Greensboro Daily Photo

Making Memories at LeBauer Park

If you are looking for something to entertain hildren who are home, consider visiting one of Greensboro's parks. LeBauer Park, one of two downtown parks, is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. LeBauer Park has been open for five years now. It opened on August 8, 2016 and we have to wonder what on earth did Greensboro do without it. Even when there aren't special events in the park, families can gather and play ping pong, exercise their dogs, let children play on the playground, and more.

The part featured above in today's photo is the Lincoln Financial Children's Garden. And yes, if you were on one of the top floors of the Lincoln Financial building, you could see this garden they helped fund. The garden has been very well maintained and actually still looks brand new. That rubberized surface makes the garden safe, even for toddling toddlers. As you can see from the above photo, everyone is having fun.

Happy second day of winter!

Center City Park

We find this photo heartwarming. It features a couple of kids heading to join some events in Center City Park, and a few people walking in the background. Seeing the Lincoln Financial Group Building situates the photo in downtown Greensboro. The leaves lingering on the trees place the photo in the late fall season. The decorated tree lets us know it is December.

The simplicity of the photo reminds us of the illustrations of Ezra Jack Keats. You may recall, he wrote "The Snowy Day" and "A Poem for Peter." Keats' illustrations often have a person or two interacting with their environment. His paintings and collages are usually very simple with emphasis on the person. Not long after this photo, a grandma was out with her granddaughter, who was at most 3. The little girl, wearing her Sunday best, was posing in this very spot and then over in front of the trees at Tinsel Town. It reminded us of just what a great place our two downtown parks are for making memories- especially with children. 

Happy Thursday, we just talked ourselves into hoping for a very snowy day!

Tinsel Town in LeBauer Park

 

Last year, during COVID and the winter holidays, Downtown Greensboro, Inc. (DGI ) had to get very creative about providing community events in a way that did not involve masses of people gathering. One of the brainstorms for reimagining holiday festivities was Tinsel Town. Tinsel Town was a big hit last year, and is an even bigger hit this year! This year's offerings have doubled since last year with the final count at 100. That means 100 organizations, groups- public and private- have created a tree, usually themed to represent their organization. The above photo, in LeBauer Park, gives you an example of what you will see when yo ago have a look. The tree in the front is is sponsored by the YMCA of Greensboro. If that tree is one of your favorites, you can use the QR code to vote for it. All of the trees are so unique. If you like trees and creativity, you will love this exhibit. Please vote because there are monetary prizes for the winners.

 

1 aChord Sings at SCRAPFEST

Yesterday, in LeBauer Park, at an event called SCRAPFEST, 1aChord sang a set. 1aChord is a trio that met at UNCG, by chance started singing together and were invited to audition for America's Got Talent early this past summer. They refer to themselves as "church babies" and the first song they sang together at the UNCG cafeteria was by the Clark Sisters, an American Gospel group. After the trio sang that day, the women working in the cafeteria sang their praises and encouraged them to continue singing together. The AGT judges gave them a standing ovation. Their sound is described as contemporary gospel. The three are Christoff Hairston, Julian Kennedy, and Travis Cunningham.* All three are from North Carolina. Cunningham from Raeford; Kennedy from High Point; and Hairston from Greensboro and actually graduated from Weaver Academy. They all credit UNCG and their professors for playing an instrumental role in helping them get where they are today.

SCRAPFEST is an acronym for Sustain, Conserve, Renew, Adapt, and Provide, a festival established to benefit Piedmont Land Conservancy. SCRAPFEST was presented by Little Brother Brewing. Those angelic, heavenly voices- voices that grew out of a lifelong church experience and honed by UNCG- were a little bit of heaven, right there in LeBauer Park. It will be fun to follow their careers. 1aChord is definitely making Greensboro, UNCG, their families, and their respective churches proud.  

*see the article with the America's Got Talent audition here. 

Ode to Kudzu

You know it is late summer in Greensboro when the kudzu plants are in full bloom and some of the pods have gone to seed. They say kudzu is the plant that ate the south as it is especially fond of our climate. In early summer, has tenacious roots and can grow up to a foot a day!  If you visit the Wal-Mart on North Battleground, you can see the kudzu covered trees. Some patches of the trails along Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway at Lake Brandt are covered with kudzu- which is where this photo was taken. At least the blossoms are fragrant, smelling something like wild grapes. We wonder if some civic groups could get volunteers to go out and tackle the kudzu. Or, is it just here to stay? Kudzu takes over vegetation by blocking out light. 

