Linda Mercer Gray
Matt Miller writes:
Another note from a pre-BBHS student -- note how she signs off below her name, from 49 years ago, meaning GT as director then was 30ish...:)
Dear Matt,
I was a student of George Trautwein from 1960 to 1964 at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina. George came there when Andy Griffith taught theatre there; they remained friends through out the years.
I feel fortunate that "Uncle Trauty", as we irreverently called him behind his back, and I kept in touch over all these years. My husband and I made sure that we had a visit once or twice a year, usually in Terrytown when we were visiting the Grandchildren in Rye, but also in Sarasota, when we were nearby visiting the kids in Tampa. I actually started my visits "solo" when he was in Scarsdale in the early 80's. We always took in a few shows in New York.
His Parkinson's was ruinous over the last few years, but he never lost the energy in his heart, in his soul. The last picture that I took of him (in June) shows the fragile body but the mighty spirit in his eyes.
I am so grateful that one of my classmates saw your article. I am sending the link to several of his students in hopes that they will smile that knowing smile and miss him all the more for pounding those ideals into our goofy teenage heads.
Don't think that the football players won't remember-they will.
Linda Gray
Mimi in The Mikado 1962
Linda Mercer Gray
"I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature of change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
My deeds are my closest companions. I am the beneficiary of my deeds. My deeds are the ground on which I stand."
Buddhist poetry entitled: "Five Remembrances"
Matt Miller writes:
Another note from a pre-BBHS student -- note how she signs off below her name, from 49 years ago, meaning GT as director then was 30ish...:)
Dear Matt,
I was a student of George Trautwein from 1960 to 1964 at Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina. George came there when Andy Griffith taught theatre there; they remained friends through out the years.
I feel fortunate that "Uncle Trauty", as we irreverently called him behind his back, and I kept in touch over all these years. My husband and I made sure that we had a visit once or twice a year, usually in Terrytown when we were visiting the Grandchildren in Rye, but also in Sarasota, when we were nearby visiting the kids in Tampa. I actually started my visits "solo" when he was in Scarsdale in the early 80's. We always took in a few shows in New York.
His Parkinson's was ruinous over the last few years, but he never lost the energy in his heart, in his soul. The last picture that I took of him (in June) shows the fragile body but the mighty spirit in his eyes.
I am so grateful that one of my classmates saw your article. I am sending the link to several of his students in hopes that they will smile that knowing smile and miss him all the more for pounding those ideals into our goofy teenage heads.
Don't think that the football players won't remember-they will.
Linda Gray
Mimi in The Mikado 1962
Linda Mercer Gray
"I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.
I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature of change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
My deeds are my closest companions. I am the beneficiary of my deeds. My deeds are the ground on which I stand."
Buddhist poetry entitled: "Five Remembrances"
