Oxford

ACCESS

MARCH - MAY 2017

OXFORD 311 How can we help you? - Pg. 6

Oxford’s award-winning

golf course B

ring your family and friends out to Cider Ridge and get ready to experience a fun, scenic and challenging 18-hole golf course unlike any other in Alabama. Don’t just take our word for it - Cider Ridge has been named to Golf Advisor’s “Top 10 Courses to Play in Alabama” and “Top 50 Under $50.” We welcome groups of any size and if you’re a single player, we’ll help you get a game and make new friends. We also offer many programs and clinics for those new to the game as well as an array of junior programs and leagues. But, we are much more than just golf. Enjoy a cold beverage and leisurely lunch at the Cider Ridge Grill or make plans to host your holiday party, wedding reception, business meeting or next special event at our club. The choice is up to you!

Visit our website to see our latest news, specials and upcoming events. Go to www.CiderRidgeGolf.com

Tee Times: (256) 831-7222 Proudly managed by:

Message from the

Oxford Mayor On behalf of the Oxford City Council and myself, I hope you enjoy the latest edition of Oxford Access magazine. We have many exciting things going on in our city, and I hope that you will be able to attend many of the events featured in the magazine. I’d first like to extend my congratulations to the Oxford High School Wrestling Team, who won the school’s first-ever team wrestling state championship. What an accomplishment, and I hope your success carries on for the rest of our school district’s teams as well. Oxford has had tremendous success with new retail ventures, industrial expansion, and Choccolocco Park opening with great reviews, and I am excited to introduce something that we hope will make Oxford a leader of a new kind: a technological leader. I’m proud to introduce our new Oxford 311 platform, a city service helpline designed to connect you to our non-emergency services. The feature article in this issue will highlight many of the things that Oxford 311 will do, so I encourage you to read that and let the City of Oxford help you connect to our departments. It is a great honor to be your mayor, and I am proud to be entrusted to continue to lead Oxford into the 21st Century. Sincerely, Alton Craft

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

volume 2, issue 1

10 features 6 How Can We Help You? 8 Spotlight: Ted Hicks 14 Bright Sound. Bright Mind. 18 More Than Just Firefighters 22 From The Ground Up 25 Spotlight: Amanda Wimpee

28 Professor Dodson 32 Sensory Friendly Fun Time 36 Spotlight: Chris Spurlin 38 A Story Of New Beginnings 42 Oxford Police Department 65 Calendar 68 Streets Of Oxford

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72 Era Of Medical Innovation

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Breast Lift/Reduction Face/Neck Lift Body Contouring after Bariatric Surgery

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Massage Menu: Swedish Massage Deep Tissue Massage Neuromuscular Therapy Myofascial Release

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

OXFORD

311

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

INTRODUCING OXFORD’S CITY SERVICE HELPLINE HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Reporting a pothole, flooded road, downed tree, graffiti, or scores of other issues has just gotten easier in the City of Oxford. The city is enhancing its customer service efforts to the citizens of Oxford by implementing Oxford 311, a city service helpline. On April 3, the city will launch its Oxford 311 service as a result of the Oxford City Council and Mayor Alton Craft’s wish to make Oxford more user-friendly and responsive to city residents by providing citizens with a three-digit number to call for information on city services and to report non-emergency concerns. Callers can dial 311 from anywhere within the city limits to report broken streetlights, get assistance with permits or licenses, get information on a city-sponsored event, or report a problem with any city-related service. There will be no more guessing which department to call or how to reach the correct person. One can simply dial 311, and the Oxford 311 staff will listen to your concern and either answer your question on the spot, arrange for a city employee to investigate and/or remedy the situation, or connect you with the person or resource to assist. Mayor Craft is excited to launch Oxford 311 and to be able to provide residents and visitors courteous, fast, and accurate customer service that results in transparent access to city information and services. “We are always striving to update and improve the level of service provided to our residents and visitors. Our Oxford 311 city service helpline provides someone to answer people’s questions and help solve the public’s concerns each day. It places helpful

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information right at your fingertips when you need it,” Mayor Craft said. “Any Oxford resident, business, or visitor can call 311 to inquire about city services, report problems, check the status of issues, or get information. Instead of having to find out what department or person to contact, the only thing people need to know is 311. From reporting long grass to finding out where to vote to reporting an abandoned vehicle in your neighborhood and a whole lot more, the Oxford 311 staff is ready to help.” According to Keith LeBeau, president and CEO of QScend Technologies–the service provider of Oxford 311– gone are the days when citizens would have to wait to report an issue and forget about it because of a busy schedule. “Whether input by staff or by the citizen, a request in the Oxford 311 system never falls through the cracks. With the software provided by QScend, each entry is automatically assigned a ticket number and instantly routed to the department responsible for handling the request. The staff is continually notified until that issue is closed,” LeBeau said. Citizens can choose to be notified by phone, text message, or email each time an action is taken. At any point, a staff member can trigger an update to keep concerned parties in the loop as work is done. Mayor Craft shares how Oxford 311 enables city department heads and administrators to generate a variety of reports, from issues resolved to issues outstanding to the length of time outstanding to issue type, and much more. “This allows us to measure performance, re-engineer processes, and improve resource allocation and budgeting,” Mayor Craft said. “It will also reduce non-emergency 911 calls. In many cases, the caller picks up the phone and dials 911 because he or she doesn’t know who else to call. Now we have a ‘one-stop shop’ for all non-emergency and city services.” Oxford 311 will have live operators Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The service will have a 24/7 web function located on the city website. If callers dial in from a mobile phone and do not get connected, they can dial (256) 241-4311.

WRITTEN BY THE OXFORD ACCESS STAFF

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT TED HICKS

“ I have enjoyed working for the city. I met a lot of friends and coworkers that all seemed to truly care about the city of Oxford. I’ve had good bosses that really cared about their employees and helped everyone along during the time I was there. ”

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By Kristin Roberts

After 27 years of service to the city of Oxford, it is time to say goodbye to a dedicated Street Department employee named Ted Hicks as he retires. Ted Hicks began his career with the city in October of 1989 as an equipment operator for the Street Department. Throughout his years with the department, he has moved from position to position, Hicks is ending his career as the operator for the incinerator that burns all of the brush that is picked up throughout the city. Hicks says, “My favorite part about working for the city of Oxford is being able to have a place to come to work everyday to help out the city in a certain way and knowing that the people I work with care about the city the same way I do.” Hicks was originally born and raised in Selma, Alabama. After graduating from high school, Hicks moved to Auburn, Alabama and attended Auburn University. He graduated in 1969 with a degree in Agricultural Accounting. In June of 1970, Hicks married his high school sweetheart, and by July of 1970, he had joined the Army as an Administrative Specialist and left for basic training in Columbus, Georgia. After completing his advanced training in California, Hicks was sent to Vietnam for 12 months. When he returned to Alabama, he was stationed at Fort McClellan. After serving in the Army for 3 years, Hicks retired as a Sergeant E-5. By the time Hicks had retired from the Army, his wife had a job working as a nurse and they had already fallen in love with the scenery surrounding the Calhoun County area; they decided to stay. Over the years and through their jobs and church involvement, Hicks and his wife have made strong connections to the city and their friends. “We attend Meadowbrook Baptist Church here in Oxford and have always attended church regularly. I tried to instill that kind of life in my kids as well. To make sure that they live a good life, that they are responsible, that they always try to do what they need to do,” Hicks says. “It’s important to me to have that Christian spirit and being with friends.” Now that Hicks has retired, he plans on spending his extra free time with his wife of 47 years. He has plans to work on projects around his home, spend time with his church family, and travel to see family and friends with his wife.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

CHOCCOLOCCO PARK IS OUR NEW CHAMPION THE BIG HOUSE IS THE BEST FIELD IN THE NATION

Baseball teams often are victorious in their favorite stadiums, but it is unique for the stadium itself to be the victor. Uncommon things happen when a city builds a first-rate sports complex such as Choccolocco Park—like being named the National High School Baseball Field of the Year. Choccolocco Park’s Signature Baseball Field, home of the Oxford Yellow Jackets’ baseball team, competed for this esteemed recognition, which was awarded last December by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association (NHSBCA). The other competing fields were from Marysville, Ohio; Forest Lake, Minnesota; College Station, Texas; Anthem, Arizona; Villa Park, California; Boston; and Philadelphia. Rumor has it that the vote came down to two fields: Choccolocco Park, and a field in Boston that is a replica of Fenway Park (famed home of the Boston Red Sox). The award is a culmination of a total community effort to make Choccolocco Park a success, and Oxford’s leadership shares the park’s award with all involved. Oxford Mayor Alton Craft stated, “Not only am I extremely proud of the things that are going on at the new facility, but also of all the Parks and Recreation Department staff that has contributed to the park’s success.”

In response to the award, Oxford PARD Director Don Hudson said: “We are very proud to be recognized against such prestigious competition in our first year of operation.” Head Baseball Coach Wes Brooks represented Oxford High and Choccolocco Park at the National Awards Banquet in Columbus, Ohio on December 2nd. He was quick to give credit to Chad Robinson and the Honors Golf staff who maintain all the fields at the complex. Brooks said, “When Oxford was called out as the winner, I felt a little bad going up to receive the award since I am not the one doing the day-to-day operation and maintenance. It is such a team effort.” Connor Syer, a senior on this year’s Yellow Jacket baseball team, joined his teammates in being awed by the award, and said: “We are extremely blessed to be able to play our home games on the field recognized as the best field in the nation!” Oxford’s High School Athletic Director, Larry Davidson, reaffirmed that sentiment when he said, “The vision shown by city officials has paved the way for this opportunity, one sure to provide exceptional benefits for student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Oxford community. I thank you for daring to dream.” Choccolocco Park is home to the Oxford High WRITTEN BY DENNY BAILEY

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

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Choccolocco Park is home to the Oxford High School Yellow Jacket Baseball, Softball, Track, and Soccer Teams. During a city-wide celebration and park grand opening in October, Davidson spoke of the “championship atmosphere” that Choccolocco Park brings. In its first season using the facilities, the OHS baseball and softball teams won the Class 6A, Area 10 Championships. New champions will be crowned, and more victories will be celebrated at Choccolocco Park this year. Besides hosting the Yellow Jackets, the Signature Baseball Field will be the home field for Jacksonville State University’s baseball team while their Rudy Abbot Field undergoes major renovations. JSU Track Coach Steve Ray will utilize the track venue to host his home Ohio Valley Conference events. After its success hosting the OVC Softball Tournament last year, Choccolocco Park will host the

2017 OVC Baseball, Softball, and Track and Field Championships. The Signature Baseball Field is known as “The Big House,” after the Creek Indian name for the area “Cuko Rakko,” which means “Ceremonial Grounds” or simply “Big House.” English speakers translated it into “Choccolocco,” where the more than 300 acre one-of-akind park finds its name today. Atop the historic land sits cutting-edge baseball, softball, track and field, and soccer amenities, along with educational, walking and biking trails, all-encompassing playgrounds, water and natural resources, and much more—all at the fingertips of Oxford residents and visitors. To learn more about Choccolocco Park and what it has to offer, please go to www.choccoloccopark.com

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

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Bright Sound. Bright Mind. WRITTEN BY THE OXFORD ACCESS STAFF Like most aspects of human behavior, intelligence is a complex trait that is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. According to the National Library of Medicine, a person’s environment and genetic makeup influence each other, and it can be challenging to tease apart the effects of the environment from those of genetics. Add a midsummer Alabama storm and a lightning strike’s raw power to the equation, and one’s imagination is sure to spark. Abby McDow is unique. She has what Martin Luther King would characterize as the goal of true education: intelligence plus character. She is artistic. She loves Walt Disney. She is humble. She has a knack for test taking. She ranks among the nation’s top one percent academically. She makes heads turn with her companion, a baritone horn (a nine-foot brass tube that looks like a tuba but sounds like a trombone). And she credits her success to her faith, family, and a hiking trip “gone bad.” McDow, now a senior at Oxford High School, scored a near-perfect 35 on the ACT test as a Junior. Although she knew most answers on the test, she is unsure how to explain why she did so well. “I honestly do not know,” McDow said. “There is a running joke in my family crediting my ability to do well in school to a family hiking trip at Cheaha Mountain when I was four years old. While we were hiking, a typical Alabama quick summer storm passed through the area. As we were trying to get off the mountain top–with my dad carrying a metal stroller in one hand and me in the other–we were struck by lightning. It was quite an ordeal.” McDow was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where doctors assured her family nothing was wrong. She says she does not remember anything from the strike itself, only parts of the helicopter ride. “I recall that some of my stuffed animals flew with me. I woke up in the helicopter, and a cute stuffed dog was keeping me company.”

