Bridges-- A Way to Connect in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County

If you live in Winston-Salem and the surrounding area, here's a new way for you to connect with the community!  It's called Bridges, and it's an Interactive Community Conversation, with a focus on living, shopping and connecting locally.  (Much like us here at Piedmont Triad Living.)

Check it out.  I think you'll like it.  You can enter here. 

Shadows of a Pedestrian Bridge

 

Kernersville, NC Railroad Depot

We pass it daily, and yesterday stopped to climb the old train at Kernersville's train depot, which has been restored in the last few years.  It's located on the outskirts of downtown, at the intersection of Main Street and Bodenhamer Street (66).

In 1873, Kernersville built four miles of railroad track to complete the connection between Greensboro and Winston-Salem.  A depot was also constructed, and it is now the second oldest in western North Carolina.  The building consists of an office and a waiting room, separated by a wall, with a fireplace in each room.

Following the Civil War, this railroad connection allowed Kernersville to become a strong tobacco town.  Kernersville had five tobacco factories, two tobacco warehouses, and other related industries.  A fancy passenger and freight depot was constructed directly across the railroad tracks from the one still standing, and it was demolished by the Southern Railroad in 1985. 

Funds have been procured to further renovate the depot, which will include the ticket waiting room and office.

The track, looking east, with Highland Industries to the right.

The depot is not a destination.  Quite frankly, there's nothing there but the one dilapidated train car and the locked depot.  Looking through the windows of the depot, one can see two mannequins dressed in period attire.  Nothing can be seen through a window on the train car.  The girls did have a great time climbing up onto the car and "steering".  The depot is beside a second track that does receive train traffic, although I'm not sure how you could find out the schedule.  We can sometimes hear the train whistle from our apartment, and we did hear it 1:34pm on a Friday.  I'm not sure if the train runs on a schedule.  It would be very cool for the kids to see the train pass from the depot if you happened to be there at the right time. 

All of the banks are just around the corner... the girls are enjoying their lollipops, too.

There are lots of great, locally owned shops within walking distance.  It's also just down the street from two fantastic parks.  Fourth of July Park is about a mile west, with an entrance on Bodenhamer or West Mountain.  And Triad Park is a few miles east.  Or you could visit Kernersville Lake Park.  I also love the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Gardens on Main Street.  And just down the street from the Botanical Gardens is Korner's Folly, the world's most unusual house.  While the Kernersville Railroad Depot may not be a destination, it can definitely be a part of a fun filled day in the Heart of the Triad.

Located at the entrance of Fourth of July Park, the Piney Grove School has been decorated for the holidays.

12/5

High Point--  27th Annual Open House at the High Point Museum.  Reenactments, music, demonstrations, hands-on activities, refreshments.  FREE and fun for the whole family!  No reservations required.

Greensboro-- Visit with Santa at Bur-Mil Park!  Hot cocoa, cookies, photos with Santa (your camera or theirs).  Admission is free, but they will be collecting canned food and new or gently used toys for Santa's workshop.  2-6pm in the clubhouse.

12/4

Winston-Salem-- Four Christmases for Children at Historic Bethabara Park 10am.  Adults $5, Children $3.

Greensboro-- Greensboro Jaycee's Holiday Parade starts at 12pm.  See the parade route here.

Winston-Salem--  Winston-Salem Jaycee's Holiday Parade starts at 5pm.  See the parade route here. 

Kernersville-- Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Harmon Park begins at 7pm.  

12/3

High Point-- Crafts for children ages 3-12 at the High Point Public Library.  Registration is required, stop by the children's reference desk or call 883-3666. 4pm

Greensboro-- Festival of Lights, Downtown Greensboro.  Center City Park at 200 North Elm, 6-9pm.  Check the website for a full schedule; there's a lot going on!  And be sure to stop by the First Friday Indie Market at the corner of MLK and S. Elm.  I'll be there, of course, with soulenergy!  First Friday is from 4pm-9pm.

12/1

Greensboro-- Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration. Music ~ Latkes ~ Chanukah Crafts ~ Clown & much more!  Center City Park, 5pm.  Free!

