BY The Cincinnati Enquirer
OXFORD -- Far-flung Miami University graduates can return to Oxford any time they wish.
All they have to do is contact the city's new Internet site at http://cityofoxford.org.
It might not show the old water tower, but the site -- a collaboration between Miami's Interactive Media Studies and the city -- is easily navigated.
City Manager Mark Roath said he created the site late last summer to provide residents the opportunity to participate in city government. This month, the city will expand the site by placing the draft of the uptown parks proposal, a "What's Up?" page and other new pages containing information about city ordinances and memorials and tributes in parks.
There's also a list of city employees, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
Mr. Roath says he wanted a site that met citizens' needs, but updated regularly to inform people about what's going on in the community.
Since he opened the site, he has continued to update it to offer new information. He said the site is useful to visitors, owners of clean-air businesses, and individuals and families considering moving to Oxford.
HAMILTON -- The annual bluegrass show will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Miami University Hamilton's Parrish Auditorium.
Booked are Blue Highway, Lost and Found, and the Freighthoppers. On Feb. 4, the Irish group Altan will come to Miami Hamilton. The group has performed all over the world for 13 years.
For more information, call the campus at 863-8833. The address is 1601 Peck Blvd.
MIDDLETOWN -- If there's a will, there's a way to find it.
In a recently published book, the Butler County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society offers a comprehensive listing of all wills and estates recorded in the county since its founding.
The 196-page book lists more than 9,990 wills and estate packets that still exist in the county archives.
The book was compiled by Mary Christ with help from Ellen Essig, Maria Urani, Andrew Christ and Anne Brown. It may be ordered directly from the society for $25, which includes tax and mailing costs. Write to the Butler County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 2011, Middletown, Ohio 45044-2011.
OXFORD -- In case you're thinking of warm weather:
Renovation will continue in February on Hueston Woods State Park's cabins, which will close for a year for upgrading. The park has 25 family cabins and 34 one-room efficiency cabins. They won't be available again until the spring of 2000.
Camping will continue at the park, which is in the middle of a forest of virgin timber. More than 200 acres are protected because they are a good example of Ohio primeval forest. The woods were named a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1967. Information on reservations: (800) 282-7275.
OXFORD -- Two Miami University students have won research scholar awards for the 1999-2000 academic year.
Dan Hungerman, a junior majoring in economics from Copley, Ohio, received the Joseph F. Hogan Research Scholar Award for his project on consuming and saving. Jacqueline Nooker, a junior majoring in zoology from Two Rivers, Wis., received the J. Belden Dennison Research Scholar Award for her project on winter resources availability.
Randy McNutt's column runs on Saturdays. Call: 860-7118. Mail: The Cincinnati Enquirer, 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati 45246.
