Demand for gasoline has dipped slightly in northwest Ohio as prices at the pump prepare to kiss the $4 mark.
Ottawa Oil General Manager Denny Knoth
MINSTER - Minster Local Schools board of education faces tough decisions in the coming weeks - trying to address priorities as negative spending looms in the wake of rising costs. Details were discussed at length during a Wednesday night board work session.
Jamison D. Godfrey had a short day in Mercer County Common Pleas Court Wednesday as his scheduled arraignment in one case and sentencing in another were continued a week to provide more time for defense attorney consultations.
Graduation ceremonies will take place 2 p.m. Sunday when 198 Memorial High School seniors receive diplomas.
Jason Rader, son of Elizabeth and Kelly
Sometimes the yard you mow and the yard you own are two different things, according to Auglaize County Engineer Doug Reinhart.
"We now have a fabul
A 20-day summer school will be held by the Mercer County Educational Service Center from June 2 to June 27 for Mercer County students who need to make up credit in various classes.
BURKETTSVILLE - Julius Hierholzer, owner of Hierholzer Garage & Towing, wanted to do something to help his neighbors - staff and clients at the Center for Neurological Development.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Celina track team started its run to Columbus with a solid start at the Division I district meet at Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin.
Grand Lake and the Mercer and Auglaize communities surrounding it have a lot to offer.
Whether visitors want to relax at a lakeside restaurant or bar, boat, ski, play golf or take in a local picnic or festival, the area has something for just about everyone and every age group.
Visitors to the 30th annual Chickasaw Community Picnic will have an opportunity to howl at the moon, court Lady Luck, dance to area bands and savor tasty treats. The event takes place June 6-8 in the heart of the community.
"It's Showtime" is the theme for the 2008 Celina Lake Festival, slated for the weekend of July 25-27, centered in downtown Celina and along Lake Shore Drive.
It will be a hot time in the old town of Celina during the July 4th weekend as the community comes together for the annual Freedom Days celebration.
The patriotic Independence Day observation is a joint effort of the Celina American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Moose Lodge and Eagles Lodge.
The 2008 Summerfest events will begin July 29 and conclude Aug. 10 at various locations in St. Marys.
For further information, call 419-300-4611.
The Fall Harvest Festival will be held on Sept. 5, 6, and 7 at the Mercer County Fairgrounds.
For general questions, call 419-305-2282; for tractor and engines info, 419-586-5617; arts, crafts and flea market, 419-586-5730.
Holy Rosary Parish Festival in St. Marys will be held June 13, 14 and 15 at the school. The garage sales are June 5, 6 and 7 also at the school at the corner of Spring and Pine streets.
Entertainment tops the list of special features at the sixth annual Burkettsville Community Picnic on Aug. 8-10. Festivities take place in and around the community park with the exception of the 5K run/walk that takes participants along a country route.
People will be flapping their arms and strutting their stuff chicken-dance fashion at the 34th annual Minster Oktoberfest. The event takes place Oct. 3-5 at Minster Machine Centennial Park located on both sides of Fourth Street.
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
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 Grand Lake area has no shortage of places to spend the night, regardless of whether travelers arrive by car or camper.
Local campgrounds - inc
Another exciting season is already underway at Eldora Speedway, a 1/2-mile dirt racing facility located in Rossburg.
Eldora, owned by NASCAR driving star Tony Stewart, was built in 1954 and has grown into one of the most, if not the most, famous dirt track in all of racing.
Zuma Days will be held June 20 and 21 at Zuma Park in Montezuma.
For questions, contact Dave Dorsten at 491-268-2334.
If hosting the annual Governors Cup Regatta is not big enough for Celina, the American Power Boat Association (APBA) is instilling another honor this year as the 2008 Inboard Summer Nationals will take place on Grand Lake.
A hypnotist, professional magician and a Guitar Hero contest highlight the action at the 2008 Mercer County Fair set for Aug. 8-14 at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina.
The St. Henry Community Picnic will include activities on a Friday night for the first time ever, picnic committee President Paul Moorman says.
The picnic will run July 4-6.
