The Castle ~ 519 Summit Ave

For several weeks I drove past this house at 519 Summit Avenue,  thinking "Wow, that house looks like it can tell a few stories!".  I thought it was strangely beautiful, but yet even slightly creepy.  I noticed the large FOR SALE sign out front and thought it was worth investigating.  


The house (AKA "The Castle") is located in the Aycock Historic District, just a few blocks from Downtown Greensboro, and was built in 1906.  It was the home of William B. Vaught, who worked at Cone Export and Commission Co.  The house was eventually converted to several apartments.  In 2008, the house was the site of a brutal murder where a man was burned to death and a woman was severely burned.  To my knowledge, this crime remains unsolved.

Dunleith Community Garden

My son, Adam, participated in the JR SLICC program this summer and one of the places that he volunteered at was Dunleith Community Garden.  This place is amazingly beautiful.  More people need to know about it and get involved.  Ways that you can help are found at their website:

Dunleith Community Garden is located in the Aycock historic district which is just northeast of downtown Greensboro. 

The address is approximately 681 Chestnut St., Greensboro, NC 27405

Urban Harvest is an organization based out of Greensboro, NC -it is a network of farmers, artists, landowners, restaurants, retailers, and other community members working towards the future of sustainable urban development and who share a love of quality, affordable, local food.

Their goals include helping individuals and groups to become more self-sufficient, providing garden space and food to under-served members of the community, and providing the necessary tools to help develop the city into a vibrant, self-sustaining community.

Revolution Cotton Mill

Revolution Cotton Mill, constructed in 1899, for the Cones and the Sternbergers, is located just off Yanceyville Street.  It was the first cotton flannel mill in the South and grew to be the world's largest flannel production facility by the 1930's. It was sold to Revolution Associates for redevelopment as condominiums, after Cone Mills closed the plant in 1982, but it was determined to not be suitable as condominiums and is now owned by Revolution Studios, LLC.  Present tenants include the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, a cabinet shop and showroom, a coffee roasting company; various small businesses; and most recently, a medical laboratory and medical offices. 


An important feature of the Cone operations until the late 1940s was the mill village.  The village included a total of 1600 houses, of which 400 were reserved for black workers.  In 1915, families rented 3, 4, or 6 room houses by the month, for a dollar a room and the rent included water and electricity.  In 1923, all the Cone mill villages (a total of 4)  became part of Greensboro when the city expanded its limits.  In 1959, the last remaining houses were sold to employees of the mills.

Natural Science Center of Greensboro

Located at:
4301 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC 27455
Telephone: (336) 288-3769 Fax: (336) 288-2531

Recently, I took my 13 year old to the Natural Science Center of Greensboro and we thought the place was great and not expensive at all! So much for all ages to enjoy. We were pleasantly surprised with how large the outdoor animal exhibit actually was, too ~ we saw tigers, gibbons, wallabies, lemurs and so much more. 


 We can't wait to see what it looks like after their expansion!


The expansion will include:

Carolina SciQuarium

* 250,000 Gallon Aquarium
* Over 75 Species of Animals
* Stingray Touch Tank
*WeatherSphere
*Total Immersion Experience
*Art Gallery, Classrooms &  more

Museum Renovation
* Prehistoric Passages - Dinosaur Gallery Renovation
* HealthQuest - Human Health and Biology Wing
* OmniSphere - Upgrade to First Super Media Globe in US
* Family restaurant,New bathrooms, New parking and more!

Animal Discovery Expansion
* Red Pandas
* Penguins
* Naturally Fit Adventure Forest* SkyLife - Aviary and Flight Exhibit

City of Greensboro residents are admitted free-of-charge during the following times:

January - April
1st Wednesday of the Month
1:00 p.m. - 5 p.m.