Shopping North Carolina for $10 or Less

'Shopping North Carolina for $10 or Less' by soulenergy

From the Mountains to the Coast, and everywhere in between, North Carolina is the proud home to many talented artists and artisans!

sharonaugustyn... $5.00	DomesticBlissD... $8.00	mystuff2 $3.00
KZShots $7.50	BillSwindamanP... $10.00	McCoyToys $4.50
tlgpottery $5.00	SewUpscale $10.00	OBXPuparazzi $8.95
greenvette1991 $10.00	Odddesignsnc $12.00	HandmadeByShan... $6.00
RibbonDoodle $9.00	flyingpignc $10.00	dogWoodbyDave $9.95

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

11/24

High Point-- Crafts for children ages 3-12 at the High Point Public Library.  Registration is required, stop by the children's reference desk or call 883-3666. 3pm

11/21

Winston-Salem-- Thompson's Old Fashioned Model Train Show at Hanes Hosiery Community Center.  Model trains on display and for sale.  Kids can operate the model trains.  For those wanting to get started collecting and building a layout, there will be a seminar at 1pm.  501 Reynolds Boulevard, Winston-Salem.  10am-3pm.  Adults $4, Children ages 10-12 $2, Children under 10 Free.

Welcome to Fall, Y'all (Or Is it Winter?)

Have you noticed this very cool weather forecaster on the right side of this column?  It's actually one of my favorite widgets on this blog, because the picture changes as the weather does.  The sun rises and sets, the leaves have changed color, the sky is accurate, when it's windy the brush in the foreground sways.  Today, as you can see, it's a clear Carolina Blue Sky, the leaves have changed to their bright oranges, reds and yellows.  And there's a fire in the fireplace.  Baby, it's cold outside.

This is my windshield this morning, covered in frost.

We walk about 1/8 a  mile to the bus stop every morning.  I check the temperature before we go out the door, and this morning at 7:15 it was 38, so it's actually gotten two degrees colder.  Brrrrrrrr. 

I'm participating in a Photo Hunt Challenge, and one of the words to find is "Something Cold".  I had that in mind as I grabbed the camera.

There is a church next door to where we live, and I have taken many, many photos of it's steeple.  I love the angles in it's architecture, and the Carolina sky has provided many different backgrounds for my photos.  We are blessed with an amazing sunrise everyday.  Depending on the day, the weather, and the time I see it, the sky is saturated in either beautiful rosy pinks or bright golden yellows.  This morning the roof was frost covered, with the sun tinting the steeple a gorgeous pink.

And finally, a ground view of the frost covering the ground, the leaves outlined in a silvery frost. 

I think I've got "something cold" taken care of.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with my frost covered windshield.  Or do you think I should go with the frost covered leaf? 

It's hard to believe that it's going to be 60 later today, and this weekend we're looking at temperatures approaching 70.  It's getting closer to the holidays, and there is lots to do this weekend!  Be sure to check this blog for fun family events going on.  You'll be able to find a craft fair at almost every corner... be sure to support your local artists and artisans.  I'll be at Forest Oaks Country Club (4600 Forest Oaks Drive, Greensboro, NC) with soulenergy tomorrow from 10am-3pm for their Pre-Holiday Event.  All are welcome!

And do your best to shop local!

Enjoy the weekend!

Gift Guide- North Carolina Universities

'Gift Guide- North Carolina Universities' by soulenergy

Find the perfect gift for your high school senior, college student, alumni, or just a die hard fan! You can truly find something for everyone one Etsy! 

*More North Carolina University Items*

NC State http://tinyurl.com/24madqg

Duke University http://tinyurl.com/2dj4mp8

Wake Forest University http://tinyurl.com/236oejp

UNC-Ch (Carolina)  http://tinyurl.com/28lb8hq

Appalachian State University http://tinyurl.com/26ahold

East Carolina University http://tinyurl.com/28xxmbz

orangecatart $8.50	craftinjenn $9.99	scbeachbling $14.00	YaYasCampusKid... $25.00
thegolfingdolp... $8.99	thecuteglass $14.00	aqtpursecover $6.00	sarahbain $10.00
globalpendants $3.79	Beanhank $24.00	OBXPuparazzi $6.00	SweetAnnaCreat... $3.50
shopcorduroy $125.00	hootiebee $6.00	TheGnomeShack $25.00	ArtByCorby $60.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

11/20

Winston-Salem-- Celebrate the Children's Museum's 6th Birthday with FREE museum admission from 10am-11am.  There will also be a delicious treat and a visit from Petey & Penny.

 High Point-- Crafts for children ages 3-12 at the High Point Public Library.  Registration is required, stop by the children's reference desk or call 883-3666. 1pm

High Point-- Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration at the High Point Museum.  Costumed interpreters cook a tradition fall harvest meal in the Hoggatt House.  10-4pm.  FREE, drop-in.

Winston-Salem-- The Museum of Anthropology is presenting a workshop for children ages 5-12 at the Associated Artists Gallery in Downtown Winston-Salem.  Learn about masks from around the world and make one of your own!  $7 for children, $5 for MOA members.  301 West 4th Street, 1-4pm.

