Oxford Magazine Jan Feb 2022

WEDDING EDITION 2022

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 OxfordMag.com Volume Six | Issue One $4.95

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ALL’S WELL AT IRONDALE IN THE LIMELIGHT, OXFORD HIGH THEATER 12/29/21 6:33 PM

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FEATURES

20

INTO THE LIMELIGHT Building a theatre program at OHS

23

MILES OF WINE A shop’s story

BRIDAL SECTION Highlights of those special days

PHOTO BY THAD LEE

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arts & culture

27 The story behind The Great Dying

home & style 11 All’s well in Irondale

food

& drink

63 Chasing away the winter blues

OM in every issue 6 Contributors

7 From the Editor 8 The Guide

32 Book Picks

67 Out and About 72 Marketplace

71 Said and Done

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contributors EDITORIAL Maya Martin

CONTRIBUTORS Davis Coen Lyn Richardson Lauren Jones Thad Lee Sarah Gray Bruce Newman Joey Brent Ben Williams

Joey Brent, Photographer

Joey Brent is a local photographer in Oxford, Mississippi.

DESIGN

Allison Dale

MARKETING Amelia Miller Olivia Nash

Lyn Roberts, Book Expert

Lyn Roberts has been general manager at Square Books for more than 20 years and can usually be found behind the counter at Off Square Books.

ADMINISTRATION

Rebecca Alexander, Publisher Nikki Buford

Thad Lee, Photographer

Thad Lee is an award-winning filmmaker, who grew up in Hattiesburg. He earned English and Philosophy degrees from the University of Mississippi and an MFA in Screenwriting from the University of New Orleans. He is currently working on documentaries about married photographers, Maude Schuyler and Langdon Clay and the rock-n-roll band, Blue Mountain. In December 2021, Thad showed photographs alongside his wife Carlyle Wolfe Lee’s paintings in a collaborative exhibition called Murmurations at Southside Gallery.

Davis Coen, Writer

Davis Coen is a freelance writer and newspaper reporter from Oxford by way of South Carolina. He’s had stories published in various local publications including Oxford Eagle, Oxford Citizen and Daily Journal. He also maintains a music career with over a dozen tours of Europe and regular airplay on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

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from the editor

H

Happy New Year! 2022 is finally here. This is a time for new beginnings, and what a great way to start the year than with our wedding edition. We are so thrilled to see more couples who tied the knot in the past year We love reading how Oxford couples met and the special moments they remember about their weddings. In addition to the beautiful layouts, we also have a special story from counselor Katie S. Morrison about losing her dad a few months before her wedding and how Oxford.

Thad Lee shares a beautiful story about Ron and Chris Dale who have created a colorful and warm family home with an art studio for Ron’s work.

Davis Coen entertains us with his feature for arts and culture.

Rounding out this issue are our regular features events, music, books, featured spotted galleries and the famous Jim Dees with the Final Word.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and wish you the best start to the new year.

Rebecca Alexander Publisher rebecca.alexander@oxfordeagle.com

ON THE COVER

Oxford Bride Victoria Smith at The Jefferson Photo submitted Design by Allison Dale

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WHAT TO DO IN OXFORD OXFORD COMMUNITY MARKET Old Armory Pavilion January - March | Every Tuesday | 12 - 3 p.m.

OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Mississippi State The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 8 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Tennessee The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 9 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Alabama The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 13 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS BASEBALL HITTING CAMP January 15 OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Auburn The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 15 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS BASEBALL PITCHING & CATCHING CAMP January 16 OLE MISS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Mississippi State The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 16 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Missouri The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 18 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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JANUARY 3RD-5TH

Winter Wonderland Art Camp 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Powerhouse Community Arts Center Ages: 3-12

This fun camp will keep students out of school busy with fun winter related art projects and crafts. A movie and indoor games will round out the days. Full day campers need to pack their own lunches.

For more information visit: oxfordarts.com/shop/classes-camps

JANUARY 20TH-23RD

Oxford Fiber Arts Festival

Powerhouse Community Arts Center Through virtual and in-person events throughout January, they will extend the festival to reach more students, teachers, and makers.

This year they will kick off 10 days of events with Storytime at the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library.

It will conclude with a full schedule of online workshops and shop tours on January 23rd.

Visit www.oxfordfiberfestival.com for more information.

JANUARY TO OCTOBER - 4TH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH

Oxford Art Crawl

A monthly tour of Oxford's Art spaces from the traditional to one night only pop up shows Start at any participating location! The bus will run throughout the event, and it will make several stops at the Museum, the Square, on campus, and at the Powerhouse. This way you can stop at all of the individual locations on the Crawl and see the art that they have on display!

JANUARY 28TH

Bush/Marshall/Meyer/Meyer Quartet Gertrude C. Ford Center 7:30 PM

American Music masters Sam Bush, Mike Marshall and Edgar Meyer join together with George Meyer for a special collaboration usually only heard on the summer bluegrass festival circuit!

Expect to hear works from the genre bending Short Trip Home album of many years ago as well as new music written especially for this tour. Edgar’s son George is charting his own course in the musical world and represents the next generation of artists expressing their unique voices and perspective. He certainly has strong roots!

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WHAT TO DO IN OXFORD OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Arkansas The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 26 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Kansas State The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 29 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS BASEBALL LADIES FORUM January 29

FEBRUARY 9TH

Waitress, National Tour Gertrude C. Ford Center 7:30 P.M. This event is part of the Broadway Series.

Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this hilarious hit Broadway musical features original music and lyrics by Grammy® Award winner Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), original choreography by Lorin Latarro (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Waiting For Godot), recreated by tour choreographer Abbey O’Brien and original direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin), recreated by tour director Susanna Wolk.

OLE MISS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Georgia The Pavilion at Ole Miss January 30 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. LSU The Pavilion at Ole Miss February 7 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL Vs. Alabama The Pavilion at Ole Miss February 9 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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WHAT TO DO IN OXFORD

FEBRUARY 12TH

Dog Man, The Musical Gertrude C. Ford Center 10:30 a.m.

An epic musical adventure featuring the hilarity and heart of beloved characters from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants. Recommended for ages 6-10.

FEBRUARY 16TH

Marcus KingLive In 2022 The Lyric Oxford

DOORS: 7 PM / SHOW: 8 PM

OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL Vs. South Carolina The Pavilion at Ole Miss February 15 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Texas A&M The Pavilion at Ole Miss February 17 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Texas A&M The Pavilion at Ole Miss February 26 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OLE MISS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Vs. South Carolina The Pavilion at Ole Miss February 27 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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HOME

& GARDEN

ALL’S WELL IN IRONDALE Couple’s shared vision creates a home and life of beauty

BY THAD LEE PHOTOS BY THAD LEE

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Chris Gray grew up in southern Indiana with her six siblings on a street that was populated with other large families. “We had free reign of the avenue we lived on, lots of other children, woods, a quarry and lots of freedom to roam. The 1950s were a different time. No such thing as helicopter parents.” Her father’s tone changed when the family moved to Georgia in 1971. He warned his 22-year-old daughter, who had taken a summer job at what was then called the Georgia Retardation Centre, “There are a lot of hippies in Atlanta.”

Also working at the facility was Ron Dale, who was “fresh out of Viet Nam” and an aide in the therapies department. The first time Chris laid eyes on him, Ron was a “wild-looking guy with shoulder-length curly hair and a chambray shirt.”

Ron describes it as “love at second sight.”

“My father wasn’t pleased when he came to the house and met the family,” remembers Chris. “Ron wasn’t used to picking up dates from their parents’ house. Dad had on his plaid pants, mom was in curlers, my two-year-old

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brother was very curious about this person at the door. I’m surprised Ron didn’t turn and run. A year later we were married.”

Nearly 49 years later, their love is stronger than ever. They live at a place they call Irondale, which is a 5.6-acre property that is mostly woods. Its maples, hickories, and oaks grow all the way to a stream, where racoons, deer, and foxes sometimes drink. A fence keeps wildlife from a swimming pool that is surrounded by landscaping gems, like spegelia flowers and a viburnum tree.

There is pasture and barn, where a horse lives.

“Our daughter Gabrielle was getting involved with horses and riding,” recollects Chis. “We knew we wanted to build a house

and move out to the country so we could have a horse and build our own barn.” So, for months and months they looked for the right piece of land.

Then, one day in 1984, Ron says that they were driving to Billy and Julie Chadwick’s home on Highway 334 for a gathering. “We turned up what is now County Road 411, and there was a for sale sign that was knocked over on some vacant land. Right away we called about it and bought it.”

“When we moved out here the road was gravel, the water was OxfordMag.com 13

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orange, and there were only seven people on our road,” laughs Chris, who five years earlier was a young mother in Baton Rouge, helping Ron decide where they would raise their family.

“I finished graduate school at LSU in 1979 and spent the next several months sending out resumes to every university position I could find,” recalls Ron. “I got a call from Margaret Gorove, who was the chair of the University of Mississippi’s art department,” Gorove asked him to come to Oxford for a visit and then offered him a job teaching ceramics.

The decision was not easy. One reason was that Ron, being from the beautiful mountain town, Asheville, North Carolina, was not particularly impressed with the campus and its landscaping. On top of that, the only things Chris knew about Mississippi “were all the negatives from the news.” But there was only one other job offer to choose from, and it was at the University of Northern Iowa.

Living there would have been too cold

and far away from family for Chris. So, she reminded her husband that “they had two children to feed” and persuaded him to pick Ole Miss.

Once here, Ron was pleased with the support he received from Gorove. “She had an unmatched enthusiasm and energy and vision. She was very

supportive of my work and research. I learned a lot from her about how to get things done.” Another person on campus who made a major impact on Ron’s life was painter, Jere Allen. “We became best friends almost immediately. For the next forty-plus years we have spent lots of time together talking about art. His

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insight and approach to exhibiting was a very important and impactful thing for me.”

Ron also loved teaching. “It was always a pleasure to see someone go from knowing nothing about ceramics to becoming accomplished. Seeing successful acceptance to notable grad programs of undergrad majors. And of course, it was wonderful to see my grad students grow and develop into accomplished artists and professionals.” To many of those students, like Obie Clark, Ashley Chavis, and James Tisdale, Ron was a favorite professor. He was honored Teacher of the Year in 2002.

