2022Oxford ACCESS A LEAGUE OF OUR OWN Page 38SPECIAL NEEDS BASEBALL LEAGUE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
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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 StevenChrisCharlotteMikeGardnerHendersonHubbardSpurlinWaits
10490502622158417182430384652545862666870727682889296 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR REYICEPES “WE HAVE COME BACK” MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD POLICE CHIEF MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY OXFORD PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND PARKS COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT PHOTO GALLERY: OXFORD T-BALL CELEBRATING 10 YEARS: A LEAGUE OF OUR OWN WELCOME TO OXFORD - NEW BUSINESS OPENINGS CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK WATERSHED HISTORIC MAIN STREET UPDATE RUBATO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION MESSAGE FROM OPAC LARRY K. MARTIN - ART COLLECTING EATING RIGHT ON A BUDGET 2021 WATER & SEWER UPDATE EMA HISTORY:UPDATEINDUSTRY & COMMERCE OXFORD MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM WHY I TEACH: KRISTINA SISCO EDIBLE EVENING FOR EDUCATION VEX SCHOOLROBOTICSFORKLIFT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM PHOTO GALLERY: OXFORD SPRING SPORTS VISION ONE
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CONTENTS
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I want to mention the great turnout at our first Muscogee Nation Festival, “REYICEPES: We Have Come Back,” held at Choccolocco Park in April. We met natives whose ancestors once lived and traded in our area at this event. Many stories were told through their descendants alongside many educational opportunities for the visitors that attended such as live painting, Muscogee hymn singing, and traditional weaponry demonstrations. It was also great to see kids of all ages making traditional items like corn husk dolls and meeting the tribal chief. I am proud that we have been able to include the Muscogee nation in today’s ever-changing world, and we will continue to remember the park as a sacred land for the Native Americans.
Speaking of Choccolocco Park, I hope that you are ready for all our events in May, June, and July. We have college and high school baseball and softball championships for about six weeks during these months, and we are continuing to add elite athletic and recreational events at our nationally ranked park. On that note, I am also excited to announce that we will be hosting an exhibition softball game featuring the USA Women’s National Softball Team on July 5th, so make sure that you secure tickets to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our area. We are also hosting many other baseball, softball, soccer, disc golf, and track and field events in the sum mer, so Choccolocco Park continues to set records for Oxford and the area. The Choccolocco
Message from the Oxford Mayor
Dear citizens, As we are approaching the summer season in Oxford, I want to thank you, the resident, for continuing to help our city be the leader in Alabama and the region in arts, entertainment, recreation, and public safety. We have so many great things going on across Oxford, and I have never been prouder to be your mayor as we continue to be the trendsetters in the deep south.
Oxford is growing by leaps and bounds, and we have many exciting projects about to begin. We are a member of a new six county tourism council that will develop plans to increase tour ism to East Central Alabama. The Quintard Mall renovation is underway, with demolition and construction starting soon, and Interstate 20, Exit 185 development is also underway. Oxford also has several projects happening that will bring industry and jobs to the area, so be on the lookout for news regarding the expansion of our industrial map.
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Monsters of the Sunbelt Baseball League begin playing at the park in June, so I hope to see you attend a few of the games. Do not forget that although road work is going along smoothly at Leon Smith Parkway, there will be some expected delays in traffic during the summer months. We do our best to communicate these delays on our social media platforms.
I am also proud that our emergency responders are some of the best in the south. Our police, fire, and health services departments continue to set the bar for first-alert services in our region. We have great successes in all of our response times in health and safety needs in Oxford, and I am proud that we are leading the way in many of our departments. Hopefully, we are on the final stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, we have been, we are, and we will continue to ensure that all of our city facilities have your health in mind as we will continue to sanitize our public areas, both indoor and outdoor.
In closing, I am so proud to be the mayor of Oxford. Without your help, we could not do many of the things we set out to do. We set lofty goals and attain those goals because of you, the citizen, and we will continue to be a beacon for other cities across the nation. Do not forget to call our non-emergency helpline, 311, if you need assistance, and I wish you all a great summer. Kindest regards, Mayor Alton Craft
OXFORD CITY HALL • 145 HAMRIC DRIVE, EAST OXFORD, ALABAMA 36203
We also have our weekly downtown farmers’ market in the summer season, so stop by for local fare and arts and crafts. As always, the Oxford Public Library is beginning its annual summer reading program, which is a learning experience for kids of all ages, so I encourage you and your families to check out a few books during the summer months. There are also several other educational opportunities for everyone at the library, so go and check them out.
Downtown Oxford is looking better than ever, and the Oxford Performing Arts Center is hosting its inaugural Rubato International Piano Competition on August 8-13. This compe tition will feature young artists from Europe, Asia, South America, and prestigious schools, universities, and conservatories around the United States. This is another once-in-a-lifetime event, so make plans to attend and see world-renowned pianists playing in our concert hall.
Alton Craft Mayor Charlotte Hubbard Council Phil Gardner Council Chris Spurlin Council Mike Henderson Council Steven Waits Council
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REYICEPES
“WE HAVE COME BACK” CELEBRATION FORMALLY WELCOMING THE MUSCOGEE (CREEK) TRIBE EFFORTS TO REESTABLISH PRESENCE IN ALABAMA
“We are thrilled to have such a great working relationship with the Muscogee Nation and can’t wait for others across our region to learn more about them and their culture.”— Oxford Mayor Alton Craft
W
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We welcomed back the Muscogee people with a big celebration! After months of preparing, the Muscogee Nation and the City of Oxford hosted a two-day “Reyicepes – We Have Come Back” festival that took place at Choccolocco Park on April 8-9. Highlights of the event included a Native American art market, Muscogee hymn singing, flute playing and storytelling, make-and-take corn husk dolls, a clothing and regalia show-and-tell, Muscogee history presentations, and traditional weaponry demonstrations. Throughout the celebration, we learned about the culture and existence of the returning Muscogee Nation. The formal welcome re-established the tribe’s presence within Alabama.
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“The city has been super helpful from day one in helping with anything that we may need to have a successful event. They really want this to be a success so that we may continue it for many years to come,” said LuAnn Bear, a member of the event planning committee in charge of coordinating the festival.
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· Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
In this article of Oxford Access, I’d like to explain the importance of safety during the upcoming summer months. With so many activities ahead, we should all remain cautious of potential hazards. We all enjoy the summer, but I urge you all to remain safe while at the same time having fun. With so many upcoming events such as graduation, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and vacations, please use the following to help you and your family remain safe:
· Set clear rules about not drinking and enforce consequences for breaking them.
· Be aware of who is around you or if someone may be paying too much attention to you. Be on alert.
I hope you all enjoy these fun times ahead. As always, the Oxford Police Department will be here to assist in any way possible. If you need us for any reason, pleaseChiefcall.Bill Partridge
· Give your itinerary to a close friend or relative. Request them or a neighbor to stop in to take your trash to the curb or move the car that you have parked in the driveway. Lights on timers can be a good idea to have staged at night.
· Lock up any valuables or important travel documents. Keep a copy of travel documents on you and the original ones locked in your safe. Leave your expensive jewelry at home.
read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
· Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area, away from buildings and vehicles.
·FIREWORKSown.Knowyourfireworks;
· A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2022 15 Oxford Police Department INVESTIGATIONS 256-835-6136 • ANIMAL CONTROL 256-591-4103 • GENERAL (NON-EMERGENCY) 256-831-3121 600 Stanley Merrill Drive, Oxford, AL 36203 Message from the Oxford Police Chief
· Offer to plan, host, and supervise a graduation party; assure parents the party will be alcohol-free.
· Require adult supervision at every celebration your teen attends.
· Know who will be driving your teen to and from the celebration.
· Remind your teen that, under any circumstance, you will be there to pick them up or help them, no questions asked.
· Remember that you are the primary influence on your teen.
· Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
TIPS FOR VACATIONS:
· Check reviews if you’re in an unfamiliar place, some tours may be safer in a group rather than on your
· Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
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MessagefromtheOxfordFire Department CITY OF OXFORD | FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE CHIEF • ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF • FIRE MARSHAL • 256-278-3290
2. Pool Safety: Never let small kids be in the pool area without adult supervision. An accident can happen in the blink of an eye.
