Local writers and stories
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…
By: Ron Burt Last weekend Attica Raceway Park opened for the 2023 season with shows on Friday and Saturday featuring the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Winged-Sprints, both nights and the UMP Dirt Late Models on Friday and the 305 Sprints on Saturday. Friday night’s 410-Winged Sprint victory went to Gibsonburg, Ohio driver…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker A lot of us look back and think about how things used to be and call them “The Good Old Days.” Is it because we had it better back then or because we were young and that was just how it was? Those who can go back in…
By: Mark Holtsberry William Bryan Jordan was born August 31, 1896 in Allen County, Indiana. The son of George Jacob, born August 22, 1859 in Pennsylvania and Sarah E. (Emery) Jordan born January 9, 1861 in Indiana. This couple was married April 3, 1877 in Allen County, Indiana. To this couple, three sons were born:…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker Everyone loves a parade. There are lots of decorated floats, old cars, fire trucks, policemen and marching bands and baton groups. It is nice to see all of the local high school bands and marching groups. Parades are normally held in the summer, so sometimes it is hot and…
By: Mark Holtsberry Benjamin F. Holister Hankins was born May 21, 1843 in Ohio. The son of Samuel S., born June 20, 1800 in New Jersey and Ann P. Hankins, born September 12, 1809. By 1850, the couple had moved from New Jersey to the Charloe area. The couple had eight children. Samuel was a…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker It is sometimes that when we get older, we sit back and wonder, “Where have I been? What have I done and Where am I going?” Our stories usually begins at birth and some people say they can remember as far back to the age of 2. As…
Willie and Orvie were brothers, as close as any brothers could be. But they did have one stigma, they were high school dropouts. Orvie quit just days before graduation. He just got tired of school and walked out. Willie was an exceptional student, enrolled to go to college in Yale Divinity School but he had…
By: Mark Holtsberry Guy Fleming Heazlet was born November 30, 1890 in Omaha, Nebraska. Son of Perry, born March of 1851 in Ohio and Mary Eliza (White) Heazlet, born 1856 in Ohio. This couple was married October 25, 1881 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The Heazlet family moved to Paulding County in 1892. By 1900, the…
By: Ron Burt People from all walks of life watch racing and participate in the sport. It seems natural that a mechanical engineer would take interest in racing and car designs, and, think of ways to make a car go faster but when you have two brothers, both in the same field of work, you…
By: Mark Holtsberry Silas Frederick Harper was born September 28, 1869 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. The son of John, born August 1818 in Belmont County, Ohio and Catherine(Priest) Harper born 1834 in Ohio. They were married in 1864. This was John’s second wife. John’s first wife, Sinia (Wells) Harper passed away June 14, 1861. …
