Grasslands, fields, woods, and water have attracted over 188 bird species, earning Choccolocco Park a spot on the Alabama Birding Trail
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
OXFORD, ALABAMA AT ITS BEST
OXFORD’S FREEDOM FESTIVAL
MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD POLICE CHIEF
FAMILY FISHING RODEO
MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
OPAC FALL CONCERTS & SEASON EXTRAS
SPOTLIGHT - MIKE ROBERTS
BIRD WATCHING AT CHOCCOLOCCO PARK
CHAMPIONSHIP MAY
RACING TOWARDS CONSERVATION
SPOTLIGHT: TAMMY WILKINS
HISTORIC MAIN STREET & FALL EVENTS
FLORA CLARK’S HIDDEN STORY
OXFORD PUBLIC WORKS
OXFORD BUILDING DEPARTMENT
WELCOME TO OXFORD - NEW BUSINESS OPENINGS
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: ASSOCIATED METALCAST
OXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
OXFORD HEALTH SYSTEMS
DEMENTIA - BUSINESS TRAINING & SUPPORT GROUP
SPOTLIGHT - FRED DENNEY
LARRY MARTIN - STORIES BEHIND THE PAINTINGS
ARTS & CULTURE SERIES: COTTON, QUILTS & BEMIS BAGS
WELCOME PRINCIPAL SETH TAYLOR
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT - JANET KUCHINSKI
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
Follow us for highlights of community news, city events, and special moments as they happen in our beautiful city.
Dear citizens,
MESSAGE from the OXFORD MAYOR
Oxford is continuing to blaze new trails in the region! We are setting the pace for other communities in the area and forging new partnerships and cooperative programs with other local governments, industries, and educational institutions in the area. We have so much to be proud of, and you, the citizens, are doing your part to allow us to continue to be a tourist destination for visitors from around the globe.
Spring was another busy time for us. We welcomed thousands of visitors to our city for sporting and cultural events, and we have received compliments from people all around the world. Choccolocco Park hosted many championship events in April, May, and June, and we are preparing for even more elite sporting events next year. Our citizens and staff continue to provide quality service and hospitality to our guests, making them want to return to the area. I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that we will begin to set up for our annual Festival of Lights Christmas Show in September, so be aware that some parking and recreation areas at Choccolocco Park may be temporarily closed while our staff are working.
Not only are we succeeding with parks and recreation, but the Oxford Performing Arts Center continues to serve as a major arts and cultural destination for our region and state. We are hosting our third annual Rubato International Piano Competition in August, so I hope you will join us for this educational and entertaining festival. If you want to spend time in historic downtown Oxford, there are markets, walking tours, restaurants, and parks for you to enjoy at your own pace. The Oxford Public Library also has many learning resources for adults and children, and they always have fun activities for kids of all ages, so stop by and see what they offer while you are in downtown Oxford.
Our police, fire, and health services continue to set the bar in our area for emergency services, and I am glad that we have one of the safest cities in the South. Oxford Public Works Department is doing a great job at keeping our roads paved. Don’t forget that with fall approaching, we offer curbside pickup for leaves and yard trimmings. Many road and infrastructure projects are underway or beginning soon, so please be aware of new traffic patterns and possible detours during this time. We will post all road closures and projects on our social media, so be sure you follow our pages. Don’t forget to call our 311 non-emergency helpline if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
In closing, it is an honor to be the mayor of the city of Oxford. With autumn just around the corner, I would like to wish all the faculty, administrators, and students who are returning to school good luck as they begin the year, and I hope to see you on a Friday night supporting our football team.
Kindest regards, Mayor Alton Craft
OXFORD CITY COUNCIL
Mike Henderson, Charlotte Hubbard, Chris Spurlin, Steven Waits, Phil Gardner
OXFORD...ALABAMA AT ITS BEST!
MMany of the world’s greatest cities are identified with memorable phrases. “The City That Never Sleeps.” “The City of Lights.” “The Music City.” “The Rocket City.”
Those few words strung together instantly suggest all that makes each of those cities unique and bring to mind their special attributes.
The city of Oxford, for many years, has used the phrase “Crossroads to the Future” as part of its logo, suggesting this is the city where lives and dreams can be fulfilled in a community fully supportive of those who want to bring their ideas, innovations, and perseverance, here to make a good city great.
After 172 years, the future is now.
“The city of Oxford has been consistent in setting high standards for itself then not being satisfied until those standards have been exceeded,” said Mayor Alton Craft. “We are now a very blessed community where those standards have been greatly exceeded by any measuring metric—in public safety, recreation, education, the arts, retail and industrial opportunities, and community.”
With those thoughts in mind, the city of Oxford introduces a new descriptive phrase: “Oxford...Alabama at its best.”
These words link together to express an appreciation for the city’s present achievements and an excitement for its future.
BY BRIAN GRAVES
FREEDOM FESTIVAL
provides a colorful July 4th
America’s second president, John Adams, set the template for how he believed the country should celebrate the day it declared its independence.
“It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward evermore,” Adams wrote.
The city of Oxford has followed that template for more than 40 years, and the 2024 Freedom Festival again made Oxford Lake Park full of the American spirit. Freedom Festival is sponsored by the Oxford Arts Council in cooperation with Oxford Parks and Recreation.
The Cheaha Winds Community Band added a live soundtrack to the morning’s festivities as many of the community’s children (and some adults) dressed in patriotic regalia walked or rode to the opening ceremonies.
Oxford Arts Council President Jane Batey presided over the ceremonies at Liberty Park, which included the Pledge of Allegiance led by members of the local Girl Scouts and the singing of the national anthem.
Mayor Alton Craft expressed appreciation to all who helped with the day and recognized Pam Harris of the parks and recreation department, who has been coordinating the event for 28 years.
“I appreciate all of you here showing your patriotism,” Craft said to the crowd. “That is what this is all about. When you do all of this, it makes my heart swell with pride to see there are still people who love America.”
The all-day fun after the formalities included a petting zoo, carnival games, and bike and swim races. It culminated that night with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the skies over Oxford Lake.
BY BRIAN GRAVES
Oxford Police Department
600 Stanley Merrill Drive, Oxford, AL 36203
A MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD POLICE CHIEF
Hello Oxford,
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to emphasize the importance of safety both in and around our school zones. With the return of students to our campuses, it is crucial that we all remain vigilant and cautious, especially in school zones where children will be present.
We remind all drivers to adhere to the speed limits in school zones and be extra cautious when driving near our schools. Slowing down and staying alert can help prevent accidents and ensure the safety of our students, staff, and citizens.
In addition to being mindful of traffic safety, we also urge everyone to be prepared in case of an emergency. It is essential to have a plan in place and know what steps to take in various situations. By being proactive and prepared, we can better protect ourselves and those around us.
To stay informed about public safety updates, weather alerts, and other important information, we encourage you to download our OXPD APP. This app provides real-time updates and notifications to help keep you informed and connected to important resources during an emergency.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our schools and students. OXPD takes the safety of our students seriously; we train constantly to keep them safe. Together, we can ensure a successful and safe school year ahead. As always, if we can be of help, please call on us.
Sincerely,
Bill Partridge Chief of Police Director of Public Safety
FAMILY FISHING RODEO
Kids, parents, and pets from across the region enjoyed spending time together at Choccolocco Park as they grabbed their fishing gear and plunked their hooks in the water. They were there to catch some of the 2,000 pounds of catfish that had been placed in the lake prior to the inaugural Fishing Rodeo held on a Saturday in June.
Those kids who came without gear could still experience the fun of fishing thanks to the generous donations of sponsors who ensured no child had a day without being able to cast a hook from their own free rod and reel.
Even those who don’t fish enjoyed the free hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the summer fixings. They could work off the extra calories by walking the lake’s perimeter or jumping in the bounce houses.
“There is absolutely nothing negative about this,” said council member Steven Waits as he mingled with those taking advantage of the day who overwhelmingly shared his views.
Steve Carroll, of Wellborn, brought his nephew and grandson to the rodeo and walked away with a catch of a brim and happy memories.
