The University of Mississippi Police Department Stays Active During the Summer Months

(Photo by: the University of Mississippi)

At the University of Mississippi you may not notice the University Police Department unless an officer confronts you; that is what they strive for. The officers try to provide a friendly smile and a helpful hand whenever they can but do not mess around when it comes to public safety and crime prevention.

As soon as the majority of students leave town, new prospective students start to visit. They bring family members and friends to help them through orientation. However, it is not just orientation that brings people to Ole Miss. Other activities such as summer camps are going on all summer long too. Although most students are not in Oxford during the summer, these visitors come from around the state and country to see the University of Mississippi.

During the summer months the officers do not disappear. They work all year providing the same friendly smile but to a more diverse crowd. For more on this story click here.

Keith Sanders of "The Gutter Daises" tour Oxford, MS!

Keith Sanders, lead guitarist and vocalist has made a name for himself in Oxford, MS. Inspired by blues from listening to several artists while living in Cleveland, MS, Sanders has decided to remain in Oxford until receiving his big musical break. He hopes to one day tour with his band, "The Gutter Daisies". Until then, you can catch Keith and his band playing around local bars on the square. For more on this story, click here.

The Oxford Shakespeare Festival presents Hello, Dolly!

The famous theatrical production of Hello, Dolly! opens Thursday June 27, 2013 at the Ford Center for Performing Arts on the Ole Miss campus. The play is about a matchmaker named Dolly Levi who takes a trip to Yonkers, New York to see the  Horace Vandergelde, a noted half-a-millionaire." While there, Dolly convinces Horace, his two stock clerks and his niece and her beau to go to New York City.

This is the 10th Anniversary of the Oxford Shakespeare Festival and Hello, Dolly! is the third and final production of the 2013 summer season. The festival's previous productions were Macbeth and Love's Labour's Lost.  

The production features a cast of more than 20 Oxford, Miss. and Ole Miss Theatre Department thespians plus local Mississippi and out-of-state actors. The plays runs through June 30th and tickets can be purchased online or at the Ford Center Box Office.

Volunteer Oxford, Building Relationships for Young and Old.

Memory Makers Attendee Linda, listens as a volunteer reads to the group.

Many communities around this area as well other places in this country are constantly seeking new ways to give back. More and more people are volunteering time and sometimes other resources to  ensure the success. For many non-profit organizations most of their workers are made up of volunteers. Even here in Oxford, the University hosts a big community service day called BIG EVENT, which with the help of Volunteer Oxford is made possible.

Kelly Graeber, who is the director of Volunteer Oxford, said that what makes volunteering so great is not only its community building but it economic value as well. “For every hour you volunteer its worth over twenty-two dollars to your community. So when you volunteer a hour helping a child with reading or addressing a social issue such as feeding the homeless in your community. You are giving an investment into the community which is a great benefit.”

For a look at Volunteer Oxford and one of its volunteer sites click here.

MARSHALL COUNTY LIBRARY IN HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI PROMOTES SUMMER READING

The Marshall County Library located in Holly Springs, Miss., is hosting a  reading program to encourage children to keep reading over the summer.

The program "Dig Into Reading" provides kids with an opportunity to learn about Dinosaurs, Gardening, Underground Critters and more.  The program is being offered in Holly Springs, Byhalia and Potts Camp, Mississippi. 

For a complete list of summer reading programs, check out the library's website or FACEBOOK or watch the video below:

Summer Attractions in Oxford, Mississippi

       To many Oxford, Mississippi may seem extremely boring during the summer. But to students that are required to stay here during the summer, wether that be to earn their degree or just get ahead, this small town has a lot to offer. 

      The square has a variety of delicious restaurants to eat at. Big Bad Breakfast is a great place to go to get a awesome first meal of the day.                                                                          For the closest thing you will get to your grandmother's cooking there is Ajax Diner. Finally, Proud Larry's is a great bar to end the day and always has live concerts. 

