Local writers and stories
By: Mark Holtsberry Arthur Roy Yenser was born in Oakwood, Ohio on October 20, 1889. The son and fourth child born to John Franklin and Anne M. (Green) Yenser. This couple was married in Defiance, Ohio February 16, 1883 John was born in 1863 and Anne October 10, 1858 in Emerald Township. She became a…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker One of the things we try and teach our children is not to stick their tongues out at people. It is rude and some kids and adults will do it to someone they don’t like or maybe for attention. However, in Tibet, people greet one another by sticking…
“Serving overseas as a small-town boy in America has been intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!” —Matt Thick walls make good neighbors Neighborly relations are a blessing and challenge in any place one lives, as different expectations abound. It doesn’t help that we all have…
By: Ron Burt You would think in the off-season, we wouldn’t have much to talk about. It’s just the opposite. Tri-state racetracks are all busy making out schedules and making improvements to their tracks and facilities for spring. The World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series (the greatest show on dirt) has just released their 2023…
By: Mark Holtsberry Charles Alvin Riley was born in Dennison, Texas May 14, 1891. The son of Dr. Charles W. and Eva May (Dix) Riley. Charles W. Riley was born in New York July 22 1851. Eva May was born in Van Wert, Ohio, May 27, 1873. She was the daughter of Dr. Peres Alvin…
“Serving overseas as a small-town boy in America has been intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!” —Matt Saying much without words I was at the perfect age when a new TV station came to our area of Indiana in the 1980s. My favorite thing about…
Penny For Your Thougths By: Nancy Whitaker One potato, two potato, three potatoes, four. Remember playing that game? Also there was a game called Hot Potato. We can’t forget Mr. Potato Head, a game I think is still around. Of course instead of playing games with the name of potato, I would rather just eat…
By: Ron Burt Several area Dirt Late Model fans made the trip last week to Gaffney South Carolina for the Blue/Gray 100 at the famous Cherokee Speedway (The track your mama warned you about)! The track has links on their web page to watch all the races for free. The fans that messaged me said…
By: Mark Holtsberry Basil M. Wooton was a young man born in Latty, Ohio, March 30, 1897. The son of Levi W. and Ruby E. (Hamilton) Wooton. This couple was married, August 16, 1890 in Celina, Mercer County, Ohio. They had four children: Jesse Raymond born 1893, Cora L. born 1895, Basil M. born 1897…
“Serving overseas as a small-town boy from America is intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!” —Matt Moth Ball Cologne Do you try to make a statement by your clothes? As we live and travel overseas, one of the easiest ways to guess where a person…
“Serving overseas as a small-town boy from America is intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!” —Matt Front Porch Do you relax outside on a front porch or on a backyard deck? In the past in many Midwest communities, life took place on the front porch. …
By: Mark Holtsberry Tragic story of two young men from Broughton, Earnest Earl Tilley and Frank Halley Doster. Earnest was born in Broughton, Ohio, April 21, 1896. The son of George H. and Bertha Tilley. The family was living in Latty until around 1915, before moving back to Broughton. When the United States was soon…
A Penny For Your Thoughts, By: Nancy Whitaker If you like watching old television shows, then the TV Channel TVland reruns old shows everyday. One of my all time old favorites is The Andy Griffith Show. The program airs from about 5 pm each day for a few hours almost every evening. When I look at Mayberry,…
