Search Results

"I really loved Strength & Dignity [Boutique], but it wasn't my dream. My dream was to always have a bridal boutique... I'm living my dream," stated Natalie Youd, Owner of White Euphoria, formerly Strength & Dignity Boutique, located at 57 W Main Street. The transition from Strength & Dignity, a ready-to-wear women's boutique, to White Euphoria, a bridal boutique, began in October of 2025 and officially took place in February of 2026. Natalie shared that Strength & Dignity was struggling, and after a conversation with her husband, the two decided to transition their merchandise to solely bridal and formal wear. Natalie held a "big sale," donated what was left, and then began selling only bridal and formal wear. Prior to owning the boutique, Natalie had a successful career in sales, retail, and business development. After graduating from East Clinton High School, she moved around before returning to Clinton County. She stated, "I always come back home [to Clinton County], it's just home to me." Upon her return, she began working at Strength & Dignity Boutique in 2016 with the previous owner. Two years later, when the owner was ready to sell, she bought the business and has been operating it since. When Natalie and her family decided to transition the store to a bridal boutique, they worked together to select a name, picking 'white' to symbolize brides and 'euphoria' for joy. Natalie also picks all the products herself and even has a line of 'White Euphoria' bridal gowns. Additionally, the store offers other name brands like Stella York, Morilee, and Allure. White Euphoria also sells event and evening wear including prom, homecoming, mother of the bride, wedding guest, everyday dresses, special occasion dresses, and formal wear accessories. Brides can try on sizes double zero up to 3o in store, and dresses can be purchased off the rack or ordered. Natalie emphasized her focus on brides' experiences, stating, "We don't treat our brides as customers, we're building a relationship with them... They're greeted warmly... We offer them [free] beverages... [Brides] are getting an experience." White Euphoria is open Monday through Friday from 11am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. The store also takes appointments from 10am on. Natalie plans to hold a ribbon-cutting and grand opening when she gets her sign. She also hopes to host a bridal expo or fashion show in the near future. Natalie shared her goals are to make Wilmington a "bridal destination" and "bring more people downtown" to other local businesses. Learn more at whiteeuphoria.com.

WC President Corey Cockerill, OSU College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Rustin Moore and State Sen. Kyle Koehler are pictured in the center of the back row, surrounded by members of the Ohio State delegation, which presented on the Protect Ohio initiative at the College. WILMINGTON, Ohio (April 29, 2026)—Representatives from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine met with Wilmington College officials on Wednesday (April 29) to solidify a partnership designed to strengthen the recruitment of students pursuing careers in large animal veterinary medicine. The OSU contingent also presented a town hall meeting that evening at WC, highlighting the Protect Ohio initiative. It adopts a “One Health” approach — integrating animal, human and environmental health — to address pressing needs across Ohio’s rural communities and livestock sectors. State Sen. Kyle Koehler (District 10) shared his support for the initiative at the meeting. Wilmington College and Ohio State Veterinary College officials discussed formalizing the pipeline between the two institutions in which WC graduates will pursue veterinary studies at OSU. The College has a long history of its pre-veterinary students successfully enrolling and earning veterinary medicine degrees through OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Last year, Wilmington College received more than $700,000 in Choose Ohio First state grant funding to support scholarships for students pursuing pre-veterinary science and other STEM fields. It is another way Wilmington College has worked to facilitate the pre-vet pipeline. WC President Corey Cockerill expressed her excitement about working with OSU in a program that will garner tangible benefits to the state and its agriculture industry. “We are thrilled to partner with The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine on this unique pathway program,” she said. “When two institutions come together to address workforce shortages in critical areas of agriculture, like veterinary medicine, it’s a win-win." WC President Corey Cockerill is pictured, following Wednesday's meeting with OSU officials, with Rustin Moore, DVM, Ph.D., the Rita Dean Wolfe Endowed Dean of Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine. OSU’s Large Animal Rural Veterinary Mentoring Program invites eligible Wilmington College students into the initiative through a partnership to identify, mentor and prepare undergraduates for future careers in rural veterinary practice. This shared effort to develop future veterinary leaders in Ohio will place a spotlight on animal science and equine medicine, and include a special focus on the health and well-being of livestock. The Protect Ohio initiative seeks to expand enrollment and recruit more students from Ohio who will ultimately work in the state’s rural communities. This will address the shortage of large animal veterinarians and help safeguard Ohio’s significant agricultural economy. The OSU guests learned that chemistry and biology students at WC have access to instrumentation, laboratory experiences and research opportunities that undergraduate students at other institutions might not see until graduate school. Also, the College’s agriculture students thrive on hands-on experiences, with more than 80 percent of students engaging in internships, many completing two or three while at WC. Also, some 95 percent of agriculture students graduate with jobs in the industry already lined up or with plans to further their education. “We’re small, but we do big things,” Cockerill added.

