The Deal Family (foreground, from left: Meg, Betsy, Buddy and Earl) receive a key to the town from Sparta Mayor John Miller, who drew laughs when he told them it would open both the front and back gates to the town. Visible in the background are (from left) Joe Ward, chamber board chairman, N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, George White, Sparta Revitalization Committee president and Eldon Edwards, county commission chairman.

White House trees stop by Sparta

Three trees bound for the White House were given a send-off at a brief ceremony last Friday at the Alleghany County Courthouse and the family that grew the trees was honored for their efforts.

N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler and 5th District U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx both also joined local officials in heralding the occasion, which marked the first time since 1973 that an Alleghany County tree was selected to appear in the White House. Also attending the event was Graham Fields, who is the Western N.C. representative for Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

Honored at the ceremony was the Deal family, Earl, Betsy, Buddy and Meg.

Above Left: The refrigerated tractor-trailer hauling the trees to Washington, D.C. was stopped in the turn lane outside the Alleghany Courthouse during the ceremony.

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