The first “small town” I lived in was Madison , NC ( Age 3 to 12 , 1943-1952 ). Mel’s Dad , Mutt–Mother, Polly–and sister, Carol went to my minister Father’s First Baptist church. While they were at our place on Sunday’s, our gang of boys gathered most days at the Steeles. Two main reasons were their family and their location near the banks of the Dan river.

I just read two biographies. One on Tom Brokow, the other on Al Pacino: What impressed me about Brokow’s was where he wound up , having a Father who quit school after the second grade. Pacino seemed to dwell on his childhood days , even in view of his fascinating acting career. I soon realized I do the same childhood “reflecting “. So when I read the article below ( see link
https://richardnilsen.com/tag/mel-steele/ ). And looked at Mel’s work I remember those days fondly. Mutt was a “man’s man”. First –he was a tough boxer! As we got older we appreciated that he was an accomplished tradesman, and teaching all kinds of skills to his talented Son.

Our move to another small NC village (Robbins, NC ) introduced me to Willis Williams. The late Dr. Williams , a classmate, was a world class surgeon, saving countless children with heart problems.

Dr. Willis H. Williams was a classmate of mine and a friend for over seventy years.   His entire life through high school was lived in Robbins , NC.  

He was eulogized by Dr; Robert Guyton.  

I have enclosed a video of Dr. Williams funeral.   Dr. Guyton’s talk appears at minutes 25  through 38.  

There was also an Astronaut from that Moore County mill town.

My guess is small towns all over provide many opportunities .

I asked my friend Earl Boykin who the famous people from his home town of Rock Ridge, N.C. were?

” I guess me and Ava Gardner and Gov. Hunt were the pick of the litter.”