Greensboro Daily Photo

Chalkware Vignette by Lori Gray

Tis fair season. The Central Carolina Fair in Greensboro, a tradition since 1898, closed yesterday. The NC State Fair opens Thursday, October 12th in Raleigh. It will be full of exhibits and carnival rides and games. For years, chalkware was de rigeur at carnivals- from the early 1900s to the 1950s. Before stuffed animals were prizes, chalkware pieces were given to those whose carnival game skills merited a prize. The above collection is on display at Antique Market Place on Burnt Poplar Road. Lori Gray assembled the collection into this wonderful vignette. With the top piece with lights and the drapes, it is as if you are at a carnival and get to select your prize from the lot. However, the collection is being sold together, not piece by piece. 

Lori is a master vignette artist and nostalgia maker. She has a booth at the Antique Market Place and has a way of taking seemingly disparate items and pulling them together into a picture perfect scenes that evoke memories: Being in grandma's kitchen; hanging out in the living room of a dear family friend; sitting in a mod kitchen; preparing for a day of fun and games; and on, and on. We went this weekend just to visit this staging of her chalkware. Some lucky person will leave with a mighty fine collection. There is everything from the original kewpie dolls to Disney figures. We're wondering how many of these were won at the Central Carolina Fair. If you are local, head out and see this collection. The fair may have left town, but the collection is still here! Never again will you see so many pieces of chalkware in one place at one time! 

Happy Monday!

Labor Day Means BBQ Time in Greensboro

Those of us who are staying in town for the weekend are likely planning a picnic with barbecue. The above photo features a makeshift barbecue pit near Lewiston Road in Northeast Greensboro. The hardwood had burned to coals, perfect for cooking which will likely take up to 12 hours. The smell of smoldering hardwood is distinctive and to us, evokes memories of fall. We were struck by the simplicity of this pit, the use of cinder blocks and bricks assembled in a U shape to contain the heat. Smoking meat this way in North Carolina dates back to before Europeans arrived. You don't need a fancy grill to prepare great meat. 

In Greensboro, once a person decides what method they will use to  cook Labor Day barbecue, a decision needs to be made about what kind of sauce to use. There is the "down east" vinegar barbecue and the "out west" Lexington style where ketchup is mixed in with vinegar.  Do you have a preference. While they will be closed today, if you are looking for barbecue in a restaurant in Greensboro, Stamey's Barbecue, Country Barbecue, and Bernie's Bar-B-Que are great local options. Smithfield's Chicken 'N-Bar-B-Q, Mac's Speed Shop, and Hickory Tree Turkey BBQ are also great options. If you are local, likely, your decision is already made about who serves the best barbecue. We hope you have a great Labor Day, regardless of what you end up eating. In preparing this post, we found a couple of good sites, if case you are interested and have a little extra time today: North Carolina Barbecue: East vs West and Labor Day in North Carolina. Did you know Labor Day wasn't broadly adopted in North Carolina until it became a federal holiday? Also, there used to be Labor Day Parades, even fireworks!

Happy Monday!

UPDATE: We just drove by Stamey's and they are open!!!

(Should we swing back around when the barbecue is ready? This has got to be the best slow-cooked meat in town!).

 

Big White Farmhouse on Johnson Farm Trail

The above photo features an old farmhouse off of Burlington Road, Highway 70, east of Greensboro, right at the Guilford County line. This home is so charming and reminds us of that country way of living,  so common in the mid part of the 20th century and before. The white, wooden house was probably added on to as the owner's family grew- or became more prosperous. Likely, the owners were very tied to the land and loved everything that came from rural living. Possibly, the home has been passed down through the generations. We could sit here and conjecture all day; in the meantime, we'll just admire the view.

Every month or two, we drive the back roads from Greensboro to Burlington (Wendover, Highway 70) to the east, or Greensboro to Kernersville to the west (Highway 150). As we drive, we notice something has changed, stopping to photograph whatever catches our eye.  Noticeably, Guilford County is becoming quite a place for storage, warehouses, and trucks.  Looking back, sometimes we have documented things that used to be.  For now, it doesn't look like the big, white farmhouse isn't going anywhere anytime soon. On a bright, sunny day, those bare trees look so beautiful and make the house look like a home. The trees all look healthy, ready to leaf out in a couple of months. 

Happy Wednesday! Please stop and admire the beauty of Greensboro, every chance you get. 

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

As many of you may remember from the post on Sunday, it was General Nathanael Greene's birthday. We know that the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park always has a lot happening in March, about the time of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. However, we don't recall their celebrating his birthday in August. This past Saturday, they had a dedication of a new cannon that is a closer replica to what actually would have been at the battle than the cannon in he above photo. The young man in the photo, dressed in what would have been civilian clothes from the time period questioned the ranger. He had just returned from seeing the firing of the new cannon and questioned its size, wondering how it would fit through the door. The ranger admitted that they were going to have to increase the size of the door to get the new cannon through. How heartwarming to see a young student that attuned to history and interested in history so much so that he dresses for the occasion. 

