I was pleased to see Barry Saunders' "One man devoted to voting" column May 8, which acknowledged the contribution to a greater quality of life by Allen Greene Mask Sr. of Hamlet.

Mr. Mask, recently deceased at 93, knew the power of love, family and education and planted those three seeds (and more) and fertilized them as long as he lived. He was an educator by trade who, when he stepped outside the classroom, saw the world as another teaching ground and encouraged others to be the best they could be, to learn all they could and to lend a hand to those in need.

Mask was truly loved by his family, and they will no doubt carry on his great legacy. I last saw him in June 2006 at the high school graduation of my son and Mask's grandson Allen Greene Mask III, and he, as always, greeted me with a smile and encouraging word.

As I told Allen Jr. when I spoke with him recently, "Your father always had that positive look on his face." A man who truly made a difference and made our world a better place. Mr. Allen Greene Mask Sr.

Deryle A. Daniels Sr.

Chapel Hill