Local writers and stories
By: Ron Burt High Limit Acquires All Stars Many of us that follow Sprint Car racing were shocked to hear that the High Limit Sprint Car Series, owned by Kyle Larson and Brad Sweet, has finalized the acquisition of the All Star Circuit of Champions from Tony Stewart. Effective immediately, NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson…
By: Mark Holtsberry Robert Lain Holtsberry was born April 16, 1890 in Latty, Ohio. The son of Franklin T., born October 17, 1849 in Ohio and Sarah Ellen (Betts) Holtsberry born February 16, 1858 in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio. She is the daughter of Joseph Smith and Susan H. Betts. This couple was married on…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker I am always amazed at stories about the pioneers and those who went through hardships to settle our country. Some things we may never think about is just how hard and terrifying their lives must have been. One story caught my attention and that is one about Olive…
Aging is a fact of life and it comes with certain realities. While most of us probably don’t want to picture ourselves eventually needing help with daily activities, Americans turning 65 today have almost a 70 percent chance they will need some type of long-term care during their remaining years.(1) As this type of care…
By: Ron Burt Racing fans had to say goodbye to a couple of well-known racetracks. The Midwest lost Rockford Speedway. This was a ¼ mile high banked paved oval that hosted many special racing events including the National Short Track Championships for several classes of cars. Southwest lost the famous Devils Bowl Speedway outside of…
The only decade that has been named, and yes, they were roaring. A time of prosperity for America. A time of jubilation. The war to end all wars was over, and now we were looking forward to a time of peace. A time when cars were just coming into vogue, and we could go places…
Guy Fleming Heazlit was born November 30, 1890 in Omaha, Nebraska. The son of Perry, born March of 1851 in Ohio and Mary Eliza (White) Heazlit born in 1856 in Ohio. This couple was married in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The Heazlit family had moved to Nebraska between the years of 1885 and 1899. Guy’s sister…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker Bring on the grits, black-eyed peas, cornbread, ham hocks and beans and fried chicken, chess pie for dessert and you’ve got a meal. Southern cooking has become more popular with the recent cooking show hosts and the idea of good home-style comfort food. I know my grandma was…
“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 Silent shabbiness It is not uncommon in any place in the world to be annoyed at times by how a property next door is being kept up. The neighbor’s…
Have you put off making a will? If so, you’re not alone. According to a 2020 survey conducted by Caring.com, only 33% of American adults have estate planning documents, like wills and living trusts, in place. While preparing a will may not be the most pleasant way to spend an afternoon, it could…
By: Ron Burt USAC Champion To Retire The big announcement came from USAC. The “People’s Champ” Dave Darland, one of racing all time greats announced his retirement. He has raced for 52 years, and 42 of those in a Sprint Car. Many times, he had 100 races a year on his schedule. He raced the…
By: Mark Holtsberry George Henry Hetz was born in Defiance, Ohio June 16, 1886. The son of Wentzel born March 21, 1851 in Germany and Barbara (Pushl) Hetz born 1845 in Germany. The Hetz family were living in Highland Township in Defiance County in 1890. This family was engaged in farming. George was too little…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker Have I missed something? Have I grown older without noticing that how I was raised and the things I was allowed to do as a kid has undergone some major changes? I have read and written stories about the late 1800s and in those days, students could take their…
