Oxford Access Magazine Vol 6:1 by City of Oxford

Oxford

ACCESS

WINTER 2021

PROTECT THE ADVENTURE CHOCCOLOCCO NATURE PRESERVE Page 38

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

The Second Annual First Baptist Church of Oxford Bike Rodeo held in September at Choccolocco Park was a huge success! During planning, we worked closely with Officer Gerry Lyons with the Oxford Police Department. We knew he would be the perfect person to help pull off any event involving bicycles! Oxford Police and Oxford Fire were excited to partner with us and helped make this event a tremendous success. The afternoon was packed with fun and offered an obstacle course, a bike wash, and a bike driver’s license station. Kona Ice was there, and members from FBC Oxford had bike helmet decorating stations and gave out popcorn and drinks. The Oxford High School Mountain Bike Team performed bike safety checks and entertained the crowd with some awesome tricks!

More than 80 riders came out on a beautiful fall afternoon and got a refreshing surprise from Battalion Chief Kyle Macoy with the Oxford Fire Department! We want to thank the City of Oxford for helping us promote our Bike Rodeo and working with us to make all the details fall into place. We are already planning the 2022 event, and we can’t wait for all of you to join us!

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— Audrey Krier, Children’s Minister at FBC Oxford

4 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR 7 EAST ALABAMA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AUTHORITY 10 PHOTO GALLERY: PUBLIC SAFETY NIGHT 13 MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD POLICE CHIEF 15 BODY QUEST - COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY 16 MONSTER BASEBALL 18 COMMUNITY CENTERS AND PARKS 21 MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT 24 MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY 26 PHOTO GALLERY: HALLOWEEK 31 OXFORD PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE 32 MESSAGE FROM OPAC 34 THE RAINWATER ARTIST SUITE 38 CHOCCOLOCCO NATURE PRESERVE 40 PHOTO GALLERY: PARD FLAG FOOTBALL 47 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 2021 50 OXFORD COMMUNITY CHORUS CONCERT 51 CHRISTMAS DECORATING CONTEST 52 WILDLIFE ART 56 HISTORIC MAIN STREET UPDATE 58 WELCOME TO OXFORD - NEW BUSINESS OPENINGS 66 EMA UPDATE 70 OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 2021-2022 SEASON 87 A BRIEF HISTORY: DR. WILLIAMS 90 JUNIOR UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY

2021 VOL 6. ISSUE 1

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

92 HONORING OFFICER TIM PITTS 94 WHY I TEACH: MEGAN HEAD 98 OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS UPDATE 104 CHOCCOLOCCO PARK GRAND PRIX 2022

COVER PHOTO: Jody Burdette, District Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

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 | 2021

Message from the

Oxford Mayor Dear citizens: I hope that you are as excited as I am about everything going on in Oxford. We have so many reasons to be proud of our city, and I am thankful that you, the resident, are joining us through the seasons of change in Oxford. I am very excited to announce that we have entered into a partnership with our neighboring city, Anniston, to establish the East Alabama Metropolitan Airport Authority. This will shift control of the airport from the City of Anniston to the authority, and it will provide us with opportunities for regional cooperation with many other municipalities and local governments as we work together to utilize and expand what the airport offers our area. I especially give my thanks to Jack Draper, the mayor of Anniston, whose staff has been working alongside my staff for the past several months as we have been working to create the East Alabama Metropolitan Airport Authority. The sky is the limit when we work together. I believe that we have many other area-wide initiatives that we are working on that will benefit Oxford and the tri-county area. We are putting the finishing touches on our third annual Festival of Lights Drive-thru Christmas Lights Show at Choccolocco Park. I hope to see you and your families there enjoying the show and in Santa’s Village, where we will have many fun activities and seasonal treats for your family to enjoy. As we get ready for another record-breaking year, please be mindful of areas at the park that may be closed or restricted as we prepare for the show. Speaking of Choccolocco Park, we have had another record-breaking year for sports. I hope that you are as excited as I am about the Choccolocco Monsters from the Sunbelt League having their inaugural season in just a few

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months. We are getting ready to make some announcements about updates to Choccolocco Park, so stay tuned to our social media outlets to be the first to know. In other news, the East Metro Area Crime Center is continuing to be involved in the safety and well-being of our citizens in our area and nationwide. I am proud that our police department, fire department, and health services are leaders in emergency response and crime prevention. We are still doing our part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, so I will encourage you to do your part in helping us keep Oxford healthy and safe. Downtown Oxford is preparing for many family-friendly activities for the upcoming holiday season. I encourage you to check out the many things happening in the historic downtown area. You can check out a show at the Oxford Performing Arts Center or visit the Oxford Public Library for interactive learning experiences for children of all ages. Lastly, as we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I would like to encourage all of you to be safe this season. I am thankful that Oxford has residents that will go the extra mile for others and that we are always available to help our neighbors and guests. I see the many ways that God has blessed our city, and I believe that He will continue to bless us as we work with our neighbors and show kindness to everyone. I hope you all have a great holiday season.

Kindest regards, Mayor Alton Craft

Alton Craft Mayor

Phil Gardner Council

Mike Henderson Council

Charlotte Hubbard Council

Chris Spurlin Council

Steven Waits Council

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EAST ALABAMA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED FOR THE ANNISTON REGIONAL AIRPORT During the October 12, 2021, Oxford City Council meeting, a resolution was passed allowing Oxford officials to move forward with the City of Anniston to create a long-discussed airport authority in order to manage the Anniston Regional Airport. The East Alabama Metropolitan Airport Authority will consist of a board of appointees from local governments that will run the airport under the newly established authority. Lieutenant Jake Durham, Executive Officer to Oxford’s Chief of Police Bill Partridge, will serve as the appointee for Oxford. David Arnett, Anniston Public Works Director, will serve as the appointee for Anniston, and the joint appointee by both Oxford and Anniston will be Larry Deason, Chairman of the Calhoun County Economic Development Council. Mayor Craft is quick to point out how we continue to grow this region. “When one area in our region is successful, everyone around them is successful as well. We will continue to

work together with our neighbors to make Oxford, Alabama, the best possible place it can be for future generations,” says Craft. “This authority is the beginning of some very big things to come at the airport.” “I am honored to be named as the joint appointee for this authority by Oxford and Anniston,” says Larry Deason, chairman for the Calhoun County EDC. “This just continues to prove how Calhoun County is committed to working together to maximize this airport’s economic impact for our region.” The Anniston Regional Airport is currently owned by the City of Anniston. The airport is located off Interstate 20 at exit 185 in Oxford, Alabama. It is 80 miles west of Atlanta, 80 miles north of Montgomery, and 55 miles east of Birmingham. It contains a 7,002 ft by 150 ft asphalt runway and over 500,000 square feet of paved apron and seal-coated tile ramp.

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October 19, 2021 - Public Safety Night at the Oxford Exchange: At the event were the Oxford Police Department, Oxford Fire Department, Oxford Police Department’s Aviation Support Unit, City of Oxford Department of Public Works, Oxford Health Systems, Alabama Forestry Commission, the Calhoun County EMA, and many others!

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Oxford Police Department

Message

600 Stanley Merrill Drive, Oxford, AL 36203

from the

Oxford Police Chief

As we transition through the fall months and into the winter, I hope each of you has enjoyed this time of year. We have worked diligently to ensure a safe and pleasant community for everyone, and I am pleased with our success in doing just that. However, with the major holidays approaching, we must all remain vigilant and do what’s necessary to protect ourselves and our property. As you visit the city, please remember these tips as they apply to both you and your family. IF YOU ARE TRAVELING • Get an automatic timer for your lights. • Ask a neighbor to watch your home. • Don’t forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it’s a sure sign you’re gone. IF YOU ARE SHOPPING • Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you. • Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk. • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible. • Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don’t overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket. SHOPPING WITH KIDS? • Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if they get separated. AFTER YOU’VE OPENED THE GIFTS Burglars know that many households have new, and oftentimes expensive, items in their homes following the December holidays—especially items such as new computers and peripherals, stereo components, televisions, cameras, and other electronic equipment. In too many cases, residents make it easy for burglars to figure out which homes to target by putting boxes that identify their new gifts in plain view with their other garbage. Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items in the alley or other garbage pick-up locations for several days at a time. Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing out, put them in garbage bags and place them inside a trash can.

Have a safe and happy holiday season, and please call us for any assistance.

Respectfully, Chief Bill Partridge

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

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BODY QUEST BY TAMMY HALL, SNAP-ED EDUCATOR, CALHOUN COUNTY Third-grade classrooms in Alabama are transformed each year into a dojo to combat childhood obesity. A group of six Body Quest Warriors — a group of animated characters designed by Alabama SNAP-Ed at Auburn University — are leading the charge to teach students about the power of making good food choices. The warriors engage students through a SNAP-Ed curriculum called Body Quest, an innovative childhood obesity prevention initiative that empowers third graders and their parents to make healthier choices. BODY QUEST This statewide effort employs a combination of theory-driven classroom instruction, technology, and evidence-based approaches to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. The Body Quest Warriors challenge elementary youth to develop healthy behaviors through Apple iPad apps. Third graders are energized in new and exciting ways to eat fruits and vegetables offered through the National School Lunch Program. The fun continues when students go home with simple, fun, and action-oriented parent participation, setting this initiative apart as an exemplary multi-level intervention. KEY OBJECTIVES: • Increase student fruit and vegetable consumption through the National School Lunch Program. • Impact student choices regarding sugary beverage consumption and physical activity. • Help parents make the home more vegetable-friendly through recipe preparation. • Motivate parents to also make positive changes through text message reminders. For more information about Body Quest, visit www.livewellalabama.com or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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MONSTER BASEBALL

The City of Oxford is proud to welcome the Choccolocco Monsters baseball team to Alabama! We are excited to host the first collegiate wood-bat league team in the state.

