For the past several months, representatives from WaWa have been working with the Clinton County Planning Commission and Wilmington City Council to finalize plans for a convenience store at the corner of Rombach and Davids Drive. This new addition to our community would include delicious beverages, fresh baked goods, grocery items, a fueling station, and more. The origin of this gas station includes many interesting gems, such as the meaning behind the company’s name itself, which is a word that originates from the Lenni Lenape Native American language, meaning “wild goose”. The company was first established in 1803 in New Jersey as a humble iron foundry, which laid the groundwork for what would become an iconic American brand dedicated to fulfilling lives every day. Fast forward to 1890, when George Wood, a visionary entrepreneur, planted the seeds of Wawa’s legacy by establishing the Wawa Dairy Farm in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. From bottling fresh milk to opening the first Wawa Food Market in 1964, their journey has been defined by a commitment to quality and community. Despite challenges, including threats to their families’ milk business in the 1950s due to the emergence of supermarkets and big grocery stores, WaWa’s commitment to its core values and dedication to serving its customers and communities remained unwavering. Today, Wawa stands as a beacon of success and resilience, with over $10 billion in revenue and a rapidly expanding presence nationwide. Lori Bruce, a member of WaWa’s Public Relations team, states, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring WaWa’s one-of-a-kind brand and offering to this market. We look forward to serving the community with our quality fresh food and beverages and, as always, our deep commitment to the communities in which we operate. As a privately held, family and associate-owned company, we are most excited to share our unique culture and store experience, which has resulted in family-like bonds with our associates, our customers, and our communities. As our Wawa family grows into new markets, we will forever treasure the important role we play in fulfilling customers’ lives.” A possible concern for this new addition to Rombach would be traffic flow issues, which Mayor Haley shortly addressed in a city council meeting in mid-March. He assured that proper measures will be taken to efficiently redirect the flow of traffic.

Karen Long and Elizabeth Huber with Clinton County Literacy Foundation stop by the podcast to share their passion for reading and journey from laundromat libraries to a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit. Listen to their full interview on your favorite podcast player below: 🍎 Apple: https://bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🤖 Google: https://bit.ly/rcwp-google 🟢 Spotify: https://bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: https://bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: https://bit.ly/rcwp-website

On Tuesday April 30th, multiple organizations and businesses gathered at the Roberts Center to celebrate the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting with keynote speaker Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who’s informative and passionate speech grabbed the attention of all attendees. The Annual Meeting featured an in-depth review of the organization's accomplishments in the 2023 year, which included over 30 ribbon cutting events, and an outstanding $210,000 economic impact driven by their 15th annual $25 days of Christmas Event. Upcoming events to be aware of include: Grand Opening for Adventure Cove Mini Golf on Saturday May 4th from 10AM – 5PM Clinton County Job & Community Resource Fair Wednesday May 8th from 4PM – 7PM The 2024 Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Directory will be printed and distributed throughout the community soon. Click here to learn more about the event and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yolk!

Wilmington's International Student Exchange (IES) program currently has over 9 students from countries such as Italy and Spain hosted by local families. Local ISE students recently led service projects at PAWS Humane Society and the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. One of the students, Lertvaroon Srichanatmit, answered questions about his experience with the program thus far. Q: What country are you from? A: Thailand Q: What is something unexpected that occurred when moving here? A: I thought it going to be hard to make new friends but it isn't and people are so nice to me Q: What is one fun fact about you? A: I love playing basketball, basketball is my life 🏀 Pictured above is Petch's host family Jennifer and Skyler Keech If you are interested in opening your home to host an international exchange student please visit the iseusa.org website and check out the host family FAQ page. You can also read testimonials from past and current host families. When you feel ready, complete the host family interest form, and an area representative will get in touch with you. You can also get involved by joining our team of Area Representatives! Help match host families and exchange students and bring the world closer together while making supplemental income.

