Shown are some of my most recent articles and blog postings.
William Sutcliffe Heaton, Jr. (1925-2018)
CLARKSDALE, MS – The man who had a hand in forming the first public cotton ginning operation in the Mississippi Delta and literally planted the idea for a farming enterprise that would become known nationwide passed away peacefully Saturday, July 7, 2018, at the age of 92. And while Bill Heaton may be known for … Continue reading “William Sutcliffe Heaton, Jr. (1925-2018)”
Fred M. Hite (1943-2016)
MORGANFIELD, Ky. – In a life that took him from the streets of Uniontown, Ky., to the jungles of Vietnam to towering construction projects along the Ohio River, and retirement days spent on the golf courses across the Southeastern United States, Fred Hite was as solid a man as the massive power plants he helped … Continue reading “Fred M. Hite (1943-2016)”
H. Shane Jones (1944-2020)
DENVER, NC – Born on the side of a West Virginia mountain on a cold November day just before the end of World War II, Shane Jones spent the next 75 years overcoming obstacles. He did this through an overwhelming desire to succeed in all he did – exemplified by a loving family that eventually … Continue reading “H. Shane Jones (1944-2020)”
Share your life story
Let me help you tell the story of your loved one. Their greatest accomplishments, loves and the legacy they leave behind.
The gift of the glove
What’s the promise of a new baseball glove bring? Characters from my work in progress “River Bottom” are unveiled in this latest writing exercise.
‘The Climb’ to Ruby Falls during a year that wasn’t
Is there a certain memory that has stuck out in 2020?
For myself, it was a grueling hike up a mountain in the South Carolina Upstate.
Getting creative with Pen to Paper: Jelly and whiskey in the Mississippi Delta
Stuck in your creative work? Why not try Charlotte Lit’s Pen to Paper Live!
I ended up with “Jelly and Whiskey in the Mississippi Delta.”
Flight of the hummingbirds
Hummingbirds travel great distances twice a year between the United States and Canada south to Mexico and other Central and South American locales.
One of their rest stops is a botanical garden in North Carolina.
Flavor, flair of Argentina arrives with new Grand Bohemian Charlotte
The newest hotel in Charlotte offers something not seen before in the Queen City.
Come along with me and take a peek inside of the 16-story boutique hotel that celebrates the culture of Argentina and a Bohemian lifestyle.
It is the Grand Bohemian Charlotte.
The reunion of knuckleheads in Upstate South Carolina
Each summer, a small South Carolina town is overrun by thousands of motorcycles.
And the town of Chesnee is happy to have them as they host the Antique Bikes On Main that brings in antique motorcycles from around the Southeastern United States.
Ole Miss basketball coach Kermit Davis a difference-maker
Ole Miss basketball coach Kermit Davis has always been a difference-maker.
On Thursday, June 25, he was among 46 coaches and administrators from Mississippi universities who met with government officials at the state capitol in an attempt to get the state flag changed.
Surreal silence at track for one NASCAR crew member
“It was strange, surreal.”
Those were the words of Scott Denton, a member of the No. 88 race team, said when asked about NASCAR’s return to racing on Sunday, May 17 in Darlington, S.C.
A gift of home for former homeless mother of one
Thirty-four-year-old Thomasina Williams, who lived out of her car in the past, can count on one hand the number of places that were her own.
Through the generosity of one group and thanks to a coronavirus stimulus check, she now has a furnished home for she and her 5-year-old daughter.
Meet the man who handcuffed the Centennial Olympic Park bomber
Jeff Postell was a rookie cop in his first few months on the job when he captured Eric Rudolph, the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bomber and one of America’s Most Wanted.
Read his story and his thoughts on the man who has the coldest eyes of any man he’s met in his life.
Korean War soldier returned home 69 years after his death
Note: This story first appeared in the Dec. 1, 2019, issue of The Gaston Gazette newspaper in Gastonia, N.C. By Michael Banks It was a Saturday in December, in a frozen, war-torn land half a world away from the forests and streams of Gaston County when the life of Cpl. Earl William Duncan was tragically … Continue reading “Korean War soldier returned home 69 years after his death”
Hooked on fly fishing
From the first time this writer saw the movie “A River Runs Through It,” I’ve had a fascination with fly fishing.
In the summer of 2019 I had the opportunity to cast my first line in the mountains of western South Carolina.
I learned not only about fly fishing, but also a little bit about life.
Provider of fishes
A small government facility hidden deep in a valley of the Upstate South Carolina is responsible for producing some half a million items each year.
Let it be known, the trout anglers of South Carolina are very grateful.
Finding heaven along South Carolina’s Highway 11
Looking for a road trip to experience the colorful palate of nature? Well, a drive down South Carolina’s Highway 11 will provide you with plenty of inspiration and memorable moments.
Getting to know South Carolina’s shark whisperer
The man who does battle with man-eating sharks admits he’s “not a crazy jump-out-of-airplanes kind of guy.”
He enjoys playing golf and tennis, but he’s no adrenaline junkie.
“I’m pretty boring. I live a pretty simple life,” says Chip Michalove.
However, he’s quick to admit he gets more than a little nervous when he enters the ocean and the waves hit against his waist.
“I’ve just seen too many of them out there and I can’t relax. If I go chest-high, I’m going to have a coronary,” Michalove says.
Worth quoting
“Prejudices are like heavy furniture in a Conestoga wagon on the Oregon Trail. In order to keep them moving forward, sometimes you have to toss them out, even if they are family heirlooms.” — Duncan Dayton From his 1987 publication “Out West: An American Journey”
Author Greg Iles’ roots are in the Mississippi mud
Mississippi author Greg Iles has written numerous best-sellers and even had one of his novels made into a film.
Yet, Iles quickly admits he’s yet to write that “one great book.” And he is perfectly fine with that.
Let me tell you a story …
Words have always been a constant in my life — from my days of growing up among the corn fields and coal mines of western Kentucky to various newspapers around the South.
All hail the Kingfish
Riding a wave of popularity from the recent release of his first album and appearances in the Netflix series “Luke Cage,” young blues musician Christone “Kingfish” Ingram reflects upon his days growing up in Mississippi and the musical influences shown in his work.
Best Feature Photo
This photo was recognized with a first-place award in the 2018 Better Newspaper Contest conducted by the Mississippi Press Association. In the photo, 2-year-old Camden Aderholt, center, and 3-year-olds Harper Powell and Anna Margaret Marley were fascinated by the bubbles drifting in the air, thanks to the efforts of Anna Sims Wills, 12, at left, … Continue reading “Best Feature Photo”
Best little newspaper in Mississippi
A short time after beginning my time as publisher/editor of The Clarksdale (Ms.) Press Register, I picked up a single second-place award given out by the Mississippi Press Association for work done by the newspaper in 2017. At that time, in June 2018, I silently set a goal in my mind that we’d exceed that … Continue reading “Best little newspaper in Mississippi”
Sports design work
Shown is an example of design work I did while employed as Deputy Editor of The Gaston Gazette newspaper in Gastonia, NC.
Moon Lake magic and Tennessee Williams
Many of the characters and locations that turn up in the timeless works of playwright Tennessee Williams — including scenes from “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Orpheus Descending” — originated from a small town on the flat open land known as the Mississippi Delta and an oxbow body of water named Moon Lake.
Author Hank Burdine is definitely Delta
Author Hank Burdine’s latest book is a collection of his stories about the people, places and things that make up the Delta. And Burdine is the perfect person to share those stories with his Southern drawl and storytelling ease that leaves one craving a sip of whiskey as they sit along the banks of the … Continue reading “Author Hank Burdine is definitely Delta”
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