“We’re just having a ball and that’s what it’s all about,” said Carroll. “I think it’s a good thing the city of Oxford has something like this and is free. There are a lot of parents who don’t get to take their kids fishing. It’s good for these kids to get outdoors and experience something like this.”
BY BRIAN GRAVES
The hot temperatures did not dampen the enthusiasm of the hundreds who lined the lake at Choccolocco Park during the Fishing Rodeo held Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Event organizer and Oxford businessman Thomas “Alfa-Man” Shelton called the day a success and said thoughts are already focusing on how to make the rodeo better for next year.
Jessica Hinton was there as one of the representatives of rodeo sponsor Wyatt’s Wildlife, a non-profit organization focused on getting kids to spend more time outdoors. For the rodeo, the group provided free hamburgers and hot dogs.
“This was par for the course for us because this is our passion,” Hinton said. “We will be a part of this every year it happens. This was fun, and we look forward to the next one.”
— WYATT’S WILDLIFE
Event organizer and Oxford businessman Thomas “Alfa-Man” Shelton said the same positive reaction has come from all the sponsors.
“All of the sponsors enjoyed it and understood what it was all about,” he said. “They were able to spend some time with the kids and see firsthand the kids that needed it.”
“The only bad thing was the fishing was tough because of the hot weather. It caused the fish to go out into the deeper water,” Shelton said. “But, there wasn’t a kid there that didn’t have a great time.”
Shelton reminded us that the catfish are still in the lake and that, as the weather cools, there will be some good fishing days for those who want to throw out a line.
“The Gideons gave out Bibles. We gave out 200 rods and reels. There were also a thousand hamburgers and hot dogs, frosted drinks, ice cream, and mini-pancakes. It was a hoot,” he said. “The kids would fish a little bit, then go make the rounds for the free food. When the kids had to leave, they left kicking and screaming. They just didn’t want to leave.”
Shelton said plans are already in the works to do it again next year, possibly in April when the weather is cooler.
Oxford Fire Department
A MESSAGE FROM THE OXFORD FIRE CHIEF
As summer ends, I hope each of you had a great summer.
With students returning to school, this fall would be a great time to support the following sports at Oxford City Schools: boys’ football, girls’ flag football, volleyball, band, cheerleading, and cross country. These kids have worked hard all summer and deserve our support.
Remember, watch for school buses stopping to pick up our precious kids.
As we step into October, it’s important to remember that it’s Fire Prevention Month. This year, our firefighters will be out in the community, going door to door to install free smoke alarms. These alarms are a crucial part of fire safety, and they’re a joint effort of the Alabama State Fire Marshal, the Alabama Fire College, Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention, Get Alarmed, Alabama, and the Oxford Fire Department.
If you need a free smoke detector in your house, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 256-831-3208. We’ll even come and install them for you, ensuring that you and your family are prepared in case of a fire.
Fall also brings dry weather, and outside burning should be done with special care. If you live in the Oxford city limits, you should call 256-831-3208 to receive a burn permit prior to burning.
If I can ever be of assistance to you, please give me a call.
Chief
Gary Sparks
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 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Purchase at the door beginning 90 minutes prior to most ticketed events.
Dear Friends and Fans of Live Entertainment,
We are excited to announce the outstanding lineup of performances at the Oxford Performing Arts Center for Fall 2024 and beyond. This season features a blend of new talents and beloved returning artists, offering a wide array of spectacular shows for audiences of all ages.
At our Fall 2024 reveal, attendees were captivated by a powerful performance from Uptown, a dynamic trio of vocalists singing Motown and Pop hits. Additionally, we enjoyed an enchanting medley by Nan Kemberling and Julio Barreto. These unforgettable moments were made possible by the generosity and commitment of our valued members and subscribers.
Joining the Gold Circle at OPAC is a fantastic way to support the arts in our community. By becoming a member, you show appreciation for the performing arts and play a crucial role in ensuring OPAC continues offering top-notch performances, educational programs, and cultural experiences. Gold Circle members enjoy a range of exclusive benefits as a token of our gratitude for their support. To learn more about supporting the arts and enjoying special privileges, please visit oxfordpac.org/support.
We extend our gratitude to our season sponsors, dedicated members, loyal subscribers, and enthusiastic ticket buyers. Your unwavering support has propelled us to the forefront of Alabama’s performing arts scene, allowing us to host more touring artists than any other venue in the state in both 2022 and 2023. As we look forward to the upcoming season, we thank you for believing in our mission and your continued contributions. We eagerly await the opportunity to welcome you to the Oxford Performing Arts Center this Fall and beyond.
Warm Regards,
John Longshore Executive Director Oxford Performing Arts Center
AUGUST 23 - 7:30 PM
Dreams: Mandy Barnett Sings Patsy Cline
SEPTEMBER 6 - 7:30 PM
So Good—The Neil Diamond Experience
SEPTEMBER 15 - 7:00 PM
KC & The Sunshine Band
OCTOBER 8 - 7:00 PM
Shrek - Broadway Musical National Tour
AUGUST 24 - 7:30 PM
An Evening with Mat & Savanna
SEPTEMBER 12 - 7:00 PM Air Supply
SEPTEMBER 20 - 7:30 PM
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
OCTOBER 10 - 7:00 PM Craig Morgan
SEPTEMBER 5 - 7:00 PM
SEPTEMBER 13 - 7:30 PM
David Phelps and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra
SEPTEMBER 24 - 6:00 PM
Mark Nizer’s 4D Theatre
OCTOBER 11 - 7:30 PM
Lou Gramm: The Voice of Foreigner
Sweet
Chris Janson
OCTOBER 13 - 7:00 PM Space Oddity—The David Bowie Tribute
OCTOBER 20 - 7:00 PM
NOVEMBER 3 - 7:00 PM Gary Puckett & The Union Gap with Classics IV
NOVEMBER 17 - 7:00 PM
OCTOBER 17 - 7:00 PM
OCTOBER 24- 7:00 PM
NOVEMBER 14 - 7:00 PM
The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
OCTOBER 18 - 7:30 PM
OCTOBER 25 - 7:30 PM
Messina NOVEMBER 15 - 7:30 PM
MIKE ROBERTS
RETIRES AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE
TOxford Building, Planning, and Zoning director Mike Roberts retired in June after a quarter century of service to the city.
In a heartwarming gesture, his friends and colleagues surprised Roberts on Wednesday, June 26, with a retirement party at the public works building—a celebration filled with cake, snacks, hugs, and handshakes.
“I don’t know what to say,” a visibly moved Roberts said after he entered the room. Roberts said he “could not have had a better job.”
“I’ve had the best career and have enjoyed working with everybody in the city,” he said. “The mayor and the city council supported my department throughout my career. We made decisions where we were guided a little or allowed to do what we needed to do.” Roberts recalled with a laugh earlier days when the late mayor Leon Smith got him a truck “with no shocks and just springs” and how the department was in a small room at the old city hall, which is now OPAC.
That recollection brought into focus the significant amount of growth the department has experienced under Roberts’ leadership. During the last 25 years, it has overseen the city’s growth in residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
“During Mike’s tenure, he has helped ensure that the growth of the city of has been done in a safe and measured way,” said Mayor Alton Craft. “Dealing with the needs of builders and ensuring the zoning codes as set by the city are met can be a difficult position, but Mike has performed this duty responsibly and always in a way that ensured Oxford remains a great place to live and work. The city council and I offer our gratitude to Mike for a job well done.”
“I’m going to be lost because this is all I’ve ever done – come here every day and do this,” Roberts said. “And I’ve enjoyed it. Thank you for allowing me to do my job.”
BY BRIAN GRAVES
CHOCCOLOCCO PARK NOW PART OF ALABAMA BIRDING TRAIL NETWORK
Choccolocco Park, already known as one of the region’s premiere sporting venues, has been added to the Alabama Birding Trail network. The Oxford trail is now part of the Appalachian Highlands trail, one of eight located across the state.
188 species have already been documented at the 300-acre site, which is filled with natural bird habitats of grasslands, fields, woods, a lake, and a creek. The ebird.org website, constantly updated by bird watchers, has recorded more than 36 different species of birds that have made an appearance at Choccolocco Park since June 1, 2024.
