The NEW BERN
mmm
( PUBLISHED WEEKLY
IN THE HEART OF
Hr« Mrs* A* R.
3000 ArcndaU St.
IIor«bo&l City^ NC
LI J
L
VOLUME 4
NEW BERN, N. C., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1961
NUMBER 23
iv,. ;
Although he had lived far be
yond the life span of most mortals,
we were saddened last weekend
when that grand old Southern gen
tleman, W. G. Boyd, passed away
at his home here.
Because he resided across the
street from us, we saw him often
and marveled at his spry gait, his
keen mind, and his zest for staying
abreast of the times. During his 95
years on earth he was an eye wit
ness to a great many things that
we know only from history books,
or from legends handed down by
relatives long since gone.
As a newspaperman, we were
acutely aware of Boyd’s ability to
recognize and remember what is
known in our trade as “human in
terest” stories. He had a keen
sense of humor, and surveyed the
bittersweet panorama of human
existence with gentleness, tolerance
and compassion.
Unlike some who are elderly, he
didn’t waste his remaining years
on denouncing the young upstarts
of a new era who had replaced his
kind. The good old days were dear
to him, but he never lost sight of
the fact that, old or new, every
day can be a good day if you help
to make it so.
liOng before we moved to our
present locaition, the home that
Boyd lived in had strong appeal for
us. There were prettier dwellings
in Hew Benii but this picturesciue
4lves had been well lived, and se
renity of spirit was no stranger,
Boyd was blessed witb such se
renity. Our most vivid recollections
of him aren’t hard to single out,
We always got a life from the
jaunty way he walked home on the
Sabbath, after attending the morn
ing service at Christ Episcopal
church. With head held high, and
a smile on his face, you could tell
that here was a man who loved his
Lord and found the world delight
ful, despite its trials and tribula
tions.
He possessed the rare quality of
dignity without aloofness. William
G. Boyd was easy to know and easy
to respect. A child could approach
him without apprehension, and
adults were quickly attracted by
his unmisitakaible friendliness.
Because we too love nature, we
were impressed by his fondness for
flowers. He took great pleasure in
showing you about his old fashion
ed garden, where blooms were per
mitted to grow with the unrestrict
ed liberty that God intended when
he placed' them on the face of the
earth.
Frankly, we’ve never cared over
ly for cats, but the Boyd cats—
perhaps through association with
this fine gentleman—seemed to be
more congenial and more attractive
that most felines. Their easy going
manner fitted the household per
fectly.
Even at 95, Boyd didn’t want oth
ers to do things for him. He pre
ferred to prepare his own break
fast, for example. Obviously, In
view 0[f his longevity, he wasn’t
such a bad cook either. Because
we’ve never been one to dress neat
ly, it made us ashamed repeatedly
to see the neatness of his attire.
The trimness of his figure discon
certed us too, and made us unplea
santly aware of our own excess
poundage.
Boyd had been a friend of this
editor’s father, who died unexpect
edly when we were only 14 years
old. Speaking with the inevitable
prejudices of a son, we’ve always
felt that he was the best man we’ve
ever known. Because Boyd admired
him too, and recognized the abiding
faith, limitless tolerance and ab
sence of evil in his being, we were
drawn still closer to our neighbor
(Continued on Page 8)
HEADED FOR MOREHEAD—New Bern High school’s var
sity cheerleaders, not only sound off, they make a loyely
sight while they’re doing it. Pictured first row, left to right,
are Mascot Bobbie Bowers, Head Cheerleader Priscilla Pat
terson, and Mascot Kathy Kelso. Second row, Florence Pol-
lockj Carol Ragan, Sharon Smith, Mary Stallings, and
Priscilla Ross, Third row, Eleanor Dixon, Sheryl Crowe,
CKeryl Kwasnick, Peggy Pate, Qonnie Toler and Jennie Hol
lister.—^Photo by John Baxter.
LOVE THOSE BEARS—New Bern High school athletes can
count on enthusiastic and lusty support this year from the
10 Junior Varsity cheerleaders shown here. Naturally, they
want the Bruin football team to win the Northeastern Con
ference crown. First row, left to right, are Ann McCutcheon,
Assistant Head Cheerleader Carol Gentry, Head Cheerlead
er Kay Vereen, Kathy Turner, and Patsy Ward. Second
row, Sandy Kelso, Sallie King, Jane Cox, Mary Varden Ham
mond and Teresa Lamar.—Phto by John R. Baxter.