OC Jan. 28, 2016

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Volume 2 | Issue 81

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Inside 4 News

Oxford Children's Chorus holds first rehearsal

15 Business

PETRE THOMAS

The Chapel at Plein Air is under construction in Taylor across from the village green with its open-air stage.

Grits and Steeple Restaurant, Chapel nearing opening in Taylor

BY ERROL CASTENS OXFORD CITIZEN

TAYLOR – The Plein Air development’s newest venues – a restaurant and a chapel – will open this spring.

Caterers Angie Sicurezza and Nick Reppond, veterans of several Oxford restaurants, will open their restaurant, named “Grit,” in the building

that was previously Tin Pan Alley. It sits next to The Mill at Plein Air, a 12,000-square-foot reception hall popular with wedding parties.

Having cooked and run restaurants for others in Oxford and around the country, Sicurezza and Reppond became entrepreneurs in 2015 when they launched their own company, A&N Catering.

Sicurezza describes the Grit concept as “sophisticated southern cuisine.” The 55-seat restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner as well as Sunday brunch. Grit’s menu will change seasonally and will feature locally sourced ingredients.

“It’s going to be sophisticated, yet comfortable,” Reppond said. “That is very

The Blake offers resort-like feel to assisted living

16 Sports

important to us.”

Crews are transforming the storefront’s interior with antique brick and an L-shaped bar that will add to the table seating. A patio will be built alongside the building, expanding its seating capacity in pleasant weather.

The couple picked Taylor TURN TO GRITS PAGE 8

Ready to lead: Football has defined Cutcliffe's life, career

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Two qualify for Ward 1 alderman race

BY ERROL CASTENS OXFORD CITIZEN

Residents of Oxford’s Ward 1 will choose between two entrepreneurs when they cast votes for their next alderman on Feb. 16. Voting will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Oxford Conference Center.

Rick Addy and Jordan Bankhead were the only qualifying candidates when the deadline was reached at 5 p.m. Tuesday. They will vie for the seat vacated when Alderman J.P. “Jay” Hughes Jr. resigned after winning the District 12 seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Below is background information on both candidates, along with their responses to questions posed by the Oxford Citizen.

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Age: 51 Family : Wife, Megan Duffy Addy, and three children ages 14, 13 and 11 Other places lived: Born in Jackson, Mississippi; grew up in Oxford from the age of 12.

Previous political experience: None Q: What are the key issues the City of Oxford faces over the next several years?

A: The key issues for the City of Oxford are managing our growth and expanding and improving our infrastructure to accommodate our growth.

Q: What are some issues and needs specific (though not necessarily exclusive) to Ward 1?

A: Issues and needs that I RICK ADDY Name: Rick Addy see are preservation of Profession: Business neighborhoods. Ward 1 has Owner/Photographer : every range of neighborAddy Photography is the hoods from Commercial to

Residential Estate, and we like voters to know about have to protect the quality you?

A: My wife and I grew up of life for all of our neighin Oxford, attended Oxford bors in each section.

Public Schools and the UniQ: What are some of the versity of Mississippi, and greatest challenges in ad- my children attend Oxford dressing those issues and Public Schools. needs?

I am committed to OxA: Because of all the dif- ford. I want my children to ferent aspects from Busi- always feel the sense of ness to Estate in our community important to neighborhood, we have to us. I want to serve as your be fair and able to represent Alderman in Ward 1. everyone throughout the Ward.

JORDAN BANKHEAD Name: Jordan Bankhead Q: What characteristics Profession: Business and abilities will you bring Owner/Attorney Age: 39 to Board of Aldermen if Family : Wife, Natasha elected?

A: I will bring commit- Bankhead; children, James ment and dedication to Fletcher, 3, and Amelia keep Oxford a great com- Ann, 1 Other places lived: Colmunity. As a business owner for over 20 years, I lierville, Tennessee; Los Anwill bring good business geles, San Francisco and practices, knowledge of Modesto, California; came customer service, and to Oxford for graduate budgeting experience. My school in mid-2000s Previous political expericustomers will now be my ence: Ran for Mississippi neighbors in Ward 1.

House of Representatives in Q: What else would you 2011

Q: What are the key issues the City of Oxford faces over the next several years?

A: Over the next several years growth will present the greatest challenge and opportunity for Oxford. We must continue to invest in critical areas like public transportation and pedestrian and biker friendly areas to maintain our high quality of life. We must also provide open space and parks that insure we do not become a concrete jungle.

Unchecked sprawl will undermine our unique quality of life and rob Oxford of the very features like walkability that give it such a unique sense of community. These are things I believe residents of Ward 1 and Oxford feel are worth preserving.

velopment and new construction alongside older historic neighborhoods will challenge the Board of Alderman in the next several years. From speaking with residents of Ward 1, they do not want condos populated with students next door to established family neighborhoods. This is not a problem unique to Ward 1, but with the proposed development on North Lamar, Molly Bar, and in the Oxford Commons along Highway 7 these issues are coming to Ward 1.

That is why it is so important we get the planning process right now. As a real estate lawyer I have faced many of these issues in my career and know what it takes to plan for growth.

The process must be inclusive and all stakeholders' views must be represented, Q: What are some issues especially the views of long and needs specific (though term residents who have a not necessarily exclusive) vested interest in the community. to Ward 1?

A: Regarding Ward 1 in particular, the issue of de- TURN TO ALDERMAN PAGE 13

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

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OXFORD CITIZEN

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OBITUARIES SUE GAMBLE WOODWARD Sue Gamble “Polly”Woodward, 86, passed away Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, at The Orchard Nursing Home in Ridgeland.A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.Visitation will be held prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Orchard for their devotion and attentive care. Memorial contributions in Mrs.Woodward’s memory may be made to the Oxford-Lafayette County Library, 401 Bramlett Blvd., Oxford, MS 38655 or the OxfordLafayette Humane Society, 413 McElroy Drive, Oxford, MS 38655.

RUBY FRAZIER BARRIOS Ruby Frazier Barrios, 75, passed away Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, at Oxford Health and Rehab.The funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev.Annette Ford officiating.Visitation will take place from noon until 2 prior to the service at the funeral home.A private family graveside service will be held Sunday, Jan. 31 at Crittendon Memorial Park Cemetery in Marion,AR. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Barrios’ memory may be made to Taylor United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 45, Taylor, MS 38673.

CLYDE WARD HEATHERLY Clyde Ward “Buster” Heatherly, 61, passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis.A memorial service will be held Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home at 3 p.m. with Rev. Bobby Irvin and Chris Schurr officiating.Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 1 at the funeral home.Memorial contributions in Clyde’s memory may be made to Boy Scout Troop 115, c/o Pat Wooten, 1237 CR 16, Myrtle, MS 38650 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis,TN 38105-1905.In honor of Mr. Heatherly’s service to our country, the flag of the United States Army will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.

MELBA BOLDING DUNCAN Melba Bolding Duncan, 87, passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at Oxford Health and Rehab.The funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 26 at Yellow Leaf Baptist Church with Rev. Wesley Hughes officiating. Burial followed in Yellow Leaf Cemetery.Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Duncan’s memory may be made to the Yellow Leaf Cemetery Fund, c/o Martha May, 221 Highway 334, Oxford, MS 38655.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Oxford Children's Chorus holds first rehearsal

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

This Monday was the first rehearsal of Oxford Children’s Chorus for the spring semester of 2016.

The chorus meets every Monday at 4 p.m. in the choir room in the music building at the University of Mississippi. The group is composed of a neareven mix of boys and girls, with about 20 participants total.

The chorus is under the direction of its founder, Associate Professor of Elementary Music Education Andrew Paney. Paney began the chorus in January of 2010 and has continued it every semester since.

“It started because I mainly wanted my undergraduate music education students to see me working with students,” Paney said. “My job is to help people become better elementary music teachers. I wanted them to see me working with children and I wanted them to have a chance to work with children on music so that they could see firsthand children growing in music.”

The chorus is open to any children in the Oxford-Lafayette community that are in grades 4-6.

There is a one-time fee of $35 to cover music and operational costs. Everyone working with the children’s chorus is a volunteer.

One such volunteer is Katie McLaughlin. She is a senior music education

Alderman FROM PAGE 2

Q: What are some of the greatest challenges in addressing those issues and needs?

A: The greatest challenge to proper planning is outside interests that come into Oxford looking to make a quick buck with little or no regard to the consequences of their actions. A great example of this is the congestion and bottleneck on Jackson Avenue. No one imagined years ago how busy that

student at Ole Miss and has been working with the children’s chorus since the spring semester of 2013. McLaughlin is one of Paney’s student codirectors and said that she loves working with the chorus because of the invaluable experience it provides.

“I want to do elementary music and maybe one day be a director for a school or community choir,” McLaughlin said.

“This is all volunteer and all for fun. It’s not class credit, it’s not paid, it’s not anything; it’s just us wanting to be here and get experience with these kids.”

One of the kids participating that night was Connor Sweeney. His family moved to the Oxford area last year and it was his first rehearsal with the Oxford Children’s Chorus. His mother Elizabeth accompanied him to the rehearsal.

“Connor’s been in choir before, when we lived in Olive Branch, so I was interested in having him participate in the Oxford Children’s Chorus,” Sweeney said.

Connor said his favorite part of Monday’s rehearsal was the wide variety of songs Paney presented the group with.

In addition to music rehearsal, the kids also participated in a few games.

The games were centered on music and involved a combination of vocal and rhythm exercises that got the students out of their chairs and moving around.

CHANING GREEN

Lucian Zachos listens to Dr.Andrew Paney instruct the Oxford Children’s Chorus Monday night.

