Thursday, May 24th, 2007
Local fuel costs top averages for state and nation
By Shelley Grieshop
Gasoline stations aren't the only place Grand Lake residents are feeling the sting of high crude oil prices.
Farmers, retail vendors, floor installers, pizza delivery drivers - everyone and anyone who relies on transportation to make a living - are either passing on their added costs to consumers or dealing with financial losses that eat into their profits. [More]
Village employees to donate most of the labor
By William Kincaid
COLDWATER - Cavalier Football Stadium will undergo a two-phase renovation project starting this summer.
During the regular school board meeting this week, Athletic Director Eric Goodwin updated members on the nearly $50,000 first phase, which will be mostly funded by the athletic boosters. Coldwater village employees will donate most of the labor. [More]
By Bruce Monnin
PIQUA - Though the goal of track athletes is always to do their best and try to win, at the regional track meet this often gives way to the fact that you only need to finish in the top four places to qualify for next week's state track meet. So the [More]
Obituaries on May 24th, 2007
Emma M. Grilliot, 88, died at 8:16 a.m. May 22, 2007, at Alterra Sterling House, Piqua. [More]
Local pictures on May 24th, 2007
Subscriber stories on May 24th, 2007
Voters in Mercer, Van Wert and Paulding counties will decide this fall whether local tax funding for drug, alcohol and mental health treatment should be increased.
NEW BREMEN - Harold Suchland is no stranger when it comes to fishing the unpredictable waters of Lake Erie.
He went with his father as a youngster, took his own children as an adult and now introduces others to the sport as a licensed charter boat captain.
Pat Giesige's ready smile and twinkling blue eyes belied her age as she spoke about her family, religion and one of her passions, gardening.
This e
Seventy-seven Minster High School students will don caps and gowns Sunday for commencement exercises. Ceremonies begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Minster Middle School gymnasium.
WAPAKONETA - Insurance agent Thomas Finkelmeier Jr. was the winner in a vote recount for Republican primary for mayor.
Finkelmeier, who won in reco
Frank Griesdorn gets three-year deal with district
ST. HENRY - Board of education members approved a three-year contract for high school Principal Frank Griesdorn Monday night after a brief executive session.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Celina girls track team will have several chances to send someone to state after first-day qualifying at the Division I regional meet at Amherst Steele on Wednesday.
The season ended for Anderson in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Central Regional in a 5-2 loss to Bridgewater in New Concord, Ohio, last week.
The Grand Lake area and communities around it in Mercer and Auglaize counties have a lot to offer.
Whether visitors want to grab a bite to eat at a lakeside restaurant, boat, ski or fish, play golf or take in a local festival, the area has an event or activity for just about everyone.
The sound of pianos - dueling pianos to be exact - will waft across the Chickasaw Community Picnic grounds as planners attempt to draw a larger opening night crowd. The 29th annual event runs from June 8-10.
Visitors to this year's three-day Celina Lake Festival will have the opportunity to take to the air.
HIS Helicopter Service of Florida will be offe
Ambassador Park in Fort Recovery will rev up for the invasion of Grand National truck and tractor pulling Aug. 24-25.
The event will feature NTPA
Country-rock band McGuffey Lane will return to the Coldwater Knights of Columbus Picnic on June 2 and 3.
The band, which gained popularity in the '
Take some new features and combine with favorites from the past. Stir in musical performances and sports competitions. Season with tasty fare. Dust with magic and serve in generous portions from June 22-24 at the Maria Stein Center and adjacent Marion Township Park.
A top-notch fireworks show, antique and regular tractor pulls and a weekend packed with lots of fun and food will serve as cornerstones of the Mendon Firecracker Festival.
People coming for the fifth annual Burkettsville Community Picnic on Aug. 10-12 will find toe-tapping music, games for all ages and festival food galore, according to chairman Alan Siefring.
The return of movie night and the debut of a rock band known for their crazy on-stage performance are just a few highlights of the Coldwater Community Picnic with activities beginning Aug. 2.
It's summertime and that means a whole lotta ball games at Coldwater Memorial Park.
As tradition dictates, there will be several days of nearly nonstop softball games throughout the entire park during the Aug. 15-19 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Benefit Softball Tournament.
The Annual Ohio Governor's Cup Regatta continues to bring in top hydroplane racers from the United States, Canada and other parts of the world for a weekend of world class racing on Grand Lake.
Tradition continues with music, food and events for all
One of the oldest festivals in the county will continue again this summer with the Chatt Farmer's Picnic slated for July 26.
The 93rd annual celebr
Some called Lela Felver a "peach" but the mention of her name today brings just one fruit to mind: strawberries.
It was Felver, a charter member of
Two popular activities at the 86th annual New Bremen-German Township Fire Department Picnic can be described accurately as all wet.
