Greensboro Daily Photo

Irving Park UMC

Irving Park United Methodist Church (featured in the background and located at 1510 West Cone Boulevard) was the site of Boy Scout Troop 230's annual BBQ Chicken fundraiser. They have been holding this fundraiser the first weekend in November for 36 years now. It has been so long that they aren't even sure who built the cooking system. In the above photo, you can see the 1,200 chicken halves being prepared for their chicken dinner sales. At about 4 pounds a half, the end result is nearly two tons of chicken being sold yesterday. The troop has been meeting at IPUMC since 1966. How wonderful that this 56 year partnership between the church and the scout troop exists.

On the property of the church are two storage buildings, likely where all of the equipment is kept for this big fundraiser and where the troop meets. If you are interested in attending the church, services are at 11:00. Rev. Patrick Snow will be there to welcome you with open arms. We're betting a lot of the troop 230 scout families will be there to welcome you also. Who knows, they may even have a leftover chicken dinner or two. 

Have a happy Sunday! Let's all mark our calendars and be on the lookout for this great chicken dinner next year.

Joe Troop Larry Bellorín

Last night, Larry Bellorín (left) and Joe Troop performed at The Crown Theatre, the intimate venue on the third floor of the Carolina Theatre on Greene Street. The duo's performance was part of the Triad's Folk Music Society, Fiddle and Bow. Joe Troop is a multi-instrumentalist from Winston-Salem North Carolina. Larry Bellorín, who hails form Venezuela, now lives in Raleigh, but continues to share his Venezuelan llanura music. Larry is extremely talented with great expertise on the harp.Together Larry and Joe perform seamlessly, Joe is bilingual in Spanish and English and translates as needed. They started playing together when Joe got a grant in Durham and was looking for someone to perform with him. He me Larry, and there has been no looking back.

If you get a chance to attend a performance by Larry and Joe, do not hesitate to do so. If you can find a performance you like at The Crown, please make an effort to go. You won't regret it. The Crown is such a versatile space and can hold up to 140 seated guests. They are open to all types of performances, from spoken word to dance recitals, to intimate concerts like the one put on by Larry and Joe!

Happy Saturday!

Center City Park and Center Pointe Apartments

The above photo was taken from the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. The view, spanning Center City Park, features Center Pointe Apartments at 201 North Elm Street. The apartments in this 10-story building have floor to ceiling windows. Center Point was built in 2009, soon to be 24 years ago. The building looks so charming in the early evening when it isn't completely dark, yet apartment lights are starting to get turned on. You can still see the clouds. It feels like a scene out of Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Rear Window."  If you come downtown tonight for First Friday and are at the Cultural Arts Center, be sure to turn around and admire this beautiful view.

Happy Friday! Hope to see you downtown.

A Lovely, Rainy Day in Glenwood

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

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

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

Day of the Dead

For those who celebrate Day of the Dead, you know that it is today and yesterday. The above photo was taken last night at the Center for Visual Artists in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. Casa Azul has put up altars, remembrances for deceased relatives. There are 12 altars in all; at least that's what we think. There was a high school student there counting them for an assignment for Spanish class. Many of the altars, also known as ofrendas, were created by middle and high school students. Casa Azul is a group that supports Latino arts and culture. Every November, they install altars to help celebrate latino cultures and also to educate people about the purpose of the holiday. The movies "Coco" and "The Book of Life" are a great place to start if you want to understand the cultures. Of course, you could also ask someone who celebrates the holiday or your favorite Spanish teacher.

If you are interested in seeing the ofrendas and learning more about them, the display will be up, free, and open to the public now through November 12th. Remember, this Friday is First Friday, a perfect opportunity to see the display. On Friday and Saturday, there will be music in the Van Dyke Performance Space in the Cultural Arts Center. Hope to see you there!

Happy Wednesday!

 

The Good Witch

This past Saturday, Leanne Pizio hosted the "Keep It Local" art show. When Leanne hosts, you know you will have a good time. If you look HERE, you will see her attire as the host of the visual arts and crafts show on her Oak Ridge property. The show was very well attended and the selection of art was amazing. If you missed Leanne's show, there will be several other options to shop locally. A few of the shows we'll be attending include the Mimosa Holiday Home Show at 2103 Mimosa Drive on November 12th; the Made 4 the Holidays show at the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville, November 13th; and Whimsical Women at Bailey Park in Winston-Salem on November 19th. If you know of other shows, please let us know and we'll try to advertise it for your and even attend. Also, remember that this Friday is First Friday in downtown Greensboro. 

