Oxford Magazine Jul/Aug 2023

ARTIST JERE ALLEN: ENIGMATIC BEAUTY IN A COMPLICATED WORLD

A PEAK INTO THE ALIAS HOME

It may seem like just a flight, but it is far more than that. Each journey is the culmination of careful planning, flawless execution, and an unbridled passion to provide the best in world-class customer service. It is in each friendly handshake with the industry’s best pilots and it is in the calm that takes over as you settle into your seat aboard a perfectly appointed aircraft, all Owned and Operated by NICHOLAS AIR.

From the personalized attention to our commitment to providing the highest quality aircraft to the Most Refined Set of Private Flyers, the NICHOLAS AIR team is solely focused on one mission--- yours.

Choose from one of our flexible and cost effective Jet Card programs and leave the rest to us.

Davis Coen, Writer

Davis Coen is a freelance writer and newspaper reporter from Oxford by way of South Carolina. He’s had stories published in various local publications including Oxford Eagle, Oxford Citizen and Daily Journal. He also maintains a music career with over a dozen tours of Europe and regular airplay on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

ADMINISTRATION

Rebecca Alexander, Publisher

EDITORIAL

Jimmy Durham

CONTRIBUTORS

Joey Brent

Angela Cutrer

Davis Coen

Allyson Duckworth

John Cofield

Lyn Roberts

Bruce Newman

Will Westmoreland

DESIGN

Alison Dale

Joshua Turnock

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Amelia Miller Ott

MARKETING

Clifton Clements Odom

Mike Haskins

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Emily Presley

Angela Cutrer, Writer

Angela Cutrer is a Louisiana-born, Mississippi-raised freelance writer based in Jayess. She’s a graduate of Southwest Mississippi Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned a master’s degree in communication. She has two daughters, seven grandchildren, a dog and too many cats.

Jim Dees, Contributor

Jim Dees is the author of ‘The Statue and the Fury’ which won the 2017 Independent Publishers Association’s Bronze award for Best non-fiction in the Best Non-fiction “Book of the Year” by Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters. Dees has hosted The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour since Fall 2000.

Allyson Duckworth, Contributor

Allyson Duckworth is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and a lifelong resident of Mississippi. She owns interior design firm Pearly Peacock Design in Oxford. She draws inspiration for design from her world travels.

Julie Hines Mabus, Writer

A native of Jackson, Mississippi and graduate of Ole Miss, Julie went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Finance from Columbia University. During her marriage to Governor Ray Mabus Julie served as First Lady of Mississippi from 1988-1992 then accompanied him to Saudi Arabia during his tenure as U.S. Ambassador. She now resides in Oxford, is a mother of two beautiful daughters. and has recently written her first book “Confessions of a Southern Beauty Queen” to universal acclaim.

TThis issue is a celebration for the Best of Oxford 2023. We are so excited to reveal this year’s list voted by you, our readers! More than 155,000 votes were cast in the nomination and voting phase, making this truly a people’s choice honor. The nomination phase was in February and March. Only the top businesses moved forward into the voting phase held in April and May. Congratulations to the winners and finalists.

There are familiar names on the list, and some surprising new ones that rose to the top this year as the crowd favorites. Review the list and see how it compares to your favorites. I’ll bet you will also find some new places you haven’t tried yet. The best thing about Best of Oxford is that it recognizes local businesses and people who provide excellence all year long.

In Arts and Culture, we are excited to have designer Allyson Duckworth give us a glimpse inside The Peddle House at The Oaks. The attention to detail is exquisite.

Julie Hines Mabus continues her series profiling local artists with her conversation with watercolor artist Jere Allen. Featuring just a few pieces of his artwork here will make you want to visit his gallery to see more.

Chris Cutcliff takes a minute to answer 5 questions about his dual roles as head football coach and Director of Student Development of Oxford School District.

Last but not least, we have Out and About photos with 3 Blind Wines and Jim Dees with the Last Word.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and our website, www.oxfordmag.com Check out our Instagram page as well. @oxfordmagazine.

Rebecca Alexander Publisher

rebecca.alexander@oxfordeagle.com

Chris Cutcliffe is the head football coach at Oxford High School and the Director of Student Development for Oxford School District.

Photo submitted Design by Allison Dale

Sports in Art Camp

The Powerhouse$140, Ages 3-12

July 5-7 l 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Teen Writers Workshop

The Powerhouse$45, Ages 13-18

July 6, 13, 20, 27 l 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents… Mean Machines with HEELS

Proud Larry’s - No price listed

July 8 l 9:00 p.m.

The Lyric Presents…

Mountain Goats

The Lyric - $44 18+

July 10 l 8 p.m.

Famous Artists Art Camp

The Powerhouse$190, Ages 3-12

July 10-14 l 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Theatre Oxford Presents…

Summer Theatre Camp

The Lafayette County Arena

Classrooms - $200, Ages 8+

July 10-15 l 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Kids Acting For TV and Film

The Powerhouse - $180

July 10-31 l 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents… The Rough South of Larry Brown Screening

Proud Larry’s - No price listed

July 12 l 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Level Up: Anubis Improv

Level 1 & 2 Showcase Show

The Powerhouse - $7

July 12 l 7:00 p.m.

Wonderful Watercolor Art Camp

The Powerhouse$190, Ages 3-12

July 17-21 l 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Anubis Improv Summer Camp For Kids

The Lafayette County Arena

Classrooms - $250, Ages 13-18

July 17-21 l

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Let’s Make Candles

Lafayette County Multi Purpose

Arena - $50, Ages 12+

July 22 l 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Summer Puppet Camp

Lafayette County Multi Purpose

Arena - $125, Ages 6-12

July 24-28 l 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Painting and Drawing Art Camp

The Powerhouse$190, Ages 3-12

July 24-28 l 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents… Parker

Barrow: Jukebox Gypsies Tour

Proud Larry’s - $10

July 28 l 9:00 p.m.

Last Call Art Camp

The Powerhouse$140, Ages 3-12

July 31-August 2 l 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents…

Vincent Neil Emerson

Proud Larry’s - $15-17

August 2 l 9:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents…

Immortal Bird with Little Baby Tendencies

Proud Larry’s

August 10 l 9:00 p.m.

Iron Bartender

The Powerhouse - $55

August 11 l 7:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents…

Reed Brake

Proud Larry’s - No price listed August 12 l 8:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents…

Gavin Adcock

Proud Larry’s - $12

August 19 l 9:00 p.m.

Nerd-vana 2023: 30th Anniversary Power Ranger Dinner

Lafayette County Multi Purpose Arena August 25 l 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

JULY 29

Townie Takeover

Pub Crawl

Come play when the students are away! Cathead Distillery and Coors present sponsor this annual night out on the historic Square in Oxford. From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. enjoy an evening without the bustle of the student crowd at popular college bars Harrison’s, The Annex, Tango’s, Roundtable, Funky’s and Quacks. Tickets cover the initial drink at each spot, as well as a gourmet hotdog from Quacks! Tickets are $35 each, $30 for YAC (Yoknapatawpha Arts Council) members.

AUGUST 17

The SnackDown

On August 17th, don’t miss the Culinary event of the summer!

Celebrating and encouraging entrepreneurship, this event features 22 food and beverage small business owners who are showcasing their talents and expanding their businesses. From cottage goods makers, food trucks, caterers, and bakers, don’t miss the Snack Down at the Powerhouse at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 17! The event is created by Leadership Lafayette, Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, and Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. Tickets are limited, so don’t wait to purchase at OxfordArts. com/snackdown at $25 each.

SEPTEMBER 2

Ole Miss Football vs. Mercer

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Oxford, MS (1:00 p.m.)

SEPTEMBER 16

Ole Miss Football vs. Georgia Tech

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Oxford, MS (6:30 p.m.)

SEPTEMBER 30

Ole Miss Football vs. LSU

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Oxford, MS (TBD)

WHAT TO DO IN OXFORD

Nerd-vana 2023: Yu-Gi-Oh Game Night

Lafayette County Multi Purpose Arena August 25 l 8:00 p.m.-midnight

The Lyric Presents…Morgan Wade The Lyric18+ August 25 l 8:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents… Grandville Proud Larry’sAugust 25 l 9:00 p.m.

Nerd-vana 2023 General Admission The PowerhouseAugust 26 l 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

WOWE End of Summer Festival The Old Armory PavillionAugust 26 l 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents… Hotel Fiction and Trash Panda Proud Larry’sAugust 26 l 9:00 p.m.

Proud Larry’s Presents… Pope Paul Proud Larry’s - No price listed September 5 l 7:30 p.m.

ARTS & CULTURE

ENIGMATIC BEAUTY

IN A COMPLICATED WORLD

BY JULIE HINES MABUS PHOTOS BY BRUCE NEWMAN

Jere Allen is a fascinating enigma. I met Jere and his wife, Joe Ann, at an estate sale some months ago. Of course, I had seen his work at Southside Gallery in downtown Oxford and knew of his unmistakable style. Recognizable elements pass through his compositions--great expanses of bold colors, often dark; bodily shapes or faces articulated through shadow and light; character groupings unknown to the outside eye but signifying much to the artist. Before we met, I had imagined him a moody, contemplative sort of fellow. Man, was I wrong.

Jere greeted everyone at the sale with a hail-fellow-well-met spirit. Before a formal introduction, we were exuberantly discussing the merits of a metal art chest of drawers as if we had known each other all our lives. He was light and funny, "full of piss and vinegar," as my father used to say. I connected with him at once.

Jere's studio is a metaphor for the changes Oxford has experienced in recent history. When he and Joe Ann bought the building twenty-four years ago, the location was tantamount to a country setting, hidden from South Lamar by a forest of trees and

underbrush. While searching for the address he gave me, I had to drive through a hotel parking lot to find his driveway. The trees had been replaced by the hotel and a strip center. But his adjacent studio, sitting on his small but undisturbed patch of land, stood tenaciously behind and under a canopy of woodlands.

Jere freely answered my first question about his time in the Marine Corps Reserves in the 1960s. His military stint seemed counterintuitive to an artist's spirit. "My older brother had left home and was attending Ringling College of Art in Sarasota, Florida. I knew I had artistic talent, and the military was a way I could afford the school." That answer set the tone for the interview. It seemed every challenge Jere has faced, from his young years in Selma, Alabama, to his

In the fifth grade, I drew this picture of a nude body. It wasn't meant to be bawdy or lewd; I was just fascinated by the human form. My teacher picked it up, looked at it, and told me to return to my classwork. Another time, my brother brought home an "Archie" comic book. I held a page up to the light and traced Veronica--you remember Betty and Veronica--I traced her figure. It was always about the shape of bodies."

