Each year I have the privilege of working with Wells Fargo to bring their stage coach to the Orion/Oxford Lone Ranger parade, and helping them get organized during the event.
The coach team is Mike and Barb Miller, who coincidentally, come from Oxford, Minnesota; a town vastly smaller than our own Oxford. Mike gets a kick out of taking municipal souvenirs from here, especially those with departments they do not have, just to joke with the folks in his town where he is Mayor.
Super nice folks, for sure.
This year Mike commented on how happy he was to be part of our little event each year. As most do, they drive in from the south along M-24 from I-75, passing through Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion finally finishing their journey in the Village of Oxford.
Mike commented on how both very old and traditional small towns are really very lively and something uncommonly special.
I replied that I was pleased at how the parade had gained popularity over these few years.
He stopped me and went on to explain that it was not at all the parade or festival he was referring to.
The Millers spend much of the year traveling from one event to another from Nebraska to New Jersey, visiting one town after another.
Mike laments, they see so many that are struggling, deteriorating and have populations that are aging and dwindling.
He commented how wonderful it was to see both Orion and Oxford full of life, caring for and restoring our downtowns, and ‘MOST importantly?, from the vantage point high atop the stagecoach, he said, ‘is the kids.
Look at all these families with their children of all ages here today, we don’t see that very often. They are a part of everything you are doing. Your future is secure in them.?
I don’t know about you, but it would be hard for me to think of a greater complement a visitor could pay to our community (yes, singular), than what Mike told me.
Funny how sometimes we miss things about ourselves that are so plainly visible to our guests.
A big ‘Thank you? to the Millers. One cannot help but be proud and grateful for where we live, how we live, for our neighbors and our kids.
Mark Thurber
Orion Township