Living a resurrected life is at the core of the Christian faith, in which believers embrace newness and transformation through Jesus Christ.

This transformation is rooted in the resurrection of Christ, which assures us of our own new life and identity in Him.

Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse speaks to the profound change that occurs when we accept Christ. Our past no longer defines us; we are made new through Him.

Romans 6:4, it says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

This emphasizes that just as Christ was resurrected, we are called to live a life free from the bondage of sin and to embrace a new existence filled with hope and purpose.

Living by the Spirit; Galatians 2:20 reads, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This verse highlights the importance of surrendering our lives to Christ and allowing Him to guide us in our daily walk.

Hope of Resurrection: 1 Peter 1:3 proclaims, “Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This illustrates that our resurrection life is filled with hope, stemming from the assurance of Christ’s victory over death.

Walking in Love; Ephesians 5:2 encourages us to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” As we live resurrected in Christ, we are called to reflect His love in our actions and to represent Him to the world.

Eternal Perspective: Colossians 3:1-2 states, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Living a resurrected life means constantly focusing on eternity and living in a way that honors God above earthly concerns.

In conclusion, living a resurrected life through Christ involves embracing our new identity, experiencing freedom from sin, walking by faith, and loving others. As we set our minds on heavenly things, we can fully realize the abundant life that Jesus promises us through His resurrection. Glory to God!

Peace and Love,

—Pastor Dwayne

Dotting My Teas By: Marlene Oxender

I remember a conversation with my Aunt Isabel about names from long ago making a comeback. She was amazed that her own first name had become popular once again. After so many years of being the only Isabel, she was surrounded by little Isabels.

My first name is a blend of two names – Maria and Magdalene. Maria means “beloved.” Magdalene means “of Magdala,” a village near the Sea of Galilee. Marlene, therefore, is often associated with Mary Magdalene, a woman whose writings and story have been revisited in recent years and whose role as a devoted disciple of Jesus is now more widely recognized. 

Not long after we’re born, we hear our spoken name. We learn where our home will be and who our family members are. We learn a belief system, and over time grow into the person we are today.  

My Aunt Isabel will be remembered for her sweet personality. Like many women of her generation, she was a farm wife and homemaker. I remember the frosted bunny cakes she made for our Easter gatherings. She baked two round layer cakes, using one to form the bunny’s face, while the other was cut into wedges to create its bowtie and tall ears. 

She used jelly beans for his eyes and licorice for his whiskers. His fur was made of coconut. Life was good as we chose the piece of cake we thought would work best for us.    

While searching online for a picture of one of those bunny cakes, I came upon a photo of a sugar cookie recipe that had been etched upon a tombstone. After reading the recipe, I remember thinking, Now there’s a woman who loved. 

Although I didn’t know the lady who had arranged for her cookie recipe to be etched in stone, I could describe her. She wore an apron. Her kitchen was light and pretty, probably yellow. She spent her morning hours in the garden and her afternoons in the kitchen. 

Her living room was cozy. Doilies in place. Houseplants blooming. A candy dish was part of the décor – gum drops in the springtime and candy corn in the autumn months. It was a simple life.   

When it came time to sort through this woman’s estate, her handwritten recipe cards were like souvenirs to the family. You could say she was an Aunt Isabel. 

Life is a funny thing. We’re here to learn and grow. To gain wisdom. To leave things like recipes and stories behind – written on paper or carved in stone. In Mary Magdalene’s case, her words were preserved in ancient text and rediscovered centuries after she’d written them. 

One of the best things about living with passion is how our legacy takes care of itself. In the end, how we cared for each other isn’t measured by what remains visible, but rather by the memories we made together—and the familiar comforts that quietly etch themselves upon the hearts of those we loved.  

Marlene Oxender is a writer, speaker, and author. She writes about growing up in the small town of Edgerton, her ten siblings, the memorabilia in her parents’ estate, and her late younger brother, Stevie Kimpel, who was born with Down syndrome. Her three published books, Picket Fences, Stevie and Grandma, You Already Am Old, are available on Amazon. Marlene can be reached at mpoxender@gmail.com

By: James Neuhouser

We tried but we lost. This week 68 teams tried out for the national championship in basketball. One team won and 67 lost. Counting teams didn’t make it, probably hundreds lost. I was watching the final game last night that was extremely close. The game was decided by a single bounce of the ball. An entire season determined by a single play, which way the ball happened to bounce. 

This week I received news that a high school buddy had died. I had seen him nearly every week in town and he was always healthy, but I had heard that he had a fall several months ago. Several days ago someone told me he was nearing the end. 

