The End?

As I write this, the song by The Doors come to my mind. Is this the end for Wilmington? Recently, a seismic wave was sent through the community, and the SW Ohio region in general, with the announcement that DHL would move from the Wilmington Air Park and let UPS do the work that ABX Air and A-Star have done for the past few years, namely, their United States operations.

Now, since I have been a child, I’ve learned a fundamental truth about Wilmington: Airborne. Without Airborne, there would be no town. Roughly 7,500 people are employed at the airpark by ABX Air, serving as a basis for the local economy and for the economies of several counties in the area. It also serves as the reason for my being in Wilmington, and for thousands of other families who have mothers or fathers or other loved ones who sort freight, drive support vehicles, fix airplanes, fix equipment, type on computers, answer phone calls or who patrol the parking lot or do anything else.

My father is an aircraft inspector, with over two decades experience as an aircraft mechanic. When we moved from Belleville, Michigan when I was four years old, I couldn’t fathom the idea that one day my father’s job would be threatened, and our livelihood in jeopardy. I do not intend to sound melodramatic or selfish, for many other people will be affected. But, does this not place a human face on the events that are transpiring? There is so much more that I could espouse upon, but if I were to cover all of the angles, time would sell me short.

But, suffice it to say, I fear for the future of the town that has been my home for the past seventeen years. I fear for Wilmington.

Siren Song of Starbucks?

Slightly over a year ago, I was quite excited. I was anticipating the opening of a new coffee shop in Wilmington, and from what I heard from people with sources, it was going to be a Starbucks. The new Donatos small business complex, financed by their wonderful neighbors, the realty folks, was to house Donatos, the new Cash Land, and later come home to Qdoba. Well, one problem. After the new Donatos and gouge land opened up, there was nothing to be seen in way of a coffee shop. So, I patiently waited. And then, I heard it had fallen through. Something about the ‘demographics not being suitable,’ or some nonsense. Wait…not being suitable? Isn’t this a college town? Isn’t there a gigantic airport that employs several thousand from counties across Ohio? Let me get this straight…this small city can support vast industry for airplanes and shipping, higher education, a modest tourism industry and it serves as a county seat, but it cannot support a Starbucks? Sounded patently absurd to me last year. But, now that time has passed, I’ve had some time to think about the idea of Starbucks, and if it really would be a good thing for Wilmington.

Concerning places for coffee in Wilmington and cafe hangouts and such, there really is only one true choice: Jen’s Uptown Deli. Yes, there is that Joe’s Java place, but Jen’s Deli doesn’t come with a dose of indoctrination with it; you can do your own thing, hang out with your laptop, read a book or buy a skateboard. There are good places to get coffee, that’s not in dispute. The Mediterranean restaurant offers a coffee bar, oh, and don’t forget the plethora of gas stations and fast food restaurants and sit down restaurants with “gourmet coffee.” P-l-e-a-s-e. In a sense, I can understand the lack of a more urbane place to buy a cup of coffee. Does Wilmington need a Starbucks? What would a Starbucks do to this town?

At Jen’s Deli, you can get a good cup of coffee for a bit over a dollar, and an latte or a cappuccino for 2-3 something in price. I was recently chatting with Peter, a manger of sorts at the deli, and he was relating an amusing experience of a recent customer who turned out to be a former Starbucks manager, who was asking for a complicated drink order with Peter responding with, “oh, you want this…” and then making the order without the snobby Italian jargon. What is appealing about Jen’s Deli is that it’s a place that doesn’t intimidate. Sure, the owner and most of the staff are kind of “out there,” in a sense, but, they can make a good cup of coffee and do it the way you want it. This adds to the unique culture of Wilmington, I would like to believe.

Does Wilmington need a cookie-cutter coffee experience that has no soul? Well, some would go for that, no doubt. Actually, many would. I might even like to stop in for a breve latte one of these days if one comes to Wilmington. But, what would be even better is a new, independent cafe, dedicated to the coffeehouse environment, where conversation is fostered and the passion and vibrancy of the soul is fueled. Just my opinion though. Maybe some small business owner who is brave enough will take up the challenge to create a new, fresh experience for Wilmington (I would do it myself if I had the circumstances, aka, not being in nursing classes). One of these days, I hope.