Gates Allen and student co-director Katie McLaughlin participate in a rhythm game as a part of Oxford Children’s Chorus’s Monday night rehearsal Paney said that while everyone tends to have a good time, the whole point of the chorus is to educate the children participating in it as well as the music education students observing it.

A: My first instinct is to listen and gather all the relevant information before arriving at a decision.

I also gather the best and most qualified people to help me make important decisions. These traits have served me well in my career, allowing me to successfully open diverse businesses ranging from indoor advertising to paintball to the practice of law. I also have experience in education (I teach part time at Ole Miss) and land Q: What characteristics use planning as a real esand abilities will you bring tate lawyer that will enable to Board of Aldermen if me to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing elected? side of town would get and now there are times when gridlock is the norm and people get frustrated. I do not want that future for Ward 1 and neither do the residents I have spoken with. Ward 1 is precious and can and must be preserved. We can do that by valuing and supporting established local businesses, and preserving and protecting established from neighborhoods unchecked development.

“When I talk about it in class, it’s not as powerful as actually seeing children grow in music,” Paney said. “We want children to grow in their performance but also in their music literacy so

that they’re able to read rhythms and read pitches and are well prepared for other ensembles when they leave us.” chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

our community and Ward I would like voters to 1. know I have a heart for service. My mother inQ: What else would you stilled this value in me and like voters to know about taught me to help others because it is the right thing you?

A: I have served as to do. My goal is to give Chairman of the Oxford- back to a community that Lafayette Chamber of has given me so much.

Commerce, Chairman of Oxford and Ward 1 is spethe L.O.U. Entrepreneurial cial and worth preserving, Alliance (sponsored by the and that is rare in our Oxford-Lafayette EDF), world. I have been nurand as Vice President and tured in this community pro bono Board Attorney and my family has thrived for the L.O.U. Home here. As long as we conBoard, a local board dedi- tinue to serve each other cated to providing afford- faithfully our blessings will able housing for working continue, and that is why I people in the Oxford com- am asking for your support. munity.

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

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Oxford School District named its Teachers of the Year for each of its campuses and districtwide.

Pictured from left are 2016 Teachers of the Year Jacqueline Hamilton, Scott Center; Elisabeth Darce, Bramlett Elementary; Kerri Greene, Oxford Elementary and Oxford School District; Lana Parrish, Della Davidson Elementary; Carol Trott, Oxford Intermediate; Kim Caraway, 2016 Oxford Learning Center. Not pictured are Teachers of the Year Curt Minton, Oxford Middle, and Chris Baughman, Oxford High.

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BY ERROL CASTENS OXFORD CITIZEN

The 2015-16 Teacher of the Year for the Oxford School District is Kerri Greene, a first-grade teacher at Oxford Elementary School.

“Kerri’s extreme versatile.

She has taught pre-K, kindergarten and first grade in her 17 years in the district,” said Assistant Superintendent Bill Hamilton.

Among her accomplishments are serving as gradelevel chair, being a presenter for professional development, and working with Leap community-based Frog and Reading Is Fundamental programs, along with the Oxford Community garden and Oxford Civic Chorus.

“Students consistently grow in Mrs. Greene’s class, because she knows and monitors her students,” Hamilton said in introducing her first as the Oxford Elementary Teacher of the Year. “She treats each student as though they’re STAR students. Parents sing her praises, and peers say she gives 100 percent.”

In naming Greene as the District’s overall winner, Hamilton added that the honor was decided by teachers and principals on

the Superintendent’s Advisory Board, who rank the winners of each campus.

“These were fine candidates,” he said. “These people do great things in school, and they do great things outside of school. These people are honored by their peers because they make the people around them better teachers.”

Greene was stunned at being so honored.

“This is the last thing I expected to go home with today. I love what I do, I love teaching in Oxford, and I love this community. I could not think of a better place for myself or my family to be,” she said. “It takes a village, which is something I wrote about in my paper. We all work together, all over, to make sure that every single child moves forward into the community as a great citizen that can make a difference.”

Teachers of the Year 2016 for the district’s other campuses were also named.

Jacqueline Hamilton, in her first year with the Oxford School District after previously teaching at Oxford University School, won the distinction for the Scott Center.

“She’s multiply certified in gifted, special ed, elementary ed, mathematics, and

English – quite versatile,” Bill Hamilton said of the special ed teacher. “As a matter of fact, before she started her job at Scott Center this year, she taught math in summer school. We’re just proud to have her in the district.”

It was the fourth time for Kimberly Carraway to be Teacher of the Year at the Oxford Learning Center.

“She has a goal always to prepare students for success in the real world,” Bill Hamilton said. “She is the consummate professional at Oxford Learning Center.”

Elisabeth Darce, a kindergarten teacher, won the honor from her peers at Bramlett Elementary.

She’s the school’s yearbook sponsor, has been the green energy team leader and has taught at the Horizons summer learning program that provides academics, enrichment, and recreation to underserved students from the LOU community.

“She loves kindergarten and is highly regarded by parents and teachers alike,” Bill Hamilton said.

Lana Parrish, a 4th-grade math and science instructor, is teacher of the year at Della Davidson Elementary.

A member of the DDES TURN TO TEACHERS PAGE 7

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Miss Mountain Empire to teach makeup class at The Parlor ents and I are so very grateful.

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Miss Mountain Empire 2016, Christine Williamson will host a makeup lesson at The Parlor of Oxford Saturday at 5 p.m. Williamson is Memphis native and is a junior studying broadcast journalism at Ole Miss and is hosting the class in order to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Chaning Green: Tell me about your event.

Christine Williamson: It’s called Makeup for Memories and all the proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association.

It’s important to know that I am not a certified makeup artist; this is 100 percent for charity. I’ll be teaching an everyday makeup look, an interview makeup look and an onstage makeup look. It’s open to absolutely anyone interested in learning about makeup, and I’ll be helping you find what’s appropriate for you and your features.

There’s no age requirement.

It’s $20 for an individual and

COURTESY OF MICKEY BAKER PHOTOGRAPH

COURTESY OF CHRISTINE WILLIAMSON

Christine Williamson, Miss Mountain Empire 2016. $35 for a mother-daughter package. The Parlor will have amazing makeup there for us to use, but I would advise anyone attending to bring a

foundation they’re comfortable with. People interested in attending can email me at christine.williamson52@gm ail.com.

I’m really excited to do this workshop because makeup is more popular than ever.

With all this emphasis on contouring and cream pallets, girls are not always getting the best advice on what works best for them. I want to teach girls to enhance their natural features and feel confident without a lot of makeup on. I want them to know that you don’t have to sit there and cake on your face in order to look nice.

Don’t get me wrong, that can be fun too, but it’s not good for your skin.

CG: Did you get teach yourself how to do make up or did they do that for you at the pageants?

CW: I had to teach myself at first because in Miss Tennessee, you’re not allowed to have anyone backstage to help you do your hair and makeup. You have to do everything on your own. I later got some help from some really talented sponsors, but they don’t always have a lot of time. Fortunately for me, my director actually paid her way through college working at the makeup counter for Lancôme. She taught me a lot and always made sure I wasn’t using too much and that I was taking care of myself. Skin care is important because it’s essentially the canvas you’re painting on.

You get one skin to live in and makeup is very temporary. What you’re putting on

your skin is also getting absorbed into your bloodstream so it’s just really important to know that you are putting quality products on your skin.

CG: How did you first get started in doing pageants?

CW: I got into pageants my senior year of high school. I wasn’t very good at sports and I was bullied a lot in high school and I really needed a positive, competitive outlet. My dad encouraged me to start pageants.

One of his friends that I babysit for, he actually trained several Miss Tennessees. He was their fitness coach. He eventually convinced me to sign up for one.

I was 17 years old in Miss Memphis 2013 competing against 24-year-olds. I had virtually no training, and I ended up getting second runner up. After that, I kinda got bitten by the bug. I placed runner up in several other pageants that year. I then took few months to myself to reevaluate my goals, trained and then, the following year, I came back and won Miss Memphis 2014. After that, I went on to win Miss Smoky Mountains and then, last year, I was second runner up in Miss Tennessee and my most recent title is Miss Mountain Empire. So far all of these titles and the Miss America Organization have helped me pay for my entire junior year of college, for which my par-

CG: Why is Alzheimer’s research and awareness such an important cause to you?

CW: To date, I have had four family members pass away due to Alzheimer’s disease. My great-grandmother on my mother’s side passed away before I was born so I never got to meet her. My grandfather, my mom’s dad, was diagnosed when I was 8 years old. That was my first real experience with Alzheimer’s disease. I had watched her and her brother pack up all of my grandfather’s things and move him into Kirby Pines in Memphis.

Both of my parents worked full-time and my sister and I were in school full-time so there was no way that we were able to provide the care he needed. Kirby Pines is an absolutely wonderful place and they provided such great care for him there.

I remember his 92nd birthday party when he had no idea who I was. One of the hardest things was watching him forget who my mom was. One time, we went to pick up his laundry and he was very upset and didn’t know who we were and why we were taking his things. He was asking for security. To see my mom give up so much to make sure he had the best quality of life, only to have him forget who she was absolutely devastating. I think Nancy Reagan said it best when she said, “Alzheimer’s is the longest goodbye.”

I once met a 27-year-old in east Tennessee that had been diagnosed. No one is safe from this. If you have a brain, you’re at risk for Alzheimer’s. Women actually have three times of a greater chance of developing Alzheimer’s than they do developing breast cancer.

