Following the Fourth of July: Elton Daniels

The Fourth of July reminds us that a nation is not held together by politics alone. It is held together by a willingness to begin again, to work together, and to believe that tomorrow can be better than yesterday. Rocky Mount has been through a difficult season. Citizens are frustrated. Questions remain unanswered. Confidence has … Continue reading Following the Fourth of July: Elton Daniels →

Happy Fourth of July – Celebrating 250 Years

Celebrating with a memory of another July 4th long ago that I have rewritten for today. The Taste of a Summer Plum I stood at the sink this morning, eating a plum, its sweet juice running down my chin. And then, like in a movie where the scene shifts, I was ten years old again, … Continue reading Happy Fourth of July – Celebrating 250 Years →

The People Who Decide if a Building is Savable – #2

Seeing Possibility Where Others See Decay In Part One, we looked at how professionals examine an old building, foundation, walls, beams, rooflines, and materials, to determine whether life still remains in the structure. But knowing a building can be saved is only the beginning. The next question is who helps make that happen.  This is where professionals … Continue reading The People Who Decide if a Building is Savable – #2 →

The People Who Decide If a Building is Savable – #1

Can This Building Be Saved? Every historic building faces a moment when its future hangs in the balance. Before restoration begins, before new life can go forward for an old storefront, someone must answer a simple question. Can this building be saved?  That question led me into a fascinating world of engineers, architects, and restoration … Continue reading The People Who Decide If a Building is Savable – #1 →