A recognition of troops will be a new feature at this year's Coldwater Community Picnic on Aug. 2 and 3 at Coldwater Memorial Park.
A ceremony at 3
The air will be filled with the sounds of music on Sunday evenings all summer on Grand Lake's north shore in Celina.
For the fifth year in a row since the concert series was revived, a slate of a dozen concerts are planned for 6:30 p.m. Sundays at Lake Shore Park.
Music ranging from the Big Band era to classic rock 'n roll will be on tap when the New Bremen Parks Department sponsors its 2008 Concert in the Park series at Crown Pavilion. The site is located west of Washington Street (state Route 66) along Plum Street.
The sound of music - ranging from down-home country to Appalachian tunes to classic rock 'n roll - will be featured on selected Sunday nights when the Minster Parks and Recreation Department sponsors its summer concert series.
Fort Recovery to host trucks, tractors
The Fort Recovery Ambassadors Club once again will host Grand National truck and tractor pulling this summer.
The 2008 event, scheduled for Aug. 22
The Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts have brought back another eclectic lineup of music ranging from rock 'n roll to country for the 17th annual concert series in the park.
Planning continues for the annual Immaculate Conception Parish Picnic. The event takes place July 18-20 on the parish grounds, according to co-chairmen Kevin and Susie VanTilburg.
Another exciting summer of baseball is on tap at Westview Park in Celina again this year as the Grand Lake Mariners play for two months in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.
Strawberry lovers can satisfy their hunger at the 2008 Pomona Strawberry Festival on June 5 at the Unity Grange Hall on St. Anthony Road.
The meal
The 94th annual Chattanooga Farmers Picnic will be held on July 31 along Tama Road, 21/2 miles east of Chattanooga.
For questions, contact Dave Branstetter at 419-942-1549.
The annual picnic sponsored by the New Bremen Historic Association will have a festive flair commemorating the 175th birthday of this Auglaize County community. The event takes place 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. June 1 at the museum, 120 N. Main St.
Visitors to Bock and Rock will not find Busch, Coors, Bud or Pabst on tap when this event billed as "A Beer Tasting Experience!" takes place May 31 at Four Seasons Park in Minster.
The circus is coming to town the week of the Auglaize County Fair in Wapakoneta from July 27 to Aug. 2.
Fair Secretary Fred Piehl says circuses and fairs go together like peanut butter and jelly and have for decades.
The cauldrons will be bubbling with beans again this year at the 110th annual Durbin Bean Bake held in celebration of Labor Day on Sept. 1.
The ann
The 28th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Benefit Softball Tournament will be held Aug. 13-17 at Memorial Park in Coldwater.
The 40 men'
Riverside Bluesfest 2008 will be held the evening of Aug. 29 and all day Aug. 30 at K. C. Geiger Park in St. Marys. Advance tickets are $15 and $20 at the gate.
Shades of the past will be very much in evidence at the 34th annual Bremenfest on Aug. 15-17, according to Kevin Bergman, president of the New Bremen Festival Association.
Visitors to the 21st annual Maria Stein Country Fest will find some new attractions along with many popular events from past years.
Festivities take place June 27-29 on the grounds of the Shrine of the Holy Relics, located along St. John Road between state Routes 119 and 274.
Kicking off the festival season in Mercer County is the Coldwater Knights of Columbus (K of C) Picnic on May 31 and June 1 on the grounds of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
The 103rd annual Fort Recovery Harvest Jubilee will be held at the village's Ambassador Park and Fort Site Park the weekend of June 19-22.
New even
The small village of Mendon again is gearing up for a big event - the annual Firecracker Festival on June 6-8 at the village's community park (former school grounds).
St. Henry American Legion members Scott Rindler and Terry Kremer will bring back the village St. Patrick Day Parade for the third year. The date for the Sunday parade is not established yet, but Rindler said it will either be March 15 or 22, 2008.
Festival to feature parade, cars, music
Rockford's annual Community Days will be held June 13-15 at Shanes Park and other locations throughout the village. Event organizer and Mayor Amy Jos
First it was a successful attempt at concocting the world's largest pumpkin pie and then the action turned to dropping hefty pumpkins onto vehicles w