Happy Tuesday!

Pumpkin Wall in Sunset Hills

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

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

Vandalia Presbyterian

(Typepad is doing maintenance and we're having trouble getting our photos to publish. Thank you for your patience).

Vandalia Presbyterian, located at 101 West Vandalia Road, has a very interesting façade. The Arched wooden construction is unique in Greensboro. Sunday school is at 10:00 am and worship is at 11:00 am. Rev. Paul Ridolfi is the pastor. This church, located south of Greensboro is in a neighborhood that has seen a lot of growth since the 1990s. They are good Samaritans in their community, hosting a food and clothing pantry twice a month. The area around the church is still rich with fall color. Next time you are headed to the Wal-Mart or Lowe's Home Improvement on Elmsley, drive by and have a look.

Happy Sunday!

NCA&T Homecoming

(Working with typepad to get photos to post. Sorry for the glitch. I'm hoping 5,000 photos aren't gone). This is homecoming week for North Carolina A&T State University. It has been dubbed the Greatest Homecoming on Earth and it is easy to see why. People come from all over the United States to celebrate their university with other graduates. Greensboro is crowded, in a good way. Hotels are booked, restaurants are full, many establishments have parking-lot, standing-room-only space; indeed, the festivities have begun.

The above event was taking place on Friday night at 816 South Elm Street, at the old flour mill downtown, either at the Continental Club or Vault 816, or both! People were waiting patiently in line, talking to friends who were already inside, taking selfies, and talking to people around them. When you graduate from the same university, especially one that you love, there is a camaraderie and a bond that lasts a lifetime. We didn't stick around long, as we were just passing by, but we bet if we were there long enough, we would heard a wave of "Aggie Pride" chants. Here's to good fun and a great day of football and fellowship.

Happy Saturday!

Leanne Pizio's Keep It Local Art Show

Tomorrow is the "Keep It Local"  Art Show hosted by Leanne Pizio whose sgraffito pottery is featured above. These vessels have been collected over the years and we can't wait to see what new spin she will put on her vessels. She will feature 20+ local artists and vendors at the show on her Oak Ridge property, located at 2409 Oak Ridge Road. Stop by anytime between 10am- 4pm. The raindate will be on Sunday. Leanne, a UNC Chapel Hill grad originally from Burlington, has been living in Greensboro for a few decades now with her husband Will and a menagerie of well loved pets.

Other artists at the Saturday show will have jewelry, hand-stitched dolls, painting, hand dyed clothing in fall, jewel tones, and more. This year, there will be a "Friends Helping Friends" booth where sales will help and artist whose husband has had several health issues this past year. When you "Keep It Local" every dollar goes to help artists in the community and it doesn't get any better than that. Leanne has always been one to help build and support community. In case you recognize some of the names, Micron Cat, Ginger Waynick, Kim Mentee, Bali Miru, Steph N Joe Parascandola, Michelle Jarrett @Funky by Nature, and Joey Wall are a few of the artists who will be there.

Viburnum Prunifolium (Blackhaw)

There is a plant growing in our backyard that we hadn't been able to identify (see above). There is a group on Facebook called  NC Native Plant Forum. They are really good about helping people identify and get advice on plants. You may be thinking "there is an app for that"; however, it is so much nicer to ask someone who may also be able to provide follow up information. If you seek advice, remember to show enough of the leaf pattern to show if leaves alternate or are directly across from each other, bark, stems, and any other details. Once identified, you can have fun finding out other information. This plant is native to eastern North Carolina and we can assure you that we didn't plant it so it must be pretty easy to get to grow in this area. It is a viburnum prunifolium.

The common name for this tree if Blackhawk. The fruit, a relative of the high bush cranberry,  is edible and, according to this website, tastes a bit smoky and prune like.We love planting edibles, so it looks like nature planted one for us. We tried it yesterday and it is a grainy texture and reminds us of a persimmon. It is also persimmon-like, given the seed to pulp ratio. The seed is inedible, so we won't be harvesting these anytime soon.  Fall is a fun time to explore the forest and wooded areas around Greensboro. There are plenty of berries and woodland goods that aren't edible, so be sure to confirm before tasting. Do you have this plant in your yard? Have you ever seen one?

