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SUMMER 2020 THE CITY OF OXFORD IS WORKING HARD TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY AND ITS RESIDENTS SAFE

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Artist Zyâ€™Shavia Garrett brings whimsy and color with her murals in the childrenâ€™s department of the Oxford Public Library.

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4 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR 7 OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GOVERNMENT 10 SPOTLIGHT: JOEY STAY 14 CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2020 26 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: FABARC STEEL 31 MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY 36 CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK WATERSHED 39 CHOCCOLOCCO KAYAK 40 RELATIONSHIPS, RESOURCES, AND RESILIENCE 43 WORDS FROM THE SANITIZING CREW 44 CITY OF OXFORD COVID-19 TIMELINE 54 MESSAGE FROM OPAC 56 PASSION TO SERVE 59 MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD POLICE CHIEF 61 MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD FIRE CHIEF 62 THE NEXT GENERATION 67 OXFORD PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE 68 WELCOME TO OXFORD: NEW BUSINESSES 70 HISTORIC MAIN STREET UPDATE 74 THE GIFTS OF BETTER SPEECH AND HEARING 78 SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER MEAL DELIVERIES 81 HONORING BILL BECK AND TOBY MILLER 85 CIDER RIDGE GOLF CLUB UPDATE 86 COMMUNITY CENTERS AND PARKS

2020 VOL 4. ISSUE 4.

CONTENTS

Community conversations are important and we encourage residents to engage directly with city staff—this is your city and your mayor and council are here for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know how we can help. Big or small, we’re happy and honored to listen. City of Oxford Mayor Alton Craft Oxford City Council Phil Gardner Mike Henderson Charlotte Hubbard Chris Spurlin Steven Waits If you are a citizen living within the Oxford city limits and are not receiving an Oxford Access magazine and would like to receive them, let us know! We want all of our citizens to be able to have access to the Access. You can pick-up a free copy at the Oxford Public Library, Oxford Civic Center, Bynum Community Center, Friendship Community Center, and Oxford City Hall. OXFORD ACCESS P. O. BOX 3383 OXFORD, AL 36203 WWW.OXFORDACCESS.COM

88 A BRIEF HISTORY: OXFORD LAKE 94 UP TO THE CHALLENGE 101 OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS UPDATE 102 WHY I TEACH 107 2019 WATER AND SEWER UPDATE 108 RECYCLE COLLECTION CONTAINERS

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for highlights of community news, city events, and special moments as they happen in our beautiful city.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Message from the

Oxford Mayor MAY 26, 2020

Dear citizens: 2020 has definitely gotten off to an extraordinary start for us. We have had so many events – just in the past few months – that have altered our lives in very significant ways, but I believe that the positive outweighs the negative in our city, and I hope that the good news from Oxford has been able to reach everyone across our region. I know that all of us have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in some form or fashion. It has been a major event in our history, and whether we have been on the front lines as a first responder, medical professional, or volunteer, or if we know someone that has contracted the virus, I believe that Oxford and the surrounding area have done everything we can possibly do to help “flatten the curve.” Anytime the president and governor declare a state of emergency, we have teams in place that will help us as citizens understand what is going on and will help us fight through that emergency, and Oxford and the Calhoun/Talladega/Cleburne County area have done an outstanding job. At the time of this letter, we still have guidelines to help us practice safe and sanitary habits in our daily lives. We are operating at the discretion of the governor, and we have developed plans to reopen the indoor and outdoor facilities that are owned by the City of Oxford. These include, but are not limited to: Oxford Performing Arts Center, Oxford Senior Citizens Center, Oxford Civic Center, Friendship and Bynum Community Centers, and the fields of play and public playgrounds that are operated by Oxford Parks and Recreation Department. Currently, the walking trails around the city, the batting cages and tennis courts at Oxford Lake, and Oxford Civic Center and Friendship and Bynum Community Centers are all open, but we are following guidelines given to us by government agencies. Oxford Public Library is also open, but they have strict guidelines in place currently, so please check out our social media pages or call them for more information on what they are doing to keep you safe. The plans we have in place could change at any time, so please continue to be patient with us as we begin to phase in a plan to reopen Oxford. I would also like to thank the City of Oxford Recovery Task Force. This task force – that has been meeting regularly since onset of COVID-19 – has done a great job. The plans that they are developing involve safely returning Oxford back to normal so we can continue to enjoy the things we have always done, like shopping at one of our shopping centers, playing sports at Choccolocco Park or Oxford Lake Baseball and Softball Fields, checking out a book at the library, or seeing a show at the performing arts center. We will be updating you through our social media and press releases as we begin to recover and reopen in various phases. Even though many of our businesses are operating at a limited capacity, the City of Oxford has been open and we have continued to serve you. Our first responders have been answering emergency calls, our maintenance crews have been cutting grass, picking up brush curbside, and our facilities and outdoor structures have been receiving

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minor repairs and fixes that have been needed over the past few months. To add to that, we are all practicing safe and sanitary habits, and you may notice subtle difference in how business is conducted for an indefinite period of time. We are currently wearing masks and gloves while working in public areas, and we are installing plexiglass barriers at our public exchange areas such as our business office, parks and recreation facilities, and other buildings where we come in contact with the public so we can continue to serve you in a safe manner. Not only that, but the task force has commissioned a team to sanitize all public areas nightly, and we will continue to do that even as we move past COVID-19. Our departments are also modifying their meetings and conducting conference calls and video chats, and I am grateful that we were able to still have the National Day of Prayer in a 21st century way, by live-streaming it on our social media and practicing safe and sanitary habits during that event. You, the citizen, are the most important part of Oxford, and we are going to continue to make sure that you can come to our facilities safely and with your health in mind. I am also pleased to announce that even through the pandemic, we were able to bring the National Junior College Athletic Association Softball Tournament Championships to Choccolocco Park for the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. We are also still hosting the Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championships, the AHSAA Softball Regionals, and the Gulf South Conference Baseball and Softball Championships for a few of those years, with the hope of securing the contracts to continue to host these events, so Oxford will definitely have some busy months of May in the upcoming years. The staff at Oxford Parks and Recreation Department is working tirelessly to bring you even more championship events at our track and field facility and soccer/ multi-purpose fields as well, so be on the lookout for more exciting news in the future. We are also beginning to prepare for the 2020 Christmas light show at the park, and we will be giving you more exciting information about the changes we have made to not only make the show better, but for it to be easier to navigate in years to come. The Oxford Performing Arts Center is also working on rescheduling shows that have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so stay tuned for some big announcements in the near future. I would also like to express how proud I am of the Oxford High School Class of 2020. I know that this is not the way you wanted to end your time at school, but know that the administration at Oxford City Schools began working on plans for you to have an in-person graduation from the moment schools were suspended from opening. The faculty at all schools in Oxford has done a great job to continue to teach students online, and I have never been more confident to say that you have attended the best school in Alabama. I hope that you will continue to contribute to society in a positive way. Use this experience to make you stronger; believe that you can do anything. Do not be afraid to ask for help; we have had to lean on each other for the past few months, and I hope you will continue to rely on others’ helping hands when life seems to be overwhelming. On behalf of the City of Oxford and its residents, congratulations and good luck as you continue your education or enter the workforce. In conclusion, I am proud of all you. We are doing our part to “flatten the curve.” Everyone is doing something to help the next person, and with your help, we will succeed together. On behalf of the city council and myself, thank you for remaining “Oxford Strong.”

Kindest regards, Mayor Alton Craft

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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Oxford High School students elected to participate in Government Day 2020 were the special guests at the Oxford City Council meeting on May 26, 2020. Pictured above: Lauren Simpson Madalyn Spivey Jacob Munroe Elliot Hamilton Jesse Beck OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

SPOTLIGHT

JOEY STAY OXFORD BUILDING DEPARTMENT

For the past six years, Joey Stay has faithfully worked in the building department at the City of Oxford in what many would see as a thankless job. Some days consist of property maintenance and code enforcement. This can range from writing notices to have citizens cut their grass or the condemnations of unsafe buildings. As he so eloquently put it, “Sometimes I make people mad.” Some of his more challenging days include condemnations or having to upset citizens however, he always tries to help each resident to the best of his ability. His favorite days are the ones that get him a smile in return. He finds this to be the most rewarding part of his job. He’s gone as far as to pick up citizens’ trash if they’ve missed their trash day or even help them cut their grass. It’s important for Joey to treat citizens the way he would want to be treated. One of his favorite memories while working for the City of Oxford was when he got to help a 90-year-old woman—who still cut her yard with a walking cane and a push mower—cut her grass. It may not seem like much to someone else, but the smile on the lady’s face is a fond memory for Joey. Even though Joey enjoys spending his time helping the citizens of Oxford, everyone needs breaks. For Joey, that is spending time with his six grandchildren: Karson, Brenlee, Walker Duke, Sutton, Maggie, and Owen. Joey is also a proud woodworker and builds gorgeous farm tables. Joey got into woodworking after shopping for furniture one day with his wife. After seeing the astronomical prices of furniture, he decided to build his own, and upon seeing his craftsmanship, all their friends wanted tables as well. Each table or piece of furniture Joey makes is created with dedication and is a true piece of art. Whether he is cutting grass for citizens or building tables, Joey Stay loves helping the people of Oxford.

BY RYLEIGH FREEMAN 10

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

On behalf of the Oxford City Council and myself, we would like to give our sincere congratulations to the Oxford High School Class of 2020 on their upcoming graduation. The class of 2020 has experienced an unprecedented end to their senior year to the COVID-19 crisis but they have truly shown what it means to be Oxford Strong. So again congratulations and good luck to the class of 2020 in all your future endeavors.

â€” Mayor Alton Craft

CLASS OF 2020

Congratulations OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL

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Dear citizens and the Oxford High School Class of 2020, First of all, thank you for your unrelenting patience during these past few months during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all doing our part, and we are committed to being “Oxford Strong.” With that said, I look forward to seeing our lives returning to a level of normalcy that we once were accustomed to. In the upcoming weeks, we will see businesses reopen, and dining rooms fill up across our city, and we will see citizens enjoying their time out of the house and living as we have been. This could not be accomplished without the hard work of those working within Oxford to keep us up and running, strong business owners across the city that continued to provide food, clothing, and essential care items for the residents, and the citizens themselves for supporting local business. I am reminded that Oxford truly is the best place to live and that this crisis has proven that. I am proud of everyone for working hard to make sure that we are still in control and not the virus. We are Oxford Strong. To the Oxford High School Class of 2020, I am genuinely sorry for the way that our year was brought to an abrupt end that none of us foresaw, but I believe that we all have found ways to live with the situation that we were given and move forward. I know that if anyone was prepared to handle this ending, it was us, and I know that we are fighters and that we will not let this define our future. I look at the many people I have met and the experiences I have had over my school career, and I am confident that most of us would not change a thing. Oxford High School has given us opportunities that we are thankful for, and the administration has always supported us in pursuing them. My teachers have helped mold me into the person that I am today; they dared me to dream and helped me develop a work ethic that will help me in the years to come. As we all move forward with our lives, many of us will not see each other for the rest of our lives, so I want to give you two challenges. First, I ask that you find a purpose for your life and make a difference. Follow your dreams and pursue your passions; it gives you a reason to live. Live every day with enthusiasm since, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great could be accomplished without enthusiasm.” My second challenge is that you not give up. Do not give up on anything you do with your life, especially if you believe in it. As the legendary sports broadcaster, Stuart Scott said, “Fight... and when you get too tired to fight, lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you.” Know that others around you care for you and always will. If anyone can believe, if anyone can dream, if anyone can fight, it is definitely us, the Class of 2020. As always, Go Big O!