June and July bring the Choccolocco Monsters baseball team to Choccolocco Park. It is very exciting to have this league choose Oxford for its expansion team. Remember the Freedom Festival at Oxford Lake on July 4th. As always, the fun-filled day will end with spectacular fireworks show over beautiful Oxford Lake. This year’s show will be Oxford’s largest show ever. Make your plans now to attend this fun-filled day of events. Until next time, be safe and enjoy your summer, Chief Gary Sparks
Ahh, spring and summer are here. What a wonderful time to enjoy fellowship with family and friends. There are a few things I want to mention to ensure your family’s safety during this time.
1. Always make sure that you have your grill outside and not in the garage or house. Make sure that you keep small kids away from the grill. If you use charcoal, make sure the ashes are cool before disposing of them.
4. Heat: As the summer gets into full swing, make sure you stay hydrated when you are out in the heat. Use sunblock and hats to shield your body from the sun. Many exciting things are going on this summer for your enjoyment. Alabama High School Baseball and Softball Championships will be played at Choccolocco Park in May, along with tournaments with the Ohio Valley Conference, the Alabama Community College Conference, and the Gulf South Conference. We finish up the month of May with the Junior College Softball World Series. Oxford Fire Department, along with our friends at Oxford Health Systems Paramedics and the Oxford Police Department, will be on hand to ensure everyone’s safety.
3. Fireworks Safety: Fireworks are dangerous and should be used by adults only. Follow the directions on the fireworks and be mindful of where the fireworks will land. Grass fires are easily started by fireworks.
GRILLING SAFETY:
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MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 TO 5 • SATURDAY 9 TO 1 • SUNDAY 1 TO 5 • (256) 831-1750 • 110 East 6th Street, Oxford
OPL has an important announcement! Our library has been selected to participate in a special program called Reimagining School Readiness, which features research-backed resources for parents and caregivers that profoundly bolsters the preliteracy skills underlying school readiness for children from birth through age eight. This is a sound investment in our community’s future! The program places a strong emphasis on key aspects of early childhood development. It empowers librarians to support children and families through fun, everyday activities that can happen at the library or at home. Early literacy has always had prominent importance at OPL, but this program will allow the library to make an even bigger difference by partnering with other state libraries and parents in our community to help students prepare for a successful school experience.
To get a library card, simply bring in your driver’s license and proof of residence. Visit www.oxfordpl.org/get-a-library-card to learn more or get started.
OXFORDUPDATELIBRARY
This year’s Summer Reading Program has a fun theme, and the library’s staff has been working very hard to make this the best program yet. Visit us to learn about an Ocean of Possibilities! Some of our patrons’ favorite programs will return, and we will have new programs to introduce. Come see a magic show, paint something unique, watch a movie, make a fun craft, greet local authors, see animals, learn about espionage, make hypertufa, and, of course, read! For more information, including schedules and program rules, visit www.oxfordpl.org/srp.
It’s time for the Summer Reading Program. It’s such a fun time for the library, and we look forward to lots of reading fun every year. Reading is very important in every phase of life, so we encourage readers of all ages—birth through adulthood—to participate in our program. All anyone needs to participate in the program is a library card, which is free!
On another important note, OPL would like to invite residents of Oxford to tell their stories. The Oxford Public Library’s Oral History Project is ready to start. The best source of information regarding life in Oxford is the people who live here. The goal of the Oral History Project is to capture the stories that the people in our city have to tell. The stories will be recorded and transcribed for the future. Shared experiences are what join a community together. With help from Hunter Gentry, Oxford's Main Street Director, and the Oxford Arts Council, the Oral History Project will be a great way to document the history of our There’scommunity.alwayssomething going on at the library! Check out www.oxfordpl.org for calendars, available services, and online materials to help our community.AmyE. Henderson Library Director Oxford Public Library
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ADULT SUMMER READING PROGRAM IMPORTANT DATES May 31st - First day of Summer Reading June 1st - First day to log book July 21st - Last day to log books July 22nd - Grand prize drawings EVENTS & PROGRAMS Author’s Meet and Greet June 6th at 2:00pm Friends Trivia June 9th at JuneHypertufa2:00pmClass16that9:00am *registration is required WEEKLY SCHEDULE Monday - Adult activities Tuesday - Tales of the Sea (virtual) Wednesday - Digital Content Class Friday - Spotlights (virtual) We are looking to connect local authors to our community this summer. Sign up to be one of our featured darlene.horton@oxfordal.gov256-831-1750authors! May 31 - July 22 Check out www.oxfordpl.org/srp for more information
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Dear Citizen, I hope this letter finds you well. It’s an honor to come to you again with a quarterly update on Public Works projects in our great city!
As you have probably noticed, construction activities are progressing nicely on Leon Smith Parkway.
WORKS
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RustySincerely,V.Gann, P.E. Public Works Director/City Engineer
The project is currently on schedule, and we anticipate completion to occur in mid to late 2023. Please be advised that all current traffic will continue to flow as it is today during construction.
With warm weather upon us and people out working in yards, I would like to shed some light on an issue 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 entire trees being placed along the roadside for pickup. There are a number of reasons that we are prohibited from this. The main reason is because 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 and therefore result 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.
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 in the near future. Please stay tuned for updates on these projects.
OXFORDUPDATEPUBLIC
While we understand everyone’s time and schedules are important, there will unfortunately be traffic congestion and delays to be expected due to construction activities. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we proceed with this extremely complex project.
OXFORD LAKE
FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER 2930 Friendship Rd, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-2679
OXFORD CIVIC CENTER AND OXFORD LAKE 401 McCullars Lane, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-2660
SIMMONS PARK Corner of Main Street and Oak Street Oxford, AL 36203
SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 424 Main Street, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-5900
The City of Oxford values the well-being of our visitors, staff, and community. We continually assess current conditions regarding COVID-19 and engage with federal, state, and local public health officials when making decisions. For the most up-to-date schedule, please call 256-831-2660.
LIBERTY PARK 401 McCullars Lane Oxford, Alabama 36203 256-831-2660
BANNISTER PARK Located off Friendship Road Oxford, Alabama 36203 BYNUM COMMUNITY CENTER 200 Victory Dr, Eastaboga, AL 36260 (256) 241-2716
CHOCCOLOCCO PARK 954 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 342-0174
COMMUNITY CENTERS & PARKS
CHEAHA CLUBHOUSE 910 Boozer Drive, Oxford, AL 36203 256-831-2660
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Rainy weather did not stop our kids from having a blast at the annual Easter Egg Hunt. We had a great turnout this year at the CommunityFriendshipCenter.
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Oxford Baseball for Youth has experienced record growth since its move from Dixie Youth to USSSA Baseball in 2022. While most of their games were played at Earl Martin Park, many of the players also got to play at Choccolocco Park this season. For more information about this organization, visit them at “Oxford Baseball for Youth” on Facebook.