As I read the obit, he had three children, 12 grand children and six great grandchildren with two on the way. He had been married twice, divorced his first wife, but the second was a better choice. He had been a delivery truck driver, but he was quite successful.  A very hard worker. 

Out of high school he found a job driving a Coke truck, and did quite well at it, talking grocers into running Coke specials. He married the daughter of a factory owner, and went to work for his father-in-law, but he was a truck driver there. He knew all of the ins and out of the business. You might say he helped to run the business out of a delivery truck. He and the boss’s daughter got a divorce, but  he still stayed with her father’s company.

Later his son took over the business and he was still a big part of it. But he was content to be a delivery truck driver. By that time he had remarried. I remember the girl that he was sweet on in high school but that was as far as it went. I heard that she married and her husband was killed in an accident. We never saw her again and she never came to any class reunions. 

I never saw my closest buddy in high school after commencement night. He lived with his mother and I’d heard they moved to South Dakota. We had perhaps a dozen 5-year class reunions and no one was ever able to locate him. His name was Larry Jack. 

One thing that happened in my lifetime was that my Coke truck buddy did not go on our senior class trip. He lived on a farm and he was too busy or some excuse. It was one of the highlights of our life, but he never seemed to regret it. Guess it was too late anyway. I guess you might say we won some and we lost some. We tried our best. Sometimes our best was good enough and sometimes not. 

As I see the row of bricks up ahead I can see the finish line. We have crossed the starting line, and somehow made it to the first turn. Down the front shoot and into turn 2. We have exited turn 2 and headed down the back stretch, and into turn three. through turn 3 and into the back straight away. Through the back straight away and into turn 4. Now we have made it through turn 4 and are heading for the finish line. Now we see the row of bricks up ahead, and are just a few seconds away from the finish line.     

Just heard a preacher quoting a verse, in this life you will have trouble. I guess we’ve had our share of trouble, but any race no matter if it’s 500 mi or longer we need to end it with a sprint. Our race has been a long distance run, you might say a marathon, but in the days that we have left we will try our best.

By: Mark Holtsberry

Andrew A. Traylor was born May 25, 1891, in Antwerp, Ohio, the son of Charles W. Traylor, born in 1856 in Ohio, and Francis America (McNabb) Traylor, born April 29, 1863, in Allen County, Indiana. The couple was married in 1880 and were living in Antwerp, where Charles worked as a laborer.

On March 13, 1882, in Antwerp, they welcomed a son, Harlow M. Traylor, followed by Mary Bell, born March 3, 1883. Andrew was born in 1891. By 1900, the Traylor family was still living in Antwerp. Charles was working as a day laborer, Harlow was employed as a dairyman, and Mary and Andrew were attending school. Andrew left school after the sixth grade.

By 1910, Andrew was working odd jobs while the family lived on Wilhelm Street in Antwerp. On March 9, 1914, Andrew grabbed his haversack, traveled to Paulding, and joined the National Guard. He enlisted with Company B of the 2nd Ohio National Guard as a Private First Class and reported to the State Armory for inspection and the election of officers. He was promoted on January 1, 1917.

Andrew later entered federal service, joining Company K of the 146th Infantry in the National Army on March 6, 1917, as a private. He was promoted to Private First Class on August 1, 1918, and to corporal on October 13, 1918. He served in France in the Ypres-Lys and Meuse-Argonne defensive sectors.

On December 11, 1918, while Andrew was overseas, his sister Mary Bell passed away after giving birth to a stillborn son. Both were buried in Riverside Cemetery.

Andrew arrived in Brest, France, on March 18, 1919, to begin his journey home. He sailed aboard the ship Maui and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on March 31, 1919. He was honorably discharged on April 13, 1919. His brother, Harlow, also served in France during World War I.

After returning home, Andrew married Rosa E. Hoover on July 24, 1919. Rosa was born in October 1891. The couple moved to Paulding and lived on West Jackson Street with Rosa’s parents, Samuel and Nettie Hoover. By 1920, they were still residing with her parents, and their daughter, Mary B., was born February 24, 1920.

The family later moved to Antwerp. Rosa’s mother passed away on February 17, 1927. By 1930, Andrew was working as a carpenter. By 1940, Andrew and Rosa were living at 105 West Washington Street in Antwerp, where Andrew continued his carpentry work.

In 1942, Andrew registered for the World War II draft but was not selected for service. By 1950, their daughter Mary had married Max Lichty and remained in Antwerp, living on Stone Street.

In October 1952, Andrew was admitted to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fort Wayne, suffering from diabetes and heart disease. He passed away at 2:20 p.m. on October 16, 1952. He was buried in Maumee Cemetery in Antwerp. In 1953, his flat military marker was installed at his grave.