Scientists are really close to having cure, but at the same time, they have to come up with several different cures. Alzheimer’s can be triggered by so many different things that there isn’t just one way to fix it. It’s not only scary because you’re watching your grandparents go through this, but your also asking yourself if this will one day be you. chaning.green@jouranlinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Teachers FROM PAGE 5

Leadership Team who works with Math Flight and Math Fair, among other school and community efforts, Parrish is a collaborative teacher.

Bill Hamilton added, “Colleagues say she’s a true team player who makes learning fun.”

National Board-certified Carol Trott was named teacher of the Year for Oxford Intermediate School. Having taught for 19 years from Virginia to Oklahoma and now with nine years in Oxford, Trott teaches choir, general music, piano and world drumming. She serves on several in-school teams and the World Class Teaching program at Ole Miss, and formed an after-school choir club.

“It’s been said,” Hamilton noted, “that Carol represents the best of what makes a great educator.”

Curt Minton teaches U.S. history, Mississippi studies and geography and was named Oxford Middle School’s 2016 awardee. A versatile educator, he has taught 6th-, 7th- and 8th-grade social studies as well as language arts. He serves as a technology advisor and on the school advisory team, among other outreaches, and sponsors the OMS Student Council and coaches the softball team.

“He supports his students by working hard to make learning fun,” Hamilton said. “Curt’s loyal to his colleagues

and really supports his school. He is admired for that.”

This year’s teacher of the year at Oxford High School is Chris Baughman, who has taught math from catch-up courses to college-level calculus courses. A former first-year teacher of the year for the district, Baughman is a district technology presenter and sponsors Mu Alpha Theta math and science team. He has served as a football coach and is currently coach of the state champion OHS baseball team.

“He’s driven to succeed, but Coach Baughman is a teacher first, make no bones about it,” Hamilton said. “He’s well-rounded. He can be seen in drama productions from time to time at Oxford High School and at the scorer’s table at Oxford High School basketball games.”

Oxford School Board President Whitney Byars noted the level of dedication that each of the honored teachers exhibits.

“All of these are wonderful people who are very involved outside of the classroom as well, and that means so much to our kids,” she said. “I know these teachers put in a lot of hours. I drive by these schools on Sundays, and I see cars in the parking lot. Many of you who are recognized are there on weekends, you’re there after hours, and you’re up late at night grading papers and doing what’s best for our kids. We really, really appreciate it.” errol.castens@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenec

PAGE 7

Powerhouse to host sixth annual Oxford Fiber Arts Festival

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Thursday, Jan. 28 is the opening day for the sixth annual Oxford Fiber Arts Festival held at the Powerhouse. The festival is the brainchild of the ladies that run Knit1 Oxford and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and is the longest running fiber arts festival in the state.

The event is composed of over two dozen classes dealing with a variety of different craft subjects, mainly centered on weaving, knitting and crocheting. The people teaching the classes are from a total of six different states in the region.

The event beings on Thursday and ends on Sunday, with both Friday and Saturday hosting a full day of classes from 9 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m.

All day Saturday there will be different types of animals at the event to show participants the different creatures that give us fiber like llamas and sheep.

Patsy Engelhard is the owner and operator of Knit1 Oxford

on Jackson Avenue and said the idea for the Oxford Fiber Arts Festival just seemed like a good thing to pursue at the time. She hasn’t regretted it since.

“It’s a lot of fun and a very family-friendly event,” Engelhard said. “I think we’re most proud of two things: this event gives independent artists the opportunity to get some exposure and therefore support for the great work they’re doing, which can be very difficult for them to do, and that it is family friendly. There’s something there for everybody.”

Some of the classes on the itinerary have titles like “Welcome Baby Beanie” and “KoolAid Dyeing.” Many of the classes being taught are aimed at beginners and are appropriate fore all ages. Some classes using sharp instruments like needles do require children under the age of 10 to be accompanied by an adult.

Wayne Andrews is the executive director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and worked with the ladies at Knit1

Oxford on the festival since its inception.

“What I like about the event is getting a chance to see how tradition and art intersect,” Andrews said. “Many of the skills that you can see in the artisan work during the festival are rooted in skills that were necessary at one time. Now that we don’t have to make clothing for ourselves, it allows us to focus on taking that craft and skill to an artistic level.”

According to Andrews, the Oxford Fiber Arts Festival draws about 3,000 visitors to North Mississippi for the weekend. These visitors come from all over the region to participate in the festival. There is a $1 entry fee for the festival, which goes to the cost of putting on the event. The individual cost of classes goes exclusively to the teacher of the class.

A full list of classes and where to register can be found at www.knit1oxford.com. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 8

CHAPEL NEAR COMPLETION

Grits

The Chapel at Plein Air, designed by Atlanta architect John Tee to reprise a century-old traditional Delta church building, is structurally complete.

Crews added the steeple framework last week, and one of the next tasks will be installation of antique floor boards.

“The heart pine flooring is out of an old building in Charleston, South Carolina,” said owner Campbell McCool, who is also the developer for the Plein Air neighborhood of homes. “The lights came out of a church just east of Knoxville in the Tennessee hills, and these windows (on the sides) came out of a church in Pennsylvania.”

Windows behind the altar came from an old chapel in Birmingham, and the solid oak pews came from Jerusalem Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia.

McCool’s attention to detail is such that when workmen broke one of the textured panes in an arched window, he found a Jackson company that could reproduce the same

FROM PAGE 1

rather than Oxford partly because it’s home now.

“We live in Taylor,” Sicurezza said. “Taylor is really growing as Lafayette County expands, and we want to be a part of that.

And there is some really cool stuff going on at Plein Air right now. It just makes sense.”

Prior to forming A&N Catering, Reppond was a backbone of John Currence’s restaurants, having cooked at City Grocery, Big Bad Breakfast, SnackBar and Lamar Lounge at various times. He has been recognized regionally for his culinary skills and tapped as a rising star in culinary circles. Sicurezza also has a long history in the restaurant industry, most recently as Director of Operations for the City Grocery Restaurant Group.

Target opening date for Grit is May 1 – just in time for the traditional string of SEC baseball, Ole Miss Commencement and Mother’s Day.

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“We sent them a piece of the broken glass, and they were able to match it,” he said.

One thing that will definitely not replicate the feel of an old country church 100 years ago will be the climate control. The walls of the chapel are lined with enough air conditioning vents to make sure brides and grooms have no environmental reasons to sweat or faint.

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OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

Kaye Ladd

OXFORD CITIZEN

Broker, Trainer and Recruiter Oxford Cell: 662.891.5837 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: kaye@tmhomes.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Blake Thompson Oxford Cell: 662.801.7014 Office: 662.234.5344

Email: blake@tmhomes.com

Danny Flowers Oxford Cell: 662.816.7294 Office: 662.234.5344

Email: danny@tmhomes.com 1802 W. Jackson St #125 MLS#135027

Oxford - Nice Condo in the heart of Oxford just a couple of minutes from fantastic shopping, dinning, and the campus of Ole Miss.

Well taken care of and priced right. The common grounds recently updated w/ a new pool and tennis courts. Call 662-234-5344

Hwy 6 West

MLS#135269

Oxford - This property is made up of 9 parcels, 148-28-073.00,148-28-064.00,148-28065.00,148-28-067.00,148-28-069.01,148-28066.00,148-28-063.00,148-28-062.00,148-28061.00. for a total of approximately 75 acres. for additional information contact the listing agent. $2,033,000.

Call Danny Flowers – 662-816-7294

Thaddeus Hooper

Cole Hoover

Email: thaddeus@tmhomes.com

Email: cole@tmhomes.com

Oxford Cell: 601.934.0572 Office: 662.234.5344

Oxford Cell: 901.387.9910 Office: 662.234.5344

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Caroline Felker

OXFORD CITIZEN

Eileen Saunders

Oxford Cell: 662.801.0878 Office: 662.234.5344

PAGE 11

Oxford Cell: 662.404.0816 Office: 662.234.5344

Email: caroline@tmhomes.com www.youroxfordhome.com

Email: eileen@tmhomes.com

James R. Hunter, Sr. Tupelo/Oxford Cell: 662.871.8658 Office: 662.842.3844

Email: jrhunter@tmcommercialgroup.com

Magnolia Way

MLS#133297

Sherman - The acreage is located at the intersection of Magnolia Way (entrance to Toyota Mississippi), Highway 9, and old Highway 9. The land is gently rolling/hilly in areas and flat in some areas. Owner will subdivide. Will consider subdividing. $2,243,100. Call James Hunter-662-871-8658.

2605 PR 3057

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Oxford – Great condo in The Mark.

Call 662.234.5344

Melinda Wells

Polina Wheeler

Email: melinda@tmhomes.com

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Oxford Cell: 662.829.9536 Office: 662.234.5344

Oxford Cell: 662.401.4632 Office: 662.234.5344

Weesie Biedenharn Oxford Cell: 662.638.5332 Office: 662.234.5344

Email: weesie@tmhomes.com 311 River Run

MLS#134357

Oxford - Fantastic Ranch home with brick exterior located in Yocona Ridge. Home was a fenced in level back yard. The Family room features a vaulted ceiling and gas logs in the fireplace. The kitchen features wooden cabinets, black appliances and ceramic tile floors. You enter the large patio through the French Doors. Double attached garage adds to making this a great home just outside the of Oxford in the Lafayette School District. Call 662.234.5344

1615 University

MLS#135000

Oxford - Prime Location in Oxford! Seconds from square, developers dream location.