Chris also found meaningful work at the North Mississippi Regional Center, which her degree in Occupational Therapy from Indiana Purdue University Medical Center prepared her for wonderfully. But when the Dales first arrived in Oxford, she was only interested in a part-time job

because Gabrielle was five years old and her little brother Gray was fresh into his terrible twos. She interviewed with Randy Hendrix, the director of NMRC at the time, who informed her that there “were no OT’s north of Jackson in 1980, so opportunities were wide open here and in home health. I worked at the Regional Center on a contract basis for 20 years, then took the Therapy Director position in 2001.”

It is a job that requires her to supervise staff and organize the programming for clients that provides them with treatments that help them become more independent in their ability to move and care for themselves. The work is rewarding but challenging.

“We have clients with dual diagnoses that involve mental health and developmental delay. They have behavioral challenges on top of physical challenges. When I began at NMRC, we had a cottage in which most every client was in the bed and didn’t ever get out of

the bed. Wheelchairs and seating have come a long way since then. My goal was to get every client out of bed and make sure we didn’t have a person who had to stay in the bed all day. It took a few years, but every client since then has had a wheelchair that supports them.”

Chris adds that she took the Director potion twenty years ago because “Ron was talking about retiring, and I thought one of us should have a job. My sister-in-law asked me recently why I keep working, I told her, ‘So I can support Ron, and he can make beautiful things’.”

And what beautiful things Ron makes. The bulk of his work takes two forms, functional pottery like cups, plates, and platters, and multidimensional sculptures that combine architecture, furniture, and pottery with visual expression that evokes the memory of masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent Van

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Gogh. “Making pottery is evolutionary rather than revolutionary,” he explains, “changing very slowly over centuries.”

The difference between his two primary modes comes from the intent and knowing “that someone is going to use it usually for a specific purpose.” Whether they be practical or visionary, his works live in homes or are exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.

Ron creates in a studio on the property.

“Having my own studio adjacent to our house has allowed me to unify my life, family and career.” He drew the original design and built a model out of foam core. Then, “a friend, Mike McBride, who is an architect, took my ideas and redesigned them into the building it is now. My ideas were a little simpler.

Maurice Martin and I built it. The doors were originally to be sliding doors but many years ago I had seen at a restaurant in Austin Texas, some large folding doors that I really liked so I designed mine and Maurice and I built them. The panels are translucent fiberglass which allow some

light during the day, but from the outside at night they glow.”

Ron also built a model for the house, which he to took to Jack Costantino, who had a business called Solar Struct. “He had moved to Oxford from New York to be with a dying friend. Together we made some design changes, and then along with Maurice, we built it. It was an amazing experience working with them.”

The house is two stories with open balconies that allow it to be passively solar, which means the windows, walls, and floors collect, store, reflect, and distribute the sun’s energy. “The house is positioned 8° east of due south to maximize sun exposure in winter and has wide overhangs to provide shade in summer greatly reducing our electric consumption,” declares Ron, who strives

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to live as green as possible. “We do the usual efficient bulbs and appliances, keep thermostats at 80° in summer and 62° in winter.”

Chris also believes in keeping energy usage to a minimum. “I rarely use a dryer, always wash a full load, no phosphates allowed, bake more than one thing at a time in the oven, just simple things. No single use plastics if possible and no Styrofoam allowed. I compost all food that isn’t meat and if we use paper plates, only compostable ones. I drive a hybrid and pay the extra tag fee for it.” She emphasizes that the house has “lots of insulation and double paned windows that make it a very tight house. We use a wood stove in the winter that is very efficient.”

Ron notes that, “We have heated with wood our entire marriage.”

Besides being resourceful, the house is also beautiful and home to a carefully

curated collection of art, including ceramic works by well-known artists like Robert Turner and Paul Soldner, paintings by Jere Allen and Carlyle Wolfe Lee, and prints by Pablo Sierra and Ke Francis. “Living with art is as essential to a healthy life as eating and

sleeping,” affirms Ron. The walls of an upstairs bedroom are decorated with bright, multi-colored “friendship quilts” that were made for Chris and Ron’s grandchildren, sisters Lucy and Ella Chiniche and brothers Atticus, Lake, and Finn Dale. “They OxfordMag.com 17

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enjoy swimming and sometimes visit the studio. They are absolutely the lights of our lives,” declares Ron, who during the Covid pandemic, when the Oxford schools were shut down, taught the boys art classes. It happened because Gray, his wife, Olivia, and their boys “are our nearest neighbors and were quarantined with us.”

“It was Ron’s idea,” stresses Chris. “Our grandchildren went a long way toward keeping us sane during the lockdown. They were wonderful to have in our lives during such tough times. Ron worked for three months with them every day of the week, one medium after another.”

“They learned drawing, color mixing, painting, collage, and printmaking. I have three potter’s wheels, so they learned to throw pots, glazing and firing. We worked in the woodshop. First, they each made a large glass mosaic object. Then they built a bluebird house, then made model boats. We had an opening exhibit for their parents of all their work followed by a regatta where they raced their boats in the stream behind our house. Finally, they disassembled and re-assembled some electrical tools and electronics.”

Now that the lockdowns have ended, the entire family, including Ron’s mother, Judy Faye, who moved to Oxford in 2012, come to the house at least once a week for a shared meal. “Everyone is so busy,”

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acknowledges Chris, “and it’s a great time to connect and stay connected. I hope not having to cook at least one meal a week makes life a little easier for our Gray, Olivia, Gabe, and her husband, Paul.” Chris admits, “I am not fast at anything I do, so it takes me all morning to get ready for lunch. I send everyone home, Ron back to the studio, and clean up. It’s my Sunday thing.”

Chris’s selflessness is a quality that is cherished by all in the Dale family, especially Ron. “She has been my best friend, my best supporter, and my constant companion.

I would have no career without her. Chris is the most wonderful person I’ve ever known. She is always positive, upbeat, compassionate, and totally unselfish.

She’s an amazing mother, grandmother, and especially wife. I would’ve fallen in love with her at any point in my life that we would have met from first grade on.”

To that Chris smiles and asserts, “Ron is the light of my life always has been. He is supportive of anything I want to do.” Generosity and gratitude flow like rivers through Irondale, which she feels has been a “joint vision. I love our privacy and our enclave that we can escape to and not have go back to town for anything. My goal is to not leave the place Saturday and Sunday.”

Ron, who loves not having a neighbor in sight, agrees.

“We have always shared the same vision and philosophy of life.”

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SCHOOL

& SPORTS

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE Oxford teacher puts OHS theater in the limelight

BY BY MAYA MARTIN PHOTOS BY BRUCE NEWMAN AND JOHN DAVENPORT20 January/February 2022

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The Oxford High School Theatre is brimming with talent , stylized production and opportunities for young artists and one of the people who helped the drama department flourish.

John Davenport has taught theatre for just over 20 years at OHS and he has seen the theatre program progress in ways he never imagined with the support of the students, school staff and faculty and the Oxford community.

In 2000, Kentucky-native Davenport was finishing his theatre degree at the University of Mississippi when he was asked to fill in as a long-term substitute teacher at the OHS Theatre DAVENPORT department in the middle of the school year.

“I started in January of 2000 as kind of a fillin and I really enjoyed it,” said Davenport. “I was trying to finish my last class over there [at the university] and it was really difficult.”

While he was teaching a semester, he was hired at a professional company in Michigan.

Although the job provided Davenport with great

experience, it was not as fulfilling as he hoped.

“I realized working in Michigan that the reward was not as strong but it was just the job,” he said.

He soon got his chance to work in a setting that would see the return on his efforts. He recounts a moment with a student he taught the previous year who wanted to take theatre, but decided against it.

“I asked him if he was going to continue

theatre classes and he said no,” he said. He was going to take it but when he got here and I wasn’t teaching, he didn’t like it. So he got out of the class.”

Davenport said it was a devastating thing to witness.

“This kid is going to go the rest of his life and not have this opportunity,” he said. “The theatre landscape is going to touch his life. It kind of bothered me that he might not have this

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opportunity and he might not even be an audience member later in his life.”

That student was at the forefront of his mind when OHS offered Davenport a chance to return to Oxford and help rebuild the theatre program, which he readily agreed to. It was important to Davenport, as well as the school, to restore the program to what it was and help students from all disciplines and interests to get involved.

“I’ve had great, great administrators,” he said.

“It may be unusual but I can’t speak for any other district. The administrative aspect of this district has given me nothing but support.”

It was proved when the fine arts department requested a blackbox theatre as the Fine Arts building was being designed, so there would be more space to hold different groups and disciplines in one area like the drama and band department.

“Having the black box theatre eliminates that kind of scheduling nightmare so we can plan in advance around the concert season,” said Davenport. “We’ll do small shows back here while the concert season is going on [in the Mainstage].

We can pull the shell out and leave it for the music department.”

The OHS Theatre recently performed Strangers on a Train, a play based on the 1951 Alfred Hitchcock thriller by the same name, on the Mainstage, which received a Peer Choice Award, All Star Cast Awards for performances by Thomas Dyminski and Emory Barrios, Best Supporting Actress for Millie Greene, and Best Actor for Miles Caradine.

“We’ve had one performance there and we’ve learned that it is very large,” said Davenport. “It’s a learning curve for all of us.”

Currently, the space sits in the aftermath of the

high school’s first production in the blackbox, The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong, which is a shorter version of the Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award-winning production The Play That Goes Wrong.

The small theatre can seat up to 90 audience members, but Davenport thinks one day they’ll be able to push it to 124 seats.

“It was going to be a nice teaching tool for my kids,” said Davenport, gesturing out to the space.

“Up until now, they haven’t had the experience of having to perform in such an intimate setting. It’s going to be lovely. The folks that came seem to really enjoy the atmosphere.”

The One-Act Play is a story within a story about a cast and crew trying to perform a classic murder story but they struggle until the very end when anything and everything goes wrong. Interestingly enough, the audience gets wrapped up into the antics of the inept cast of characters from the very beginning before some of them even realize the show has started.

Davenport said the small size of the theatre lends itself to this dynamic between the stage performers and the audience. But the show on the stage is not only a performance, it’s an educational experience as well.

“The kids are comfortable with having to perform in a bigger space to reach the audience,” he said. “They’re not so well practiced in having to pull back and make [their acting] smaller because the audience is right in their face in this setting. It really is going to give us some great opportunities to do some neat things in the future, I do believe.”

He went on to say the school is fortunate to have both a mainstage and a blackbox theatre so students can learn how to act in big and small venues. And they will gain a lot of experience,

because the ball keeps rolling at OHS Theatre.

