Oxford Junction, IA

The annual City Wide Clean Up Days was held in May. Home owners could get rid of old appliances, furniture and accumulations from yards and front porches. In past years, these home owners paid the city for each appliance that was picked up. This year, Horizons gave them a financial break. These fees and other costs incurred by the City of Oxford Junction during this annual cleanup, have been paid by Horizons. Residents of all income levels benefited from this The city benefited because there was less paper work for the City Clerk and fewer complications for the City Maintenance Department.

 Earlier this year a group of young Cub Scouts and their leaders raked the winter debris off of several lawns. They carried away the mess left from winter storms and left an elderly home owner with a nice clean yard to welcome the newness of Spring.

 Mark and Nettie Tracy have finished restoring a house in Oxford Junction. They used their considerable talents in making a house that could have been demolished into a delightful home. Before the Tracys purchased the property, the City often had to mow the yard and the neighbors had to put up with neglected property.

A single father, with three young children, purchased the home as soon as it ready to be occupied. Mark Tracy says that the family is taking great care of their new property. The family says that they love living in their new home and the children enjoy the large yard.

The father had been unemployed, so did not qualify for a loan. The Tracys, who have been very active Horizons members, made the purchase possible. The father now works for a local farm machinery and truck repair business.

The first beginners computer class was held at Wregie Memorial Library on May 27. Library Director Angie Shirley said that the classes have been a huge success. The classes will continue through June on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

The classes are offered free of charge to anyone 18 years of age or over, who live in our community or surrounding area. The classes are held with the financial support of Horizons and are just one example of the cooperation between community identities.

Shirley said that she will continue to help any of the students when they come to the library and when they have a computer problem. She has information to share on how to fill out a job application and how to write a resume.

Library Director Shirley said that she and the students have a lot of fun and that she has learned more about computers then she did before the classes.

Members of Oxford Junction Improvement, Inc. have donated items for a silent auction to raise monies for projects that they want to implement. A baby blanket and a quilt have been made. The auction will be held at the Oxford Junction annual July 4^th celebration.

One project is to place Burma-Shave type signs on the three approaches to Oxford Junction inviting travelers to visit and stay in our community. Travelers and visitors need to be made aware of the advantages of living in a community where the cost of living is relatively low.

The warmth of creating valentines, the laughter from a movie and the gathering of all ages helped to take away the blues of winter the afternoon of Feb. 3. The Horizons/Celebrate OJ recreation work group sponsored Make and Take Valentine Craft Making at the Senior Citizens Community Center. Children, youth and adults created heart mobiles and tissue paper hearts, fashioned bracelets and twisted fuzzy wires into dog bodies and attached kisses for heads and tails. All were taken home for family to enjoy. One three year old was excited to take a dog to his daddy.

As snow filled the outside skies, the laughter created by watching “Shrek 3′ filled the Center. Popcorn and fruit juice provided the complimentary touch to Movie on Broadway.

The afternoon of free entertainment was a result of one of the requests made on the survey conducted by Horizons during the summer of 2007.

Three Celebrate OJ Work Groups have been mentioned: Recreation, Communication and OJ Wheels 4U-Helping Hands,2. Two additional groups are working on long term plans. These work groups were formed as a result of input at Community Conversation groups and LeadershipPlenty®.

A Better Way for OJ is a nonprofit group to encourage businesses to become established. Members of the group are contacting property owners and looking into the legal needs of forming a foundation. This group will also work toward providing affordable, good quality housing for low-income families.

Members of Oxford Junction Unlimited are finding ways to improve the appearance of the community, which in turn will encourage new businesses and families to move into the community. A list of property that needs improvement will be presented to the proper City Committee. Recognition will be given to home owners who make improvements. A Community-Wide Clean Up Day is planned for Spring, 2008. Rusty trash collectors in the business district will be replaced.

The five work groups are striving to change the attitude toward newcomers, of all income levels. Ways will be found to make them feel welcome to the Oxford Junction community and to help them become involved in local activities and projects.

Another Celebrate OJ Work Group is gathering volunteers to provide transportation for those needing services outside of the community. Sign up sheets have been placed in churches and businesses for these volunteers. This service is designed with the elderly in mind, and volunteers are also being recruited to help with maintenance of homes. Needs for transportation and help with maintenance were identified through the community survey. Comments on these needs were also shared starting with Community Conversation Horizon meetings and at following Horizon meetings, and through conversations with family and friends. Celebrate OJ is one way these needs can be met by volunteers who really care about them.

All volunteer services in the community help to meet basic needs and will build on the talent and assets of all members of the community.

Mark Denniston made the following comment many times when he facilitated LeadershipPlenty® classes, “Much of what the classes teach us are the same things we use at our own work.” On of the main concepts he recalls is that we all have to work together to make a difference. As Jones County Sheriff, there is no way he could fulfill all of his obligations without the help and input of his staff, but all people can have an influence on how productive he is at work. He realizes that the projects that are being done at Oxford Junction can not and will not get done unless everyone contributes in a positive way to achieve the outcome we are striving to obtain. Denniston says, “Yes, one person can make a difference, but it takes a whole community or all staff members to get the results we are striving for to make our lives easier and more enjoyable and to make an impact that affects lives now and in the future.

The Community-Wide Garage Sale Day provided an opportunity for families to purchase summer clothes, furniture and recreational supplies. The same day support was encouraged for local businesses and self-employed by creating interest in their business and services. Organizations were also encouraged to provide information to the community on their services and resources. The garage sale was held in conjunction with OJ Community Betterment.

A full page directory of local businesses and professional services was published in the Shopper Stopper, which is delivered free to over 13,250 residences in 28 communities. All businesses had the opportunity to have a business card printed in the directory. The newspaper printed the ad in color at no additional cost. The directory was an opportunity to promote local businesses and encourage residents to shop locally.

OJ Sundries recently added a $1 Store to their inventory. The addition makes it possible for local residents to buy a wide variety of inexpensive needed items without driving miles to an impersonal shopping mall.