FEBRUARY 2016
THE
PET ISSUE MEET BRICK PAGE 12
PETS AT WORK
Local Businesses and Their Four-Legged Assistants
FINDING THEIR FOREVER HOMES A Story of Foster Pets
A TRIBUTE TO MAMACITA Cat Queen of the Square
AN OXFORD BUCKET LIST for Rover
Mark C. Cleary
Blake Cannon
Markccleary@gmail.com
blake@oxfordvip.com
(713) 303-8924
Alison Alger
(662) 380-7144
(662) 832-1697
alisonmalger@gmail.com
LEGACY R EALT Y
Contact Mark Cleary (713) 303-8924
The Highlands Starting in the low $100,000’s
(for 1-5 acre lots) 70+ acre crystalContact clear water, Mark #1 Bass fishing lake in Mississippi
lee.pittman1@gmail.com
#1 Re/Max Team in MS in 2014 Starting in the mid $300,000’s
Lots at
Lee Pittman
(662) 645-3695
1413 South Lamar
Measuring in at just under 1 mile from campus, 800 Park includes luxury features like gas fireplaces, 10 foot ceilings and heart pine floors. Professionally designed, each of the 4 floor plans are one level and have private screened in porches overlooking Pat Lamar Park and Davidson Creek. There is also a pet park that will be exclusive to the 800 Park owners. The 800 Park development has plans to include some specialty retail shops, as well.
Cleary (713) 303-8924 Estimated Restoration Completion Summer 2016
Historic Downtown Oxford Restoration. 4 bedrooms 4.5 bathrooms, a formal living and dining room, superb office, 2 real wood burning fireplaces, 3 porches, boasting a gorgeous screened in porch on approximately an acre corner lot on South Lamar. This once in a lifetime opportunity is finished out with top of the line finishes throughout orchestrated by a professional design team. Come get involved and make this masterpiece your piece of Oxford History.
$1,910,000
The Belmont
Southpointe 6 Lots Available at $31,000
at 1769 East Jackson
Build your dream home in Southpointe! Located just off Highway 7 South, Southpointe, boasts beautiful homes, a walking trail, pond, and a gazebo! Come find your next home/lot today!
$499,000 3 Bed 3.5 Bath & 2 Bed 2.5 Bath + Study
313 Shady Grove Loop
$167,000
115 Hot Spur Lane
The Ice House #201
101 Castlehill Dr
•4 Bed 4.5 Bath •Top Notch Finishes •Garages Available
•High end finishes •Move in ready •Freshly Painted •In the Heart of the Square
•Access to Highlands Lakes •City Schools •Screened in Porch w/ Gas Fireplace
$360,000
$349,000
•3 Bed 2 Bath •Open living area & split floor plan •Act fast and choose your finishes
$269,000
Starting in the low $400’s 4 Bedroom/4.5 Bath
LEGACY R EALT Y
Search the entire Oxford Market at www.MarkClearyOxford.com and www.OxfordMSHomes.net. 662.234.5621 1923 University Ave Oxford, MS 38655 • Each office independently owned and operated. All information deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and subject to change without notice.
•Large Private Courtyards •Granite Slab Throughout •Stainless Steel Appliances •Wet Bar & Fireplace
•2 Car Attached Garage •Wood Floors •Walk to Ole Miss Campus •Walk-in Closets
February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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IN D N E
P Lot 79 East Wellsgate $105,000
One of the last lakefront Wellsgate lots! Wake up each day to a resort - style view. Build your dream home here!
16004 Woodview Drive
11015 Covington Way 5 Bedrooms 4.5 Baths
Such a great home being constructed in Wellsgate and not too late to choose your finishes!
French finishes at their best! Exposed reclaimed brick, beautiful beams, and wood flooring, and enjoy a nice, private screen porch and deck.
4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths $555,000
$551,000
11017 Covington Way 4 Bedrooms 4.5 Baths $544,000
Unbelievable plan being built in Wellsgate! You will just love the layout and can still pick the interior finishes.
16008 Woodview Drive 4 bedrooms 4.5 baths $525,000
Construction almost complete! Gorgeous beams, custom cabinets and exposed brick.
Spring, a time for renewal, new life.... why not welcome the season in a new home! 111 CR 102
6 Bedrooms 4.5 Baths $449,000 Endless possibility gorgeous 6 acres with Italian style home. Make this your dream estate!
970 Hwy 7 South
3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths $219,900 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths $475,000 $375,000 Gorgeous estate home on Look high and low - very difficult Gorgeous home just minutes from town. nearly 7 acres just minutes from Oxto find this nice of a 4 bedroom Make an appointment today to see this ford. This house has it all, including home in the Oxford School most excellent floor plan and well cared 408 Andalusia stonebridge 908 Highpointe 708 Ridgewood pool and lake view! District at this price!401 Bickerstaff #10a gorgeous for home. 4Bed/3.5Bath 4Bed/4Bath Attention to all details! This charming home has everything you want with maintenance-free living.
Condominiums
Great deal in Highpointe! This condo is in great condition and features 3 bedrooms with 3 baths.
3Bed/3Bath You will not get closer to the Ole Miss campus in such a well planned condominium!
3Bed/2Bath Such a well planned community of carefree living. Units are selling as quickly as they are built.
Manor
4 Bed/ 2.5 Bath Southern charm at it’s best! Close to parks, schools, and downtown!
G
IN D N E
P
Oxford 602 Kate Condominiums Cove
304 Winner’s Circle
401 Bickerstaff #4
You will not find a more convenient condo to the University Campus call today!
Cross Creek
Stonebridge
3 Bedrooms 2 Baths $265,000
One of Oxford’s best kept secrets! Very conveniently located and several great new plans to be built to your liking.
2413 Holcomb Drive
612 Centerpointe
4Bed/4.5Bath Beautiful Craftsman style home in popular Northpointe Subdivision. Inviting fireplace with exposed brick and open entertaining plan.
4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths $369,000 Like new in Oxford Stations II! This Wellsgate condo has been very lightly lived in.
2202 Longspur Pointe 4Bed/3.5Bath
Grandiose southern estate home located in Wellsgate subdivision. This home has it all!
13 CR (Levee Road) 3Bed/1.5Bath Charming cottage located on a tree covered lot with a convenient location. Great investment property!
300 Winner’s Circle
4Bed/3.5Bath Steeplechase is the location of this soon to be constructed dream home.
313 Fox hollow cove
4Bed/3Bath Taylor-Greene is the location for this well-planned home. So many great features!
802 Birkdale
6 CR 376
3 Bedrooms 3 Baths 5 Bedrooms 5 Bath $489,000 Perched on a $749,900 Overlooking Pat NG tree-canopied lot just south of Lamar Park with one ENDofI the Oxford in Lafayette County. best views in P town! Call This gorgeous property is just today to see the gorgeous 420 Deer Run 810 Brentwood 1605 Jackson Ave what you are looking for! custom 5Bed/3Bath Cove #4colonial style home Space galore! This home was Mature Crepe Myrtles line the 4 Bed/3.5 Bath built on beautiful lot. built by treed the builder for his entrance to this private estate Just a minutes’ walk home complete with a pool!
to the SQUARE!!
family to reside-well done!
Jamey Leggitt 1081 Augusta Drive
3628 Lyles Drive
5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths $949,000 Executive show home overlooking the Grand $549,500 Grand Oaks! Executive home that needs absolutely nothing - but you! Oaks golf course! This home has it all, including a pool with Roman fountains. Call today to see Call Today. this magnificent home.
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
1621 Grand Oakswood Blvd. 18007 Country Cove
Splendid home on a quiet 3cul-de-sac Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths in Wellsgate! This home has a $289,000 Grandkitchen! OaksEverything condo- you youwant! pool, beautiful couldn’t ask for a more convenient location. So well cared for and offers a 1 car garage!
662-832-7620 Jamey Leggitt
236 St. Andrews Circle
Visit jameyleggitt.com Cell: 662-832-7620 Visit jameyleggitt.com jamey@kessingerrealestate.com jamey@kessingerrealestate.com
You have waited for this address! Absolutely wonderful neighborhood!
