Jump, Jump, Jump.
Bounce, Bounce, Bounce.
Slide, Slide, Slide.
All of the actions were going on at once in Kids Town during Celebrate Oxford.
Now being a Wildcat since I was a wee kitten, I can honestly say in all my years in Oxford, I have not attended Celebrate Oxford. Or, to really date myself, Oxford Days, Gravel Days or Pioneer Days.
Well – until now.
It doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the draw of Celebrate Oxford. The lure to one place to appreciate music, classic cars, and products of local vendors. On one day in one spot, to see all of the young talent within one community – artists, singers and dancers.
Walk the row of Taste of Oxford and smell are the aromas winding together of the food found in the town.
Through the hours of roaming from one location to the next, I experienced it through my lens, not as a participant, not as a customer, merely as a watcher.
I will say it would have been nice to see a group heading the dunk tank, using the opportunity as a fund-raiser. The ideas are endless – sport teams and nonprofit organizations to start.
Then, the volunteers.
There are probably a few people I am sure you would like a chance to dunk for fun.
I can see it now – I am winding the pitch, I pull back, bring the arm forward and throw. It misses – terribly misses. I didn’t have a shot.
A gruff voice says, ‘you throw like a girl.?
‘Yes, Coach Rowley, I do. Nothing has changed from the two semesters in your gym classes years ago.?
I pick him, not only is he legend in Oxford (how many don’t know who he is?) but because I think he would be a good sport and encourage not only the kids but for the parents to give it a go.
The celebration of the good old town brings residents and visitors to the downtown area. The shops were open and I saw quite a few people come out of the Northeast Oakland Historical Museum, mixing some education into their fun day.
I don’t think I am alone when I say walking downtown also brings back memories.
I spent my first 16 years living in Oxford Township. When I was little, I was pushed in the stroller up to town for an ice cream or to hang out in the work area of the craft store. Then, going to Patterson’s Pharmacy for my monthly dose of comics, until I discovered the wonder of bookstores.
The years have changed the good downtown – Oxford Theatre is always a favorite even though the building was ever changing. Does anyone remember when they only had two screens and nostalgic photos of the theatre’s past on the walls? Or prior to Starbucks, a hardware store stood. When grocery shopping meant going to Food Town or IGA, not Meijers.
I saw it change even as I finished my high school years at Oxford and I traveled up to Flint for college classes. It isn’t like I came back and was in awe. I saw the town grow.
Here I am – it all comes full circle. The girl to have wide-eyed aspirations to have her name in ink came back to the place it all started – The Oxford Leader.
Sure, I had my photo in the paper a few times, a talent show practice at Clear Lake Elementary and my senior photo. My name was in ink for honorable mentions – the classic honor roll, awards, but I always imagined something else. A little byline just over the leading paragraph, right under the headline.
Life has a funny way of working out.
Now as quickly as I entered your lives in April, I am picking up my pen and notebook and heading off into the sunset.
Well, to Clarkston, but it is west and where the sun sets, to be technical. I was just a visitor.
Don’t think of it as a good-bye. I live close and sometimes frequent the area. This is a ‘see you around.?
*Wendi has been assigned to the Leader’s sister paper, The Clarkston News. We appreciate her help this summer and wish her well with the CNews. — DPR