The Monsters were introduced to Oxford in August, and they will begin playing at the Choccolocco Park Signature Baseball Field (SBL) in June 2022. As the first members from Alabama in the Sunbelt Baseball League, they will be playing Georgia teams located along the Interstates 75 and 85 corridors. Steve Gillispie, the former head baseball coach at Youngstown State who now works as the athletic director and head baseball coach at Oak Mountain Academy in Georgia, will take over the managing duties. Diego Wilson, who has been with Ignite Sports – the owners of SBL’s Columbus Chatt-A-Hoots and the Choccolocco Monsters – since 2019, will take over as the assistant general manager. Scott Brand, the general manager for the Chatt-A-Hoots, will also be the general manager for the Monsters. The Sunbelt Baseball League is a non-profit collegiate summer baseball league with teams located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. The SBL is a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball, which is partially funded by Major League Baseball. Games are played with wooden bats and showcase some of the top talent in the nation while providing family entertainment to the community. The season starts in early June and runs through the end of July/early August, with playoffs determining the league champion. The mission of the Sunbelt Baseball League is to provide a first-class collegiate summer program dedicated to helping young college athletes achieve their dreams of playing at the professional level. Along with the Choccolocco Monsters, the current teams in the SBL are the Alpharetta Aviators, Atlanta Crackers, Brookhaven Bucks, Columbus Chatt-AHoots, Gainesville Braves, Gwinnett Astros, Marietta Patriots, and Waleska Wild Things. As we welcome the Choccolocco Monsters to Oxford, the city is also planning on upgrades to the signature facilities at the nationally recognized Choccolocco Park. Construction will start on luxury suites, extra seating, and improved locker room and training facilities soon. You can purchase tickets and buy Monsters merchandise by going to bamamonsters.com, and some merchandise is already available at Alexander’s in Quintard Mall. Games will be broadcast on Oxford’s 97.9 WVOK FM radio station.

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COMMUNITY CENTERS & PARKS 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. BANNISTER PARK Located off Friendship Road Oxford, Alabama 36203 BYNUM COMMUNITY CENTER 200 Victory Dr, Eastaboga, AL 36260 (256) 241-2716 CHEAHA CLUBHOUSE 910 Boozer Drive, Oxford, AL 36203 256-831-2660 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 LIBERTY PARK 401 McCullars Lane Oxford, Alabama 36203 256-831-2660 SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 424 Main Street, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-5900 SIMMONS PARK Corner of Main Street and Oak Street Oxford, AL 36203

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C I T Y

O F

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CITY OF OXFORD | FIRE DEPARTMENT

Message from the

Oxford Fire Department It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to get together with family and friends to enjoy fellowship and good food. I urge you to be careful during this time and remember always to be fire safe. The last thing we want to do is to come to your house to an accidental fire. There are some fire safety tips on other pages in this magazine; please refresh your memory on these simple tips that could save you from a disaster. October was Fire Prevention Month, and we were very busy providing fire prevention materials to our schools and taking part in Oxfordfest and Halloweek. Oxford Fire Department is part of a statewide program called Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention. You can find out more at www.turnyourattention.com or on the Turn Your Attention Facebook page. The Festival of Lights will once again be at Choccolocco Park from November 20—December 24. Visit oxfordlights.com for more information and to purchase tickets. It is my hope and prayer that each of you has a very Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas. ‘Tis the season for family get-togethers, great food, presents, football, and many other things that come with this time of year, but never forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas. “For unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Chief Gary Sparks

Oxford Fire Department

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

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

UPDATE OXFORD LIBRARY Enjoy the winter in your library! Winter is a great time to catch up on your TBR list or come together with others in your community to enjoy some bookish fun. OPL has lots of fun, and educational activities planned to inspire, create, and learn. Please visit www.oxfordpl.org/calendar for dates and details. November provides us a time to thank our community’s veterans and so many other blessings that we have here in Oxford. As usual, OPL will remember our fallen veterans in the library with a display of America’s White Table. Please check out America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven from the library if you are unfamiliar with this tradition. For our veterans who are still with us, we have resources to help them receive the benefits they earned with their service to our great country. OPL will celebrate Thanksgiving by providing a take-home craft for our littles we love so much; these have been very popular with our patron families, who can spend valuable family time creating something fun together. We will celebrate C. S. Lewis’ birthday with activities online and in the library from November 29thDecember 3rd. Join us online at www.oxfordpl.org/lewis or in the library at Ms. Beth’s desk for some fun learning about and honoring this author who created the ever-popular Chronicles of Narnia series. December is a great time to paint, craft, and watch movies! Winter activities will be available for all ages online and in the library during December. Christmas break will have a group of special activities for kids to keep active when they are out of school. It’s important to keep reading during the break, so OPL has created a special winter reading challenge. Just visit www.oxfordpl.org/winter for information about how to use OPL’s Beanstack app to track your reading, earn badges, and complete the challenge. January brings a new year and new fun. In addition to OPL’s schedule of regular events, Weird Science returns! Ms. Beth will guide kids through science experiments to learn what makes our world work while having good, safe fun. We love our library kiddos, but we want to provide resources and activities for our adults, too! Every Monday at 10:00, come to the library for some fun with Mrs. Darlene. From Yahtzee to Book Art to Coloring, she has something appealing planned for everyone. Also, every Friday at 10:00 online, Mrs. Darlene will highlight an amazing resource available for free through the library. Please visit www.oxfordpl.org/guides to see those videos. Free resources abound at the library; please take advantage of them! Teens, we have a space just for you! Teentober was fun, and we want to continue sharing art, poetry, and fun in a unique way that can help you express yourself in a safe space. OPL has created a Teen Corner for teens to hang out and enjoy time together at the library. Join us! Amy E. Henderson Library Director Oxford Public Library

MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 TO 5 • SATURDAY 9 TO 1 • SUNDAY 1 TO 5 • (256) 831-1750 • 110 East 6th Street, Oxford 24

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Halloweek was a huge success, and we are so grateful for our community, who showed up and showed out! Our community was able to enjoy a variety of fun activities and events, and the pumpkin downtown was the highlight for everyone.

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UPDATE OXFORD PUBLIC WORKS 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! We have some very exciting news this quarter. As you may or may not know, construction is scheduled to begin widening Leon Smith Parkway south of the Oxford Exchange. We have scheduled the work to occur outside of the roadway with very minimal if any impacts to travel flow until well after the holiday season has passed. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this improvement. As you know, fall is upon us, with winter quickly approaching. Our curbside leaf vacuum pickup will begin in early November and will progress through the city. This service only collects loose, non-bagged leaves. We will provide this service through early April 2022. Leaves that are bagged will be picked up year-round by our weekly curbside service. Due to demand, please remember that our leaf vacuum trucks do not move at the same pace as our weekly curbside service. Our service begins on the western end of our city and progresses eastward. The route is repeated multiple times throughout the season but takes some time to complete a full circuit. Due to the operational nature of our vacuums, loose leaves must be placed in their own pile and not mixed with limbs, brush, or other curbside pickup items. Leaves will not be vacuumed if there are other objects mixed with them. Please continue to separate your curbside debris piles containing the following items: • Tree and shrubbery trimmings cut to maximum 6 feet in length • Loose Leaves (November –April) • Bagged Leaves and Grass Clippings • Eligible Household Items for pickup (a list of prohibited and eligible items may be obtained by calling 256-835-6124). Please help us spread the word and help yourself stay informed by liking and following us on Facebook. Search City of Oxford Department of Public Works or @oxfordpublicworks. Thanks, and I hope you have a great holiday season. God Bless.

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

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Dear Patrons, Our 2021-2022 season is well underway, and we have already presented many great artists and performances. We are thrilled to have audiences back in the venue enjoying live performing arts once more. Our recovery from the pandemic is ongoing. We appreciate our audiences and sponsors for recognizing the value of arts and culture in our community. This winter, we will present country music stars, rock and roll legends, Broadway favorites, Chamber music virtuosos, and more! In December, we have great performances on the slate, including… PARMALEE December 3, 2021 Presented as part of the Webb Concrete & Building Materials Country Music Series Parmalee is one of Country music’s most successful acts: Heralded as “Country Music’s Breakout Stars” by MSN Entertainment, Parmalee has supported Brad Paisley and Jake Owen on national tours while finding time to perform on NBC’s TODAY show, FOX & Friends All American Summer Concert Series, and more. Since their debut at Country radio, Parmalee has earned over 373 million Pandora streams, 123 million plays on Spotify, over 31 million YouTube/ VEVO views, and 1.7 million Shazam subscribers. Parmalee – comprised of brothers Matt and Scott Thomas, cousin Barry Knox and life-long best friend Josh McSwain. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, THE NATIONAL BROADWAY TOUR December 5, 2021 Presented as part of the NobleBank & Trust Broadway Series A twist of fate brought together four music legends at Sun Records’ storefront studio in December 1956: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley. Many details of the actual day are still unknown, but this is what is known: Perkins and Lewis started a jam session and were later joined by Presley and Cash. A newspaper remarked, “This quartet could sell a million!” The moniker was born and stuck. Cash, Lewis, Perkins, and Presley come together again to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year! Sun Records, now donned with a Christmas tree, garland, and mistletoe, rings with the sounds of the season and the chart-toppers that made these four famous.

OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • 100 CHOCCOLOCCO STREET, OXFORD, AL 36203

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STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN – AN ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS December 12, 2021 Presented by FabArc Steel In a career that has spanned over 30 years, Steven Curtis Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history with 59 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, five GRAMMYs®, an American Music Award, 49 No. 1 singles, and selling more than eleven million albums and with ten RIAA-certified gold or platinum albums to his credit. A vocal supporter of adoption, Chapman, along with his wife Mary Beth, founded Show Hope in 2003, a nonprofit organization that helps restore the hope of a family to orphans.

Just before Santa Claus comes to town this year, we are back with our 8th annual OPAC Christmas Movie Festival. This year, we will be presenting four Christmas movies with free admission. In lieu of admission, guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items which will be provided to local charitable organizations. Each movie will be shown at 4:30 pm (with captions) and at 7:00 pm. Popcorn and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

RUDOLPH THE MUSICAL December 14, 2021 Presented by Coca-Cola United The beloved TV classic Rudolph The RedNosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us. Based on the beloved animated television special Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer from Rankin and Bass (Frosty the Snowman, Jack Frost).

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) starring Jim Carrey Tuesday, December 21 4:30 pm (captioned) 7:00 pm

We invite you to visit our website to see other exciting performances we offer. At oxfordpac. org, you can check out our upcoming events calendar, learn about giving opportunities, view seating charts, and more.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays,

It’s a Wonderful Life (PG) Monday, December 20 4:30 pm (captioned) 7:00 pm

Elf (PG) Thursday, December 23 4:30 pm (captioned) 7:00 pm National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (PG-13) Friday, December 24 4:30 pm (captioned) 7:00 pm We hope to see you this winter at your Oxford Performing Arts Center!

John Longshore Executive Director Oxford Performing Arts Center

PHONE 256-241-3322 • ONLINE OXFORDPAC.ORG

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INTRODUCING

THE RAINWATER ARTIST SUITE AT O PAC

At the Oxford Performing Arts Center, we pride ourselves on providing an excellent experience for our guests. Since we opened in May of 2013, a number of projects have dramatically improved the show-going experience for ticket holders. In 2015, we added a new women’s restroom, doubled our concessions counters, and expanded the box office in response to increased audience numbers. In 2018, we completed a major expansion by adding 100 tiered box seats, allowing for even bigger and better programming. In 2019, we opened The Studio at OPAC as a new, flexible event space beneath the main theatre. This space was designed to host intimate, acoustic-style performances but can also accommodate banquets and receptions. The Studio project allowed us to double our concessions space again while adding more restrooms to improve the guest experience. During the pandemic shutdown, our team worked to ensure that we would shine even brighter when we reopened. Despite all of the projects to improve the experience for ticket-holders, we felt the backstage environment for artists left a lot to be desired. Dr. Linda Rainwater began attending our

Since opening, we have hosted thousands of individual artists ranging from local musicians and dancers to Grammy Award-winning artists and internationally renowned classical music virtuosos. Each individual performance involves the loading in of equipment, instruments, and wardrobe items. Over time, the many equipment cases and wardrobe trunks had taken their toll on the walls and floors of our backstage corridors and dressing rooms.

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performances in recent years and became deeply appreciative of OPAC’s role in our community and region.

The pandemic closure offered a rare opportunity to make improvements without affecting programming. During that time, our team developed a plan to rethink the dressing room experience for our artists to ensure that their visit to Oxford is as enjoyable as possible. Our goal was to create a comfortable, warm, and unique backstage space for artists to enjoy and appreciate our signature hospitality. Besides the design, construction work, and physical efforts to transform the backstage, another serious challenge existed. OPAC had been closed to guests for a full year, and the subsequent loss of sustaining revenues had taken its toll. Much to our delight, an OPAC patron that has supported us as a Gold Circle member stepped forward in a major way to help us make the project possible. Dr. Linda Rainwater began attending our performances in recent years and became deeply appreciative of OPAC’s role in our community and region. Once learning more about our renovation project, Dr. Rainwater became the naming sponsor for our backstage and dressing room areas. In September, we cut the ribbon to open the Rainwater Artist Suite at OPAC. Dr. Rainwater’s love of music and the arts is far from coincidental. Her family has a deep connection to live music. Mr. Ray Rainwater, Dr. Rainwater’s late husband, had an extensive career in the business side of the music industry. His brother, Marvin Rainwater, had an extensive career as a country music musician. Between the two of them, they were colleagues and friends of many legends in the music industry.

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Ray was born in Borden Springs, Alabama, in 1927. After serving in World War II, he began a career as a country-western disc jockey in New Jersey. Ray even worked to help book gigs for his elder brother, Marvin. Ray later worked with other country music legends in the 1950s. In fact, he was the talent scout that identified Patsy Cline and introduced her to America via the Arthur Godfrey Show on January 21, 1957. Dr. Rainwater shared the following with us in regards to the naming of the suite: “In loving dedication to self-made, Alabama born, Ray Rainwater, a wonderful husband, father, patriot, talent scout, entrepreneur, astute businessman, and friend to all. In the ’50s and ’60s, Ray was a force, working hard to advance the careers of many up-and-coming performers. He introduced artists such as Patsy Cline, Roy Clark, and his brother, Marvin Rainwater, to the nation by way of the Arthur Godfrey Talent Show, the highest-rated television show in the country during the early 1950s. Eventually, Ray was drawn to more challenging business adventures, but he never stopped loving country music. With his generosity of spirit, he never tired of helping others succeed. The last few years, we spent weeks at a time here in my hometown. Ray enjoyed these times. Being a part of OPAC would have pleased him immensely.” Ray’s older brother Marvin Rainwater was born in 1925 and became a country music and rockabilly sensation in the 1950s releasing several hits. He was known for wearing Native American-themed clothing to celebrate his Cherokee ancestry. Marvin had hits like “Gonna Find Me a Bluebird” and “Whole Lotta Woman,” which made it to #1 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart. Later, Marvin would sign with MGM Records. The Rainwater Artist Suite proudly pays tribute to Ray and Marvin’s musical legacy with photographs and memorabilia celebrating their achievements. The suite also features largeformat, framed photographs of past OPAC performances taken by CJ Foster, the Marketing Coordinator at OPAC. Backstage is comprised of a foyer, access corridor, two artist dressing rooms, two ensemble dressing rooms, and a touring production office. Every space was improved with new durable wood-look flooring, scuff-resistant paint, energy-efficient lighting, new cabinetry, and arts-themed decor. We have already received excellent feedback from artists this fall who have enjoyed relaxing in the Rainwater Artist Suite before their performances. The team at the Oxford Performing Arts Center is immensely grateful for the support provided by Dr. Linda Rainwater to make this special project become a reality.

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CHOCCOLOCCO NATURE PRESERVE

JENNIFER YATES

In late October, the Choccolocco Creek Watershed ribbon cutting and groundbreaking event took place on the Conservancy District property that adjoins Choccolocco Park. The newly constructed educational pavilion is nestled in the woods amongst beautiful old growth trees and is surrounded by native wildlife. The first leaves of fall tumbled to the ground lining the freshly cut trail, making it a perfect day to unveil the conceptual master plan for the nature preserve. The master plan includes trails, camping areas, observation overlooks, and educational exhibits, just to name a few outdoor activities. The Choccolocco Creek Watershed works with community groups, public agencies, and students to preserve the watershed area through cleanups, conservation workshops, recreational activities, and educational partnerships. This is accomplished by mobilizing community resources and participation and engaging community members to become more environmentally aware. Communities need natural outdoor spaces to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This project will give residents the perfect outlet to reconnect with nature. According to the CivicScience website, 43% of Americans ages 13 (and up) said they would be doing more outdoor activities due to COVID-19 and social distancing regulations. Our Choccolocco Creek Watershed area is rich in history, abundant with wildlife, and has spectacular landscapes that everyone can enjoy. Many factors play into genuinely loving where you live, and quality-of-life aspects rank high on that list. Outdoor recreation offers sustainable economic and community development opportunities, and we are truly excited to start work on the Choccolocco Nature Preserve.

For more information on projects or how to become a part of conservation efforts, please contact our office.

Choccolocco Creek Watershed, 428 Main Street, Oxford, AL 36203, or 1413 Hillyer Robinson Industrial Parkway, Anniston, AL. 256-835-7821, Ext 3, Jennifer Yates Calhoun County Soil & Water Conservation District Choccolocco Creek Watershed

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CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN

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Oxford Parks and Recreation had another successful flag football season in 2021. With record participation, 12 teams with kids from kindergarten to 6th grade were able to play from August to October. For more information on PARD sports, go to oxfordal.gov or visit us on Facebook at “Oxford Parks and Recreation”

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The City of Oxford, Alabama

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OXFORD We are a vibrant city full of attractions and events. We are proud to be a city where business blooms, education is thriving, recreation is key, safety is a top priority, and our events are unique.

