Look Back ... to thousands viewing Oxford's 1948 Christmas parade

Dec. 10—Dec. 10, 1948, in The Star: More than 10,000 people, the largest crowd ever assembled in Oxford, turned out yesterday afternoon to witness the colorful parade formally inaugurating the Christmas shopping season there. Sponsored by the Oxford Chamber of Commerce, the parade comprised 65 units, including 15 beautiful and unique floats entered by merchants and organization in the Oxford area. Three high school bands, including that of Oxford High School, furnished the music. The king and queen of the holiday festival were Miss Mary Della Daniel and Harold Jones, students of the high school. [Three photos of the event accompany the article.]

Dec. 10, 1998, in The Star: As of yesterday, the local annual United Way campaign had raised more than $1.19 million, and that's without campaign results from 12 corporations and businesses — meaning that within the next 10 days, campaign chairman Ken Deal expects to not just meet but exceed this year's goal of $1,233,000. No one is happier about this apparent outcome than individual United Way agencies. "You cannot believe how delighted we are," said Interfaith Ministries director Nan Christian. "We're asking for $15,000 and maybe we'll get it." The local United Way supports 30 agencies.