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2ND ANNUAL CAR FREEDOMSATURDAY,SHOWJULY2,2022REGISTRATIONFEEPERCAR$10FEST8AM-1PMOXFORDCIVICCENTER401MCCULLARSLANE,OXFORDCONTACTKIPCHAPPELL256-343-8017
OXFORD LAKE PARK CENTER
OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONIES * 9:15am Liberty Park (south end of Oxford Civic Center) PETTING ZOO * 9:30am Located at the end of Civic Center building close to covered bridge. TRICYCLE AND BICYCLE RACES * 9:30am Bring your own bike. Riders must wear a helmet. PET SHOW * 9:30am Located beside the swimming pool. CARNIVAL * 9:45 to 11:30am Free! Games and prizes for children. Located inside Civic Center. SWIM RACES * 1:00pm Oxford Lake Swimming Pool. Admission $2 Pool is open 11am to 4pm MONDAY, JULY 4 FIREWORKS SHOW * 9:00pm SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNED TO CELEBRATE OXFORD'S 170TH BIRTHDAY Antiquewelcomecars
& OXFORD CIVIC
AROUND THE LAKE RAMBLE * 8:00am For senior adults – walk and get a ribbon. PARADE * 9:00am 8:30am - Registration and line-up in the baseball parking lot. *If raining, parade will be inside gym at Civic Center. Children dressed in patriotic costumes may walk or ride in non-motorized vehicles down McCullars Lane. All children must wear a helmet if riding.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE choccoloccopark.comTICKETS
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS A LEAGUE OF OUR OWN
I In 2012, a committee of six volunteers started a brand-new baseball program. Named “A League of Our Own,” it was for children aged five to 17 years who were developmentally and/or physically challenged. That spring, two teams of nine kids, buddies, and volunteers played baseball games at the Earl Martin Baseball Complex by Oxford Lake. Today they have their own baseball complex on Recreation Drive with between 110 and 140 players each year. Participants ranging in age from 3 to 75 play in the “minor league” that’s 12 and under or in the “major league” that’s 13 and over. Jay Borchard, board president, said, “That first year, we played four games, and afterward, we had tables set up on one field and served hot dogs. It was really, really fun. And still today, every player gets a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a water bottle at the end of the game. It’s amazing to me because I saw one of the kids that I first volunteered with when we were still at the T-ball fields. He’s a young man now, and he’s so much more outgoing. It’s amazing to see his development between then and now.”
Cal Munroe with his “buddy” running the bases during the first games in 2012.
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— David McFarland, Board member
Elisha has been playing for A League of Our Own for seven or eight years, and he is a member of the Cheaha mountain bike team. He’s happy being able to participate in sports and have people cheer him on. It just makes his day! He lights up, and you can see it on his face.
— Robin Ferguson
“ “ ” ”
My son Jake is one of the original eighteen players. He loves baseball, putting on his uniform and getting outside, and just being around kids. He was 11 when he started, and he’s still out here every Saturday enjoying it. With the support from the city, community, education system, and teachers that work in resource and special education, we have been able to get the word out to parents about A League of Our Own. It’s wonderful that we have this league to provide something to children in the county and surrounding area.
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Greg Bagley, Derek Johnson, and Tammy Wilkins over at the Civic Center always makes it happen. They’re great. I also have companies like Target who have reached out. They’ve supported us in the past with water bottle donations for the players or whatever we’ve needed. B&S Sporting Goods out of Anniston has been phenomenal with the uniforms. So it’s been a blessing to me to work with all this community support.
Volunteers Akiria
— Jay Borchard, Board president Davis and Rutledge “ ”
One thing that has always remained the same – there are no costs to players or their families. Since the beginning, we had the mission that no matter what, the kids and their families would never be asked to pay for the uniforms. We have never had to ask parents to pay for anything, and we never will,” Jay shared. The city makes everything easier. If I ever need anything.
Michelle
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Registration starts on January 1 each year. Find them on Facebook (A League of Our Own Oxford) or visit their website: www.aleagueofourown-oxford.com
Rainbow Omega has joined the league and brings 40 or more of its adult residents and staff each week. They play the noon game and pack the stands. It’s a fun and joyful game to watch each week.
Paul Chris Chris1956-2022Reeveswasoneofthe original volunteers with A League of Our Own. A very energetic individual, Chris was always on the field with the players or in the press box. He would go up in the press box and sit with Ken Rollins, and they would announce the games and chat back-and-forth. It was almost like being a real baseball Major League Baseball game. Chris knew a lot of the kids personally and what they enjoyed and incorporated that into the announcing.
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Chris was an outstanding individual who enjoyed his Saturdays spent with the League of Our Own players. He knew the regulars by name and made it his mission to make sure they knew how much he loved them. He took the time to get to know them and always made them smile. It was every bit a give-and-take relationship as they returned the affection with just as much love. He will be greatly missed.
— Jay Borchard, Board president
WELCOMEAlabama.TO OXFORD Oxford
Our leadership is eager to continue growing our business community and treats each project as a unique opportunity. With a supportive local government, a skilled workforce, excellent municipal services, and great location, it is easy to understand why businesses choose Oxford. As one of the most popular retail hubs of northeast Alabama, we continue to grow with I-20 Exit 188 and Exit 185 rapidly becoming a vital aspect of the city of Oxford. If you are interested in bringing your business to Oxford, contact city officials to arrange a site visit. See firsthand why everyone is talking about Oxford, Business League • 256-241-6667 • P.O. Box 3383 • Oxford, AL 36203
Ceremony April
Owned and operated by RAM Hotels, the 104-room TownePlace Suites will provide rooms designed for extended
Parkway.
the
with full kitchens, complimentary hot breakfasts, and free wi-fi. This
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2022 Marriott TownePlace
Groundbreaking 21, Suites Hospitality Way stays is first hotel south of Interstate 20 off of Leon Smith
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48 oxfordal.gov ROMARIN ET CORBEAUX 1716 Hamric Drive E. • 256-403-1549 • Metaphysical bookshop of curiosities & oddities SURGE STAFFING 1710 Hamric Drive E. • 256-888-9005 • Staffing agency and customized workforce solutions
OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2022 49 DERAY CUTZ & GROOMING 729 Snow Street • 256-770-5188 • Barber Shop BUFFALO WILD WINGS 1150 Oxford Exchange Blvd • 256-342-0214 • Casual dining restaurant and sports bar
Medmark Treatment Centers
UPCOMING EVENTS Market on Main: Saturdays, April 30 - August 6 9 AM - 1 PM Local artisan and craft market at Simmons Park Food Truck Fridays Food trucks and vendors, music, and entertainment at Simmons Park: Friday, June 10 4 PM - 8 PM Friday, July 8 4 PM - 8 PM Friday, August 12 4 PM - 8 PM For details on upcoming events, please visit our website and Facebook!
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Historic Downtown Oxford offers a unique experience for everyone, including, but not limited to a first-class performing arts center that accommodates 1,130 guests, a locally owned coffee shop, an ice cream shop, a variety of interior design and specialty shops, a Southern home-cooking restaurant, two art galleries, and three historic churches. All of this is within walking distance of homes listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and the National Register of Historic Places.
Oxford Performing Arts Center Oxford Senior Citizens Center
The Terrortorium The Wren’s Nest at OPAC RETAIL & FOOD Above & Beyond Ace Hardware- Oxford Lumber Cotton Antiques & Collectibles Dorsey’s MarkLittletonLicensedHOUSEHartwellH&HGrizzardFarmer’sExtremeEnzorDynamicDempsey’sCleghornChoccoloccoCaringBamaBallardAlfaTheTheSouthernSarahRent-A-CenterPastimeOnyxMatterHubbard’sGoFirstEpiphany’sSupermarketClassIceCreamPinkStudioOffMainofaPinion&OpalPeanutsCavenderMetalworksGirlCoffeeCo.MainOliveTackleBoxPROFESSIONALSERVICESInsurance-ThomasSheltonDentalWarehousesMedicalEquipment&SuppliesCreekWatershedHVACBarber&StylesStaffing&ManiscalcoAttorneysatLawColorConceptsInsuranceLandSurveyingHomeTeamRealtyMasonicLodgeNo.101CounselingMassageTherapyAssociatesElectricLeeInsuranceAgency
The Vine Chiropractic Tracy Bonner Salon Wells Fargo Bank WVOK- Woodward Broadcasting
New Adventures Learning Center Oxford City Schools Board of Education Oxford Cleaners Oxford Dental Care Oxford Eye Clinic Oxford Primary & Weight Loss Center Oxford Water Department Parnell Insurance Agency Posche Salon PT RevitalizeR&ROrthodonticsTravelChiropractic & Sport Rice, Rice, & Yates PC Spa StateBleuFarm Insurance Stepping Stones to Success Counseling
HISTORIC MAIN STREET OXFORD
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THE CITY OF OXFORD WILL HOST ITS INAUGURAL RUBATO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION ON AUGUST 8-13, 2022, AT THE OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. THIS COMPETITION WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AND IT WILL INTEGRATE THE CATEGORIES OF CLASSICAL AND JAZZ MUSIC INTO A SINGLE EVENT. THE COMPETITION WILL DRAW IN YOUNG TALENTS, AGES 14-26, FROM EUROPE, ASIA, SOUTH AMERICA, AND PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, AND CONSERVATORIES AROUND THE UNITED STATES.