The trails are a collaborative effort by the Alabama Tourism Department, the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Alabama Audubon.
“We’re very excited to welcome Choccolocco Park to the Alabama Birding Trails program,” said Joe Watts, a member of the National Audubon Society’s board of directors. “The location has been a favorite for birders for several years with its large expanse of fields towards the back – perfect for Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, and American Pipits.”
“The easy walking trails along the lakeshore offer views of herons and egrets, and the convenient location just off the interstate means more time birding,” Watts said.
Choccolocco Park offers amenities to make bird watching and the enjoyment of the natural surroundings a comfortable and pleasurable experience free of charge.
The park is located at 954 Leon Smith Parkway and is open to public access daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP MAY
AT CHOCCOLOCCO PARK
TThe month of May brought the crack of the bats and roars of the crowd to Choccolocco Park from people across the country as Signature Field and its surrounding fields again played host to several major conference softball and baseball championships.
Teams and fans from the Gulf South Conference, the Atlantic Sun Conference, and the Alabama Community College Conference filled the parks and bleachers as they came to Oxford to determine which team would reign supreme.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s (AHSAA) State Softball and Baseball Championships showcased the best Alabama high school athletes in their sports.
All of America became focused on Choccolocco Park when the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) brought their national softball championship tournament to Oxford.
Many of the collegiate games were broadcast on the ESPN+ streaming service, bringing national attention to Oxford’s unique recreational complex. Working with a number of city departments, Oxford high school students were able to assist with the ESPN+ broadcasts of the ASUN championships.
“I kept telling them how great a job they were doing – and it was on ESPN!” said OHS TV productions teacher Eric Freeman.
Those efforts also drew rave reviews from one of the conference’s umpires.
“I thought you should be aware that this program was very important to a significant broadcast for a major NCAA conference,” wrote ASUN umpire Ed Whipple in an email to Oxford High School. “The instructors and students represent themselves, the school, and the city very well.”
continued on next page
BY BRIAN GRAVES
Eli Robinson, Jimmy Hicks, Jacob Shears, Cody Gandy, Jesse Burt, Riley Rhodes, Caleb Folsom, Meredith Rinehart, Dakota Williamson,
Justin Danelutt, Jace Culbreth, Steven Williamson, Jeff Gandy, Landon Cordle, Evan Smith, Kolton Eubanks, Garrett Orth, Not Pictured: Logan Watson, Wilson Lowe, Tom May
The facility and service quality seen on the broadcasts were even better when experienced live and in person.
One visitor to the tournaments and his family left with a positive review of the park and the city of Oxford.
Chris Mason, former mayor of Harriman, Tennessee, and his wife, Shasta, spent most of their week in Oxford watching their daughter, Kendal, play for the Walters State Senators during their quest for the NJCAA Championship.
Although their team placed sixth, the Masons had the chance to experience both Choccolocco Park and Historic Downtown Oxford during their visit.
“We appreciate all the hospitality everyone in Oxford showed us during our visit,” Mason said. “We were super impressed with the city of Oxford, which includes a ballfield complex like no other with an amazing staff, the impressive performing arts center, and the downtown area with the creative ways they have found to highlight and educate about its history.”
Donna Sowder, one of the biggest fans of Choccolocco Park, also had many positive things to say about the staff and facilities. She supports the Eastern Kentucky Colonels softball team and travels to all their events. She has attended every Ohio Valley Conference Softball Tournament that has been held at the park, and her cheers and signature “Oh yeah!” exclamation have become a vital part of the championship experience fans and athletes expect at Choccolocco Park.
“I never had any daughters, but I love our softball team like they’re my own. I cheer for them every game, and I love coming to Choccolocco Park. It’s the best place I’ve ever been for any sport, and I love coming down to Alabama to cheer all the teams on. Folks in Oxford have the best hospitality of any place I’ve ever been, everyone is friendly, and they treat everybody well; it’s an awesome place to be, and you need to come and check it out!”
SPOTLIGHT
TAMMY WILKINS LEAVES PARD AFTER 22 YEARS
TTammy Wilkins’ late husband found an old bell during one of his many hunting outings. They eventually brought the bell to the Oxford Civic Center where it remains at the venue’s front doors.
“It was a good fit and will probably stay there,” Wilkins said.
Tammy Wilkins has been a good fit as the administrative assistant for Oxford Parks and Recreation. But, unlike the bell, she won’t be staying there as she retires after 22 years in the job.
“The job description for it is limitless,” she says with a laugh.
Wilkins’ enthusiasm for being around young people has also been limitless. She once worked at White Plains School and served as a supervisor during summer day camp. At that same time, PARD director Don Hudson’s secretary was on the cusp of retiring.
“God just opened the door,” Wilkins said. “It was an easy transition.”
She said after her husband’s passing in 2016, she found it helpful to be at work more than at home.
“This has become home,” Wilkins said while sitting at her Civic Center desk. “With the ones here, it’s just like a big family. We know what is going on with everyone’s families, and it will always be that way.”
“I have loved it,” she says of her job. “The best part is the people – all different people and working with great people. It’s different every day.”
Wilkins said she has always loved sports and comes from an athletic background. “We all played softball and basketball and grew to love athletics,” she said.
While helping PARD provide recreational opportunities for Oxford residents, it was an event which found the department helping strangers from far away which remains a centerpiece of her memories.
“The most rewarding thing was when Hurricane Katrina came through,” Wilkins recalled. “It was before all the renovations had been completed. All we had was a gym and two meeting rooms, which became shelters for Katrina evacuees.”
“They were here for weeks, 24 hours a day,” she said. “They wanted to help us clean or mop to keep busy because they couldn’t find their relatives. When they did get the phone calls from the people they were looking for, that was pretty special.”
Wilkins said she had fun every day doing her job.“You make your job what it is, so I try to find fun in everything I do,” she said. “I have a grin every day.”
Wilkins says as a rule she hasn’t joined in on the activities, but “we’ve had some interesting things here.”
“We’ve had a circus, the Indian cultural festivities, the Alabama Square and Round Dance, Southern Gospel Weekend – it’s neat just to sit back and watch,” she said. “I love to sit back and watch people enjoy what we can provide them. It really doesn’t seem like it’s been 22 years.”
Wilkins said the decision to leave is a bittersweet one.
“It’s just time for a change and a new season,” she said. “I have eight grandkids from 8 to 18, and that’s going to be part of it.”
“She is a great employee, a great people person, and always working above and beyond the call of duty. She does her job well but is also a great person and a great Christian. She is also respected just like a good coach, which is why people are so willing to do whatever she asks of them,” Hudson said. “Anything you can say nice about a person, you can say about Tammy.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Oxford Performing Arts Center
The Terrortorium
The Wren's Nest at OPAC
RETAIL
Ace Hardware - Oxford Lumber
Cotton Antiques & Collectibles
English Cottage
Epiphany's
Fresh Value
Rent-A-Center
Sarah Cavender Metalworks
The Main Olive
The Tackle Box
Ulti-Mutt Bakery
FOOD & DRINK
Hubbard's Off Main
Le Coin de Artistes
Southern Girl Coffee Co.
The Bank Oxford
DINE, SHOP, & EXPLORE
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
OXFORD MAIN STREET
SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENT
UPCOMING EVENTS
Market on Main
3rd Saturdays, May - September, 8 AM - 1 PM
Local artisan & craft vendor market
Second Friday on Main
2nd Fridays, May - September, 4 PM - 9 PM
Food vendors, art vendors, live music, lawn games, and movies
Fall Market on Main
Saturday, October 19, 12 PM - 6 PM
Witches Ride & Walk on Main Saturday, October 19, 5 PM
Saturday, October 19
Saturday, October 19 12PM - 6 PM
Fall Market on Main
Artisan and craft vendor market held at Simmons Park.
5:00pm
Come out for a spirited stroll through historic downtown Oxford. Participants must dress in their favorite witch, warlock, or goblin attire and are asked to bring candy to pass out to spectators. Men and children are encouraged to join in the fun!
