Rainy Day Writers

01/14/2025

Claire Cameron thinks ahead to 2025. What plans do you have for the coming year? It holds lots of possibilities. Read her story and other Rainy Day Writer stories on YourRadioPlace under the Community heading.

Letting Go by Claire Cameron

Although the nativity scene, holiday candles, and Christmas decor are carefully packed and stored, ready to emerge for Christmas 2025, the tiny lights still twinkle on our Christmas tree, wrapping the room in a soft glow. It’s hard for me to let go. The tree remains to delight and soothe my soul. Each handcrafted ornament made by sisters, friends, or grandchildren is a cherished memory. The garland, made from antique buttons of various sizes, once adorned Grandmother’s dresses, and are strung with red, white, and black tassels lovingly tied between them.

The picture of a St. Jude’s child counting on our prayers while waiting for a cure, rests beneath a glowing star reminiscent of the Holy Child long ago in Bethlehem.

I know it would be odd to allow the tree to remain all year. Although I thought about bedecking it with decorations for each holiday, I reluctantly let it go. I sadly pack each memory away, along with the cheerful twinkling lights that illuminated my very being.

Shirking the sadness, I concentrate on humming a happy tune instead as I contemplate the birth of our eighth great-grandchild and anticipate our youngest grandson’s upcoming wedding. This year I may plan a road trip with a friend to a historic village or take a buggy ride and enjoy the antics of various farm animals. I may even write another book! And volunteering for my favorite charity “Bet on Better” is something I always love to do.

2025 is open to endless possibilities. What hidden gems will you uncover and add to your journal this year? How many out-of-the-way places will you visit? Those blank pages are waiting for you. Will you decorate each one with figures and stories of new people you have met? Or perhaps will you draw a village marketplace brimming with fresh produce in a display of colors and vendors selling handmade crafts. What fascinating places will you find as you travel with a friend? Or will you chase your heart’s desire by marking another item off your bucket list while waiting expectantly to celebrate Christmas 2025? Welcome back that which you never wanted to let go of. Revel in touching memories from past years, the tiny blinking lights that soothe your soul and warm your heart. Then sit back, sip your tea, and revisit this past year’s travels you carefully journaled adding to the memories of days gone by. Then step into 2025 and make it your best year ever!

01/11/2025

Rick Booth describes some of the explosions that happened in Guernsey County over the years. You'll be amazed! Read all about them in January's Crossroads magazine.

01/06/2025

01/06/2025

For parents 😂

01/06/2025

The Culinary Challenge will be back in March! More details coming soon! Follow this page for all the latest updates.

01/06/2025

Happy New Year from Dickens Victorian Village. In the words of Tiny Tim:
"God Bless Us, Everyone."

01/05/2025

This is a little late but a great story about memories of WWII and what Christmas celebrations were like long ago. This was originally posted on YourRadioPlace, where you'll find more Rainy Day Writer stories under Community.

Celebrating Christmas in 1945 by Anne Burns

World War II ended officially in September 1945. Many people alive today have no memory of the war which began in September 1939. I was born in 1938, so have no memory of the beginning, however I have vivid memories of the celebration at the end of the war. We shall get to that.

I was 7 on April 27 when Adolph Hi**er committed su***de in his bunker on April 30 while hiding from the Russians. Germany surrendered in May. The Japanese did not surrender and the U.S.A and all western Allies suffered major losses at Iwo Jima. At that point United States President Truman and his advisors decided it was time for the nuclear bombs to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, creating horrific devastation. The Japanese surrendered on August 15.

All in all, it is estimated that in the seven years of world fighting, 80 million people worldwide lost their lives. Of that 80 million, perhaps 20 million were military, 5 million of which were prisoners of war. It is estimated over 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. So, the above is my history lesson to you and, 77 years later, some of the sad memories of a second grader in Whitmer. Everyone in our sweet little village of 350 people was sad. Fathers, sons, uncles, cousins, nephews went to war, and many never returned alive.

Now I want to tell you about the celebration all 350 people had in our village when the war ended and, 3 months later, CHRISTMAS arrived.

In September of that year, when we heard on the radio…. from announcers Lowell Thomas and Gabriel Heater…. that all treaties and surrender agreements had been signed, all my West Virginia heroes came out on their front porches with their guitars, banjos, and mandolins. Everyone was singing the most beautiful music you would have ever imagined. It was a bittersweet celebration. The Veterans from that war will never be forgotten.

In December 1945, on Christmas eve, everyone came to the Methodist or Church of God or Mennonite churches to give thanks for the end of the most horrific war we had ever experienced.

