“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

source: NIV version

Peace & Love, 

—Pastor Dwayne

A tribute to my bride on number 65. At 6 o’clock in the evening on a beautiful summer day in early August, on a Saturday night, the bell ring out at the small country Church at Turkey Creek. The little girl that they had watched grow up in a small church, and the farmer’s only daughter, was getting married. It was a beautiful summer day in Indiana out in the country. Our 65th anniversary passed rather quietly, not much fanfare, very little hoopla. We had hoped for a party but it didn’t happen.

Makes me wonder about the institution of marriage. Why did God make two different sexes. Why do we naturally pair up and be together. There are some real advantages of being married. I never liked to be alone. I have unmarried friends and they seem to be fine and are free to do anything they wish.

The Bible says that two become one. This is stated in Genesis 2, and the exact same wording a total of four times. When I have a question I often go to Mrs Google. She says two becoming one means a husband and wife leave their individual family units and form their own family, in a permanent bond. A single team making decisions and a future together. The Bible also talks about the bond or spiritual union between Christ and the Church as marriage. It talks about the marriage supper of the Lamb.

This is a bond that cannot be broken. The Bible says let no man put asunder. I was raised in the Mennonite faith and we were taught no divorce under any circumstances. Because of this I always considered marriage to be permanent. The only problem is sometimes you get a lemon. I am not sure what happens then.

I fortunately have a wife that is hardworking, has a strong faith, and was the best possible mother to our children and wife to me. She has a sense of what to do when a medical problem arrives and sometimes she is better than the doctor. She would have made a terrific nurse.

 The marriage bond is one of the best things that God ever invented.

No matter what comes up you have someone on your side watching your back. Especially as you get older and health problems arise you realize that each of you need a bit of help, even someone to cheer for you when you are down.

—James Neuhouser

Writing prompts. I’ll never run out of them. So much to write; so little time. 

The good thing about writing a newspaper column is that a deadline comes with it. But the bad thing about writing a newspaper column is that a deadline comes with it. At times, I’ve thought it might be best to schedule a sabbatical for myself. I’d put new writing on hold, focus on publishing my books, and then return to the column. 

But then something comes along and renews my energy. When a recipe for Get Well Custard appeared in my newsfeed, it reminded me of an essay I’d written a few years ago about how we care for one another. I had forgotten what I’d written, so I read it again. My own writing is often new to me.  

Most of us would agree that creative writing is a learned skill. It takes time. It takes editing. Then more time and more editing. It’s work, but it’s fun work.   

In 2023, I published a book about my brother Stevie who had Down syndrome. I knew the book would sell well. After all, Stevie had done the marketing by just being himself all his life. We scheduled a few book signings, and his friends came to see him and have him sign the front cover of the book.  

A young friend recently asked if I ever receive feedback from readers regarding my newspaper column or books. I didn’t mean to sound boastful when I told her yes – I receive cards and letters from people I don’t even know. I then laughed as I told her my answer sounded like a Glen Campbell song: “getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know.” Then I had to tell her who Glen Campbell was. 

A few weeks back, after my Newspaper Clippings story was published, I began receiving comments through texts and emails – 14 messages. All good. 

I suspect part of the reason I receive encouraging feedback is that I tend to keep my words uplifting and steer clear of anything that may cause division. I like to think I write about God without using the word God, mostly because God is bigger than any one word. 

There are those who believe humanity is more awake than ever to the happenings of the world. We’re asking questions and having new conversations. Things once considered impolite or even impossible to discuss are being discussed. 

I would have connected some dots years ago, but I didn’t know there were dots to connect. Being open to new possibilities helps us look beyond beliefs and assumptions that may separate us. We just need to keep in mind that we never know what we may not know.

Whoever said that all the world’s a stage had it figured out. We’re discovering how much truth that sentence holds, and many of us have decided it’s okay to stop watching the show and begin rewriting the script.  

Life on earth means we arrive with nothing in our hands. We spend our days collecting things before departing with nothing in our hands. 

