Local writers and stories
By: Mark Holtsberry Harold George Stewart is an interesting fella who left the boxing ring to serve his country. Harold was born January 4, 1891 in Blue Creek Township, Paulding County, Ohio. The son of David Clinton and Mary S. (Coe) Stewart. David was born August 5, 1851 in Shelby County, Ohio. Mary was born…
Penny For Your Thoughts, By: Nancy Whitaker We all remember the old TV series, “Gilligan’s Island,” when Gilligan and his crew set off on a three hour tour on the S.S. Minnow and their ship wrecked. The group wound up on an island and made the best out of their surroundings. They always seemed to have…
“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 More Beep than Bump In small-town America we enjoy watching people get around in all types of open air vehicles: bikes, golf carts, buggies, ATVs, motorcycles, etc. Car…
By: Ron Burt The 35th annual USAC Indiana Sprint week got off to an interesting start at Gas City I-69 Speedway on Friday, July 22nd. 52 cars were in the pits to qualify. The first night saw Shane Cottle of Kansas, IL take the checker in the feature. He only led one lap but that’s…
By: Mark Holtsberry A story of travel, adventure and service. Rassie Wilford Beverly, also known as Erastus, was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 31, 1890. The son of Samuel and Samantha Ann (Smith) Beverly. This couple was married in 1869. Samuel served in the Civil War as a private in the Confederate Army from Virginia.…
By: Ron Burt Hail to the King! Last week 410 Sprint Car and World of Outlaw driver Brent Marks won the prestigious Kings Royal at Eldora. Two nights before, he won the Historical Big 1 at the same track. Both victories earned him $275,000.00 The sweep puts him in rare company to become only the…
“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 Little Gas Tanks Aren’t Just for Barbecues Big propane tanks have dotted backyards in rural yards for years. All of us are looking for a cheap and reliable source…
By: Mark Holtsberry Recently a citizen of Antwerp reached out to me to see if I would write an article on someone he remembers as a child, so here it goes. Percy Perry Smith was born December 28, 1893 in Antwerp, Carryall Township, Ohio. The son of William and Della (Overmyer) Smith. This couple was…
Nancy Whitaker took the week off from her normaly scheduled column, so we thought we would share with the readers some of her accompllishments as a writer. We are grateful to all of our contributors of the West Bend News, especially a local legend like Nancy! Enjoy! —WBN editors Hooper Awards • 2008 – First…
“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 What is Your Choice? – Dust, Tar or Paint Gravel roads are a great invention! Gravel roads are cheaper to build and maintain. In Elkhart County, Indiana, local officials…
By: Ron Burt Last week mother nature played tricks on us again and several tracks couldn’t get their racing programs in. Rain didn’t affect Attica Raceway Park Friday, July 8th. Tanner Thorson moved from the cushion to the bottom of Attica Raceway Park with a pair of laps to go in the 410-sprint feature and…
By: Ron Burt The 4th of July weekend didn’t disappoint race fans. All the tri-state tracks were open except three, Attica and Fremont because of weather and storm damage. Montpelier Speedway took the weekend off. Limaland Motorsports Park kicked off the Independence Day weekend with the annual running of Firecracker Friday. As always, “The Bull…
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker Does anyone know what a “redneck is?” We have heard jokes and stories about the folks who are from the south and Jeff Foxworthy has made a ton of money with his jokes and quotes about rednecks. A few of Foxworthy’s quotes are – “you might be a…
