Giving Thanks
I visited the preschoolers’ Storytime yesterday at the Lewisville Library. As might be expected, Thanksgiving was this week’s theme.
Laura Gillis, who works at the library, led the group of lively girls and boys in a variety of activities, including a few quick exercises interspersed between reading and a craft project. The books that Laura read to the children were The Night Before Thanksgiving and Happy Thanksgiving, Biscuit!
In the Thanksgiving Storytime photo gallery, you’ll see Laura and the children interacting during the story time and the exercises. And you’ll see you a number of photos in which the children are engaged in the “Give Thanks” turkey craft project.
Of course, the story time wouldn’t have been complete without the cute little Pilgrim whose costume included a white Pilgrim hat and a black skirt.
Here’s wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving.
One Stitch at a Time
Want some help relieving stress or filling your time while waiting for an appointment? Why not try crochet? Crocheting is fun and easy to learn.
Ready to help you develop your crochet skills is the newly formed Crochet Club that meets every second Wednesday of the month at the Lewisville Library. The Club’s one-hour crochet class is taught by Robin McBride, who is a bona fide crochet enthusiast!
Amazingly, Robin has only been crocheting for about three years, but you’d think she was a seasoned crochet aficionado, from observing her crocheting technique and her patient, informed teaching style.
Robin’s number one passion, though, is gardening. I’ve seen photos of her beautiful flower garden, and I can’t wait to eventually feature it in a future blog post.
But second behind gardening is her passion for crochet. Because Robin, who cares for the elderly, often spends a great deal of time waiting in doctors’ waiting rooms, crocheting seemed like an excellent way to spend that time. So she turned to books and periodicals to begin learning how to crochet. Now, a few years later, she’s completed scores of crochet projects, from ornamental pieces to a vast array of crocheted clothing.
Like Robin, you might find crocheting to be an appealing pastime, too. The next meeting of the Crochet Club will be on Wednesday, December 10, at 4:00 pm at the Lewisville Library. If you have any questions about the class, please call the Lewisville Library at 703-2940. The class is free and open to the public. Experts and novices alike are most welcome.
You can see photos of Robin and the class participants taking it “one stitch at a time” in the Crochet Club photo gallery.
A Soldier’s Story
In recognition of Veterans Day, Rick McVicker, an Iraq War veteran, was the special guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Friends of the Lewisville Library on Wednesday evening, November 12.
Soldiering in Iraq
Rick left his teaching position at West Forsyth to serve in Iraq from June 2006 till May 2007. He shared about his daily routines, his living quarters, the food and his mission as a soldier serving in Iraq.
Regularly, Rick suited up with over 60 pounds of gear for each combat mission, which involved patrolling areas of Iraq in a Humvee. On top of the rigors of combat, heat was a persistent challenge, with temperatures at times reaching as high as 130 degrees. In his eleven and a half months in Iraq, Rick engaged in over 800 combat missions, completing his service with the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Rick also made a point to share how much the troops appreciate care packages, particularly those containing non-perishable food. (One of his favorites was Pop Tarts.) The packages are such morale boosters, he said. “So keep them coming — the troops love them!”
Cards for the Troops
Nancy Bauman, President of the Friends of the Lewisville Library, presented Rick with over 250 holiday and thank-you cards which were created earlier this week by children and adults in the community. Rick will ensure the cards are received by troops serving away from home over the holidays.
Hope for the Iraqi People
As someone who has seen firsthand the conditions in Iraq, Rick shared his optimism for the future of the Iraqi people. He reminded the audience that the Iraqi people have never before experienced the opportunity to self-govern. That means they’re learning how democracy works — and that’s not always a pretty process, and certainly not one that is easily or quickly achieved.
Rick has fond memories of his encounters with the Iraqi people, and he has great hope that they will work through the challenges of establishing a democratic government. His overarching thought about his experience in Iraq: “I will always believe that it was time well spent.”
Back Home
Once more Rick is back at West Forsyth, where he teaches civics, world geography and international relations. I have no doubt that he teaches with the same honor and conviction that guided him as a soldier.
To see a few photos of the evening, please visit the Rick McVicker photo gallery.
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Halloween Party
Some big-time celebrities, superheroes, and storybook characters showed up yesterday at the Lewisville Library. Of course, most of them were four feet tall or less, and they were there to attend the library’s Halloween Party. The lively party was complete with refreshments, a story time, Bingo and crafts.
The list of attendees included the likes of Elvis, Superman, Spiderman, Madeline, Minnie Mouse and two Scooby Doo stars. I also spotted a tiger, several princesses, a pirate, a witch and a gladiator.
Despite the non-stop energy of the crowd, things remained very much under control — due in large part, I think, to the no-nonsense policeman who was also in attendance.
Take a look at some photos of the partygoers in the Lewisville Library Halloween Party gallery.
Have a fun and safe Halloween, everyone!
October 29, 2008 CONTEST FOLLOW-UP: No submissions were entered for the post’s contest question. The street address for the Fall display featured in the post’s photo is 634 Lewisville-Vienna Road in Lewisville. Check out the display for yourself, as well as so many other attractive Fall/Halloween yard displays in Lewisville.