But look at that beautiful soul of ours, meant all along to be the collector of things. Collections rich in memories. Collections full of wisdom. Collections of those little things we refer to as acts of kindness. 

We can spend every moment extending love. Even while we sleep, we’re renewing our energy and restoring a little inner peace. Those naps? A gift to ourselves. 

My brother Stevie often led our mealtime prayers. We always listened carefully because he could be hard to understand. After he finished praying, there were smiles as we pointed out how many times we heard him bless the food and mention his family. 

His prayers always included the words “more love.” Looking back, I realize how much Stevie understood about love. When he said those two words, it was his way of speaking love into his world. 

And now, when I think of him and miss him, I hear him tell me to put my wings on and buckle up. We’re walking each other home, and we’ve got work to do.   

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

Toledo Speedway recently shared, Richard Childress Racing announced the formation of an ARCA Menards Series program, with Cleetus McFarland returning to the team to chase the 2027 championship, including a race at Toledo Speedway on May 15th. McFarland will drive the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing during his first full ARCA Menards Series campaign. McFarland joined the team earlier this season, competing in two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events.

Attica Raceway Park & Fremont Speedway will keep the current series. The All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads/Kistler Racing Products Attica Fremont Championship Series Presented by the Baumann Auto Group for the 410 sprint teams and the Real Geese Decoys/Real Capz Attica Fremont Championship Series for the 305 sprint teams will continue in the 2027 racing season. With the departure of AFCS promoter Duane Hancock, both Fremont Speedway and Attica Raceway Park officials have indicated the series will be a big part of both tracks’ plans in 2027.

The offical 2027 Attica Raceway Park Track Champions, 410 Winged Sprints, Cap Henry. This was Cap’s 4th straight track championship and 5th over-all at Attica. Bryan Sebetto won his first 305 Wing Sprint Championship. UMP Late Model Devin Shiels from Britton, Mich recorded his 6th championship at the track since 2016. 

Attica Raceway Park passed out $50,000 in point fund money for the top 10 in points in the track’s three weekly divisions that competed in the 2026 season. Rain washed out 11 of the scheduled events in 2026, meaning 13 races were contested.

The 2026 Rumble In Fort Wayne returns to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum December 18th and 19th. The Midgets headline the two days bringing in racings top drivers. Also, this year the 600cc Wing and Non-wing Midgets, several classes of Race Karts, Mini Wedges and Quarter Midgets.

Friday, October 23rd Montpelier Motor Speedway IN hosted the first night of the Annual Monster Mash Weekend. Drew Charlson won the UMP Modified Feature, Josh Gamblin found Victory Lane in the Hornet Class. Vienna Ohio’s Eric Wilson took the win in the DIRTcar Super Late Model Division.

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

A letter from France

Evacuation Hospital 13

A.P.O. 783

Amex, France March 31, 1919

[Another letter from Paul Cussen to my grandmother’s first cousin Florence Manson, This letter was written in the Duchess’s Castle in France.]

“My dearest cousin your letter received this evening and will hasten to reply, as I find myself as busy as you were and forget to answer.

“Now, say don’t you offer me any flattery. Don’t you know that I’m so old that my hair has turned gray and my face has wrinkles as deep as the creek that runs furthest from you house. You won’t do it any more will you?

“Well, Florence I just got back from a fourteen day furlough to the British Isles and dear such a time as I had. Tell your mama that I had a look into the mode of living that our dear grandpa and grandma had and oh how homesick I grew for it and how I would have loved to have been with them in their quiet little city with the rows of houses. A large tear in each eye as I stood from a high mountain on which was a large castle and gazed at the little city of Rajalack. The place was spotlessly clean and the people had sweet sad faces. How I could live always in old Ireland. I’ll tell you all about it when I get home.

“I had a grand letter from Aunt Mayme. They are both well.

“We have nearly finished our work here and I hope to be home before many moons. 

“Well my dear I am busy so will close with love to all.

