Civility ~ An Op-Ed by Stephanie Barclay

I've become acutely aware lately, due to my likes of several radically different pages on my favorite social networking website, that people of different groups are drawing in on themselves, increasingly ignorant of and uncaring about the humanity of people who belong to groups other than theirs. That seriously disturbs me. We are all put here on this planet to make it a better place, and in my opinion part of that is how we treat our fellow human beings, even if they look, worship, or live differently than us, no matter how much or how little they earn, no matter what station of life they're in. In short, I feel like civility and respect has flown out the proverbial window. People seem to be concentrating so hard on how different others are that the things we all have in common are ignored.

So let me break it down to you. No matter what the color, creed, culture, religion, gender orientation, political affiliation or national heritage, every single one of us human beings desires to be loved, to have a roof over our heads, to have enough to eat, to be recognized as a human being of worth. We're all helpless as babies and none of us have control over where or how we're born. The differences we see in other human beings, even if they seem major, are but a trifle compared to those things we have in common. 

I hope this strikes a chord, that on your day's journey today you recognize the human being in someone different than you and you treat them with civility and respect. It's good for your health to let go of and negative associations, which in turn is good for your soul. Best of all, it's free. And we all like free things to do, don't we?

Piedmont Triad Living Welcomes Stephanie Barclay

Stephanie sings backup for Big Daddy Love at their October 4, 2014 CD Release Party at Ziggy's
Photo Credit: Jenny L Viars, Dancing Lemur Photography

Piedmont Triad Living is very excited to have Stephanie Barclay as a new contributor!  Stephanie is an amazing artist/singer/writer and we're thrilled that she is joining us.  She has a witty, insightful and raw style that will bring a great perspective in observation of our area and it's events.

Born in Upstate New York, Stephanie Barclay has lived in the Piedmont Triad since 1979.  Now in her 40s, Steph enjoys downtown art events and the occassional karaoke.  From early childhood, she has always been most in her element when involved in one creative process or another.  

Stephanie's loyal transportation for many years.  Below is a detail of the side artwork.

Side Artwork, in detail, by Stephanie Barclay

Some know Steph's old truck from the side, many more know it from the rear.  

Stephanie has lived and worked in the Downtown Winston-Salem area for most of her adult life.  She currently has artwork displayed at West End Coffeehouse, 390 N Broad Street in Winston-Salem.   She will also soon be on display at the Clubhouse Salon for Men at 505 N Cherry Street in downtown Winston-Salem.


"Leftover Pizza" Hand Done by Stephanie Barclay

Stephanie's writing style will captivate you as she explores and enjoys what makes the Piedmont Triad home.  Living laughing loving playing and shopping local. 

Welcome, Stephanie!

Northside Lanes and Parkland Park

What a great day!  We began our day at Northside Lanes.  Northside has been been around forever.  My parents bowled the Sunday league for a few years when I was a kid (25-30 years ago) and the lanes itself haven't changed that much.  The grill is good; we ordered lunch and got our lanes.  Our food was delivered right to us while we bowled.  We took a break and enjoyed our burgers, fries and onion rings.  I definitely recommend the onion rings; they have the perfect fried crunch.

After bowling, we decided to go to Parkland Park. The sun was shining and as usual in the Piedmont Triad, the weather was perfect.   When we arrived there were about 10 kids playing on the playground equipment and a pick up football game getting started.  Two brothers arrived with their soccer ball while their mom walked the track, same as me.  There are swings and climbing playground equipment.  

Parkland Park is located at 1660 Brewer Road in Winston-Salem, NC.  There are also tennis courts.  There are restrooms, which were closed.  (Park restrooms typically "close for season" during fall the fall/winter months.)  There was a porta-potty.


 

This little guy saw me taking pictures, stood still, looked right at me and said, "Cheese!"  How could I not take his picture?  His name is Brysan and he's 2.  What a sweet little face!  











Most of the kids at the park on this day were around the ages of 2-10.  School was out today so there may have been more people than  usual on a weekday in the fall.   The playground equipment is mostly climbing related and small children should be supervised closely.  There are swings, including two for the little ones. 












Brysan climbs up the ladder while his sister and friends look on. 




Parkland Park is conveniently located off Peters Creek Parkway, around the corner from Parkland High School and Parkland Pool.     

Click here to see location of Parkland Park on google maps.

Top 9 Facebook Posts of the Week for the Triad

I love Old Salem Museums & Gardens. When is the last time you visited?

Another picture-perfect morning at Old Salem

Photo above and below from Old Salem Museums & Gardens


Old Salem, including the Heritage Bridge, has been decorated with lighted Moravian stars and pine garlands.  
So pretty!  It's the perfect time of year to visit!

This is exactly what PIedmont Triad Living stands for. 
Live Laugh Love Play Shop Local.
 #supportlocalbusinesses

Fleet Feet is moving and expanding!

"We are on the move! Excited to announce that we will be moving to the new HanesTowne Village on Stratford Rd. in March 2015! 7200 square feet, a community room dedicated to training programs, educational clinics, and community fitness building, and state-of-the-art retail design! And best part.....direct access to the BEST LOCAL RUNNING ROUTES, right from the store!"

Fleet Feet Sports, Winston-Salem

The Triad's only hot glassblowing studio with public viewing daily. Check out The Olio, they just celebrated their grand opening this weekend!