If you want to learn more about kudzu, read here. If you want to see kudzu, head out for a hike. Some people make baskets out of the woody, mature vines; and, some people make jelly out of the flowers. So, if you want to forage for some free food or basket-making material, head to your nearest kudzu patch. Oh, and by the way, there really is at least one ode to kudzu. See here!

Happy Saturday. For those of us who aren't at the beach, in the mountains, at Hoppin' John at Shakori Hills, or Merlefest, let's hit the trails and explore Greensboro!

Labor Day 2021

Happy Labor Day 2016. We hope you are lucky enough to have the day off. The purpose of the holiday is a day to celebrate "the social and economic achievements of American workers." Many Greensboro businesses will be closed, so call before you head out somewhere. Even better, take a day to just spend at home. We plan to take another hike on one of the trails around Greensboro. The above mushrooms were seen recently on the Laurel Bluff Trail. If you like to hike, the Laurel Bluff Trail is very nice because it is for pedestrians only. You won't have to share the trail with bikes. Be careful if you walk it, as there are lots of exposed roots, a couple of trees across the path, and some kudzu to tackle.* The Laurel Bluff Trail is 3.5 miles long and it takes you through woodland along the edge of Reedy Fork Creek from the east end of Lake Brandt to Lake Townsend.

The mushrooms in the center of the photo are about the size of a small adult hand. If you look to the left at the small white circle, that is actually more mushrooms and we're betting they'll be about the size of the ones in the middle of the photo by today. Although mushrooms are fungi, they have more in common with humans than with plants. Their DNA is similar to humans and they can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.** However, please do not harvest the mushrooms. Leave them alone, as the forest needs them. We are so lucky to have a great trail system in Greensboro and it is great to have time to get out and explore them!

* Greensboro Trail System

**reference and more mushroom information, here.

Strolling the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway

Since we featured a bike event yesterday on Greensboro Daily Photo, so, we thought it would be nice to share a photo of bikes out on the trail this past Saturday. The above photo was taken on the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, near where Lake Higgins and Lake Brandt meet.  We started at Bur-Mil and walked to the Vineyards community at Highway 150 in Summerfield. The trails are open from 8:00 am- sunset and seem to be busiest early morning. We were there mid-day, when the sun was hottest and the trails weren't very busy at that time. As evidenced above, we did see a some cyclists. And look at that dappled light. The trail was so lovely this weekend.

This part of the greenway goes past a kudzu field that has overtaken a lot of the terrain. Currently, the kudzu is in full bloom and quite fragrant. The Greensboro trail system is something to be proud of. Currently, the Piedmont Greenway will connect to the above trail. As a matter of fact, the Piedmont Greenway is a planned, 19-mile trail that will connect Greensboro to Kernersville to Winston-Salem. With all of the bicycle aficionados in the local area, the Piedmont Greenway will be a bit hit. We can't wait! Happy Tuesday! Hope to see you on the trails while the weather is still warm. 

Echelman Fiber Sculpture

The above fiber sculpture, "Where We Met" is the work of artist Janet Echelman. It is installed over LeBauer Park and feels a little like a roof, giving a sense of being enclosed, yet in an open space at the same time. The diaphanous netting takes on a delicate translucent glow, suspended not-so-high above the park. It looks especially dramatic at night. The above netting, the original installment is slated to change Spring 2022. The new net will have some of the same colors, but Echelman will incorporate more of the blues that are associated with denim- Greensboro's iconic fabric.

When the above Echelman piece was installed in 2016, it had more yellows in it. The netting has faded over time, which is part of the reason that it is on a five-year-plan to be replaced. If you get a chance, head down to LeBauer this evening. And if not this evening for the free movie in the park, be sure to stop by during the (also free)  2021 North Carolina Folk Festival, which will be September 10th-12th throughout downtown Greensboro. Also, Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc.  will take the Echelman piece down for the winter; although the fibers are strong, the whole structure benefits from being indoors during inclement weather. 

We'd like to extend a special thanks to Amanda Mill, Director of Programs and Marketing for the Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc.  for telling us about the upcoming changes in the Echelman installation. Also, our apologies to Amanda for not getting her name right in yesterday's post. Thankfully, a loyal reader caught the mistake and we were able to correct it before the end of the day. This mom and pop blog appreciates our editors-at-large, all volunteers!

