass windows, especially the one that is lighted at night.

Lutheran Church of Our Father is located on almost 5 acres of land, and when it was converted as a church, they converted a warehouse, garage, iron works and a sandwich company into a house of worship.  The church has so much history and share it online (see here). They try to do a lot for the community and have a Benevolence program, helping people in financial need. They have a Pre-K program, and they work hard to adjust as demographics shift and as the congregation grows and shrinks. One tradition that interest us is the live nativity. We'll have to stop back in December to see it. 

Happy Sunday!

Strolling along South Mendenhall Street on a Sunny Spring Afternoon

We realize we've been featuring a lot of buildings and houses lately, but the temperature topped 80º yesterday, We just had to walk. We spent time in College Hill, near Friendly and Market. The above photo is of 102 South Mendenhall, The Wilson-Andrews House, a beauty of a home built in 1859. It is believed to be only one of 12 homes in Greensboro, remaining standing, and built before 1880.*

When built, the house was originally a single family dwelling, built by Rev. Wilson who bought the land from the Bumpass family. Over the years, the home has had several exterior enhancements, like the bay windows and the addition of decorative woodwork.   The home has long been divvied up into student apartments. However, the current owners have spared no expense with that elaborate, exterior paint job. That orange color is a stand out. Also, as hinted in today's photo, the landscaping is nice with camellias still in bloom and azaleas popping out.  This is the time of year when the scenery changes weekly. Please get out and explore Greensboro. Let us know what you find.

Happy Tuesday!

*read more in the News & Record article from 1990.

2310 Fairfield Avenue; Going Strong After 77 Years!

The house we're featuring today is just down the road from the Guilford Park Presbyterian Church, the church we featured yesterday. The two bedroom, one bathroom house was built in 1947. The house looks like it has been really well cared for, even after 77 years. It looks so cozy,  and is conveniently located in Kirkwood, just north of Irving Park Plaza. The lot is 2/10 of an acre, a nice size for a small house this close to town.  The current owners have had the house since 2005. According to the Next Door website, the Kirkwood neighborhood has 2,216 residents with an average income of $84,000, and the average age of a resident is 50. It is a neighborhood with a lot of character. We're very curious about this brick and iron fence. It seems like it may be older than 77 years.

Happy April 1st. For our Christian readers, we hope you had a good Easter. It was early this year. Our Muslim readers are still observing Ramadan, which concludes with Eid on the evening of Tuesday, April 9th and Passover begins on April 22. Finally, Orthodox Easter is on Sunday, May 5th. Spring is the time for some great holidays and with the diversity of Greensboro, we celebrate them all. We wonder what the people in 2310 celebrate.

 

Guilford Park Presbyterian Church on Easter

The above photo is of the center courtyard of Guilford Park Presbyterian Church. It leads to the Columbarium. It reminded us so much of the Easter season: The three arches evoke the idea of trinity and of the three who died on the cross. The columbarium, is filled with sealed niches with stored funeral urns. Even in death, for Christians, there is the belief of an afterlife. The trees are starting to leaf out, another sign of the circle of life.

Guilford Park Presbyterian Church's first building was completed in 1947, and is an off-shoot of Buffalo Presbyterian Church. It is located in Kirkwood, on Fairfield, just off of Lawndale Drive. Guilford Park Presbyterian has a very robust history documented online. We are archivists at heart and cannot recommend the importance of documenting history of families, institutions, towns, etc. It is hard to retrieve information once the people with the stories and information are gone.  We hope the folks at Guilford Park Presbyterian have a Happy Easter. We're wondering if they will hold a service under the tree across the street, the one where the early members of the church first gathered to worship even before they were formally a congregation.

Happy Easter!

2306 Lawndale in Kirkwood is Ready for Easter!

Today would be a glorious day for an Easter egg hunt, as tomorrow is Easter. On Thursday, we had the opportunity to walk around the edge of Kirkwood on Lawndale near Cornwalis. This section  of the neighborhood has such a unique personality- a little bit hip and a little bit hippy. There is one of Kirkwood's two remaining Lustron homes.*  There are owners with vintage cars parked on the street, there is a house with an inflated unicorn, there is the palm reader. The above lawn at 2306 Lawndale is  decorated for Easter with two dogs guarding the pot. 