FLORA CLARK
A ‘RIVETING’ STORY UNCOVERED BY COINCIDENCE
AA decades-old secret, long buried under an Oxford woman’s loyalty and sacrifice for the country she loved and served, has now been recognized and marked with honor at Liberty Park.
Flora Weathers began working in Anniston at Wikles Drug Store (later Rexall), manning the soda fountain before moving to the perfume counter during the 1940s.
But a newspaper clipping from that era was in Flora’s cedar chest, which she had not told anyone about until 2010. This fragile piece of paper became one piece in confirming a long-hidden different line of work.
The clipping was taken from the July 24, 1945 edition of The Anniston Star. It showed a ceremony of the Fort McClellan Color Guard of the 39th Training Battalion raising the “Army/Navy E for Excellence” banner over the Ornamental Emory Plant of the Alabama Pipe Company.
The award was being presented to Charles A. Hamilton, president of the Alabama Pipe Company, by Major J. Frank Carry, chief of the redistribution and salvage plant of the Birmingham Ordinance District.
At the bottom of the picture, Flora had written: “I worked and painted bombs at this place.” She would have been between 19 and 20 years of age at the time if she began her work there as believed in 1942.
I worked & painted bombs at this place.
It was also during this time that Flora married Bill Clark, the founder and owner of Clark and Sons Contractors.
“They probably didn’t want to tell anyone in the community they were building bombs out there by the train tracks,” Flora’s son, Stan, theorizes.
Marilyn Lipscomb Clark said her research has found that out of 85,000 foundries and businesses working for the war effort, only five percent of those won the coveted award for consistently meeting production schedules on time.
“The banner could not be flown until after 1945, so it appears everything was classified,” Marilyn said.
Neither Flora nor her husband spoke about her work at the foundry until 2010, and the subject was revealed in a very matter-of-fact way.
“I was driving them to Birmingham and there was a thing on the radio about World War II,” Marilyn recalled. “Flora said out of the blue, ‘I did that.’ When I asked what, she said, ‘I painted those bombs. My hands were small enough to use a paint gun to paint the insides of a bomb.’”
Shocked by the revelation, Marilyn claimed, “I just about ran off the road.”
“When we got back home, Flora went to her room and came out with that newspaper clipping and said, ‘See! It was a bomb factory,’” Marilyn said.
Flora told Marilyn the bombs were painted “Victory Red – just like our lipstick.”
That conversation was the one that piqued Marilyn’s curiosity about Flora’s service and the local bomb factory.
“I had never heard of a bomb factory here,” Marilyn said. “Flora told me it was in Oxanna, halfway between Oxford and Anniston beside the railroad tracks.”
Photo courtesy of Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County
“It was with the help of the staff at the Alabama Room of the Anniston Public Library we finally found a newspaper article that announced the upcoming award presentation at the foundry,” Marilyn said. “Until then, I could never find anything written that made the newspaper clipping information stick. That article even gave us the foundry address—1201 Front Street.”
Flora had told Marilyn about the jumpsuits they were required to wear, with their hair tied up, during a “hard, 40-plus hour week” without complaint.
“But, she never mentioned how many other women like her were there,” Marilyn said. “There must have been others, but we can’t find them.”
In 2012, Flora received her “Rosie the Riveter” Award for her contribution to the WWII war effort along with thousands of women to whom that iconic moniker is attached.
“She was so tickled and proud of that award,” Marilyn said.
Flora received a “V” pin representing “Victory,” made with a design of red, white, and blue gems.
“There was an event in Washington, D.C., to present them, but her husband had a stroke, and she was not able to attend,” Marilyn said. “She had the biggest smile when we had the party to give her the award.”
“After the cake, I could see her standing there with her own thoughts. I think it always weighed heavy on her it was about bombs. However, she always said, ‘We must support the boys. What they need, we get to them.’ That was a constant for her.”
Flora passed away in 2013 at the age of 89, following her husband Bill’s death in 2011.
“It’s still unbelievable that we happened to be together in a car with the radio on when that story about the war came on,” Marilyn said. “That was a happy coincidence.”
There is a space at Liberty Park where markers are placed honoring area residents who have either been in military service, first responders, or have served their community in a distinguished manner.
“I am surprised more people don’t know about that space,” Marilyn said. “It was recently, while there placing flags with the Oxford Arts Council, that the idea came to me about a marker for Flora.”
The Clark family believed Flora’s service qualified her for a marker at the park and sent the information to Police Chief Bill Partridge for review.
“It would be our pleasure,” was Partridge’s reply.
Flora’s marker now sets with those of many other honored Oxford citizens, made unique by the design of her “V” pin, which marks her exceptional service to her country.
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!
The second phase of widening along Leon Smith Parkway is progressing according to schedule. This project will include additional lanes in both directions from Boiling Springs Road southward to Friendship Road. This project will also include turning lanes and widening Friendship Road at the intersection of the parkway.
The turning lane additions and widening of the intersection at Barry Street and Highway 78 have begun and will hopefully be completed in the near future. This project will create additional lanes at the intersection and provide dedicated left turn lanes onto Highway 78 to improve traffic flow at the intersection.
With warm weather upon us and people out working in yards, I would like to shed some light on an issue we are encountering. As most of you know, our department runs a weekly curbside pickup service for grass clippings, leaves, and tree/shrub trimmings. This service is not intended to be an entire tree pickup service, and we have an ever-growing problem with entire trees being placed along the roadside for pickup. There are several reasons why we are prohibited from doing this. The main reason is that it is against our city ordinance. This ordinance may be found on our website, www.oxfordal.gov, under the Chapter 36 link of the municipal code section. Another reason is that the rubbish we pick up is placed in our open-air incinerator, which cannot handle large tree trunks and stumps. Most large trees are too difficult and dangerous for homeowners to cut, which results in hiring a tree removal entity. As a word of advice to the homeowner, we want to ensure that you know that the removing entity must dispose of the tree. We are more than happy to provide our curbside service. We want to make everyone aware of this issue so that we can continue to maintain this service most effectively.
Sincerely,
Rusty V. Gann, P.E. Public Works Director/City Engineer
City of Oxford — Business Licenses
Each person, firm, corporation or other business entity must obtain a City of Oxford business license prior to conducting business activity in the city of Oxford. The license year is January 1 through December 31.
Business license renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after January 31 each year.
Proof of State certification is required for certain classifications.
For additional license information call (256) 831-3183 or fax (256) 835-6110.
A license application can be downloaded from the city website - www.oxfordal.gov
NEW LOCATION!
42 PUBLIC WORKS DRIVE, OXFORD, AL 36203
7:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday - Friday 256-831-3183
Our leadership is eager to continue growing our business community and treats each project as a unique opportunity. With a supportive local government, a skilled workforce, excellent municipal services, and a great location, it is easy to understand why businesses choose Oxford. As one of the most popular retail hubs of northeast Alabama, we continue to grow with I-20 Exit 188 and Exit 185 rapidly becoming a vital aspect of the city of Oxford.
If you are interested in bringing your business to Oxford, contact city officials to arrange a site visit. See firsthand why everyone is talking about Oxford, Alabama.
ASSOCIATED METALCAST
A BUSINESS OF PRECISION AND INNOVATION
A Tradition of Excellence
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Oxford, Alabama, Associated MetalCast (AMI) has built a reputation as a leader in the field of precision-machined, complex metal components. Over the past 25 years, the company has demonstrated consistent performance and growth, establishing itself as a key supplier for some of the most demanding and reliable brands worldwide.
From its inception, AMI has focused on delivering high-quality products and unmatched customer service. The company’s dedication to excellence is reflected in its broad array of expert capabilities and specialty services. With a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility spanning 125,000 square feet, AMI is equipped with approximately 60 CNC machine centers, nine Quality Control Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), and five robotic cells. This advanced setup enables the company to produce high-tolerance, mission-critical metal components with precision and efficiency.
Comprehensive Capabilities and Services
- Precision Machining
- Automation and Robotics
- Engineered Services
- Engineered Castings
- Diversified Foundry Network
BY LAUREL HARP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR CALHOUN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
In addition to these core capabilities, AMI offers several specialty services designed to add value and streamline the supply chain for its customers. These services include:
- Inventory Management
- Component Assembly
- Kitting / Grouping
- Coatings / Anodizing
- Heat Treating
Quality is at the heart of everything AMI does. The company operates under an AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified Quality Management System, ensuring that all products meet the highest standards of quality and reliability. This commitment to quality has earned AMI a reputation for excellence in the industry.
