Greensboro Daily Photo

It Is Iris Time in Greensboro.

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

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

Happy Saturday!

Electric Car Charger At Brooks Global Elementary School

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

Happy Wednesday!

Spring Cleaning on South Elm Street

With the warmer weather, trees are starting to blossom out, birds are chirping, forsythia is budding yellow and humans are out doing their spring cleaning. The above photo features window cleaning happening at the building that houses Scuppernong Books in the 300 block of South Elm Street. We had to chuckle upon noticing that the woman and the car to the right match the machine lifting the window cleaners to the top of the building. We love the movement in this photo.

Do you have spring cleaning rituals? We wonderful if the whole block chips in on the service at the same time. We wonder what events Scuppernong will be offering this weekend. Perhaps the lady blue wants to find out the same information. Friday and the weekend is a perfect time to get out and interact with people, AND to get a little spring cleaning done.

Happy Friday!

Dunleath Neighborhood Near Downtown

We love this street scene so much. It features the roads in Dunleath neighborhood on the west side of Dunleath. It is near Morrow Boulevard and the Greensboro Curb Market. The Sherwin- Williams Paint Store right behind the pinkish/red house. The downtown greenway also runs by here. 

Before you know it, the tree in the middle of this photo will be leafing out and will change the chole look of this area. We hadn't realized how round this "corner" was before taking this photo. Here's to the start of a great week and the weather should be warming up in a couple of days. We look forward to getting out and photographing the changes in the foliage. They happen so fast in the spring.

Happy Monday!

Cast Iron Spinning Wheel

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church continues to expand not only their physical space, but also their outreach. Above shows the church on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Recently, we shared their Community Enrichment Center (to the left) where there is so much happening for the community, including. community clothes closet. Pastor William F. Wright and his wife have been part of the church since 1980, forty five years ago! Pastor Wright was born in Aiken, South Carolina. His wife is from Henderson, North Carolina. Together, they have watch New Zion grow and expand. The church is not only visible from MLK Drive but is highly visible on East Gate City Boulevard.

We were stuck by the thought of this Corvette sports car racing by New Zion, where the main race is one for salvation.

Happy Sunday!

Night Street Scene Around Town

Greensboro readers, if we didn't tell you where this photo was taken, would you know? If you know.... you know.

We love this night scene, the way the tree, that we never notice, is dormant, just waiting to leaf out. The fence adds a rural look. The TEXAS road house would look like a house, were it not for the neon. Such is the view for those in the drive-thru at Cook-out, on the right side of the building, near Maxie Bs. We only noticed it because we were waiting for our milkshake. We cropped the photo because to the right is a mattress store which diminishes the allusion of happening upon this place driving around rural Texas. 

The first TEXAS road house dates to 1993 in Indiana. The above location of the chain opened about 12 years ago. It is hard to believe it has been open that long. It is hard to believe how much Battleground Avenue has changed. To be sure, there are plenty of food options in this part of town. 

Happy Thursday... some say it is the new Friday.

The Corner of Golden Gate & State Street at Twilight

State Street seems to be experiencing a rebirth before our eyes. It is the one street in Greensboro that has the feel of a small, beachside town. It is quaint, full of local businesses, and unique shops. The above photo is of the building that used to house a business very dear to our heart. The Saltbox. an original folk art and handmade lighting store, owned by Nancy Moore, opened in the above building in 1974 and closed 37 years later in 2011. Currently, the building has been rebranded as "The District" with six, cute  businesses inside, selling an array of items for the home, clothing, and accessories. We are struck at how beautiful the building looks at night. The landscaping is looking good, too.

We felt very comfortable walking around this past Friday night when several businesses, including The District, were open. The State Street Wine Company had a nice crowd and featured live music.  Cafe Pasta had some great specials. While the salon and personal service businesses attract people who have appointments to State Street, it is the retails shops that are encouraging them to stroll and linger a little longer. It will be fun to monitor the progression of State Street- on foot.

Happy Wednesday!

