Starr receives
ambassador award,
slates book signing
By DeManda Arkfeld
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| BOOK SIGNING: Patricia Eliason Starr of Wahoo signs one of her newly published books for a friend. Starr will be opening her home on Feb. 6 for a book signing for the public. (Staff Photo by DeManda Arkfeld) |
On Feb. 3, Starr was honored during halftime of the Nebraska women’s basketball game versus Oklahoma State.
Starr was chosen as the Ambassador Award winner for the 14th Annual Girls and Women in Sports and Fitness.
“I’m so honored to be in the company of the other award winners,” Starr said. “Everybody has a story and to be a part of this and to be an ambassador is just an honor.”
Starr also added that she is excited to be in the presence of the Nebraska women’s basketball team and to see them play.
“They are having such a great season,” Starr said.
She stated that it is a historical night.
There are seven other awards being given out including the Courage Award, Spirit Award, Pioneer Awards, Mentor Award and two Star City Sports Youth Athletes of the Year.
The Ambassador Award recognizes the influence that Starr has made on in encouraging and setting an example for other girls and women to make sports and fitness a part of their lives.
Starr, at age 67, rode her bicycle 3,622 miles across America. Then at age 71, she went on another bike trip that was 1,400 miles long.
Her second trip was in 2008. It was an effort to raise money for a music scholarship for Wahoo High School.
To date, the fund has raised over $13,000.
The honor isn’t the only highlight of Starr’s week.
On Feb. 6 from 10:30 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. and on Feb. 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Starr’s home will be open for an open house and book signing. Her home is located at 585 West 9th Street in Wahoo.
Her book, “Angel On My Handlebars” was released on Jan. 8.
Starr described her book as not a travel log but as a novel of what has happened during her bike adventures.
“It’s a love story also,” she added.
Starr stated that her husband, Gabriel Gonzales Starr, thought she was crazy when she said she wanted to bike across America.
“He then became my chief supporter,” Starr said.
The story is a unique one of Starr’s personal experiences while achieving a dream.
The physical book itself is also unique.
It is made on 100 percent recycled paper.
She stated that was important to her.
“I am amazed on the quality and the beauty of the book,” Starr said.
Once this week is over, life won’t slow up for the Starrs. They will not only be busy promoting the new book, but are also in the preliminary stages of planning another bicycle trip during 2011.
Starr stated that she hopes to go on a bike trip of more than 5,000 miles and it will probably take about four months to accomplish it.
She added that she is living by the words, “Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.”
According to Starr, people can accomplish anything as long as they have a dream and someone to believe in them.
“Never lose the focus,” Starr said. “That’s the secret.”
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