By: Mark Holtsberry

An Interesting Letter

(part two)

I assure you the line Company boys don’t take my liberal attitude, but are looking down the barrel of that rifle which bent up vengeance.

I’d do the same. You would really be interested in my surroundings. I’m sitting on a second floor balcony with the warm Italian sun creating a false feeling of peace and tranquility. The Italians really go in for spacious buildings, with big flare for unnecessary adornments. My desk is a box of grenades, all over the floor is scattered debris from the surrounding walls. It certainly will be a sad day when the owner returns and finds his house in such ruin. Many of the men have fled into the hills carrying a few meager possessions but they will return gradually as their homes are liberated from the Nazis. They are very bitter against the Germans, and small wonder. They even have looted what little the Italians were able to take with them. All of the stories about the unscrupulous Germans must have been true, even more so what some of the Germans have to say is very interesting.

Before I decide to start a novel on this subject, l’d better sign off, assuring you I am o.k. and will write as often as opportunity presents itself.

Corporal Royce E. Smith

35345369 85th Infantry, Division Band

P.S. A correspondent just gave four of us an interview. He took notes on our reaction to our first enemy air bombing. I consider myself lucky I didn’t get hit. Those Stukas were plenty terrifying. He also took the address of the Paulding Republican Newspaper, which I just received.

Royce Smith was my neighbor from my childhood until he passed away. I loved his sense of humor, craftsmanship in making human models for the Paulding Historical Museum. Leaving model heads in the windows of his shop was often scary. But as he would say, “No one ever broke in”. I knew his father Altie and his mother, Agness, great people. I had really neat neighbors as a kid growing up. I only wish that I would have wrote down what they said. All I have are great memories from old neighbors and watching new neighbors living in their homes. I guess to them, I am starting to be that old neighbor.

… Until Next Time! 

Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker

Does everyone recall their school friends? Could you recognize them today if you hadn’t seen them for 30 years?

Sometimes someone will say, “Hello Nancy,” and I have to think and think if I know them or not. 

On one occasion I ran into a guy in a store and he recognized me. I looked at him and the first thing coming out of my mouth was, “Well it’s sure good to see you because I heard you had passed away!”

“Nope,” he says, “I’m still here.” 

Talk about feeling bad, I sure did. However, we talked and as I walked away I thought,  “Oh, maybe that was someone else that died.” My memory had failed me, but I was so happy that he was alive.

I find as I get older, I can go back in my past and remember a lot of things. Some good, some bad. One good memory I have is from the 1950s and what a simple life we lived. No internet, a crank phone, no TV, an old Maytag washer, hanging clothing on the line and yes, I remember the outhouse.

At the time I was young and thought everyone lived like us and was pretty happy. School included yellow tablets, lead pencils, a chalkboard, packing your lunch and I loved school. I have good memories of those days. 

Of course, I have good memories about having my 4 children, but a bad memory came about when my husband died at age 47.

I also recall when I was a young chick I was working 6 days a week in a restaurant and going to computer school in Fort Wayne on my day off. I just wanted to be somebody and hard work was the only way to do that. 

Following my education, I worked for General Telephone for about 4 years. The reason I quit? ((Gas went up to 50 cents a gallon!))

That brought memories of computers being as big as a room, a big card file, wiring boards for the computers and lots of key punch operators. 

Today, my kids are grown, I have 10 grandkids and 8 great and that is one of the greatest accomplishments for me.

Speaking of some of my awesome memories, I have always tended to lose things, get lost, get speeding tickets, and eat lots of chocolate. 

Not too long ago I came into my home and everything was so dark. I thought oh no we lost the power. As I struggled to find a flashlight, I glanced out a window and even though it was sunny, it looked dark out too. 

Oh no! I had my glasses on so I took them off and guess what? They were my sun glasses. I still had power and could see lights. Wow what a relief!

