January 2017 archive

Offering Envelopes, Old and New

The late Don Caffee used to have an amusing little saying about church. He said, “Whenever two or more are gathered, there will be an offering.” This little quip, called a Donism by his son, is fairly accurate. At the end of every year Zion Chatt’s members get their offering envelopes for the new year …

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Tombstone Tuesday–Johann Christopher Michael Lotter

This is the tombstone of Johann Christopher Michael Lotter, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed: Hier Ruhet Johann Christopher M. Lotter Gest 17 Oct 1894 Alt 15 Jahr 10 Tag “Here rests Johann Christopher M. Lotter, died 17 October 1894, aged 15 years and 10 …

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Driving Grandma

It is hard to imagine not driving–not getting into your car and driving whenever and wherever you want. But that was the case with both of my grandmothers. Neither one could drive. At least neither one ever had a driver’s license or drove an automobile. My grandmothers, Gertrude (Brewster) Miller and Hilda (Scaer) Schumm, always …

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Tombstone Tuesday–John Peter Lotter

This is the tombstone of John Peter Lotter, located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed: John P. Lotter Died Mar 29 1891 Aged 55Y  5M  22D According to Zion Chatt’s records John Peter Lotter was born 8 October 1835 in Zweifelsheim, Bavaria. He was likely the …

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