Caroline Bercier receives award

by Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

The Oxford School Committee, like so many others in surrounding towns, went almost directly into executive committee in order to discuss safety precautions in the wake of the shootings in Newtown last month.  Prior to closing the doors to the public at the January 14 meeting, Superintendent Allen Himmelberger introduced his choice for this year’s Worcester County Superintendents' Association (WCSA) Certificate of Academic Excellence winner, Caroline Bercier.

Ms. Bercier, along with 60 other students from around the county, was honored at the Worcester County Scholars luncheon at Clark University the previous week. This award honors the best and the brightest students that Worcester County has to offer.  Himmelberger noted that choosing the recipient and bestowing this award is one of the greatest parts of being a superintendent.  He loves being able to recognize students for their achievements.  He feels it is some of the most gratifying work a superintendent can do.

Text and Photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Oxford High School senior Jenna Bird seems to have had the best of both worlds in her high school career. 

Ranked sixth in her class and a member of the National Honor Society for the past three years, Bird has been an academic star, but once classes were over, she has spent all four years cheering for the Pirates football team.

“I had such a good high school experience at Oxford and I’ve loved it,” said Bird.  “It added so much fun and got me so much more involved in my whole high school career, it’s been such an important part of it. It has brought me a lot closer to my friends.”

By Patriot staff; photos follow

STOW – Three local firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call Firefighter Recruit Training course in a ceremony held at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow, Mass. in front of a group of family, friends, and coworkers, on Thursday evening, Dec. 20.

For the last four months, these recruits have taken part in a rigorous training program focused on the essential skills needed to become a nationally certified firefighter.  Certified Instructors at the academy provided the recruit firefighters with the knowledge and the hands-on experience that will help integrate each of them into their departments, as well as keep them safe on the job.  During their training, the firefighters learned about fire behavior, ventilation, forcible entry, hose handling, hazardous materials operations, ladders, search and rescue, and a myriad of other subject matter that a firefighter must learn to perform their job in a safe, effective manner.

Dudley Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski  was in attendance to present certificates of completion to Dudley Firefighters Adam Bernard and Charles J. McGowan.  Each recruit had his badge pinned on him by a relative. Firefighter Bernard receiving his badge from his uncle, Worcester Fire Lieutenant Bert Davis, and Firefighter McGowan was pinned by his mother, Jane McGowan.

Tyler Barrie (#23) takes a jump shot

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Pirates rebounded nicely from their loss last week to the Bartlett Indians with a dominant 78-61 win over a bigger Nipmuc Warriors team in non-league action at Oxford High School on Thursday night.

Senior co-captain Donny Freeland led the Pirates with 24 points. Fellow senior co-captain Mike James chipped in with 16 points, while junior Liam Pickett added 13 points.

“The key tonight, and what has been the key in our three wins, was that we got out of the gate early, building an 18-point lead by the end of the first quarter,” said Pirates coach Sean Halloran. “Nipmuc played us even the rest of the way. We need to learn to put teams away as soon as possible. It's still early in the season so we have time to grow in that area.”

by Charles Kelleher Harris

OXFORD- The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday directed Town Manager Joseph M. Zeneski to make further inquires in response to a letter received from the Commonwealth's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission detailing violations, and a subsequent license suspension against Centerfolds 2000.

According to the letter, after a November 27 hearing, Centerfolds 2000, which is owned by OXCO, Inc., 139 Southbridge Road, the Commission found that OXCO  was in violation of state regulations for "permitting an illegality on the licensed premises."

The letter went on to detail an investigation that took place in March of this year.

OXFORD — The very first Cash Mob occurred on Saturday, November 24, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Express Yourself Gifts & Baskets on Main Street.  The date was significant in many ways.  It was on the heels of Black Friday, on Small Business Saturday, and also the start of the Christmas shopping season.  It turned into a wonderful experience as the community came out to support one of their own local small businesses, and where community-members were also able to donate a toy to Toys for Tots.  Sharon Day, the owner of Express Yourself Gifts & Baskets, was thrilled with the outcome.  

