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

I enjoy Nancy’s writing. When you write you feel like you are exposing your soul. You put it out there for everyone to see and it never goes away. If you tell somebody something there is no way of proving what you said without witnesses.

“Short people got no reason to

“Short people got no reason 

“To live.”

 This was a song which was popular in the 70s. I have always felt self-conscious because I’ve always been big. I reached my growth early and I was always the tallest person in our class. I remember a fifth grade teacher told me that I was big and clumsy. I think when you’re big you tend to wish you were smaller. 

This fits into the category that we all have different talents, we all have different size bodies. And no two of us are the same in any way. In the hospital l feel sorry for the little nurses that have to handle a big person. 

“They got little hands, and little eyes 

“Little noses, and little feet 

“You got to pick them up just to say hello 

“Don’t want no short people around here.”

I wish God hadn’t made me with a desire to write. I would stop if I could. 

It is the most fun thing for me to sit down when I am free and just write something. I am excited about West Bend having a bookstore. I have a few copies left of two books, but I would like to work with West Bend on a third which has already been written.

I would like to give one more shout out. For some time I have thought about building a ramp to my front porch. We have four steps. Suddenly one appears at my neighbor’s house. A volunteer group that works in conjunction with Habitat For Humanity was responsible. I finally find who to contact and in a couple weeks I have a ramp. 

Seven volunteers came and after 61/2 hours I have a ramp which is the highest quality. Seems this is all they do and did; they work hard. I felt somewhat sorry for older people to work that hard. I think many of us has lost this desire. A major obstacle was a huge Silver Maple in the front yard but they worked a miracle.

—James Neuhouser

By: Ron Burt

Friday August 7, Limaland Motorsports Park closed 2026 with Invitational and King of the Quarter Mile races and passed out season points awards, as drivers, crews and fans celebrated. Unfortunately, it was a short season because of several weather cancellations.

In the UMP Modified Division, a pair of Warsaw Indiana drivers split the wins. Dylan Woodling won the invitational race, and Dillon Nusbaum dominated the King of the Quarter Mile race. Thunderstock driver, Jordan Conover doubled up, winning the invitational feature and King of the Quarter Mile race, wrapping up his first Championship season. Chris Hick in the Dirt Track Truck Series also won the invitational feature and King of the Quarter Mile races. UMP Modified Champion, Shane O’Connor was named Sportsman of the Year, then gave a tearful racing retirement speech to the fans and fellow drivers. 

Saturday, August 8, Oakshade Raceway Wauseon Ohio-I helped with the track announcing duties. The DIRTcar Late Models were the featured class. Twenty cars qualified. Sylvania’s Casey Noonan picked up his first DIRTcar UMP Late Model win of the season. Noonan extended his slim point lead over Steve Kester to eight points with just two championship races remaining. Other Feature Winners, Late Model Sportsmen Dylan Jessen, Dominator Stocks Josh McNicol and Sport Compacts Ryan Okuley.

The Great Lakes 360 Super Sprints were at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI on Friday. 24 cars registered and all ended up in the Feature. Leipsic’s Chase Dunham currently 2nd in points set the fast time 14.257. Max Stambaugh started on the pole and led most of the race until lap 24, when Zane DeVault made a pass on the leader and parked his car in Victory Lane for 4th time in 2026.

Feature Winners from Saturday around the Tri-State:

Fremont Speedway: 410 Winged Sprints Craig Mintz, Fremont Dirt Trucks Dave Golembiewski and 305 Winged Sprints Bryan Sebetto.

Flat Rock Speedway: Outlaw 350 Supermodified Keegan Weese, Street Stock Douglas Litogot, and Factory Stocks 500 Series Kyle Metdepenningen.

Montpelier Speedway: 410 Non-winged Sprints Zack Pretorius, USAC D2 Thunder Midgets Luke Hall, and UMP Modifieds Jordan Wever. 

Butler Motor Speedway, American Late Model Iron Man Series Rusty Schlenk $5000.00 Feature win 305 in his career.

The Great Lakes Super Sprints, traveled to Silver Bullet Speedway in Owendale MI. It’s the state’s oldest Stock Car Track but Saturday the Sprints ruled and Zane DeVault picked up his 2nd Feature win in two nights.

Sunday, August 9, Toledo Ohio-The Supermodifieds returned to the high banks of Toledo Speedway. This time it wasn’t the ISMA MSS methanol powered big blocks, but the smaller gas powered Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series machines, and they put on a great show for the fans. AJ Lesiecki brought home the hardware and the big payday for his feature win. Chase Pinsonneault won the CRA Pro Series, House of Meats 100 for the Late Models. Mike Young was victorious in the Late Model Sportsman Division and Josh Bunting won the Factory Stock A-Main. 

