Money being raised for a state marker for Norvel Lee
Editor:
Ken Conklin and I are making an application for a Virginia state historical marker for Norvel Lee of Botetourt County. The case for honoring Lee has been laid out thoroughly in the research done by Ken for his book Norvel, a biographical novel about Lee.
Born and raised in Botetourt County, Lee won a gold medal in boxing in the 1952 Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland. He became the first Black from Virginia to win Olympic gold. Further, Lee was also a plaintiff in a civil rights case in 1948 that eventually helped to dismantle some of the segregation laws prevalent in the South at that time. He went on to distinguished careers in the US military and as an educator.
Ken and I met recently with Steve Clinton, a member of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, and County Administrator Gary Larrowe about the potential for a marker in the county. Both were very supportive and encouraging in our plan to make an application.
State markers cost approximately $2,000. To this end, we have received the cooperation of the Botetourt County Historical Society to be the steward of donations for the marker. For any in the community that would like to make a donation toward the marker’s cost, donations of any amount can be sent payable to the Botetourt County Historical Society, P.O. Box 468, Fincastle, 24090. Please earmark your check or include a note indicating funds are for the Lee marker.
We look forward to having a marker for Norvel Lee in Botetourt County and express our appreciation in advance to those who would join us in making that happen.
Nelson Harris
Roanoke
Painter will be missed at The North Star
Editor:
I am sure by now, with all our methods of communication, that most people are aware that Debbie Painted, owner of the North Star Restaurant in Buchanan sold her business after working there for almost 45 years.
We are sad to see Debbie sell, but we understand why. After most funerals in our little town, Debbie served the meals. Most weddings and baby showers were catered by Debbie and North Star. When the Fourth of July rolled around and the carnival came through town, who stepped up to the plate to assist the volunteer firemen of Buchanan with time, food and service– Debbie Painter.
You never pass the North Star Restaurant on any given day only to see some our state and local law enforcement taking their lunch or dinner break to dine there.
It’s not easy to raise a family, rise every morning at 3:30 or 4 to open the business at 6, then try to return to close at 7 p.m., and be on call to help the staff in case they are busier than usual, seven days a week.
Debbie will be the first to tell you that without her staff, it would have been difficult to have come through the birth of her child, help raise her grandchildren, the loss of a husband and losing many friends and customers over the years to sickness and death.
Debbie’s key to success of the business was not only generous portions or the reasonable prices, and not only about some days trying to be nice, it was bout being REAL! Debbie treated us like real people and when you walked into her Mom & Pop establishment and read the signs on the walls, you knew the place had a sense of humor and a sense of belonging.
When you readers have a minute, go by the North Star before the new owners take over and thank Debbie Painter and her staff for the service to this community, the Town of Buchanan and the County of Botetourt.
Debbie, you will be greatly missed!
Cindy Downs, Buchanan
& Friends of the North Star