They are currently setting their sights on the next season with Spongebob: The Musical on the Mainstage and a revisit to an older OHS play, Summertree. Davenport said Summertree is a part of a series of older plays that OHS will revisit in the future.

Many parents of the students who played in the original OHS Summertree production over 10 years ago are season subscribers to the theatre and will witness a reproduction with an entirely new cast. Davenport said it’s a sign of continued community support, which is a big part of why the theatre has been so successful.

“It’s just neat that there is still that love and appreciation for it altogether,” he said. “I think that’s the goal of an arts teacher. We want to instill enough appreciation that they continue to be a contributor to whatever art it is in their community or wherever community they end up.”

OHS Theatre will also be advancing to the Mississippi Theatre State Festival which will be taking place in Meridian. It is the first time in four years since OHS has attended and it is one of many exciting opportunities the students are afforded.

“There’s so many lessons to be learned by getting involved in the theatre,” said Davenport.

“The group effort, the collaboration, learning when to lead and when to follow — those are just life lessons in general the theatre can offer. Even if it’s not what you choose to do for your lifechosen path, there’s so many things you can get out of it.”

For more information about the Oxford High School Theatre, become a season subscriber or donate to the theatre, visit www.oxfordsd.org/ domain/194.

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& DRINK

FOOD

A MILE OF WINE

Campus Wines & Spirits on Jackson Ave. West brings a vast wine inventory to Oxford

BY DAVIS COEN PHOTOS BY DAVIS COEN OxfordMag.com 23

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When Campus Wines & Spirits opened the doors to their Jackson Avenue West location on October 1, 2021, business partners Luke McKey and Joe Bittick had already been longtime friends.

Both gentlemen are returning residents of Oxford. Bittick had left to join the military and lived in the northern Virginia-Washington, D.C. area prior to moving back to his home state to attend school, and make a switch to the Mississippi Air National Guard. McKey graduated from Ole Miss, then settled in several places, including Memphis, TN and Houston, TX. But most crucial to the start of Campus Wines was his seven year stint in Seattle, prior to his return to the Mid-South.

McKey said that when he first returned to Oxford, he felt like he’d left part of his “wine community” in Seattle. “It’s harder to get wines here in Mississippi,” he said. “First, because you’re not allowed to do wine clubs, and secondly, there’s sort of ‘have and have nots’ locally for the wine community.” He said, at times it feels like there are the “people with walk-in wine cellars” - and then, “everyone else.”

Thanks to having many friends in the

Seattle wine community, McKey said, “he was constantly exposed to different wines. And that’s part of what we want to do with the store, and through tastings….to expand the palate of people who just haven’t had that much variety of wine.”

Bittick has worked in fine dining restaurants for over a decade, both locally and in Virginia where he gained his certification. He said that

when he and McKey began discussing business ideas, a liquor store venture “just made sense.”

But with an emphasis on high-end wine, he added, “because we both love wine…it just kind of grew from there.”

The much acclaimed Grit Restaurant in Taylor, Miss., and their sister catering company A&N Catering of Oxford, will continue to employ Bittick through the new

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year, until his shoes are filled. At the end of January, and on through February, he intends to become fully committed to moving wine projects forward at Campus Wines.

Bittick mainly credits his background in fine dining for his current move, about which he’s highly enthusiastic. “Making drinks and pouring good wine, and trying to cultivate people there. It just made more sense to do it from behind the counter, instead of behind the bar,” he said.

Among his priorities are doing a ribbon cutting at the store, then promoting some of the tastings they’re planning.

This would include “Wine Wednesdays,” with half-off wines offered: “You’d come in and try different wines - like a range of wines in a particular varietal. Three different pinots or something like that, or two syrahs or two zinfandels.” Bittick said he would like to “broaden the palates of people,’’ who might typically just

come in and buy their usual selections. “Try to expose them to something they wouldn’t normally buy. Then, helping to build a better wine community here. There’s a lot of people that like wine, but there aren’t so many options. There are not a lot of community spaces for it.”

As he begins taking on his role as Campus Wines sommelier, Bittick expects to be recommending rosé wines since Valentine’s Day will be approaching. He suggests it, of course, “because it’s pink,” he said jokingly, “but also because it goes with most appetizers, which makes for a good start to an evening out on the town - or the prelude to a nice home-cooked meal.

He also said that, if he’s “‘sitting in the middle of the road” in winespeak terms, he’ll be likely to suggest a pinot noir, because of how “versatile and wide-reaching” it is.

Particularly an Oregon pinot from Willamette Valley, said Bittick,

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because of its lush, earthy and dark fruit flavors.

“It’s not gonna dominate your palate, like a California cabernet” might.

Bittick said, with regard to the massive supply shortage of late and how he expects it could affect wine inventory, that despite reports of some French, Spanish and Italian wines being scarce (perhaps stuck on ships and unable to make it to Mississippi warehouses), there is more concern for liquor inventory.

As liquor stores around Oxford have had noticeably larger gaps on their shelves than usual, some for many months now, there’s yet another hurdle these days for retailers to overcome. “Glass has been a unique problem for people who use unique bottles,” McKey said. Some fine wines with fancy bottles have had to compromise their glass designs to meet demand (with the bleak alternative of leaving them for longer than necessary in their barrels), although upscale tequila and whiskey bottles - usually more elaborate - have suffered more scarcity. Glenlivit 12 Year Old and Patrón, are among the countless popular spirits that have been backed up and hard to get.

“We are trying to be, number one…the nicest

store in town, with a clean environment that is pleasing to shop in. And we’ve already received numerous compliments on that exact front,” said McKey, of his shop, that not only thrives in cleanliness, but hospitality and friendliness.

“And then secondly, we’re going to have the largest wine selection in town, if we don’t already have it. We’re at over 500 wines currently, which is one of the largest selections in all of north Mississippi, and we have intentions of growing to about 750 wines in the

near future.”

They’ll not only be wine tastings, but a goal of involving everything in the entire store in a tasting at some time or another. “Whether it’s bourbon, or a rum, or a scotch. We’re hoping people can come to the store not only for what they’re looking for, but what they’re not looking for…and to be able to taste it before they buy it,” said McKey. Campus Wines & Spirits’ physical address is 1501 Jackson Ave W., Suite 105, Oxford.

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ARTS

& CULTURE

WHO IS THE GREAT DYING?

An Oxford musician and songwriter addresses some of what fans may need to know about his music, and upcoming plans

BY DAVIS COEN PHOTOS BY DAVIS COEN OxfordMag.com 27

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L

Local musician Will Griffith grew up in the small town of Boyle, in Bolivar County, Mississippi, a few miles from Cleveland. He was the youngest of four boys. The brother nearest his age was ten years his senior.

According to Griffith, this meant he was alone all the time when he was younger, which he believes contributed a lot to his creativity. “I just had a big imagination. I didn’t have any friends that grew up nearby,” he said. They’d spend the night on the weekends sometimes, but for the most part I was alone playing in the orchard, or playing in the field.” His grandad, uncle and cousins had soybeans and cotton, so Griffith spent a lot of time in their fields.

“So I just had a big imagination, just because I had to for company.”

He said his father enjoyed what is now called “classic rock,” and his mother swayed towards any music she could dance to, particularly classic R&B. “My brothers listened to everything from

Public Enemy to Madonna, to Bon Jovi.”

He credits them too for introducing him to late-80s/early-90s L.A.-rock phenoms, Guns & Roses, and timetested hard rock forefathers, Black Sabbath.

“And my grandma got me turned onto Hank Williams,” Griffith added. “It’s kind of a big melding there, from everyone in my family. I still listen to a bit of everything.”

Another element of growing up in the Delta that he said added to his early interest in music, was the proximity he had to some of the great local bluesmen, who were still regularly performing live shows. These included Willie Foster, Cadillac John Nolden, T-Model Ford, and R.L. Burnside - a north Mississippi legend that Griffith was able to enjoy live and meet a couple of times.

Po’ Monkey’s juke joint in Merigold, also made an impression on the young musician. He was able to play there, and enjoy the pleasure of its unique

atmosphere until the untimely passing of operator Willie “Po’ Monkey” Seaberry in 2016.

“I got to see a lot of wonderful blues guys. I don’t play the blues - never did, but I really enjoyed the gritty bar scenes, even when I was probably too young to be in there,” he said.

Even though Griffith leans more toward other styles of music, including country, punk rock, and heavy metal, he said his time spent at what’s considered by some to be the last real juke joint, still influenced him - and what he took in from the atmosphere made its mark on his music.

“Somewhere in between all that I came out as The Great Dying, I guess.”

ON THE ROAD TO A CAREER IN MUSIC A handful of labor jobs early on were fuel for the fire, along Griffith’s path towards a career in music. Besides working with his cousin Joe on his farm, he recalled one particular summer working for the Bolivar County Road OxfordMag.com 29

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Services. “We laid asphalt for an entire summer on a very long strip of highway, in the middle of rice fields and soybean fields,” he said. “That was a hard job for a fifteen year old.”

Although he was mainly flagging the road, he also rode in the spreader, which laid the asphalt. “It’s June and July in the Mississippi Delta and it’s already hot, especially when you’re on something that’s making asphalt,” he exclaimed. “It was the hottest thing you could imagine.”

Among other manual labor was bagging groceries in Memphis, and working in an auto garage, but when Griffith began with the restaurant industry, he took right to it, and has been involved with it now for about twenty years. He said that he still does it because he loves it, and that he realized early on that he didn’t want to work out in the Mississippi sun for the rest of his life, since he only graduated high school by the skin of his teeth.

“Working in a restaurant pays my bills, and, you know - I do well at it. I’m good at it. But it also gives me the opportunity to play music the other half of the time,” he said. Even now, while The Great Dying plans out month-long tours, Griffith maintains employment at Proud Larry’s in Oxford. “I owe a lot to Scott and Lisa Caradine of Proud Larry’s. They welcomed me into their restaurant, into their family, and their world here in Oxford. I’d do anything for them.”

He credits bartending for the past seven years for the balance he strikes with his musical pursuits. “I can work a lot while I’m home, and then people cover me when I’m on the road,” said Griffith. Not only does he regularly get to see live music working at Proud Larry’s, but feels: “there’s no better place in the State, in my mind, that you can work as a fan of live music. It’s a mecca.”

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might have hoped, in order to tend to some family matters - and he also had the chance to experience Nashville for a few years - but feels fortunate to have finally landed in Oxford. Although he met “some wonderful people in Nashville,” Griffith said he wasn’t playing enough music. He joked: “So I moved to Music City to not play a lot of music, or as much as I had been.”