Sincerely, Jacob Munroe 2020 Graduate and Mayor, Student Government Day

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Top 25 Graduates

Camelle Sydney Jordan Calhoun

Ashlynn Elizabeth Abernathy

Ashlyn Grace Higgins

Sukhraj Preet Kaur

Shelby Madelyn Stratton

Kaelyn Jill Albright

Austyn Tylor West

Reanna Leigh Medders

Luke Thompson Alexander

Lauren Alyssa Simpson

Mali Karlena Barefoot

Dulce Daniella Pedraza

Jack Douglas Wert

Jacob Paul Munroe

Dylan Michael Gardner

Kolby Keith Hyatt

Shania Renae Vincent

Savannah Renee Dale

James Cameron Carroll

Jesse Alaxander Beck

Not Pictured Sarah Elizabeth Howell

Lauren Deanna Robinson

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Jasmine Marie Kennedy

Ridgley Andrew Seales

Abigail Dianne Pratt

Academy of Business Technologies

Aubrey Danielle Barrett

Lauren Michele Spivey

Paxton Edward Tyner

Devion Treyvon Ball

Taylor Alexia Love Beavers

Kristin Terral Booth

Lily Bleu Carter

Alyssa Shae Craft

Dylan Ray Craft

Brittany Ann Davis

Jemarco DaQuan Foster

Amahad Davarion Green

Amber Camille Gregory

Branton Marchell Henderson, III

Jaden Bakaria Houston-Massey

Ashleigh Grace Jackson

Amber Michelle Key

Sebastian Martinez

Carlyn Marie McCary

Demontre Ja’khai McClendon

Dayley Renae McCorkle

Ashley Ximena Perez Estrada

Landon Crews Ray

Jacob Boyd Reaves

Akiera Monique Lashay Robinson

Dez’monique Nicole Samuels

Xyon Malik Nahum Satcher

LaShanna Marsha Scott

Jaylen Deanthony Swain

William Kobe Warren

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Academy of Business Technologies Not Pictured Morris Robert Jackson Scitianna Le’Aria Ruffin Kaleb Lee Schiebelhut Ashley Megan Tillery Carly Jo Whitehead

Zachary Kristopher Wilke

Isaiah Benjamin Wright

Academy of Digital Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Jacob Talon Aderholdt

Elliott Samuel Hamilton

Ethyn Zayne Wyatt

Cody Bryant Allen

X’Zavian D’Warren Britt

Joshua Jaxon Carter

Kaliyah Amon Dothard

Michael William Hall

Treasure JaRuth Haynes

Nadja Angelique Isaac

James-Matthew Grey Johnson

Ian Preston Moyers

Mekayla Nikkole Boyd

Not Pictured Jakob Henley Smith Joshua Nicholas Perry

Lexus Gabrielle Pettus

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Paul Logan Swope

Noah Henry White

Chadajia Breanna Wood

Academy of Education and Training Not Pictured Jaden Demarco Heard Kamesha Lovenia Reddick

Ashlee Kaye Livingston

Justin Alexander Woodrow

Philip Robert Ayala, Jr.

Destinee Kelliese Holifield

Jayla Ann McWilliams

Heidi Elussai Palma-Gutierrez

Academy of Industrial and Commercial Technologies

Not Pictured Luis Mario Martinez Kayla Daishon Batchelor Noe Rudy Lopez Torrance Perrin Vincent, Jr.

James Alexander Armstrong

Braden Paul Edward Doolittle

Logan Miles Tice

Iman D’lee Vincent

Ariel Lee Aldous

Nolan Ray Britt

Dalton Bailey Dalrymple

Isaac Steven Edgeworth

Braden Dale McDaniel

Austin Chance Moore

Austin Lewis Pierce

Cameron Grant Smith

Payton Coy Smith

D’Avionn Stefan Sparks

Mason Eugene Strickland

Matthew Scott Taylor

Calim David Wade

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Academy of Engineering Technologies

Landen Reed Souder

Braxton Cole Bargerhuff

Braxton Cole Bentley

Justin Tommy Black

Luke Tyler Burns

Micah Malone Clevenger

Travis Scott Cockrell

Martin Andrew Collier

Alan Reed Gaines

Jacob Warren Graham

Austin Montgomery Gregory

Peyton Morris Heard

Martin Bailey Livingston

Victor Manuel Medina, Jr.

Bailey Harrington Mitchell

Dylan Bennett Ray

Dylan Cody Shears

Alex Ray Sluder

Nathaniel Cheyne Smith

Not Pictured Xavier Sol Arnold LaTasia FeAuntea Jenkins Malik Shemar Pointer Grant Ellison Reeder

Cody Lawrence-Michael Waller

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James Blake Webber

Makenzie Renee West

Garrett Todd Williamon

Academy of Fine Arts and Languages

Winter Rose Gregg

Riley Piper Ragains

Esther Grace Shull

Jared Logan Baughn

Madison Victoria Bean

Arrea Genise Blake

Caelin Amiah Bledson

Dalton Wayne Brown

Charity Erin Cash

Jonah Zachery Champion

Madison Nicole Culver

Logan Nathaniel Davenport

Destane Tyroneka DeRamus

Shaniah Mikayla Elston

Kayleigh Rebecca Fowler

Aleaha Lesley Franks

Lyric Renee Hackler

Dalton Andrew Hansford

Jock Dowey Mahaffey

Carla Patricia Martinez

Morgan Elizabeth Miller

Gage David Trotter Parker

Madison Ashlee Price

Christian Lee Roberts

Not Pictured Hannah McKenzie Pate

Elandria Camile Ruffin

Andres Zavala

Joshua Emanuel Zuniga OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Academy of General Studies and Athletics

Nathan Cole Davis

Parker Jameson Gay

Presley Ann Taylor

Octavious Lamar Adair

Demetrius Devonte Allen

Brianna Leigh Anderson

Aliya My’Ana Ball

Madison Isabelle Blankenship

Cheyenne Riley Bolding

Caitlyn Marie Brimer

Alexis Nicole Browning

Dillon Wyatt Busby

Kyra Ayana Crosson

Tyler Joseph Diaz

Antwon Gaquese Fegans, Jr.

Jose Osbaldo Garcia

Khloe Soraya Harris

Khole Dominic Harris

Kennya Simone Hawkins

Eli Jahmir Haynes

Jess’Enia Renee Howard

Amro Rawhi Abdelha Khanfur

Christopher Alexander McGrew

Jonathan Neil Miller, Jr.

Noah Camden Murphy

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Gregory Morris Neal

Ethan Whorton Page

Hogan William Page

Logan Michael Painter

Shavara Dupri Zytrell Parker

Peyton Tyler Sears

Mikiah Lauryn Shierling

Kaitlyn Ann Shinn

Gracie Faith Stansell

Tyler Edward Starkey

Savannah Breann Swails

Savanna Grace Timmons

Zechariah Andrew Ulrich

Chloe Sway Vintson

Thelma Rose Wade

Tyler James Watts

Corvarius Raynell White

Rachel Linda Whitworth

Melody Ann Williams

Dawson Cole Winningham

Not Pictured Anijeâ€™ Davier Bell Braxton Cole Bentley Ronnie Lamar Chapman Jordan Matthew Collier Isabella Raegan Dulaney Crimson Shyanne Dunston Cristian Fernandez Joshua Adam Garmany Zondrick Vala Garrett, II Kima Renee Gourdine John Carlos Hernandez-Cruz

Jenna Nicole Hotaling Gabrielle Morgan Huffman Alyssa Jeanette Kilgore Brianna Nichole Lambert Cedric Demon Mayfield Miguel Angel Palomeque Jessy Leigh Smith KaLee Jordan Spears Jeremiah Cole Thornton Joseph Velazquez Jeremy Paul Williams

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Academy of Health Science Technologies

Amarachukwu Michael Aginwa

Anissa Nâ€™kole Ball

Madison Dionne Battle

Eden Danielle Bussey

Mackenzie Faith Calvert

Sade Camacho

Jonovan Bernard Carlisle

Bailey Alexandra Clark

Joseph Neeley Lake Coffin

Andie Katheryn Cooper

Jermeria Meshaye Crockett

Sara Grace Curlee

Blake Austin Curry

Gracie Nicole Darby

Jaden Kianna Echols

Kiara Naomi Gardner

Mallory Alysa Harbin

Hayleigh Marie Hazle

Iyana Dajanee Heard

Reed Desso Hill

Alexandria Renae Howard

Milas Odell Jackson

Jason Allen Key

Diamond Angelene Ledbetter

Aumaria Inae Lindsey

Abbi Mackenzie List

Naylea Lopez

Kallie Grace Martin

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Tanyia Diann McDonald

Izjaha Samia Miller

Emma Grace Mintz

Kaitlin Olivia Moore

Efrain Sebastian Munoz

Ja’Kayla Beja O’Neal

Sarah Elizabeth O’Neal

Pooja Patel

Sara Joy Paulson

Yenifer Perez Leon

Hannah Leigh Pitts

Hailey Layne Reaves

Brandy Sky Robinson

Wesley Heath Sparks

Madalyn Ray Spivey

Conner Noel Stinson

Alyssa Lauren Surrett

Gaia Suzanne Thayer

Jaylan Deon Thompson

Emily Diane Thrasher

Kaci Renee Van Wycke

Maria Isabela Venegas

Andrew Joel Warhurst

La Nya Jalinda Westbrook

Chloe Mackenzie Williams

Xavier Wesley Williams

Chardon Da’Vadre Wood

Kierstin Alexi Woods

Not Pictured Oscar Bautista Thania Elizabeth Becerra Esparza Isaias Efrain Juan Holland Brooks Lovelady Amirea Marse McLeod Gracee Brynne Reaves Jessica Mayanith Sanchez

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Tony Pugh, the son of one of the original owners, runs the massive fabrication and construction industry that is FabArc Steel.

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

MADE IN OXFORD

FABARC STEEL SUPPLY

BY RYLEIGH FREEMAN

An integral part of Oxford, FabArc Steel has housed its business here for 41 years and is currently going as strong as ever. In 1979, David Pugh, Cary Lewis, and Gene Heathcock decided to break off on their own and open a small steel business that would one day grow into one of the largest steel fabrication companies in the south. Today, Tony Pugh, the son of one of the original owners, runs the massive fabrication and construction industry that is FabArc Steel. FabArc is a well-known name in the Oxford community, but we wanted our residents to know who they really are and exactly what it is that they do. We had the privilege of getting to sit down with Tony to find out a little more about FabArc.