“Your Cousin Paul”

So thankful that my grandmother kept these letters and passed them on to my mom. I found these letters after my mom passed away.

By: Nancy Whitaker 

That time again!  We will be turning our clocks back  next week.  For me it is hard to adjust to at least for a month.  But fall is here,  not only in our changing time, the season is showing us a wonderland  of color, cool temperatures, piles of leaves, bon fires and weenie roasts.

Looking out I see squirrels carrying nuts in their cheeks, air conditioners are being shut off or taken out.

There is something comforting about fall weather.  It is comfy to get out your favorite sweater for that cool morning air.  Apples and apple cider are plentiful and a warm fire and a good novel will  be on the horizon for warmth and comfort.

The cheers of football fans ring out with the cheering and yells for your hometown  team. 

Before snow makes its appearance let’s have a weenie roast.  I read about a family hot dog roast and what went on. This did not happen to me but to another family. 

After all the mustard, ketchup, chips, marshmallows and necessities were ready, Grandpa was so hungry he grabbed a wire hot dog stick and since the fire was going good decided to cook his wiener  right now. He was so anxious to taste that hot dog.

Well his one hot dog was cooking too slow so he decided to put 2 wieners on the stick. Oh how clever he was.

Well Grandpa got in a hurry and fell down and landed in his lawn chair. “Oh no”  he said, “My hot dogs, my hot dogs.” Well, those hot dogs had a mind of their own. One went flying up in the air and with a big twist landed in Aunt Mildred’s purse.

At that very same time the pet dog sat down eyeballing the falling wiener, opened his mouth and swallowed the whole wiener at once.  There is now a rule in that family to only roast one hot dog at a time. 

I like the smells of fall such as apples baking with cinnamon, spice candles burning through the house, and a cup  of homemade hot cider. Yum! 

Do you like fall weather, colors and smells? Do you like apple cider hot or cold? Do you have a favorite fall sweater? Let me know and I will give you a Penny For Your Thoughts.

By: Ron Burt

The 2026 Tri-state racing season is almost over. This year suffered because of the weather. Winter lingered into late spring and then we were hit by cold and rainstorms, cancelling early local races and National events in our area. Tracks suffered because of low attendance and battling each other trying to put on big events to lure fans from other tracks. 

Many fans, drivers and crews were excited about Mansfield Speedway coming to life again. Unfortunately, after the first weekend of racing, parts of the speedway had to be dug up and rebuilt. They had their share of growing pains early on but each week the racing surface became better and now it can host any big National Dirt Racing Series.

October 17th, Montpelier Speedway IN-hosted the Hoosier Hussle. It was the last time in 2026 for the 410 Non-wing Sprints. Thirty seven Sprints showed up to qualify. Zack Pretorius, set fast time 14.783. The 4 heat winners, Trey Osborne, Gunnar Setser, Jack Hoyer and Dustin Ingle. Two B Features were run with the top two finishers in each transferring to the A-Main. 20 Sprints started the 25 lap Feature, Ricky Lewis from Oxnard CA parked his car in Victory Lane, Trey Osborne and Jakeb Boxell made the podium. Race veteran Todd Sherman won the UMP Modified Feature. Kory Glassburn took the checkered flag in the Street Stocks. Montpelier Speedway will close out 2026 on October 23rd and 24th with the Annual Monster Mash. Six classes of cars over the 2 nights of racing.  

Tony Stewart Racing added another Championship to their trophy case last week. Rico Abreu won the High Limit 410 Sprint Season Championship. This is Tony Stewart Racing’s 24th National Championship and Rico’s first year driving for Stewarts team. Rounding out the 2026 Top 5 in the point standings Giovanni Scelzi, Aaron Reutzel, Tyler Courtney and Justin Peck.

Other High Limit news, a few days after the 2026 season concluded, there will be a new contender for the 2027 Rayce Rudeen Foundation Rookie of the Year Award with Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing; and he’s already one of the most popular figures in the sport. After finishing the final 10 races of this season aboard the Vermeer Motorsports Sprint, team owner Tony Vermeer signed Brady Bacon as the full-time driver when they return to High Limit next year. 

