Meet Judy Sowers: The Matriarch Behind Chillicothe’s Mead Mill
Judy Sowers is not just a name on the roster; she’s the living, breathing heart of a family dynasty that’s been stamping out paper at the “Mead” mill for generations. If you ask a local, they’ll nod and say, “Yeah, that’s the place where the Sowers family grew up. The whole town knows her stride.”
Why Judy’s Story Matters
- Her Legacy: Every sheet of paper that rolls out of the Mead’s presses carries the fingerprint of someone who’s spent decades polishing the craft.
- Community Hero: Judy’s familiar face lenses the community’s pride—Big smiles, quick jokes, and an unwavering work ethic.
- Generations in a Row: From the first Sowers generation to the newest, the mill’s been their home, and Judy’s the living tie that binds them.
A Quick Snapshot of Judy’s Daily Routine
Morning coffee? Check. Checking the equipment? Double-check. Dropping a witty remark at the lunch table? You bet. That’s how the day rolls out for Judy: a rhythm of pragmatism, camaraderie, and a sprinkle of humor that keeps spirits high.
What Compels the Locals
When you interrupt a conversation between a local and a coworker, they’ll chirp about Judy’s “super gloves” or talk about the legendary coffee she brews that can power anyone through a crazy shift.
Bottom Line
Judy Sowers isn’t just the grandma of a family who’s stuck around the Mead mill; she’s the pulse behind the paper roller, the bridge between past and future, and a reminder that sometimes, the most iconic places are home-grown, run by people who truly belong.
Paper Mill on the Verge of Closing
A Family Gathering
On May 8, Sowers sat down at a simple kitchen table surrounded by her two daughters, her brother, and her son‑in‑law. The house was just a few steps away from the historic paper mill and its iconic red‑and‑white striped tower. They were having a heart‑to‑heart conversation about a topic that’s simmering in the minds of everyone in the town of 21,895 folks in the Appalachian foothills of southern Ohio.
What’s at Stake?
- 830 workers could lose their jobs, as the mill’s owners announced a shut‑down on April 15.
- Pixelle Specialty Solutions, backed by private‑equity firm H.I.G. Capital, said the closure was part of a plan to “align its operation footprint with long‑term business objectives.”
- Originally, the plan called for a phased closing over the weeks following the announcement.
- Freshman Senator Bernie Moreno (R‑OH) secured a promise from H.I.G. Capital to pause the shutdown until the end of the year, giving the community a little breathing room.
Family Ties to the Paper City
Chillicothe, affectionately known as “Paper City,” opened its mill in 1812. Sowers’s grandparents worked there, as did her father, John Angus Sr., and several other relatives. “If you didn’t work there, you had family working there, or you knew someone who did,” she said, “kids grow up hearing stories from generations of family members about working at the mill.”
Her brother John Angus Jr. served the paper mill for 42 years, from his early twenties until retirement. “It took me five years to get on there after high school,” he reminisced. “During that time, it was a job many people wanted if they wanted to stay here.”
John Angus Jr. noted that he missed family events while working a long shift schedule, but the steady income kept his family fed. He added, “It would be a shame to see it close.”
A City Steeped in History
Chillicothe became the first capital of the Northwest Territory in 1800 and Ohio’s first capital in 1803. The downtown skyline has been coming back to life over the past decade, acting as the heart of the city and evoking the feel of a Norman Rockwell painting.
Chillicothe: A Tiny Town with a Big Heart (and a Screeching Paper Mill)
Picture this: it’s May 8, 2025, and you’re strolling through downtown Chillicothe, Ohio. Hidden gems line the streets – shadowy antique shops, cozy coffeehouses, rusty taverns, and the legendary Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop. These old‑world buildings no longer hold relics from the past; instead, they’re buzzing with locals and curious visitors alike.
Why Everybody’s Talking About Chillicothe
- Solo outdoor drama – every summer you can watch the famous play about Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh right in the town’s amphitheater.
- Local pride fueled by the Adena Regional Medical Center, two state prisons, a VA Medical Center, a Kenworth truck factory, and of course, the long‑looming paper mill.
- Business buzz – from mill workers to college students, the town’s economy takes a little breath of life from the smooth hum of daily life.
Meet the Coffee Connoisseurs
Trigged by the smell of fresh beans, Trent Fannin and his lovely wife opened Rost Coffee in 2016. The shop has become a hotspot for mill workers, downtown staff, and the ever‑eager student brigade.
“Downtown Chillicothe is like a living, breathing pulse that’s missing in most Southern Ohio towns,” Trent says with confidence. “If that mill does go, we’re uneasy. But hey, we’re still keeping our fingers crossed.”
Local Leaders Brace for Change
The gun‑point of the town’s joy – the mill – is under threat of being shut down by the mighty H.I.G. Capital. While officials hope a new owner will keep the mill running, they’re also on the lookout for a corporate partner that will invest for the long haul.
The Long Story of the Paper Mill
- It began with Colonel Daniel Mead of Dayton in 1890 – a paper giant that kept the town’s name on the map for a century.
- Fast forward to 2002: Mead merged with Westvaco in a sleek $3 billion stock deal, leading to headquarters moving to Connecticut, and then Richmond, Virginia.
- Now, it’s in the clutches of H.I.G., and the future is uncertain.
Letter to the Skies (and H.I.G.)
Enter Moreno – a bold local voice who called out H.I.G. CEO Sami Mnaymneh. He paints a picture of corporate greed, saying that the firm’s business model is “to shred through the companies it grabs, nickle it, and leave behind a trail of broken communities.”
“Listen, Mr. Mnaymneh,” Moreno wrote, “your company is a wall‑street shark. Instead of being a friend to this town, you’re just a predator.”
What’s Next? Stay Tuned!
Will the mill stay open? Will a new investor shoulder the responsibility? Chillicothe’s hope hangs in the balance. Keep your eyes peeled – the town’s future is as unpredictable as a college football game on a rainy day.
ADVERTISEMENT
The video has been miscaptioned
Photo by Peter Brooker/Shutterstock
Photo by Scott Kirkland/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Photo by Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Courtesy of Candace Cameron Bure/Instagram
Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for DATG
