Bringing History to Life
Brad Craver, accompanied by his son Andrew, gave a Civil War presentation at an outdoor meeting of the Lewisville Historical Society in Lewisville, North Carolina.
A Civil War Family
In 2002 Brad Craver and his sons, Austin and Andrew, decided to take up a hobby that has kept them close as a family and has brought history to life for them. As amateur Civil War historians, the Cravers spend six or seven weekends each year participating in Civil War re-enactments in North Carolina, Virginia and as far north as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
On the evening of September 14, 2009, Brad and his sons met with members of the Lewisville Historical Society under the oak trees at Shallowford Square. Their Civil War presentation included relics of that era — a sword, a pistol, and a rifle that was loaded and fired by both Austin and Andrew.
Dressed in full Civil War garb, the Cravers also brought with them items that a typical Civil War soldier might have carried in his haversack (backpack): a “housewife” (a sewing kit), military handbook, Christian tract, playing cards, bed cap, eating utensils and a supply of hardtack (hard biscuits).
Whenever the Cravers share with groups of various ages or are involved in Civil War re-enactments, they typically represent two particular regiments: the Federal Army’s 83rd Pennsylvania Regiment and the Confederate States Army’s 24th Virginia Regiment. They’re part of the approximately 50,000 Civil War re-enactors from nearly every state in the USA, as well as from other countries, including England and Belgium.
To see more PHOTOS and to hear the AUDIO RECORDING of the Cravers’ Civil War presentation, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on the Civil War
The Traffic Lady
Karen Brown, Lewisville's Traffic Control Officer, has a commanding presence!
Playing in the Traffic?
When Karen Brown was a little girl, her mother would lovingly coax her out of the house by saying: “Karen, go out and play in the traffic!” Looking back, such well-meaning humor from Karen’s mother appears to have been prophetic.
You see, Karen has been “playing in the traffic” for 10 years now as a Traffic Control Officer for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department. Karen works part-time, in the mornings and afternoons, directing traffic at both Lewisville Elementary School and West Forsyth High School.
CLICK for more evidence of Karen Brown’s outstanding work as Lewisville’s Traffic Lady
A Gardener’s Delight
Robin McBride of Lewisville, North Carolina loves tending her beautiful garden.
Enthusiasm, Joy, Wonder
There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.
— Mirabel Osler
Robin McBride seems to find delight all around her — but most especially in her garden. There, she’s enraptured by the smallest of details involving the variety of flowers and plants growing under her watchful care.
I first met Robin when I photographed the Crochet Club at the Lewisville Library last fall. Robin is the instructor for that class, which meets every second Wednesday of the month at 4:00 PM. As enthusiastic as Robin is about crochet, she’s even more passionate about gardening.
The Secret Garden?
Last Saturday I found myself at Robin’s house on Reynolds Road in Lewisville, taking in the scope of her gradually expanding garden.
It’s possible that you’ve driven down Reynolds Road quite unaware of the existence of this little bit of botanical splendor. Currently, while most of Robin’s gardening handiwork is not yet visible from the road, she’s implementing a plan to adorn the front yard nearest to the road.
CLICK for more on Robin and her garden
Speaking of Hard Times
James E. Munden, Sr. shared about growing up during the Great Depression in a program co-sponsored by the Lewisville Library and the Friends of the Lewisville Library.
An Oral History of the Great Depression
On Tuesday, March 17, 2009 the Lewisville Library and the Friends of the Lewisville Library presented the third in a series of four programs about the Great Depression. This particular program focused on the Oral History of the Great Depression, with several individuals sharing their memories.
The keynote speaker was James E. “Jim” Munden, Sr., who has written a book titled The Spring of ’31: A Kid’s View of the Great Depression. The book describes growing up on his family’s tobacco farm near Smithfield, NC during the Great Depression, as well as about his years in the Navy.
Jim’s wife, Jane, attended the program with him, also sharing in an easy-going manner about her own experiences during the Great Depression.
If you’re interested in Jim’s book, here’s a link to The Spring of ’31 on Amazon.com.
I recorded the program and have placed the audio recording of each individual within their respective sections below. First up is the audio of Jim Munden’s presentation. CLICK the link below to hear Jim’s childhood memories of the Great Depression.
James E. Munden, Sr.’s Recorded Memories of the Great Depression (MP3, 10 MIN.)
To see MORE PHOTOS of others who shared about the Great Depression, and to hear their RECORDED MEMORIES, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on the Oral History of the Great Depression