After eating go and enjoy the art at the University Mississippi Museum on campus. Then go tour Rowan Oak, William Faulkner's historic home. To cool down, there are many swimming pools. Oxford is also pet friendly. There is a dog park not to far from campus. These places are just some of the few great things this small town has to offer. 

Summer Sunset Series in Oxford

Oxford Park Commission is almost through with it's second annual Summer Sunset Series. The Summer Sunset Series is a set of concerts on campus during the summer season. The concerts are located on the stage in the Grove. A different band plays each Sunday night in June at 7 p.m. These series of concerts are completely free to all.

The concerts are a wonderful opportunity for families, college students and even passer-byes. Oxonians make these events even more special. The warmth and joy of this community make this series a true pleasure to attend.
   

see video here

Sardis Lake Outside Oxford, MS is a Convenient Destination for Ole Miss Students

In the hot summer months, students at the University of Mississippi often need an exciting way to spend their days. When class is over for the day, or when they get off work, students in need of an escape need only drive a few miles outside of Oxford.

At Sardis Lake, the water may not be the cleanest that people have seen, but that does not take away from the experience. North Mississippians go out there and do what they do best, to fish and drink beer with their friends. For more on this story, click here.

Ole Miss Basketball Team Gives Local Kids a Fun and Fit Option During The Summer

When deciding what to do with their kids during the summer, many parents turn to sports. Studies have shown that team and individual sports can positively impact a child both physically and emotionally. With the US having such a high childhood obesity rate, summer sports give kids the chance to get physical and have fun during the long days.

The University of Mississippi Men’s Basketball team is providing young men in Oxford and surrounding areas the opportunity to receive one-on-one skills training with the staff and some Rebel players. The Ole Miss Rebels Basketball Camp blends fundamental skill instruction with the kind of fun most kids look for during the summer.  

For more on this story click here.

Get Healthy with Skinny’s Nutrition Studio in Oxford, Miss.,

Eating healthy is very important, especially in college, Skinny’s Nutrition Studio located on Jackson Avenue helps you set up a plan to loose weight.  Here since last January, personal wellness coach Krista Large says it’s a regular spot for some students during the semester. 

(Photo by: Katelyn Patterson)

A 20-minute appointment will help you set goals for yourself and answer any questions you have about this nutrition studio. College can be really stressful, with the right diet you can easily obtain great nutrition.  Click here for more on the story. 

Mixed Martial Arts Classes Teach Women Self Defense

Snap Fitness of Oxford, Miss. offers seven different workout classes for both men and women. The newest class offered, Cage Fitness, combines 30 minutes of cardio with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training techniques. Female participants are not only seeing improvement in their fitness levels, but also learning how to defend themselves like a fighter would in the cage.

Class Manager, Robyn Lyons, found a passion for MMA-style workouts while living in California and enjoys teaching the class five days a week. The fast paced workout includes nonstop cardio with MMA striking techniques that teach women how to properly defend themselves while helping them stay in shape. For more on the story click here.

Students and Staff at University of Mississippi Prepare for 1st Summer Session Finals

Courtsey of Olemissjour102.blogspot.com

As the summer sessions at the University of Mississippi have started to wind down, many students and teachers find themselves getting ready for finals. 

The summer sessions for students and faculty can be some of the toughest months, because so many distractions can occur during the summer.



For students who crack down on study hours they have begun to use the University of Mississippi extended hours at the J.D. Williams Library to get quiet time to study for their finals. Click here for the story.                     

                     

                   

Oxford voted Top 50 places to visit by Business Insider

                                                            Photo taken by Wes Dawgtooth

Tailgating in the Grove is one event that attracts many tourists to Oxford, MS.  Being featured on the Top 50 places to visit in the United States is what piqued interest as to what else makes Oxford special. 

The growing college and retirement town has become a community where both students and residents enjoy the well-preserved historical landmarks and modern establishments. 

Tourists are attracted to Oxford by things ranging from football to Rowan Oak.  Since 2000, the city of Oxford has grown 36 percent putting the population over 47,000.  Click here for more on the story.