Another time I thought I left my glasses in a restaurant so a friend drove to the restaurant to see if they found them. Yes, the restaurant had found a pair.

Well when the glasses were returned to me I put them on and said, “These are mine. These are mine.” 

About  a half hour later I found my own glasses in the bathroom. I found out that I had not left them at the restaurant, the ones at the restaurant they had weren’t mine. It was so strange taking those restaurant glasses back because I had called and told the restaurant the ones they had were mine. 

But making mistakes, getting lost, misplacing things and forgetting you have sunglasses on isn’t that bad. At least I can still remember good things in life and you know what? I forget what I had for breakfast.  

But I do remember eating big bowls of oatmeal with either sugar and cream on it for breakfast when I was young and that is still a good memory

Do you remember school days? Or who was in your class? What did you eat for breakfast today? Let me know and I’ll give you a nickel for your thoughts!  No, no.  I forgot, it’s a Penny For Your Thoughts.

Dotting My Teas By: Marlene Oxender

I recently stumbled upon an online discussion regarding the definition of the word “author.” Someone asked when it is that a writer becomes an author. 

One of the participants in the conversation pointed out that fixing a plumbing problem doesn’t mean you’re a plumber. Preparing a meal doesn’t make you a chef. Working on your car doesn’t mean you are a mechanic, and so forth. 

This person went on to say that self-publishing a book doesn’t make you an author. 

It made me wonder if anyone in the discussion group had owned a deck of Authors playing cards when they were growing up. If so, this is where they saw pictures of Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, and eleven additional famous authors. This is where they learned the titles of many famous books.  

I remember looking at those cards as a child and thinking you had to be old to be an author. I had no plans of becoming old anytime soon. Certainly I would never become an author; I simply didn’t fit the profile. 

Then this writing thing happened to me – when I got older. If it weren’t for my parents’ estate, my younger brother Stevie, and a mother who encouraged her children to write, I would not be writing. And thus I would not be wondering when it is that someone becomes an author.   

If you think about it, writers make something out of nothing. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say they make something out of twenty-six letters. They simply need to arrange the letters in ways that people enjoy. 

When the fishing magazine arrives at our house, I know the letters are lined up in a way that will keep my husband’s attention.

It’s fascinating to me that fishermen know how to pull a fish out of a body of water. They know what kind of equipment they need. They know when the fish may be biting. They know, and they know, and they know. 

I, on the other hand, know very little about fishing. I know fishermen will get out of bed at a very early hour to head out for the day. I know a fishing trip is a vacation for them. I know they’ll end up with a few fishing stories to tell. It’s safe to say they are fishermen. 

Perhaps it’s the same for authors – they are writers who keep showing up with stories. They keep coming back to arrange those twenty-six letters into something worth sharing.  

A board game many of us began playing as children is Scrabble. It’s a game in which players line up small, lettered tiles to form a word. Serious players keep a Scrabble dictionary nearby and learn of words that are rarely used – except in word games. 

I’ve heard it said that children never remember their best day in front of the television, but they will remember the days when someone spent time with them. They’ll remember who was there to play games and who taught them hobbies that took them into the great outdoors.  

And although their father may not be a plumber, they’ll remember learning how to fix a plumbing issue. They’ll remember learning how to change a tire from someone who isn’t a mechanic. And they may grow up to become a chef, having been inspired by someone who knows just the basics. 

My mother told me she didn’t realize the best years of her life were when her children were home. She was living through what she thought were tiring, nameless moments.  

If my siblings and I were bored, we learned not to tell our mother, for the next thing we knew, there’d be a cleaning cloth in our hands.  

According to her, there was always something to do. She’d tell us to go read something. Or write something. 

Fast forward to today. Now I’m the one telling people they ought to find a pen and paper and write a quick story about something that once happened to them. Something only they could tell but their family would enjoy reading. 

Those of us who own boxes full of photos can write a few identifying words on the backs of them. Someday, someone will be grateful for what we did.