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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BATESVILLE
February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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FEBRUARY 2016
47
ON THE COVER
FEATURES
EVENTS
Brick, a 7-year-old German shepherd-Chow mix, was going to be put to sleep until Moni Simpson decided to foster him six years ago. “I knew we were in for it with him; he was like a giant kitten. It only took three months before I realized I wasn’t trying very hard to find him a home. I knew he was ours,” Simpson said. Read more about their story on page 60.
47 Behind the Lens
28
Three Blind Wines
With his video production company, Life Long Productions, Derek Brown helps capture the lives of the people of Oxford.
30
Pet-a-Pup
32
Oxford Christmas Parade
34
L-O-U/EDF Christmas Party
These local businesses get extra help from their four-legged assistants.
36
Opening Night of the Pavilion
38
Bar Association Party
60 Fostering Love
40
Roxford Winter Showcase
Temporarily providing a home to an animal in need can change the lives of not just the pets but their caretakers too.
42
Thacker Mountain Radio Party
72
A Charlie Brown Christmas
74
Cedar Oaks Christmas Party
76
Feed the Need
78
State Championship Football
80
PMB Church 150th Anniversary
82
Oxford Civic Chorus Concert
84
Deck the Walls
photographed by Joe Worthem
IN EVERY ISSUE 14
Letter From the Editor
16
What’s Happening
20
Community Corner
22
In Season: Red Velvet Cake
88
Out and About
96
I Am Oxford: Alfred Hall II
ANNOUNCEMENTS 25
Mesecke & Cox
27
Tinsley & Alexander
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
51 Pets at Work
67 And the Grammy Goes To A second location of the Grammy Museum finds its appropriate home in the Delta.
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February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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THE EDITOR
INVITATION Oxford
M
y first year in Oxford, I lived in an apartment off East Jackson and enjoyed walking my dog, Dylan, around the Square. People would frequently say to me, “I saw you walking your little white dog this morning” (often followed with “in your pajamas”). In such a pet-friendly town, Oxford quickly gets to know its residents and their four-legged sidekicks. That’s why we are excited to bring you our first-ever pet issue. This month we celebrate these lovable, fuzzy creatures of Oxford. On page 51, meet the animals who earn their keep by going into work every day. Even if their job descriptions aren’t much beyond “looking cute,” these dogs and cats of local businesses bring joy to their workplaces—not just to their owners but also to the customers who stop in. Pet fostering is such an incredible way to help local animals in need. On page 60, read about Oxford resident Moni Simpson, who has fostered and helped find homes for almost 100 dogs, and learn what you can do to help the humane society by volunteering to foster a pet. It’s been almost 13 years since I adopted Dylan from a shelter in Austin, Texas, and it’s one of the best decisions I ever made. Stop by
publishers
Phil and Rachel West
editorial
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lena Anderson CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Emily Welly EVENTS EDITOR Mary Moreton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sunny Young Baker Meaghin Burke Kate Lechler Ginny McCarley Tom Speed COPY EDITOR Kate Johnson
the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society soon, and meet some of the animals there. Your new best friend may be waiting for you.
LENA ANDERSON, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
advertising
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Jennifer Bolton Alise M. Emerson Leigh Lowery Lynn McElreath Stacey Raper Moni Simpson Whitney Worsham ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Becca Bailey Zach Fields
art
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hallie Thomas STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Worthem CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Joey Brent Elizabeth Evans Ann-Marie Herod Jessica Richardson
production
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Emily Suber
office
BUSINESS MANAGER Hollie Hilliard COMPTROLLER Julie Clark DISTRIBUTION Donald Courtney Brian Hilliard MAIN OFFICE (662) 234-4008 ADVERTISING INFORMATION ads@invitationoxford.com
LUCY FROM THE COTTON BOLL
B
efore we went to press, one of the dogs we planned to feature in our Pets at Work story, Lucy, died unexpectedly. A 4-month-old Yorkie, Lucy was the mascot for Cotton Boll, an antique mall on the corner of Molly Barr and North Lamar. Store owner Shirlene Coats bought Lucy for her husband. Hardly bigger than a cotton boll herself, Lucy was friendly and loved to get her way by using her cute, squeaky voice to bark her demands. Her popularity among visitors was palpable, and she is greatly missed.
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
To subscribe to one year (10 issues) of Invitation Oxford, send payment of $50 to: P.O. Box 776, Oxford, MS 38655 or visit invitationoxford.com to pay online. To request a photographer at your event, email Mary at mary.invitation@gmail.com.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
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FEBRUARY 2016
2/3
National Signing Day Party The Ole Miss Quarterback Club hosts its annual party. Members only, or join to attend. Doors at 7:30 a.m., Oxford Conference Center
2/4, 11, 18 AND 25
Thacker Mountain Radio A live weekly radio show featuring readings and music. 6 p.m., Off Square Books (2/18 at the Lyric Oxford as part of the Oxford Film Festival)
2/13
A Cause for the Paws The event, benefiting Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society, features live music by Mustache the Band. Tickets $20. Doors open at 7 p.m., The Lyric
2/15 Romeo and Juliet
2/10
2/10
2/11-14
Local award-winning author and screenwriter Offutt reads from his latest memoir. 5 p.m., Off Square Books
Taste of Oxford, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, features food from local restaurants, silent and live auctions, and music. 7 p.m., The Library Sports Bar
Theatre Oxford presents Lend Me a Tenor, a comedy by Ken Ludwig. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the Powerhouse, oxfordarts.com
ARTWORK BY MARYA PAOLILLO
Aquila Theatre Company presents William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. 7:30 p.m., the Ford Center, fordcenter.org
Chris Offutt signs My Father, The Pornographer
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
St. Jude Taste of Oxford
Lend Me a Tenor
2/16
Empty Bowls Bowls of soup, bread and water are served at this lunch fundraiser for The Pantry. Take home a collector’s bowl crafted and donated by the University of Mississippi Mud Daubers. Tickets $20. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oxford-University Methodist Church
Ole Miss Men’s Basketball 2/6 vs. Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. 2/13 vs. Arkansas, 1 p.m. 2/23 vs. Missouri, 8 p.m. The Pavilion at Ole Miss
Ole Miss Women’s Basketball 2/11 vs. Auburn, 6 p.m. 2/15 vs. Texas A&M, 6 p.m. 2/21 vs. Mississippi State, 4 p.m. 2/25 vs. South Carolina, 8 p.m. The Pavilion at Ole Miss
Ole Miss Baseball 2/19-21 vs. Florida International, 4 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday 2/26-28 vs. Louisville, 4 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field
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FEBRUARY 2016
2/17-21
2/19
2/20
The film festival includes more than 80 films in a range of categories, including animation, documentary and narrative. oxfordfilmfest.com
A kickoff to the Rebel Well Mighty Half and 5K race, featuring vendors and activities. 5 p.m., the Manning Center
The inaugural half marathon and 5K race helps fund The Mighty Milers, a new program for young runners in Oxford. rebelwellmightyhalf.racesonline.com/register
Oxford Film Festival
2/20
Breakfast with Jim and Chad Kelly The Ole Miss Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosts a breakfast with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly and current Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly. 8 a.m., Tad Smith Coliseum
2/23
Oxford Art Crawl Meet at the Powerhouse, and ride the Double Decker Bus around town to enjoy local art. 6-8 p.m., oxfordarts.com
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Visit Oxford’s Health and Race Expo
Rebel Well Mighty Half and 5K
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LOVE ON A LEASH
Love on a Leash is a national organization that brings privately owned and certified therapy animals to various facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals and schools. During visits, the pets provide emotional support to someone in need. Julie Davis, the Oxford chapter leader for LOAL, believes the service can leave a lasting impression. “Many people in nursing homes and hospitals used to have pets at home and miss them,” Davis said. “When they get to spend time with our animals, it really brightens their days.” Twice a year, during finals week, LOAL visits the University of Mississippi campus for Pet-a-Pup, an event that allows students to take a break from their books and de-stress by holding and playing with the puppies. LOAL also provides animal safety education to local schools. “We teach the children the proper way to approach an unknown dog and what to do in a situation if the dog becomes aggressive,” Davis said. All pets and their owners are certified through the organization and undergo a series of safety assessments and supervised visits. Along with several dogs, the local chapter has a miniature donkey, goat, pig, rabbit and cat. Davis said the program is beneficial not only to those on the receiving end but also to the pet and its owner. “It creates a bond between them,” Davis said, “and gives the animal a job to do, which means he’ll be less trouble at home.” For more information or to volunteer, visit loveonaleash.org or email oxfordtherapets@ gmail.com.
