If you spend any time around Winston-Salem during the holiday season, you’ll certainly encounter glowing 26-point Moravian stars gracing homes and trees, and even the city’s downtown decorations. These stars are a tradition tracing their origin back to the Moravians, a religious group that began settling the area in the mid-1700s and still retains a strong influence.

Thanks to Visit Winston-Salem, the “Star Man” who produces hundreds of Moravian stars each year has been revealed as Ken Manuel, a “kind man with gentle eyes and a warm voice that attracts visitors to his table at the Moravian Book & Gift Shop in Old Salem.” What began as a hobby has evolved into a full-time job over the past decade, but also a labor of love. Click here to enjoy a complete introduction to Winston-Salem’s star of the season.