Honoring the Past, Building a Future
Blogging, like Main Street itself, is evolving. Today’s readers aren’t sitting at desktops. They’re scrolling on their phones—between errands, appointments, and moments of quiet. I want to keep sharing what matters: preservation, restoration, and the future of Rocky Mount’s historic heart—while recognizing how most people are reading the blog these days. Starting today, you’ll notice … Continue reading Just So You Know…A Sunday Note From Stepheny
Then & Now: A Celebration of Main Street’s Revival I recently rediscovered a collection of photographs - images that capture the stillness before the revival, the patience of brick and mortar before progress took root. These photographs are mostly from 2012 of historic architecture in our area posted by Lance Taylor: PRO POstUs. In 2012, … Continue reading From Vacant to Vibrant: A Decade of Progress on Main Street
A few years back, I bookmarked an article about David Zinn, a street artist known for his delightful chalk creatures. His whimsical drawings, reminiscent of children's book illustrations, feature friendly animals interacting with their surroundings in clever ways. Using optical illusions, he creates the illusion of bottomless chasms, hidden tunnels, or playful creatures peeking out … Continue reading Drawing Attention: A Playful Vision for Street Art in Rocky Mount, NC
These photographs are from my Pinterest Boards that I have collected over time There’s something about an old doorknob that stops me in my tracks. The weight of it in my hand, the patina of age, the craftsmanship—these small details whisper of lives once lived, of voices, of hands turning the knob at the end … Continue reading The Doorknobs of Yesterday – Unlocking Our Rocky Mount, NC Future
A house, like a life, holds its story in its heart. Some stand weary but strong, their timbers whispering of laughter once shared, storms endured, and years that slipped quietly past. When we see a house on the verge of collapse, we might be tempted to look away—to believe its time has passed. But then … Continue reading Preservation and Possibility: What ‘Before and After’ Homes Teach Us #2
There’s something deeply moving about a “before and after” photograph. A small, forgotten house, weathered by time, standing in quiet dignity, waiting for hands to restore it. And then—the after—windows gleaming, a fresh coat of paint, a porch made welcoming again. These transformations inspire because they remind us of what is possible, not just in … Continue reading Stepheny’s View: Before and After—Inspiration for Rocky Mount, NC, and Our Lives
Main Street Rocky Mount 