On a more serious note, McDow shares how she has familiarized herself with the way standardized tests work, after taking many over the years. Her teachers often talk about the ACT and provide practice questions to prepare for it. “I am honestly just thankful that God gave it to me. It is hard to explain, but I have always just had a knack for test taking. I may not fully understand the content, but on test day I can simply look at the questions, think about it piece by piece, and use reasoning to find the correct answer. I know a lot of people truly know the content, but do not do well because they are afraid of taking tests,” McDow said. “Some ask me for advice, but all I can tell them is ‘I will do my best to help, but I do not know how I do so well.’ One of my teachers, however, gave me some great advice that saves me a lot of time during these types of tests. I was told to not bubble in each answer as you go. Rather, you should circle all the answers on the question page(s), and once you are done, you fill in all the answers at the same time. That way, it is easier to keep your concentration since you are not going back and forth.” McDow is excited about the many opportunities the Oxford City Schools offer its students. “I like that the school gives you lots of ways to do the things you like. If you go to the class listing and look for the classes you want to sign up for, you can find all sorts of things. We had zoology at one point, earth and space science, lots of different math classes, dual enrollment, AP, and all of the various music classes,” McDow said. “They make sure there is a wide variety of classes and clubs for students and that there is something for everyone, no matter what your interests are. It also helps that everyone is so fun here! Even though it might be the general southern standard, everyone is nice in Oxford.” Not only is McDow a standout in the classroom, but also on the football field with a baritone in her hands. Her talents led Band Director, David McDaniel, to nominate her to the U.S. Army All-Amer-

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

ican Marching Band in the Fall of her Junior year. After submitting a substantial application, including video auditions, her resume, and other application materials, McDow was selected by the National Association for Music Education in cooperation with All American Games and Drum Corps International as one of the nation’s top 125 high school marching band members. She was the only musician selected from the State of Alabama to receive an all-expensespaid trip to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January. “I got to fly to San Antonio, Texas, and spend a week learning from the best collegiate, high school, and corps instructors in the nation. We had received the music in advance so we could prepare before bowl week. When I got there, we fine-tuned the music and spent time learning our places on the field and how it all works together. Then we performed during the football game,” McDow said. “It was such a nice trip, and I got to meet a lot of great people. My roommate was from New York, and we became good friends. We exchanged contact information and have been sending letters back and forth.” When asked what intrigues her about marching bands, McDow replied that “Marching band shows are just fun to watch—especially when they are well done! Watching all the music and the visuals line up give me chill bumps. It is so cool! It is one of those things that require a lot of people working together as a unity. You must trust everyone around you and rely on them. I also enjoy concert band a lot. In this class, we only focus on music without worrying about visuals. The music is a lot more challenging, but it is still lots of fun. We have county exhibitions, Music Performance Assessments which is a state competition, and a Spring concert at the Oxford Performing Arts Center.” McDow’s passion for music is not newfound. It started when she was a student at Coldwater and then DeArmanville Elementary School. Her music teacher, Christina Sisco (former Ms. Sims), played a significant role in her wish to pursue it. “I have had some outstanding music teachers while going to school. Along with Mrs. Sisco, Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Luke have greatly impacted my life. Over the years, I have gotten to know them well,” McDow said. “My teachers and instructors have contributed to my wish of studying music education in college. My dream job is to be an elementary music teacher. I love kids, and I love music, so what better job than teaching children music all day?” McDow plans on attending Jacksonville State University where she will pursue a Bachelors of Arts in Music with a Music Education concentration. “If I decide that I want to do

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something different when I get older, I have thought about going back to school and getting a degree in psychology so I can research how music affects people. I would enjoy advocating for keeping music education in school systems. I think it is critical,” McDow said. When McDow is not studying or rehearsing, she enjoys painting, watching movies (particularly Walt Disney picture films), reading, and spending as much time as possible with family, friends, and at the Greenbrier Road Baptist Church where she is a member. She also enjoys going to concerts and shows at the Performing Arts Center. “I loved when OPAC opened up. That place is so cool,” McDow said. “Oxford is like a quaint little southern town, but also kind of bigger. It is a good combination of both. It is one of those places where you have a whole bunch of different types of people. It is small enough to have things like farmer’s market, mom and pop businesses, Oxfordfest, and so forth, but big enough to not know everyone you run into.” McDow is grateful for everyone that is part of her life. She said, “My mom and dad are great and have always been super supportive. I know band is hard to be supportive of sometimes, but they have been fantastic through all these years. My little brother. . . He acts like a little brother, but you need that. Someone to keep you humble.” McDow may be humble, but one thing that is not modest is her list of honors and achievements. The following is a list of recognitions from 2016 and 2017 alone. • Placed 4th with a Brass Octet in DIC Performer’s Showcase • National Honor Society • Received Most Outstanding Grade Awards for Oxford High School Band • Received multiple Superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble events in Band and Choir • Received Academic Excellence Awards in Band, Choir, and Science. • Alabama All State Choir • Alabama District II Senior High Honor Band 1st Chair • Alabama Senior High All State Band; 4th chair Red Band (’16), Red Band (’17) • Member of 2017 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band Good luck Abby! We are excited to follow your bright future!

CITY OF OXFORD | FIRE DEPARTMENT

Message from the

Oxford Fire Chief I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It has been a busy year for the Oxford Fire Department. In this issue of the Oxford Access magazine, there is an article talking about what Oxford firefighters do each day. I am proud of our firefighters and the excellent job they do for Oxford citizens. The new Fire Station #2 on Friendship Road is coming along on schedule and is projected to be open by summer. I think the citizens in this area will find this to be a valuable asset to the community. We will still have some cold weather days ahead so remember to be fire safe with your heating equipment. If you do not have a smoke detector in your house, please get one. If you canâ€™t afford one, call Fire Station #1 and we will assist you. Chief Gary Sparks

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

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more than just firefighters

WRITTEN BY CHIEF GARY SPARKS

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

CITY OF OXFORD | FIRE DEPARTMENT

Prepared to serve in many ways: City of Oxford Firefighters train several hours per day to make sure they are ready for any emergency situation.

When people think of “Firefighters,” they relate that to firemen fighting fires and nothing else. Many believe that firefighters do nothing besides eating, sleeping, and occasionally answering a fire call. This perception is far from true. Today’s fire service is a “catch all” of all sorts of incidents, fire related or not, that must be responded to, and it falls on the fire service to “pick up the slack.” As one can see in the accompanying chart, the Oxford Fire Department answered 1,138 calls in 2016. This is 150 calls more than last year and sets a record for calls by the department. The chart shows that fire calls make up the largest percentage of calls at 28.21 percent. These calls include

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structure fires, grass fires, and vehicle fires. Rescue and emergency medical service calls are next at 25.22 percent. Calls that fall in this category are wrecks, wrecks with entrapment, and EMT calls where the department assists Oxford EMS. False alarms make up the third largest group at 14.76 percent. There are various reasons for a false alarm, but each one must be answered since one can never be sure. These three categories accounted for 776 calls, a little over 70 percent. The remaining calls fall into various categories. Some of them included downed power lines, gas leaks, smoke complaints, carbon monoxide detector activations, water rescues, and public assistance calls.

What do firefighters spend their time during the remaining time of their 24-hour shift? Every day starts with inspecting the trucks and equipment to ensure that everything is ready at a second’s notice. Oxford firefighters are required to train for two hours daily. They must keep their skills sharp and be ready for any emergency. The rest of the time is spent performing various functions. There are over 900 fire hydrants that must be tested and over 20,000 feet of fire hose that must have its pressure checked annually. Every business in Oxford must also be annually inspected with a pre-fire plan. Oxford firefighters keep the trucks, equipment, and fire stations clean and take care of the lawn maintenance for all six fire stations. Fire Prevention is a significant part of everything the department does. Alabama continues to rank in the 97th fire fatality percentile nationally. This is unacceptable, and Oxford Fire is committed to reducing these numbers. Oxford Fire Department is part of a statewide initiative from the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs and the Alabama State Fire Marshall’s office called “Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention.” The department conducts yearly fire safety education in city schools, provides fire safety literature to Oxford cheerleaders for distribution at home football games, and conducts fire safety talks to various groups. Oxford Firefighters are also very civic minded. Each year, they raise thousands of dollars to support Muscular Dystrophy, Childhood Cancer, and Cerebral Palsy. They also assist and support the special needs baseball program called “A League of Their Own,” Oxfordfest, Choccolocco Park, the Oxford Performing Arts Center, and Oxford City Schools.

odent GoInt

2016 Major Incident Types

e id

c In

O ve rh ea t

Fires

Wea th

False Alarm

Haza r Conddous ition Service Call Rescue & Emergency Medical

So, firefighters do put out fires, but, Oxford firefighters also help the public in myriad other ways.

# % Incident Type 321 28.21% Fires 2 0.18% Overpressure rupture, explosion, overheat 287 25.22% Rescue & Emergency Medical Service 72 6.33% Hazardous Condition (no fire) 122 10.72% Service Call 139 12.21% Good Intent Call 168 14.76% False Alarm and False Call 4 0.35% Severe Weather & Natural Disaster 23 2.02% Special Incident

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

From the Ground Up By Chad Robinson, CSFM

DIRECTOR OF GROUNDS CHOCCOLOCCO PARK I CIDER RIDGE GOLF CLUB

Happy spring everyone! I hope that you all have had a great winter so far. In our busi-

ness, winter is the perfect time to catch up on tasks that we put off during the growing season. At the Cider Ridge Golf Club and Choccolocco Park, we are gearing up for a very busy season, preparing the grounds for what is comingâ€“a lot of traffic stress and stress from the Alabama weather. The grounds crew at both facilities have worked very hard over the winter on a variety of projects and practices to ensure that our golf course and sports complex are premier places to call home. As we prepare for the growing season to begin, I would like to give you a few tips on how you can better prepare your lawn for the Alabama spring and summer.

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he first step in a successful lawn program is to know the characteristics of your soil. It is critical to conduct a soil sample to identify the nutritional value and deficiencies of your soil. You can collect and submit a soil sample to our local county extension office where they will send the soil off for testing. To complete the testing, fill a one-gallon Ziploc bag with soil from various parts of your lawn (4-6” in depth), then bring it to the extension office. You will receive the test results along with recommendations from turfgrass professionals. The quality of your soil will play a significant role in knowing the amount of fertilizer or lime to apply to your lawn throughout the year. As the warmer spring temperatures approach, it is imperative to prepare your lawn.

The first thing I recommend is to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to your turf. This application prevents the summer annual weeds from infesting your yard. Summer annual weeds include crabgrass, goosegrass, spurges, and so forth. A good pre-emergent herbicide can be purchased from most of our local hardware stores or co-op stores. This can have a fertilizer blended in along with the herbicide, to ensure feeding of your lawn along with preventing weeds. As with any product you apply to your lawn, consult the label on the bag for instructions on how to use it. The spring herbicide application typically needs to be made in the mid-February to late March. So, there is still time! After the application is made, most products need to be watered with approximately ½” of water. This can be done with irrigation or by carefully watching the weather. Make sure you consult and follow the label. Lastly, if you have a bermudagrass lawn, I always recommend “scalping” your turf. This process is only for bermudagrass and is not recommended for Zoysia or Centipedegrass. The scalping process includes mowing your lawn to approximately half the normal height of cut. For example, if you maintain your lawn at four inches throughout the summer, scalp it down to two inches during the month of April. After scalping, make sure you rake and completely remove the clippings. Then, gradually increase the mowing height until you reach the three to four-inch maintenance height in May. This process helps remove the dead leaf tissue from winter dormancy. It also increases the amount of sunlight new leaf blades receive as the turf begins to grow again. At Cider Ridge, Choccolocco Park, and Honours Golf, we pride ourselves in our agronomic experience and expertise. I hope these few tips will help you begin a successful lawn management program. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or any of the superintendents at our excellent facilities. We are always happy to talk turf with anyone. I hope you have many opportunities to enjoy the grounds that we manage at Cider Ridge Golf Club and Choccolocco Park. We take great pride in the management of these two premier facilities and love to see folks experiencing them. I look forward to seeing you out on the golf course or in the park soon!

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

We just added a

COLOR

Oxford Lumber is expanding! We are pleased to announce the addition of our new Garden Center! Our new garden center makes Oxford Lumber your destination for quality landscape products at a great value while offering an unparalleled customer-experience at the same time. The garden center is stocked with materials from planters, seeds, shrubs, perennials, annuals, insecticides, sprayers, soils, mulches, and more. Oxford Lumber also supports local growers! Come shop with us-our people and our service make the difference!

