A discussion amongst some local business icons took a decidedly philosophical turn Friday afternoon at the Oxford Public Library as they voiced their views on the concept of community and how society has changed over the years.
?(Community is) an atmosphere of friendliness (and a) lack of fear,? said Jim Sherman, Sr., publisher of the Oxford Leader from 1955-93. ‘It’s just comfortable.?
For Sue Bossardet, whose family owned and operated the funeral home on W. Burdick St. from 1950 through 2002, community is all about ‘the intangibles? such as feelings of ‘nostalgia? and ‘knowing your next door neighbor.?
‘Although some people don’t (know their neighbors) now ? and that’s what I think we need to bring back,? she said. ‘I’m all for progress, but I’m also for retaining our core values. Sometimes I don’t see that. I think we’ve lost touch with each other.?
‘If we lose the intangibles, people will go right by Oxford and go to the next small town,? Bossardet noted.
As part of ‘The Way We Worked,? a Smithsonian Institute traveling exhibition, the library hosted a fireside chat entitled, ‘Doing Business in Oxford: Then and Now.?
Participating in this discussion were Ruth Patterson and her daughter Jean Davidson, Bossardet, Sherman, Sr. and his son Jim Sherman, Jr., the Leader’s publisher for the past 22 years.
Patterson’s late husband, Bill, owned and operated the downtown pharmacy from 1964 until 1994 when her son-in-law, Tim Davidson, took over the business.
As can be expected there was much reminiscing as these well-known community figures discussed old businesses, old buildings and what small town life used to be like.
‘Buildings change and the people in them change, but community is the people,? Sherman, Jr. said.
Davidson said people used to smile and say hello as they passed each other on the street. It was just common courtesy to acknowledge each other.
‘Dad always told us, you may not know them, but they probably know you or at least know who you are,? she said.
Davidson said she misses the little greetings as these days, many people don’t even like to make eye contact with others.
‘It used to be that you knew everybody in town,? Bossardet noted.
But Oxford ‘was a much smaller place? then, according to Sherman, Jr.
‘There’s just too many folks (now). You can’t know them all,? he said.
Years ago, Sherman, Jr. said lots of folks didn’t venture too far from Oxford.
‘There’s no way in heck in the old days, you could know anybody from Lakeville or Leonard, that was too far away,? he said. ‘Growing up in Oxford, I hardly ever went to Lake Orion.?
Bossardet, who’s the current village president, lamented the ‘lack of interest? in local government as evidenced by the fact that at many meetings, there’s ‘absolutely nobody in the audience.?
‘We’ve kind of become a bedroom community,? she said. ‘People live here, but they don’t participate a lot.?
Sherman, Jr. said these days people are often busy doing ‘their own things? and taking care of their families, leaving little or no time for spending the evening at a government meeting. ‘I think that’s part of what’s going on,? he said.
To Sherman, Sr., being a community member involves doing things such as attending a local church, participating in the chamber of commerce or going to activities in town.
‘You keep seeing the same people, so you start talking to them,? he said ‘After awhile, you get to know them and they get to know you.?
Bossardet agreed participation is essential.
‘You have to get out and join and do and be there at activities,? she said. ‘In 1976, when we had the (town’s) centennial celebration, you want to talk about a community coming together. It was unbelievable. We prepared for a whole year and we celebrated for a whole year.?
Bossardet views Oxford’s relatively new Lone Ranger festival and parade as a community rallying point and source of pride.
‘The people that don’t participate in those things are missing out because that’s what makes your community ? being involved in events like that, getting out and meeting people, and having fun,? she said.
Just as they did many years ago at her father’s drug store, Davidson said small groups of citizens are still meeting today for morning coffee at local diners and restaurants, creating their own sense of community.
‘A lot of the solutions to problems come from those informal talks,? she said.
Although the Oxford of 2015 isn’t the Oxford of 50, 25 or even 10 years ago, no one argued the community had changed to the point where they didn’t want to call it home anymore.
‘Oxford is the best place in Oakland County to live right now,? Sherman, Jr. said. ‘Just like that, you could be in the country. Just like that, you’re downtown. Most everything you want is right here.?
Oxford resident Rebecca Steketee agreed.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, she and her family moved here four years ago from Washington D.C.
‘It’s so different here, but it is so well-loved by my family,? she said. ‘I just love this community. I think this is such an awesome place.?
Steketee noted she came here ‘with a ton of road rage? because in Washington D.C., she spent two-and-a-half hours every morning driving to work and two hours coming home every night. ‘I’ve gotten all that time back to be with my family because we moved to Oxford,? she said.
Living here has also calmed her road rage because one day, she realized she might be yelling at not just another driver, but a neighbor.
‘This is such a small town,? Steketee said.
Steketee said Oxford is ‘so nice? and she feels ‘so sorry? for her husband’s co-workers who live in hectic, crowded places like Canton and Plymouth.
‘They complain about people and the way they are (down there),? she said. ‘They come up here (and) they’re like, ‘You are right. They are nicer up here.??
‘I know it’s not the same as it was 40 or 50 years ago, but . . . I don’t think (the community’s friendly nature will) ever be lost here.?
‘I hope not,? Bossardet said.