Local writers and stories
“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.…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker Most of us have heard the biblical story of Noah and the Ark. This is a Bible story of how God destroyed the earth by water and gave Noah orders to build a boat that was to be a certain size. While some are skeptical; many question, but…
I have always wanted to know more about the Civil War. It was such an important part of our history, and it always seemed there should have been a way to solve or differences without a civil war. Visiting my brother-in-law near Hagerstown, Maryland one day he said, “Let’s visit the Antietam Battlefield today.” I…
By: Ron Burt The only area dirt track brave enough to race on Saturday, April 22nd was Montpelier Motor Speedway. The quarter mile opened the 2023 season last Saturday night, with a chill in the air and a few snowflakes as cars went around the track. The UMP Modified feature was won by Dillon Nusbaum.…
By: Mark Holtsberry Charles Melvin Berlincourt was born May 24, 1893 near Paulding, Ohio. The son of Alseed, born in 1849 in Germany. And Emma J. (Wilkins) Berlincourt, born August 1871 in Ohio. They were married November 15, 1892 in Paulding. They were the parents of six children. Charles, or known as Melvin, was the…
