AHOSKIE – Calvin &uot;Cal&uot; Bryant has been named editor of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald and the Gates County Index.

Bryant formerly served as the news editor of both publications and is a 28-year employee of Roanoke-Chowan Publications, beginning his career working in the production department.

He began his new duties Monday.

&uot;I truly appreciate and am very honored by this opportunity. It’s a dream come true after nearly 30 years in the newspaper business.&uot; Bryant said.

He continued, &uot;I feel very fortunate to have learned under some outstanding journalists that have passed through our doors. Even back when I was learning the ropes here by getting my hands dirty every day, I loved to stick my head in the newsroom and see how the other half lived. I know I was probably a nuisance, but people like Ramona Goode and Laura Harrell, both of whom have now passed from this Earth, realized the hunger I had deep down inside to become a writer and they took me under their wings. All I had to do was listen and learn.&uot;

&uot;I am extremely happy that Cal has taken on the added responsibilities in this new position,&uot; said Jeff Findley, News-Herald publisher. &uot;To me, Cal encompasses everything good about a community newspaper. His loyalty to and love of this newspaper and our communities is unquestioned.&uot;

Bryant and his wife, Deborah, have been married 25 years and have one daughter, Danielle, 19. The couple resides near Ahoskie.

A 1971 graduate of Northampton County High School (now NCHS-East), Bryant went on to graduate from Chowan College in 1973 with a degree in Graphic Arts.

He is the son of the late Ray and Blanche Bryant who made their home in the Ashley’s Grove/Pinetops community of Northampton County.

&uot;I wish mom and pop were alive to see this day,&uot; Bryant said. &uot;They were always so supportive of my career. It’s because of them, providing the finances for me to attend and graduate from Chowan College, that I got into this business to begin with. I know they are both smiling down from Heaven.&uot;