Greenville's Shining Star Gets a Makeover

High up on Roper Mountain, a big star has been shining for years. It's not a real mountain, but it's the first one you see when you come to Greenville. This star is special. It's been lighting up the night sky near Interstate 385. But soon, it will go dark. Don't worry, it's not forever. The star is getting a big repair and upgrade. The star is on top of Roper Mountain Science Center. This place is run by the Greenville County School District. It has a planetarium and teaches people about science. The star is a big deal here. It's a symbol of hope and light for the community. The center's director, Michael Weeks, said the upgrades will keep the star shining bright for another 30 years. To fix the star, the science center needs money. They started a fundraiser called "Relight the Star. " They want to raise $130, 000. This money will go to repairing the star's structure, wiring, and lighting. They plan to use LED technology to make it even better. The science center opened in 1985. In 1994, they started a holiday tradition. It's called the Roper Mountain Holiday Lights. People drive through and see a lot of pretty lights. It's so popular that traffic backs up on I-385. A year after this started, a local businessman's family gave the star to the center. His name was Buck Mickel. The star will be taken down on Nov. 20. The goal is to have it shining again by next year's Thanksgiving. This is a big deal for Greenville. The star is more than just a light. It's a part of the community's history and spirit.