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BEET RED VELVET CUPCAKES written by Sunny Young Baker photographed by Joe Worthem
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
L
ocal baker Shannon Adams believes the best way to show love this Valentine’s Day is to take it to the kitchen. “There’s no better way to say you love someone than to spend some time baking for them,” she said. Adams learned to bake as a child with her mother and then honed the craft through years of trial and error both at home and for seven years at her Oxford restaurant Honey Bee Bakery. She cooks with limited amounts of processed products and opts for natural ingredients when possible, so when the standard recipe for red velvet cake called for two bottles of red dye, she got creative. Her healthier alternative for the cake’s signature color: beets. Swapping out artificial chemicals for healthier, natural ingredients can be beneficial in many ways, according to Adams. “Dye can contribute to ADD/ADHD in children,” she said. “If you don’t need it, then don’t put it in there. So many things have dye in them unnecessarily.” When mixed with the other ingredients, the beets’ natural sweetness is absorbed, and the only trace left of the vegetables is their rich, beautiful color. Loved ones will never guess the secret ingredient, but their hearts will be thankful. “The beets are roasted and pureed, which releases natural sugars, so this ingredient actually complements the cake,” Adams said.
Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes ½ cup Beet Puree (1-2 beets, depending on size) (see recipe at right) ¾ cup buttermilk 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 1 Tablespoon white vinegar 1¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ cup cocoa powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup butter (at room temperature) ¾ cup sugar 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 2 eggs (at room temperature)
Beet Puree Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut green tops off of beets, and discard. Wash with cold water, and scrub with a vegetable brush or washcloth. Wrap each beet in aluminum foil, and roast until they are tender and can be cut with a fork (like a potato). This could take 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the beets. Let them cool. Rub with a paper towel to pull off the skins. Quarter the beets, and place in a food processor. Pulse until pureed and smooth.
Red Velvet Cake Batter Increase oven temperature to 450°F. Pour buttermilk into a small mixing bowl; add lemon juice and vinegar. Let mixture reach room temperature. Sift and whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Combine butter, sugar and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium speed for approximately 5 minutes, until the texture is light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix on medium-high speed.
Add ½ cup Beet Puree, and mix on medium-low speed. Slowly add one-fourth of flour mixture, and mix on low speed. Add a little of the buttermilk mixture. Then add a little of the flour mixture. Continue mixing on low, alternating between wet and dry mixtures until mixture is consistent and fully combined. Place cupcake liners inside cupcake pan, and fill each cup halfway with batter. Bake cupcakes on the center oven rack for approximately 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven, and let the cupcakes cool.
Cream Cheese Icing ½ pound butter (2 sticks or 1 cup) (at room temperature) 1 pound cream cheese (at room temperature) 10 cups powdered sugar 2 teaspoons salt Combine all ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed until desired consistency. Load in a piping bag with a large star tip, and pipe icing onto cupcakes. February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELIZA KENNARD PHOTOGRAPHY
ASHLEY CAROLINE MESECKE & WILLIAM TRENT COX
r. and Mrs. Martin Mesecke of Oxford announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Caroline Mesecke, to William Trent Cox, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Steven Cox of Oak Grove, Louisiana. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Miller of Tampa, Florida, and Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Mesecke of McKinney, Texas. The groom is the grandson of Mrs. Sally Cox and the late Charles Cox of Oak Grove and Mr. and Mrs. Archie Carraway, also of Oak Grove. Ashley and Trent are both 2014 graduates of the University of Mississippi’s Master of Business Administration program. Both work for FedEx in Memphis, Tennessee, Ashley as a solutions analyst and Trent as a financial analyst. The couple plans to exchange vows on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at Paris-Yates Chapel on the Ole Miss campus.
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAYLOR REAGAN PHOTOGRAPHY
SYLVIANN FRANCES TINSLEY & JOHN MARSHALL ALEXANDER JR.
r. and Mrs. Jones Frank Tinsley II of Hartsville, South Carolina, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Sylviann Frances Tinsley to John Marshall Alexander Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. John Marshall Alexander of Cleveland, Mississippi. The bride-elect is a 2015 graduate of the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, Sylvi was a member of the Sigma Phi Lambda sorority. The groom is a graduate of Delta State University. Marshall was a member of the Delta Beta chapter of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. The couple is planning a May wedding in Oxford.
Alice & Company Salon Treat your Valentine to a Salon visit to show how much she’s l ved! 662.234.3896
1729 University Ave.
www.AliceandCompanySalon.com February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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View more photos @ invitationoxford.com.
THREE BLIND WINES A blind wine tasting was held on Nov. 11 at the Powerhouse. The fundraiser was hosted by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and the Rotary Club of Oxford to support their local programs. photographed by Joey Brent
Wayne Andrews and Becky Kelly
Ruchelle Phillips, Mary Margarat Andrews and Beth Ziegenhorn
Camila Selvati and Drew Windham
Julie Cantrell and Kerri Greene
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Emily Cantrell and Angela King
Glenda Landrum, Shea Turner and Callie Everett
Susan Westbrook and Ann Klingen
Jene Scholl and Carol VanBesiem
Betsy Webster and Laura Hoskin
Cyd Dunlap and Karen Chain
Alexandria Pisarik and Morgan Saucier
Katelynn Dillard and Clant Harrison
INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Winn names Hutchcraft names names and Candy namesJohnson names
Erike Lipe and Ally Cartwright
names names Abigail names andnames Nathan names Robbins names names
Sally Kate Walker and Kathryn Lance
Keith and Cheryl Haywood
Kim Patterson, Kate Victor and Beth Blaha
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View more photos @ invitationoxford.com.
PET-A-PUP Oxford Therapets hosted the biannual Pet-a-Pup for Ole Miss students on Dec. 6. The event was held at the J.D. Williams Library on campus. photographed by Joey Brent
Elijah, Melissa and Jackson Dennis
Jennifer Main and Rook
Lisa Brooks with Minnie and Rebel
Elly Quinton and Josh Moore
Layla Langdon, Ross Brewster and Elijah Gafford
Savannah Hall and Eric Benton
Ebonee Carpenter, Natalie Minton and Gabriella Gonzaba
Haley Ware and Lauren Cunningham
Shikha Shrestha and Galina Ostrovsky
Formerly Azalea Gardens - Emeritus at Oxford
Only the name has changed We are still the community you love & trust 30
INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
(662) 234-9600 100 AZALEA DRIVE OXFORD, MS | 38655
WWW.BROOKDALE.COM
February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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View more photos @ invitationoxford.com.
OXFORD CHRISTMAS PARADE The Oxford Christmas parade, themed “Merry Christmas, Y’all” was held on Dec. 7 and sponsored by the Oxford Lions Club. photographed by Joey Brent
Tamara Mayes, Sara Caroline Bridgers and Mary Lauren Green
Cindy and Mackenzie Pruitt
Gauge, Ashley and Chase Freeman
Nicole Willard, Anna Crump and Whitney Rayner
Kelly and Dee Wages with Tim Lewellen
Annie Lewis and Ali Hewitt
names names Natalie names and names Olivianames Lewellen names names
Riley Courser and Caitlynn Busby
Katie Trott, Mackenzie Ross and Matthew Knotts
names namesJenny names and names Lisa Hudson names names names
Jake, Emma Farris and Rachel Morgan
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Sammie Ferrell, Heather Edwards and Diana Carter
INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Grant and Harper Mills, Jonathan and Brandon Huckaby, and Hayden Mills
Kim and Dan Hogan with Brenda Estelle
Collin and Susan Alford
Wesley and Tiffany Webb
Dakota Hensley and Charlie Kate Tutor with Rhaylee and Austin Boggs
Golda and Sally McLellan with Caz Washington
Olivia, Katherine and Ava Grace Edwards, Vivian and Charles William Newell, and Bo Holmes
Jean Withrow and Belinda Beason
Bess and Layton Lawhead
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View more photos @ invitationoxford.com.
