In September we are focusing on all things related to government. Forward Wayne County hired two interns this summer to assist with community planning and development. Tucker Burris, an IU East student, and Jaxin McCree, a Ball State student, spent the summer engaging with Wayne County communities and gaining insight from significant community members in each to help create the countywide strategic investment plan.

Their Tasks

Jaxin and Tucker’s roles were to gather information about each Wayne County Communities’ needs and help map out potential projects for the Strategic Investment Plan. Along with this, they also helped create housing and blight maps by surveying the surrounding communities. Much of their work involved working with town governments and communicating with community members.

Challenges Faced

Jaxin expressed that being assertive with community members was a challenge in the beginning of the internship. Tucker also experienced similar feelings when it came to setting up meetings with community members. However, Tucker noted that, “Once I realized how helpful and important this investment plan could be for these communities, it became easier for me to convince people that these meetings need to happen.”

Jaxin shared. “We also realized that many of these small community officials also had full- or part-time jobs. They do a lot of important work after regular business hours.”

Skills Gained

This internship put both interns into situations they had never experienced before, allowing them to grow and develop new skills. They found themselves acquiring greater attention to detail, better note-taking skills, as well as becoming better writers. Much of their work involved gathering and recording information for projects and creating clear project descriptions, so writing skills became very important as their internship progressed. Both agreed that honing these skills will benefit them in their future professional careers.

“Being a good listener and taking good notes helps you have ownership of your projects. And you become invested in the work. It was easy to get excited about a town’s potential and what Wayne County is trying to accomplish.”

Advice for Future Interns

Both interns expressed the value of being detail oriented. Making sure to write down every detail becomes important especially when projects span over multiple weeks. Tucker emphasized that, “Without the little things, finished products don’t come together.”

Jaxin also commented that not being afraid to make mistakes is a valuable trait to have, because it is bound to happen eventually. When it does, simply “…revisit your previous work, correct it, learn from it, and move on.”

They also both advised any intern in Wayne County to take advantage of any opportunity to explore the communities; go to every meeting you are invited to; go to events across the county; talk to leaders; put your name out there; and experience the unique restaurants and eateries in the county.

“The only restaurant we didn’t get to experience was Lumpy’s in Cambridge City. But we’ll be back!”

A New Perspective

With neither intern being from the area originally, they got to learn much about Wayne County. Jaxin and Tucker really enjoyed being in the community and seeing Wayne County up close. Tucker commented, “Being in the community and seeing Wayne County up close was awesome. It was wonderful to meet so many great people and have so many great conversations with people who have lived here their whole lives! There’s a lot of exciting things coming to Wayne County and I’m super proud to be a small part of it.”

Jaxin added. “Wayne County has so much history and we visited every community. People really care about what happens. Working with small, rural communities has been a real eye-opener for me. I’m excited to follow and see what happens in the next five years.”

Along with this, they both got to learn more about themselves. Both interns discovered that no matter where their careers take them, they want to have a job that leaves a positive impact on the community. And they could be convinced to make Wayne County their homes.

“Wayne County has good park systems, schools, employment options, and restaurants. Add some more amenities and diversified housing stock, and this will be the place for young professionals.”

Forward Wayne County enjoyed having Tucker and Jaxin as part of the team this summer and can’t wait to see where their career paths lead.

The post Intern Insights on Wayne County appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

Main Street Centerville’s mission is to renew and restore the Town of Centerville to its former prominence through economic development, redevelopment, beautification initiatives, and collaboration with local businesses and organizations such as the Historic Centerville organization. Our vision is to help educate others on the history, architecture and vitality of the businesses and residents.

History

Centerville was platted in the town of Salisbury in 1814 and became Wayne County’s first seat of government in 1818. It remained the seat until 1873. Centerville still has the Salisbury Log Cabin which is the only original log courthouse still standing in the old northwest territory. It is located behind the Historic Mansion House on Main Street.