Corner lot on University and S 17th St. $995,000 Call Chanda Cossitt-662-871-7222.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 12

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Brant & Jodi Garner Tupelo/Oxford Brant: 662.297.6168 Jodi: 662.419.3420

Email: brant@tmhomes.com jodi@tmhomes.com Hwy 6 E Lot 1

MLS#133950

Oxford - Great Commercial location on Hwy 6 east of Oxford. Well suited for convenience store or retail. Owner is licensed MS Real Estate Broker. $250,000.

Call Brant Garner – 662-297-6168

Paula Crum

910 Augusta (#302)MLS# 132766 GRAND VIEW - Fully furnished & professionally decorated by interior designer. Upstairs unit, 3BR/2BA, stainless appliances, granite countertops throughout, open floor plan, two balconies, overlooks country club golf course.

HOA includes: everything on the exterior; yard, roof, exterior maintenance, etc. Washer and dryer remain. Tile showers, Jacuzzi tub in master. Call 662.234.5344

Oxford Cell: 662.701.7789 Office: 662.234.5344

Email: paula@tmhomes.com Hwy 278

MLS#133457

302 Segrest Pointe MLS#134254

Oxford - Over 22 acres of Prime Development Property on south side of Hwy 6, where University Ave ends. Ideal for commercial development of hotel/resort, retail, or office complex. Does not include the 3.8 acre homesite tract on North side of Hwy 6 that is part of this tax parcel. $3,200,000.

Call Mark Prince-662-871-1971

JUST LISTED / Oxford - A private, wooded 2.8 acres home site. All the comforts of Oxford city life while exp. the great outdoors teaming with wildlife as birds, deer and even an American bald eagle. Don’t forget fishing the private +/-80 acre Trophy Lake where bass and catfish are legendary.

Come launch your pontoon boat via the private Marina.

For those dedicated joggers, take your mile long run at the newly opened +/-20 acre Braemar Park which has many more planned amenities. Lafayette County Schools close to Kroger, Ole Miss Campus, restaurants, antique stores, shopping, and much more.(HOA: $910 annually). $139,900. Call Paula Crum – 662.701.7789

Nicole Cain Wright

Sadie Smith

Email: nicolec@tmhomes.com

Email: sadie@tmhomes.com

Tupelo/Oxford Cell: 662.678.3033 Office: 662.842.3844

Oxford Cell: 662.617.5744 Office: 662.234.5344

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OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 13

Snow Day 2016 provides plenty of good memories

BY JOHN DAVIS

Winter storm Jonas was much kinder to Oxford and Lafayette County than it was to a large portion of the country.

Record amounts of snow in the Mid-Atlantic region led TV news broadcasts for days.

The snow up there was fun to a point. Eventually, it's hard to deal 25 to 30 inches falling in 12 hours.

Our Snow Day this past Friday was all about fun.

There were very few accidents reported. No severe ice to down power lines.

Having power is always a welcomed thing. Just over 20 years ago, many resi-

dents remember no power for weeks. The Ice Storm of 1994 is still talked about.

It's the reason the lines at the grocery store increase so significantly, so fast. “Just in case� is a better policy than not having anything. It still amazes me that bread and milk are the top two items purchased. Bottled water, and not the small 16 ounce bottles, is something to stock up on during such times. Not expecting too much snow, New York strip and a six pack of Yuengling were my top two items to purchase.

Thanks Larson's Cash Saver.

Outside of making up school later in the year, the day off was a good thing.

The kids had a good time.

Two inches was the amount of snow measured in the county. It was just the right amount of snow.

There were parts of the state, like Tupelo, that didn't get much more than a flake or two. Frosty and his friends had no chance of making an appearance where Elvis was born.

Thanks to social media, specifically Facebook, we were able to put up pictures from around the area. People playing with their kids in the fluffy white stuff were the top

submissions. Some pictures made the our website, www.oxfordcitizen .com, that day. The others are here on the page, wrapped around these words. There is always a chance that we could get another day where snow impacts us enough to stop our daily routine. In North Mississippi, that could be in April as easy as February. Weather is unpredictable for sure, and almost impossible to guess locally.

If last Friday was the only Snow Day of the year, then thanks for the memories. We will try and do it again down the road.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

What Up, Dog? If dogs run free, why not me? Bob Dylan, If Dogs Run Free (1970) ogs are known as “man’s best friend” but do we return the favor? One of my first dogs in Oxford was an unofficial pet that I shared with a group of friends. Redbud adopted us whether we wanted him or not. By sheer dent of determination, he insinuated himself into our group even though we already had dogs. We eventually discovered he had been abused in his early years.

A former “friend” tortured the poor animal by feeding Redbud LSD and then locking him in a closet. Don’t worry, in this case, karma was a female dog and our former ‘friend’ wound up in jail after his other hobby, stealing, got the best of him. (In fact, he stole property from each of us, somehow working it out in his demented mind that he would pay us all back.

Here’s hoping he’s still in jail somewhere, ideally, wear-

D

Jim Dees Tales of the Town

ing a dog collar and fetching cigarettes for a fellow inmate named, Big Mama.)

A home on N. 14th Street served as our unofficial gathering place and this is where Redbud would show up. If we drove down to the Gin or the Hoka, he’d already be there. Everywhere Redbud went, he acted like he was just there to chill. I don’t recall him begging for food or striving for affection. He just wanted to hang out, be a part of the group. He was the most unassuming dog I’d ever been around. A photo of him from these years shows him lying down with his front legs crossed, one of the few dogs I’ve ever seen sit like that.

We took him in of course.

We fed him, gave him the name Redbud (after his coloring and friendliness) and

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Portrait of Bingo by Coulter Fussell accepted him. And then, just as soon as he appeared, one day Redbud was gone and we never saw him again.

In living his life unattached and running free, Redbud was solidly in the majority of most dogs on earth. An article in last

week’s New York Times estimates there are one billion dogs on the planet but only a quarter of them are pets.

The rest roam freely and scavenge where they can and cause thousands of human deaths each year from rabies. As the Times notes, these unowned dogs

CIVIC LX

when I lived at the “round houses,” formerly known as the Cedar Ridge houses on Hathorn Road. One warm May day at the end of the semester, riding my bicycle back from a trip to the store, I saw a tiny, tiny puppy crying its eyes out on the side of the road. I couldn’t imagine the cold heart it took to just abandon a puppy like that. He was small and solid white, the size of a softball. I hung flyers on every door at Cedar Ridge saying I had found a puppy. After waiting a week and hearing no reply, I adopted him and Bingo stayed with me for 17 years, bringing untold joy and companionship. He’s buried in the backyard, gone but never forgotten.

I often think about Redbud, the thief who abused him and the “student” who abandoned Bingo. It’s like throwing away a beating heart. When you see a dog running wild or sitting forlornly on a country road, you might think of it as love going to waste and who can afford that?

are “sometimes friendly, but not really friends.” The paper says that dogs evolved from wolves some 30,000 years ago. It also suggests that, originally, dogs didn’t necessarily love their human counter-parts or feel loyalty it was just “a matter of instincts that evolved because being a hanger-on is an easier way to make a living than running down elk.” In other words, they were looking for a handout, the love came later.

According to the OxfordLafayette County Humane Society website, there are 60-80 dogs in their care at any given time. One assumes there are many times that number living unowned in the county.

What’s worse is the probability that at the end of each college semester, as students are packing to leave town, they actually “turn loose” dogs they’ve been keeping. That is, “un-own” them, leaving the poor beasts to fend for themselves.

I saw this first-hand

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PAGE 15

The Blake offers resort-like feel to assisted living

BY JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN

It's obvious when one walks inside The Blake for the first time that a lifetime of work, and preparing for the future, has been worth it all. Oxford's newest assisted living community looks more like a resort. Courtyards with fountains make the accommodations feel like a vacation spot. The daily activities that are planned only enhance that way of thinking.

Anything and everything is taken care of, and it's done in an environment that is full of class, yet casual in all the right places.

The Blake, tucked away in the developing Oxford Commons off Ed Perry Boulevard, opened for business at Thanksgiving. The 100-apartment facility hosted an open house last Thursday, and the meet and greet event went very well. Laura Barber is the director of sales at The Blake and she said the thing the staff, and ownership, strive for is a resort feel for those that take up residence.

“We are about service. We are here to serve our residents. Having a concierge to help the residents with anything that they need is one of those examples,” Barber said. “We're grateful that everyday they welcome us into their home.

Everything about The Blake is to reward the residents for living a good life and it's time to let somebody else serve them. We take care of the mundane while they enjoy themselves.”

The daily meals are extensive and loaded with a number of choices. Residents are able to dine surrounded by friends, while the bill of fare is prepared by a Damien Cavicchi who was the executive chef at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.

Each day, residents can take part in long list of activities Or not.

Everything is on their schedule.

There is a hair salon located on the premises. And a media room as well as rehabilitation room that has a physical therapy group occupy it. There are also visits planned in the community for the residents. Barber said shopping trips, visits to the museum at the University of Mississippi and stops to the library for the Lunch and Learn program are just some of the things done off the grounds.

“We are out and about and not just doing things here all the time,” she said.

Barber left her position at The University of Mississippi this past May. Barber saw the final stages of construction and of course was there when the facility opened to

PETRE THOMAS

The Blake of Oxford offers assisted living care with the feel of a resort.There are 100 apartments on premises, with 34 being dedicated for Memory Care. residents.

“It truly is the most gratifying job I could have imagined,” she said. “I have the most wonderful team of directors that I work with.

They are the kindest, most dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Jim McArthur is the executive director of The Blake. He came to his current role after spending three years working for the Mississippi Development Authority as the deputy director.

“He is one of the kindest men you will meet and he oversees everything so beautifully,” Barber said.

There is an additional five acre option right behind the property that could be used to enlarge The Blake. No set plans or direction has been announced by the owners, Barber said, who added that the residents like living in the Oxford Commons area.