Two professors made a lasting impression on Jere's life and work. Fiore Custode, his first painting teacher at Ringling College, gave Jere the fire to commit his life's work to Art. With all its probable risks, Jere's father reacted to his son's decision, "Whatever you want to do with your life, do it." Amazing.

Frank Rampolla, another Ringling professor and "figurative expressionist," was paramount in developing Jere's natural gift for figure drawing in the 1960s. During that period, the works of pop artists like Andy Warhol dominated the market; Rampolla was an outlier. He clung to the composition of the Italian Renaissance and Dutch Baroque masters as he responded to current social and political events. Like Rampolla,

Jere embraced the dark side of society as he incorporated political sensibilities into his works. Jere offered, "In my early days, sometimes you couldn't tell whose work was whose." The similarities are profound.

In 1972, after receiving his MFA from the University of Tennessee, Jere brought his family to Oxford, where he began a long and illustrious career as a painter and painting professor at the University of Mississippi. He painted in his off time, every day. "Painting was my research. It was a way to break away from my teaching and find new energy in the discipline.”

Jere's body of work is not easily understood at first blush. But the viewer immediately gets the passion and intensity. On his website, he explains, "My paintings employ a reactive method in the search for an elusive notion that has perplexed me for years. The images, symbols, and composition that stem from

personal, social, political realities are often a foil to assist in the realization of feelings generated by that evasive notion." I was not going to let him get away with that statement without some explanation.

While Jere spoke of his work, his "reactive method in the search for an elusive notion" began crystallizing. "I got on a tear of drawing faces, all black and whites. I spent a whole year just drawing faces. My friends, my mother, my wife, all just faces. In the 90s, it was art dogs, one painting after another." Were these just repetitive, albeit unique works, or his "reactive method in the search for that elusive notion?

"I did a whole series of people looking at things. I would paint the symphony, but the instruments or the setting was not the subject. I wanted to capture the people who were there experiencing the symphony. It was all about the

spectators; what were people gathering to look at? That's what I wanted to capture."

"Perhaps the elusive notion for which you search is life itself." I offered.

"No. I haven’t found it yet. It's a feeling. I do the same thing every day. All I know is I come down here; I'm trying to find out what is gnawing at me, making me put that first mark on a canvas.”

"When my children were small, I drew incessantly for them as I put them to bed. I tossed the sketches on the floor, and we all walked on them; they were just lying there." Jere led me to one of his art cabinets. "It drove Joe Ann crazy. She started collecting them

the Carol Robinson Gallery in New Orleans. "Years ago, I approached Bryant Allen (of Bryant Galleries in Jackson). He gave me some wise advice, 'I'm not going to be able to sell your work here. The two best art markets in the country are New York City and Los Angeles. But New Orleans is hard to beat--it's right in the middle.' I didn't feel good about his advice, so I tried a gallery in Los Angeles. I learned the hard way; the only way to deal with selling is to be near the gallery. You've got to powwow, build a network. I found Carol's gallery in 1989 and have been there ever since. Anyway, my last series of work was paper boats-that was at Carol's.”

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M. Forster wrote a short story, "The Point of It," which is an interesting comparison between the lives of the two young men in a row boat. They're trying to get to the other side. And there are those casino boats...the ship of fools." He paused, then smiled. "It's like a psychopomp."

"A what?"

"You know, it's from the Greek. They are the guides that convey the souls to the other side, like boats."

He continued. "What makes me stand in front of the canvas? What gives me the incentive to put the first mark on the canvas, just a little gesture. The whole painting stems from that mark.”

Jere stood silent for a minute. "Bill Russell, a great basketball player, said, 'I practice until I can react naturally to any situation.' That's the way I want to paint. I want to reach the point where my work is strictly uncontrived. No overthinking."

"I know your work has reflected social and political upheavals. Let's talk about

that."

Jere opened a book to his painting of a nude woman, her body suspended in time and space. On the same page in the book, a portrait of five men was juxtaposed against the nude. The men's faces eerily came out of the page in shadows and light. He explained, "The combined work is called ‘There is no cure.’ It's Anita Hill. The men--Heflin, Hatch, Kennedy, Biden, and Specter--were some of the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who questioned her for the Clarence Thomas nomination for Supreme Court justice. It was rough."

"You know, I do tronies; I don't do portraits."

"OK, you've got me again."

"It's an ideal. It's in Flemish Baroque painting, an exaggerated facial expression." I immediately thought of Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. "That's the way I paint faces.”

"But this lady came to me some years

ago. She wanted a portrait of her baby girl. 'I didn't do portraits,' but she persisted. When the child was four, I acquiesced. 'I'll use your child as a model. But that's the best I can do. If it works, it works. You can't ask me to do anything to change it.'" He showed me a photograph of the painting. It was beautiful, almost surreal. In reality, Jere's studio is an art museum. For every painting he has sold, and the list is overwhelming, a multitude of his work is leaning against walls, hidden in corners and cabinet drawers. He paints every day, and his work is powerful and speaks to our times. He has been shown in exhibitions worldwide, his work marks the pages of many exquisite books, and his honors are almost boundless like his body of Art.

He keeps searching, searching for that elusive notion that has perplexed him for years. Perhaps he is that notion, driving us to an unknown level of understanding about the world that surrounds us.

ARTS & CULTURE

Sound

Business

Taproot Audio Design celebrates over two decades of sound engineering services in Oxford

BY DAVIS COEN

PHOTOS BY DAVIS COEN

TTwenty-one years ago, audio engineer Jeffrey Reed made the move to Oxford, in part to raise a family, but also to open his own studio in the ever-growing, artistically vibrant community.

Prior to the move, Reed had been working at the world-famous Ardent Studios in Memphis, which is known for hosting numerous legendary recordings artists and churning out scores of Gold and Platinum records. “That was the holy grail of studios that you wanted to go through,” he said. “It set me up to handle any situation that was thrown at me.”

Being a native of Utica, MS (more specifically, Reedtown), an outskirt of Jackson, Reed had also cut his teeth in his early days at Malaco Records, home to some of the region’s greatest blues, Southern soul,

standards needed for radio broadcast, and every other avenue of commercial and private use.

As a young musician, Reed realized quickly that he was drawn more to the technical side of music production. “I was always a little more of a techie. I made it to probably mediocre-at-best on the guitar,” he said jokingly.

It was when his band traveled to Vicksburg, MS for a recording session in an attic, that he became in awe of the engineer’s cool studio and extensive knowledge. “Still at that point I didn't know that he was called a recording engineer,” recalled Reed. “I just knew that he was the one capturing the sounds. I saw this guy and what he was doing, and said to myself - ‘That’s it! That’s what I want to do.’”

Reed had been spending lots of time in

upended the entire music industry, leading Reed to another career juncture.

“So it basically came down to a choice,” he said. “It was either back to Memphis, and hopefully get my old job back, or move to Oxford and start my own business.”

TAPROOT IN OXFORD

Taproot Audio Design began as a 24-track mastering studio, located in the College Hill section of Oxford. Harking back to his beginnings, Taproot was a name given to Reed when he was a kid, and he liked the euphonic contrast it gave to the complex nature of his business.

Reed stayed at the College Hill location for 14 years, but eventually moved the operation to his house, as he began gravitating towards trying to diversify, and dedicating himself

area,” said Reed with a chuckle. “We can kick back and enjoy it as a family - and everybody has learned how to set it up.”

Reed also said that family viewings at his home studio have helped him continue to stay on the ball with film mixing, and allow him to hear countless finished commercial mixes through his high grade system, as they were intended to be.

Always having an underlying passion for mixing film, it was a field he had first considered when starting down his career path shortly after college. Yet he stuck with music due to the invaluable hands-on experience he would gain at the Ardent studios job.

Reed also had a close friend in Los Angeles that was a driving force, who had also gone the route of music engineering after graduation but eventually diversified to film mixing. Knowing of Reed’s passion for the craft - which is completely different from music mixing - he invited him to visit L.A. to assist with projects and gain more hands-on experience.

“It was nice having a buddy out there that was already set up,” he said.

STAYING INNOVATIVE

Taproot continues to offer both mixing and mastering services, both in-house and remotely, for music as well as film. Reed’s passion currently lies with Dolby Atmos technology, which is an immersive audio format akin to surround sound, and it’s on the brink of transforming how we take in all of our entertainment in the near future.

Particularly with the classical music projects he’s worked on, Reed says the effect of Dolby Atmos, which creates a highly realistic, three-dimensional sound, can be fully appreciated. “Some of this classical stuff is just stunning, how you can place yourself within a room,” he said.

“A lot of folks just don't know about it, but it’s available to everybody now,” said Reed. “It’s not going away. It's going to be the next thing in audio, I think for music and for film.”

With regards to upcoming projects, a record company in Portland, OR has hired Reed to remix their entire catalog of meditative music. It’s an enormous untaking that he’s excited about. “It’s going to be ongoing work for God knows how long. And it’s the kind of stuff that you can go a little nutty with, as far as panning and things like that. Stuff you couldn’t get away with on a traditional song.”

Despite sometimes outsourcing far and wide for work, Reed still has a passion for his homebase, and has seen a growing number of people coming from L.A., and other places more associated with the film industry. Many of whom are surprised at the full-service capabilities Reed’s home studio has to offer.

“With Oxford, you got a little bit of everything,” he said. “One of the main things is just the massive support of the arts in general. It’s just a really cool, special place, in my opinion.”

Reed urges anyone interested in his services to visit the studio and listen firsthand, which he finds to be the easiest way to show people what exactly he does. “You can tell ‘em ‘til you’re blue in the face, but sometimes it takes giving examples of what it is.”

More information is available at taprootaudiodesign.com.

Family

ties inspired restaurants’ successes

BY ANGELA CUTRER

PHOTOS BY BRUCE NEWMAN

EEl Charro Cocina & Cantina didn’t just happen; instead, it was a culmination of years of planning and an involved, committed family unit that chose Oxford, specifically.

The family is now celebrating almost 30 years of Mexican gastronomy in Oxford, and they remain thankful to have been able to provide years of top-notch authentic Mexican flavors, spices and atmosphere at both the family’s restaurants, El Charro and Casa Mexicana.