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FabArc is a multi-faceted industry; the company is widely known for its steel fabrication, but they have their hand in many well-known construction jobs as well. They have done many automotive projects such as Toyota Mazda facilities, a Mercedes-Benz paint shop, and locally the Honda manufacturing plant. They also had a part in constructing the renowned Country Music Hall of Fame, the Gaylord Palms Hotel, and the Knoxville Convention Center. One of their most proud yet challenging jobs was their construction of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner hanger in Charleston, South Carolina. This hanger consisted of 614 feet of steel trusses that were fabricated and erected by FabArc. All of these projects contain steel that is made

right here in Oxford, Alabama. Not only has FabArc covered the nation in massive projects, but they have also done well-known projects here locally. With less than two months notice, they completed the Oxford Performing Arts Center renovation with every bit of steel used being donated by the company in 2018. Currently, they are completing an FBI Headquarters project in Huntsville and—in the near future—will be completing the Federal Courthouse project in Anniston. Not only is FabArc very proud of their accomplishments, but they are also incredibly proud of their employees. They understand the value of appreciating their workers and know that they are their biggest asset. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, they sent 75 percent of their employees home on a modified furlough so they would be safe. However, they continued to pay them 40 hours a week. FabArc understands the needs of its employees

and does everything they can to meet those. The company is currently 25 percent employee-owned and reaching toward becoming fully employee-owned within the next 15 years. They spend time and dedication in training their employees, and they are also heavily involved in local trade schools showing students the benefits of learning a trade. When asked what advice he would give to a young entrepreneur or student wanting to excel in the industry, Tony stated, “If you have the right attitude, if you’re ambitious, if you want to grow, then the sky is the limit, and there is nothing that will hold you back.” For the past 41 years, FabArc has fabricated their steel and constructed their buildings, and they aren’t slowing down. They have big things on the horizon and are a real gem to the City of Oxford. FabArc Steel is made in Oxford, and that means there is a little or big piece of our hometown all over the country.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

oxfordalabama.org

UPDATE OXFORD LIBRARY Your library staff has been hard at work during the COVID pandemic! Our patron-facing services had to be scaled back and altered to accommodate some necessary changes of late, but the staff has been working on the inside to create a welcoming space with plenty of room for future growth and enjoyment. In order to continue serving our community safely, the library’s building had to close to the public almost wholly. But we continued to bring much-needed materials to the Oxford families we love! When a patron needed materials from inside the building, such as books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, or audio books, the patron would simply let the library know which materials he or she would like, and the library staff would gladly go to the shelves and pull the materials. We would then meet the patron curbside to deliver directly to them. Of course, we had to be as safe as possible, so we wrapped the materials in plastic, donned a mask, and delivered them via rolling cart right to the patron’s car for a contactless delivery. We also had free books, puzzles, DVDs, and other materials out front for people who just wanted to browse and take something home. We moved some of the computers from inside the building into our Community Room for an Internet Café so people would have access to computers for schoolwork, job applications, Census forms, and unemployment applications. This was utilized to its best effect by those in the community that needed it. We also had Wi-Fi available in the Community Room or in the parking lot for those that brought their own devices. In order to maintain the safety of our collection to our patrons, library staff sanitized every book cover when it checked in during this period. The virus is known to die when left on paper over a brief time, so the paper inside the books was safe. It has been known, however, to stay on plastic for up to three days, so we have been sanitizing the plastic covers of the books to safeguard our patrons as they use the collection during that time window. Because sanitizing the books individually is less-than-ideal in the long term, we have since altered our intake process to quarantine books for three days before returning them to circulation. That plan seems to

work much better for everyone involved. Don’t worry about reserves—if a book is on the reserve list, we will pull it out of quarantine early and sanitize it for the patron waiting! Our already robust online collection of resources got a boost as well. Many providers of online resources expanded their collections available to libraries. Many publishers of children’s e-books made their collections available to library patrons. Even famed children’s authors such as Mo Willems and Dav Pilkey provided videos for kids that instructed them how to draw their famous characters. The Alabama Virtual Library also boosted their services in this time when their services were needed the most, as did the Alabama Public Library Service, whose resources are available through OPL. These are all services that the library provided to our community directly during the COVID pandemic. Still, as I mentioned earlier, we were also hard at work on the inside to make our library safe and inviting for when we welcomed you back into the library building. We have added hundreds of new shelves to accommodate further growth. Our old shelves were full to the brim! Existing ranges of shelves were moved to make room for new shelves, and the layout became different than you remember in many sections. This is great news, though, because we moved sections of the library in ways that made more sense for finding just the books our patrons look to find. As always, our staff will be happy to help our patrons find their way around the new layout. Our children’s department has also gotten a facelift! Friendly faces of dragons, an octopus, a bunny, an otter, butterflies, and other fun murals welcome our community’s children to the library. We are very excited to see the surprised smiles as children round the corner to access the shelves! We are all adapting to our life during and after a pandemic in lots of different ways, and the library is no different. We are proud to have been able to continue to serve our community during the pandemic, and we are pleased to be able to continue services as we move towards our new normal. You will see changes in how we deliver library services in order to be as efficient and safe as possible. We look forward to seeing you in the library!

MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 TO 5 • SATURDAY 9 TO 1 • SUNDAY 1 TO 5 • (256) 831-1750 • 110 East 6th Street, Oxford OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Summer Reading Go on an adventure with us this summer! We look forward to sharing the summer with you. Itâ€™s always a fun time, and this year will be no different! We will make every effort to make sure that our spaces are clean and safe. We will utilize the space in our building to be safely distant when having library fun.Â Some of the events will have limited participant availability in order to be safely distant. For those who are not able to attend in person, we will make efforts to create online events, as well.Â

Coach Keith Etheredge

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OPL looks so forward to seeing you during the summer, we will have prizes that kids and adults can earn along the way.

OPL’s Summer Reading Program will look a little bit different this year than in years past, but it will still be exciting and fun! It seems that every facet of our lives has changed lately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your library’s services and programs have also seen a facelift in adaptation of everyone’s safety. Many of the measures we have put in place to keep all of us safe will continue into the summer; some of them will turn into our new normal. We believe that the Summer Reading Program (SRP) will benefit from these changes for the better, not only for the safety of our participants who we love so much, but also because we think the new normal is more flexible and fun for families. One thing has not changed: reading is important! The summer slide is dangerous every year, but this year it is especially alarming. Don’t fall behind! OPL has curated our Summer Reading Program this year to encourage reading at home and safely in the library. We want to see you in the library; we want to play and have fun with you; we also want to you remain safe. Summer Reading Program attendance is fun, but it is also beneficial to children, families, and adults. • Children will gain self-confidence as they learn to read. • The groundwork will be laid for young readers to experience a lifetime of reading and learning. • Families can engage in safe, age-appropriate activities. • Completion of the program gives a sense of accomplishment and belonging. • Parents can learn about early literacy and learning activities that they can continue at home. • The library becomes a safe destination for reading, learning, and fun. • Adults are welcomed into the library, and there are special programs just for them. • Teens are actively encouraged to participate in a friendly, safe environment that stimulates learning and reading fun. • Reluctant readers are given guidance on books that are fun, age-appropriate, and entertaining. • All activities and programs are free! We are excited to announce that we have incorporated online logging into the program this year. You don’t have to keep up with extra logging papers, and we think that you will enjoy the logging process, using the Beanstack app available for download on your device on the App Store or the Google Play Store. Look for more information on our SRP website, www.oxfordpl.org/srp. Programming will look a little different this year as well. Instead of having large groups gather for performances, we will be creating take-home activities, posting more online events, and presenting fun things to do in the library, too. We will have something for everyone, birth through adulthood! This year’s theme is one we are very excited to share! It is “Imagine Your Story” and we are thrilled to share stories we love with you! Come and have a grand adventure in worlds like Narnia, Hogwarts, Middle Earth, Wonderland, Oz, Discworld, or Avonlea!

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Choccolocco Creek at Sunset Photographer Drew Senter, Longleaf Photography

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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Interview with Jennifer Yates

Choccolocco Creek Watershed

What is the Choccolocco Creek Watershed? The Choccolocco Creek Watershed (CCW) is a non-profit organization supporting area projects that improve the quality of life for our communities by promoting recreational and outdoor activities while protecting our natural areas and water quality.

What programs are you currently developing for your staff and volunteers? Currently, we are working to implement a Master Watershed Steward (MWS) program. This program will allow watershed volunteers to lead their communities in promoting healthy watersheds. The program will increase awareness, understanding, and knowledge about the function of watershed areas, potential impairments, and protection strategies. These volunteer stewards can help reduce the negative impacts of land-use practices and pollutants while planning effectively for the future of the watershed. This program is designed for anyone with a willingness to learn about and protect watersheds in our community.

Example volunteer steward projects include: • Coordinating and conducting stream clean-ups • Organizing educational events such as rain barrel workshops and backyard conservation plans • Working with municipal and county officials on storm water issues • Teaching adults and children about nature and our environment • Planning and carrying out habitat improvement projects

What community involvement projects is the watershed currently a part of, specifically in Oxford? What projects are coming up? The Choccolocco Kayak center is one of the most recent projects that we have completed. We partnered with the City of Oxford to open the center, and it is an excellent recreational venture for the casual paddler. We are working on several new projects, including a Choccolocco Nature Center and Arboretum. The CCW is currently working on the plan and researching grant

Q&A

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

funds to help build the nature center. The plan will incorporate interpretive trails designed to educate the community about nature, conservation, and the environment. We want the nature center and arboretum to be the area conservation hub that promotes a love of environmental literacy and serves as a nature-based center for community activity.

How does the watershed educate community members about the ecological significance of Choccolocco Creek? Each year the CCW holds several workshops and seminars regarding current watershed projects, conservation practices, and information about cost assistance programs that help to protect lands through conservation management plans. We host a Choccolocco Creek Watershed Conference in the fall each year with various speakers that present an array of topics including the health of the creek, forestry and wildlife, and land use impacts.

Talk about how important it is to protect the natural resources within the watershed. Protecting the natural resources in any watershed is necessary to maintain the health and well-being of all living things, both now and in the future, and is essential for maintaining community sustainability. Watersheds are simply areas of land; therefore, you take care of your watershed by being a good steward of the land resources. Backyard conservation helps to increase food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways, conserve water and improve water quality, and beautify the landscape. Backyard conservation practices include: • Water Conservation • Planting for Wildlife Habitat • Mulching • Composting • Nutrient Management • Pest Management • Terracing • Tree Planting

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“

FOR HOMEOWNERS,

THIS MEANS BEING GOOD BACKYARD CONSERVATIONISTS

”

The wise use of water for lawn and garden not only helps to protect the environment but also saves money and provides for optimum growing conditions. Simple ways of reducing the amount of water used at home include mulching, adding organic matter to the soil, and growing plants adapted for dry weather. Early morning watering before the sun is most intense helps reduce the water lost from evaporation. Installing and using rain barrels for collecting water from downspouts also helps with the reuse of water. Clean, healthy watersheds depend on an informed public to make the right decisions when it comes to the environment and actions by the community.

What is something unique someone might not know about the Choccolocco Creek Watershed? Choccolocco Creek drains approximately 376 square miles of land in Calhoun, Talladega, Cleburne, and Clay Counties, and spans approximately 246,000 acres. The headwaters originate in the Talladega National Forest and flows southwesterly to its point of confluence with Lake Logan Martin. Choccolocco Creek is a significant tributary to the Coosa River and is home to some 70 different species of fish. Several of which are threatened or endangered, including the holiday darter, pygmy sculpin, and blue shiner. Choccolocco Creek is the most diverse major tributary in Alabama for gastropods (snails, clams, mussels). It accounts for 22% of the freshwater fish species in the State of Alabama while occupying less than 1% of land area in the state. These ecological resources partnered with recreational values make Choccolocco Creek a crucial resource to protect.

