Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
We are in or entering a holy time of year for many. Our Islamic siblings are in Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection celebrating the Qur’an being sent down from heaven. Our Jewish siblings are nearing the celebration of Purim commemorating the Jewish people being saved by Esther’s bravery. Our Christian siblings are in the season of Lent, a time of preparation leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Lord, during this holy season, help us to appreciate the varied faith practices of all our friends, family, and neighbors, to respect the significance of those practices, and to see the beauty in our differences.
Amen
Announcements
Hannah’s Treasure Chest Field Trip
Carol Smerz, co-chair of Childhood Health and Wellness, announced a tour of Hannah’s Treasure Chest on March 19, 2025, at 5:30 pm. All members are welcome to attend, and no signup is required. For details and the address, please refer to the Member Calendar.
Tri-Star Basketball Recap
Craig Dring thanked the 31 members who helped bring smiles to the 66 kids who participated in Tri-Star Basketball last Saturday. He also thanked Centerville Hustle for donating basketballs for all participants. Centerville Hustle plans to continue this donation annually for the foreseeable future.
Tri-Star Soccer Needs New Co-Chairs
Chris McAlpine announced that he and Greg Wasmund have stepped down from their co-chair roles after several years. The committee is now seeking new co-chairs. Chris and Greg will remain available to assist with the event execution and have documented procedures in place. They are ready for others to handle the organization and promotion responsibilities. You don’t need to know anything about soccer to run this fun annual event.
Euchre Tournament Recap
Sue Jessee reported that the Euchre tournament was a great success, with 29 participants enjoying the event.
Thank You to Stan Fronzaglia
Paul Boeckman announced that Stan Fronzaglia, who was instrumental in founding the Youth Mental Health committee, has decided to step back from this role as he recently celebrated his 80th birthday. In recognition of his dedicated service, the club presented him with a token of appreciation.
Social Events
Bourbon, Wine and Beer Tasting
Sue Jessee announced that Patrick and Diane Arehart will host a Bourbon, Wine and Beer tasting at their home on Saturday, March 22, 2025. For details and to sign up, use the Member Calendar.
Visual Arts
Jane Fiehrer and Rachel Goetz, co-chairs of the Visual Arts Contest, introduced the winners from this year’s competition. The contest featured two categories: children aged 7 and under and those aged 8 to 11. Each participant created artwork based on the theme “Bringing Out the Best.” Entries were judged on creativity, attention to detail, artistic ability, and how well they reflected the theme.
At the meeting, the winners were recognized and had the opportunity to introduce their family members. Their artwork was displayed on the projector for all to see. Congratulations to all the winners!
To view pictures of the children’s artwork, use this link to the slide deck for the meeting.
Winners in the 7 and Under Category:
- 3rd Place, Dominic Jones (Age 5, PVS) – Title: Sonic 4
- 2nd Place, Arpan Sarker (Age 6, PVS) – Title: Sunny Day
- 1st Place, Alan Bolus (Age 6, PVN) – Title: My Teacher
Winners in the 7 to 11 Category:
- 3rd Place, Kylie Powell (Age 10, Normandy) – Title: Be You
- 2nd Place, Aashvi Parikh (Age 11, Watts) – Untitled
- 1st Place, Chase Cao (Age 11, Tower Heights) – Untitled
City of Centerville Update, Wayne Davis
Gary Smiga introduced Wayne Davis, the City Manager of Centerville, who has been with the City of Centerville since August 2017. Davis shared insights on the city’s progress and future plans for various city projects and developments.
Recent Staff Promotions and Changes
Davis began by telling us about key staff members who have recently been promoted or changed roles:
- Tyler Roark – Recently nominated for Dayton Business Journal’s 40 under 40, Tyler now serves as both Finance Director and Assistant City Manager
- Kate Bostdorff – Communications Director who has taken on additional responsibilities as General Manager of Benham’s Grove and Yankee Trace
- Jason Sewell– Recently approved as Business Manager for Benham’s Grove and Yankee Trace, reporting to Kate Bostdorff
- Drew Simon – Now in charge of all Centerville events, including Party in the Park, concerts, and other city activities
- Donna Fiori – Newly appointed as Clerk of Council, succeeding Terry Davis, who held the position for seven years
Stubbs Park Renovations
A significant focus of Davis’s presentation was the $6.9 million renovation project at Stubbs Park. Expected to be completed by May 2025, the improvements include:
- Renovation of the amphitheater space
- Creation of a new event plaza
- Upgrades to concession and restroom facilities
- Drainage and pond improvements to address issues with stagnant water
- Widening of the park entrance
- Installation of paved trails
Davis assured us that the summer concert series will return once renovations are complete.
Benham’s Grove Enhancements
There is another $6.9 million project to enhance Benham’s Grove. This project includes:
- Construction of a new event center capable of accommodating 150-200 people
- Additional parking
- Renovations to the Gerber House, barn, and cottage
While Davis acknowledged that the financial return on this investment might take 20 years, he emphasized the value it brings to the community as a resource. The expansion is expected to be completed by June 2025.
