T H E T A R R I V E R
Fall 2026 VOL 5
ART + CULTURE MAGAZINE
MAYO MILLS “Farm to Feet”
PRIME SMOKEHOUSE A Universal Table for the Twin Counties
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TIM SIA
Big Bones Meat Market Locals bring fresh meat and produce to Princeville
A HISTORY OF SMITH’S RED & WHITE
e r u t l u C + t r A
T A R
R I V E R
Fall 2026
MISSION STATEMENT
vivid
cultural
and
artistic
landscape of the Twin Counties into the spotlight. We are committed to discovering
T H E R O C K Y M O U N T C U L T U R A L C O M M U N I T Y
artists, cultural leaders, and organizations—who have contributed to shaping the vibrant art and cultural scene of our community. Your creativity, passion, and dedication have not only inspired our publication but have also woven the unique fabric of Rocky Mount,
extraordinary creativity that thrives
showcasing its past, present, and future in a truly
within our community.
remarkable way.
Our magazine serves as a gathering
From the traditions that have shaped our identity to
connecting
showcasing
we extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you—local
the
place,
and
T O A R T &
On behalf of The Tar River Art and Culture Publication,
With TRA+C, our passion is to bring the
THANK YOU
artists,
cultural
enthusiasts, and residents through stories and visuals that celebrate our shared cultural wealth. Together, we aim to nurture a community that embraces and champions the arts
the innovative spirit that drives us forward, you have played a vital role in bringing our vision to life. Together, we celebrate where we have come from, the beauty of where we are today, and the limitless potential of where we are heading. Your stories, talents, and collaborations make our work possible, and for that, we are sincerely grateful.
and culture making them an integral part of our daily lives.
Thank you for being part of our journey and for letting us be part of yours. We are excited to continue this journey with all of you, honoring and uplifting the rich culture that makes our community so special.
COVER ART Tim Sia PUBLICATION PRINTING Allegra
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W I T H G R A T I T U D E A N D A N T I C I P A T I O N F O R W H A T ’ S T O C O M E ,
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Thank you to our Community Partners:
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e r u t l u C + t r A T H E S T O R Y O F T A R R I V E R
BENTON & MORGAN MOSS LEADERSHIP TEAM
Welcome to Tar River Art + Culture Magazine,
the premier publication celebrating the vibrant
arts and rich cultural heritage of Nash and
Edgecombe Counties. Our magazine emerged from a partnership between Twin County Media, and Nash County Nosh, led by culinary visionary Justin Sykes, combining the best of local artistry and gastronomy. TRA+C Magazine was founded on the belief that the artistic and cultural achievements of our community deserved a broader platform. We aim to bridge the gap between local talents and our diverse readership, providing a space where the arts and culture of our region are accessible to all.
JUSTIN D. SYKES LEAD EDITOR & CONTENT CREATOR
Each issue of TRA+C is crafted with care, featuring compelling articles, stunning visuals, and in-depth exploration of both emerging and established artists, as well as cultural events that inspire and entertain. We are more than a magazine; we are the narrative pulse of the Twin Counties, weaving stories that foster connection and inspire community engagement. Join us as we celebrate the creative spirit of our area, discover new perspectives, and shape the cultural landscape together.
MAKENZIE PAGE LEAD DESIGNER
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t s i s t r A
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The cover photo for this edition of Tar River Art & Culture was captured by local photographer Tim Sia.
TimSia
More than a striking image, his work tells the story of Rocky Mount and the people who give it life. From quiet streets to everyday moments, Tim’s photography captures the city with heart, precision, and a keen eye for emotion. Tim’s work spans sweeping landscapes, intimate portraits, and the textures of city life. He frames the light at dusk, the curve of the Tar River, and the small gestures that define daily existence. His approach is thoughtful and documentary in spirit—never staged, always attentive. Each image invites the viewer to slow down, look closer, and notice the subtle beauty and stories often overlooked in everyday life. Tim’s connection to Rocky Mount extends beyond photography. As Pastor to Students at Redeemer Church, he mentors and guides younger generations, showing the same care and commitment that informs his art. Originally from the Philippines, he moved to the U.S. in 2016 and has made Rocky Mount home. He is a husband, father, and active community member, photographing not as an outsider but as someone who lives, works, and invests in the city’s story. Through his lens, Tim highlights the quiet beauty and dignity in every corner—old brick buildings, winding riverbanks, and the people who animate them. His work reminds us to slow down, look closer, and see the life and stories around us.
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KEY
INSIGHTS:
DATA INFOGRAPHICS COMMunity PARTNER CLICK RATE
EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
The Average no. of click through to our Community Partner websites is
1,541
Subscribers
30.7%
3.6%
Avg. Open Rate
Avg. Click Rate
63-151 PER NEWSLETTER The number of direct clicks to our Community Partner Websites
1300 IN MAY 2026
SOCIAL MEDIA REACH
289.17k
167.68k
57,100
18.25k
Facebook Reach *Average engagements (reach, likes, comments, shares)
Instagram Reach
Google Search Impressions
LinkedIn Post Impressions
PAST 90 DAYS
GEOGRAPHICS THE MAJORITY OF OUR AUDIENCE RESIDES IN EASTERN, NC.