CHOCCOLOCCO KAYAK Hours of operation: Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 1pm-5pm Kayak rental facility and parking are located across from the Choccolocco Park entrance at 1506 Boiling Springs Road. Visitors will be transported by van to kayak put-in access point near Cider Ridge Golf Club. Visitors will float Choccolocco Creek until they reach the take-out access point at kayak rental facility. Cost: $25.00 for standard kayak (includes paddle, life jacket, and transportation) $50.00 for tandem kayak (includes paddles, life jackets, and transportation) $10.00 for own kayak (includes transportation) Age requirements: Users must be 18 years or older to rent kayaks. Users 8-17 years old must be accompanied by an adult to float in standard kayak. Children under 8 must float in tandem kayak accompanied by an adult. For more information, please call(256) 847-5191

75%

of the revenue from kayaking goes to Choccolocco Creek Watershed. OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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COVID-19: Through the Mask of an Emergency Management Officer Myles Chamblee

Relationships lead to resources, and resources allow a group to be resilient when emergencies arise. These are the key three ingredients to success during a disaster. Making sure these three are put in place correctly is the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Their goal is to protect the health, safety, and economic interests of Calhoun County residents from the impacts of natural and human-made hazards. The EMA team recognizes that seeing this goal come to fruition cannot be done alone. They use these three ingredients to gather agencies from across the county to fight emergencies and disasters jointly. Myles Chamblee, an emergency management officer at the Calhoun County EMA, stopped by to talk with the Oxford Access staff. He gave us an update on the most recent emergency, the coronavirus (COVID-19). While speaking with Chamblee, it was clear that his mission was to help the community and to bring peace in an uncertain time. So, the Oxford Access staff asked Myles some questions to get to know him better, to find out what his roles during the COVID-19 pandemic have been, and ultimately what he has seen out of the residents, leaders, and businesses of Calhoun County during this time. Chamblee has worked with the Calhoun County EMA since graduating from Jacksonville State University in 2013 with a degree in Emergency Management. At the EMA, he oversees the external affairs, planning, preparedness, and volunteer coordination programs. While these are the programs Chamblee is specifically over, he goes above and beyond by helping in any way he can. The Calhoun County EMA Director, Michael Barton, refers to Myles as the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the EMA. Barton said, “He can do many things and has knowledge of a little bit of everything. He isn’t scared to be called upon or to take charge, no matter the situation. The Calhoun County EMA is very lucky to have Myles.”

Relationships. Resources. Resilience.

BY TAYLOR SLOAN OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

The Oxford Access staff agrees and adds that Calhoun County as a whole is fortunate to have him. This has remained true during the coronavirus pandemic. Chamblee and the EMA staff have done an exceptional job in planning and communicating with other agencies across the county. Chamblee refers to COVID-19 as a “slow-motion disaster.” It began with warnings of the virus coming, seeing it arrive on US soil, spreading to Alabama, and creating ongoing plans for Calhoun County. On February 23rd, 2020, the Calhoun County EMA began calling local hospital leaders and fire and police chiefs to create an infectious disease task force. This was the first step in coordinating the COVID-19 efforts. The task force was created to allow the different agencies an easy way of communicating best practices of the new policies and procedures. According to Chamblee, policies and procedures were changing daily— sometimes multiple times a day—so it was vital to have the group communicate with each other. One topic brought up during the task force meetings was proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training. Calhoun County men and women on the front lines needed adequate training in the new ways of protecting themselves on emergency calls. Because of the relationships made with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), professionals made on-site training visits to Oxford and other areas in Calhoun County for Personal Protective Equipment training. Chamblee said, that having the CDC come in and do training for over 700 responders and healthcare workers throughout Calhoun County gave our front liners an edge. Calhoun County is the only location in the entire nation that received personal training from the CDC. This shows that Calhoun County has been on top of things since the very beginning; it also shows just how important it is to build relationships before a disaster. Task Force meetings led to the EMA hosting multiple weekly calls for county leaders to listen and ask questions. Most of these calls have had one-hundred or more people in attendance. Having calls like this is challenging, so we asked Chamblee who he and the EMA sought advice from and how the calls worked. Chamblee shared that experts in

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different fields gave updates during the weekly calls in their area of expertise. Again, it is all about relationships and lending resources to one another. Chamblee said, “People ask us questions, and we don't have all the answers, but it is our job to know who will have the answers. That is what we have focused on.” Through communicating with the various agencies, advancements in testing sites started to arise. Calhoun County has been able to host several COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites in different county locations. The tests have been free and have taken a lot of coordination and resources from local hospitals, volunteer groups, and the various city departments. Chamblee recognized what a great team effort it has been. He said, “At all the testing locations, you would see law enforcement officers helping with traffic; public works setting up traffic cones; parks and recreation departments volunteering their parking lots; and nurses in their PPE conducting tests. It’s in those times where you realize how special Calhoun County is.” During this trying time, the focus has always been working together for the greater good of the citizens of Calhoun County. Giving the people a sense of peace and organization is what has helped Chamblee and the EMA stay motivated during the long workdays. He said, “Some days you feel like you are doing something good with your life and other days, you leave thinking you have so much left to do. We try to focus on how we can help in the moment and soak in the moments we realize we played a small role in helping the community.” We ended our time with Chamblee by asking him what his tips were for moving forward. Some of the advice he gave included continuing to wash hands, wear face masks, practice social distancing, stay home if feeling sick, and avoid doing unnecessary things but with the realization that life has to continue. Taking these precautions seriously can help our community if there is another episode like we have seen. He ended by saying, “If there is another episode, we will get through it just like we have been getting through it. The way we do that is TOGETHER.”

WORDS FROM THE SANITIZING CREW

CITY OF OXFORD

RYAN WHITLEY, KYLE PILKINGTON, JOSHUA CRAFT AND JAKE MUNROE

I CAN REMEMBER when COVID-19 started to get very serious. The schools began to get shut down, and every aspect of our daily lives was halted. I remember when Joshua Craft reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in helping spray down the city’s public places for this virus. I jumped at the opportunity. I knew this would be a fantastic way to help the great people of Oxford. As we got into the job and started doing it for a while, I began thinking of the impact it had. We were not only doing our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but we were giving the people of Oxford hope! The city is doing everything they can to keep us all safe and to flatten the curve. Every night, we have fun; we have lots of laughs and listen to all of Joshua’s favorite songs (which go from classical music to 90's rock), but we take our jobs seriously. When we get to one of the many sites we go to each night, we make sure everything is done thoroughly and safely. There have been many lessons that I have learned, but one that speaks out to me is how grateful we should be to all of the city employees. Every single person has a job, and no one’s role is more significant than the other. It has been my pleasure to know I can serve such a great community, and to understand what I am doing is helping someone out. During these uncertain times, know the city works hard behind the scene–and in public–to help the residents and to flatten the curve. I hope that we all are thankful for everyone that is doing their part to help.

BEING ABLE TO experience something like I have over the past two months is truly amazing. I have been able to develop a new love for Oxford, and it is great to be able to do things that give back to the city. We have fun on our nightly route, and it has been amazing to see Oxford at night. In this uncertain time of a pandemic, I have been given a chance to get out to do something useful of my time, and I believe that our residents worry less because they see us out in public doing our part to flatten the curve. In this stressful, challenging, and unprecedented time, and with many people across our city without jobs, I am grateful that the city of Oxford has given me this opportunity and is working hard to reopen Oxford as quickly as possible. We are doing great work for our city, and we will not stop until the job is done. I have found a new love for my hometown, and I do not doubt that we will get through it by being OXFORD STRONG. — Ryan Whitley

— Kyle Pilkington OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Know that Oxford is working for you to give you guidance, preserve your safety, and plan for your safe future. March 11, 12, 13. 2020 Personal Protective Equipment Training at Oxford Fire Department for Oxford Police, Fire, and EMS

January 2020

January 27, 2020 Oxford Police Department started ordering Personal Protective Equipment in preparation for pandemic

March 2020 February 23, 2020 City of Oxford became involved with Calhoun County Infectious Disease Task Force

March 16, 2020 Sanitizing team began disinfecting city buildings and parks after hours

TIMELINE

February 23, 2020 Calhoun County Infectious Disease Task Force formed

February 2020

February 26, 2020 Calhoun County Infectious Disease Task Force held its first meeting

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March 13, 2020 President Trump declared Public Health Emergency

Gov. Kay Ivey declared Public Health Emergency for the State of Alabama

March 18-21, 2020 City of Oxford media staff worked with Calhoun County EMA to create public safety announcements

March 17, 2020 City of Oxford staff goes to online meetings

March 25, 2020 City of Oxford staff began temperature checks at the start of employee work shifts

March 19, 2020 The Oxford City Council declared a State of Local Emergency, giving Mayor Craft authority to spend emergency funds, perform public works actions, and to distribute supplies and materials as needed

March 20, 2020 Alabama STAY AT HOME Order put in to place

March 18, 2020 First Calhoun County COVID-19 case was confirmed

March 28-29, 2020 Chief Gary Sparks spent the weekend working with Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency director Michael Barton to develop plans for surges in patients at local hospitals, as part of the countyâ€™s Infectious Disease Task Force

March 26, 2020 Gov. Kay Ivey announced that schools would be closed for the remainder of the academic year Calhoun County EMA created automatic text updates for residents

THE CITY OF OXFORD is working hard to keep our community and its residents safe. It is important for you to know how we are acting diligently on your behalf. I am proud to say that our city has continually offered the services that our citizens have come to expect. â€” Mayor Alton Craft

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

March 31, 2020 Oxford City Council and Mayor Craft received preparedness updates from Gary Sparks, Oxford Fire Chief

April 7, 2020 OxfordStrong.com website was launched as a resource for Oxford residents and businesses to stay up-to-date on the openings, closings, and health orders.

April 4, 2020 Gov. Ivey announced STAY AT HOME order for Alabama

April 1, 2020 Calhoun County EMA along with United Way’s 2-1-1, First Call for Help established a Calhoun County COVID-19 Resource Center for all COVID-19 related questions

April 2020

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April 27, 2020 City of Oxford Assistant Fire Chief Ben Stewart joined local leaders as part of the Safe Reopening and Short Term Recovery Advisory Council

April 6, 2020 Altogether Alabama was launched by Gov. Ivey as the state’s official guide to COVID-19 relief efforts

April 30, 2020 Oxford’s first drive-thru COVID-19 testing site held at Oxford Civic Center

April 28, 2020 Gov. Ivey announced SAFER AT HOME Order

April 16, 2020 First COVID-19 related death in Calhoun County recorded

May 2020

May 1, 2020 Oxford Assistant Fire Chief Ben Stewart was featured on the Oxford Spotlight podcast and discussed Oxford and the areasâ€™ challenges and successes thus far with COVID-19

May 11, 2020 Gov. Ivey amended SAFER AT HOME order

May 12, 2020 Oxford City Council passed a resolution appropriating $100,000 for the Small Business Relief Fund for businesses located in Oxford.

May 19, 2020 Calhoun County recorded lowest and best COVID-19 testing results so far

May 20, 2020 Oxford hosted its second drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Oxford Civic Center

May 20, 2020 Gov. Ivey amended SAFER AT HOME order

Our city leaders have been collaborating with others to ensure that we are using appropriate protocols to ensure safety to our residents and staff. We have also initiated a COVID-19 Recovery Task Force that is conscientiously working to sanitize our buildings, keep our staff and citizens safe, and plan for a careful recovery into a secure future. We will get through this together. We are OXFORD STRONG â€” Mayor Alton Craft

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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We are OXFORD STRONG OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

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2019-2020 SEASON

OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

2019-2020 SEASON

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

100 Choccolocco Street Oxford, Alabama Buy online at OXFORDPAC.org with no convenience fees! Charge by phone by calling 256-241-3322 Purchase at the OPAC Box Office in advance: Tuesday â€“ Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Purchase at the door beginning 90 minutes prior to most ticketed events.