Contact us to learn how we can provide all your lawn and garden supplies. (256) 831-0540 | 1400 Barry St, Oxford AL | info@oxfordlumber.com | www.oxfordlumber.com 26

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Amanda Wimpee Some may say that behind exciting long-term growth is a boring Certified Public Accountant. They have probably never been to the City of Oxford, Alabama. Amanda Wimpee, hired by the city’s Finance Department in September of 2016, is a woman of faith, love, pride, and adventure. When Wimpee is not balancing budgets or solving equations, one can find her spending time with her growing family somewhere outside biking, hiking, or kayaking. She prides herself in always doing her best, whether as a trusted employee at City Hall, wife, or mother. After attending public schools growing up, Wimpee decided to go to Lee University, a Christian school in Cleveland, Tennessee. “I just had a desire to learn more,” Wimpee said. “After talking to some people that had attended the school, I visited and decided it was the place for me. Lee University helped reinforce the foundations of my Christian belief.”

By Kristin Roberts

Wimpee received her degree in accounting but had originally wanted to become a teacher of mathematics. “I was always very math oriented. I wanted to take any math class I could, it just came easily to me,” Wimpee said. “When I got to Lee and had to drop a trigonometry class, I started taking some business and accounting classes to see if I would like it. My accounting professor convinced me to take the next accounting class, so I did, and I ended up staying with it.” After graduating, Wimpee worked as a CPA for several years before joining the City of Oxford. With the city, Wimpee helps the finance director with any task that may need to be taken care of, works on financial reports for the city, as well as general ledger reports and checking bank statements. Wimpee offers a fresh viewpoint with her experience as an auditor. When asked what she enjoys the most about her job, Wimpee said she likes all

aspects of her job. “I like everything I do, to be honest. I enjoy being able to help better the city. I pride myself on always trying to be the best worker I can and an asset to the city. Then I go home and try to be a good wife and mom. I strive to do the best I can in everything I do.”

“ I like everything I do.

I enjoy being able to help better the city. ”

Wimpee, her husband, and her stepson are expecting a child in June of 2017. “We all have so much love in our hearts and so much excitement for the baby boy! I’m already a mom, but we are all looking forward to welcoming a new member to the family,” Wimpee said. Wimpee said that she loves the people and atmosphere in Oxford. “The city is big enough to offer a variety of things, but it still has the small town feeling that is important to my family and me.”

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

43 Reasons Why You Will Love the Oxford Library

1. ADULT LITERACY CLASS For adults who never learned how to read, they can learn to read in a private, one-on-one setting with a tutor. Call the library to sign up. Times are set up between the tutor and the student, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 2. ALABAMA VIRTUAL LIBRARY This is a collection of databases that provides legitimate, accurate information. There are 56 professional databases to choose from. www.avl.lib.al.us 3. ANCESTRY Research genealogy. Visit the library’s website inside the city’s website; www.oxfordalabama.org. Click on Online Resources.

9. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Bring your iPad, smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and we will help you learn how to use it. We will also install Overdrive on your device so you can take advantage of our ebook service. Mondays at 3:00pm. 10. CAPSTONE E-BOOKS Interactive E-Books. Young readers may learn to read by listening to a book being read to them with text being highlighted as you go. Older readers enjoy the reading experience on the computer. Visit the library’s website inside the city’s website; www.oxfordalabama.org. Username is Oxford. Password is Library.

4. BOOK ART Create beautiful artwork using the pages of books! Wreaths, banners, wall art. Sign up at the library, then join us on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 11:00am.

11. CHECK OUT MATERIALS All items check out for two weeks; there are over 60,000 items to choose from. Materials include books (regular and large print), DVDs, audio books, CDs, AVJs (Audio Visual Juvenile), and magazines. To get a library card, patrons simply need a driver license and a proof of residence (current utility bill, recently postmarked mail).

5. BOOK BINDING If a patron needs a book to be spiral-bound, the library can bind the book for $5.00. Bring materials to the library.

12. CHESS CLUB Learn how to play chess, and compete against others in the community. Tuesdays at 3:30pm.

6. Book Club OPL will discuss an acclaimed book every month. 3rd Monday of each month at 3:00pm.

13. CHILTON LIBRARY Get the detailed information you need to tackle vehicle maintenance and repairs. Visit the library’s website inside the city’s website; www.oxfordalabama.org. Click on Online Resources.

7. BOOKS FOR SALE Visit the FOR-SALE section. Hardbacks $1.00 Paperbacks $.50 8. BOOKS TO SHARE For those patrons who cannot get a library card or who are traveling and would rather take a mass-market paperback so losing it would not be a big deal, we have a collection that do not have to be checked out. The section is to the right of the elevator on the first floor. 28

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14. COMMUNITY ROOM A large room may be rented out for events. The large room is 60’ x 42’, and can be subdivided into a half and a quarter. The room rents out for four hours. Prices: Full room—$300 Half room—$150 Quarter room—$75 Each size will have a cleaning deposit and

a key deposit attached. Please see library director for details. 15. COMPUTER CLASSES Whether you are a beginner or enhanced user, we have a class for you! Sign up at the library. Classes are every Wednesday. Beginners classes are at 9:00am and 1:00pm. Enhanced classes are at 11:00am and 3:00pm. 16. COMPUTER LAB Windows computers and iMacs are available in the adult, children, and youth departments. They are equipped with Microsoft Office, browsers for internet use, and connection to a printer. No charge for use of the computers. Printing prices: b&w $.15 color $.50 17. COPIES $.15 per page for black and white $.50 per page for color. Bring materials to the library. 18. CROCHET CLASS Crocheters of all abilities—from beginner to advanced—learn from one another. Every Monday at 9:30am. 19. DRIVER LICENSE BOOKS OPL has driver license books for patrons who request them. Ask at the front desk. 20. EXPRESS CHECKOUT If a patron needs a book quickly, he may call or email the library, and the staff will have the book waiting at the front desk. Call (256)831-1750 x2 or email: libraryoxford@gmail.com 21. FAX $1.00 per page to send. $.25 per page to receive. Bring materials to the library.

22. GAMESTOP OPL has partnered with GameStop in the Exchange to play games. GameStop will provide the consoles and the games! Saturday, April 1 at 10:00am. 23. HOMEBOUND PROGRAM For those patrons who are no longer able to make it to the library, the library will deliver materials to them through a partnership with Alacare and other hospice organizations. Notify the staff. 24. HOMEWORK ALABAMA Provides live online help for homework for grade schoolers, high schoolers, and college students. Adult services include a live career specialist (helps look for jobs in your area, helps create a resume, helps prepare for the interview), and citizenship resources. Visit the library’s website inside the city’s website www.oxfordalabama.org, then click on Helpful Links. 25. IN-ENGLISH DVD SET This DVD set teaches English to non- native speakers. A handbook is available to go with the DVDs. This set is available to check out. 26. KIDS TIME Aimed at grade-school kids, activities are planned that incorporate science or games in the library. (Murder Mysteries, scavenger hunts, Weird Science) Saturday, April 8 at 10:00am. 27. KNITTING CLASS Knitters of all abilities—from beginner to advanced—learn from one another. The class makes Knitted Knockers for breast cancer survivors as well. Every Thursday at 9:30am. 28. KNOWLEDGE CITY Over 8,000 courses are available on topics from computers to job safety to help build job and personal skills. At the completion of each course, the participant will receive a certificate of completion. Visit the library’s website inside the city’s website; www.oxfordalabama.org, Username is your last name. Password is the last six digits of your library card. 29. LEARNING EXPRESS LIBRARY Provides online test prep, college prep, and

GED prep. Visit the library’s website inside the city’s website www.oxfordalabama.org, then click on Helpful Links. 30. MILITARY SKYPE For military families with loved ones overseas, OPL has a Skype computer for conversations in a private setting. See the reference librarian to reserve a room. 31. ONLINE CHECKOUTS E-Books, E-Audiobooks, and videos are available for download through Camellianet. There are over 30,000 available. Download the Overdrive app on your device, then follow prompts to set up a free account. You will need your library card number to sign in. 32. OXFORD ROOM The Oxford Room houses documents, pictures, and other materials from the history of Oxford. Annuals are available from 1920. The Oxford Room is on the second floor of the library. The contents will be available online soon. 33. PROCTOR For students taking online courses certifications, proctoring tests is available. Ask the library director or assistant director. 34. QUILTING CLASS Quilters of all abilities—from beginner to advanced—hand-quilt together. Every Wednesday at 10:00am. 35. SCANNING SERVICES Documents can be scanned to email. Bring materials to the library. 36. SENSORY FRIENDLY FUN TIME Kids (and their families) with special needs are invited to a fun group-time. We will be happy to make accommodations as needed. Every Sunday at 2:00pm. 37. STORY TIME Birth - preschool kids read, sing, and craft with our children’s librarian! Every Thursday at 10:00am.

39. TAXES Taxes are filled out for free during tax season. First come, first serve. Hours are 9:00am-3:00pm Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Entrance is in the bottom of the library parking lot. 40. TED TALKS TED=Technology, Education, and Design. TED Talks spread ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. Saturday, March 4 at 10:00am. 41. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM OPL has a youth volunteer program, primarily in the summer. Adults are welcomed to volunteer as well; adult volunteering comes in the form of tutoring in the Adult Literacy Class or teaching a class, expanding the library’s knowledge base. Speak to the volunteer coordinators (library director or children’s librarian) to fill out an application. 42. VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS OPL has voter registration forms for patrons who request them. Ask at the front desk or in the reference section. 43. WI-FI Free wi-fi is available within the building. Connect to OxfordPublicLibrary. No password is required.

The Library is open: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

9:00 - 5:00 9:00 - 5:00 9:00 - 5:00 9:00 - 5:00 9:00 - 5:00 9:00 - 1:00 1:00 - 5:00

Oxford Public Library (256) 831-1750 110 E 6th Street

38. STUDY ROOMS Study areas and study rooms are available for quiet spaces. See the reference librarian to reserve a room.

oxfordpubliclibrary.weebly.com oxfordalabama.org Oxford Alabama Public Library

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

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John LaFayette Dodson was born on April 10, 1837, to Samuel P. Dodson and Rebecca S. Gardner Dodson near Summerville, Georgia. When Dodson was nine years old, he suffered a health condition that disabled his arm—a disability that followed him for the rest of his life. As a result, his parents sent him to a local boarding school and academy so he could get an advanced education. He later attended Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, from 1857 to 1861. However, he failed to graduate due to the outbreak of the Civil War. Dodson returned to Georgia and sought to enlist in the Confederate States Army. He was not accepted because of his disability. Dodson felt the need to contribute to his homeland and aided the Confederacy by collecting ammunition and supplies as well as educating children. During the war, he moved and received a teaching position at Brock’s School in Jacksonville, Alabama. In 1867, after two years of teaching at Brock’s School, Dodson was asked to attend a meeting at the Presbyterian Church in Oxford, Alabama. At the meeting, he spoke out with great concern and urgency for education in Oxford. Dodson, alongside William J. Borden (later Mayor of Oxford), co-operated as the first principals of the Oxford College, as well as teachers of various subjects. Borden later resigned, making Dodson President and owner of the college. On July 18, 1883, Dodson married Sarah Frances Gladden of Alexandria, Alabama, at the Presbyterian Church in Oxford. Sarah was the daughter of James A. Gladden and Martha Kelly Gladden. Sarah was a homemaker and later taught writing, physiology, and psychology at the Oxford College. Professor Dodson and Sarah never had any children of their own but touched the lives of many children and young adults in Oxford. Dodson taught at his beloved college until its closing in 1899. Throughout the remainder of his life, he continued teaching in several other Alabama cities including Jacksonville, Spring Garden, Lincoln, and Ethelsville (Pickens County). He also served as the Secretary of the State Board of Examiners for Teaching Licenses. Near the time of his retirement, Dodson was nearly blind and lived as an invalid for nearly two years before he passed away on September 27, 1911. He was laid to rest at the Oxford Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Former students, family, and friends erected a large monument in his memory in 1915. In 1919, the Oxford Presbyterian Church was renamed in honor of Dodson for his service to his community and church.

PROFESSOR JOHN LAFAYETTE DODSON WRITTEN BY HUNTER GENTRY

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

Get Ready for Spring Golf By Doug Wert, PGA Director of Golf, Cider Ridge Golf Club

Here are a few tips to help you get a leg up on the golf season for this year: Check your equipment. Are your grips in good shape? Do you have the right set of golf clubs in your bag (putter, wedges, irons, hybrids, and woods)? Have you figured out what type of golf ball goes well with your swing speed and game? The staff at Cider Ridge Golf Club would be happy to help you answer these questions and make sure you are properly equipped for the season. Start with putting practice so you can re-establish your timing and tempo. Gaining back your confidence on the putting green has a feelgood effect and often improves the rest of your game as well. Now you can move on to chipping and pitching. Timing and tempo are important also. As you progress and start hitting longer shots, make sure you check your pre-swing fundamentals: grip, stance, posture, and alignment. These are key to a successful swing.