Happy Thursday!

Old Mill of Guilford

Today's photo is an exterior view of the Old Mill of Guilford on Highway 68. It is a fabulous piece of local history to visit year-round, but especially on a warm, fall day. We had out of town guests visiting and the first things they want to do when visiting Greensboro is eat barbecue and head to the Old Mill to purchase grits and meal for making cornbread. (yellow and white for both). They crave this little taste of home. One of the guests is a welder and he struck up a conversation with Amy, one of the owners. She explained that the 24-foot wheel no longer provides power because there are so many holes is the pipe, the water can't build up enough pressure to turn the wheel. We learned it would take anywhere from $75,000 to $300,000 to repair it, depending on whether the repair was a liner sleeve or replacement pipe. Our guest happened to be a welder and would love to be involved in the restoration, if only he lived closer. He was surprised at the thinness of the gauge of the current pipe and would want to opt for a thicker gauge.

On Monday, we shared a wish for someone to deliver a giant moving skeleton to the owner of the Halloween house at 2304 Gracewood Drive. Today, we're wishing someone would spearhead the replacement of the pipe at 1340 NC-68. When you see projects get done, like the Ai Church down the road, you realize the impact restoration has on the beauty of a community. The mill dates back to 1767, over 40 years before Greensboro was a city. You would think, as a community (a county, a state), we could make restoration happen.* Maybe we should start an "invest in our community" page on Greensboro Daily Photo. Surely, replacing the pipe at the Old Mill, so they don't have to resort to grinding grain electrically, would be something special for our community! As you can see, welders, the welding is a straight line, until you reach that bend at the top.

Happy Wednesday!

* read more about the mill, here.

Halloween on Deep Green

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

 

Halloween on Gracewood

Halloween is such a fun, fall holiday for many in Greensboro. It seems like houses either go all out, or skip the holiday entirely. One of the all-in,  spirit houses between Bryan Boulevard, Battleground, Holden, and Westridge is 2304 Gracewood at the corner of Noble. This photo is a tiny fraction of the decoration on that corner lot. The house has so much to display, from tombstones to large figures, to a "do not enter" (but enter)-tent, the owner hires someone to help him set up. It takes hours and hours to stage the display. On Halloween, the house will be even more impressive as there is a fog machine going full blast. It is the kind of display where little ones have to work up their courage to visit- all for the bragging rights for bravery and a piece of candy. The owner estimates he will get about 400 trick or treaters! Do you have a house like this in your neighborhood?

This owner is saving up to get one of those giant skeletons that moves and looks like it is following you. They are from $300- $500, depending on whether you buy them from a store or have to purchase from someone who is reselling. We'd love for someone to purchase one for 2304 Gracewood. Imagine a neighbor who decorates and brings joy to so many. What a tradition! He has lived here for about 30 years and has been decorating for a big part of that time. It all started with a noisemaker, one of those boxes that makes spooky comments as you walk by, and has grown into a grand collection. Stop by this week to get one example of how Greensborians, the ones who go all out, celebrate Halloween!

Happy Monday!

May we all do a little something to bring joy to others, just like the owner of 2304 Gracewood! We are so lucky to live in Greensboro.

Leaves: Fall Foliage Peaking in Greensboro

Fall in Greensboro is so beautiful. The above trees are on the island between Westover Terrace and Lawndale/Battleground Avenue- across from IHOP and Hardees. Every year, we look forward to their beautiful show of color as the sun is setting. They remind us of how grateful we are to live in a city with a change of seasons and deciduous trees. If online predictions are correct, we've got about another week of good fall color. Usually by the beginning of November, color starts waning as we wait through winter for spring. Greensboro had a frost this past week which means persimmons should be more than ready. However, the upcoming week should be a beautiful fall week, with crisp mornings and warm afternoons.

Happy Sunday, and for those of you who like a spiritual message, especially on the Sabbath, Martin Luther said, "God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars."  Greensboro is proof positive that nature is a symbol of harmony and beauty.

 

FLAT IRON

The FLAT IRON at 221 Summit Avenue downtown Greensboro is located in a building that was constructed for A.W. Kaplan in 1922. It is located at the convergence of Summit Avenue and Lindsay Street. Originally, it was a four-unit apartment building. Charles Hartman was the architect. He had recently arrived in Greensboro from New York City, which explains the NYC vibe.* It was built 100 years after its NYC counterpart.** The FLAT IRON is known for creative shows and original music. 

