Whose story would you like to hear? Our weekly feature "A Conversation With..." offers a chance to hear from one local individual each week. Young, old, black, white — it's an ever-evolving picture of the remarkable community we call home. Look for "A Conversation With..." in The Oxford EAGLE Thursdays on Page 3, and while you're here, take a moment to suggest a potential interviewee.
A new start, thanks to old junk
Water Valley’s Wesley “DeDe” White is building a clean life by selling junk. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with the proprietor of Dede’s This $ That in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (October 18, 2012, Page 3)
A retirement homecoming
Thirty years after she graduated from Ole Miss, Chicago-area native Bonnie Siebert reconnected with her alma mater when her daughter chose to come here for school, too. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Siebert about her homecoming story in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (October 11, 2012, Page 3)
A busy game day, minus the Grove
Local retailers thrive on home-game business but miss out on football and festivities. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with third-generation Oxford retailer Teresa Flautt in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (October 4, 2012, Page 3)
In the shadow of campus, a lifetime of change
Spending all her years in the shadow of Ole Miss, Laverne Foster has seen the neighborhood around her transform. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Foster as she recalls one turning point — the arrival of James Meredith — in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (September 27, 2012, Page 3)
Inching toward 90 — but still enjoying the ride
Ken Walker swore he’d never stay in a motel again after spending 30 years traveling for Mid-Valley Pipeline Co. before his retirement. A Honda Gold Wing motorcycle changed his mind. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Walker about his ride in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (September 20, 2012, Page 3)
From Folly comes many rewards
P.J. Blount purchased and restored, through many trials and tribulations, one of the oldest homes in Yalobusha County. The Water Valley home is affectionately known as “Blount’s Folly.” Guest writer Teresa Spears sat down to talk with Blount about the home in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (September 13, 2012, Page 3)
Heritage may be overseas, but Oxford is home
Amit Singh, 28, was born in the United States, but was raised in India. Singh returned to the United States in the spring of 2008 and now calls Oxford home. Guest writer Bill MacKenzie sat down to talk with Singh about his life in Oxford in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (September 6, 2012, Page 3)
Creating harmony for a living
Monica Hern turned her life-long love of the piano into a career as a piano technician. Guest writer Emily Grace Ames sat down to talk with Hern about her career in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (August 30, 2012, Page 3)
The new face of student affairs at UM
Brandi Hephner LaBanc, the new vice chancellor for student affairs, is settling into her new role at the University of Mississippi after working at several other universities throughout the country. Guest writer Rebecca Lauck Cleary sat down to talk with Hephner LaBanc about her new position in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (August 23, 2012, Page 3)
Ever learning makes a great teacher
Oxford High School teacher Joan Westmoreland fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming an educator and has been in the education field for 34 years. Guest writer Lea Fyfe sat down to talk with Westmoreland about her career in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (August 9, 2012, Page 3A)
