By TERRI RITTER
Public Relations Coordinator, North Webster Community Public Library

Local centenarian Gladys Culver recollects growing up and living in North Webster during an interview conducted and recorded by the North Webster Community Public Library. That interview is now available for public viewing on the library’s website: www.nweb.lib.in.us.

The library’s Local History and Genealogy Center Director Beth Smith interviewed and videotaped 104-year-old Culver as part of the library’s local history project of preserving the recollections of long-time senior residents.

In the interview, Culver shares memories of her life in North Webster. Born Gladys Strombeck in 1910, she has lived all her life in North Webster until moving recently to Syracuse. Mrs. Culver graduated from North Webster High School in 1928 as salutatorian of her class. She went on to earn her teaching certificate from Ball State Teacher’s College (now Ball State University) and taught second grade at North Webster School for over 50 years.

Following retirement, she continued to volunteer at the school for many years. She and her husband, the late Arnold Culver, were married for 52 years and operated several businesses in the North Webster area including a mill and a grocery store. An accomplished pianist and organist, she continues to play for the residents of Miller Merry Manor where she resides.

The interview can be viewed by visiting the Local History and Genealogy page of the library’s website at www.nweb.lib.in.us and clicking on “Presentation Videos”.
The North Webster Community Public Library is located at 301 N. Main St., and houses the Local History and Genealogy Center where a collection of local history resources, artifacts, and memorabilia are available.