Excitement in Oxford for home closer against Missouri Tigers

Ole Miss Rebels welcome Missouri Tigers
Photo Courtesy of Vimeo.com

The Ole Miss Rebels and the Missouri Tigers faced off for the first time ever on November 23rd.  It is only Missouri's second season in the South Eastern Conference (SEC) and their first trip to Oxford.  Both Ole Miss and Missouri fans alike are excited about the game.  With a large number of Missouri natives attending Ole Miss and it being the last home game of the year, it is a highly anticipated weekend.  The game has some meaning to it also. Besides it being the first match up between the two teams, Missouri comes into the game ranked in the top ten and needing a win to extend their lead in the SEC East.  Ole Miss wants to play spoiler against the Tigers, and expand their bowl game prospects with an upset win.https://vimeo.com/80684076

Oxford, Mississippi's First United Methodist Church Hosts Community Thanksgiving Meal

     According to a study by Feeding America, Mississippi reports the highest level of “household food insecurity” in the nation, meaning many Mississippi families struggle to provide food for themselves. But, in Oxford, Miss., residents are striving to help those in need. For the fifth year, residents gathered at Oxford-University United Methodist Church for the Community Thanksgiving Meal, which aimed to feed those less fortunate. Fourteen of Oxford's churches provided food for the lunch, and Oxford’s More Than A Meal played a part in organizing the event and gathering volunteers. Meghan Berry, the event’s director, says community support was tremendous. During the lunch, volunteers created an environment of fellowship and thankfulness, and their service didn’t go unappreciated. NewsWatch reporter Miriam Cresswell has more on the day's festivities here.

First annual L.Q.C. Lamar House Art Day - Oxford, Mississippi

     The L.Q.C. Lamar House teamed up with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Chick-fil-A and supporters of the L.Q.C. Lamar House for a free event for kids and parents on November 15th. The concept of the art day was getting people to see how history and art are linked together in Oxford while starting an annual event where the arts council does something art related with historic homes. Lamar was noted for his oratory speaking and writing and the art project for the first annual event was decorating postcards and writing letters.
     The idea was for visitors to be able to tour the exhibit for free and learn about Lamar's writing while making vintage post cards that they can mail off. With this event, the sponsors goal was to use the story of L.Q.C. Lamar to engage children and families to visit the home and do an art project related to his life while encouraging people to start visiting the home. For more on this story please click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B4Fv7Yl1_4&feature=youtu.be

Photo courtesy of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council

Oxford University Transit Sees Growth and Breaks Records

Oxford residents ride the Yellow Route Bus

Since the start of the Oxford University Transit system in October of 2008, Oxford has seen a steady increase of riders over the last 6 years.
O.U.T. currently has 9 bus routes with 22 buses that run to transport Oxford citizens around the town. O.U.T. provides a program called NextBus that offers riders an arrival time prediction for the next bus at whatever location the rider selects.

In September, Oxford University Transit had a record of more than 110,000 people taking the bus. To help continue to be able to meet the growing demands, General Manager Ron Biggs plans to purchase an additional 6 buses.

With the construction of a new parking garage taking place next semester Oxford Universty Transit plans to see ridership increase even more. 600 parking spots will no longer be availible to Ole Miss students and faculty. The anticipated start date for construction on the new parking garage is said to be December 16, 2013.

For information on bus routes and fares click here.

For more on the story click here.

Life of Special Girl Still Impacts Through Brandi's Hope Community Services.

Painting of Brandi Cowart.
Courtesy of Pam Puckett. 

Brandi's Hope Community Services first started it's operations in June 2010, after long time dream of owner and CEO, Danny Cowart. Danny and wife Brenda named the business after their daughter Brandi. Brandi suffered from Trisomy 18 and passed away back in 2005. Brandi's memory is the humble drive force behind the company as they provide services to the disabled. Brandi's Hope not only aims to render it's services to disabled individuals, but to also give a better quality of life and a sense of hope and family. Brandi's Hope currently has 8 locations in Mississippi. Brandi's Hope centers are located in Tupelo, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Picayune, Natchez, Pascagoula, Gulfport, and the home office in Magee. For more on the story click below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2QcnYNSXL4&feature=youtu.be

Oxford, Mississippi Workers Hopeful for Hike in Minimum Wage

A Wal-Mart cart pusher collects carts
in freezing winds. Cart pushers are expected to
work in all weather conditions.

In March, Democratic Rep. George Miller and Democrat Senator Tom Harkin, proposed a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10. The White House has stacked its support behind the Harkin-Miller bill, also known as the Fair Minimum Wage Act.

In Oxford, Miss., low wage workers make up about 30 percent of resident households. With the economy at a stagnant edge, workers hope that the proposed bill will come to pass- giving them an opportunity at a more fulfilling life.

Workers take us inside a day at work, and show us why they believe the increase couldn't come at a better time. Christina Sallis has that story here.

1983 Ole Miss Football Team Reunites--Recalls "Immaculate Deflection"

The 1983 Ole Miss football did not finish with a winning record, going 6-6 on the season. But it was still a tremendous accomplishment for the Rebels and new coach Billy Brewer. Brewer guided Ole Miss to the Independence Bowl--the school's first bowl appearance in twelve years.
To get the bowl bid, Ole Miss had to beat rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, and did so when a last-second field goal attempt by the Bulldogs was batted down by a sudden gust of wind. The 24-23 Rebels' victory has come to be known as the "Immaculate Deflection."

On October 12 before the Rebels' home game with Texas A&M, members of the 1983 team reunited to share memories on the thirtieth anniversary of their great season. Brad Schultz has that story.