Griffith regarded Oxford as the obvious place to settle, since he’d always visited and adored it, and he had no plans of returning to the Delta. “I haven’t stopped since I’ve been here,” he said. “Things have just been on the up…there’s so many amazing musicians in this town, and artists of all mediums. I just love it here and I’m gonna stay.”

WINTER TOUR AND NEW ALBUM RELEASE Similar to The Great Dying’s 2018 album “Bloody Noses & Roses,” the upcoming album will also be released

by Dial Back Sound, a production company and label located in Water Valley, MS. Both Griffin and guitarist and accompanist Craig Pratt, who have now performed about a couple hundred shows together, are excited about the release. “It’s something special,” said Pratt. “We were all in such strange places during the process of recording it, but listening to the finished product, it moves me now in different ways than anything I’ve been a part of.”

According to Pratt, the album was recorded during a span of five or six sessions, between late-2019 and early-2021, “which almost feels like 10 years, with 2020 being right in the middle of it,” he joked.

Pratt, a Georgia native, said he loves playing his bandmate and best friend’s songs, because everything he writes has “such a cinematic feel to it, which makes it easy to explore different sounds.” Also, that “it’s hard not to get visualutions listening to his lyrics, painting such a pretty picture.”

“Working in a restaurant pays my bills, and, you know - I do well at it. I’m good at it. But it also gives me the opportunity to play music the other half of the time. Even now, while The Great Dying plans out monthlong tours. I owe a lot to Scott and Lisa Caradine of Proud Larry’s. They welcomed me into their restaurant, into their family, and their world here in Oxford. I’d do anything for them.”

The musical pair are so close in fact, that Griffith became ordained as a minister recently in order to marry Pratt and his now wife. “That was a very big honor, and it was just very sweet,” he said.

Matt Patton (Drive-By Truckers, Dexateens) and Bronson Tew, who engineered and recorded the debut release, were also on board for the follow-up (expected to come out in March), although the two producers at Dial Back Sound are too steeped in projects and obligations to regularly tour with The Great Dying.

“If I had it my way, Matt and Bronson would be with us on the road all the time, but it’s just not possible at the moment,” said Griffith.

Among the winter dates that both Griffith and Pratt look forward to most are the Drive-By Truckers homecoming celebration at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA, and a show in Brooklyn, NY with Wiley Gaby, of the band Goldenchild.

Griffith said they most certainly intend to hold an album release event locally at Proud Larry’s, and in his hometown of Cleveland. Also, since surrogate members of the group, Patton and Tew, hail from Alabama, they will likely connect with their extended musical family there.

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READ THIS BOOK

The winter, when the year is new and the bustle of the holidays is over, is a wonderful time to nestle up and spend quality time with a good book.

Whether it be an exciting mystery, a memoir, or perhaps some poetry, a good book is restorative.

Go ahead and dive in, you deserve it.

BOOKS FOR WINTER Recommendations from

LYN ROBERTS General Manager, Square Books

Lost & Found: A Memoir

by Kathryn Schultz

Robert B. Parker’s Bye Bye Baby

By Ace Atkins

An enduring account of love and loss from one of the great writers of our time, The New Yorker’s Kathryn Schulz, winner of the Pulitzer Prize

Oxonian, and acknowledged writer in his own right with his Quinn colson series, Ace Atkins was handpicked by the Robert B. Parker Estate over a decade ago to continue the Spenser stories about the iconic private eye.

Come Clean

by Joshua Nguyen A collection from the winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry | Joshua Nguyen received his MFA at the University of Mississippi where he is currently a PhD student.

“An unflinching look at how one tries to make order and sense of the messy dazzlement of life.” Aimee Nezhukumatathil

How to Read

by Thomas Richardson A debut collection of poetry from Thomas Richardson, who teaches English at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, MS. Richardson's compelling poems suggest we are never finished learning how to read.

South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation

by Imani Perry “An elegant meditation on the complexities of the American South—and thus of America—by an esteemed daughter of the South and one of the great intellectuals of our time. An inspiration.” —Isabel Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

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WEDDINGS

Madison

Matthew

How did you two meet?

We met in Lafayette Middle School when Matthew was in 7th grade and I was in 6th grade.

Tell us about the proposal It was in the fall of 2020 at The Island in Pigeon Forge TN. He did it right under the large walk through Christmas tree with all the Christmas lights in the back ground. It was magical.

Describe your Wedding Dress Champagne white. Mermaid gown. Sweet heart neck line. Fully laced and beaded.

Spaghetti straps.

Favorite Moment from your Big Day The first time we laid eyes on eachother.

Favorite Wedding Details The floral cross we got married under.

What you’re doing now Full time dental hygienist (bride) and full-time registered nurse (groom). We both like to hunt and fish. We also love being at home with our two dogs.

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WEDDINGS

Ceremony date Oct. 9 2021 Venue The Jefferson Reception Venue The Jefferson Wedding planner S and V Events - Shelby Toole and Victoria Robinson Florist Zandra Walker - Nature Dezigns Caterer Taylor Grocery Caterer Cakes by Baked by birdie - Alana Harris Wedding dress Lows bridal Bridesmaids dresses ASOS Hair and Makeup RK BEAUTY BAR Groom and Groomsmen attire Thomas brothers Music DJ LP— Leshon Polk Bar The Jefferson

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WEDDINGS

Veronica Ken

&

Bride: Veronica Youngblood Groom: Ken Ellingburg How did you two meet?

Tinder

Describe your Wedding Dress Trumpet style white

Favorite Wedding Details The beautiful Venue!!

Ceremony date 12/11/21

Venue *

The Mill at Plein Air

Reception Venue The Mill at Plein Air

Florist Caterer Grit

Caterer Grit

Wedding dress

Lowes in Brinkley Arkansas

Bridesmaids dresses Revelry

Hair and Makeup

The parlor of Oxford

Groom and Groomsmen attire Navy blue tuxedo from Thomas

Music

Dj max victory

Bar Grit

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WEDDINGS

Tiffany Hayden

&

Bride: Tiffany Priewe

Groom: Hayden Gray Hershfelt How did you two meet?

We met first day on the job at Inside Discount in January 2016.

Tell us about the proposal He had me thinking we were taking out the trash at our friend's lake house in June.

We were all dressed up for a “big announcement “, me not knowing when we got back from taking the trash, the announcement was my

engagement! While we were gone 10 mins with the trash (we had to ride a Polaris) his friends had transformed trees in the yard with lights and photos, and the inside dining room with flowers, balloons, a special made cake and food. I was genuinely so surprised when my best friend, mom, and sister were there from out of town!

They found this lake house in the middle of nowhere!

Describe your Wedding Dress Long sleeve, to the floor,

longer than my veil! Lacey beaded top with nude mesh lining, and a solid white fitted bottom with a long train. Unlike any dress I have ever seen before.

Favorite Moment from your Big Day Our 3 Helicopter landings in Alaska!

Alaska Reception Venue 7 Glaciers Restaurant, Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, AK Wedding planner Myself and my cinematographer, Aaron Bowman

Favorite Wedding Details My blue booties and hiking boots, the helicopter landings, dinner on top of a mountain with a view of 7 glaciers that we rode a tram up to. So many beautiful moments happened and I am so grateful for our cinematic video!

Florist Arise Floral Company and Myself

What you're doing now I am the art teacher at Oxford High School.

Hayden is the manager at Core Cycle and Outdoor Oxford and the new Youth Director at St. Peter’s.

Hair and Makeup Brittany Priewe

Caterer Seven Glaciers Restaurant Caterer Midnight Sun Cakery Wedding dress Abela Bridal

Groom and Groomsmen attire Reed’s Tupelo

Ceremony date 07/11/21

Music Nature’s music! Waterfalls the ocean and the wind.

Venue Beluga Point, Girdwood,

Bar Chair 5

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WEDDINGS

Payton Lee

&

Bride and Grooms name Payton Lane and Lee Martin

How did you two meet?

Flashback to September of 2014, it was Lee and I's freshman year at Ole Miss.

We had just finished going through rush. I went KD and Lee went Sigma Nu. The first swap of the year for KD and Sigma Nu was always Rowdy Redneck. All KD's and Sigma Nu's at Ole Miss know that Rowdy Redneck was always a big time. Lee and I were hanging around the same crowd. Lee and I had seen each other around but had never spoken to one another.

I immediately told my friend, "Wow, he's so cute I have to go talk to him." Well, I was much too nervous to walk over and Lee was surrounded by his friends. My friends were quickly tired of me being too scared to go talk to Lee and ended up pushing me into him. Embarrassed, but also thankful, Lee and I got to talking and the rest is history.

Tell us about the proposal My family was in town to visit and we had plans to grab drinks on The Square, followed by dinner with them that night. On Friday morning, Lee called me and asked if I would go visit with his family before we went to dinner and after that we would meet my parents for dinner. I agreed and he said

he'd pick me up that evening.

That night, Lee picked me up and we headed to what I thought was to see his family for a quick visit. During the drive Lee mentioned Christmas lights on the Square and that we should go see them. During the drive he mentioned that they were hanging Christmas lights out at Rowan Oak- on the weekends, Lee and I take walks around town and we frequent Rowan Oak. Lee proceeded to turn right on Old Taylor, and headed toward's Faulkner's home.

When we pulled up to the drive, Lee parked the truck and said, "Let's get out and go look." Immediately, I knew something was up. I could tell he was nervous about something but I followed his lead. We walked down the gravel road towards the beautiful estate, chatting and making small talk. When we reached the front of the house Lee's stride fell behind mine and I could hear that his walking had stopped. Lee said, "Payton" and when I turned to face him, he was down on one knee. It was picture perfect!

After the proposal, we headed to the Square where our families were waiting on us. We had an intimate celebration with our families that evening. It was a night we will both cherish forever.

Describe your Wedding Dress I wanted something classic, elegant and flattering but most importantly comfortable!! I loved my dress and would wear it everyday if I could, my goal while shopping was to find something I could wear sneakers with and that exactly what I did I had my sneakers on the wedding and no one could tell. It made dancing that much easier!

Favorite Moment from your Big Day Our favorite moment was when I came down the aisle.

We did not do a first look and wanted to save that special moment for the wedding. It was so special getting to see each other for the first time that day, the look we saw on each other's faces and that quick moment is something we will always cherish.

