We recently met up with Joe Tennis of the Bristol Herald Courier, who shared info on Four Brothers in Gray. Thanks, Joe!
Changes at Our Shop
There have been some changes at our shop recently. We’ve trimmed down the store at 3 North Main Street to focus on books, cards, posters, and prints and we have moved our line of local gift items up to The Shops at the Senator’s House.
photo by Kathy Murphy
The Senator’s House, located across from the Alleghany Inn, now holds Kathy’s Kreations Bakery and The Parlor Ice Cream shop, as well as many art and crafts. (Check out some of Kathy Murphy’s beautiful baking on her facebook page.)
The house was built by Eugene Transou, who was a State Senator from Laurel Springs, first in 1917, a representative in 1929, a county commissioner in 1923 and a senator again in the forties. He built the house in town, so his wife, Laura Cheek Transou, wouldn’t have to stay alone on the farm when he was in Raleigh. It’s a charming historic home, where visitors to our community can spend time snacking or relaxing. And with the large grounds, many rooms and catering options, folks can host private parties.
We love that Kathy has it open now, and we’re happy to be a part of the new chapter in the house’s story. Be sure to stop by The Shops at the Senator’s House the next time you’re in Sparta, and take a look at our updated and renovated website, Shop.StarRoute.net.
NEW Interactive Map Online at the Town of Sparta
If you’ve not already seen it, be sure to visit the Town of Sparta’s new interactive, online map, here. ISI originally developed the map for the Sparta Revitalization Committee last year, for use in You Are Here type displays around town. When the town requested a map for their site, we decided to make it interactive. We converted map elements to animated icons that “pop up” with a short description and links to respective sites.
The decision was made to add services and businesses that a visitor to the area might need, so we included links to emergency medical and fire services. We also included landmarks like the water tower for orientation and some other important locations like the pharmacies, the churches, the funeral home and Alleghany High School’s ball fields.
If you need dynamic, interactive elements for your site, contact Claire at Imaging Specialists, today.
Four Brothers in the Record
Four Brothers in Gray was featured in The Record of Wilkes.
Thanks to Jerry Lankford and Ken Welborn for sharing our news! Check it out, y’all.
Look Into the Eyes of an Original Patriot
If you’ve never met a minuteman, TIME’s Light Box has some amazing photos you need to see.
Jonathan Smith fought in the Battle of Long Island on August 29, 1778. His unit was the first brigade that went out on Long Island, and was discharged in December after a violent snow storm. After the war he became a Baptist minister. He was married three times and had eleven children. The first two wives died and for some reason he left his third wife in Rhode Island to live with two of the children in Massachusetts. On October 20, 1854, he had a daguerreotype taken to give to a granddaughter. He died on January 3, 1855.
See more images and stories here.