WILMINGTON, Ohio (April 29, 2026)—The City of Wilmington advises motorists and pedestrians of sidewalk repair work to take place Thursday, April 30th and lasting approximately two weeks, weather permitting. The work zone is located on the west side of S. South Street, between W. Sugartree and W. Main Streets. The turn lane, sidewalk, and adjacent on-street parking in the work zone will be closed beginning at 8 am and remain closed throughout the evening. Access to the parking lot will be available via the W. Sugartree Street entrance. The City of Wilmington asks that all motorists be patient, reduce speed, and exercise added caution when traveling near this work zone. Questions regarding the closure may be sent to the City Services Office at (937) 382‑6509. RELEASED BY: Michael Crowe, Director of Public Service City of Wilmington 69 N. South Street Wilmington, OH 45177 (937) 382-6509 mcrowe@wilmingtonohio.gov

Sabrina Harrington "[MakerSpace] is very accessible and anybody can use any of this," said Sabrina Harrington, Marketing Specialist and Community Outreach Director of the Wilmington Public Library, located at 268 N South Street. Sabrina is one of three individuals who operate MakerSpace, a “hub for innovation and collaborative learning” where community members can create projects, crafts, and more. The space features eight stations that anyone with a library card can use to create projects. Sabrina grew up in Wilmington, graduated from Wilmington College, and even worked for Main Street Wilmington. She later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband for almost three years, before moving back to Wilmington and taking on her current position at the library. The Wilmington Public Library opened at its current location in 1904, two years after a donation of $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie enabled its construction. Since then, the library has focused on growing its offerings from books to even more resources for the community. The library has a library of items that individuals can check out, programming for people of all ages, several clubs, story times, kindergarten preparedness, and more. Excluding the MakerSpace, all of the resources offered are free to those with a library card. MakerSpace was started in March of 2025 due to funding from Friends of the Library, although the idea began several years before that. The space features eight stations and only charges users the cost of the materials. The stations include a button maker, badge maker, 3D printer, large format printer, media converter, laminating machine, Cricut Maker 3, Heat Press, and a comb book binder. Individuals can make buttons, badges, vinyl banners, poster paper, and more. At the media conversion station, users can convert files from VHS, cassette tapes, or other, to digital files. The space holds walk-in hours on Fridays and can be used by appointment for rest of week. Sabrina stated, “[Community support] has made [Maker- Space] a great success… Like it has been wonderful to see the community take hold of this and get excited about it… It’s just kind of slowly grown because of the community’s excitement.” To learn more about the Wilmington Public Library or MakerSpace, visit wilmington.lib.oh.us.

Tony Butcher "Our goal is to try to just get people downtown because it's just better for us all," stated Tony Butcher, owner of Ole Town Tavern, located at 26 N South Street. Tony shared the importance of working with other local businesses in downtown because "what's good for one [business] is good for all of us." Tony was born and raised in Wilmington, graduating from both Wilmington High School and Wilmington College. While earning his master's degree at Xavier University, Tony worked part-time at Airborne Express in Wilmington and continued working there full-time after graduating. When his daughter started kindergarten, he no longer wanted to work nights, and began working at Technicolor, a company that distributed 35 millimeter films to movie theaters across the world. After 26 years at Technicolor, the company relocated to California and Tony began buying rental properties. Despite "always joking" with his friends and family that he would like to open a bar, Tony originally bought 26 N South Street to rent out the apartment upstairs. Then, when the massage business below the apartment found another location, Tony thought,"If I'm ever going to do this, this is my time to try to get a bar going." He began working on the bar before he even created the bar's name. With the help of a local contractor, Tony crafted the environment for his desired atmosphere, showcasing the building's original brick wall, the previous jewelry store's refinished shelves, and vintage pictures of downtown Wilmington. When creating the space, Tony was inspired by small bars in New York that he had previously visited while working for Technicolor. He stated, "I always thought if I ever had a bar, that's the type of bar I want. I want it to look old... with the idea of, if you walked in, you don't really know how old this bar is, even though it might've just opened in the last couple years." While building the bar, Tony struggled to come up with a name. Then, one day, his brother sent him a shirt from a bar in Florida called "Old Town Tavern," with "welcome to OTT's place" on the back. This reminded Tony of his childhood nickname, "Ott," and he instantly felt that name "fits with the theme." Ole Town Tavern (OTT) serves beer, wine, and signature local cocktails like, 'The Old Drunken Quaker,' and 'WHS Hurricane.' Patrons can order food delivered from Fiesta Veracruz Mexican Restaurant, and for $20 a year, even keep their own personalized pint glass on display behind the bar. Ole Town will celebrate its 4-year anniversary this month. Listen to Tony's full story on episode 85 of the Real Change Wilmington podcast. Learn more about Ole Town Tavern at facebook.com/Oletowntavern.