Rosa joined him in death on April 9, 1964, and was laid to rest beside him in Maumee Cemetery.

…Until Next Time!

Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker

This article was shown to me last week and it was written by Anne Landers years ago. Sent to her by a friend, I was very interested in it and wanted to have you guys read it too.

How much of this is true and how much is coincidence? These comparisons deal with Presidents John Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln.

First of all both were concerned with Civil rights

John Kennedy was elected in 1960 and Lincoln was elected in 1860

Both presidents were assassinated on a Friday and in the presence of their wives

Both men were shot from behind and in the head

Both of their successors were named Johnson and both were Southern Democrats in the Senate

Andrew Johnson was born in 1808 and Lyndon Johnson in1908

John Wilkes Booth was born in 1839 and Lee Harvey Oswald in 1939

Both Presidents’ wives lost a child from death while in the White House

Lincoln’s secretary whose name was Kennedy advised him not to go to the theater 

Kennedy’s secretary whose name was Lincoln advised him not to go to Dallas 

Booth shot Lincoln in a theater and ran to a warehouse

Lee Harvey Oswald shot Kennedy from a warehouse and ran to a theater

The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain 7 letters

The names Andrew Johnson and Lyndon Johnson each have 13 letters

The names John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald contain 15 letters

Both of these assassins were killed before trial

Both Johnson’s were opposed for reelection by men whose names started with G

I never took time to verify all of these facts but they sure are interesting. I never realized the coincidences of these two presidents, but hats off to those who did. I hope you find this column on these two presidents interesting.  

If you find anymore facts about these presidents let me know and I’ll give you a Penny For Your Thoughts.

Can an old dog learn new tricks. I guess after 80 years an old dog can still learn some new tricks. Making lists sounds like a good idea, which I seldom do, but there is something else I’m going to try.

All of my life I have had difficulty being organized. I have always accepted that I am just a disorganized person. I think I have found some ideas that might help. I find something I would like to put away, but every drawer, every countertop, and every cupboard, is filled to the brim. Nothing of any value, just STUFF.

I guess after living in the same house 50 plus years we have accumulated a few things, but are we hoarders. Some people just can’t get rid of anything, and it just piles up. Hoarding can be a disease. Nature does not like a vacuum. If you build a table or a countertop or a cupboard you better fill it up quick, because I guarantee it will get filled up. 

I have been accused of throwing things away that might be valuable. If I have something that someone might be able to use, rather than just let it hang there for eternity, let’s see if someone might be able to use it. Twice I have thrown away things inadvertently. I threw away our birth certificates while cleaning out a file cabinet and didn’t know they were there. We were able to get them replaced but it’s a pain. 

This year somehow I threw away our tax information. The only thing there is how much we made in interest and the bank can provide this, but it is a pain. I also threw away what we received in  social security, and that would be harder too replace. I’m going to make a call in the morning. 

We have a small plastic file cabinet. l took a new manila file folder and marked it 2026 tax info and told my wife when we get tax info to put it there. We had used a cardboard file folder before and I didn’t realize that my wife was still using it. The old file folder was on a porch and there was so much junk I couldn’t get  to the cabinets. There were tax returns from 2009. So I threw away the old tax folders but somehow she had put the new information in the old file folder and I wasn’t aware of it. 

Lately I have been trying to keep things in order. Even on a table or countertop in good order and clean. If you keep things clean, it is much easier than to mess things up and then have to clean them. If you have a family, each one should know where things belong and keep things tidy and clean up behind yourself. It saves much time in the long run. 

All her life my friend would never leave the kitchen with dirty dishes in the sink. I’m not saying you have to do this, but it is probably the easiest way if you’re not a fan of dirty dishes. Also if her bed is not made, she’s sick.

“That picture of our honeymoon, That night on Frisco Bay, Just give it away, Just give it away”.   George Strait

After his wife left she was not connected to those things anymore. On the day my father-in-law left his farm it nearly killed him. I feel like I’m not attached to our house, but I probably will feel bad when we have to leave. All of us will face that day. 

This was written on Easter 2026, and there is a new discovery, especially to me. Because Christ arose we need not fear death. Death is simply leaving this planet which we have absolutely no attachment to. We will miss seeing loved ones but only for a short time, and then we’ll be together again.

—James Neuhouser

“Easter in our hearts every day” is a phrase that resonated in my spirit as I prepared for Holy Week. It is a sentiment that emphasizes the importance of the values and spirit associated with Easter beyond just the holiday itself. Easter, which celebrates resurrection, renewal, and hope, can be a source of inspiration for daily living.