Seeing the exhibits at the visitors center is very special, but even more meaningful is talking to people knowledgeable about the time period.  We are looking forward to seeing the cannon in its new home. Every time we go to the park and to events there, we learn a little bit more about the history of Greensboro. Mark your calendar for mid-March 2023, when the reenactment will take place. Happy Tuesday!

 

The Martha Bassett Show

During the summer, there are many live music options in the Greensboro area. We had the very difficult decision of attending MUSEP at Guilford College or attending the live recording of Martha Bassett's show at Triad Park. We have never attended a performance at the amphitheater at Triad Park, so we went there. The Martha Bassett Show is usually recorded at the Reeves Theatre in Elkin, NC. Last night, however, the Triad area got a treat when Martha's show was recorded at Triad Park on the Guilford/Forsyth County line. Guest musicians were- to the audience's right of Martha (who was in the black and white dress), the South Carolina Broadcasters (David and Ivy S. Sheppard [member Steve Marshall was not on stage in above photo]); Molly McGinn and Jonathan Byrd. This line up was fantastic. All of the musicians were quite accomplished and their songs were prefaced with stories, and in many cases, an explanation of what inspired the song. Martha also played for the audience. As Martha states on her website, she is passionate about collaboration between artists of varying styles, cultures, and generations- and it shows! Martha has been a musician for over 20 years. While originally from West Virginia, she now makes her home in the Piedmont Triad.  Surrounding Martha (to audience's left) and in the back are part of her house band. They are fantastic and seamlessly provided whatever backup sound the guest musicians needed.

Triad Park, at 9252 West Market Street, is quite a recreational resource for the area. In addition to the above amphitheater, there are seven sand volleyball courts, nine horseshoe pits, an asphalt path for walking, biking, and skating, picnic tables and shelters, and more. Also, Triad Park is the location of the field of honor. If you haven't explored it, you owe yourself a visit. If you haven't listened to a recording of Martha Bassett's show, or heard one of her podcasts, we encourage you to do so. Follow this link to hear some of Martha's music. 

Happy First Day of Summer; Time for a Visit to Berico Fuels, Inc

Happy first day of summer. With warmer weather, additional hours of light, and many students out of school, people will be cooking on outdoor grills and in their campers. Many of these outdoor activities require portable propane gas.  After 12 years, tanks must be re-certified in order to get them refilled with with propane. The US Department of Transportation requires this recertification, since tanks are often on the highways. The above photo features a customer taking a 30 pound propane tank for recertification to Berico Fuels, Inc.

Berico, owned by the Berry family, has been a Greensboro institution since the 1920s. They got their start on West Lee Street, and then on Bragg Street, at first selling coal. Since 1950, they are located at 2200 East Bessemer Avenue. Berico's motto is "Always Dependable."  Bessemer Avenue has long been a hub of businesses activity in Greensboro since before nearby Wendover Ave even existed.  Interestingly, once you get your tank re-certified, Berico sends you to McKnight Hardware, also on East Bessemer since 1950, to get the propane. 

Happy first day of summer. After today, the days start getting shorter.

(If you want to learn more about Berico, read Jim Schlosser's News & Record article from 2005. See HERE.)

Deep River Flower Farm

On Saturday, at the Corner Market,* we met the very talented organic flower farmer Nicole Rosenberger of Deep River Flower Farm. Nicole and her husband live in a house on the Deep River in Franklinville, NC, about 40 minutes south of Greensboro. For just over a month now, Nicole has been coming to Greensboro to sell her flowers and her very carefully constructed turkey wing brooms. While the flowers are of nature's making, the brooms are carefully crafted and knotted by Nicole. Nicole, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, majored in anthropology. While she attended college in Towson, Maryland, she also had the opportunity to attend Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. We're betting this love of flowers and organic farmer was fostered in Warren Wilson College (WWC). We forgot to ask Nicole if she worked on the farm, garden or landscape crew at Warren Wilson and perhaps honed her flower growing skills at WWC.

Nicole grows most of her flowers from seed on her quarter acre farm on the Deep River. We're so glad she makes the trip to Greensboro to sell her flowers and brooms. Please stop by and support Nicole, and the other vendors at the Corner Market, and other local markets in Greensboro. We just may make Nicole's tent a weekly stop on our farmers market jaunts and bring a little of the outdoors in. Here is an article about Nicole from the Chatham News & Record.

Happy Monday! Take time to stop to smell the roses, sweet pea, lilies, lavender, and just about every flower but, perhaps not the marigolds!

 

*the farmers market at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church parking lot on West Market at Kensington.

The Sandlot

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

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

Happy Monday!

Golfing As Self-care

What do you do for self care? Golfing is a great way to get outside without having to leave town. The above photo is of the Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club at Carlson Farms. It is such a lovely course, and it is so easy to photograph as it is visible from the surrounding roads, Francisco Drive, Tory Hill, Hedrick Drive, Carlson Dairy, Jessup Grove, and, Horse Pen Creek. This course, built in 1963, provides members with an opportunity to play gold, year-round. This course gets a five-out-of-five for being in excellent condition. Indeed, it is a pretty course that stretches over 7300 yards through the community, which is over 400 yards a hole.

