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 reenactments 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 reenactments, 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 reenactors 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
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.
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
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.
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