Artistic Exploration A public meeting for the Wilmington Community Recreation Center Fund was held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 6pm to 7pm at the City of Wilmington Municipal Building. Attendees included Josh Roth, Port Authority Economic Development Director; Sheri McIntosh, Realtor Alliance of Greater Cincinnati President (Clinton County Chapter); Dustin Pearce, owner of Bite Size Market; Tony Long, retired superintendent of the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center; Jason Stoops, owner of Midnight Auto Repair; and other community members. The meeting opened with an overview of the Wilmington YMCA closure in 2015 and the failed Clinton County joint recreation district levy in 2019. Attendees also discussed the newly created Wilmington Community Recreation Center Fund at the Clinton County Foundation. The initial $25,000 goal is intended to serve as "seed funding" toward building or renovating a rec center. Participants reviewed several other recent community recreation centers in Ohio, including the $10.4M and 38,000 sq/ft Sandusky Recreation Center; the $14.9M and 53,000 sq/ft CORE Center in Green; the $110M and 10,000 sq/ft Well Center in Hilliard, the $78M and 188,500 sq/ft proposed rec center in Grove City; and the $10M and 38,000 sq/ft rec center in Euclid. Pearce mentioned being surprised to hear a local real estate agent say, "People don't want to live in Wilmington, they'd rather live in Springboro or Lebanon where there are things to do." McIntosh added that Wilmington is becoming a "commuter community," where people roll in at 8am and are out by 5pm—without attending our local churches or shopping at our local businesses—and that now is the time to get support for a community recreation center. The group then discussed ideas for a Wilmington and Clinton County recreation center, including potential users, amenities, owners, locations, and funding sources for construction and operations: Users: The group discussed a variety of users, including "sports tourism", such as youth baseball and soccer leagues, which has the added benefit of economic development, though decided that a greater economic benefit would be to local employers, as a benefit to their employees. Roth added that the users will guide what funds are available. Amenities: The group discussed having basketball courts, a running track, swimming pool, child care, golf simulator, tennis courts that can also be used for pickleball, and soccer field that also houses batting cages. McIntosh suggested renting space to healthcare providers, like Wilmington College's Center for Sport Sciences does, to help cover ongoing costs. A gym was low on the list of amenities, as the private market is already filling this need. Ownership: The group discussed ownership options, including government, nonprofit, and a public-private partnership. Roth mentioned that county ownership might require partnerships through a Park Board, Visitors Bureau, or Port Authority, and that the city might be a better "long-term" option—though the legality and pros and cons of each would need evaluated. Location: McIntosh mentioned East End Elementary would be "very difficult" because of lead paint, asbestos, limited parking, and no room for expansion. Stoops thought Kroger relocating felt unlikely. The group discussed the idea of building a facility by Denver Park and Lynne Lane for easier access for the entire county. Roth liked the idea of building by Wilmington High School, but was also excited about Long's suggestion of near Laurel Oaks. Funding: Roth didn't think the project would qualify for JobsOhio $1M grant, and warned that taking federal funds could increase the project costs due to prevailing wage. Roth also suggested to build with no debt because of the ongoing operating expenses. Pearce felt strongly that it should not be funded with additional tax levies. Other funding ideas discussed were memberships and facility rentals, such as for cheerleading competitions. The group stressed that "flexibility is key" for the space, as some amenities that were once popular, like racketball, are not popular as much anymore. Another point was that some amenities, like a pool, are expensive, and could be in a "phase two or three". Finally, Roth added that a rec center could help employers meet their wellness goals to reduce insurance costs. The next steps are ongoing fundraising efforts for the initial $25,000 needed to start the Wilmington Community Recreation Center Fund at the Clinton County Foundation. So far, $1,664 has been raised on GoFundMe. Members from the group will have a booth at Celebrate Trails Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, outside of Wheelies at 171 S Mulberry St, Wilmington, OH 45177. There will be chocolate croissants from Trail Haus available for donations. To get involved with fundraising, please email wilmingtonreccenter@gmail.com. Upcoming meetings are on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, and Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at The City of Wilmington Municipal Building from 6pm to 7pm.