EXPANSION AND INNOVATION
To support its continued growth and meet increasing demand, AMI is operationalizing a new 60,000 square-foot facility. This expansion will increase the company’s manufacturing and warehousing capacity, allowing it to better serve its customers and pursue new opportunities.
Associated MetalCast’s success over the past 25 years is a testament to its dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With its state-of-the-art facilities, expert capabilities, and unwavering commitment to excellence, AMI is well-positioned to continue leading the industry in precision-machine, complex metal components for years to come.
Images courtesy of Associated Metalcast
Ron Douglas and Mike Hughston
UPDATE
OXFORD LIBRARY
Let’s start the school year off right with resources to help make you successful. We always have plenty of resources available to help you in your upcoming endeavors. Here are just a few things that can help you (and all of them are free).
• We have books to check out that are on your school reading lists.
• E-books and E-audiobooks are available for all ages and for any type of device.
• Paper books and CD Audiobooks are available to check out in the library building.
• Homework Alabama offers live tutoring to help with schoolwork problems and career help for adults, too.
• Alabama Virtual Library offers huge amounts of resources to find accurate information on virtually any topic. Also, they have added some new resources too.
• Knowledge City offers over 18,000 courses for you to learn new skills in computers, business, finance, safety, and compliance. They will even provide you with a certificate of completion.
• Learning Express Library offers test and career prep to help you achieve your personal and career goals.
Teachers, we have resources geared for you, too. Visit www.oxfordpl.org/teachers for a collection of great resources to help educate the students you love. We love them, too, and we want them (and you) to be successful!
OPL has partnered with the Oxford City School system to provide a series of programming to engage kids in fun ways of learning! This series is called the Discover Series, and it is in OPL’s Community Room on the first Monday of each month at 5:00. So far in the series, we have seen animal and science shows, magic shows, and a visit from a historical figure. Please visit www.oxfordpl.org/discover to see upcoming shows! We will also be giving out free clear backpacks at the shows!
• August 5 – Hoop for
Fitness
Enjoy an introduction to hoop dance with fun hula hoop tricks. Also, learn some fun facts and myths about hula hooping. Crowd participation is encouraged, and fun music is provided. The session ends with a professional LED hoop dance performance.
(256) 831-1750 • 110 EAST 6TH STREET, OXFORD
Library patrons of all ages enjoyed the mix-media painting class offered as part of the summer reading program.
• September 9 – Red Mountain Theatre Theater is an important way to communicate and express feelings or thoughts. Join an Intro to Theater class conducted by a teaching artist.
While there are plenty of events and resources for kids and teens at the library, adults are not to be left out! OPL offers several opportunities for adults to learn and play, as well as resources to help in the daily needs of our community.
Health is very important! Use the library’s resources to make decisions regarding your health. OPL received a grant last year to bolster our non-fiction collection, and much of that was spent on health books and resources, which are ready for you to check out. There are also many online health resources that are more trustworthy than an internet search engine. Visit www.oxfordpl.org/health for more information.
Along with health resources, exercise does a body good! Join OPL as we re-activate our internal energy (Chi), let go of stress, and prevent injury. OPL has a schedule of classes at 9:00 to help you take care of your bodies and health. Please bring your own mat.
MONDAYS – Tai Chi -- Guiding you through a delectable continuum of breath, movement, Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Stretching, and Chair Exercise, this class delivers easy-tofollow effective exercises to help prevent falling while improving overall balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility.
WEDNESDAYS – Yoga -- Stretch, let go of stress and prevent injury. Combining standing and seated yoga poses, slow breath-filled stability exercises, energizing movement therapy, and innovative stretching, yoga is great for all levels of exercise and especially helpful for beginners and seniors.
THURSDAYS – Chi Kung -- Designed to re-activate your internal Energy (Chi), Scott Cole’s renowned sequencing of ancient breath-filled Chinese Chi Kung, combined with modern stretches and applications, allow you to truly lighten up, loosen up, and let go of tension and stress while centering your Chi, bringing your body back to life.
FRIDAYS – Tai Chi
Many in our community are sometimes uncomfortable using the digital tools available to them, whether from the library’s resources or from general daily internet use. The library is increasingly concerned about the information the general community receives from online resources, especially regarding health information. By becoming more familiar with the digital world around them, community members will know how to find legitimate information to make smart, informed decisions in their lives. Community is always our focus
at the Oxford Public Library. Digital Literacy is important to our community members; the way they access and ingest information from digital sources influences the decisions they make in their lives. Computer class workshops will be on Wednesdays at 12:00 at the library; please visit www.oxfordpl.org/computers for the schedule and more information and resources. Attendees will also receive a gift!
August 14 – Alabama Virtual Library
August 21 – Basic Computer Use
August 28 – Files and Folders
September 4 – The Cloud
September 11 – Internet Basics
September 18 – Computer Protection
September 25 – Q & A
Join OPL to learn a new skill or receive help, as well. There are groups that meet weekly or monthly; they welcome all who would like to join them.
Handcraft classes – Thursdays at 9:30 – Would you like to learn how to knit or crochet?
People of all skill levels are welcome to work together to create beautiful handcrafts.
Quilting – Wednesdays at 10:00 – OPL’s quilters make beautiful, hand-quilted masterpieces together. They welcome quilters of all skill levels.
Book Club – Join in a discussion on a great book on the third Monday of each month at 10:00, 3:00, and 5:30. To see the book list, please visit www.oxfordpl.org/book-club.
BYOD – Bring Your Own Device to OPL if you have questions. A group session is available every Tuesday at noon. You can learn from those experiencing the same problems! You can also make an appointment for an individual session at www.oxfordpl.org/byod.
Grief Support – Meet with a licensed grief counselor for help through a time of grief. This service is available on the second Monday of each month at 5:15.
Don’t forget that the library is there for you at every stage of life. With resources in the library and online, there’s something here for everyone. There is much more available at the library than you think! Visit www.oxfordpl.org/calendar for a schedule of events and programs.
Happy reading!
Amy E. Henderson, MLIS Director of Oxford Public Library
Oxford Health Systems Community Paramedic program is booming! This last year, we made over 100 visits to Oxford citizens in their homes, providing them with various resources that they may need to have a healthy and prosperous life. These home visits were not 9-1-1 calls but instead visits to assist citizens with non-emergency medical care needs. We understand that sometimes, the senior citizens in the community may just need a friend to talk to about their health concerns. We have continued to visit the seniors at Oxford Senior Citizens Center weekly and provide a regular program to track their health status. Caring for the community and our citizens is a privilege and an honor.
The Community Paramedic program also provides community CPR and First Aid classes. We have had the pleasure of teaching at least two classes per month to members of the community and surrounding areas. Early CPR and defibrillation are paramount to saving lives during cardiac arrest. We aim to help make our community one of the safest places to live and raise a family in Alabama!
The faces of Oxford Health Systems paramedics are the ones you hope never to see. Still, should that moment come, it is important to be assured that behind those caring and supportive faces are fully trained and equipped medical professionals.
We operate under a mandate from the city council to the Health Care Authority that our focus be on providing quality health care for the citizens within our city limits with services that exceed any standards using responsible budgetary practices.
I can assure our citizens that we are meeting that challenge many times a day, seven days a week, in a way that is specifically designed for the landscape of Oxford.
Health care cannot be “one size fits all.” To be effective, it must relieve immediate, specific needs while maintaining flexibility as the world of medicine—and the community—changes.
To that end, here are some steps your Oxford paramedic service has taken which have already led to lives being saved.
• We are the only EMS service in the state to employ registered nurses and one of the few to employ critical-care paramedics.
• We have a full-time medical director who is available to our paramedics 24/7 and maintains the quality of our training and service.
• We carry a supply of blood in our ambulances.
• We recently became the only EMS service in the state to use a new rapid infuser to get fluids into a patient in seconds, rather than minutes. It saved two lives within the first two weeks of use.