“That was a real welcomed thing to them. To interact with the schools is exciting,” Barber said.

One of the things that Barber hears from people that stop by to visit is they aren't ready for assisted living or that they don't want to leave their home. After about three days, any apprehension seems to disappear.

“The residents are singing the praises. They just love having wonderful meals cooked for them

and not have to worry about that,” Barber said. “You don't have the lawn maintenance or the house maintenance. You don't have taxes anymore on your property.

There is a lot of burden that is relieved and I don't think they have realized how much they have missed social engagement. There is somebody to fellowship over food with three meals a day. That's huge for them.”

Outside of locations in Flowood, Ridgeland, Starkville and Hattiesburg, The Blake community can be found in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina.

JOHN DAVIS “We love that we are Mississippi owned and operated,” Barber An apartment at The Blake also has a kitchenette located inside. said. “Our management group focuses in the Southeast, but the property here in Oxford is completely Mississippi owned.”

Sixty six of the apartments are assisted living, while 34 are Memory Care, which is a secured environment located on the first floor.

“Everything that happens is dedicated to residents with Alzheimer's and dementia so that there life is very joyful,” Barber said. “Right now we have more residents in assisted living but we know the interest in Memory Care to be very sought after.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

A hair salon is just one of the many accommodations that The Blake has to offer.

PAGE 16

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

John Davis Sports Editor

Drewrey pleased with Lafayette athletics halfway through year his year's school calendar has eclipsed the 100-day mark. The 2015-16 athletic season is more than halfway over, and headed into to the busiest times of the year. When January turns to February, the sports, and the nights away from home, really turn up for Lafayette Athletics Director Gary Drewrey.

So far, every sport that Lafayette has fielded, from the fall and winter, has qualified for the playoffs.

This past fall, the volleyball and football teams both made the Class 4A playoffs. Both soccer teams made the playoffs as well.

“The reality of it is the first year you're on a job, you're doing a lot of evaluating and trying to take care of the needs right then. You don't want to do anything wrong, but sometimes you have to change some things,” Drewrey said. “This year, we started implementing some new philosophies and we've been really pleased with how things are going as far as the new coaches and the direction we're heading.”

Drewrey, who was a very successful head football coach in his own right at Water Valley, said while his coaches have improved their sports, or kept them heading in the right direction, they weren't satisfied.

“They want to win every ballgame, and I do too. The reality is it takes a while to build a program,” Drewrey said. “I walked up to Coach (John) Sherman after we played Ripley in basketball and he was sitting on the stage after they played and I've him a long time and I'm not sure I've seen him more dejected. They came out didn't play very well the first half. They came out and played as good or better than Ripley in the second half, but we had dug ourselves such a hole, we didn't have much of a chance. Are we where I thought we would be before the year started? Yeah, but it's not where he hopes to be.”

The Commodores are headed in the right direction, and Drewrey said that he was pleased with where the Lady Commodores are headed on the basketball court under the direction of Shayne

T

TURN TO DREWREY PAGE 19

JOEY BRENT

Chris Cutcliffe is the new head football coach at Oxford High, replacing his former coach, Johnny Hill.

Ready to lead Football has defined Cutcliffe's life, career

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

For the past 28 years, the sport of football has defined Chris Cutcliffe. Even when he was in the cradle, football was making an impression on him. Cutcliffe played the game as a quarterback. He's watched countless hours of film, looking for a way to exploit another team's weakness.

He's washed uniforms. He has driven the bus filled with Oxford Chargers across the state.

In short, Cutcliffe has done the things necessary to be a head football coach.

Ever since Johnny Hill announced he would be retiring as the head coach of the Chargers last spring, Cutcliffe thought about being his replacement.

“It's always been a goal of mine. I knew that I was going to pursue it when Coach Hill announced it,

but I didn't want to interfere at all with Coach Hill's last season. We wanted to have the best year we could in order to send out Coach Hill the best way possible,” said Cutcliffe, who was officially approved by the school board to be in charge Monday evening. “The process had been going on for over a month and I was so excited when I found out. I was ready to get to work. That was one of the first things I felt, kind of where my mind was.”

Bradley Roberson, the principal at the high school, and Mike Martin, the athletics director for the district, were the two that gave Cutcliffe the good news a week ago, before he started teaching students algebra.

“They kept it extremely quiet and that's impressive in this town to keep something like that quiet,” Cutcliffe said about finding out.

“When they came up to me,

I was thinking that they were going to let me know that I had it or that I didn't, that it was one or the other. I had a positive outlook and hope for the best. There is no reason to dwell on the negative outcomes. I'm a glass half full kind of guy for sure.”

There were a number of candidates that got involved in the search, with seven official interviews. Cutcliffe said he knew that because Oxford is such a great place to live that the opening would attract a large number.

“Our school system is so great and we've had a lot of success, so I thought a lot of people would be interested in the job for sure. I thought there would be a lot of people in the running, no doubt,” he said.

One of the first people that Cutcliffe called to break the good news was his father, David, the former head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels

and the current head football coach of Duke University. Cutcliffe's father was the running backs coach at Tennessee when he was born.

“I called my wife and I called my dad and they were pumped, both of them, because they know that this was a goal for me and something I really wanted,” Cutcliffe said. “They were both very, very happy for me.

When I was a kid, I loved football and always have.

When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I never said a football player. I wanted to be a football coach since I was little bitty. My mom was an elementary school teacher and my dad started out as a high school teacher and coach and then moved on to college.

“For me, seeing the impact that they had on kids, TURN TO CUTCLIFFE PAGE 18

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 17

Defensive specialist O'Connor has come up big for Lady Chargers

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Goalkeeper is the last line of defense in soccer.

Bailey O'Connor likes being in that role, in front of the posts, for the Oxford Lady Chargers. The junior is one of the main reasons the team won 16 matches during the regular season and earned a home match to start the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs.

O'Connor said “it was fun” to be depended on to stop a goal that could be the difference between and win and a loss. Goalie is a position that O'Connor has played for years. It's her thing, her spot on the field.

“I used to play center mid but my dad put me at goalie when I was like 9,” said O'Connor, who was coached by her father. “We

didn't have a goalkeeper and my dad asked who wanted to do it and I said 'Oh, I would love to.' I've been doing it every since. I thought it would be fun.”

It hasn't been fun for opposing defenses to try and score on O'Connor, who has only allowed four goals this month.

“This season has been great. We had two pk (penalty kick) shootouts that we won and those are probably my favorite,” said O'Connor, who made four saves out of five in the shootout win over Southaven at the start of the month. “We could have played (Southaven) better, but I think getting down to that point, it turned out really well.”

Goalie became a more comfortable position for O'Connor over the years thanks to a family friend

PETRE THOMAS

Oxford junior goalie Bailey O'Connor has been very steady for head coach Hunter Crane and the Lady Chargers this season.The Lady Chargers won their playoff opener 9-0 Tuesday night. who played in college. youth level when O'ConLafayette coach Melinda nor first moved from Scruggs also gave O'Con- Bartlett, Tennessee. nor instruction at the “I love her, she's awe-

some,” O'Connor said of Scruggs. “Coach (Hunter) Crane has also really impacted us in a positive way

for sure.”

There is some luck involved in stopping penalty kicks, O'Connor said adding that watching how a player approaches the ball was a key.

“I missed that first one and then I saved the next four,” she said. “It's encouraging when you save two and you have to keep going. It was also intimidating because their goalkeeper save three out of five.”

Heading into the bulk of the division slate, O'Connor felt like the Lady Chargers had to give everything for every match.

“I can't slack. If I let one go because I had a bad game, I put it on myself just as hard as anybody else does,” O'Connor said.

TURN TO O’CONNER PAGE 19

Dynamic defender Dennis combines speed, skill for Oxford's girls

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

There hasn't been a soccer match this season where Oxford's Anna Dennis has been matched up with the opposing team's second-best player. Head coach Hunter Crane makes no bones about who he wants lined up against that top scorer when push comes to shove.

“Whenever we have somebody that we're worried about, Anna Dennis is the one we go to,” Crane said of his junior defender.

“She is the most athletic person on the team. She is the fastest person on the team. And it's not just speed with her, she's got a lot of ability about her as well. That's exciting to see.

We always throw her up against the best and there is a reason for that.”

Dennis wears a smile on her face more than a scowl. For a defender, that's probably rare. She has enjoyed the season as her group has moved up on the team, playing a bigger role.

“We've known that we've gotten so much better together. I think we're happy with each other and the way we're all playing and that has transferred on to the field,” said Dennis, who is also a standout on the OHS swim team.

“I've been playing soccer since I was 4. It's been my No. 1 sport, but I really do enjoy swimming. It's also something that I like to do.”

Being a soccer player and a member of the swim team has been a balancing act for Dennis. The two sports bleed over each other, and that means adjustments.

for the first time out of the pool. “I was out of shape sprint wise, but I could swim for a real long time.

It's just different muscles that are used.”

After a couple of weeks of getting adjust to land again, Dennis is ready to go, and fill the role that Crane loves her at so much. Two weeks ago, Dennis said she was “pretty fit” but always something she could do to increase her game.

“I feel like I lost a little of it at Christmas break, but I went on a few runs and did a few things outside of soccer,” Dennis said.

As for her defensive specialist role, and facing the PETRE THOMAS best scorer, Dennis is just Junior Anna Dennis got out of the pool and on to the soccer field to play a specific role on fine with the challenge of defense for the Oxford Lady Chargers. harassing them all night long.