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FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS It is that time of year again! Festival of Lights is back at Choccolocco Park, bringing holiday cheer to Oxford. Last year, we had over 25,000 cars drive through the enchanting displays of over a million lights, and we can’t wait to see you all back again this year. Don’t forget to get out and walk through Santa’s Village, where you can find something to do for everyone in the family. Glide on the outdoor skating rink, jump and play on all the inflatables, take a bite out of all the delicious food, and warm up with a glass of apple cider or hot chocolate. Santa is here all the way from the North Pole to take a picture with you and your family, and don’t forget to let the kids write a letter to Santa with their holiday wish list! We will have Q&A Grill, D&W Kettle Corn, and Called Coffee every night! They offer everything from hamburgers to coffee, popcorn to fried Oreos, and everything in between! Get your tickets now at Oxfordlights.com. One ticket gets the entire carload in! Tickets are $20 Monday – Thursday and $25 Friday – Sunday.

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THE OXFORD ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS

OXFORD COMMUNITY CHORUS FALL CONCERT NOVEMBER 23, 2021 The City of Oxford, the Oxford Performing Arts Center, and the Oxford Arts Council are pleased to announce the return of the Oxford Community Chorus to the stage at OPAC following a two-year absence. The Fall Holiday Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at OPAC. This performance contains many holiday favorites designed to usher in the many exciting activities planned for the city during the Holiday Season. The newly appointed Director of the Chorus is Don Gober, who also serves as Minister of Music at Parker Memorial Baptist Church. Accompanying the Chorus will be Pianist Julio Barreto, Director of Music Education at OPAC, and a small orchestra. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at OPAC and will resume on January 11, 2022. All current and former chorus members and other vocalists who would like to be a part of the chorus are encouraged to attend. The Spring Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at OPAC at 7:00 p.m.

Photo: 2019 Oxford Community Chorus

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THE OXFORD ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS THE 2021 CITY OF OXFORD

Christmas DECORATING CONTEST

The annual City of Oxford Christmas Decorating Contest has been sponsored for many years by the Oxford Arts Council. Awards will be presented by the Mayor of Oxford, Alton Craft, and will include certificates and yard signs. The winners’ reception and awards presentation will be at the Oxford City Council meeting on December 14, 2021, at 6:30 p.m; held at Oxford City Hall.

The 2021 Contest begins on November 27 and ends on December 11. Nominations are encouraged and accepted at The Oxford Performing Arts Center at 100 Choccolocco Street in Oxford or with any Arts Council member.

THE CATEGORIES ARE: Business, Best Lighting, Main Street, Most Beautiful, Most Christmas Spirit, Most Creative, Most Traditional, Reason for the Season, and Winter Wonderland. In addition, Lifetime Honor Achievement Awards will be presented to past winners who have consistently contributed to the Holiday Beautification of the City each year. Thanks to all participants in the annual Christmas Decorating Contest, which creates a beautiful Holiday spirit in Oxford.

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WRITTEN BY LARRY K. MARTIN

I have a crinkled, slightly-yellowed article from the 1970 New Yorker Magazine. It is one of the most beautiful examples of prose or poetry that I’ve ever read: “The Making of the Bear” by Ramon Guthrie Guthrie tells in first-person the story of an early artist—a “Wildlife Artist” who had a compulsion to chisel a great bear image on the wall of a hidden cave. Long story short—Guthrie, inch-by-inch, takes the reader on a quest of a stone-age artist, braving many perils while crawling deep inside a cave. A seemingly inaccessible chamber was awaiting, its most remote wall already bearing images of animals created hundreds of years before by long-departed shaman-artists. Each intrepid predecessor had slithered and squeezed through the same minuscule passages and had navigated fully-submerged water-filled chambers, all the while hanging onto a deer bladder pouch bearing stone chisel, flints, tallow, and dry moss, to ignite the essential lamp. Like the ancient ones before him, he was on a quest to leave a permanent, symbolic record that would endure for as long as the cave itself might last—essentially forever. His chosen subject, a bear (a grizzly, based on the description of his step-by-step process of pecking or chiseling the huge image of his great bear with long claws and teeth and a massive shoulder hump). After two days of intensive work, he added a final touch, a slight “spear mark on the flank” to assure that his work would not be mistaken as being perfect.

“…When he began to breathe, I stopped and snuffed the wick, safe in his protection slept.”

Now he had to attempt the perilous escape from this cloistered, sacred chamber. Even if the cave claimed his life, this shamanistic “Holy Man/Artist” would have no regrets. He knew that this exact place had been predestined to hold his ultimate tribute to the greatest work of the Great Creator. Eventually, he again narrowly escaped death on his exit from the underground grotto. Then he lay in the open air, with the satisfaction of knowing that his bear was as close to perfection as he would ever accomplish. Guthrie’s final paragraph best describes the cave artist’s noblest aspiration: “Therein that total lack of light is where my bear is. No one will ever see him but he still is there.” This poem was so much better than I have abstracted here. You’ll love the complete poem*.

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WILDLIFE ART ART IS A MEANS OF EXPRESSING INDIVIDUALITY. EVERYTHING ABOUT IT IS SUBJECTIVE. THERE IS ROOM FOR EVERYBODY, AND HOW A WORK IS JUDGED BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL MIGHT WELL DEPEND ON HOW WELL THEY SLEPT LAST NIGHT OR WHAT THEY HAD FOR BREAKFAST.

As I just learned, Guthrie was very ill when he wrote this masterpiece, and he died before he was able to reap some of the benefits from the popularity that came after the poem was published. Perhaps his poem was his own “Bear.” Art is an ancient human endeavor based on archaeological evidence from as many as 100,000 years ago. Incipient Art** has been carbon-dated back to as much as about 250,000 years ago in southern Africa. The 19,000- and 36,000-year-old caves of Lascaux and Chauvet-Pont-D’Arc, both located in France, are mind-boggling, as are several other sites in Europe and Asia. In South Africa, the “rock shelter” art of the ancient San or Bushmen tribes displays animal life from thousands of years ago. The simple ochre drawings of wildlife were stunning, but it was an intriguing drawing of three figures that aroused my attention. These three human-like bodies

seemed to be flowing through an invisible medium, trailing long, tapering, graceful tail-like vapor trails. These had to be symbolic renderings. When I did some follow-up reading, I finally realized that cave artists were more than just wandering hunters/gatherers who happened upon a place to pass time by sketching their favorite animals. Rather, it seems that these artists were Shamans- holy men among their people, special elders who provided purpose, symbolism, and beauty to their tribes. These “Spirit Men’ drawings remain to the present, an enigma to anthropologists. I remember thinking that this chosen profession of animal art seems to have a spiritual side to it, after all. Maybe that’s why almost every painting seems essential while you’re painting on it.

In occasional interviews, I’ve been asked about various paintings, something like, “Could you tell me what you’re trying to convey with this work? One time my answer was “It says, ‘I am a dog.’” That sounded flippant, but it was spontaneous and honest. Viewers seem to find more profound meaning in works that feature people than in most animal portrayals. In the series American Characters, viewers often find symbolism and personal meaning. When I began the original drawing of America’s Goat Man, I chose the name because I knew he had a following throughout this country. I saw things in his face, body language, attire, and his entourage of goats and ramshackle wagon that I wanted to capture and share with as many people as would enjoy him. I, however, would never have guessed that the framed print would eventually be displayed in at least two funerals alongside the respective caskets. It’s like music. Some songs grip you because of their lyrics, some simply because of the melody. To the artist, it shouldn’t matter which; something was there that justified the work. Incidentally, my wildlife subject that elicits a similar emotional response is a bald eagle. Of the 20-30 that I’ve painted, one stands out. As with the Goat Man, the bald eagle print Time to Soar has been displayed near the caskets in at least two funerals. It has to be the symbolism of a bird reaching for the heavens, plus the obvious double meaning of the title. The model for most of my eagle paintings was based on my references from a visit with Al Cecere and the Bald Eagle Foundation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We spent the better part of a day with Challenger, an

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incredible, free-flying captive eagle. I watched as he launched into flight from one hill to another distant hill where the trainer was waiting. This was near the beginning of a historically long career for Challenger, who has thrilled hundreds of thousands of awestruck fans at major sporting and patriotic events. I think back to the time that I spent with Challenger that day, photographing him as he launched from my vantage point, feeling the heft of the bird and the effortless liftoff. I wonder whether the visual perfection of each turn and tilt and each beat of the massive wings might be something that I’ve exaggerated in my own imagination. Then I dig out the video footage that my friend and cinematographer, Dennis Holt, took that morning. The memories were accurate, and in fact, were an understatement of the drama of eagle flight. I don’t know exactly how many times I’ve used my photos, Dennis’s video footage, or just my visual memories as reference material for paintings and drawings- maybe twenty or more. And each painting features an element of Challenger. He and Al Cecere have since retired. I am still painting, looking for my next “Bear.” I’m pretty sure that when I make my ultimate bear, it will be an eagle.