Golf Course Upgrades at Yankee Trace
Several improvements have been made to the Yankee Trace Golf Course:
- Upgrades to the practice facility, including a new system allowing golfers to swipe a card for a bucket of balls without having to go inside
- A new comfort station
- Clubhouse improvements
- Development of a comprehensive course plan for future enhancements
Dimco Way Improvements
Davis highlighted the new connection being built between Centerville High School and Clyo Road:
- This road will improve safety for the school and is an important connection for the school and community
- The project is scheduled to be completed before the 2025-26 school year starts, with possible earlier completion in June if weather permits
Yankee Road and Social Row Road Development
The city has addressed flooding issues at the southeast corner of the Yankee and Social Row intersection:
- Changes have been made to make the 7-acre site viable for mixed-use development
- Road and site improvements will create three commercial lots
- Phase one will be completed by the end of Spring 2025
I-675 and Wilmington Pike Improvements
A significant infrastructure project is underway at I-675 and Wilmington Pike:
- The city is working on a 72-acre development area
- A 5-phase plan will improve traffic flow at this interchange
- Collaboration with Greene County and Sugarcreek Township is key to the project
- Funding is coming from both Ohio and federal sources
- This is projected to be an 8-10 year project
- The area has seen explosive growth recently, with development near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Cornerstone, Miami Valley Hospital South, and Sinclair College
Uptown Centerville Development
Davis shared that when he interviewed with the City Council in 2017, addressing the disinvestment in Uptown Centerville was a priority. The city has since:
- Attracted private investments of approximately $5.2 million
- Focused primarily on the northwest portion of Uptown
- Improved walkability
- Expanded parking and connectivity
- Supported economic development
Activated Spaces and Enhancements at Uptown Centerville
The city has taken several actions to improve the Uptown area:
- Activated outdoor spaces, including alleys and pedestrian vias
- Made strategic property acquisitions
- Implemented landscaping improvements
- Cleared 54 W. Franklin (which was not a historic building) to prepare for private investment
- Plans to add a pedestrian walkway behind Salon One and improve parking
- Working with the owner of the vacant Centerville Carry-Out to improve and lease that space
New Businesses in Centerville
Several new restaurants have recently opened or will soon open in Centerville:
- Manna
- Agave & Rye
- Meridien
- Brunch Pub
- Mudlick Taphouse (expected to open in early summer 2025)
Other Developments
Davis mentioned several other projects and initiatives:
- Vida Homes is interested in creating homes and townhomes to address the housing shortage
- The city has purchased the historic barbershop building at 30 N. Main St
- Sheetz is reportedly planning a new location on Wilmington Pike, just south of the Cornerstone area on the east side
Slides
The slide deck has more information than is listed in this article.
You can view the slide deck of the presentation here.
Thank You
Thank you, Wayne Davis, for giving an update about the City of Centerville and its commitment to strategic development, improved infrastructure, and community enhancement. As Wayne Davis emphasized throughout his talk, partnerships—whether with Washington Township, schools, or private developers—remain central to Centerville’s approach to progress.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“When you come to a fork in the road – take it.” – Yogi Berra
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Aashvi Parikh | Program |
| Alan Bolus | Program |
| Alice Tavani | Program |
| Amy Bolus | Program |
| Arpan Sarker | Program |
| Ashleigh Isaacs | Program |
| Biddut Sarker | Program |
| Chase Cao | Program |
| Deng Cao | Program |
| Dominic Jones | Program |
| Hetal Parikh | Program |
| Isha Parikh | Program |
| Ishita Parikh | Program |
| Jackie Mahaffey | Program |
| John Powell | Program |
| Kylie Powell | Program |
| Lindsay Godfrey | Program |
| Morgan Powell | Program |
| Ning Zhang | Program |
| Ohni Jones | Program |
| Ran Gray | Ellie Parker |
| Ryan Bolus | Program |
| Samip Parikh | Program |
| Sarah Clark | Program |
| Terri Nichols | Jane Fiehrer |
| Timothy Jones | Program |
| Trishna Sarker | Program |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Wes Feldmeyer | Jane Fiehrer | Induction |
Happy Bucks
No time for Happy Bucks this week
Sergeants at Arms
No time for Sergeants this week
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Bob Glavin | March 12, 1993 | 32 |
| Shane Wilken | March 14, 2003 | 22 |
| Steve Kohls | March 14, 2003 | 22 |
| Don Stafford | March 16, 2024 | 1 |
| David Seyer | March 16, 2024 | 1 |
| Cindy Lowndes | March 16, 2024 | 1 |
| Diane Flick | March 16, 2024 | 1 |
Birthdays
| Gareth Dickey | March 14 |
| Vida McDowell | March 15 |
| Bob Foster | March 16 |
| Jessie Kuhn | March 16 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
NoThank You Notes received this week.
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slides from this week’s meeting