Road Construction Projects

There has been a lot of road construction taking place around town in January, including the installation of new wires and poles in front of Grimsley High School  at Josephine Boyd Street and Benjamin Parkway. The above work was being completed at the corner of Guilford College Road and West Friendly Avenue, at Guilford College. Seeing the school bus reminds us that a new semester is underway and we need to remember to stop for busses. You never know when children will be running to or from their bus. Here is the link for the website of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Schools on the traditional calendar have a teacher workday today. However, other schools may be in session. So, there will be some busses on the highway. Also, be careful with all of those construction workers on the road. Here's to a great week of navigating around the Greensboro, weather on foot, bicycle or in a car. Also, have a great week if you are staying home.

Happy Monday!

Exploring the Southside of Greensboro

Southside at MLK Drive and Gorrell Street has many businesses open to the public. From coffee and smoothies to salons to Bump. Baby. Bliss.- a doula, counseling, ultrasound studio- Southside has an array of options. Bump.Baby.Bliss is the business featured in the foreground of today's photo. Some of these  townhomes have a living quarters upstairs and retail down below. It is possible to have work and home in the same building, be able to close the door and head upstairs, and not have to drive anywhere.

These businesses and living quarters are within walking distance to Elm Street. It is fun to stroll by explore this neighborhood.  The east side of Greensboro has seen a lot of changes  over the last decade. With the greenway, it appealing to people who like to run or bike after work without having to get in the car and drive somewhere. Come explore with us!

Happy Saturday!

dog walk on south elm street

As we were walking the length of Elm Street on the crisp MLK Day holiday, we were struck by the beautiful colors of this empty storefront window on the right, in the 300 block of South Elm Street. That magenta pink and robin's egg blue took us back to our first 64-box of Crayola crayons in elementary school. To the left, an unidentified man with his dog happened to be walking by, letting his dog do what dogs do best- investigate who has been there earlier. The dog was very well behaved, got the information he needed, and headed on up the street with his owner. We were touched, because we had just seen a plaque that was recently placed in the 600 block of South Elm. It reads as follows:

"For ten years, four times a day, Jerry Leimenstroll and his family's dog, Watson, took long walks through downtown Greensboro. After Watson died, strangers would stop Jerry to ask where the dog was, sometimes crying when they heard he had passed. Their walks were a part of this neighborhood."

We wish we would have asked this man if he knew Jerry and Watson. Then we wondered, could this be Jerry? Could this be a new dog? Did this man and dog walk past Jerry and Watson on their daily walks?  We don't live downtown, but we would love it for we, too, would have known Jerry and Watson, and the whole cast of locals who walk along Elm Street on a daily basis. The weekend is a great time to get out and explore Greensboro. You will find beauty in unexpected places and have chance encounters with strangers who could become friends. We'll be out there hoping to meet you.

Happy Friday!

 

At the Corner of Chapman & Spring Garden Streets

This little building at the corner of Chapman and Spring Garden Streets has undergone many changes over the last 13 years. From 1993- 2012, it was Bianca's, a little Italian restaurant with big flavor. It first opened in 1993 and Chef Lisa Carmella was known for altering the menu weekly. Perhaps naively, we thought it would remain Bianca's forever. The exterior was white with blue shutters and a circular, blue awning over the door.

When driving by the other day, we noticed the building was for rent with a sign indicating that it was "turn key" ready for a restaurant. It would seem that with Freeman's Pub, The Tasting Room, and other places to eat and drink nearby, this space has great potential. Also, UNCG and the Coliseum complex are right down the road. What kind of business/restaurant do you think would work well there? It looks like a wonderful opportunity for some young entrepreneur. For now,  with this frigid winter air keeping people home, it looks rather desolate. However, there are times when this corner is hopping. We have eaten there and then walked down Chapman Street to an event at the Coliseum. We would love to see a new life for this space and will follow this corner with great interest. 

Happy Wednesday and please stay warm. This has been a cold January in Greensboro. Temperatures are predicted to be between 13 and 28 today.

MLK Parade 2025

Yesterday, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade was held in downtown Greensboro. It started on South Martin Luther King Drive, heading northbound into the city and then turning right on Gorrell Street. Attendance was low, possibly due to the low temperature (low 30s) or the Presidential Inauguration. However, those who came out were well entertained and so many of the cars were tossing candy into the crowd. The above truck was transporting the Fellowship Choir and they were greeting the audience and sharing plenty of treats for the children. They may have been singing, but just not when we were passing by.

This was the 35th annual parade and it was hosted by the Greensboro chapter of the NAACP. 