Lexington-- 3rd Annual Lighting of the Trees.  Starts at Gazebo on the Square on North Main Street, 6:30pm.  Kids activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, North Pole Express Train, carolers.  Free. 

11/16

Greensboro-- Family Music Program at Barnes & Noble in the Friendly Center at 7pm.  FREE and open to the public.  Presented by Susan Burkholder of MusicCare USA.  3102 Northline Avenue.

11/19

High Point-- Crafts for children ages 3-12 at the High Point Public Library.  Registration is required, stop by the children's reference desk or call 883-3666.  4pm

Black Friday and How You Can (And Should) Shop Locally

Well, it's two weeks until Black Friday.   You know what that means... long lines, anxiety, hurry up and wait, trying to get everything done, knowing that your deadline is looming.  Of course, you'll also have a belly full of turkey (or tofurkey), mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, apple pie, cherry pie, pumpkin pie... be thankful!

Start planning now!  The holidays do seem a long way off, but they've already got the decorations up in my town.  Make your list, check it twice, and shop local!  Here's a good list of locally owned and operated businesses in the Piedmont Triad.  It's certainly not a complete list, be sure to seek out your local shop owners.  Why should you shop local?  Read about the 3/50 Project here,  they put it into perspective. 
Thank you to Eclectic by Nature in Greensboro, NC, a wonderful locally owned shop, for bringing this project to my attention!  

Support handmade!  North Carolina is home to so many very talented artists and artisans.  Many of them have online shops at Etsy, and here's a compilation of treasuries with items made by your neighbors! You can also choose your specific town or city on Etsy here.

While I truly believe you can check everyone off of your list shopping locally, here's a short list of links that will give you a sneak peek at Black Friday 2010.  Before you check these sites, do your best  to keep your dollar here in the Piedmont Triad.  You can make a difference.  Please spread the word!

Black Friday

Black Friday @ Gotta Deal

Wise Bread: Living Large on a Small Budget

Now is also the time to shop craft fairs and holiday bazaars.  To get you started, stop by Santa's Christmas Cottage tonight and tomorrow.  There will be seventeen local artists, and proceeds will benefit colon cancer research.  Tomorrow be sure to stop by the K'ville Indie Flea, with 24 vendors this weekend and includes handmade and vintage items.

Have a great weekend!

Shop Local, Piedmont Triad !

Please take a moment to check out the very talented artisans in the right hand Etsy Love column!

11/12

Greensboro-- Santa's Craft Cottage, an annual holiday show with unique handmade gifts, will start today 9am-9pm and continue tomorrow from 9am-3pm.  Fellowship Presbyterian Church at 2005 New Garden Road. There will be 17 local artists, and admission is FREE.   Presented by the Woodbridge Craft Association, with a portion of proceeds to benefit Colon Cancer research.

11/7

Greensboro--  Artistic Motion at 312 North Eugene Street is offering a day of FREE dance classes, in honor of  National Dance Day.  All ages and levels are welcome between 1pm-4pm.  Check their website for schedule of classes.

11/6

Kernersville--  1st Annual Fall Festival Antique Car, Truck and Tractor Festival.  Century Park Baptist Church, 1051 Salisbury Street.  8am-2pm.  Bake sale, pecan sale, fun activities for the kids, door prizes, arts and crafts.  Free admission,

Greensboro-- Shop Local Festival on State Street (off North Church St) 11am-5pm

High Point-- Blacksmithing  Demonstration at the High Point Historical Park 10am-4pm.  Drop in to watch the costumed blacksmith craft iron pieces.  FREE and fun for all ages!

Greensboro--  Guilford College is celebrating  Homecoming with their Annual Street Festival & Concert.  Food, local artisans and entrepreneurs, inflatables, and more!  Music starts at 4pm at the soundstage, and the college will celebrate the 40th anniversary of it's radio station with a variety of music! 12-7pm on the New Garden Lawn, 5800 West Friendly Avenue.  FREE and open to the public.

11/5

Greensboro-- First Friday in Downtown Greensboro.  Support your locals artists!  4pm-9pm.

High Point-- Crafts for children ages 3-12 at the High Point Public Library.  Registration is required, stop by the children's reference desk or call 883-3666. 4pm

Greensboro-- Tangos and Tutus at the Greensboro Ballet.  See how Argentine Music and Dance form can influence ballet., and stay for a tango lesson!  5-7pm on the third floor of the Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St.  FREE

Greensboro-- Another event at the Greensboro Cultural Center is Colorfully Bold: Mosaic Designs, for children ages 5-16. This is presented by African American Atelier. Learn how to create bold mosaic designs using dried painted beans.  6pm, 200 N. Davie St.  FREE and open to the public.