Veterans Service Officer Jim Alcorn and Executive Director Jeff Rollins stand at the Veterans Memorial for the Silent Watch. The Clinton County Veterans Service Commission is "calling all veterans and civilian patriots." Volunteers are needed to assist in filling 20-minute time slots for their "Silent Watch." They are seeking four participants for each time slot. The annual event is to raise public awareness of veteran suicides, in hopes that they can provide veterans with assistance to lower the rate of veterans taking their lives. The event will be held from 8am to 1pm at the Clinton County Courthouse Veterans Memorial on Saturday, September 20, 2025. For more information or to sign up for the event, call (937) 382-3233 .

Clinton County Job and Family Services WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 4, 2025)— September is Grandparent/Kinship Month, and Clinton County Job and Family Services (CCJFS) invites our community to join us in recognizing the incredible grandparents and kinship caregivers who make a lasting difference in the lives of children across our county.   These caregivers often step in during times of crisis—offering stability, love, and a safe home with little preparation and limited resources. Their commitment keeps children connected to their families, schools, and communities, and often helps avoid the trauma of entering foster care.   To support these families, CCJFS issued $63,714 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds in July 2025, benefiting 223 children in Clinton County. In 2024, the agency also distributed $27,600 in Kinship Permanency Incentive (KPI) funds to eligible families. These federal funding sources help cover everyday essentials like groceries, clothing, school supplies, and transportation—ensuring children are safe, supported, and surrounded by people who love them.   CCJFS continues to prioritize keeping children with their families whenever possible. In 2024, the agency: Completed 64 kinship home studies Licensed 3 kinship families as foster parents Finalized 3 kinship adoptions, giving children permanent homes with relatives they already know and trust   Childcare is critical for grandparents and kinship providers who work outside of the home and often need safe, reliable providers. If you are interested in being a certified child care provider or in-home aide licensed through the State of Ohio, please visit: https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-providers/child-care-information/become-a-provider or step-by-step instructions, training requirements, and certification details.   Every child deserves a stable, loving home—and Clinton County is proud to support the families who make that possible every day. If you or someone you know is raising a relative’s child and could use support, please contact Clinton County Job and Family Services at 937-382-0963;  email: CLINTON_COUNTY_FAMILY_SERVICES@jfs.ohio.gov or call the Ohio Kinship Adoption Navigator (Ohio KAN) 1-844-OHIOKAN (1-844-644-6526) or https://ohiokan.ohio.gov/ to learn more about available resources. Article Submitted by Clinton County Job and Family Services

Biology Professor Amanda Rollins works with students in her biology lab. WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 4, 2025)— Wilmington College students will be the beneficiaries of a $500,000 endowment grant earmarked for student scholarships from the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation. Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, first-year WC students interested in pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) or related fields of study will be eligible for The Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarships. Preference for awarding the scholarships will go to prior recipients who remain in good standing, freshmen applicants from Ohio, and new students from the neighboring states of Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. President Corey Cockerill expressed her appreciation for the Knowlton Foundation’s commitment to higher education. “These scholarships open doors to education, leadership and opportunity for our students,” she said. “Wilmington College is honored to steward this incredible gift.” Adam Lohrey, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said the Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarships will assist the College in attracting talented students interested in STEM fields from the greater Ohio region. “Offering these scholarships to students gives us the opportunity to make a Wilmington College education more affordable than ever before,” he said. “New scholarships paired with our expanded academic offerings open doors for students pursuing high-demand careers, fueling our region’s workforce.” Tammy Shadley, vice president for advancement, worked closely with the Knowlton Foundation in securing this prestigious scholarship opportunity. “Wilmington College and the Knowlton Foundation have shared a strong relationship spanning over 25 years,” she said. “This generous donation is an inspiring investment in our students and our mission, and its impact will be felt for years to come.” A pioneer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Austin E. “Dutch” Knowlton, helped build and shape thriving communities. The owner and chairman of the Knowlton Construction Company started in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in 1937, Knowlton and his company were responsible for 600 construction projects throughout Ohio and the Midwest, including school buildings, hospitals, libraries, and post offices. An avid sportsman, he was an original founding partner and chairman of the Cincinnati Bengals, and he also held a major ownership interest in the Cincinnati Reds for many years. Knowlton was an aviation pioneer, making extensive use of early business aircraft to efficiently support his far-flung construction projects from the late 1940s. In 1981, inspired by the success made possible by the education he received, Knowlton established his namesake foundation to empower future generations of students and to support the institutions dedicated to educating them. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 2, 2025)— The international honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, selected Wilmington College for its 2025 Honor Roll, featuring America's top four-year colleges and universities for creating programs and pathways that are especially effective for transfer students. This marks the eighth consecutive year WC received this honor, which distinguishes the top 25 percent of the nation's colleges that earned the highest "transfer friendliness ratings." Danny Harp, director of admission, said Phi Theta Kappa's continuing recognition of WC's commitment to serving its transfer students at the highest levels is especially gratifying. “We are very pleased to see that Wilmington College is being recognized for our excellence in matriculating transfer students not only through the enrollment process, but also in providing pathways for transfer students to complete their desired degree programs. “Our personalized approach in working with transfer students paves a way for them to enroll at Wilmington College knowing that their investment in our affordable, hands-on learning experience will be key in them achieving their academic and career goals,” Harp added. “We are thrilled to be included, once again, on The Transfer Honor Roll as we continue our tradition of exceptional outcomes for transfer students.” Phi Theta Kappa lauded the College’s “excellence and success” in providing a program of accommodating transfer students from two-year institutions. It evaluated such areas as scholarships and financial aid, admission outreach, student support services and student engagement opportunities. The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices and bachelor's degree completion. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