Happy Tuesday! Stay warm!

Friday Night In Lindley Park

Friday night at the corner of Walker Avenue and Elam, it is so fun to walk around and is really beautiful in early evening. We ate at Fishbones, yummy fish and chips, and blackened salmon with plum glaze and ginger rice. After that, we walked a little and fell in love with this view. Common Grounds was open, but there was no live music last night. Surely, there is some band that would enjoy playing there. We've seen many, wonderful, live shows there. We felt very safe walking around. It was still early and some people were heading to Beltway, likely for one of the most extensive beer walls in town. At the end of the week, it is really nice to see people out. Although this seen looks a little Edward Hopper desolate, there were actually several people out enjoying the evening. We're thinking that bright planet in the upper left-hand corner- the western sky, last night, was Venus. Does anybody know for sure?

Where do you suggest going in Greensboro. We like places that have a local flavor and neighborhood crowd, that aren't chains. Let us know and we will try to stop by for a visit.

Happy Saturday!

Moonrise Over Wendover Avenue

We've had a full moon this week and this is a view of the moon rising over West Wendover Avenue at Benjamin Parkway. You may not have noticed but there is an overpass on the Friendly Center/ O.Henry Hotel side. That was our positioning for this photo. That was one place in Greensboro we haven't been before. Moon shots are really hard with a cell phone. There was also a great view over the O.Henry Hotel, from near Chick-Fil-A.The moonrise was early that day 5:08 p.m. in Greensboro. As an example, it rises at 8:26 p.m. tonight. Seeing the Proximity Hotel reminds us that the hotel opened in 2007, 18 years ago.  

Ever in search of good places for photography around Greensboro, this one was a fun surprise. If you look at this map, provided by the O. Henry Hotel, you can see exactly where we were- at the trail entrance for the Greenway and the fitness trail that takes you all the way downtown, and beyond. We're betting this would be a good location for a sunrise. Stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday!

New Construction Along Fisher Ave. & Spring St.

To continue on the "downtown street scene" theme from yesterday's post, above is a view of the signage of the new apartment complex going up at the corner of West Fisher and North Spring Streets. For a while, this has been an underdeveloped part of town, but lately, it is experiencing a Renaissance. This is the best of all worlds; to reclaim land and put it to good use in an already-urban area and to help downtown businesses gain customers. Just beyond this two block-long complex is a string of businesses: Dog Days Boarding Grooming Day Care, Arrowhead Coffee, and Windshield Glass, to name a few.

We can imagine a boost in business for people who need a windshield replaced, a dog groomed, or a good cup of coffee, when all it entails is walking across the street. Oh, the downtown Greenway and Cycles de ORO are just a short walk in the other direction.  If you want to have a look at that part of town, we suggest starting at Arrowhead Coffee, where you can get a good cup of coffee and park and look for free.

Happy Tuesday!

A Mondrian Take on Perry's Service Center

Perry's Service Center, formerly known as Perry's Downtown Exxon, is located in the 400 block of North Greene Street, a block off North Elm.  On January 26, 2015, The Greensboro News and Record wrote an article about Perry's being the oldest, downtown gas station even in the early 1980s. As the article points out, in 1953, less than a decade after WWII, there were 47 places to buy gas downtown. Journalist Jim Schlosser cleverly combed Greensboro city directories and surmised that gas was first pumped there in 1929. *

A couple of years ago, we were walking past the property the day Exxon was leaving the site. A couple of guys were called in to remove Exxon signage and they didn't know what was happening next.  According to the Winston Salem Journal (3/26/24), as confirmed by their perusing the Register of Deeds filings, a Clemmons group purchased the site for $502,000.  This past December 29th, we were urban walking and noticed a fresh paint job on the building with the addition of yellow on the canopy. This must be new, because yellow was never an Exxon color. Also, the concrete car bumpers have been painted bright red.  Another sign of life was that bay being partially open.  However, what really caught our eye was the red, blue, and yellow composition against square and rectangular shapes. If the 20th century Dutch painter Piet Mondrian's canvases came to life in a street scene, they would not look unlike this scene!

Happy Monday!

 

*If you miss Mr. Schlosser's journalism and you like a good stories about Greensboro, see the original article HERE.