Those twenty-six letters are here to help us make something out of nothing. We can write our to-do list. We can keep a journal. We can make Xs and Os show up in unexpected places. We can write about days gone by. There are nameless moments longing to be named.  

We can play Scrabble and learn how many points we’ll tally if we figure out how to play the X, Q, and Z tiles. Or we can sit on the floor and play a loud game of Spoons.

Children will discover that we older people may not look much like kids anymore, but we still know a thing or two about being one.   

Every day is an empty page, and we’re right on time for our next chapter.

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

Galatians 4:7 (NIV): “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

“The text ‘I’m no longer a slave to fear’ reflects a powerful message about freedom and identity. It emphasizes the transition from a state of bondage, in this case, to fear, to one of liberation through faith and recognition of one’s value as a child of God.

The verse from Galatians 4:7 reinforces this idea by stating that believers are not merely subjects or slaves, but children of God. This implies a profound relationship in which believers can claim their identity as heirs, thereby gaining access to God’s promises and blessings. 

In essence, the message encourages individuals to let go of fear and embrace their identity as loved and valued children of God. It’s about recognizing that one’s worth and security come from this divine relationship, rather than from fear or worldly circumstances. This shift in mindset can lead to greater courage and confidence in facing life’s challenges.

Faith and fear cannot coexist in the same environment. They cancel each other out. We choose faith over fear.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline.” This verse is a powerful reminder that we are equipped with strength and the ability to love, rather than being consumed by fear.

Repeat this to yourself: I am no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God!

Now go and live your life FEARLESSLY!

Peace & Love,

—Pastor Dwayne

A story that touched my heart. One of those things that you listen to in the shower and wow. Something that’s happened to all of us and shouldn’t. 

I’m always amazed how a song tell a story in a few sentences. I’ve mentioned before John Schmidt from Berlin, Ohio. He could have been one of the most popular singers but gave this up for a prison ministry. I’m listening to a concert and this song comes up. John enunciate so well that it’s not hard to pick up the lyrics:

“Most everyone I knew put the whole

“Gray family down 

“They were the poorest family in our little Kansas town

“Howard sat across from me in 7^th grade in school 

“I didn’t like it much but Mama taught the Golden rule

“You see Howard was the type that is easy to pick on. He was different. If you kind of liked him a bit, and I didn’t tease him which made him think I was his friend. 

“So when the spitballs flew at him I never did join in. I would look and see the grateful eyes of Howard Gray looking back at me.”

But things were about to get rocky. 

One day I did something that I will regret the rest of my life. 

“One day after lunch I went to comb my hair and saw they had Howard pinned against the lockers in the hall and they had his left arm pinned behind him until it hurt.”

“Somehow I can’t explain how I ended up laughing with the rest. Till this day I can still see the eyes of Howard Gray looking back at me. I wanted to apologize but I was too afraid to be a friend to you Howard Gray.”

“He never smiled at me nor looked my way again. Not much longer after that his family moved away and that’s all I ever heard of Howard Gray.

That was 20 years ago and I still haven’t found why we kick our brother or our sister when they’re down. I only hope you’ll hear this song someday and know that we are sorry Howard Gray”

A lifetime of regret. My three youngest grandkids are super athletes and straight A students. I’ve told them from day one, find someone that is not part of the ‘in’ crowd and eat lunch with them, or just be their friend. I don’t know if this has helped but they always have a couple of friends with them. 

But that is not the end of the story. This song was written and sung by Lee Dolman from Nashville, TN, who is a friend of Johnny’s. Johnny asked him if he ever saw Howard Gray again.

Lee said, “As a matter of fact I did.” Last year my dad passed away and as they lowered the casket I looked up and saw a face with a tear in his eye. I walked right up to him, stood beside him and put my arm around him. “Will you forgive me?”

“Yuh.” 20 years of guilt lifted.