Amanda Miller

Last Friday night, at the free movie night in LeBauer Park, we met up with Amanda Miller, Director of Programs & Marketing for Greensboro Downtown Parks. Amanda was making sure everything was running smoothly in the park and monitoring the lightning situation the next county over. In addition to LeBauer Park, Center City Park is also under her perview. Allison is originally from Richmond, Virginia, but fell in love with the Piedmont while attending undergraduate school at Salem College. Her M.Ed is from Leslie University in Boston. She majored in Community arts with emphasis on Multicultural Education. That sounds like the perfect preparation for working with city parks in a community as diverse as Greensboro.

Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc. (GDPI), is a non-profit that focuses on managing our two downtown parks, including rentals and programming. See here for a list of features and amenities, and hours of operation. See here for the extensive calendar of events. Something is happening every day in our downtown parks andAllison said this past summer was the busiest ever. People have really responded for opportunities to have fun and be entertained outside. Perhaps because it was threatening to rain, last Friday's movie night was the sparsest attendance of the summer, but there was still a healthy crowd. This Friday's UNCG Spartan Cinema at LeBauer will be "Wonder Woman". Seating starts at 5:00 pm and the movie starts at dusk. If you go to the movie, and see Amanda there, know that she, too, is a wonder woman, working tirelessly day and night ensuring the downtown parks are the best they can be for our community!

Happy Thursday (which, they say, is the new Friday)! See you downtown!

(Sorry Amanda, I've updated the post and corrected your name. Sorry- I need an editor!!!).

Softball At Revolution Ballfield

Greensboro summers are meant for spending time outside, especially when you get to watch youth sports. The above photo was taken during a softball game last night at Revolution Ballfield. It is located at 2200 Yanceyville Street at Cornwalis Drive, right across from the former Revolution Mill. This park is known for being family oriented, which appeared to be the case last night when people of all ages brought their folding chairs and gathered behind the fence to watch the softball game.

Back when the textile mills were active in Greensboro, whole communities grew up around them. The mills made sure their workers had access to good housing, entertainment, houses of worship, clouting, food,  and recreation. The clothing and chairs may have changed from 100 years ago, but you can be sure that the feeling you get when cheering for the home team hasn't changed a bit. Even if you don't have a child in your life who is playing sports, it is still fun to go and watch. These games are especially fun on nights like last night. The weather was in the 80s, but not sweltering and those beautiful clouds made an amazing backdrop!

Happy Wednesday!

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel is a beautiful landmark between Country Park and The Greensboro Science Center. Whether you are walking the loop around the park, or visiting the Science Center, the Carousel is the beacon of joy on the hill.  The ride is open year-round and mostly open on the weekend from 10am-5pm. There are discounts for Greensboro Science Center members and a combo ticket option. It has only been open since August 26th, not even a year, but in many ways, it seems as if it has been open for a very long time. 

That beautiful carousel has 56 hand-carved, hand-painted figures. Some people have their favorite figure to ride; others are taking the challenge of riding every single one. The carousel is such a work of art, it is easy to make it a regular destination, especially if you have little ones in your life. This photo reminds us of the Wizard of Oz. Everything is gray-scale until you see the actual structure and then the colors will come alive!

Happy Wednesday!

Battleground Parks District

The Battleground Parks District is in Country Park, just behind the Greensboro Science Center. The park has been really busy lately. The above photo features Pavillion 9 were a family was celebrating a birthday when we visited last weekend. The whole area is comprised of 400 acres with 13 miles of greenway and trails. If you haven't seen the master plan yet, here is a copy and it is worth having a look. Presently, about a half a million people visit the existing parks with plans to grow as more features are added.

If you are out this weekend, and have a chance, walk the loop in Country Park, it has been changing quite a bit. This sign itself has only recently been painted.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Chalk Walk 2021

Last weekend, on Sunday, March 14th, the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department hosted a Chalk Walk event in the Greensboro Arboretum. There were 33 participants. The above photo features the winning entry for the 18+age  category. The koi pond was drawn by Lauren Ward, a Guilford County Schools art teacher. How wonderful that the artist behind this beautiful drawing shares her talent with the children of Greensboro.

This scene is also an example of how Greensboro has gotten really creative about having events. The Chalk Walk got people out in a socially distanced way to enjoy a sunny afternoon. People walked through the exhibit and a few runners were seen along the way. With or without special events, The Greensboro Arboretum is a very special space in our community. Trees and plants have labels on them, so you can learn as you go. The day we visited, shadows added a lot of intrigue to the adventure. Happy Wednesday! 