Trains Hamburger Square

The North Carolina Railroad was founded in Greensboro by John Motley Morehead. This view of the Hamburger Square area is located just across the railroad tracks of the historic marker we shared the other day, reminding us of our Gate City heritage. Our city was the perfect crossroads for north and south, east and west-bound trains.  The above Norfolk Southern train is headed east, going right past the former Southern Railway Station train depot. The city plans to renovate the building. Originally, it opened in 1899, the building has been closed for several years now. It will be fun to watch it come to life again.

According to Downtown Greensboro,  Inc., the plans are to return the building to a lively bustling, hub of activity (see HERE). While a change in the exterior brick footprint is not expected to change, the former awnings and roofline. This part of downtown has managed to keep its historic profile on the outside, even when interiors get modernized.  There is such beauty in those old brick buildings along South Elm Street. Of course if you venture downtown today, you will see snow and, quite possibly, some businesses closed. Check their social media or call for hours before venturing out.

Happy Saturday!

Historic Marker Fun

Historic markers often go unnoticed, but they are so informative and very pre-digital age. Now, with AI and QR codes, you can access virtually any information. However, the old-school markers make us "one" with history, as in "on this very spot" or "near by" ...  But, now, in the digital era, if you notice that letter and number at the top, J-102, you can search additional information online.  See HERE where we searched for more information. The railroad system has been important to Greensboro since the 1800s.  The above marker was installed in its current location in 1996 and it is located at Hamburger Square, at the corner of McGee and South Elm. Below,  is the essay provided online at the above link. However, us this link to search by county in NC and any State marker can be found here, and there are a lot!

Essay:

     Appropriately, ceremonies marking the beginning and end of construction on the North Carolina Railroad took place in Greensboro or its environs. The Guilford County seat was positioned near the midpoint of the 223-mile arch that the road followed across the state from Charlotte to Goldsboro. The early annual meetings of the stockholders were held in the Gate City. And, most importantly, Greensboro was the home of John Motley Morehead, former governor (1841-1845) and “in large measure the road’s founding father,” according to railroad historian Allen W. Trelease.

     The formal groundbreaking took place on Friday, July 11, 1851, following the annual stockholders meeting. Thousands attended, a crowd which the local paper judged to be the largest in the town’s history. Morehead spoke, voicing his pride in the project. Calvin Gravesof Caswell County, who had sacrificed his political career by casting the deciding vote in favor of the railroad, had the honor of turning the first spade of soil. Those assembled filled a chest that served as a time capsule. Five years later, the two track-laying crews met at “Hilltop” midway between Jamestown and Greensboro. David F. Caldwell of Greensboro, legislator and railroad backer, drove the final spike. The Greensborough Patriot of February 1, 1856, headlined “Finished!!” and the Greensboro Times of January 21, 1856, “The Road Completed!”

     The railroad proved to be a key factor in Greensboro’s, indeed the Piedmont’s, prosperity and industrial growth. During the Civil War the city was both a storehouse and a rail center for the Confederacy. Civilian refugees and wounded soldiers were transported and sheltered there. In April 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis arrived in Greensboro in the course of his flight southward.


References:
Allen W. Trelease, The North Carolina Railroad, 1849-1871, and the Modernization of North Carolina (1991)
Burton Alva Konkle, John Motley Morehead and the Development of North Carolina, 1796-1866 (1922)
Cecil K. Brown, A State Movement in Railroad Development (1928)
Ethel Stephen Arnett, Greensboro, North Carolina: The County Seat of Guilford (1955)
Greensborough Patriot, December 20, 1851 and February 1, 1856

Print Media

Life is about change. January is a time when we often strive for change. We only need to look at the parking lots in front of the local gyms to see January is a time when people aspire to make lifestyle changes. One change that has been inching our way since the personal computer is the diminishing of print media. For old timers, seeing these boxes by the side of the road are a point of affection and nostalgia. To the younger generation, print media can seem like unnecessary clutter.