L-O-U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/EDF PARTY The annual Christmas party was held Dec. 8 at the Oxford Conference Center and featured a silent auction and live music by The Bonfire Orchestra. photographed by Joey Brent
Phil Baquie and Jon Maynard
Helen and Charlie Brock
Onice Carter and Walt Shinault
Marlin Williams and Justin Smith
Debby Pritchett and Mike Tomes
Regina and Keith Black
Nicole List, Rosie Vassallo and Karen Ruder
Tina Barkley and Barbara Magee
Donna Howard and Glinda Daniels
Lisa and Marti Mills
1400 University Ave Oxford, MS 38655 662.234.3232
Come see our new line of Amy Howard chalk paint 34
INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM PRESENTS
Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry:
40 Years of Color, Light, & Motion
JANUARY 26–APRIL 16, 2016 Reception and Artist’s Lecture: Thurs., Jan. 28, 2016, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Fallert-Gentry is internationally recognized for her award-winning fine-art quilts. The 58 piece exhibition includes quilts spanning her 40 year career.
The University of Mississippi Museum
UNIVERSITY AVE. & 5TH ST., OXFORD, MS
Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed every Sunday and Monday along with most University Holidays. For assistance related to a disability call 662.915.7084.
A D M I S S I O N
I S
F R E E
MUSEUM.OLEMISS.EDU 6 6 2 . 9 1 5 . 7 0 7 3
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View more photos @ invitationoxford.com.
THE PAVILION AT OLE MISS GRAND OPENING The Rebels’ men’s basketball team played the University of Alabama Crimson Tide on Jan. 7 at the grand opening of the Pavilion at Ole Miss. photographed by Joe Worthem
April, Taylor and Steven Braddock
Michael Drew Turner and Rorie Bolton
Shawn and Michelle Cox with Melana Mills
Giulia Schmitz and Jordana Reis
David and Celeste Carroll
Mary Russell, Brenda Berry and Lila Swanson
Charlotte and Mason Bates
Taylor Lowery, Melina Jansen and Katie Murray
Chris and Jill Knox
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Michael Camponova and Mary Fay Salter
names names Hollis names andnames Bentonnames Turnage names names
names names Christian names Russell names andnames Breana names Day names
John and Nancy Duncan with Jennie and Tommy Lee
Luke Jenkins, Brenna Ferrell, Austin Dean and Sarah Stewart
Lindsey Curington with Jeff, Kelsey, Kelsey and John Hodges
Merrill Jones and Emily Warden
Anna Garrett, Bailey Brewer, Jenny Kate Smith and Sarah Feck
Crystal and Daniel Cross with Diane Suga
Call for Valentines Day reservations!
C ASUAL F INE D INNING
Larry and Cassie Veasey
(662)380-5182
1518 W EST J ACKSON A VE . O XFORD
HAPPY HOUR MEAL 4:30 - 6:30 P.M: ALL DRAFT BEER & HOUSE SAKE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
Spend $30 and get one appetizer free.
Choose from fried shrimp, fried mozzarella, or fried onion rings. expires: March 15, 2016
Buy one entree, get second entree for 1/2 price (equal or lesser value) expires: March 15, 2016
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View more photos @ invitationoxford.com.
LAFAYETTE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION PARTY The Lafayette County Bar Association’s Christmas party was held on Dec. 14. Members and their families enjoyed appetizers at the Graduate. photographed by Joey Brent
DeeDee and Reed Martz
Goodloe Lewis and Tricia Joyce
Roy, Liam, Phin and Mary Ann Percy
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Jeremiah and Samantha Weathersbee
Julia Jimenez and Geoffrey Calderaro
Philip Levy, Catie Hester and Sam Davis
Susan and Robert Culpepper
Karen Peairs and Berry Littlefield
Walt Davis and Tom Suszek
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View more photos @ invitationoxford.com.
ROXFORD UNIVERSITY WINTER SHOWCASE Roxford University held its winter showcase on Dec. 10 at the Lyric with student performances. photographed by Joey Brent
Ryder Hayden and Murphy Smith Ryder
Elizabeth Fielder, Michelle Bright, Temple Gowen and Bill Phillips
Allie and Dawn Boutwell
Robbie Saxton and Norman Ervin
Meg Hayden and Max B. Hipp
Lydia Myers, Amy Wilkes, Carter Myers and Tad Wilkes
Craig and Heather Webb
Winn McElroy and Tiffany Webb
Leslie, Merin and Stuart Povall
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Carlos and Theresa Huertas
Ginger and Gordon Whitwell
names namesDavid names and names Sam names Sheltonnames names
David and Lucy Allen with Micki Berry
Missy and Ali Hewitt
Corrie Cockrell, Virginia Rundle and Anna Warren
Glenn, Jack and Christopher Schove
Davis Whitwell and Lillith Gray
Gabrielle Lott, Ron Eubanks and Megan Craven
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View more photos @ invitationoxford.com.
THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO HOLIDAY PARTY Thacker Mountain Radio held its annual membership party Dec. 5 at Southside Gallery. The holiday cocktail party included a performance by the radio show’s house band, the Yalobushwackers. photographed by Joey Brent
Ron Feder and Joli Nichols
Mark Yacavone and Bethany Cooper
Barbara Fleishhacker and Stephen Hernandez
Nikki Neely Davis and Carol Mockbee
Phil and Linda Tutor
Leah and Steve Wooten
Jeanne and Joe Stennett
Faye and Don Dalrymple
namesMichael names names and Mary names Madeleine names names Kourynames
Gay and Jack Stubbs
Elizabeth Hiatt and Brandall Atkinson
names names Joanne names andnames Mark names Wilkinson names names
Open daily 10-6
662.234.8383 Oxford, Mississippi
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Robin Hendrickson, John T. Edge and Blair Hobbs
Kathleen Wickham and Larry Wells
Katie Sevin and Madeleine Achgill
Kaye Bryant, Anna McCollum and Cynthia Joyce
Mary Parker Burson and Florian Gilbert
Catherine Goshorn and Ellen Whitaker
Rosie McDavid, Mary Lou Williams and Kathryn York
Mary and Frank Poole
Susan Hayman and Kathy Allen
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BEHIND t he LENS
With his video production company, Life Long Productions, and a series of special projects, Derek Brown helps capture the professional and artistic lives of the people of Oxford.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DEREK BROWN
written by Ginny McCarley
Along with running his own production company, Derek Brown is the editor for the Oxford Film Festival’s 2016 community film Once a Month, which premieres on Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Lyric Oxford as part of a free community event to celebrate the festival’s opening night. Jennifer Pierce Mathus and Rhes Low (pictured) star in the film.