Sunny Days

This week has been gloriously sunny in Greensboro. The above photo shows what we do in Greensboro when the sun is out! We head to a spot in nature to sit in the sun and read a good book. The above photo was taken at Peabody Park, a mixed hardwood forest on the north end of UNCG's campus. This 34-acre tract of land is billed as a pleasant retreat for students (faculty and staff, too). The above photo is evidence! The trees on the acreage range from saplings to mature, canopy trees. There are also perennial herbs, a small (small) pond, and two streams on site. 

If you are good at identifying plants and animals, Peabody Park is a great place to explore. It is one of only two known spaces in Guilford County where the horsetail plant if found. Read more about the park, here. Everybody deserves a "go to" place to enjoy nature and to escape the trappings of the digital area. It looks like the above student has, indeed, found just that space! Happy Saturday and, get ready for that time change.

Gillies Monument at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Today's photo is of the James Gillies Monument at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. It was a beautiful day to walk along Monument Row. The above scene will look completely different when the leaves are back on the trees and the sun can hardly filter through the canopy. Inside the dark diamond of the monument in the above photo is the following inscription: "Light Horse Harry Lee's Bugler-Boy" The monument was erected by the Literary Societies and Alumni of Oak Ridge Institute, May 6th, 1898 to the memory of the Gallant James Gullies who fell under the swords of the Tarleton's Dragoons near Oak Ridge, NC. Gillies dies for his country's freedom on February 12th 1781.

Here is a NCpedia reference and article about the Gillies Monument. This monument is one of several in a row in front of the visitor's center. Yesterday afternoon, the park was very busy. It is a great place to walk, run, and ride bikes. It seems to be returning to its vibrant self after having suffered the loss of many trees during the recent ice storms. Under normal years, we would be participating in the March Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. However, this year's event is canceled due to COVID-19. In the meantime, please enjoy the park; it is the perfect place to get out and enjoy the beauty of Greensboro- especially when the sun is shining.

Happy Friday!

The Greensboro Greenway: Southeast Portion

Part of the southeast portion of the Greensboro Greenway passes along Bragg Street at Martin Luther King Drive. The above photo shows the asphalt trail that comes up the hill from Morrow Boulevard and crosses over East Gate City Boulevard. The downtown portion of the greenway is a 4-mile, multi-use paved trail. It is the only greenway encircling a city in North Carolina. This beautiful community resource actually connects to 100 miles of existing trails that will only continue to grow. Mr. Mapp's MLK bust (featured Monday) is found along this section of the Greenway. Two additional works of art are here. In the foreground is William Byer's "Reflection Rock" installed in 2019. In the background is the Monument to Dignity and Respect by Vandorn Hinnant. The arm, with a finger pointing to the sky, reads, "Dignity, United We Stand" a message that was heard in the Presidential Inauguration yesterday. Another quote on the Hinnant sculpture reads,  "I've always felt that the place where I live is the place I should improve" Dorothy Brown, Community Leader.

The greenway is a giant effort to unite and improve our community. Here is a detailed map, should you be curious, or even better, interested in exploring the greenway yourself. As you look at the map, you will learn that it was envisioned and inspired by the Greensboro Bicentennial Commission, to be the signature project commemorating Greensboro's 2008 Bicentennial. In 1891, Greensboro became known as the Gate City because so many trains traveled through Greensboro. It was the transportation gateway to the west and south. We're thinking that as of 2021,  Greensboro is on its way to earning another nickname, the Trail City!

Tinsel Town

Yesterday was the last day for Tinsel Town in LeBauer Park. The display featured 50 trees decorated by community organizations. Visitors voted for their favorite trees through each tree's unique QR code. The top five winning trees will receive $500 to donate to the non-profit of their choice. Tinsel town was presented by Kontoon (Wrangler), The Fresh Market, and First Bank. The event was free and open to the public. Sunday was a sunny day and several people were out admiring the display. 

The Tinsel Town event was a creative way to involve community in a fundraiser, to get people out, and to give people something to do. Also, it was conducive to social distancing.  To our knowledge, this was the first year for Tinsel Town. It will be fun to see which trees won. The Page Pirates had a double-wide tree filled from bottom to top with pirate paraphernalia. Hopefully the winners will be announced in the newspaper and the event will be held again next year. There are only three more days until New Year's Eve, but, let's not rush things. Enjoy the whole week.

 

Mushrooms Galore

Tis the season of abundant mushrooms in Greensboro. With all of the rain lately, mushrooms of every shape and color have been pushing through lawns and forest floors, on logs, at the base of trees and in composting wood.