ROCKY MOUNT, NC NASHVILLE, NC TARBORO, NC CHARLOTTE, NC SOUTH ROCKY MOUNT, NC RALEIGH, NC WILSON, NC
DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS BASED ON TWIN COUNTY MEDIA’S DIGITAL REAL ESATE MAGAZINE
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41,500
355
Impressions
No. of Shares on Social Media
5,381
16,398
Interactions
Organic Impressions
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Issue 5
TRA+C
15
Art & Music Bio of Cover Artist - Tim Sia 05 Tim Sia Q&A 20 Live Music Roundup 29 Mayo Mills: Farm to Feet 15
History A History Of Smith’s Red & White 10
Food Prime Smokehouse: A Universal Table for the Twin Counties 30
10
Big Bones Meat Market 35
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Begin Your Journey
Scan the QR code to register with NashCC today!
A
History
OFSMITH’S RED & WHITE WRITTEN BY JUSTIN D. SYKES
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Smith’s Red & White in Dortches, North Carolina, The original location was a grocery business is an Eastern North Carolina institution. For more begun in 1954 by S.B. Smith in a white wooden frame store Dortches Crossroads. than seven decades, this porkn mecca In justatthree short years the JunctionThe has location the townhas of served Nashville, North was previously the old Dortches School house. In generations of customers, earning a reputation Carolina, there is no shortage of come to represent the pride of the to going into the grocery business fullthat extends far beyond Nash local County. pride. Any given day you1954, can prior community, bringing locals and visitors time, Smith was a long-haul trucker. He needed to stroll down Washington Street alike together to celebrate and enjoy the a landline telephone so as not to miss At a time when grocery stores andlikespecialty and feel you’re backstay in near “Original Nashville.” retailers increasingly dependMayberry. on e-commerce, incoming hauling jobs. To pass the time, he began third-party marketplaces, shipping services, and selling small amounts of seed, feed, fertilizer and Located at 723 South Barnes Street in The town motto of, “The Original basic hardware. digital marketing campaigns, Smith’s hasNashville,” Nashville, the old lumberyard and building shows just how deepapproach. local pride goes. A remained remarkably steadfast in its supply company has been transformed by reminder that Nashville, The building’s previous tenant was a local farmer The business continuesconstant to center its identity on a North Hurt and his team over the last few years. Carolina, in fact the oldest inor the United who had done custom work processing hogs. single storefront, relying not ison algorithms preceding Nashville, Tennessee.Most locals did not have the facilities needed to online reach, but on theStates, enduring value of quality redeveloped now bringing includes athem to hogs, so they site began products, personal relationships, and community process The performing pavilion, the facilities for and the people In recent years Nashville has had another Smith, who wouldartsprocess hogs trust. local tend farmers’tomarket, and more recently Smith reason to take pride with the development would then the meat themselves. 20,000 square feet of retail, restaurant of the owned Nashville Junction (thehas “Junction”). subsequently built a ham house for salt curing The third generation family business andthen business space.parlor” and began making The Junction is situated on the former site and a “pig endeavored successfully to preserve a sense of hams of Nashville Building andseen Supply sausage and and ham. Smith’s father had taught him tradition, culture and history that is seldom This year hams, renovations the Junction’s kill hogs, cure andon make sausage in 1927 today. Every ounce ofprovides their the famous perfectsausage, local venuetofor space 12 were completed was about years old. and the barbecue, chicken salad, pimento cheese, and when community events, commerce and heindoor building is now a hive of activity. The first other products are processed, entertainment. seasoned, and Smith built a brick store was making to open this year wasand Studio packaged directly on-site and sold directly to the By 1956,business cake” sausage year round and link sausage Glam Salon, a chic locally owned beauty customer. This recognition of tradition is partvision of of“pattie The Junction was a longtime local in the winter. He used an old recipe he what has led to theirdeveloper success continued salon. Along similar lines, The Art of Fadeperfected andand contractor Michael J. Hurt. over theheld years just red pepper, growth and expansion, Hurt, albeit all was within the as same theirwith grand opening in June ofsage, this and salt who named one of the as seasoning. Smith had been getting hogs from a half mile of Dortches crossroads. year. A longtime dream of owner Alex Triangle Business Journal’s “40-Under-40” local commercial meatpacker but did not feel the Puente, The Art of Fade specializes in in 2024, brought years of expertise, quality was good enough. So, in 1966 Smith began men’s premium grooming services. experience and passion to the project and raising his own pigs on his mother’s farm in has undoubtedly delivered. Coleytown (between Dortches and Red Oak).