Howard never returned to school after the 7th grade and had only low paying jobs. He heard the song on the radio and now he was getting fan mail. A few years later, Johnny stopped by. “I’ve been singing your song.” Johnny told him that every time he sings his song he will send him $25. After that Common Ground Ministry sent him $100 a month until his death. Sometimes all you have to do to help someone on his way is to be kind.

PS: I Love sunflowers

—James Neuhouser

By: Ron Burt

NASCAR Champion, Kyle Larson had a stellar week of racing, that capped off by winning his 4th Knoxville Nationals for 410 Winged Outlaw Sprint Cars and $200,000.00 for his effort. After a long week of racing, qualifying, and winning the pole for the 65th Annual Knoxville Nationals, it was a long shot for him to make the race. Saturday afternoon his NASCAR obligations had him at Richmond VA in his Cup Car. While that race was going on, he had know idea, it was pouring rain in the Hawkeye State. Once his race was over, his crew helped him make a mad dash to the airport for a charter flight waiting for him. In Larsons favor, Iowa is on central time and that gave him 60 more minutes and pushed the starting time from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. 

When his flight was in the air, the airplane tracker app recorded 14,000 viewers tracking his fight. His plane was the most tracked in the world during the flight from Richmond to Knoxville. Once he arrived at the airport he was rushed to the track, just enough time to get his fire suit on and get strapped in his car. Starting on the pole, when the green flag dropped, he led every lap of the feature, taking the checked flag and celebrating in victory lane. It was an amazing day and another accomplishment for the driver called, “Yung Money”. Standing next to the champion on the podium 2nd Wooster Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild and 3rd Kasey Kahne.

Larson had a busy race week leading up to the Knoxville Nationals. On Monday, August 10th, He won his 3rd Oskaloosa Challenge, three years in a row at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. This feature race will go down as one of the most interesting. Starting eleventh, Kyle Larson put a controversial late slider on Ryan Timms, to win his third Front Row Challenge in a row, and the sixth in his career. He earned $21,000 for the win. The slider he put on Timms is still a hot topic over a week later and will be the subject of Sprint Car Racing for years.

Thursday, August 13th, Kyle Larson was back in Iowa getting ready for qualifying for the prestigious 65th Knoxville Nationals. He started in 8th and battled into the lead and picked up the win. On the Podium with Larson 2nd Garet Williamson, and 3rd Brent Marks.

Friday, August 14th, Larson had the night off and Donny Sahatz, had the feature win, 2nd Steven Snyder Jr., and 3rd Carson McCarl. 

On Saturday, August 15th, close to home all the Sprint Car tracks were closed because of the Knoxville Nationals. Weather put the damper on most of the other racetracks around the tri-state. Angola, Oakshade and Millstream called their programs early.

The Ohio Sports Blitz Football Scoreboard returns for the 6th season. Every Friday night at 10:20PM on Facebook Live www.facebook.com/ohiosportsblitz/. The largest scoreboard in NW Ohio besides local scores I cover 28 Ohio football conferences, State and National ranked Top 10 teams. Scoreboards will be posted for 24 hours and can be replayed.

Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron Out! 

By: Jeff Mumma, President & CEO, Antwerp Exchange Bank

Every week, we hear about new fraud attempts targeting consumers, businesses, and local organizations. Scammers are convincing, motivated, and increasingly sophisticated. They use technology and trust to steal money and personal information, which means all of us have to stay alert.

Many scams no longer come from a stranger knocking on your door. Instead, they arrive through text messages, emails, social media, and phone calls that appear legitimate. Criminals may claim to be from your bank, a government agency, a delivery company, or even a family member.

One of the most common fraud schemes continues to be text message fraud. You may receive a message claiming there is a problem with your account or that suspicious activity has been detected. The message often creates a sense of urgency and asks you to click a link or provide personal information.

Remember this simple rule: Never provide account numbers, passwords, one-time verification codes, or online banking credentials in response to an unsolicited call, text, or email.