The 36-year-old future Hall of Fame driver has already built a great career headlined by his four championships and 64 wins with the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series. Both stats ranking second all-time in the 70-year history of the United States Auto Club.

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

By: Mark Holtsberry
A letter from France
Evacuation Hospital 13

A.P.O. 783

Amex Lances, France

Paul Cussen was born and raised in Antwerp. He was my grandmother’s first cousin. He registered for the draft June 5, 1917 in Antwerp. He served in France during World War One. He served in the 13th Medical Department Evacuation Hospital in St. Mihiel, France. Here is a letter he wrote my grandmother January 21, 1919.

Miss Florence Manson Paulding, Ohio

My dear cousin, your kind letter came to me yesterday and indeed I was much pleased. It is appreciated so much since I have had to come to this part of the country.

It is very cold here this morning and I can hardly write. Our fire refuses to burn. If my words ace jumbled together, kindly excuse me.

You mentioned in your letter about French girls. Well, they man appeal to some of the American boys. I could not answer for all but as far as I am concerned individually nothing doing.

I may tell you about one however, she was very pretty and wealthy as well. She and her mother were running a jewelry store. She could speak fluent English. I would meander down on evenings and chat to her, you see it was even a taste of sweets to talk to a girl that could understand me. As far as some others that I have seen they are anything else but decent.

Our fashions are patterned after the lowest type of women. I have seen them in Paris.

I had a nice letter from Aunt Mayme again. She is very kind to remember me so far away. I am trying to bring each one of my cousins something from France, but do not know how l’ll succeed. It makes a big call and word to carry.

I have chased all over the castle even in the Duchess’s bath tub, but of course she wasn’t there, ha ha.

Well Florence I have no news this morning, so I will close with love. I would love to hear from your mamma.

With love to all

I am your cousin, Paul”

Paul passed away in 1969 and is buried in Maumee Cemetery

It’s pumpkin time! Time for Jack-o-lanterns, visiting pumpkin patches, making favorite pumpkin desserts and hopefully some cooler weather.

Did you know there is a National Pumpkin Day? It is October 26 and that happens to be the day I was born. I don’t recall ever having a pumpkin when growing up. With living in the country and being a religious family, Halloween wasn’t one of our biggest holidays.

I do remember my little brother having some kind of mask that he wore around the house trying to scare us. Now, what was funny is when he looked real hard at that mask, it scared him so bad we had to hide it in a buffet drawer. 

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin roll are holiday treats that a pumpkin provides. 

So how did pumpkins and carving them on Halloween come about? According to Irish folklore there was a guy named Stingy Jack. It is said that Stingy Jack tricked old Satan multiple times and was so bad that God would not let him into Heaven and the Devil would not let him into H-ll either.

He was sent down into the cold dark night with just a  single lighted coal to find his way. So Jack took a turnip, hollowed it out and placed the ember into the turnip therefore that story of Jack became Jacks Lantern or Jack O Lantern . 

The Irish began to hollow out apples and turnips and made ugly faces with candles in them to scare off Stingy Jack.

My kids all loved pumpkin carving and if cooked right they liked the seeds which you can eat.

Did you know there is a spiritual example of a pumpkin? Jesus spoke in parables and so this story is like a parable.

We like to pick and choose our pumpkins, just as God chooses us.

Cutting off the top and removing the insides or guts of the pumpkin is like God cleaning us up and forgiving our sins.

Then cutting a big smile on the pumpkin’s face because we have become a new person.

Putting a light in the pumpkin is letting our lights shine and letting everyone know we are forgiven.

Now I know people will create all kinds of faces on pumpkins, have growing contests and pie baking contests. 

Pumpkins have been around many, many years and the flavor we get really makes those pies taste good. 

Do you have a special pumpkin recipe? Do you have a recipe for pumpkin seeds? What is the biggest pumpkin you ever grew? Let me know and I’ll give you a Penny For Your Thoughts. 

