Oxford Junction, IA

 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.

Many Horizons projects are just getting off the ground, many are in the talking stage and others are still a dream.

To keep things going, officers were elected at the June 8 meeting. Merle Tank will be chairman; Doris Denniston, vice chairman and Jean Ewing, secretary/treasurer.

Steering committee members are Mark Tracy, Mark Denniston, Marlene Flory, Nadine Ruley and Deb Larkey.

Horizons is fortunate that so many qualified leaders are part of the organization.

Meetings will be held at the Masonic Lodge room, the second Sunday of the month, starting at 6 pm.

Black clouds started rolling in, weather warnings were sounded, so the meeting broke up quickly and not all of the agenda was completed. But, members hurried home – and safely arrived home - with a new sense of purpose

The city of Oxford Junction will apply for a CDBG grant to relocate and improve water mains that now are under Highway 136. The Iowa DOT is resurfacing Highway 136 in 2009 from Wyoming to Lost Nation. Oxford Junction obtained a continuance to 2010 so the water mains can be moved before the resurfacing is done within the city limits.

How often have we heard the proverb – give someone a fish, and they will have one meal, but teach them how to fish and they will never be hungry – or something like that.

Mark and Nettie Tracy have taken that proverb to heart. They first tilled an area in the yard of a young, low-income family, then provided garden plants and seeds. The three children learned to dig a hole to plant tomato plants. They learned to place seeds in a straight row and how to space the seeds for the best yield. They will learn to weed and tend the garden and the Tracys will be there to teach and continue to carry out the meaning of the proverb.

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.

 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.

Oxford Junction youth of all income levels participated in a certified babysitting class in their own community on May 3. The three hour session was offered in partnership with the nursing staff at Camp Courageous of Iowa and was the first babysitting class held in Oxford Junction. When Horizons showed an interest in sponsoring a babysitting class, the Jones County Child Care Resource Coordinator connected the Oxford Junction community with two nurses who have taught babysitting classes for over 25 years in Jones County. Both nurses are CPR and First Aid Instructors. They have volunteered to offer additional classes on business basics and to certify students in CPR and First Aid. Horizons, the community of Oxford Junction and the nurses look forward to continuing this effective partnership to empower youth to provide quality child care services in their area.

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.