To have “Easter in our hearts” suggests cultivating a mindset of joy, forgiveness, and love in our everyday interactions. It encourages us to embody the essence of rebirth and transformation, not just once a year, but continuously. This mindset can lead to a more positive outlook on life, reminding us to embrace new beginnings and to find hope even in challenging situations. 

This may explain why Jesus appeared to Mary and the disciples after His resurrection. To Mary, unwavering in her faith, He urged her to tell Peter and the others that He had risen, making her the first evangelist. When He appeared to Thomas, He stopped his doubt. Showing Himself to Peter and the others, and initially rebuking them, strengthened their belief and faith that Jesus was the Christ, the Risen Savior, and the eternal God.           

Additionally, this phrase can imply a commitment to community and kindness, reflecting the way Easter often brings people together. By carrying the spirit of Easter throughout the year, we can promote compassion, understanding, and unity in our relationships with others.

Ultimately, “Easter in our hearts every day” serves as a reminder to live with a sense of gratitude, to acknowledge the beauty of life, and to spread positivity and goodwill in our daily interactions. It invites us to celebrate not just the holiday but the profound lessons it brings into our lives at all times. Every day should be Easter Sunday/ resurrection day. 

Scripture references: John 20:19-31, Luke 24:13-35

Peace and Love,

—Pastor Dwayne

By: Ron Burt

Ohio racetracks are laying to groundwork to protect themselves as more people are leaving metropolitan hubs to relocate in the country. Speedways that have been in business over 50 years could lose out to new homeowners because of the noise from weekly events. It doesn’t seem fair for an established business to close because of a handful of new neighbors, but it’s been going on around the country. Ohio racetracks want protection. It’s seeming simple, the speedway was there first. Most of these tracks are family owned and started on their farmland. In the beginning of most, no houses could be seen in any direction. Real estate companies come along and buy up the land around the tracks and develop it and sell the lots for homes. Homeowners don’t think about the racetrack next door until they have a cookout on a Saturday night and hear 3-4 hours of roaring engines. They complain to the real-estate company who have more money and better attorneys most of the time and the tracks are forced to close because of a handful of new homeowners from outside the local community.

In 2025 the state of Iowa passed a new Bill 645, and it specifically protects motorsports venues from legal action from angry neighbors, assuming the track was there first. Any racetrack must comply with existing rules about allowable noise and light pollution, but as long as a track is following those rules, new complaints can’t be brought by nearby homeowners. With housing developments popping up everywhere, Bill 645 prevents some unscrupulous developers from forcing out motorsports. This protection is especially important for grassroots racetracks, that are a big part of Midwestern racing heritage.

Tracks and fans in other states have reached out to their own State Legislatures including, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana to start their own groundwork and set protection laws in place. 

Recently Representative Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) introduced legislation to create a clear legal framework for nuisance claims involving racing facilities and racetracks across Ohio. The bill would establish a complete legal defense for racing facilities against certain nuisance claims regarding activities such as noise, traffic, dust, or lighting. This would apply to a property owner who acquired or developed property after the racing facility was constructed. The legislation is intended to provide certainty and stability for existing racing facilities while preserving compliance with all state and federal environmental, health, and safety laws. If enacted, this would also prohibit counties or townships from adopting regulations that conflict with the provisions of the bill. The bill now awaits a number and committee assignment.

Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon has released the 2026 schedule with a big surprise. The Modifieds are coming! During the season the UMP Modifieds and Late Model Sportsmen cars will have a race series together. The speedway has run a few of these challenge races in the past and the fans and drivers enjoyed the two classes going head-to-head. The races will pay $1,200.00 to win. The first series race will be opening night May 2nd, with 7 more during the summer. Maybe if enough drivers build modifieds, in a year or two Oakshade might have a class for them. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out! (www.facebook.com/ohiosportsblitz)

By: Mark Holtsberry 

Albert Wallace Treat was born December 23, 1895, in Guys, Illinois.

He was the son of William E. Treat, born August 9, 1854, in Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan, and Carrie E. (Wallace) Treat, born February 9, 1869, in Windsor, Shelby County, Illinois. This couple was married April 24, 1889, in Shelby, Illinois.

By 1900, the couple was living in Whitley, Illinois. William was working as a hardware salesman, and Carrie was raising three children: Birdie Vay, born January 1891; Dee E., born December 1892; and Albert, born December 1895.

By 1910, William and Carrie had moved the children to a farm in Farmer, Defiance County, Ohio. William became a postmaster. Dee was helping on the farm. The daughter, Birdie, and Albert were in school but also helped on the farm.

