Trella Romine, 2011 ATHENA Recipient

Trella Romine , Former owner of Hemmerly's Florist, historian and author.
Nominated by Gale Martin, Karen Kelley and Diane Corea

“As a single mother, Trella took on ownership of Hemmerly's with new vision, guts and ….a hint of stubbornness. With her success in business, she was able to hand off a successful business and retire in 1982.

Trella has become a quiet foundation for her favorite causes that dot the Marion County map. The Marion Historical Society, the OSUM Campus Prairie, the Rinker Howser Resource Center at Heritage Hall, MCHS Heritage Preservation Endowment Fund, the Trella Romine Prairie Preserve, Terradise Nature Preserve and the Ohio State University at Marion scholarship established in her name.

Trella has written, edited and guided the reprint of a large number of historical publications. And has counseled a number of authors through the publication and marketing of their books

She continues to be a business and personal mentor to the current owner of Hemmerly's, as well as the Directors of the Marion County Historical Society and the Marion County Park District.

Trella has been awarded a number of honors, with the most recent being the Edward J. Tiffin Award in 2008 from the Ohio Historical Society.”