I
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Our special reputation is built on the fact that people know our meat is fresh…it is killed one day and processed the next,”
Smith noted in a 1988 interview. In 1980 Smith incorporated the business and built a brand new store measuring 10,000 square feet. His son Bruce Smith, who began helping his dad in the store at age 10 stuffing sausage, bought the business in 1985. Under Bruce’s leadership the business continued to grow and in 1992 a brand new store was built next to the existing one with over 20,000 square feet. Sadly, S.B. Smith would pass a few years later, but Bruce would carry on the traditions his father began and brought his son Derrick Smith into the business. In 2010, Smith’s Red & White Restaurant opened right beside the store, and in 2022 Smith’s Pavilion of Dortches was added directly behind the grocery store. Smith’s Pavilion is a full-scale rental venue and was a historic preservation effort by the Smith family. The main structure was built in 1952 and became home to “Ruritan Club of Dortches”. The structure was moved from its original location less than a half mile down the road, then restored and expanded into the current venue. What began in a small wooden frame store has grown into one of Eastern North Carolina's most beloved culinary destinations. Customers regularly travel from across the region and beyond, coolers in their trunks and family orders in hand, to sample what many consider the best pork products North Carolina has to offer. Yet the journey is about more than barbecue, sausage, or cured meats. People come to partake in a tradition that has endured for generations, to experience a sense of history and continuity that has become increasingly scarce in the modern world. In an age defined by convenience, speed, and impermanence, Smith's offers something far more enduring: a tangible connection to place, heritage, and community.
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Celebrating Over
95 Years!
Providing propane, petroleum products, and related services to Eastern North Carolina and Southeast Virginia. Based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Daughtridge Gas and Oil is a family owned and operated company committed to providing the highest quality products and services to our customers at a reasonable price.
Propane Residental & Commerical
1818 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC
252-553-0101
daughtridgeenergy.com
Fuel Oil Heating Oil & Diesel
Gas Logs & Appliances Fireplaces, Grills, & more
t a h W g n i p e e K Matters Most e m o H o t e s o l C
“Farm to Feet” "Farm Feet" WRITTEN BY JUSTIN D. SYKES
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There is something special about fall in the Twin
Today, Tate owns and operates the company
Counties. The oppressive humidity of summer has
alongside his sisters, Grace and Deanna, continuing a
broken. The pace of life has slowed. Against the
family tradition rooted in agriculture while creating a
backdrop of new autumn leaves, the landscape of
product that carries a piece of eastern North Carolina
Edgecombe County begins to be marked by the
from the field to the marketplace.
popping of cotton bolls, filling the landscape with sprawling snow white fields that stretch out
The sibling trio founded Mayo Mills in 2017, and the
endlessly.
business has come to represent some of the best of Edgecombe County. This is because the socks
Amid this pastoral landscape, Tarboro native Tate
produced by Mayo Mills are unique. Not just in the
Mayo is busy harvesting. A fourth-generation farmer,
design or clever graphics used on the socks, but
Mayo has spent much of the last decade turning a
because
portion
something
manufacturing is all too common, Mayo Mills socks
unexpected: socks. What began as a family venture
never take one step outside of North Carolina during
with his sisters has grown into Mayo Mills, a distinctly
production. And that is exactly how the Mayo siblings
North Carolina brand and a staple in the state's
want it.
of
his
cotton
crop
into
in
a
world
where
offshoring
of
apparel market, particularly for those who appreciate a well-made pair of socks.
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The cotton used in every sock is grown on the Mayo family farm in Tarboro, the cotton is processed into yarn in Thomasville, North Carolina at Hill Spinning, then manufactured at the Mayo’s plant in Tarboro. Much like restaurants that tout “farm to table” ingredients, Mayo Mills’ socks are for all intents and purposes, “farm to feet.”
“Every last component of what we make is right here in North Carolina, in a globalized world…we’re some of the last folks in textiles in North Carolina,”
The company also found success with their Carolina
Tate says. He went on to say that “There are fifteen
Hurricanes-themed release launched ahead of this
folks that work at the gin, forty-five folks that work
year's Stanley Cup Playoffs.
at Hill Spinning, five folks that work at the farm, and I’m able to put a name and face with everyone that
In January of 2026 they entered into wholesale and
goes into our cotton.”
the brand has continued to expand. They are retailing throughout North Carolina, as well as
For the Mayo siblings, the enterprise is about more
Virginia and as far away as Washington state,
than just quality socks. As Grace Mayo explains, a
Minnesota, and Ohio. In September of this year, they
central part of the company's mission is supporting
opened up an outlet store in Tarboro with plans to
two industries that have declined in the United
expand the company’s offerings beyond just their
States. “Manufacturing and farming are dying
flagship sock line.
industries in the U.S.,” she said. “It's challenging, but also very rewarding.”
In a global economy where American manufacturing and farming continue to decline, Mayo Mills
In addition to being homegrown, Mayo Mills socks
represents a different path. By growing, spinning,
are known for their creative designs, which range
and manufacturing its products entirely in North
from seasonal and festive themes to topical and
Carolina, the company is helping preserve the
nautical motifs. Among their best-selling styles are
state's rich textile and agricultural heritage while
the quarter crew socks featuring the American flag
creating a high-quality product. In doing so, Mayo
and other North Carolina-inspired designs.
Mills is proving that local manufacturing can still thrive, right here in the Twin Counties
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MAYO Shop Small.
MILLS TARBORO
Shop Local.