Even if you don't have a membership to this specific course, there are plenty of options in Greensboro. Consider playing golf at Bur-Mil Park, just down the road from here. If you don't play golf, consider walking or biking along the greenway and trails. It should be sunny all day today, with temperatures ranging from 28º- getting up to 52º at 2:00 pm. It will be a lovely day to do something out of doors! See you on the trail, or somewhere along the way. Self-care matters!

Happy Saturday!

1953 Buick Riviera and a Great Conversation

Yesterday, we headed just over the Guilford County line, to Kernersville and struck up a conversation with the owner of this 1953 Buick Riviera. The conversation started with asking for permission to take a photo of the car and ended with a great story. The car is owned by Rodney Robles, photographed above. Mr. Robles inherited the car from his grandfather 30 years ago, when his grandfather, John Wesley Lowery, died at the age of 104. Mr. Lowery, a horticulture and forestry major,  was the first Native American to graduate from Virginia Tech. Mr. Lowery left his vintage cars to Mr. Robles because of his grandson's love of cars and his willingness to "talk cars" with anyone interested- like us. Not only did Mr. Robles talk about his vintage cars (he has more than one), he let "Ms. Greensboro Daily Photo"  sit in the driver's seat and get her picture taken. If you attend antique car shows, you may already know Mr. Robles, or at least recognize his cars. They are the ones painted in Virginia Tech colors as grandfather was a proud and loyal alum.  While Mr. Robles still works, he is retired from his career as a state trooper. 

On another note, Greensboro is preparing for Tommy Orange's visit here to talk about his book, "There, There" and how wonderful it would be if Mr. Orange would have an opportunity to meet Mr. Robles and his family. In his book, Mr. Orange articulates the west-coast, Native American experience masterfully. After a few short minutes of talking with Mr. Robles, we are confident he could share some great east-coast, Native American stories. He and his family are originally from Lumberton, NC. Both men would enjoy each other tremendously. Mr. Robles, ever the gentleman would have stayed and talked longer, but he was on his way to take dinner home to his wife. Her dinner will arrive in style and be delivered with a smile! 

Angels In Heaven

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

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

Happy Sunday!

NC Folk Festival 2021, The Festivities Have Begun!

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

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

 

Reflecting on Greensboro and the Transient Nature of Trains

Happy Friday, we're moving into the weekend, Greensboro! Today's photo is of an eastbound train strolling towards downtown Greensboro. It is on the track behind Oden Brewing Company on Gate City Boulevard. On the other side of the tracks, Oakland Avenue parallels the train. You can hear the trains as they push through several times a day. Here is a list of passenger trains coming through Greensboro. Of course there are freight trains passing through, too.

If you get a hankering to go somewhere by train this weekend, head down to the J Douglas Galyon Depot on East Washington Street and see where your adventure will take you. The station was renovated in 2005 and it is quite attractive. If you want to read more about the freight transportation through Greensboro, see here. It plays a key role in the Piedmont Triad region. In his piece for "27 Views of Greensboro", Ed Cone reminds us that "chunks of our past keep disappearing" (p. 59). While our textile mills are gone, the trains still come through taking something from Point A to Point B, through Greensboro. Cone posits that perhaps transience is our most enduring trait. In your eyes, what is Greensboro's most enduring trait? What could be more fun than to ponder that thought while passing through Greensboro on a train. If you aren't going on a train this weekend, it is something to consider while standing at the fence along Gate City Boulevard.

Happy Friday! It is seven more days until First Friday, but downtown would love to see you today!

Tobacco: All Rows Lead to the Tobacco Barn!

Tobacco has been such a big part of the history of Greensboro, Guilford County, and North Carolina. Peak production in Greensboro was the 1890s.  P. Lorillard was the nation's oldest tobacco company when they built a manufacturing plant in Greensboro in the mid-twentieth century. Back when we would spend a lot of time in east Greensboro, we remember smelling tobacco being prepared and always tried to guess the flavors being added- chocolate was the easiest to identify. You could smell it from Lorillard all the way over to Dudley High School. In the 1980s, the local tobacco industry really fell on hard times. By 1989, Greensboro passed the most restrictive smoking ordinance in North Carolina.* In the 1990s, it was the state's top cash crop, but Guilford County is not in the top ten tobacco growing counties. 

We don't want to encourage smoking by any means; however, it is important for people to recognize the crop and recognize the role it has played in shaping the local economy. As you can see in the above tobacco field on Highway 150, it grows well in sand. This is a hardy crop that has been well tended. It is always fun to see a crop, pull of the road, and get a few photos. With all of the construction happening locally and land is selling for such a premium, continuing to farm any crop is quite a commitment. Would you recognize a field of tobacco? Study this one and then keep your eye out. This week, we've got you seeking out a new bakery, searching for purple LED lights, and now tobacco fields. Stick with Greensboro Daily Photo and we will lead you to interesting places!

Happy Wednesday. What will tomorrow bring?

