I am particularly fond of this photo because I cross the mountain near where it was shot. I just love it when a low cloud fills the valley and the mountains look like islands in a sea of fog. In fall, the color alone can be jaw dropping. In winter, the mountaintops are often show covered. An almost neon green fills the valley in early spring. Nature’s beauty is one reason I chose to live here and after more than 30 years I’m still awed.
But beautiful mountains and the almost equally beautiful New River are not the only reasons for calling this home. Summer days are rarely that hot and the nights are perfect for sleeping. Winters are usually mild. Did I mention that more than 30 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway runs along our eastern and southern borders?
Sparta is a small town in a small county, but it’s beneficially situated. There are no 4-laned roads in or out, but it doesn’t take long to get around because there’s never bumper-to-bumper traffic that only crawls along. It is not far – 30 or so miles – from surrounding larger communities, and just a little more than an hour’s drive from Winston-Salam and its urban amenities. Its two shopping centers and the old downtown are more than enough to meet my weekly shopping needs.
Sparta is not unlike the small town I grew up in during the 50s. It has a bustling downtown and two shopping centers. It still maintains a conviviality and a straightforward simplicity that has been lost in much of America.
I’m not saying the innocence of the 50s have somehow been preserved here. We’ve got Internet -- the western 2/3s of the county is almost all fiber – with all its benefits and ills. And a slower pace of local life doesn’t guarantee you won’t stress yourself out on the job. But the schools are good -- often rated among the top 10 in the state -- and a new Christian school offers parents a choice.
Alleghany Memorial Hospital gives me peace of mind should an emergency arise. I work out at the Alleghany Wellness Center which is a lot like a small Y. Life can be very good.
Our churches and civic clubs are very active in supporting the needs of the community and are always in need of willing volunteers. We have several arts organizations, a community theater, a choral group that is shared with our neighbors in Virginia.
I’m not saying that this small town offers the amenities of a Charlotte or Winston-
Salem, but the opportunities for becoming a part of an active community are available for anyone who makes the first step. And if you are a prospective business owner, the Chamber can acquaint you with the financing and services available to help make you dream a success.
I offer this website and the SPARTA Magazine to help learn more about our community.
Click to browse an online copy of the Magazine. If you would like a print copy, it's
easy to sign up. You may also want to check our weekly
Briefing, a mix of community news and events of interest to locals and visiotrs alike. You can also have it
emailed to you.
Plan a visit and please drop by when you do. We are at 58 South Main Street near in the center of town in the rock building with the green awning.
~ Bob Bamberg, Executive Director