"Walking Toward Wellness in Clinton County is one of the simplest ways to improve health... It's also a way to build community," stated Renee Quallen, a public health nurse and the organizer of the group's weekly walks. Renee has worked in the community for over 20 years, serving in various healthcare roles. She currently works as a registered nurse at the Clinton County Health District and previously worked at Clinton Memorial Hospital in the Mother-Baby Care Unit. The Wellness Walks were previously held each Monday at 5pm and began at the Mulberry Street Trail head. The walks kick-off in April and will occur each week through October. They are open to the public and welcome to individuals from all age groups and fitness levels. For the 2026 walking season, Renee is currently asking the public to provide input regarding day of week and time. According to Renee, the club began as a public health effort to promote "movement, connection, and safer use of our beautiful local trails," while also combating the high rates of obesity, chronic disease, and mental health issues in the county. Renee shared that they were also inspired by the Clinton County Trails Coalition's maintenance and promotion of the trails. She praised the trails coalition's efforts in encouraging residents to get outside. According to Renee, walking has mental and physical benefits, including improving heart health, reducing obesity risk, improving chronic disease outcomes, and supporting mental wellbeing. She shared that the club allows individuals to connect, talk, and de-stress during their walks. Renee believes in strengthening community through times of outdoor recreation together. She stated, "Walking together builds connection, reduces isolation, and helps keep our trails active and safe. Each step improves personal wellness and strengthens the community as a whole. Clinton County is walking towards wellness, and there's always room for one more walker to join the journey." To learn more about the weekly Wellness Walks or participate in the survey, visit forms.office.com/g/ddDKCP761h

Tony Naylor "Our goal is to provide furniture at an affordable price, and service that furniture over it's lifetime... It's always been about giving our customer the best experience, product, and service possible," stated Tony Naylor, Vice President and General Manager at Naylor's Furniture, located at 2291 US-22. Tony lived in Wilmington for all of his life and grew up near the family business. According to Tony, his grandpa was a natural businessman, originally owning a "chicken dressing" business before buying a pre-existing furniture store in Batavia in 1948. This led to Naylor's Furniture, as Tony's grandparents learned the trade and then moved the store to Lynchburg. In the early 1960s, they bought land in Wilmington and operated both the Wilmington and Lynchburg stores. Tony's grandpa believed that Wilmington was the perfect location, as it is the same distance from Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton. The couple later closed the Lynchburg store and moved to a farm house in Wilmington, near their store's location. According to Tony, Naylor's features furniture for "pretty much every room in the house," including recliners, sofas, mattresses, offices, Amish furniture—even outdoor and patio furniture. Customers can also order items not found in the showroom to change colors, pillows, fabrics, cushions, and wood finishes. Naylor's can even provide recommendations for furniture reupholstery. Tony stated that customers can expect a pleasant shopping experience, large selection, and a staff that is there to help, "not tell you what you need." Naylor's offers financing, lay away, and frequent sales to ensure affordability for all. The store even offers delivery staffed by their own employees, not a third-party. Tony shared his appreciation to the community, stating, "Thank you to our community for helping our business, allowing our family to stay in business all these years... For 78 years, we've been in business, and we can attribute that to our community." Listen to Tony's full story on the Real Change Wilmington Podcast. Learn more about Naylor's Furniture at naylorsfurniture.com .

Senior Rachel Berry speaks about her research project with Chris Silette, assistant professor of exercise science, at the 2025 Research Forum. WILMINGTON, Ohio (April 20, 2026)— Wilmington College is presenting its 15 th annual Student and Faculty Research Forum on Saturday morning (April 25), from 9:30 to 11 a.m., in the McCoy Room of Kelly Center. Dozens of individuals and teams will display their research via posters and other presentation media. Their research projects span academic disciplines, while faculty, staff, students and members of the greater community have a chance to peruse the presentations and learn firsthand from student researchers. Dr. Angela Mitchell, professor of business administration and associate vice president for academic affairs, is one of the Research Forum coordinators. “This event allows our students to put into practice the expertise they have developed in their academic program,” she said. “They get to apply the classroom work to real-world research questions. And through the Research Forum, they have the platform to showcase the relevance of their work to their field.” Awards will be presented to the Best in Class for Agriculture, Business Administration/Accounting, Education, Fine Arts/Communications, Humanities, Natural Science, Social Science, Sport Sciences, and Graduate Programs. Also, there will be special recognition for Best Student/Faculty Collaboration, a President’s Council Award, and an Athletics Award. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

