Henk Steenhuis was an editor with the papers of the Drents Groningse Pers (DGP), when he wrote and drew a comic strip called 'Dörp in draf' in 1983. It ran in the local papers published by the group, including Emmer Courant, Drentse en Asser Courant and Hoogeveens Dagblad. 'Dörp in draf' was originally a radio play by Henk Willemsz, that was broadcasted on the local radio in 1967. It told the story of the fictive town Reiderzijl and its inhabitants, most notably William Carter, the main character who returns from the States.