 

*reference here and and here for more information.

Cluck Old Hen

Providence Farm, located at 2569 Huffine Mill Road, is a North Carolina Bicentennial Farm as it has been in the same family for over 200 years. It is fascinating to visit when Joy is in a position to take you on a tour. She is one of the owners and the person who oversees the animal husbandry aspect of the farm. She comes by her name honestly as she is a joy to listen to as she talks about her daily routines and the personalities of the animals. You can read about the farm by following the link at the beginning of today's post, or, you can go out to the farmers market they hold most Saturdays. You can also follow the farm happenings and fun on Instagram.

Today's photo is of a group of chickens who took up at the  farm, but won't integrate with the other chickens on the farm. In the above scene, you see the chickens on a wooden dance board eating the corn meal a dancer put down to make it easier to navigate the dance floor. Earlier, she was flatfoot dancing while musicians we playing old-time tunes on the fiddle and banjo. The chickens didn't waste any time. When the musicians and the dancer took a break to eat, the chickens moved in and ate the corn meal they'd been eyeing. As the chickens pecked at the corn mean, it was as if you could hear them keeping time to the tune, "Cluck Old Hen". Those are the fun and funny antics you experience when you hang out on a farm. Do you have a go-to farm in Guilford County? If not, check out the eastern end of the county. These are a few farms near Providence Farm that also have opportunities for the public to be on site. 

Happy Tuesday!

Retro Faucet Parts

Retro Faucet Parts bills itself as a mom and pop shop. This local, family-owned business was established in 1975. They pride themselves on being able to provide customers with just about any plumbing supply you need, whether it is for a fixture that no longer exists or it is the a plumbing part that is the latest technology. These specialists have provided parts for remodels of the Biltmore,  Julian Price Mansion, and Chinqua Penn- to name a few of the most well known places to use their service. Retro Faucet is  located at 3800 Spring Garden Street, right where Spring Garden connects to Wendover Avenue. By the looks of the exterior of the cinder block building, there is little doubt about what they sell. It is a little bit harder to determine the main entrance, which happens to be on the Cranbrook Street side of the building. It is the golden yellow door, to the right of Elmer Fudd and the painted sign that says ENTRANCE. As you approach the building, imagine the soundtrack to your favorite theme music from the Nintendo Mario universe.

That mural of Mario the Plumber is the work of Joey Allen Creations. Joey is a self-taught pop artist from Winston Salem. He is known for his murals that combine bright colors, pop characters, and modern icons. If you know Joey's aesthetic, you can see how the above artwork fits right in! We wish Joey had dated the mural. It can't be that old, because the Google map photo still shows the building as painted white. We need to check out the inside, being prepared to save Princess Peach or Princess Toadstool,  or at least collect some gold coins. There are 8 leadership goals to be learned from Super Mario Brothers: Face the unknown; be positive; adapt to changes; establish short and medium term goals; clearly define the long term goal; seek self confidence; be a team player; and finally, celebrate and compliment.*

If Retro Faucet Parts runs their business following these Super Mario lessons, they are sure to be around for another 46 years!

 

*reference HERE.

Hudson Hill, H.Lee Waters Films, & Cone Denim

Today, Hudson's Hill American Made will host a very special event. Jonathan Ingram with Cone Denim (on left above) will be at Hudson's Hill with a small pop up of products made with denim from Cone Mills. Jonathan has a wealth of knowledge on textile history and branding. He knows all the great details, like how the shifting of the wooden floors in a textile factory, like White Oak, affects the appearance of the denim. Ben Singer (@benesing on the right) will show video footage from the H. Lee Waters films about Cone Denim. Bene will present at noon and then again at 4pm. Each presentation lasts about two hours. Bene is a multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and video producer, and more.  If you are involved in the local, live music scene, you probably know Bene. This is such a special opportunity for Greensboro.

H. Lee Waters (1902- 1997) was a photographer from Lexington, NC. When the Depression hit and people stopped getting photos made, Waters started making movies of people in North Carolina communities and then going back to the communities and selling tickets for people to see themselves and their community in the movies. Duke University houses the Waters archives. Bene will treat us to a showing of some of the footage, specifically the videos about Cone Mills.

In the middle, is Evan Morrison, one of the owners of Hudson's Hill and master leatherworker. Give Evan a piece of leather and he can look at it and calculate the size of the purse that can be made from it- and then make that purse. He repairs, creates, and designs. Many of the items at Hudson't Hill are his craftsmanship. Evan will be at the event. A fourth person, who will literally contribute to the local flavor of this event, is Randy Barnes @feedumdogs. Randy will be giving away his gourmet hot dogs (while supplies last).  Drop in today to Hudson's Hill at 527 South Elm Street and check out the event. Masks are required and they will monitor crowds. As you can see in the photo, the screen is in place and ready for your viewing pleasure.

Merry Glenwood Christmas

This house, located on the East End of the Glenwood neighborhood at 828 Silver Avenue, is a fine example of the character of the homes in  Glenwood. With 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this house (built in 1908) is larger than many of the homes. Look at that beautiful green and the white picket fence. The Christmas decorations are like pretty ribbon and a bow on a package.