The above photo was taken along the Bald Eagle trail in northwest Greensboro. The trails have been rather slippery lately. If you are out walking, do be careful.  Please remember to leave the mushrooms undisturbed. The spores grow in the conditions that are perfect for them. One of our readers mentioned that the genetic composition of mushrooms is closer to that of humans than plants. If you have a friend who is a mycologist, they can fill you in on the interesting world of mushrooms.

 It is fun  to lower a cell phone or camera to the forest floor and capture mushroom memories in photos! Happy Thursday!

Ducks At Country Park

There is so much to see at Country Park in Greensboro. The waterfowl have been spectacular this year, from ibis, to heron, to ducks, and geese. The paddleboat fowl in the background are pretty impressive, too. Please remember that you are not to feed the birds in the park, and bread is actually harmful to them.

While the days are still long and the weather warm, be sure to head to Country Park. Parking is very convenient at the Spencer Love Tennis Center off of Pisgah Church Road. It would be a good mid-week activity!

Spring Sports Have Begun

Slowly, end of summer/fall sports are starting to pop up around the city. As seen above, Proelific Park is using their fields for baseball and soccer. Coaches and players are making an effort to avoid physical contact; something that is easier in outdoor sports than indoor sports.Greensboro is a big baseball and soccer town.

Tennis and Golf are also very popular in Greensboro. Golfers have been out enjoying the weather recently and the Wyndham was this past weekend at the Sedgefield Country Club. It was a very tournament this year having been played without spectators. Sports are adjusting and people are getting very creative about having physical activity. In some cases, people are meeting and spewing themselves out in parking lots to get exercise. May we all find that balance of staying safe and healthy and keeping our bodies fit. Remember, downtown is hosting "Chow Downtown" tonight on Elm Street if you want to stroll around downtown and then get a bite to eat. Also remember that our hiking trails and lakes are open for some out of doors activities. Happy Friday; happy weekend!

Country Park in August

Country Park is such a dynamic place to be in August, especially on a sunny day. There are still several hours of daylight in the evening. People from all walks of life are out exercising, maintaining a safe distance, and in their family "bubbles". People are out walking dogs, riding bicycles, running, and exercising. In the background of today's photo, you can see a group lifting weights. In the foreground is one of the many painted turtles along the water's edge. This one is dedicated to Noah Chambers, an 11-year-old who was hit with a car, and died as a result, while trunk-or-treating. Noah's turtle reminds us that life can be fleeting and we need to do the best we can to be kind to each other and appreciate the beauty of life, family, and friendships. Those words will become very important as we get closer to the elections.

It is so to see people enjoying each other and the beauty of nature in Country Park. We didn't see any turtles we were walking the loop, but we did see a lot of birds. Please note that the park asks us not to feed the waterfoul. And remember, wherever you see waterfowl, bread is not good for them. With the abundant rain recently, there seems to be a lot for the birds to eat! Happy Wednesday, dear readers!

Gateway Plaza

Gateway Plaza is a high rise apartment complex at 200 Spring Garden Street at West McGee Street. This housing option must be popular as, according to online sources, no apartments are currently available. You can't beat the address with respect to location, a block away from Hamburger Square! Today's photo is of the park-like seating area nicely hidden outside. It looks so cozy and conducive to having a nice conversation, even a physically-distanced conversation. Just beyond this area is an outdoor pool. 

The 221-unit high rise was built in 1975. The architecture of the building reflects the square, no-frills look of the 1970s. But, the location, the outdoor area, and the reasonable rents make it a very appealing place to live! Regardless of where you live, we hope you have a comfortable place to sit outside!

Leave It To Beavers

In case you wondered, beavers are alive and well in Greensboro. The above photo was taken at Lake Brandt this past weekend, just north of the Strawberry Road entrance to the greenway. Beavers, America's largest rodent, on average weigh 35-40 pounds, but can grow to 70 pounds. Beavers are found throughout North Carolina. They are known to frustrate humans because they can fell a tree in no-time. The above cedar didn't have a chance!

While humans might not want their property flooded or swampy as a result of a beaver dam, the dams can actually help control erosion and sedimentation and provide habitat for wetland wildlife (reference and more information, here). Beavers are highly prized for their pelts, meat, and the castor oil derived from their bodies. As long as they aren't doing any harm, it is best to leave these critters alone.

Heather & Victor: Lock of Love

The bridge on the greenway near Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro is slowly starting to fill with locks of love. People put locks on the chain link fencing. If it is a lock with a key, often, the lock gets thrown into the water. The above lock, a combination Masterlock, was placed there by Heather and Victor. We aren't sure when this tradition began, but we hadn't noticed noticed this tradition prior to COVID-19.

