Creativity and Humor Crush Ogden's Junk Car Problem

by Norm Riggs
Community Development Specialist
Iowa State University Extension to Communities

What community hasn't struggled with the nagging problem of what to do with all those junk cars stashed around town? Besides being a health hazard, these rusting hulks can become a major eyesore.

Several years ago, Ogden, Iowa, faced this problem head-on and came up with an ingenious solution: Hold a junk car "parade" and enlist local ministers to issue the "eulogies." The effort, called Project Beautify, was launched after a town meeting identified junk cars as a priority concern.

Typically, attempts to collect junk cars strike raw nerves. The city council becomes embroiled in the problem and offending residents were ordered to dispose of their abandoned vehicles or face a fine. Junk car owners bristle at the suggestion and dig in for a fight.

But community leaders realized that local ministers, more than anyone else in town, had the power of friendly persuasion. They could appeal to residents' sense of pride and decency to mobilize cooperation.

Four local churches signed on to the project and encouraged their congregations to support the effort. Junk car owners were contacted and asked if they would donate their car to the parade, which was scheduled for April Fools Day. Local volunteers supplied tow trucks and labor to collect the cars. A hearse led the parade and ministers and members of the Ogden Community Development Corporation followed close behind posing as "mourners." Nearly 400 people attended the parade and chili feed that followed.

Headstones were erected and personalized eulogies were issued for each beloved junk heap. Here are just a few of the many clever tributes, spiced with puns and metaphors, that graced the deceased autos: "Betsy had character and was not easily 'offendered.' When someone turned on her headlights, she would just 'beam.' Yet she never had an 'axle' to grind. She will never be re'tired' again and is now committed to her final 'rusting' place."

"Heavy drink got to George's valves and owner's pocketbook. In recent years George had begun to drink heavily. He couldn't leave that high octane stuff alone."

"Friends, Ogdenites, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Nellie Belle, not to praise her. The evil that cars do lives after them: the good is oft interred with their bodies."

"Sadly, no tears for Matilda. May you rust in peace."

All communities have a reservoir of local creativity and talent. Ogden unleashed that talent with Project Beautify, underscoring the adage that you can get more flies with honey than vinegar. Hundreds of volunteers donated thousands of hours and several thousand dollars in free service to carry out the project. What could have developed into a protracted battle was converted into a huge success story through a festive event where hundreds laughed, laughed and laughed some more.

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