DEREK BROWN and his family planned to stay in Oxford only for the summer on their way to Atlanta, but now – one year and a rapidly growing business later – they feel at home. “Everything we were looking for we found here,” Brown said. “Great community, schools,
people, atmosphere, weather and art. People here have a legitimate desire to help. It’s all been instrumental in putting us in the right direction to meet the right people and get the ball rolling.” Brown runs Life Long Productions, a video
production company specializing in video and photography, with his friend Nazario Bell. The two began the company in 2012 in St. Louis when they collaborated on a simple video for a birthday party. “It turned out to be this awesome project, February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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and Life Long Productions was born,” Brown said. “We have been friends since we were 4, and we always wanted to do something together. This is the thing that really took off.” Life Long Productions is a significant name for the duo, who have been friends for most of their lives, but the meaning also extends to their clients. “We don’t just see clients; we build relationships so we know what they will like,” Brown said. “It’s not just the name of the company, but the direction of the company.” Life Long Productions works with clients around the world, from the Virgin Islands to Las Vegas to Illinois, but for Brown, providing services to clients who might have thought video production would be cost prohibitive is especially rewarding. “My goal is to work with anyone who needs to have video production done,” Brown said. Although he has been in Oxford for just over a year, Brown has already built an extensive list of clients, creating videos and other graphic design work for Oxford City Schools, the Oxford Chamber of Commerce and several other local businesses. This year, Brown will also serve as editor for Oxford Film Festival’s 2016 community film Once a Month, which will premiere on Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Lyric Oxford as part of a free community event to celebrate the festival’s opening night. Melanie Addington, executive director of the Oxford Film Festival and producer of Once a Month, saw a video Brown shot for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and knew he would be a good fit for the movie. “He was fantastic to work with,” Adding-
ton said. “We’ve been very lucky to have him in Oxford now.” Though Brown has never edited a short film before – his expertise is primarily in commercials – he says the experience has helped him learn the other side of editing. “It has been an awesome experience. I’ve had a good time, and I’ve really learned a lot,” Brown said. His interest in working behind the scenes
was sparked during a stint as co-host of the local radio broadcast Big Fat Morning Show while living in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. When a friend called to ask if he’d like to go to Miami to help shoot a commercial, Brown jumped at the chance. “That really kind of started it,” Brown said.
Video production is not Brown’s only trade or creative talent. Before founding Life Long Productions, he worked as a union electrician and is a four-time self-published poet. Brown attributes his creativity to growing up with an artistic family. His grandfather, Christian Jewel Brown, was a carpenter by trade and a big artistic influence. “He was a poet, a photographer, a brilliant visual artist, a philosopher, a construction worker, and a family man. He was a lot of awesome things,” Brown said. This draw to a creative community is a big reason Brown and his family chose to stay in Oxford. It didn’t take long for Brown to find his niche and begin to chronicle other visual artists, musicians and photographers in the Oxford area in a series of short videos he shoots and posts on YouTube called 10 Square. Brown decided on the name after searching for inspiration online, where he discovered that Oxford has a land area of 10 square miles. “I think it’s great that I can find all these people in such a small space,” Brown said. “I’m still looking for artists because I want to make sure the series continues to grow.” Brown hopes to grow Life Long Productions, with plans to continue working with clients, expand his 10 Square project into a short documentary and become more involved with Oxford’s film community. For Brown, the best part about being a video producer is capturing a moment for his clients. “I can produce something for an individual or business that will be long-lasting,” Brown said. “Good photography is priceless, but doing video just adds that extra element.”
Along with creating videos and other graphic design work for Oxford City Schools, the Oxford Chamber of Commerce and several other local businesses, Brown also showcases visual artists, musicians and photographers in the Oxford area in a series of short videos he shoots and posts on YouTube called 10 Square.
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LIKO
KODA
BRINDLE
These local businesses get extra help from their four-legged assistants. written by Kate Lechler photographed by Joe Worthem
When customers walk into Something Southern,
a furniture and interior design boutique on the Square, they meet Koda and Brindle, two Shih Tzu dogs who belong to Mark and Becki Huelse, the owners of the shop. These lovable mascots turned 2 in September and have been going to the store with the Huelses since they were 10 weeks old. According to Mark, they spend most of their time sleeping, other than their daily walk to the chancery building. But they love to greet new customers. Brindle,
the shy one, may hang back at first, but Koda always jumps up to make a new friend. Both customers and employees love having the dogs in the store, but their favorite friend is the mail woman they greet every day with wagging tails and friendly barks. On special occasions like game weekends, Liko, the Huelses’ white golden retriever, joins the gang at the store. “Having them here makes the store feel more like a home,” Mark said. “A dog makes everyone smile.” February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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ATTICUS
For 11 years, Scout (not pictured) and Atticus (both named after characters from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird) have called the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library home. The two were adopted from the local humane society and are supported by the Friends of the Library. During the day, the cats camp out in one of the large work rooms, but at night they’re allowed to roam about the building. Head librarian Laura Beth Walker says they are very sweet, but the duo also have a mischievous side. “They love to steal tree ornaments and the puppets [from the children’s book section],” she said. “We often find them the next morn-
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PAGODA
ing hidden in their beds.” At the Nest Paper Studio, located on the north side of the Square, store owner Kara Giles keeps company with her 6-month-old French bulldog, Pagoda. Though Pagoda hasn’t been around for long, she’s already become a big hit with customers and has repeat visitors who come into the store specifically to see her. “She’s a pretty mellow dog until she knows she has company; then she gets excited to see them,” Giles said. She’s so popular that a couple visiting from out of town last football season, who had two of their own Frenchies back home, saw her in the store and (fake) kidnapped her.
“They snuggled with her and took a bunch of selfies with her to post to their Facebook pages,” Giles said. “She loved all the attention.” The Mississippi State Veterans Home of Oxford is where Clifford, a big golden retriever, works as a therapy dog, giving out love and calm affection. A year ago, he replaced the home’s previous therapy dog Stryker, who had died. Like all therapy dogs, Clifford meets strict standards of behavior; he is trained not to bark, growl, bite or jump up on people. “As soon as we met Clifford, we knew he fit in. He was gentle and happy,” said Amanda May, the home’s administrator. Clifford spends a lot of his time by the
DOGGY DO-LIST Take your furry sidekick to Oxford’s most pet-friendly places.
Lose the leash, and let Rover run free at the dog park adjacent to the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society at 807 College Hill Road. If your pup is friendly, pop inside the shelter and ask to borrow a playmate.
Take a stroll around the Square, and let Rover stop for a refreshing drink outside YaYa’s Frozen Yogurt or Holli’s Sweet Tooth. The community dog dishes always full of fresh water are just the thing to refuel your thirsty four-legged pal.
Share an order of fries, and soak up some sun. Most bars and restaurants with patio space allow dog guests (though many require that Rover be kept on a leash during his visits).
Mix and mingle at Yappy Hour. This social event for dogs and their owners (held in the spring and summer at various bars around town) is sponsored by the humane society and features drink specials, appetizers (for you and Rover) and door prizes. All proceeds benefit the shelter’s animals.
Have a staycation at the Graduate, Oxford’s only pet-friendly hotel. For an additional $50 per night, you and Rover can cozy up in a room and enjoy a view of the Square.
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CLIFFORD
front desk, waiting for residents to pet him, take him on a walk or throw the ball to him. His impact around the home has already been noticeable. When he arrived, one veteran who hadn’t gotten out of bed for a year began to get up and walk down to the front desk to give Clifford treats. Another veteran, who had to rehome her four dogs after having a stroke, was delighted to have another dog around. Clifford is also friendly and calm with other animals, which is good, since the home allows families to bring in residents’ pets. “We have a human guest list and a pet guest list,” May said. “Animals of any kind have
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LEVON
a big impact on our residents, but Clifford is special. He makes everyone’s day a good one.” Levon has been the office mascot of the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society since the summer of 2014. He was rescued, along with 130 other cats, from an abandoned strip mall in Memphis, Tennessee. Shelters in the area agreed to help out, and Oxford took in 30 of the cats. But when Jenn Petermann, OLHS executive director, met Levon, he reminded her so much of her cat Ruben who had passed away that she decided to keep him as the office cat. “It was just for a while at first, but then we let him stay,” Petermann said.
Friendly with employees, guests and even visiting pets, Levon stays in Petermann’s office during the day. But at night, he’s king of the castle, roaming the halls and helping to keep the rodent population down. He also has his daily routines. In the morning, he walks around the shelter with David, the adult-dog kennel manager. And when closing time rolls around, he enjoys teasing Kayla, the office manager. “Every day, he lays on the front counter and smacks her container of pens and pencils onto the floor,” Petermann said. “Most of the time, he’s soulful and wise, but he can get mischievous if you’re not paying attention to him.”