A visit to Centerville will provide amazing shopping, restaurants, and a chance to see our unique arches. The arches make us distinct and can be dated back to prominent Centerville families. They include: Shortridge Arch (1830), Dill Arch (1830), Lantz Arch (1823), Backenstoe Arch (1835) and Malone Arch (1836). You will have to visit us to find them all!

Our Businesses

It’s this history that drives us to help restore Centerville to its prominence and assist our local businesses to grow and thrive in our town. We want to promote them, share their success, and come along side them with resources, grant opportunities, and opportunities to help them grow their revenue.

And if shopping is on your mind, check out Lavender & Sage, The Village Forager, our many antiques shops, or Warm Glow Candle. That not enough? How about Bendy Farms, American Wellness, Cornerstone, or Stella Chrome. Yes, all of this is in Centerville.

Don’t forget to sprinkle in dining at 5 Arch Brewing, Americana Pizza, or Auntie Em’s Pies. Or get a smoothie from the Smoothie Shack.

Centerville also has all the family-fun you can manage. Bring the family and/or your friends to Cope Environmental Center. Maplewood Park, or Crown Creek Hiking Trail.

Connecting Community

Main Street Centerville has held new events this year for our community such as Flickering Films under the stars with Warm Glow Candle Company. The event was a huge success providing bounce houses, games and food followed by a free community movie in Maplewood Park.

We are excited to hold a Fall Festival in collaboration with our Centerville Lion’s Club and Centerville Farmers Market on Saturday October 19^th from 4-7pm. Attendees will experience free games, bounce houses, costume contest, Spooky Stories at the Mansion House, and $1 pumpkin painting. Caboose tours will be provided by the Wayne County Railroaders Association. And food will be provided by the Lion’s Club. And don’t forget to purchase produce and other goodies from the Farmer’s Market.

Main Street Centerville supports many events the town holds, such as our upcoming Christmas in Centerville event which is held on the 1^st Saturday of December. This is a magical event that brings businesses and communities together in fellowship and charity. Other events we support during the year are the Centerville Farmers Market, Archway Days, and the Centerville Veterans Parade.

Downtown Beauty

Main Street Centerville is grateful to the Wayne County Foundation for their generous gift which helped provide our stunning planters that are placed along Main Street for the enjoyment of residents and guests who pass by them on National Road 40. We get compliments from all over on their beauty.

Hometown Heroes

We are also pleased to highlight our community champions and volunteers who help us be successful with the Kyle Turner Hometown Spirit Award. The award is given to local business or community members who make remarkable contributions to our community. Main Street Centerville recently awarded the Kyle Turner Hometown Spirit Award to Scott and Jeff Wheeler in memory of their beloved mother, Sue Wheeler. She established Wheeler’s Antiques in 1970 and was a staple of our town for 54 years.

There are so many wonderful businesses, organizations and people in our town of Centerville. Main Street Centerville has the privilege to partner and promote our unique historical community. Come and see for yourself!

The post Main Street Centerville- Unique History Driving Redevelopment appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

This December, Forward Wayne County is talking about Our Community and the people that are part of it. We asked Gary Schutte, President of The Heart of Hagerstown, to talk about community advocacy and how he does it in his position.

Defining Community

Community is not just about the physical address that we have in life. Community can be defined in many different shapes and forms. Every individual gets to decide what community means to them and how they will contribute. As a resident and a business owner in Hagerstown, this is the community I want to see succeed and prosper.

For that to happen, you have to become involved. Everyone in today’s world is busy and feels that they don’t have time to become involved, but all it takes is some time to help your community. You do not have to commit to multiple hours every day, week, or month; just do what you can.

My Role as a Community Advocate

When I returned to Hagerstown in 1996 and opened my business, I was one of those who “didn’t have the time.” I was young and just trying to survive with a new retail business, which consumed my life. As the years went on, I was asked to serve on various boards and committees, which I began doing; some required little time, while others were significant.