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Wilmingtoons

Yes, believe it or not, there are other places besides the Walocaust to purchase music in Wilmington. To help fill the need since the demise of Street Beat (ill fated, but I heard they had to close because of some kind of drug problem…) several years ago, one businessman, Walt, decided to make a difference and a change. Dubbed (no pun intended) “Clinton County’s Home of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” Wilmingtoons has been filling the Dubtowner’s need for music, from rock to rap and even some folk and country spattered in the mix. They even sell music instruments and shirts, incense, music DVDs, stickers and buttons, and if you cannot find something that you want, Walt or some of the other folks will order it for you, gratis, and it will be there quickly. I’ve never had to wait more than a couple of days for something. And it would sure beat the pesky shipping and handling from the ‘net. Of course you still have to pay for it when it comes in, but hey, that’s a side point, eh?

Aside from the practical point of selling music, Wilmingtoons offers more to this town. It gives it some character. What is a small town without the local record shop where you can shoot the bull with the employees, contribute to the small guy, and leave feeling satisfied that you made a difference and didn’t contribute to a faceless conglomerate?

You can find Wilmingtoons at 53 East Locust St., right side of the street, across from the Methodist Church.

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Spring Q

Now for the education scene in Wilmington, Ohio.

It’s the first day of classes at Southern State Community College, and Wilmington is the home of the North Campus of the college. Haven’t heard of it? Don’t blame you. It’s not a particularly prestigious institution. I guess the most popular programs would be the nursing program or the general education program. There are plenty of high school students who take free courses thanks to the Post Secondary program. They can also take them at Wilmington College, but hey, that requires a 3.5 GPA or higher.

So, in the Wilmington area, as mentioned, there are basically two choices of so-called ‘higher education’ available. Many students take advantage of the community college to take basic education classes, such as sociology, philosophy, biology, chemistry, etc. And they are taught by fine professors. There is a stigma about community college being dumbed down somehow. Not true. All of my classes I’ve taken have been taught by ones with doctorate or masters degrees (i.e.-Bill Henry, Bob Headley, Terry Flum, all Ph.D educated), with one or two simply having a bachelors. When it comes to the more well known college, Wilmington College, an entirely new culture develops.

Wilmington can rightly be labeled as a college town (but lacking a truly dedicated coffee shop, unfortunately), which is earned from the history of WC. The education is pricier, there is a campus community, and the women’s basketball program has some prestige. They won the NCAA Division III title in 2004. Go Dubtown! But, for the price, there is the distinction of going to Wilmington College. It is known in the world for programs promoting peace (perhaps because of the Quaker connection…?), is a major participator in the ONE Campaign, and has hosted guest speakers of fame, from Terry Daniels to…well, others, since that’s the only one I remember off the top of my head, from when I was there as a child. Does Southern State have anything like that? Well…er…there are some vending machines in the lobby…a fuzzy television that somebody keeps tuned to paternity strife on Maury or some goon in small claims court…and table tennis! Whereas WC has a football team (as awful as they may be, no offense intended), a decently reputable soccer team, and the aforementioned title winning women’s basketball team, amongst others. Why does any of this matter?

Though I heard many people in school express a strong desire to get out of Wilmington, I’ve seen that several stay close or don’t move at all. When it comes to education, there are the two basic options for residents of Wilmington: the local community college or the renowned institution. There are pros and cons to each one, but to pick one as being  ‘better’ would be quite unfair. For as much as I mock the community college, I rightfully can, since I am enrolled there, and split my classes between Wilmington and Hillsboro (but let’s not go to that even stranger town…).

So, a roundabout way of informing the audience about what is there for some of the higher education in Wilmington. By no means an in-depth analysis, but food for thought.

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Of Wilmington

To the unacquainted, Wilmington, Ohio, is an oddity. Situated geographically between Columbus, the state capital, and Cincinnati, home of Over-The-Rhine (ever hear of something called murder?), and close to Dayton, the city is under the sphere of influence of much, but not much influence comes out of here. Wilmington is the reported home of the Banana Split, and holds a festival each summer in honor of that, but of course, it’s disputed with some other town in Pennsylvania. We can have the banana split if they can just keep their…whatever it is they have over there. Maybe we can trade them the official rights to the banana split if they want our enormous international cargo airport, currently being run into the ground courtesy of our friends at DHL. Oh, well. The point is, Wilmington is here, located in Southwest Ohio, and welcomes all.

I’ve lived in Wilmington since the age of four, and over the last decade-and-a-half, I’ve witnessed much change in my small town. Perhaps over the course of this blog, I’ll discuss aspects of my town, provide information, opinion, review, or whatever else crosses my mind.

By the way, ILN is the airport code for Wilmington. But you already knew that.

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