It was with joy and excitement to have visited McKenzie the Tea Festival weekend. The city looked vibrant and fresh. Both the business and residential areas visually looked well cared for. more

Temple Watson reminded me a lot of Mr. Ed Wiley. Both were fairly quiet. Both were very thoughtful. Both knew a lot more than I did. Both were remarkable Christian men. And to my everlasting good fortune, both took “a liking” to me…and both had a profound impact on my life! more

Dear Editor We take this opportunity to thank all who allowed us to celebrate MHS Homecoming 2021 in such a special way. A successful program requires so many components and they are all working together for this year’s Rebels. more

It’s not uncommon to watch restaurants come and go over time for whatever reason, but Sunday’s fire at Carmack’s Fish Barn in Cottage Grove is heartbreaking. Since opening its doors in 1984, the restaurant has been a staple of Henry County cuisine. more

Once upon a time Mr. Bill Thompson delivered our mail. He drove all the way out to the house everyday except Sunday. Without fail. Some of the mail was addressed to Leon Colbert at 1162 N. Stonewall. Some was addressed General Delivery. And sometimes it was simply Leon Colbert, McKenzie. more

Coach J.C. Popplewell was considered a “true teacher” by his colleagues and his students who long recalled their admiration for the former coach. A narrative in the 1987-88 Henry County Elementary School yearbook reads of Popplewell, “He is well-liked and much respected by his students as well as by his peers in the education field. He gives us his all every day in the P.E. classes he teaches. He is always there to lend a kind word, to give a little one an extra smile on their first day of school, to loan 50 cents for a Coke, to encourage or just to care. more

Can anyone tell me how it came to be that our government can mandate employers (with 100 employees or more) be vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID while thousands are coming across our southern borders wearing no masks and showing no proof of vaccination? more

Mother didn’t actually lie to us. I don’t think. She said it was mayonnaise. We called it mayonnaise. It wasn’t all that complicated. Besides, it was white and creamy…like you expected mayonnaise to be. more

I think every kid in school got excited about getting a substitute teacher back in the day. It was usually a guaranteed movie day or possibly a day with extended recess, at least in the elementary school days and before common core or standardized tests with repercussions. But there is always an exception to every rule, it was not going to be a free day if Miss Ruth showed up. more

Transfer Portal. more

Max called. With questions. I leaned in a little. He is sometimes hard to understand over the phone. “KK, what was the name of your second grade teacher?” more

For the last couple weeks, the Banner staff has been hunkered down prepping for the upcoming football season. Each year we publish our gridiron guide along with a host of football programs for area schools. While it is a painstaking process, we take pride in what we do and feel honored to help the schools. more

One of the most important reasons for teaching history is to allow our young people to learn about the past. more

It’s not often, a small private school in rural America can claim an award-winning journalist and television correspondent as an alumnus. Yet, Bethel University has that distinction with James Terrell Wooten. more

Sometimes we throw the term “lucky” around a bit more than we might ought to. It’s like “love.” We love ice cream. We love mushrooms. We love a sunshiny day. We love Barbara Jean Dalrymple. Come on now. We can enjoy a mushroom. Or like a mushroom. But love one? more

The Local Journalism Sustainability Act (LJSA) was recently introduced in the U.S. House and has now been introduced in the U.S. Senate — and will benefit every member of this community! Unlike many issues in Washington, this legislation has bipartisan support and is focused on delivering benefits to local communities across the U.S. by sustaining local news organizations, including this newspaper. more

Aw man, this could be really bad. I’m talking Sing Sing. Or maybe Leavenworth. They might reopen Alcatraz just for me. I don’t believe they’re going to let me off with just a few nights in the Starkville City Jail. I got a letter from the IRS. more

A few years ago I came across an old Life Magazine cover with a baseball player who looked as if he was trying to knock the cover off the ball. Since the cover was with other historical photos of McKenzie, I assumed the player had something to do with McKenzie but I never pursued any information. Then last week during a Rotary Club meeting, I noticed the photo downstairs at Lakeside Senior Living Community. more

Willie and Shirley Ramsey started talking to me about writing a weekly article for The Star in 1983. more

On Tuesday, August 3, the class of 2022 will begin their final year at McKenzie High School. Students will attend the traditional half-day on August 3 and begin a full-day schedule on August 4. I want to welcome all of our new and returning students for what is going to be an exciting year. more