The large front porch on this house evokes those days of yesteryear, when we had more time for sitting and talking to friends and families. In the pre-air conditioning days, sitting on the front porch was the perfect way to catch a breeze. If you look closely, you can see the Moravian star on this porch. At night, the lighting illuminates the property beautifully. Obviously, it is a house well loved

Happy Friday! Enjoy everything about this day.

View from Lewis Street

Today's photo is a bit whimsical. It is the view of the back alley area, behind the 6oo block of South Elm Street, as seen from Lewis Street. If you are out walking through Greensboro, or any city, it is fun to look at the places that aren't usually in the public eye. As you can see here, there used to be a Wade's Dry Cleaning. As our grandparents would say, "Before your time...". So often, when we post a photo of a sign from yesteryear, someone contacts us to let us know about their relatives, the people who owned the now-forgotten establishment. So, if there are any Wades reading, or anyone who worked for the Wades, we'd love to hear from you. The bottom two-thirds of the photo is the wavy artwork on the wall of the Bearded Goat, an establishment that bills itself as a "classy, artistic, dive bar"; hence, the artwork. 

As we all struggle to remain healthy during this COVID-19 era, please know there are business along Elm Street doing everything they can to provide safe, contactless shopping experiences. Often, you can call ahead and have things ready to pick up curbside. In the meantime, if you are out walking, stop and find a view you have never seen before. Point A to Point B doesn't always need to be a straight line! Happy Saturday.

Farmhouse of Summerfield: 1316 Pleasant Ridge Road

Today's farmhouse is right beside the barn featured yesterday on Greensboro Daily Photo. It is located at 3136 Pleasant Ridge Road. Built in 1918, this 102 year old house has five bedrooms and is approximately 4,000 square feet-- pretty large home for that time period. It is located on a 65-acre parcel of land. It doesn't appear to be currently occupied and may be part of Summerfield Farms. The house is a standout among the mature trees surrounding it. We're betting that a lot of memories were made in that home. The northwestern end of Guilford County has so many interesting homes and buildings. They are easy to miss as we rush from Point A to Point B. As this part of the county changes, it is nice to have these photos for our archives and, hopefully, this house will be around for another century! Happy Thursday!

Barns of Summerfield

This barn is very near where Pleasant Ridge Road intersects with Meadowview Drive. It represents Greensboro and its environs from years gone by. At one time, the county was full of barns for animals, tobacco barns, and other outbuildings that were necessary to keep a farm thriving. Slowly, the parcels of land  with these buildings are being sold off for subdivisions. However, another movement is taking hold in recent years in which young people buy land to farm.

The above barn may actually be part of Summerfield Farms which is a working, thriving, 600 acre farm with the main building just across the road from this barn. The above barn is a lot more humble than "THE" barn at Summerfield farms; however, the above structure holds quite a link to the past. If you want to read more about Summerfield Farms, read their story, HERE. If we happen to see the owner of Summerfield Farms, David Couch, we'll ask him about his building. In the meantime, we hope you will notice it, next time you drive by. Happy Wednesday!

Greensboro Is In the Heart of Horse Country

Straw Hat used to be a sleepy road, tucked in between Jessup Grove Road, Lewiston, and Horse Pen Creek. This horse is proof positive that there used to be horses at the aptly-named Horse Pen Creek. These days, the area has been changing almost before our eyes. This horse has probably seen a lot of these changes. It has a big field back behind its house, but yesterday, he seemed interested in hanging out in the front yard, near Straw Hat, the old dirt road.

Perhaps the was curious about all of the athletes practicing soccer. Within a stone's throw are the Proelific Park fields, Caldwell Academy, and Northwest Pediatrics. The horse is in good company as Guilford County remains one of the top horse counties out of the 100 in North Carolina. If you love horses, you probably know about all of the stables and riding options in the Greensboro area!

1916 Huffine Mill Road

Weekends are for exploring and there is plenty to explore around Greensboro! Today, we take you to 1916 Huffine Mill Road, north of Wendover, where it splits with Rankin Mill Road. Right at the Y is this little cinder block building that used to be a convenience store. Above the door, the signage says, "DISCOUNT GROCERIES AND MORE: A Bent Can Store."  How curious! What on earth is a bent can store? We purposely took the photo through one of the the mimosa trees on the property, because it evokes yesteryear and is an example of how there can be beauty even in neglect. The mimosa tree, while beautiful, can be considered an invasive pest. It was first brought to Charleston, S.C. in 1745 and over the past 275 years has established roots from California to the South and extending up to New York. Their allure is the beautiful pink plumes, they are fast growing, and the leaves fold up at night.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this tiny store, a mere 864 square ft and built in 1951, would be restored to its original splendor. Now, it seems as if we all want to stop at convenience stores that sell gas, make sandwiches to order, and have every flavoring to put in coffee, and every bag of chips imaginable. But how fun it was back in the day, when you stopped at a store, maybe even put your purchase on your bill, and the owner and customer gave updates about their lives. It appears the current owners have had it for almost forty years. We'll bet they have some great stories to tell and lots of memories of this part of the county way out past the east side of Greensboro.

