Duane Abel, cartoonist, does his thing at Maple Crest
Have you ever wondered about the life of a cartoonist?
On July 10, elders at Maple Crest were delighted to discover all sorts of unique tidbits about famous cartoonists down through the ages from a dynamic (and very funny) modern-day cartoonist, Duane Abel of the Corkey Comics Co.
Abel became the youngest syndicated cartoonist in the world at age 15 and is best known for his main character, Zed – a pink, fluffy, walking, talking dryer lint.
Zed appears in over 25 newspapers around the country as well as in children’s books. Other characters who join Zed in his antics are Brian (big head, big feet), Clyde (with a bucket on his head), and Mascot (a take-off from the mascot of Abel’s alma mater, the University of Akron).
Maple Crest elders watched the cartoons come to life in Abel’s hands. Those who won his signed drawings by answering cartoon questions are holding on to the pages for dear life – hoping to “strike it rich” when Abel becomes as famous as Walt Disney or Charles Schultz!
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- October 21 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Village of Beaverdam requests suggestions for park grant application
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- October 21 Bluffton Schools 2-hour delay
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 14-18
- Ada Icon headlines, October 19
- JessExpress Travel is the Icon's newest advertiser
- Gatchel 7th in girls, Pirates 4th at NWC cross country meet
- Veterans invited to Pandora-Gilboa banquet, November 10
- Wearable sculptures featured in exhibit On Soft Ground
- Historic depot rentals offered for meetings and parties