Howard Mitchell moves one of the miniature cars he has on display to compliment his model of the town of Sparta.

Ennice man's love of building leads to model of downtown

Howard Mitchell's passion for collecting and building things is the fuel behind his recently completed cardboard model of the town of Sparta.

The model now sits on a table in the den of the residence occupied by Mitchell and his wife, Linda Gay Mitchell. The couple live on Greene Park Road in Ennice.

"I love to build things, to make things," the 48-year-old Mitchell said. "I just start by making small things and they end up big." Miniature replicas of many recognizable Sparta entities may be spotted on the cardboard model, including the dollar store where Mitchell bought the "white cardboard" he used not only in this particular model but also to frame some of the other items he collects. Among the other buildings that are visible and recognizable on the model are the Exxon station and Alleghany Memorial Hospital.

Mitchell began working on the model this past March, spending about one and one-half hours every other day or so on its construction until its completion last Wednesday.

"I started with the small buildings, like the filling station, which I then took apart and made something else out of it," he said. "I then made the Department of Transportation, and from there I really started putting it all together. I finished this week with the hospital, and the road leading to it."

He said that the toy cars used in the model were also purchased from a local store.

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