Favorite Wedding Details The music used during our ceremony was very special, we selected songs that were not traditional wedding songs, it was a beautiful ceremony and the music gave it a lovely, airy and light summer feel

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WEDDINGS

What you're doing now I am a kindergarten teacher in oxford and lee works with Blackburn Group Ceremony date June 12 2021 Venue The Chapel at Plein Air Reception Venue The Mill at Plein Air Wedding planner I did it all myself and my aunt was my day of help Photographer Lindsey Meisenheimer Florist Oxford Floral Caterer A&N Catering Bride's cake Lisa Whitehead Groom's cake Sweet T's Invitations Generations Fine paper and gifts Wedding dress White Wisteria Bridesmaids dresses Bella Bridesmaids Hair and Makeup Jessica Mathias (jlaurenandco) Groom and Groomsmen attire Thomas Brothers Formal wear Music Robert Riggs (ceremony) Peabody Rocket(Reception) Transportation cline tours and meridian coach Bar A&N Catering 38 January/February 2022

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WEDDINGS

Bailey Luke

&

Bride: Bailey Barker

Groom: Luke Littlejohn.

How did you two meet?

Luke finally got the courage to message me on Instagram in September of 2019 Tell us about the proposal He proposed to me on October 25th, 2020. It was a beautiful fall day and we had spent it at the pumpkin patch which we do every year Describe your Wedding Dress A beautiful long sleeve, lace ball gown dress Favorite Moment from your Big Day Getting to do our first look before the ceremony and read our personal vows to each other during that time Favorite Wedding Details The lovely weather we had that day and the crisp fall air What you're doing now We are happily living in our first home in Ecru, MS Ceremony date October 16, 2021 Venue Reflections Wedding Venue in Myrtle, MS Reception Venue Reflections Wedding Venue in Myrtle, MS Florist The Twig Caterer Caterer Wedding dress Essence of Australia Bridesmaids dresses Kay’s Kreations in Tupelo Hair and Makeup Shanna Lopez and Madison Franks Groom and Groomsmen attire Thomas Brothers in Tupelo Music DJ OxfordMag.com 39

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WEDDINGS

Linsey Alec

&

Bride: Linsey Hebert Michael

Groom: Alec Michael

How did you two meet?

Some of my closest friends from Oxford were the same people who Alec grew up with.

We had met once or twice in the past, but both of us were dating other people at the time. I moved away for about a year and a half, and after moving back to Oxford in 2017, I started bartending at Roosters. Alec came into the bar several times with our friends. He asked me on a few dates, and I turned him down the first few times until I finally decided to give in.

Tell us about the proposal Alec gathered our family and friends together for a surprise proposal at Roosters. Family and friends traveled from Louisiana, all over Mississippi, Tennessee, and he even got one of my best friends to fly in from Scottsdale, Arizona. I was in nursing school in Memphis, and came back to town for the weekend to have dinner to celebrate our 3 year anniversary.

He told me we had plans to eat at Oxford Grillhouse, so I got all dressed up and ready. When we rounded the corner from the parking lot behind Boure, there was a sign hanging from the Roosters’ balcony asking me to

marry him. His best friend stopped traffic and he got on one knee in front of everyone and asked me to marry him with the most GORGEOUS engagement ring!

Describe your Wedding Dress My dress was a beaded sweetheart cut, lace, beaded long-sleeved white dress. The back of the dress was open. It hugged my hips and flowed out the most beautiful train.

Favorite Moment from your Big Day My absolute favorite part of our day was the first look. It’s a moment I’ll forever cherish. It was so emotional and nothing else mattered in that moment. I knew from that point forward, the rest of the night would be perfect. And it was.

Favorite Wedding Details It was a family affair! Our families decorated everything themselves.

My mom and aunt did all of the flowers and arrangements. Our moms and some of our close friends and family tackled setting everything up. All of the food was cooked by my family and my dad’s close friends. Alec’s Godparents even loaned us their

‘57 Chevy to exit the wedding in!

We are so blessed and fortunate to have people in our lives so excited to want to make our day as perfect as it was.

What you're doing now Alec and I live here in Oxford with our dog, Rivers! He works for Northeast Power and I’m a nurse at Baptist!

Ceremony date October 23, 2021 Venue Sunset Ridge Barn Reception Venue Sunset Ridge Barn Wedding planner Photographer Wedding dress Lowe’s Bridal Bridesmaids dresses Dark green dresses from Azazie online Hair and Makeup Hair - Melissa Simpson; Makeup - Rivers Countiss Groom and Groomsmen attire Navy blue suits from Thomas Brothers Music DJ King Kova (Jacova Jenkins)

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WEDDINGS

Britney Mike

&

Bride: Britney Jones

Groom: Mike Haskins Mike and Britney Haskins

How did you two meet?

The two of us met ten years ago at Senatobia High School where we were both played trumpet in the band.

Tell us about the proposal Mike and I are both very outdoorsy and took a trip together to Asheville, NC. We spent the week hiking, camping, and hitting breweries along the way. On November 5th, 2019, we stopped at a waterfall in Pisgah National Forest and Mike presented me with a book of hand drawn pictures of our "Story of Us" over the course of our 8 years together. On the last page there was a drawing of Mike with the ring behind his back. He had to tell me to turn the page I was so emotional. The next page was him down on one knee at which point, Mike was actually down on one knee at which point he asked me to marry him. I, of course, and obviously, said yes.

Describe your Wedding Dress My dress was purchased from Low's Bridal in Brinkley, AR. It is take on a vintage style, with a mixture of lace and beading.

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WEDDINGS Favorite Moment from your Big Day Our favorite moment from our Big Day was our first look. It was so exciting for us to finally see one another after nearly two years of planning and anticipating our wedding- it made the day finally seem real.

Favorite Wedding Details We had so many personal touches to the wedding, but among our favorite was our favors, which were individual small bottles of mead (honey wine). Mike is an avid homebrewer and winemaker and spent over a year on the mead making process to get our wedding mead to fruition. The term "honeymoon" actually gets its roots from mead- traditionally in Norse culture, a newlywed couple was gifted enough mead to toast their marriage every night for a month, or one lunar cycle. We loved that detail and wanted to include it in our day.

What you're doing now The bride Britney is the Events and Sponsorship Coordinator at the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. Mike is the Advertising Sales Executive and Marketing Consultant at the Panolian in Batesville, MS. We live in Oxford.

Ceremony date 10/30/2021 Venue Paris Yates Chapel at Ole Miss Reception Venue The Powerhouse Wedding planner N/a Photographer Elizabeth Hurtado Photography Caterer Taylor Grocery Catering Caterer Cakes: Frost Bakery in Collierville, TN Save the Dates ZOLA Invitations Magnet Street Wedding Dress Low's Bridal Brinkley AR Bridesmaids dresses David's Bridal Hair and Makeup N/A Groom and Groomsmen attire Men's Wearhouse Music Jay Southard Bar Andy Douglas of Sola Oxford.

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WEDDINGS How did you two meet?

Water Valley High School Tell us about the proposal We went to Zoo lights on December 11,2020 after 6 years together and he asked me to be his wife in the most beautiful spot!

Describe your Wedding Dress Mermaid simple elegant off the shoulder with a cathedral veil with jeweled lining Favorite Moment from your Big Day Watching my husband’s face as i walked down the isle Favorite Wedding Details Spending the day with my absolute best friends and marrying my amazing husband What you're doing now We are both working and loving our dogs

Chasity Gavin

&

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WEDDINGS Ceremony date September 25,2021 Venue Plein air, The Chapel Reception Venue The Mill at Plein air Wedding planner Myself Florist Zandra Walker Caterer A&N catering - Grit restaurant Caterer Alaina Harris -baked by birdie Wedding dress Low’s Bridal Arkansas Bridesmaids dresses Engagements Grenada Hair and Makeup Keli Rae Coleman Groom and Groomsmen attire Thomas brothers formal wear Music Ty Pritchard Bar A&N catering

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WEDDINGS How did you two meet?

At the Burgundy Room in 2015 Tell us about the proposal Collin had the ring for months, but at his parent's house so I wouldn't find it. The day before we were leaving to go on a trip he got it from his mom because he planned to pop the question while we were out of town. He got so excited / nervous and couldn't wait and proposed that day (literally hours after he picked it up). He proposed in our first home together that we spend months renovating just the two of us! He's a true southern boy... he set up his deer camera in the living room to capture the moment haha Describe your Wedding Dress I picked a chic, simple crepe dress with boning / corset detail and a long train. I paired it with a long veil with thick lace detail.

Bailee Collin

&

Favorite Moment from your Big Day Walking up onto the rooftop and seeing Collin surrounded by so many of our friends and family there to support us

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WEDDINGS

Photographer Rendy taylor photography Florist The Twisted Twig Caterer Grit Caterer Grit Wedding dress Made With Love Bridal - Australia Favorite Wedding Details MY BOUQUET! The Twisted Twig KILLED IT. I did my bouquet entirely of orchids. Also my earrings that I spent months finding. They were Christian Dior so they said CD which is my husband's initials. It was a small, special detail that only a few noticed.

What you're doing now Loving being married! After such a hectic wedding planning season of having to change so many things, dates, venues, etc. we are just happy it

all went smoothly and now we can relax Ceremony date 06 / 26 / 21 Venue The Chancellor's House Rooftop Reception Venue The Chancellor's House Ballroom & Bar Wedding planner Dawn Lipscomb

Bridesmaids dresses I let them choose their own from wherever they wanted as long as it was in the color family that I was wanting Hair and Makeup Made By Beck (makeup) - Nashville Element Hair Studio - New Albany Groom and Groomsmen attire Abraham's - Cleveland Music The Bonfire Orchestra Bar Chancellor's House

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Amy Jack

&

Bride Amy Haadsma

Groom Jack Abraham!!"

How did you two meet?

Jack and I have known each other since high school when he went to Oxford High and I went to Tupelo High. Some may say we had a thing for each other during our junior years but nothing came of it and we went our separate ways. Jack graduated high school to play football at Louisiana Tech University and I went to Ole Miss. After a redshirt year at La Tech, Jack transferred to Northwest Community College in Senatobia, MS, 45 minutes away from me at Ole Miss.

One night our sophomore years of college, we both ended up out on The Square in Oxford. After not having seen or talked to each other in two years, I remember seeing Jack walk through the doors of a bar called The Corner, running up to him and saying "Jack Abraham!!"

He gave me a big hug and responded with "Amy Haadsma!!" He didn't waste ANY time and asked me on a date to Volta the next day!