The event, which takes place July 28 at Jaycee Park, includes two waterball tournaments. Juniors face off at 1:30 p.m. with firefighters taking the field at 5 p.m.
From bluegrass to Christian rock, the 2007 Concert in the Park schedule offers something for everyone in terms of music styles. The series, sponsored by the New Bremen Parks Department, takes place at Crown Pavilion located off Plum Street in New Bremen.
Garage sale and auction will be early activities
Plans for the annual Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Picnic are nearly complete and chairman John Folk said the tradition of having something for everyone will continue. The event takes place July 20-22 at the church and parish activity center off West Wayne Street in Celina.
From polka music to shades of Buffetville, the upcoming concert season sponsored by the village of Minster Parks and Recreation Department offers something for everyone.
Enjoy another exciting season of Grand Lake Mariners baseball this summer at Jim Hoess Field as the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League (GLSCL) is back for a 21st season.
Museums

Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta
Located along I-75 (exit 111), the museum is named in honor of astronaut and Wapakoneta na
Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts have brought back another eclectic lineup of music ranging from big band sounds, rock 'n roll and country for the 16th annual concert series in the park.
Old favorites will team up with new events and lots of music at the Holy Rosary Festival on June 8, 9 and 10 on the church grounds in St. Marys.
Friday and Saturday hours are 5 p.m. to midnight. Sunday's time is noon to 10 p.m.
The Fall Harvest Festival will celebrate its 11th anniversary when the agricultural-based event runs Sept. 7-9 at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina.
From sleeping under the stars to the comfort of a cozy hotel bed, the Grand Lake area has it all.
Visitors to the local area have a variety of choices when it comes to lodging in the Mercer and Auglaize county area.
Arrowhead Park Golf Course
Location: Minster
Directions: Take Ohio 66 south out of St. Marys to Minster. Once in Minster, take a right onto First Street and follow it to Canal Road. Turn left on Canal. The course is located on the corner of Canal and Dirksen.
The long-standing Fort Recovery Harvest Jubilee is featuring some new events at this year's festival June 14-17 at Ambassador Park in Fort Recovery.
After a successful inaugural event last year, Mercer County Fair organizers are bringing back the autumn Chili Festival for a second year.
Last yea
Some 3,000 bicyclists from throughout the United States are expected to be part of this year's annual Community Days in Rockford, slated for June 15 to 17.
A motley crew of multi-colored puppets and rock 'n' rollers are scheduled to invade St. Henry this year during the annual community picnic on July 7 and July 8.
Zuma Days is set for June 15 and 16 at the Zuma Park in Montezuma beginning with an auction at 6 p.m. Friday.
Event Spokesperson Tom Prenger said t
Minster will roll out the red carpet Oct. 5-7 for the 33rd annual Minster Oktoberfest celebrating the proud German heritage of its residents. Festivities take place at Minster Machine Centennial Park on both sides of Fourth Street.
St. Marys' annual SummerFest will take over Memorial Park downtown on Aug. 10, 11 and 12 with a variety of games, contests, food and demonstrations.
"Proud To Serve Our Community" is the theme for the 2007 Bremenfest Parade, part of the 33rd annual festival taking place Aug. 17-19 at Jaycee Park and Lions Club Park in New Bremen.
It will begin June 16 and end seven days later at Mercer County Fairgrounds, swelling the local population by 3,000 on those couple days. It's the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA), now in its 19th year.
Plenty of old favorites and some fresh new twists are on tap for the Mercer County Banner Fair, which runs Aug. 7-13 in Celina.
Among the new activ
The 155th Auglaize County Fair in Wapakoneta will feature the Moon City Nationals tractor/truck pull competition this year during festivities July 30 through Aug. 4.
The air will be filled with the sounds of music on Sunday evenings all summer long on Grand Lake's north shore in Celina.
For the fourth year in a
They'll be lovin' the blues in St. Marys on Sept. 1 when the first Riverside Bluesfest sets up in K.C. Geiger Park with some top notch bluesmen like Joe Bonamassa, Lonnie Brooks, Cleveland Fats, Doghouse Daddies and the Scotty Bratcher Band.
The cauldrons will be bubbling with beans again this year at the 109th annual Durbin Bean Bake, held in celebration of Labor Day on Sept. 3.
Barry
The New Bremen Historic Association is making plans for an annual picnic 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 3 at the museum, 120 N. Main St., New Bremen.
A pie
Freedom Days, the popular Independence Day picnic celebration, will return to Celina's lakefront for a third straight year.
Freedom Days runs June 29-July 1 with events held at Lake Shore park and Lake Shore Drive.
The New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers have a unique twist in mind when the third Pumpkinfest takes place Sept. 29. The schedule, which is being completed at this time, runs 8 a.m. to midnight in and around the Crown Pavilion in New Bremen.
ROSSBURG - You don't have to travel far if you are a fan of good racing.
Eldora Speedway is home to some of the best short track racing in the nati