Tag Archive for: #oxfordnc

Oxford, NC’s Roundabout

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The much-anticipated roundabout in downtown Oxford is set to officially open Friday morning, following a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m.

State crews began the project in early June, and it has been the topic of some discussion – pro and con – during the construction phase.

The roundabout replaces a two-way stop at the intersection of Main and Spring streets in downtown Oxford. Original cost projections put the construction at about $200,000 over a period of eight weeks’ time. The project did take longer than expected to complete.

Roundabouts have cropped up recently in towns and in more rural areas. State DOT officials produced a video showing how roundabouts work and how they improve overall safety. More details can also be found by visiting the department’s roundabout webpage.

Finishing Touches – A roundabout traffic sign about to be added to Oxford’s roundabout

Oxford’s Elmwood Cemetery To Have Bi-Annual Cleanup In August

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The City of Oxford is giving Elmwood Cemetery its bi-annual cleaning beginning the week of Aug. 2. Individuals with family members or loved ones buried in the cemetery should take time before the cleanup begins to remove mementos and other items that have been placed on the graves, according to information issued by the city’s executive office.

Items that will be moved include:

  • Dead, or dying, flowers, shrubs or trees
  • Any items not permanently affixed to a headstone
  • Bushes or shrubs that obstruct the view of the headstone or footstone
  • Toys, glass jars, cans or other trinkets
  • Any object that could become a projective if struck by a mower or is deemed a safety hazard to others

For more information, contact the public works department at 919.603.1511.

 

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Oxford City Hall Set To Reopen To Public June 1

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The City of Oxford will be re-opening its office facilities to the public on June 1, 2021.

Visitors to Oxford City Hall can once again pay utility bills in person at a kiosk just inside the entrance, according to a press release to WIZS News. A city staff member will be stationed at the front kiosk to contact other city staff that visitors wish to see, and the visitor then will be escorted to the appropriate area or office within City Hall.

Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent told WIZS News Friday that she is proud of the city’s efforts to keep everyone safe. “I am proud that the city of Oxford worked hard to protect its staff and our public during the COVID outbreak without decreasing services or access to meetings,” she stated. “But doing business by Zoom has been hard on everyone, so we are delighted to open our doors to the public and one another again.”

The City of Oxford is “excited to welcome the public back to City Hall and its other public facilities as we look forward to continuing to serve the public as we strive to return to normal,” according to the statement, issued by Alyssa Blair, the city’s administrative assistant.

The City of Oxford will respectfully require individuals who desire entry to a city facility to wear a mask and maintain established social distancing protocols. Sergent encouraged everyone eligible to get vaccinated “so we can continue to protect one another,” she said.

Meetings of the Oxford board of commissioners, planning board, board of adjustment, and historical commission will once again be held at their regular date and time in the commissioner’s board meeting room at Oxford City Hall.

The public is encouraged to attend and to observe all indoor gathering COVID-19 protocols – including wearing masks and social distancing –  for those who remain unvaccinated.

“Quittin’ Time” On Thursday Afternoons in Downtown Oxford

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Looking for something a little different to do after work on Thursdays in May and June? Check out Oxford’s “Quittin’ Time” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It’s a time to wind down, stroll through downtown and sample small-plate fare and libations from a variety of restaurants.

Participating downtown establishments are Uptown 101, Milano’s, Oasis, Harvest, The Orpheum, The Hub, Tobacco Wood Brewing Company and Strong Arm Baking and Kitchen.

Oxford’s Downtown Economic Development Corporation is a sponsor of the event, said director Mary Yount. “But this was the ‘brainchild’ of Julia Blaine of Strong Arm Baking and Kitchen,” Yount told WIZS News.

The idea is to visit the participating restaurants, have a taste of food and a beverage, then move along to the next location.

“We wanted to bring an event to downtown Oxford that encouraged walking around, spending time in the downtown area, dining outside and visiting all restaurants to offer support as we come back to full life after a year of COVID,” Blaine told WIZS News.

