Local writers and stories
By: Ron Burt This week I want to introduce you to another Oakshade Raceway weekly competitor. Chris Rutan races in the very competitive Compact FWD (front wheel drive) Class. Chris got hooked on racing at a young age and this class of racecar caught his attention. This will be his second year of racing. Compacts,…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker Even though I have no pets now, I have had my share of dogs, cats, fish, gerbils, mice and even sea monkeys. I remember those sea monkeys looked like a lot more fun on the package than they actually were. Our sea monkeys looked like specs of dust…
By: Mark Holtsberry William Samuel Barnard was the son of Cyrus, born 1853 in Ohio and Catherine” Kitty” (McKevitt) Barnard, born 1851 in Ohio. This couple was married August 10, 1872 in Paulding. In this union, four sons were born. Alma Darious November 3, 1872, Edward Frank born January 19, 1874, George Earnest August 20,…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker One thing we don’t ever want to take for granted is our mobility. One such body part is our feet. Our feet enable us to run, walk, jump and dance can slow us way down if they hurt. Now, a lot of people aren’t really ones that look…
Dr. Morell was a prominent doctor in Germany, in the 1930s and 40s. He was a doctor to Berlin’s elite. I would like to explain his modis apperandi. Remember in those days doctors made house calls on occasion, as did my doctor, when I was a lad. Dr. Morell is invited to the residence of…
By: Ron Burt While we wait on local tracks to open, let me introduce you to maybe the fastest girl in N.W. Ohio. Ottoville’s Abby Hohlbein is getting ready to start her 8th year of racing. Currently Abby sits behind the wheel of a D2 Midget, powered by a Honda motor on a Hawk Chassis.…
By: Mark Holtsberry Carl Pursel was born November 11, 1875 in Paulding. The son of Valentine V. Born May 1, 1838 in Virginia and Amanda Malvina (Shafer) Pursel born February 2, 1844 in Indiana. This couple was married July 20, 1867 in Paulding by Minister Thomas Elcock. By 1870, while living in Paulding, this Paulding…
By: Ron Burt This week we are going to meet Oakshade Raceway Dominator Super Stock Driver, Derrick Roseman. Like his father, grandfather and uncles racing is in Derricks blood. Oakshade Raceway has always been the family’s home racetrack. Derrick is in his 4th year of racing. He started out in the compact class, also known…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker I used to be so nosy when I was younger and it has been said that I asked so many questions that my nickname became “News Reporter.” My Mama would do her best to answer every question I could think of, but today finds me just as curious…
By: Mark Holtsberry Joseph Olney Gorrell was born born January 24, 1896 in Payne, Ohio. The son of Don Corlis and Amy C. (Roe) Gorrell. Don C. was born in Indiana February of 1869. Amy was born in Indiana, January of 1872. Don and Amy were married, September 11, 1892 in Grant County, Indiana. By…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker I was talking to my friend, Denny, the other night about History and he asked me. “Have you ever heard of the battle of St. Clair?” “It was fought in Ohio and very close to Mercer County.” (Now, Denny and I like to challenge each other on history…
By: Ron Burt Over the next several weeks before area tracks open, I’m going to spotlight several drivers that area fans follow. Dave Gumby Jr. is one of the favorites in the Dirt Truck Series and a regular at Fremont Speedway. Dave has been racing 16 years and has been behind the wheel in Modifieds,…
By: Mark Holtsberry “As the world turns” (part 2) of the story of Andrew C. Jackson As the Jackson brothers, Jesse and Coe, return home in 1899, Andrew was still working as a printer at the local newspaper in Paulding. Son, Jesse, became a consul in the Middle East and Coe went into the newspaper…