As we zip by this cluster of homes on Lawndale by car, we don't see it as a neighborhood. However, when we walked it this past week, we started seeing all of the things that make it a neighborhood. We were greeted by Great Danes guarding their yard, we noticed lots of storage sheds, we saw flowers and trees starting to bloom. There were people at Guilford Presbyterian Church getting ready for Easter. We looked up and a giant pink flamingo was staring at us. There were others walking. Someone was out for a run. We noticed a small park with a giant tree that reminds of the Angel Oak in Charleston, SC. Just like the Angel Oak, it is not permitted to climb the tree. Before we knew it, we were back at our car. Walking our many neighborhoods is a fun way to get to know Greensboro. May the Easter bunny deliver a basket of goodness to 2306 Lawndale, and to you too! Please stop back tomorrow.

Happy Saturday!

*See our post on the Lustron on Lawndale  from 15 years ago. 

Dogwood are Blooming

Dogwoods are starting to bloom in Greensboro. They are a harbinger of spring. The above tree is located in a yard in Hamilton Lakes, at 704 Lipscomb Road. This house sold in August 2023 with the owners inheriting this lovely dogwood. Dogwoods are a favorite in Greensboro, right up there with azaleas. There is a Dogwood Drive in Hamilton Lakes that extends arcs over Holden Road, almost extending to Friendly Avenue on both ends.  There is a 4.2 acre Dogwood Park located in Irving Park, between Sunset Drive and Meadowbrook Terrace. Native Americans made medicinal tea from dogwood bark.  Dogwoods were also a favorite of President Washington and President Jefferson. Are there dogwoods in your neighborhood? Have they started blooming?  

On another note, Garrison Keeler or National Public Radio fame will be in Greensboro at the Carolina Theatre tonight. He hails from St. Paul Minnesota. Today, in St. Paul, the temperature should rise to 33, just over freezing.  They grow well in Minnesota, but we're betting they won't bloom for at least another month If someone reading this is driving him around town, please show him some of Greensboro's  lovely yards.

Happy Thursday!

Spring Day Sunset Hills Historic District

While it isn't technically spring, yesterday felt like a spring day and today should also be a lovely day. We were spending time in Sunset Hills and happened to look up.  We noticed the beautiful sky with all of the mature trees that, a little more than a month ago, would have had those 1' round Christmas balls in them. Some of those mature trees are over twice the size of the houses. Since 2013, Sunset Hills has been on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It is the largest NRHP neighborhood in Guildford County.  This designation doesn't mandate appearance standards. Homeowners can opt-in with the opportunity of a tax credit if they elect to participate. 

According to Preservation Greensboro, the neighborhood began in 1922 with Arthur Kirby Moore developing the land.* The neighborhood was nestled between Walker, Avenue, Market Street, and Salem Road. Salem Road was renamed Friendly Avenue. Sunset Hills, even without many sidewalks, is a very walker-friendly neighborhood. Every morning and afternoon, you will see people out walking their dogs or taking children to the neighborhood park. Consider heading out to vote in the primaries today and then finding a walkable neighborhood to enjoy. Sunset Hills is a great one!

Happy Tuesday! 

 

* See reference and lengthy, interesting history HERE.

East White Oak Community Center

Yesterday, we posted on the Freedom Fridges at the East White Oak Community Center on 10th Street in northeast Greensboro. Today, we thought we'd take you inside this wooden building that has played a significant role in this community for over 100 years. We're not sure about the artwork. The mural on the left looks like a work in progress. If you are local, you probably know the people on the right. Those wooden floorboards in this hallway look like they've seen a lot of traffic over the last century plus. When it opened in 1916, it was originally a school house for the children of African-American workers at Cone Mills textiles. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. David Richmond, one of the NC A&T Four grew up in this neighborhood.

If you want a tour of the David Richmond Resource Room, the Mill Village Exhibition, or other parts of this historic property, you can call them at 336-274-4555 or you can email them at [email protected]. There is so much outreach that happens at this community center. And, now with the food pantry, in a part of town with much food insecurity, it will play and even more pivotal role. 

Happy Monday!