 

Edible Radish Pods and the Joys of Gardening

Summer has been heating up in Greensboro and we're experiencing temperatures in the 90s for consecutive days, with no rain in sight. Under these conditions, plants are trying to go to seed. Our basil, mint, and radishes are all flowering and trying to make seed pods. The above photo features radish seed pods. See the long pointy green pods and the purple flowers? Those are growing from the radishes that, underground, are long and lean and practically nonexistent. (Many are lamenting this hasn't been the best year for radishes).  Well, this summer for us, those pods have been nature's gift. We've discovered they are crunchy, spicy, and radish flavored. All radish pods are edible and some varieties arevgrown specifically for their pods.

For anyone who is looking for something to do in these lazy days of summer, don a mask and head to the farmers market and ask lots of questions. If you have a neighbor who is gardening, spend time with them learning about gardening. Perhaps there is a community garden in your neighborhood. North Carolina A&T University has several programs and initiatives related to sustainable agriculture. There is a little farmer in all of our family histories. Now is a good time to learn about these old-time ways. Happy Thursday! See you in the garden!

Allen Tomlinson and His Very Beautiful Garden

Meeting up with people to interview during the time of COVID is not easy. However, yesterday, we had a chance to visit Allen Tomlinson who was busy tending his garden. In the above photo, Allen is next to his bee balm. Allen lives in the north end of Kirkwood on Lafayette Street- in a house he purchased about three years ago. Allen has always loved gardening and finds a way to bring plants into his life whether in an apartment or house. His dream is to someday have a lot of land so that he can do even more gardening. In his current residence, Allen has a little bit of everything: Edibles, perennials, annuals, cacti, and tropical plants. It is hard to believe there are grapefruit and lemons growing in his yard in Greensboro. He also has figs, berries, and vegetables. There is a water feature, pea-gravel paths, birdbaths, a birdhouse, bird nests, climbing roses, a trellis, and the list goes on. As seen in the above photo, the back yard is full sun, making it easy to grow plants.

Allen is a Page High School graduate who has been teaching Spanish for about the last 18 years. Currently, he teaches high school Spanish in Alamance County and loves it. The past couple of years have been difficult for Allen as he lost both parents within a span of about 18 months. He says his garden is his happy space, and a hobby that provides great solace. Now that the plantings are well established, he only needs to spend about 30 minutes a day working in the yard. Of course, there are always options to add more plants, to divide ones that have outgrown their space, or to start preparing space for the next season. 

Allen is so diligent about caring for his plants and it is very likely they will be around for a long, long time! A big thank you goes out to our mutual friend Alice Hill who suggested we feature Allen and his garden!

Beautiful Farm on Bethel Church Road

Weekends are a great time to explore the back roads of Guilford County. There are still so many beautiful properties here. This farm, owned by the Wright family on Bethel Church Road is no exception. The farm with horses, sunflowers adorning an outbuilding, and a fabulous fence is located between between Bethel Presbyterian Church and Gibsonville. Country living has its challenges, but it also comes with its beautiful aspects. Just look!

Bethel Church Road will get you from Eastern High School into Gibsonville without needing to get back out on Highway 70. It is fun to drive these roads, just to see what people are out doing, what they have in their yards, what color they paint their accent door, and what buildings remain from decades ago. We hope to get to meet the Wrights someday. Indeed, they seem to be living the good live, a good blend between the old time ways and modern living.

Happy Saturday, everyone.

Hiking the Farmers Market

This past Saturday, the Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge was very busy. Even with masks, we decided it was better to walk the perimeter for exercise and return to shop during the week, when it isn't quite as busy. While walking back behind AB Farmers Market Garden Center, we found a path we thought was a trail. As seen in the above photo it is so beautiful and natural back there. On into the trail, as it winds toward I-40, there is an old barn. The barn is not safe to enter, but to look at, it is so beautiful. 

Catherine Bishir said that "agricultural old outbuildings are North Carolina's most endangered architectural resource" (shared by Benjamin Briggs, here, 2004). Finding and documenting these old barns was a passion of the late Greensboro photographer Carol Martin. We wish she were still here so that we could see if she every found this one. 

Once we realized that this path was not really a trail, we headed back to the parking lot. If this property is, indeed, part of the farmers market, perhaps the community would be served to add some kind of hiking trail. More and more people are out walking these days. Happy exploring, whether you can get out and physically explore, or remain at home and explore through books and the Internet. May we all find a way to help preserve Greensboro old agricultural outbuildings and our public-access green space.

Still on Lewiston Road: Tiny Hidden House

Yesterday, we posted about an adventure along Lewiston Road. Today, we share another photo on Lewiston Road. Lewiston stretches from Fleming Road to Pleasant Ridge Road at Carlson Dairy Road in northwest Guilford County. The above house is set back and not visible from the road. The only hint is a "no trespassing" sign.