We are so fond of the O. Henry Magazine and cannot wait for a copy to be published every month. It is a great way to keep up with items of local interest and to rest one's eyes from the computer screen. Their print features and photos are fabulous.  The Carolina Peacemaker has been Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967. For a dollar, you can have a copy of this weekly paper with items of interest to the community at large, but with special focus on the African American community, a community.  With a staff of ten and a weekly circulation between 9,000 and 10,000, they do so much to keep the community informed. And every event we go to photograph in Greensboro, one of the Peacemaker's photographers, either Ivan Saul Cutler or Kevin Dorsey is there with their cameras and big lenses. The "Marry Me" magazine to the right is new to us (but then we've long been married). If you want any of these publications, head to the corner of McGee and South Elm Street. To orient to the location, that is the iconic Bennett College water tower in the distance. The "O. Henry" and "Marry Me" are free. Have four quarters handy if you want one of the Carolina Peacemakers. You owe it to yourself to give it a try. 

Happy Wednesday!

Collins Grove Church

We were glad to see the Collins Grove UMC van in the Holiday Parade on December 7th in downtown Greensboro. We have featured the church building before. It is located out near the Cardinal neighborhood at the corner of Fleming and Lewiston Roads (see HERE). Hopefully,  the information is correct. Here is the article Jim Schlosser wrote in 2005 about the church and community, entitled, "Grave Times for Collins Grove? Residents Worry Development Is Chipping Away at Black Community." We sure do miss Jim's writing. He is such an intellectually curious journalist.

Other than Jim's article, we don't see much written about Collins Grove online. In looking at the lot (5210 Collins Grove Church Road), it looks like a very generous piece of land. Having driven by, we can vouch for the beauty of the property and the members in the van sure seemed nice.

Happy Sunday!

 

 

Greensboro's Adopt-A-Street Program

Have you ever notices the Adopt-A-Street signs around town? Are you part of an organization that has adopted a street? In Greensboro, the Parks & Recreation Department oversees the Adopt-A-Street program. This is a two year agreement for groups to clean their street four times a year and to report the clean up activity to the city. Trash bags and gloves are provided. Neon vests and trash grabbers are also available- unless they all happen to be checked out. There are guidelines for where and how to leave the bags of collected trash, but the program is a very relaxed one that brings great joy to the neighborhoods, businesses, and houses along the way.

For Greensboro Daily Photo, we urban-walk a lot and stumbled on the above sign when leaving Greene Street and turning right on Spring Garden (between Gateway Plaza and the railroad tracks). We were intrigued to see Spring Garden is sponsored by THE UNO CLUB. Could that possibly be Mattel's game of UNO?  As it turns out, UNCG, indeed, has an Uno Club. When classes are in session, the club meets to play UNO for about an hour a week,  as a way to relax and enjoy a little friendly competition. We're guessing the street cleaning is a way for university students to also get to know and give back to the community where they study. Spring Garden Street is five miles long. beginning in the 300 block of South Elm Street downtown and continuing to Market Street, after which point it becomes Muirs Chapel. Conveniently, the adopted street of the UNO CLUB runs through the UNCG campus. We tried to find a master list of all streets being sponsored and their sponsors. So far, no luck.

There are so many volunteer opportunities with the City of Greensboro. See HERE if you are looking to share your time and talents with our community. That would make a great New Year's resolution.

Happy Monday!

Nativity Scene at Mt. Pisgah Church on Christmas Eve 2024

Happy Christmas Eve. The above photo is the nativity scene in front of Mount Pisgah Global Methodist Church on Pisgah Church Road at Battleground Avenue. The display lights up the corner at Battleground Avenue.  We love how when we zoom out, the scene seen, when taken as a whole, almost looks like a tiny Putz with miniature figures, like the one we saw at the First Moravian Church. Actually, those figures are life-size and lovely in color. If you are local, and you like to see lovely nativity scenes when out admiring Christmas decorations, this one is very nice. 

The Mount Pisgah Church nativity scenes, we were intrigued to see one in place at Centenary United Methodist Church on West Friendly Avenue at Ridgeway. According to their marquee, they are having service at 5:00 p.m. tonight. Even though Centenary Church has been retired and since the property sold to Cone Health, tonight will be a very special opportunity to enjoy a service there. However you spend Christmas Eve., may it be special in every way.

Whirlie Nation... Grimsley High State 4A Football Champs!