• We are uniquely equipped with ultrasound capabilities.
• As of May 2024, we became one of only a few licensed critical-care transport services in the state.
Later this year, we are working to add new point-of-care laboratory technology, which will allow certified field testing that can provide and transmit results ahead to a medical facility, saving valuable time in the emergency room.
Oxford Health Systems and its paramedic service, under the auspices of the Health Care Authority, appreciate the support of the mayor, city council, and the citizens of Oxford for their continuing support of establishing a system of quality health care within our city limits.
It is a responsibility that our entire staff and I take as seriously as we do in caring for our own families because we consider the citizens of Oxford to be family.
Sincerely,
Tom Dixon CEO, Oxford Health Systems
For all non-emergency matters, please call 256-474-7900. Non-emergency correspondence may also be sent to info@ohsparamedics.org.
CALHOUN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
The Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has partnered with Alabama Cares and will attend their DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY BUSINESS
TRAINING at the Oxford Civic Center from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on September 16th.
We encourage all local businesses to take advantage of this FREE training opportunity to serve our community members with dementia better.
Each business that attends will receive a certificate and a window cling to display that it is a “Dementia-Friendly Business”! You can scan this QR code to register.
BENEFITS OF AN ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Even though no two individuals experience the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer’s disease the same way, meeting together in a caregiver support group can be very beneficial. Meeting together provides a safe space for caregivers to share their experiences, concerns, and emotions with other caregivers who are in similar situations. They have access to resources on various aspects of caregiving. Most importantly, you are understood, acknowledged, and valued at our support group.
An Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support group is the best gift a caregiver can give themselves. How do I know? I was a caregiver for my husband, who attended a support group monthly for two and a half years. After my husband passed away, I knew I wanted to be an advocate for caregivers so they would not have to go through their journey alone. I became certified through the Alzheimer’s Association Birmingham Chapter to facilitate support groups in 2022.
Whether you’re a caregiver in need of support or you know someone who could benefit from attending a caregiver support group, we’re here for you. You can contact me for more information, or simply show up at one of our meetings—no registration is needed.
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Bynum Community Center
OOver the last few decades, very few major municipal projects in Oxford have not been influenced by Fred Denney.
Denney has filled the position of project manager for 17 years with the philosophy that if it’s being done for Oxford, it needs to be done right.
The 85-year-old Clay County native started his career going straight from high school to being employed by Alabama Power.
“I worked for them for 19 years, starting in Birmingham and then in Anniston on the tree trimming crew,” Denney said.
He began taking correspondence courses on power line design and construction, and then electrical engineering.
“They made me an engineer, but I was doing a little commercial work on the side, so after 19 years, I went into the electrical contracting business and stayed in that for 24 years,” he said.
He retired from his own business in 2007 but found himself called to duty when Betta View Hills Church of Christ—the church he attends—was damaged by fire.
“The elders asked me to get some plans drawn, build a building, and take care of the financing,” Denney said.
BY BRIAN GRAVES
During this time, he and some other gentlemen started the Independent Bank of Oxford, of which he was board chairman.
“I was also chairman of the Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and chairman of the Calhoun County Board of Economic Development, so I had plenty to do,” Denney said.
That same year, he received a call from Mayor Leon Smith, who had seen Denney’s previous work for the city and also served on the bank board with him.
“They were getting ready to build a police station,” Denney recalled. “He wanted me to be the project manager for the job. I came and looked at the plans and agreed to work a few hours a day, two or three days a week, for nine months. The mayor kept saying, ‘Fred, can you do this? Fred, can you do this?’ and before you know it, he had me working full time.”
Denney remembers the work done in getting a red light placed at the middle school and helping to design a new traffic flow to prevent cars from backing all the way to Stone Street as they picked up and dropped off their children. This also relieved traffic pressure on Highway 78.
He also supervised the Bynum Community Center project, tearing down part of the old school and keeping what had been recently renovated.
It would not be the last time Denney said he bypassed the mayor’s proposed plans for something he felt was better, noting that with the mayor’s plan, the gym wouldn’t have had a ceiling high enough to play basketball.
He also remembers Smith’s reaction when the city council wanted to renovate the Oxford Civic Center.
“Yeah, we’re going to buy some paint,” Denney said was Mayor Smith’s reply.
“I told him the council wanted to do more than that,” he said. “The building was 26,000 square feet, and the mayor said I could add 1,300 square feet. I didn’t say any more, but I got the architects in here and doubled the size of the building.”
“When we got through, I showed him the plans, but I don’t think he ever realized what we had done,” Denney said.
“We got into arguments several times, and I think he fired me three times,” he said, adding that the two men remained friends.
There was also the Oxford Performing Arts Center project, downtown sidewalk improvements, and several road projects, including Leon Smith Parkway, which Denney helped guide to completion and find funding.
Denney is also responsible for having redesigned City Hall’s emergency generator system, ensuring all the offices have power to keep the city operating should the electric system fail.
“There were some things you just had to go ahead and do, because you knew the first thing Mayor Smith would say was ‘No,’” he said with a laugh. “I knew he needed help, and he wanted things done, and he wanted what was best for the city, but he just didn’t want to spend the money.”
He said that when Mayor Alton Craft came into office, he asked Denney to stay. “I sort of became his bulldog,” he said. “If you saw me coming to a project site, you knew something was wrong, and we were about to fix it.”
Denney achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in the National Guard and was once president of the Anniston Jaycees and the Oxford Lions Club.
He is especially proud of being an elder at Betta View Hills Church of Christ. “They offered me that job, but I didn’t really think I was qualified,” Denney said. “I hated to turn it down because I got to thinking about meeting the Good Lord and Him asking why I didn’t do any work at His place.”
After three retirements, Denney said plans for a fourth are not yet in his sights.
“I enjoy my work, and I think I’m accomplishing something,” Denney said. “It’s my city, too. That’s why I’ve done all these things. I want to see my city have the best and have what it needs. As long as I know I’m contributing, I’ll stay here. But if Mayor Craft wants me to leave here at 2:30 today, I’m ready to go.”
“FACING SUNSET” BLACK RHINO PAINTING BY LARRY K. MARTIN
Stories Behind the Paintings
TO THE BriNK...AND BACK
Two species of gigantic wildlife—One African and one American—had been driven to the edge of extinction, but they were saved by the patient efforts of resolute people, and now they continue the process of making a comeback. A two-part story.
TThe first book I ever borrowed from the Public Library of Anniston and Calhoun County was Osa Johnson’s classic, I Married Adventure; and when, at the age of seven or eight years, I walked out of the library that day, it seemed like Christmas, ten times over. Osa and her husband, Martin Johnson, were among the very first professional photographers/cinematographers to explore the wildest places on Earth to capture wildlife and stone-age tribes in photographs and documentary film. I found their adventures among headhunters and cannibals in the South Seas to be fascinating, but it was the last half of their book that grabbed me and would not let go. As I now open, randomly, my own heavy paperback of that book to a page that recounts their travels to Kenya’s plains (which were still pristine with animal life in the 1930s), the same old, magic aura comes back to life and lightens my day.
WORDS AND ART BY LARRY K. MARTIN
Making it even better, the beautiful names of their safari destinations, some of them only crossroads, like Isiolo, Buffalo Springs and Samburu, all north of Nairobi, are personally familiar to me now—the famous Maasai Mara, Samburu, and Amboseli, at the upper edge of the Serengeti.
I experienced the natural beauty of these same locations, some with vestiges of the pristine wild antelope, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and zebras, and their attendant predators that follow the herds.
The Johnsons were well ahead of their time in more than one sense: They had the best photography equipment, and they shared a love for the difficult searches for subjects. They both felt a reverence for wildlife. They limited their shooting to the essential camp meat (for their entourage of porters, camp workers, and guides.)
One exception to their policy of conserving wildlife seemed to be an aversion to the huge rhinos that still dotted the landscape. The Black Rhino can be aggressive if startled or if they are with young. Their eyesight is poor, and any sudden noise or motion can spark a charge. It is hard to stop a charging rhinoceros unless one has a heavy-bore rifle, and the Johnson expeditions were always well-armed.