But they all worked towards the goal of making a “community” better. Everything that makes our community happen takes participation to make it happen, whether that be belonging to a group that puts on an event, serving on your local library board, or serving on your local Planning Commission. These groups need not only members but also the support for their events to continue.

As president of The Heart of Hagerstown, our merchant and business association and Main Street organization, I represent the other business owners and group members and am their advocate daily.

I am fortunate that I get to talk to many individuals every day and to tell the story of Hagerstown, whether that be about what Hagerstown has to offer or the fact that our Little League team went to the Little League World Series last year.

We should always be excited to talk about our community and highlight the fact that you are a part of it. The size of your audience doesn’t matter; it could be the new neighbor across the street or speaking in front of 200 people at a meeting.

Championing Community

Be the champion and the voice of your community. Use every opportunity and chance to tell others what makes up your community and why they should become involved.

I was recently at an event in Indianapolis and was talking with the organizers about Hagerstown. They have since visited Hagerstown and expressed interest in bringing an event that they organize to Hagerstown. This all came from my conversation about my community and what makes it special to me.

We are told all the time that life is what you make of it; your community is no different. You need your community, and your community needs you.

The post Advocating for your Community appeared first on Forward Wayne County.

It was where people did their grocery shopping.

It was where the stagecoaches dropped off and picked up passengers.

Where moms bought their kids school supplies for the new school year.

And it was where people did their most important business transactions.

Progress

Then the times changed. Progress happened and many of things that happened on the Main Streets moved to different parts of the communities.

Grocery stores became their own buildings.

Malls and superstores took the shopping.

Restaurants and hotels closed up.

The Main Streets suffered. Our communities also suffered. Collectively, we began to forget the important role the Main Streets had in creating community, a sense of place, a sense of pride, and more importantly, history. But Forward Wayne County’s Main Street Coalition, as well as other key stakeholders, are striving to make Main Streets a place you want to be again.

Historians

Fortunately, for our communities and residents, the local historians didn’t forget. They are the keepers of history and the ones that know the importance of the buildings on the Main Streets. Forward Wayne County, the Main Street Coalition, and the Richmond-Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau were lucky enough to work with them on a fun and creative tourism trail with them. It’s called Mystery on Main and highlights some neat buildings across the county.

We could have listened to these historians for hours as they shared the history of the buildings; the architecture; and what important things happened in the buildings on Main Streets. To be honest, we still might do that.

History Trail

Back to this tourism trail. Mystery on Main will take participants on an adventure across four Main Streets in Cambridge City, Centerville, Hagerstown, and Richmond. Those looking to complete the trail will visit five buildings in each community (20 total) in order to crack the case. Brochures can be picked up at the Tourism Bureau or one of the public libraries in Cambridge City, Centerville, Hagerstown, or Richmond.

From there, participants will travel across Wayne County to each of the locations in the brochures. At each building, a sign with a QR code will be displayed in a window, doorway, or on a yard sign. Scanning these QR codes will direct individuals to a web page that contains a historical account of the building, as well as the answer needed to solve the Mystery on Main.

Audience

Who can do this trail? Anyone with a cell phone. It’s as simple as opening your camera to scan the QR code. There is no cost. Once you have cracked the case, take your answer back to the Tourism bureau for a small prize.

Make it a family affair. Take a friend. Bring your spouse. Make this your first date. Gather a church group. Create an educational opportunity for students. Bring the dog or the cat (if it will walk on leash). Heck, bring them both.

This trail can be done in a day or over the course of a few days. While you are in each community, check out the shops, grab a bite to eat, and see all the fun things Wayne County has to offer.

Joe Smith, historian for Hagerstown said it best. “Communities are the backbone of our Nation. Whether it be communities in large cities or communities in small towns, communities give us a sense of belonging. The Mystery on Main tour is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn from the past stories of buildings and people.”

Go get a brochure and happy sleuthing!

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