Restaurants have fun creating a different dish every week, she said, offering a style of food they don’t often cook. “It lets chefs get creative without a huge investment,” she noted.  Diners can expect prices between $4-$6 per small plate, with rotating offerings each week.

Blaine said she lived in Spain for three years and that inspired the Quittin’ Time idea.

She described the Spanish custom of tapeo (a combination of tapa – appetizer or snack and paseo – a leisurely walk) as a time when diners trade a big dinner for “a relaxed amble through the streets, snacking and drinking and enjoying their town and community.” Traditionally, lunch is the largest meal of the day and dinner is usually light.

“I loved this part of Spanish culture,” Blaine said. “It is perfect for our current needs of wanting to dine outside, reminding the community about the restaurants in our area, and encouraging folks to spend more time in their downtown – the heart of their town.”

Quittin’ Time continues each Thursday through June 24 in downtown Oxford.

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Register Now For Oxford 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament April 24

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The Isaiah Hicks Basketball Court in Oxford will be the site of a free 3 on 3 basketball tournament next Saturday, April 24. Participants can register by calling 919.603.1135 or online at https://oxfordnc.recdesk.com/Community/Home.

Teams should consist of players 16 years and older; participation will be limited to the first 20 teams that register. Teams can have four players.

Hicks Basketball Court is 313 E. Spring. St. The tournament tips off at 11 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 2 p.m.

Bodyworx and Northern Point Realty are sponsoring the event, which is hosted by the City of Oxford, Oxford NC, Historic Downtown and Oxford Parks and Recreation.

National Mary Potter Club Home Goods Sale May 1

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The National Mary Potter Club, Inc. is having a “Home Goods Sale” on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 7 a.m. to noon and proceeds will be used to support ongoing projects of the club.

The sale of new and second-hand items will be held at the Mary E. Shaw Memorial Center, located at 205 Lanier St., Oxford. Masks and gloves are required.

Club member Linda Wortham said the money raised will help maintain buildings that were part of the original Mary Potter Academy, including the Shaw Museum and the former gymnasium. The club works to preserve the history of the school, which was founded in 1888 as a boarding school for African American children. Students came from all over the United States to the school, she said.

Wortham was a member of the graduating class of 1970 – the last class to graduate from the high school. The club was established in 1975.

For more information or to donate items for the sale, please contact Wortham at 919.939.9077.

Oxford Water/Sewer Improvements and Adjusting to get the Big Bucks to do It

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Some residents of Oxford may be annoyed at the rat-a-tat of jackhammers as they chew up sidewalks or asphalt. Others may grimace when they see the ‘Road Work Ahead’ sign marking street construction. But these sights and sounds also are the marks of progress on the city’s infrastructure improvement plan.

In an effort to keep the public informed about what work is going on where, the City of Oxford has begun sending out monthly updates to outline where crews will be working.

Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent said the idea arose from a town commissioner planning retreat. “It was a simple desire to be more effective at letting people know where work will be happening,” she said in an interview Monday. People want to know, Sergent said, where the work is being done and how long it’s going to take to complete.

The “where” is easy; it’s the “how long” that is less certain, she said.

The improvements are being made as part of a long-range comprehensive improvement plan to make upgrades to the water and sewer infrastructure. Grants and no-interest loans through the 2015 Connect NC bond legislation were available, but the city first had to adjust its water/sewer rates to qualify. Long story short, Sergent said, in the five years since, the city has gotten $50 million – $10 million in grants and more than $25 million in 0-interest loans.

This is a huge undertaking,” Sergent noted. “I am incredibly proud of what we’re doing,” but added that it certainly is not “glamorous.”

Visit www.oxfordnc.org/community/comprehensive_plans_projects.php to learn more. Call 919.603.1100 with questions or concerns.

Downtown Oxford Sponsoring “Mum’s Morning Out”

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A group of downtown Oxford businesses is sponsoring “Mum’s Morning Out” on Saturday, Feb. 27 which will include a spring fashion show, raffles and giveaways. Seating is limited, so purchase tickets soon to participate in this fun-filled event.

