The Horizons Beautification Committee recently renovated the old message board sign in Railroad Park on Pike Avenue. The new sign has new letters, a face panel, and an additional line so more information can be placed on it. The board may be used for promoting community events.
Before and After Pictures:
Before
After
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/30/new-community-message-board-added/
The Beautification Committee came about as a result of the Horizon’s Study Circles that were held in 2007. Most of the comments from these groups were centered around a feeling that Columbus looked uncared for, neglected and poor when you drive into town. There were areas that needed to be cleaned up and improved, our main street looked neglected and inactive and more Welcome signage was needed at the entrances to town to welcome visitors and invite them to stop and shop.
Several projects were proposed. Among the suggestions were cleaning up the downtown, uncovering the sidewalk on the park side of the street, renovating storefronts, creating a park in the empty lot on Pike and 5th Streets, a “Come into Columbus” sign on I-90 at the Springtime Road exit to bring them into the downtown business district and signage at other entrances to Columbus.
We felt that it is important to develop a brand for the town–something that is unique to the area, will distinguish us and be used on everything from signs to brochures. In order to develop this we needed to partner with the city. During this time the city approved funding for the National Historic Preservation Main Street program. We felt with that it would be a good fit with our goals as a Beautification Committee. We see that our other goals will need more involvement, are more long term and by being active in the Main Street program we can accomplish this together. Other people have been independently working on some of the same ideas, such as the Pike and 5th Street lot development and we will be able to achieve more if we all work together. As a result of Horizon’s meetings and discussions some of those people have now joined the Beautification Committee.
Our first goal was to restore the things that we already have in place that were good. We received a grant from Horizon’s to restore the Welcome sign at the corner of 9th and Diamond Streets and replant the planter box underneath it. The sign was taken down, repaired and repainted. The posts were shortened to give it better proportions and making it easier to read. We took out all of the planting that were in the planter box, removed the old dirt and replaced it with new soil. New shrubs, landscape roses and a collection of red tulips were planted. This was a good beginning project-not too big or complex and involved a lot of volunteers. The result was a bright, shiny welcome to our town.
Our second project was the renovation of the large Columbus sign in Rail Road Park on Pike Avenue. We needed to replace the reader board, buy new letters and a new face panel. Thru a Horizon’s grant, and by partnering with the Columbus Community Action Network, we were able to purchase a new board, new tracks, letters and a new face panel and add a fourth line so the messages can be more complete. We will be able to repaint the upper portion of the sign this summer, using paint left from the small welcome sign that has the same Columbus logo. This sign, in the center of downtown, is a community bulletin board, promoting events of community organizations in Columbus. Political and commercial messages are not allowed unless it is for an event and not for political candidates or to promote sales.
We continue to focus on the transforming the appearance of our town into a prosperous community and one that we can take pride in.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/27/final-horizons-beautification-committee-report/
In 2007, the Horizons Steering Committee distributed “flags” at community events. The “flag” theme was decided upon for the Freedom Celebration. Each of these “flags” displayed a different question regarding the Columbus Community. The flags were a great success and the Horizons Steering Committee continued to distribute them at the county fair, each of the farmers’ markets, and some of the businesses in the community. This medium facilitated the opportunity for people to visualize the assets and challenges of the Columbus community that were discussed in each of the six Study Circles Meetings. A history map was also completed by a variety of residents in Columbus during the 100th year celebration for the community. This map detailed great events in the history of Columbus to be utilized in the Community Visioning Process.
Columbus community needed to have input from 270 residents in order to meet the Horizons threshold and to have a successful visioning event in the fall of 2007. In all, 295 residents gave input, which was compiled and used in the visioning event on October 14, 2007, where participants developed a vision statement for Columbus in 2020:
Columbus is a safe, progressive community that values its people and honors and preserves its history. Its character is reflected in its active community involvement, youth development, and the support of a self-sustaining business environment. Columbus is a place where all community members can thrive, prosper, and grow.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/06/26/horizons-accomplishments-visioning/
Many people are not aware of the role that Horizons has taken in encouraging cooperation between the people of Columbus. Though some may know that the Farmers’ Market was brought in part by the Horizons Project, they sometimes forget the many things that went on before anything that visible could be accomplished. They don’t remember the things like Study Circles or Leadership Plenty.
Leadership Plenty was one of the biggest successes of Horizons, because not only did it bring together people from Columbus, but people from surrounding communities such as Absarokee. Different people would be at each meeting, but everyone still managed to cooperate and learn about the best kind of change that could be brought to their own homes.
Study Circles were another huge accomplishment. Not only did the people in those groups have to cooperate with each other and respect different opinions, but the three main areas that Horizons is focused on–Mentoring, Beautification, and the Farmers’ Market–grew from the Study Circles.
Now, Horizons can be seen in the beautification projects that it has already completed, and ones that it will do in the future. The strong Farmers’ Market is another accomplishment. The most important thing that Horizons has done is not an individual project, but the unification of a community. Many steps still have to be taken to truly accomplish this goal, but come later this summer, the first step can already be seen in the turnout for the Farmers’ Market.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/05/27/horizons-makes-a-difference/
Thanks to Columbus School District, the Horizons Mentoring Committee had a tremendous response to their afterschool survey. Approximately 160 surveys were turned in at the elementary and middle schools.