Clinton County Lamb & Fleece Tent Since 1977, the Antique Power Club of Clinton County has hosted the Clinton County Corn Festival at the County Fairgrounds, located at 286 S Nelson Avenue in Wilmington, Ohio. The Corn Festival features over 30 food booths sponsored by local non-profits, activities for all ages, flea market vendors, a petting zoo, antique tractor displays, and the locally famous 'Corn Olympics.' One of the returning vendors this year is the Clinton County Lamb and Fleece Committee (CCLFC), an organization that has been around for decades and is dedicated to promoting awareness of lamb and fleece in Clinton County. According to Steve McKibben, Treasurer of the CCLFC, the committee has been serving locally raised lamb at the Corn Festival for 47 years to "promote lamb." Steve mentioned the decline of individuals raising sheep in the county and stated, "If you get one or two people to try [lamb] that's never had it before, [that's] a success... [The corn festival] gives us an opportunity to come out... to promote it." Although the group is not directly affiliated with the 4H Club or Future Farmers of America, the proceeds from the booth go towards awards for 4H kids showing sheep at the annual Clinton County Fair. At the Corn Festival, the CCLFC serves lamb burgers and shredded lamb, seasoned with lemon juice and garlic to ensure an enjoyable, allergen-free product, according to Steve. The shredded lamb can be made into a sandwich or a gyro and topped with tomatoes, onions, olives, feta, tzatziki sauce, mustard, ketchup, and other condiments. CCLFC also sells homemade lemonade, tea, and other refreshments. At the end of the festival, the booth will sell any remaining uncooked frozen patties for individuals to take home and cook themselves. According to Steve, the texture of lamb is a cross between beef and pork, and the taste is dependent on whether the lamb is local or imported. He stated that the booth even offers samples to individuals who have never had lamb meat before. To learn more about the CCLFC or the Clinton County Corn Festival, visit cornfestivalonline.com.

WILMINGTON, Ohio (August 26, 2025)—ATSG will be hosting its third annual Girls Day in Aviation at the Wilmington Air Park (ILN) this September for local girls interested in the world of aviation! Applications Are Now Open! Are you a girl between the ages of 8 and 18 with a curiosity for flight and a passion for the skies? Join us for Girls in Aviation Day—a special event designed to introduce young girls to the exciting world of aviation! Date: Saturday, September 20 Time: 8:30am to 12pm Location: 1113 Airport Rd. Wilmington, OH 45177 APPLY HERE This fun and engaging morning will include hands-on activities, inspiring speakers, and the chance to meet women working in aviation today. Local colleges with aviation programs will also be on-site to share opportunities and pathways into the industry. Parents are welcome to attend, but not required. Lunch will be provided. Don’t miss this chance to explore the world of aviation, make new connections, and discover what’s possible! Apply now—this event is FREE and space is limited! For any additional questions or concerns contact Hannah Satchwell at hannah.satchwell@atsginc.com

