Category: Columns

Local writers and stories

MATT’S MISHAPS

“Serving overseas as a small-town boy in America has been intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!” —Matt  Mis-scheduled Milestone On turning fifty years of age, AARP sent me information to join their ranks of old folks. I am now half a century old and considered…

The Cowboy Rides Away

Last night I heard a new song that is a life-changing. It is a theme I’ve heard before and it carries a message that has happened before and probably will happen again.   I am trying a new project. Doesn’t seem to be working out yet, but it will be sometime before I know the outcome.…

The Left Turn

By: Ron Burt If you are a 410 Winged-Sprint Car fan last week I started talking about Attica Raceway Parks impressive 2024 schedule and the visits this class will make to the famed NW Ohio track. If you missed it, the issue is online in the West Bend News archives. My column also covered the…

MILITARY HISTORY IN PAULDING HISTORY

By: Mark Holtsberry Harry Harrison Kerns was born in Antwerp, Ohio July 30, 1888. The son of Mathew Allison born July 1844 in Ohio and Margaret (Groscost) Kerns born February 1850 in Ohio. Thomas was a Civil War Veteran who served with Company A. 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served October 25, 1861 to July…

WHEN I WAS YOUNG

Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker It’s 2024, I’m ??? years old, and I still have so many unanswered questions!!!! I haven’t found out who let the dogs out… where’s the beef… how to get to Sesame Street… why Dora doesn’t just use Apple Maps… Why do all colors of Fruit Loops taste exactly the…

MATT’S MISHAPS 

“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  People are More Territorial than Dogs I have many favorite running routes along sleepy country roads around small-town America.  However, I get shaken awake on the sleepy road when…

The Left Turn

By: Ron Burt Racing in the Midwest might end in the fall, but racetracks owners, promoters and staff never get breaks. Attica Raceway Park near Tiffin has made some positive changes for the upcoming 2024 racing season for fans and drivers. This week I will focus on the 410 Winged-Sprints. January 13th, Attica Raceway Park…

MILITARY HISTORY IN PAULDING COUNTY

By: Mark Holtsberry  Clare William Keck was born May 20, 1894 in Jackson Township. The son of George Thomas born June 18, 1870 in Ohio and Eva Edith (Good) Keck born January 28, 1873 in Ohio. This couple was married October 7, 1891 in Paulding. By 1900, George and Eva had four children. Annie born…

PASSED ON DOWN

Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker Our mothers and grandmothers have  given us so much. They’ve passed down their recipes, china patterns, and their parenting tips, for starters, but, we’ve just realized—they’ve passed down their vocabularies too. We have inherited their styles, their heirlooms, and more than a few of their favorite sayings as well.  From adages and proverbs to their…

MATT’S MISHAPS

“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  Cold Soup House Do you have a dreaded home project?  I just spent an hour at our overseas, neighborhood paint store buying another paint brush and a new bucket…

What a Waste

This morning, (early January, ’24) my daughter called from her home in Newnan, Georgia. “Can you hear the helicopters overhead?” We could hear the helicopters quite clearly over the phone. Might have been a half dozen just circling. She said it was part of the funeral procession for a Coweta County sheriff killed in the…

The Left Turn

By: Ron Burt The Quarter Midget Several families introduced me to this fun class. Just like the Mini Wedge, these parents and young drivers are willing to help new people to their racing class. If you live in N.W. Ohio or N.E. Indiana, the closest track is in Maumee at the Lucas County Fairgrounds. Northwest…

MILITARY HISTORY IN PAULDING COUNTY

By: Mark Holtsberry  Elwood M. (Babe) Kemler was born December 22, 1890 in Paulding. The son of Francis born January of 1854 and Laura J. (McCreary) Kemler born May of 1855. This couple was married July 25, 1875 in Paulding.  By 1880, this couple was living in Paulding and Francis was a laborer. They had…