Monday, November 30, 2009
Time to conjure up Christmas memories
Tom Angleberger
The New River Valley-based reporter answers your questions Mondays in his column, What's on Your Mind?
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It's time for a Christmas tradition that goes back many, many years -- well, at least one or two. It's the holiday installment of Ask the Readers.
Now, as you'll see, we still have some serious, secular business to take care of, too. Below, you'll find questions about Triangle Park, hot roasted peanuts, acrylic socks, an old mill on U.S. 52 and more. I'm asking you, my readers, if you know the answers to these. If so, please send them in.
I'll also need you to root around in your memory banks -- and maybe your photo albums -- for responses to a great Christmas question. It's about a specific display they used to have at Crossroads Mall. But I hope it will stir up memories of other out-of-the-ordinary, supersized Christmas decorations, too.
So, I'd like to hear readers' stories about any and all mall or store displays from Christmases past, especially if they involve deceased deer:
When I was a kid, Crossroads Mall was the mall to go to. They had a display every Christmas of Santa, his sleigh and eight reindeer. These were real whitetail deer that had been preserved by a taxidermist, I assume. They hung from the ceiling of the mall as if Santa was flying through the air. I always have wondered what happened to this display. Maybe you can find some history on this and maybe a picture.
Jason Gibson, Roanoke
A picture would be great. And maybe we'll even hear from the Christmas visionary who dreamed it up. Or perhaps, even the taxidermist.
Christmas at Crossroads must have been interesting once upon a time. Here's another Crossroads memory:
Michael's was a local bakery that had several shops, including one in Crossroads Mall. They used to have the greatest pastry items. Every year around the holidays they would have little Santas and snowmen. These little items were kind of like cupcakes, but they were completely iced and decorated. My question is what happened to Michael's (they had a shop on Williamson Road, too), and does anyone else make anything like those items?
Greg Terry, Roanoke
I drive from New Castle every day to work. What can you tell me about the cherub statue perched on a rock near Just the Right Gear on Virginia 311? And there is a huge angel statue high up on the rocks at Hanging Rock. My husband and I are having a friendly disagreement on how anybody could get these into the positions where they are.
Melina Brown, New Castle
I don't know of any place in the Roanoke Valley to get hot roasted peanuts, since the Peanut Store and Agnew Seed closed. I hope someone is selling them or can point me in the right direction.
Betty Harvey, Roanoke
Where can I find acrylic socks? I do not want cotton or anything that has seams.
Mary Adeline Calvert, Roanoke
Was there a Triangle Park in Roanoke? If it did exist, whatever happened to it?
Jay Griffin, Hardy
On U.S. 52 south between Hillsville and Mount Airy [N.C.], there's a three-story stone building with a water wheel. Can anyone tell me about the history of that building?
Geraldine Smith, Dugspur
I love hearing from readers with answers, especially when they have an interesting story to go with it. Please send your answers along with your name and town or county to woym@roanoke.com.
E-mails make my life a lot easier, but if that's not an option, then please leave a voice mail at 777-6476 (please be sure to speak clearly and spell your name).
Either way, don't tease me with the possibility of an answer. If you've got it, give it. It's the holiday season, after all.
Look for Tom Angleberger's column on Mondays.
