Around Roswell

What father wouldn’t be proud to hear those words from his 9-year-old daughter? Dave Charles Crane, Around Roswell’s 2008 Father of the Year, heard them recently from his daughter Morgan Hazell Crane who had nominated him for this honor.

When Morgan was asked what her dad has taught her, "He helps me practice soccer all the time, and teaches me new moves," Morgan said. "Her team plays six on six on a three quarter size field and Morgan is very good," Dave said.

Morgan goes on to say how much fun she has with her dad in the water, "He tries to teach me to swim better and we jump off the diving board together," she said. "He even taught me how to boogie board at the beach and how to skin board," she continued. The beach is a favorite vacation time for the Crane family where Dave, wife Linda, Morgan, and her brother Russ head each summer. "We go to Skaket Beach on Cape Cod with Linda’s family," Dave said. "I get to play with all my cousins on the boogie boards. One time we saw a jelly fish and now my cousin is afraid to boogie board," Morgan said. To bring things full circle, Morgan’s name means "by the sea," Dave said, "Linda and I met at the beach, we were engaged on the beach, and our wedding was held on the beach — no wonder all the Cranes love the beach.

Linda and Dave love reading to Morgan and Russ, "We have always read to the kids, even when they were very small," he said. I have gone to Morgan’s school, Mountain Park Elementary School, several times to read. Last year along with Morgan’s grandmother, Dave disguised himself as a detective and went to the school for reading, Morgan and all her classmates didn’t know who was reading to them! What a surprise, "I wondered who that man was with my grandmother," Morgan said. "It was really funny."

When Dave was asked what he felt were some of the challenges of raising two children in today’s society, he said, "We try to create an atmosphere of trust with the kids. We feel it is important to make them feel comfortable about coming to us and talking about anything and knowing we are going to be there to listen. A challenge is to make certain they feel that comfort; we always take time to communicate we are always available to listen to the kids."

An evening at the Cranes will find Morgan and Russ deep in competition with mom and dad at the kitchen table playing one of their favorite board games. "We play checkers, Sorry, and other board games — it’s a great time just for the family," Dave said. "We like to go on hikes too," said Morgan. "Sometimes we go to Leita Thompson or to the hiking trails at Roswell by the Mill," she continued. "We are really lucky that Roswell has so many hiking trails close by," Dave continued.