Oxfordites went hog wild last week ? groundhog that is.
Woodchuck fever gripped our small town as the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce conducted ‘Groundhog Daze? from Feb. 2 through 5.
Marmot mania kicked off last Wednesday with the annual groundhog prediction in Centennial Park.
This year’s guest woodchuck, ‘Harley,? from the Howell Nature Center, did not see his shadow, meaning spring is not far away.
Judging by the milder weather and melting snow since his first-ever prediction, it looks like little Harley was right on the money.
Much of the credit for Harley’s accurate prognostication must go ‘Woody,? also of the Howell Nature Center, who’s been training and mentoring his young apprentice for the last two years.
Master Woodchuck Woody also did not see his shadow at Howell’s Groundhog Day event.
The next day Oxford’s Chamber hosted a ‘Soup Stroll? in Centennial Park featuring two ice carvers, a chainsaw sculptor and a variety of delicious, piping-hot soups from Boulder Pointe, Red Knapp’s American Grill, Victoria’s Delights, Achatz Handmade Pie Company, The Oxford Tap, Oxford Big Boy, Salvation Army’s Echo Grove Camp, Country Coney, Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub and The Travelling Chef (Gregory Kosch).
The Soup Stroll raised $275, a percentage of which is being donated to Oxford/Orion FISH to help feed local families in need.
A 1950s-style Sock Hop on Feb. 5 at the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center kept toes tapping with loads of family fun including hula-hooping.
Sock-hoppers donated 50 pairs of brand new socks to Oxford/Orion FISH to help keep local needy feet warm and toasty this winter. The dance also raised $40 for the Salvation Army’s efforts to build new homes in tsunami-devastated Sri Lanka.
Groundhog Daze wrapped up Saturday with the 3rd annual bowling tournament at Collier Lanes.
Fourteen teams competed, but in the end, it was DFC Financial that took home the coveted, travelling groundhog trophy and bragging rights for the next year.