Happy spring to all golfers! The staff at Cider Ridge Golf Club is excited to see the days getting longer and the sun shining more. Hopefully, winter is on its last leg, and we can enjoy a warm beginning of the golf season.

Make sure that the first few rounds you play this season are for fun. You are likely to hit more shots than your last round this past season, and that is fine. I suggest you take some notes while you play, so you know what to focus on during your next practice session. I ask my students to make sure they spend more time on and around the green than on the driving range. Shots from 100 yards and closer often account for 66 percent of your score.

I would like to share some tips on preparing your golf game after a couple of cold winter months and to provide information about our 2017 Junior Golf Programs.

It is always good to get a lesson at the beginning of the season to help you start on the right path. A golf lesson will help you understand the fundamentals and determine specific parts of the game you need to focus on while practicing. Please let us know if the professional team at Cider Ridge can help.

This year we have partnered with Nike Golf Camps and The PGA Junior League to provide an even better experience for the junior golfers in our area.

NIKE JUNIOR GOLF SPORTS CAMPS To register go online to www.ussportscamps.com/golf June 5-8 A Ages 6-12 ½ Day Camp July 17-20 Ages 10-16 Full Day Camp

The PGA Junior Golf League is a fun, team approach to competition for children ages 8–13. Juniors play as a team (scramble format) in matches of three hole increments.

PGA JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE Registration begins Wednesday, February 1st. The season will run from March 15th – July 31st. To register for the team at Cider Ridge Golf Club, please go to www.pgajlg.com/register.

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If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at (256) 831-7222 x2

PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Dear Citizen, I hope this letter finds you well. Itâ€™s an honor to come to you again with a quarterly update on Public Works projects in our great city. I would like to start by making you all aware of the location of our new facility. We are located at 42 Public Works Drive, which is directly in front of the old street department and garage off of Highway 78. The road work and paving is nearing completion in the Pinewood Subdivision. We are continuing preliminary work on several other projects in the city also. We will be replacing an undersized storm drain pipe with a properly sized concrete box culvert on Northwood Drive. There are a few utilities that must be relocated prior to construction. We anticipate construction to begin very soon. We are also working on a plan to improve traffic flow along Leon Smith Parkway from the I-20 interchange southward to Choccolocco Park. This project will include additional lanes and bridge widening on the two bridges just south of the Oxford Exchange. We hope to have some of the improvements in place prior to the end of this year with the bridge widening happening next year. We are currently working on correcting a few of the flood prone areas in the city along our roadways. A few that we are working on is the intersection of Elm Street and Highway 21, Recreation Drive just before the bridge and McCullars Lane at the Snow Street intersection. The bids for the Snow Street drainage improvements and resurfacing project will be opened this month by ALDOT. We hope to begin construction in March or April 2017. We also have a new approach in regards to winter weather. We are heading in a more proactive direction regarding wintry precipitation. We are currently in the process of obtaining spreader bodies and plows for smaller trucks. This will allow us to place a non-corrosive, environmentally friendly pre-treatment on bridges and sections of roadways. This process will hopefully help de-ice the bridges and allow us to remove the slush from the bridges which will help with travel issues. This is a proven process used by many agencies around us. It doesnâ€™t work in every situation but will certainly improve conditions during many weather events. RUSTY V. GANN, P.E. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

Sensory Friendly Fun Time

WRITTEN BY CASSIE BURFORD

Oxford Public Library Community Room (256) 831-1750

When I found out I was pregnant with my oldest child, I was scared. I was eighteen, and his father and I had broken up before I knew of the pregnancy. I was a solo act on a stage that I thought needed a duet. It never occurred to me that my baby might be different from anyone else’s. I took it for granted that I would have a healthy, uneventful pregnancy, and that I would deliver a healthy, “normal” child. In the last thirteen years, I have learned to despise the word “normal.” Yes, my pregnancy was healthy and uneventful, and yes, I delivered a healthy baby, but my definition of normal changed quickly. Caleb was a 7 lb., 12 oz., 21-inch-long blessing, and for the first few months, it seemed like I was getting the hang of juggling being his mom, working, and attending classes at Jacksonville State University. Of course, I had a lot of help from my mom, and without her, I would have failed. My mom and I started worrying when Caleb missed his first milestone – holding his head up. But he did finally master that at around six months old. Then crawling was delayed, and then babbling, and then walking. Everything was delayed significantly. He crawled at one year, started babbling around fourteen months, and finally walked around eighteen months. I knew there was something wrong; my mother knew there was something wrong,

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and our pediatrician suspected autism. Unfortunately, a super-early diagnosis like we have now did not exist then. Caleb was not diagnosed as autistic until he was 2.5 years old. By diagnosis, Caleb had lost his limited vocabulary and communicated through pointing. We had learned to work with his differences. But there was one difference we did not have a solution for. My mom is a librarian; I am a librarian. I have been reading to Caleb since before he was born. As a toddler, he loved listening to stories. So story time at the library makes perfect sense, right? Sure, until his outbursts and erratic movements became so disruptive that we stopped going. We were never asked to leave, and we did not feel unwelcome. It was just this thought: “Why make it harder for other children to enjoy story time when my child is the only ‘problem?’” I stopped taking Caleb to the library, and I slowly stopped visiting on my own. Fast forward – Caleb’s five years old; we have graduated college, found a daddy for our family, and welcomed a baby brother, Michael. Michael was born with a cleft lip and palate, so he began seeing specialists

at two weeks old. One of the first tests ordered was a genetic profile to screen for abnormalities. Michael, at the genetic level, was normal. (There’s that word again.) But to be thorough, the boys’ pediatrician ordered a screening for Caleb too. Well, would not you know? Caleb’s results were not normal. There was a duplication on his fifteenth chromosome, commonly called Dup15q Syndrome. Michael’s birth defects put him behind his peers in development for a few years, but we were not concerned. His surgeon is brilliant, and after his first two surgeries, no one could tell that he was a little different at birth. Eventually, Michael started catching up with his peers, and that is when we noticed problems. …And then there were two. Michael was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. It was late, but we still had plenty of time to prepare him for school. Now he is ahead of his peers academically, but not socially. And his outbursts and quirks are harder to manage than his brother’s. So, sadly, Michael has never been to a library-sponsored event anywhere. Caleb and Michael have a little sister, a rambunctious four-year-old imp named Rachel. Rachel is not normal either. Not because she’s actually

different, but because normal is a word that’s not allowed in our house. So we call Rachel neurotypical. She is a little hyper, and she has ADD, but compared to the challenges her brothers face, she has a cakewalk ahead of her.

BOOK REVIEW

So what does a new librarian with a nonverbal almost-thirteenyear-old with profound autism and a seizure disorder, a chatterbox seven-year-old with severe autism, and a four-year-old who does not know what to make of her brothers, say when she is asked what changes she would bring to the library? This was the birth of what I have started to think of like my fourth baby. To be fair, I am not just doing this for my children. They did inspire me, but there are thousands of other reasons for this programming. There are approximately 2,000 students, ages 3-21, enrolled in schools in Calhoun County who have Individualized Education Plans, or IEPs. More than 400 of those students are enrolled in Oxford City Schools alone. Those are just the children and young adults who are enrolled in public school. The ARC of Calhoun-Cleburne Counties provides early intervention services for children ages 0-3. Then there are the adults who have aged out of the school system at 21 or 22, but developmentally are still children. And let us not forget our homeschoolers. OPL wants to serve everyone in Oxford and the surrounding area. To better serve patrons with special needs, I have created Sensory Friendly Fun Time. I could have tried for more inclusive regular programming like other libraries, but some patrons’ physical and mental challenges are too great for inclusive activities. For every activity I have planned so far, I ask myself, “Would this work for Caleb? Would I need to make drastic changes so that he could participate?” A lot of the time, the answers are “no” and “yes.” With that line of thought in my mind and my director’s and co-workers’ support, I have set aside Sunday afternoons for our patrons with special needs to watch a movie, or listen to a story, or create a craft. But all of this will be tailored to their abilities and needs. If we have a patron who needs to move around a lot, that is okay. If we have a squealer, well, we are in the Community Room, so he will not be disturbing anyone who has not heard something like it before. If the overhead lights hurt, then we will turn them off – the same goes for the volume for movies. More importantly, these Sundays are open to the entire family and all of the community. I want parents of children with special needs to feel supported. Raising a child is hard; raising a child with special needs is the most physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting thing a person could ever do. I never want a mom to feel like she can’t bring her child to the library because he or she is disruptive or different. I want to see smiling faces in the Community Room every Sunday at 2 p.m., ready for whatever we are doing that day.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts I & II The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne.

“

I found Harry Potter and the Cursed Child interesting and easy to please your interest in the Harry Potter franchise. One of the parts I find interesting in the book is how it follows directly after Deathly Hallows Part 1 or 2. My favorite part of this story is when Albus Potter convinces Scorpius Malfoy to get on top of The Hogwarts Express and ends up battling the Trolley Witch and jumping off the bridge. I also love how they went into more details of the characters. The only thing I didn’t like about this book is how it was written in script form. It was distracting from how I could visualize the story. But overall I loved this book and highly recommend it for true Potter fans.

”

Book review by Dy’lan Shaw, age 14

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

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YOUR AD HERE Oxford ACCESS

CONTACT US FOR RATES & PUBLISHING DATES City of Oxford Marketing & Public Communications Department 145 Hamric Drive E. Oxford, AL

• 256-241-6668

•

emil@oxfordal.us

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

CHRIS SPURLIN City Council Spotlight By Joshua Craft

xford City Council President Chris Spurlin is currently in his third term as a councilman. He served as the council president from 2008-2012 and is again taking on that role for the current term. Spurlin is a proven leader, who was appointed president of Oxford’s governing body by his fellow council members and is excited to help Oxford continue to flourish as it has over the past three decades.

Council President Spurlin has lived in Oxford most of his life and has been married to his high school sweetheart, Terrie (Whitaker), for 31 years. Together they have three children (Ryan and his wife Laura, Kara and her husband Josh, and Kaylee, a student at Oxford City Schools) and a grandchild. Prior to becoming a council member, he served the city in several different ways. Spurlin was an Oxford police officer for 7 ½ years, and has been serving as the chaplain for the Oxford Fire Department for over a decade. Chris always enjoyed serving as police officer, but he answered a call to the ministry over 20 years ago. After answering that call, he became the Minister of Students at Lakeview Baptist Church of Oxford, where he would also become Associate Pastor. Spurlin is now serving as Pastor of Brookside Baptist Church in Oxford. When I asked Chris his reason for becoming a councilman, he gave me a very candid answer. “I love people, and I love the City of Oxford. I feel [that] God has called me to serve on the city council so I can show my love for both. As a council member, I not only have the privilege to serve the citizens of Oxford but to also work with a great

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group leaders to make sure that our citizens are kept safe by having well-trained and dedicated first responders.” He continues to say, “Our city has some of the best amenities that life has to offer. We are blessed with a top-ranked school system, wonderful parks and sports facilities, an outstanding library, performing arts center, and some of the most dedicated employees that you will ever meet.” Mayor Alton Craft echoes President Spurlin’s sentiments, and he also iterates the council member’s dedication and hard work to the city. “Chris is a fine man and fine council member,” Craft says, “I have enjoyed working with him in my capacity as the finance director and now as the mayor of Oxford. His dedication to the citizens of Oxford makes him an outstanding council member and council president.” Spurlin encourages the citizens of Oxford to serve the city any way they can. He says, “There are many opportunities to serve our city on various boards and committees and also to volunteer for city events and at city facilities. I would encourage anyone who is interested in serving to get involved in the community. Let your council members know. Contact our mayor, our parks and recreation director, our library director, or our performing arts director and find out ways you can volunteer. There are several ways you can make a difference.” On behalf of the City of Oxford employees and the citizens of our city, we thank Council President Chris Spurlin for your willingness to serve. We thank you for your leadership in the city council, and we thank you for making a difference in Oxford.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