September - December
1st Wednesday of the Month
1:00 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Second Sunday of
March and December
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Kick Off to Kindergarten

 Greensboro Children’s Museum presents Kick Off to Kindergarten on Saturday, August 14th from 3-5pm. Kickoff to Kindergarten is a free event offered by the Greensboro Children's Museum to help prepare children and their families for kindergarten. The Museum has partnered with Guilford County Schools to have Kindergarten teachers and school leaders available to answer last minute questions for the students and parents and to provide helpful information. Children will get to have fun exploring the museum's exhibits, practice boarding a real school bus, sample tasty options for healthy snacks & lunches and take home goody bags filled with school supplies.

Piedmont Triad Farmer's Market

Located just off Interstate 40, Exit #208 at Sandy Ridge Road.

This farmer's market provides space for local growers to set up shop under a 
21,120 sq. ft. retail shelter where anyone can purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and plants directly from the farmer who grew them. 

Admission is FREE

Bruster's Ice Cream Eating Contest

In addition to our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, we are also having an Ice Cream Eating Contest on Saturday, July 24th! The contest itself will begin at 2pm. Alll proceeds from the event will benefit the Greensbory Pregnancy Care Center! We have 3 different age groups to participate in: 5-10yrs, 11-16yrs, and 17yrs and up. Each age group has 15 slots available. If you would like to sign up, please visit our Greensboro S tore to do so, and sign a consent form. The winner from each age group will receive a trophy and a certificate to redeem for a FREE 8" round cake, made however they would like it! There is a $2.00 fee to participate which will be donated to the Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center. The rest of the day, there will be other acitivities for everyone, give-aways, and coupons! Please be sure to stop by, and tell everyone you know!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112374908811504&ref=ts

Carolina Kids Club

Location: 310 S. Greene Street

Carolina Kids Club takes place in the historic Carolina Theatre, every Wednesday morning at 9:30a, through August 11, 2010. Eric Chilton, Chief Meterologist from WFMY News 2, emcees the event and representatives from The Natural Science Center of Greensboro bring animals to share with the kids in attendance. At today's event, they brought a screech owl, a turtle, a tortoise, a blue tongued skink, an opossum and a boa constrictor.

While waiting for the doors to open, the kids are entertained with "Magic by Noah", Greensboro's only 13 year old magician. The concession stand is also open for popcorn and other refreshments.

I attended this event without my children, who were busy doing their own things, and I found it to be incredibly entertaining AND I actually learned a few things too. All the children (approximate age range 2 - 12) in the audience seemed to really enjoy the animals, the trivia and the freebies handed out by The Natural Science of Greensboro.

I'm looking forward to attending another event at The Carolina Theatre and to explore The Natural Science Center of Greensboro.

Opening Day Set For Tanger Outlets In Mebane | digtriad.com | Triad, NC | Local

Opening Day Set For Tanger Outlets In Mebane | digtriad.com | Triad, NC | Local

I'm originally from Long Island, where they have a HUGE Tanger Outlets.

I've been missing a good shopping trip! One that you can only get from outlet shopping.........

Can't wait!!! And just in time for Christmas!!! :)

Shell Shaped Gas Station

Location: East Sprague St and Peachtree St in Winston-Salem, NC

Mellow Mushroom

Location: 609 South Elm Street, Greensboro

Several times since moving to Greensboro, I passed the Mellow Mushroom restaurant in several different locations. I was intrigued by the name and couldn't wait to try it. Problem is, we are originally from NY and this restaurant's specialty is: PIZZA, so, I couldn't quite convince my family to let their guard down to try this place. While looking for something to do on a recent "date night" with my husband, we decided to give it a shot..........

All I can say is that we are so happy we did! The place was happening, with music playing (not TOO loud), the service was amazing, the drinks were spectacular and the food was delicious!

Its a funky kind of place, is child friendly and the menu had alot of interesting combinations.

My husband and I ordered an appetizer, a medium pizza and 3 mixed drinks, the total cost of our bill was less than $50.

Try it, you won't be sorry!

New to area.....

My family relocated to NC from FL in March 2010. We are a family that likes to be busy and explore the area where we live. This blog will focus on the things we do in and around Greensboro, NC as we learn and discover our surroundings. Enjoy!