NC
Where To Find Mayo Mills Socks Online at mayomills.com
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Mayo Knitting Mill Sock Outlet Store in Tarboro, NC
Hilton’s Men’s & Ladies Fine Clothing in Wilson, NC
Bad Habits Boutique in Tarboro, NC
GG’s Art Frames Gift in Statesville, NC
Robs Fresh Produce in Bailey, NC
Pharmville Drug in Farmville, NC
Clair de Lune in Rocky Mount, NC
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Q&A WITH
TIM SIA
Through his lens, he presents a vision of the city that is at once true to life and captivating.
Tim Sia is a local photographer, capturing the hidden beauty of Rocky Mount. T R A + C
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Local photographer Tim Sia has a particular gift for capturing the hidden beauty of Rocky Mount. Through his lens, he presents a vision of the city that is at once true to life and captivating. His work moves from sweeping local landscapes and portraits of residents to weathered buildings and the quiet details of everyday life. The result is photography that feels like more than documentation. With each click of the shutter, he captures something of the character, humanity, and soul of the city he calls home. He is a man of faith, a husband, a father, and an active member of the community. Those parts of his life seem reflected in the way he sees the world through his camera. His photographs invite us to pause, to find beauty in the ordinary, and to recognize the blessings woven quietly into everyday life. Sia spoke to TRA+C Magazine about his evolution as a photographer, the passions and emotions that inform his shoots, and the story he wants his photos to tell about the city of Rocky Mount.
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A
Q
WHAT STORY DO YOU WANT YOUR PHOTOS TO TELL ABOUT THE CITY OF ROCKY MOUNT?
That Rocky Mount is more complicated, beautiful, and human than whatever reputation gets attached to it. Cities are easy to reduce to statistics, headlines, crime rates, politics, economics, or what side of town somebody lives on. But a city is ultimately a home to people. That’s really the heart behind People of Rocky Mount. I want to photograph this place I call home. I want to photograph the people who make this place what it is: business owners, pastors, artists, families, people who have lived here their whole lives, people who just moved here, people whose names everybody knows, and people most of us walk past every day. If you looked through these photographs fifty years from now, I’d want you to feel like you met Rocky Mount, not just saw pictures of it.
Q A
WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO PHOTOGRAPHY, AND WHAT WAS THE MOMENT YOU KNEW IT WOULD BE A LIFELONG PASSION?
I actually got into photography almost by accident. Back in the Philippines, I worked part-time as a wedding photographer with a dear friend of mine, Lloyd. I was basically his second shooter, and I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. He would just tell me, “Shoot whatever captures your eye.” And I did. Most of the photos were atrocious. But there was something about being given permission to notice things that stuck with me. A look between two people, somebody laughing off to the side, light hitting something a certain way. It made me want to keep picking up a camera. For a while, photography was just something I did with my phone. Then during COVID in 2020, I finally picked up an actual camera and started taking it more seriously. I don’t know if there was one dramatic moment when I thought, I’m going to do this for the rest of my life. It was more gradual. At some point I realized photography had changed the way I looked at the world. I was paying attention differently. Once that happens, I don’t think you really turn it off.
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DO YOU REMEMBER THE VERY FIRST PHOTO YOU TOOK THAT MADE YOU FEEL LIKE A “TRUE” PHOTOGRAPHER?
Q A
Honestly, I don’t think there was one.
And maybe that’s because I still don’t walk around thinking, I am a true photographer now. There are still plenty of times when I take a photo, look at it later, and wonder what on earth I was thinking. But I remember the shift from simply trying to make something look “cool” to realizing that a photograph could preserve the beauty and dignity of that moment. Once I started making images that felt like they said something about the person or the moment instead of simply proving I knew how to use a camera, photography became much more meaningful to me. That was probably the transition.
Q A
WHAT EMOTIONS DO YOU MOST WANT YOUR VIEWERS TO FEEL WHEN THEY LOOK AT YOUR WORK?
Curosity First
I want you to look at somebody and wonder, Who is that person? What’s their story? Then hopefully some affection. Some nostalgia. Maybe even a sense of familiarity. I especially love photographs that make ordinary life feel significant without making it sentimental. I don’t necessarily need somebody to say, “Wow, what an incredible photo.” I’d rather they say, “There’s something about that person,” or “Man, I remember that house, my family and I used to live there.” If my photographs make people look at their neighbors a little more carefully, I think they’ve done their job. If my photographs make people look at places as home first before it becomes statistics, then yeah, I did a good job.
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A
Q
WHAT ROLE DOES YOUR FAMILY AND FAITH PLAY IN HOW YOU APPROACH SHOOTS, AND WHAT YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO VIEWERS WITH YOUR FINAL PRODUCT?
Probably more than anything else.
My faith shapes the fundamental way I see the person standing in front of my camera. It shapes the way I see Rocky Mount. Christianity teaches me that every human being carries the image of God. That means nobody is ordinary in the ultimate sense. Everybody has dignity. Everybody has a story worth slowing down long enough to hear. I don’t necessarily want every photograph to scream, “This was taken by a Christian photographer.” But I hope my faith shows up in the way I see people and places: with dignity, curiosity, patience, and love. My family has changed photography for me too. Being a husband and a dad has made me much more aware of how quickly life moves. You start realizing how sacred ordinary moments are. A look, a laugh, your kid sitting at the table, the way somebody’s face looks at a certain age. Photography lets you preserve a fraction of something that is already disappearing while you’re experiencing it.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR VISUAL STYLE, AND HOW HAS IT CHANGED OR EVOLVED OVER TIME?