How does one take interesting movie footage of a big, drab, “ugly” brute? Simple: make it charge, especially directly toward the camera. That is just what they did again and again. At least twice in their book, a provoked rhino charge ended with a crumpled, dead rhino, and they seemed more exuberant than sorry. After all, there were rhinos all over the savannas of the continent of Africa. Most safaris in those days included the trophy shoulder mounts of the monstrous and dangerous beast with two horns rising from a massive snout. It is no wonder that most serious big game hunters included at least one rhino trophy on any safari.
The trend in the killing of rhinos continued until 1977, when Kenya abolished wildlife hunting entirely. However, this did not stem the practice of killing rhinos, elephants, and other wild game. The age-old practice of poaching exploded, and
Kenya’s rhino numbers fell drastically (from about 20,000 Black Rhinos in the 1960s to fewer than three hundred animals some 20 years later.). Gradually, the battle was joined to eliminate poaching, which by then was influenced by an insatiable demand from some Asian countries, with China being the largest black market for illegal rhino horn and elephant tusks. Even the draconian measure of “shoot to kill” adopted by rangers against poachers who resisted capture did not eliminate the slaughter. Poachers were invariably locals, some destitute, who often opted to take their chances. Black market values, predictably, rose precipitously for rhino horn, which was pulverized and incorporated into folk medicine recipes in the Asiatic countries. Elephant tusks were valued for fine ivory carvings, a traditional art in China.
Conservation was losing the race. A few areas in Kenya and Tanzania did their best to control poaching, but the areas to protect were too vast, and guarding individual animals became impractical and prohibitively expensive. South Africa had a somewhat different approach. They captured endangered rhinos and moved them to private ranches for controlled breeding and closer observation. They did this for both white and black rhinos and had enough success that they eventually began selling the animals on the open market in that country. Some hunting was even allowed to underwrite the overall expenses. The license fees were so high that the dwindling numbers of hunters remained practical for that facet of ranching. Countries such as Kenya and Tanzania received breeding stock from southern Africa and were able to gradually begin to rebuild their own rhino numbers.
In 1983, the Ian Craig Ranch in Kenya made a momentous decision: they would discontinue the raising of cattle and concentrate on rebuilding a conservancy to protect the native wildlife and to support the surrounding communities. Located between the village of Isiolo and Mt. Kenya, Lewa Downs became a 65,000-acre haven for wildlife. The panoramic views at this conservancy are essentially the same now as they were for Martin and Osa Johnson about 80-90 years ago. By the 1980s, Kenya’s rhino population had been reduced to a mere fifteen animals, but under the influence of programs such as those employed at Lewa Downs, the number had increased to 248 rhinos, and that number has now grown to more than one thousand animals.
Poaching at Lewa Downs has been eliminated by Lewa’s own security since 2019, thanks in part to more high-tech surveillance and to the anti-poaching patrols with some impressive dogs (the huge Rhodesian Ridgebacks, I would guess).
The rhino breeding and protection programs at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy have been remarkably successful, and a model for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
On two of our safari trips, we were briefed by the conservancy’s director before heading to the tented camp. Their hierarchy is essentially that of a large corporation well-funded by philanthropic organizations and individuals, boasting a vast array of public service promotions. Lewa is the first and leading conservancy of its kind, and it is a mecca for wildlife photo safaris with a particular interest in conservation.
Thanks to efforts such as those of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, rhinos and other rare wildlife might be, no longer, Facing Sunset.
In the painting, Facing Sunset, I wanted to feature one of the dramatic sunsets of East Africa, to offset the drab, monochromatic features of the rhinoceros. This allowed me to configure the painting with the animal pointing to the horizon, and hence suggest the title, Facing Sunset. The symbolism is obvious—the suggestion that rhinos in general were facing their sad and unnecessary demise. In the few years since this painting was created, some of the trends for rhino survival have been very encouraging.
TO THE BRINK...AND BACK will continue in next issue
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALABAMA HUMANITIES ALLIANCE ROAD SCHOLARS SPEAKERS BUREAU
The Studio at the Oxford Performing Arts Center 100 East Choccolocco Street, Oxford, Alabama
ALABAMA COTTON AND BEMIS BAGS, PIECED INTO QUILT HISTORY
SARAH BLISS WRIGHT TEXTILE ARTIST AND QUILT HISTORIAN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 2:00 PM
The Alabama Humanities Alliance is a nonprofit offering educational and cultural programming to all Alabamians. Founded in 1974, AHA serves as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. AHA supports programs that encourage storytelling, lifelong learning, and civic engagement. The Road Scholars Speakers Bureau includes more than 30 historians, professors, authors, and other experts who assist local organizations in promoting arts and cultural activities in Alabama communities.
Oxford Performing Arts Center 256-241-3322 oxfordpac.org
ALABAMA COTTON AND BEMIS BAGS, PIECED INTO QUILT HISTORY
Feedsack quilts represent the artistic expression of American women in a distinctive textile era, 1930 – 1950, when such bed coverings were created from colorful, patterned fabrics that started out as feed or flour sacks. Many of these textile bags had their genesis in the cotton fields of Alabama because Bemis Brothers Bag Company, the largest textile bag manufacturer in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century, operated a cotton mill and bag plant in Bemiston, Alabama. In this presentation, the evolution of cotton bags from a rural-household convenience to a Depression Era necessity, to a wartime way of life, to an urban re-purposing fad is traced. This progression, steered by the textile bag industry and its extensive research and development, led to improvements in cotton bags and to changes in marketing psychology and advertising strategies. By virtue of the fact that it was the largest textile bag company, Bemis led the way, capitalizing on ideas that would boost sales, make a profit, and keep the textile bag a viable choice in the packaging industry, which resulted in millions of yards of free fabric in the hands of creative women. The availability of feedsack prints undoubtedly encouraged the making of pieced quilts. By placing these quilts in the historical context of the textile industry, we examine the role that Bemis Brothers Bag Company and Alabama cotton played in providing feedsacks, and ultimately feedsack quilts, for the nation.
SARAH BLISS WRIGHT
Alabama native Sarah Bliss Wright spent 30 years in performing arts before quilts captured her attention. Though she grew up surrounded by quilts, it was not until 2006 that the idea of turning her talents to textile art was born. A crazy quilt she made from her late father’s silk neckties ignited a desire to add quilting to her creative pursuits. Serious study of quilt history began after a serendipitous meeting of fellow Alabamian Mary Elizabeth Johnson Huff, well-known author of numerous quilt books.
Wright holds a B.A. in Psychology from Samford University and studied at the University of Exeter, England, as a Rotary International Fellow. She is the curator for “Our Quilted Past,” an exhibit of Alabama feedsack quilts and Bemis Bro. Bag Company, and her research on the subject is published in “Uncoverings 2013.”
Wright, a member of the American Quilt Study Group, lives in Mobile.
OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL — PRINCIPAL TAYLOR!
WWe’re excited to welcome Mr. Seth Taylor as the new principal of Oxford High School! With 15 years of experience in education and a true passion for helping students succeed, Mr. Taylor is ready to bring his unique blend of business and education expertise, along with a lot of enthusiasm, to our school.
Superintendent Dr. Shannon Stanley looks forward to Mr. Taylor joining the Yellow Jacket family: “We are thrilled to welcome Seth Taylor to Oxford High School. His successful experiences and dedication to developing and fostering a safe and positive learning environment will be invaluable to our students, staff, and community. We look forward to the innovative leadership and fresh perspectives he will bring to our district.”
Mr. Taylor believes that education is all about building relationships: “Education, whether through academic teaching, athletic coaching, directing a marching band or leading a club, has everything to do with building relationships. My goal is to emphasize building lasting relationships with students so that we can help place them in a position for future success.”
He’s impressed with and excited about the opportunities students will have at CREATE, which draws on his early career experience in management within the manufacturing industry. “I love Oxford City Schools’ investment in CREATE. Investment in a workforce development educational program gives our students huge opportunities to gain the skills for postsecondary careers and advancements in the workforce. I want to give our students an advantage over others as they move forward in their lives. This is an area that I am passionate about, and I look forward to helping our students make their career choices.”