Next week I will be covering events from the Knoxville Nationals for the 410 Outlaw Winged Sprints. Until then, keep your wheels down. Ron Out! www.facebook.com/ohiosportsblitz 

An Antwerp native and northwest Ohio physician was recently featured in national news coverage of the nation’s largest recorded outbreak of cyclosporiasis.

Dr. Joel Kammeyer, the son of Bob and Patti Kammeyer formerly of Antwerp, was interviewed by the Associated Press following the announcement that two Michigan residents had died after contracting cyclosporiasis. The illness, caused by the Cyclospora parasite, has sickened more than 20,000 people nationwide, making it the largest outbreak of its kind ever recorded in the United States. The Associated Press story was carried by media outlets across the country, including CBS News.  

Kammeyer recently joined Wayne State University School of Medicine as Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Division Chief of Infectious Diseases, where he also serves patients through the Detroit Medical Center. Although based in Michigan, much of his clinical practice continues to include northwest Ohio through ProMedica hospitals, including Toledo, Defiance, Fostoria, Adrian and other communities.  

In the Associated Press interview, Kammeyer described the deaths as “a tragedy,” while noting that the illness is generally treatable in otherwise healthy individuals. He explained that patients with significant underlying medical conditions are more vulnerable to complications, particularly severe dehydration caused by prolonged diarrhea.  

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis. Symptoms include prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and weight loss. Most people recover with proper treatment, but older adults and those with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness. Health officials continue to investigate the outbreak, with contaminated lettuce identified as a likely source for many of the cases.  

For area residents, the story also serves as a reminder that one of Antwerp’s own is playing a prominent role in addressing public health concerns affecting Michigan, Ohio and beyond.

New teachers at Paulding Exempted Village Schools are pictured above (l-r): Christine Spencer – Oakwood Elementary School Intervention Specialist; Alyssa Taylor – Paulding JH Intervention Specialist; Sydney Kill – Paulding JH/HS Ag Education; Jessica Riggs – Paulding 7th Grade Writing; Megan Hahn – Paulding 8th Grade Social Studies; Brady Karzynow – Paulding Elemenary School 4th Grade; Andrew Hoeffel – Paulding HS Social Studies; and Tyler Hines – Paulding JH Intervention Specialist.

Members of Paulding Putnam recently donated $13,512 to seventeen local charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Operation Round Up program.

Thanks to the 80% of members who round up their electric bill and donate to this fund, Paulding Putnam has provided more than $814,835 to northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana communities since 2010.

Participating members round up their monthly electric bill to the next dollar, with the extra pennies being used to help fund charities and groups in their communities. Each quarter, the funds are dispensed to local causes that applied for funding.

The most recent donation recipients include:

• Children’s Hunger Alliance; $1,000 to provide weekend meal program for students in Paulding and Putnam counties

• Crestview Local Schools; $500 to purchase make up supplies for Shrek the Musical

• Defiance Area Youth for Christ; $1,000 to support the annual trip to Boundary Waters, Minnesota

• Delphos Jefferson Middle School; $264 to purchase “Pay it forward” t-shirts

• First United Methodist Church; $350 to purchase back to school supplies for Van Wert County students in need

• Friends of the Paulding County Parks; $1,000 to help with Port-a-John fees

• Lima Symphony Orchestra; $1,500 to support the Young People’s Concert

• Love, Inc. of Van Wert Co.; $1,500 to fund essential electrical repairs for homeowners

• Miller City Volunteer Fire Department; $1,770 to purchase an AED for an emergency response vehicle

• Ottawa Elementary; $750 to purchase STEM lab materials

• Ottawa-Glandorf Band Boosters; $750 to purchase a Baritone Saxophone

• Putnam County Council on Aging; $750 to install ADA compliant doors for the new facility

• St. Johns The Evangelist Catholic School (Delphos); $264 to help cover the cost of a speaker and prizes for the positive behavior program

• St. Rose of Lima Catholic School (Monroeville); $264 to purchase new drinking fountains

• Vantage Career Center; $750 to support their Toss-a-Toy program where they purchase Christmas gifts for kids

• Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation; $600 to support the cost of a free pre-show experience for kids and parents

• YMCA of Van Wert County; $500 to purchase new life jackets and safety harnesses

Photos of each recipient can be found on Paulding Putnam’s Facebook page.

