Honoring the Past, Building a Future
“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
I click my heels, pause, and salute the one hundred–year celebration of a historic Main Street building. As the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer says, “It is meet and right so to do.” Standing on a corner of Main Street with steadfastness, this commercial building has done its work faithfully for a century. It holds … Continue reading A Sunday Snow Day and a 100-Year Story on Main Street
Take time today while snowed in to read this new blog post published on a snow bound day at 6:30 AM A birthday worth celebrating. There is a silence in the air with the snow decorating the garden and the street with no tire tracks interrupting the beauty of it all. It's Sunday and people … Continue reading A Sunday Snow Day and a 100-Year Story on Main Street
Main Street Rocky Mount 