It all started back in the early 1990s, when Ramiro Munoz Aguirre and his wife Juana worked in Atlanta and Nashville, learning the restaurant business back to front and front to back. Aguirre worked his way up from server to cook to manager as he became more experienced and accomplished in the business. He created his own system of doing things because that system seemed to work well.

Then the time came for the family to branch out into their own restaurant business, which they knew would be a full family engagement.

It was in the mid-1990s when the family found Oxford during location scouting. “They stumbled across Oxford and now it’s 29 years later,” said the couple’s son, also named Ramiro, who helps run the family’s El Charro restaurant. There is not a day that a

member of the family is not in El Charro or the original restaurant, Casa Mexicana, or at least just a phone call away.

Originally, the family opened El Charro at the intersection of Jackson and Hathorn in a small building, where the father Ramiro was there from open to close. They quickly outgrew the location in a matter of months, so, from there, they moved to 1908 W. Jackson down the hill.

Two years ago they reintroduced El Charro at its new location at the Oxford Commons and family members each have a part in its success.

“I was first working at Casa Mexicana for about six years,” son Ramiro said. “We decided to move across town to the new area where the town was growing. There is the new high school, the neighborhoods, the theater – the town is growing and expanding like crazy.”

Ramiro said that though the children of the family now run most of the restaurants’ activities, that doesn’t mean mom and dad aren’t still involved. “They are the ’dynamic duo’,” he said. “My father does his own thing now, but he still comes into the restaurants to check to make sure everyone is following his recipes. He has to make sure he sees how things are going to ensure everyone is making the food as he wants it made. He keeps an eye

on everything so that everything is consistent with our products.”

“Our mother Juana helps with other things, like ensuring everything is tidy and the dining room looks as it needs to look. She’s very particular about making sure everything is right and correct.”

The younger family members do not mind these comments and inspections. “We are lucky we had parents to always guide us,” young Ramiro explained. “They taught us how to work the business.”

But it wasn’t always work and no play. “They would tell us stories about interactions with customers and then later on the customers would come in and tell us the same exact stories!” said young Ramiro with a laugh.

He added that the family is thankful to be involved in a true family business. While Ramiro and Juana still serve as the inspiration, young Ramiro works alongside his sister, Esmeralda Angel, at El Charro, where her husband, Daniel Angel, runs the bar. The eldest daughter, Cristal Munoz, runs Casa Mexicana on Jackson alongside Fernanado Jaimes.

“Our success is from family ties,” young Ramiro said. “It’s hard work, no doubt, but if you follow simple ground rules, you’ll find success. Those rules revolve around

respecting each other. We were lucky to have parents who involved us in the business and their opinion is just as important today. We are always really grateful to get advice from them – who better for us to listen to?”

And to make things even better, by next year Oxford customers will have a new west-side Casa Mexicana restaurant building to complement the east side El Charro restaurant that opened about two years ago.

“We will eventually close the Casa Americana on Jackson to move into our new building in the west side of town,” Ramiro said. “We have the renderings and right now we are working on beginning the ground work. So, it’s just at the very beginning stage.

“However, Casa Americana on Jackson will remain open until it’s time for the move. That building has served its purpose, but we need more parking and an updated building to remain competitive. We have no plans to close it until the move.”

Ramiro said his family’s original restaurant was the first Mexican eatery in Oxford and they want to remain a top place to serve authentic Mexican cuisine. “We will continue to offer the same food we do at both restaurants,” he said. “We’ll also continue the same level of experience and atmosphere our customers have enjoyed through the years. We want to continue to be a Mexican restaurant favorite here in Oxford.”

Young Ramiro said his family is grateful for the way Oxford has supported their businesses. “We are blessed to be in this community,” he said. “We very much appreciate this community and our customers. We have loved experiencing Oxford and we now have the two-year anniversary with the new restaurant [El Charro], so we now have old ties to Oxford, as well as new ones.”

“Our family chose to live here and now we have nearly 30 years in Oxford! We love it and we all plan to stay here, God willing.”

Wonderbird Spirits Continues to Take Flight

BY ANGELA CUTRER PHOTOS SUBMITED

WWonderbird Spirits took flight in 2019 after three friends let their imaginations soar on what was possible when it came to producing gin. From rice. Grown in Mississippi.

It was a wild concept – that worked. They bottled their first batch – Gin No. 61, in May 2019 – inside a 2,500 square foot distillery they built.

“We’ve been on that property for about five years now,” said Rob Forster, one of the founders of the distillery located at 618 County Road 303 (Old Taylor Road) in Taylor, just south of Oxford.

“We built everything ourselves, as much ourselves. It was a total bootstrap effort to build a production facility for our brand, whose core mission is to make top gin from rice cultivated in Mississippi.”

Excluding the time of COVID-19, Wonderbird Spirits gin has been in production ever since.

Now that grain-to-glass gin product needs more room to spread its wings, Wonderbird Spirits’ founders are expanding – and they are about 80 percent done so far. The new expansion will bring their floor space to 7,500 square feet, which means more room to future-proof the business.

“It’s time for us to go ahead and build out a true gin factory for our product,” Forster added.”We’ve come to a really important milestone on the road to real financial

success, but it doesn’t come without major headaches.

“There’s the physical pain of it. We are changing from only 2,000 square feet of production space. We’ll have new equipment with three new large fermentators, which will allow us to expand the raw alcohol through the physical expansion of the plant. In total, the production space will take up 6,500 to 6,750 square feet.”

They’ve also built a gift shop. Their tasting room has been there from the beginning, but now they’ll have space for merchandise and locally sourced items to go along with the Wonderbird Spirits products.

The location has already been the site of meetings and weddings, but now the facility will include a nice break room and kitchen capabilities for catering so there is more of an enticement to socialize at the location.

But first and foremost, Wonderbird Spirits is a gin distillery. “This is going to be our home,” Forster said. “We have tried to think very carefully –

short, middle and long term – about what we wanted to do. Oxford-Taylor is our home. Our goal was to create something beautiful, something to be proud of – here.”

That means Wonderbird Spirits won’t fly the coop of North Mississippi – ever. They are in it to stay, which means no matter how much they grow, they will always be based in the same area.

However, Forster said that this expansion is necessary because the only way to truly become a global success is to increase production, and that takes more space.

“You really hope for something beautiful that people will like and appreciate,” he said of their gin. “We believe that we’ve done that with our gin expressions. We know it’s really, really good.”

Now the spirit of that realization is causing an update and expansion of the well-known and beloved company.

As the company’s websites reflect, North Mississippi's first distillery is an

eight-minute drive south of Oxford on Old Taylor Road. The brainchild of friends and coowners Chand Harlow, Forster and Thomas Alexander, the company ferments Mississippi Delta rice to make their base spirit. “Our approach, which borrows from traditional sake making, sets a beautifully clean foundation for layering subtly complex flavors and aromas,” the site eloquently stated.

The founders developed their distillery and resulting products after each had an epiphany that there was more to life than their regular jobs. They read up, researched, discussed, found people in the know and then jumped in, all six feet on the floor to make things happen.

As they have stated before, the founders created a process for creating the base spirit of

gin with a complex layering of ten botanicals. It has a balanced profile with sweet florals, citrus, and spice being the most prominent nuances. Of the ten botanicals, we harvest the pine needles and red clover directly from the distillery grounds. Our No. 61 gin won two gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits competition in 2020.”

Then there is No. 97 Magnolia Experimental Gin: “A 2021 San Francisco World Spirits competition gold-medal winner, the first of our experimental gin series was inspired by the enchanting aroma of midsummer Mississippi Magnolia. We distilled all of the fresh Magnolia blossoms we could harvest. The beautiful floral essence is highlighted and delicately balanced with cinchona bark, juniper, coriander, and

fantastic bourbon replacement for an OldFashioned or to sip neat.”

Wonderbird Spirits’ gin is now making waves among gin fanciers and competitions, but that doesn’t mean the founders are expanding physically and not worrying about what comes next. “This product can only come from here, where the rice is grown,” Forster said. “That gives us an anchor here. It’s a great strength and in due course, we want to employ local folks from the area to help us in this endeavor.

“We are proud to overdeliver and make our home in the Oxford area. We all felt unfulfilled in our jobs, but we wanted to be able to support our families and live our lives in this wonderful small town, so we have to stick to our core goal

BOOKS FOR SUMMER

Recommendations from LYN ROBERTS

General Manager,

Square Books

When Your Back's Against The Wall: Fame, Football, And Lessons Learned Through A Lifetime Of Adversity

By Michael Oher with Don Yaeger

Millions of people became part of Michael Oher’s story when they watched a version of him on the big screen in The Blind Side; read his memoir, I Beat the Odds; His story of overcoming the toughest of odds serves as their hope. In When Your Back’s Against the Wall, he offers encouragement and shows readers how to get back up—again, and again, and again.

The Mississippi Football Book

Edited by Rick Cleveland and Neil White

Edited by award-winning sportswriter Rick Cleveland and best-selling author Neil White, The Mississippi Football Book includes 100+ profiles of players, coaches, and teams.

“If you are a Mississippi football fan — no matter which team you pull for — this book is for you.” --

Archie Manning

ONE MISSISSIPPI

By Steve Azar with illustrations by Sarah Frances Hardy

Based on the lyrics of the new official state song of Mississippi, written by award-winning country musician Steve Azar and illustrated by award-winning children's author and illustrator, Oxonian Sarah Frances Hardy, One Mississippi celebrates our state and all who call it home.

Things Have Changed: What Every Parent (and Educator) Should Know About the Student Mental Health and Substance Misuse Crisis

By David Magee

From the author of Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love and Loss, THINGS

HAVE CHANGED offers a clear road map for navigating painful struggles that many young people face, including mental health issues, substance abuse, and more.

Award-winning author, student wellbeing activist, and creator of The William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi, David Magee offers guidance on raising teens amid increasingly common challenges.

TOM LAKE, A Novel

By Ann Patchett

Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart. As in all of her novels, Ann Patchett combines compelling narrative artistry with piercing insights into family dynamics.

Highways and Heartaches: How Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, and Children of the New South Saved the Soul of Country Music

By Michael Streissguth

Highways and Heartaches takes readers on the rural circuit Skaggs and Stuart traveled, where an acoustic sound first assembled by masters such as Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, and Mother Maybelle Carter ruled the day.

Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit with Over 70 Sweet and Savory Recipes

By Erika Council

‘Still We Rise’ is a tribute to the glories of flour, butter, and buttermilk baked tall, tender, and flaky. Erika Council is the founder and head baker of the renowned Bomb Biscuit Company in Atlanta, Georgia

Crook Manifesto

By Colson Whitehead

The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of Harlem Shuffle continues his Harlem saga in a powerful and hugely-entertaining novel that summons 1970s New York in all its seedy glory.