On Thursday, April 25, 2024, elected officials, non-profit leaders, business owners, and community members met at the City Building to receive updates regarding multiple organizations and bring forward ideas that could improve the community. The highlights are as follows: The Prevention Committee reported that they are beginning to create multiple new resource programs, one being application assistance, which would help cover the cost associated with applying for rental housing, even for rejected candidates. Additionally, they envision creating assistance programs for car repairs and an education program regarding budgeting. The committee will report their progress at the next meeting. Lee Sandlin with the Temporary Housing Committee updated the Coalition regarding possibilities to “create new housing in less expensive ways”, which as discussed, could include the implementation of tiny homes. Sandlin also addressed the desire and need to collect a resource list regarding landlords that accept rental vouchers and have current availability/low waitlists. The next meeting will be held on July 25, 2024, at 10 am in the Moyer Room at 69 N South St, Wilmington, OH 45177. The meeting is open to the public. Click here to learn more about the Coalition on Homelessness.

In January 2023, thanks to a pro-social grant from the state of Ohio, Clinton County Resource Center started a Mixed Martial Arts program geared specifically for their registered youth. This initiative, led by local Martial Arts Instructor, Dow Tippett of The Way Karate on Locust Street, aims to not only introduce local youth to a diverse array of skills, but also to instill values of discipline, focus, and leadership. The initial phase of this program can be traced back to the Competitive RECLAIM Grant awarded by the Ohio Department of Youth Services. This grant was designed to divert eligible youth from further involvement within the juvenile justice system and reduce the need for costly state and county-supported residential services. At its core, the MMA classes offered by the Clinton County Resource Center serve as a training ground focused on individual growth. By participating in the program students learn how to seek peace, have respect, take responsibility, show care, and express honesty. From a physical standpoint, MMA training offers a unique outlet for releasing pent-up energy and channeling emotions constructively. One student states, “I feel more in control of myself after taking this class. It’s easier to not react.” This testimonial underscores the positive impact that the program has cultivated in just over a year. Dow, the instructor, has been teaching Martial Arts for 22 years and currently holds black belts in Karate and Aikijitsu. When asked what success Dow has seen during his teaching career, he explained, “From the students who have moved from nervous to leading to the families transformed by participating in training together, The Way Karate has seen so many successes. There’s Ben and Christian, two students with disabilities who have learned not only Karate but to lead others. There’s Mary, who used to be afraid of even being touched, and now can move with speed and accuracy to protect herself. There’s a young brown belt who started shy, but now is finding empowerment. Multiple families have grown closer together and grown stronger together [through this program].” While this free Martial Arts program is specifically geared for youth who are currently involved with programming at Clinton County Resource Center, other families, and students are encouraged to reach out to Dow Tippett directly at The Way Karate on Locust Street. Families are also encouraged to reach out to the Clinton County Resource Center about applying to their other programming. Learn More: • Clinton County Resource Center 94 N South St | (937) 383-4114 https://www.clintoncountycourts.org/JuvenileServices/resources/ • The Way Karate 985 West Locust St | (937) 725-1647 https://thewaykarate.org/

At the Wilmington City Schools' Board of Education meeting at Denver Elementary on Monday, April 22, Superintendent Jim Brady officially resigned from his position effective after the 2023–2024 school year. The Wilmington City Schools' Board of Education will now have less than 4-months to find his replacement and a new superintendent before the 2024–2025 school year. For more information, please email Jennifer Swindler, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent at Jennifer.Swindler@wilmington.k12.oh.us.

Wilmington's International Student Exchange (IES) program currently has over 9 students from countries such as Italy and Spain hosted by local families. Local ISE students recently led service projects at PAWS Humane Society and the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. One of the students, Tommaso Campagnolo, answered questions about his experience with the program thus far. Q: What country are you from? A: Italy Q: What is your community like in your native country, compared to Ohio? A: I think that Italian people are more open to new people and new experiences than people here. There are a lot of cultural differences! One big difference that I found is that people go to the church a lot more than people back in Italy. I live in a small city but not as small as Wilmington; I live with my mum and my brother because my parents are divorced; I used to share a bedroom with my brother, but now I have my personal bedroom. Q: What is something unexpected that occurred when moving here? A: I didn’t know that American people were so strict with their children! A lot of my friends have to ask their parents for everything; in Italy is different, you can make your own decision even if you’re 17 years old: you have to tell your parents about that, but usually they agree with you. Another thing that is different is the public transportation: here trains and public buses don’t exist! In Italy even in the smallest city there are public buses. Q: What is one fun fact about you? A: I’m obsessed with clothes and sneakers, literally I could stay on social media searching for new stuff for hours. Pictured above is Tommaso's host family Jo-Ellen and Hugh Vance