May we do the same this year at Christmas.

12/31/2024

Martha Jamail discusses exercise in an article found on YourRadioPlace where Rainy Day Writers post a new story each week. Follow us to learn more about our writers.

A Ten-Minute Exercise by Martha Jamail

Exercise is never really exciting and fun…at least to me. I just consider it a necessary evil to maintain good health. So, a ten-minute exercise in writing should help release the creative juices for a later, good story. At least that’s what “they” say. Who are “they” anyway?

Nevertheless, my friend and fellow Rainy Day Writer decided to try a 10-minute writing exercise after our lunch at a local restaurant. We told the waitress what we were going to do, then with notebook and pen in hand, and a ten-minute timer, we began. I wrote:

“It is bright and sunny outside, but every chandelier in the restaurant is lit. From my vantage point in the back booth, I count ten chandeliers with four bulbs in each, ten recessed ceiling lights, and four florescent lights over the kitchen area bordering the booth where we sit. Every table is full, and the sounds of conversation mixed with the occasional cough, attests to the popularity of this restaurant.

My friend and I are embarking on this writing journey together in hopes that we will release some creative thoughts locked inside our heads. We’re not journeying long, because we are writing only ten minutes, and not travelling far because the occasional clatter of dishes from the kitchen reminds us that we’re still in the same place. My friend is an accomplished writer and, because of her persuasiveness, I am trying this writing exercise.

Right now, I have drawn a blank. Can you imagine that? My eyes are roaming the restaurant, searching for something to write about, some thought to pull out of the air, but all I can focus on are the cracker wrappers, used napkins, and half empty glasses from our recent refreshment. The tip my husband left earlier is still folded under his coffee cup. A water glass, ketchup container, and a bottle of hot sauce are lined up like soldiers in front of me.

Mercifully, the timer rings and our time is up. Needless to say, I still have the same opinion about exercise.”

12/17/2024

Betsy Taylor tells an interesting story about a family who decided to have a more relaxed Christmas in December's Crossroads. Perhaps you would like to have a more relaxed Christmas holiday.

12/11/2024

Mark Cooper shares examples of some of the stories that are contained in the new book, Rainy Day Ramblings. You're sure to find something that everyone can enjoy. Pick up a copy at one of the merchants listed at the end of this story.

Rambling with Rainy Day Writers

The Rainy Day Writers’ (RDW) are pleased to announce the release of their 2024 book, Rainy Day Ramblings. “Rambling” is defined as taking a pleasurable walk with no definite destination in mind. Likewise, the Ramblings book takes you on a pleasant journey that wanders through history, relationship dramas, life experiences, and happenings-with-no-explanations.

John Anderson, local educator and newest member of RDW, draws upon his family history for a series of WWII based stories.

In The Prodigal Father, Sam Besket reminds us that conflict reveals the weaknesses and strengths in family relationships.

Claire Cameron returns with her knack for painting descriptive word scenes. Many readers may identify with her story, The Initiation of Alice, as she portrays an intimidating workplace experience.

In Princess Pig, Betsy Taylor shares a heartwarming tale of Jello, the pig who saved her bacon by giving her family a priceless gift.

Bev Kerr has some chills for readers in A Friendly Ghost. A young wife and mother, Laura, discovers her new home comes with more features than had been described to her before the purchase.

This year Rick Booth has edited and released the two volume The Extended Stories of Guernsey County Ohio, featuring the original writings of William G. Wolfe. In Wolfe’s Biography, Rick writes about this historian who compiled an extensive local history.

Martha Jamail enjoys sharing rich childhood stories based upon her life in the Mississippi Delta. The Day of the Tornado is a day that would be forever engraved into any child’s memory.

Why Did You Do This? by Mark Cooper is a story of redemption as a businessman comes face to face with a childhood tormentor and realizes that people can change.

These are just a few of the many stories in Rainy Day Ramblings that you will enjoy rambling through and will want to share with others.

A special thank you goes to the following businesses for carrying Rainy Day Ramblings: Country Bits, Dickens Welcome Center, Ellie’s Cottage, Modern Movements, Mosser Glass, Mr. Lee’s American Restaurant, Rooted Botanicals and Teas, The Journal-Leader, The Station on 22, and The Towne House.

12/09/2024

Rick Booth explains how Guernsey County got its name due to settlers here from the Isle of Guernsey. Read all about those early settlers in December's Crossroads magazine. Here's the beginning of that article.

12/06/2024

Beverly Kerr recently explored the history of the Carnegie Library here in Cambridge. It brought back some childhood memories that she wanted to share with you. Pictured is the first book Beverly received from Santa at the library as a young girl.

