OFP Weekly: TOPSS Groundbreaking, John Buchholz and "Ox Chalks The Walks"
Hey folks!
Welcome back to the OFP Weekly! This week, we have a look at a very special Oxford Resident who has spent 50 years building his community, TOPSS begins work on new facility and "Ox Chalks The Walks" is coming up around the corner. Enjoy!
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TOPSS celebrates groundbreaking of new facility
The Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) celebrated its new facility with a ground-breaking ceremony on July 30.
Sherry Martin, the executive director of TOPSS, said the current layout, with different services and offices spread across three buildings, can be a hindrance and a difficulty for the pantry’s operations.
The new facility, which Martin said is expected to be completed by next March, will run similarly to a grocery store. Clients will be able to walk around with carts and interact with each other and with workers in a space that looks more like a grocery store and less like a food line.
To read more about the new facility, read our story below.
John Buchholz celebrates 50 years of working for the City of Oxford
John Buchholz sits at his desk in the city manager suite four days a week. He answers multiple phone calls each day from people in Oxford with questions or complaints about trash and parking, among other issues. Throughout the morning, Buchholz greets and talks with everyone who walks past his desk.
His business card shows that he is the community outreach specialist in Oxford. It also shows that he is a retired detective sergeant with the city.
What it doesn’t show is that Buchholz has worked as both a police officer and a city employee for 50 years this summer, making him the longest-serving city employee in Oxford.
To learn more, check out our story below.
“Ox Chalks The Walks"
The Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC) is hosting its annual “Ox Chalks The Walks,” where families and locals decorate the town’s sidewalks with color and art.
“I think it’s important for the Oxford community to have these types of family-friendly, large, community engagement events,” said Heidi Schiller, Executive Director at OCAC.
From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, families and locals will meet at OCAC, where chalk will be provided to participants. Art contest registration is $10 and can be purchased onsite. All contest registrants get an 18-piece chalk set to take home after the event.
Read more about the the upcoming event below.
In case you missed it:
Despite having a meeting plan, the Oxford Area Solutions for Housing pivoted and held a public discussion regarding a recent executive order from the Trump administration that makes it easier to commit homeless people to institutions against their will.
- Read the Allan Winkler's new Observations column here
- Meet Oxford's unofficial weatherman Trey Walzer
- There's a new On My Plate article! This week: Water
- OPD responds to multiple cases involving firearms last week
- Oxford Township approves 2026 Tax Budget
- Media Matters: Defunding or defending public radio
- Oxford is partnering with 513 Green to help businesses improve their sustainable efforts
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