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February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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Make your event
Explosive! Queen of the Square: A TRIBUTE TO MAMACITA For more than a decade, Mamacita lived a happy and mischievous life roaming the Square and living at Off Square Books. written by Lisa Howorth
Special Events, Weddings, Parties, Formals, Swaps & More
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
I don’t recall all the details about how Mamacita first came to us, but I know she came from the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society, where they said she’d been abused in her previous home. I’ve fostered kitten litters from them before, and, since Mamacita was accompanied by her two daughters, they must have called me and asked if I’d take the kitties. As far as the vet could tell, she was about a year and a half old – practically a kitten herself – born in 2002. Of course I took them, but since we already had two dogs and three cats, [my husband] Richard said absolutely not. So unreasonable! Since our store, Off Square Books (previously located on the southwest side of the Square), had a varmint problem, I proposed the idea of bookstore cats. And so we got Mamacita and Pickle (named by Slade Lewis), and music producer Clay Jones adopted the charming tuxedo cat daughter, Alma, who passed not long ago. Sadly, Pickle was killed by a hit-and-run driver early on – I’ve been told that calicos are crazy and wild. Apparently she did not have the ninelives DNA that her mama and sister did. Mamacita thrived, the varmints did not, and everyone was happy. She had a lovely disposition, very laid-back and friendly. She didn’t wander much, and we had a cat door for her just in case she got left outside, although after Pickle’s tragedy we locked Mama in at night. She slept in the huge, beautiful display windows, on top of shelves and ladders, or on the counter, where she enjoyed grooming Slade’s head as he bent over his bookkeeping.
ARTWORK COURTESY OF WYATT WATERS
Never skittish or afraid, she loved people, and she made many pals. Laurie Calder, age 13, was one of her best buddies. “I really loved Mamacita,” Laurie said. “She was so sweet and gentle, and I always enjoyed giving her kitty treats. It was always fun to come across her in unexpected places like the outside flower beds and the nearby law firm’s foyer.” When Off Square moved to its present location on the southeast side of the Square, Mamacita had even more opportunities to meet and greet and to participate in book signings and Thacker Mountain Radio, strolling in and out, jumping up on random laps, even lying down on the book of a visiting writer as he was reading to the audience. She was rarely cranky and remarkably tolerant of overly excited young children who showed their affection with pinching, tickling and tail grabbing. It’s true that she did attack a couple of dogs (I’m pretty sure they were from LSU and State) who blundered into the store without her permission, but she was sorry afterwards. And during a Square Books Jr. event she ever-so-lightly scratched a visiting pot-bellied pig who rudely ventured over to sniff her. The poor thing went all drama queen and squealed like a pig, to Mamacita’s disgust. I guess maybe she did have a little dark side. She also liked to taunt Buddy, Ann Cleary’s pipsqueak dog next door at [then] AC’s Bed and Bath Co., who wasn’t allowed to hit the streets. Buddy yapped and did his twirls while Mamacita sat outside the door, grinning. Other than those few breaches, she was a model of sweet comportment, the furry grande dame of the Square who could boast her own Facebook page and several pen pals who no longer lived in Oxford but missed her. As she grew older she settled into some favorite activities: napping at Mitchell McNutt’s law office or visiting friends at Neilson’s,
BOOKS. CATS. LIFE IS GOOD. -Edward Gorey once getting locked in overnight. She developed chronic stomach issues (Slade, always a trooper, dealt with them), probably from sneaking around the corner to eat fries at Proud Larry’s. We had to put a tiny cape on her, which read, “Do not feed me. Return to Off Square Books.” Eventually, her wandering grew too far afield – she was returned from Soulshine Pizza and even Highpoint Coffee – and Oxford had gotten too busy, with too much traffic.
Mamacita retired to the country home of my son Beckett Howorth IV, where, according to him, she was “livin’ the dream,” sleeping and keeping company with two good dog friends, Joe and Rivers, until the end of her days. She died peacefully on Oct. 19, 2015. As Samuel Johnson said of his famous cat, Hodge, Mamacita was “a very fine cat indeed.” Memorials to Mamacita or Buddy may be made to the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society at 413 McElroy Drive or to 9livescatrescue.org. February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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SUNNY
BRICK
LOLA
BOOMER
Temporarily providing a home to an animal in need can help change the lives of not just the pets but their caretakers too. written by Kate Lechler photographed by Joe Worthem
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Many people are aware of the benefits of adopting animals, but the concept of temporarily fostering them can be intimidating. While it is a big responsibility, the reward can be far greater and a big help to animals in need. “When you foster an animal, you’re actually saving two lives,” said Jenn Petermann, the director of the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society. “Not only do you put one animal into a home environment, making them more adoptable, but you also open up a new space for the shelter to save another life.” According to Petermann, providing a dog or cat a home environment also plays a big role
in getting them permanently adopted. “A picture of a dog on a couch, or a cat on a bed, goes a million miles. People begin to picture that animal in their own home, which is harder to do when the picture is of an animal behind bars,” she said. Moni Reynolds Simpson (pictured above with husband Stuart) has spent the last 11 years as one of Oxford’s most passionate dog fosterers. She prides herself on taking care of unwanted dogs and finding them good homes. Having fostered and placed 96 dogs (and countless cats) in just over a decade, she has a great success rate too.
BLANCHE
“I am a salesperson at heart. If I know a dog is a good fit for you, I will do my best to make sure you agree,” Simpson said. “I just have a sense that this is going to be your dog. It always works out.” Simpson’s passion for fostering dogs began when she was an undergraduate broadcast journalism student at the University of Mississippi. She was covering a story about the OxfordLafayette Humane Society (OLHS), and while there, she saw many dogs being transported off-site to be put to sleep due to overcrowding in the shelter. “There was just no room for them. When
that van pulled away, I fell over crying. I vowed to do whatever I could to help the situation,” Simpson said. Today OLHS is in a larger location and in a much better position to save animals, but they still need more volunteer help. The work of Simpson and other people who foster is crucial to the lives of dozens of animals a year. Simpson prides herself on her matchmaking capabilities. One example of her success is her friend Rachel Sigler and her dog Madden, a Pekinese-border collie mix. Sigler had moved to Nashville and was looking for a dog. “I found Madden under a trailer in the
MADDEN
county,” Simpson said. “She was full of energy, took over wherever she went, and everyone loved her – just like Rachel.” She introduced the two, and it worked. A few years later, she did the same for Rachel’s husband, Nick, matching him with his dog Blanche. “Moni has a true gift for reading a dog’s personality,” Rachel said. “She knocked it out of the park with both of our dogs, and I’ll never adopt another without her help.” Fostering and finding homes for breeds that are discriminated against like pit bulls and chows is especially chalFebruary 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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TUFF PHOTOGRAPHED BY CAROLINE BEFFA FRANKS; BINX PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAUL GANDY
BINX
TUFF
lenging, but Simpson maintains that of her 96 foster dogs she has never had an aggressive one. Dogs that have been injured or are sick also face difficulty finding adoptive homes. Simpson recalls a dog, Tuff, who had been attacked by another dog and had severe damage to his lower jaw. “The surgery to repair his injury was going to be expensive, but the vet tech called me and said they would pay for it if I would foster him,” she said. “When we got him, his tongue was hanging out of his wired jaw, but he was a happy dog.” After his recovery, they found Tuff a home with a family in Massachusetts.
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When Stuart adopted a foster dog of Moni’s named Binx, it was love at first sight – for everyone. Binx died last February but was able to see her favorite people get married in 2012.
ZENNIE
Simpson has become so well known for fostering that her friends often tag her in pictures on Facebook of dogs in need of rescue. She also works with several organizations to save dogs, one of which is Southern Jewel Dog Rescue, an organization based out of Olive Branch and featured on Animal Planet’s Last Chance Highway. Shelly Bookwalter, the owner of Southern Jewel, transports dogs that are likely to be put to sleep to families all over the country who agree to adopt them. “Last year we saved 3,410 dogs, but we can always save more when we have more dog foster homes,” Bookwalter said. “A lot of times you only have to provide a home for two or
BRICK
LOLA
three weeks.” Often the medical bills, spaying and neutering, and microchipping are taken care of by local rescue organizations, but foster parents are in charge of day-to-day care for the dogs until they find “forever homes.” Sometimes, though, a foster dog becomes what Simpson calls a foster failure. “You fail at fostering because you love them too much and don’t want to give them away,” Simpson said. Her current dogs, Brick and Lola, are a couple of her “failures.” “With every dog we take in, my heart gets bigger from the love they share with us. This is far more rewarding than anything else I’ve ever done in my life.”