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OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

2019-2020 SEASON

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

UPDATE OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Dear Friends of OPAC, The end of live performing arts has been predicted many times in the last hundred years. It was said during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic that the public would never again venture into a theatre. With the invention of the home radio, it was again predicted that live performances were over for good. The same held true with each new flashy entertainment invention such as the television and even Netflix. Fortunately, we are social beings, and there is nothing like experiencing a live performance with friends, family, and even complete strangers. After the Spanish Flu pandemic ended, people once again filled their local live theatres and concert halls. We feel certain that the same will be true once this current situation improves. While our lives may have changed forever, the power and importance of the arts and live entertainment has not diminished in the least. Here is a glimpse into what we have been working on, some programming updates, and how we are looking to the future of OPAC after COVID-19. • We have developed an exhaustive Recovery Plan to guide our venue as we work towards reopening. This plan covers everything from advanced pre- and post-show cleaning to providing touchless payment options. • The OPAC Production Department is diligently working on and off the stage on a range of maintenance and improvement projects. When we reopen, our guest experience will be even greater than before. • As has been the case with many events, our 2019-2020 has been significantly impacted. However, we have been able to reschedule almost all events to dates in the future. To review schedule changes and updates, visit us at oxfordpac.org/advisory. At OPAC, we know this is only intermission, and we cannot wait to welcome our patron family back through the doors soon! Our website is active and up to date with announcements, and we are still working hard to assist you in any way we can. I hope you and your family are doing well during this time, and we look forward to the day we can all gather again to experience great performing arts!

Warm Regards, John Longshore Executive Director, Oxford Performing Arts Center

OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • 100 CHOCCOLOCCO STREET, OXFORD, AL 36203 256-241-3322 • OXFORDPAC.ORG

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The team at OPAC is hard at work to reschedule performances in light of the current public health situation. DATES BELOW ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please call or check our website for current updates.

Rescheduled Performances SEASON EXTRAS One Night in Memphis

SEASON EXTRAS Craig Morgan

July 18, 2020

August 28, 2020

* date subject to change

WEBB CONCRETE COUNTRY MUSIC SERIES

Rodney Atkins

Home Free August 29, 2020

July 19, 2020

* date subject to change

RMC CONCERT SERIES Rick Springfield

EDWARD JONES LEGENDS SERIES Simply Sinatra with Steve Lippia August 21, 2020

December 11, 2020 * date subject to change

* date subject to change

SEASON EXTRAS The Heart Behind the Music

Rescheduled Date to be determined

Darryl Worley, Billy Dean, Sylvia & Kirk Jay

August 23, 2020

* date subject to change

EDWARD JONES LEGENDS SERIES 50 Years of Rock & Roll 2

BERNARDI FAMILY POPS An Irish Heart with ChloÃ« Agnew and the Atlanta Pops OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

PASSION TO SERVE: WYNIKA HENDRIX Wynika Hendrix has always had a place in her heart for the first responders of Oxford. As she was growing up, the Oxford Police Department always protected her neighborhood, keeping her safe. When Wynika was older, during a small house fire, the Oxford Fire Department was there within minutes, easing her nerves. Her heart goes out to the men and women that risk their lives daily to serve us, and she wanted to help them in return. She stated, “I believe we were created to serve not only God, but others as well. Giving is great, but giving from the heart is even greater. My only goal is to have a positive impact on other people’s lives. I pray that when people see me, they see God in me.” When given the opportunity to partner with her company, Country Financial, Wynika chose Oxford for its Operation Helping Heros initiative. The City of Oxford wants to thank Wynika Hendrix for her generous donation to the Oxford Fire Department and the Oxford Police Department.

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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Oxford Police Department

Message

600 Stanley Merrill Drive, Oxford, AL 36203

from the

Oxford Police Chief

To simply say the first quarter of 2020 has been busy would be a complete understatement. With the onset of the COVID-19, our agency has been mandated to adapt to the changing environment in ways we’ve never experienced. Though I believe our agency has been able to hurdle some of the obstacles brought on by the pandemic, it has made our efforts difficult. Not to disregard the tragic nature of these troubling times, I am still glad in a sense to see how adaptive and responsive the men and women of our agency have become. Law enforcement is far from being inherently routine; however, our agency and members experience some common normality. Our handling of standard roll-call briefings before shifts, basic cleanliness of departmental equipment, and even unassuming calls to service have dramatically changed. Even the normalcy of personal interactions has been significantly affected. Still, I am proud to see the members of our department have adapted so well. As we press forward to ensure our great city is safe, please be mindful that our challenges are not over. We are still practicing the necessary measures to keep our officers and members safe, our residents and visitors well protected, and will uphold our commitments to the City of Oxford. If you have any questions for me or any member of the agency, please call us. We are still here and remain a strong agency for you all.

Chief Bill Partridge

INVESTIGATIONS 256-835-6136 • ANIMAL CONTROL 256-591-4103 • GENERAL (NON-EMERGENCY) 256-831-3121

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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Oxford Fire Department

Message

149 East Hamric Dr., Oxford, AL 36203

from the

Oxford Fire Chief

COVID-19 – CORONAVIRUS: Who would’ve dreamed that these two words would become such a huge part of our lives over the last few months? The COVID-19 Pandemic has had an enormous effect on everyone and our dayto-day lives. No one has been exempted from the effects of this virus in some fashion. The virus also caused changes at the Oxford Fire Department. We have started taking temperatures of our employees as they report to work, we have temporarily stopped station tours, and for the first time in my 37 years as a firefighter, we have locked the doors to the fire stations to protect our first responders from unnecessary exposure to the virus. Even with the changes, the Oxford Fire Department was still on the front lines responding to your calls for help or assistance. Our command staff has been working side-by-side with other agencies in Calhoun County to ensure that we are doing everything possible to protect our citizens. As we start to reopen our economy slowly, we ask you to be diligent in following the safety precautions put out by the Centers for Disease Control, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Calhoun County EMA, and the City of Oxford. We want to congratulate the OHS Class of 2020. Their senior year hasn’t been what it should have been, but we know each of you will move on from OHS to bigger and greater things. We would also like to congratulate Fire Chief Brittany Davis, Assistant Fire Chief Wesley Sparks, and Fire Inspector Amarachukwa Aginwa of the Class of 2020 and all the seniors that won the election to the city offices through the annual Student Government Day. We are excited and look forward to the total reopening of our economy, but you, as the citizens, will play a huge part. Our businesses need you to come back and shop with them. There will be changes in the way our restaurants, barbershops, beauty salons, athletic venues, the Civic Center, and other venues will be doing business when they first reopen, and we ask that you be patient with changes. We will not immediately go back to normal activities; it will be a gradual process. If I have learned anything about Oxford, it is that we are strong and will pull together to get through any challenge. Know that the employees of the City of Oxford are working hard to protect you and to keep our city on a strong footing. If you have any questions, you can always go to our new website: oxfordstrong.com

Take care and be safe,

Chief Gary Sparks

FIRE CHIEF • ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF • FIRE MARSHAL • 256-278-3290

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

THE NEXT GENERATION

HANNAH RHODES OXFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Oxford Fire Department starts their day by getting turnouts ready and preparing for whatever their days may bring; it is no different for Oxford’s first paid full-time female firefighter, Hannah Rhodes. Growing up a child in a military family and living across the United States and even Japan, Hannah has learned how to adapt to a changing environment, thus preparing her for a life of fighting fires. She settled in Alabama and attended Jacksonville High School, where she joined the fire program that the school offered. Now, at only 19, Hannah Rhodes is making history in the Oxford Fire Department. I had the pleasure of getting to sit down and talk with Hannah about her choice to become a firefighter, her experiences while she has been with the fire department, and just what being a firefighter means to her. The ability to help the people you care about is something that drives most people, but for Hannah, the ability to help strangers is what drives her every day. She looks forward to waking up each day and knowing that it will be another opportunity to protect the citizens of Oxford. Already in her short time as a firefighter, she has saved lives and stood alongside her fellow firefighters amid the fire. The stress of being in the line of duty can take a toll on a first responder, and Hannah combats this by having an abundance of support from her peers. Her best friend serves beside her and is a constant source of peer support, along with all of her supervisors and fellow firemen. While writing this article, I had the opportunity to speak with many of Hannah’s peers and supervisors, all of which could not speak more highly of her. A fellow firefighter Chris Hawkins stated, “There are few guys or gals that come into this field of work that actually get it, actually know what to do, actually do the job well, and Hannah’s one of them.” Not only does Hannah have the constant support of her peers, but she also has the support of her family. They have rallied behind her, and her decision to join the fire service has only brought them closer.

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BY RYLEIGH FREEMAN 62

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Hannah has chosen a career in what most would view a very male-dominated profession. Being a woman could potentially pose challenges for her, and her peers could possibly see her differently. However, when asked what being the first paid female firefighter in Oxford meant to her, she almost didn’t know what to say. Hannah Rhodes doesn’t view herself any differently than any of the men she stands alongside. She went through the same training, the same courses, and the same challenges as all the men around her, and she considers herself better for it. The fire chief, Gary Sparks, said that Hannah stood out during her training and that everyone respected her because she tried just as hard and did just as well as the men, and the assistant fire chief, Ben Stewart, referred to her as a “true leader.” Hannah hopes that her journey sheds light on other women who want to do things that they think they can’t due to social norms. I asked Hannah if she could give a word of advice to young women and girls who want to serve in the line of duty as she does, Hannah stated, “People are always going to try to say things to make you feel like you can’t or tell you that you’re not strong enough. Honestly, you’re just as strong, and as long as you really want it and put your heart in it, you can do just as much as anybody else and sometimes even more.”

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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UPDATE OXFORD PUBLIC WORKS 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! Construction activity in the downtown area has reached completion, and I wanted to take this time to make sure that everyone knows that Snow and Choccolocco Streets are now one-way streets. Traffic flow on Choccolocco is in an East to West direction, and Snow is West to East. The repaving and drainage work along Snow Street east of Highway 21 is complete as well. The drainage in the area has been greatly improved, and we have not had a report of any roadway flooding in this area since the improvements were installed. The plans to improve traffic flow along Leon Smith Parkway from the I-20 interchange southward to Choccolocco Park are nearing 90% completion. This project will include additional lanes and bridge widening on the two bridges just south of the Oxford Exchange. We hope to begin construction in the coming months. The preliminary plans for turning lane additions and widening of the intersection at Barry Street and Highway 78 are moving along. We are currently in Rights-of-Way negotiations with a few adjacent property owners and hope to have that project progress soon. Please stay tuned for updates on these projects. With warm weather upon us and with people working in their yards, I would like to shed some light on an issue that we are encountering. As most of you know, our department runs a weekly curbside pickup service for grass clippings, leaves, and tree/shrub trimmings. This service is not intended to be an entire tree pickup service, and we have an ever-growing problem with whole trees being placed along the roadside for pickup. There are several reasons why we are prohibited from this. The main reason is that it is against our city ordinance. This ordinance may be found on our website www.oxfordalabama.org under the chapter 36 link of the municipal code section. Another reason is that the rubbish that we pick up is placed in our open-air incinerator, and it simply cannot handle large tree trunks and stumps. Most large trees are too difficult and dangerous to be cut by homeowners, resulting in the hiring of a tree removal entity. As a word of advice to the homeowner, we want to make sure that you are aware that the tree must be disposed of by the removing entity. We are more than happy to provide our curbside service. We just want to make everyone aware of this issue so that we can continue to maintain this service most effectively.

Sincerely,

Rusty V. Gann, P.E. Public Works Director/City Engineer

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

UPDATE NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT We are open for business! The City of Oxford strives to promote the growth, prosperity, and partnership among all businesses within the City of Oxford.