A
Q
I’d probably describe it as documentary with a strong interest in people, place, and atmosphere. When I first started, I think I was much more interested in making an image look impressive. Dramatic edits, interesting gear, shallow depth of field, whatever made something immediately feel like a “photograph.” Over time, I’ve become much more interested in restraint. I want the image to feel lived-in. I like photographs that are imperfect in the right ways. Something that feels observed rather than manufactured. I’m increasingly interested in photographs that feel timeless, like they could belong in an old family album, newspaper archive, or documentary book. The goal now is less, Look what I can do with a camera, and more, Look at this person. Look at this place.
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Q A
HOW MUCH PLANNING GOES INTO A SHOOT VERSUS SPONTANEOUS IMPROVISATION, AND DO YOU PREFER ONE OVER THE OTHER?
I definitely lean toward improvisation. I’ll plan enough to put myself in the right place. I might know who I’m meeting, where we’re going, what the light might be doing, or the basic story I’m trying to tell. But once I’m there, I want to respond to what’s actually happening. Some of my favorite photographs are usually not the photograph I had in my head beforehand. Somebody turns around. Somebody laughs. Light suddenly changes. A person walks through the frame. Photography gets really interesting when reality interrupts your plan. That probably goes all the way back to Lloyd telling me, “Just shoot whatever captures your eye.” Apparently I’m still doing that.
Q
WALK ME THROUGH YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS FROM THE INITIAL IDEA TO THE FINAL SHOT.
A
Usually it starts with curiosity.
For People of Rocky Mount, I might encounter somebody and immediately think, I want to know that person’s story. So I’ll reach out, introduce myself, explain the project, and hopefully spend some time with them. Once we start shooting, I’m watching more than directing. I’m looking at the light, obviously, but I’m also watching their hands, expressions, environment, what they do when they stop thinking about the camera. I’ll usually take the obvious portrait first because that helps everybody relax. Then I keep shooting. The longer I stay, the better the photographs usually become. The same curiosity applies to photographing places here in RM. Downtown RM in particular is such a draw for me. There’s so many old buildings there that I want to go in and just imagine what stories they have, you know? T R A + C
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WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL POSTPROCESSING WORKFLOW LOOK LIKE FROM THE MOMENT YOU CAPTURE AN IMAGE TO THE FINAL PRODUCT?
The first thing I do is import everything and then try not to immediately convince myself that every photograph is either incredible or terrible. I’ll go through the images and look primarily for moments first: expression, composition, gesture, emotion. Technical perfection matters, sure, but I’d rather have a slightly imperfect photograph that feels alive than a perfectly sharp photograph that says nothing. Once I narrow things down, I edit pretty simply. Exposure, contrast, color, cropping, maybe some local adjustments. I want the editing to support the photograph rather than become the photograph. And I’ve gotten more restrained over time. If someone notices the Lightroom preset before they notice the person in the picture, I probably went too far.
Q
A
DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE YOU SHOOT OR EDIT? IF SO, WHAT IS ON YOUR PLAYLIST?
When I’m actually photographing people, I usually like being present enough to hear what’s happening around me. Conversation is part of the process, especially with documentary work, so I don’t want to disappear into headphones. But if I am doing environmental and landscape photography, I will definitely be listening to music! You’ll find Bon Iver, Wilderado, Ona, Houndmouth, and Hippo Campus on my playlist.
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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF STARTING OUT AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
Q A
Stop trying so hard to look like a photographer. You don’t need the perfect camera. You don’t need ten lenses. You don’t need every photograph to have some dramatic edit. And you definitely don’t need to compare your first thousand photographs to somebody else’s hundred-thousandth photograph. Just shoot. Photograph your friends. Photograph your family. Photograph your neighborhood. Photograph things that seem boring right now, because twenty years from now they probably won’t be boring anymore.
And learn to pay attention. Your eye will ultimately matter far more than whatever camera is in your hand.
Q A
WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL PIECE OF GEAR IN YOUR CAMERA BAG?
It’s less efficient, which strangely enough is exactly what I enjoy about it.
Probably one of my manual-focus lenses. I use a digital camera but prefer manual lenses over autofocus lenses. There’s something slightly ridiculous about owning modern cameras with incredible autofocus technology and then intentionally putting a lens on them that requires me to focus everything myself. I get it. But that’s part of why I like it. Manual lenses slow me down. Instead of spraying twenty frames and hoping one works, I have to actually look at the person and a place, compose the frame, focus, and commit to the photograph.
