Main Street Trends Survey question

1. Main Street Trends Survey question • We often focus on quantifying the results of our efforts. Can you describe other powerful results from your organization’s efforts that speak more to quality than quantity (e.g., converted a preservation ally, changed someone’s life, quality of life, etc.)?

2. Answer • We started Thursdays on the Square and had live entertainment every Thursday evening. This added to the quality of life, but for one little 6 year old it also increased her academic achievement. She loves Thursdays and it became her reward for doing well at school each week which was also part of a behavior management tool. She even decided to perform on open mic night!

3. Main Street Trends Survey question • The power of Main Street to develop leaders or empower everyday citizens

4. Answer • Our intern two years ago did the Main Streets Parking Management Analysis. He submitted it as a writing example for his graduate school application and received a teaching assistant position and full tuition in return. We are so proud of him.

5. Answer • A volunteer that declared herself "Petunia Princess" as a joke has now taken the job seriously! She even had a crown with petunias tattooed on her shoulder! By encouraging her to be an ambassador for the hanging petunia basket project she gained the confidence to be a public speaker at events. She also accepted the job of organizing a fund raiser for cancer survivors which has raised tens of thousands of dollars!

6. Answer • Once upon a time, there was a volunteer who came up with a stellar idea that turned into our signature event -- a giant pumpkin regatta. The volunteer became a board member, then chair. Now on organization team. Away from Main Street, he has become known as the face of giant pumpkin growers in our state and beyond. He has emceed international pumpkin growing events. We think his experience with us gave him the courage to step out into the greater community.

7. Main Street Trends Survey question • The power of Main Street to build individual or community pride, confidence, or hope

8. AnswerHow has being involved in Main Street changed YOUR life? • Being involved with Main Street has helped me to understand how important a vibrant downtown can be to the spirit of a community. Before the revitalization effort of the past 5 years, there was not a gathering spot for people in our town, and although people liked living here, you rarely heard them express pride in the community. Now people tell me nearly every day how much the downtown means to them and how proud they are of our community.

9. Main Street Trends Survey question • The power of Main Street to strengthen ties to community or unite

10. Answer • We have volunteers working on committees who live on either side of an alley. On one side are rowhouses that have sold for $1 million and condos that have sold for $500,000 to $750,000. On the other side are rent subsidized apartments whose residents pay $1,000 or less per year (30% of their income) in rent. Residents of buildings on both sides of the alley want the same things: a cleaner, safer neighborhood with a variety of places to eat, shop, be entertained, and work.

11. AnswerHow has being involved in Main Street changed YOUR life? • I feel more connected to the history and individuals of the community

12. AnswerHow has being involved in Main Street changed YOUR life? • As a latch key kid growing up, I have found my community and have discovered sense of place that I have been looking for.

13. Main Street Trends Survey question • The power of Main Street to raise spirits, uplift, or inspire

14. Answer • The continued support and communication by MSOC, the educational information that is passed along constantly has helped people in our community believe again. After the MSOC 10 Year Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration I had one man tell me a week later "that was so much fun...I felt like a kid again!" and I had another long time resident of the community tell me just this past week "It feels so good to be excited again - thank you!" It works....and Oxford is real-life living proof!

15. AnswerHow has being involved in Main Street changed YOUR life? • I'm not sure that I have experienced a 'change' as a result of this work, but I have been inspired by some of the people in the community. An example is a nursing home on our Main Street. During the holiday season, a group of singers visit the home with Santa. The singers are quite good and sing in four part harmony. This year, while the group was singing in the halls, a new voice was heard coming down the hallway. He was singing one of the stanzas that most people do not know. He knew every word and sang in a beautiful voice. When I turned to see who was singing so far away from the group, I saw a man in a wheelchair. He had one leg and tons of enthusiasm. He allowed me to push his wheelchair in order to keep up with the group. He spent the duration of our visit with us, singing every word to every stanza. Before we left, I asked him how he happened to know every word. He said he was a choir director and when he heard singing voices, he came searching for the source. He thanked us profusely for bringing a few minutes of culture to his door. The reaction of this one man made me grateful to know the members of the singing group who had donated their time so unselfishly. I simply asked them to sing at our Main Street event. They agreed. Every time I see them in passing, I think of the donation of their time and the positive impact they had at the nursing home. Our Main Street is as strong as our people. We have good people. I am always mindful of that.

16. AnswerHow has being involved in Main Street changed YOUR life? • Being part of the Main Street program in my community has given me the opportunity to be with people from literally all walks of life. To be able to see their struggles, their strengths and their aspirations. Being aware of the diversity of all people and their situations is nothing until one interacts with them. I have had that opportunity since I began working in our program. We have so much in common and really care about each other and our community family. Seeing the pride people have as things improve in our town is so inspiring.

17. AnswerHow has being involved in Main Street changed YOUR life? • Main Street makes our community a place where I would want to raise my children and that speaks more volume as to how I feel about the program than anything. • As a 17-year Main Street Manager, I can truly say that, next to having my daughter, this job has been the most gratifying experience of my life.