This photo was taken on Thursday night when the Tanger Center was filled with people waiting to hear Venus Williams speak. Also, the LeBauer Park food stations were going open. However, just a block away, the FLAT IRON was open, a little island of music and tradition. Dusty Keene refurbished and reopened what formerly had a reputation of being a "dive bar." Stop by, listen to some great music, and play a round of pool. It is part of downtown north Greensboro (NOGSOO) fun! We're wondering if that sporty red car was headed there!

Happy Saturday!

*reference = pocketsights.com

** see another article here.

Bryan Series 2022-2023: Venus Williams, Season Opener

The Bryan Series held its season opener last night at Tanger Center. The above photo features the Guilford College Jazz Ensemble.e. It was the pre-event music while we were waiting for Venus Williams to come on stage. Tennis star Venus Williams spoke eloquently about her career, the profession of tennis, women in sports, how to achieve your personal and professional goals, and so much more. Keeping with Bryan Series format, Venus was interviewed by Katrina Adams, who was also a professional tennis player. With Adams' expertise in the sport, the interview sounded more like a fireside chat. She knew the right questions to ask and often shared her professional insight. 

One takeaway message from Venus is that "Sports is a tool for life." Her advice for parents whose children want to play tennis professionally is to have a back up plan, work hard, surround yourself with good people and be a good person. A Guilford College student asked who her music influence was and the response was "Tina Turner."  We also learned through the night that Venus loves Karaoke and had a system set up for personal entertainment while on tour. It was so inspirational to hear someone who is so successful to be so grounded and appreciative; even humble. She credits her family, especially her parents, to helping her becoming the person she is today. She credits younger sister Serena as being a role model.

Greensboro is so lucky to have the Bryan Series. If you want to hear good conversation and knowledgeable people sharing their expertise on timely topics, you will want to purchase season tickets to the Bryan Series. It is such a special evening. Thank you Guilford College and all of the sponsors and donors.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Fall Stroll Along Elm Street

What do you do to relax? We love to stroll along Elm Street. We love to check in on a few businesses, see what conversations we can engage in, and engage in some serendipitous fun. Yesterday afternoon was an especially great time to be walking around. The air was crisp; sweater weather. Just Be has a fresh shipment of fair trade mittens and headbands. Design Archives has vintage sweaters and flannel out; Scuppernong has great books suggested. Jerusalem Market on Elm has great middle eastern food. These are only a few of the great stops downtown. Most of all, we love walking out of a store and, the very second before the eyes adjust, holding up the camera and snapping a photo. This is the shot we got yesterday in the south 300 block at Hamburger Square.

Downtown has some nice trees that are still holding on to their leaves. Have a stoll and see what you can uncover. Take a few photos for a memory. Have a great Thursday.

Jay Schiavone, Jewelry Artist

This past weekend, we had an opportunity to attend Jay Schiavone's jewelry and art show at his home in Oak Ridge. Jay lives on about 6 acres where he designs and makes his lovely aluminum art jewelry. The jewelry is fun and functional. He sells his jewelry through about 400 retailers nationwide. Additionally, he sells his jewelry online. He also, on occasion, sells his jewelry in a home show which is how we finally got to meet him. On the day we were there, his mother was also at the show selling her lovely paintings. 

We got really tickled the day we arrived at Jay's show. His house is surrounded by very mature oak trees and, right now, the acorn carpet is 3-4" thick. People visiting the show were asked to park in a field back from the house as the acorns drop with great force. The squirrels will be having a field day at Jay's house. Jay has quite a following of people who collect his jewelry. Several people were at the show buying jewelry for themselves as well as for gifts. Jay very generously gave everyone who attended a gift of an ornament/pendant. They are lovely.

Fall is a great time for in-home shows. If you are having one, let us know and we will try to attend. Happy Wednesday!

Here is a good example of Jay's jewelry.

Old Mill of Guilford

We went to the Old Mill of Guilford to purchase corn meal this past weekend and took a great photo of the exterior. However, the photo is almost exactly of one we took in 2020 (see HERE). Therefore, we decided to share one of the interior details. Above, is one of the rack of stamps used to label bags of ground grains. You can read some of the stamps, cornmeal and sweet potato pancake to name a couple. The mill has been a Greensboro institution since the 1700s. We are so lucky that this grist mill is still around and still grinding grains the old fashioned way, with stone and water. How nostalgic to be using rubber stamps in this era where so much is digital.