NOTES: Time to Soar was selected as the official Bald Eagle painting for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. The original was auctioned at their annual Art Festival. Proceeds from the sale of the painting and a limited print edition were pledged to the exposition, and the conservation causes it supports. It was also chosen as the official image for the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution and displayed in Washington, D.C., at the banquet at which Supreme Court Chief Justice Rehnquist gave the keynote address. * Maximum Security Ward & Other Poems by Ramon Guthrie ** Incipient Art—My own term for evidence of early attempts at use of ochre for either graphic or body-art; e.g., ochre crayons and ochre stashes, or simple cross-hatch inscribed patterns.

SHARING THE BEAUTY OF A NATURAL WORLD WREN’S NEST AT OPAC Art still finds a way to be seen by humans who might not have the privilege of seeing the live animals in their natural habitats. Despite the trend toward online shopping, “brick-and mortar” galleries still exist! For about four decades, the Wren’s Nest has been the primary publisher/distributor (to art wholesale and retailer dealers) and a local retailer of Larry K. Martin Originals, Giclees, and Prints. After two temporary exhibits at the Martin-Lett Gallery in the Oxford Performing Arts Center (OPAC), a permanent gallery, the Wren’s Nest at OPAC, was created. It meanders throughout the second-floor corridor (leading to balcony-level seating). The Wren’s Nest at OPAC has found a remarkable niche. The atmosphere surrounding live performances is ideal for the public to discover a source of enjoyment beyond the performance itself. Patrons of the performing arts find a comfortable setting for casual viewing visual arts, before and during intermissions, at each event. Although COVID-19 has affected all retail businesses, the Wren’s Nest is beginning to phase back into daytime openings by appointment (by phone or email). WREN’S NEST AT OPAC 256-238-0710 OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

UPDATE HISTORIC MAIN STREET OXFORD The months continue to pass, and great things are happening in Historic Downtown Oxford! Now more than ever, it is important to shop locally due to the impact of COVID-19 and the national economic situation. Shopping locally leads to increased economic stimulus, and local business owners invest back into the community. Their unique businesses create character, prosperity, and provide excellent customer service. When you shop locally, the environmental impact is reduced, and the public benefits far outweigh general costs. It has been proven that local business owners often purchase items and goods from other local businesses. The unique character of Oxford’s community, specifically in Historic Downtown Oxford, is defined largely by the businesses located there. Local businesses are owned and operated by locals, friends, family, and neighbors. These people are more likely to invest in Oxford’s welfare and future. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores. Each August, Main Street Alabama annually hosts an Awards of Excellence banquet to celebrate the successes of each Designated Community’s programs. On August 20, 2021, the day after, Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed Main Street Alabama Day. The day recognizes the organization’s efforts that is focused on creating jobs and keeping character in the communities across the state. Historic Main Street Oxford’s The Vine Chiropractic and Debbie Nothdurft were recipients of two awards from Main Street Alabama. The Vine Chiropractic, owned and operated by Dr. and Mrs. Ryan Parrish, received the Excellence in Building Design (Non-Historic) award. Debbie Nothdurft, a long-time Historic Main Street Oxford Board Member and volunteer, was not able to attend the ceremony but will be awarded as Oxford’s Main Street Hero at a later date.

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The Vine Chiropractic, owned and operated by Dr. and Mrs. Ryan Parrish, received the Excellence in Building Design (Non-Historic) award.

This past year has been a challenge for everyone. However, Historic Main Street Oxford continued to thrive. Our former Farmers and Makers Market was rebranded as our Market on Main. Throughout the summer months, we hosted our Market on Main each Saturday at Simmons Park. Each market averaged 30 vendors and 250-300 visitors. In September, Randy Young, owner and operator of Blackbird Emporium, passed away. Randy, affectionately known as “Gomey” to many, made a lasting impact on the lives of everyone he met, especially children. Since the opening of Blackbird Emporium last

year, he worked hard to create a space for everyone to visit and shop while expressing his art and the art of others. Randy was an educator, artist, and a true friend to all. Unfortunately, his family had to close the business. However, Randy was a champion and true supporter of local business. We should all strive to be like him by shopping locally and being kind to others. Randy Young, owner and operator of Blackbird Emporium

UPCOMING EVENTS NOVEMBER 2021 Main Street Rivalry 5K Run Saturday, November 20, 2021 8 AM 5K run from Historic Downtown Anniston to Historic Downtown Oxford. Each participant must register for “Team Oxford” or “Team Anniston.”

The mission of Historic Main Street Oxford is to bring prosperity and vitality back to our historic downtown, to celebrate our past while keeping an eye on the future.

Christmas on Main Saturday, December 4, 2021 Noon-7 PM Historic Downtown Oxford Family fun with food, shopping, music, carriage ride, and live appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus

Historic Main Street Oxford (HMSO) is a department within the City of Oxford and a member of Main Street Alabama and Main Street America. HMSO is an economic and community development organization that focuses on a Four Point Approach strategy of Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality. HMSO was established in 2014 to become a Main Street Designated Community. Since then, we have welcomed over fifteen new businesses, successfully implemented a facade improvement grant program, commissioned two murals, received ten Awards of Excellence from Main Street Alabama, and completed a $3 million streetscape renovation. We truly believe that investing in downtown supports local businesses and entrepreneurs, creates jobs for our residents, preserves on-of-a-kind buildings, and creates local assets and additional choices for shopping and entertainment.

Oxford Christmas Parade Thursday, December 9, 2021 6 PM Historic Downtown Oxford Annual Christmas Parade coordinated by Oxfordfest Committee

Historic Main Street Oxford Hunter Gentry, Director hunter.gentry@oxfordal.gov 256-241-6667 256-403-8052

DECEMBER 2021 Fall Market on Main Saturday, December 4, 2021 8 AM-Noon Simmons Park Local artisan and craft market

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WELCOME TO OXFORD!

GROW PEDIATRIC THERAPY 1612 Hamric Drive East Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 624-6377 Speech and occupational therapy services for children birth to 21. The Oxford Business League’s purpose and mission is to promote the growth, prosperity, and partnership among all businesses within the city of Oxford. The Oxford Business League is responsible for recruiting new businesses, assisting openings, ribbon cuttings, and groundbreakings, and promoting available properties for business expansion, coordinating with City of Oxford Marketing Department, and catalyzing future partnerships among independent and franchise businesses.

CONTACT Hunter Gentry 256-241-6667 P.O. Box 3383 Oxford, AL 36203

TEXAS ROADHOUSE 40 Commons Way Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 741-2610 Lively chain steakhouse serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amid Texas-themed decor.

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CALLED COFFEE Pop-up in Quintard Mall calledcoffee.org Our coffee helps the coffee producers find purpose, but we also use our social media, website, and business to help you, the coffee drinker, find and fulfill your personal calling.

PELICAN'S SNOBALLS 1805 Us Highway 78 E, Oxford, AL 36203 (770) 833-7299 New Orleans-style shaved ice in a wide variety of classic & unique flavors.

OXFORD STORK LADY oxfordstorklady@gmail.com 256-452-0359 We offer premier, custom birth announcement lawn sign rentals.

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DUNKIN' (256) 831-0702 700 S Quintard Ave Coffee, doughnuts, as well as a quick service restaurant.

CHOCCOLOCCO NATURE PRESERVE Oxford, AL choccoloccocreek.org A non-profit group working to preserve the watershed’s historical integrity and character while protecting our natural resources and promoting outdoor recreational activities.

OXFORD VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC 127 Davis Loop, Oxford, Al 36203 (256) 832-4141 Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) concept that will offer primary care and mental health services, as well as the addition of two new services with audiology and optometry.

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In the aftermath of a storm, a generator is an invaluable piece of equipment that can, at the very least, help your life begin to feel normal again. But because you probably rarely rely on a generator, it’s easy to overlook the basic safety measures that should be routine with such equipment. It’s also easy to get preoccupied by the cleanup work that lies ahead, so you may even be tempted to run a generator in a living space. That is never an option.

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- Consumer Reports, 2020

UPDATE CALHOUN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

A year ago, in October 2020, tropical storm Zeta moved through Calhoun County, causing wide-scale damage and power outages. Due to the statewide damage, regaining the power to homes was a slow process, and many homes were without power for days to weeks. Were you prepared when Zeta came through? Here are a few ways you can be prepared for when your power may go out: Events that can cause you to lose power: - Tropical Storms - Tornadoes - Severe Weather - Ice Storms - Fallen trees - And more!

How can you be prepared when your power goes out? - Have an emergency supply kit with supplies to last you at least three days following a storm. For a list of items to have in your kit visit: www.calhounema.org/home-preparedness - Make sure to keep your devices charged leading up to a storm. - If you use a generator, make sure it is 20 feet away from your house and avoid exposing it to the weather. See graphic for more generator safety tips. - Unplug electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges - Keep refrigerators and freezers closed to preserve the cold temperatures for as long as possible. Sign up for Emergency Alerts by signing up at www.calhounema.org/alerts. What kind of information might we send out? - Storm watches and warnings - Safe Room locations - Tips and information following a storm - Warming center locations

www.calhounema.org/alerts

- Get location-specific alerts - Decide what type of alerts received - Decide how to receive the alerts

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NOVEMBER 14 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

STRAIGHT NO CHASER — 7:00 pm —

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FEBRUARY 25 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

CELTIC WOMEN — 7:30 pm —

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APRIL 23 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

DON FELDER — 7:30 pm —

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Final Date to be Announced PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

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TO BE ANNOUNCED We are almost ready to announce this last artist for the series. We think you will love this major touring artist. Stay tuned for more details.