After a few dates and going to one of his football games, I had a good feeling he could be the one Tell us about the proposal

Jack and I were both living in Hattiesburg, MS when he proposed. I was at Southern Miss for grad school and he was there playing football.

One weekend we had plans to go out to dinner (which wasn't that unusual for us to do on a weekend). I was almost done getting ready when he suggested we take our dog, Bear, on a walk on USM's campus. I was like "No! I am literally in heels right now! We can take him another time!" But Jack insisted sooo somehow I ended up in the car with Jack and Bear driving to campus.

Looking back I have no idea how I didn't see the proposal coming but I really was clueless! We got out of the car and started walking our dog. When we got in front of this beautiful fountain on campus, Jack took my hands and told me he loved me.....

THEN HE ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED BEAR'S LEASH! (Bear is not a trained dog and started to RUN AWAY!) I remember knowing that Jack was just about to propose but I said "Go!! Go get him!!" Luckily Jack had a treat in his pocket so it didn't take him long to get him back. Finally Jack came back around to me, got down on a knee, and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes! It

was the most chaotic, dysfunctional proposal ever but I wouldn't have had it any other way! It was perfect to me Describe your Wedding Dress If I had to describe my wedding dress in 2 words I would call it romantic and whimsical. It was a beautiful ivory, sweetheart gown with detachable cap sleeves. I wore the sleeves for pictures and for the ceremony, but took them off for the reception so I could dance :) The dress fit like a glove! It had embroidered cotton lace all over the dress with asymmetrical, whimsical details and patterned swiss dot tulle that flared out at the

bottom. It had a gorgeous low back with sheer corset detailing and an elegant train. I wore a cathedral train with floral detailing all around the edges. It matched perfectly with the dress.

Favorite Moment from your Big Day Oooh this is a good question and I don't know if I can pick just one. The first moment that comes to mind is exiting the chapel as husband and wife. I will never forget that feeling. I was bawling crying while smiling from ear to ear.

It was the happiest I have ever been and I don't think I have ever smiled so hard (We have pictures to prove it.)

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comes to mind is right before the ceremony. We had just finished up with pictures and I was sitting in one of the church pews just soaking it all in and I remember feeling so happy, content, and at peace with what was about to happen! It was an amazing feeling! Jack says his favorite moments were the first look and leaving the chapel!

Favorite Wedding Details 1. We rented beautiful, antique-looking, floral, pastel china from Details Rentals and used them to serve our cake. They were different colors and so fun!

Everyone absolutely loved them! 2. I also got to wear my grandmother's ring down the aisle. I know she was looking down on us from Heaven <3 3. I did a first look with Jack, my dad, my bridesmaids AND Jack's groomsmen. I think that was something fun and different that we did :) I am super close with his friends so it was a fun thing to do and made for funny pictures! 4. I loved the greenery Vanessa put climbing up the walls of the chapel around the chapel door. It was beautiful and looked like something out of a magazine! 5.

Lastly, I loved our neon sign that guests were able to take pictures with. The pictures in front of it turned out amazing!

What you're doing now Jack is on the Mississippi State football team and was actually hit in practice

exactly a WEEK before our wedding. He left practice with about 10 stitches, a fractured nose, and a concussion. His stitches healed wonderfully and you could barely notice anything on the wedding day. For five months following the injury and our wedding, Jack has suffered from post-concussion syndrome. We strongly believe the NCAA will grant Jack a seventh-year of eligibility because he did not participate this football season.

Football is our life and we want to get him back out on the field doing what he loves to do! He has turned the corner and is doing much much better these days. I love my job! I love helping kids find their voice and gain confidence!

This season of life has been one of the hardest for both myself and Jack due to his injury, but we also have never been as close as we are now! Being married is amazing. We can't wait to see what God has planned for us in the future! I am a speech-language pathologist and work at Houston Upper Elementary School for the Chickasaw County School District.

Ceremony date June 19, 2021

Wedding planner No wedding planner PHOTOGRAPHER: Blake Mccollum Florist FLORIST: Vanessa Jackson with Seven Acres Flowers Caterer A&N Catering with GRIT Caterer WEDDING CAKE: Tinas Cake Cottage GROOM'S CAKE: Jack's Aunt, Adrienne Saxon Wedding dress a Kenneth Winston dress from Miranda Marie Bridal Boutique. INVITATIONS: My sister, Emily Nelson (ELouiseDesigns on Etsy) Bridesmaids dresses Birdy Grey Hair and Makeup HAIR: Faith Pool MAKEUP: Ashlyn Eaves Groom and Groomsmen attire The Black Tux

Venue The Chapel at Plein Air in Taylor, MS

Music SINGER/GUITARIST: Maggie Houin VIOLINISTS: Robert Riggs & Selim Giray

Reception Venue The Mill at Plein Air in Taylor, MS

Bar A&N Catering with GRIT

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Victoria Tucker

&

Bride: Victoria Lynn Smith

Groom: Tucker Alexander Fox

How did you two meet?

Tucker and I met at Ole Miss orientation. I was an incoming freshman and Tucker was an orientation leader greeting students with a free hugs sign.

Tell us about the proposal Tucker proposed under the magnolia tree in the grove where I used to tailgate as a kid. He used the free hugs sign as a prop during the proposal.

Describe your Wedding Dress My wedding dress was from Maggie Louise in Memphis and designed by Rita Vinieris. It was a Shallow Sweetheart, trumpet-style dress with buttons that cascaded down the back and opened to a train. I wore a lace bolero for the ceremony and took the bolero off for the reception, giving the dress a completely different look.

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Favorite Moment from your Big Day There were many favorite memories but one my favorite memories was adding last minute flowers to my hair.

My mom and sister/MOH also added flowers to their hair and it was a very sweet detail to share that day that we had not planned ahead of time.

Favorite Wedding Details The signature bourbon slush. The waterwall champagne entrience. The gardenia flowers that filled the hallway had a special connection because they were the flowers that my grandparents incorporated in their wedding day over 60 years ago. The range of music that we selected from an acquic guitar, bag-piper, string quartet, harpest, and pianist featured songs that were special to our family.

The music continued with a traditional

wedding band followed by a lively late-2000s country music for the late-night band. From an oyster bar and signature cocktails to late night tacos and chicken on a stick, guests enjoyed exquisite catering from Elizabeth Heiskell and John Mabry.

What you're doing now Tucker works in wealth management at Raymond James. I work at Syntriq Healthcare while also pursuing my MBA through Ole Miss.

Ceremony date 08/28/2021 Venue Christ Presbyterian of Oxford Reception Venue The Jefferson Wedding planner Mona Dunlap

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Peyton Jeremy

&

Bride: Peyton Hill Miller Groom: Jeremy Miller

How did you two meet?

We first met at The Blind Pig. He said he saw me walking down the stairs and one he had to say something to me before the night was over. (He had to have a few courage drinks first of course) Tell us about the proposal At this time, we were living together in a rental with our one dog Shoogie. I wanted to get some pictures of us three together to put around our house. I scheduled a photo shoot and then forgot about it.

Well it’s the day before the shoot and I realize, “oh gosh that photo shoot is tomorrow!” So I tell him the day before the shoot. Well the day comes and we are taking pictures and at one point he says “wouldn’t it be funny if I purposed?” And I respond with “yeah that would be funny” with my very sarcastic attitude.

He then gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him. I wish the story ended there but I was so SHOCKED that I thought I was getting pranked… I start saying “no you’re joking! You’re joking! This isn’t real!” So I completely ruin the entire mood of course!

I did finally say yes through the tears and disbelief.

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Describe your Wedding Dress My wedding dress was simple, much like me. Thin straps to a sweetheart neckline. Very fitted at the top and just drops straight down and flows about halfway down my ribs.

Favorite Moment from your Big Day I would say my favorite moment would have to be my first look with my dad. I love my dad so much and I have always looked up to him. I was dreading and looking forward

to our first look all at the same time. I knew it meant that I was getting older and I knew that would make him cry, which it did. Which made me ball my eyes out. He gave me a necklace in a box with a sweet printed paragraph in it.

It’s a moment I will never forget.

Favorite Wedding Details I love how personalized to us and relaxed the wedding was. We had a 10” statue of my husband on his cake that was shaped like Missouri (his

home state). We had cornhole in personalized cornhole boards that I made. I created the art for the koozies on my computer.

We ended the night having unexpected karaoke! It was such a fun time and I wouldn’t change a thing!

What you're doing now I am working for a hospice company located in Oxford.

He owns and operates his own lawn management company in Oxford. We just bought a house!! And now we have a total of 3 dogs!

Ceremony date May 1, 2021 Venue The Farmstead on Woodson Ridge Reception Venue The Farmstead on Woodson

Ridge Wedding planner I planned it but I had a day of coordinator: Lauren Dalton Florist Whitney Pullen Caterer Taylor Grocery Wedding dress Low’s Bridesmaids dresses Azazie Hair and Makeup Kay Lee Walker Gore - RK Beauty Bar Groom and Groomsmen attire Thomas Brothers Music DJ friend from college

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Shelby Edward

&

Bride: Shelby Bourgeois Groom: Edward Lake

How did you two meet?

We both went to Ole Miss and met at the 2016 Egg Bowl through mutual friends.

Tell us about the proposal We were on the coast

(Ocean Springs, MS) visiting my family. Edward asked if I wanted to go to dinner, so I naturally invited 6 of my friends from home. I thought we were going to meet up with everyone for drinks before – but he told me that we had to stop by the house my mom was in the process

of building beforehand. I honestly thought I was about to walk into a new puppy because I talked about wanting a dog for over a year. I walked in and there was no dog but the house was decorated with pictures, flowers, and champagne (of course!). I turned around to Edward on one knee. When he asked me to marry him, I responded with “are you sure??”. He proposed with a ring from his great grandmother that he redesigned. We spent the night with our immediate families and some close friends. It was such a special night!

Describe your Wedding Dress I have always loved the designer Anne Barge and her ability to mix simplicity

and elegance into her dresses. I wanted a dress that would stand out but was clean, traditional, and simple.

Favorite Moment from your Big Day Getting to marry Edward in the place that we met and both hold so close to our hearts was the most special part of planning our wedding. We also had a huge wedding party and getting to see friends and family from all over for the first time in over a year was also super special to us.

Favorite Wedding Details I wanted traditional, elegant, and classic with a twist. I love a clean look, but I also made sure to add details that would stand out.

The blue in my invitations was one of my very favorite

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WEDDINGS details. I also love orchids and calla lilies so I knew I would have arrangements and bouquets full of them. Creating Edward's groom's cake was so fun and I was able to incorporate all of his very favorite things (our dog Leo, Eli Manning's jersey, duck hunting).

