The Western Oxford Foothills’ Web site has been expanded to include a database of recurring community events, which can be searched by town, season and subject matter. Subjects range from community meals or sales to agricultural fairs and ethnic festivals.

The listings give a location, general description and a means of contacting someone for further information. Organizations normally select a generally recurring time for these events such as a Saturday in August.

Jo Radner, a folklorist hired by the Western Oxford Foothills Cultural Council to do a folklore survey, created the database. In an essay on community events for the recently published cultural directory, she wrote: “Community events and celebrations proclaim and maintain our relationships with one another. With these occasions we mark yearly cycles, see the past in the present, create and re-create old and new traditions, and find ourselves making and remaking community.” It is through these enjoyable moments that, as Radner writes, we “cushion our differences.”

The Web site also has two other searchable databases and a community events calendar where the public can look at specific dates for information about upcoming events in the 21 towns of Western Oxford Foothills. Nonprofit cultural organizations, which are posting events, range from arts and performance groups to libraries and the Norway-Paris public access station.

The Web site is hosted by BullFrogDance.com. Space was originally contributed by Howard James of James Newspapers. Webmaster Kurt Vail said he’s pleased with developments at the site. Executive Director Toni Seger says she’s received many compliments about the site’s appearance and ease of use, and she sees great potential in its future. People can visit the site at www.westernfoothills.com.

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