Wilmington Schools Foundation and School Board The Wilmington Schools Foundation (WSF) has operated in Wilmington since 1988 with a focus on supporting Wilmington City Schools (WCS) through grant funds, teacher recognition, and alumni connection. Current Executive Director, Elizabeth Huber, stated that their over 15 member board includes alumni and community members, as well as WCS Superintendent, a school board representative, and a teacher representative. She stated, "Even though we are [a separate organization] from the schools, we still have that school connection." Elizabeth continued, "Last year, we gave over $15,000 worth of grants back into the schools... I'm really trying to get out there and get the word out and do some marketing for the positive reinforcement of what we actually do." WSF allows WCS' teachers and staff members to submit grant applications with creative ideas to enhance the students' educational environment. WSF grant awards for individual teacher projects typically range from $500 to $1,000 and group grant project awards can range from $1,500 to $2,000. The grant applications are reviewed by the grant committee and then awarded after WSF approval. Through this process, WSF has provided t-shirts to incoming kindergartners, new white boards for the high school math teachers, and most of the district's field trips—including the 2024–2025 Middle School field trip to the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati. To raise funds, WSF focuses on two main fundraisers, the 'savings card' to local businesses, and an Employee Gift Campaign (EGC). According to Elizabeth, these are the WSF highest earning fundraisers. The savings cards cost $10 and features coupons for 18 local businesses, including Gold Star, the Elks, and Fiesta Veracruz. The EGC is a program that allows teachers to donate directly from their paycheck, anywhere from $2 to $50 per paycheck. The foundation also awards yearly "Excellence in Teaching" Awards to four teachers each year, one from each building. In addition to this, WSF also focuses on connecting alumni. Elizabeth hopes to increase alumni engagement by continuing to publish an alumni newsletter and "celebrate the positive." To learn more, get involved, or donate to WSF, visit wilmingtonschools foundation.org

Representative Levi Dean At the August 21, 2025, Wilmington City Council meeting, At-Large Councilman Kelly Tolliver (R) invited Representative Levi Dean (R) to speak about Ohio House Bill 182, a bill that would prohibit municipal water authorities from adding fluoride to the water statewide. Rep. Dean stated, “For me, it’s really just about personal consent and an individual’s right to choose medication that is forced upon them… We don’t put anything else in the water. We don’t put Ozempic in the water because we have an obesity issue. We don’t put vaccines in the water because we have a new disease pop up, so it’s kind of strange to me that we would put in fluoride for dental health.” The bill is currently in committee, and the process will resume once the Ohio State House of Representatives returns from its summer recess in September. When asked what Wilmington could do to help, Rep. Dean stated that a resolution from City Council in support of the bill for an “individual’s right to choose” would be most helpful.  At the meeting, Fourth Ward Councilman Bob Osborn (R) asked what the response is from dentists, and Rep. Dean stated that "some dentists" and "the opposition" believe it might lead to higher cavity rates; however, he believes that cavities are also tied to diet, lifestyle, and teeth brushing. Rep. Dean continued, “There’s a lot of different avenues from which you can consume fluoride or apply it topically. Those avenues, I think, are a lot better than forcing every single person without their consent to consume it and ingest it.” He also noted that despite the intention of helping individuals with limited resources by adding fluoride to the water, cities are doing the opposite, as a reverse osmosis machine would be required to remove the fluoride, and they are not affordable.  Regarding the past conversations in the city of Wilmington about fluoride, Council President Matt Purkey (R) stated, “I think that anytime you have a situation like this, we should let the science and the studies kind of inform decisions and change laws if science proves otherwise.” Sharing his support of the bill, At-Large Councilman Tolliver stated, “Fluoride is the only medicine added to the water supply. It’s a drug as defined by the FDA, but fluoride ingestion or supplementation has never been FDA-approved… Putting it in the drinking water takes away your right to informed consent, and using the public water supply to administer any drug is unethical.” At the conclusion of the conversation, Third Ward Councilman Don Wells (R) stated, “I would like to drink the tap water in Wilmingtion, but I don’t because of the fluoride, but then I drink bottled water and I read that we get these microplastic particles in our brain from plastic bottles, so I would really like the tap water to be safe to drink again.” To learn more, reach out to current city council members or watch previous city council meetings at wilmingtonohio.gov .

