🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. Hidden Magic at Augustino Gusto Bakery and Gelateria
2. The Weekender
3. What We’re Reading

Hidden Magic at Augustino Gusto

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with science fiction and the fantasy idea of secret portals to adventure.

The Pevensie siblings open the door to an old armoire in a stodgy English country house and travel to the land of Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Dorothy goes through something as commonplace as a big storm on the Kansas prairie and is transported to a magical world where she meets The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

John Carter enters an Arizona cave in the late 1800s and is cast on an interstellar journey to Barsoom, where he falls in love with A Princess of Mars.

The attraction was obvious to the point of cliché. I grew up on military bases, which they don’t tend to put in the most cosmopolitan of areas. The idea of accidentally stumbling into some more colorful and adventurous otherworld appealed to me.

As an adult who has now traveled to and had unlikely experiences in places I never thought I’d see, the idea appeals to me now more than ever. I still ache for that moment when the mundane yields to the fantastic out of nowhere, preferably right in the middle of my everyday life. That’s why I get a childlike glee out of stopping in at Augustino Gusto Bakery and Gelateria.

Read the full 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.

We’ve just a week to go until Halloween, which means this weekend is packed with lots of Trunk-or-Treat events, costume contests, and other equally frightful fun. Find your best costume and get out there!

FRIDAY, Oct. 24
Dog Costume Contest @ Joymongers
6-8 p.m.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the season when you get to dress up your dog without feeling shame! Gather your four-legged children, don them in the most ridiculous costume you can find, and join other pet parents at Joymongers for dog portraits, a costume contest, live music, and more. Learn more here.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe @ Van Dyke Performance Space
7-8:30 p.m.

The classic C.S. Lewis tale, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, comes to life on stage this weekend. Get your fix of independent theater with multiple showings throughout the weekend. Tickets and more info here.

SATURDAY, Oct. 25
Author Mac Barnett @ Harrison Auditorium, N.C. A&T State University
10 a.m.

Award-winning author Mac Barnett will share his passion for picture books this weekend at N.C. A&T State University in this free talk. Barnett, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, has won two Caldecott Awards for his books Extra Yarn and Sam & Dave Dig a Hole. All kids in attendance will receive a free book by Barnett. The event is free, but registration is required. Learn more here.

Girls Basketball Clinic @ Greensboro Sportsplex
10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department will host a free youth girls’ basketball clinic for girls ages 8-13. In this clinic, they’ll learn practical and fundamental basketball skills and then apply them in game-like sessions. Register here.

Adult Recess @ Ararat Manor Farms
2 p.m.

Don’t let the children have all the fun. Join other kids at heart at this event on the Ararat Manor Field. Adults will have the opportunity to play games like tug-of-war, horseshoes, corn hole, double dutch, sack races, and jump rope. There will be a live DJ and line dancing to keep the vibes right. Tickets on sale here.

Mini Monster Mash @ Natty Greene’s Brewing Co.
1-3 p.m.

Want an event where you can bring the kids but still have fun? Pop into this Halloween pop-up at Natty Greene’s. There will be live music, pumpkin painting, and a kids’ costume contest at 2 p.m.

Ghoulash! Halloween Festival @ Downtown locations
2:30-5:30 p.m.

This annual celebration featuring games, arts and crafts, bingo, bounce houses, a craft and vendor market, and live performers will happen at various locations downtown. While most events will be hosted in Center City Park and LeBauer Park, other activities will be at the Greensboro Cultural Center. Tickets and info here.

Boo-Seum Bash @ Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum
5-7 p.m.

This family-friendly event includes trick-or-treating and a way to show off your kids’ costume! Learn more here. 

SUNDAY, Oct. 26

Thrifty Fitz Market @ Steel Hands Brewing
12-5 p.m.

This free monthly vintage and thrift market is back at Steel Hands this weekend. Shoppers will find one-of-a-kind items from vendors selling unique old-school pieces from decades past. 

Howl-o-Ween @ Country Park
1-4 p.m.

If you missed the Friday event at Joymongers, or just want another opportunity to show off your pooch, head to Country Park on Sunday for a dog Halloween festival featuring treats for both dogs and humans. 

Paint Your Spooky Pet @ Bull City Ciderworks
2 p.m.

Join others at this artsy event by Cait Creative, in which you’ll get to immortalize your dog as a ghost. Ticket price includes one drink. Learn more here.

Community Trunk or Treat @ 312 W. Friendly Avenue
4-5:30 p.m.

This free downtown event allows families with kids to trick-or-treat out of decorated cars. New this year: a sensory-friendly area next door. Learn more here.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

What We’re Reading

Following Orders?:  Shannon Stevens, former Knowledge Management and Lobbying Coordinator for the Greensboro City Attorney’s Office, filed a lawsuit against the city earlier this month. She alleges she was fired for following the orders of former City Attorney Chuck Watts, who the city has said used city resources for work he did for another company. Yes! Weekly has more.

Taking Credit, Facing Charges: Greensboro Police have charged Michelle Chiara Carson, 29, with two counts of vandalism in connection with the vandalization of dozens of Greensboro City Council campaign signs. Carson appears to have posted photos on Facebook, taking credit for spray-painting “RACIST” on the signs of District 4 candidate Nicky Smith. The News & Record has more.

Partnering for Warmth: The Greensboro City Council is considering reviving its winter shelter program, involving local churches in the effort, reports WFDD.

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.