HOW TO FOSTER A PET Follow these simple steps to save an animal and help find him or her a forever home.
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Fill out an application at the Humane Society. “It’s a one-time application, and if you’re approved, we hold on to it,” said Jenn Petermann, the director of the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society. “Frequently we have people who foster several times a year, but you can foster on your own schedule, avoiding times that are busy or inconvenient for you.”
Come to the humane society to meet your potential foster animal. “We recommend that people visit a few times, to make sure the animal fits your lifestyle,” Petermann said. “For instance, if you’re a runner, we’re not going to match you with a basset hound.”
Where the Grass is always Greener
Don’t have any animals at home? The humane society will help you get the basics. “We will provide a water bowl, food bowl, collar and leash,” Petermann said. “We can even send you home with some food and a carrier.”
You have your foster animal at home. What next? “Spend time with it,” Petermann advised. “Play with it. Help it socialize with people and with other animals, if you have them. The more time you put in, the more adoptable that pet will be.”
Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society 413 McElroy Drive, Oxford 662-236-7631, oxfordpets.com
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
The Laval
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grammy
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GRAMMY MUSEUM MISSISSIPPI
AND THE
GOES TO
With more recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award hailing from Mississippi than any other state, a second location of the Grammy Museum finds its appropriate home in the Delta. written by Tom Speed
THE GRAMMY AWARDS, selected by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences each year, are viewed as the pinnacle of commercial and artistic achievement in the
music industry. Each year, the Grammys honor those who have made a lasting influence on the field of music at large with the Lifetime Achievement Award. February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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The Grammy Museum Mississippi will feature several exhibits, including Culture Shock (previous page, top), which highlights pivotal moments in music history. The Mississippi Music Table (above) and History Electric Guitar (opposite page) displays help make the museum one of the most technologically advanced music museums in the world.
GRAND OPENING MARCH 5
The Grammy Museum Mississippi’s grand opening is slated for March 5 at 800 W. Sunflower Road, Cleveland. Email info@grammymuseumms.org or call 662-441-0100 for more information. Grace Logan and her eighth-grade classmates of Oxford Middle School will be at the museum’s grand opening as special guests. After the ribboncutting ceremony, the group will be the first visitors to step inside the doors. Logan penned one of three winning essays for the Grammy Museum Mississippi’s Ribbon Cutting Engagement Contest, which had entries from students across the state. Her winning essay about Tammy Wynette, titled z, will be on exhibit at the Delta Arts Alliance during the museum’s grand opening weekend.
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That specific award is how the new Grammy Museum happened to land in what might seem the unlikeliest of places: Cleveland, Mississippi. Known for its glitz and glamour, the Grammy Awards show has become a television spectacle over the years. It’s known as much for its star power as it is for the musical achievements it honors. It is only fitting that this red-carpet event takes place each year in Los Angeles, which is also where the original Grammy Museum opened in 2008. The 30,000-square-foot facility has around two dozen exhibits, many of them interactive educational tools for the thousands of visitors who pass through its doors each year. With more recipients of the Lifetime
Achievement Award and more Grammy winners per capita hailing from Mississippi than from any other state, a second location for the museum will soon find an appropriate home in the Delta. “Nearly 8 percent of all Lifetime Achievement Award winners are from Mississippi,” said Emily Havens, executive director of the new Grammy Museum Mississippi. “The new location just made sense.” In 2011, armed with these statistics and the desire to increase tourism in the Delta, Lucy Janoush and other Cleveland community leaders pitched the idea of a Grammy museum in Mississippi to the board of directors of both the Grammy Museum and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
“They thought it was a great idea,” Janoush said. “[They] said go for it.” So Cleveland went for it. The city formed a nonprofit foundation and appointed a board of directors. Janoush, who previously served on the chamber of commerce, was one of those directors and was soon elected its president. They refined the goals of the project. The idea was to capitalize on the recent success of the B.B. King Museum in Indianola and other tourist attractions in the hope of turning singleday tourists into longer-term visitors. “So many tourists were coming in on day trips,” Janoush said. “But if you have more attractions, then people will come and stay longer, particularly the music tourists. Now we have the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale,
the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, the B.B. King Museum, the Blues Trail and the Country Music Trail. We wanted to help sell all of Mississippi tourism. In fact, one of our exhibits is a map of Mississippi that has the Blues Trail, the Country Music Trail and all music-related points of interest in the state.” The Grammy Museum Mississippi comprises 28,000 square feet and will feature more than two dozen exhibits, much like the Los Angeles facility. The new building is adjacent to the Delta State University campus in Cleveland. Most of the exhibits will be Grammy-related, but the museum will also focus on Mississippi musicians. A special Mississippi Gallery will highlight Mississippi musicians and Grammy winners. A rotating exhibit hall will feature
new exhibits three or four times a year. Next year a Beatles exhibit will be followed by one celebrating Stevie Ray Vaughan. “That’s just good for repeat business,” Janoush said. Another feature will be an exhibit called Culture Shock that highlights watershed moments in musical history – events like Elvis Presley appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show or Bob Dylan going from folk music to electric rock. Other exhibits will include Iconic Instruments, displaying things like Miles Davis’ trumpet. A number of interactive exhibits will place the museum at the forefront of music tourism. “When we open, we will be the most technologically advanced music museum anywhere,” Janoush said. February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
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February 2016 | INVITATION OXFORD
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A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS The Oxford High School theater department presented A Charlie Brown Christmas Dec. 10-12. The show was held in the Kayla Mize Auditorium. photographed by Joey Brent
Eve Gershon and Jane Walsh
Thomas Ardrey, Hannah Gadd and Carl Ardrey
Colby Hale, Anna Katherine Vega and Erik Sahlein
Ginnie Brown and Ellie Hinton
Christi and Jack McClurg
Ashley Mills, Sallie Hardy and Isabella Kelly
Scarlett and Alex Sage
Neely Mullen, Shayna Davis, Alison Dabney and Ruth Hogue
Mark Yacovone and Bethany Cooper
Ansley Howell and Loralei Jackson
Kristy, Bella Grace and Ginna Kate Bumpas
Penny Smith and Kathryn McCord
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14 5 3 -B S O U T H L A M A R B LV D
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CEDAR OAKS CHRISTMAS PARTY Cedar Oaks held a Christmas open house and Cookiepalooza on Dec. 6. The annual familyfriendly event included a tour of the grounds and a visit from Santa Claus. photographed by Joey Brent
Denise Weeden and Cathy Clark
Anna Lisi and Leah Tiisler with Sarah and Sam Lisi
Sue Hill and Ryan Boling
Robert Saarnio and Andi Bedsworth
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Lance and Emma Sipes
Ann Forster and Kaye Bryant
Luke, Lance, Bella and Caroline Felker
Meaghin Burke and Bremen Earnest
Betsy and David Johnston
Jan Huckaby and Susan Heyman
Sumpter, Harper and Crystal Smartt
Lisa Towery, Linda Green and Sherry Felker
Emily Alexander and Lynne McIngvale
Kay Lowe and Nina Patrick
Peggie Roder and Betty Bridge
Nora, Melissa and Matthew Graves
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REGENTS SCHOOL FEED THE NEED Regents School held its Feed the Need packing party on Dec. 11. Students packed, sealed and boxed over 10,000 meals for children in Haiti. photographed by Joey Brent
Meghan Berry and Stacy Barnes
Rachel Payne, Reggie the Regents Lion and Tiffany Taylor