Operation Round Up was started in 2010 as a way to give back to Paulding Putnam’s communities. Groups in both Ohio and Indiana can apply.

Organizations can apply for Operation Round Up assistance by contacting Paulding Putnam’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Samantha Kuhn, at skuhn@ppec.coop or visiting www.ppec.coop/operation-round. If you want to participate by rounding up your monthly bill, call Paulding Putnam’s office at 800-686-2357. The average member’s donation is about $6 per year.

HARLAN, IN:

Richard L. “Dick” Ruppert, 78, long-time resident of Harlan, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Cedarhurst of Fort Wayne.  Dick was born February 26, 1948, in Hicksville, Ohio, the son of the late William L. “Pete” and Nina I. (Gustin) Ruppert.  He graduated from Woodlan High School and immediately began his lifelong career as a self-employed farmer, operating RJN Farms.  When Dick was not farming, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tinkering with gas engines.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand to members of the local farming community and will be missed by many who called him a friend.  A fond memory of Dick is his love of ice cream and cherry pie, something he could not get enough of, even when going through his cancer treatments.    

Surviving are his two sisters, Nancy (Randy) Eager of Woodburn, Indiana, and Janice Menger of Woodburn, Indiana; one niece, Ingrid (Harvey) Smallwood of New Haven, Indiana; one great-nephew, Noah (Summer Philebaum) Smallwood of New Haven, Indiana; close family friends, Mike and Ben Moore.  Dick was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brother-in-law, Heinz “Pete” Menger.

A private graveside service for Richard L. “Dick” Ruppert will be held at Scipio Cemetery, Harlan, Indiana, with Chaplain Karen Kosberg officiating.  Arrangements are under the care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home & Crematory, Hicksville, Ohio.  

Memorial contributions can be directed to the Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, 6316 Mutual Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825; or to the Harlan Christian Youth Center, 17308 2nd Street, Harlan, Indiana 46743. 

Condolences may be sent to the family, or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 will convert three intersections to all-way stops to improve safety.

The changes, expected to begin in two weeks, is part of a statewide initiative that is implementing all-way stops at select intersections throughout Ohio.

The locations selected for conversion are where crash data found the most common type of crash was the result of a failure to stop or a failure to yield to cross-traffic that was not required to stop.

“Following the successful implementation of all-way stops at eight intersections in the spring, initial results are encouraging and well-received by local communities,” said Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 deputy director. “As we evaluate other intersections with low crash rates, but concerning safety trends, we are pleased to have this low-cost tool available where it is needed most.” 

The work will take place over the next two months; the locations and expected timing of the closures are detailed below:

August 24:

Mercer County – State Route 119 (Defiance Avenue)/State Route 716 (Harrison Street), village of Maria Stein

August 31:

Mercer County – State Route 118/State Route 707

September 7:

Paulding County – State Route 637/County Road 138

Message boards to alert drivers of the changes will be placed approximately two weeks prior and remain on site for approximately two weeks after the change to remind motorists of the new traffic pattern. All approaches of the intersections will be equipped with flashing stop-ahead signs. 

ODOT will continue to monitor the intersections to ensure the all-way stop is operating as intended.

Throughout Ohio, ODOT is reviewing intersections to determine where all-way stops could make travel safer. The solution has been found to improve intersection safety in other states. Since 2018, the state of North Carolina converted over 500 intersections from a typical two-way to all-way stop control. Their analysis of 348 of these locations showed a 100% reduction in fatal crashes and 95% reduction in serious injury crashes. Similar results were also seen in the state of Delaware.

COLUMBUS, OH; Augut 6, 2026 — Christopher Elder, a Paulding resident and 2026 candidate for the Ohio House, was appointed to fill the District 9 seat vacated by Tom Pruss for the Libertarian State Central Committee. Pruss was elected in the May Primary, along with Zach Hall, both of whom are from Toledo. After the first meeting of 2026, Pruss was elected Vice Chair of the Executive Committee and resigned his seat on the Central Committee. At the August meeting, Elder was nominated and then appointed to fill the seat. 

“I look forward to serving Libertarian voters and candidates across the 9th District,” Elder posted to his social media accounts. “I think it’s cool that we have a rural voice and an urban voice representing Libertarians in the District.” The Libertarian Party of Ohio divides its Central Committee districts by US Congressional District. Elder and Hall represent all the Counties in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. 

More information about the State Central Committee and the Libertarian Party of Ohio can be found on their website at lpo.org. As more local Libertarian Clubs begin popping up across Northwest Ohio, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to their nearest County Club to contact their Central Committee members.