Back to 1859
Members of the West Side Civic Theatre reenact the marriage of Lewisville's founder, Lewis Case Laugenour, to Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Nissen in 1859. The onlooker in the foreground, dressed in period attire, looks as though he, too, could have stepped out of the 1800s.
Lewisville Celebrates 150 Years
On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the Town of Lewisville, North Carolina celebrated its 150th anniversary with the Lewisville Sesquicentennial Celebration at Shallowford Square. Members of the Lewisville Historical Society had worked for more than a year on the celebration plans.
Despite the cloudy, cool weather, the celebration began at 11:00 a.m. with an old-fashioned vehicle parade, followed by a variety of activities, exhibits and tours until the celebration ended at 4:00 p.m. Some of the activities and exhibits included:
- Bluegrass music
- Brass band
- Square dancing
- Storytelling
- Wagon rides
- Post Office memorabilia & the 150th year commemorative stamp
- Genealogy and Lewisville history exhibits
- Poster and essay contest awards presented to local school children
- Nineteenth century craft exhibits
- Flower show
- Historic sidewalk tour
- Old-fashioned children’s games
The Big Wedding
The final and defining event of the day was the reenactment of the 1859 marriage of Lewis Case Laugenour to Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Nissen. The talented members of the West Side Civic Theatre gave a most engaging rendition of the marriage, complete with children and the sounds of brass music by the Brookstown Band. The cake and ice cream reception following the wedding put the finishing touch on the Sesquicentennial Celebration.
For more on Lewisville’s Sesquicentennial Celebration — including lots of PHOTOS — please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more on Lewisville’s 150th anniversary
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
Simply the Best
This little beauty was one of many children who played on the giant blow-up at the first annual Best of Lewisville Festival held at Shallowford Square.
First Things First
Time flies when you’re having fun! In my case, though, a few demands and obligations over the last few weeks put me dreadfully behind with my Lewisville photos. For those of you who have been awaiting shots of several mid-September Lewisville events, I do apologize. Hopefully, I’ll be getting back on track.
The Best of Lewisville Festival
It’s one thing to know Lewisville is a special town, but it’s wonderful to celebrate some of what makes Lewisville a great place to live, work or go to school. The first annual Best of Lewisville Festival took place in Shallowford Square on September 19, 2009. The four-hour event was sponsored by Karate International of Lewisville and MediaFit.
You might say the festival’s atmosphere was akin to a mini-fair, with varied energetic activities, along with food, pop music, and a number of local vendors. Plus, contests were held for the best flowers, art, food, essay, citizen — and even the prettiest baby.
As I strolled through the Square, the sights and sounds of the festival were delightful. Children were playing on the big blow-up, or they were competing in laser tag, the three-legged race, or the cornhole tournament. Some even crawled into the hamster ball and took a rolling adventure across the Square. Other children and adults participated in karate and clogging demonstrations.
Looking Ahead
The word is that this is only the beginning of the Best of Lewisville Festival. With the great organization and enthusiasm that went into this first celebration, we can eagerly anticipate what next year’s celebration will bring. Thanks for a great day in Lewisville!
To see a few more PHOTOS of the Best of Lewisville Festival before clicking on a LINK to get to the full gallery, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more of The Best of Lewisville
Lyrical Love Story
Mary Lea Williams and Josh Collier play the love-struck Mabel and Frederick in the witty and colorful comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, performed at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, North Carolina.
The Pirates of Penzance
I guess I just don’t get out as much as I should! You see, I’ve never been to an opera before, much less to a comic opera. At least not until I spent several recent September evenings photographing The Pirates of Penzance at Shallowford Square in Lewisville.
I wasn’t sure what to expect of this classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. But any doubts I had about the musical quickly evaporated as the talented cast of the West Side Civic Theatre began unveiling a truly delightful and entertaining story.
Plus, there wasn’t a single word of Italian to be heard! So the lyrics were easy to understand and were laced with humor. The music was also wonderfully performed, with the musicians seated in an orchestra pit at the front of the stage.
For more PHOTOS and a link to the extensive PHOTO GALLERY of the musical, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK for more Pirates of Penzance
