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10:42 AM Friday, March 5, 2010

‘A fun and relaxing day  to citizens’

Citizens of Oxford unite. Marks your calendars for May 22 and plan to attend the third annual Chamber of Commerce Wine and Art Affair.

Better yet, invite family and friends from near and far to join you as you sip delicious wines, examine inspiring art displays, listen to a variety of music and — new this year — feast on foods from Oxford restaurants.

This event is designed to showcase our community to the wider area, while providing a fun and relaxing day to citizens. It’s a great venue for a family reunion. Funds raises support the chamber’s community betterment activities, with a focus on scholarships.

We hope to see you and yours in Uptown Parks from 1 to 10 p.m. May 22. Visit oxfordchamber.org for details.

Bill Schilling

Promotion chairman Oxford Chamber  of Commerce

‘Missing the point’

Although the civil tone of recent correspondence over the Talawanda Braves nickname issue is welcome, I think that the writers in the Feb. 26 Oxford Press are missing the point.

To compare Talawanda High School with the University of Notre Dame is misleading. Although it was founded by French clergy, Notre Dame’s student body has been heavily Irish since early on, and the nickname “Fighting Irish” is a legitimate — and light-hearted — expression of ethnic pride by a group that has known a great deal of ill treatment (including derogatory nicknames) in both Britain and the U.S.

A better analogy would be that of an English school’s using the Irish as a mascot, given England’s oppressive colonization of Ireland for centuries.

Since Native American students have been at most a small minority at Talawanda, it is inappropriate for other Americans to claim their “brand,” on which only native peoples can make a legitimate claim. “Braves” is certainly less offensive than, say, “Redskins,” but its use by non-natives is nevertheless condescending.

Peter W. Williams

Oxford

‘Let’s compromise’

A few weeks ago the Rev. (Fred) Shaw wrote an honest, accurate and compelling article in the Oxford Press arguing that it is demeaning for an institution to use a people for a mascot. I agree.

My impression is that the Talawanda School District for some time has been aware of the damage that might be done by having a mascot that evokes the Native American heritage of the region. A dignified bust of an American Indian sits right at the entrance of the High School and at the end of one corridor is a mural depicting a Native American warrior.

I don’t recall seeing any negative caricature of an Indian on any official district publication, but I could be wrong, and at any rate, it should be removed.

However, I look back at 30 years involvement with the school district, both as 26 years as a teacher and as a parent of five THS graduates, and I think the Braves have been with us too long to be eradicated.

Thousands of alumni and fans remember how basketball games always begin with the Star Spangled Banner, finishing off with a rousing “Home... of...the... Braves.” That’s going to change? We have to yell, “Home of the Wild Turkey?” Perhaps Rev. Shaw could suggest a symbol that could be used along with the name, “The Braves” or the district could adopt a logo designed by students.

We can’t change years of tradition. Talawanda will always be “home of the Braves!” Let’s keep the name but change the image. Let’s compromise.

Natalie Harwood

Oxford

A special thanks

On behalf of the Auxiliary of McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, I write to extend our appreciation to the community for its support in 2009. Profits from sales in our gift shop along with our book, flower and jewelry sales, the annual campaign for support, the holiday gift extravaganza with bake sale and luncheon and the Memory Tree Celebration allowed the auxiliary to transfer $50,000 to the hospital for the renovation of the Oncology Clinic and to provide an additional $62,000 for the purchase of equipment.

The new equipment includes an EKG machine for same-day surgery, two treadmills for cardiology, an infant hearing screener for obstetrics and 12 mobile patient room recliners for in-patient care.

The auxiliary is pleased to make these contributions to the hospital — but it is really the contributions from you, our generous donors and supporters of auxiliary projects, that have made it possible for the auxiliary to make these significant and important contributions to advance health care in this region.

In December, the auxiliary honored Winifred Pearson at our Memory Tree Celebration for her volunteer service to the regional community during the past 28 years. Funds raised through the Memory Tree program provide scholarship support to students pursuing degrees in accredited nursing programs.

We would not have been able to accomplish our fund raising goals in 2009 without the generous support of Letterman printing, the hospital staff and the volunteers who provided assistance in all our efforts.

We especially appreciate the ongoing support of Sylvia Moore, administrative assistant; Rhonda Brown, director of volunteer services; Judy Davis, supervisor, nutritional services; and Amy Houpey, director of hospitality services.

Heartfelt thanks go to The Oxford Press for publishing timely and frequent notices and articles that kept the hospital community aware of the fund raising events. We know that the newspaper’s publication of auxiliary activities increased awareness among their readership and helped to invite participation in our fund raising efforts.

Beth Baer

President,  MHMH Auxiliary