Oxford Junction, IA

Mark and Doris Denniston have been selected as the Grand Marshals of the 2008 July 4^th Parade. Sometimes the selection of the Grand Marshals is a long, drawn out process. This year it was an instant selection, partly because of their work with Horizons. The following was written by Mark and Doris.

We have been involved with the Horizons project since the LeadershipPlenty^® stage. We both attended the Facilitator Training that was held in Des Moines. This training was very beneficial to us both and has come in handy with our group meetings and my personal business dealings at the Sheriff’s Office. Although we started with a very large number of attendees for our classes, the numbers have decreased somewhat. However, the group that is still active are very sincere and fired up to keep this program going for the extended future. We also have a great list of interested people that we feel could be contacted with specific projects.

One of the greatest benefits of our community being involved in this project is that it has brought a number of other groups in the community together. All for the betterment of our town and citizens.

We are big fans of this program and would encourage any other community that is considering jumping on board to just do it. Even if things don’t work out like are planned, it is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors and fellow community members.

 From the beginning – Community Conversations, LeadershipPlenty and now, quite often we hear, “I’ve never worked with (insert name) before, it’s great becoming acquainted”. The following is the point of view of one of these participants.

“Due to the Horizons involvement in Oxford Junction, at least one new individual has become more involved with the community. After being asked to attend a Horizons community meeting in September, 2007. This individual has become a co-vice president of the Oxford Junction Improvements, Inc. and has done a great deal of wordsmithing and getting needed 1023 information in electronic form which will be sent on to the IRS for request of the tax exempt status. This individual is rather unique to the demographics of Oxford Junction. Having lived in rural Oxford Junction for 8.5 years, the person is seldom seen in Oxford Junction as the individual works in Cedar Rapids, has no relatives in the area, but does enjoy helping at some of the community activities. This individual saw a need and set about filling it by using past experience and knowledge, not readily at the finger tips of other community members.”

Needless to say we “long-time” residents of Oxford Junction are overjoyed at the involvement of this individual.

By the time this blog appears in print, flood waters have receded and clean up has begun, at least that is the hope of Oxford Junction residents.

Even though it is not current news, there are several aspects of the flood disaster that need to be mentioned, especially the efforts of Horizons participants and the cooperation of the entire community.

The unfailing leadership and unending work of the volunteers of the Oxford Junction Fire Department can not be overstated. Fire Chief Dennis Coon and Jones County Sheriff Mark Denniston, also a member of the department, seemed to be every where they were needed and making the correct decisions at the right time. But, they would give every member of the department a special mention. Coon and Denniston have both been Horizon facilitators.

As one of the evacuees said, “the firemen were fantastic when they helped us move out Friday morning”. In all, at least ten families or individuals had to leave their homes from what is locally known as Cooksville. Families of all income levels found dry housing within the communtiy.

Volunteers, including many Horizons participants, lined up at the “Bohomie” bagger to fill, tie and stack hundreds of sand bags and then laid them around homes, businesses and on top of the flood wall at the Legionnaire Ballroom.

The volunteers and evacuees were fed at the Fire Station. Dozens of cookies, hot main dishes, side dishes of vegetables, fruit, salads and much more were brought in. Several women formed the backbone of the kitchen staff and kept food hot or cold and fresh. Two that need special mention are Jean Ewing and Sharon Miller, both are Horizons participants.

Members of Wapsie Post again fought hard to save the Legionnaire Ballroom. Pumps were manned behind the flood wall, that was topped with three tiers of sand bags.

The after effects of the 2008 flood are still to be determined. But, Oxford Junction can be proud of the response of their citizens, old and young; businessman, retiree and laborer, all income levels, who worked side by side to save their community.

What do walking tacos and live plants have in common? Well, they joined together to make the Horizons/Celebrate Oxford Junction site very popular at the Community Garage Sale Day.

A driveway full of perennial plants attracted drive-by shoppers, who were then drawn by the tangy smell of the tacos to the food stand.

Horizon members and friends dug up, divided and potted plants for the sale. A dozen varieties now grace local gardens and those in surrounding towns and will bring years of delight. The help of those who have not been involved with Horizons was greatly appreciated.

Walking Tacos? Cut off a side of a small bag of chips, crush them, add hot taco meat and top with the diners preference – shredded lettuce, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese – stick in a fork, and they walk away eating a taco. If tacos weren’t their choice, hot dogs, cookies, cinnamon rolls and beverages were also on the menu.

By noon, the driveway was almost cleared of plants, walking tacos, cookies and rolls were sold out and the day was declared a success.

Money earned will be used to pay for Burma-Shave type signs promoting the advantages of living and shopping in Oxford Junction. But, most of all it showed how the leadership, cooperation and volunteerism of Horizon members and other local residents can make things happen.