Memories of Carnegie Library by Beverly Kerr

This is a special year for the Downtown Branch of the Guernsey County Library. In 1904, Andrew Carnegie donated the money to have a library built in Cambridge on Steubenville Avenue. That same building stands today on its 120th anniversary, and is an important part of our library system.

Now, I wasn’t there in 1904 but nearly eighty years ago, my mother walked with me to that library every Saturday morning for Story Time. Children’s activities were important to the library at that time as over half of their users were children.

Mom and I would walk home each week with one borrowed book, which I hugged in my arms. Well, I put it down sometimes when we had some extra money to stop at Galliher Ice Cream for an ice cream cone or maybe even a sundae.

At Christmas, Santa appeared and gave every child a book from beneath a beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby. My book was “The Little Duck Who Loved the Rain.” It was the first book that was all my own. I still have it.

Later when I went to Hopewell One-Room School at Indian Camp, the Guernsey County Library would bring a box of about fifty books to our school every six weeks. It was my goal to read as many of those books as possible. Sometimes I read all 50.

The library has been so important in my life as it instilled in me the love of reading books and writing stories. That has given me joy over the years and still today.

If you haven’t been to the library lately, plan to pay a visit soon. Today’s library is much more than books, although to me they are still the most important thing. Our local library has so many interesting activities that will give youngsters the desire to read and explore through the world of books. Children and adults can find adventure waiting on the shelves.

“Reading gives us someplace to go."
when we have to stay where we are.”

12/05/2024

Rainy Day Writers recently had a book signing for their newest book "Rainy Day Ramblings." They are now available at Country Bits, Dickens Welcome Center, Ellie's Cottage, Mr. Lee's, and Rooted Teas and Botanicals. You'll enjoy reading some of these all new stories. Pictured are authors Martha Jamail, Rick Booth, Sam Beskett, Betsy Taylor, John Anderson, and Claire Cameron. Beverly Kerr took the quick picture while Mark Cooper signed ahead of time.

11/30/2024

John Anderson tells about a terrible fire and the search afterward by experienced partners. Read more Rainy Day Writers stories at YourRadioPlace under Community.

Good Boy by John Anderson

The onlookers were aghast. They knew how gruesome the scene was. And, in the midst of this tragedy, an officer is tossing a frisbee to his dog…

Two girls want to pet me.

“Can we pet your dog, Mister?

“Does he bite?”

My partner Jim said, “He doesn’t bite and, yes, you can pet him.”

Onlookers stood in the bright sunshine, curious about the events of the night.

The smoke detector had gone off but there has been no smoke to be seen or smelled. The family had gone to bed.

By 2:00 am, the house was engulfed in fire.

The man, two kids, and his wife jumped off the second story porch roof after discovering their bedroom doors were too hot to open.

When the man went back inside for their dog, the floors collapsed.

Neither the man nor the dog came out.

When Jim and I arrived on the scene, the fire had burned itself out. There were still a few smoldering places. I had to walk carefully.

My job was to find the man.

This was recovery, not a rescue.

I knew my task might be difficult but not super-difficult like finding a body sunken below the surface of a lake. I had been trained to smell a co**se. Even when the co**se was submerged in 50 feet of water, a scent was released as it decomposed. In the case of a drowning, Jim and I would drive in a boat back and forth over the area where the person was last seen. When the scent of the decomposing body came up to the surface in a certain area, I would bark. Jim would tell the divers where to look.

I would like to say that my record for finding drowning victims is 100%.

Jim likes to tell that to the other officers.

At the fire scene, I located the man’s back. When the floors had burned though, everything ended up in the basement. The washing machine had landed on him. Where the washing machine covered him, he was only partially burned. The rest of the man was burned to ashes.

My training kicked in.

I barked to signal to Jim.

Jim covered the man and then put yellow tape around the area.

Jim said, “Good boy.”

Later, Jim, played frisbee with me. He calls it exercise. I call it fun.

I don’t get rewarded with too many snacks as I have to stay in working condition. I have to say, playing freebee is just about my favorite thing to do. That’s when the two girls asked Jim if they could pet me.

11/16/2024

11/16/2024

Thank you for supporting the Dickens chocolate Walk, all 350 of you! We appreciate you!

11/16/2024

Trolley Rides this Saturday from 10-5. Meet the trolley at the Dickens Welcome Center and learn interesting tales about our town from Rick Booth, guide. Cost is $10 a person. Learn the history of some of the old homes in Cambridge and the people who lived there.