Christmas Elf Seeks Help…
This St. Andrews Church Ornament by ChrisMarks was one of 10 produced by the company, one each year. Photo courtesy eBay.
This Monday’s column question was sent in by a mom who wants to give keepsakes of the Star City to her kids for Christmas, and she’s curious about a set of ornaments made by a company called ChrisMarks in the early 90′s. Do you recognize these ornaments, and did you ever buy one?
Q: I would like to trace a source for an ornament I purchased probably 20 years ago in Roanoke. It is a 1″ brass replica of the Mill Mountain Star hung with red and green ribbons, stored in a red velvet box. The markings on the package insert are as follows:
Chris Marks, Series No. 1 Brass
I have tried online searches to find the artist, to no avail. Over the years, I purchased quality ornaments for my children that had a special significance in their lives. I would really like to track down another ornament so they may each have one.
Lynn McHugh, Roanoke
A: Lynn, I picked this question because I thought to myself, “This seems like an easy one…. How hard can it be to track down a Star ornament in the Star City of the South?” Harder than I thought, it turns out. While several sources thought these ornaments had been sold as fund raising items by Patrick Henry High School, others told me that they were sure that Fink’s Jewelers had them. Read the rest of the column here…
T.
Just wanted to share with folks about a local company (the JA business) that is carrying on the tradition of providing Roanoke Iconic ornaments:
http://www.wsls.com/story/21302436/local-teens-running-sucessful-business
http://www.facebook.com/pages/got-noke/140607019381205
They did a great job of telling their story at the Startup Kids documentary recently and deserve our support to get the word out.
gotnoke@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Sam: I knew there were other Roanoke ornaments out there, and am glad to help spread the word about them. Hopefully the reader who asked the question will be in touch with one of the groups still selling ornaments – I’ve gotten a few other emails from other sources too, so there must still be a market for the product!
Roanoke Catholic School also has sold the “Roanoke” ornaments every year. The designs they select are not necessarily the same Roanoke landmarks that other entities use for their fundraising. I know this year’s ornament was Tudors Biscuit World, and I do know that they had several of the earlier year ornaments still for sale as they were selling them before Christmas. Of course, we did sell the St. Andrew’s ornament. Please call the school office at 982-3532, and I’m sure they will be happy to get you in touch with the right person to help you.
Good luck!
Shannon Sakalas
I’m the “Mom” who posed the question. My main intent was to secure a duplicate of the Mill Mountain Star I currently have so I could pass one on to each of my children. Does anyone have one they’re willing to sell? Thanks to Tom and all for your comments.
This from Michael Pace at Steger Creek, a Roanoke store:
Tom,
We read your article this morning and wanted you to know that we have been selling a custom Roanoke ornament for years. We have sold a ton to many locals and visitors. It is a 2-sided concave brass ornament with the Mill Mountain Star close up on one side and from a distance on the other. It has been featured over the years in some of our ads.
Thanks!
Michael Pace
President
Steger Creek
They look like ornaments sold years ago at Heironimus. I remember seeing similar items at the Towers store.
F. Geoffrey Ltd. (Formerly Frank L. Moose, Jeweler) has carried the original Roanoke landmark ornaments for years. We currently have the Mill Mountain Star and the Roanoke City Market Building ornaments in sterling silver in stock and can order these ornaments and others (H & C Coffee sign, St. Andrews Church, Grandin Theatre, etc.) in brass, nickel silver and sterling silver.
Geoffrey Jennings, Owner
F. Geoffrey Ltd.
1919 Westover Avenue
540-345-8881