What you're doing now Edward is a CPA and works for KPMG in Memphis. I am a speech-language pathologist at Janna Hacker and Associates in Memphis.

Ceremony date July 17, 2021 Venue * Plein Air Reception Venue The Mill at Plein Air Wedding planner Katie Naron and Bess Fisher Photographer Option 1 Florist Garden District (Memphis) Caterer A&N Catering Caterer Brides Cake - Lara Jenkins ; Grooms Cake - Sweet T's Bakery Invitations RSVP Stationers (invitations, cups, napkins, programs, koozies, stickers) Wedding dress The White Room Birmingham Bridesmaids dresses Bella Bridesmaids Hair and Makeup Makeup - Rivers Keyes and Isabella Allen (day of); Mary Shields Hunter (Rehearsal dinner) . Hair - RK Beauty Bar Groom and Groomsmen attire Jos A. Bank Music Groove Factor Entertainment Bar A&N Catering Couldn't answer the following Invitations - RSVP Stationers (invitations, cups, napkins, programs, koozies, stickers) and transportaion - Jason Plunk 54 January/February 2022

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Taylor Ivy

&

Bride and Grooms name Taylor Mauer and Ivy McLellan How did you two meet?

We worked together for years as friends and it just happened one day!

Tell us about the proposal On Christmas Eve, he asked me to show him the Clocktower on my home town. (My favorite spot) as we were looking around , he got down on one knee Describe your Wedding Dress Off the shoulder with long puff sleeves. Named “Sandra” by flora bridal Favorite Moment from your Big Day Getting everyone we love together for one big party. And getting to see all the planning and details come together!

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Caterer A&N Caterer Wedding dress Bridesmaids dresses Hair and Makeup The Studio Groom and Groomsmen attire Music Jordan Smith Favorite Wedding Details It was on Halloween so it was just fun and eclectic. The caterers wore costumes and we had a cardboard cut out of Dolly Parton

after very many years as Oxonians! Ivy is working for Wonderbird Spirits as their first sales rep and I will be working in real estate

Venue * Wonderbird Spirits

What you're doing now We just moved to Atlanta

Ceremony date 10/31/21

Florist Emily Taylor

Reception Venue Wedding planner Emily Taylor

Bar A&N Send 8-10 of your wedding photos, to rebecca. alexander@oxfordeagle.com.

Please make certain these are high resolution for the magazine, along with your photographer. * Paul Gandy

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Logan Olivia

&

Bride and Grooms name Logan and Olivia Bradley How did you two meet? Ole Miss

Tell us about the proposal Logan proposed to me on the front porch of my childhood home on June 19, 2020. He surprised me with some of our best friends and family, who had come from near and far, waiting for me when I walked outside. It was a very special moment we will forever cherish.

Describe your Wedding Dress I wore the Monique Lhuilliier Admire gown- a trumpet gown with statement off the shoulder puff sleeves with a detachable cape Favorite Moment from your Big Day Marrying my best friend in our favorite place!

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Favorite Wedding Details We loved incorporating details that really brought out the charm in Oxford for our guest to see (Double decker bus, ceremony on campus, and reception on the square). We gave each of our guest a hand-written letter as their place card to really tell them how much they mean to us, which we really enjoyed doing. We also loved our colorful design to go with our Spring time wedding!

What you're doing now I work for J&J doing medical device sales, Logan is a football Coach at Liberty University Ceremony date May 1, 2021 Venue The Inn at Ole Miss Garden Reception Venue The Lyric Wedding planner Ellen Thomas Photographer Morgan Franklin, Videographer: John Meyers Florist Oxford Floral Caterer Taylor Grocery Bride's cake Lou Toole Grooms cake Sweet T’s Bakery Invitations Longest Time Design Wedding dress Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids dresses Altress Hair and Makeup Rebecca Mathis Groom and Groomsmen attire Landrys Music Deep Blue Entertainment Transportation Rebel Ride and Double Decker Bus Bar The Lyric 58 January/February 2022

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BY KATIE S MORRISON

P

ERFECTION! A perfect wedding is something that almost every girl (&guy) dreams of since they are a little kid. Dreams of the perfect venue, perfect menu, perfect flowers, the perfect dress, and all of the wonderful, magical “ribbons & pearls” that go along with the exciting day begin to fill each bride’s mind as soon as their fiancé puts that ring on their finger. The preparations start to begin during the months leading up to the one day that a bride will remember for the rest of their life- the perfect day that you’ve dreamed of starts to become real. All of the planning and excitement overtakes your life, and it’s basically all that you can think about, because your

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wedding HAS to be perfect- especially for the pictures- because bridal magazines & articles are where most brides get their inspirations & ideas from, right? Photographs & media posts run our everyday life as we know it (social media is huge right now), so I wanted to make sure that for my wedding, every detail was going to be seamless so that our pictures would be something that we would use & be proud of for the rest of our lives. But as planning continued, I realized that I forgot about something pretty important: we are not in control of everything, & “perfection” is something that cannot be obtained because we are human, and also- things do not go always as planned, because sometimes life seems to have a different plan than ours.

My fiancé & I got engaged on Feb. 15th of 2021 & at that moment in time, things couldn’t have been more perfect to me. I was going to marry the man of my dreams, my best friend, & thankfully also the first boy that my dad EVER approved of (which if you have a protective dad, you get what I’m sayingit’s a BIG deal). When I told my family & friends, the excitement from everyone around me was overwhelming!!!

Constant phone calls, text messages, letters, etc. were constantly flooding in about how “perfect of a fit we were” & “how beautiful the wedding was going to be” & also from many people, was “there is simply nothing that could go wrong with our wedding and marriage, because we were going to be perfect!”

And let me tell you, the first seven months of planning were pretty much perfect!!! Ever since I moved to Oxford when I was 17 years old in 2012, I knew that I wanted my wedding to be a big winter Oxford wedding on the square at the Lyric, so that I could have wedding pictures on the square with all of the beautiful Christmas lights, because where else in the world do you get pictures like that except for in Oxford!

And sure enough, I was able to book the venue of my dreams (the Lyric), all of the flowers of my dreams, found the 60 January/February 2022

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MOST PERFECT dress that I could have ever imagined, and every single detail that I wanted for my wedding on December 4th was available- my dad was even able to book the band (The Swingin’ Medallions) all the way from South Carolina that my dad & I wanted for my wedding since I was about 13 years old!!! And most importantlysince I am a clinical mental health counselor, I always want for everyone around me to be taken care of & to be happy (hey I’m an enneagram type 2, I can’t help it)- and even THIS was happening!! I mean really, what could possibly go wrong? I had all of my people in my corner- my friends, my fiancé (Phillips), my family, my family-to-be & most importantly, my dad, my rock, my buddy, my twin, was happier than I have ever seen him. It seemed like pure perfection.

Just as things really couldn’t seem to get any better, life took quite a turn for the worse. August 20th of 2021 started as any other day, & I woke up bright & early that Friday morning to begin practicing the songs that I was going to sing at church that

coming Sunday, and of course, get back to planning my perfect wedding! I called my dad like I did every morning, because we always talked every morning when we were eating breakfast-it was our little morning routine that we started 10 years ago when I moved to Oxford for college. He didn’t answer the first 2 times that I tried to call

him, which I took with a grain of salt. I had talked to him the night before for about an hour, and he was great, so I just figured that something had come up at the office & that he would give me a call back as soon as he could. So I went along with my morning like normal. Then around 11:30 AM, I got a call from Phillips that changed

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Sputnik Tea Ingredients 18 ounces of Tang ¾ cup of Instant Lipton’s tea with lemon 1-1/2 cup of sugar 2 teaspoons of ground Cloves 2 teaspoons of Cinnamon Mix all ingredients and keep in tightly sealed container. Use 2 teaspoons (or more to your liking) in a cup of boiling water. You can also make it iced if you prefer. Yield 10 servings Then there’s the equally delicious Hot Buttered Rum. It too is simple to make and quite a nice treat when the weather outside is chilly. Here’s the recipe:

CHASING AWAY THE

WINTER BLUES From tasty food to entertaining performances, plenty of options abound

T

BY BONNIE BROWN

he holiday decorations have been put away. The weather is a mix of dreary and cold, with a few snippets of sunshine here and there. Unlike many parts of the country, we’re not dragging out our snow boots and shovels, thank goodness.

I grew up in southern Ohio where there were so many lakes nearby providing lots of opportunities to swim, play, sunbathe, and fish. These same lakes in the winter would freeze over several feet thick making them perfect for ice skating and sledding. Once the park rangers deemed it safely solid, it was the gathering place for ice skating. Kids would flock to the frozen lake after school to skate and be seen.

Oxford and the

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surrounding area have many lakes but don’t count on them for ice skating in the winter.

Thankfully, it’s not cold enough for long enough to freeze sufficiently for ice skating.

So, what is there to do here in the winter?

Oh, so many choices! If you hurry, you can attend the BUSH/MARSHALL/MEYER/ MEYER QUARTET performance at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts on January 28. This performance features a “special collaboration usually only heard on the summer bluegrass festival circuit.”

Or if you are in the mood for a hit Broadway musical, you should plan to see “Waitress” a story about a waitress and expert pie-maker

Hot Buttered Rum Ingredients 2-1/2 quarts of Apple Cider (you can also use apple juice) ¼ teaspoon Cloves ¼ teaspoon Allspice 5 tablespoons of sugar Bring to a boil; remove from heat and add one pat of butter, one cinnamon stick, and (optional) one jigger of rum to each cup served. You may also add butter and cinnamon sticks to entire batch. Serve warm.

If you like something sweet and delicious, try whipping up this Caramel Cobbler. It’s simple and takes very little time and few ingredients.

Caramel Cobbler 1 stick butter 1-1/2 cup self-rising flour 1-1/2 cup sugar ¾ cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla (or almond) 1-1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1-1/2 cup hot water Ice cream or sweetened whipped cream Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 1 stick of butter in 9 x 13-inch pan.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, milk, and flavoring. Stir to combine, then pour over melted butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar over top of batter.

Carefully pour hot water over butter and batter. DO NOT STIR. Cook 30 minutes until golden brown. Serve with ice cream or sweetened OxfordMag.com 63 whipped cream.

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who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage.

The production (also at the Gertrude Ford Center) features original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles on February 9.

What else might be on your bucket list of winter amusement options?

