New director hopes to expand programming
VERMILION — After building a career organizing community events and programs in Tennessee and Rhode Island, Chloe Roth has returned to her hometown with a new goal: bringing more recreational opportunities to Vermilion residents throughout the year.
Roth, a 2012 Vermilion High School graduate, began serving as the city’s recreation director Oct. 1, bringing experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising and community programming.
Her focus is on building opportunities for residents of all ages, particularly adults and children who may not participate in traditional recreational sports.
“I just love working in small towns,” Roth said, explaining that she enjoys bringing new activities and experiences to communities.
From Vermilion and back
Roth grew up in a bed-and-breakfast in downtown Vermilion and spent much of her youth involved in the city’s sailing program. She later became a sailing coach, sharing her experience with younger participants.
After graduating from Vermilion High School, she attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where she earned a degree in communication.
She eventually returned to Vermilion and worked at Ritter Public Library, where she organized a book club and taught yoga classes.
Her interest in yoga also took her to India, where she earned certification as an Ashtanga yoga instructor. She later taught yoga on Vermilion’s beaches, including sessions held during full moons.
Her career eventually led her to Paris, Tennessee, where she became executive director of the Paris-Henry County Arts Council.
There, Roth helped expand the organization’s programming, including organizing a farm-to-table dinner featuring produce donated by seven local farms.
The event raised $20,000, helping replenish a scholarship endowment that supported students and adults pursuing education and training in culinary arts.
She later worked in fundraising at the University of Tennessee before moving to Westerly, Rhode Island, where she worked with the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce.
In Rhode Island, Roth helped organize community events, including an outdoor art project featuring decorated marine-themed sculptures displayed throughout the community and later auctioned.
After completing that project, she decided it was time to return home.
Looking toward new opportunities
Roth said her experiences in different communities have given her ideas about recreational activities that could work in Vermilion.
One of her primary interests is expanding year-round programming beyond the city’s established youth sports offerings.
She hopes to explore activities that appeal to adults, families and children who may have different recreational interests.
Roth emphasized that she is still settling into the position and that any new programming would need to go through the appropriate approval process.
She said she wants to help provide families with recreational opportunities similar to those found in larger communities while maintaining Vermilion’s small-town atmosphere.
“Now that I’ve been able to travel to different cities and see kind of what works and what doesn’t, I’m really excited to bring back some of the things I’ve learned and implement them here,” Roth said.
Basketball season approaching
Among Roth’s immediate responsibilities is preparing for the city’s upcoming youth basketball program.
Registration is approaching, with the basketball season expected to begin in January 2027.
Roth said she is excited about the program and encouraged families interested in participating to contact the recreation department for registration information.
Residents can also meet Roth during the Parks and Recreation Board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Vermilion Municipal Complex.
She encouraged residents interested in volunteering, helping with community activities or learning more about recreational opportunities to reach out to the department.
The recreation department can be reached at 440-204-2421.
Now living downtown with her corgi, Biscuit, Roth said she is excited to put her experiences to work in the community where she grew up.