Lionberger Construction sponsors the Mill Mountain Star > The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke had a brainstorm for its annual Pancake and Auction Day fundraiser in May - it would auction off the Mill Mountain Star. Actually, just the sponsorship rights for a year, with proceeds going to support Kiwanis community programs. Lionberger Construction had the winning bid and in mid-July, when a plaque noting their sponsorship was unveiled Gene Marrano at the base of the Star. Sam Lionberger III is the company CEO: “to have the Lionberger name associated with the Star is very special to us. With our history in the Roanoke Valley and certainly the iconic thing that that the Star has become, we’re very excited to partnering with Kiwanis and the City [of Roanoke].” Lionberger said they won the bidding "cheap" at $1250; he hopes to see a higher amount when the Mill Mountain Star sponsorship is auctioned off again by Kiwanis next year. “My grandfather [the company founder] would be very proud. It’s neat.” Mike McEvoy, President of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club, on the new wrinkle introduced at this year's Pancake and Auction Day in May: “we added it to the list, it’s obviously an honorary thing, you don’t get to actually own the Star, but you get to have your name on the plaque for a year. We’re hoping to make it an annual tradition.” The money raised by the Star sponsorship and from other auction items goes back to local non-profits supported by the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, and to college scholarships they award every spring to high school seniors.
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Reelin’ in the fans > The Royal Scam, a Steely Dan tribute band, played Dr Pepper Park on July 9. Acclaimed as the best Steely Dan cover band by reviewers, the sixty-year-old lead singer defied his age as he danced through the crowd (a majority around his age) that was comprised of obvious enthusiasts of the fused rock-jazz-R&B pop studio band with prolific hits in the 70s.
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