MANGOS CANTINA & GRILL

CUTTER’S PIZZERIA & WINGS

196 Spring Branch Road, Oxford, AL 36203

1781 Hamric Drive East, Oxford, AL 36203

256-624-6477

256-624-6112

Sunday 11 AM - 9 PM,

CuttersPizzeria.com

Monday - Wednesday, 11 AM - 9:30 PM,

Monday – Saturday 11 AM – 8 PM

Thursday - Saturday 11 AM - 10 PM At Cutter’s, we're proud to be a local family-owned Authentic Mexican Food

pizzeria dedicated to our community, quality ingredients, supreme taste, and endless options.

WELCOME TO OXFORD 68

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REVITALIZE CHIROPRACTIC & SPORT Dr. Trina Clark, D.C., M.S. 314 Monger Street, Oxford, AL 36203 256-343-4493 • RevitalizeChiroandSport.com Doctrina.dc@gmail.com Chiropractic treatments, nutritional counseling/weight loss programs, infrared sauna sessions for detox & weight loss

MATTER OF A PINION 430 Main Street, Oxford, AL 36203 256-624-6666 MatterofaPinion.com Tuesday 10 AM – 5 PM, Wednesday – Friday 10 AM – 7 PM, and Saturday 9 AM – 4 PM We hope any time you come into Matter of a Pinion, you leave with the perfect gift (whether it’s for yourself or a loved one!)

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

UPDATE HISTORIC MAIN STREET OXFORD In 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared the month of May as National Preservation Month to celebrate and promote historical places and heritage tourism. The trust initially began to promote historic preservation in 1973 with National Preservation Week. In more recent years, people have understood that historic preservation is, in fact, economic development. Historic preservation leads to city revitalization, job creation, small business incubation, housing, and tourism that reinforces five senses of a high-quality community. Historic preservation creates a sense of place, a sense of identity, a sense of evolution, a sense of ownership, and a sense of community. Since the late 1970s, there has been an effort to preserve and restore historic downtown Oxford. One of the most significant projects in our downtown revitalization was the renovation of the former Oxford City Hall to the Oxford Performing Arts Center in 2011. Since then, thousands of patrons have visited downtown from over thirty states to attend performances. In 2014, Oxford was one of three cities in Alabama selected to become a Designated Main Street Community. The mission of Historic Main Street is to bring prosperity and vitality back to our historic downtown, to celebrate our past while keeping an eye on our future. Our city leadership saw the potential of our historic downtown and invested an estimated $3 million towards revitalization and preservation. The project, completed in the fall of 2019, resulted in new sidewalks along Main Street and Choccolocco Street lined with brick pavers, underground utilities, landscaping, and lighting that captures the historical aesthetic, character, and charm of our downtown. A thriving downtown revitalization program does not happen overnight. It takes time, effort, leadership, and a balance of public and private investment. Since the Main Street program was started, there has been an estimated $10 million of private dollars invested in the preservation and restoration of the commercial buildings downtown.

oxfordalabama.org

“We love this historic downtown area, and when we were moving here, we knew that this was the area of Oxford that we wanted to be in. We believe that preserving the history of the town and our building is fundamental to understanding the community’s character.” — Dr. and Mrs. Ryan & Gwen Parrish “Preserving our historical buildings allows us to create a charming downtown unique to our community.” — John Longshore, Executive Director of Oxford Performing Arts Center “Historic areas create a sense of belonging. The historic downtown area is the heart of our city. It’s a place where people can gather, enjoy unique shopping venues, experience music, art, and authentic foods.” — Charlotte Hubbard “For me, I have always thought of Downtown Oxford as an undiscovered treasure. Lots of communities try to create what we have in our unique buildings, beautiful homes in the surrounding residential area, lots of sidewalks, creative small businesses and ease of access. We need to preserve and build on these assets.” — Robin Leonard, Historic Main Street Oxford Board Member Why invest in Historic Main Street Oxford? • Support local business and entrepreneurs • Creation of jobs for our residents • Preservation efforts to one-of-a-kind buildings • Creation of local conveniences and additional choices for shopping and entertainment

THINK LOCAL. SHOP LOCAL. BUY LOCAL. HUNTER GENTRY • HISTORIC MAIN STREET OXFORD • P.O. BOX 3383, OXFORD, AL 36203 • 256-241-6667 OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

H I ST O R I C M A I N ST R E ET OX F O R D

Shopping locally is the best way to discover Oxfordâ€™s one-of-a-kind main street

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MAIN STREET 1. Oxford Senior Citizens Center 2. First Class Ice Cream 3. Ra-Lin Construction 4. Matter of a Pinion 5. Sarah Cavender Metalworks 6. Tracy Bonner Salon 7. Enzor & Maniscalco Attorneys at Law and House Counseling 8. The Main Olive 9. Cotton Antiques 10. Cotton Antiques 11. Oxford Cleaners 12. Oxfordfest 13. Grizzard Land Surveying 14. The Tackle Box 15. Dorsey’s Supermarket

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Special sites & landmarks: Simmons Park gazebo, Ferris wheel, downtown clock, and art murals EAST CHOCCOLOCCO STREET

SNOW STREET

1. Stinson Howard Fine Jewelry 2. The Vine Chiropractic 3. Hubbard’s Off Main 4. Above & Beyond 5. Oxford Performing Arts Center and Wren’s Nest Art Gallery 6. Dempsey Barber & Styles 7. Southern Girl Coffee 8. Go Pink Studio

1. Pastime Peanuts 2. Hurt House of Photography

WEST CHOCCOLOCCO STREET 1. The Territorium

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

The Gifts of Better Speech and Hearing

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Most people know that Motherâ€™s Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday in May and Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. How many of you are aware that every year the whole month of May is designated by The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) as Better Speech and Hearing Month? It is the premise of ASHA, the organization made up of approximately 211,000 members and affiliates, that itâ€™s important to create awareness of the vast number of individuals in this country, who at one time or another, have experienced difficulty in oral communication due to speech, language, or hearing deficits. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are trained and devoted to serving individuals of all ages who struggle to hear the spoken word, to understand it, and to produce it in a way that effective communication can be their reality. It has been said that the ability to use words to communicate is likely the most important attribute of humans that separates them from all other species of life. Communication brings people together and can serve to open lines of understanding while narrowing the gap of misunderstanding. It should be noted that when an individual has deficits in correctly producing speech sounds or using words effectively to express thoughts, feelings and ideas, their ability to form meaningful and successful relationships in the family, or in school or work setting are often at risk. The same basic premise is true for individuals who have impaired hearing at any level of severity. Hearing deficits at an early age can be expected to affect the normal development of speech and language. This frequently happens in the case of young children with a history of chronic ear infections that often results in tube insertion. This medical procedure has proven successful in resolving most hearing deficits that are primarily due to this kind of infection. This is in contrast to individuals who have been diagnosed with nerve damage hearing loss or an acquired loss that can be expected to have

A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO Oxford Access BY ELIZABETH YARBROUGH, SLP

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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Communication brings people together and can serve to open lines of understanding while narrowing the gap of misunderstanding.

longer term implications. A variety of different strategies will be necessary to give these individuals the best possible access to successful communication. Audiologists, speech-language pathologists, specialized and general education teachers, and parents will make up the team who will set up and implement a plan of intervention. Early diagnosis and intervention are important to improvement and successful resolution of communication disorders in children. A child who has a speech and language disorder, and/or difficulty hearing, is also considered at risk for learning to read, write, and spell in a timely manner. Understandably, they will most likely struggle in communicating successfully with their teachers and classmates. Parents need to be proactive as they advocate for help to address their childrenâ€™s communication needs. For the most part, a referral is not needed to schedule an evaluation and follow up intervention. Free services are available as early as three years of age through the public school district in which the family lives. Parents are advised to call the school office and share the desire to have their child tested as soon as possible. In addition to starting therapy by three years of age, children enrolled in day care programs profit measurably from interaction with children their age. Social communication offers a platform for practicing the skills being stressed in the therapeutic setting. There are also speech-language pathologists, as well as audiologists, who have private practices in Calhoun County and often their services are covered by insurance reimbursement. A list of these professionals is usually known to pediatricians and family practice

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The estimate of ASHA is that there are approximately 40 million Americans who have a communication disorder. Some sources report even higher numbers of incidence. The majority of communication disorders that fall under the therapeutic umbrella of the speech-language pathologist are as follows: Articulation Stroke Laryngeal Cancer Aphasia Phonology Apraxia ALS Traumatic Brain Injury Receptive Language Language Delay

Voice Dysarthria Mouth Cancers Expressive Language Autism Hearing Dyslexia Dysgraphia Asperger's Stuttering

Each of these areas of communication can be researched for additional information at asha.org as well as other online sites.

physicians. Online listings also offer contact information. It’s not unusual for parents to take advantage of public schools’ early intervention services and private therapy simultaneously which serves to accelerate progress for the child. Again, the most important thing to remember is that early diagnosis and follow-up intervention sets the child on a direct path to acquiring successful communication skills and readiness for academics. It’s not a “quick fix,” but consistent attendance in therapy and follow up on the plan of intervention can bring significant improvement, and in many cases, complete resolution of the disorder. The importance of parent involvement in this process from start to finish cannot be overstated. There are several communication disorders listed above that reflect issues which are challenges for many adults. Any adult who is experiencing difficulty with communication and cognitive issues are encouraged to seek the services of a speechlanguage pathologist or audiologist who will administer a comprehensive evaluation and propose a plan for intervention. Consistent involvement in the individualized program will bring improvement in communication skills for the motivated participant. ASHA states that approximately 36 million people in the US have some degree of hearing loss. Some sources report that hearing has been estimated as the most common health problem in the United States. Supposedly, one in three individuals over 65 years of age have some degree of hearing loss attributed in part to long term exposure to noise, as well as the aging process. Many specialists believe that more than half of all hearing impaired individuals could profit from wearing hearing aids; they also note that of that number only about 1/4 were likely to buy or wear them. It’s been reported by some experts in the field that hearing aids have actually been shown to slow down the process of cognitive decline in a significant number of individuals who did consistently wear their aids.

Hearing aid design and individualized programming have continued to improve. Even though some hearing loss may not be curable, it is usually treatable. Audiologists are dedicated to improving the quality of life for hearing impaired individuals of all ages. The theme ASHA chose to represent their 2020 Better Hearing and Speech Month campaign had a two-fold message. In addition to drawing attention to the large number of individuals in this country who have speech, language and hearing disorders, they chose also to acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on the ability of people to communicate and stay connected while social and physically distancing themselves. The theme was “Communication at Work.” Listed each day on the ASHA website (asha.org) were creative communication suggestions and activities for children and adults as they interacted with their immediate and extended family, neighbors, teachers, and friends, while staying true to the distancing model. The need to communicate and stay connected to each other during this period of distancing cannot be overemphasized. More than any year in the past, communication creativity for all ages was encouraged by ASHA in their 2020 Campaign. Better Speech and Hearing Month will continue to promote awareness of the high number of individuals in the US who have communication deficits and the specialists who are trained to serve them. Individuals in this profession will continue to support any child or adult who needs their expertise to achieve the power of successful communication. It's not easy at any age to navigate a world that is not easy to understand or to make yourself understood. A parent, grandparent, teacher, friend, or therapist who supports this journey for another person becomes a “giver” and “receiver” of two of life’s greatest gifts – better speech and hearing.