SCHOOL& SPORTS

5 Questions

with Chris

BY WILL WESTMORELAND PHOTOS BY BRUCE NEWMAN

Cutcliffe

Q: What are your other roles with the Oxford School District besides head football coach at Oxford High?

A: This year I’m taking over as Director of Student Development, which will encompass a couple different areas. One will be our ‘Redefining Ready’ initiative, which is an effort to ensure that our students are college, career, and life-ready when they graduate. The idea is that the Oxford School District should take a student from ‘Pre-K to professional’, to ensure success as an adult. There are a lot of data points involved with that, not just walking across the stage at graduation, which doesn’t, in and of itself, mean a student is ready. It’s a more holistic approach to success we’re aiming for. I’ll also oversee our Scholastic Institute, which is a program for juniors and seniors that allows them to graduate with a high school diploma along with an Associate’s Degree from Northwest. Sophomores can apply each year at no cost to them. And I’m also head of the school’s intramural program.

Chris Cutcliffe is the head football coach at Oxford High School and the Director of Student Development for the Oxford School District

Q: When did you realize you wanted to be a football coach, and who are your biggest influences?

A: I’ve always wanted to be a football coach, for as long as I can remember. Most kids want to be professional athletes growing up, but I wanted to coach. My mom was a first grade teacher, my dad a football coach, so seeing the impact they had on young people is what made the biggest impact on me. I always tell this story: I was in fourth or fifth grade, still living in Knoxville at the time. I was at the mall with my mom. A teenage boy ran up to her and hugged her. She had taught him in first grade, however many years before and he still remembered her. That made an impression on me. I wanted to make a mark like that on young people. Also (former OHS football) Coach Johnny Hill. He coached me in high school and I worked under him for five years beginning in 2011, and he taught me a lot about coaching at the high school level.

Q: Why have you chosen to stay in Oxford?

A: Well, we love this community. I moved here in the sixth grade, and it was a great place to grow up. My wife, Molly, is also from here. The school system is incredible, the community is incredible. We love the people here, and we think it’s a great place to raise our kids.

Q: Do you plan on remaining a high school coach or do you see yourself moving on to the college level at some point?

A: No. My goal is to be right here where I am. I love working with young people. I think you lose some of that, especially now, when you move to the higher levels of football. I really enjoy that aspect, of teaching and coaching at a high school. I love that we don’t cut players based on ability, so anybody can be a part of the team if they’re willing to do the work required to become a part of the team. It’s really rewarding to see guys that maybe don’t get a lot of public recognition, maybe don’t get much playing time, but who, internally, within the team have so much respect, who you see grow day-to-day. I think you lose that today at higher levels, and that’s the most rewarding part for me.

Q: What’s your perfect day in Oxford look like?

A: Spending time with my family. Typically that’s a lot of hustle and bustle, running the kids around everywhere, but definitely spending time with Molly and our children. I love coming to work, I love what I do. There’s not a day I don’t wake up and look forward to what I have and what I do, my family and job. I hope to be here and stay here, as long as they’ll let me continue.

The Oaks, a New Beginning with the Alias Family

BY ALLYSON DUCKWORTH

PHOTOS BY BRUCE NEWMAN AND SUBMITTED

The Oaks is a gorgeous piece of heaven nestled in the center of Oxford, MS tucked behind the original clinker brick and weeping mortar wall. Before purchasing the The Oaks, the Alias Family had been thinking of redoing their current home but decided to look around Oxford for available homes on the market. After an offer fell through on another home, a close friend said “why don’t you look at the Peddle Place?” Neither William nor Margaret Anne was familiar with the property, but they knew it couldn’t hurt to look. By that time, it had been on the market for about two years. When William visited the first time he immediately fell in love with the wooded property, especially the series of small ponds in the front yard. He thought it would be a wonderful place to raise their two daughters. The land and trees just felt right. He called his wife Margaret Anne and said “you have to come see this place!” Over two years later, in May of 2020, they moved into their new home.

The property’s original home was built and completed July 5, 1956 by Frank S. Peddle, Jr. (Philadelphia, PA), and Marjorie Wallace Peddle (Brooklyn, NY). Ginny Moss (Memphis, TN), one their daughters, said that she was born on July 5th 1956 and the hospital kept her an extra day so they could move into the original house. Ginny said her dad designed the outside and her mother designed the inside. She said that the original house was the only house she lived in growing up. She and her sister were raised at the Oaks. Frank, their father, had attended Ole Miss in 1947. After meeting Marjorie in Pensacola, FL the couple wed in 1951, and decided to move to Oxford after Frank completed his military service. The Peddle’s love of Ole Miss, Oxford, its people, and its community was well known. Mr. Peddle was known for his display of Christmas lights for 50 years. Oxonians would enter on eagle springs and drive through the property to see the lights and exit on Cullen. The

The property’s original home was built and completed July 5, 1956 by Frank S. Peddle, Jr. (Philadelphia, PA), and Marjorie Wallace Peddle (Brooklyn, NY). Ginny Moss (Memphis, TN), one their daughters, said that she was born on July 5th 1956 and the hospital kept her an extra day so they could move into the original house. Ginny said her dad designed the outside and her mother designed the inside. She said that the original house was the only house she lived in growing up. She and her sister were raised at the Oaks.

Aliases still find remnants of the decor to this day all over the yard.

William and Margaret Anne both attended Ole Miss and ultimately made Oxford their home. Margaret Anne is originally from Belfast, TN, and William from Atlanta, GA. They have two beautiful daughters, Mary Beech and Kate Carson that are following in the footsteps of the Peddle girls. William is a partner in Equipro Investments. Their home office resides in Oxford, MS.

Before ever even hearing of The Oaks, the Aliases had sought the help of well known home designer, Frank Tindall. Originally from Indianola, MS Frank now resides in Oxford. He is one of the most sought after home designers in Mississippi and the southeast. It was no coincidence that Frank was their choice to design their forever home. The Aliases had not actually been inside that many of his homes, but rather went with his reputation and the advice of close friends. In this they knew he

family home. I have been very lucky myself to work with Frank. He has a gift and an eye like no other. He recreates space and utilizes his talents to create a forever home with timeless features. You are super lucky if you have the opportunity to work with him more than once. Each home he designs is a masterpiece. I must say the Alias home is one of my favorites that he has designed.

After purchasing the home, the Aliases and Frank spent about 6 months trying to decide how they could modify the original home to suit their lifestyle. After rendering after rendering, the difficult decision was made to start from scratch and recreate their favorite spaces. The original home was split into three levels with all bedrooms upstairs, and the pool was built at a much higher elevation that the house. The Aliases ultimately decided they at least wanted the master bedroom downstairs and the pool on the same elevation as the house. With small

the pool was top priority. The new home pays homage to the original in several ways. Frank recreated their two favorite rooms that were on a 45 degree angle in the same footprint: a sitting room and the Peddle’s dining room now serve as William’s home office and study. The aesthetic of the office is mostly floor to ceiling windows-just like the original dining roomoverlooking a mass of azaleas and William’s garden. (The Peddles planted azaleas all over the property and most of them are still there today). One of Margaret Anne’s requests was a large bay window. It is what you see upon entering the original gates. It too is a nod to the original home. Also original to the house are a pair of beautiful sconces. Margaret Anne had them wired and used them to light up the entry to their master bedroom. They were also able to use another pair of sconces and 2 chandeliers from the original home. So when you walk through there are remnants of the

One of my favorite features of the house are the cloister vault ceilings. The original dining room had a cloister vault ceiling. During the design process Frank, staying true to the house, showed Margaret Anne pictures of a house he designed with a series of cloister vaults in a loggia. Margaret Anne loved them so much she asked Frank to be sure and find a place for one (or more) in their home. They decided to use the cloister vaults in the entrance by the bar, William’s office and the entry to the master suite. They also made the ceiling in the hallway by the side entrance a barrel ceiling. Once the sheetrock was completed in all these areas they determined something was still lacking. That is when Margaret Anne and Frank agreed that what they needed was Venetian plaster. It truly makes these spaces stand out. Venetian plaster was added to the entry by the bar, the hallway of the side entrance, Williams office, and the entry to the master suite. The cloister is spectacular in the entrance next to the bar and really accentuates the European Antique Chandelier. The barrel ceiling is just as spectacular as it leads you to the formal living room and baby grand piano. It was a great move by Frank and Margaret Anne and one of the elements of this home that truly stands out.

In closing making your home your own is always important. The Alias have done just that and have created a beautiful space to raise their family. Also of importance, they created a space to entertain family and friends for years to come….. continuing the traditions of the Peddle family.

A Restaurant Gone, But Not Forgotten

BY JOHN COFIELD PHOTOS FROM JOHN COFIELD COLLECTION

SSome of the best memories of home come from the old eateries and haunts of our youth. Oxford had more than its

and guidance. For a fine dinner, it was just silent bragging to take out-of-town friends and park on the Square and walk on down Jackson Avenue to The Warehouse restaurant. The dark wood, stained glass, red table clothes, with an all-star menu and unforgettable atmosphere. Many remember it was the best restaurant Oxford ever had.

After dinner and Kiamie's, late night was one of the town's best times to be Oxford. Ron Shapiro led the parade that was the Hoka's 20-year run. Rocky Horror playing in the theater, top-shelf cheesecake and cinnamon coffee being served in the cafe, Barton on the projector, and Ron on his stage is treasured by thousands of Ole Miss alums and Oxford folks.

