Administration strives for better education, increase in jobs and agriculture
CELINA - Ohio has drifted in job creation and education for years and has taken for granted or underutilized its agricultural base, manufacturing sector and medical facilities, Gov. John Kasich told Mercer County Republicans on Monday.
Mercer County Ribfest
CELINA - Proper etiquette did not apply when it came to the rib-eating contest held Saturday at the sixth annual Mercer County Ribfest at the county fairgrounds.
ST. HENRY - High school principal Frank Griesdorn will not be allowed to retire-rehire to his current position this fall due to public opinion on the process and scant savings to the district.
ST. HENRY - School board members will allow new athletic director Dennis Wendel to coach football for one more season despite taking a firm stand against the action last month.
MINSTER - What began as a plan to buy a new playground toy for elementary students is evolving into an outdoor classroom.
Shira Elder from Garmann/
Congratulations Class of 2012
ST. MARYS - Commencement for the 163 seniors at Memorial High School will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the high school gymnasium.
Anthony Tenney, son of Cur
CELINA - In a close vote, Celina American Legion members decided Monday night to not lease land in Harbor Point to marina owners who want a parking area for a restaurant they hope to develop.
Kurt Huelsman did a lot on the basketball court as a player for St. Henry's boys basketball program.
Now, he's being called upon to take over the girls' basketball program after the St. Henry Board of Education formally approved Huelsman for a teaching and coaching contract on Monday night.
Division IV Regional Softball Preview
For years, Minster's softball program has had to watch as their Midwest Athletic Conference rivals have made runs to the Division IV regional tournament.
CELINA - The success of the first season for the Wright State University-Lake Campus' baseball team has helped Lakers' head coach Rob Howell to receive commitments for the 2013 season.
ST. HENRY - A four-day party is planned July 5-8 to celebrate the village's 175th anniversary.
An amazing number of activities are scheduled to obs
Inexpensive, unique events and a rural, family-friendly atmosphere make the area attractive to summer travelers, a local tourism official says.
"We
Eldora Speedway, owned by NASCAR's two-time series champion Tony Stewart and located in Rossburg, is one of the most famed and recognizable dirt tracks in the United States.
ST. ANTHONY - It's time once again for succulent strawberries and homemade biscuits at the Mercer County Pomona Grange Strawberry Festival.
The ann
Coldwater
COLDWATER - The 45th annual Coldwater Knights of Columbus Picnic will be held June 2 and 3 on the Holy Trinity Catholic Church grounds in Coldwater.
All proceeds go back into the community.
MENDON - This year's Firecracker Festival on June 8 and 9 will offer inflatable bouncy houses and more for children.
The festival, which will be held on the former school grounds, is sponsored by the Mendon Lions Club. Proceeds will help finance charitable activities.
ST. MARYS - Holy Rosary Catholic Church will hold its annual festival June 8-10, once again offering a first-prize cash raffle of $2,500.
The festi
Fort Recovery Harvest Jubilee
FORT RECOVERY - The 107th annual Fort Recovery Harvest Jubilee is scheduled for June 14-17 at Fort Site Park and Ambassador Park.
Rides, food stands and an antique tractor display will be available the entire weekend. Entertainment, parking and admission are free.
CHICKASAW - From bed races to entertainment, new features highlight the 34th annual Chickasaw Community Picnic on June 8-10.
"We've added some new
The 26th annual Zuma Days celebration will be held June 14-16 at Zuma Park, located on the outskirts of Montezuma. All proceeds benefit the park.
According to organizer Dave Dorsten, there are few changes to this year's schedule of events.
Rockford
ROCKFORD - Community Days in Rockford is set for June 15-17 in Shane's Park.
Proceeds from the annual event go to Shane's Park improvements. All food stands will be sponsored locally.
MARIA STEIN - This year's Maria Stein Country Fest will mark two special occasions - the 25th anniversary of a festival that draws bigger crowds each year and the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. Activities take place June 22-24 on the grounds of the Shrine of Holy Relics off St. Johns Road.
CELINA - More than a half dozen, top-notch regional bands will crank out the tunes and provide a backdrop to this summer's three-day Freedom Days Picnic at Lake Shore Park.
St. Henry
ST. HENRY - The village's 2012 picnic features new bands and old favorites for people of all ages.
