On a cold but sunny day, a chance meeting with local historian Margaret Brennan evolved into a rather deep discussion. Seated in a booth at the Warwood Subway, Margaret and I were simply happy to be out of our homes after several snow days.

Sometimes it is the most unexpected turn of events that brings about the best results. I have known Margaret even before I joined the newspaper, but that’s another story. Anyway, sometimes you just need to catch your breath and catch up with someone who has a great deal of knowledge to share. And Margaret always has.

Whether it’s the study of a local piece of Wheeling history, a building or a statue, you can pretty much find Margaret at the heart of such things. So when we just took time out to chat over a sandwich, it was something we both enjoyed.

After a rundown of some of the things we had going on in our vastly different lives, we found ourselves talking about history. Both of us expressed our concern about the current goings-on in our world and more closely, in our country. These concerns led us to wonder just how in the world would historians accurately relate the facts versus fiction when writing the textbooks of tomorrow.

The world is turning so fast and with it goes so much change. I doubt if there is enough backspacing on the computer to keep up with the changes.

It made me wonder if there would even be such a thing as textbooks as we have known them — actual pen put to paper and recorded for all times. Margaret pointed out that a most important aspect of that recording of history has been through newspapers.

You can visit any library and see your community through the eyes of newspapers, past and present. The past editions can be found on microfilm and now on computer pages. Everything from world wars to the everyday vital statistics of weddings, births and deaths have been recorded for all times via newspapers.

While newspapers struggle to forge ahead in modern times, there is no denying the value of those pages that have been part of our own local history. Hundreds of people each year visit our local library, searching through old editions in an effort to trace their family trees. As families find their roots, new stories are being written with countless endings.

Margaret and I didn’t solve any great world issues over our simple lunch, but we did agree that it’s good to keep telling the stories of our Ohio Valley so they aren’t lost to the generations to come after us.

We ended our meeting on a positive note, agreeing on one thing in particular — we both love history and dark chocolate Reese Cups.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.