OSCA to Hold Second Community Get-Together Sunday By Betty Gabrielli
			DECEMBER 10, 1999--"We really don't bite," says Dave Parsh, laughing. Parsh, an Oberlin businessman and six-year resident of the town, thinks that's one thing Obies learned recently when the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA) hosted a get-together for students and townspeople at Harkness House, a cooperative Oberlin College residence hall. Parsh says that, after spending four years almost exclusively with other students, such contact with "civilians" like him probably helps undergraduates adjust to life after graduation. Last month, about 100 OSCA members gathered in Harkness dining room for their regular evening meal had the opportunity to meet and talk with Parsh and some 30 other "townies" during an after-dinner dessert cook-off--part of a series created and developed by OSCA's Community Relations Committee. The second event will take place Sunday, December 12. "Everyone really liked the getting-acquainted idea, and we had quite a few small children," says series coordinator Jonathan Curley, a senior from Bellingham, Washington. "We're really hoping parents will bring their kids to the next one--we're going to have games and refreshments; it will be an opportunity for adults to take a break and talk while some of us play with the kids." Titled A Cozy Afternoon, the free event will be held from 3 to 5 P.M. this Sunday at Old Barrows. Curley says Oberlin townspeople of all ages are invited. To publicize the event, OSCA members are going door to door in town passing out fliers and encouraging word of mouth from community members who came to the first gathering. Harkness members also are asked to invite friends from town. "Both groups can really learn a lot from each other," says Curley. "I think it's healthy for students to get the perspective of people under 18 and over 22. And we hope community members will connect more with the College and become more comfortable with the co-ops. "OSCA is a motivated, organized group concerned about the larger community. We buy much of our food from area farmers in part to help strengthen the local economy, and we loan funds to local cooperatives and community organizations, such as the Zion Community Development (CDC). Right now, I'm working with Mary Jo Pecek to put together a loan from OSCA to Zion CDC." Parsh, who is head of the Oberlin Merchants Association, admits he was a bit apprehensive about walking into a roomful of unfamiliar students, but he recognized some students, customers of his Army Navy store on South Main Street, as well as other people from town and felt quite at ease. He also made the acquaintance of several OSCA members, including one, he discovered, who works at the Feve restaurant across the street from his store. "Now I say hello whenever I drop in for lunch." The event also resulted in an invitation from Curley to a potluck and a chance to rev up his guitar at a bluegrass jam at his house the following week. "Nothing like bluegrass to get people together," Parsh adds. "I'm a bit rusty, but it was great fun. No telling what kind of good might come from this. My hat's off to OSCA for reaching out!"
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