27 Views of Greensboro Writes the Heart, Soul and History of the Gate City

Eno Publishers, located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, has been publishing a series of books called 27 Views of ...different cities in North Carolina, such as Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, and of course, Hillsborough. Their latest offering, 27 Views of Greensboro, has landed on my desk.

Although it sounds as though it might be a book of photographs, the views herein are viewpoints, specifically, as clarified by the subtitle: The Gate City in Prose and Poetry. This book features reminiscences, reviews, and even fiction, all about Greensboro, North Carolina, from Revolutionary war history through the Civil Rights Era to the cultural boom and factory bust. Even for a long-time resident like me (I feel like 25 years is a long time, anyway, for a transplant from Philadelphia), I unearthed a heretofore-unknown-to-me wealth of information and secrets of the city.

Writers like Marianne Gingher (who wrote the book's introduction) and Michael Parker divulge historical facts with a conspiratorial, insider spin, but just as enlightening are the viewpoints of people who come from a different place or situation, such as Allen Johnson, who writes of the experience of being black in the South and facing discrimination, and Dr. Diya Abdo, a Jordanian national who now calls Greensboro her second home.

There is so much to learn and enjoy in this book, from the whimsical cover illustration by Daniel Wallace through the book's last entry, a "prose poem" by Veronica Grossi that, although taking a dim view of many aspects of the city (you have never heard such a beautiful lyrical complaint about Duke Power's penchant for wanton deforestation), eventually ends up heartened by the healing, abundant plant life that puts the green in Greensboro. It's something my Ethiopian friend has always loved about this city, but there's so much more to this town than just greenery. Read and discover for yourself!

27 Views of Greensboro: The Gate City in Prose and Poetry is available from Eno Publishers:
 http://www.enopublishers.org/Site/Buy_now.html


You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

For other book reviews, recommended reading lists, movie reviews, general info and handy tips, check out my other blog, A Big Ol' Bucket of Useful, at https://bucketofuseful.blogspot.com/

Image is book cover, used with permission

Full of Charm and Warmth, Scuppernong Books on Elm Street Builds a Sense of Community

Scuppernong Books is located at 304 South Elm Street (just south of the intersection with Washington Street). Open 10am - 9pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 10am – 10pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and 12pm – 6pm Sunday.

The ambience at Scuppernong is wonderfully inviting. I stepped out of a cold, dreary morning into a warm, convivial atmosphere, appointed with attractive displays, festive décor, upbeat music, and smiling faces. Those would be the faces of store owners Brian Lampkin and Kira Larson, as well as some happy customers who were enjoying noshing at Scuppernong's food and wine bar and chatting on the comfy couches at the rear of the store. Everywhere you look, there is something interesting going on, from the decoupaged cafe tables to the striking original art on the walls (a new artist's work is featured each month, and yes, it's for sale).

Scuppernong Books opened in its current location on Elm Street in Greensboro on December 21^st, 2013. It is that very rare creature these days, an independent book store, but it is much more than that: An “eclectic literary bookstore”, as Brian puts it, Scuppernong is a seller of new books, from national best-sellers to books by local authors; a purveyor of fine comestibles, from organic coffee and tea and wine by the glass to hearty homemade sandwiches and sides (Brian gave me a menu, and I'm drooling over items such as the Smoked Gouda and Apple Sandwich and the Tomato Basil Salad); and a good place to find periodicals, reading glasses and other accessories, cards and notebooks. Everything a dedicated bibliophile might want, basically.

A best-selling item at Scuppernong Books is children's books. You might think a bookstore with a wine bar would cater to literary snobs who sip and read in a rarefied atmosphere, but think again; Scuppernong welcomes all, and is known for being kid-friendly, with story time every Tuesday morning, as well as other events that will appeal to children. The popularity of the kids' section is a given, but Brian suggests you also take time to check out the extensive poetry section, built with dedication and discernment by Kira. Scuppernong also hosts poetry events, as well. You may discover a new literary treasure!

Something people might be surprised to learn about Scuppernong Books is how “big city” this shop feels—not in that oh-so-happening urban-sophisticate way, but in the way that most large cities, like New York, Chicago, and Charleston, have some eclectic shops that are far more than just shops and more like social centers, with something going on all the time. Scuppernong captures that kind of cool-slash-boho vibe: trendy but not pretentious, smart but not snooty. Brian says that he has heard many new customers remark about how surprised they are that a place like this exists in Greensboro.

 Every month is packed full of events, from book signings and presentations to musical evenings, book club meetings, and Wit & Spark Trivia Night. Notable upcoming events include the Festival of Lights on December 5th, featuring “A Percussive Christmas” with marimba player Nathan Daughtrey and Friends, an afternoon with Marietta McCarthy, author of The Philosopher's Table, at 2 pm on December 7^th, and on December 22^nd at 6:30 pm, Scuppernong hosts Music Monday, featuring the Jazz Nomads.

Scuppernong offers memberships that entitle members to:

10% off new books;
20% off Scuppernong best-selling hardback books;
10% off coffee drinks;
periodic members-only specials; and
“an annual members-only party with tuba accompaniment”.

Sounds intriguing! If you are fond of tuba music or just like saving money on books and coffee, these memberships are available for $20 annually, or $100 for a lifetime membership.

If you haven't yet visited Scuppernong Books, be prepared to be delighted. Just a glance at the store's Facebook page speaks volumes about the great relationship they have built with their dedicated customers (one might easily call them “fans”), and Brian can't say enough about his enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, who truly enjoy what they do. Scuppernong is busily gearing up for the holidays, so stop in and discover this local gem. You'll be glad you did!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!


All photos (c) Ali McCartney