On Thursday, April 18th, Wilmington College presented the opening night of alumnae-directed Spring One Act Plays, "Am I Blue" and "Third and Oak: The Laundromat”. The first act, "Am I Blue" by Beth Henley, is a thought-provoking play that focuses on relatable themes such as the confusion and uncertainty that comes with self-discovery, the desire to create human connections, and the complications that come with it. The play, initially set in a small bar in the south, follows the unlikely encounter of John Polk Richards, a young college student unsure of himself, and Ashbe, a quirky girl with a complicated family background. The second act, "Third & Oak: The Laundromat", explores themes of grief and resilience. What seemingly begins as two strangers making small talk at a laundromat quickly transitions into an intimate life lesson for both characters (Alberta and DeeDee) and sets the tone for community-minded empowerment. Each cast masterfully epitomized the stories at the historic Boyd Cultural Arts Center on Thursday night, encaptivating the crowd. If you would like to attend, there are two additional showings on Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th at 7:30 PM. Admission is free, but audience members are encouraged to donate to Hope House: A Safe Place for Women & Children if able. All images are owned by Wilmington College Attached below is the program made available at the event on Thursday night.

Real Change Wilmington is excited to recognize WHS Senior Trey Reed as our essay contest winner of the ‘Our Community Our Schools $1,000 Student Scholarship’. Trey has been accepted to Bowling Green declaring a Music Performance major. Trey’s essay addressed our schools’ eventual need to pass our levy, and our community’s resistance to it. Even though WCS decided to postpone our levy for a few years after receiving additional property tax funds, Real Change Wilmington decided to still honor the work Trey has done to interview community members and propose a positive, constructive, and lighthearted way forward. Essay by Trey Reed: If something has been strong in Wilmington, Ohio, over the last decade, it’s our sense of community. After DHL, a name familiar to any Wilmington resident, decided to close our distribution hub in 2008, we were left economically devastated. Over 7,000 jobs were lost, according to the New York Times. But, with this massive power vacuum, we were able to learn how to turn to each other. After finally reaching an economic turn around, Wilmington again has a bustling downtown, emerging local businesses, and, most importantly, a feeling of empowerment in our small town. Regardless, there is one point of tension that Wilmington struggles to come together on: the Wilmington City Schools Levy. The WCS levy would promise to bring around 5 million dollars to the school districts’ way annually and an equal deficit should it continue to be denied. The tradeoff? A concerning 1% tax on income for all Wilmingtonians. As a result, the levy has been denied four consecutive times by voters. Despite this dominance, each time the levy has come to ballot the margins have been exceedingly tight! So what has our usually tight-knit populous at such a crossroads? Jason Vaughn, owner of the thriving local business, TinCap Hard Cider, and a supporter of the levy, believes the issue stems from something very broad. As he puts it, “I don’t think it’s so much the community or the school system they [those who voted against the levy] are voting against at this point. It’s the hardships nationwide that they are feeling, that everybody’s feeling.” With inflation still at an all-time high and several international conflicts affecting the U.S. market, many feel as though the timing is wrong for them to be able to support WCS. The issue of the levy does not lie strictly within the streets of Wilmington, but across the nation. To prevail through these issues, the solution will be to continue to unify, not highlight our disagreements. To the average voter, they may not see why the school has such a high demand for this tariff. In a short interview I had with Matt Spradlin, the dean of students at Wilmington High School, he explained that while the district is not in financial disarray, there are holes that a passed levy would help close. On top of this, he adds, “There are so many laws around school financing and school funding... it is difficult for some people to have that knowledge about school funding unless they have taken serious time to look into it or if they are someone associated with the school district.” An example he shares is how the district is required to provide transportation to their students, and as a result, there is an untappable budget that includes repairs, fuel, and staffing. So, when a failure of the levy may induce budget cuts, this money has to come from elsewhere, like extracurriculars or salaries. For the school district, the levy is a call to arms, not to rally against the city, but a call to what they are best at: education. To move forward, I believe the school district should make an effort to educate the community not only about the benefits of the levy but also about the maneuvering required in its absence. On the contrary, there are steps that voters against the levy need to take. As I discussed with another WHS teacher and former WHS student, Michele Hildebrandt, if people are willing to vote against our schools, then ignorance cannot be an option for them. Early in our conversation, she said, “I think a lot of communities have a skewed view of what the schools do for the community as a whole. I think people in the community hear things, and a lot of the time, the things they hear aren’t quite right. So they choose not to support [the levy] because of these random things.” Oftentimes, the same population of Wilmington that has never gone to a football game, theater production, or band concert are the same people that automatically vote no when they see the levy on the ballot. If community members spend more time appreciating what WHS students put out for the community, they will achieve perspective on the workings of the school district. Separately from the oppositional stance many view this issue from, it is just as important that we take this opportunity to learn to work together. Bruce Saunders, the president of Rails to Trails and a former president of the Wilmington Historical Society, said, “A lot of people come to the central office [of WCS] and don’t get listened to...” Controversial topics, like the levy, often stay controversial because of a lack of communication between parties. If WCS is more open to comments from the community as well as being more open about the internal complications at the school, a consensus can emerge given the community does the same. The table is set for Wilmington, and the people are hungry. It is time for people to show up for dinner. People need to make their voices heard and be open to hearing the opinions of others. But, above all, we need to realize we are not two separate parties. Instead, we are one, and we need equilibrium. We are Wilmington.”