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2021

DECEMBER 5 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM NOBLEBANK & TRUST

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET — 7:00 pm —

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MARCH 10 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM NOBLEBANK & TRUST

SOUTH PACIFIC — 7:00 pm —

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MARCH 31 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM NOBLEBANK & TRUST

HAIRSPRAY — 7:00 pm —

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APRIL 12 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM NOBLEBANK & TRUST

SUMMER:

THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL — 7:30 pm —

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APRIL 19 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM NOBLEBANK & TRUST

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS — 7:00 pm —

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OCTOBER 15 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM WEBB CONCRETE & BUILDING MATERIALS

LARRY, STEVE, & RUDY:

THE GATLIN BROTHERS — 7:30 pm —

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NOVEMBER 7 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM WEBB CONCRETE & BUILDING MATERIALS

TRACY LAWRENCE — 7:00 pm —

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DECEMBER 3 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM WEBB CONCRETE & BUILDING MATERIALS

PARMALEE — 7:30 pm —

TO BE ANNOUNCED We are almost ready to announce this artist for the series. We think you will love this major touring artist. Stay tuned for more details.

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OCTOBER 3 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM SHARON & VESTER MARTIN

THE HIT MEN — 7:00 pm —

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OCTOBER 21 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM SHARON & VESTER MARTIN

FOREVER MOTOWN — 7:00 pm —

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JANUARY 15 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM SHARON & VESTER MARTIN

WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN THE CARPENTERS REMEMBERED — 7:30 pm —

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JANUARY 30 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM SHARON & VESTER MARTIN

THE GREATEST PIANO MEN — 7:00 pm —

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MARCH 25 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM SHARON & VESTER MARTIN

GET THE LED OUT — 7:30 pm —

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SEPTEMBER 28 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM GREG & CHERYL POTTS

CATAPULT — 6:00 pm —

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OCTOBER 22 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM GREG & CHERYL POTTS

LIGHTWIRE’S TORTOISE & THE HARE — 6:00 pm —

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JANUARY 29 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM GREG & CHERYL POTTS

ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE! — 6:00 pm —

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MARCH 1 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM GREG & CHERYL POTTS

THE QUEEN’S CARTOONIST — 6:00 pm —

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MARCH 20 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM GREG & CHERYL POTTS

PADDINGTON GETS IN A JAM — 6:00 pm —

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SEPTEMBER 26 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BERNARDI FAMILY

AN EVENING WITH DAVID PHELPS & CHLOE AGNEW — 7:00 pm —

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DECEMBER 31 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BERNARDI FAMILY

A NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION — 7:30 pm — 80

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FEBRUARY 20 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BERNARDI FAMILY

ROMANTIC MEMORIES:

THE MUSIC OF MANTOVANI — 7:00 pm —

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APRIL 10 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BERNARDI FAMILY

THE SOUNDS OF STAGE & SCREEN — 7:00 pm —

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MAY 22 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BERNARDI FAMILY

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OCTOBER 5 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA

ENSEMBLE SCHUMANN — 7:00 pm —

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NOVEMBER 9 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA

CANTUS — 7:00 pm —

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FEBRUARY 1 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA

BRIDGET KIBBEY — 7:00 pm —

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FEBRUARY 27 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA

VERONA QUARTET — 7:00 pm —

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MARCH 15 PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA

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Kentucky Headhunters

Colt Ford

That Golden Girls Show

Scotty McCreery

August 27, 2021

September 16, 2021

October 28, 2021

November 18, 2021

Brass Transit

The Beach Boys

Rudolph

Menopause

November 21, 2021

December 10, 2021

December 14, 2021

February 4, 2022

Black Violin

Vienna Boys Choir

Cameron Carpenter

Mnozil Brass

February 10, 2022

February 12, 2022

March 6, 2022

March 28, 2022

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The Righteous Brothers

Madagascar

April 24, 2022

May 26, 2022

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1 0 0 C H O C C O LO C C O S T R E E T, OX F O R D , A L A B A M A

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.

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Dr. Stephen Coleman Williams, photo courtesy of City of Oxford 86

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DR. STEPHEN COLEMAN WILLIAMS Earlier this year, while researching and writing content for Images of America: Oxford, I discovered that Dr. Stephen Coleman Williams, Oxford’s first mayor, and I share common ancestors, Jeremiah and Nancy Selman of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Dr. Williams and I are first cousins, seven times removed. Jeremiah Selman, son of Benjamin Lawrence Selman and Anne Powell Selman, was born between 1740 and 1745 in Stafford County, Virginia, and died September 4, 1817, in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. He is buried at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Moore, South Carolina. Selman was a member of Roebuck’s Battalion of Spartan Regiment during the Revolutionary War. Roebuck’s Battalion was known for being involved at King’s Mountain, Cowpens, and the Siege of Ninety-Six. Stephen Coleman Williams, son of Frederick W. Williams and Martha Selman Williams, was born July 1, 1816, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and died in Oxford, Alabama on March 3, 1881. He moved to Alabama in 1845 and married Miss Mary A. Whiteside on January 1, 1850, in Calhoun County, Alabama. Mary, daughter of John Underwood Whiteside and Rutha Hemphill Whiteside, was born August 6, 1828, in North Carolina and died May 16, 1879, in Oxford, Alabama. Their known children are Martha Ellen Williams (1850-1913), John Frederick Williams (1852-1853), Dr. Benjamin Dudley Williams (1854-1911), Andrew Pickens Williams (1855-1857), Mary Pauline Williams (18561938), Fannie Talula Williams (1858-1941), Willie Lee Williams (1862-1866), Ruth Dixie Williams (1864-1944), Thomas Colie Williams (1867-1938), and Robert Edward Williams (1869-1938). Williams was one of the first physicians practicing medicine in Oxford during the 1850s. His office was located within his home at the corner of Main Street and Oak Street, the present location of the Oxford City Schools Board of Education. Years later after his death, his son, Dr. Benjamin D. Williams, lived in the home with his family and used the lower half of the house for his practice. Aside from his daily occupation, Dr. Williams served as the first official mayor of Oxford. Due to a lack of records, it is unknown how long Dr. Williams served, but it is recounted in many newspaper articles and historical notes that he served for a number of terms. He was a member of the Oxford First Baptist Church, Hartwell Lodge No. 101, Postmaster, and the attorney for the Selma, Rome, and Dalton Railroad. Dr. Williams, his first wife, and many children are buried in their family plot at Oxford Memorial Gardens Cemetery. After the death of Mary Whiteside Williams, Dr. Williams remarried to Miss Carrie Henderson on November 13, 1879, in Calhoun County, Alabama. The only known child from this marriage was May Williams (1881-1881).

BY HUNTER C. GENTRY

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

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Dr. Benjamin Dudley Williams and family at home of Dr. Stephen Coleman Williams on Main Street, photo courtesy of City of Oxford

JACKSONVILLE REPUBLICAN MARCH 18, 1858 Dr. S.C. WILLIAMS & CO., are now receiving a new and well-selected assortment of Drugs, Medicines, Paint, Oils, Varnishes, Dyestuffs, Spanish Cigars, Maccaboy, Rappee and Scotch Snuff, Smoking Tobacco; also, fine Brandies and Wines, kept exclusively for Medicinal and Sacramental purposes, with all the various articles usually kept in a Drug Store, all of which they offer low cash, or upon short time to punctual customers. Dr. Williams still continues the practice Medicine in its various departments.

JACKSONVILLE REPUBLICAN MARCH 12, 1881 Oxford and Calhoun county lost an excellent citizen last week in the death of Dr. S.C. Williams. He died suddenly and the intelligence, as it spread, both shocked and pained his large circle of acquaintances. Dr. Williams was one among the old citizens of Calhoun. He had an extensive practice and was highly respected. He was that character of a man whose death is as much a public calamity as a private affliction.

Sources of Information: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, Oxford Public Library- Oxford Room Collection

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

JUNIOR UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY MATTHEW POINTER, 8TH GRADER AT OXFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL

JUNA (Junior United Nations Assembly) is one of the many extracurricular activities for middle school students to choose from in the Oxford City School system. As a member of JUNA, we try to model the real-life United Nations, based in New York City, to prepare us to be future leaders. We work on solving a significant problem in a particular country. JUNA also allows us to learn about the country’s culture to replicate its delegates as closely as possible. In January, our group will attend the two-day JUNA Assembly competition at Birmingham-Southern College. Our sponsor is Mrs. Leah Betts. This year, the eighth-grade teams have chosen the United Kingdom and Malaysia as their countries. My team will represent the United Kingdom, and our problem to solve there is homelessness. We propose building shelters across the country and providing many of the living necessities such as food, clean water, doctors, teachers, and other supplies. We must formulate the cost and a financial source to fund the project. The delegates would apply for a loan from the World Bank, a side organization of the United Nations, and have now created a resolution for how we plan to solve our problem. At the competition, we begin our presentation greeting the JUNA Assembly in the country’s native language. My team will then present a speech in front of the JUNA Assembly that summarizes the country’s problem, how we plan to solve it, and other important information. Next, delegates from different countries get to ask us questions about our resolution and speech. Once that is complete, each country gets to vote on the passing or failure of our resolution. It must get more than half of the votes from the Assembly. I enjoy JUNA along with several other extracurricular activities at Oxford Middle School. My team is very thankful for the many opportunities that Oxford City Schools offers during and after school. I am looking forward to participating in our upcoming competition, and I want to thank our city and school leaders for supporting the students in our community.