One thing that has changed from the last time we purchased cornmeal from there is that there is no longer a plastic interior bag.- one less piece of waste! The people who wait on you are still friendly and efficient. We forgot to ask, but we're hoping they are using Gate City Rubber Stamp Company, located at 316 South Greene Street, for their stamps. Yelp dates this stamp company back to 1956, a mere infant as far as the Old Mill is concerned, but the match of old stamps and an old mill is a great combination. We're thinking a trip to the stamp store is in order. More sleuthing is in order.

Happy Tuesday!

Suds and Duds

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

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

Happy Monday!

Ai Church: Groom Anticipates the Arrival of the Bride

Yesterday was such a lovely fall day in Greensboro. Heading to the Old Mill of Guilford, we stopped by Ai Church to check on any updates since we last featured it in 2016. As serendipity would have it, doors were open and wedding planners were inside preparing for a wedding. The gentleman above approached us and we asked if he was the preacher. As it turns out, he was the groom, Jack Hoskins, waiting for his bride, Hannah Messick, to arrive. The ceremony would begin in about an hour and a half. Ai Church, in its simplicity, is the perfect venue for a wedding. It is small and intimate and very plain inside. The white walls are tongue and groove and appear to be original. The church is located at the corner of Alcorn Road and Highway 68. Here is a photo from 2016 , one from 2014,  a photo from 2011 . Here is a photo from 2009. 

Both the bride and groom are from High Point. We have a mutual friend of the bride and hope to have the chance to meet the couple. In the meantime, Congratulations, Jack and Hannah. Also, congratulations to the people of Oak Ridge and Colfax who worked over the years to restore Ai Church.

Happy Sunday!

 

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

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

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

 

*reference and read more about their history HERE.

Fall Football

Watching high school football in the fall is so much fun. Above is a photo of the junior varsity game at Southern High School with Eastern High School. The crowd was small, but the air was perfect for watching football with friends. Eastern did really well and won the game, but both teams gained great experience. If you did not get out last night, consider attending a varsity game tonight. If you plan ahead, you can make sure to dress in the color you will be cheering on. It costs $7 for an adult to enter- unless you  are a GCS employee and have your school ID, you can get in free.

Happy Friday! Let us know what you are us to this weekend.

Berico formerly Berry Coal Company

Berico has been a Greensboro business for nearly 100 years. Owned by the Berry family, originally, the business was on West Lee Street, which is now Gate City Boulevard. Next, they moved to Bragg Street, and they have been on East Bessemer Avenue since 1950. They have a large heating and air business. However, what got us to the store was the fact that they recertify propane tanks. At the front of the parking lot, they have this vintage coal truck from their original location. How fun to see what vehicles used to look like, but also to see the old address and to see a four digit phone number. There is so much history in that vehicle. As the need for coal fell out of fashion, Berry Coal became Berico.

Berico has a nice "about us" page on their website where there is also a 30 second YouTube video. It would be so wonderful if all businesses documented and shared their history, especially the local ones. So much changes and documentation matters. If you are out on East Bessemer stop by and checkout this little piece of history. Earlier in the year, they were even giving out calendars!

Happy Thursday!

Horse Pen Creek Road

If you haven't driven on Horse Pen Creek Road (HPCR)  lately, you might not recognize the above scene. For about five years, traversing HPCR has involved dodging orange cones, navigating lanes that switched from morning to evening, and gravel and . The proposed roadwork was under study in 2008 and 2009, with much discussion in 2013 and now a completed project, nearly a decade later.*  Look how wide the road is now. The above photo features the easternmost point of HPCR, approaching Battleground Avenue.

At one time, HPCR was one lane in each direction. Now, at this intersection, there are five lanes with divided highway. Many parts of the road are four lane with curbs, gutters, bicycle lanes, and a raised median. The road looks so crisp, clean and fresh. zlanes are freshly painted and there are no potholes. May the road weather well; winter will be the real test. The white tower in the center of the photo frequently has dozens of buzzards perching on it. The tower also looks pretty against the blue sky. Give Horse Pen Creek a try and let us know what you think.