Bill and Marilyn Martin
Rachel Prather, Bel Monteith and Michael Patterson
Annie Robertson and Ashley Huggins
Mallory Eline, Alex Tankersly and Taylor Webb
Connor Reed, Anna Carson Parker and Emily Woods
Ginger Newsom and Ashley Rogers
Jake Todd, Lee Payne and Reagan Payne
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Destiny and William Jones
Renata and Avery Heard
Emily Callicutt and Libbie Patterson
Heather Lea and Jamie Hopson
Caroline and Julie Wilson
Vicki Brewer and Daryl Cleworth
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STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL GAME The 2015 MHSAA class 5A state championship football game was played on Dec. 5 at VaughtHemingway Stadium. The Oxford Chargers hosted the Wayne County War Eagles. photographed by Jessica Richardson
Livvy Cohen and Maggie Livingston
Olivia Schiller, Jake Riffe and Leslie Schiller
Raina and Jim McClure
Ashley Luke and Jeff Dennis
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Anna Grace Chandler and McLain Hill
Alexis Barlow, Camie Bianco and Lee Ann O’Keefe
Chris and Susie Norwood
Kerri Case, Elizabeth Eastland and Anna Porter Hall
Chanya Clayton and Haley Clark
Dalton, Vicky and Terry Whitehead
Maya Langendoen and Robyn Lyons
Aleciean Mathis with James and Jennifer Bass
Edward, Molly Kate and Lorre Barrett
Mary Arden Guyton and Katie Guyton
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PHILADELPHIA M.B. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its 150th anniversary Nov. 14-15. Events included an awards banquet, morning worship and a candlelight memorial service. photographed by Joey Brent
Alfred and Jean Hall
James and Phyllis Jones
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Calvin Goolsby and Lee Robinson
Dilcy Ivy and Joani Price
Willie and Murray Pegues
Leearon and Janet Coleman
Azariah and Martha Pegues
Edith Campbell and James Wofford
James and Mary Martin
La Sonya and Alfred Hall II
names names Silas Reed namesand names Charles names Stevens names names
names names Ruthie names Smithnames and Annie names Isaiah names names
Omoye Pegues, Latonya Pegues Bradley and Destiny Pegues
Dorothy Key and Travis Smith
Kristine Goliday with Milton and Karen Jones
Kim Pettis Wadley with Kara and Esha Pegues
Alfred Hall II with Alencia, La Sonya and Alia Hall
Tonya and Emund Woods
Brenda and Jessie Williams
Debra McGlawn and James Milliner
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OXFORD CIVIC CHORUS FALL CONCERT The Oxford Civic Chorus held its fall concert, titled Ticket to Ride: An English Review, on Dec. 14 at North Oxford Baptist Church. photographed by Joey Brent
Lynn Warren and Aburee Hartfield
Erwin and JoAnn Bell
Brenda Keen and Debra Hardy
Monica Hern and Jim Cooke
Maura and Ted Klingen
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Terri Wright and David Massey
Mason and Charlene Baker
The Oxford Civic Chorus, led by Thomas Ardrey
Martin, Mary and Katy Calderwood
Kay Ayers, Laura Hartnett and KC Landreth
Lisa and Bill Lake
Christy Kisner and Stephen Rogers
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DELLA DAVIDSON DECK THE WALLS The Della Davidson Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization held a student art fundraiser on Dec. 1 at The Powerhouse. The event included a silent auction, a photo booth and ornament making. photographed by Jessica Richardson
Nathan and Terri Atkinson
Amy Little, Shae VanSickle and Audrey Seal
Kristy and Colton Knight
Darlinda Oswalt, Jackie Leopard and Nancy Maxwell
Mary Beth Austin and Rachael McClellan
Emery Kate and Sonya Schneider with Angie Wilfawn
Sarah and Bella Vega
Anders and Derek Moreton
INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
names Betsynames Smith and names Lauren names Hodge names
Cindy Finn, Latonya Robinson and Kendra Vega
Elaine Thompson and Herman Pegues
Maddie Grace and Leigh Lowery
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William, Anna and Clayton Windham
Elsie Bridgers and Sheila Dossett
names names Julienames and Eliza names Montgomery names names names
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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED ON PAGE 92
THE CHRISTMAS STORE
Penny Allen, Macie Childers and Jean Painter
Silas and Jo Von Reed
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AT THE PEANUTS MOVIE
Lauren Abbott and Mary Sloan
BROOKDALE VETERANS DAY
OA Lafayette Elementary School students and teachers
Clara Ford and Elizabeth Langa
Joe King and Sydney Guest
Ashley Frye and Lucy Schultze
John David and Glenda Johnson
Patience Burkett and Erica Rixie
Nancy and Tom Garvin
COLEMAN FUNERAL HOME OPEN HOUSE AND RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY
Coleman Funeral Home family and friends
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI ART DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY ART SALE AND AUCTION
Dorothy Laurenzo and Melody Webb
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Richard and Shelby Cooper
JAIL ART WITH ANGELO MISTILIS RECEPTION
Maggie Mistilis with Pat and Jeff Edge
Don Ross and Steve Calvert
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED ON PAGE 94
YOKNAPATAWPHA ARTS COUNCIL HOLIDAY ORNAMENT AUCTION
Maggie Smith and Emily Giust
Kennon and Kathryn Hood
ROBERTA KAPLAN READING AT OFF SQUARE BOOKS
Diana Farrar and Charlotte Moellering
Alissa Lilly and Katelyn O’Brien
LITTLE ANGELS DAYCARE THANKSGIVING PLAY
Little Angels friends and family
WILLIE PRICE SCHOOL MAYFLOWER THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION
Sarah Langley, Kayla McIntyre and Rollie Carson
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Avery Warren, Eli Bradley and Madison Wilson
INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
Jason Payne and Bridget Piculell
UM MUSEUM FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY
Gray and Tracy Rogers
Hannah, Ben and Dawn Ivey
JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF OXFORD CHRISTMAS PARTY
Junior Auxiliary current and associate members
HERMITAGE GARDENS CHRISTMAS PARTY
Brian and Jeanine Pray
Amy Atchley and Dr. Carolyn Griffing
CHRISTMAS AT CAMP LAKE STEPHENS
Chap Fenwick and Darrell Whitaker
Amy Warren and Emily Huffman
KAPPA ALPHA THETA ENCORE
Lexi Griggs, Rachel Garson and Avery Drennon
Paige Rogers and Natalie Ried
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OUT AND ABOUT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 92
THE LEAP FROG PANCAKES WITH SANTA
John Alden, Jennifer and Sumner Russell
Hannah and Sarah Gwen Rigby
SOMETHING SOUTHERN 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Phyllis Smith and Andrea Ryan
Steve and Pat Ashley
Candace Bowen and Devion Burnside
SHELL PLASTIC SURGERY OPEN HOUSE
Harry Harrison and Jane Dongieux
Dickey Honea and Andrea Robinson
Wright, William, Lynlee and Jenny Addy
Brian and Ella McClellan
DEBORAH DIESEN BOOK SIGNING AT SQUARE BOOKS JR.
Charlotte Whitworth with Mary and Laken Howe
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
William and Beth Hunt
INVITATION Oxford Follow Invitation Oxford on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to find out what’s happening around Oxford.
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ALFRED HALL II interviewed by Meaghin Burke photographed by Joe Worthem
Alfred Hall II is the pastor at the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in Lafayette County last November.
Q: What is some of the church’s history? A: When the Civil War ended in 1865 and slavery was abolished, members of the white Philadelphia Baptist Church in northeast Mississippi organized a church for black members and named it Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church. The church has continued to grow and prosper with each decade, and today it serves more than 450 members.
Q: How were you called to this church? A: My family and I joined PMBC in the spring of 2000, and one year later, I accepted the call to the ministry under the leadership of Pastor T.P. Vinson. I was blessed to serve under his tutelage from 2001 until his untimely passing in March 2003. The church then elected me to serve as pastor in June 2003.
Q: What do you love about Oxford? A: I love the rich history of Oxford and the pride that the people have in this community. It has been a blessing to serve this community over the past 12 years, and I can only hope that my service has helped someone grow and has inspired them to become all that God has created them to be.
Q: What does the church’s crest represent? A: The crest was designed to emphasize four key words: praying, learning, growing and serving. Our theme is Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. –Romans 12:10 NIV
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INVITATION OXFORD | February 2016
1300 Belk Boulevard 662-234-7821
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Rehabilitation Services • Skilled Care Services • Nursing Care • Daily Activities Dietary Services • Laundry Services • Licensed Beautician • Social Services In-house Nurse Practitioner