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What does it mean to be a patriot? Patriotism means “love for or devotion to one’s country.” Some define it as supporting the military, fighting for your neighbor’s freedom, waving the American flag, reflecting at Gettysburg, studying the nation’s history, competing at the Olympics, or standing behind the country’s leadership. Others even compare it to Christmas, or any other festive holiday, replete with lights and spectacles. But, what does it really mean to be patriotic? To Jenny Grizzard, patriotism means new beginnings. It means equal rights. It means doing your best for your country. It means letting your voice be heard. It means following your dreams, bringing people together, and appreciating the opportunities given to you. It means having a safe future, changing people’s lives, and being grateful. And last, but not least, standing side by side your four-year-old daughter saying the Pledge of Allegiance in tandem. Grizzard was born in Lima, Peru. She was the oldest of four siblings. Both her parents were teachers, and even though they had a troubled marriage, her mother’s ability to understand and care for people, as well as her passion for educating others taught Grizzard how to love her neighbors, strangers, and people in general. As a young child, her family was living a modest, yet healthy life. Then, there was a period of recession following a change in the presidency. Out of the blue, to Grizzard at least, everything changed. Her family went from buying a loaf of bread for ten cents one day to two dollars the next. People had to be cunning to survive. “My mother taught us that the best thing we could do and our best hope to survive the difficult times was doing good deeds, working hard, and continuing our education,” Grizzard said. “I remember sharing foods with other families from what was called a ‘Comedor Popular,’ a type of food plan where you paid a small amount for some basic foods. It made life bearable for people.” Grizzard passionately shared stories from her youth. Some were funny, involving her mingling with goats as a baby, some roused feelings of rage, while others were heartwarming and inspirational. The red line with her stories was the importance of supporting friends and family, and lending a

patriotism

A STORY OF NEW BEGINNINGS WRITTEN BY THE OXFORD ACCESS STAFF

helping hand to strangers. Grizzard talked about the day her mother went into labor, and she had to take her and her younger sister to the hospital after her mother's water broke. It was in the middle of the night, and they had no car. They started walking to the hospital and stopped a man driving an old beetle. They begged him to take them to the hospital; he hesitated, but agreed to take them. The hospital, however, would not let Grizzard and her younger sister in so they walked to their aunt’s house while their mother delivered the baby. “We had a good life, but lots of trouble,” Grizzard said. “It made us into who we are. Even though my father had an abusive tendency, we were told to love him still no matter what. Seeing how my mother offered herself and the love she shared, even when in pain, planted a growing seed in my heart. It made me want to change the world. I wanted to do whatever it took to help people, just like my mother.” “I recall being at my grandparents’ house. We had moved there because it was vacant. There was a person outside walking. People called her ‘La Loca Blanquita.’ She was homeless and suffered from mental problems. I remember one day, my mom found her with no clothes on. She brought her to our house, dressed her, and, even though we barely had enough for ourselves–only a few tomatoes–she offered Blanquita something to eat. Without being presented any options, or knowing our limited food supply, Blanquita said she wanted a tomato with sprinkles of sugar. What were the odds!” Esther, a family friend of Grizzard’s mother, was politically active and sought the position of “Alcadesa,” (Mayor) of the district of Independencia. She was elected twice. Grizzard and her friends would help her campaign. Estelle made Grizzard’s wish to help and change the world even stronger. “When we got a little older, maybe around the age of 14-15, the kids decided we could actually do something to help others. We formed a group called ‘Jovenes Dispuestos a Ayudar,’ which translates to ‘young people ready to help.’ We had meetings, appointed a president and secretary, and started with a few small projects. One included raising money and putting together a free children’s show for Christmas. We raised money for a stage, hot chocolate, presents, and bread. We gathered as many children as we could. We were making it happen. It showed us that as young people, we could do something to better the lives of those struggling,” Grizzard said. Fast forward a few years, and it was time for Grizzard to decide what she wanted to do with her life. Her heart continued to pull her towards changing the world and teaching valuable life lessons to both children and adults as her mother had done. “My mother eventually became a principal. She would treat everyone at the school like they were the most important person in the world. Everyone was important to her. In the beginning, her school did not have bathrooms, so she had them installed along with sinks. She put up a stage and got a school bell. All of this with the help of her friends raising money. She also got help from the Mothers and Fathers in the Catholic Church. Mother Elena was the most beautiful. She was like our guarding angel. She was there for us when we hurt the most,” Grizzard said. OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

On her second attempt at getting accepted into the local university (College was virtually free, and, as a result, scoring high enough on the college entrance exam was difficult.) Grizzard decided to pursue a public administration degree. While in college, she worked at a local bank so she could help support her family. It was a life changing moment for Grizzard. “I earned a little more money, I got a uniform, and I felt important and cute,” Grizzard said. “I remember that my employer gave me a turkey for Christmas. It was great! I was providing a turkey and a big bag of canned foods, milk, and canned peaches. A real treat! I also got a bonus, so I was able to buy some nice presents for my family. Typically, we would get one toy or one pair of shoes for Christmas, and we were very thankful. We did not grow up wishing for gifts. It was more about being with family, spending time together, and praying. I remember my cousins being with us that Christmas. We sat down in a circle on the floor, prayed, and let our hearts speak out. Our tears were flowing, dripping onto the dirt floors creating small craters in it.” As Grizzard was only months away from graduating college, she was offered, through family friends, an opportunity to travel to the United States for one year to work in the home of an American family. She would take care of the household’s young baby while saving up some money before moving back to Peru. So she thought. “My sponsor–my employer in the United States–used to work as a diplomat in Peru. I had met his son at some gatherings while in Peru. But I thought there was no chance he would ever be interested in me,” Grizzard said. “Also, my head was set on changing the world. I had become a Christian, so my head was in love with Jesus. But my heart wanted differently. Matthew would visit on Sundays and take me out for a day off with ice cream, bowling, and other things. He took me to the mall for the first time. I saw people of different colors and nationalities. People with tattoos even! The houses we passed reminded me of those in the movies. He took me to McDonald’s for the first time. I was not used to such big burgers! Everything was overwhelmingly good.” 42

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Grizzard’s sponsor received a job promotion and relocated from Virginia to Manila in the Philippines. Instead of going with him, she wanted to help his mother who had Parkinson’s Disease. Matthew could not stand the thought of her moving away from him, so he called her mother in Peru and asked for permission to marry her. They soon joined Matthew’s great aunt Ellen’s church, Oxford First United Methodist Church. They lived in Oxford. He went to Jacksonville State University, and she worked in the nursery at the church. “To improve my English, Matthew brought me to one of his night classes–ED 300 with Mrs. Jolter. It was a special education class and life inspiring,” Grizzard said. “I enrolled at JSU and worked various jobs to stay afloat financially. One job included teaching Spanish to some special forces in the military. It paid well, to my standards, and allowed me to travel home for the first time so I could attend my sister’s wedding. I also taught at a daycare at Ft. McClellan. I loved the parents and the challenge of the kids with behavior challenges.” As time went on, Grizzard finished her practicum and student teaching with the Oxford City School system, applied for open teaching positions, and graduated with a Masters degree in special education. “It was a journey of ups and downs. I was hired by the Jacksonville City School system as a sixth-grade special education teacher, but also got sick, removed a tumor, and went through a pregnancy loss,” Grizzard said. “But, God is so good. He blessed me with my dream job, where I can work with children with different abilities, and where I can teach and help my students reach their goals one day at the time. If I can inspire my students to be the best they can be every day and to believe in themselves, then I am happy. Teaching is my dream coming true. It is my duty. It is my small way to change the world and my way to serve God. Then he blessed me with a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby daughter.” She now also has a son. She continued saying, “I knew God had more plans for me and would help me reach my dreams. This, right here [her application to become a citizen of the United States] was the first steps to those dreams."

Grizzard got her application to become a U.S. citizen approved. At her swearing-in ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, she was gathered with people from all corners of the world. “It was a beautiful ceremony,” Grizzard said. “There were people there of all colors, backgrounds, and cultures. It reminded me of the globe. It was the world. This is what America is all about! Bringing about peace. Bringing people together and supporting one another’s dreams and beliefs. Feeling like one belongs. Being proud of the country you call home.” At the swearing-in ceremony, Grizzard was provided her own Pledge of Allegiance by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to her, it said you are not a true American citizen until you say the Pledge of Allegiance in an official ceremony. “That is how the Pledge of Allegiance became so important to me. All of these years, I had been saying the pledge together with my students at the school, but I was not an American citizen,” Grizzard said. “Now, however, I am. I received my citizenship on October 24, 2016, and only had a few hours to rush home and register to vote in the presidential election. It gave all my hard work meaning. I love America!” Grizzard oozes with pride and patriotism. With her daughter holding her hand, she said the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening ceremonies at Kitty Stone Elementary School in Jacksonville, she said it during an area Veterans Day ceremony, and she performed it during a recent Oxford City Council meeting. Jenny, your love for others, joyful spirit, and ability to positively affect the lives of those around you are touching. We are proud to have citizens like you in our city. With people like yourself, we can change the world a little at the time.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

Oxford Police Department

POLICE K9 A quick search on the internet for “Police K9” will result in countless images and articles. If you search “Oxford K9 Vasco,” the first result is yours–Oxford. The Oxford Police Department deploys four K9s and their handlers in our law enforcement efforts. Though each with different specialties, our K9 unit consists of two apprehension and narcotics K9s, one incendiary detection K9, and one apprehension and explosives detection K9. All are utilized, of course, for different aspects of the job, but all have found their homes with us here at the PD. Each handler has undergone rigorous initial training and completes recurring training every month. The K9s, on the other hand, have been trained from birth for the specific assignments. And make no “bones” about it . . . They LOVE their jobs. Each handler and K9 team are paired as one unit. They are true police partners. They work together, live together, play together, and are even part of the officer’s families. You’ve often heard stories throughout the years of officer’s K9s saving their handlers lives or assisting them while injured. Ours are no different. These animals are extremely loyal to their partners. If you don’t believe me, just act like you are attacking one of their handlers. K9s are not new to the police department, though. In the mid 2000s the department had two K9s. Both served as patrol assets but were taken off the road as their old age became an issue. After their release from duty the program became dormant for some time. After careful consideration and weighing the benefits of these valuable resources, Chief Partridge made the decision to reinstate the program. New handlers were added and of course our new Police K9s gained their status as officers. K9: Officer Nonie Breed: Labrador Handler: Investigator Doug Elder Assignment: Incendiary Detection K9: Officer Rex Breed: Belgian Malinois Handler: Officer Brad Young Assignment: Explosives Detection and Apprehension K9: Officer Vasco Breed: German Shepard Handler: FTO Brett Williams Assignment: Apprehension and Narcotics K9: Officer Carlos Breed: Belgian Malinois Handler: FTO Drew Miller Assignment: Apprehension and Narcotics

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I hope you all had an enjoyable and safe holiday season. We, of course, were busy as usual here at the police department. As always, our officers were out working to ensure you all were safe. I hope you would agree. Every quarter I write to citizens and visitors of Oxford and explain our mission and goals. We are still carrying out our mission to be the most professional and effective department for you. Though we have implemented new assets and technologies, we still hold true to our core values of protection, service, loyalty, and integrity. I will, for a moment, speak about a few upgrades we have made. Law enforcement over the past several years has seen a dramatic increase in violent crime and out lashes towards police officers. Though opinions are mixed about the causes of such incidents, our position remains: We must remain in a state of readiness to defend our community—regardless of opinions. We have, for the first time, been able to focus our efforts and build upon our special operations’ capabilities. We have added our new mobile command vehicle which allows us to stage at any scene/emergency and provide the same service as our brick-and-mortar police department. A “police department on wheels,” if you will. We have also begun the initial phases of our Aviation Support Unit. This will provide capabilities never before seen in our city. From infrastructure surveillance, missing person searches, to most importantly keeping a watchful eye over our officers on the ground, this unit will prove very beneficial. Our Emergency Services Unit was able to move into the newly constructed Special Operations Facility. In the recent years, they have housed equipment in cramped spaces, and it was difficult to prepare effectively for calls. We have eliminated that by offering them a modern facility capable of easing the burdens they once encountered. We continuously work hard, look for innovative and efficient ways to progress, and always work to achieve the highest level of professionalism. The officers’ jobs are not easy, but they begin their shift every day knowing they may not return. They work to support their families, the sovereignty of their country, but most of all, to safeguard the citizens and visitors of Oxford.

