🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. A Return to a Simpler Time at Yum Yum
2. The Weekender
3. Around The State

Yum Yum is Forever

My grandmother Alice owned a bar in Greenport, New York, for decades when it was still a small Long Island fishing village. Not a fancy place. You got a lot of sailors, fishermen, beat cops, and mailmen. She kept a wooden bat and a snub-nose revolver behind the bar, which for years had a carved wood sign above it reading: “In God We Trust. All Others, Pay Cash.”

There was food at Alice’s place. Burgers. Fish and chips. A Reuben. I’m sure the 80/20 ground beef and two thick slices of melted American cheese were objectively delicious. But more than anything, of course, it’s the love I had for Alice and that little place, the nostalgia welling up inside me over the last three decades, that makes that perfect burger a dragon I’m still chasing.

I was thinking about that recently as I sat outside Yum Yum Better Ice Cream on Spring Garden Street, enjoying a thoroughly unremarkable hot dog and feeling the last of summer slip away. 

Like that little bar in Greenport, Yum Yum is a solid, simple place for solid, simple things. It’s changed so little because so little needs changing.

Read the entire story here. 

— Joe Killian

Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

There’s a crispness in the air, and the leaves are changing. We’re officially into fall, y’all! This weekend, we’ve got lots on the calendar, including some Oktoberfest fun, a comic book convention, two art festivals, and ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Vamos!

FRIDAY, Oct. 3

Line Dancing Class at the Farm @ 1248 Burnetts Chapel Road
5 p.m.

You know when the wedding DJ starts playing a song and everybody on the dance floor starts moving in sync? Want to learn the steps so you’re ready at the next party? Head out to this free line dancing class! Learn more here.

First Friday: Raíces y Ritmos @ 200 N. Davie Street
6-9 p.m.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by attending this free First Friday event downtown. In partnership with Casa Azul, Creative Greensboro will host live music, dance, and family-friendly art activities. Casa Azul’s art exhibit, “Our Heroes: Celebrating and Honoring the Ones Who Made Us,” will also be available to view in the African American Atelier.

SATURDAY, Oct. 4

Big Lick Comic Con @ Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center
Saturday and Sunday

This ultimate celebration of comic, toy, gaming, and pop culture is coming to Greensboro this weekend! The event will feature more than 300 exhibitors, a gaming area, meet and greets with tons of comic book artists, a cosplay competition, and stars like Lou Ferrigno, the original Hulk, and popular professional wrestlers. Tickets on sale here.

Recycle Rodeo @ Guilford Elementary School
9 a.m.-1 p.m.

You know that old laptop that’s been collecting dust in your office? How about that stack of Styrofoam or those sensitive documents you’ve been meaning to get shredded? Bring them all to this free recycle rodeo this weekend, where they’ll be disposed of safely. Learn more here.

Fatherhood in Root and Word: A Writing Workshop with Dr. Zelda Lockhart @ McGirt-Horton Branch Library
10 a.m.-12 p.m.

This free workshop led by author and expressive arts therapist Dr. Zelda Lockhart will center on healing generational wounds of our fathers by weaving their stories into your own. The event will also include genealogical research and personal writing. Registration is preferred. For more information, send an email to Beth.Sheffield@greensboro-nc.gov or call 336-373-3617. Learn more here.

Barkantile Block Party @ 310 E. Sycamore Street
10 a.m.-4 p.m.

A block party for the dogs? Count me in. Join others for a day packed with vendors, live music, free birthday dog cookies, free pup cups and treats, collapsible bowls, and doggie beer. Learn more here.

Art & Sole: Westerwood Art Walk and Studio Tour @ Westerwood Neighborhood
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This free art tour in the Westerwood neighborhood invites community members into the homes of local artists. Visitors will get to see all kinds of art, including woodworking, pottery, sculpture, fiber, jewelry, photography, and more. Artwork can be bought directly from the artists. Learn more here.

Oktoberfests Downtown @ SouthEnd Brewing and Hamburger Square
12 p.m.-2 a.m.

There will be two different Oktoberfests going on this weekend for beer lovers. The first is at SouthEnd Brewing, which starts at noon and goes until 10 p.m. That one will feature live music, vendors, and a stein-holding event. The second one will take place in Hamburger Square, a little up the street downtown. This one kicks off at 3 p.m. and runs until 2 a.m. It will also feature music, food, a stein-holding contest, and of course, lots of beer.

Fall Family Fun Day @ 414 N. Church Street
2-4 p.m.

This free family fun day hosted by Christ Church Greensboro will include fall crafts, games, and snacks. Register here.

Beethoven’s Fifth @ Tanger Center
7:30 p.m.

There’s nothing quite like hearing the first four notes of what is arguably Beethoven’s most famous piece of music. But have you ever heard it played live? There are still plenty of tickets left for classical music enthusiasts. More info here.

SUNDAY, Oct. 5

A Holistic Health Fair by GHC @ Peartree Wellness
12-5 p.m.

This holistic health fair is grounded in science and rooted in self-care, according to organizers. There will be experiences including massage, energy healing, and sound therapy, as well as an artisan market, interactive demos, and local food vendors. Learn more here.

Art in the Arboretum @ Greensboro Arboretum
1-5 p.m.

This annual free art and fine craft fair is back! Dozens of artisans will be featured throughout the Greensboro Arboretum on Sunday, as well as live music, interactive activities, food and beverage vendors, and more. Learn more here.

Hispanic Heritage Film Series: Encanto Sing-Along! @ The Carolina Theatre
3:30 p.m.

Gather your kids, warm up your vocal chords, and head to the Carolina Theatre this Sunday for a special showing of Encanto to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. Doors open at 2:45 p.m. and the film starts at 3:30 p.m. Learn more here.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

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Joe Killian is The Assembly's Greensboro editor. He joined us from NC Newsline, where he was senior investigative reporter. He spent a decade at The News & Record covering cops and courts, higher education, and government.

Sayaka Matsuoka is a Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She was formerly the managing editor for Triad City Beat, an alt-weekly based in Greensboro. She has reported for INDY Week, The Bitter Southerner, and Nerdist, and is the editorial/diversity chair for AAN Publishers.