Elizabeth Yarbrough, “Ms. Betty,” is a state-licensed and board-certified Speech-Language Pathologist who has a private practice in Anniston. She has been serving children and adults with communication disorders for over 45 years

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

Hal West, Senior Center Manager and Pamela Harris, PARD Program Director

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CITY OF OXFORD

SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER MEAL DELIVERIES

It has never been more evident that the senior citizens of Oxford are the roots of our community. Since 1987, the Senior Citizen Center of Oxford has played a pivotal role in the nutrition, socialization, and growth of our senior population. Before the health crisis, employees arrived at work bright and early each morning. Each one had their duties–maintaining the cleanliness of the building, transportation of participants, packaging and delivery of the meals, and so much more. They were always ready to lend a hand to another employee or senior in need. Their roles were not just about daily routines, but about being a shoulder to cry on or lend an ear to the senior members. On any given day, people as young as 60 and as old as 95 were met with a warm welcome, looking forward to a hot meal, a game of cards, or a pleasant conversation. In mid-March, this safe haven for our city’s elderly closed its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety and health of our seniors has always been our top priority, but during this time, the employees surpassed all expectations. Duties for these essential employees have grown tenfold. For example, deep cleaning of the entire building now takes place daily. The employees have also made repairs and updates to some of the areas where seniors normally spend a lot of time, such as the kitchen and dining room. Other employees create fun puzzles and word search packets to hand out upon meal delivery, in hopes that these will brighten their spirits. Phone calls and wellness checks are made frequently to those that opted not to receive meals during the closure. We also check on those that have been hospitalized or have gone to nursing homes. Our employees have gone above and beyond while still maintaining homebound meal routes. However, the need quickly arose to feed more of our seniors during the pandemic. Two new meal routes were added to the fleet, thanks to emergency funding approved by Mayor Craft and the Oxford City Council. This allocation of funding helped feed 27 more households. The employees now deliver over 107 meals door to door to senior citizens in the boundaries of Oxford. They endure risk and sacrifice every day on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. While equipped with masks and gloves, employees hand-deliver each meal to reassure each senior that they will never be forgotten. We would also like to recognize Hubbard’s Off Main and Feeding Alabama for preparing these extra meals that the City of Oxford is providing. We sure do miss our seniors at the Oxford Senior Center! We cannot wait until we can safely reopen our facility so that our participants can enjoy their meals, see their friends, and play games again. We are prepared to let all the participants and their families know when our facility opens. We are already planning their homecoming celebration.

PAMELA HARRIS, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, OXFORD PARD

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

From left to right: Tanya Stovall , Hal West, Charlie Livingston , Darlene Elicker, Ashley Harris Bias, Susan Sikes, Pamela Harris, Andrew Harris, Katie Waits, and Robert Sparks. Not pictured: Anthony Green who helps deliver meals.

The employees deliver over 107 meals door-to-door to senior citizens in the boundaries of Oxford

oxfordalabama.org

BILL BECK Billy Joe Beck, who we all knew as “Coach Beck,” passed away at the age of 87 in early April. Not only did he serve our country in the Marine Corps during the Korean War and received a Purple Heart, but he was also active in the Toys for Tots campaign and the Marine Corps League upon his honorable discharge. He was best known for his work influencing children in our area. If he was not at home, he was at the tennis courts volunteering his time with the high school athletes. He also took the time to help children with special needs and even took a tennis team to the Special Olympics. Oxford Parks and Recreation Director Don Hudson said, “There will never be another man like Bill Beck. He contributed many volunteer hours to our recreation programs, especially to the tennis programs and Oxford High School’s tennis program.” We are thankful for Coach Bill Beck’s contributions to Oxford. His influence will live on for generations to come. Thank you, Coach Beck, for truly being Oxford Strong.

TOBY MILLER Hugh “Toby” Miller, the founder and owner of Miller Funeral Home, passed away at the age of 77 in early May. Toby’s contributions to Oxford go back decades: he was a charter member of the Oxford Quarterback Club and the Rotary Club. He organized the Oxford Rescue Squad (now Oxford EMS), which operated in an office at Miller Funeral Home for several years. He was also appointed to the Regional Medical Center Board of Directors for six five-year terms, giving him the honor of being the longest-serving appointee. Not only did he make contributions as an adult, but he was a great athlete at Oxford High School, playing football and basketball, where he was an All-County star. He also coached and sponsored many youth sports teams in Oxford. He also loved antique cars and was known for attending and organizing car shows all over the southern United States. Toby Miller’s influence and legacy will live on for generations to come. We are thankful for his contributions to make our hometown the best place to live. Toby Miller, thank you for being Oxford Strong. OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

oxfordalabama.org

UPDATE CIDER RIDGE Greetings from the staff at Cider Ridge Golf Club! Like everyone else, this past spring season has been an adventure for every one of us here, with many modifications to our daily operations. Have no worries though; we are still here, the course is in great shape, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone out on the course this summer. As social distancing has become more and more prevalent for everyone, we are taking plenty of precautions to ensure that we provide the safest environment for our guests to enjoy their day. A full and continuously updated list of those things is available for people to look at on ciderridgegolf.com. Visitors should be aware that COVID-19 outbreak and precautions have changed a few things. Possibly the most important is that we have been promoting social distancing by sending golfers out with one person per cart restrictions unless they reside in the same household. With that being the case, please note that this policy effectively reduces the number of golfers we can put out at a given time by half. That stipulation makes it more important than ever that golfers call ahead to reserve a tee time. Carts are reserved for those players with tee times, and if you arrive without a tee time, we may not be able to provide a cart for your round. On the bright side, now with social distancing becoming more and more common, finding ways to stay active, get outside, and remain safe are paramount. Golf has shown itself to be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get some sun, and have a great time with friends. If you haven’t played before and are interested in learning the game, now is the perfect opportunity. We have been working hard to alter our teaching and lesson packages in ways that allow us to operate beginners’ clinics that are fun, informative, and safe for the participants. If you are interested in picking up the game, I wholeheartedly encourage you to reach out to us by calling the golf shop at 256.831.7222, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, or visit our website for more information regarding our teaching schedules. Thank you to everyone that has been out to the golf course and enjoyed a nice break and relief from some of the stress out there, and we look forward to continuing to serve everyone in the City of Oxford.

Lee Shurden, PGA Director of Golf/Club Manager Cider Ridge Golf Club

CIDER RIDGE GOLF CLUB • 200 APPLE BLOSSOM WAY, OXFORD, AL 36203 LEE SHURDEN, PGA, DIRECTOR OF GOLF/CLUB MANAGER • LEE.SHURDEN@HONOURSGOLF.COM OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

COMMUNITY CENTERS AND PARKS BYNUM COMMUNITY CENTER 200 Victory Dr, Eastaboga, AL 36260 (256) 241-2716

CHOCCOLOCCO PARK 954 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 342-0174

OXFORD CIVIC CENTER AND OXFORD LAKE 401 McCullars Lane, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-2660

FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER 2930 Friendship Rd, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-2679

SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 424 Main Street, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-5900

Come enjoy the 18-hole disc golf course at Choccolocco Park. Map and scorecard are available on the Choccolocco Park website and in the park office during business hours.

oxfordalabama.org

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

A BRIEF HISTORY

OXFORD LAKE

Oxford Lake, one of the area’s most recognizable and notable recreational parks, opened to the public on May 30, 1889. The lake was constructed on the former McCulley Springs site that was home to Barnett McCulley since the 1830s. In November 1888, for a sum of $20,000, descendants of the McCulley family sold the land to the Minnie Lula Lake Company in hopes of turning it into an amusement park. After failing the company’s dream, Alabama Electric & Gas Company obtained the lake through a foreclosure. A trolley line was constructed from 25th and Noble Streets in Anniston to the lake. During the Victorian era, amusement parks were built at the end of trolley lines to get passengers to ride them. In those early years, Oxford Lake spanned nearly twenty acres that included a swimming pool, horse racing track, dance pavilion, and a vaudeville theatre that was later converted to a bowling alley. Along with the entertainment and recreational amenities, families and young couples would enjoy walks and picnics at the lake for their leisure. The 1940s and 1950s were perhaps one of the most prosperous times of the park since the opening. The Morgan family leased the lake and surrounding property and resided in the large home that overlooked the lake. The house was once used as a hotel and rumored to have been constructed on a former Confederate campsite. The Morgans created Oxford Lake into a carnival boardwalk venue with powerboat races, tilt-a-whirl, petting zoo, and merry-go-round. During Mayor Alvis A. Hamric’s administration, he detailed nine goals for 1965. In that outline, purchasing Oxford Lake was included. Later that year, in September 1965, the City of Oxford purchased the property for $80,000. Today the park consists of a walking track around the lake, several pavilions, baseball and softball fields, a stateof-the-art civic center, and even Alabama’s oldest covered bridge.

BY HUNTER C. GENTRY 88

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John and Willie Wardlaw Hollingsworth, great-great-grandparents of Hunter Gentry, at Oxford Lake about 1912.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

UP TO THE CHALLENGE

The call to vacate classrooms and playgrounds for the rest of the school year was hard to take. Doors were locked, hallways became quiet, and desks were emptied. Teachers, used to receiving hugs around the legs by little ones, were warned not to be within six feet of their students or any co-workers. Forced to be resourceful in ways they never imagined, administrators, teachers, parents, and community leaders stepped up to meet the challenge head-on to ensure that learning could and would continue. Simultaneously, they considered how to support the emotional and nutritional needs of the students for the rest of the year. Local school districts are often a lifeline for needy students. This is why Clint McCall, Marty Livingston, and other Oxford school system staff volunteered to take part in a new project. Each week, they put together meals to help feed school students who needed them during the temporary closure of schools. continued on next page

BY STACY BOOTH

oxfordalabama.org

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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This common purpose in a time of quarantine brought together a group that generally would not get the chance to work side-by-side. Over 107 teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, and staff from six schools and multiple departments bonded over packing and delivering the grab-and-go meals.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

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Livingston says that they have received help from the community from the very beginning, “Several local businesses donated food. Word got out and people would pull up in the school parking lot with donated food. Churches would call us, asking, ‘what do you need?’ The first month there was over $10,000 worth of food donated and distributed.”

“What our teachers have done for our kids is amazing. They have come out and taken part in something to give back to the community because they want to see their kids. They want to know their kids are okay,” McCall explains. “This has been really good for them, for their morales, to get to see kids and interact with them.”

Jana Bryant, Child Nutrition Program Director, worked behind the scenes to apply for and receive federal help through the Child Nutrition Program. The program helped provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunches. She and her staff arrived at the high school cafeteria to set up the food pick-up stations. Volunteers lined up to assemble bags packed with fresh fruit, milk, cheese, protein, along with chips and other snacks.

Among the teachers able to connect with her students as she handed out meals was Julia Hill, an English teacher at Oxford High School. “It’s not just about feeding. It’s the whole child,” Julie expressed. “We tried to discern any counseling needs and followed up with them. We encouraged them to keep up their reading. We asked them if they would like some books.”

Buses were loaded, and still more volunteers helped deliver the food back and forth between the three distribution stations across the City of Oxford. Bryant and McCall worked to ensure the safety of everyone involved. They wore face masks and gloves and followed social distancing protocol while handing out the meals. From March to May, over 400 students were supplied with food each week.

With each family that drove through, teachers and staff held on to every thread of contact with their students, continuing to educate and support them with every resource they could muster. Oxford City School will continue to be that lifeline until we can all be together again. And when that happens, may we never take for granted the gift of each day in a classroom with our students.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2020

oxfordcityschoolseducationfoundation.org THE OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Thank you

IS PROUD TO GIVE BACK TO OUR SCHOOLS Edible Evening and Entertainment for Education was a success thanks to:

OLIVE GARDEN SMALLCAKES SOUTHERN GIRL COFFEE COCA COLA BOTTLING COMPANY

“Where tradition never graduates” 100

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OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS

UPDATE OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS Kelly Roberts Vex IQ Teacher of the Year C.E. Hanna Elementary received exciting news when Mrs. Kelly Roberts was chosen as the Vex IQ Teacher of the year. Mrs. Roberts has coached the C.E. Hanna Robotics team for the past three years, winning more than fifty awards and quickly filling the C.E. Hanna trophy case. The C.E. Hanna Robotics teams have become a force to be reckoned with as they have gained a reputation for excellence. Rarely do they enter a competition where one or more of their teams are not able to finish at the top.

