Articles by Birney Imes
Birney Imes: Back roads and small towns
At the beginning of a workshop on small newspapers last week, everyone was asked to stand, introduce themselves, say where they were born, where they are now and what would be the job of their dreams, if not newspapering.
Dignitaries celebrate opening of Paccar engine plant
At 6:37 Monday evening Paccar CEO Mark Pigott and Gov. Haley Barbour, standing in front of a phalanx of blue-shirted workers, local dignitaries and the company’s board of directors, cut the ribbon for what is sure to be one of the crown jewels of the local economy for years to come, the $300 million Paccar engine assembly plant.
Birney Imes: Literary notes
About the new color scheme for Tennessee Williams’ Welcome Center one of our readers wrote, “I think the colors are hideous and have yet to hear anybody else say otherwise.” At this writing 38 percent of respondents to our online poll have said otherwise while 54 percent don’t like it. The rest are on the fence.
Birney Imes: Wil Colom wants to help save the world
Sometimes the answer comes before the question is fully formed. Just ask Wil Colom. Eight years ago, the lawyer/businessman/entrepreneur happened to be standing on the Serengeti Plain in northern Tanzania in the presence of a Maasai warrior when he heard music.
Birney Imes: Birthday ruminations
A birthday is a time for reflection. I hope you will indulge me.
Growing up in Columbus, my favorite pastime as a kid was cruising all over town on a bicycle. Across the river was off limits, so naturally, that’s where we went. In those days all the honky tonks and beer joints were over there. We were more interested in the curb markets that sold firecrackers. I still fancy myself an explorer.
Birney Imes: Life lessons from a bricklayer’s son
Jerry Rice had some poignant things to say the other day. As he was being inducted into pro football’s hall of fame, Rice admitted he has been consumed with fear throughout his football career.
Birney Imes: Some like it hot
Monday afternoon I felt like Harry Dean Stanton in the movie “Paris, Texas.”
Birney Imes: The road most traveled
The other day someone was talking about the proposed Highway 45 Bypass and how it might not be the great thing everyone seems to think it will be.
Birney Imes: A man to call when you lose your cool
Friday afternoon while waiting on traffic at the intersection of Military Road and Highway 12 John Lancaster takes a call on his cell phone. It’s just after 4 o’clock, and, depending on whose thermometer you’re looking at, the air outside is triple-digit hot.
Birney Imes: Honey, please do something about those barking raccoons
One night a couple weeks ago we were awakened at 3:30 in the morning by a clatter from the back porch.
Birney Imes: To Kill a Mockingbird
Tommy Nettles’ Southside home with its white picket fence and parlor with antique dining table, family portraits and overstuffed bookshelves reaching to the ceiling could have been a set in the movie, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
A cold case heats up: Local mother finds justice 17 years later
Wednesday morning Muffie Ellis of Columbus got the phone call she’s been waiting on for 17 years. On the line was a San Diego district attorney with news police had just arrested the man they think murdered her son that many years ago.
Birney Imes: Allegra’s next balancing act
If anyone can restore harmony to The W’s fragmented, disaffected and, in some cases, embattled community, it is this former student, faculty member and administrator.
Birney Imes: The first day of summer
In the heat you can smell the honey and beeswax 10 feet from the hive. As our grandparents did in summers past, the bees escape the swelter by clustering outside on what is equivalent to their front porch. There and on the sides of the hive boxes they will remain making their low hum throughout the night. If the morning is cool, they will have retreated back inside by the time I return with my coffee.
Birney Imes: In search of a shade tree mechanic
The other day I got to wondering if there are any shade tree mechanics still around. You know, a fellow in an oil-stained T-shirt who works on neighbors’ cars in a makeshift backyard shop or even in the shadows of a broad-limbed shade tree. He might have a jacked-up car or two in the yard and a motor hanging by a chain from a rusting swing set.
Birney Imes: Don’t worry what the neighbors think
Saturday Felder Rushing introduced the crowd at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market to Don Featherstone. Gonzo gardener, radio personality and author, Rushing is something of a rock star on the gardening speaking circuit. And, on this morning he showed why, going full tilt for two hours in front of a standing-room-only audience, most of whom wore smiles the entire time.
Birney Imes: Sticky business
By the time you read this — assuming you’re reading the print edition on the day it is published — I’ll be in the middle of a heist.
Birney Imes: Blues travelers
“Much obliged.” It was an expression I heard my father often use. Friday afternoon I heard the term directed toward Andrew Murphy, a barista at Kudo’s coffee shop. It came from a bent, elderly gentleman nattily attired in seersucker pants, a white knit polo shirt and gray New Balance running shoes.
Birney Imes: My old school
More than 100 people took the opportunity Friday to go back and walk the halls of their old school one last time. The school, once Lee High, now Lee Middle, is closing its doors on what will be its final full school year.
Birney Imes: Market Street stories
Frances Hairston’s great grandmother, Anna, moved to Yazoo City from Germany during the Civil War. No doubt it was an inopportune time and certainly it was an unlikely place, but the young girl was intrigued by stories told by visiting relatives who owned a store in the Delta town. Somehow Anna managed to convince her parents the move was a good idea.