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LIVE MUSIC & EVENTS Oct 04, 2026
Oct 05, 2026
Fall Concert Rocky Mount Chamber Choir
The President’s Own: United States Marine Band
OCTOBER
Oct 08, 2026
Oct 15. 2026
Oct 15. 2026
Zack is Back!! Westridge Grill
30 Year Anniversary Celebration WESTRIDGE GRILL
Ultimate Elvis Tribute THE DUNN CENTER
THE DUNN CENTER
Oct 15, 2026 Oyster Roast ROCKY MOUNT CHAMBER
Oct 16, 2026 Ashton Layln & The Verdict NASHVILLE FARMERS MARKET
Oct 17, 2026 The Classics Band of NC NASH ARTS COUNCIL
Oct 22, 2026
Oct 22, 2026
Marcus Anderson NASH ARTS COUNCIL
Phil n Tim WESTRIDGE
Oct 24, 2026
Oct 24, 2026
Oct 29, 2026
Oct 31, 2026
The Classic Vinyl Band NASH COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
EmsFest 2026 ELM CITY, NC
Travis Moss WESTRIDGE GRILL
CJ and the Moon Dogs BREWMASTERS
NOVEMBER Nov. 01, 2026 Tonya Holy Elk & Lakota John NASH ARTS COUNCIL
Nov. 07, 2026
America 250: A Celebration in Song
THE DUNN CENTER
Nov. 05, 2026
Nov. 05, 2026
Zach Wynne WESTRIDGE GRILL
Beans and Brews MEALS ON WHEELS AT ROCKY MOUNT MILLS
Nov. 07, 2026
Nov. 12, 2026
A Day at the Mills
ROCKY MOUNT MILLS PRESENTED BY BARNHILL
Nov. 07, 2026 Ride of Honor
FLYING IRON HARLEY DAVIDSON
Nov. 25, 2026 Friendsgiving Meredith Johnson & Chandler James ROCKY MOUNT MILLS
Maylon Tyler WESTRIDGE GRILL
DECEMBER Dec. 13. 2026 Christmas Concert Rocky Mount Chamber Choir
Dec. 19. 2026 Home for Christmas with Chandler James & Meredith Davis Johnson
Dec. 31 2026 Braswell Farms Egg Drop NASHVILLE JUNCTION
Nash Arts Council
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The Prime
Smokehouse
A Universal Table for the Twin Counties
WRITTEN BY JUSTIN D. SYKES
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From the moment you walk into the Prime Smokehouse in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, you're struck by the restaurant’s distinct and unforgettable vibe. The smooth rhythm of jazz playing, the warm lighting, the aroma of barbecue, and the lively energy of staff all mix together to make it feel like more than just a restaurant. The space pulsates with life and soul that is almost tangible. The atmosphere at Prime Smokehouse is no accident. Every detail is thoughtfully curated to make guests feel welcome, to assure them that they belong, and to immerse them in something larger than themselves. More than a restaurant, Prime Smokehouse creates a sense of community, transforming a meal into a shared experience. For the owners of Prime Smokehouse, husband and wife Ed Wiley III and Yalem Kiros, the restaurant provides a consistent source of respite and retreat for locals, those from the area, and travelers alike. Good food, good music, and the anticipation of an evening spent in fellowship with friends or family are experiences universal to the human condition. They resonate across cultures and generations and bind us all together at our most basic level. When you allow yourself to be lost in those experiences, surrounded by the people most important to you, your mind can focus. Conversations around the dinner table are more genuine, truthful and purposeful. T R A + C
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In Kiros’ culinary memoir and cookbook, Echoes of
It could be said this theme resonates in every dish,
Ethiopia: Celebrating the Flavors of My Soul, released
aesthetic detail and musical note that is put out into the
in 2025, the theme of the “Universal Table” is woven
restaurant each week. Kiros spent much of her youth in
throughout. Kiros notes in the book that, “Even if we
Kenya, which is reflected in the design and décor of the
come from different backgrounds and perhaps
restaurant. The space is characterized by shades of
overlook some obvious common ground, we can’t
yellow, gold and amber, representative of the colors of
deny this fact: Food and fellowship connect us all.”
the Kenyan savannah. The artwork on the walls is
The idea of the Universal Table is that no matter what
specifically curated by Kiros and brings a vibrant splash
a person’s origins, background, and beliefs may be,
of multicultural influences to the aesthetic. The
food and the fellowship that it fosters serve as the
collection in the restaurant features pieces by African
ultimate tool to bring people together.
born
artist
Wosene
Worke
Kosrof,
prominent
contemporary Japanese-American mixed media painter Yuko Nogami Taylor, and the world-renowned American visual artist Synthia Saint James.
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Additionally, what is arguably the focal point of the space, a mural by famed artist Brandon Jennings, runs the length of the back wall and features jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong and Rocky Mount’s own Thelonious Monk. More importantly, the mural pays personal homage to Wiley’s father, Ed Wiley Jr., a renowned jazz saxophonist, and his mother Maye Wiley. The mural brings the décor and visual experience full circle. As the son of a famous blues musician, Ed Wiley III had the opportunity to travel the world with his father experiencing different culinary and cultural experiences, all of which is reflected in the restaurant’s nationally renowned menu. Wiley says when he and Kiros opened the restaurant in Rocky Mount, they “saw it as a place where people would come together…that’s what it was really all about, it was an extension of our home.”
