Debby and Steve Schumann shared that they had “so many good memories of growing up in West Milton and Union Township” when first asked by the Gazette to share their piece on their time at Milton-Union. And based on their following background, it is clear why they had so much fun there.

Both Schumanns grew up and lived in West Milton through their early twenties. Steve grew up with chickens, goats, garden chores, biking country roads, sledding at the park hill, and roaming the fields and woods near the Stillwater River.

Debby lived in town and more often walked to friends' houses, took piano lessons, and was active in her church, Blue Birds, and Camp Fire Girls. Although their childhoods may have looked different comparatively, one thing true for both was being a Bulldog.

In high school, Debby was in school plays, band, National Honor Society, drama club, on the Miami Scholarship team, Future Teachers of America, Young Spirits, and numerous church activities.

Steve was in the band, choir, Young Spirits, Boy Scouts, church choir, youth group, ran a paper route, worked for a surveyor, and participated in church activities. Steve even shares that he was “super surprised to get on the honor roll one time.”

After graduation, Debby went to the Miami Valley School of Nursing and worked as a nurse for 45 years, most often as a surgical nurse. This career took her to Columbus, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw, Michigan, and then to Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton. After graduating from nursing school, Debby got married and had two children. But, after a divorce, she returned to West Milton in 1990.

Steve, however, worked for two years after high school and then earned his engineering degree from Wright State University. He got married, and his first job after college took him to Chicago. He decided he didn’t like the city, so he returned to West Milton three years later. He served on the West Milton Village Council for four years and was active in the West Milton Players and attended Hoffman Church.

Debby and Steve met again at a renewal of vows ceremony at a common friend's house. They occasionally saw each other as they were both part of the Milton-Union Alumni Band. After Steve's divorce, the two began dating and married in 2003.

The Schumanns are still active with the Alumni Band and started attending Hoffman Global Methodist Church a year ago. They both sing in the choir and help in the nursery. Debby is also a volunteer for LifeWise Academy and Grandma’s Kitchen. Debby and Steve’s closing remark is that it “feels good to be a part of the Milton-Union community once again. The roots run deep.”