People all across this country and, in fact, around the world, claim roots in Logan County. They have very interesting stories to tell, and some of them like to connect with those of us who stayed at home. Logan County Diaspora publishes the stories of former Logan County residents. With their permission, we also include their e-mail addresses so that old friends might be reunited. If you wish to be part of the Logan County Diaspora, e-mail ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.
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Traycee likes the weather but not the red clay Based on e-mail text from Traycee Ritchhart-Pirkle [MARCH 2, 2000] When Lincoln Daily News introduced the Diaspora page, we hoped to give former area residents an opportunity to renew acquaintances and reaffirm their Lincoln connections. The first postings came from people now living in Alabama, Nebraska, Florida, Georgia and Germany. Through follow-up correspondence, we plan to present added material from some of the people who have called Lincoln their home.
Traycee joined the U.S. Air Force after high school and lived for three years in Tampa, Fla., where she met the man she married. They lived in Lincoln for six years, and their children, Tanner, 8, and Holly, 6, were born here. "But my husband was from Georgia," Traycee explains, "and I wanted to move where the weather was warmer, the scenery was more than cornfields and the people acted more like they did when I lived in the country in Lincoln. Everyone was so friendly! (Although she and her husband divorced last fall, she has decided to stay in Georgia.) With the following e-mail excerpts, we share some of Traycee’s observations about her area and comparisons with her life in Logan County. The weather here is one of the best things. I do miss the snow, but certainly not the bone-chilling winters that I remember in Lincoln. Most of the seasons are mild. Summers can get hot, but not terrible. The one thing that I do NOT like about Georgia is the red clay! It's terrible! Especially with two young children, there is not enough hot water and bleach to get that stuff out! In spite of all of the Southern and Georgia jokes that I have heard, I have to give the Southerners some credit. They know the meaning of hospitality! The Northeast Georgia area (where I am) is what I call the "Old Georgia." There are a lot of small, quiet country towns, where country stores; handcrafted goods; roadside stands with jams, jellies, and vegetables; and the friendliest people are. Then, in just a short one-hour drive to Atlanta, it's a totally different world. I compare Atlanta to Chicago. It's a nice place to visit, or go to a ballgame, but I certainly would not want to live there! Unfortunately, Atlanta is moving farther north. The Gainesville area (where I have lived for the last two years) is beginning to build more, traffic is getting heavier, and the crime rate has gotten worse. I am on the north side of town, where things are a little quieter.
I have owned and operated a karaoke business for the last seven years, and when in Lincoln had a lot of opportunity, but since moving here, it has slowed down, due to the lack of entertainment spots. In this area, we don't even have bars. Many of the counties are dry. So, unless you are an outdoors person and like to go to the mountains (which I LOVE), there isn't a lot to do, without traveling to the Atlanta area.
Some of my fondest memories of Lincoln were high school (believe it or not!) and the great friends that I had, and cruisin' the strip and hanging out at McDonald’s. I visit Lincoln once or twice every year. I still do a karaoke show at the annual Eagle's BBQ in the summer, and I alternate Christmas and Thanksgiving with my family each year. They come here for one, and I head north for the other. My kids still spend the summers in Lincoln with my family, so they still stay near their roots. Traycee’s closest relatives live in the Lincoln area. Her dad is Lowell "Penrod" Ritchhart, and Becky Ritchhart is her mom. Her stepfather, Louie Cramer; her grandmother, Mary Rowland; and Tom Rowland, her uncle, are also local residents.
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"Nothing compares with e-mail and Web pages" to keep friends in touch I have lived in the Fort Myers, Fla., area for the last 14 years. I have tried to keep in touch by phone, mail, etc. with my friends in Illinois. Nothing compares with e-mail and Web pages to accomplish this! Many thanks to the people who started lincolndailynews.com. It is firmly placed in my favorite places and I check it every day. Thanks again. Bill
Horn (3-3-00)
LDN makes Germany closer to home We just heard about the lincolndailynews.com and are enjoying keeping up with latest. We are currently living in Germany and now we don't feel so far from home. Tom and Kristy (Smith) Yarcho (2-16-00)
Lincoln remains close to her heart Thank you so much for the opportunity to stay posted on the happenings in my hometown! I am currently living in the North Georgia mountains, but my children spend the summers in Lincoln visiting their grandparents, and they love to look at the pictures of places in Lincoln and stay familiar with their "summer surroundings" After viewing the message board that one other Lincoln site has, I think I will stick with lincolndailynews.com, where I can see the news that I want to see....how things are progressing, and the good that still comes from my little hometown. Keep up the good work! Lincoln may be 700 miles from my home, but is much closer to my heart! Traycee Ritchhart-Pirkle Traycee87@alltel.net Traycee@americashomeplace.com (2-16-00) Lincoln native recalls Rec Center days I was just told about your Web site in Lincoln. As a native who has been away for many years, it's really nice to be able to keep up with the news in Lincoln. I've been living in Omaha, Neb., for many years now and I still remember the good old days at the Rec Center in Lincoln. For friends, my e-mail is Weindorf1@juno.com Don Weindorf (2-10-00)
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World traveler keeps up on Lincoln Thank you for lincolndailynews.com. My name is Denise and I am living in the Port Charlotte, Fla., area. I am getting established in real estate here in Southwest Florida after moving to this area within the last year from the north of England. I lived in Lincoln until I was 27 in 1983, before starting a world traveling lifestyle. Although living thousands of miles away (i.e., Texas, California, Australia, England) over the years, I have managed to return to see my family, friends, and just to see Lincoln every six months on average. Now that plans have it that visits will be less often, it is absolutely great to have lincolndailynews.com for that Lincoln connection. My parents are down here for 'The Season." January to April. They are enjoying the benefits of the new lincolndailynews and the latitude of Florida, that of sun, warm, wildlife and the new pool construction going on in my back yard with the golf course view. Ya' all come down now! :o) Now you won't miss out on any Lincoln area news either! I am so excited about lincolndailynews that I am starting a classified ad to help readers learn more about wintering in Florida. Many thanks. Denise Radcliffe Wood (2-11-00) Alabama resident likes Lincoln photos Great Web page. My brother just sent me the link to the Web site so that I can keep up with the news from back home. I left Lincoln back in 1963 for the Air Force. I currently reside in Alabama but Lincoln is never far from my mind. I truly enjoyed seeing the pictures of the different places around town and what is going on. Keep up the good work. Dale A. Lowe (2-8-00)
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Traycee
Ritchhart-Pirkle is a Lincoln native who graduated from high
school here in 1987 and has lived in Georgia since 1996. She says,
"I love it!" She notes that the different areas of
Georgia are like different parts of the country and that Northeast
Georgia, where she lives, is "absolutely beautiful!"
The
schools here are wonderful! Both children are at Riverbend
elementary, which is ranked in the top three schools in the
Northeast Georgia area. The teachers are wonderful, and the
parents are a big part. Maybe things have just changed since I was
in school, but this school seems to really encourage the parent's
involvement!
Almost
any area of Georgia would cater to someone’s vacation ideals.
The North Georgia mountains are perfect for someone who wants to
get away and enjoy a peaceful, serene "vacation from the
world"; Atlanta is great for the more adventurous person who
wants excitement; and South Georgia and the coast are perfect for
the "sun bunnies" and beach-goers.