Following is a summary of results:
1. 93% of the respondents indicated that an afterschool program would benefit children in the Columbus community.
2. Youths in upcoming grades 4-6 seemed to have the greatest number of youths who would participate in an afterschool program.
3. The highest ranked activities which respondents thought should be a part of the afterschool program included: homework/study help, reading/writing, arts & crafts, fun, playing games/fun activities, sports, learning with fun activities, exercise/physical activity, art/music/acting.
4. 47% indicated that they would need some form of transportation for their child(ren) to get to the afterschool program.
5. Many comments were also submitted with the surveys.
The Horizons Mentoring Committee wishes to thank everyone who responded to the survey. It wishes to thank Superintendent Al Sipes for his support of distributing the survey in the Columbus Schools Newsletter, and the administration from the Columbus Middle School and Columbus Elementary School as well as the teachers and office staff for their assistance in distributing the survey to the classrooms and providing places to turn in the surveys. In addition, thank you to Roxie Holden from Stageline Pizza and the Stillwater Coalition for supplying treats for the kids for doing their part by returning their surveys to the schools. Most of all, thank you to the parents; your community support is greatly appreciated.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/05/20/after-school-program-interest/
This article has also been in several newspapers in the surrounding area, including the Stillwater County News and the Billings Gazette.
Now’s the time to plan, and plant, for the 2nd annual Columbus Farmers’ Market. Based on the success of last year’s market, which began as an August-only event and was then extended into September, this year’s market will begin in mid-July and run until mid-September. It will once again take place on Thursday afternoons in Railroad Park, beginning July 24th and running through September 11th. We hope to welcome back most, if not all, of last year’s sellers and add several more. Anyone interested in selling fresh garden produce, eggs, plants, baked goods, preserves or other market items, can pick-up a registration form at the Extension Office in the Courthouse, or call Marcia at 321-1377 for further information.
More information about Farmers’ Markets in Montana can be found at the Montana Department of Agriculture.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/05/20/columbus-farmers-market-will-begin-in-july/
Columbus Schools Superintendent Al Sipes is very supportive of the Horizons Project and the Mentor Committee establishing a community afterschool program. The Mentor Committee has a ‘needs’ survey for the parents in the community that Mr. Sipes has offered to assist in disseminating through the use of the Columbus Schools Newsletters. The Horizons Mentor Committee will be submitting a survey for the Columbus Schools April Newletter mailer that can be returned by the students to their homeroom teacher or the Middle School Office or can be mailed to the Stillwater County Extension Office, PO Box 807, Columbus, MT 59019. A survey will also be attached to the Columbus Elementary School weekly newsletter that will be ready to distribute before the school spring break. Elementary students may return the completed surveys to their homeroom teacher. The Horizons Mentor Committee asks that surveys be returned by April 15, 2008.
If you or anyone you know is interested in assisting the Mentor Committee with the Afterschool Program project or have a desire to see another mentor project started, please don’t hesitate to respond. Co-Chairwomen Juliana Stevens (322-4550) and Katy Matovich (322-5546) would really like to hear your ideas.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/03/17/afterschool-program-survey/
In January, representatives of different organizations and groups from Columbus came together, along with many other communities, to a Community Conference held in Billings. The focus of the conference was to discuss how to better small communities, and to sustain them once they became successful.
Among the speakers was Dr. John Allen, who spoke about finding the positives within your own community and utilizing them. It is important to not get obsessed with the negatives, but to focus on the assets that you home already has, and improve upon them.
Other speakers had messages of making sure everyone in the community was able to have a part in what was going on. Communication is vital in programs like Horizons.
Breakout sessions included discussions about nurturing the entrepreuners within your own community, working with diverse cultures, and thriving in rural communities, among others. Even smaller groups were able to discuss specific topics, including housing issues, youth success, child care services, adding value to local assets, health care, and many more.
One of the speakers that had a message that hit closest to home was Jennifer Anderson of Forsyth. Through the Horizons Project, Forsyth has moved from focusing on the negatives to working together and using their assets. They have come up with creative ideas such as a fishing derby in order to generate communty involvement. They are an example of a town that is making the Horizons Project work for them.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/02/14/rural-community-conference/
Horizons is looking into whether an after-school program should be pursued for the Columbus area. During the Horizons study circles on poverty and during the LeadershipPlenty® classes in 2007, this issue arose numerous times.
Studies show that students involved in afterschool programs get better grades, attend school more and have improved behavior. They also express greater hopes for the future and more interest in school.
So Horizons is encouraging parents to indicate whether this is a priority and whether the Horizons Mentoring/Youth Committee should go forward investigating this possibility. Please comment on this blog as to whether you would utilize such a program for your children if we had an afterschool program in Columbus.
Horizons is also seeking people who would interested in working on a committee to pursue such a program.
http://columbus.communityblogs.us/2008/01/13/is-it-time-for-an-afterschool-program-in-columbus/
During the Farmer’s Market this past summer, Horizons collected suggestions from community members on what problems currently exist, and what can be done to improve Columbus. Each week a new question was presented to be responded to:
The responses were then divided up further and were sorted into categories, and a statement was given for each, showing the ultimate goal for the town. Each category is shown here with the statement.