This tradition of placing locks on bridges is also one that is popular in Paris, France. Perhaps the most famous case is Pont des Arts Bridge over the Seine River at the Louvre. The bridge was cleared of locks in 2015, and already, they report having a million locks put back on since then, which equates to 45 tons. The average car weight 2 tons or 4,000 pounds. So, if you are inclined to add a lock to a fence, know that you are contributing to tons of extra weight. Still, it is kind of a sweet thought and it is interesting that it has spread to Greensboro and, the action is not exactly impulsive. It took a lot of pre planning for Heather and Victor to get their lock engraved and leave it above Lake Brandt.

The Greensboro Rotary Carousel Is Almost Ready!

Yesterday, Fox News  shared some fabulous  photos  of  the Rotary Carousel at the Greensboro Science  Center  (see,  here). Their  segment  prompted us to run out and check  on  the progress.  The venue is  stunning with so much thought behind  it. The 56  wooden  and handmade  animals evoke a mash-up  of  Doctor Dolittle, Greensboro's Universities, the endangered species list, the Greensboro Science Center,  and  a whole lot of vision  and generosity on the part of the Greensboro  Rotary Organization. It is so beautiful;  one photo cannot begin to  do  it justice.

The  carousel  is expected to  open  in a few  weeks. It is reported to  have  cost $3  million  dollars, part of the  cost is  attributed to the fact that it is encased  in  a  climate-controlled  glass  structure  that can be  opened when weather permits.  It is the kind of place  where you will probably notice more details every time you visit. Wouldn't is be fun if they had a punch card  and you could keep track  of every animal you had ridden. Are you the kind of person  who would want to ride all 56? 

The Best of 2019: Picture Perfect Night in Downtown Greensboro

 

Happy New Year! January 1st is the day the City Daily Photo community encourages participants to select their best photo from 2019. For Greensboro, we've selected this scene from LeBauer Park. The photo says so much about our city. The art overhead really helps define the space. Below, you see people from all neighborhoods coming together to watch a move on the big screen. This move was made possible through collaboration with UNCG. Greensboro has so many free events available to the community; events and public spaces contribute to the strength of a city.

As we look back over the year on Greensboro Daily Photo, we are reminded of all of the beautiful houses, the natural beauty of the city, the buildings and businesses, the educational institutions, the art, the weather and so much more. Even with 365 photos and paragraphs, we only begin to scratch the surface of all that is good in our city. In the end, it is the people who make Greensboro such a great place to live. Below, we've linked to twelve photos that are especially memorable. If you have time, please click through and have a visit. Thank you for reading and following GDP. Happy New Year. Here's to a great year to you, personally and to Greensboro as well!

January: The Ice Storm Cometh

February: The NC A&T Four

March: Firefighters from Station 21 

April: World Irish Dance Championship

May: Evening in LeBauer Park 

June: Summer Solstice Festival

July: Preservation Greensboro Tour of Lindley Park

August: MUSEP Free Concerts in the Parks

September: North Carolina Folk Festival

October: Reconsidered Goods Event Space

November: Kathy Clark and the Really, Really Free Market

December: The Running of the Balls

Pedal Boats at Country Park

Country Park has a great assortment of pedal boats. They look so lovely corralled at the launch on the lake just behind the science center. They are open from May through October on weekends and holidays and are available for 30 minute rentals. One to four people can ride in the boat. Imagine the memories that can be made riding around in one of these fiberglass animals. Everyone has a personal favorite. 

Country Park and the Greensboro Science Center are transforming before our eyes. It is so important to have public parks. For-pay activities like pedal boats are OK, provided there are also free activities. At no cost to users, Country Park is a lovely setting for walking a dog, running, enjoying nature, and riding a bike.

The day we were walking by, we felt compelled to burst out in song, "Fiberglass duckie, you're the one, you make pedal boating lots of fun. Fiberglass duckie, we're awfully fond of you!" We'll be back for a ride in May!

Students Celebrating their Korean Heritage in Greensboro

Earlier in the month Art in the Arboretum was held in the Greensboro Arboretum in Lindley Park. The events in the arboretum are always lively and attract a wide variety of people of all ages and of many different ethnic backgrounds. The two young students were strolling back and forth on the promenade, proudly celebrating their Korean heritage. Sometimes it is fun to wear jeans and a t-shirt. Greensboro has, after all, a long history of making blue jeans. However, it is also fun to deviate from this routine of casual clothing and wear clothes that connect us to our family's history. In the teen years, it can be challenging to dare to be yourself. How wonderful that these two students can share their heritage with the Greensboro community.