Eric Guindon (Middle) Since 2000, the Clinton County Youth Council (CCYC), located at 302 W. Sugartree Street in Wilmington, has been providing students grades 6 through 12 with a "holistic approach" to youth development. Eric Guindon, Executive Director of CCYC, stated that, "Our mission is to help youth make healthy choices... by meeting the social, recreational, and developmental needs of students. We target low-income, at risk students, but are open to everybody... [and] all our services are free." This year, the youth program plans to rebuild their indoor stage, update their kitchen, expand their garden, and celebrate their 25th anniversary. Last winter, CCYC received the Lucas Fund grant, a grant focused on performing arts. This is the grant money they used to rebuild their indoor stage, in addition to adding an accessibility ramp, and new stairs. CCYC plans to also add new railing, new flooring, and new electric on the stage. They hope to host a concert performed by the students once it's completed. They also hope to purchase more recording equipment. In addition to the Lucas Fund grant, they recently received funding from HealthFirst Clinton County to renovate their kitchen, which hasn't been renovated since its opening, and expand their garden. Eric stated that CCYC is excited to attend the Clinton County Corn Festival this September to sell their cobbler, which they hope to bake in their new kitchen. For their 25th anniversary, they are hoping to plan a celebratory event this fall and partner with Harvest of Gold, an organization that offers free educational assistance to children in the county, who is also celebrating its 25th year. In addition to this, they will hold 'Make a Difference' community service day on October 25th, 2025, that is open to everyone to help clean up the bike trail. During the summer, the after school center is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1pm to 5pm, right after Wilmington City Schools free summer lunch program. Throughout the school year, they are open five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 2:30pm to 6:30pm. According to Eric, they have a "low barrier" registration process, requiring no income eligibility or extensive paperwork to register a student. Learn more about CCYC at their Facebook or Instagram, or call (937) 382-2828 .

Patricia Thomas WILMINGTON, Ohio (August 25, 2025)— Patricia Thomas recalls presenting a box of Quaker Oats cereal when explaining the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) to new students and their families during her time as the campus minister at Wilmington College from 1994 to 1997. Of course, the image on the cereal box — an American Colonial-era gentleman sporting bushy white hair, a flowing scarf and a broad-brimmed hat — reflects many people’s prototype of a Friend upon learning that WC is a Quaker-affiliated institution. Thomas used that naïve stereotype as an icebreaker to initiate discussions about the religious denomination’s long history of peace-making and promoting nonviolence, service, equality and social justice. “I haven’t seen a Quaker that looks like that in all my life,” she laughed. “But, a lot of people don’t understand what Quakers are, and I felt explaining Quakers to students and parents was an important part of the job of campus minister — being a spokesperson for Quakers on campus.” Thomas’ dedication to the value of Quaker influences at WC motivated her to give the College a $2 million gift to endow the campus minister’s position. Since only the earnings can be used from the endowment corpus, her generous action essentially ensures Wilmington College will always have a full-time campus minister. “The College deserves to have a campus minister,” she said. “I feel very privileged to be able to do this.” President Corey Cockerill noted, “Patricia Thomas has embodied the very best of our Quaker heritage at Wilmington College — peacemaking, service and deep care for community. Her extraordinary gift ensures that generations of students will continue to encounter those values through the ministry, presence and programs of a campus minister. On behalf of our entire community, we are profoundly grateful for her generosity and her lifelong witness.” Thomas considered including the gift in her estate plans, but her legal counsel suggested she would enjoy presenting this gift in person. She also gifted her graduate school alma mater, Earlham School of Religion (ESR), $2 million for its peace and justice programming. “It has been fun!” she said, noting her financial windfall came in the form of an inheritance, which, “I wasn’t expecting at all.” Thomas and her first husband, Kirby Thomas, reared two sons in Granville, OH, before she pursued her graduate studies at Earlham School of Religion. Upon earning her advanced degree in 1990, Chester Friends Meeting in Clinton County offered her the position of pastor. Thomas mentioned she had two requirements before settling in a new community after her time at ESR. It must have a college and a Quaker meeting. Wilmington checked both of those boxes. Upon the couple’s moving to the Wilmington area, Kirby Thomas, who passed away in early 1995, joined Wilmington College’s Prison Education Program administration. Patricia Thomas also taught incarcerated students before joining WC full-time in 1994 as its campus minister. There, she either started or maintained WC’s Mediation, Peer Advocacy, Quaker Lecture Series, Religious Emphasis Week, Wednesday Worship and Quaker Leader Scholars programs. Many of these continue today under Campus Minister Nancy McCormick, who certainly also carries on the pastoral counseling component of the position. After her time as the campus minister, Thomas spent the 1997-98 year in London in a leadership role with the Friends World Committee on Consultation — her sons called her the “Quaker Pope.” She married WC biology professor Doug Woodmansee, who also has two sons, in 1998 and spent 10 years as pastor for Fairview Friends Meeting near Wilmington. As many long-time stalwarts of Campus Friends Meeting passed away, Thomas placed her focus on that unprogrammed Quaker meeting, recently retiring after 22 years as clerk of Campus Friends. Also, she taught courses at the College as an adjunct instructor — Introduction to Quakers, Global Issues and remedial English — until Woodmansee’s retirement in 2017. Their retirement has allowed them the opportunity to pursue many activities, including visiting all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums and the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Thomas continues to serve as presiding clerk of Wilmington Yearly Meeting, recognizing that “the relationship between the College and Yearly Meeting is very important.” Article Submitted by Wilmington College