*City of Greensboro project description, HERE.

Lovely Fall Weather in October in Greensboro

Since the residual rains and wind from Hurricane Ian last week, the fall weather in Greensboro has been lovely. Temperatures have been cooler, the air crisper, and the skies clearer. The planet Jupiter has been visible in the sky, the closest it has been to the earth since 1963. Jupiter won't be this close to earth again until 2129. The waning hunter moon had an orange tint last night.

The street views of the Farm Course golf course at the Greensboro Country Club are beautiful. The above photo was taken recently in the Horse Pen Creek/Carlson Dairy Road area. While  leaves are not yet at peak color at Greensboro's elevation (only 892'), with the help of the sky, the views have been lovely. Just look at the blue hues, the puffy clouds, against the muted greens. Those rust colored leaves are the center piece. That sand trap in the middle almost looks like a moon crater. In Greensboro, this is one of the best times of year to get out and walk and notice nature. Remember, if you want butterflies in your yard, and other insects that birds love, you need to find places where you can leave leaves. When you rake away all leaves, you rake away a piece of the ecosystem around you. Even the golf course has some "rough" around the edges. And, those acorns that fall are a fall feast for critters. Some wildlife facilities even take them. Nature is just so lovely. 

Happy Tuesday, happy October, happy fall!

Brad Caviness

Last night during First Friday in downtown Greensboro Brad Caviness was working diligently on one of the jars he and his brother, Bryan, create together. The two have been working on this specific sculpture for three month. Brad made the jar, Bryan carved the temple and pillars, Brad is working on the details of filing down the columns. Just look at his focus and the placement of his hands. The piece is backlit, making the inside of the jar glow and the temple stand out. The Caviness brothers are inspired by archaeology, especially historic structures from great civilizations. Part of the jar is chipped away because this structure has suffered destruction. It was a temple in Palmyra, Syria, destroyed by the Islamic State in 2015. How wonderful these structures live on in the work of Brad and Bryan.

This dynamic sibling duo is represented in Greensboro by Ambleside Gallery.  Gallery owner, Jackson Mayshark, saw the talent of these two sculptors and knew their sculptures would be a good fit for the art and artists he represents at the gallery. Ambleside is located at 528 South Elm Street. This is the first time we noticed Brad working on a piece in the window of Ambleside. How wonderful to have had the opportunity to watch him work. This is an example of the serendipity of what you will see when walking the length of Elm Street- especially on First Friday. If you want to get lost in the ancient ruins of Brad & Bryan online, head to bcclayart.com and have a look; in person, to Ambleside. We're betting you'll be wowed!

Happy Monday, dear readers.

October Full Moon

Today's  full moon in October is named for the pre-winter hunting season. It is often known as the Hunter's Full Moon. Travel, Dying Grass, and Sanguine Moon are other names. The term Hunter's Moon is so named because it coincides with hunting season for some wild game. Even the animals being hunted seem to know it is about to get cold. The above photo was taken in Northwest Greensboro. On this day of rest, Sabbath for Christians, what can be more spiritual than a full moon on a clear night, so bright, no flashlight is needed. Last night was clear, so the the moon reflected sunlight to the extent that a shadow was cast.

Last night, even the owls were howling, the air was crisp, and the sky was so clear, the stars were visible. Night skies like what we saw in Greensboro last night are so special. If you get a chance, peek out tonight and let us know what you see.

Happy Sunday!

Downtown Decorations

It is beginning to look a lot like Halloween in downtown Greensboro. Especially from the 500 block of South Elm Street  to Bain Street, downtown is very colorful. The above window is the decoration of Terra Blue, a store that sells spiritual gifts, beads and findings, bath salts, coffee, and more. Allen and Sarah McDavid opened a shop in 1999 in a neighborhood and then moved to the above location downtown. Their shop, over 20 years old, is in a building that used to be shared with the Browsery, in the building owned by Ben Matthews.* Terra Blue was very creative during the Pandemic, setting up shop outside in the entranceway of the store. Now, they have in inventory in both sides of the building and their window displays just keep getting better and better.