Message from the

Police Chief

As always, I ask that you show your continued support to the Oxford Police Department. After all, we support you. Very Respectfully, Chief Bill Partridge

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

Oxford Police Department

AVIATION SUPPORT UNIT

aw enforcement agencies are always looking for new and better ways of serving the community. We are always exploring ways to enhance our resources, and, throughout the past few years, I believe we have accomplished that. Innovative ideas are brought about because a need exists. We are not frivolous with our requests, and we maintain that we are good stewards of the taxpayers’ monies. Though taking a significant portion of most any government’s budget, we must understand that law enforcement agencies serve as the first line of defense for communities around our great country. After all, the first order of business for any government should be the safety of its citizens. Oxford’s administrators understand this concept, and for this reason, I would like to familiarize you all with one of the newest assets to the City of Oxford: The Oxford Police Department’s Aviation Support Unit (ASU). What began as a sketch in 2011 has now become a reality. Taking into account the vast rural areas we cover in East-Central Alabama, crime statistics, and the ever-growing need for officer safety, Chief Partridge allowed his team to begin establishing the Aviation Support Unit (ASU). The first order of business was to determine the most feasible option for obtaining an aircraft. Like most first acquisitions, we turned to the DoD’s 1033 Program for help. Though a lengthy wait, we finally got confirmation from the Law Enforcement Support Office in Battlecreek, MI, (LESO) that an aircraft was available. The Army was in the beginning phases of an aviation restructuring program which would, in theory, consolidate many of their different types/models of aircraft. The TH-67 was one of those aircraft being divested. The TH-67 is the initial training helicopter used at Fort Rucker, AL, and thousands of new Army pilots utilized this model. Conceived in the early 90s, the TH-67 is a slight modification of Bell Helicopter’s proven model,

the 206B3. The Army ordered more than 160 of these aircraft over an approximate ten-year period, and at no cost, the Oxford Police Department was offered one of the first of these delivered to the Army. We took possession of the aircraft in June of 2015. The paint was fading, scratched and peeling; the interior was in bad shape, but mechanically the aircraft was in good condition. With only a few components to be overhauled and inspected, the aircraft was placed into a semi-restoration status for the next several months. Leaving our hands as the ugly duckling of all our assets, she returned one of the most stunning. Though the restoration was completed in the spring of 2016, the Oxford Police Department was housing the aircraft at the Talladega Airport. The department was constructing a new facility that would house all special operations capabilities, including the aircraft; hence, the brief stay at Talladega. Throughout the year, the Aviation Support Unit was utilized in several capacities including searches, observations of infrastructure and related projects, and reconnaissance of criminal activity. The greatest benefit we experienced, however, was the ability to provide a watchful eye for our officers on the ground. The safety aspect the aircraft provides as a force multiplier is a highly sought after asset within law enforcement. Finally, the day came and, on January 4th, 2017, the aircraft, now call sign 84 Xray, made its flight home. Along with the department’s Aviation Support Unit, the aircraft is now housed at the newly constructed Special Operations Facility. We will continue to build upon the capabilities of our Aviation Unit and provide exemplary service to our officers and citizens. The Aviation Unit not only serves as an asset to our city but also displays the innovativeness and willingness of the Oxford Police Department to succeed as the first line of defense for our community. Though a lot of work remains, we believe the Aviation Unit will prove one of the most beneficial assets to the cities law enforcement capabilities. If you have the opportunity, please thank the city’s elected officials for their support in our efforts. In the end, they ultimately hold the key to our progression.

By Sgt. Jake Durham Executive Officer to the Chief Aviation Unit Coordinator OxfordPD.org/asu 46

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The greatest benefit we experienced was the ability to provide a watchful eye for our officers on the ground.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

FOUND IN THE

OX F O R D R O O M By Caitlin Cox The history of Oxford is diverse and exciting, and I have the pleasure of archiving it in the Oxford Room of the Oxford Public Library. I am constantly impressed at the wonderful articles, pictures, and documents I find that enrich our wonderful city. I have many amazing pieces, dating back to the beginning of Oxford and the beginning of several buildings. One of the most interesting articles is a newspaper clipping from 1931 about the establishment of the Oxford Public Library by the Europa Club. I have always believed that the library is a valuable resource and tool for the Oxford Community, and this is proven through the article. From its establishment in 1927 to 1931, the library grew from 40 books to 1001 volumes in circulation. The library was also only open two days a week, and yet the shelves remained almost bare due to high circulation numbers.

“Some of the tots are lucky enough to have their parents read to them but the most of them read to themselves and are in distress about reading material.” Throughout the years, the library continued to grow and help the community. I also found a “Brief History of the Library” written in 2010. It details the changes the library went through as it grew from only 40 items to over 60,000. These are just two documents that show part of the history of Oxford. The Oxford Room is an exciting adventure as I and other library staff members sort and catalog spectacular pieces of city history. I am excited about learning more about the creation of Oxford, its beautiful buildings, and their evolution.

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OXFORD 311 : How can we help you?

Any Oxford resident, business and visitor can call 311 to inquire about City services, report problems, check the status of issues, or get information.

Some key services : Building Violations

Sidewalk Damage

Burn Permits

Leaf Collection

City Events

Pothole Repair

Department Locations

General Information AND LOTS MORE ...JUST CALL 311 OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

AN IRISH HEART

with Atlanta Pops and Chloe Agnew

MARCH The Atlanta Pops Orchestra is making its return to the Oxford Performing Arts Center stage. Now in their 71st Anniversary season of touring, the Atlanta Pops is teaming up with former Celtic Woman vocalist Chloe Agnew for an evening of music not to be forgotten. The Atlanta Pops Orchestra is best known for entertaining audiences worldwide with a diverse repertoire of arrangements 50

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tickets: $19 - $39 | 256-241-3322 from movies, Broadway shows, and popular tunes. Chloe Agnew has been making a name for herself in the entertainment industry since recording her first album at the age of 12. After touring with Celtic Woman for nearly ten years, she is now on her way to becoming a musical sensation all on her own. This special engagement features new arrangements written specially to show off her unique vocal range, along with the timeless sounds of the fabulous Atlanta Pops.

opac presents

lonestar 1

APRIL

tickets: $19 - $39 | oxfordpac.org

Known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, Lonestar, comprised of Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitar and backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums), and Dean Sams (keyboards and backing vocals), has amassed sales in excess of ten million albums since their national launch in 1995, and achieved ten #1 country hits including “No News,” “Come Crying To Me,” and their crossover

smash “Amazed” (which was also #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first record since 1983’s “Islands in the Stream”, to top both charts). The band’s awards include a 1999 ACM Single of The Year for “Amazed” (the song also won the Song of the Year award), and the 2001 CMA Vocal Group of the Year. With over 100 dates worldwide per year, they are celebrating over 20 years together.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

opac presents

vanessa williams 7

APRIL Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry. Having sold millions of records worldwide, Vanessa has also scored numerous #1 and Top 10 hits on various Billboard Album and Singles charts: Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary, Holiday, Latin, Gospel and Jazz. Her critically acclaimed work in film, television, recordings and the Broadway stage has been recognized by every major industry 52

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tickets: $39 - $59 | 256-241-3322 award affiliation including four Emmy nominations, eleven Grammy nominations, a Tony Award nomination, three SAG award nominations, seven NAACP Image Awards and three Satellite Awards. Her platinum single “Colors of the Wind,” from the Disney film Pocahontas won the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Now Vanessa Williams like you’ve never seen her before, Live in Oxford!

the smash hit broadway musical

MAMMA MIA!

29 APRIL

30 APRIL

Over 60 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last

tickets: $29 - $49 | oxfordpac.org visited twenty years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA is the world’s number one show!

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

presented by jacksonville state university & oxford performing arts center

june

9 - 18 Jacksonville State University and the Oxford Performing Arts Center are teaming up present Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera this June. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart, additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, and a book by Lloyd Webber and Stilgoe. Based on the classic novel “Le Fantôme de l’Opéra” by Gaston Leroux, 54

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tickets: $15 - $25 | 256-241-3322 THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command. Its sensational score includes “Think of Me,” “Angel of Music,” “Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” and “Masquerade.”

PELL CITY ● OXFORD ● HEFLIN ● CENTRE ● ROANOKE

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(800) 600-2195

WWW.WEBBCONCRETE.COM OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

OXFORD ANNOUNCES NEW LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAM

new LifeLong Learning Program will begin in Spring, 2017 (March, April, May) with limited courses. All of these courses will be a part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) through the University of Alabama. The City of Oxford intends to launch a larger program for Fall, 2017 which will include Continuing Adult Education through The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and the Oxford Community School for the Arts which will provide after school arts lessons. HOW TO REGISTER FOR COURSES:

Note: All Oxford courses are free for Spring Semester, but you must become an OLLI member for $25, and then register for free courses and/or bonus courses. The $25 fee allows you to register for as many courses as you wish.

FEES:

For Spring Semester, students will pay the annual $25 to be a member of OLLI. After that, all classes will be free (except for supplies and/or field trip fees for Wine Tasting and Glass Blowing.) The $25 provides membership in the national Ollie program; the City of Oxford is providing funding for the individual Spring courses.

4 WAYS TO JOIN OLLI AND TO REGISTER: • Go to olli.ua.edu, click the “Register for Courses” block. OR • Go to LifeLongOxford.org, click “Register for Courses” OR • Visit the Oxford Performing Arts Center in historic downtown Oxford OR • Call the Oxford Performing Arts Center at 256-241-3322

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO IPHONE/IPAD 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. Mondays / March 27; April 3, 10, 17 Oxford Performing Arts Center, Instructor: John Longshore

Do you own an iPhone or iPad? This four-week course is for people who need to know as much as possible, as quickly as possible. This course will cover how to add contacts, how to take photos, how to download apps, and how to email. Class Limit: 15 students

LET’S LEARN ABOUT WINE 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Duplicate classes on April 10 and April 24 Dr. Pat Bernardi Oxford Performing Arts Center

The history of wine extends back over 9000 years. During that time wine has influenced cultures, religions, and civilization in general. To quote Ben Franklin from one of his missives, “. . .Wine, a constant reminder that God loves us and loves to see us happy.” This course will take students through the history of wine and wine making to the present day. You will learn about grapes, wine, wine making, and wine types and their characteristics. 56

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LET’S TASTE! LEARN TO TASTE WINE (Not associated with OLLI) 6:00 – 7:30 p.m Duplicate classes on April 17 and May 15 Dr. Pat Bernardi Location: To Be Announced

Approaching wine at a tasting, a dinner, or other social gathering can be intimidating, not to mention deciphering a restaurant’s wine list. This course will describe how to taste wines and what to look for in wine lists. Wines made from different grape varieties and blended grape varieties will be presented along with suggestions on food pairings made simple. Material fee -$15

THE GREATEST AMERICAN NOVELS Thursdays / March 23, 30, April 6, 13 • 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Oxford Performing Arts Center Instructor: Dave Murdock

Since the almost-forgotten writer John William De Forest first used the term “The Great American Novel” in an 1868 essay, there has been a vigorous debate over which novel deserves the title. After 149 years, there is still no consensus ... but there are “the usual suspects.” In this course, we will discuss and define the term and survey the wide range of texts that have been called “The Great American Novel” before focusing on the three novels most commonly given the title. Week 1—The Great American Novel -- Defining the term and describing what American novels have been called “The Great.” Week 2 —F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby Week 3 —Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick Week 4 —Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn

OXFORD—CITY AT THE CROSSROADS OF HISTORY Mondays / March 20, 27, April 3, 10 • 6:00 p.m. Oxford Performing Arts Center Instructor: Hunter Gentry and guests

Explore the history and lore of Oxford, Alabama through its architecture and history. Sessions will include discussions by present city officials who will help to examine the early days and present “boom” for Oxford. Week 1: Monday, March 20th Introduction to Local History & Genealogical Research Week 2: Monday, March 27th Oxford’s Early Years & Settling Families Week 3: Monday, April 3rd Oxford’s Boom into the 20th & 21st Centuries Week 4: Monday, April 10th Oxford’s Smith Years & Crossroads of the Future OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL: FOUR GREAT EUROPEAN CITIES Thursdays / March 28, April 11, May 2, 9 • 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Oxford Performing Arts Center Facilitator: Charles Hill

This travel group heads off to visit four of the great European cities. Remember: no money, no passport, and no shots required – just come enjoy cultures and countries different from our own. Join us for five fun-filled weeks as we travel the globe and return week six to enjoy tasty tidbits from each locale. Rome: It’s architecture is unrivaled with the Colosseum, Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Forum. Paris was founded in the 3rd century B.C. and by the 12th century was the largest and most important city in the world. London is the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom. Home of the British Museum, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state. It is widely referred to as the “Cradle of Western Civilization” and “The Birthplace of Democracy. Home of the world’s greatest classical archaeological sites and world’s greatest classical museums. BONUS CLASS PAINTING WORKSHOP WITH LARRY MARTIN Wednesday, April 26 • 6:00 p.m. Oxford Performing Arts Center Instructor: Larry Martin, World renowned wildlife artist His presentation will include:

Part One: Observations on the universal role of graphic creativity, or “art,” throughout the history of humanity. (Short PowerPoint included.) Part Two: The subject of Wildlife Art will be addressed—the popular role of animals (and habitat) in art, and the variety of techniques employed in this particular genre of artistic expression in our present culture. The speaker’s preferred approach is best represented by the title “painting with a Soft Acrylic,” and Larry will demonstrate a number of brush techniques that are employed in his paintings.

