A Sense of Centerville and Washington Township
Stories about ordinary and extraordinary residents and places in Centerville and Washington Township, Ohio. This podcast explores local history from the perspective of current and past residents.
Episodes
Terry Obrien grew up in Centerville, Ohio. He is a local entrepreneur who owns Trilevel Records and Video. Terry helps local Dayton artists write and produce music. Through collaborations with the City of Centerville and Centerville-Washington History, he has produced award-winning projects. He helps to promote local history through his Facebook page, Centerville, Ohio Nostalgia. His recent interviews with past Centerville High sch...
Sam, a senior at Centerville High School is the current Student Council President. He is a three-time state qualifier in debate, attending Northwestern University in the fall majoring in political science. In addition, Sam is president of the STAGE club, the theatre club for CHS as well as a regular on the stage. He sings for FORTE, Centerville’s premier Accapella group. As an Elk connector, he helps with freshman orientation and C...
Bill and Faye Elam founded bills donuts in 1960 but the original shop was in downtown Dayton. In the 1970s there were several locations throughout the Dayton area with stores in Vandalia, Wilmington, Kettering, and Huber Heights. In Centerville, the original shop location was closer to the intersection of Franklin and Main but the parking was limited, necessitating a move to the current location at Bradstreet and Far Hills. Initial...
Richard Diaz works as a Community Coordinator at Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC), Founded in 1975, MVCC is a municipal communications and technology organization representing eight communities in the area including Centerville. MVCC was formed to monitor, regulate and administer common cable television franchise agreements, manage the operation of the council’s cable access television channels, and develop and implement ...
Bill Gaul moved to Centerville in middle school, attending Tower Heights Middle school. He graduated from Centerville High School during a time of growth and change. Bill joined the Washington Township Fire department as a volunteer firefighter in May 1979. After nearly 40 years of service to the department, including 11 years as chief, Bill retired in 2018. Retirement is still busy for Bill, who is on the board at Centerville-Wash...
Laura is the Centerville-Washington History 2022 scholarship winner. This extraordinary young lady has demonstrated her athletic talents and leadership abilities as Varsity Captain of the Centerville High School Swim Team, President of the National Honor Society, and Unit Representative of the East Unit Assembly. Her club memberships include Students Against Destructive Decisions, Key Club and French Club. Laura is very active in t...
Janet Watkins Black is a 6th-generation Washington Township resident. She grew up with her parents and grandparents on a 180-acre farm near Sheehan and Nutt Road. Janet taught 3rd grade for the Centerville School district and then worked at St Leonard Senior Living Community as an activity coordinator. She has been active in the community through Centerville-Washington History, Centerville Women’s Civic Club, and Normandy United Me...
Seventeen-year-old Charlotte shares her experience living through the pandemic, growing up in Centerville, and her memories of Centerville-Washington History's Summer Youth Programs. This episode also discusses the Centerville High School Band and favorite places and programs in the Centerville and Washington Township area.
In this episode, Martha tells about her interest in the early stone buildings of Centerville and the process of discovering the stories that we read about in her book, "A Sense of Place." She talks about learning how to do research and how her curiosity helped her to do hard things. Her passion for the buildings helped to preserve them for future generations to enjoy and learn about history!
The Turtons graduated from Centerville High School in 1953 and raised their family on a little plot of land near Rooks Road. They have had three generations of Centerville High School graduates in their family. In this episode, Roy and Sue Turton share stories about many people and places that have shaped this area.
Robert Thobaben, a long-time Centerville resident recalls the start of World War II and describes his role in the 111th Infantry in the Pacific Theater. He talks about his career as a professor at Wright State University and his opportunity to travel throughout the world. Staying active and engaged throughout his 98 years of life, Robert shares some of the wisdom he has learned over the years.
Susan talks to Jerry Strange, Trustee of Centerville-Washington History about his move to Centerville in the early 1960s and what life was like during that time. Jerry was a professor at the University of Dayton for 40 years. In this interview, he reminisces about his time with Centerville Diversity Council, Normandy Church, and Centerville-Washington History. Jerry reflects upon living in a pluralistic society and the benefits of...
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