The City of Wilmington's government is made up of legislators, administration, and boards. CITY ADMINISTRATION: The Mayor of Wilmington is currently elected by voters for a four-year-term to oversee city administration and appoint department heads. In addition to the mayor, the law director, city treasurer, auditor, and judge are also elected by voters and manage legal and finance issues. The city departments include: administration; building and zoning; code enforcement; HR; income tax; parks and rec; projects and bids; sanitation; stormwater; street maintenance; Sugar Grove Cemetery; utility billing; wasterwater; water; transit; police; and fire.The mayor appoints a safety and service director who share oversight of departments. CITY LEGISLATORS: Wilmington's legislators are currently made up of seven city council members and a city council president, who are all elected by voters for two-year terms. City council members review ordinances, adopt a budget, and levy taxes. The city council president presides over city council meetings, acts as mayor in the mayor's absence, and has no vote on council except in the case of a tie. CITY BOARDS: The boards that serve the city are Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, Board of Control, Park Board, Civil Service Commission, and City Revitalization Grant Committee. The zoning board reviews requests for zoning changes, conditional uses, and appeals. The planning commission reviews proposed developments, zoning changes, and modifications to historic buildings. The board of control is responsible for reviewing utility accounts, false alarms, and contracts over $5k. The park board governs the Wilmington Parks and Recreation Department over the city's parks. The civil service commission deals with all matters regarding city employees. The grant committee reviews and distributes grants. This committee is funded by the hotel lodging tax and is the only grant program the city operates. To learn more about the City of Wilmington, visit wilmingtonohio.gov .

The Wilmington Community Recreation Center Fund is a community-led initiative, managed through the Clinton County Foundation to support the construction and renovations of a modern, indoor community recreation center and its ongoing operations. Key Features: Indoor Basketball Court Indoor Running Track Indoor Swimming Pool Indoor Soccer Field Fundraising Plan: 100% of the funds raised are distributed DIRECTLY to the Clinton County Foundation. Phase 1: Raise the required $25,000 minimum to start a fund at the Clinton County Foundation (donate at gofund.me/6cdba0c36 ). Phase 2: Actively seek out large donations from local employers and outside grants to lessen or eliminate the need to burden local taxpayers. Public Meetings: Multiple public meetings will be held to gather community feedback and discuss various topics, such as ownership options (i.e., government, nonprofit, or public-private partnership) and possible locations (i.e., renovating East End Elementary, relocating Kroger, or building a new facility by Wilmington High School or Route 68). Wed, April 22, 2026: The City of Wilmington Municipal Building from 6pm to 7pm. Wed, May 27, 2026: The City of Wilmington Municipal Building from 6pm to 7pm. Wed, June 24, 2026: The City of Wilmington Municipal Building from 6pm to 7pm.

Steven Erbeck and Jim Rankin WILMINGTON, Ohio (April 15, 2026)— On May 5, residents of Clinton County will decide who their next representative in Congress will be. Following the redrawing of Ohio’s congressional map, our community is now part of the First District, where four candidates are competing in the primary. I, Jim Rankin, have personally endorsed Steve Erbeck for Congress in Ohio’s First District. My support is rooted in his ability to clearly articulate his positions, stand firm in the face of opposition, and remain true to his principles without compromising his integrity or the values he represents. Steve exemplifies strong family values. Alongside his wife and daughter, he reflects what many would consider a traditional American family. As a father, he understands the importance of preserving American values for future generations. His faith in God guides his moral convictions and shapes his approach to leadership. I believe Steve will represent the constituents of the First District with respect, integrity, and dedication. I am confident he will uphold the core values of the Republican Party and support the America First agenda. Steve Erbeck is not only my choice for Congress, but the right choice for Clinton County. Chairman, Jim Rankin Jim Rankin is Pastor of the Wilmington Baptist Church, Owner of Wilmington Investment Group, President of the Board of Directors for the New Life Clinic, and Chairman of the Clinton County Republican Central Committee.