Honoring the Past, Building a Future
Some beautiful weather has renewed my spirits. You too? Sunday afternoon I joined some wonderful neighbor ladies on the front porch, and for several hours we sat talking “of many things.” There was no agenda, no place any of us needed to be, just neighbors, conversation, laughter, and one of those beautiful afternoons that makes … Continue reading Community is the Destination
Not a consultant. Not another financial report. Not another City Council meeting. Lewis Grizzard There comes a point when a person who cares deeply about her city has read enough, worried enough, written enough, shaken her head enough, and said, “Surely they aren't going to do that,” enough times that another approach becomes necessary. I … Continue reading NEEDING LEWIS GRIZZARD
“Cities are remembered not only for what they build new, but for what they choose to keep.” SFH These buildings matter. They are a presence in the story of Rocky Mount; not burdens but possibilities. They still possess beauty, dignity, and purpose. These photographs show us that restoration does not begin with money or construction. … Continue reading Three Downtown Buildings: Restored to Their Original Beauty
My first instinct, standing on the sidewalk, camera in hand, is not generous. It is the Queen of Hearts rising up in me: “Off with their heads!” as Lewis Carroll once wrote. How does this happen? Looking at the glass on this beautiful brick sidewalk, I ask, how does someone own a building on Main Street, part … Continue reading When Local Ownership Fails Main Street: Part 3 203 SE Main Street
Lake Shore Drive, Chicago - From my early lessons in beauty and stewardship to my bench on Main Street today. FIRST THESE THOUGHTS: I was watching Kentucky basketball the other evening when a simple phrase, Back In The Day, slipped past the announcer and settled beside me. It lingered longer than the final buzzer, because … Continue reading “Back in the Day” – A Standard We Must Be Willing To Meet Again
I'm in love again with another beautiful building under restoration. This time it’s 234 SW Main Street. The first thing that caught my eye was the color palette. The soft gray façade, the white trim, and the darker accents create an elegance that feels both modern and respectful of the building’s history. Whoever is guiding this restoration … Continue reading A Jewel Being Polished: 234 SW Main Street
