Editor’s note: The last article J-T columnist Melanie Behrens was working on before her death April 30 was the following story about Werewolf Lane. The information was supplied by Leroy Cook, who collaborated with her on the column. ___ North of Marysville, there are two county roads that run east and west – County Road 132, now called County Home Road, and County Road 128, now called Hillview Road. Years ago, there was a dirt lane used by farmers to get into their fields to plant and harvest crops which was accessed from both county roads. It was just dirt…
Author: Melanie Behrens
Copper pennies are the smallest increment in our money. And now, monetarily, they’re actually worth almost nothing. Many times in stores and businesses you will see a little jar that says, “need a penny, take a penny.” It means, if you need a penny or two in paying your bill, take it. Sometimes others will just drop a penny in there from their change to help the next person. Most don’t really think much about it, because a penny won’t buy much anymore. A penny has taken on the meaning of not very much money. Penny stocks for instance, refer…
I came across some information of how a once great retailer got its start and was surprised at the name disclosure at the end. I hope you too will enjoy this. If you were in the market for a watch in 1880, you might not have known where to get one. Of course, you could have gone to a store, right? Well you could have done that, but if you wanted one that was cheaper and a bit better than most of the store watches, you went to the train station! That seems crazy doesn’t it? Well, for about 500…
I have locked my keys in the car a couple of times, most recently at a gas station. I must have bumped the automatic door lock as I got out. When I finished pumping the gas and realized the problem, I went inside to use the phone to get help for an extra set of keys. The people in charge said no one was allowed to use their phone. What? Now with the coronavirus- that makes sense. That was their company policy. I then pointed out my car would be blocking their pump for many hours otherwise. It took the…
Chocolate is a wonderful thing. Enjoy these recipes. Easy chocolate mousse 1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed 1 pkg. (4 oz.) bittersweet chocolate squares, melted 1/2 C fresh raspberries Add 1 cup Cool Whip to chocolate; whisk just until blended. Stir in remaining Cool Whip; spoon into 6 dessert dishes. Top with raspberries. ___ Chocolate toffee bars 1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened, divided 1 C firmly packed brown sugar, divided 1 egg yolk 1-1/2 C flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 C light corn syrup 1/4 C whipping cream 1 tsp. vanilla 2 pkgs. (4 oz. each)…
I remember 1955 pretty well, considering it was 65 years ago. How could it be that long ago? I was in the fifth grade and my teacher was Mrs. Barlow. Funny how you always remember your teachers’ names. Girls wore saddle shoes, you know the black and white variety that laced up, and white socks that came part way up the calf. This was the year I had a mishap at the downtown Lazarus store, which was the only one in Columbus at the time. (About 10 years later several more Lazarus stores were added around Columbus and eventually it…
A while back I told you about losing my purse and having it returned with everything intact. I considered it a wonderful random act of kindness, that someone would help me in this way. There are many other random acts of kindness, like buying food for the person behind you in the drive-thru and buying pizza. What do I mean by this pizza thing? My story began at a local restaurant which serves pizza in a large outdoor setting. We arrived late on a Friday night, the band was playing and there were more than 100 people there. We were…
Mary Jane Wilcox Crothers was one of those people who just made me smile. I first met her more than 40 years ago in the emergency room at Memorial Hospital. My son, Mike, had fallen off his bike and had a large cut on his forehead. He was bleeding and we were very concerned. Mary Jane was the nurse in charge. I remember the young doctor on call saying, “The mother will have to leave while I stitch him up.” The look on my face must have said it all. I wanted to stay and Mary Jane realized that. She…
In the past, I have written about crazy things my friends do. I’ve laughed about them and shared them with you. Now the story is about me. While in Florida I made a trip to the local flea market with my neighbors. It’s a tradition. We do it every year and always pick up something that we probably really don’t need. It’s a place usually filled with a lot of people from all walks of life. Its one place you would not like to lose your purse. My friend and I separated briefly looking at different items and I made…
Good manners while eating out are necessary, but sometimes they seem to be a forgotten attribute. It appears that some people just don’t know how to act. For example, if you are eating dinner in a nice restaurant, you probably don’t appreciate seeing diners in T-shirts (or muscle shirts) and baggy jeans halfway down their you-know-what. That doesn’t appeal to many in this world. Of course when eating with others, the conversation becomes an important aspect. But you should be mindful of how loud it is. You probably don’t want to hear private talk at other tables, so be careful…
Hope you can enjoy these nice treats. Easy ribs 2 to 2-1/2 lbs. baby back pork ribs salt and black pepper Sweet barbecue sauce: 1 TBS olive oil 1/4 C finely diced onion 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 C ketchup (try our homemade ketchup recipe) 1 TBS hot chili sauce (suggestion – Sriracha) 2 TBS light brown sugar 1 TBS apple cider vinegar salt and ground pepper to taste Heat oven to 275 degrees. If ribs still have the thin membrane covering back of rack, remove it. Season both sides of ribs with a generous amount of salt and pepper…
Just a few days ago I received this call from my husband, Dan, who said he had a phone call from a person who called him “grandpa.” His voice sounded like our grandson, Cole, and so he believed it was him. The young man said he was in New York City and in trouble. He was in an accident, and was driving someone else’s car. When my husband asked him why he was in New York, he said he and a few friends had gone there for a break to see the city. This was a red flag because Cole…
Easy ribs 2 to 2-1/2 lbs. baby back pork ribs salt and black pepper Sweet barbecue sauce: 1 TBS olive oil 1/4 C finely diced onion 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 C ketchup (try our homemade ketchup recipe) 1 TBS hot chili sauce (suggestion – Sriracha) 2 TBS light brown sugar 1 TBS apple cider vinegar salt and ground pepper to taste Heat oven to 275 degrees. If ribs still have the thin membrane covering back of rack, remove it. Season both sides of ribs with a generous amount of salt and pepper and then place, meat-side up, into a…
His life has been a good one. He graduated from Marysville High School in 1965 and not too long after that went into a fantastically interesting career … hydraulics. When I first heard this term, I thought – I have no clue what that is. Then the explanations begin from the guy who referred him to me and Leroy himself. Leroy Cook has become a noted hydraulic expert and consultant. He now owns the company, ABC (Any Body Can) Hydraulics. He grew up in the New Dover area. After high school graduation and a short stint in the military, he…
These are goodies to help us stay warm. Dreamsicle pie 1-1/2 C heavy whipping cream 2 TBS confectioners powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 C water 1 3-oz. pkg. orange jello mix 2 6-oz. containers orange flavored yogurt 1 9-in. graham cracker crust Pour heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a large bowl. Whisk using a large balloon whisk for approximately 5 minutes, until cream reaches stiff peaks. Place water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, or until it’s just beginning to boil. Immediately whisk in orange jello mix, stirring until dissolved. Stir…