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.
Obtaining a new lease on life
The experience of suffering a nearly fatal aortic dissection at age 34 gave Joey Carpenter a different perspective on what’s important. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Lafayette High School’s assistant principal in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (December 29, 2011, Page 3)
Celebrating the spirit of giving
Think your holiday to-do list is overwhelming? Try losing the first three weeks of December. For Sloan Hunter, it’s a small sacrifice to dedicate that time to the Angel Tree program at Oxford-University United Methodist Church. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Hunter about her work in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (December 22, 2011, Page 3)
Artist has a penchant for the past
For Megan Kingery Patton, it’s not the shiny new baubles of the holiday season that captivate her imagination. Rather, it’s the stories, textures and treasures of the past. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with the local artist and gallery co-owner in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (December 16, 2011, Page 3)
Explaining differences, finding common ground
Helene Shepsky was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in Chicago and is now preparing to celebrate Hanukkah as part of Oxford’s tiny Jewish community. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Shepsky about the challenges and misconceptions she’s encountered in this week’s “A Conversation With…”. (December 8, 2011, Page 3)
Living out leadership values
The value of leadership was important to Lafayette High School grad Joey Griggs even before he entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Griggs about how his relationships of looking up to others — and of being looked up to — are setting his course, in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (December 1, 2011, Page 3)
Embracing life with open arms
In a time of year that’s all about being with loved ones, how wide do you draw the circle of family? Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Oxford’s Bev Thompson, as Thompson shared her story of adoption, in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (November 24, 2011, Page 3A)
It’s all about the patients
That’s Rosie Goolsby’s refrain as she works to maintain quality practices among surgical staff at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with the longtime local nurse in this week’s “A Conversation With…”. (November 17, 2011, Page 3)
Simple upbringing yields hard-work values
Growing up on a simple family farm taught Brittney Smith how to make her own way toward the goals she set for herself. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with the Ole Miss Hall-of-Famer, current graduate student and longtime Bottletree Bakery icon in this week’s “A Conversation With…”. (November 10, 2011, Page 3)
Overcoming intimidation in the digital age
Using computers for the first time can be a daunting prospect, but connecting with friends and family can be a powerful motivator. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with retired physics professor Lee Bolen as he shared his approach to welcoming seniors into the digital age, in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (November 3, 2011, Page 3)
When it’s time to face your fears
Terrified of spiders? Try keeping one as a pet. Senior staff writer Lucy Schultze sat down to talk with Len Clark on how he confronted arachnophobia in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (October 27, 2011, Page 3)