Wilmington's International Student Exchange (IES) program currently has over 9 students from countries such as Italy and Spain hosted by local families. Local ISE students recently led service projects at PAWS Humane Society and the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. One of the students, Francesca Francalanci, answered questions about her experience with the program thus far. Q: What country are you from? A: Italy Q: What is your community like in your native country, and how does it compare to Ohio? A: I live in a really small town called Carmignanello. It's so small that for my elementary and middle school, I had to go in another town, Vaiano, which it's still small. My high school is located in Prato, another town, which it's pretty big and it's where I usually hang out in the weekend with my friends. Here in the United States, I live in a really small town too where you have to travel to get fast food or hang out so it's pretty much the same. Q: What is something unexpected that occurred when moving here? Or what is the biggest culture shock? A: My biggest culture shock was definitely the food. Coming from Italy, a country really known for the food, it was pretty shocking seeing the size of the meals! they're huge. The stores are really big too. Everything in America is bigger. Q: What is one fun fact about you? A: I'm obsessed with my curly hair and if the curls are not perfect, I'll take multiple showers until they are. Q: Who is your host family? A: Steven and Sarah Sodini If you are interested in opening your home to host an international exchange student please visit the iseusa.org website and check out the host family FAQ page. You can also read testimonials from past and current host families. When you feel ready, complete the host family interest form and an area representative will get in touch with you. You can also get involved by joining our team of Area Representatives! Help match host families and exchange students and bring the world closer together, while making a supplemental income.

Wilmington City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This is their 7th consecutive year for this recognition. The Best Communities for Music Education designation, now in its 25th year, is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, WCS answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. “We are honored to be recognized with this designation for the 7th year in a row. This is a testament to the many people who make Music an integral part of education at Wilmington City Schools.” - Matt Spradlin, Director of Bands, WHS. At WCS, students from Kindergarten through 12th grade have access to music education. Instrumental Music (Band) and Choir are offered to students starting in the 6th Grade. At Wilmington High School, students are offered courses in Music (Band, Choir, and general music courses). Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school but also to attend college as well. In addition, everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound: young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 global member companies and individual professionals worldwide. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, visit nammfoundation.org.