Julio Barreto, RIPC Founder and Director, is an Argentinian Pianist, Producer, Composer, and Arranger (Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Chloë Agnew). Barreto graduated with honors from Berklee
INTERNATIONALRUBATOPIANOCOMPETITION
The Rubato International Piano Competition (RIPC) will give competitors countless opportu nities to expand their professional careers in the international arena. This event will achieve a new level of community engagement by expanding cultural variety and highlighting the musical arts. Competitors’, schools’, and universities’ engagement will cultivate experiences with international networking opportunities and education programs and ignite an exciting passion for piano music in our communities. The competition will be professionally juried by Steinway Hall of Fame artists, experienced judges from the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and renowned artists and professors from universities including Fullerton College, Berklee College of Music, Texas A&M University-Commerce, University of Georgia, and the University of AlabamaTheBirmingham.collaboration and growth of the arts using outreach mechanisms allow young talents from other parts of the world to continue their professional and artistic development in the United States of America, ultimately generating cultural growth and diversity. The tremendous opportunities provided by this event will open doors for the students traveling from abroad to our great state and for the Oxford community alike. This competition will be a platform that will endure and expand our community’s arts appreciation, enriching the lives of all who participate.
Volunteer with the Rubato Competition
Please consider volunteering for the Rubato International Piano Competition. As we roll out the red carpet with our southern hospitality, join us to be involved in something great. Volunteers will have a wonderful opportunity to meet highly regarded jury members and competitors and be a part of history in the making. There will be multiple ways to volunteer during the RIPC event. Volunteer to host competitors in your home, be a competition volunteer, or participate in our fundraising task force. For more information, contact Crystal Hancock at 256-770-6065.
GLISSANDO
RUBATO SIGNATURE SPONSOR Power Company SPONSORS Greg & Cheryl Potts Webb
THERE ARE SEVERAL EXCITING WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH RIPC: Support Us Every donation will help us create life-changing opportunities for young pianists, music education for public school children, and access to excellent art for music enthusiasts. Your support will become part of sharing classical and jazz music with the local and international community.
56 oxfordal.gov College of Music (Boston, MA) and Universidad Nacional del Litoral (Argentina). He was a faculty member at UNL (Argentina), Jacksonville State University, Gadsden State Community College, and is currently Director of Music Education at the Oxford Performing Arts Center.
Experience RIPC with Us Join us for the excitement of the competition performances: semi-final on Friday, August 12th, and Grand Finale on Saturday, August 13th. RIPC will culminate with a final night ticketed concert that audience members will be able to participate in the voting process for the competition Gold, Silver, and “Audience Favorite” medalists.
Tickets will go on sale in July at OPAC. Visit rubatopiano.org to learn more. Plans for the Rubato International Piano Competition (RIPC) are progressing quickly. We are thrilled to announce our first sponsors for the event.
Alabama
Concrete & Building Materials
100 CHOCCOLOCCO STREET, OXFORD, ALABAMA Purchase tickets 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– Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Purchase at the door beginning 90 minutes prior to most ticketed events.
58 oxfordal.gov OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • 100 CHOCCOLOCCO STREET, OXFORD, AL 36203
We are also thrilled to announce that Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will round out the Regional Medical Center Concert Series with a performance on June 4, 2022. You will not want to miss these Rock & Roll legends when they take the stage. We still have about a dozen great shows lined up from now through this summer, so be sure and check out our calendar to learn more about the incredible shows headed to the stage of OurOPAC.Oxford Outdoors Movie Series will be back this summer! This year, we’ll present free outdoor movies at Oxford Lake Park. Check out oxfordmovies.com to learn more and to view the schedule of events.
Dear WarmerPatrons,weather
MAY 15, 2022 With the allure of a modern-day outlaw, Gary Allan has won over fans, peers, and critics with his signature blend of smoldering vocals, rebellious lyrics, and raucous live performances. While becoming a force on the country music scene, Allan has remained true to his artistic voice each step of the way. RUTHLESS, Allan’s first new album in eight years, was released on June 25. The 13-song album feature songs produced by Mark Wright, Tony Brown, Greg Droman, Jay Joyce, and Allan himself. Allan re-signed with Universal Music Group Nashville in 2016, the label home for the entirety of his twenty-plus year career. His last album, SET YOU FREE, topped the Billboard 200 (Pop Chart), a career first for Allan. The album also made its debut
GARY PresentedALLANaspart of the WEBB CONCRETE & BUILDING MATERIALS COUNTRY SERIES
is here again, and the stage at OPAC is heating up with more great artists. We just announced that Gary Allan will round out the Webb Concrete & Building Materials Country Music Series for 2022. Gary Allan has produced over two dozen hits that made it to the Billboard Hot Country charts! He will be on stage on Sunday, May 15, 2022, and we cannot wait to hear him live at OPAC!
OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2022 59 PHONE 256-241-3322 • ONLINE OXFORDPAC.ORG at the top of the Billboard Country Album chart (for the fourth time in a row) and produced his fifth #1 country radio chart-topper with “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain).” The California native released his first album, USED HEART FOR SALE, in 1996. Since then, he has released eight additional studio albums selling over 8 million albums, certified platinum on three backto-back albums, and certified gold five times. Allan has five #1 hits on country radio, fourteen Top 10 hits to his credit, and amassed over 2.8 billion total streams.
REMEMBRANCES WITH THE ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA
Presented as part of the BERNARDI FAMILY POPS SERIES
Celebrate Memorial Day with the return of tenor and Atlanta Braves’ favorite, Timothy Miller. And.... a special event for the evening.... the Atlanta Pops Orchestra performs the score from Alabama author Jack Sacco’s highly praised, 5-star novel, Where the Birds Never Sing; an emotional and unforgettable journey of the true story of his father and Alabama native, Joe Sacco, an American GI in World War II. Don’t miss a chance to speak with Jack at the end of the show for the first OPAC book signing! A heartfelt evening of unforgettable musical and literary voices will combine for a unique Memorial Day event.
MAY 22, 2022
HERMAN’S HERMITS STARRING PETER NOONE
Come join our sisterhood! This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. This witty, tuneful take on the subject has broken all kinds of records at Capital Rep, not the least of which is taking the title of the longest-running show in the 27-year-old company’s history. Winner of the Las Vegas 2016 Entertainer of the Year. The longest-running scripted musical in Las Vegas History. Performed internationally in 16 countries to nearly 17 million audience members in 500 cities! See what millions of women (and men) worldwide have been laughing about for over 20 years.
MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL JUNE 2, 2022
Presented as part of the REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER CONCERT SERIES
JUNE 4, 2022
A double bill of classic 60s pop! Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, scored over twenty Top 40 hits, such as “There’s a Kind of Hush,” “I’m Into Something Good,” and “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.” The Grass Roots are known for such pop classics as “Midnight Confessions,” “Temptation Eyes,” and “Sooner or Later.”
Gary Allan May 15, 2022 Sunday 7:00PM
Presented as part of the Bernardi Family Pops Series Menopause The Musical June 2, 2022 Thursday 7:00PM
Presented by Bobbie Fritts Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone June 4, 2022 Saturday 7:30PM
Presented as part of the Bernardi Family Pops Series Boz Scaggs July 22, 2022 Friday 7:30PM
Presented as part of the RMC Concert Series Great Gatsby Garden Party with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra June 10, 2022 Friday 7:30PM
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Presented as part of the RMC Concert Series
Presented as part of the Webb Country Music Series Remembrances with The Atlanta Pops featuring Timothy Miller May 22, 2022 Sunday 7:00PM
John OxfordExecutiveLongshoreDirectorPerforming Arts Center
JUNE 10, 2022 Jump back in time to the Gatsby era and the roaring twenties when jazz was the bee’s knees, and the backdrop was a party. Don your seersucker suits and flapper hats and cut a rug with the one beside you! The Atlanta Pops will transport you to a time gone by and what a time it was!