OHS tardiness, local aid cuts on SC agenda

by Becky Harvey
Patriot Correspondent

OXFORD - The School Committee met Monday, December 10. First on the agenda was Guest speaker Kevin Wells, principal of Oxford High School, who brought up a major concern: the outrageous number of tardies which high school students at OHS are amassing.   The school will be working on turning this issue around in the months to come.

Allen Himmelberger, Superintendent of Schools, gave accolades to the school.  He has heard nothing but good things about the improvements made to the quality of education available in Oxford at the high school level.  He congratulated Wells and Dave Nugent, the Assistant Principal, as well as the students. He is proud of the way in which students conduct themselves, though he jokingly said “tardies not withstanding.”

By Charles Kelleher Harris

OXFORD- Doctor Antoinette Parvis appeared before the board of selectmen Tuesday to announce the beginning of the local “Toys for Tots” drive.

“I love this time of year,” Parvis said, “This is my 30^th year as a sponsor.”

Toys for Tots is a charitable toy drive founded and organized by the United States Marine Reserve to provide Christmas toys for underprivileged children.

Parvis, whose office at 216 Main Street serves as a drop off point, will be hosting a community reception and toy drive on Saturday Dec. 8.

The reception being held from 11 am through 1 pm will include music, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus.

Parvis encouraged all to come out and share in the good cheer for a good cause.

Cindie Seavey, second from right, with her MS Walk friends and sons Luke and Tyler 

Percent of sales to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society

by Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

September’s Multiple Sclerosis Annual Challenge Walk tested Cyndie Seavey’s resolve as she finished the Cape Cod hike in fine fashion despite her personal MS challenges, and she is set to do it again next year.

Now, Cyndie and her family, friends, and vendor sponsors have planned a fundraiser for this Sunday, December 2, that is sure to please anyone who is looking for unique holiday gifts.  The event sounds too good to pass up as the vendors are varied and non-duplicated.  The Oxford Senior Center, located behind Oxford Town Hall, will be open from 2-6 pm to host the gathering.  All vendors are donating a portion of their sales to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Cyndie and her mom, Rona Powers, look to Sunday’s shopping day as their initial fundraising effort. Having heard of this type of event through the MS association, Ms. Seavey spoke about how the one-stop holiday shopping affair “began with two vendors and it took on a life of its own.”  What started out small has now grown into multiple vendors “and through the Facebook page of the Oxford 300 Committee, word has gone out to over 2,000 people.  As of Monday there were over 830 individual invites,” she said.  The fundraiser appears to be something new and different for the local area and Cyndie and her family are looking forward with great anticipation to Sunday.

Vendors include: 31 (organizer bags, totes, backpacks, drawstring bags, scrapbooking pockets, purses with alternating covers); Scentsy Candles (safe alternative to burning candles with wonderful aromas); Tupperware (new storage ideas); Tastefully Simple (recipes, bread & dip mixes); Pampered Chef (kitchenware, unique kitchen tools); Lia Sophia (upscale fashion jewelry); Mary Kay (cosmetics, etc.); Velata (fun fondue with premium chocolate); La Casa Spa (facials, massages); Oxford 300 Committee (offering commemorative items for the Oxford 2013 Tercentennial Celebration); Lions Club (holiday items); Wind Chimes by Sarah (unique wind chimes made from vintage silverware); and Clay QT’s (custom handmade sculptures & ornaments). 

Food sampling, vendor sampling, discounts, specials, and refreshments will be available too.  An additional highlight will be a Lottery Tree Raffle.  Cyndie and her family are hoping this experience will become an annual event and invite all who are shopping for that extraordinary gift, whether for someone special or treating themselves, to take a trip to Oxford this Sunday. You might be pleasantly surprised.  The Oxford Senior Center Hall, 323 Main Street, Oxford MA 01540.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   (508) 987-5177.    

TOWN OF OXFORD
WINTER PARKING BAN

The Town of Oxford's Winter Parking Ban will be in effect from December 1, 2012 through April 1, 2013.  On-street parking is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The Parking Ban will also take effect when there is an accumulation of three (3) or more inches of snow, day or night.  Fifteen (15) minute parking is allowed for postal and package delivery.
OXFORD BOARD OF SELECTMEN