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Like mothers, Mother’s Day comes in many shapes and forms. There’s the crummy “Breakfast in Bed” routine. The familiar “send-the-girls-to-the-mall” last resort plan” One time the whole family went to K-Mart, buying me a lawn chair, a beach hat and some pink shorts. Then they sat me down in the middle of the living room for a jazzy photo session. I remember standing in a line , a very long line, at K & W, where, awed by the blue Jello and whipped cream pies, the children racked up a total bill which surpassed the cost an Undercurrent meal. One of my personal favorite was a graduation weekend in Chapel Hill, attending a party at James Taylor’s former home. Who knows what will happen on the next mid-May holiday?

Mother’s Day 2008. A pleasant weekend at the lake, the requisite pork roast on the grill, corn on the cob and presents from all. The happy day took a slight downturn on that cool Sunday afternoon as our Toyota Previa, fresh from a physical at the dealer’s, decided to stop.

Pulling off the road near Holly Bluff campground near Asheboro, we thanked our stars that we were bona fide AAA members. We made the call. An hour or so later, here came the tow truck. Since our membership was “basic,” it was determined we had to pay the driver $111 for a 30-mile Sunday lift.

But, first, we had to call the driver’s brother to pick up the driver’s son. And then there was the part where we had to hoist the heavy van atop the tow truck. Finally, all was ready. “You sit by the driver,” I said in maternal tones to my mate.” And he did. I got in by the window, and reached for my seat belt.

“That thing hasn’t worked since I bought the truck,” said the now financially-secure driver in a friendly tone. “Oh,” I murmured. I had a choice: Walk to the nearest point of civilization (Holly Bluff Camp Grounds), wait by the road or take a chance and ride unprotected in the truck. A chance seemed like the best choice.

I’m going to die in an overheated tow truck on Mother’s Day, I told myself. However, we all arrived, unscathed, back in Greensboro, unloaded the garbage bags (full of diapers and soda cans) from the van, and began part 2 of the mother’s day weekend– another lengthy cookout.

Surviving and succeeding at motherhood means that one has to be flexible, non-judgemental and forgiving, some of the very traits that car owners must exhibit, too. Good-bye to my pretty Previa with the impotent engine. We used to call you the Tylenol car for your sleek, pill-shaped body. You’ll soon be an organ donor, giving away your parts.

And life goes on, sans second car for a while. The new car must meet certain standards, like having good seatbelts. My next automobile adventure awaits.

I hope your Mother’s Day was eventful, too.

The life-sized pig “Phil” the Philanthropy Pig, was set loose by the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. The Foundation, celebrating 25 years of service, wants to spread the word that philanthropy is something everyone can take part in.

“Phil the Pig communicates the idea that anyone who understands what a piggy bank is for knows how philanthropy works,” says Community Foundation President, Walker Sanders. Phil the Super Pig will appear at dozens of venues and events around town to encourage everyone to participate in community philanthropy.

Phil is helping roll out two initiatives to invite people to start their own charitable efforts to make a difference in Greensboro. The Piggy Bank Challenge encourages individuals and families to save and give funds to a community cause. In October, the Community Foundation will select themost compelling examples of personal philanthropy and award grants of $250 to the charities of the winners’ choice.

The second project is the Creative Philanthropy Contest. Up to 25 groups of ten people will receive a $100 seed grant with which to create and execute a project to generate as much money as possible for a cause of their choice. Participating teams will help determine the community interest areas to be funded. The contest is open to teams representing civic
organizations and other such groups.

Sanders says, “The purpose behind these activities is to encourage the entire city to get involved in what the Community
Foundation is all about—coming together to identify needs in our city, and using our collective energy and financial resources to do something about those needs. For more information about Phil the Super Pig and 25th Anniversary activities, visit www.25thevent.org.

Since 1983, the Foundation has facilitated more than $250 million in charitable giving, and manages assets of $120 million. The Foundation assists individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations in carrying out their charitable objectives and in addressing emerging community issues.

Yes, the name is interesting, for those inquiring minds here’s a little history behind the name of our priceless publication.

This intersection near the railroad tracks received its name because there were once hamburger and hot dog eating places in buildings at all four corners. According to many local citizens, these eateries were never segregated. During World War I, soldiers waited in this area for the troop trains. Cars drove freely around a traffic circle with no marked lanes. The circle remained intact until at least 1966. Plans are currently on the drawing boards to reinstate a similar traffic roundabout circling an expanded park. A marker commemorates events at the end of the Civil War: “The president of the Confederacy held two meetings of his cabinet, April 12-13, 1865, at the home of J. T. Wood, which was a few yds. N.” The Confederate leaders, including President

Jefferson Davis, had fled from Richmond, which was occupied by Union troops. Jefferson Davis was offered the opportunity to stay at the Blandwood Mansion but refused, fearing that Union troops might punish the Morehead family for its hospitality to the Confederate president. He chose to sleep in his leaking railroad car. His soldiers camped nearby, despite “streets swimming in mud.” It was in a boxcar, parked on a siding near the marker, that Davis, his cabinet, and some Southern generals decided to request a cease-fire and a meeting to arrange peace terms. This meeting was held near Durham, N.C., at the home of a Mr. Bennett. Many Civil War buffs are convinced that the fleeing Confederates buried a large amount of gold beneath the railroad tracks leading to Greensboro. In May 1865, some Union soldiers dug up $80,000 to $100,000 worth of gold between Greensboro and Hillsborough. Legend has it that thousands more remain hidden.

The Hamburger Square Post website is obviously under construction. We’d love to hear any feedback on things you’d like to see implemented. Please post a comment and share your thoughts!