PHOTOGRAPH@KEITH GORE WISEMAN

OLE MISS ANNUAL PHOTO

PHOTO BY ALLEN BLUMBERG

OLE MISS ANNUAL PHOTO

You voted. We tallied. Keep reading to see who’s who in the LOU

FOOD AND DINING

BEST “TO GO” BEVERAGE

South Lamar

Nutrition, Winner

Finalist: Chaney’s Pharmacy, Caffecitos, The Daiquiri Barn

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT

JINSEI SUSHI, Winner

Finalist: Toyo, Kabuki

BEST BAKERY

JUSTCAKEIT! LLC, Winner

Finalist: Bremma’s Sweet Treats, Bottletree

BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

HANDY ANDY GROCERY, Winner

Finalist: Larson’s Cash Saver, Ajax

BEST RESTAURANT: SAINT LEO

Not only has Saint Leo been rewarded as the 2023 best restaurant in Oxford, but it’s also been named a 2019 James Beard Foundation “best new restaurant semifinalist.” Offers include interesting fares such as “Dutch Baby” (skillet pancake, seasonal fruit & crème fraîche), “Burrata & Soppressata Pizza (tomato sauce, rosemary, parmigiano and chili flakes) or “Squid Ink Fettuccine” (gulf shrimp, Calabrian chili butter, gremolata bread crumbs). 922 Jackson Avenue East, 662-380-5141, eatsaintleo.com

BEST BAR

FUNKY’S PIZZA AND DAIQUIRI BAR, Winner

Finalist: Library, City Grocery

BEST BARBEQUE

MOE’S ORIGINAL BARBEQUE, Winner

Finalist: Handy Andy, B’s Hickory Smoke BBQ

BEST BREAKFAST

BIG BAD BREAKFAST, Winner

Finalist: First Watch, Beacon

BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICH

FIRST WATCH, Winner

Finalist: Community Donuts, Saint Leo

BEST BRUNCH

SAINT LEO, Winner

Finalist: First Watch, Big Bad Breakfast

BEST CASUAL DINING

VOLTA, Winner

Finalist: Ajax, Boure

BEST CATERER

TAYLOR GROCERY SPECIAL EVENTS

CATERING, Winner

Finalist: My Michelle’s, Moe’s Original BBQ

BEST CATFISH

TAYLOR GROCERY, Winner

Finalist: Oby’s of Oxford, Ajax

BEST CHARCUTERIE

THE SIPP ON SOUTH LAMAR, Winner

Finalist: Johnston Hill, Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering

BEST CHEESECAKE

CITY HALL CHEESECAKE OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Lenora’s, Bremma’s Sweet Treats

BEST CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY

PREMIER LANES, Winner

Finalist: Lost Pizza Co., The Oxford Creamery

BEST CHOCOLATIER

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE

FACTORY, Winner

Finalist: JustCakeIt! LLC

BEST COCKTAIL

SAINT LEO, Winner

Finalist: Bar Muse, Snackbar

BEST COFFEE

COMMON GROUND COFFEE BAR, Winner

Finalist: High Point Coffee, Shadrachs Coffee

BEST COOKIE

INSOMNIA COOKIES, Winner

Finalist: JustCakeIt! LLC, R & R Cookies

BEST CUPCAKES

BREMMA’S SWEET TREATS, Winner

Finalist: JustCakeIt! LLC, Small Cakes

BEST CURBSIDE SERVICE

EL CHARRO COCINA AND CANTINA, Winner

Finalist: Caffecitos, Moe’s Original BBQ

BEST DATE NIGHT

SAINT LEO, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Grillehouse, Snackbar

BEST DELI

LARSON’S CASH SAVER, Winner

Finalist: Blind Pig Pub, Newk’s

BEST DELIVERY

FETCHT DELIVERY, Winner

Finalist: Marco’s Pizza, Take A Break Delivery

BEST MEDICAL CLINIC: OXFORD ORTHO & SPORTS MEDICINE

Many of Oxford’s population – whether the sector is business, university or an individual – find ways to keep active. But when something isn’t quite right, Oxford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is a specialized clinic to treat those sports injuries and musculoskeletal issues. It’s doctors are board-certified orthopedic and sports medicine specialists who conduct arthroscopic surgical procedures for both athletes and the general public. T hey are the official orthopedic physicians for Ole Miss athletics. 497 Azalea Drive, Suite 102, 662-513-2000, oxfordortho.org

BEST DONUTS

COMMUNITY DONUTS, Winner

Finalist: Ollie’s Donuts of Oxford, High Rise

Doughnuts

BEST FINE DINING

SAINT LEO, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Grillehouse, Snackbar

BEST FOOD TRUCK

TAYLOR GROCERY SPECIAL EVENTS

CATERING, Winner

Finalist: Fresh Out the Water, Sunday’s Best Express

BEST FRIED CHICKEN

TAYLOR GROCERY SPECIAL EVENTS

CATERING, Winner

Finalist: Southern Coop, Larson’s Cash Saver, Mama Jo’s Home Cooking

BEST GAS STATION FOR FOOD

CHEVRON, Winner

Finalist: Rebel Gas Mart

BEST GIRL’S NIGHT OUT

THE SIPP ON SOUTH LAMAR, Winner

Finalist: Saint Leo, Graduate Oxford

BEST GUY’S NIGHT OUT

LIBRARY, Winner

Finalist: Moe’s Original BBQ, Funky’s Pizza and Daiquiri Bar

BEST HAPPY HOUR

FUNKY’S PIZZA AND DAIQUIRI BAR

Finalist: Volta, Saint Leo

BEST HOT DOG

HANDY ANDY, Winner

Finalist: Quacks, The Growler

BEST ICE CREAM

THE OXFORD CREAMERY, Winner

Finalist: TCBY-Chaney’s Pharmacy, Yaya’s Frozen Yogurt

BEST INTERNATIONAL

EL CHARRO COCINA AND CANTINA, Winner

Finalist: El Agave, Jinsei

BEST ITALIAN FOOD

TARASQUE CUCINA, Winner

Finalist: Saint Leo, Amore Italian Ristorante and Bar

BEST KID’S MEAL

CHICK-FIL-A, Winner

Finalist: Moe’s Original BBQ, Oby’s of Oxford

BEST LATE-NIGHT FOOD

WAFFLE HOUSE, Winner

Finalist: Chevron, Cook Out

BEST LOCAL BURGER

HANDY ANDY GROCERY, Winner

Finalist: Phillip’s Grocery, Oxford Burger Company

BEST LUNCH

AJAX, Winner

Finalist: Tallahatchie Gourmet, Moe’s Original BBQ

BEST MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER COMMUNICARE

When families need experienced professionals, they can turn to Communicare, which serves north central Mississippi as a mental health center to provide quality, individualized care to Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Tate and Yalobusha counties. Communicare has multiple treatment options for substance use disorders and mental health disorders and its Haven House is a residential treatment facility certified through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.152 Highway 7 South, 662-234-7521, www.communicarems.org

BEST LUNCH UNDER $10

HANDY ANDY, Winner

Finalist: Larson’s Cash Saver, Moe’s Original BBQ

BEST MARGARITA

EL CHARRO COCINA AND CANTINA, Winner

Finalist: El Agave, Volta Taverna

BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD

VOLTA TAVERNA, Winner

Finalist: OPA!

BEST MEXICAN

EL CHARRO COCINA AND CANTINA, Winner

Finalist: El Agave, La Perla Tapatia of Oxford

BEST MILKSHAKE

TCBY-CHANEY’S PHARMACY, Winner

Finalist: Chick-Fil-A, The Oxford Creamery

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

GOOD DAY CAFE, Winner

Finalist: Sleepy Cactus, Byrd House Cafe

BEST PATIO

LAMAR YARD, Winner

Finalist: Volta, Boure

BEST PIZZA

LOST PIZZA CO., Winner

Finalist: Fergndans Wood Fired Pizza, Saint

Leo

BEST PLACE TO GRAB DESSERT

YAYA’S FROZEN YOGURT, Winner

Finalist: JustCakeIt! LLC, The Oxford Creamery

BEST PLACE WORTH THE DRIVE GRIT, Winner

Finalist: Taylor Grocery, Rafters on the Water

BEST PO BOY

OBY’S OF OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Proud Larry’s, Ajax

BEST RESTAURANT

SAINT LEO, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Grillehouse, Snackbar

BEST ROOFTOP BAR

THE GRADUATE-THE COOP, Winner

Finalist: Lost Pizza Co.

BEST SALAD SPOT

OBY’S OF OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Saint Leo, Proud Larry’s

BEST CARPET/FLOORING: STOUTS FLOORING

Stout’s Carpet & Flooring is a full-service flooring provider that takes every step to make sure customers find full satisfaction, voters proved. From carpet, tile, hardwood, luxury vinyl or waterproof flooring, Stouts Flooring offers licensed installers and a knowledgeable staff with almost 50 years of combined sales experience to help find just the right high-quality product. 2 Private Road 2050, 662-246-2927, stoutsflooring.com

BEST SANDWICH

THE BLIND PIG PUB, Winner

Finalist: Newk’s, Pizza Den

BEST SEAFOOD

FRESH OUT OF THE WATER, Winner

Finalist: The Landshark Crawfish, Snackbar

BEST SMOOTHIE

SMOOTHIE KING, Winner

Finalist: Byrd House Cafe, Cabana Nutrition

BEST SOUL FOOD

AJAX, Winner

Finalist: Mama Jo’s Country Cookin, Larson’s Cash Saver

BEST SPECIAL OCCASION

SAINT LEO, Winner

Finalist, Oxford Grillehouse, Snackbar

BEST SPORTS BAR

LIBRARY, Winner

Finalist: Funky’s

BEST STEAKHOUSE

OXFORD GRILLHOUSE, Winner

Finalist: Kings Steak House, Sizzler Steakhouse of Oxford

BEST SUSHI

JINSEI SUSHI, Winner

Finalist: Toyo Japanese Sushi Bar and Hibachi, Kabuki Sushi Bar and Hibachi

BEST TAKEOUT RICE AND SPICE, Winner

Finalist: Moe’s Original BBQ, Fergndans

BEST WINE BAR

THE SIPP ON SOUTH LAMAR, Winner

Finalist: Saint Leo, SoLa

BEST WINGS

SOUTHERN COOP, Winner

Finalist: Moe’s Original BBQ, Jinsei

HEALTH AND FITNESS

BEST AUDIOLOGY CENTER

EAR NOSE AND THROAT

CONSULTANTS, Winner

Finalist: Hearing Aid Consultants of North Mississippi, Hear South Audiology

BEST BOUTIQUE FITNESS STUDIO

PURE BARRE, Winner

Finalist: Core Fitness Oxford, Baptiste Power Yoga Oxford

BEST CARDIOLOGY

DR. CHARLES LANEY, Winner

Finalist: Mark H. Strong, MD, Justin May Office

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

TRIPP HENDERSON, Winner

Finalist: Dr. Annalea Wood- RECURVE Health Center, Dr. Giaini-Oxford Chiropractic