BONUS CLASS FIELD TRIP TO ORBIX GLASS April 27 Fort Payne, Alabama, plus lunch in Mentone, Alabama Glass blowing = $85; lunch on your own Transportation furnished

Learn all about blowing beautiful works of art from glass. Each participant will be able to create a Christmas ornament with the help of the Orbix staff. 58

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

oxfordalabama.org

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS

“OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS DO IT AGAIN!”

The #10 ranking in Math is especially gratifying as our district has put great emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curricula. With over 1.3 million new STEM-related jobs being added to our Nation’s workforce by 2018, we feel our system is preparing Oxford graduates to compete in college and the workforce.

When the Business Education Alliance recognized the Oxford City School District in its August 2016 report “Exceeding Expectations: The Key to Alabama’s Student Success” as one of five exemplary school districts, it was both a validation and celebration of the quality of education offered in the Oxford City School District. The report, based on the 2015 Spring Assessment cycle, measured reading, math, and science for all students in grades 3-8, and grade 10. Every school in our district had a part in our excellent results and continued our tradition of setting high expectations. In November the first reports detailing the 2016 assessments were released. I am very pleased to report our students and staff reached and exceeded the bar set in 2015. According to the 2016 ACT Aspire results, out of 137 school systems, the Oxford City School District is tied for or solely ranked: • • • • •

14th in overall student achievement 17th in READING 16th in SCIENCE 10th In MATH #1 in all rankings in all subjects in the State of Alabama in systems where more than 50% of students are on Free & Reduced Lunch

These purely academic results are the work of great effort by all employees, students, and our parents.

Additionally, our district has again been featured in another prominent online ranking. Each year Niche, an online ranking service based in Pittsburg, PA, publishes a listing of “The Best School Districts in Alabama.” For 2016-2017, our district is ranked #11 out of 137 school districts. Included in this ranking are multiple sub-rankings. In these important sub-rankings Oxford ranks: #6

2017 Best Athletic Program

2017 Best Places to Teach

#10 2017 Safest School Districts #10 2017 Districts with the Best Teachers in Alabama Finally, in January of 2017, AL.com published an unofficial ranking of school districts in Alabama based on the metrics set out by the state as part of the Report Card Law due to go into effect for the 2017-2018 school year. Using these guidelines and giving weight to the poverty rate in each system, Oxford was at the top of the list and one of 16 “A” systems.

A 1:1 BY THE NUMBERSTOP 10 OVERALL DISTRICT 2016 ACT ASPIRE

* ALL SUBJECTS/GRADES COMBINED * For majority free/reduced lunch districts

ONE OF 16 “A” DISTRICTS IN ALABAMA

EAST ALABAMA'S LARGEST 1:1 LAPTOP INITIATIVE

SAFEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ALABAMA BEST TEACHERS IN STATE OF ALABAMA BEST PLACES TO TEACH * Based on 2017 NICHE Ratings

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Continuous Improvement at Oxford City Schools BY KHRISTIE GOODWIN When the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama visited the Oxford City School District last year, they noted that a very clear dialogue existed between the system and citizens regarding the process of continuous improvement. Stakeholders including parents, business owners, and even students who attend Oxford schools were part of the goal setting and evaluative mechanism. By giving the very individuals served by the school system a powerful way of participating in the strategic planning process, student achievement has continually been high in the Oxford City School District. During the last strategic planning cycle stakeholders working with the School Board and District personnel identified the following goals for the current strategic plan: We will actively promote and communicate the District’s message including academic, extracurricular, and programmatic offerings and successes using all forms of media.

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We will continue to place emphasis on the use of technology in the learning process through personalized opportunities for every student and expand our use of a Learning Management System (LMS) for parents and students. We will further develop partnerships with local businesses and increase the emphasis on workforce development. We will continue to develop and implement a clearly defined district-wide plan addressing a continuous improvement process. Based on the recommendation of the External Review Team, the Oxford City School District has been, with input from stakeholders, developing a clear process by which the continuous improvement process flows from the District level to the classroom level at each school. We will continue to implement and revise as needed a clearly defined district-wide K-12 comprehensive student assessment system.

OHS Theater Students Are Having a Big Year BY DEBBIE BRAUN “We know what we are, but not what we may be.” This quote, spoken by Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet, is a perfect description of the Oxford High School theater students this year. They have been busy exploring the possibilities of what they may be through performances and competitions. They began the year with three groups of students participating in the Lip Sync battle for The Arc of Calhoun and Cleburne Counties. The first group, The Modern Day Misfits performed “Mirrors” and “Shut Up and Dance,” while The Sassy Sisters performed “Wanna Be” and “Heatwave,” and the Disco Divas performed “Car Wash” and “Boogie Fever.” The Sassy Sisters won third place as “Audience Favorite,” but most importantly, these students helped raise money to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As soon as they were finished with the lip sync battle, students began preparing for the fall production of Drop Dead Juliet at the Oxford Performing Arts Center. The play was well received by largest audience yet for an OHS production. The theater students then took the play to district level competition at the Walter E. Trumbauer Theatre Festival and Competition. The festival was held at Northeast Alabama Community College on November 5th. “We had the largest group ever to go to competition this year,” says Debbie Braun, theater teacher at OHS. Forty-four students participated in the district competition, not just with the one-act play, but also with individual events or “IE’s”. Of the 28 individual events offered at the festival, the students entered and participated in 21. Students could take

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS in a variety of IE’s that included pantomime, readers’ theater, monologs, duet scenes, group acting, solo musical, duet musicals, set design, makeup design, and much more. Oxford students moved on to the state level in 18 out of 21 categories entered, resulting in 34 students advancing to state...Some of them in two events! The University of North Alabama in Florence hosted the state level competition the first weekend in December. Students left Thursday, December 1st. On Thursday night, seniors Julia Guy, Lauren Curry, and Sierra Paul participated in a scholarship audition in front of many colleges and universities such as JSU, UNA, Auburn, University of Alabama, AUM, Troy, Montevallo, and Birmingham Southern. They each received “callbacks” in which they were invited to come and speak to the representatives of each institution to learn more about their theater programs and sign up for a second audition for that particular college or university. Friday and Saturday were spent traveling back and forth across the UNA campus to watch their classmates compete in their various IE’s. “The students are fantastic about supporting one another,” said Mrs. Braun. At the awards ceremony on Saturday night, Oxford students were presented with many “superior” medals, in addition to a trophy. Gage Parker, a first-year theater student, received second place in the state for his individual pantomime titled “Going Fishing.” OHS theater students will end their season with their annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. This has become an audience favorite and is a much-anticipated event each year. This production will be in the OHS cafeteria on April 28th and 29th. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Contact the OHS main office for more information.

Coach Larry Davidson, Athletic Director Oxford High School

Oxford High School Athletic Department

What an exciting time we are experiencing in the athletic department of Oxford City Schools. Having just concluded the fall sports year with a successful athletic season, we are now looking forward to all the opportunities the winter and spring sports will bring. Fall sports highlights include the football team finishing the year with a 10-1 record, the volleyball team advancing to the state tournament as one of the final eight teams in Class 6A, the cross-country team sending three runners to the state meet and the swimming team qualifying one swimmer to the state meet in Auburn.

We now turn our attention to boys and girls’ basketball, wrestling and indoor track as these teams begin their quest for championships. When the spring sports season arrives, Choccolocco Park will be the home for our baseball, softball, soccer and track teams. Oxford High School, the Athletic Department and the City of Oxford have enjoyed a great working relationship for many years. Choccolocco Park is a testament to that relationship. It is a game changer in every regard and a significant step forward for the Oxford community. The new complex reaffirms Oxford’s athletic reputation as “First Class.” The vision shown by city officials has paved the way for this opportunity, one sure to provide exceptional benefits for student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Oxford community. On behalf of all our coaches and student-athletes, we say thank you for your support and invite you to come out and watch the “Jackets” compete. Highlights of the winter sports season to date: Area, Region and State Championships coming in February • Wrestling won the State Duals and Team State Championship • Boys basketball won the Calhoun County Basketball Championship, the Class 6A Area 13 Championship the Northeast Sub Regional Championship and Advanced to the Northeast Regional Championship • Indoor track has qualified 17 athletes for State Indoor Photo courtesy of Mike Lett Championship The following student athletes have sign athletic scholarships: Football Football Softball Softball Softball Softball Softball Soccer

Jack Peavey Kenny Britt Hayley Lyner Kaylynn Garrett Amber Dempsey Shelby Hicks Rylee Waldrep Aniya Mahaffey

University of North Alabama Auburn Football University of Montevallo Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Southern Union State Community College Bevill State Community College Georgia Southern Newberry College OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS

ATHLETICS

BASKETBALL

INDOOR TRACK

The Oxford High School basketball team won the 66th annual Calhoun County Basketball Tournament played at Jacksonville State University on January 21, 2017.

Congratulations to the Indoor track team. The following qualified for AHSAA State competition on February 3rd and 4th.

Oxford entered the tournament as the number two seed. After wins over Ohatchee and Anniston, the “Yellow Jackets” advanced to the championship game to face the number one seeded team, Sacred Heart. Oxford defeated Sacred Heart 76-68 to win the 20162017 tournament. It was a high level, fast-paced game with future college players on both sides. It was a great team victory for Oxford with all nine players contributing. Team members are: Markise Davis, Simeon Shadrix, JaKolbe McClendon, Caden Higgins, Kendrick Foster, Eugene Leonard, Zondrick Garrett, Braden Mack, and Ty Davis. Oxford was led in scoring by: • Markise Davis—16 points • Ty Davis—15 points • Eugene Leonard—13 points • Zondrick Garrett—10 points

Boys 1. Shane Denman: 2. LaQuavious Ford: 3. Antuan Crowder: 4. Reese Howard: 5. Austin Cline: 6. Javon Glenn: 7. Reed Robinson: 8. Jaiden Moody: 9. Dylan Husley: 10. Trevon Sanders: Girls 1. Jasmine Sanders: 2. Haley Dempsey: 3. Shania Vincent: 4. Brooklyn Chatman: 5. Kiesha Lee: 6. Samone Brooks: 7. Toni Conley:

WRESTLING

Class 6A Team State Champions Dalton Dalrymple 106 - Chase Hicks - 4th 113 - Landon Burrage -4th 120 - Jakob Chisolm -2nd 126 - Wesley Slick - 1st State Champion 132 - Jackson Hurst 138 - Carson Lindsey 145 - Gryce McDaniel 152 - Drake Boyles 160 - Matt King - 1st State Champion 170 - Jack Peavey - 5th 182 - Parker Gay 195 - Josh Thomas - 2nd 220 - Matthew Muncher 285 - Clay Webb - 2nd

Alternates: 1. Tyetus Smith-Lindsey 2. Willie Rowland 3. Bralan Gadson

Named to the All Tournament Team were: Markise Davis, Eugene Leonard, and Zondrick Garrett. Zondrick Garrett was named Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player of the tournament.

