Sheets is named parade grand marshal

This year's Christmas on the Mountain-themed parade will feature George Sheets as its grand marshal. Over the years, Sheets has played a part in changes and improvements to the community, which ultimately led to his nomination for the role.

The 2008 Christmas parade is scheduled for Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. along Main Street in Sparta. The Sparta Revitalization Committee annually sponsors the event.

When asked how Sheets was selected for the honor of serving as the parade's grand marshal, Promotions Committee Chair John Kilmartin remarked that Sheets has contributed to the county in several ways, through volunteering time toward different efforts, as well as providing financial contributions.

When asked similar questions about Sheets, Main Street Coordinator Barbara Lucier described him as an "unsung hero." "George has been extremely involved in the economic development aspect of the town…," said Lucier. "George Sheets is a caring leader, worker and good neighbor who demonstrates pride in our town and a commitment to the mission of the Sparta Revitalization Committee...."

When asked to describe her husband of 47 years, wife Lois recently said, "He's a quite, easy-going guy and a really hard-working guy who loves to work. While he's working on one project, he's trying to figure out what he's going to do on the next project."

About Sheets

When asked to talk about himself, George Sheets is a very soft-spoken and modest individual, not being one to toot his own horn, so to speak. However, his reputation of being a hard worker and very involved in his community precedes him. He and wife Lois moved to Alleghany County from Ashe County in 1970 and the couple made the decision to purchase their first business, what was then Evans Jewelry, from Cliff and Louise Evans. The couple operated the store on Main Street for 30 years, opting to close Sheets Jewelry in 2000.

Over the course of the 30 years the couple owned the business, George found himself getting involved in several activities. Two years after moving to the area, he became active in the Sparta Lion's Club, and served on the Sparta Town Council for a time. He has served on the Sparta Revitalization Committee and the Alleghany Fairgrounds Committee. He has also been, and continues to serve, on the Alleghany County Board of Elections and is a member of and serves as a deacon of the Peak Creek Church of the Brethren.

In the early to mid-‘80s, Sheets and wife Lois became involved with the B&B Investment Club, which was recently among those honored in a September meeting of the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce. As a whole, the group played a large part in the establishment of the Alleghany Inn, a Sparta-based hotel.

The group now includes most of its original members. Currently in the group are Jack and Nancy Ashley, Bob and Carol Black, Tom and Nancy Burgiss, Elizabeth "Lib" Goodman, Jan and Cyrus "Cy" Heravi, Jack and Barbara Martin, James and Pat Miller and Bill and Betty Sebastian and John Kilmartin.

Sheets also had his hand in helping the county recover from a fire that destroyed downtown Sparta, an area dubbed as "Evergreen Junction."