BEST DENTAL CLINIC

OXFORD DENTAL, Winner

Finalist: Ross Family Dental, Stubblefield Dental Clinic

BEST DENTIST

DR. WALKER SWANEY, Winner

Finalist: Dr. Andrew Ross, Dr. Earl Stubblefield

BEST DERMATOLOGY CLINIC

DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Dermatology

BEST DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

HOME MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.,

Winner

Finalist: Charter Medical

BEST ENT

BRADFORD J. DYE III, MD, Winner

Finalist: B. Pearson Windham, MD

BEST ESTHETICIAN

EMMARAE NEWMAN, Winner

Finalist: Lana Melendez, Sara Marsalis

BEST EYE CARE

RAYNER EYE CLINIC, Winner

Finalist: Mississippi Eye Consultants, Oxford Eye Clinic & Optical PLLC

BEST GYMNASTICS STUDIO

WINK TUMBLING ACADEMY, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Cheer and Tumble

BEST HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTER

CORE FITNESS OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Oxford YMCA, Burn Boot Camp

BEST IMAGING CLINIC

OXFORD DIAGNOSTIC CENTER, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Pre-Op and Imaging Center

BEST MARTIAL ARTS

ELITE MARTIAL ARTS, Winner

Finalist: 662 Jiu Jitsu

BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST

NAY OMORI SHELL MEDSPA, Winner

Finalist: Live Well Therapeutic Massage

BEST MED SPA

SHELL PLASTIC SURGERY, Winner

Finalist: Dermatology Associates of Oxford

BEST MEDICAL CLINIC

OXFORD ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS

MEDICINE, PLLC, Winner

Finalist: Specialty Orthopedic Group, Oxford

Urgent Care

BEST MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER

COMMUNICARE, Winner

Meaghan O’Connor (WELLNESS CENTER OF OXFORD), Winner

Finalist: Wright Counseling Group

BEST NURSE/NURSE PRACTITIONER

BETH NORRIS, FNP, Winner

Finalist: Katie Soldevila, FNP-C, Miranda

Bennett, FNP-C

BEST ONCOLOGY

BRENT HARDIN, MD, Winner

Finalist: Ryan Yates, MD, Dr. Clayton Allen

BEST OPTOMETRIST/OPHTHALMOLOGIST

DR. WILLIAM STRICKLAND, Winner

Finalist: Dr. James Shipp

BEST ORAL SURGEON

Dr. Scott Whitaker, Winner

Finalist: Dr. Allen Ligon, Dr. Rebecca Edwards

BEST ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

DR. KURRE LUBER, Winner

Finalist: Ryves Moore, Daniel Boyd

BEST PAIN MANAGEMENT

WILLOW PAIN AND WELLNESS, LLC, Winner

Finalist: Midsouth Pain Treatment Center

BEST PEDIATRICIAN

CATHERINE PHILLIPS, D.O., Winner

Finalist: Dr. James Warrington III, Dr. David M. Dennis

BEST PHARMACY

CHANEY’S PHARMACY, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Rx, G&M Pharmacy

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY

ENDURANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY, Winner

Finalist: Cornerstone Rehabilitation, Elite Physical Therapy

BEST PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

CHASE CRUMPTON, PA-C (SPECIALTY ORTHO GROUP), Winner

Finalist: Katie McDaniel (Dermatology Associates of Oxford), Anna Burns, PA-C (Oxford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, PLLC)

BEST PLACE TO BUY EYE GLASSES

RAYNER EYE CLINIC, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Eye Clinic & Optical, PLLC, Mississippi Eye Consultants

BEST SPA

DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Shell Plastic Surgery, Revive Wellness of Oxford

BEST URGENT CARE

OXFORD URGENT CARE, Winner

Finalist: Urgent Care Clinic of Oxford, RedMed Urgent Clinic of Oxford

BEST WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE

OXFORD OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY ASSOCIATES, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Clinic for Women

BEST YOGA STUDIO

SOUTHERN STAR YOGA CENTER, Winner

Finalist: Baptiste Power Yoga of Oxford, Oxford YMCA

HOME AND GARDEN

BEST ASSISTED LIVING

THE MAGNOLIA AT OXFORD COMMONS, Winner

Finalist: The Pinnacle of Oxford, Beau Ridge at Oxford Farms

BEST CARPET/FLOORING

STOUTS CARPET & FLOORING, Winner

Finalist: Kizer Flooring, Signature Flooring

BEST CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

GORE & MELTON CONSTRUCTION, PLLC, Winner

Finalist: Grantham Construction, MR Construction

BEST

ELECTRICAL REPAIR EAGLE FIRE & ELECTRIC-JOE PACE, Winner

Finalist: Jackson and Sons

Plumbing and Electric, Walker Electric Co. Inc

BEST FURNITURE

OXFORD HOME FURNISHINGS, Winner

Finalist: Jones At Home

Interiors, The Furniture Source of Oxford

BEST BOUTIQUE: FROCK

Frock won “best boutique” due to owner Ginger Whitwell’s insight toward what works, whether it’s denim, wedges or huggy hoop earrings (or maybe all three together) to ensure your day or evening will feature you at your best. From trendy scarves to always-in-style quality fabrics, Frock offers individuals a way to find their unique style, with a little help from their experts. Don’t forget those glossy slides, platform sandals or gently cowboy-inspired boots to complete that outfit – Frock has those, too. 201 North Lamar Blvd., 662-234-1360, frockoxford.com

BEST GIFT SHOP: OLIVE JUICE GIFTS

Olive Juice Gifts tops the list for Best Gift Shop, no doubt thanks to the ambiance and service that shoppers love. Whether it be a giant basket full of items for a new sorority member or happies for friends, family & co-workers, Olive Juice Gifts has just what you’re looking for – even if you didn’t even know you were! 305 S Lamar Blvd., 662-259-2696, instagram.com/olivejuicegifts/

BEST LAW FIRM: TANNEHILL CARMEAN

Tannehill Carmean has earned the title of “best law firm” for 14 years in a row, which explains how respected the group is to Oxford. A full-service law firm, Tannehill Carmean provides legal services with a concern toward personal attention and a briefcase full of thoroughness and experience. Whether the issue is small or serious, Tannehill Carmean’s first focus is on their clients’ needs. 829 N Lamar Blvd, Suite 1, 662) 337-7868, tannehillcarmean.com

BEST HEATING AND AIR

FRANKLIN’S HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, Winner

Finalist: Brunner Heating and Air, Fondren and Vaughn Heating and Air

BEST HOME BUILDER

TYLER GORE, Winner

Finalist: Grantham Construction, Sid Coleman Construction

BEST HOME DECOR

DISCOUNT BUILDING

MATERIALS, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Home Furnishings, Provision Oxford

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN

PEARLY PEACOCK DESIGN, Winner

Finalist: Jennifer Russell Interior Design, Something Southern Inc.

BEST LANDSCAPER

SMITH LAWN

MANAGEMENT, Winner

Finalist: Childers Lawn Maintenance, Grasshoppers

BEST LAWN MAINTENANCE

SMITH LAWN

MANAGEMENT, Winner

Finalist: Childers Lawn Maintenance, Grasshoppers

BEST LIGHTING STORE

MAGNOLIA LIGHTINGOxford, Winner

Finalist: Provision Oxford

BEST MATTRESS STORE

OXFORD HOME

FURNISHINGS, Winner

Finalist: The Furniture Source of Oxford

BEST MOVING COMPANY

I MOVE YOU MOVING CO., Winner

Finalist: Three Men Moving & Storage, Pack Move Solutions

BEST NURSERY

THE BARN TRADING

COMPANY, Winner

Finalist: Oil Shed-Oxford Interior Landscape

BEST PEST CONTROL

PICKENS PEST CONTROL, Winner

Finalist: Pest Marshals, Action Pest Control, Inc.

BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY

CISSELL MANAGEMENT

COMPANY, LLC, Winner

Finalist: Summit Management, Parks Properties

BEST DRY CLEANERS: RAINBOW CLEANERS

Rainbow Cleaners has been serving the local area since 1970 with dry cleaning, wet cleaning, laundry services and detailed alterations services. The business also offers bridal gown cleaning and preservation as well as specialty leather cleaning. They even repair shoes and boots, including zippers and buckles. 1203 Jackson Ave., 662-234-2266, facebook.com/rainbowcleanersms/

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY

CANON CLEARY MCGRAW, Winner

Finalist: RE/MAX Realty,

Crye*Leike Oxford Real Estate

BEST WEED CONTROL SERVICE

SMITH LAWN MANAGEMENT, Winner

Finalist: Grasshoppers, Organic Lawn Solutions, LLC.

OUT AND ABOUT

BEST DANCE SPOT

LIBRARY, Winner

Finalist: Funky’s Pizza and Daiquiri Bar, The Lyric

BEST DAY TRIP

SAFARI WILD ANIMAL PARK, Winner

Finalist: Sardis Lake Marina, Memphis

BEST GOLF COURSE

THE OLE MISS GOLF COURSE, Winner

Finalist: The Country Club of Oxford

BEST HOTEL

GRADUATE OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: The Chancellor’s House by Oliver, The Inn at Ole Miss

BEST KEPT SECRET

SECRET GRILLED CHEESE, Winner

Finalist: Penny Bar, Caffecitos Truck

BEST LOCAL EVENT

DOUBLE DECKER, Winner

Finalist: CASAblanca, Oxford Film Festival

BEST MUSEUM/GALLERY

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM, Winner

Finalist: Powerhouse, Southside Gallery

BEST MUSIC VENUE

THE LYRIC, Winner

Finalist: Proud Larry’s, Gertrude C. Ford Center

BEST PARK FOR A PICNIC

THE GROVE, Winner

Finalist: Lamar Park, Avent Park

BEST PLACE TO TAKE THE FAMILY

SWAYZE FIELD, Winner

Finalist: Lamar Yard, Premier Lanes

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS

THE SQUARE, Winner

Finalist: Rowan Oak, The Grove

BEST ROOFTOP

GRADUATE OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: The Coop, Boure

BEST RUNNING EVENT

DOUBLE DECKER, Winner

Finalist: CASA Superhero Run

BEST TRIVIA

MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ, Winner

Finalist: The Blind Pig, The Lyric

BEST WALKING TRAIL

LAMAR PARK, Winner

Finalist: South Campus Trail, Bailey’s Woods

BEST WEDDING VENUE

THE JEFFERSON OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Castle Hill Resort, The Mill at Plein Air

PETS

BEST ANIMAL HOSPITAL

CROSSROADS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, Winner

Finalist: Bottletree Animal Hospital, Magnolia Small Animal Hospital

BEST BOARDING

CROSSROADS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, Winner

Finalist: DELTADOG OXFORD, Pampered Paws

BEST PET DAYCARE

DELTADOG OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Crossroads Animal Hospital, Bottletree Animal Hospital

BEST PET GROOMER

CROSSROADS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, Winner

Finalist: Homeward Bound Inc., DELTADOG

OXFORD

BEST PET SUPPLIES

HOLLYWOOD FEED, Winner

Finalist: Crossroads Animal Hospital, Tractor Supply Co.