Another growing concern is check fraud. Criminals are stealing checks from mailboxes, altering them, and attempting to negotiate them for larger amounts. If you regularly mail checks, consider using the post office rather than leaving outgoing mail in an unsecured mailbox. Monitor your accounts frequently and report suspicious activity immediately.

Seniors are often targeted through grandparent scams and imposter scams. Fraudsters may claim that a loved one is in trouble and needs money immediately. Their goal is to create panic and pressure victims into acting before verifying the facts. Whenever you receive an urgent request involving money, take a moment to slow down, contact the person directly, and confirm the story.

Technology plays an important role in protecting our customers. Banks today use sophisticated monitoring systems, fraud detection tools, and cybersecurity measures to help identify suspicious activity. However, the most effective defense remains an informed customer.

At Antwerp Exchange Bank, protecting our customers is one of our highest priorities. If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the Bank and something feels off, hang up and call your local branch or our main office at (419)258-5351. Scammers can make a phone number look local or familiar, so it is always okay to pause and verify. Please call us or stop in if something does not seem right. We would much rather answer a quick question today than help recover funds after a loss tomorrow.

We will never ask you over the phone for your account number, Social Security number, online banking credentials, or other personal information that could compromise your identity. We will also never ask you to withdraw cash, buy gift cards, send cryptocurrency, lie to the bank, or stay on the phone while completing a transaction. If someone tells you to do any of those things, please find a way to tell us. We can help protect your money before it falls into the wrong hands.

Community banking has always been about relationships. By working together and staying informed, we can make it much harder for fraudsters to succeed. We may ask a few extra questions from time to time, and we understand that can feel inconvenient. Please know our goal is simple: to protect your money, your identity, and your peace of mind.

We are also excited to share that our new Paulding office is opening soon. We have heard there are new faces in town and new families and businesses we have not had the chance to meet yet. If that is you, we would love to talk with you. Stop in, introduce yourself, ask questions, and get to know our team. Community banking works best when we know each other.

If you ever receive a suspicious message, call Antwerp Exchange Bank directly before taking action. Our team is always happy to help.

Fraud Prevention Tip of the Month: “Stop. Verify. Then Act.” A few extra minutes of caution can prevent months of financial headaches.

By: Mark Holtsberry

An Interesting Letter

Corporal Royce E. Smith wrote the following to his parents Mr. And Mrs. Altie Smith, Broughton, Ohio.

Dear Folks, With all the turmoil and excitement, I have finally found a little time this morning to send a line.

You probably read of the terrific artillery barrage laid down preceding the attack on D-Day. I had a ringside seat. I’ve been reading all those places you have been reading about in the papers. You can’t imagine hoe completely demolished these places are after they have underwent these terrific bombardments. Rubble is certainly an adequate term.

I have either found or had in possession a lot of things you would prize highly as souvenirs.

Some of the German equipment shows great ingenuity.

For instance, they have a flexible cleaning rod. I have one and using it. That is an improvement over our steel rod, since ours is more difficult to carry. When you move so rapidly, it is your advantage to carry as little as possible.

There is a story behind the story on mines but I suppose that will have to wait until the war is won, to be told.

Can you picture me escorting those Nazi supermen? I’ve had some odd experiences in doing just that. The Germans are quite docile when they are stripped of their armament. They still maintain their military discipline however, and their obedience to commands is really something to observe. When they snap to attention they literally freeze. These visible evidences of their severe training and discipline bears out the many articles l’ve read. Articles which stress that the German is fanatically imbued with Nazi doctrines and military creeds.

However, it is difficult for most of us to condemn the German just because he is our enemy, because we know that without the evil leadership, these men would probably be simple peace loving citizens living a normal happy life in their own country. Nevertheless it is quite evident that their beliefs are firmly rooted in their minds and it is going to be quite a problem even after the war expires.