On most evenings, one can look around the dining room and find a remarkable cross-section of the community. People of different backgrounds, ages, and stations in life, together in a space where
social
distinctions
fade
into
the
background, replaced by the simple pleasures of shared meals, music, and conversation. A true Universal Table. In a world where divisions are all too often
HOURS OF OPERATION Monday Through Thursday 11:00am-9:00pm Friday 11:00am-10:00pm Saturday 12:00pm-10:00pm Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm
highlighted, Prime Smokehouse and similar spaces play an integral role in fostering positive interactions within a community. Food and fellowship may not save the world outright, but can serve as a conduit to real discussion, exchanges, and a shared experience between people of all walks of life.
1151 Falls Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 | primesmokehouse.com T R A + C
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In Princeville
WRITTEN BY JUSTIN D. SYKES
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Just a short drive from Rocky Mount, heading east through
Over the decades, the town has faced eight major floods,
the cotton fields of Edgecombe County, lies the town of
two of which were the result of catastrophic hurricanes,
Princeville, North Carolina. The population is small, but the
completely reshaping the community. After Hurricane
legacy of Princeville is significant. Established in 1865, the
Floyd devastated Princeville, proposals called for
town was the first independent Black community chartered
relocating the entire community to higher ground.
and governed by freed slaves in the United States. The local
However, the residents refused to abandon the town,
residents are resilient, rooted in tradition, and driven by a
choosing instead to remain on land deeply intertwined
deep sense of community.
with Princeville’s history and identity.
Born in the aftermath of the Civil War, the town took root in
Following each major event, the town saw varying levels
1865 on swampy, low-lying ground along the Tar River, land
of out-migration of residents. This coupled with limited
that white planters had largely deemed undesirable. At the
outside investment left the local community and economy
heart of Princeville is Freedom Hill, a modest rise where a
in flux. As a result, one of the major challenges the town
Union soldier read the Emancipation Proclamation aloud to
has faced is inconsistent access to affordable, fresh, and
formerly enslaved people at the close of the Civil War.
nutritious food.
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“We tried to bring a great quality meat
market to the area.”
Given Boney’s local roots, he was able to work with local farmers and residents to stock the store with food from the community and surrounding area. “I buy produce from local families that grow For Princeville native Kendrick Boney, the issue of local food insecurity was something he was ready to address. Boney has been cutting meat for over 35 years professionally and had always wanted to own his own meat market and grocery store. He also has an appreciation for the benefit that access to quality meat and produce brings to a
produce for me, and the local farmers in the area support me as well,” Boney notes. That commitment to local runs throughout the market. He sources pork from an organic pig farm in Conetoe, while the shelves are lined with barbecue sauces, spices, rubs, and other cooking staples made by people across the region, many of whom he knows personally.
community. So, in 2024, Boney opened Big Bones Meat Market in Princeville. He runs the business with his brother, sister, mother and his children. Part of their mission is to address the need in the local community for a consistent provider of high-quality meat and fresh produce. “At the time, there was nothing from Princeville all the way back to Robersonville. There was no grocery store,” Boney recalls. T R A + C
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On Wheel and Deal Wednesdays, customers can spin an in-store prize wheel to win discounts and deals at checkout. Boney is also well known for the “Big Bones Tour,” during which he personally walks customers through the market, educating them about local products and the farmers, artisans, and businesses behind them.
Since opening up, Big Bones Meat Market has built a loyal following by offering a mix of premium butcher cuts, Southern favorites, and fresh seafood. Among the most popular items are the market's signature pork sausage, hand-cut Angus ribeyes, T-bone steaks, beef tenderloin, and black Angus cube steak. Traditional staples such as beef neck bones, oxtails, and ham hocks remain customer favorites, while pork ribs, chicken wings, and fresh seafood offerings like croaker and trout fillets are especially popular with weekend shoppers.
Boney also works to provide deals on fresh meat and produce to local families when they need it most. Prior to the start of the 2026 school year, he offered daily discounts for teachers and would host events on the weekends at the store to give families a chance to stock up on essentials at discounted rates. In Princeville, history is more than something remembered. It is something lived, protected, and carried forward. Through hardship and change,
the
community
has
remained
resilient, and in many ways, Big Bones Meat
The entire business model is community
Market reflects that enduring spirit: a
oriented. They offer weekly discounts like
homegrown business built to serve its
Senior Mondays, Token Tuesdays, Wheel and
neighbors while investing in the place it calls
Deal Wednesdays, and summer discounts for
home.
teachers.
511 S Main St, Princeville, NC HOURS OF OPERATION Monday Through Saturday Sunday T R A + C
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MALIK CRAFTING EXCEPTIONAL FLAVORS AT LOU REDA’S AND BEYOND
WILLIAMS
Chef Malik Williams, a talented local native, is a proud alumnus of Johnson & Wales University, Class of 2021. As the head chef at Lou Reda’s, he brings both his creativity and passion for food to the forefront of the Twin Counties' culinary scene. In addition to leading the kitchen at Lou Reda’s, Chef Malik owns and operates Thorns and Ivory, a luxury hospitality company that delivers refined dining and exceptional service. His dedication to culinary excellence is evident in his work, shaping him as a rising star in the community.