Last night was First Friday, the weather was nice and there were plenty of galleries, shops, bars, and restaurants open for everyone's enjoyment. The cultural arts center featured an art exhibit. The downtown parks had people in them; in Center City Park for the Drum Circle and LeBauer Park for Salsa dancing. The moon was not quite full, but it was bright, illuminating everything in its path. The serendipity of strolling on Elm Street on a night with so many places open is delightful. As we were taking this picture, a boy about 4 years walked by and started talking to us. His mom reminded him that he just can't talk to even?ryone. Persistend, he asked "Who are you?" What would you say if a four year old stranger asked you that question. Then, we stopped to watch Brian Caviness sculpting at Ambleside Gallery and then headed back up the other side of the street. The evening was very relaxing!

Happy Saturday! Head out and make some memories.

 

* read Yes Weekly article about Ben and the Browsery, here.

Happy Birthday/Founders Day UNCG

Yesterday was the Founders Day celebration at The University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). October 5th was the first day of classes on the campus, 130 years ago in 1892. The event, held on the 6th this year, also honored the school's founders and early leaders, especially Charles Duncan McIver, the first President. Free t-shirts were distributed that said, McIver & Jackson & Sullivan & Gilliam- all four, memorable leaders. President Charles Duncan McIver was born in 1860 and only 45 years old when he died in 1906 at the age of 45. It is hard to believe that this crusader for women's education accomplished so much in his 45 short years. Walter Clinton Jackson was Head of the History Department, served as Dean and Vice President in the first past of the 20th century. Patricia Sullivan served as Chancellor from 1995- 1995- 2008. Finally, Franklin D. Gilliam is Chancellor now.

During Founders Day, the weather was glorious and students were having a ball playing cornhole, taking 360º photos, eating free kettle corn, playing frisbee, and eating free cake. The lines moved quickly and students really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Above is a photo of one of the cakes and, to be sure, there were many. When we left at 3:00, they had not yet run out of cake. Happy Birthday,

UNCG. Fall break is the first two days of next week and, likely, a lot of students will head out early today to enjoy a few days off, before returning and gearing up for the second half of the semester. 

Ernest Thompson, Singer-songwriter

Ernest Thompson is a singer songwriter with long ties to the Greensboro Community. He attended school at Jones Elementary, Aycock (now Swann) Middle, and graduated from the Early College at Guilford. During his childhood in Greensboro, he had many local music mentors, including Jane Vanmiddlesworth (trumpet), José Melitón (piano), and Scott Manring (banjo). Though he's been playing music since elementary school, Ernest has only been writing songs the last few years. 

He performs frequently in Charleston, SC, but had his first homecoming performing on Tuesday, as part of his southeast tour. He played at Matty Sheets' open mike at the Green Bean Coffee Shop. Ernest's debut album of original songs is finished and will be released to the public soon.  Ernest is most active on Instagram. Follow him at Instagram.com/ErnestThompson91. Ernest was so happy to see many friends come out to support him- some of whom he has known since elementary school. Let's hope we can get Ernest back to town to play again soon! 

Matty Sheets & Open Mic at the Green Bean

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

 

*Great Yes Weekly article on Matty Sheets HERE.

Moses Cone Mural at the Denim Hotel

We had a chance to tour the Hotel Denim last week; above, is a mural painted on the 3rd floor. It is a painting of Moses H. Cone, the American textile entrepreneur who, with his brother Caesar,  built the largest denim mill in the world and the largest cotton mill in the US southeast. The Cones were major employers in Greensboro. Moses and his wife never had children and became great philanthropists in Greensboro and North Carolina. He accomplished so much to have died at age 51, in 1908 from pulmonary edema. Every floor of the Hotel Denim has art related to Greensboro's denim and blue jean history. The hotel's website has extensive photos of the art. We're betting the Hotel Denim, conveniently located at 1517 Westover Terrace, will be very busy during homecoming season, especially during NCA&Ts homecoming.

It seems fitting for us to feature one of Greensboro's most prominent Jewish citizens as Yom Kippur starts this evening at sundown. For those of you celebrating Yom Kippur, may you have an easy fast. 

Happy Tuesday!

201 North Eugene Street

Today's photo features the lot at 201 North Eugene Street downtown. It formerly housed Guilford Center/ Guilford County Health Department. D.H. Griffin won the demolition bid and demolition began in March 2022, and appears to be complete. According to Fox 8 News, this land was part of a City Council-approved land swap with Carroll Corporation. It was done  to facilitate Greensboro's development of the Eugene Street Parking Deck downtown. The swap and financial transaction with developer Roy Carroll were explained in a 2018 News and Record article by John Newsome. It will be interesting to see what this corner looks like when construction is completed.

