SPECIAL TO THE CALDWELL JOURNAL By Laura Sedlacek…About a week ago, we stayed overnight in Roanoke, VA on our way to West Virginia for a family trip. I always like to find something to do that is educational or involves the arts when we travel. I was the only one up scrolling on my phone looking for things to do when I came across the Mill Mountain star. For some reason, I thought it sounded really familiar. Then I remembered one of the first poems I had written for my Facebook page (eventually published as a Book and E-book), “Poetry in LA.” If you’re a local, of course you know LA stands for Lenoir Area.
In the poem, “Hibriten Mountain” I talk about the inspiration for the star on top. While researching the poem, I discovered that our Hibriten Mountain star was based on the Mill Mountain star in Roanoke!
Now I’ve been to and through Roanoke so many times, I’ve lost count. I lived for many years in Washington, DC and when I’d drive home I always drove through Roanoke. Years later, my husband and I moved to North Carolina and when we’d visit his family in Washington, DC we’d either stay in or travel through Roanoke. I can’t believe during all those trips, I missed the star that is the world’s largest man made star!
It was erected in 1949 as a symbol of the progressive spirit of Roanoke, star city of the south. The height of the star is 88 ½ feet. The weight of the star is 10,000 lbs. There is 2,000 feet of neon tubing consuming 17,000 watts. It stands 1,045 feet above the city and its visibility from the air is 60 feet. It is illuminated every night in several different color combinations.
The star is part of a park which is near the zoo. There are some hiking trails, picnic tables, restrooms and vending machines. It’s pet friendly as well and free!
The next time you pass through Roanoke take a detour and drive up to Mill Mountain park or just look up to see the star that watches over the city day or night. This man-made star is the reason our Hibriten star (or cross at Easter) has been watching over Caldwell county and all of us!
Laura Sedlacek writing as LB Sedlacek is a poet and writer. She is the creator and author of “Poetry in LA.” Her poetry book “Poetry in LA” is available at the Caldwell Arts Council or Caldwell Heritage Museum. Her latest poetry book “Words and Bones” comes out from Finishing Line Press this summer. Find out more at http://www.lbsedlacek.com or on Facebook @poetryinla or @lbsedlacekpoet or on Instagram @poetryinla. (Photo above—Mill Mountain star in Roanoke, VA.)