Photo courtesy of Dana Webb Photo courtesy of Mike Lett 64

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The Oxford C

n o i t a d n u o F n o i t a ity Schools Educ ES EN TS PR OU DLY PR

Edible Evening Education for

March 16, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. til 7:30 p.m. at the Oxford High School Sports Arena Tickets: $20 Adults $10 Child (12 and under) Tickets available at: • oxfordedufoundation.org • Oxford High School main office • At the door of the event

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

SUPPORT THE VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER TEAM Come cheer for the OHS varsity girls soccer team as they play the following games at Choccolocco Park:

March 9 - Childersburg HS March 14 - Lincoln HS March 17 - Faith Christian School March 21 - Southside HS March 23 - Ft. Payne HS April 6-8 - Girls and Boys County Soccer Tournament April 17 - Saks HS (senior night)

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OXFORD RECURRING CITY PROGRAMS M O N DAY OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY 9:30 AM Crochet 3:00 PM Bring Your Own Device OXFORD CIVIC CENTER 8:30 AM POUND Class 10:00 AM Senior Aerobics 6:00 PM Zumba 6:30 PM Yoshukai Karate FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER 10:00 AM Art Class 3:00 PM Tumble Time 6:00 PM Yoga BYNUM COMMUNITY CENTER 6:00 PM Free Play Volleyball 6:00 PM Zumba 6:00 PM Yoga SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 10:00 AM Senior Games/Activities

T U E S DAY FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER 9:00 AM Senior Volleyball 3:00 PM Tumble Time 3:30 PM Bluegrass BYNUM COMMUNITY CENTER 3:15 PM Senior Aerobics 5:00 PM Senior Cards and Games 6:00 PM Free Play Basketball SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 9:00 AM Senior Games/Activities

CALENDAR

MARCH

W E D N E S DAY OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY 9:00 AM Beginner Computer Class 11:00 AM Enhanced Computer Class 1:00 PM Beginner Computer Class 3:00 PM Enhanced Computer Class

MARCH 13 MONDAY ONCE - The Broadway Musical Oxford Performing Arts Center 7:00 PM

OXFORD CIVIC CENTER 8:30 AM POUND Class 10:00 AM Senior Aerobics 6:30 PM Yoshukai Karate

MARCH 13 MONDAY — MARCH 17 FRIDAY Calhoun County Baseball Tournament Choccolocco Park

FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER 3:00 PM Tumble Time

MARCH 14 TUESDAY Book Art Oxford Public Library 11:00 AM

SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 9:00 AM Senior Games/Activities

MARCH 14 TUESDAY City Council Meeting Oxford City Hall 6:30 PM

T H U R S DAY OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY 9:30 AM Knitting 10:00AM Story Time FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER 9:00 AM Senior Volleyball 3:00 PM Tumble Time 6:00 PM Yoga BYNUM COMMUNITY CENTER 3:15 PM Senior Aerobics 6:00 PM Free Play Basketball 6:00 PM Free Play Volleyball 6:00 PM Zumba 6:30 PM Swinging Stars SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 9:00 AM Senior Center Sing

MARCH 17 FRIDAY Senior Dance Oxford Civic Center 7:00 PM MARCH 18 SATURDAY Sara Evans (acoustic) Oxford Performing Arts Center 7:30 PM MARCH 20 MONDAY Book Club Oxford Public Library 3:00 PM

F R I DAY OXFORD CIVIC CENTER 8:30 AM POUND Class 10:00 AM Senior Aerobics

MARCH 24 FRIDAY An Irish Heart with Atlanta Pops Orchestra and Chloe Agnew Oxford Performing Arts Center 7:30 PM

SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 9:00 AM Senior Biscuit Social 9:30 AM Walking Exercises

MARCH 27 MONDAY — MARCH 31 FRIDAY Oxford City School Spring Break

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

FIESTA EN EL LAGO

FIESTA AT THE LAKEARK

P E K A L D R XFO

SÁBADO, 06 DE MAYO 2017 | SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT NANCY LOPEZ - BB&T BANK 256-676-3145

WWW.OXFORDFIESTA.ORG 68

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APRIL

MAY 9 TUESDAY Book Art Oxford Public Library 11:00 AM

APRIL 1 SATURDAY GameStop Oxford Public Library 10:00 AM

MAY 9 TUESDAY City Council Meeting Oxford City Hall 6:30 PM

APRIL 1 SATURDAY Lonestar Oxford Performing Arts Center 7:30 PM

MAY 9 TUESDAY — MAY 13 SATURDAY Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championship Choccolocco Park

APRIL 7 FRIDAY An Evening with Vanessa Williams Oxford Performing Arts Center 7:30 PM APRIL 8 SATURDAY Kids Time Oxford Public Library 10:00 AM APRIL 10 MONDAY — APRIL 15 SATURDAY Calhoun County Softball Tournament Choccolocco Park APRIL 11 TUESDAY Book Art Oxford Public Library 11:00 AM APRIL 11 TUESDAY City Council Meeting Oxford City Hall 6:30 PM APRIL 13 THURSDAY Indoor Easter Egg Hunt Oxford Public Library 10:00 AM APRIL 15 SATURDAY Easter Egg Hunt 9:00 AM Friendship Community Center APRIL 17 MONDAY Book Club Oxford Public Library 3:00 PM

APRIL 18 TUESDAY Calhoun County Cross Country Championship Oxford Lake APRIL 21 FRIDAY Senior Dance Oxford Civic Center 7:00 PM APRIL 25 TUESDAY City Council Meeting Oxford City Hall 6:30 PM APRIL 29 SATURDAY Mamma Mia! The Smash Hit Broadway Musical Oxford Performing Arts Center 7:30 PM APRIL 30 SUNDAY Mamma Mia! The Smash Hit Broadway Musical Oxford Performing Arts Center 2:30 PM

MAY 9 TUESDAY — MAY 13 SATURDAY Ohio Valley Conference Track and Field Championship Choccolocco Park MAY 12 FRIDAY Senior Dance Oxford Civic Center 7:00 PM MAY 13 SATURDAY The Legend of Lick Skillet Music and Heritage Festival Main Street Oxford MAY 15 MONDAY Book Club Oxford Public Library 3:00 PM MAY 22 MONDAY — MAY 27 SATURDAY Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Championship Choccolocco Park

M AY

MAY 23 TUESDAY City Council Meeting Oxford City Hall 6:30 PM

MAY 6 SATURDAY Fiesta At The Lake Oxford Lake 2:00 PM

MAY 25 TUESDAY Oxford High School Graduation Oxford High School

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

STREETS OF

OXFORD DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 1830S WHEN THE SNOW AND SIMMONS FAMILIES ACQUIRED THE LAND IN PRESENT DOWNTOWN OXFORD, STREETS WERE FEW-MANY ONLY BEING CRUDE, NARROW, WAGON PATHS. ACCORDING TO EARLY FOLKLORE, WEST NINTH STREET WAS ONE OF THE MAIN ROUTES CONNECTING OXFORD TO TALLADEGA.

WRITTEN BY HUNTER GENTRY

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

STREETS OF OXFORD The population during this time was only a few hundred, with many closely related families. From 1880 to 1900, the population of Oxford leaped from 780 to 1,372 people. The establishment of the Blue Springs Southern Cotton Mill in 1885 largely contributed to this jump in population. With the ever-growing town, the city needed to obtain more property for homes, churches, and businesses. Some of the earliest houses that remain standing today are located on Gray, Oak, and Snow Streets. The home of Dudley Snow, constructed in 1832, is recorded as the oldest home. The house was restored by descendants of Dudley Snow and moved from Snow Street to Peek Drive at some point in the last 30 years.

Barry Street Choccolocco Street Church Street Cooper Street Dodson Street Gray Street Gunnels Street Hale Street Hamric Drive Hinds Street Howle Street Humphries Street Indian Street Kelly Street Luttrell Street McCain Street McKibbon Street McPherson Street Monger Street Nease Street Oak Street Pace Street Ross Street Snow Street Spring Street Stewart Street Thomason Street W. 9th Street Whiteside Street 72

With the growth of Oxford, the city needed industry to aid the economy. The Oxford Iron Company was organized about 1862 and located in present-day South Anniston. Due to the outbreak of the Civil War, the close proximity of the furnace and railroad created an easy access for the Union Troops to destroy it in 1865. After the devastation of the Civil War, Oxford boomed with a bustling economy from the cotton trade business. An article written in the Jacksonville Republican on December 13, 1879, stated “Streets were crowded with cotton wagons from Cleburne, Clay, Randolph, Talladega, and Calhoun Counties… we were shown cotton wagons that had come at least thirty miles to make the market…” The economy of Oxford today can be mostly attributed to the construction of Interstate 20 in the 1960s and the business-friendly atmosphere created under the leadership of Mayor Leon Smith.

Named for Sgt. Thomas H. Barry & Family; Barry built his home at 1000 Barry Street about 1883 Named for the surrounding valley and creek Named for the Dodson Memorial Presbyterian Church that is near Named for Charles Jefferson Cooper & Family; Cooper was one of the earliest merchants to Oxford Named for Professor John LaFayette Dodson & Family; Dodson was the co-founder of the Oxford College Named for Walter Gray & Family; Gray lived at the home on the corner of Gray and Thomason Streets Named for Daniel Perry Gunnels & Family; Gunnels was the father of Mayor John Nathan Gunnels that served from 1898 to 1900 Named for Elizabeth Hale Snow, the mother of Dudley Snow Named for Mayor Alvis Aubrey Hamric & Family; Hamric served from 1960 to 1970 Named for Daniel Hinds & Family; grandfather of Mayor Edgar Hinds Hanna who served during the 1880s Named for Mayor’s Thomas Alexander Howle & Dr. Tom Blake Howle; Howle, Sr. served from March 1900 to 1902, and Dr. Howle served from November 1932 to 1933, July 1933 to 1935, and 1940 to 1944 Named for Asbury Hull Humphries & Family Named for the native inhabitants of the area Named for Mayor’s James Sims Kelly & Samuel Camp Kelly; The Kelly Brother’s served during the 1870s Named for William Cunningham Luttrell, the husband of Maryline Snow Named for Rev. William McCain & Family; McCain was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in early years Named for Robert Fulton McKibbon & Family Named for John McPherson & Family Named for Priscilla Monger Snow, the wife of Dudley Snow Named for James Lovvett Nease, long time Chemistry teacher at Oxford High School Originally known as East and West Mechanics Street; changed to Oak Street between 1921 and 1928 Named for Mayor Carl Dozier Pace & Family; Pace served from 1936 to 1940 Named for Gen. Albert H. Ross & Family Named for Dudley Snow & Family; Snow came to the area in the early 1830s Originally known as Depot Street for the nearby train depot, and changed to Spring Street Named for James M. Stewart, the husband of Alabama Snow Named for Mayor Robert P. Thomason & Family; Thomason served from April 1889 to 1890 Originally known as Fiddlers Street and the Talladega Highway in the early days Named for Mayor Hemphill Gay Whiteside & Family; Whiteside served from 1944 to 1960

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SWEET SUCCESS Bonnie Ray’s Bake Shoppe on Snow Street in Oxford Owner, Karen Bates, shares her tip for baking a great cake: “Make sure all your ingredients stored in the refrigerator are set out and brought up to room temperature–your butter, milk, eggs and such–before you begin to mix.”

Oxford is full of talented people who make their mark with handmade wares and culinary delights. OXFORD ACCESS wants to foster and support our local artisan business owners. We know it’s important for each of us to recognize the contributions that they make to our community, how they give back to the community, and how they become part of the community. It makes Oxford a better place for people to live and visit. If you would like to be spotlighted, please contact us at marketing@oxfordal.us. OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017

RMC’s New Oxford Mediplex Ushers in New Era of Medical Innovation When Regional Medical Center’s (RMC) new multi-specialty medical complex opens its doors to the community in April, the city of Oxford will usher in a new era of medical innovation, technology and convenience ideally suited for the City of Oxford residents. Located at 1400 Highway Drive in Oxford, this new two-story, state-ofthe-art, multi-specialty RMC Oxford Mediplex will house primary care and ENT, Orthopedics, Endocrinology specialty physicians, full-service imaging and diagnostics, a high-tech laboratory, and occupational health services.

“As the communities in RMC’s service area, like Oxford, continued to grow, we felt it was an essential next step for our health system to bring convenient, accessible health care to fit the expanding and diverse medical needs for our patients,” said Louis Bass, CEO of RMC. “This conveniently located new medical specialty clinic will offer a variety of integral health care services to residents of Oxford and bring new RMC primary care and specialty physicians to our area to care for the medical needs of our evolving community.” The RMC Oxford Mediplex broke ground on October 30, 2015 and is scheduled to complete construction and open its doors to physicians and patients in this spring. While innovation and convenience take center stage at the new Oxford Mediplex, one of the most exciting aspects of this new facility will be the highly advanced and patientfriendly imaging technologies now available to physicians and patients.

Highlights of these new technologies available at the RMC Oxford Mediplex: Sieman’s Espree 1.5 Tesla MRI system designed to lessen patient anxiety and claustrophobia and accommodate larger size patients so they can stay close to home; 2-D and 3-D, 64-slice CT Imaging Suite with superior sonography imaging software enhancements that improves digital image quality and integrated measurements for more precise anatomical structure reporting; 3D Mammography screening with

Employing more than 35 full-time staff full-field digital mammography with and several physicians and their office Tomosynthesis; staffs, this 24,000 square-foot, stateof-the-art medical specialty clinic will Digital wireless diagnostic imaging rooms allowing for sharper digital improve access to a variety of health imaging for orthopedic, oncology and care services for residents in Oxford and neurological patients. surrounding communities and complement the extended internal medicine, specialty and primary care services RMC already provides to residents throughout Calhoun County. For additional information, visit www.rmccares.org/oxfordmediplex By: Kate Van Meter, Director of Marketing Communications, RMC

“The new Oxford Mediplex will have some of the region’s most advanced imaging technologies available today, which is a tremendous asset to employers, patients, new residents and physicians who are being attracted to relocate their businesses and homes to such a thriving community.” 74

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O X F O R D â€™ S D A Y

N A T I O N A L O F

P R A Y E R M AY 4 , 2 0 1 7

You are invited to the steps of city hall

to join with Mayor Alton Craft, city leaders, church pastors, and fellow citizens as we meet at noon to take part in the 65th National Day of Prayer.

311

City Services & Information

911

All Emergency services

OXFORD 311 COMING APRIL 3, 2017