Mr. Taylor’s journey in education started as a teacher at Munford Middle School, B.B. Comer High School, and Jacksonville High School. In 2016, he became an assistant principal at Lincoln High School and quickly moved up to principal roles at Munford High School (2018), Pleasant Valley High School (2020) and Saks High School (2022). He holds several degrees, including an Educational Specialist degree from the University of West Alabama and a Master’s in Instructional Leadership from Jacksonville State University. He’s also certified to teach math for grades 6-12. Right now, he’s working on his Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from the University of Alabama.
I am grateful for the opportunity and for being welcomed into the Oxford community. The warm welcome that my wife and I have received from the school district, city personnel, and community has been very humbling.
Beyond his work as an administrator, Mr. Taylor is active in the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS), where he serves as President of the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals and as a District 6 Board member. He also mentors new principals, guiding them as they start their own journeys in school leadership.
Mr. Taylor’s approach to success is straightforward and motivating: “I believe there are three things that drive success, and it applies to every teacher, student and parent. I believe in having a vision, being committed to that vision and being disciplined enough to follow through with the vision. The vision I focus on is expecting excellence and not being average. I want Oxford High School to be committed to being the very best that we can be in everything we do. I want OHS to be disciplined in our focus for every student to be excellent. This means we will overcome the challenges of life that sometimes divert our focus.”
Mr. Taylor and his wife, Amy, have felt incredibly welcomed by the Oxford community. “I am grateful for the opportunity and for being welcomed into the Oxford community. The warm welcome that my wife and I have received from the school district, city personnel, and community has been very humbling. I look forward to serving the parents and the young men and women at Oxford High. My goal is to work with our parents and community so that we can help our students become successful and productive citizens. I’m looking forward to a great school year!
GO BIG O!”
WHY I TEACH
OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: JANET KUCHINSKI
JJanet Kuchinski, a special education teacher and leader, brings 23 years of education experience. She began this journey after a life-changing volunteer weekend at Alabama’s Camp ASCCA, which set her on her life’s purpose.
She began her Oxford Career as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at Oxford Elementary in 2010. She was transferred to Coldwater Elementary in 2015 and has been there since. Before this, she taught in four other states, including Ohio, Missouri, South Carolina, and Georgia, giving her various experiences she brought to the classroom.
In addition to her exemplary work in public schools, Kuchinski has demonstrated her versatility as an adjunct instructor, sought-after speaker, behavioral consultant, and advocate. With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, she passionately believes that every child, regardless of disability or behavioral challenges, can learn and thrive when provided with tailored instruction suited to their individual needs.
Beyond the classroom, she extends her impact as a devoted mother of two daughters and a son with special needs. All three are proud Oxford High School graduates. Kuchinski also volunteers in the community for events like “A Night to Shine,” a special needs prom.
JANET KUCHINSKI AND OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER JENNIFER DASINGER WERE NAMED AS FINALISTS FOR THE 2024 ALABAMA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD BY THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THE CITY OF OXFORD CONGRATULATES BOTH ON THEIR SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND SALUTES ALL OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHERS FOR THE WORK AND DEDICATION EACH GIVES TO THE YOUTH OF OUR CITY EVERY DAY.
What is your position at Coldwater Elementary School?
I am the Special Education Chairperson and a Special Education Teacher at CES. I mentor and support other special education teachers and have a caseload of special education students. I am what is known as a collaborative special education teacher. I push into the general education classrooms and work collaboratively with the general education teachers to instruct and provide accommodations and support in the general education setting for special education students. This is an inclusion model. I also teach research-based reading and math intervention groups. Another big part of my job is developing annual individualized education plans (IEPs) for my students and calling together the IEP team to do this. This includes parents, teachers, administrators, psychometrists, and general education teachers. We all work together to evaluate and develop comprehensive plans for each student. I enjoy working with students with medical and educational challenges and discovering their learning styles and needs.
What influenced you to become a teacher?
I originally had no plans to become a teacher. However, I loved to play teacher as a child with my sister and friends in the neighborhood. But thankfully, my plans were not God’s plan. I believe I was called to teach this special population, and my experience at Camp ASCCA was the primary influence. And God definitely did have a plan. Unbeknownst to me, 15 years after entering this field, I was blessed with a son with special needs on the autism spectrum. Because I entered this field, I was better prepared than anything else I could have done for my biggest challenge: educating and raising a child on the autism spectrum. This gives me a very unique perspective. I am a special education teacher AND a special education parent. I sit on both sides of that IEP table. I believe this helps me connect with my parents and students uniquely and gives me a perspective to my advantage.
What were you like as a student?
I have always been an avid reader and a very good student. I loved school and graduated Summa Cum Laude from college. I love being a student as I am again back in school pursuing a Doctorate in Education. I hope to one day teach at the collegiate level and recruit and mentor special education teachers due to the shortage of teachers entering this high-need field.
What was your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subjects in school were English, reading, and literature. I loved to read, and I still do. My second favorite subjects were science and anatomy.
What is the most satisfying thing about teaching?
The most satisfying thing about teaching special education is seeing that light bulb come on for a student. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with a student who “seemed” to have very low abilities who had come to us from another system. This student lacked confidence, was super shy, and was afraid to try. Over time she went from an almost non-reader to reading with 98% accuracy on a 4th-grade level. This is due to receiving the right intervention and the daily classroom instruction that she could understand. That is the joy. Hearing her read and seeing her smile, her confidence, and her parent’s pride….that is why. Or seeing a student who was in a very restrictive setting due to behavioral regulation difficulties be able to move to a more inclusive environment, become accepted by peers, and begin to perform on grade level is the ultimate satisfaction. That is what special education teachers do. And this is satisfying. Every story does not always end this way. But when it works, well, that is why, as hard as it is some days, I am still doing it all these years later.
What would be your advice for upcoming teachers?
I advise upcoming teachers to be flexible, especially special education teachers. You have to be quick on your feet and go with the flow. Lessons do not always work out as planned, especially
in the beginning. Also, laugh at yourself, with other teachers, and the students. You have to enjoy it. Teaching and learning have to be fun and engaging. If it is boring to us, it is probably boring to the students. If students are not engaging with the lesson, change something up. Don’t be afraid to try new strategies and avoid getting into a rut. Burnout and stress are common in this field. Being a lifelong learner yourself keeps things interesting and motivates you and your students.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges that teachers face today?
The challenges facing teachers today are multifold. Number one is emotional regulation. Students are having more trouble managing their emotions. Students are also struggling to pay attention. In this digital and instant, fast-food world we live in, students have difficulty pushing through difficult tasks and persisting on hard assignments. This includes students who do not have special needs. Teachers must be prepared to meet students’ social and emotional needs and help them gain the skills needed to navigate this digitally-focused and global society. That is a tall order.
What methods do you use daily to bring out the best in students?
Connecting with students is the best way to bring out their best. Students learn more from teachers they like and teachers they believe care about them. You cannot fake this. Students know which teachers truly care and are invested in them. It seems obvious, but you have to love your students.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Honestly, my proudest accomplishment is raising three beautiful children. They are my greatest joy. Of course, I am also very proud to represent the field of special education as one of the top 16 teachers in the state of Alabama this year. This is an honor I will never forget. I am grateful and humbled to have been nominated and chosen.
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family?
My favorite way to spend time with family is on beach trips, going out for Mexican food, or having a good dinner. We also love to play board games together, especially during the holidays.
Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world?
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Europe. My family has English, Irish, Polish, and Slavic roots, and I would like to visit these countries, study the culture, and, of course, eat the food. I would also like to sit at cafes, drink coffee, and watch the people go by.
COMMUNITY CENTERS & PARKS
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
SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER
424 Main Street, Oxford, AL 36203 (256) 831-5900
SIMMONS PARK
Corner of Main Street and Oak Street Oxford, AL 36203
Halloween
Thursday October 31, 2024
Oxford
Public Library
Special Story Time and Trick-or-Treat
For more info: 256-831-1750
MAIN STREET
Trick-or-Treat on Main Bounce Houses, Slides, Games, Food Trucks, Candy 5:00 - 7:00 PM
