Lewisville Honors Chris Paul

June 12, 2009 · By Deb Phillips – The Photo Gal 
Lewisville Elementary third-graders lift their handmade signs high and chant "Chris Paul! Chris Paul!" for several minutes as they await Chris Paul's introduction. Deb Phillips, photographer.

Lewisville Elementary third-graders lift their handmade signs high at a Shallowford Square ceremony, chanting “Chris Paul! Chris Paul!” for several minutes, as they await Chris Paul’s introduction.

Hometown Pride

Yesterday the Town of Lewisville honored one of its own, Chris Paul, with a special ceremony to unveil a plaque at Shallowford Square honoring Chris as a gold medalist on the 2008 Olympics USA Basketball Team.

Following the invocation given by Rev. Louis Hunter Jr., young representatives of Lewisville Elementary School’s third-grade classes presented Chris with a gift.

On and Off the Court

Lewisville’s Mayor Dan Pugh, who knew Chris when he was a Pop Warner football player, reminisced about Chris’ athleticism and also highlighted a conversation he once had with Chris’ grandfather. Although appreciative of Chris’ athletic talent, his grandfather emphasized that his greatest prayer for Chris was that he would be a man of integrity.

Mayor Pugh also recited a long list of Chris’ achievements as an athlete, from his days as a high school basketball player, to his ACC/Wake Forest basketball days, and his present role as an NBA player with the New Orleans Hornets.

Chris’ high school principal, Kurt Telford of West Forsyth High School, shared his recollections of Chris as a student who led by example and humility, both on and off the basketball court.

Photo Gallery and Audio

Please continue to the NEXT SECTION for more PHOTOS and AUDIO of the ceremony honoring Chris Paul. CLICK for more PHOTOS and AUDIO of the Chris Paul ceremony

Wildlife Habitat

March 22, 2009 · By Deb Phillips – The Photo Gal 
Scene from wildlife habitat in Lewisville, North Carolina near Lewisville Elementary School (Forsyth County). Deb Phillips, photographer.

This scene was captured using a long lens with the aperture wide open, in order to blur the background. The exposure was set to create a silhouette of the bird and tree limb. Further manipulation to the digital file created the abstract look. The location is a small wildlife habitat in Lewisville, North Carolina near Lewisville Elementary School.

A Loving Tribute

Did you know that there’s a wildlife habitat in Lewisville? Although it was established 15 years ago, it had escaped my attention until a little over a year ago when our new library opened. The wildlife habitat is located on Lucy Lane, across from the library, tucked along the edge of a small wooded area.

The marker standing along the front of the habitat reads:

In memory of Jeanette E. Messick
The Jeanette E. Messick Wildlife Habitat
Dedicated 1994

I’m told that Jeanette Messick was a beloved teacher’s aide at Lewisville Elementary School who died of cancer. Her passing was such a loss to her students and colleagues that the wildlife habitat was established in her memory.

The small patch of land that makes up the wildlife habitat features birdhouses, birdbaths, benches, and a variety of plants, flowers and trees. Following the meandering pathway through the small habitat will take you over an attractive brick-lined bridge. Along the way, you’ll see some small statues of children and animals. Sadly, it appears that a sundial is missing, most likely due to vandalism.

Did You Know Jeanette Messick?

If you knew Ms. Messick and would like to share something special about her, feel free to do so by CLICKING on the Comment link below. I’d love to hear more about the lady who inspired the wildlife habitat.

Photo Gallery and Google Map

MORE PHOTOS of the Jeanette E. Messick Wildlife Habitat are available in the photo gallery. Plus, a GOOGLE MAP has been created to show you the exact location of the wildlife habitat. Simply CLICK the links below:

Photos: Jeanette E. Messick Wildlife Habitat Photo Gallery
Google Map: Jeanette E. Messick Wildlife Habitat Map

Update on 3/25/09: Jeanette Messick’s daughter, Susan Messick Luebchow, contacted me in response to this blog post. Susan clarified that the wildlife habitat was built by family and friends. Be sure to read Susan’s comments about her mother and the impact she had on so many.

Back to School

February 8, 2009 · By Deb Phillips – The Photo Gal 
A snow day at Lewisville Elementary School in Lewisville, North Carolina (Forsyth County). Deb Phillips, photographer.

A snow day at Lewisville Elementary School in Lewisville, North Carolina.

School Day Memories

Last week on the morning after the light snowfall in Lewisville, I headed to Lewisville Elementary School, hoping for a good shot of my very first alma mater.

As I recalled some of my childhood experiences at the school, I decided to share some of those memories with you. Maybe they’ll trigger some school day memories of your own. If so, consider sharing them in the Comments section at the end of this post.

Please continue to the NEXT SECTION to read 10 distinct memories I have as a student at Lewisville Elementary School…several “light years” ago. CLICK to read the school day memories

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    In a photograph, if I am able to evoke not alone a feeling of the reality of the surface physical world but also a feeling of the reality of existence that lies mysteriously and invisibly beneath its surface, I feel I have succeeded. At their best, photographs as symbols not only serve to help illuminate some of the darkness of the unknown, they also serve to lessen the fears that too often accompany the journeys from the known to the unknown.  —Wynn Bullock
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    Lewisville citizens pose at the Nissen Wagon at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).Held at Shallowford Square, the First Annual Best of Lewisville Festival was sponsored by Karate International of Lewisville and MediaFit.West Side Civic Theatre sponsored The Pirates of Penzance at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC.The Old Cemetery at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County). Photography by Deb Phillips.Shallowford Square with a beautiful covering of snow.Memorial Day Service by American Legion Post 522 in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County)The home of Dr. Joe and Barbara Brooks in Lewisville, NC is surrounded by beautiful flowers of all types, especially daylilies.James E. (Jim) Munden, Sr. spoke about The Great Depression to the Lewisville Historical Society in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).Brad Craver and his sons Austin and Andrew shared about the Civil War with the Lewisville Historical Society in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).The 4th Annual Yadkin Valley History Fair & Conference - Transportation in the Yadkin Valley Before the AutomobileLewisville celebrates its 25th year of incorporation” width=A redbird claimed his territory at the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).The Lewisville Historical Society sponsored a graveyard tour which included Lewisville United Methodist Church. Host: Ruth HartleThe West Side Civic Theatre put on a splendid rendition of Peter Pan at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC.Llamas at Rivermont Llamas in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).The garden of Robin McBride in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County)The Lewisville Historical Society sponsored a Historic Graveyard Tour, including the graveyard at Lewisville Baptist Church.The West Side Civic Theatre produced the Hello, Dolly musical at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).A beautiful snow on a barn and field on Conrad Road in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).Sponsored by the Lewisville Historical Society, a graveyard tour was conducted of six graveyards in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).New Hope AME Zion Church in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County) celebrated its 125th anniversary on February 1, 2009.Jones Grocery Store resides on Shallowford Road in Lewisville, NC, not far from the Yadkin River (Forsyth County).A visit to Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County) on a snowy morning.The Lewisville Sesquicentennial Committee and the Yadkin Valley Historical Association hosted an exploration of the Shallow Ford.Meet dog, Missy, who was walking with her master at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).Oklahoma! was produced by the West Side Civic Theatre at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC (Forsyth County).