Lewisville Honors Chris Paul
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.
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
The Traffic Lady
When Karen Brown, Lewisville's Traffic Control Officer, tells you to stop, you better stop!
Go Play 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!” And you might say her mom’s humorous directive turned out to be 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
Wildlife Habitat
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
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
