Woodpeckers
By: Stan Jordan
I feel real good about writing this column on the woodpecker because nearly everyone holds them all in high esteem. Just like the cardinals and doves.
I, myself, like to hear them peck for their food and to watch them get their food. They are structure workers and they survive on all the bugs and worms that we don’t care for.
Here in the Tri-State area we have a number of woodpeckers like: The red headed woodpecker, the red bellied woodpecker, the black back woodpecker, the American three toed woodpecker, the hairy woodpecker and the downey woodpecker.
We also have the big pileated woodpecker. You might see an ivory billed woodpecker as they are moving up north of the Ohio River and look a lot like the pileated bird.
Most people are always ready to tell about what they have seen and heard. Yes, you should have a good pair of field glasses. For some reason or other, the pileated woodpecker seems to be more acclimated to the Paulding area.
You are liable to see any of these seven species of woodpeckers right here in our area because they are here.
See ya!
Pazarkewitz
By: Stan Jordan
In the summer of 1945 we were in Germany and they took a lot of our tank crews and sent them back to the states for 30 days furlough and then to make the invasion of Japan on November 1st, 1945 with hundreds of flame throwing tanks.
There was 118 of us that got on a liberty ship on the Siene River and came back to the states. After the 30 day furlough we were to report back to Camp Ben Harrison in Indianapolis. In the meantime, we dropped the atomic bomb and the Japanese surrendered and about 6 of us stayed together and we ended up for a while at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. We didn’t do any training, the war was over.
After a few weeks of moving around to different forts we ended up at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, just killing time waiting to be discharged.
But the first sergeant asked us if we would volunteer to drive trucks and haul the German prisoners around and empty the barracks of beds, mattresses and anything else and haul to a big warehouse. We agreed to it, it made the day pass faster.
One of the boys was PFC Pazarkewitz from Wisconsin. I think he was a loader. We worked till about four and ate supper at 5:00 p.m. and we stayed around the barracks and went to bed at nine, still had lights out at 9:00 p.m. Pazark didn’t do that, he would borrowed my Ike jacket, as I was a staff sergeant and he could go down to the Non-Comm Club and they stayed open till 11:00 p.m. He would just sit at the end of the bar, drink a beer or two and eat a package of BBQ potato chips. He would stay till darn near closing time. That was his claim to fame. He got even with the government, he was a lowly pfc and he was enjoying all the perks that the 3 graders had. He mentioned that more than once.
He always talked about how he worked for the highway department in Wisconsin, when they drafted him. They told him his job would be there when he got out and I bet he also retired from the highway department there in Wisconsin.
I liked that guy.
See ya!
My Day at the Park
By: Stan Jordan
We went down to the EMS building and had a big breakfast and sit around and talked a while. They were quite busy, they had a big menu.
Then we took our lawn chair and set up in front of McDougall Firearms. That was the best parade for a long time. That committee is to be commended and some of the local business helped with the entries.
After the parade, I drove my truck to the UM Church parking lot and then caught a ride with Jim Pendergrast over to the park. I sat in the shade of that huge oak that has been there long before 1930. I played under that big tree from the time I was little.
I enjoyed the park as well as the other stuff, the weather was so nice and such a friendly crowd. I met at least six old timers and former Antwerp people.
After about 3 hours, I just ran out of steam and Gale took me back to the church to get my truck.
See ya!
Hodge-Podge
By: Stan Jordan
Please go along with me on this. I am an old man, and I don’t always do right.
This day is August 3rd, 2018, but as I stopped at the red light having just come north on Main Street from Country Time Market, I have a box of Harlan Donuts, my mind blew a breaker because I realize today is August 3rd 1941. I am driving the 1928 Model A Ford that Doering & Long will deliver your groceries in.
We’re in Antwerp on the west side and south bound on Main Street you park on an angle to the curb, on the other side of the street, north bound, you park long ways.
The big tall 3 story building on the left is Doering & Long department store, and I work for these good people and also go to Antwerp High School as a senior this fall.
Right here on my left is the Kroger store since about 1936. Just south of it in the 3rd building is the John Adcock clothing store, that place always smells so good. He was assisted by Ed Berg.
Then the next building to the south is the W. C. Pate Drug Store. I think the former drug store was owned by Mr. White. The next building is the Antwerp Exchange Bank, Est. in 1898. That corner lot is Oasis Bar and Grill operated by Al Guysinger. Across the street to the east had been the Champion Hotel, but now was the Dutch Nickleson Upholstery Shop downstairs and the Telephone Exchange was upstairs. We had 3 centrals, Mrs. Cowell, Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Wilson.
Then we have the post office with Mary E. Bakle as postmaster. The next door to the north is a bar & grill owned by Jim Powers. Then there was a steam operated cleaning and pressing by Jim Sexton. The next building is a clock and jewelry store operated by Fred and Mike Hertel. The great Dr. Caine’s office was next door, everyone knows him. Next is the Bob Battershell 5 & Dime store, a busy place, then the Sinclair service station owned and operated by Roy Miller.
I looked over to the small eatery lead by Eddie Gordon called Sunny Corners leaned up against Schilb Furniture.
Across US 24 to the right is Johnson’s gasoline station owned and operated by Harry Carr and Art Rodgers.
I guess I sat at that stop light too long, because a guy behind me was blowing his horn. He yelled, “Move you old worn out hay seed.”
Oh well, you can’t win them all.
See ya!
Update on Veterans’ List
By: Stan Jordan
Air Force: Pete Beerbower, Bob Keck and Russell Long
Army: Robert Baumle, Donald Beamer, George Forest, Fred Grindstaff, Robert Johnson (Antwerp), Robert Johnson (Latty), Stan Jordan, Oral Muller and James Smalley
Navy: Alfred Daeger, Keaton Ensley, Robert Franklin, Gerald Grindstaff, Richard Harris, Keith Keck, Gene Scarbough and Elmer Woodcox
That adds up to twenty left.
See ya!