We took this photo on Saturday morning, and as you can see, the strong winds blew some of the safety fencing down. Hopefully, it has been secured as this would not be a fun place to land. We're always curious if anything of interest was found once the building was gone. We're wondering where all of the sand came from. While this is not the most attractive view of our beautiful city, it is always fun to see change in progress, especially when the JP/LFG building is in plain view.

Happy Monday!

Percy Street: Prayers Answered

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

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

Happy Sunday!

Jeansboro Sculpture at LeBauer Park

It is hard to believe this photo was taken less than a month ago, back before this cold snap brought in by Hurricane Ian dropped the temperature to the 50s. The photo shows you the vibrancy of downtown, especially on Davie Street between the two city parks. The artwork is a fiberglass pair of jeans, celebrating Greensboro's rich heritage of making denim and jeans. There was a time when Greensboro made more blue jeans than anywhere else in the world. While that empire has moved overseas, the memories remain. In 2015, the name "Jeansboro" was coined as a nod to that history. We even have a Jeansboro Day.*  

The artist of the above piece is Sage Hanna Betts. There are several of these blue jean sculptures around town, one at PTI airport and another at the Greensboro Science Center.  The 4' tall sculptures were painted by local students and artists. Here is a GPS City map. We haven't tried it, because we have a pretty good idea of what is where in Greensboro; however, if you want to map out a tour, try here. We hope you have a great weekend and your are safe and your home is dry! If we took this photo today, people would be in long sleeves, rain jackets, and jeans. It is time to put the shorts away.

Happy Saturday!

* read more here.

Ivan Saul Cutler and Woody Marshall, Photographers Extraordinaires

Today's photo features two of Greensboro's most visible photographers, Ivan Saul Cutler (left) and Woody Marshall (right).*  Both are photojournalists, often seen roaming the streets of Greensboro in search of a good story to tell through photos. Ivan hails from California and Woody from Greensboro. Both have a special talent for capturing photos of people engaging in community events. Ivan came to his photography career after inheriting a camera and equipment from his brother. Woody has been working as a photojournalist throughout the southeast for over 30 years. It is fun seeing them both working together. The genuine smiles and embrace show you just how much they appreciate each other.

The above photo was taken at the Van Dyke Performance Space in the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center during the North Carolina Folk Festival. They were working at the 7th annual "Songs of Hope and Justice" earlier in the month- on September 8th. You should have seen them off to the side, zooming in, going for the perfect close up shots. Since this photo, they have probably worked at a dozen events. Both are easy to spot as they faithfully use their professional cameras and haven't acquiesced in the transition to cell phone photography. Saul likes to wear a brightly colored shirt. Woody is a little more understated, likely sporting solid colors. Have a great weekend, and know that you will likely see Woody or Saul, next time you are attending a special event.

*See more of Woody's photos HERE.

Boxcar Bar + Arcade Downtown on W. Lewis Street

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

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

Weatherspoon Art Museum: In Person Events Resume!

Friday, September 9th, the Weatherspoon Art Museum held a gathering open to the public, the first since the pandemic. It was a kick-off event for the exhibit, entitled, "Gilded: Contemporary Artists Explore Value and Worth." The works in this exhibit guild things that don't tend to get gold leaf put on them, case in point the above door. Guilding evokes wealth and we tend to guild things we value most. This exhibit plays with that notion.* The door is just plain white on the back. The title is "Third Ward" (2013) by Radcliffe Bailey (USA, 1968) and was reclaimed from a neighborhood of row houses in Houston's Third Ward predominately occupied by freed slaves.

The weather was lovely the night of the Weatherspoon event. It was wonderful to see people in the courtyard and all throughout the museum. Attendees were giddy, absolutely exuberant about being together in public, something we will never take for granted again. People dressed up with many college students in black dresses. The exhibit attracted a lot of attention, but the opportunity to people watch and to chat with other art lovers was the most special aspect of the evening. The Weatherspoon now has a coffee cart in the courtyard, something we have been encouraging for years. How nice to be able to sit and discuss art, and life, over a cup of coffee and not have to leave the courtyard to do so. 

If you get a chance, head to the "Gilded" exhibit. It will be up until April 8th. Happy Wednesday!

 

*read more here.