Those of us who knew and
loved Danny Kellum from his
early childhood have different
reasons for remembering him.
This editor, who stag^ the
Yuletide Revue here for a
quarter of a century, associates
him with the Christmas charity
show.
An edition of the Revue
without Danny and Jimmie
Jones featured in a tap dance
routine was unthinkable. From
the moment they first
appeared, hardly beyond
toddling age, they were
troupers you could genuinely
admire.
Never once did the pair give a
shoddy performance. Never
once did either display the
slightest indication of the bad
temperament that is too often
found among amateur and
professional entertainers.
At the graveside, following
young Helium’s funeral service
at New Bern’s First Baptist
church, Jimmie came up to us
and spoke. “I guess it was a
foregone conclusion we would
both be here,” was our reply.”
‘T saw Margaret Rose here
too,” Jimmie said. That too was
understandable, for she was the
dancing teacher who years ago
taught the two of them their
first rhythmic steps, and
discovered theirs was no
ordinary talent. '
Partly perhaps because
Danny, like a lot of us, wasn’t
destin^ to grow very tall, but
mostly because of his perpetual
smile, we can’t for the life of us
think of him as anything but a
little boy.
All runts are teased about
their size, not always too kindly,
and he was no exception. What
really mattered, of course, was
that his legs were long enough
for his feet to reach the ground.
This takes care of things.
Never did Danny look more
like a little boy than the time he
dressed up magnificently in
armor for a New Bern High
School homecoming parade,
and rode a hcnrse in Roman
gladiatw style. That had to be
the very biggest horse we’ve
ever seen.
Whenever you met Danny, at
any place, the brightness of his
countenance made you feel
good inside. This alone was a
significant contribution to a
world that needs his rare breed
desperately.
But for us, or anyone else, to
think of Danny Kellum only as a
happy, ageless small boy is both
unfair and inaccurate. In early
manhood he had already
established a reputation as an
able teacher and counselor.
Shortly before his tragic
death he authored an
informative article for a
national magazine, “The
Guidance Clinic.” It dealt with
Experimental Day last May, at
the Conway, S. C., High School,
where he taught.
It was young Helium’s idea to
set up such a day for group
discussions and talks by special
guest lecturers.
Unquestionably, similar
programs will be established in
other schools across the nation.
"So many people,” wrote
Danny, "are upset about such
(Continued on Page 8)
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The NEW BERN
VOLUME 13
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NEW BERN, N. C., FRi \^^'!^VEMBER 20,1970
NUMBER 36
UNIQUE OCCASION—^This was no ordinary
christening, at least not for New Bern. It took place
at the home of the godfather and godmother,
Tommy and Mary Leris, the other day. The infant
boy, bom at Craven County Hospital of Greek
parents, is Dimitre (Jimmy) Forti, son of Alexis
and Aleftheria (Elizabeth) Forti. Officiating is the
Rev. Basil Kleoudis of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox
Church in Wilmington. The little girl is the infant’s
four year old sister, Zoi, who was born in Greece.
Tommy and Mary are childless but love chil4ren.
Just ask anyone who has seen them happily passing
out candy, gum and balloons to the youngsters m
those who patronize their downtown restaurant.-
Photos by Florence Hanff.