The Olio

Loving these cute little gingerbread men by Angela Cable! Be sure to check out the KACG holiday store, filled with handmade items by local artists.

We played a little game.  

Who can tell me where this spot is? 
Next question ~~ what stood on this spot in 1923? 
Give you a hint ~~ 
if you follow#piedmonttriadliving on instagram you may already know the answer (to the first question, not to the second)!

 ˙lood ƃuıɯɯıʍs ɹoopʇno ǝɥʇ pǝʞoolɹǝʌo ǝɔuo ʇɐɥʇ oıʇɐd ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ 'suǝpɹɐƃ ɐplouʎǝɹ ʇɐ uǝʞɐʇ sɐʍ oʇoɥd sıɥʇ

COMING SOON to Greensboro Science Center. 

SKYWILD - Survival of the Physically Fittest - Opening April 15, 2015.

Greensboro Science Center

Winston-Salem is getting its first art-themed public park!  

See the Winston-Salem Journal's Article Here

Reynolda House in Autumn

This Sunday afternoon in the Carolina's was about as pretty as it gets.  A sunny day with temps in the lower sixties, perfect and comfortable and begging for a day in the outdoors.

To Reynolda Village we went, a place we love to explore.  With the changing, falling leaves it was a beautiful place to be.

The boathouse at Lake Katharine.

Leading up to the patio.
The next photo, below, was captured from the patio itself.

We've been at this spot several times before.  It's a good stopping point for the girls with a small waterfall and a couple of benches.  While we were there, we found out that there was previously a pool in this spot;  we were incorrectly told by a passerby that a diving board used to be where I was standing on the patio. As you'll see in the photo, it was actually a slide!!

My photo, above, was taken from the spot where the slide attached at the patio.  If you look closely, you can see the holes the top of the pool edge where the ladder handle was attached.  You can see that ladder handle just behind Smith Reynolds.

Isn't this awesome!  This photo is from the estate archives and labeled 1923. Outdoor swimming pool with sliding board, patio with awning, and Lake Katharine in the background. Smith Reynolds stands at side of pool with Mary and Nancy Reynolds in the water.

By the way, if you're out exploring these woods yourself, you don't want to take the path that you see leading away.  You'll walk a long way only to realize you have to turn back around.  If you want to loop around, you'll follow the path that continues behind the patio.

Want to see more of Reynolda Gardens?  Check out these photos!

Abebi Stafford and the 90.5 WSNC-FM Fall Fund Drive

Photo Courtesy of Eric Xavier, Founder of Wayne County Jazz Showcase

Piedmont Triad Living is happy to welcome local composer and jazz pianist Abebi Stafford to our staff!  Abebi will bring a different perspective to the local music scene.

Having a broad range of experiences,  Abebi Stafford has played with Russell Malone, accompanied vocalist Deborah Brown, given Kenny Garrett a piano lesson and has been solicited by Andre 3000 from Atlanta based outkast for his musical expertise. Born in Minnesota, Abebi relocated to Winston-Salem two years ago.  Abebi has headlined in two major jazz festivals (Atlanta Jazz Festival and the Minneapolis Jazz Festival 2002).  After he and his group "Bayorhythm" won the "Future of Jazz Competition" in 2004, Abebi went on to perform internationally in cities such as Berlin, Munich, Nuremburg, Frankfurt, Paris and Prague and toured the Southeast United States as a performer.  Abebi has produced three albums compiled of mostly original works.  He is currently working as a solo artist and featured artist at such local venues as Crown and Cork, Tate's, Krankie's WS Shuffle, Arts on Sunday, Kernersville's Spring Folly and the Wayne County Jazz Showcase.  Abebi is working on his fourth album.

Abebi says, "On Tuesday October 28th, I was interviewed by 90.5 WSNC radio for their biannual fund drive. The station is locally driven and is located on the campus of Winston Salem State University. The day I was interviewed was a sunny and clear day just shy of eighty degrees; it would have been an ideal day for golf! I parked and walked to the studio and was greeted by the friendly staff members of the station. We started the interview discussing my musical and educational background. There were also pitches for the fund drive mixed into the show, spearheaded by out of town guest, Alice Ferris, as well as music from my most recent album, “Are Changing” which came out earlier this year.

The show host Jim Steele played the whole album over the hour and a half that I was on the show. We also discussed the local jazz music scene and WSNC’s commitment to promote and play local artist on its station. I had a gig that evening as a special guest of Matt Kendrick in downtown Winston Salem at Tate’s, a venue that features a jazz band on Tuesdays."

The format of 90.5 WSNC-FM is jazz, including blue, R&B, gospel, and world music, plus NPR news and public affairs programming.  Piedmont Triad Living is a proud donator to the WSNC Fall Fund Drive 2014.  While the on air portion of the fund drive has finished you can always make your own donation to this genuine jazz station here.  

You can hear Abebi play live this Sunday, November 9 at Crown and Cork in Reynolda Village (by the silo) from 2-5pm.

You can purchase any of Abebi's albums on cdbaby.  

2015 Winter Jam In Greensboro on Valentine's Day

2015 Winter Jam

Christian Music's Largest Annual Tour

$10 At the Door

No Tickets Required