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

HONORING OFFICER TIM PITTS

Officer Tim Pitts worked at Oxford Police Department for 14 years before passing away one evening in July after finishing his duties. His time at Oxford Police Department was filled with keeping our city safe and working with Oxford High School in making it a safe environment for our kids. Officer Pitts had a close working relationship with the teachers and the administration at the Board of Education. They relied on him to help with safety measures for events to include ballgames, plays, Junior-Senior week activities, and graduations. The teachers at Oxford High School banded together and purchased a brick in his name and, on October 18th, held a ceremony to memorialize his time and efforts given to the youth at Oxford High School. The brick was placed in the Walk of Champions, and the ceremony was attended by his wife, Stephenie, and two sons, Austin and Nick. Also in attendance were teachers and administration of Oxford High School and Chief Bill Partridge with members of the Oxford Police Department. The “Walk of Champions” is a source of pride for Oxford Yellow Jacket fans everywhere. It is a wonderful way to recognize an accomplishment or honor someone. The purchase of a brick ensures that a loved one will forever be remembered at Oxford City Schools on the “Walk of Champions.” Please get in touch with Executive Director Judy Muncher at judymuncherocsef@gmail.com for further information about purchasing a brick.

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(From L-R) Sons, Austin Pitts, Nick Pitts, wife, Stephanie Pitts, Granddaughter Aubrey Pitts

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

WHY I TEACH

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: MEGAN HEAD

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 MEGAN HEAD, WHO WAS AWARDED AND RECOGNIZED AS "EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH" BY THE OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

Megan is from Oxford, and both she and her husband, Jason, graduated from Oxford High School. She attended Jacksonville State University for her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with a concentration in elementary and a master’s in elementary education. Megan has taught 3rd grade for 7 years, 2nd grade for 4 years, and is currently in her 5th year as the ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. She and Jason have a three-year-old daughter. We hope you enjoy getting to know her better in the Q&A that follows:

Position/title/responsibilities at Oxford High School? I am the ESL instructor for Oxford Elementary. I serve our multilingual students whose first language was something other than English. We have a very diverse school system. Oxford Elementary school actually has students representing more than 10 different countries. What made you want to become a teacher? I was actually very unsure what career path I wanted to take in my first year of college. During the summer, I was nannying for a student who would attend 1st grade at Oxford Elementary School in the upcoming school year. Her mother couldn’t take her to orientation, so I took her. Listening to that teacher (Mrs. Debbie Clonts) share at orientation her love for students made me instantly realize that education was for me. She shared her heart, teared up several times when saying how much she loved these students that she didn’t even know yet, and she then read a story about “starfish.” The story explained the extra effort she would put in to help every student, no matter what their need was, and no matter if it made sense to anyone else. That was it! That was what did it for me. I wanted to be that impactful and mold young children to be the best versions of themselves for life.

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OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION partnering with Oxford City Schools and our community to enhance learning experiences for all students.

THANK YOU BECAUSE OF THE GENEROUS COMMUNITY SUPPORT OCSEF HAS BEEN ABLE TO INVEST OVER $540,000 IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: Advanced Placement Testing Archery Team Fine Arts Program Green Power Team National Championship Rings Outdoor Classroom Piano Lab Robotics Football State Championship Rings STEM Student Instructional Support

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Teacher Instructional Support

JUDY MUNCHER

Technology

256-282-9158

VEX Robotics Kits

Judymuncherocsef@gmail.com

DIRECTORS KEN HOWELL, PRES. BRAD WILLIAMS, V.P. JANE HAMRIC BATEY, SEC. TIM WILSON, TRES. WAYNE CALDWELL MELISSA CRAVEN PATRICIA JACK JACKI LOWRY ADAM MANISCALCO JIMMY NEWMAN DEBBIE NOTHDURFT SHANNON PAGE

ANNUAL EVENTS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES EDIBLE EVENING FOR EDUCATION LEVELS OF GIVING Diamond $10,000 Platinum $5,000 Gold $2,000 Silver $1,000 Bronze $500

TREY PILKINGTON KENDALL POOL THOMAS PRATT 96

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LEARN MORE AT OXFORDCITYSCHOOLSEDUCATIONFOUNDATION.ORG

Teacher Spotlight

What is the most satisfying thing about teaching? The most satisfying thing is running into former students and hearing their stories. Seeing where they have found success in life and hearing what they are still striving for. What do you look forward to most at the beginning of each year? I look forward to meeting our new kindergarten multilingual students at the beginning of the year. Often they are terrified and sometimes cannot communicate in English much at all. Giving them an opportunity to feel comfortable is quite rewarding. I once spent time in Peru on a mission trip, and I know the hopeless feeling of not speaking the language. It can be quite intimidating and make you feel very small, so to help students remove that feeling is necessary. What’s the most challenging part of being a teacher? The current state of education is the most challenging I have ever seen. The demands placed on teachers alongside dealing with students who haven’t had a normal school year in quite some time is a complex combination. How do you want former students to remember you? I’ve always joked that I was a teacher who created “nerds,” but honestly, I hope they remember me as someone who helped them find a love for learning while also a love for each other. My classroom environment was always considered family, and we took care of each other. What methods do you use each day to bring out the best in students? A smile and a personal connection can change anyone’s day. Connecting with students on a personal level first makes teaching them educationally a breeze. When you know where they come from, it makes taking them somewhere else so much easier. What are your thoughts on receiving the teacher of the month award? This is a very kind honor. Honestly, with the difficulties that have been placed on educators the last few years, I wish this award could go to all teachers. They could all use a boost of encouragement, so I would much rather accept this on behalf of all the faculty and staff of Oxford Elementary. They are a very deserving staff of lots of applause. What extracurricular activities/groups are you part of? My family and I attend Church of the Highlands and participate in small groups. We often lead small groups as well. We stay very busy with our daughter giving her as many experiences as we can, so we are “on the go” often. When you see former students who are now older, what’s one thing they typically say they remember about your classroom? That we had fun, but we also knew when to be serious! We always understood our end goal, giving meaning to all that we did, but most importantly, that I loved them beyond any measure that education could place on them.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS

#1 FEED KIDS The board reads “#1 Feed Kids” when you walk into the district office of the Child Nutrition Program for Oxford City Schools, and without the hard work and dedication of the employees of the Child Nutrition Program, this would not be possible. They have provided thousands of meals to the students of the Oxford City School System while dealing with the day-to-day challenges stemming from the pandemic. The employees of the Child Nutrition Program are far from your ordinary so-called “lunch ladies”, and are truly one of “O” kind. Not providing breakfast and lunch meals were never considered an option for the Child Nutrition Program as school was set to resume face-to-face in August for the first time since March of 2020. Instead, the focus shifted to providing meals in the safest way possible to students and how to continue providing meals if an employee(s) were quarantined due to exposure. Social distancing was required throughout the district, along with face masks at this time. It was decided that pre-plated meals would be prepared, and carts were purchased throughout the system to assist with the serving process as cafeteria lines were closed. The previously used offer-versus-serve system could not be used, meaning students would instead receive a pre-plated meal. The breakfast menu was changed and placed in brown paper bags for easy pick up when students arrived at school. All students eating in the cafeteria would be socially distanced; other students would eat in their classrooms or other areas of the school. Lunch meals were pre-plated and put onto carts for delivery to the classrooms or picked up by upper-level students. Menus were changed to allow the Child Nutrition Program staff time to prepare and pre-plate the meals and provide a meal that could easily be transported while maintaining proper time and temperature. Food availability was an issue, and at times the menu plan had to be updated daily. Waivers were obtained from the USDA that allowed modified serving times and locations, pick up options for virtual and hybrid students, meal pattern flexibility, pre-plated meal service, and most importantly, in September, approval was granted to offer free meals to students through May 2021 utilizing the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. Labor dilemmas existed when employees had to be quarantined, and other employees moved to different locations within the district to assist. A few nicknamed themselves the “Travel Team,” but did so with a smile on their face, not knowing what location they were headed to the next day. All this was new for the Child Nutrition Program employees, and when they returned to work last fall, every employee knew it was going to be different, and that changes could happen daily, but this did not faze them as they knew they were going to do what they do best, even in a pandemic, which is “Feed Kids.” This year, the Child Nutrition Program was very happy to resume normal operations in August, along with an announcement from the USDA that all meals would remain free for students for school year 2021-2022 utilizing the Seamless Summer Option. Additional waivers from the USDA were granted to help continue to provide flexibility in serving meals. Menus have returned to the foods students love, fresh produce is back, eating has resumed in the cafeterias, additional food purchases and full a la carte is available, students are choosing their own foods, and most of all the employees get to see the students again as this is something so many mentioned they missed during the last school year.