On July 20, 1911, Carrie passed away from cancer, surgical shock, and septicemia. She was buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville, Ohio.

On June 5, 1917, Albert left the University of Chicago Medical School after two years and traveled to Payne, Ohio. He registered at the Payne precinct for the World War I draft. Albert had moved to Payne a few years earlier. He was listed as medium build, medium height, with brown eyes and brown hair. He was single and working as a traveling solicitor for the Radcliffe Chautauqua out of Washington, D.C.

Albert enlisted to serve in the military on June 21, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On January 9, 1918, as part of Section 562, United States Army Ambulance Service, Albert was sent overseas as a Private First Class to serve with the 508th Ambulance Service. He shipped out of New York and headed to France.

In June of 1919, Albert joined the Foreign Food Service as a food relief officer, but soon after that, he became part of the United States Consular Service. This position required a passport from the United States State Department.

He returned to America on March 14, 1920, to attend the Phi Beta Theta fraternity banquet in Washington, D.C.

On March 16, 1923, Albert’s father, William, passed away. He was buried with his wife Carrie in Forest Home Cemetery.

On December 17, 1923, Albert was nominated and promoted to serve at a higher level in the United States Consulate. He eventually became Vice Consul in Smyrna, Iran. He held and commanded the food relief structure to feed war-torn countries.

On May 3, 1929, Albert Wallace Treat died suddenly. According to reports, he was stricken with pleural pneumonia at his post in Tehran, Iran, some two weeks earlier. His health then declined rapidly after he contracted blood poisoning. At one time, his fever rose to 105 degrees. Serum was rushed to Tehran from Cairo, Egypt, by airplane, and three physicians were constantly by his bedside. The State Department in Washington advised relatives.

His remains were returned to Washington, D.C., where arrangements were made to return the body to Hicksville for burial. He was buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville, Ohio, Lot 58, Section 5.

…Until Next Time!

Penny For Your Thoughts by: Nancy Whitaker

I have almost always been someone who makes a list for everything. List making seems to make tasks shorter and easier. I do lists for groceries, Christmas gifts, what routines  I need to follow on a daily basis, medicines, Dr appts, music gigs, songs, food to serve at each holiday, work hours, what stores have the best prices on various items and things to take on a trip, lists of restaurants and a list of what clothes I want to wear the next day. 

It’s not new for me to make a list because actually I think I have always had a list. One of the things that’s frustrating is getting to a store or go shopping and find you forgot your lists of things to remember. 

You can look at a list as a tool for organization or just because you are afraid you might forget to pay a bill or pick up dry cleaning.

Years ago when my children were growing up I always gave them a work list to do after school. With me and their dad at work, it made it nice to have some things done after working all day.

My kids did work lists for .25 cents a week. You probably don’t believe it, but that quarter meant a lot back then. When the older girls were in junior high they had lists such as: throw a load of white clothes in the washer. 

Then I might have them get potatoes ready to bake for supper, feed and water the dog, make sure their younger brother and sister changed their school clothes, walk up to post office and get the mail and wash any dirty dishes which are lying around. 

Then years later when I was in the process of moving, the kids found some old work lists in a drawer from the 70s and said, “Wow mom! We had some big work lists.” If I had children today I would probably still make work lists. 

Some of my everyday lists looks the same. Of course, the first thing I have on my list is to make my coffee. I don’t think I could make a list unless I drank coffee first.

Now, the second thing I need to do is take my medicines.  With my age, I do have several meds to take, so I write it on my list.

The next thing I do is pay my bills and take care of any other financial needs. I put this on my list each day, and if I don’t have to do it, I still write it down. 

Then I think of doing dishes, sweeping and some household chores that may or might need done, but yes or no they still are on my list. 

I check another list I made to see if I have to play piano anyplace that day. If I do, I write it down on my daily list. 

Do I need groceries? Have I got anything for dinner? So then I go to the freezer to see what I have available. After I check, I write it on my list.

This probably seems mundane to you but after I complete my list, I think I have accomplished what I set out to do each day. It is said that after you complete a list, it makes you feel like you accomplished something. 

Holidays and Christmas I have lists almost from every year telling me what size everyone wears and what they want Santa to bring  them. Well if Santa Claus can have a list, I guess I can too.

I did not know this until recently that there is a computer app that gives the format for a list.  I have never used it, because my lists are written on notebook paper and I think I still have lists laying around from 10 years ago. 

Maybe I have a list phobia because if I need or have to do or go someplace, I need a list. 

Do you make lists? Have you ever forgotten a list? Do you have Dailey lists?  Let me know, and I’ll give you a Penny For Your Thoughts.  Oh I better put that on my list. Happy list making!