BEST PRINTING/BEST QUICK PRINT: OXFORD PRINTING COMPANY

Oxford Printing Company is your go-to when you want it right. Whether it’s brochures, flyers, business cards, note cards, yard signs or postcards, Oxford Printing Company prints products to help clients stand out from the rest with a lasting, professional impression. Oxford Printing’s experience in both regular- and large-format documents helps brands make a mark. 1114 North Lamar Blvd., 662-636-6458, oxfordprinting.com

BEST PET TRAINER/OBEDIENCE SCHOOL

WILDROSE KENNELS, Winner

Finalist: Magnum K9 Services, Pampered Paws

BEST VETERINARIAN

DR. LACHLAN MCQUEENCrossroads Animal Hospital, Winner

Finalist: Dr. Apryl Garcia-Bottletree Animal Hospital, Dr. Hannah Heaton-Magnolia Small Animal Hospital

PROFESSIONALS

BEST ARCHITECT

COREY ALGER, Winner

Finalist: Howorth and Associates, Johnathan Mattox

BEST BANKER

QUENTIN BREWER, Winner

Finalist: Campbell Helveston, Lauren Pace

BEST BARTENDER

PEYTON ATTAWAY, Winner

Finalist: Mason Lewis, Bianca Bush

BEST CHEF

MICHELLE ROUNSAVILLE, Winner

Finalist: Erika Lipe, Joel Miller

BEST COLLEGE PROFESSOR

NICOLE ROBERSON, Winner

Finalist: Lou Berney, Dave Miller

BEST FIREFIGHER

BRION WHITTEN, Winner

Finalist: Jamie Phillips, John Cole Tramel

BEST HAIR STYLIST

CHRISTY PARKER, Winner

Finalist: Savannah Tuft, Morgan Neese

BEST INSURANCE AGENT

ALLISON BURROW, Winner

Finalist: Will Poole State Farm, Eli Lasky

BEST LAW ENFORCEMENT

JEFF MCCUTCHEON, Winner

Finalist: Joey East, Bo Prince

BEST LAWYER

MATT MCKENZIE, Winner

Finalist: Rhea Tannehill, Swayze Alford

BEST LOCAL ARTIST

LAURA SHIELDS, Winner

Finalist: Bradley Gordon, Lee Harper

BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN

TATE MOORE, Winner

Finalist: Joe Austin, Casey Lipe

BEST LOCAL WRITER

SHANE BROWN, Winner

Finalist: Wright Thompson, Chase Parham

BEST MORTGAGE LENDER

JAKE OTT-BANK OF ENGLAND, Winner

Finalist: Michelle Mason, Emily Benedict

BEST OXONIAN TO FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

JOHN COFIELD, Winner

Finalist: Lane Kiffin, Jason Plunk

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

BRUCE NEWMAN, Winner

Finalist: Joey Brent, Taylor Square Photograghy

BEST PLUMBER

TIM TRAYLOR, Winner

Finalist: Rick’s Plumbing, Jackson and Sons

BEST POLITICIAN

ROBYN TANNEHILL, Winner

Finalist: Jeff Busby, Clay DeWeese

BEST REALTOR

MARK CLEARY-CANON CLEARY

MCGRAW, Winner

Finalist: Tim Phillips-Crye*Leike, Heather

Richardson, RE/MAX Realty

BEST RESTAURANT SERVER

TAYLOR MCHUGH-MCEWEN’S, Winner

Finalist: Terry Moon-City Grocery, Anna

Tomlinson-Funky’s

BEST TEACHER (K-12)

TRACY ROGERS, Winner

Finalist: Lauren Lauzon, Aimee Brewer

BEST TRAVEL AGENT

BEVERLY BRENT, Winner

Finalist: Jessica Jones, Tessa Hankins

SHOPPING AND SERVICES

BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM

GRANTHAM & POOLE, PLLC, Winner

Finalist: Swetland Cook, PLLC, DeVoe Carr

PLLC, CPAs & Advisors

BEST ANTIQUE STORE

THE MUSTARD SEED ANTIQUE MALL, Winner

Finalist: Sugar Magnolia Antique Mall, The Depot Antique Mall

BEST AUTO DEALER (NEW)

CANNON MOTORS, LLC, Winner

FInalist: Oxford Toyota, Belk Ford Inc.

BEST AUTO DEALER (USED)

CANNON MOTORS, LLC, Winner

Finalist: Action Auto Used Cars of Oxford, Belk Ford Inc.

BEST AUTO REPAIR

KENNY WARREN’S AUTO REPAIR, Winner

Finalist: Deal’s Auto Repair, Brannon’s Auto and Glass Repair

BEST BANK

FNB OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Region’s Bank, Oxford University Bank

BEST BOOKSTORE

SQUARE BOOKS, Winner

Finalist: Square Books Jr.

BEST BOUTIQUE

FROCK OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Cicada, Style Assembly

BEST WEDDING REGISTRY

OXFORD FLORAL, Winner

Finalist: Neilson’s Department Store, Provision

Oxford

BEST BUSINESS

SHAW ACE HARDWARE, Winner

Finalist: FNB Oxford, Neilson’s Department Store

BEST CAR WASH

CAR WASH USA EXPRESS, Winner

Finalist: Dirt Doctor Mobile Car Wash

BEST CARPET CLEANING

TURNER CLEAN & RESTORATION, Winner

Finalist: Buster Hollowell, All Kleen Carpet Cleaning

BEST CBD STORE

STAR BUDS OXFORD MEDICAL

CANNABIS DISPENSARY, Winner

Finalist: Hemp Ville CBD Southaven, Your CBD Store/SUNMED, Oxford, MS

BEST CHILDCARE

FIRST BAPTIST CHILD CARE, Winner

Finalist: Creative Learning Center at North Oxford Baptist Church, ABC Learning Center

BEST CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE

Olive Juice Kids, Winner

Finalist: Jack & Claire’s Boutique

BEST COMPUTER REPAIR

uBREAKiFIX in OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: RockIT

BEST CONSIGNMENT/RESALE/ESTATE

SALES

OXFORD ESTATE SALES, Winner

Finalist: Holding Hands Resale Shop, Sugar Magnolia Antique Mall

BEST COSMETICS

AMY HEAD COSMETICS, Winner

Finalist: Dermatology Associates of Oxford, Zoe

BEST CUSTOM T-SHIRT SHOP

B’S UNLIMITED, Winner

Finalist: Oxford T-Shirt Company, University Sporting Goods

BEST DEPARTMENT STORE

NEILSON’S DEPARTMENT STORE, Winner

Finalist: Belk

BEST DRY CLEANER

RAINBOW CLEANERS, Winner

Finalist: Lapels Cleaners Oxford

BEST FLORIST

OXFORD FLORAL, Winner

Finalist: Bette’s Flowers Inc., Kroger

BEST GIFT SHOP

OLIVE JUICE GIFTS, Winner

Finalist: Chaney’s Pharmacy, Provision Oxford

BEST GROCERY STORE

LARSON’S CASH SAVER, Winner

Finalist: Kroger, Chicory Market

BEST HAIR SALON

SOUTHERN CHIC SALON & SPA, Winner

Finalist: Hair + Lash Company, Base Coat Salon

BEST HUNTING STORE

HUNTERS’ HOLLOW INC., Winner

Finalist: The Range at TGC Outdoors, Vincent Outfitters

BEST INSURANCE COMPANY

FARM BUREAU, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Insurance Agency, Brown Insurance Agency

BEST INVESTMENT FIRM

EDWARD JONES-FINANCIAL ADVISOR: ED GUNN, CFP/AAMS, Winner

Finalist: Reid Sherman Investment Group of Raymond James, Wells Fargo Advisors

BEST JEWELRY STORE

LAMMONS FINE JEWELRY, Winner

Finalist: Van Atkins Jewelers, Lulu’s Shoes & Accessories

BEST LAW FIRM

TANNEHILL CARMEAN, PLLC, Winner

Finalist: McKenzie Little, PLLC, Swayze Alford

Attorney At Law

BEST LIMO/TAXI

REBEL RIDE, Winner

Finalist: Daniels Taxi & Shuttle

BEST LIQUOR STORE

HIGH COTTON WINE & SPIRITS

WAREHOUSE, Winner

Finalist: Magnolia Wine & Spirits, Kiamie

Package Store

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE

HINTON & HINTON, Winner

Finalist: Neilson’s Department Store, Landry’s

BEST NAIL SALON

NAIL BAR & CO. OXFORD, Winner

Finalist: Base Coat Salon, 20/20 Lux Spa

BEST NEW BUSINESS

HAIR + LASH COMPANY, Winner

Finalist: Caffecitos, ISO Tonics

BEST OFFICE SUPPLY

PITNER OFFICE SUPPLY, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Printing Co.

BEST PACKING AND SHIPPING

THE UPS STORE, Winner

Finalist: James Food Center Contract Post Office, Pak Mail

BEST PARTY EVENT RENTAL

DETAILS RENTAL, Winner

Finalist: Magnolia Rental & Sales

BEST PAWN SHOP

OXFORD PAWN SHOP & GOLD BUYERS, Winner

BEST PLACE TO FIND OLE

MISS GIFTS

REBEL RAGS, Winner

Finalist: University Sporting Goods, Olive Juice Gifts

BEST PRINTING

COMPANY

OXFORD PRINTING

COMPANY, Winner

Finalist: Documart, The UPS Store

BEST QUICK PRINT

OXFORD PRINTING

CO., Winner

Finalist: Documart, The UPS Store

BEST RESTORATION

SERVICE

SERVPRO, Winner

Finalist: Turner Clean & Restoration

BEST SEAFOOD

LB’S MEAT MARKET, Winner

Finalist: Chicory Market, Kroger

BEST SHOE STORE

LULU’S SHOES & ACCESSORIE, Winner

Finalist: Austin’s Shoes, Neilson’s Department Store

BEST SIGN COMPANY

1 DAY SIGNS, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Printing Co., Documart

BEST SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

BRANNON AUTO & GLASS REPAIR, Winner

Finalist: Deal’s Auto Repair, Oxford Auto Care

BEST SOAP SHOP

BUFF CITY SOAP-

OXFORD, MS, Winner

Finalist: Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. Oxford

BEST SPORTING GOODS

UNIVERSITY SPORTING

GOODS, Winner

Finalist: Rebel Rag’s, DICK’S Sporting Goods

BEST TANNING SALON

OXFORD SUPER TANS, Winner

Finalist: Sunsations

BEST TATTOO SHOP

OXFORD TATTOO, Winner

Finalist: Opus Land

BEST TIRE SHOP

GATEWAY TIRE & SERVICE CENTER, Winner

Finalist: Oxford Tire Inc., Darby’s Tire & Auto Service

BEST TOWING SHIVER’S TOWING, Winner

Finalist: Marquis Towing, Chandler Towing LLC

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY

BRENT TRAVEL, Winner

Finalist: Jessica Jones, Tessa Hankins

BEST T-SHIRT SHOP

B UNLIMITED:OLE MISS, Winner

Finalist: Cat Daddy’s, Oxford T-Shirt Co.