This lovely, little green home is so representative of tiny country houses from the early part of the 20th century. While small, it was well maintained, had a cozy front porch, and plenty of land and mature trees around it. Likely, this house will soon be replaced by a housing development. However, if it were ever offered for sale, even as-is, it would be perfect for weekend get-aways, even for people already live in Greensboro. Who's in?!!!

Roasting Marshmallows at Hamburger Square on Elm Street

Whoever thought we'd be roasting marshmallows on Elm Street. Last night the Festival of Lights was held in downtown Greensboro. Crowds of people strolled the length of Elm Street and over to Davie Street to take advantage of all the festivities. There was music on every block, dancers, stores offering treats, services, and great gift options. Everyone was in good spirits. And, the marshmallows were yummy.

Today is the holiday parade, the Moravian tea, the Jazz Nativity at West Market Street United Methodist Church and so much more. It would be impossible to do it all, but, whatever you decide to do, may it bring joy to you and those in your life.

Twilight at Summerfield Farms

The above photo was taken last night at Summerfield Farms on Pleasant Ridge Road. Summerfield Farms is a 600-acre working farm and event venue that opened to the public in 2012.  This barn is where many special events are held. The photo shows the beauty of a clear, fall evening, just as late afternoon is transitioning to night.

On Monday and Thursday nights Summerfield Farms offers free music on the lawn. Check back tomorrow to see a photo of Monday's music act. Head to the farm quickly and visit the food market as their beautiful selection of pumpkins and gourds is going fast. 

Top Chef at Hoppin' John 2019

The 13th annual Hopin' John Old-time and Bluegrass Music Festival was held at Shakori Hills this past weekend. Every year they hold a cooking contest and attendees vote on the best Hopin' John, the only requirement being the recipe must include black-eyed peas and rice. Most traditional recipes incorporate pork, especially lard and ham hock. Greensboro Greensboro native Catherine Thompson  took top prize this year. Catherine's blue-ribbon recipe was vegan, the first time in 13 years that a vegetarian or vegan recipe won.Catherine's goal was for the flavor to stand on its own, showing you don't need meat to make tasty Hopin' John. It worked!

Catherine interned this summer at Bounty and Soul*in Black Mountain, North Carolina, a non-profit that distributes donated produce from markets and grocery stores, free, to local residents. Catherine's job was to make tasty recipes for people from the abundant produce of the week. With her meticulous vegetable-choppping skills and and passion for preparing vegan meals, Catherine poured her soul into her Hoppin' John recipe, and it paid off! Congratulations! 

* On average, Bounty and Soul serves 850 individuals over 12,000 pounds of produce weekly. If you want to donate to this super worthy initiative, send a check to Bounty and Soul, 999 Old US Highway 70 West, Black Mountain, NC, 28711.

 

Get your Kicks on Highway 66

North Carolina's Highway 66 is a north/south route that runs through the easternmost corner of Forsyth County, just west of Greensboro. If you want to see rural North Carolina the way it used to be, consider a drive along Highway 66 on a Saturday morning. You will see people walking to the front of their property to pick up their newspaper in their pajamas; people doing yard work; people sitting on their porch waving at those who drive by; plowed fields ready to be planted; neighbors talking to each other; and, sometimes, items in yards that many neighborhoods would not permit. You will see life being lived at a slower pace as if it were a few decades ago. The above photo shows a vehicle permanently parked on Highway 66, that must have belonged to somebody's grandpa.

The local Highway 66 may not be THE Route 66, the one that stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles. However, the old adage, "Get your kicks on Route 66," fits perfectly if you love the serendipity of driving along and seeing what life brings your way.

Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse

Today, the Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse continues. The morning will start with the troops down by the river for a worship service on the day of the big battle. Today is the 237th anniversary of the battle that happened on March 15, 1781.

We must confess that we took this photo eight years ago; however, it evokes such a beautiful of a father and son praying together it is worth featuring it again. The young boy would be about twenty years old now.  This scene was taking place in the part of Country Park that is behind the Greensboro Science Center, off Lawndale Drive.  If you get a chance, head to the park and experience this event. Happy Sunday.

Breadservice at the Corner Market

Today, we're sharing one more photo of the Corner Market at Lindley Park It is so much fun to go there and purchase food. For example, Breadservice was packed this past Saturday, with the baker taking his time to talk to all of his customers. He makes sure that everyone has a sample of bread to try. This past week, the sample was  a cornbread with an extra moist texture. At least one of the wheat breads has 70% wheat that is grown in North Carolina. If you like a seeded bread with a strong fennel taste, Breadservice has the perfect loaf for you.

For such a small space in the parking lot of Sticks and Stones Restaurant at the corner of Walker and Elam, they sure pack in a lot of great, local vendors with great products and plenty of free conversation. Stop by and check it out and, if your neighborhood could use such a market, consider starting one!

Frosty the Snowperson

Somebody built a snowperson on Olive Street in Fisher Park, at Bessemer Avenue. It is heartwarming to see people out enjoying the snow. In addition to the work that snow brings, by way of shoveling sidewalks and digging out one's vehicle, it is nice to make time for fun; finding that special sled riding hill, making snowmen, or even having a tame snowball "fight."