Last night, the Grimsley Whirlie football team played the high-school 4A championship game against Rolesville High School Rams from Wake County. The above photo features the team sendoff this afternoon leaving from the Grimsley campus. Students, parents, and the press were on hand as the team marched from campus to the busses. Coach Darell Brown, a few players, and the principal spoke and gave words of gratitude.  The players, drum line, dancers, and cheerleaders all marched up through campus and the team headed in the busses, up Westover Terrace and turning right onto Wendover east.

The game was played at Kenan Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The Whirlies led the whole way, with a final score of 35-23.  There were some fantastic plays during the game. This is not only a great day for Grimsley High School, it is a great day for Greensboro. For sports fans, there is a lot of pride knowing we have the best 4A football team in the state. Congratulations to everyone involved in helping Grimsley remain such a great place to learn and play sports. Coach Brown has done so much for the football program and it has paid off.

Happy Saturday!

The Greensboro Holiday Parade

The Greensboro Holiday Parade was held this past Saturday (12/7/24) and while the weather was cold, it was sunny and enthusiasm was high. The above photo was taken at what we refer to as Greensboro's epicenter. The crossover of Market and Elm Street is the point that separates north/south (Elm) and east/west (Market). The iconic building in the background is the Jefferson Standard Building, built in 1922. At 374 ft. tall with 18 floors, when it was build, it was the tallest building between Atlanta and Washington D.C. 

In the foreground, you see children smiling, and they were from noon- 2:00 p.m. when the parade ended. The soccer ball was part of the float entry by the Guilford Futbol Club. Based on the children on the float, it looks like they have teams for children of all ages. The man navigating the inflatable soccer ball was encouraging little ones to kick it, which was a hit with all the children standing near us. Downtown Greensboro was hopping with energy this whole weekend. Let's hope the foot traffic continues through the season.

Happy Monday!

Festival of Lights 2024

Last night, the Festival of Lights was held in downtown Greensboro. It was holiday fun from LeBauer Park to the 500 block of South Elm Street.  The above photo was taken at the corner of Market and Elm Streets, where north and south and east and west are divided.To the left, you can see Elm Street peeking out. 

This display was one of the many picture-perfect places for families to snap photos along Elm Street. The photo is a bit deceptive, because it doesn't look like there were any people. In all actuality, the First Friday/Festival of Lights was very well attended. It seems like the days in December start to pass quickly and it will be January before we know it. Tomorrow is the holiday parade. expect temperatures around 40º. Just like last night, getting out and interacting with others will be fun and rewarding. Head on out and see for yourself.

Happy Saturday!

Gate City Church of God 200 State Street

The Gate City Church of God (COG)  is located at 200 State Street, near Elm Street. The property is just on the east edge of Old Irving Park. According to realtor.com, this brick church building was built in 1949, when nearby textile mills were still in operation. The church would have served mill workers. The Church of God religion traces its roots back to 1886 in a millhouse in Monroe County, TN,*  near the North Carolina border. 

We're wondering if the above building, currently undergoing renovation would have been the parsonage that goes with the church. It will be interesting to see what becomes of it. Lately, State Street is experiencing a renaissance, so the above house at 208 is prime real estate.. Perhaps the churches near State Street are reaping the benefits of all of the growth in this church that extends from Elm Street to Church Street. If you are interested in attending the Gate City COG, service is at 11:00 am. Sunday is  a great day to stroll the length of State Street to see what new businesses have opened.

Happy Sunday!

*read more about the history of the Church of God,  here.

Sunset Hills at Sunset

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

Rain Along Battleground Avenue

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

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

Happy Friday!

Veterans Day 2024

Happy Veterans Day 2024. This year's  parade was held on Saturday, November 9th, mostly on North Elm Street, marching south and turning onto East Market Street. The above photo is of the Dudley High School Marching Band of Thunder (MBOT), as they  turned onto East Market Street, near the end of the parade route. The band adheres to a strict practice regimen which includes a dress code. The daily practices are mandatory.   All of the hard work and practice pays off as the band sounds and looks great. The band performs with show style movement and military-style operations-- evidenced by their moves such as about-facing, right flanks, and standing at attention. In addition to musicians, the band has a drum major in front and dancers, the Pantherettes, in the back. If you missed Dudley High School MBOT on Saturday,  they will be back for the December 7th Holiday Parade, downtown Greensboro from 12:00 noon- 2:00 pm. In the background, you can see the Lincoln Financial Group (formerly JP) building in the background, anchoring today's photo in Greensboro. 

