Local writers and stories
By: Mark Holtsberry Cecil Maywood Billman was an Antwerp man who was born November 12, 1897 in Antwerp. The son of Elias Franklin, born May 18, 1868 in Indiana and Cora Burchard (Rumbaugh) Billman, born January 11, 1877 in Ohio. This couple was married, September 29, 1895 in Paulding, Ohio. By 1900, Cecil and Cora,…
By: Ron Burt Last week Mother Nature won again, making many area racetracks cancel their shows. The tracks south of Indy were able to dodge the rain and cold. Saturday night the World of Outlaws sprint car series fought off the rain, and got their race in at Tri State Speedway, in Haubstadt, Indiana. Former…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker My White House Cookbook from 1887 includes just about anything you would want to know for that time period. (1887) Table manners were very strict and they followed rules of etiquette at every meal. These were discussed vividly and I am not even sure if I follow all…
By: Mark Holtsberry David Bill Barnhart was born April 27, 1891 in Antwerp. The son of George, born October 1845 in Germany and Margarett, “Maggie” (Flickinger) Barnhart, born July 1849 in Ohio. This couple was married April 25, 1875 in Otsego, Allegan County, Michigan. George was a Civil War Veteran, who served with Company F.…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker Most of us have heard the biblical story of Noah and the Ark. This is a Bible story of how God destroyed the earth by water and gave Noah orders to build a boat that was to be a certain size. While some are skeptical; many question, but…
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…
