The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-12-25
COASTLAND LOOKS FORWARD
TO 81 AND REVIEWS GREAT
GAINS AS SO DRIFTS OUT
It's Been Year of Progress and Some Addi-
tiOnal Happiness in Our Part of the World;
A Year of Overcoming Handicaps; Acquir-
ing improvements and Building for Future.

AS Christmas comes once more,
and another year begins to drift
into history, we are inclined to
look back on the past for some
thing to be grateful for, and to
look into the future for something
of assurance. Old 1858 is nearly
| gone, and it has been an important
year in ours and the Nations his
tory.
On our local scene, there have
been many gains. Gains that over
came many of our handicaps, and
now give US promise for future de-
velopment. Gains that predict a
better year in 1854 than we have
yet known.
The picture for the coming year
in Coastal North Carolina doesn't
/ look too bad from where we sit.
In fact it look good, and heartens
US.
A year ago, as on other Christ
masses, there were lonely and UNI
happy hearts because so many of
our boys were in the mud and cold
of Korea. The nation shortly be-
fore had upset its established pat
tern of Government, and voted de-
cisevely for Ike in the hope that
the war would end and our boys
might come home. We wanted them
home at any cost. We wanted them
home, we said, although bringing
them home would stop lot of bus
mess and make things tighter for
US.
The war has apparently ended
and the boys are coming home. On
the assumption that the war has
ended, many more will no longer
face the threat of CONSUMPTION.
Many families will be spared the
pain of parting, of unhappiness,
and of bereavement.
Likewise, the lessening of de-
mand for war materials, for food
that goes to support war, the high
wages that prevailed because of a
scarcity of labor everywhere, may
not hold up. But that was to be ex-
pected if we wanted the war to
stop and our military activity to
cease, and our boys brought home.
We said we were willing to en-
dure some hardship in the interest
of peace and the prevention of suf-
fering and sacrifice of our loved
ones. We may expect some decline
in income, and some increase in
the amount of labor we must pro-
duce in order to live. We do not
wish to continue a prosperity main
tanned to it's highest degree on the
pain and blood and sorrow of those
we love.
We, who have more of every
thing to make life worth while in
the Coastland, may easily be sat-
isfed with less of worldly goods
when we weigh the greater re-
wards that come from the delights
of living in region so favored.
The people of the Nation will con-
tinue to come here, happy to pay
for the privilege of enjoying in
small measure, the delights that
are ours the year round.
Above all our industries, the tou-
rist industry is our biggest. Many
things have occurred during the
year to give it greater promise in
1854.
During 1858, our citizens have
made greater investment in facil-
tiles to serve the tourists. During
1858, our Governor has given as
surance that Croatan Sound bridge
will be begun in 1854, and there
has come forward strong predic-
lions of other essential bridges in
the area.
The 50th anniversary of power
ed flight this month has done much
to center attention on our region
and to bring more people to visit
US in 1854.
Continued improvement in facili-
ties for our agricultural interests
are made. Better grain terminals
at Engelhard and Belhaven have
been provided. Other industrial and
commercial expansion is planned.
The growing number Of re-un-
ions among our people at this sea-
son, with more expected in 1854
is making for much happiness in
the Coastland. Life should be more
pleasant in 1854 with so many of
the boys home again. There will be
sad memories, of course, among
those whose sacrifices have been
the greatest, but there should be
in the hearts of those most fortu-
nate, spirit of compassion and
helpfulness that will reach out and
encompass the bereaved in a man