On a more somber note, on Veterans Day 2021, we featured Tech Sergeant Albert Lochra (see HERE). This is Greensboro's second Veterans Day without him, as he died on July 1, 2023. He was loved by many in the Greensboro community (obituary HERE). With the sadness of the passing of another one of our remaining WWII veterans, we are reminded of the youthfulness and vitality of high school students today. The cycle of life continues as the Dudley students march on. Let's all do something to honor our veterans today. We are forever grateful for the day we interviewed Mr. Lochra and are on the lookout for our next veteran interviewee.

 

 

And Just Like That, It Is Fall

This past week, Greensboro trees have really started showing their fall colors. Every year, we love to stop and admire these photos on Westover Terrace,  where the road splits from Battleground Avenue, at Green Valley Road.  Thursday afternoon, we pulled into the parking lot of Ivybrook Academy to admire the fall color in the maple trees near the median and greenway. The long shadows are coming earlier and earlier these days.  

 Greensboro is such a beautiful community. We hope you are out enjoying the neighborhoods and all of the fall colors. If you are interested in experience fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, here is a link to see what areas are open. It looks like there are now opportunities to get out and enjoy some of the beauty of the western end of the state. See HERE.

Unbridled Joy on Tate Street

Yesterday was a very busy day on Tate Street and on UNCG's Campus. The Tate Street Festival brought music and vendors to this street on the east side of UNCG's campus. The shops and restaurants seemed to be busy. The unidentified couple above broke out in dance when a peppy band started playing. The weather was beautiful and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. The first Tate Street Festival was held in 1973 with Jim Clark, Editor of the Greensboro Sun, was one of the organizers. UNCGs Homecoming was also in full swing. The first officially-named homecoming was in 1982. It is hard to believe that the Taste Street Festival predates UNCG's Homecoming. 

We'll post a homecoming photo tomorrow. To be sure, fall is prime time for festivals and special events in Greensboro. We usually post something spiritual on Sunday and had a photo of a church for you. However, it seems to us, people being joyful and enjoying each other's company has a very spiritual aspect. 

Happy Sunday!

Greensboro Pride Festival

Yesterday was perfect weather for the Greensboro Pride Festival downtown, primarily on Elm Street. It is the main event for Alternative Resources of the Triad (ART). According to WFMY-2, the Greensboro Pride Festival started in 2006 with about 400 people.  The goals of the event are to give members of the LGBTQ+ community a chance to socialize and have a space in public to come out and be surrounded by support from within the community and allies. Special services and resources are available as well as opportunities to purchase merchandise of interest.

Here was the schedule.from yesterday.  If you missed it this year, you can start planning for next year. Also, for those who missed the  event, there is an LGBTQ Center at the Guilford Green Foundation and there is  a local Facebook group. 

Happy Monday!

Oscar Oglethorpe Eyewear

Earlier in the week, leaving the celebration for Justice and Mrs. Frye and heading to our car, we noticed this window at Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear at 226 South Elm Street. Seeing those eyes staring back at us in purple and burgundy caused us to reminisce about a time, decades ago. Back in the day, storefronts were the Internet and social media for a store. Grocery stores posted ads of what was on sale, what was not available. Clothing stores dressed mannequins that drew y ou in. Consumers went "window shopping." Doing window displays was a popular profession.

In the 21st century, storefronts simply don't have that same allure. But look at how the Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear window draws you in. Their windows are always so creative and change often; same with their trendy glass frames. Their inventory is constantly changing. Decorating a downtown window  seems so appropriate. As for the 200 block of South Elm Street, here is what the documentation for the "National register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form" has to say about the 200 block of South Elm.

"This area contains the most architectural diversity of any part of the district, Here are found the simple Italianate structures of the late 1880's, 1890's and early 1900's, as well as the Art Deco buildings of the 1920's and 1930's and the modern structures of the 1950's and 1970's. The entire area is included because all structures fit together so well to form a complete sereetscape of both sides of the street and show such a wide range of architectural styles. Most of the structures are two-stories in height, although a few do rise to three and four stories."

Happy Saturday, a perfect time to go window shopping and reflect on what you see.

Glenwood Ave. in the Glenwood Neighborhood

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

* read about the neighborhood HERE.