“I step to them and then “When I was swimming conditioning and when I said adding that her in the fall, they had al- got here, they were already touches are always a little TURN TO DENNIS PAGE 19 ready started practice and very much in shape,” she off when she hits the field

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 18

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Illinois OT feels at home in Oxford

Cutcliffe FROM PAGE 16

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

When Royce Newman got to Oxford, it felt like his home of Nashville, Illinois.

The country music capital in Tennessee is much different than the Nashville up north. The 6-foot-7, 265pound Newman attends a high school with an enrollment of 380. And his Nashville is about the size of Water Valley, or 3,000 residents to be more exact.

Newman is an Ole Miss Rebel now after making his official visit to Ole Miss this past weekend. If Gary Pinkel had remained the head coach of the Missouri Tigers, he would have been a Tiger, and never opened up his recruiting process.

Thanks to the hard work of offensive line coach Matt Luke, Newman, who is rated as a four-star player

by Scout.com, felt right at home with the Rebels.

“I built up a good relationship with Coach Luke after Coach Pinkel retired.

Just going to Ole Miss and seeing what they had to offer, and talking to the rest of the coaches, that's where I feel the most comfortable at,” he said. “(Missouri) also had that family atmosphere that Ole Miss had, too. It was very similar. I like the coaching staff at Ole Miss.”

Newman was one of two prospects who committed to head coach Hugh Freeze on the visit. Wide receiver Tre Nixon from Viera, Florida made his verbal pledge on Monday afternoon. Newman also talked with Chandler Tuitt, a fellow offensive lineman who was committed prior to his visit.

“They have some really cool guys on their o-line.

They're a really close group, and I really like that. It was a good feeling that they have there,” Newman said. “I like the small-town feel and how everyone feels like they know each other. That was really cool. That was something else I liked about it, that it seemed like Nashville.”

There were a number of schools who inquired about Newman once he de-committed from Missouri.

“I didn't have a previous relationship with Coach (Barry) Odom when Coach

KNOW YOUR RECRUIT

Royce Newman Pinkel was there. I wanted to re-open my recruiting process up,” he said. “I committed pretty early, under the radar, so a lot of the big schools never did really know about me.

Right after Coach Pinkel retired, a whole bunch of schools came after me. It was pretty cool. It was OK, just a lot of time.”

Heading into another big recruiting weekend, Ole Miss has 22 players committed for the 2016 class.

Eight of them are already enrolled in the spring semester.

“It's pretty cool to be a part of a class that is this great,” he said. “When I committed, I just recently looked at (the class). Coach Luke and Coach (Hugh) Freeze always say they are one of the top 10 recruiting classes, so I had to see it with my own eyes. They have some really good players coming in.”

One of the things that Newman takes pride in is playing to the whistle.

“I finish everything and play hard. That's really about it, play to the whistle,” he said adding that he felt like he was equal at pass blocking and run blocking.

“I feel like once I learn the technique, I'll be pretty good at pass blocking. I could play tight end, but I like tackle the most. I like being in the trenches.”

Tim Kuhn coached Newman during his entire varsity career. Newman has been on the line since he was a freshman. He agreed that the bond Luke was able to form really made a difference.

“I know Royce really enjoyed his visit to Nebraska.

From there, Coach Luke and Coach Freeze established a pretty good relationship with Royce and

COURTESY

Offensive tackle Royce Newman hosted Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze in his home. Newman is now a Rebel after making his official visit to Oxford this past weekend. the visit (to Oxford) probably went better than expected,” Kuhn said. “I know demographically, the city of Oxford is a lot more what Royce is used to. It's not an overwhelming city in terms of size or structure. I think that was impressive to the Newman family. I think the size and the relationship, those two elements, really swung the attitude from where he was at with the University of Missouri to Nebraska to Ole Miss.”

Kuhn said that in Nashville, they don't get the amount of head coaches that have visited recently very often.

“It was a who's who for about two weeks on who was calling or who was wanting to come through the building,” Kuhn said.

“Once Coach Pinkel retired in November, that opened some people's eyes as to what kind of talent Royce truly is. It went from the Mizzou, Iowa State and Nebraska and it became Penn State and Northwestern showed some interest. And

North Carolina State. From there it became Ole Miss and from there Georgia and interest from Auburn. It just kept going. As the word got out about Royce and his abilities, I think more people paid attention than they had.”

It's been very few times that Kuhn can remember Newman taking a snap off during the past four seasons.

“He's got a high motor and the ability to change direction, for a guy his size, is very impressive,” he said.

“From there, genetics.

Coach Luke can tell you that Royce has the frame.

The days of bringing in these 300-pound plus guys, they're not going to do that.

They're going to develop that guy to that possibly. I think they like his athleticism, his genetics, his mental approach to the game and then what he brings to the game once he steps out on the field physically.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

being at the mall and a kid my mom taught come up to her and give her a hug years later, that was big. Same thing with my dad. Seeing players come back to him, that's what made me want to coach football. I wanted to have an impact like that on young people.”

The earliest memories for Cutcliffe in football revolved around Tennessee, and the different quarterbacks that his father tutored. Before there was Peyton Manning, there was Heath Shuler.

“I don't remember Andy Kelly playing, but I have seen him,” Cutcliffe recalled.

“My dad coached running backs until '91 when he moved over to coach quarterbacks. I would go sit in meetings and I would draw up plays. He would bring hom game films and I would watch them.

I would watch Tennessee football instead of watching movies or TV at home.”

For his first wedding aniversary, Cutcliffe's wife Molly got in touch with the film coordinator at Tennessee who then made the DVDs of Manning's years at Tennessee.

“A lot of that offense is still the same that my dad is running. It's changed over the years and things morph but a lot of it's the same and things that I know looking back,” Cutcliffe said. “It was all the film of Peyton while he was at Tennessee. She got them to make that and they sent it to her and she gave it to me on our anniversary.”

Cutcliffe came to Oxford when his father was hired away from Tennessee to lead the Rebels in 1998. He graduated from OHS where he played under Hill, and baseball under superintendent Brian Harvey, who was also invovled in the hiring process. UT is where Cutcliffe got his first true taste of coaching.

“I did a lot more than just equipment. I sat in on offensive meetings. I ran the scout team defense and I was in the press box during games.

My responsibilites got bigger and bigger when I was at Tennessee,” he said. “Then at Duke, I was an offensive and special teams intern for two years. It's been 11 seasons since I got done playing and since then, I've been in some type of role ever since.”

Cutcliffe came back to Hill's staff five years ago, and he has been heavily invovled in the offensive planning, and coaching players, ever since.

“We have a great system in place. We tweak it every year and things change slightly. What we have done is put in a system that can be flexible and molded to fit the talent you have at the time,” Cutcliffe said. “A great example of that was last year (2014) when Jack Abraham got hurt and Ben Bianco stepped in for him at quarterback. It wasn't an overhaul. We were able to adapt the offense to Ben Bianco's strengths without having to teach everybody a whole new system because it is so flexible. We can do a lot of different things.”

Some of the details about next year are getting worked out, Cutcliffe said. There are still some positions left to fill before next fall. The biggest goal is to get the returning players in the weight room and get them stronger heading into the spring.

“For myself, I made a 30-day, 60-day and 90day list, just things I need to get done. Just try to priortize things like making a ninth grade and JV schedule,” Cutcliffe said.

“Things that a lot of people don't think about, the administrative side of it.

There is a lot of that type of stuff that has to get taken care of, too.”

Hill told Cutcliffe that he would be there for him any time he needed advice.

“He's seen it all accomplished so much. I learned a whole, whole lot from him the last five years and anything I need, I know he'll be there for me if I need it,” Cutcliffe said. “That's an awesome resource to have.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

O’Conner FROM PAGE 17

“I let one go when we were tied in that Southaven game. I really felt like I had to prove myself because it was on a corner kick and I caught it and my defender broke it up. It got on the ground and she was able to hit in before I could get to it.”

A save that really pleased O'Connor was one she had in one of the two Lafayette matches. It came early, and O'Connor felt like it helped not to get the team down.

As for the seniors that have helped lead the Lady Chargers and set a good example, O'Connor couldn't say enough good things.

“Having Sarah (Nash) and Jordyn (Repka) in the defense and Zoe (Scruggs) in the middle, that's where it all stays together or falls apart,” O'Connor said. “It's going to be hard next year to re-organize everything.”

Crane said that O'Connor had fun everyday on the field, and that she always brought energy to the table.

“When we told her that she was going to be the starter this year and that she didn't have to look over her shoulder, she took the bull by the horns and she said she was going to step up and

Dennis FROM PAGE 17

I get help from my defensive players,” Dennis said adding that on the soccer field, her personality is to jab at the opposition. “They call me the Hulk sometimes. I'll come off the field all happy, but on the field, I'm all business.”

Lafayette's Alley Houghton has been one of the biggest challenges for Dennis to deal with. Northwest Rankin also had a forward that posed a big scoring threat, who also had a lot of speed. And for the record, she has fallen down “hundreds

be the best goalie she could be,” Crane said.

“She plays club level and plays ODP. She has committed to be a goalie and playing it in college. She has just been solid from day one and just done everything I've asked of her. When she started the starting job back in October, she has really stepped up her game and really elevated our team. She does have a good defense in front of her, but if stuff gets through, she is the one that cleans it up.”

Crane was also quite impressed with how well O'Connor improved in her penalty kick situation with Southaven.

You just never see a goalie stop four of five shots. That's so rare,” Crane said. “She was the keeper against Germantown last year in the playoffs. She was trying to make a decision after they kicked it and you have to make a decision before hand which direction you're going to go. We talked about that several times and the thing about it is we shoot a lot of pk's in practice at the end. We shoot every day. She has gotten comfortable back there and we've made a lot of adjustments on what she does as a keeper during pk's.