Tickets are $5 and are available at Oxford City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street. The fun begins with check-in at 9 a.m. at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Oxford, where participants can enjoy a mimosa while they get a peek at upcoming spring fashion trends for the whole family. Local merchants Nan’s and CSquared are supplying the clothing for the “Runway Fashion Show.”

Following the fashion show, participants will be able to review a program of downtown offerings, in-store raffles and giveaways and spend a little time shopping downtown. Northern Point Realty invited the group to visit its office at 10:45 a.m. for “nibbles and an adult beverage.” Northern Point Realty , located at 139 Hillsboro St., also is sponsoring a raffle basket for $100 in “Downtown Dollars.”

In addition to the $100 raffle, The Home Decorator Shoppe is sponsoring four flower giveaways and the Downtown Economic Development Corporation will raffle off two $50 Downtown Dollars certificates. Raffle winners must be present to collect their prize.

Ticketholders also will pick up a sure-to-please swag bag of goodies.

Space is limited to 25 at the fashion show, but other events at individual retailers  should be available throughout the day.

Sponsors of the event are:

Home Decorator Shoppe

Northern Point Realty

Granville Health System

Steel Magnolias Salon

CSquared

City of Oxford Executive Assistant Blair Organizes Masonic Home Donations

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The community has an opportunity to show a little love to two Granville children’s homes in February. Donations chosen from the homes’ wish lists are being accepted through Feb. 24, according to an employee of the City of Oxford who is organizing the event.

Alyssa Blair devised the plan to support Central Children’s Home and the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford. Blair has organized similar events for other groups and wanted to do something to help these two organizations.

There is a dropbox for donations located just inside the front door at Oxford City Hall, 300 Williamsboro St.

Each home created a wish list that includes basic household items such as dish cloths, batteries, bath towels, among other items.

Central Children’s Home: (https://www.oxfordnc.org/Central%20Children’s%20Home%20Wish%20List.pdf)

MHCO at: (https://mhc-oxford.org/current-needs-2/?fbclid=IwAR0PRQSvCMrIf-MeMOaKIxpI1yPl_S0COfqzAdc1PVHUGQd91lJS32PuRVU)

“Alyssa said she wanted to do another drive and this is the first one for the year,” said MHCO administrator Kevin Otis. 2020 was a tough year and 2021, Otis told WIZS, is looking like it is going to be rough, too. “She asked ‘what better way to spread love and joy…(than) to help others,’” he added.

“We are humbled and honored to share the love and joy from the community with Central Children’s Home,” Otis said, and reiterated that his residents really do need the items on their wish list.

Otis said houseparents and children have a case of cabin fever because of pandemic restrictions, but the “Kids are doing great in school thanks to all the support and encouragement from our houseparents and tutors.”

About 20 employees have received their first COVID-19 vaccination, he said. “Once we can get all our direct care staff vaccinated, we will be able to mingle more on campus, take in admissions more readily, and provide support services in person and directly with the children.  It’s been a lot.  We feel blessed and appreciate everyone’ prayers,” he added.

Contact Alyssa Blair at 919.693.1102 for more information about donating to this event.

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Nominate a City of Oxford Employee of the Month

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— info courtesy of the City of Oxford, NC

The City of Oxford is now opening up its ‘Employee of the Month’ to where all employees and the public can make nominations.

In an email received by WIZS, Alyssa Blair, Executive Assistant, City of Oxford, wrote, “We want to recognize City employees who embody the mission and values of the City in action. To nominate and employee/team you can fill out an online form, under ‘Human Resources’, on the City website. You must include the employee(s) name, department, and a brief description of what the employee(s) did.”

Click here – https://www.oxfordnc.org/departments/human_resources/employee_of_the_month.php

City of Oxford employees who embody the mission and values of the City in their daily duties are recognized each month. City employees or citizens can nominate employees when they see individuals or teams demonstrating the city’s values in action.