The gazebos, the parks, the conveniences. They all make a difference. But what really sets one hometown apart from the rest? In the end, it's all about the people.

"No colony in America was ever settled under such favorable auspices as that which has just commenced on the banks of the Muskingum," George Washington said. "I know many of the settlers personally and there never were men better calculated to promote the welfare of a community."

Old George never told a lie, you know. He was speaking of Marietta, and he got it right. And today we echo his sentiments about the folks who set the community spirit in all five our best hometowns: Mariemont, Marietta, Marysville, Maumee and Wooster.

Maumee

Mariemont

Marysville

Marietta

Wooster