Dustin Pearce & Alex Rhinehart Alex Rhinehart, Co-Owner and Brewmaster at Southridge Brewing joins the podcast to share the story of opening Wilmington's new neighborhood bar. "For us, the mission... has always been to create a community space for people to hang out, and to have a good experience from food and beer," said Alex. Listen to episode 74 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast, 'Crafting Community at Southridge Brewing' with Alex Rhinehart, on your favorite podcast player below: 🍎 Apple: bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: bit.ly/rcwp-website

WILMINGTON, Ohio (August 22, 2025)— Wilmington College will break ground for the construction of the Scheve Athletic Center during a ceremony included in Homecoming festivities on Sept. 27. The public event will start at 11 a.m. near the front entrance to Hermann Court off Elm Street. The Center is part of Jerry Scheve’s record $23 million gift to the College, the bulk of which he designated under the umbrella of fostering athletic excellence. Scheve was a highly respected accounting professor and championship women’s basketball coach at WC who passed away in May. He coached the Lady Quakers for 30 years before retiring in 2021. His 2004 team won the NCAA Division III national championship, the apex of his 518 career victories at WC. He is a member of the Cincinnati and Ohio Basketball Halls of Fame. The Scheve Athletic Center (SAC) and Jenna Parlette Running Center are the jewels in the crown of Scheve’s multi-faceted gift designations. The SAC will encompass the Scheve, Ramseyer, Lewis Hall of Champions, and the existing athletics facility known as the Quaker Recreation Center (QRC), the latter of which features a gymnasium, weight training area, fitness center, Spinning room, wrestling room, locker rooms, and other amenities. Many of these areas are included in an ongoing renovation funded through Scheve’s gift. New construction associated with the Scheve Athletic Center features a grand entrance off Elm Street, located in the space between Hermann Court and the QRC, the Hall of Champions and a new façade on the street-facing side of the QRC. Scheve wished to build the Hall of Champions as a means of recognizing the College’s significant success in its athletic programs throughout the College’s history. Its namesakes are Scheve and, per his wishes, two other legendary WC coaches, Bill Ramseyer and Bud Lewis, both of whom are enshrined in WC’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Ramseyer coached WC’s football team from 1972 to 1990, a tenure that included an NAIA runner-up season and multiple championships. He also served as director of athletics from 1974 to 1989. Ramseyer, who died in 2021, is WC's longest-serving football coach at 19 years and has the most wins with 144, and the highest winning percentage in the institution's 150 years. He is a member of seven halls of fame, including the NAIA. Lewis coached the men’s soccer team for 43 years, from 1975 through 2017. His coaching resume features 506 wins, a national final-four season, several NAIA top-10 finishes, and 20 conference and district championships. He is a recipient of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s prestigious Bill Jeffrey Award (2004) and a member of several halls of fame, including the Ohio Soccer Association. The Center’s construction is anticipated to commence in the weeks following the groundbreaking, while the groundbreaking for the Jenna Parlette Running Center is anticipated during spring 2026. Scheve was intentional in focusing his gift on the areas of athletic excellence, peace and conflict resolution programming, and international affairs. Recently, the College announced the reinstatement of men’s and women’s tennis and golf as varsity sports, which is also funded through Scheve’s Cornerstone gift. The College received most of Scheve’s $23 million gift — the largest in the College’s 155-year history — while he was living. He was thrilled to see a manifestation of his gift begin with the installation of new bleachers in Fred Raizk Arena in the days before his passing. Article Submitted by Wilmington College