@CHEFYOUNGBOUL @THORNSANDIVORY
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Our Fall COCKTAIL CRAFTING EXCEPTIONAL FLAVORS AT LOU REDA’S AND BEYOND
OF CHOICE PRESENTED BY
B Y
C H E F
M A L I K
RASPBERRY
Cardamom
MARGARITA 3oz Cardamom Simple Syrup 10oz Blanco Tequila 5oz Lime Juice, Fresh Squeezed 3 ¾oz Triple Sec or Cointreau 1 Dry Pint Raspberry 2 Cup Ice cubes
Cardamom Syrup: 1 Cup Cane Syrup 10oz Blanco Tequlia 5oz Lime Juice, Fresh Squeezed 1Tsp Crushed Grenn Cardamom Seeds Simmer on the stove together for 3 minutes and remove from heat Allow to cool, before usage
Muddle Raspberries, leaving a few for garnish, in the pitcher with the cardamom syrup and lime juice Add in your spirits along with ice cubes and stir until well combined Pour into a rocks or coupe glass with fresh ice and pour to serve!
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Gently Stir and Enjoy!
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SHOP NOW Hwy 301 between Wilson & Rocky Mount at Sharpsburg Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri 8:30am-5:30pm Wed & Sat 8:30am-5pm
hardeesfurniture.com 252-977-2325
t t e e S S w w o o r r G G o tto
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Agriculture has long been at the heart of Nash County’s economy, shaping the land, livelihoods, and identity of the region for generations. Across the county, farmers raise livestock and cultivate everything from tobacco, corn, and soybeans to cotton, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes. Few places bring that agricultural heritage together more vividly than the Nash County Farmers Market in Rocky Mount, where the bounty of the surrounding countryside meets the community it has sustained In May of 2026, Brown joined fellow members of the
for centuries.
North Carolina Farmers Market Network (NCFMN) at For more than two decades, the Nash County
the North Carolina state legislature to meet with
Farmers Market has connected the farms of Nash
state lawmakers to discuss food insecurity in the
County with the people and communities that
region. Brown is an NCFMN board member and
support them. Opened in April 2005 and managed by
represents the Northeast region of the state. They
the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Nash County Center,
met with lawmakers, including Senator Lisa Barnes,
the market gives area farmers a place to sell the
to advocate for renewed funding aimed at
products they grow and produce themselves. Just as
addressing food insecurity.
important,
the
market
production,
economic
promotes development,
agricultural and
the
preservation of the local farming community.
Senator Barnes asked what it would take to make a meaningful difference, Brown had an answer: $10,000. That amount would go towards helping low-
For Maurine Brown, who was raised on a 40 acre
income
families
purchase
fresh
fruits
and
family farm and has worked in and around
vegetables they may not be able to afford or access
agriculture for most of her life, farming is in her
regularly. Barnes’ office later reached out to Brown
blood. Brown is the long time Farmers Market
about additional needs. So, Brown compiled a list of
Manager for the Nash County Farmers Market.
four other items where funding would be helpful, knowing there was no guarantee.
In that role, she has witnessed firsthand how access to fresh, nutritious food can strengthen both
Time passed and Brown had yet to hear anything
individual health and the broader community. Her
back but was still hopeful. At the very least, maybe
work with the Nash County Farmers Market has also
she’d get the $10,000 initially requested. In early July
given her a close-up view of the challenges posed by
Brown spoke with Senator Barnes, who had some
food insecurity, an issue that remains particularly
good news to share. To her amazement she says,
acute in Nash County, where rates exceed state and
“Everything I asked for, all $308,000 dollars got
national averages.
approved!” The funding request drew overwhelming bipartisan support in the North Carolina legislature, reflecting the universal appreciation of local farmers markets. “It is truly a bipartisan thing, farmers markets,”
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The $308,000 will fund upgrades to the Farmers Market kitchen, including a commercial oven, hood and fire suppression system, along with improvements to existing buildings. The funding will also support a permanent general store open during the week, allowing farmers to stock their products while market staff handle sales. In addition to the originally requested $10,000 to support low-income residents in purchasing fruits and vegetables at the market, the funding would also go to develop a community garden. Brown noted that extra produce grown in the community garden could potentially go to support the donation work the farmers market staff are already undertaking. Currently, after each market any leftover produce not sold at the end of the day is donated to various local charities to help combat food insecurity. The funding represents a historic step for the Nash County Farmers Market, one that will support local agriculture while expanding access to nutritious food. For Maurine Brown, its importance is much simpler and more personal:
“I don’t want children in my community to be hungry.”
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EVERY HOME HAS A HISTORY.
EVERY MOVE STARTS A NEW CHAPTER. Rocky Mount is filled with stories. In the homes that have stood for generations. In neighborhoods that continue to grow. In families putting down new roots. And in new homes being built for what comes next. At Foote Real Estate Group, we believe real estate is about more than bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. It’s about the people, the place and the story that makes a property feel like home.
ROOTED HERE.
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