Today’s newsletter is a bit thematical but still centered on Marion. Specifically, I want to reflect on Marion’s history with the Fourth of July and President Harding. On July 4th, 1922, Marion received this Address at the Centennial Celebration from President Harding.
“I know nothing more interesting to any man than his own community,” he said. “If he is not interested, he is not a good citizen.”
William G Harding was a man of his community; he purchased the Marion Daily Star, while it was struggling, and turned it around to create an impact. He promoted new businesses in Marion, supported the town’s progress and growth, and became a prominent voice for the town. He became an inspiration and a natural leader in our town, an extension of Marion, though he took no credit.
“I can not justify a claim to any great part in marking the Marion of to-day, but as a newspaper worker for more than a third of a century I have done a lot of cheering, which is no less essential to the forward movement in a community than it is in football or baseball.”
The speech he gives does dive into freedoms, justice, and liberties. But he did work in quite a love note for Marion, ever the cheerleader. It’s funny how we always need people like that in our cities and towns. Leaders, supporters, and documenters. Our history shows the impact that we have with our actions, words, and use of freedom. We get to be loud with our support, verbally, written, financially, or otherwise. Our freedom to make a difference, even when we feel small, in our communities. We have the liberty to care. So, for this Independence Day, take the time to celebrate and take care to note our small liberties as well as our bigger ones. Happy 4th, friends.
If you’d like to read the address, and believe me, it’s incredibly interesting, read it here.
August 23rd of 2025 is about to be the time of our lives. Don’t make plans, don’t miss out. This is a celebration to top all other celebrations. We won Strongest Town and now we get to party!
“The City of Marion is proud to celebrate being named America’s Strongest Town, and we want our entire community to join in on the fun! To mark this incredible achievement, we are hosting a free community celebration filled with food, inflatables, entertainment, and activities for all ages.”
Megan Gerber, who hails from the city of Chillicothe, Ohio, has reinvented herself and her career three different times, and she continues to learn and grow each time. Megan dives into her journey, beginning with her teaching experience in a southern Ohio community where many barriers were in place for her students. She then shares her story of leaving teaching to open both a for-profit coffee shop and restaurant and simultaneously, a non-profit called Paper City Mentoring, focused on mentoring the same at-risk youth that she served as a teacher. Today, her focus is on female entrepreneurs and business leaders, giving them space to be human while they manage the heavy burden that can exist while leading people and growing a business.
This episode is vehemently inspiring, showcasing Megan’s real and raw challenges she faced internally and externally as she worked to grow something meaningful and contribute to the revitalization of her downtown community in the process! `
Check out the podcast here: Apple podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
Click on the image below for the direct link to YouTube!
Last weekend, my wife and I went out for another date night, enjoying all that Downtown Marion had to offer. We were out for 6 hours and never wanted for anything to do. By evening, shopping options started to wind down, but we enjoyed live music at 3 different venues, great dining and patio options, and we ran into lots of friends along the way. Besides just “practicing what we preach”, we genuinely enjoy all the fantastic options we have right here in our own downtown. We parked our car one time and walked everywhere for the whole time. It was easy and enjoyable. We went out a few weeks prior, and this time we went to completely different places.
We could have gone to Columbus or another city and had a similar experience, but why would we, when it’s all within a short drive from our house? Do we occasionally? Sure, we do. Although more likely we are going to another small town to meet other friends doing great work in their community, and sharing strategies and gathering ideas. There’s nothing wrong with leaving Marion, but too many people still think they “need to” leave Marion, in order to have a fun and unique night out, and I’m here to tell you that isn’t the case! Maybe they are just waiting for an invitation from someone…someone like you, to show them around!
Better Together,
Luke Henry Col 3:23
