Georgia Magazine - December 2021 - 20

My GEORGIA
By Roger Bevels
Lindale's star between
the stacks
N
estled in the foothills of the
Appalachian Mountains in
Northwest Georgia is a small
community called Lindale, which formed
around the Massachusetts Cotton Mill, a
textile mill built in 1896. Over the years,
the mill changed ownership, first becoming
Pepperell Manufacturing Co. and
finally Greenwood Mill.
In 1931, Capt. H.P. Meikleham, mill
agent, commissioned some employees of
the mill to build an 11-foot wooden star
and line it with lights on both sides so
that it could shine bright at night.
This 450-pound star then was raised
between the two smokestacks, starting a
cherished tradition for the Lindale
community and beyond.
My father, Edward " Ed " Bevels, went
to work in the mill in 1962 at the age of
19, first in the cloth room and then as an
electrician in the mechanical department.
Along with his other duties, he became part of the crew
that raised the Christmas star each year just after Thanksgiving.
In 1982, he was promoted to shift supervisor of the
Members of the " star crew " fi nish installing bulbs on the Lindale star before it is raised
between the mill's smokestacks.
mechanical department. As part of his responsibilities, he
ordered new bulbs each year for the star. One of my most
cherished childhood memories was my dad driving my mom
(Ann), my sister (Renee) and me to see the first lighting of the
star each season. As we rode by the mill, he would point to the
star and tell us that he put a bulb in for each of us. Looking back,
I realize what a blessing it was to see the star as a reminder of
the love of both a heavenly father and an earthly father.
Even though the mill shut down and it is now an event
space, the " star between the stacks " remains a valued tradition
thanks to Tim Reynolds, a former employee of the mill, and
his founding of Restoration Lindale Inc., a group dedicated to
preserving area history and traditions. The original wooden
star, which now hangs on Eden Mountain behind the mill and
still shines each year, has been replaced by a slightly lighter
aluminum star.
For the last few years, my family and I have traveled to
Lindale to be a part of the " star crew " to help raise the star. We
do this in memory of my father, who passed away in 2002. To
20 Georgia Magazine December 2021
continue my father's tradition and to honor him, my mom,
sister, brother-in-law (Brad), nephew (Eli) and I now put in a
bulb for my dad each year.
Tim also began a new tradition in which people can donate
a bulb in honor, memory or celebration of someone. The
Christmas in Lindale event each year features a parade and a
market as well as the official lighting of the star for the
Christmas season. Before the star is lit, the names of those
honored on the star are announced. This year will mark the
90th anniversary of " the star between the stacks. "
Roger Bevels of Stephens is an instructional technology
specialist and assessment coordinator for Oglethorpe County
Schools. He is a member of Rayle Electric Membership Corp.
For more information
* Restoration Lindale Inc., (706) 252-1918, restorationlindaleinc@
gmail.com, facebook.com/restorationlindale
* The Lindale Mill, (404) 919-6119, lindalemill.com
To see a video of the 2017 raising of the Lindale star and learn
more about its history, see bit.ly/2017lindalestar. This year's
Christmas in Lindale event is scheduled for Dec. 4.
ANN BEVELS

http://www.facebook.com/restorationlindale http://www.lindalemill.com http://www.bit.ly/2017lindalestar

Georgia Magazine - December 2021

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