The First One Hundred Years: Poems, Prose, & Praise

Born in 1917 with an eye for beauty and a rare sensibility, Melvin (Mel) Young puts words together like a master. This collection of poetry and prose ranges from fun memories of farm life and exploring nature with his Boy Scouts to deep spiritual understanding he found in nature and from the well-spring of his heart. All ages will experience tears and laughter alike while reading Mel's best writings, one hundred years in the making.

Until the age of six, Mel lived on a dirt farm in Churchland, North Carolina with his parents Robert Lee Young, known to most as Uncle Bob, and Edna Clement Young. From there, his family moved to the Yadkin Mill Village for work at the North Carolina Finishing Company. Mel began writing poetry, drawing, painting, and wood carving at a very young age. He continues writing today and shares his inspirations almost daily by way of emails with select friends.

Mel married Martha Leonard on December 6, 1941. Their honeymoon was cut short by the attack on Pearl Harbor, but the marriage endured for sixty-seven years until Martha's passing in 2010. The two raised three boys in Lexington, North Carolina. The family is blessed with six grandsons and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Mel was called to serve in many capacities including Sunday School teacher, President of the local Lions Club, and forty-seven years as a Boy Scout Master. He received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given to volunteer Scout Masters. Mel enjoyed teaching the hundreds of boys in his troop over the years and watched many become Eagle Scouts.

He worked at the North Carolina Finishing Company during WWII instead of heading into the fight because a previous on-the-job back injury deemed him 4-F. After moving to Lexington, he worked for Casper Timberlake in Timberlake's furniture store and iconic Piedmont Funeral Home. Mel eventually went to work for Met Life Insurance. He spent twenty-seven years working for Met Life before retiring.

Write to Mel or order a book:

Mel Young

C/O Carla Harper

P.O. 39436

Greensboro, NC 27438