Beards gave kids a place to play that was safe, fun

Anyone who came in contact with Mr. George Beard, Mrs. Lorraine Beard or any member of that family knew then and knows now that they were really good people. 

I can remember as a young kid going to their house and playing basketball, and believe me, we played a lot of basketball. 

We’d just knock on the door and Mr. or Mrs. Beard would give us a basketball, tell us to have a good time and to play as long as we liked. Many times games would go on until it was dark, then instead of someone saying, “OK, time to go home,” this flood light would come on and we would continue to play into the late hours of the evening. 

Many of us are very thankful to Mr. Beard and Mrs. Beard for giving a bunch of kids a safe place to play when there were really no other opportunities or places to play.

Tom Grady
Culpeper