Let’s see if you haven’t already tuned in to Ted Lasso, streaming on Apple + TV, you should do so but it’s not a family show with a TV-MA rating because of its severe language. It stars Jason Sudeikis, the title character, who is an optimistic American football coach who’s hired to coach a professional soccer team in England, despite knowing nothing about the sport.

Trust me when I say it is a “feel good” program, hope-inspiring in fact.

As you relax and binge-watch your favorite new series, it’s time for a cup of hot chocolate or even better some Sputnik Tea also known as Russian tea.

It’s a simple recipe and a tasty beverage. Here’s the recipe: There are days when I declare it to

be a make-up free day. Doesn’t happen very often but when it does, I feel totally relaxed. I also like to stay in my nightgown until after I have done whatever housework I plan to do for the day. But there are days when it would be great fun to spend the entire day in my gown. So, why not have a Pajama Day! Think of how wonderful for you and your family to be comfy in your PJ’s and get out some board games, put on some music, or watch a favorite family movie.

While you shouldn’t go in your pajamas, a trip to the University of Mississippi Museum would be fun, especially if you haven’t been in a while. Lots to see there, then you could hike your way through Bailey’s Woods to William Faulkner’s home, Rowan Oak. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-4, and 1-4 on Sunday.

Admission is $5 for visitors 12 and over.

With the frosty weather just outside your door, why not plan your summer vacation? You can get the entire family

involved by throwing out some destinations and ideas and see what discussion might unfold. Or you can quietly plan a trip to a favorite destination (think beach or state/ national park) or road trip to visit a favorite relative.

You don’t have to travel far to find entertainment. How long since you’ve been bowling? Premier Lanes out at the Oxford Commons is waiting to welcome you to some fun. Be sure to check out their special $3/game on Wednesdays and Sundays.

If you prefer, some outdoor exercise, Avent Park awaits. You may have played there as a child yourself. Maybe play a little tennis or spend time in the playground. Enjoy a brisk or leisurely walk on the walking trails. And don’t forget to pack the snacks! When we’ve gone there with the grandchildren, they always expect an impromptu picnic.

There’s also disc golf there as well as the 23-hole disc golf course at Ole Miss Intramural Fields which is open yearround. It’s such a lovely setting, a little

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like having our own Central Park but in our little hamlet and not New York City.

If you haven’t ridden an Oxford University Transit (OUT) bus, you should do so. It is a free ride until September 2022 and there are numerous routes. It’s a good way to see Oxford and who knows, maybe you will find a route that is useful to you. Visit their web site to see the routes (https:// www.outransit.com/) Gather up the family and “Get on OUT!” When I worked on campus, I would park at the Jackson Avenue Center and board the bus there. Sometimes the bus was so quiet with students half asleep as they made their way to class, that I wanted to start a sing-along like the one in the 1987 movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles starring John Candy and Steve Martin.

They are on a bus and Candy’s character starts singing The Flintstones theme song and all the passengers join in. If you haven’t seen this movie, it’s a fun one.

I have been procrastinating for the longest in organizing my photos. Yes, I’m talking both printed and digital photos. I’m certain that you all may have a similar task to complete. Now’s a good time to do it before you forget locations and faces.

And it is never too early to start your spring cleaning. I need to start with my closet and try on those items that no longer fit and pay particular attention to the clothes that you haven’t worn in a year.

Rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it in a year, it needs to go. Chances are the sizing won’t change over the winter months. You have certainly heard of Marie Kondo, the organizing guru.

She

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recommends “tidying by category—not by location— beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, miscellaneous items, and, finally, sentimental items.

Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy.” Be sure to plan to donate your gently used items. Once you have done the decluttering, the actual “cleaning” part becomes easy!

I know it is difficult to begin the decluttering process. You have some sentimental attachments to things. But remember it’s only “stuff.”

When my husband Tom and I downsized from our residence on Woodson Ridge in 2005, I had several sets of dishes that I decided to donate because I wouldn’t have room for them, and I hadn’t been using them regularly anyway. I was a little emotional as I would recall the times my family had gathered to enjoy a meal using these plates. But it was only “stuff” and there were new memories to be made.

I also need to give my pantry some attention.

Although I try to keep things organized, there’s still the

opportunity for items to go out of date and escape my notice. And it’s a waste of money to allow this to happen.

My method for storage whether it’s in my pantry or refrigerator, is labels to the front. It looks better and it’s easier to keep track of what needs to be added to the on-

going grocery list.

Make the most of these winter months. Get some rest, enjoy some exercise, take advantage of the sun when it’s shining. Read. Listen to your favorite podcast or music.

Watch a movie. Be productive.

You are in charge! And spring is just around the corner!

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OXFORD CHRISTMAS PARADE

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PHOTOS BY Joey Brent

Downtown Oxford December 6th, 2021

1. Charlotte Kisner and Naomi Sockwell 2. Jason Plink andd Collin Hill 3. Knox, Amber and Davis Barbieri with Berkley Madaris and Isla 4.

Samantha and Maddie Miller

5. Jerome Theroit, Randy Gammel, Barry Brunet adn Bill Crosby 6. Ashley Atkinson and Lisa Chandler 7. Bella Nichols, Courtney McNair (Miss Eco Mississippi) and Austin Kramer 8. Johnny Hill and John (JD) Davidson 9. Ashleigh Polancich, Rainey Roberson, Myers Polancich, Sarah Margaret Hester, Ella Grace Polancich and Virginia Roberson

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OXFORD CHRISTMAS PARADE

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PHOTOS BY Joey Brent

Downtown Oxford December 6th, 2021

10. Erin Jefcoat, Kyla Strong, Amanda Allen and Allison Bell 11. Derek Hervey and Kiannah Hickinbottom 12. Jackson, Natalee, David, Maelee, Jason and Nicole Brunner 13. Penny Thompson with Hardy and Hudson Cole 14. Dylan and Nolan Eubanks 15. Holly and Jeff Eubanks 16. Veavey Soldevioa, Jack Roberson and Price Anderson 17. Carl and Lauren Lafferty

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OXFORD-LAFAYETTE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHRISTMAS PARTY

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PHOTOS BY Joey Brent

The Country Club of Oxford December 9, 2021

1. Tracie Russell and Rosie Vassallo 2.

Jason Plunk and Collin Hill

3. Matt and Rebecca Bishop 4. Santa and Mrs Claus 5. Mary Kelleher, Emily Suber and Coco McDonnell 6. Micheal and Lexi Worth Smith 7. Marge and Jim McCauley 8. The Oxford Eagle/Magazine Staff 9. Beverly Brent and Amy Barry 10. Melanee and Freddie Pinion

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SAID AND DONE

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LIKE RIDING A BIKE

COUNTRIBUTING EDITOR JIM DEES is a writer and longtime host of Thacker Mountain Radio. He is the author of The Statue and the Fury - A Year of Art, Race, Music and Cocktails.

Oxford is a good walking town especially if lungbusting hills are your idea of a good time. Nowadays we have designated walking areas like Pat Lamar Park and the Whirlpool Trails where people can walk for fun and enjoy the scenery.

Sounds like a no big deal but, increasingly, a tranquil place to take a walk and soothe one’s psyche is disappearing faster than two dollar gas.

More on that momentarily, but first, some brief background.

In the early 2000s, I managed seven years without a car. It was fine except I lived in Taylor, seven (downhill) miles south. That seven-mile uphill bike ride every morning was character-building, I suppose, but I was enough of a character.

During inclement weather, the front porch at Taylor Catfish was a perfect place to look forlorn and hope for rides. Many was the morning a pal from Taylor in a pickup truck would pick me up, secure my bicycle in their truck bed and off we’d go.

There is nothing quite like that feeling of being resigned to seven rainy miles only to step into a warm truck and have the scenery roll by without lifting a leg.

By the way, for our younger readers who wonder why I didn’t just text a ride, the early 2000s were a dark, primitive time when uber meant “a lot,” and Lyft was spelled properly and constituted, “a help up.” Phones were becoming ubiquitous but weren’t yet smart and hadn’t taken over the civilized world including your garage door and coffee maker.

Aside from the economic benefits of no car note or visits to the fuel pump - and the heroics of striking a blow, however small, for the environment - I was inspired in my car lessness by my friend, Don Fenger.

Don comes from a long-line of industrious Oxonians.

The Fengers of Oxford were famous for operating the old, original Oxford Creamery (current Funky’s location) where they churned out straight-from-thecow homemade ice cream.

In the 1970s, as a young man fresh out of Ole Miss, Don didn’t own a vehicle and yet he was the besttraveled of our crowd. His Finger of choice was his thumb, back before long-haul hitch-hiking became a potential Dateline episode. He maintained a steady job without a car and didn’t miss a beat in his social life: music festivals, football games, weddings, or

most any gathering of interest.

He’s now a grandad with an i-Pad… and a car. And so it goes.

It took the death of my father to bring me into vehicle ownership. After he passed away in 2009, my step-mother sold his small Toyota truck to me for $10.

“I can’t look at it every day,” she said.

She and my father had been prolific fishing buddies, heading out many weekends to the many lakes and oxbows around their home in Greenville, MS. He was a cane pole and cricket man. I suppose bass fishing with its gear and plastic lures was too fancy for the old child of the Depression.

He lived to be 89. These days I drive his little truck and have kept his stash of Big Band cassettes and the knick-knacks and spare change piled in the middle dashboard panel. I have to crane my neck to see around the multitude of decals he plastered on the back glass.

US Air Force, Presbyterian Church, Ole Miss Rebels. The stickers are a visual resume for a life well-lived.

In recent years I’ve taken to driving the small truck out to a small county road where I park and walk on purpose. It is indeed a luxury and I suppose I am what they call “privileged” to partake of such solitude and scenery.

Until recently, that is.

First came the pink surveying ribbons, flapping innocently in the pine trees. Then a swath of trees cut up and down the winding road. Then, the reality of realty: commercial real estate signs dotting the road. Then (Boy, that was fast) the bulldozers and backhoes came rumbling and suddenly a sliver of paradise was shakin,’ quakin’ and excavatin’.

I found this little spot to walk and unwind and I can certainly find another. At least until it too becomes surveyed and paved.

In the meantime, I’ve pumped up the tires on my old bicycle and have lit out for the territory on the occasional unseasonably mild winter afternoon. It all came back to me like the old cliché about riding a bike suggests: the endorphin-charged feeling of selfsufficiency, the at-oneness with nature, the urge for a pizza and nap afterwards.

Happy new year and walk on, warriors!

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