Keystone Apartments at Horse Pen Creek Road

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

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

Happy Friday!

Downtown, View from the Davie Street Parking Deck

Not being drone photographers, we don't get a photo from above very often. However, in late August, during the Food Truck Fesitival, we walked top the top of the Davie Street Parking Deck and got this photo.  It shows a few of the big buildings downtown. Peeking out in the background is the Lincoln Financial Group Building. In the foreground, on the right, is the Center Pointe Building. To the right is the Renaissance Plaza  Building, and in the middle is 300 North Greene Street. Below, is Friendly Avenue and the greenery is in Center City Park.

Center Pointe was constructed in 1966. It is a 17-story building with 97 condominium units. the 19-story Renaissance Plaza was built in 1990. The landscaping there is beautiful. 300 North Greene Street was built in 1989 and is a 21-story office tower. This north part of Greensboro extending from Tanger Center (established 1921) to First National Bank Baseball Field (established 2005) has seen a tremendous amount of growth over the last couple of decades. If you go downtown for the North Carolina Folk Festival this weekend (and we encourage you to do so), have a look at how the footprint of the city is expanding.

Happy Wednesday! 

Along Battleground Avenue During a Storm

Greensboro had some interesting weather this weekend. The above photo was taken at 4:50 pm on Friday night. The skies darkened quickly and then came the rains. We pulled off the road at T.J. Max and walked up the hill to get a good view of the sky. We got tickled when noticing that the sign for the tattoo salon looked like a rainbow. If we couldn't have a real rainbow to photograph, this would make a good runner up. That business location on Battleground was formerly a dance studio. Strange Beauty is a place you can get your hair styled, a massage, piercings, and a tattoo all in one place.

Strange Beauty Salon and Tattoo Collective at 2835 Battleground Avenue opened in April. See the My Fox 8 interview with owner Jessica J Paul. Jessica's goal is to create an inclusive space where the magic happens. Jessica believes attitude matter. She wants customers to leave feeling like they are part of something. What started out as our wanting to watch the storm roll into Greensboro turned into learning about a new business. At one time, tattoo parlors were in an isolated part of time that did not necessarily attract the mainstream consumer. Strange Beauty is right there beside T.J. Maxx and Ross Dress for Less. That's pretty mainstream. Getting a tattoo is now pretty mainstream.

Happy Tuesday!

Underpass from Gate City Boulevard to UNCG Campus

Did you ever think an underpass would connect Gate City Boulevard to the UNCG Campus. Such is the case and the above photo is evidence. Yesterday after, there was a downpour in this part of town, the underpass was a welcome shortcut. For those without umbrellas or rain jackets, it served as a great place to wait until the heavy winds and rain stopped. The underpass is ten. years old this year. It was constructed in 2014 through a partnership between The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the North Carolina Railroad Company. The purpose of the underpass is to provide safe pedestrian access under the rail corridor. 

Train tracks are private property and trespassing is not only dangerous, it is illegal. However, it is hard to convince people not to walk across tracks in undesignated places when doing so saves significant time. The underpass has been a wonderful way to link the south side (Glenwood side) of campus to the main part of UNCG. It is a fine example of how partnerships are good for a community.  Another fabulous feature of this space is that it is a great backdrop for photos.

Happy Friday! Let's all get out and explore Greensboro.

Elon School of Law & Union Coffee Company

Today's post is at the 200 block of West Friendly Avenue on the corner with the Elon School of Law and the Union Coffee Company. This is a perfect location for a coffee shop, because law students can sit in the coffee shop and study. Across the street if the West Market Street United Methodist Church. People can meet for coffee centered around church meetings. Just down the street is the federal building. Finally, there is a barber shop next door.  

Union Coffee Company is owned by Daniel Davidson. We need to meet this young entrepreneur who, with his wife, has his hands in other ventures in downtown Greensboro (see HERE). Additionally, he has played the cello for 25 years. When we stopped in after the food truck festival, we had great service and actually found a great cold drink. Also, there was free water available. Best of all, the employees seemed to love their job. While Daniel has owned it for only a couple of years, the shop has been open since 2019. Hopefully, the five year mark is a good indicator that a solid client base has been established.  We love the crisp, angled look of this part of Friendly Avenue.

Happy Thursday!