She's really taken that to heart.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

of times.”

“There have been times when I know I'm going to feel it tomorrow,” she added.

There wasn't a lot of talk between Dennis and the forward she guards each match.

“I'm the kind of person that will get into their head by pushing on them, but I don't like to say anything,” Dennis said. “I don't like to be that.”

Focus was the key thing for the Lady Chargers each match.

“I think if we keep our eye on the prize, we'll be successful,” Dennis said.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

PAGE 19

Perfect Night Lafayette girls breeze past Corinth and the final goal of the night.

“I would say that (Corinth) is a very good team being honest with you. They had some players. Number 3 up top was fast, they had people all over the field,” Scruggs said. “I have to say that our girls, tonight, brought it. They played phenomenal. Maddy Houghton had a big-time game for her. She is always solid, but some of those services, the balls she played in, was just amazing. The goal between her and sister Alley, it's just so much fun to watch.”

Lucy Wilson was another Lady Commodore that played well in the victory.

“I was just so pleased to see the entire field, all of them working. They did a great

job,” Scruggs said. “It gave me chill bumps. It was the kind of soccer I like to watch. They had great touches, they were pining it down the line. We kept possession and played the services when they needed to be. It was perfect to come together.”

Up next for the Lady Commodores is a meeting with Florence on the road. Florence lost to LHS in the playoffs last year, as well as earlier in the season.

“They are going to be very good and we need to make sure we get work done this week in preparation. I think if we play like we did, we will come out on top,” Scruggs said.

Maddy Houghton thought the latest effort was as good

as any match all season.

“Our connection with each other was great tonight.

We've played several other games like that but tonight, we were on,” she said. “I don't think (Corinth) was a bad team at all. We were pinging it around and able to get goals. Our through balls were really good tonight.”

Every time the Lady Commodores have played Florence, it's been for something significant, Maddy Houghton said.

“If we play our soccer, I think we can come out on top,” she said.

Friday night's match will begin at 6 p.m.

Drewrey said. “There is a lot going on in a lot of different directions that you get pulled in. I'm lucky to FROM PAGE 16 have Coach Murphrey. He gets offended if he doesn't Linzy.

“We've come a long way have something to do every night and I can proand the true measure for vide him with that. Greg me is how do you play Lewis is great and that's against those teams that kind of how the three of us are better than you and end up. We look at the have those key players?” schedule at the start of the Drewrey said. “Good week. Of course it changes teams are supposed to beat bad teams badly. It's this time of year with weather and postponehow you face adversity ments and playoffs. We'll and how you handle talk everyday about what things on those bad nights. We're doing a good we got going on and try to plan for this week. Somejob of that. I think we're times all three of us are right where I envisioned gone as game administraus being, but at the same tors. I try to go most of it.” time, not where those A change that benefited coaches want to be.” the overall school district Jimmy Murphrey and Greg Lewis are two mem- that Drewrey put into mobers of the athletic admin- tion was bringing back istration that have helped Murphrey as the head Drewrey get all the events middle school football coach. covered. Lewis covered “We started staying the soccer match at Ripley after school like a lot of the other night, while schools do and having Murphrey is a regular at Murphrey back out there home soccer matches, and putting an emphasis and basketball games when he's done coaching on our middle school. We changed the philosophy, football in the fall. something we've tried to “When August begins, we always have two sports do in every sport,” Drewrey said. “We want to playing, at least. In January and February, we have emphasize the imporfour and in February, you tance of middle school start track, tennis, softball, and coaches staying after school. That's tough at the baseball. We've got county school because we archery going on,”

don't have the connivence of everyone living within 10 miles of the school. So it's tough when they have to stay after school during season. It's tough on the kids and the parents. It's made a significant change in both football and basketball. And it will help us in baseball and softball, too. We were already doing that in other sports because our coaches coach high school and middle school, it hasn't been addressed until this year.”

Athletics has always been important at Lafayette. It's important to the community and administration, coaches and players.

“We expect to win and even more importantly, we expect to represent this school district with class,” Drewrey said.

Same for both soccer teams. The Lady Commodores, who won the 4A title last year, entered the playoffs as the favorites to win it all again in two weeks.

“We've got players that have been there before and they're going to compete. We'll play some really good teams. My sixth grade daughter pointed out to me that the only teams that we've lost to are 6A teams,” Drewrey

said. “We're going to be right there. The bad thing about the soccer setup is that it's not best two out of three. It's go and play and win or go home. It's just like football. You've got to have a great team but you can't have a bad day either. It's the same for everybody so I will take our chances.”

Drewrey has helped lead some improvements on campus. This past fall, a new pavilion sheltered families and players during football season. A new ticket booth made it easier to get into the games.

Drewrey said the next thing is to get new dressing rooms for baseball and softball.

“My philosophy is you always have to be building. If you try and stay the same, you're dying,” Drewrey said. “I'm not afraid to try something that might be successful.

Luckily everything we've tried has gone the way we've wanted it to. Sooner or later, we'll miss on something. The feeling is those things have been a hit and sooner or later we'll try something that won't be a hit and you have to be able to live with that, too.”

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Melinda Scruggs drank hot chocolate in the second half of Tuesday night's soccer match with Corinth. Her Lafayette Lady Commodores were up 7-0 in the MHSAA Class 4A contest, and the nerves she had before the game had long since disappeared.

Lafayette, which triumphed 7-2, made things look easy in the first round, in its first postseason game since winning the overall title last year. And that is not a knock on Corinth or its ability. Alley Houghton led Lafayette with six goals scored, while Maddy Houghton had five assists

Drewrey

john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 20

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Chargers' Cousar ready to play for La. Tech

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

When Zach Cousar committed to play for Louisiana Tech and head coach Skip Holtz, he didn't have an idea that he would be playing with his quarterback from Oxford High.

The Chargers' 6-foot-5 tight end has been with the Bulldogs since early December, and he's looking forward to making things official this next week on National Signing Day. “For a while, I was waiting to see if something bigger was coming. They were the first school to contact me and I built up a great relationship with Coach (Joe) Sloan and some of the other coaches there,” said Cousar, who has traveled to Ruston, Louisiana a handful of times. “Every single trip I went, it felt like home and been there my whole life. I feel like I can get along with all the players. On the official, I got to hang out with Brandon Durman, who is a freshman linebacker and Trent Taylor, who is a wide receiver. They were both cool and showed me what La. Tech was all about. It was a lot of fun to talk to everyone at all the dinners and to get talk with every-

body. I loved everything about it.”

Cousar knows for sure that he can get along with Abraham, who routinely found him on Friday nights for big passing plays, and touchdowns.

“He told me that Tuesday before our official visit that he was going. I have been working him for so long trying to get him to come to La. Tech,” Cousar said. “I got a little worried with the whole Appalachian State deal, but once he finally told me, it was surreal to get to play with him for four more years. He's one of my best friends.”

La. Tech has taken steps in the right direction under Holtz. The Bulldogs won the New Orleans Bowl this past season, and nine games overall.

“I feel like I'm going there to win championships and get better as a person and an athlete,” Cousar said. “They are definitely getting better each and every year. They want to run the same kind of offense as we did at Oxford.

So they can flex me out or put me on the line. That's something I'm used having done it for four years in high school. They can run spread, and then they can bring it in and run pro. It's

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Oxford tight end Zach Cousar is excited about playing for La.Tech and with his quarterback, Jack Abraham, the next four years. a whole lot of everything.”

Cousar's plan is to graduate in May and then be on campus at the start of summer workouts in June.

Cousar just had surgery on

his nagging foot injury, and he was waiting to heal from that before he got back in the weight room.

“The day after signing day, they send me the

workout plan and the meal start running hard and hitplan so I can start getting ting the weights. And eatused to what it would be ing better.” like if I was already there,” he added. “Once I get off john.davis@journalinc.com rehab with my foot, I'll Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

Chargers take first powerlifting meet of season Lady Chargers finished third

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Oxford's powerlifting team has created a T shirt with three rings on the back of it. The Chargers are looking to have a new one printed up with a fourth ring this time next year.

Depth and talent are two things OHS coach Jason Russell has to work with this season.

His Chargers already got the 2016 campaign off to a good start by finishing first, by a large margin, in the annual meet held at Calhoun City. Oxford totaled 68 points, 32 more than

Charleston, which finished second.

“We have a lot of returning talent, a lot of strong guys coming back. We do have a couple of guys that we really do have to replace from last year's squad in Collin Le and Elisha Brassell,” Russell said.

“Those guys were great lifters for us and it will be difficult to replace. We have some good, young lifters that are really strong and have a chance to be very successful for us.”

Tias Hilliard is just one of the lifter that Russell is looking to lead the Chargers. He was an individual

state champion in 2015 and he is nationallyranked lifter on top of that.

DQ Thomas is another very good lifter for Russell.

Brandon Hill and Jacquez Neilson are some of the lifters expected to carry the team. Nick Sisk is also a returner in the upper division.

David Torrent, a freshman, is a lightweight lifter that Russell liked from a potential standpoint. In the first meet, Torrent finished second in the 132pound division. Those that finished in first place were: Luis Morales (114), Hilliard (148), Thomas (198), Sisk

(275) and Neilson (308 plus). Devin Rockette (165), DT Thompson (198), Kent Hickinbottom (220), Carlos Moreno (242) and Hill (275) took second. Alex Le (148) was third. Le and Thompson were two lifters Russell was really counting on.

One of the things Russell does is to look at the state championship from the previous year and then build from there.