At the age of fifteen, Peter achieved international fame as “Herman,” lead singer of the legendary pop band Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits include: “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “Silhouettes,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” “Wonderful World,” “Just A Little Bit Better,” “There’s A Kind of Hush,” “A Must To Avoid,” “Listen People,” “No Milk Today,” “The End of the World,” “Leaning On A Lamp Post,” and “Dandy.” Ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over fifty-two million recordings. In all, fourteen singles and seven albums went gold.
GREAT GATSBY GARDEN PARTY WITH THE ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA PRESENTED AS PART OF THE BERNARDI FAMILY POPS SERIES
Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone is a multi-talented entertainer who has delighted audiences nearly all his life. He was born in Manchester, England, where he studied voice and acting at St. Bede's College and the Manchester School of Music and Drama. As a child, he played “Stanley Fairclough” in the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. He was also featured in the television series Knight Errant, Family Solicitor, and Monro’s Saki Stories.
We Hope to See You at the Show!
JULY 22, 2022 Boz Scaggs is a Grammy-winning, chart-topping blues, jazz, and R&B singer/songwriter and per former. He served as guitarist and occasional lead singer with the Steve Miller Band in the 1960s. In the ’70s, he gained fame with several solo Top 20 hit singles in the United States, including the hits Lido Shuffle and Lowdown from the critically acclaimed multi-platinum proto-disco break through album Silk Degrees (1976). Scaggs’ earthy tenor ranges wide across virtually any material he chooses to sing. His recordings run the gamut from blues and R&B dates to pop standards to jazz and rock, cut with some of the finest musicians in the business.
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BOZ PresentedSCAGGSaspart of the REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER CONCERT SERIES
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“Just what is a Giclée, anyway? ...and did I say it right?”
ARTBYCOLLECTINGLARRYMARTIN
Although Giclée, have been around for about three decades, I still hear the same whispered question, even among artists and experienced collectors, “Now, how is it pronounced? zicless?... er... chiclets?”
Giclée prints may be popular, but the word itself has been a bit slow in catching on. It is still regarded as the high-end product of art reproduction. It’s that name that drives people crazy, myself included. It’s hard to pronounce. It even has multiple phonetic spellings, but zhee-klay is close enough unless you’re trying to sound like a Parisian, and nobody from the deep south should bother with that exercise in futility. You’d have to add that superior nasal affectation. I always felt ambivalent about the name. I’d never learned how the term came about in all the decades since we began producing Giclée’s for the Wren’s Nest Gallery, but, only a couple of years ago, a California printmaker, Jack Duganne, died; his obituary included the credit for having invented the name Giclée in 1991. Surprisingly, Duganne candidly admitted to having coined the term “to make them seem more sophisticated and more expensive.”
© LKM2022, All text and images are protected by copyright.
· Interpolation*** (a term that I use to describe an almost magical way of producing prints much larger than the original artwork) with software for filling in the minuscule spaces between the dots of spray, allowing a smoother mimicry of the original.
Fine Art Giclées are not cheap, but compared to the ordinary “offset” prints, they offer many advantages to the collector. Of course, the value of any reproduction depends directly on what is being printed. Just as with an original painting, the same intangibles apply: supply and demand, the aesthetic appeal, popularity of artist and subject, symbolism, and many other factors help determine the market value of an image. And, of course, the number of units offered in an edition. We generally limit a Giclée edition to 180 replicates, in contrast to an average offset edition size of 950 limited edition prints, each signed and numbered by the artist. One relevant factor that makes a canvas Giclée more economical is that it, like an original painting, can be framed without the necessity of glass and matting.
· Large-format capability* · Permanent inks. Archival inks, pigmented for the same degree of permanency as an original acrylic painting · Twelve-color ink capacity can produce subtle hues not achievable with four-to-six-color printers**
· Custom-proofing well beyond non-digital support, with Photoshop or other image-software programs
OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2022 63 Duganne should be remembered not just for introducing the technique but also for his rare, refreshing candor, especially when we consider his chosen profession, the world of art, is a world that thrives on condescension. From the photo in his obituary, you can tell that he was a nice guy. You really would’ve liked Jack. Despite the pretentious name, let’s think of a Giclée as simply a fine-art reproduction from an original painting, produced by the use of a glorified inkjet printer. It can be argued that a Giclée printer and an office printer are, in fact, based on the same principle, but that would be like saying that a 747 is like a Piper Cub.
· Direct printing onto the canvas medium (or archival paper), with custom size selection for each Giclée.**** A Giclée printer can recombine all image components and apply them directly to the canvas, fine-art paper, or other archival media. As with any reproduction technique, the quality can vary tremendously, depending on the equipment and materials of a particular system.
The beauty of this superior method for fine art printing lies in the perfection of several facets:
Top-quality, pigmented Giclées are similar to original acrylic paintings in resisting fading. Each canvas image is protected with a coat of an archival varnish that includes an ultraviolet light inhibitor to help in preventing fading. (Almost any painted artwork can fade if left indefinitely in open Unfortunately,sunlight.) the term Giclée is generic, with no universal technical standards. Consequently, the collector should be knowledgeable about the reliability of any art product, especially when purchasing online, rather than seeing the artwork in person. There may be considerable differences since the term Giclées is defined by process and not by quality. We know from experience that many of the artworks promoted and sold on the internet are very different from the Giclées offered by reputable artists and publishers. I would especially beware of the large, mass-market operations and those from foreign sources. Scammers know they are virtually unreachable by international law enforcement. The best advice that we can offer any potential art buyer is to do your research and learn about the parent company and the reputation of its goods and services. A pattern of negative reviews, comments, or scores for one company should warn against buying from them and any other linked entities. It’s also worth noting that “Made in Amer ica” doesn’t mean precisely the same as “Assembled in GenerallyAmerica.”speaking, a Giclée is the “high-end” in the market of art reproduction, more valuable than a paper print from offset printing. The materials are considerably more costly, including the gesso-coated canvases and pigmented inks. In our case, the printer is an in-house operation, with the attendant expenses of hardware maintenance and software supplies. Giclées are an excellent medium for embellishments that welcome additional creative touches. Describing this would probably best be deferred to another story, but when the producer is reputable, the resulting product is much higher quality than an offset print.
© LKM2022, All text and images are protected by copyright.
The highly-refined image reading is further smoothed out by computerized interpolation to project the most likely full-color composition of the between-pixel spaces. The scanner records the 12-color palette with the exact pro portion of inks to replicate that pinpoint section of the original painting yielding incredibly small microdots for an image measured as dpi or dots per inch. This allows very detailed reproduction with the potential of being virtually, perceptually identical to the original.
The initial scanning that creates the digital reproduction requires professional equipment, adequate computer storage, software such as Photoshop, and a large-format image processing program. Each minuscule drop of the exact combination of the 12-ink colors is forced through almost-microscopic nozzles, directly onto canvas, the appropriate location within the image. Each full image is formed instantly as the two printer heads sweep in unison across the canvas (or heavy art paper). The printing takes a few minutes, depending on image size, for each Giclée print, in contrast to the rapid action of the offset system.
FOOTNOTES
* Giclée printing involves the most current digital tech nology for coordinated image scanning and printing. The equipment is quite different from the conventional offset process. Dwarfed by the old commercial printing press es, a modern Giclée printer is capable of printing images even larger than those from the average offset press. Our Canon 8400 can print images from a roll of 48-inch-wide canvas, and the longer side can be virtually as long as **desired.Thetraditional “offset print” was the standard before Gi clées were introduced to the art market in the 1990s. Print ing required the services of a commercial printing com pany. A detailed photocopy or digital scan of the original painting was separated (by color filters) into its four pro cess colors. Each color negative was transferred to a flex ible metal plate. These four flexible inked-imaged plates (attached to rollers) made contact with a rubber blanket that transferred the color-positive images onto sheets of art paper. And so, the image was reconstructed from the four ink components.
**** Surprisingly, Giclée printing is a much more of a “hands-on” procedure for the artist or technician. By of fering in-house printing, the self-publishing artist and his publisher bear the responsibility of providing top-quality art reproduction. This function had always been the bur den shared by a commercial printing and a pre-press com pany. For the past forty-plus years, Wren’s Nest Inc. Pres ident Crystal Hancock has been publishing LKM editions.
