Sorry, Santa Claus, but it looks like you will be the second most popular person in the Oxford Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 6.
That’s because former Oxford Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Orchard, a well-known and respected local figure, will serve as this year’s grand marshal when the parade rolls through the downtown area at 2 p.m.
For parade details, please see Page 16,
‘It’s a real honor for me,? said Orchard, who led the district from 1988-93. ‘There are so many other people in Oxford who are so much more qualified to do that than I am, but I am deeply privileged to be asked. I’m humbled by it. It’s just neat.?
‘I’m just so pleased and blessed to be in Oxford,? he added. ‘This is where my heart is.?
He began his Oxford career in 1967 as a chemistry/physics teacher at the high school.
The late Roger Oberg, who was superintendent from 1961-78, hired him after bumping into Orchard and his wife Diane, a 1960 OHS graduate, on the street one day.
She told Oberg that Orchard was teaching chemistry in Lapeer. Oberg indicated Oxford needed a chemistry teacher and a meeting was arranged. At that meeting, Orchard was offered the job, no background check or references required.
Oberg told Orchard, ‘Any guy that Diane Terry would marry is okay with me.?
That’s how things were done in a small town in those days.
‘It was a different day and age,? Orchard said.
Over the years, Orchard rose through the ranks. He became the high school’s assistant principal in 1971, then principal in 1975.
In 1982, he moved up to the central office and became the associate superintendent. He was named superintendent six years later.
‘I love Oxford,? Orchard said. ‘I always have. I had several opportunities to move away from Oxford and did not do that. There’s good people all over, but there’s a lot of good people in Oxford. This is a good place to raise kids.?
Since 1967, Orchard has lived on some acreage along Noble Rd. The land originally belonged to his wife’s grandfather.
‘I’m a country boy,? he said. ‘I was born and raised on a dairy farm up in the thumb of Michigan. For the first 23 years, all I did was look at the wrong end of cows.?
Orchard’s done a number of things since retiring from the school district, but his most rewarding experience was working at the Teen Ranch in Marlette. Orchard said this is where delinquent youth, who otherwise ‘didn’t stand a chance,? were offered an opportunity to better themselves and turn their lives around.
‘We worked with them and tried to rehabilitate them,? Orchard said. ‘I really enjoyed the time that I had there. In fact, it was probably one of the most significant things in my life.?
These days Orchard enjoys dabbling in the real estate market and tickling the ivories. He gives piano lessons and plays at the Oxford Free Methodist Church.
‘I just love to play the piano,? he said. ‘I sit down usually half-an-hour a day, sometimes an hour, playing the oldies, but goodies. I really enjoy that a great deal.?
Orchard is one of the few people, if not the only one, who can say he has three Oxford Cup winners in his family.
Since 1930, the coveted silver cup has been awarded annually at commencement to the graduating OHS senior in the top 100 of his or her class who’s shown the best all-around development.
Orchard’s wife, whom he’s been married to for 52 years, won the cup in 1960. His daughter, Lori, earned it in 1983, and his other daughter, Kari, received it in 1986. Lori’s now an attorney living in Clarkston, while Kari is a pediatrician in Lake Orion.
‘I’m the beneficiary of having a bright spouse,? Orchard said. ‘I married up. My dad said, ‘If you’re ever going to make it in life, you’ve got to marry up.? So, I did.?
‘My life has been unbelievable,? he added.

Watch the parade, then do some shopping
Organized by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Christmas parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6 with a start time of 2 p.m. The parade will begin at Daniel Axford Elementary on Mechanic St., head north along Washington St. (M-24) and end at East St.
This year’s theme is ‘Christmas Around the World.?
Running in conjunction with the parade will be a Holiday Market and Warming Station at the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center (28 N. Washington St.).
Open from 1-5 p.m., this special market will offer shoppers the opportunity to purchase ornaments, craft items, holiday gifts, sweet treats like cookies and brownies, coffee and hot chocolate.
Santa Claus will be there to pose for photos, visit with children and listen to gift requests.
Visitors are asked to please bring canned goods and other nonperishable food items for Oxford/Orion FISH.
The parade and market/warming station are being sponsored by Clarkston State Bank, Oxford Bank, Tim Horton’s/Cold Stone Creamery, Sam’s Club and AAA/Michigan.