Years ago, when our family discussed who would inherit Grandma Parnham’s candy dish, my husband was glad to learn that his grandmother had already shared her thoughts.  She told them that he was the grandchild who had made the most use of it, so it should be his. 

And so it was. After 50 years on Grandma’s kitchen countertop, the green Depression glass dish changed hands and has now been in our home for nearly 40 years. 

If only the candy dish could tell me its stories. I’d like to hear about lemon drops and ribbon candy. Or was it orange slices? Maybe it was circus peanuts. 

I’m not a fiction writer, but I’d consider writing a book about my interview with the candy dish. I’d want to know how many times Grandma lifted the lid to refill it and where the dish came from. Was it a gift? I’d ask about the youngest hands that ever lifted the lid – and the oldest. I’d want to know who couldn’t keep their hands out of it and what their favorites were. 

I’d ask it to tell me some good stories about Grandma and Grandpa’s five children – Doris, Harold, Richard, Virginia, and my mother-in-law, Patricia. 

If I could watch a few scenes from their lives on the farm, I’d choose to see how Grandma taught her daughters to sew. There would have been a first time each child sat in front of the sewing machine. A first time threading the bobbin. A first time completing a clothing project and modeling it for the rest of the family. And the candy dish would have been a witness. 

In our box of memorabilia from the Parnham side of the family is an Ohio State 4-H Report Form that Patricia had completed at the age of 14. In her cursive handwriting, she answered a question about how her 4-H work could benefit the community: “I can help other people learn to sew.”

She penned those words in 1942, not knowing what a talented seamstress she would someday become. Not knowing how many homecoming and wedding dresses she’d someday sew for the women in her life. Not knowing that her quilts would win blue ribbons at the county fair.   

Patricia’s oldest sister Doris was also a talented seamstress. When our daughters were born, she and Uncle Ted came to visit with gifts in hand. Aunt Doris was the seamstress who created Doggy Pillow, a pillow that went on to be loved so much, he is now fragile with age and tucked away in a dresser drawer. He was the inspiration behind my Doggy Pillow poem. 

Many people remember Harold as their school principal, but we knew him as Uncle Harold and his wife as Aunt Virginia. Our fondest memories of the two may be the impromptu visits they made to our home when they were out on Sunday afternoon drives. We were glad they made our home one of their stopping points. Through their visits, our daughters learned how family remains connected, and our candy dish was likely pleased to see familiar faces once again. 

Uncle Richard served in the Navy before coming home to work at the Farm Bureau. He and Aunt Fern raised their children in Montpelier and, as a family, they helped farm the 70-acre property. 

Lunch at Grandma’s house meant she would serve a meal that ended with homemade pie for dessert. Everyone knew to be quiet so Grandpa could listen to the farm news report on the radio. Afterward, they headed outdoors, where even the girls knew how to drive a tractor. 

Another of Grandma’s daughters, Virginia, was fondly known as Aunt Ginny; her husband, Dante Fabiani, was Uncle Don. The two had met at Tri-State College, now Trine University, in Angola, Indiana. Aunt Ginny was a talented homemaker who passed her interest in needlework on to her daughters. 

A visit to the Fabiani Theatre on the Trine campus is a fun one, for in the lobby is a framed portrait of Virginia Fabiani. And it makes us smile just knowing that’s really a portrait of Aunt Ginny. 

The Parnham family scrapbook is full of photos that had never been labeled with names, so I’ve enlisted help from cousins. It’s somewhat comical that sorting through the box of papers remains on nearly everyone’s January to-do list, year after year. 

Reading through the memorabilia is fun, yet it can leave us with a sense of emptiness – a feeling that part of the story is missing. If they were still here, we’d ask them to tell their stories once again. This time, we’re older. This time, we really do want to hear about their younger days. In their own words. 

Perhaps a grandmother’s candy dish is never about candy. Maybe it’s an invitation that draws people together to do the ordinary things families do. Maybe it’s a lesson in how to sit down and stay awhile. 

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