Until Next Time, stay tuned to the rest of story next week!

Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker

I admit it, I am a chocolate lover. If there is any chocolate in the house, I will usually eat it all. I remember some of the old candies that aren’t around anymore.

It was always fun to go into the dime store and look at their different candy and nuts. Today, chocolate has went up in price and what used to be a nickel candy bar is selling for close to $2.

There is a candy that has been around since 1941. That is M&M’s  and they have upgraded thru the years and offer a wide variety of those little red, blue, green, yellow and brown candies. 

You know they say “They melt in your mouth not in your hand.”

Two men, Forest Mar, son of Frank Mar (another candy man) and Bruce Murrie who was the son of a Hershys’ executive, noticed soldiers eating hard pieces of chocolate in WW2. Putting their heads together, they made a candy coating to go over the chocolate to prevent it from getting hard. This was in 1941 and the M&M candy was sent over seas to the military. 

Following WW2, M&M’s were sold in the United States and became a candy that has been around and still being produced. 

M&M’s has ventured into different flavors which includes the peanut butter ones, mint, caramel and the M&M nuts. 

I recently got some of the peanut butter ones, in fact a big bag. They were so delicious that I ate 3 bags in a week (and gained 4 pounds)

M&M’s also makes engraved candies and I would love to get some for family and friends. The chocolate company also does wedding M&M’s , sells in bulk, and their flavors makes everyone want to eat M&M’s. 

What I think would be fun is to use the different colors to represent something. Such as yellow reminds me of sunshine, red could represent love, blue is like the ocean and the green ones?  It was told to me that eating green M&M’s is like an aphrodisiac. 

In the year 2000, M&M’s decided they were to be the candy of the millennium. 

Since M&M printed on the candy meant 2000. A ‘choose the color’ contest was also held and included the whole world. Votes were counted and the winning color at that time was purple. 

Now some friends of mine love M&M peanuts. They keep a big bowl out all the time. We have discussed getting together and playing poker for M and M’s. 

And yes, if that candy company needs a candy taster I am available. (Bryce and Angel) may miss me a little bit.

Do you love chocolate? Do you ever use M and M’s in your baking? Are you going to eat all of the red ones or those green ones? Let me know and I may give you a red M and M for your thoughts. On second thought I will just give you a Penny For Your Thoughts.

1 Corinthians 10:23 (Berean Standard Bible): “All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial. All things are permissible, but not all things edify.”

From a Christian standpoint, the phrase “There’s a high cost to low living” can be interpreted as a reflection on the consequences of choosing to live beneath the values and standards set forth in the bible. 

Living a life contrary to Biblical teachings—engaging in sinful behaviors, forsaking moral integrity, or neglecting one’s spiritual growth—can lead to significant repercussions. This may manifest as a sense of emptiness, guilt, or distance from God. The “cost” is the loss of peace, joy, and fulfillment.

Low living often affects personal relationships. Disregarding Christian values can lead to broken relationships, damaged trust, and a lack of true happiness. 

Living low may lead to missed opportunities to serve God, fulfill one’s purpose, and ultimately have a less meaningful impact on your eternal life. Short-term pleasures can lead to long-term spiritual losses.

We have a call to Higher Living because we seek higher grounds and rewards. We seek eternity with Christ in heaven. Christians are called to live with purpose, embodying values such as love, compassion, and righteousness. While there may be temptations to engage in sin and low living, the cost is the loss of a life filled with God’s presence and guidance.

I encourage you to reflect on your life choices and make decisions that bring good rewards; there are consequences to every choice. Consequences that lead to either a high life or a miserable low life here and in eternity. 

This scripture serves as a guiding principle for decision-making in the Christian life. It invites believers to think critically about their choices, asking whether those choices promote spiritual growth and well-being or self-destruction and death. You choose, but choose wisely. God bless you

Peace & Love,

—Pastor Dwayne