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*** Precision and Interpolation: One of the most magical features arising from digital image technology is the capa bility of interpolation, as I call it. We know that any image can be blown up to any size. The problem is that it loses detail and blurs as the size increases. By interpolating, or averaging out the color values in those spaces, the Giclée printer can spray and smooth out those blank spaces with an appropriate blend. Before the original painting can be replicated as Giclées, it must be “captured” by a high-res olution digital scan. For most paintings, this means the painting must be scanned by a commercial device that passes over the surface of the artwork, “reading” the im age and recording it in extremely small (micro-pinpoint size) pixels, as it digitally records the color components.
The scanners and printers can capture even the most enormous paintings with a precision of 300 dpi or even a much finer resolution. This is beyond the precision that the human eye can differentiate. In other words, the equipment sees much better than we do. The result is an image that is virtually identical to the original painting.
For more information about SNAP-Ed, visit www.livewellalabama.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Making good food choices while taking a load off the wallet can be accomplished with a little extra planning.
Fruits and vegetables in season are usually easier to find and less expensive. Check out Alabama Extension’s website (www.aces.edu) to learn what’s in season. Then, look online or in the local newspaper to see about any sales. Frozen and canned products are also good options and could be cheaper at certain times of the year. Look for canned fruit in 100% juice or water and canned vegetables labeled low sodium or “no salt added.”
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The Alabama Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) at Auburn University has a few tips to help save a few dollars on the grocery bill and also serve nutritious meals at home.
LEFTOVERS ARE KEY
Doubling a recipe could save time in the kitchen for later in the week or when deciding what to eat for lunch over the next few days. After cooking, safely store away the extra portions in the refrigerator for future use. Make a plan to use the extra food so it doesn’t go waste.
Drinking water is most likely the cheapest option for a drink and the best way to stay hydrated. Drinks such as soda not only cost more money, but they also have added sugars.
Eating more food results in spending more money on food. Eating too much of a food that costs less still can add up in extra dollars and calories. Limit portion sizes by using smaller plates, bowls, and glasses. Also, make half your plate with fruits and vegetables and the other half with grains and protein such as lean meat, poultry, seafood, or beans.
EATING RIGHT ON A BUDGET
Make a game plan before heading to the grocery store. Review recipes and make a list of what ingredients are needed that aren’t already in the home. This will make decisionmaking easier and save time in the store. The less time a person is in the store, the less of a chance they’ll make an impulse buy.
CHOOSE WATER
BY TAMMY HALL, SNAP-ED EDUCATOR, CALHOUN COUNTY
FIND OUT WHAT’S IN SEASON
PLAN MEALS
PORTION SIZES
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For generations, Oxford’s economy was based on an agrarian society of self-sustaining farmers.
INDUSTRY & COMMERCE
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The first tracks of railway in Alabama were laid in 1832 in the Muscle Shoals region. New economic opportunities spurred from the construction of the railroad. The railroad stimulated growth for the development of nearby towns and communities. Transportation of goods and people became much more efficient than before. In 1848, the Alabama & Tennessee River Railway was created. The first tracks connecting Talladega to Oxford were completed in 1861, and a depot was completed soon after. Completion of the railroad meant economic growth for Oxford. In 1866, the railroad was consolidated and renamed to Selma, Rome, & Dalton Railroad. The railroad in Oxford was used during the Civil War to aid the Confederate States Army in delivering products produced by the Oxford Iron Company. Raiders destroyed the depot and railroad at Oxford during the Civil War. A new depot, topped with a cupola, was constructed at the former site of Oxford’s depot in 1883. In 1881, the railroad was sold to the East Tennessee, Virginia, & Georgia Railway.
EXCERPT FROM IMAGES OF AMERICA: OXFORD BY HUNTER C. GENTRY & AMY E. HENDERSON
Copies of Images of America: Oxford are available for purchase at the Oxford Public Library for $23.99.
The Oxford Iron Company came about shortly after the construction of the Alabama & Ten nessee River Railway from Talladega to Blue Mountain. In the 1870s, cotton trading boomed, with Oxford as the regional hub for planters. The Blue Springs Cotton Mill became Oxford’s first successful industrial corporation. At one time, the downtown commercial district had several drug stores, mercantile stores, millinery shops, furniture stores, hardware stores, a theatre, warehouses, and a funeral home.
The Oxford Iron Company was organized as a private corporation in November 1862 for the purposes of manufacturing iron to aid the Confederate State Army. The land for the company was purchased from Daniel P. Gunnels and included 825 acres in present-day Anniston near Fourth Street and Wilmer Avenue. The furnace was built of cut sandstone native to the area and situated on ten to fifteen acres of flat land. A natural spring flowed directly to the furnace for continuous production of a maximum of 20 tons of iron daily. The final product was shipped directly to Selma via the Alabama and Tennessee Railroad. In April 1865, under the direction of General John T. Croxton, Union troops burned the furnace to the ground during a raid to seize and destroy anything that would aid the Confederate States Army.
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Pictured in the photo, left to right, are Frank Gwin, Joe Higginbotham, Sam Aderholt, Asa Allen, Thad M. Gwin, Flora Powell, Kate Cooper, Clara Wright, and Fannie Montgomery. (Photo courtesy of Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County)
D.P. Haynes & Bro. was a horse and mule company.
OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2022 73 In the 1890s, Thad M. Gwin, a native of Blue Mountain, Alabama, established a mercantile business in Oxford. Gwin was a graduate of Oxford College and was later involved in many civic and social organizations in Oxford. In 1901, after operating his business on the north side of Choccolocco Street, he built a one-story brick commercial building. The store carried dry goods and all of the latest fashions in clothing and shoes.
Dreadzil P. Haynes moved to Oxford in 1883 from Clay County, Alabama to operate a mercantile business. In the early 1900s, he purchased a lot at Depot Street, now Spring Street, from Thomas H. Barry.
Photo on page 74-75
J.I. Case Threshing Co., shown in the photo, was a machine shop for farming equipment. It is apparent that Haynes sold horses and mules to the company for farming practices. (Photo courtesy of Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County)
BIKE
Our team had the opportunity to help with events like the Bike Rodeo last summer at Choccolocco Park and a bike rodeo on Noble Street. The racers and coaches also put in hours to maintain our local trails. Opportunities like this let our kids get involved and give back to the community that has given so much to them!
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Our season starts with preseason rides in October, and practice starts on December 1st and continues through May 1st. We will have an interest meeting in October for any student that would be interested in joining next season’s team. We will post that date on our Facebook page (OHS Mountain Biking) and announce it in the schools. If anyone has any questions, you can always reach out to us, Daniel Hagan (head coach), Kyle Mann (team director), and Coach Darby (school
People ask, “What is mountain biking?” That is a good question because there are a lot of different forms of mountain biking. What we do is XC, which is cross-country mountain bike racing. There is also enduro, downhill, and trail riding. Cross country racing is a set course, generally around five miles, that travels through the woods on single-track trails. Racers are grouped by grade and gender and start all at once. They strategically find ways to pass other riders safely, pedal up and down hills and around sharp curves called switchbacks. This sport is an endurance sport that compares to cross country running. It teaches kids what it’s like to set goals, be competitive, and to work through adversity and challenges.
BY HEAD COACH-DANIEL HAGAN
At the beginning of each year, we start the kids out in an open grassy field to develop both skills and endurance for the trails. We practice behind the middle school and at the field at the civic center, which they don’t love, but we try and make it entertaining until they develop all the necessary skills for the trails. We start practicing in the mild trails at McClellan, and then we move to the more advanced trails at Coldwater Mountain, which overlooks our school. Most of the kids that join our team have no previous bike skills or have even been on a bike trail before, but by the time the season starts, they are shredding it!
