Local writers and stories
By: Ron Burt The 10-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion got the monkey off his back Friday, May 19th at Attica Raceway Park, Donnie Schatz took the lead on the white flag lap, grabbing the victory and earning his first series’ win of 2023. It’s hard to believe it’s May, and Schatz picked…
An estate plan is not just for high-net-worth individuals, it’s for everyone who is single, has a spouse, has a partner, has dependents, owns a business, has investments, has retirement funds, owns property, or has material possessions of value such as a car. An estate plan may reduce estate taxes and shield your beneficiaries from…
By: Mark Holtsberry The story of the Ralph Owen Brattain family is a sad but strange one and ends up being an unsolved mystery. Now that I have caught your attention, this fella was born in Antwerp February 28, 1897. The son of Dr. Giles M. born October of 1863 in Ohio and Bertie Alba…
Come for a couple hours or a day. Plan to have lunch at the Country Store or a snack at the coffee shop. An old town with some very unique stores that has had many improvements in the last few years. I grew up on a farm 2 miles south of Grabill and remember the…
“Serving overseas as a small-town boy from America is intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!” —Matt TAKEN FOR RANSOM In the old days, it seemed the plot to many movies and real-life adventures were people being taken for the purposes of ransom. Today, ironically, it…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker I am a big fan of the being online and also social media, and so is a lot of people. Through the wonders of a computer and the internet, I can see pictures of my new great-grandbabies (yes I am that old), talk with my family and friends,…
By: Ron Burt On Saturday, May 13th at Fremont Speedway, Skylar Gee took the checker for the second night in a row in his Winged 410 Sprint Car. He won on Friday at Attica Raceway Park, which was opening night for the two-track series sponsored by Kistler Racing Products/All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads, presented by…
By: Mark Holtsberry Oliver Raymond Bissell was born in Antwerp, October 22, 1894 he was the son of Oliver Peter, born August of 1860 in New York and Clara C. (Cluts) Bissell born in 1866 in Ohio. They were married September 14, 1884 in Pauling. By 1900, Oliver and Clara were raising four children, William…
By Ron Burt I will start with the big announcement from Anderson Speedway and the upcoming Little 500. It’s been confirmed USAC winner and 2023 Chili Bowl Champion, Logan Seavey has entered the 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500, presented by UAW. In his rookie attempt, Seavey will look to be the first driver ever…
By: Mark Holtsberry Cecil Maywood Billman was an Antwerp man who was born November 12, 1897 in Antwerp. The son of Elias Franklin, born May 18, 1868 in Indiana and Cora Burchard (Rumbaugh) Billman, born January 11, 1877 in Ohio. This couple was married, September 29, 1895 in Paulding, Ohio. By 1900, Cecil and Cora,…
By: Ron Burt Last week Mother Nature won again, making many area racetracks cancel their shows. The tracks south of Indy were able to dodge the rain and cold. Saturday night the World of Outlaws sprint car series fought off the rain, and got their race in at Tri State Speedway, in Haubstadt, Indiana. Former…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker My White House Cookbook from 1887 includes just about anything you would want to know for that time period. (1887) Table manners were very strict and they followed rules of etiquette at every meal. These were discussed vividly and I am not even sure if I follow all…
By: Mark Holtsberry David Bill Barnhart was born April 27, 1891 in Antwerp. The son of George, born October 1845 in Germany and Margarett, “Maggie” (Flickinger) Barnhart, born July 1849 in Ohio. This couple was married April 25, 1875 in Otsego, Allegan County, Michigan. George was a Civil War Veteran, who served with Company F.…