If you've ever built a snowman, you know that it is not that easy. First, the snow has to be just the right texture to stick together. Second, you have to get the snow while it is fresh and clean. Third, if the snowman is big, you may need someone to help lift the middle section. The stars aligned on Olive Street and this delightful icon of winter even survived the last two days where temperatures rose to nearly 40 degrees in Greensboro. The super creative part is its eyes. They used tootsie pops!  After all, coal isn't that easy to come by any more.

First Friday Events: Moravian Candlelight Tea & First Friday

December's First Friday events in Greensboro actually begin on November 30th. The Festival of Lights in downtown Greensboro and the Moravian Candlelight Tea at the First Moravian Church begin this Friday afternoon. Many people head to tea at the church on Elam in the afternoon, and drive downtown for the Festival of Lights as night begins to fall.

The above women are dressed to work at the tea. They are enjoying a little conversation either before or after their shift. Imagine how many memories they have shared over the years. After all, isn't that what holidays are all about? In the latter years of life, a big secret is revealed: The memories that come from fellowship with family and friends, and serving and helping others are the true, priceless gifts. Please consider heading out and making memories on the upcoming last/first Friday.

Gibsonville Garden Railroad

On the first Saturday of the month from 9am until noon, from April to December, the Gibsonville Garden Railroad comes alive. This little community that straddles Guilford and Alamance Counties has train aficionados who set up tracks and guide model trains through the park, while small children and adults alike watch with great joy.

According to their community website, the railroad garden on Main Street was founded in 1996 by Bobby Summers, a retired Freight Conductor on the Southern Railroad.* The 2,200 feet of covers a lot of North Carolina including Blowing Rock, Pilot Mountain, and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

On November 16th, from 5:30 to 8:30, Gibsonville will host their annual "Lighting of the Green" and weather permitting, the trains should be moving around the track. The antique store across the street will serve free pintos and cornbread and many groups will be singing. If you want to experience a great community event, take the 15 mile drive east of Greensboro and let the festivities begin.

*reference and more information, here.

Farmers Market: Tomato Season, For Sure

The farmers markets around Greensboro as just so much fun, we had to post another photo today. Tomatoes are in season and tables and tables of tomatoes can be found. From heirloom to more contemporary varieties, they cost about $2 a pound. There is no excuse to buy hothouse tomatoes when these homegrown varieties are brought to you straight from the field. Watermelons and peaches are still available, too. All weekend long, at the farmers market on Sandy Ridge, people are coming and going stocking up on fresh produce.

Remember, take time to talk to the farmers and vendors. You may even find out that you have mutual friends. North Carolina ranks 7th nationally in tomato production, with around 3,000 acres dedicated to tomatoes in our state. Hendersonville, NC actually holds an annual tomato festival. It is a lot different, however, than the one in Buñol, Spain. For a little humor today, if you don't know about "La Tomatina" click here and learn about this unique holiday. It is not too late to get tickets!

LevenEleven Brewery

LEVENELEVEN is a new brew pub in town, located on 1111 Coliseum Boulevard, right across from the Coliseum. Dan Morgan opened the facility this winter and relocated his "brew shed" next door where his  loyal customers can still  purchase home brewing supplies. Dan and his employee Derrick are both accomplished, award-winning brewers, sharing their brew in three-barrel batches.

In the above photo, members of the Piedmont Od Time Society are meeting for their Thursday jam. This is a new location or the old-time musicians since Gibbs is relocating. LevenEleven bills itself as Greensboro's smallest brewery. Small is the new big!

Its Coliseum strip mall location is transforming before the city's eyes. There is a coffee shop, the brewery, a the beermaking supply store, and Adelaide's warehouse where you can find her painting furniture and repurposing items. It is always nice to see a new area around town develop an identity as a destination. By the way, the acoustics were great last night and rumor has it the porter was exceptional. Those three barrels were draining fairly quickly. 

Hair Shop of Lawndale

The above barber pole belongs to the Hair Shop of Lawndale, at the Irving Park Shops on Lawndale Avenue. The Hair Shop is one of those places that seems like it has been around forever. One online commenter said he'd been using the same barber there, Ed. for 25 years.

Over the centuries, barbers have served as dentists, surgeons, people capable of bloodletting, leeching, fire cupping, and (according to Wikipedia) even giving enemas. The helix of colored stripes on the barber pole above is a reference to the bloodletting and medical procedures performed in years past. While today's barbers focus more on haircuts, shaving, and trimming stray ear and nose hairs, barbers are proud of their history and are rather proprietary about the display of barber poles.

The Hair Shop end of the plaza is changing before our eyes. Walgreen's has left the end spot at Cornwallis and The William Mangum Gallery has moved to Smith Street downtown. Let's hope that some of the old-school businesses, like the Hair Shop, don't get displaced. A healthy mixture of old and new keeps a strip mall fresh and current, yet with continuity and a link to the community's past.