BEST VAPE STORE

CLOUD 9 LLC VAPOR

COMPANY, Winner

Finalist: SMOKE STUDIO

BEER-TOBACCO-VAPOR, Vapor Maven

BEST WINE STORE

HIGH COTTON WINE & SPIRITS WAREHOUSE, Winner

Finalist: Magnolia Wine & Spirits, Campus Wine and Spirits

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING NEILSON’S DEPARTMENT STORE, Winner

Finalist: Hinton & Hinton

HER, Cicada

THREE BLIND WINES

1. Blake Pierce and Josh Hocutt

2. Carole and Hal Haney

3. Katherine Victor and Kim Patterson

4. Francesca Kirdy, Kayla Kirkpatric, Brandon Foust and Michael Fisher

5. Caroline Parker and Katlen Alderman

6. Amy King and LeToya McClay

7. Andrea Drummond and Nikki Kelleway

8. Katherine Victor, Beth Brazile, Alana Fairley, Sara Harrelson and Kim Patterson

9. Shannon Shepard and Kimberly Wadley

10. Amelia and David Abraham

The Powerhouse May 10, 2023

All Photos © Joey Brent

OXFORD CAR SHOW

1. Lee Vaughn

2. Jon Strope

3. Wes Fletcher

4. Jason Plunk

Photos by Quanta Marie

Held on the Oxford Square

June 3, 2023

Affordable Metal Buildings Free Estimates Delivered In 2 Weeks Or Less (Depending on weather) Phillip Martin, Owner Phone: 662-2744845

Alterations, Custom Curtains, Blinds, Shades, Bedding, Cushions, Dorm Decoration! Design Gallery 1529 University Ave. Oxford, MS. 38655. Designer/ Julie Coleman. 662-6550500

JANI KING CLEANING SERVICES LOOKING FOR PT WORKERS, EVENING TIME AFTER 5PM. CONTACT RAY WADE CLEANING AT 601.573.1049.

Office Space for Lease 1250 sq. ft.

In Old Town Court behind Oby’s Restaurant Call: (662)234-2522

B & B Concrete. Est. 1949. 70 years experience. Delivering quality ready-mix concrete since 1949. 662234-7088

Lay up treasures in Heaven by texting your family and friends to go to romanroadbibleministry. com Better built portable buildings for better prices! (662) 417-1256

H&L Underbrush, Yard Work & Much More. 662714-0132

Lafayette Ready Mix of Oxford, MS is hiring a Batch/Dispatch

Person The successful candidate will possess:

•Excellent verbal and written communication

skills •Excellent customer service •Ability to multitask •Proficient in basic math •Proficient in basic computer skills including email, word processing, and excel •Some supervisory experience. We offer competitive compensation and benefits including paid health insurance, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, and paid holidays.Email

resume to: Justin Scott, Plant Manager jscott@ lafayettereadymix.com NO TELEPHONE CALLS OR WALK-IN INQUIRES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DRIVERS WANTED

Experienced CDL Class A Drivers Home Daily (Containers, Dump Trucks and Local 53 Foot) Call Jesse 662-607-3599

Professional Office Suites Off Square, 426 S. Lamar Anchorage Building Utilities, janitorial, parking included, furnished $500/ mth lease (662)816-5315

Precious Angels Home Care. Private Duty, Nonmedical, In-home care. Caregivers, homemakers & sitters. Does your loved one need care at home? Contact us today. 662-8216787. email: wecare@ preciousangelshomecare. org

REM Mississippi is Hiring! REM Mississippi is seeking full-time and part-time employees, all shifts. Great benefit package for full-time employees. For more information, please visit

http://www.rem-ms.com/ or call 601.939.0394

5-Star Cleaning Services:Free Quotes! •Move-in/move-out

•Residential, Commercial and New Construction

•Organization Call Linda Brandemuhl (920)858-1348

WE ARE HIRING! • QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER • PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR • MANUFACTURING ENGINEER • ACCOUNTING ANALYST •QUALITY ENGINEER VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO: LENNOXINTER NATIONAL.COM/ CAREERS QUALITY. FLEXIBILITY. SOLUTIONS adpnow.com

Oaks of East Jackson WALKING DISTANCE TO OXFORD’S HISTORIC SQUARE 8,624 square foot, build-ready lot 1740 East Jackson Ave 972-983-2205

Oxford Housing Authority The Oxford Housing Authority is currently accepting resumes for the following position: Occupancy Specialist Information regarding job description, salary

and benefits can be picked up at the offices of the Oxford Housing Authority, 900 Molly Barr Road Oxford, MS. Applications or resumes will be accepted at this address as well or can be mailed to P.O. Box 488 Oxford, MS 38655 until 5:00 P.M

SUPER 8 OXFORD 2201 JACKSON AVE LOOKING FOR HOUSEKEEPERS!!! PLEASE APPLY IN PERSON.

The Gracious Face Health and Wellness Spa Nail Tech Needed on Saturdays. Call 706691-5772

HAWKINS HANDYMAN

Lawn & Tree Removal. 24/7. Bonded & Insured. Plumbing, Electric, Excavating, Bush Hogging, Lawn Care, Leaf Removal, Dozer Work, Gravel/ Dirt Hauling, Welding Service, Trailer Repair. For your home & outdoor needs. Oxford, MS. 662473-8139

TRAILER WORLD

Goosenecks, Equipment, Stock & Enclosed Trailers. Mid-South’s Largest Selection. SOUTHLAND CO. Batesville, MS 662563-9428

COUNTRIBUTING EDITOR JIM DEES

is a writer and longtime host of Thacker Mountain Radio. He is the author of The Statue and the Fury - A Year of Art, Race, Music and Cocktails.

A KNOW SWEAT

A recent national news story on perspiration –(from the Latin, funkus amongus) contained a quote from a sweat expert on the faculty of Mississippi State University. Say what? “Sweat expert?”

It seems that Ole Miss faculty are contacted for quotes on history and literature while State is the goto hub for sweat and cheese. But I digress.

What’s the hottest you’ve ever been? The North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic? The Neshoba County Fair? Fourth of July fireworks in the Grove?

I recall an Ole Miss football game in Memphis one year, maybe on August 31st, at the Liberty Bowl, which was more like a wok. I sought shelter from the searing sun underneath the portal, only to find half the stadium already there. A hot beer sauna.

Ponder the sheer power of heat. Here is a phenomenon that can actually induce involuntary secretions from the human body. Not just secretions, mind you, but stinky secretions. (There’s a rock band name for you).

The body is such a marvel that when the temperatures begin to resemble IQ scores, the body takes matters into its own hands and pours on the coolant, i.e. sweat.

People say, “I sweated my @#! off,” but what if you really could? We’d all be walking around without our caboose.

“Kiss my hand” just isn’t the same, unsavory suggestion.

Scientists tell us that early man was a short furry creature covered in hair to ward off cold temperatures. As the earth warmed and dried over centuries, humans did a 180 (as we are wont to do) and evolved our bodies to include sweat glands – by the millions.

These glands deliver water from your body to the body’s surface and thus ring-around-the-collar was born.

But where does the funk come from? Why does sweat, for lack of a better word, stink? (I emailed Mississippi State, but haven’t heard back).

Dr Google, professor emeritus of Funk and Arm Pits, allows this: “Our skin is naturally covered with bacteria. When we sweat, the water, salt and fat mix with these bacteria and can cause odor.”

It gets stickier: “You may be more prone to body odor if you are overweight, eat certain foods, have certain health conditions, or are under stress.”

In other words, everyone alive over age five.

Excuse me while I go buy stock in Right Guard Roll On.

What if you’re totally stressed out and enjoy a diet generous in garlic? I can answer that one: Best not to share elevators.

If only we could harness this world of odor and bottle our national ocean of sweat and convert both into raw power. If wind and sun can power small cities, why not a Hoover Dam for sweat and nuclear power plants repurposed to convert the methane from 500 million armpits into jet fuel?

Snicker if you will. They laughed at Thomas Edison too. All he did was have the aha moment and bright idea for the light bulb. And then of course there’s Mississippi bluesman, Muddy Waters, who invented electricity.

None of this even considers James Brown’s, “Cold Sweat,” which seems oxymoronic but is actually regular sweat on algebra.

There are also sub categories such as flop sweat and the kingpin of sweat disorders, hyperhidrosis. According to The New York Times, quoting a Dr. Mark Ferguson, those with hyperhidrosis endure “sweating so intense that they must change clothes multiple times a day. If their hands sweat, they may have trouble using touch screens, computer mice and steering wheels unless they wear heavy gloves.

“If their feet sweat,” he said, “you can imagine how quickly they go through a pair of shoes, because they’re constantly wet and start to get smelly and start to fall apart.”

Who among us hasn’t started to get smelly and started to fall apart?

With this trauma as a backdrop, one turns to TV weathercasts to check on the numbers, to see just how much sweat to expect. Unfortunately, TV weather has chosen to hype the harm by insisting on telling us not only how incredibly hot it is, but how much hotter it’s going to “feel like,” the so-called “Misery Index.”

An index is for books. Don’t tell me what I’m gonna feel like. After all, I’m a miracle being that can make myself rain if it gets too hot. I don’t need your stinking Misery Index. I can stink on my own.

The best way to cope with all this nonsense is to stay indoors with a large frosty mug and toast Mr. Willis Carrier, the inventor of the modern-day airconditioner.

As for the sweat experts at Mississippi State, they can… chill too.