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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.

Porch of 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.

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NEW Interactive Map Online at the Town of Sparta

A section of the new, interactive Town Map at www.townofsparta.org, by Imaging Specialists.

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.

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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, daguerreotype.
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.

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BookFest – Downtown Sparta – June 29

Be sure to come to town Saturday, June 29!

From 3 to 5 in the afternoon, regional authors will be appearing for book signings at downtown shops. Preceding the event, from 2 to 3, Becca’s Backwoods will host a Young Writers’ Workshop.

At 5:30, Friends of the Alleghany Public Library will hold a reception at the library.

BookFest details will be added here and on the BookFest facebook page.

Books are great gifts (and re-gifts!), especially those that feature our region’s rich history, art and culture!

Libby Bagby
Lucky’s Plott
Sparta United Methodist Women
Faith, Food, and Fellowship
Books N Friends:
Kay Bodeen
Pat Crisp, Like a Moth to the Flame
Karen Hall
Building the Blue Ridge Parkway
Elva Sieg
Celebrating the Underdog by Tom Sieg
Mangum Cater Pottery on Main:
Ginger B. Collins
Writer & Reader
Doug Butler
After Appomattox: NC Civil War Monuments
Jeff Halsey
Star Route Books
Suzanne Mellow-Irwin
and illustrator Zach Hamm
The Stratford Oaks Tales
Touch of Grace:
 JoAn Stout
My Shepherd My Savior
Off to See NC
Twelve Gifts of Christmas
Sam Williams
By This Christmas Moon
Garden Snippets
Wanda Wingler
Only Mary
Una’s Naturals & Vintage:
Jim Akers
One Soldiers Story

Come and join the fun and consider “liking” The Sparta Store for updates on other events and new releases.