Star will shine on Heritage Day

As published in Get This! on June 5, 2014

By Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com

STAR — The Town of Star will shine during the 16th Annual Star Heritage Day Festival slated for Saturday, June 7.

Star Mayor Mary O’Brien said the event was started 16 years ago by George Kivett, Jim King and Frank Kivett as a High School Class Reunion for all the classes that graduated from the Star High School.

“A group of citizens got together to make it an annual event that would include everyone and all the businesses in town,” O’Brien said. “George (Kivett) was the president of the group, and then the group decided to become the Star Heritage Association and elected Bill Hudson as chairman.”

One of the many activities on tap for the celebration of this historic railroad town include the dedication of the Little Train and a memorial monument for railroad workers at 11:30 a.m. at the Little Train Display in front of Star Town Hall on South Main Street.

The Star Bed and Breakfast Inn, originally built as a hotel for overnight stays for rail travelers and a rest stop for railroad workers, will hold an open house from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

The Inn, at 118 N. Main St., was purchased, renovated and elaborately furnished by Star native and international psychic, Gary Spivey.

In keeping with the original purpose of the day, a reunion for old classmates and former residents of Star to come back home, will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Star Town Hall. A special welcome ceremony will take place at noon. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be for sale with proceeds going to the Star Heritage Association.

Visitors can choose from historic places to an as-many-miles-as-you-choose bicycle ride.

The third Annual Star Trek Charity Bike Ride, which consists of 18-, 20-, 37- and 53-mile treks, starts at 9 a.m. at STARworks, 100 Russell Drive. Registration fee is $30. which includes a T-shirt, glass medallion and a snack.

Other activities include:

• A furniture sale at the Lancer Furniture Manufacturer from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Lancer is located at 135 Lancer St., off of South Main Street.

• Johnson CNC on Main Street will welcome visitors, displaying the company’s manufacturing of machinery parts. Refreshments will be served.

• ServPRO, also on Main Street, will open their doors from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to give information on their services.

• Star Elementary School will hold a gigantic yard sale to benefit Relay For Life, starting at 8 a.m. The school is at 302 S. Main St.

• The Star Library, 222 S. Main St., will have a Fossil Dig for kids from 9 a.m.-noon.

• The annual Cruise-In at BJ and Sons at 114 N. Main St. will be from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Owners Bob and Brian Jenkins will show off cars from the past.

• The Briarpatch Flower and Gift Shop, featuring items by local craftspeople, will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Minute to Win It — a game of chance to win great prizes — sponsored by Bill Hudson, will be located across from the Community Kitchen from 10 a.m.-noon.

• Lemonade and homemade cookies will be served at the Star Beer and Wine Supplies Store, 202 N. Main St., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Owner Jerry O’Brien will conduct wine-making demonstrations.

• The Star Museum, 1661 U.S. 220 Alternate, will be open from 9-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.

• STARworks will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with glass blowing demonstrations and glass art for sale.

• The Z.T. Wright House, built in 1889 and owned by John Garrett Maynard, will be open for a walk-through tour of history. The house is located on Dover Street.

•The brand new medical clinic, Robeson Health Care Corporation, RHCC-Montgomery County Health Center, on the corner of South Main Street and Cotton Creek Road, will be open for free health screenings.