Helping uncover the magic of Pickaway County – Jenny Rhoads
We should remember that anyone can have an impact, no matter where they are working from. There are times when it seems like people who have a big following, a famous name, etc. are the only ones who really matter. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
It does not matter if you are a member of a small town committee and giving your voice a voice through action, or behind a computer screen, making a difference through the power of social media. What is more important is the impact you can make when you are hands-on, whether in the forefront or behind the scenes.
I can think of many people who have made such an impact that sometimes goes unnoticed. This is not to say that people don’t realize what they’re doing, but there are many who do.
Jenny Rhoads is the associate administrator at the Pickaway County Welcome Center and Visitors Bureau and is a name that is tied to many of the happenings that take place in Pickaway County. As an individual, she has accomplished a lot in her various roles throughout the Pickaway County area – ones that many are unaware she is a part of.
Aside from her job at the Pickaway County Visitors Bureau, Jenny works with businesses and organizations around Pickaway County – such as the Circleville DBA and Christmas events committee, Artsaround, The Leadership Pickaway Program, Toastmasters, Board of DD, Roundtown Living Magazine, Roundtown Radio, Pumpkin Show Announcing Committee, and is on the church board at Salem United Methodist, which she attends. She is also engaged in doing the social media for a couple of small businesses in town, as well as works at Uniquely Yours. At one time, she was previously involved with Roundtown Players.
“I initially just started joining organizations to learn more about the community, and that’s why I kind of like to just meet different people from different groups because I feel like we can always keep learning,” Jenny explained. “I just got my master’s in business from OCU, and I just… whenever I’m not learning something, I feel like I’m not doing something right, so I want to keep trying to learn.”
Pickaway County is an area that is brimming with unique parks, a historical downtown with a variety of small businesses, and many opportunities waiting to be uncovered by those both living in the area or simply just visiting. Being involved at the Welcome Center, Jenny is able to point people in the right direction – and so much more.
“At the Welcome Center, I handle a lot of the day-to-day activities. So, I manage the retail, speak to customers, answer the phone. I’m usually the face, most people see, and I assist them,” Jenny shared, further adding: “I assist the executive director on most endeavors with planning and things like that, and I also handle the marketing, all the social media marketing planning, that sort of thing. So, I guess like the almost like a communication’s director but also dealing with things at the store.”
Aside from working in the office, she enjoys going out into the county and different key locations, taking pictures of her experiences, and sharing them for all the world to enjoy.
“I think that’s what makes Pickaway County special; all sorts of individuals with their own stories. When people come in here I always ask, like, ‘Why did you move here?’ and they tell it. It’s just interesting how everyone got here a different way. So I like finding those stories and sharing those stories because social media is kind of my passion. So it kind of came from there.” Jenny admitted.
If you’ve had the opportunity to meet Jenny Rhoads, you would know that she is a kind person who devotes a lot of her time to what she does. Her participation in these other groups and organizations have not only helped out Pickaway County but have made an impact on her as well. She feels that networking in this community is important, an opportunity to connect with other individuals in the county. For her personally, being a part of Toastmasters led her to a group that she finds a lot of encouragement through.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to meet people. That’s important. And there’s always somewhere you can volunteer. There are tons of volunteer opportunities, it’s just about finding them and asking the right people just don’t be afraid to ask questions I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned.”
As Jenny lays out where she sees herself in five years, she says: “I don’t know, I’ve never seen myself leaving Pickaway County, so I guess I’ll just see if some roles open up in the future. I like being here and where my mom lives, this is where I grew up. I can never leave the Pumpkin Show. There’s just a lot of things that would tie me to here. So I don’t really know, I’m open to new opportunities I guess.”
Due to Jenny’s involvement in the county, one can hardly envision a time when she was not a huge part of its activities. Although she pursued a career outside the county at one time, she shared the reasons that brought her back.
“When I worked outside of Pickaway County, I would feel a sadness when I left. After leaving a five-year teaching career, I was approached by then director Tim Wilson after a Circleville DBA meeting. He asked if I would be interested in applying for a full-time position. I applied and the rest is history,” Jenny said.
In closing, Jenny opened up with a crucial message in response to our question if she had any words to share with readers. One important message stood out: “Supporting local, I don’t think there’s any more important time right now to support local businesses, so that’s something I always stress, of course.” Jenny shares, “Our community has so many awesome things but if we don’t support them, nothing will happen.”
She's spent most of her life in Circleville, Ohio – which has been a huge inspiration behind a lot of the locations, situations and ideas she has come up with for her different stories over the years.
Lauren enjoys using her writing to bring enlightening, encouraging and informative content to the Dimple Times – but outside of work, she also enjoys curling up with her cat to watch movies, read or simply to write for herself.
- Helping uncover the magic of Pickaway County – Jenny Rhoads - March 22, 2021
- Creating a place for fond memories – Katherine Blades - February 24, 2021
- Impact farms can have on local community - February 23, 2021