You will have an opportunity to see people of Greensboro celebrating their Mexican heritage and their deceased loved ones at the upcoming Day of the Dead events, hosted by Casa Azul (see schedule, here). If we had a celebrate-your-heritage day, what would you wear?

Hinnant's Sculpture to Harriet Tubman in LeBauer Park

In May 2019, Durham-based artist Vandorn Hinnant installed a sculpture in downtown Greensboro at LeBauer Park. The words remind the community of the African -American, political activist and abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Tubman, who was born in 1822, lived to the age of 90, in spite of her brutal treatment and hard life as a slave. Tubman dedicated her life to equal rights and to helping others to freedom, especially through the Underground Railroad. 

The sculptor of the above piece, Vandorn Hinnant, is originally from Greensboro and is known to return for art events. In January, he attended the installation of the MLK bust in Ole Asheboro. Hinnant grew up in Ole Asheboro and studied at NC A&T and UNC Greensboro. He is also a founding member of the African-American Atelier in Greensboro. As hinted in the above sculpture, his art connections to social justice and geometry.*

*Read more about Mr. Hinnant, here.

Pools Closing- End of Summer

Labor Day signals the end for most outdoor public and private pools; the last hurrah for swimming. Many pools have longstanding traditions on Labor Day weekend. For example Friendly Pool has a picnic and performance by their synchronized swim team. The above photo features the Bur-Mil Aquatic Center on the closing day. The Bur-Mill pool is part of the 250 acre Bur-Mil Park in Northwest Greensboro. Bur-Mil has only been a park since 1989, and the pool was added in 2003, but both are extremely popular. 

As you can see from the above photo, the pool is clean and inviting. It is reasonably priced and open to the public. If you want to visit the pool, you will have to wait until Memorial Day. In the meantime, the walking and biking trails and golf facility are open at Bur-Mil, as are many of the other amenities. Please support these public parks in Greensboro and help the young children develop a love for nature and spending time outdoors. Bur-Mil is a great place for people of all ages!

Last MUSEP Concert of the Season

The final MUSEP concert was held at Blandwood Mansion this past Sunday in downtown Greensboro. Holding it there was such a great grand finale, especially with the Food Truck Festival just around the corner. Some people visited the food trucks before the concert and some after the event. You know summer is coming to a screeching halt when the Sunday evening MUSEP music concerts come to an end. The Italian Villa architectural style, built in the late 18th early 19th century, home of Governor Motley (of the same era) would make a great painting! Here are a couple of examples of paintings of Blandwood. (#1 and #2). 

MUSEP just celebrated their 40th anniversary. Let's hope MUSEP remains strong for years to come and that they continue to feature concerts throughout the parks in Greensboro!

MUSEP at Latham Park

The Sunday evening music concerts hosted at the city parks, and brought to us by the City of Greensboro have been a fabulous Greensboro tradition for forty years. Last night's music was at Latham Park where the audience was treated to a Beatles tribute by Wonderwall and Funk, by Doby.

Between bands, the UNCG art department rolled out a giant beachball and the under-ten crowd went wild chasing it around. It was so wonderful seeing the above crew have unbridled fun OUTSIDE, while their parents enjoyed talking with friends and sharing snacks. MUSEP does so much to build community and we are lucky to have these concerts. Forty years of great music, every Sunday, all summer long. The final concert is next Sunday at Blandwood Mansion. See you there!

National Night Out

National Night Out is held throughout the United States on the first Tuesday of August. The purpose is for police officers to build community with residents and for neighbors to get to know each other. The initiative started in 1984, which makes this year the 35th year of the event. People sit on their front porches with the lights on, children play outside, and officers stop by to meet and interface with residents. 

The above photo shows the Lindley Park neighborhood as people began to arrive for the gathering in the park-- beside the pool and in front of the recreation center. People of all ages seemed to be enjoying themselves and the rain managed to hold off until later in the evening. Did you have an opportunity to participate in an event? If not, consider spearheading one next year. You never know, you just may start a tradition that will last for decades. And, if it is in front of your house, you won't even have to drive anywhere to enjoy the evening.

Oh, Playgrounds!

Over the past several years, Greensboro has been getting more public space, including play spaces. LeBauer Park is one example. There is so much to do there: Fountains, ping pong, climbing spaces, and more. Gateway Gardens is another public space that families adore.

