Honoring the Past, Building a Future
A Stepheny story: The first time I saw Main Street, silent and empty, the idea of this blog was born. I prayed about what I had seen and was there anything I could do about it. The answer I heard, "You're a writer, write!" Here I go again. A Season of suffering: Do you recognize … Continue reading Rocky Mount, NC – Stepheny’s Reflection on Finding Safe Haven
There’s something grounding about touching a brick wall. Maybe it’s the cool roughness under my fingertips, or the quiet weight of time pressed into each mortar line. These walls, with their weathered hues and enduring strength, are more than just structures—they are storytellers. As I’ve walked Main Street, hand to brick, I’ve felt the whispers … Continue reading Stepheny’s Hand On The Brick Walls of Main Street
Realtors, this message is for you. You hold the keys—not just to homes, but to the future of our neighborhoods. Today, I ask you to take a step that could transform Rocky Mount in ways you might not have considered. We all understand the financial realities of your profession. Selling high-end homes to top clients … Continue reading Attention, Realtors of Rocky Mount: It’s Time to Lead the Way #5
If you have been reading the blog, you know I am interested in the stories that are attached to all of the historic commercial architecture on Main Street - also a metaphor for the area surrounding downtown. Perhaps you can't personify the architecture as I do. I write that "a building speaks to me..." As … Continue reading Revitalizing Our Past, Enriching Our Future: The Economic Power of Preservation #4
Rocky Mount’s historic Main Street tells a story. It’s a narrative of resilience, enterprise, and culture—a place where generations of entrepreneurs built businesses and communities flourished. As I walk along this street, I see glimmers of progress and promise: restored facades, new businesses breathing life into old spaces, and a renewed sense of pride in … Continue reading Building Tomorrow on Yesterday’s Foundations: The Economics of Preservation in Rocky Mount #3
Main Street Rocky Mount 