St. Henry Community Picnic will be held downtown from June 29 through July 1; early festivities will start with movie night and free popcorn at South Park at dusk June 28.
CELINA - The first Taste of Celina was so successful officials are bringing it back.
The block party returns July 13, 5-10 p.m., on Main Street, which will be closed from Market to Warren streets.
CELINA - Immaculate Conception Parish Festival will be held July 20-22 on the parish grounds in Celina.
Food stands, a raffle, rides, an auction a
Area folks will find food, entertainment and fun at the 2012 Chatt Farmers' Picnic on July 26.
The 98th annual picnic takes place the last Thursday in July and is held on Tama Road, about 2 1/2 miles east of Chattanooga.
CELINA - The 2012 Celina Lake Festival will be held July 27-29, and organizers say the theme, "Where Everyone Knows Your Name," accurately reflects the community's three-day extravaganza.
BURKETTSVILLE - Food, games and great music are planned for the 2012 Burkettsville Community Picnic on July 27 and 28.
This year's celebration includes many of the popular activities enjoyed in the past by people of all ages, according to chairwoman Tonya Siefring.
Arrowhead Park Golf Course
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.
Fort Recovery
FORT RECOVERY - The 39th annual nationally sanctioned truck and tractor pulls will be held July 27-28 at Ambassador Park in Fort Recovery.
The event, which features five classes of truck and tractor pulling on two tracks, begins at 7 both nights.
NEW BREMEN - Many popular events are returning for the 91st annual New Bremen Fireman's Picnic. Festivities take place July 28 at Crown Pavilion.
C
WAPAKONETA - The 160th Auglaize County Fair for the first time will offer admission deals throughout the week. The fair runs July 29-Aug. 4.
Fairgr
The World's Longest Yardsale's 675-mile route begins in Michigan and follows U.S. 127 through Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee before switching to Lookou
ST. MARYS - SummerFest is set for Aug. 9-12 in Memorial Park in downtown St. Marys with the Miss SummerFest Pageant scheduled for Aug. 5.
The pagea
Coldwater
COLDWATER - The 52nd annual Coldwater Community Picnic will be held Aug. 4 and 5 in the village's Memorial Park.
The picnic is a fundraiser for the Coldwater Public Library and Memorial Park. This year's theme is Legends of the Game.
Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta
Located along I-75 (exit 111), the museum is named in honor of astronaut and Wapakoneta native Neil A
CELINA - The British Invasion band and a world championship rodeo will dazzle crowds at this year's 160th Mercer County Fair in Celina.
The fair will be held Aug. 10-16 at the county fairgrounds. The feature attraction Aug. 12 will bring the rocking '60s era to the grandstands at 7:30 p.m.
The sky's the limit for visitors seeking overnight accommodations in the Grand Lake area.
Numerous camping opportunities are available at Grand Lak
COLDWATER - The 33rd annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Benefit Softball Tournament will be held Aug. 15-19 at Coldwater Memorial Park.
The five
College players make Celina home for league play
The Grand Lake Mariners is a summer baseball team that is completely comprised of college players. They play their home games at Jim Hoess Field, located inside Westview Park in Celina.
NEW BREMEN - A mix of new attractions and longtime favorites are on tap for the 38th annual Bremenfest. The annual event takes place Aug. 17-19 on both sides of Plum Street.
GRAND LAKE - Governor's Cup Regatta organizers are looking forward to this year's race after more than 50 boats turned out last year.
The regatta, scheduled for Aug. 25 and 26 on Grand Lake, again will be a free event with rides, concessions and vendors set up along Lake Shore Drive in Celina.
Durbin
DURBIN - The 114th annual Durbin Bean Bake will be held on Labor Day, Sept. 3, in the five acres of woods located west of Celina on Erastus-Durbin Road.
NEW BREMEN - Pumpkin chucking is just one of several new events planned for the ninth annual Pumpkinfest. The event takes place Sept. 28 and 29 on the Crown Pavilion grounds.
FORT RECOVERY - The 29th annual St. Joe Homecoming takes place Sept. 8 and 9 on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
In keeping with traditio
MINSTER - The sound of polka music will be much in evidence when the 38th annual Minster Oktoberfest takes place Oct. 5-7.
German music tops the en
