Birney Imes: Opening day

It’s not every day one has the opportunity to take part in the launch of a new newspaper. Such was the case Monday when, after a three-month gestation, the first issue of The Starkville Dispatch became a reality shortly after 10 a.m.

Birney Imes: Harry and Susan and the playing fields

With less than a month to go in office, Susan Mackay desperately wants to see the realization of one of her political goals, the siting of a recreation complex on the 156 acres of Army Corps of Engineers land adjacent to the Riverwalk and just south of Highway 82.

Birney Imes: A word from Coach Dillon

Years ago one of our children had the good fortune to play summer baseball for Joe Dillon. In the 27 years he coached at Propst Park, Dillon became a legend among legends. They’ve since named a field for him. When he coached our son, Dillon was at the helm of a crew of 11-12 year olds called “The Pats,” so named for Pat Patterson, the team’s sponsor.

Birney Imes: Developing a shared vision

“A vision without a plan is a hallucination.” —Thomas Edison

On Friday about 15 people spent the afternoon dreaming about the future of Columbus. Leading the conversation was Randy Wilson, who in September will lead the community in something called a charrette.

Birney Imes: Bill and Virginia’s whirlwind romance

They say you can hear all sorts of things in a beauty salon. Here’s a story I heard while getting my hair cut Wednesday.

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Birney Imes: Working the polls

Bet you don’t know the memory span of a goldfish. How about what a baby gold fish is called?

Birney Imes: Honeybees and politicians

It was an urban sound, a distant clanging coming from the direction of the port. But standing in the backyard on a recent morning, tea in hand watching the bees begin their day, the noise caused me to flash back to a morning seven or eight years ago in Manhattan’s Flower District.

Birney Imes: Tupelo honey at the Silver Spur

Last summer at the farmers’ market I asked George Dyson if tupelo trees grow this far north. George, one of the market regulars, is the grizzled fellow usually on the north end of the market with a beard and the tattered “I (heart) Bikinis” baseball cap. He sells bowls and cooking utensils he crafts from native woods such as bois d’arc, oak and sassafras.

Birney Imes: Uncovering another local hero

Glenn Lautzenhiser and Rufus Ward are at it again. The two local cultural preservationists have, in the past year or so, organized memorial events for native sons who have been titans in their field, sports broadcaster Red Barber and boxer Henry Armstrong.

Birney Imes: Of ballparks and buffalo

According to Roger Short, the jury’s still out on the site selection for the proposed sportsplex. Someone called earlier in the week to say word on the street is that the decision has been made, that it will be Burns Bottom.

Birney Imes: Good books

Deborah, a friend visiting from New York who loves most things Southern, invoked the spirit of Eudora Welty Friday evening. At issue was whether she should have a dessert made from chocolate, pecans and vanilla ice cream.