Eyes of a Child

The Friends of the Lewisville Library sponsored the Holiday Cheer Event this past Saturday morning, December 6. Children and their parents showed up at the Lewisville Library to enjoy the variety of holiday crafts, games and tasty treats so well-presented by the Friends and the library staff.

As soon as I arrived, I began moving about the room, attempting to capture in photos a sense of the energy and fun of the event. In the children’s eyes, I observed some universal themes:

When it comes to playing, children unquestionably love to have fun. When it comes to learning, their eyes frequently light up when they try new things. When it comes to dreaming, those same eyes sometimes appear to see into another world — as when the children spoke to Santa — and they believe that something good can happen for them.

I love seeing what I saw Saturday morning in the eyes of those children: joy, delight and innocence. Maybe we see what we want to see sometimes, but sometimes what we see really exists.

Please stop by the Holiday Cheer Event photo gallery to view more images of the exhilarating morning.

Creative Christmas Crafts

Margie Carter, also known as the “Wallpaper Queen,” taught the Creative Christmas Crafts class yesterday at the Lewisville Library.

Using wallpaper samples from discontinued wallpaper books, Margie led the eager class in making gift bags, gift card envelopes and bows. She also brought in samples of gift bags, earrings, beaded necklaces, tree ornaments and other items she’s made from wallpaper.

It was really quite astounding to see what Margie’s creative mind — coupled with her self-professed frugality — can do with seemingly ordinary sheets of wallpaper. And I have a feeling that Margie’s samples barely dent her repertoire, when it comes to transforming wallpaper into something delightfully decorative.

This class was the second in a new series of monthly Creative Crafts classes that the library will be sponsoring. The next class in January will be on creative things that can be done with used Christmas cards. If you’re interested in attending that class, please call the Lewisville Library at 703-2940 for more information.

Take a few moments to visit the Wallpaper Crafts photo gallery, where you’ll see yesterday’s class in progress, along with samples of some beautiful wallpaper crafts.

Giving Thanks

Yesterday I visited the preschoolers’ Storytime 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.

Brookstown Community Festival

I stopped by the Brookstown Community Festival that was held last Saturday, October 18, at Brookstown United Methodist Church. It was my first time to attend the event, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time. There truly was something at the festival for all ages.

Kids enjoyed competing in the Kiddie Tractor Pull, in which they tested their ability to pedal a John Deere “tractor” pulling a small wagon of heavy weights. The competition was “somethin’ fierce,” with final contenders straining and grunting to pull increasingly heavier loads across the finish line. When it was all over, winners in the various weight categories received prizes.

Vendors lined the sidewalk with a variety of wares on tables or under tents, which included a woodworking area where demonstrations were given. Just inside the church building, there were additional vendors, many with a variety of handmade or homemade items. Baked goods, arts and crafts, greeting cards, jewelry, pottery, and massage therapy were some of the many offerings.

Elsewhere on the grounds you could find delicious food, vintage cars and tractors, plants and a Farmer’s Market, where you could purchase apple cider, ice cream, gourds and pumpkins. You could also “go back in time” by visiting the campsite of Wayne and Riely Woosley (of Woosley Farm in Pfafftown) which served as an 18th century living history presentation.

And there was more — games for the youth, a Kid’s Korner playground, and barnyard animals. Plus, a variety of live music took place at scheduled times at the Pavilion

More photos of this enjoyable event can be seen in the Brookstown Community Festival photo gallery.