The above photo is one of the playground spaces at the Greensboro Arboretum, on the West Market Street side of the park. The equipment is plastic with no sharp edges and the mulch bed is thick. This playground is part of the 17 acre space that you can use for walking and picnicking. It is open daily and is free! If you like parks, try it out this weekend.

MUSEP 2019

MUSEP 2019 has been in full swing for a few weeks this year. Greensboro's free concert series, "Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park," has been going strong in Greensboro for forty years. The concerts vary in style of music and location.  Last night's concert was held in Barber Park in East Greensboro; the Philharmonia of Greensboro played Classical Music and Pops. The weather was a little hot, but no rain!

Next Sunday, the concert will be held in Lindley Park at Starmount Dr. and West Market Street. It will be an evening of Americana and Nu Blu (Bluegrass). The concerts are free, but they always appreciate your donations. Even more, they appreciate your attendance, to support these great musicians, many of whom are local. Grab a friend, a chair, picnic snack, and come on out!

 

Picture Perfect Night in Downtown Greensboro

Last night was magical in downtown Greensboro. The above photo features LeBauer Park during the family movie night on the lawn. Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. and UNC-Greensboro have partnered to bring the community  free movie Friday.* You bring the picnic and the chair, or blanket. Also downtown, Cafe Europa was filled with diners enjoying the al fresco experience under the strings of lights. The Greensboro Bound Literary Festival held a session in the cultural arts building. The Girl Scouts held a campout in the First National Bank Field, and the weather, dry and mid-80s, was perfect for these outdoor events.

If you want to start your weekend with some great fun, invite a friend or some family members and head downtown. Greensboro is so beautiful, especially when people from all walks of life come together and enjoy the company of each other. The above scene evokes simpler times, harkening back to the day when we sat around watching network TV together with no opportunity to record, fast forward, or watch a movie privately on one's phone. Don't you think the screen looks like a giant, console TV!

 

* Remaining schedule: May 24: Isle of Dogs; May 31: Ralph Breaks the Internet; June 7: Avengers: Infinity War; June 14: Ferdinand; June 21: Bohemian Rhapsody; June 28: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald; July 12: Mary Poppins Returns; July 19: Small Foot; July 26: The Meg;Aug 2: The Princess Bride;Aug 9: The Greatest Showman;Aug 16: How to Train Your Dragon 2;Aug 23: Aquaman; Aug 30: Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse

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.

Spring Is On Its Way...

 

Signs of spring are here, in Greensboro. Today is a beautiful Saturday. The sun is shining, the early flowers are pushing their way through mulch, pine straw, and leaves from deciduous trees. The above crocus plants are volunteers, staking their space under a sweet gum tree. At long last, Greensboro has a reprieve from rain, with nice weather predicted for the week. By about mid-July, we'll probably be begging for rain.

In the meantime, today is the 238 Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. If you are up for it, head over to see one of the most historic events in Greensboro, the Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Today and tomorrow, there will be events to bring Revolutionary War history alive.

Post Election Day

Regardless of how you feel about the election results in Greensboro and beyond, almost everyone seems to be glad that this election cycle is over. The plus side is that locally and nationally, more people voted, realizing the importance of the process. However, the yard signs, billboards, memes, and less-than-kind words were stressful.

The above photo was taken this past Saturday between the Cultural Arts Center, the Church Street parking deck, and LeBauer Park. The sunlight was so beautiful, the grasses were at peak color, and leaves were starting to turn orange. It is noticeable that, while this photo was taken in an urban area, there is no signage; absolutely nothing has words on it. A lone, unidentified artist stands, deciding whether to turn right or left. In the distance, there are people enjoying each other's company in the park. The scene is calm and civil, a palate-cleansing, post-election view. 

Westerwood Chili Cook-off

Tis' the season for Brunswick stew, barbecue, and chili. Yesterday was the chili cook-off for the Westerwood neighborhood. Held in Lake Daniel Park by the tennis courts, the Westerwood chili cook-off brought neighbors together to see who could cook the best chili and to build community through eating together.

Westerwood is a downtown neighborhood of 650 homes build around the 1920s, just (you guessed it) WEST of downtown and convenient to everything. The community is full of character, partly due to its beautiful tree lined streets and partly due to the residents who work hard to keep the neighborhood a vibrant, dynamic place to live. As people were eating chili, the Westerwood String Band played old time tunes on their fiddles, banjos, and guitars. It was a perfect fall day for eating chili, listening to live music, and socializing.

If you are looking for a way to bring your own neighborhood together, consider putting on a pot of chili or stew and start inviting. Where there is good food, there will be people. Happy Monday!