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Currently, the Child Nutrition Program is serving more meals than it has in several years, with all students eating free. The employees continue to assist each other and move to other locations when needed due to absences or when labor needs change. Also, the program is very fortunate to have a few substitutes that have worked almost full time the past few years in the Child Nutrition Program to help make it possible to continue providing meals to the students. Food availability issues still exist with items changing week to week, menu changes still occur, and the more recent concern is food delivery disruptions. Supply shortages are more prevalent this school year on school trays, serving products, and plastic utensils. The Child Nutrition Program maintains food and supplies to provide the students with meals for at least one week if a transportation problem exists and delivery is not received. This is a best practice process that was in place even before the pandemic due to weather or school closure for unforeseen circumstances. So far, Oxford City Schools has been very fortunate and not had any issues with food deliveries to date. The pandemic continues to provide challenges for the employees. Still, it is nothing that they cannot handle as they continue to “Feed Kids.” “With this job, there will be a schedule of assignments. Unexpected needs occur and interrupt that schedule at times. How well do you handle change? Or having to do multiple job assignments?” This is asked of every potential Child Nutrition Program applicant during the interview process. For the current employees of the Oxford City Schools Child Nutrition Program, this answer is very clear. This extraordinary group of ladies has gone above and beyond to provide meals to the students of the Oxford School District. They do not complain when things interrupt their day and changes need to be made. They have accepted every challenge and have let nothing get in their way, even a pandemic, from doing their job to “Feed Kids.” The students of Oxford City Schools are very fortunate to have the ladies of the Child Nutrition Program, who are far from your ordinary so-called “lunch ladies” and are truly one of “O” kind.

OXFORD ACCESS MAGAZINE | 2021

OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS

GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL The National Football League, Atlanta Falcons, and the National Federation of State High School Associations developed a toolkit to assist Alabama high schools in implementing Female Flag Football to their sports offerings in 2021. Under the leadership of Wes Brooks, Flag Football Head Coach, Oxford High School held an interest meeting on August 17, 2021, with over 60 enthusiastic girls from grades 7 through 12 in attendance. Tryouts were held in August, and the list was narrowed down to 31 prospective players. On September 21, OHS held its first games against Moody and Southeastern. In Oxford’s first game vs. Moody, Reygan White, quarterback, rushed for 141 yards and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. In the second game, the Jackets recorded their first shutout beating Southeastern 19-0 for the victory. It was Reygan White again highlighting the night with two more touchdown runs against Southeastern. The defense was another star of the night, only giving up 17 total yards. Leading the defense was Olliyah Kelley, Kirstin Davis, Anna Tapley, and Sawyer Brooks, who each had 7 flag pulls. After the game Reygan White said, “It still doesn’t seem real that we were all out on the field, getting our first flag football win in history. We made history tonight.” One week later, the Lady Jackets traveled to Homewood. Their first score came on a punt return by Reygan White. Ashlyn Burns scored the second touchdown on a 54-yard run on a reverse. A 40-yard run followed this score by Sawyer Brooks to earn a victory over Homewood by a score of 19-0. On October 19, Oxford played at Vestavia Hills versus Vestavia Hills and John Carroll High School. Reygan White scored on the game’s first play on a quarterback sweep behind the blocking of Kinley Sparks, Abby Reimer, and Natasha Knox. Reygan White and Ashlyn Burns finished the night with two touchdowns each. Cohlee Boon and Sawyer Brooks each had six flag pulls, and Ashlyn Burns had two quarterback sacks and an interception. Kaitlyn Allen had three punts for a 28-yard average, and Gabby Lindsey recorded a touchdown pass to Ashlyn Burns. The Lady Jackets fell to the undefeated John Carroll Cavaliers 12-0. Ashlyn Burns had 56 yards rushing, and Gabby Lindsey was five for eight with 41 yards passing. Payton Brooks had an interception on defense. There is so much excitement at the school for these girls. So far it has been a huge success. Twenty years from now, we will remember our first touchdowns and the memories made during the first year of having a girls’ flag football team. Get the latest updates on Twitter by following @OHS GFFB.

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THE RESILIENCE OF THEATRE When I first suggested Little Women to my students back in April, I was anxious they would think it too old fashioned to be interesting, considering it is a story of four very different sisters coming of age during the Civil War. The fictional March family is near and dear to my heart. It is one of the first classic novels I remember reading in the third grade and my favorite theatre production I participated in when I was in high school. Would this new generation love it as I do? I was shocked and delighted by their enthusiasm and familiarity with the story, mainly due to the 2019 Greta Gerwig film version. They embraced their characters and the idea of doing a period piece. At the beginning of the year, we all popped some kernels and laughed and cried together as we watched the 1994 (more textually accurate) version of the movie that I grew up watching so many times that I wore the VHS tape out. We have thoroughly enjoyed preparing props together in class, such as aging paper to look like parchment and using coee and making paper snowflake ornaments for the Christmas scenes. This week we begin the arduous,yet satisfying, work of bringing the more significant set pieces to life with paint and making them functional with casters. When Mr. Gallahar mentioned the idea of featuring some performers at Oxfordfest, the actors who play the sisters had no reservations about spending a few hours of their Saturday in costume and character together. They were nervous but encouraged by the kind words and applause of Dr. Goodwin, Mr. Gallahar, their friends and family, and attendees of Oxfordfest. Megan Warhurst does double-duty in the play, serving as both the eldest sister, Meg March, and as assistant student director of the play. When rehearsing a scene with one group, I can trust Megan to offer insightful and compassionate feedback to another group as they await their turn. Gracelyn Roney portrays the lead character, Jo March. Gracelyn is unfailingly reliable and gifted at remembering blocking and building on direction. Caroline Rogers is new to theatre, but what she may lack in experience, she certainly makes up for with enthusiasm. She is not shy or soft-spoken in real life, but you would not guess that by her sensitive portrayal of Beth March. Last but not least, Mary Beth Butler plays Amy March, the youngest of the family. Mary Beth is so in tune with her character that she often comes up with suggestions for blocking or other touches at the same time (if not before) I do. It is wonderful to work with such dedicated and intuitive performers; I will miss working with them, as well as the other amazing seniors involved in supporting roles, when they graduate. This production will genuinely be a cross-curricular endeavor. Mrs. Hale’s photography students are helping us create a painted portrait using a photograph and an app; Mr. Moore’s engineering students are helping with construction; one of Mrs. Wheeler’s students worked on promotional material, and Ms. Finley’s video production students are helping us record and edit the filming of the production. In addition to this, we have four faculty members who have prior theater experience and have graciously agreed to join our students on stage. This was another idea that I was unsure if the students would like, but they were all the more eager to work alongside some of their favorite teachers. Mrs. Dasinger portrays Marmee, the

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beloved mother of the girls. Mr. Somers is Mr. March, the father of the family. Mr. Fuller has been a joy to work with as Mr. Lawrence, and Mrs. Burnett is the memorable Aunt March. Furthermore, I have been overwhelmed by the support of students not in theatre class that have contacted me to help with set design and other technical aspects of the show. All students and extracurriculars have been challenged during Covid, and theatre is no exception. Martha Graham noted that “theatre is a verb before it is a noun, an act before it is a place,” which is a truth that the pandemic has certainly emphasized. We have understandably had to cancel and reschedule performances, supply virtual formats for competition and performances, and at times needed to include cast members in rehearsal via Zoom. However, a basic tenet of improv is all about saying “yes, and...” to situations to build and grow the scene in new and exciting ways. Louisa May Alcott expressed a similar idea in Little Women when she wrote, “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” Despite the challenges and uncertainty we still navigate, this is the mindset of the young actors involved in this production. Most of them were tenth graders the last time they were able to act on a stage live with other performers. I know that the cast, who are primarily seniors, are all the more motivated to make this the best production because of this. While we are still opting to live stream this production in December, the students are excited to perform on stage once again to demonstrate the resilience of theatre. It is my sincerest hope that the community views and enjoys this production as much as we are enjoying the process of putting it together. Our department is funded by donations and performances, so your support will help us as we move forward to preparations for our Spring performance, which we hope will be a Shakespeare in the Park picnic and performance experience. Shakespeare himself overcame the challenges of a pandemic, as will our modern young thespians.

“I AM NOT AFRAID OF STORMS, FOR I AM LEARNING HOW TO SAIL MY SHIP.” — Louisa May Alcott

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ELECTRIC CAR RACES RETURN IN 2022

On January 14th and 15th, Choccolocco Park will once again be hosting the Choccolocco Green Prix. The inaugural Choccolocco Green Prix in January of 2020 hosted over 400 middle and high school students from across the country. Participating students designed and built electric race cars as part of the Green Power USA engineering program designed to increase student interest and skill level in math, science, and engineering. Students develop skill sets in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, CAD Design, Additive Manufacturing, Data Acquisition, Data Analysis, Communication, Adaptability, Organization, and Resource Management through the program. Our very own Oxford City School’s Green Power program has three participating schools with seven cars. The CE Hanna team will be competing in their first season with a Goblin car, Oxford Middle School will be competing with three cars (two in the stock division, one in the Modified Division), and Oxford High School will be competing with three cars (one in the stock division, one in the modified division, and one in the custom division). In the last Green Power USA competition season (2019/2020), Oxford High School won a National Championship in the modified division and will be racing at Choccolocco Park, defending their title.

Front - Anna Johnson; Laney Gaither; Diya Patel; Anna Jones Back - Kimberly Moore; Lilly Kizziah; Sarah Edwards; Jacob Hammock; Aiden Peterson; Noah Matheny; Connor Heaton; Duval Moore; Will Smith; John Herndon; Mathew Blumenberg; Lucas Caron; Madison Wiley; Britt Young

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