Under Mrs. Roberts’s direction, this year’s seven robotics teams compiled an impressive list of accomplishments; their season was cut short by the pandemic, but they were able to compete in six events during the regular season. In skills competitions, the teams earned nine first place finishes, eight second place finishes, five third place finishes, two fourth place finishes, and three fifth place finishes. They earned numerous top ten finishes in the teamwork competition. In coding, the teams were able to earn five first place finishes, four second place finishes, four third place finishes, four fourth place finishes and five fifth place finishes.

Vex IQ robotics is a design and engineering challenge for students. Each year a new challenge is announced, and students design robots based on that challenge. During the year, students compete in both remote-control games and coding challenges where students code the robots to operate autonomously to complete challenges. They continuously fine tune their designs as they compete, striving to create the most successful version of their robots.

During the state championship in Auburn, Alabama, three teams qualified for world competitions. The CEH Galaxy Allstars won the state teamwork championship, while the CEH Raging Fireballs finished second. The CEH Galaxy Allstars also added a fourth place finish in the skills competition. The teams had high hopes for national and world competitions, hoping to avenge last year’s loss in the finals of the national competition.

In addition to teaching coding and engineering skills to the team, Mrs. Roberts has also instilled the traits of integrity, determination, perseverance, compassion, and teamwork. Among their many accomplishments this year, perhaps most notable is the fact that other teams commented on C.E. Hanna’s willingness to assist younger teams, sharing ideas and tips for success.

The students’ accomplishments in coding, engineering, and teamwork under the leadership of Mrs. Roberts have been impressive; she is an asset to Oxford City Schools and well-deserving of the Vex IQ Teacher of the Year award.

BY DR. GOODWIN

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WHY I TEACH

Oxford City School System Teacher Spotlight — KELLY ROBERTS

THE CITY OF OXFORD IS PROUD TO HAVE SOME OF THE BEST EDUCATORS AND HIGHEST-RATED SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN THE STATE. RECENTLY, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW KELLY ROBERTS, WHO WAS AWARDED AND RECOGNIZED AS “EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH” BY THE OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

Roberts is from Jacksonville, Alabama, and attended K-12 in White Plains. She has two children–Sean, age 11, and Kaylee, age 10. She has two dogs, Poppy and Mandy, and a cat named Prince Charming. After graduating high school, Roberts pursued a Bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University, followed by a Master’s and Education Specialist degree from the University of West Alabama. She also has a Gifted Certification from the University of Alabama. Roberts has been with the Oxford City School System for 15 years and currently teaches fifth and sixth grade. She has also taught third and fourth grade as well as gifted education. Roberts is the Robotics Team Coach at C.E. Hanna, the Maker Space teacher, and will start a new adventure as a Green Power USA coach this upcoming school year. We invite you to join us in congratulating Ms. Roberts with the employee of the month recognition and hope you enjoy getting to know her better in the Q&A that follows:

What made you want to become a teacher? I wanted to make a difference in the world and leave a lasting impact. I always enjoyed helping others when I was in school, and I was drawn to teaching. What is the most satisfying thing about teaching? The most satisfying thing about teaching is watching the eyes of a child light up with complete joy and excitement when they finally understand a topic that has made them struggle.

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Teacher Spotlight

What do you look forward to most at the beginning of each year? I look forward to excited students returning to school after a break with the enthusiasm and anticipation of learning. What's the most challenging part of being a teacher? The most challenging part of teaching for me is balancing family, work, and coaching. There never seems to be enough time in the day to give each individual person the amount of time they deserve. I strive to make every moment count. How do you want former students to remember you? I want my former students to remember me as someone who supported them both academically and personally during the times of success or strife. What methods do you use each day to bring out the best in students? The best method I have found to bring out the best in students is to set the level of expectation high (but not out of reach) and hold students accountable for reaching it while being their biggest cheerleader and celebrating their achievement each step of the way. What are your thoughts on receiving the teacher/employee of the month award? It is an honor to work in a school system where my time, effort, and dedication is recognized. What are your thoughts on receiving the National Vex Robotics Coach of the Year? I was completely blown away by receiving this award. Without my knowledge, students from my teams wrote essays nominating me for the award. I am so proud of the hard work they put in this year and the successful season they had. They are the reason I received the award. Their success was my success. When you see former students who are now older, whatâ€™s one thing they typically say they remember about your classroom/team? They remember how much fun we had learning together. Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do when not teaching/coaching? When I am not in the school building or at a robotics competition, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my little family.

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KEEP OXFORD BEAUTIFUL • AFFILIATE OF KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL

RECYCLE COLLECTION CONTAINERS

The Calhoun County recycling containers that were located across the street from the Oxford Water Works office were removed due to continued dumping/misuse by a few individuals. Due to the dumping/misuse cost, the county had to use extra time and money to clean up the site and remove the non-recyclable items from the container. The problem became so frequent that the county decided to remove the containers. During the last “OxfordFest,” an informal survey of Oxford citizens concerning recycling was taken by Keep Oxford Beautiful board members and volunteers. Sixty-six citizens were asked if Oxford should have a recycling program, would they support it by taking recyclable items to a collection location and would they be willing to pay a fee for curbside pickup. Sixty of the 66 citizens asked said Oxford should have a recycling program. When asked if they would take recyclables to a collection point, 52 of the 66 said yes. When asked if they would pay for curbside pickup, 42 of the 66 said yes if the cost was reasonable. There is an interest in recycling in Oxford, and the Keep Oxford Beautiful Board will be working in association with the City of Oxford to develop a program with guidelines for recycling. Recyclable plastics must be cleaned to remove containments and sorted. Did you know that recyclable plastics have a number stamped in a triangle on the item? Maybe you have seen the number but do not know what the number means? The recycling numbers on plastics are actually called “resin identification codes” (RICs). Introduced by the Society of the Plastics Industry in 1988, these numbers are used to help identify the type of plastic used in bottles, containers, packaging, etc.

CONTRIBUTED BY BILL BUNN

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Plastic #1 – PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) • Picked up by most curbside recycling programs, plastic #1 is usually clear and used to make soda and water bottles. Some consider it safe, but this plastic is known to allow bacteria to accumulate. • It’s found mostly in soda bottles, water bottles, beer bottles, salad dressing containers, mouthwash bottles, and peanut butter containers. • Plastic #1 is recycled into tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, fiber, and polar fleece. Plastic #2 – HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) • Plastic #2 is typically opaque and picked up by most curbside recycling programs. This plastic is one of the three plastics considered to be safe and has a lower risk of leaching. • It’s found mostly in milk jugs, household cleaner containers, juice bottles, shampoo bottles, cereal box liners, detergent bottles, motor oil bottles, yogurt tubs, butter tubs, and toiletries bottles are made of this. It is usually opaque. This plastic is considered safe and has a low risk of leaching. • Plastic #2 is recycled into pens, recycling containers, picnic tables, lumber, benches, fencing, and detergent bottles, to name a few. Plastic #3 – V or PVC (Vinyl) • Plastic #3 is used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and detergent bottles, and is seldom accepted by curbside recycling programs. These plastics used to, and still may, contain phthalates, which are linked to numerous health issues ranging from developmental problems to miscarriages. They also contain DEHA, which can be carcinogenic with long-term exposure. DEHA has also been linked to loss of bone mass and liver problems. Don’t cook with or burn this plastic. • It’s found in shampoo bottles, clear food packaging, cooking oil bottles, medical equipment, piping, and windows. • This plastic is recycled into paneling, flooring, speed bumps, decks, and roadway gutters.

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Plastic #4 – LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) • Low density polyethylene is most found in squeezable bottles, shopping bags, clothing, carpet, frozen food, bread bags, and some food wraps. Curbside recycling programs haven’t been known to pick up this plastic, but more are starting to accept it. Plastic #4 rests among the recycling symbols considered to be safe. • This plastic is recycled into compost bins, paneling, trash can liners and cans, floor tiles, and shipping envelopes. Plastic #5 – PP (Polypropylene) • Increasingly becoming accepted by curbside recycle programs, plastic #5 is also one of the safer plastics to look for. • It is typically found in yogurt containers, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, and medicine bottles. • Polypropylene is recycled into brooms, auto battery cases, bins, pallets, signal lights, ice scrapers, and bicycle racks. Plastic #6 – PS (Polystyrene) • Polystyrene is Styrofoam, which is notorious for being difficult to recycle, and thus, bad for the environment. This kind of plastic also poses a health risk, leaching potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. Most recycling programs won’t accept it. • Plastic #6 is found in compact disc cases, egg cartons, meat trays, and disposable plates and cups. • It is recycled into egg cartons, vents, foam packing, and insulation. Plastic #7 – Other, Miscellaneous • All of the plastic resins that don’t fit into the other categories are placed in the number 7 category. It’s a mixed bag of plastics that includes polycarbonate, which contains the toxic bisphenol-A (BPA). These plastics should be avoided due to possibly containing hormone disruptors like BPA, which has been linked to infertility, hyperactivity, reproductive problems, and other health issues. • Plastic #7 is found in sunglasses, iPod cases, computer cases, nylon, 3- and 5-gallon water bottles, and bullet-proof materials. • It is recycled into plastic lumber and other custom-made products. If there is no market for a number, the plastic number still goes to a landfill. The challenge for the Keep Oxford Beautiful Board is finding a market for the recyclables and collecting enough of the plastic to sell. We will discuss options with pros and cons to present to Mayor Craft later this year. We will also discuss with the county what is needed to have the recycle collection containers returned to Oxford. If they are returned, it will be up to each of us to follow their guidelines so the containers will remain in Oxford. In the near future, information related to recycling will be available on the Oxford web site and the Keep Oxford Beautiful Facebook page. “Litter is pollution, You are the solution.”

By Mike Barrett. Posted On February 6, 2013. Natural Society: https://naturalsociety.com/recycling-symbols-numbers-plastic-bottles-meaning/#ixzz6IthzZMS9

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Moving, downsizing, or cleaning out? Before you have a yard sale, make sure you comply with City Ordinance No. 2017-13 regulating these sales.

The Oxford City Council passed an ordinance on June 13, 2017 regulating yard sales within the city with Ordinance No. 2017-13 (Article XII, Section 26-301 through 26-305). The intent was to minimize the disruption to neighborhoods and to keep individuals from turning yard sales into a sideline business.

Get Your Permit. It’s Free. Obtain a permit from the City by calling 311, or (256) 241-4311, or you may click on the Oxford 311 icon on the City’s website www.oxfordalabama.org. You will be given an ID number which is your permit number. There is no cost for a yard sale permit. What You Need To Know: When requesting your permit, please state the date(s) and location of the yard sale.

Signs and the-right-of-way: • Yard sale signs are permitted on private property only. • No signs are permitted on stop signs or utility poles. • No signs are permitted in the public right-of-way. Generally, this is the area between the sidewalk and the curb, but can range from 10ft, to 50ft, to 125ft depending on the location in Oxford. PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY

You may hold one yard sale every 30 days, not to exceed six (6) per year. Each yard sale may last a maximum of four (4) days. If you do not own the property where you are having the yard sale, you must have written permission from the owner.

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MAY 7, 2020 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

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Committed to putting our communities and families first.

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