    Tiffany Feuss, 12, has constantly participated in the activities of Horizon. She is a natural leader and has further developed her leadership skills through this participation. Her idea of sponsoring a free baby sitting course, was immediately approved by Horizons/Celebrate Oxford Junction as a way to empower youth of all income levels to develop important childcare and business skills. Tiffany not only came up with the idea, she also produced a poster advertising the class and talked to her peers about the class.

   The following is her account of the babysitting course:

    “On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Oxford Junction held a free babysitting course sponsored by the Horizons group. During the three hour course, students were given a folder with information about safety and activities for babysitting that was explained to us. Then we went to the sink to practice proper hand washing, so we could prepare a creative, but healthy snack that we could make for a child. After that we practiced First Aid and diapering techniques with both cloth and disposable diapers. Finally we students took the evaluation, which all the students passed. Then we ate a healthy lunch.”

Tiffany says a discussion was held on having a part two class in June that will go deeper into First Aid and Safety while babysitting.   Future update classes for these participants, as well as, new classes for future babysitters are planned. 

A dozen girls and boys now feel more confident when hired to babysit, or when taking care of younger brothers and sisters, all because of the creative efforts of a young leader, Tiffany Feuss.

Students completing the course and receiving certificates were Tiffany Feuss, Melissa Dierks, Aubrie Soper, Hannah Gruenwald, Madison Markmann, Sammy Buck, Devra Duffee, Erin Shoaff, Brooke Gade, Lexi Barlow, Alex Brunell and Tommy Duffee.

Just a little background on Tiffany. She is a sixth grade student at Midland Middle School, where she ranks high in her class. Last summer she attended a Junior Leadership Conference in Washington, D. C. She carried out several money making projects to earn money for the conference and talked to sponsoring organizations when she returned. Many Horizon participants are proud that they financially helped Tiffany with conference expenses.

Oxford Junction Mayor Merle Tank, a Horizon participant, describes Tiffany as, “an emerging leader”.

A non-profit corporation has been formed by a Horizons work group. The goal set as part of the visioning program was to create a nonprofit economic development corporation. An attorney has helped the group and they have have met with him several times.

Oxford Junction Improvement, Inc. has been registered with the State of Iowa and the state has approved the corporation.

Officers are Barbara Dobling, president; Mark Tracy and Rose Vercande, vice presidents; Lynette Tracy, secretary and Merle Tank, treasurer. These officers will rotate terms of office every two years, with each officer moving up in their time. Therefore, each person will eventually hold every office in the corporation.

After naming officers, by-laws were set up, plus rules and regulations needed to begin. With the help of the attorney, application was made for an Employer Identification number, which was immediately received on line.

The officers say that they are all set up to do business and reach their goals. One of the goals is to attract and provide a place for a skilled tradesperson to locate in Oxford Junction. Ideally, when this goal is reached, employment would be increased by a little bit at first and maybe more later.

The IRS has to be petitioned for a tax free status, but now the corporation can now effectively raise funds, and apply for whatever grants may be available.

Oxford Junction Improvement, Inc. is ready to proceed.

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.

Barb Dobling was recently elected to her first term on the Oxford Junction City Council. She says, “My involvement in the Horizons project made me more aware of the strengths of our community. But, as with any community, much more needs to be done to build on those strengths”.

She continues, “Through the Horizons project I also realized that, as a result of my education and occupation, I possessed some skills that might help Oxford Junction become an even stronger community”. Dobling says that she was encouraged by community members who participated in the Horizons project to run for City Council. She concludes, “I did run and was elected. I feel that my participation in the Horizons project influences my contributions at City Council meetings.”

Merle Tank, Mayor of Oxford Junction, says that Horizons meetings have really convinced him that the city can improve itself with good leadership. Being Mayor is a new job and experience for Tank. He had lived in town about three years when people began asking him to run for City Council. He resisted until about two and a half years ago. Then, with his wife’s blessing he decided “why not?” He saw things that he thought could be done to improve Oxford Junction and “being on the Council I thought was the venue to try to do these things”.

A year ago in September, along came Horizons and a series of meetings where a lot of people also thought Oxford Junction could effectively address community issues and bring about positive changes. Then, through a stressful series of events, Merle was appointed Mayor to fill out a term and what he had learned at the Horizons meetings, convinced him to run for a full term. He wanted to see if, with the help of a good council and support from the citizens, “we could get Oxford Junction on a good path of improvement.”

“Horizons influence has, I think, been good and there are some bright and good people now working hard to bring some good things to pass”. Merle looks forward to how Horizons will continue to make a difference as the community takes action on economic and social issues.