“I try to see who lifted a weight that can be competitive enough to get them to the state championship and if they can get to the state championship,

they're going to provide points for the team,” Russell said. “Instead of just getting on per weight class, I actually ask who can make it there and provide points and then I start weeding it down. If I have three in a weight class, I'll see if I can't get one to change a class to make sure if fits right.”

Lady Chargers Oxford finished in third place on Monday night at the Calhoun City Invitational with 30 team points.

East Union finished in first, while Calhoun City finished in second. Quinn Harris (181) won her divi-

sion. Sarah Grace Parker, Chiquita Sanders and Anterriya Hardaway were in second. Kayla Wheeler took third place.

“Kayla is a lifter we're counting on and then Anterriya Hardaway is also a very good returning lifter who had a lot of success last year,” Russell said. “We have a lot of newcomers this year to the team and our goal with the girls is to take the next step up and compete and have a chance to win the north half.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

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Antique & Fine Furniture Oxford Conference Center 102 Ed Perry Blvd-Cedar Room Saturday, February 6th @11am

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Preview: 9 am - until Auction Begins Visit website for more information & pictures.

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REAL ESTATE All Real Estate advertising herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

If you believe that you may have been discriminated against in connection with the sale, rental or financing of housing, call The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 1-800-669-9777.

Manufactured Housing For Sale

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OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 23

Byhalia earns road basketball sweep of Lafayette

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

A scrappy effort from the Lafayette Commodores wasn't enough for them Tuesday night in a matchup with Byhalia in the LHS gym. Coach John Sherman felt like his Commodores played better than the deceptive 60-38 score indicated.

“They are the kind of team that just eases away from you without you really knowing it,” Sherman said.

“We were down nine at the half and the next you thing you know it's 14. If you blink on defense, they

make you pay. They have good basketball players that are well coached and they have a lot of weapons.”

Sherman felt like his team stopped what was Byhalia's main threat on offense, holding him to five points, but the Indians had others step up.

“When you have a lot of weapons, it puts a lot of pressure on your defense,” he said. “This is the kind of team that can beat you really bad. For two and a half quarters, we battled them as good as we could battle.

I think we could take this game and moving forward the rest of the season, make

a little noise at the end.”

LADY 'DORES FALL A lack of energy is what prevented the Lady Commodores from maintaining first place in the 2-4A standings. Coach Shayne Linzy was unsure why his players looked lethargic on the floor.

“Maybe I need to pump them up a little more or something,” he said. “It was a lack of will to do the things that are necessary.

We gave up too many second chance opportunities and points tonight. They were active very on the glass and loose balls and

we were a step behind in almost every aspect. Not that we weren't doing our job, we were just a step behind.”

Byhalia was also able make a lot of outside shots in the win that Linzy said caught his team off guard.

“We were trying to stop the penetration and give up the outside shot some and we just didn't think they were going to be as good scoring outside as they were. Credit to them,” Linzy said. “The positives were we kept playing. It didn't seem like we changed gears. There were positives, but the energy

level really kind of negated any of that. We have to be an energy type team if we're going to be successful.”

Up next for both Lafayette teams is a home doubleheader with Senatobia on Friday night. Tipoff for the Lady Commodores' game is set for 6. The home doubleheader with New Albany has also been rescheduled for Feb. 8, starting with a junior varsity girls game at 4 p.m.

BYHALIA (B) 60, LAFAYETTE 38 Byhalia 13 15 15 17 – 60 Lafayette 14 5 13 6 – 38

Leading scorers: Byhalia – Austin Jones 16, Rasheid Steele 15. Lafayette – Tyler Williams 7, Hogan Linzy 7.

Records: Byhalia 16-4, 5-0; Lafayette 4-11, 0-4.

BYHALIA (G) 48, LAFAYETTE 41 Byhalia 11 15 7 7 – 48 Lafayette 12 12 10 15 – 41 Leading scorers: Byhalia – Devonque Martin 16, Kavacia Johnson 14. Lafayette – Shaniyah Buford 15, Shelbi Buford 12.

Records: Byhalia 14-4, 5-0; Lafayette 13-6, 2-1.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

Rebel commit loves official visit to Oxford Offensive lineman Chandler Tuitt came to Ole Miss from Georgia looking forward to meeting quarterback Chad Kelly.

The face-to-face meeting was as good as the Ole Miss verbal pledge thought it would be.

“Chad Kelly is the coolest guy to hang out with," Tuitt said last Sunday night in his ride back home. “He's a cool person.”

Tuitt was one of the handful of prospects who visited Ole Miss last weekend. North Panola running back Justin Conner, who is also committed to sign with the Rebels in less than two weeks. Wide re-

ceivers Tre Nixon and Quartney Davis were also on the visit. Davis ended up rating his visit as a “10” while Nixon, who hails from Melbourne, Florida, ended up committing to the Rebels Monday before leaving town. Royce Newman, this issue's Know Your Recruit profile, also made a verbal pledge.

Offensive guard Javon Patterson hosted Tuitt, who enjoyed getting to know everyone he was going to be playing with in Oxford.

“He's by boy,” Tuitt said of Patterson. “He's a cool guy. He told me that he loves it there and that Coach (Matt) Luke is a great coach and I believe it, too. Spending time with Coach Luke the whole weekend, I can see how

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great of a coach he is.

Javon just loves the school, and I love the school.”

Tuitt came on the visit with his grandmother and his parents. The group traveled to Yazoo City on Thursday and then made their way up to Oxford on Friday to begin the visit.

Tuitt said they didn't have to drive through much snow. He said the snow that fell and was on the ground only enhanced things.

“I loved it. I hit Javon with a snowball,” Tuitt said. “That was funny.”

Nixon arrived more in the afternoon Saturday, and Tuitt felt good about him coming from the beginning.

“We saw him on the Square and it looked like he loved it,” Tuitt added. “I

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think he might be coming for real.”

Having fun with the team was the highlight of the visit for Tuitt, who said the recruits also visited the new bowling lanes at the Oxford Commons. He said that he hung out with quarterback Shea Patterson and with linebacker Donta Evans and defensive end Charles Wiley.

Evans and Wiley are both from Georgia.

As for the football facilities, Tuitt saw the work being done to the north end zone Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

“It's upgrading. I was impressed,” Tuitt said adding that his meeting with Hugh Freeze went well. “He told me to keep up with my grades and just stay fit and wait for May.”

The plan for Tuitt (6foot-3, 295 pounds) is to sign in the morning on National Signing Day. As for the way the 2016 class could finish, Tuitt said Freeze didn't have to say much.

“You can just look at it and it's ridiculous,” he said.

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Miscellaneous

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As for his family, Tuitt said they really liked the visit even though he didn't see them very much.

“If you come to this school, you have to love it or you have problems,” Tuitt said about Ole Miss.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

follow us @oxfordcitizen WOMEN’S CLARK NAVY MULES. Size 10 Medium. Never Worn.

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1-800-270-2622 Fax: 662-620-8301 E-mail: classifieds@journalinc.com

Musical

GUITAR

For sale: Gretsch 6120 pro series guitar Brian Setzer model. Serious inquiries only.

Guitar is in like new condition with Grets. Call Tim or text at 662-401-3050.

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1-800-270-2622 Fax: 662-620-8301 E-mail: classifieds@journalinc.com

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 24

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

BELK FORD HWY 6 WEST • OXFORD • 662.234.4661 • BELKFORD.COM 2013 TOYOTA VENZA LLE

2015 FORD TAURUS LIMITED

Stock #020078

Stock #019855

Leather, Navigation

Leather, Roof

$19,500

$19,500

2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE

2012 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED

Stock #020170

Stock #019606

Stock #020626

Navigation

2014 GMC SIERRA 1500

2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING TOURING

Stock #020749

Stock #020272

2011 TOYOTA SIERRA LE Stock #020270

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY LE

2013 GMC SIERRA 1500

Stock #020278

Stock #020640

2013 TOYOTA TUNDRA Stock #020292

4x4, Crew Cab

2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON GLS

Stock #020202

$271/mo.

OR

2007 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER SPORT

2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 LTZ

Stock #020240

Stock #020180

OR

2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S Stock #020269

Crew Cab

$25,500

$14,900

$8,900

$356/mo.

$195/mo.

$104/mo.

OR

OR

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY SE

2004 FORD RANGER

Stock #020282

Stock #020187

4x4, Crew Cab

$19,900

$102/mo.

OR

OR

OR

$8,780

$385/mo.

$180/mo.

$354/mo.

2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LT

Stock #020791

$27,400

4x2, Double Cab

$25,400

$386/mo.

$166/mo.

$13,900

OR

OR

OR

Leather, Navigation, Roof

$203/mo.

$27,500

$12,980

V-6

$15,400

OR

OR

4x2, V-8

OR

$105/mo.

$429/mo.

2.0T, Premium

$499/mo.

$8,980

$30,400

4x4, Supercrew

$35,500

OR

OR

Stock #020297

2014 FORD F-150 LARIAT

$286/mo.

$179/mo.

2013 AUDI A-5

OR

$20,900

$13,980

Crew Cab, 4x4, SLT

$459/mo.

OR

OR

4x4, Navigation

$32,500

$265/mo.

$265/mo.

2.0T, Fun!

2012 FORD F-150 KING RANCH Stock #018233

OR

2011 HYUNDAI SONATA SE Stock #020653

4x2, Supercab

$7,900

$89/mo.

OR

$11,900

$150/mo.

OR

All prices & payments + tax & fees based on 72 mo. @ 2.9% financing and $2,000 down at time of signing qualified buyers. With approved credit. Warranty excludes twin turbos. Pictures are for demonstration purposes only.