The Oxford Mountain Bike Team is a group of 6th through 12th-grade boys and girls in the Oxford school system. We compete in the Alabama NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) league, which consists of over 30 teams state-wide and around 650 total Thestudent-athletes.teamstarted in 2020 but was cut short due to COVID. That year, we only had one time trial event and one race. Our first team started with 10 racers, and now in our third year, we have 22 racers on the team. We are lucky here in Oxford to have a school system that is always looking for different and new ways to get students involved both academically and through sports. When Kyle Mann and I wanted to get a team started, Mr. Harmon and Mr. McCall didn’t hesitate to provide what we needed to get going.
OXFORDsponsor).MOUNTAIN TEAM
Conner Moore
One of our 11th Grade racers is Trinity Radney, and she races in the JV2 Girls category. She’s competing against other girls her age, however, she has cystic fibrosis (CF). This condition affects the lungs in a way that makes it hard to breathe, which is vital when racing mountain bikes. She joined our inaugural team in 2020. Unfortunately, that season got canceled due to COVID, and she wasn’t able to race in 2021 due to health reasons. But this year, she is not only racing with us but also winning! Out of the two races so far in the 2022 season, she placed 1st place at the Black Creek race and 4th place at the Tannehill race. She is an inspiration to anyone with CF or any other condition that may try and hold them back. She has improved every week leading into our season, and it has shown. She is a very strong-minded individual when it comes to challenges. I asked her if she was going to get off the bike and push it up a very tough hill in the race, and she said, “Walking is not an option!” That is the mentality it takes to be competitive in this sport. Trinity has that mental toughness and has developed the skills to compete and win, even with CF. We are very proud of every single one of our racers. We want to let Trinity know how inspirational she is and that she has what it takes to be a winner!
Trinity Radney
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Landon Baker Daniel Hagan
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Landon Gaither
OXFORD BIKE TEAM
MOUNTAIN
(Left to right) Evan Lombardi, Trinity Radney, Houston Mann, Aidan Smith-Connell, Cade Compton, Connor Moore, Hayden Lovett, Rayden Carnes, Macie Champion, Peyton Floyd, Vincent Leonard,
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Jaxon Carter, Landon Baker, Jackson Bonds, Lilly Lloyd, Landon Gaither, Bella Shull, Neil Shull, Bryce Baker. Michah Boozer (not pictured), Braxton Smith (not pictured), Matt Tippets (not pictured)
OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: KRISTINA SISCO 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 KRISTINA SISCO , WHO WAS AWARDED AND RECOGNIZED AS “EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH” BY THE OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION. Kristina Sisco is the choral program director at Oxford Middle School and serves on the Foun dations team at OMS. Her husband, Ben Sisco, is the music specialist at Munford Elementary School, and together they live in Oxford. Born in Gadsden, AL, Kristina shared that she moved around a lot growing up and it influenced how she reacts to the various situations she faces as teacher. “I enjoyed being the new kid and experiencing new places. I have a special place in my heart for students who move to our school system in the middle of the year. That transition can be tough,” Kristina said.
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I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I went through my entire college career not really knowing what I wanted to do after graduation. I wasn’t sold on the idea that teaching was for me. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music, but I wasn’t exactly sure what that would be. It wasn’t until my internship at Oxford Elementary School that I realized I wanted to teach. From an early age, music was an important part of my life. I was never really good at sports, and I had to work hard to keep my grades up. However, the performing arts is where I could excel. Through music, dance, and theater, I learned about self-expression and found my true passion. It was also where I met some of my best friends and mentors. When I was completing my internship at OES, I saw myself in the students I was teaching. I could see how music class WHY I TEACH
Kristina has been a part of the Oxford City School System for 19 years. She had the honor of establishing the music program at Coldwater in 2003 and then at DeArmanville in 2006. In 2007, she was fortunate to be a part of the establishment of the OCS Jacket Sing-Sations elementary choir. Kristina has fallen in love with teaching middle school choir and is thrilled to be a part of the Oxford Middle School family. We hope you enjoy getting to know her better in the Q&A that follows:
K
On a music scholarship, Kristina started her college career at Gadsden State Community College. She then transferred to Samford University for a year to study vocal performance. She ultimately transferred to Jacksonville State University and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. She earned her Master’s Degree in Music Education from JSU in 2018.
What made you want to become a teacher?
continued on next page
I look forward to getting to know my students and building relationships. Early in my career, I didn’t focus on this as much. I see now how important it is to build strong relationships and trust. Only then can a teacher get the students to give their best at whatever they do.
What methods do you use each day to bring out the best in students?
I hope my students will remember me as someone who gave them a safe space to learn and grow and feel comfortable being who they are. I hope they remember me as someone who encouraged them to do more than they ever thought they could do.
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What’s the most challenging part of being a music teacher?
One of the most challenging parts of teaching music is keeping it fun and interesting for liter ally everyone! Elementary music teachers often teach every student in the school, which means a lot of differentiated instruction is necessary to keep every student engaged. Now, as a middle school choir director, although my class enrollment is smaller, I still find that my goal every day is to keep them wanting to come back. I try to keep each class equally challenging and fun and always try to end with a song they love. How do you want former students to remember you?
What do you look forward to most at the beginning of each year?
What is the most satisfying thing about teaching music?
My approach to teaching music includes a mix of several methodologies, including Orff Schulwerk, Kodaly, and Dalcroze. Most importantly, music should be a positive experience for was helping them develop their self-confidence. I wanted to have the opportunity to nurture these students and help them explore their creativity through music and performance. It was then that I realized I could possibly make a difference in a student’s life by sharing my love and passion for music.
I love watching the students take in the applause at the end of a concert they’ve been preparing for all semester. But more than that, I enjoy seeing them make real-world connections to what we’ve just put together as a team. It’s really satisfying when they realize that it’s more than just a performance. It’s the process. The skills learned and the memories and relationships made during that process matter most.
The elementary choir received invitations to perform at the following events: Alabama Music Educators Association Conference 2012 Alabama Association of School Boards Meeting 2016 Performed with Classic Albums Live at the Oxford Performing Arts Center 2020 What extracurricular activities/groups are you part of?
I am a member of the Alabama Music Educators Association. I served as Elementary Music Festival Co-Coordinator 2014-2016 and served as the Elementary Division District IV Chair 2019-2021.
Do you have any hobbies? I love to travel and have really missed this since the pandemic. I look forward to traveling to Europe again someday. Italy is next on my bucket list! I also love cooking, singing, dancing, and spending time with family and our dog, Henry, a Bichon Frise.
What are your thoughts on receiving the teacher of the month award? It is truly an honor, and I am extremely grateful for this award.
children and teens. I like to incorporate movement, speech, and drama into my lessons. I teach my students the sounds before the symbols. When I taught elementary music, instruments and movement were vital in the teaching process. Now that I’m teaching middle school choir, we focus a lot of our practice on learning to read music by chanting, singing, and incorporat ing movement. We practice solfege, rhythm syllables, and the Curwen hand signs daily. Ear training and aural skills became a daily practice for the students as we prepared for State Choral Performance Assessment. Aside from these music methodologies, consistency is an important part of teaching a music ensemble. We have a set routine that we do every day. The students know what I expect from them, and I think they trust the process. We talk a lot about habits and the compound effect. We may not see results right away, but progress will come if we keep doing those little things each day.
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What special honors have your students achieved?
88 oxfordal.gov The Oxford City Schools Education Foundation always looks forward to hosting our annual Edible Evening for Education. The event has become a much-anticipated celebration of local food and showcase of student talent for our community. All monies from this event enhance the educational opportunities for the students of Oxford City Schools. Edible Evening is a favorite for many. Some call it the “Incredible Edible Evening,” and that is exactly what it has become, thanks to the partnership of our local restaurants. The participating restaurants showcased feature dishes for patrons to taste. Each year, Edible Evening is a wonderful night of good food and a great time for socialization and reconnecting with our wonderful community. This year’s event was a huge success, filled with the amazing people who make Oxford a great place to live! We had entertain ment by the OHS Jazz Band and the Oxford City School Choirs! There were displays of artwork, robotics, and other projects from each Oxford school. It was a fabulous night celebrating our great students! We appreciate each of you who showed up to support our school system and each student and teacher working so hard every day. OCSEF wants to say a very special thank you to our local vendors who provided food to all of our guests at Edible Evening. They went above and beyond to serve and support our schools. They truly made the night a great success. Please visit these local businesses the next time you are eating out and thank them for giving back to ourCHICKENcommunity!SALAD CHICK CUTTER’S PIZZERIA TEXAS ROADHOUSE SMALLCAKESOUI CUPCAKERY OXFORD CHICK-FIL-A OXFORD THUMBSUCKERSDUNKIN’ FOOD TRUCK MASON’S BBQ KIN COCA-COLAEXPRESS BOTTLING COMPANY EDIBLE EVENING FOR EDUCATION
KRISTA MINTZ
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VEX robotics allows more students a hands-on approach to prototype different design solutions for a yearly competition. Students spend a couple of weeks during the summer building their robots and learning to program sensors and controls that will make them more competitive.
