Sinu iillmti'
The NEW BEHU
Q1^ 1^'^ Jii
PUBLISHED WEIKLY
IN THI HEART OP
EASTERN NORTH
CAROLINA
5^ Per Copy
VOLUME 14
NEW BERN, N. C., FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1971
NUMBER 9
Jump at the chance if you’re
ever asked to make a speech
before 300 of North Carolina’s
senior citizens. You’ll find them
the warmest, most appreciative
audience imaginable.
A week has passed since they
held their convention here at the
Ramada Inn, but the radiance
they brought with them to New
Bern lingers. To use a phrase
popular in show business, they
are beautiful people.
Most folks are courteous and
kind, when you’re called upon to
toss words in their direction. If
you click, they’re attentive. If
you bore them, no amount of
pretense on their part will
conceal their reaction.
This applies anywhere you
speak, in town or out of town.
\^ether you’re standing before
a group of Brownies, a ladies
night gathering, a Jaycee
banquet, or a bunch of athletes,
you know how you’re faring.
Last Friday morning, the
strangers seated before us
didn’t look and act like
strangers. They weren’t
sophisticated, and they weren’t
skeptical. Who needed a
prepared speech, when you
knew they were on your side?
The words came easily, and
tliey fell into place. Granting
that we’ve never delivered a
great oration, this talk really
was better than a hundred or so
others we’ve dished out around
eastern North Carolina.
Those senior citizens on the
other side of the speakers table
had to be responsible. Don’t let
anyone tell you that a speaker,
an actor, a singer, or a ball
player doesn’t need sideline
support. You can’t make it
without it.
Trying to fool a senior citizen
would be a hopeless un
dertaking. To that extent, we
probably wasted words in
telling them right off that, as
people go, we lack class. This
they were obviously ready and
willing to overlook.
You’re way off base, if you’ve
got the notion that men and
women in the sunset years
aren’t alert. These guys and
gals fielded wisecracks faster
than any group we’ve ever seen
or heard tell of.
They had a sense of humor
that just wouldn’t quit, and it
carried over to the luncheon. In
that happy crowd the total ages
added up to thousands of years,
but we didn’t see the first old
person.
Perhaps our paths will never
cross again, but on a bright May
morning they put to shame
those who use birthdays as a
yardstick for determining when
mortals should be considered
obsolete.
The thought isn’t orginal with
us, but it’s worth repeating that
age is a matter of attitude. The
folks we saw at Ramada Inn a
week ago just ain't never going
to get old. They won’t last
forever, but they’ll make their
exit still young in heart.
Did your legs get tired when
you toured Tryon Palace: These
senior citizens took it in stride,
just as they did everything else
on the convention’s busy
schedule. If they had aches and
pains, like the ones you com-
(Conlinued nn page 8)
IT AIN’T NECESSARILY SO
You should swear by name brands,
That’s what commercials say;
Be sure to look close at labels,
This is the smart shopper’s way.
“What you see is what you get’’
Is a line made famous by Flip
But at Craven County whiskey stills
You can’t put faith in this quip.
The jugs have familiar inscriptions
From which you can pick and choose.
But it really makes little difference,
For you always end up with booze.
No, it ain’t Dr. Pepper or Seven Up,
And we clue you, there ain’t no Coke,
The ingredients add up to white lightning.
And they’ll make your innards smoke.
-JGMcD.