Members of the Rowan Resolves Society recently traveled back in time to the mid 1700s by visiting the Old Stone House.
Robbie Cochran led the tour providing facts and anecdotes of the times and the Michael Braun family, who built the house.
After the tour, Kaye Brown Hirst, a descendent of Michael Braun, shared stories of her ancestors.
She then led the group to the large weaving loom on the second floor, which is one of the artifacts original to the house.
After demonstrating how the loom operates and how the materials were prepared, each child had an opportunity to weave a few passes.
The group then migrated to the downstairs front parlor, where each child received a lap loom and wove a coaster to take home.
While weaving, the children discussed what they had learned and took a true appreciation of the many things we often take for grant it, such as electricity and heat without smoke.
The Rowan Resolves Society is part of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution.
Each member has proven direct lineage to a man or woman who, with unfailing loyalty, rendered material aid to cause of American Independence. The ancestor may have served as a soldier, sailor, civil officer or recognized patriot in one of the several colonies, states or the United States.
For more information on Children of the American Revolution, including membership and meetings, call 704-638-1271 or email fgradyhall@msn.com.
Descendants of the Henry Milas and Josephine Hopkins Earnhardt family met recently for the 11th Earnhardt reunion.
More than 80 family members attended the gathering at Union Lutheran Church.
The Earnhardts lived in the Dunns Mountain and Crystal Lake areas. Their children were Hettie Bell Earnhardt Allman, Della Earnhardt Wyatt, James David Earnhardt, Charlie Edward Earnhardt, Samuel Council Earnhardt, Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt Hartman, John Henry Earnhardt and Dock Earnhardt.
The oldest living descendant is Katherine Kepley of the Hettie Bell Earnhardt family.
Reunion coordinators Amy Earnhardt Blackman, descendant of Charlie Edward Earnhardt, and Jan Weaver Pruette (Hettie Bell Earnhardt) welcomed everyone.
Sue Rufty, wife of the late Norman Rufty, Hettie Bell family, gave the blessing before the covered-dish lunch.
Framed pictures of Milas and Josephine Earnhardt, as well as past reunion pictures, were on display.
A collage was made of the present Earnhardt descendants and copies were given to everyone.
Deaths since the last reunion were: Elizabeth Rufty Weaver (Hettie Bell Earnhardt) and James Adam Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt).
The family also remembered family members who are sick: Edna Earnhardt Bentley, Howard Wayne Bentley, Ronald Edward Earnhardt (Charlie Edward Earnhardt) and Earl Davis Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt).
Births since the last reunion include: Cody Ray Blackman (Charlie Edward Earnhardt), Braydon Jimmy Lyons, Samuel Joseph Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt) and Kato Harte (Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt).
Gifts were presented to the oldest descendants present: Katherine Kepley, 92, of Salisbury (Hettie Bell Earnhardt); and J.W. (Dietz) Earnhardt, 87, of Salisbury (Samuel Council Earnhardt).
Also honored were family members now serving in our military forces: PFC Cody Barnhardt, U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Drum in New York, and Sgt. David Earnhardt, U.S. Marines, stationed in Jacksonville (Samuel Council Earnhardt).
Two marriages have taken place since the last reunion: Kori (Samuel Council Earnhardt) and West Lefler; and Brandon (Samuel Council Earnhardt) and Amanda Earnhardt.
The youngest descendant present was 8-month-old Cody Ray Blackman (Charlie Edward Earnhardt).
Other young descendants present were: Kensley Mae Earnhardt, Samuel Joseph Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt), Piper Bay Honeycutt and Easton Bentley Givens (Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt). All were given gold coins.
The Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt family had the most descendants present.
Sandy Beck of Providence Forge, Va. (Hettie Bell Earnhardt) and Lucky, Laura, Tommy, Lucas and Adam Gobble of Ladson, S.C. (Charlie Edward Earnhardt) traveled the farthest.
Family members and guests attended from Virginia, South Carolina, Morven, Richfield, Mooresville, Salisbury, Lexington, Spencer, Rockwell, Granite Quarry, Faith and Mocksville.
Piano students of Tina Brown of Rockwell recently presented a Halloween play and recital for the residents at the Lutheran Home in Salisbury.
The play, “The Witch’s Magic Piano” by David Glover, is a narrative suite about a piano teacher who no longer wants to teach her students.
As each student trick-or-treater came to her door, the teacher, dressed as a witch, invited the student to play a piece on the piano.
After playing, each student selects a treasure under the piano and then cannot move.
The students are trapped beneath the piano forever and will become her Music-Box Slaves.
The spell is broken when the last student plays “Chopsticks.”
Characters in the play were:
Scarecrow — Dave Guo
Skinny Skeleton — Shirley Guo
Fairy Princess Twinkle Star — Carys Roberson
Gabby the Ghost — Hannah Davis
Chopsticks — Elisabeth Swinson
Following the play, a recital was given by the following students: Elisabeth Swinson, Beau Hinson, Hannah Davis, Jordan Wise, Carys Roberson, Dave Guo and Makayla Freemen.
The recital featured pieces based on a Halloween theme such as mummy masquerade, jack-o-lantern, mystery, midnight crawl, skeleton and witch.