By: Wendy Weichenthal
I am proud to vote for Marion, Ohio, in the Strongest Town Competition. Why Marion? Because I believe in Marion and in the resilience, cooperation and creativity of this community.
Growing up in Marion, I enjoyed biking through my neighborhoods and stopping at the Isaly Shoppe. My mother helped students from all walks of life succeed at Marion Technical College. My dad used a second degree from Marion Tech to start a new career in computers and eventually started his own IT business.
Classes from The Ohio State University at Marion taken during high school helped me save a year of tuition when I graduated from River Valley and headed off to Ohio University. I started my career in Columbus. I moved back to Marion to raise my son in 2011.
Downtown Marion Making Moves
Looking on Marion with new eyes, I was amazed at its changes. While downtown Marion once had more boarded up windows than storefronts, it has come alive with many restaurants and breweries, with treats including an empanada from Marcela at Baries to a prickly pear seltzer from Marion Brewing Company. Even better, the owners know each other and support each other.
The anchor of the downtown, the historic Marion Palace Theatre, was in danger of becoming a parking lot in the 1970s. Concerned citizens formed the Palace Guard to restore this local jewel. The historic stage has hosted hundreds of plays, concerts, graduations, and even once to my delight, Weird Al Yankovic.
When the National Robotics Competition was in danger of closing, three Marion teachers brought it here to encourage students to advance in STEM.
Forging New Businesses
Teachers like Cindy Binns and Rachel McCall took their ideas from a dream to a reality with help from the Alluvial Private Wealth Forge classes. Cindy opened the amazing Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum for kids to unplug and play. Rachel opened the Sweada Mae Art Café featuring pottery and painting for all ages.
The Leadership Marion class who created the Forge knew that more small businesses would help our community thrive, and it has paid generous dividends the community. POET Biorefining, Sika, Nucor Steel, OhioHealth have invested hundreds of millions of dollars Marion because of its people.
Inspiring Kids
After going to the Marion County Fair for deep fried Oreos, it’s great to take the family through the Huber Machinery Museum. My son loves science and engineering. There, he can see how one young inventor rocked the agricultural world in the 1800s.
Edward Huber continued to focus on innovation. His company, later named Marion Power Shovel, created the enormous equipment needed to dig the Panama Canal and move NASA shuttles to the launchpad.
Marion’s Proud History
Marion has some proud history. Sportsman of the century Jim Thorpe, the first president of the NFL, played professional games with the local NFL team, Oorang Indians, at Lincoln Park. From President Warren G. Harding to U.S. Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow, Marion has produced leaders.
Passionate local historians including Carroll Neidhardt, Johnnie Jackson, Cody Higley and Brandi Wilson work to preserve and share our stories and traditions.
Rising Up to Meet Challenges
Every town in America has challenges. I love the innovative ways Marion rises up to address them.
Teen pregnancy: In 1980, when Marion County had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state, a local doctor created Marion Area Pregnancy Program to cut that rate by 65%.
Child Hunger: Worried about local kids going hungry, Brock and Amy Parker created the Peanut Butter Jelly Truck.
Poverty: A couple concerned about neighbors need opened Leapin’ Outreach Center.
For those working to escape generational poverty, Marion Matters offers the Getting Ahead Class to help them reach that goal.
Safe, Inclusive Spaces: When Marion’s main playground needed to be replaced, a group of parents of kids with disabilities built a new, accessible playground at no cost to taxpayers.
Kids in Need: As a local boy, Luke Fox, was dealing with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, the Waldo community rallied around him and raise money for wheelchairs, ramps and other needed items at the annual Run for Luke 5K.
These efforts to make Marion better, one swing, one warm coat, and one peanut butter and jelly sandwich at a time.
Marion: Surviving and Thriving
Many businesses and families and people have seen Marion through nearly a century. Mary Ellen Dune, a 98-year-old who worked as a “Real-Life Rosie the Riveter” during World War II, told me, “I’m a survivor.”
Mary Ellen believes the right attitude and faith can get you through anything. Like Mary Ellen, Marion has a tough backbone. We are thriving because of thousands of people making a difference each day.
This is an exciting time to be a part of Marion. I’m proud to be MarionMade!
Please vote for our scrappy little town as we move through the Strongest Town competition before Thursday at 1 p.m. Sometimes, Cinderella stories come true!
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Run for Luke 5K: Waldo Community Supports Kids with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy | MarionMade
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MarionMade! is a program of Marion Technical College.