OHS offers Introductory to Robotics and Robotics Applications classes where students can learn the skills needed to compete in these international competitions. Any season, OHS has four to eight teams compete in these tournaments. Mr. Young, Mr. Moore, and Ms. Mintz coach the ro botics teams and are excited to offer local events in the upcoming year as we partner with the City of Oxford to host large events. These events will be announced at a later date and will be open to the public for spectators.
Part of the competition involves plastic rings that your robot needs to pick up and load onto stakes. Their robot would do it on its own, autonomous, which is important during the first 15 seconds of the match. Their robot would pick up a ring and then drive over and loaded on onto the stake. They also had a system to pick up five or six rings and load them all at once. The judges were—impressed.”Mr.Moore
OHS students have competed in VEX robotics for eight years and have received multiple state awards. Last season, Jesus Rosas, Aaron Wiesbrook, and Sarah Edwards comprised a team that won the state championship and virtually attended the World’s Competition. This year, we were excited that Neil Shull and Kye McEwen attended the World’s Competition in person. Neil and Kye won their seat to World’s by winning the Create Award, which focuses on creating an innovative solution and documenting their build process.
Students continue to work on their designs during the school year and compete in multiple competitions, trying to earn a spot at the state tournament. At the state tournament, teams can win a place at the World’s Tournament.
“Kye and Neil have worked together since middle school. They’re a good combination of coding and building. They’ve got their own strengths and work and interact well together. What they did at the state competition was really impressive.
VEX ROBOTICS
Neil Shull and Kye McEwen
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“ We hope that the success of the Kronospan model – get into the classrooms, build a relationship with the students, and bring those students into your facility – will be one that inspires other businesses and industries in this area. We want students to have access to all local employers who represent the many career pathways offered at Oxford High School. Our students benefit from these opportunities, and our community employers get access to a large pool of candidates.
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— Oxford High School Career Tech Director, Marty Livingston
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In June of 2021, former Director of Business Development for the Calhoun County Eco nomic Development Council Lorie Denton took Oxford High School Career Tech Director Marty Livingston and engineering teacher Mr. Kim Moore to Kronospan for a visit with John Connell, Human Resources Director for Kronospan. The purpose of the visit was to build upon an already established relationship and discuss how Kronospan and Oxford City Schools could work more productively together. Before COVID, industry and school partnerships were flour ishing due to the commitment of the Economic Development Council to support manufac turing industries. The goal was to establish a consistent and deep workforce pipeline, and that pipeline begins in our schools. COVID slowed things down, but things have quickly begun to grow stronger than ever in the last eight months.
KRONOSPAN PARTNERS WITH AREA HIGH SCHOOLS FOR THE FIRST FORKLIFT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Calhoun County Economic Development Director Don Hopper says, “Our job is to listen to our manufacturing industries. What we kept hearing regarding one specific need were forklift drivers. These companies have many products that must move with a certain structure within their facilities, which is typically done with forklifts. There was a shortage of trained forklift drivers, so we wanted to help find a way to provide those workers.”
In conjunction with Oxford City Schools and Calhoun County Schools, Kronospan was able to launch the first-ever forklift certification program in Alabama for high school students. With Kronospan providing this opportunity at their manufacturing facility, another barrier to effective recruitment of high school students by employers has been removed.
In addition to Oxford City Schools, Kronospan also works with Calhoun County Career Academy Principal Kevin Lockridge and Calhoun County Schools. Mr. Lockridge was able to garner interest from forty students across seven high schools. To accommodate such an over whelming response from both school systems, there will be six two-day sessions consisting of classroom and practical training. Each session will place a strong emphasis on safety both before and during the operation of the lift. The first session kicked off April 6-7 with students from Oxford High School attending, and was a great success.
Creating interest and recruiting high school students for a career with your company is most successful when there is a relationship between the student and employer. For a couple of years, Kronospan has invested time in our career tech programs and has become a familiar face to students. Human Resources Director John Connell, Director of Training Jerry Creel, and rep resentatives of their skilled workforce have invested many hours with our career tech students. When Kronospan offered the opportunity for students to participate in on-site forklift training, it was no problem for us to fill the available seats. Our partnership with Kronospan has been one where we listened to each other. It’s straightfor ward: Kronospan needs graduates to pursue a career with them; we need career opportunities for our graduates. With Kronospan coming into our career tech classes to speak and work with students, and students going to Kronospan to participate in forklift certification, the needs of all parties are being addressed. Everyone benefits from these relationships. This is how we keep our students here. We want them to stay here, find a career here, live here, and raise their own families here. Once the forklift certification plans were finalized, we focused on finding students to participate. We believed this was an excellent opportunity for all students, especially students who, upon graduating high school, planned to go straight into the workforce with no imme diate plans for college. For these students, a certification in forklift driving would add value to their Whenresume.thestudents who completed forklift certification were asked if they would consider coming to work with Kronospan after graduation, all students said yes. Our students added a valuable certificate to their resumes, and Kronospan now has a group of prospective employees. Everyone wins! Mayor Alton Craft adds, “The City of Oxford is proud to support the efforts between our schools and manufacturing industries. By bringing Lorie Denton to our staff last year with her background in workforce development, we can do this in ways we haven’t before. I continue to be amazed at the wide range of job opportunities in our backyard. We want to continue to tell others what we have so our students choose to keep their roots here as adults and raise their own families in Oxford.”
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Kronospan is constantly looking for ways to introduce our company and our highly automated manufacturing facilities to the next generation of students. We realize that while many students will obtain a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, we should never forget the many who will go directly into the workforce after graduation. I feel it is our duty to present these students with a viable alternative to postsecondary education. This alternative can lead to a well-paying, long-lasting manufacturing career. It is important to the sustainability of manufacturing in the U.S. to introduce young high school graduates to the world of manufacturing through programs like WOW, FAME, and now our forklift certification program.
Front row: (L to R) Marty Livingston (OHS), Joshua Nabinger (Kronospan), Geraldo Rios Reyes, Chris Brown, Chris Alvarez, Payton Ratliff, Dylan Huff, Dillon Wiggins, Antone Carroll, Gavin Moseley, and Jerry Creel (Kronospan)
— Human Resources Director for Kronospan, John Connell
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Back row in forklift: Tabitha Williams (Kronospan)
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The Oxford High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team was recognized for their outstanding season on April 26, 2022, council meeting by Mayor Alton Craft and the Oxford City Council.
For the first time in Yellow Jacket history, the Lady Jackets finished their season as the Alabama High School Athletic Association AHSAA Class 6A runner-up! Congratulations to Coach Melissa Bennett and all of the Lady Jackets!
V VISION ONE Vision One, also known as #Vis1on, is a collaboration that brings city leaders and Oxford High School students together. Meeting once a month throughout the school year, the city leaders get a chance to talk to students and listen to ideas they have for events and promotions in Oxford. “I tell our students that this is your opportunity to talk to our city leaders about things that can make your city better,” said Heath Harmon, Oxford High School principal. “I think it is an excellent example of Oxford making a commitment to allow everybody to have a voice and the opportunity to share and collaborate to come up with the best ideas for our OxfordOxford.”Mayor Alton Craft agreed and shared, “My favorite part of the session is sitting at the table with the kids. We want them to teach us and tell us what they want because it’s their city.”
