CELINA - Mercer County must retain its young people because rural communities have a tough time convincing companies to invest if they don't have a growing population, a county official said. [
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PORTLAND, Ind. - A Celina man died in a Memorial Day weekend traffic accident.
Celina resident David Burklo, 53, was killed on Sunday after his mot
ST. HENRY - Sixty-nine members of the St. Henry High School class of 2016 graduated Sunday at the middle school gymnasium.
This years's valedictorians were Madison Broering, Ethan Huelskamp, Aaron Niekamp and Haleigh Staugler. This year's salutatorian was Katie Gerlach.
COLDWATER - School district officials are participating in a group seeking better prices for electrical service.
School board members voted during a special meeting on Sunday to join the Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council in seeking bids for retail electric service.
ROSSBURG - Eldora Speedway veterans Matt Miller (Sunoco American Late Model Series), Joey Kramer (UMP Modifieds) and Barney Craig (Eldora Stock Cars)
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
St. Marys junior Kelly Wilker will compete in this week's Division II state track and field championships after qualifying in the girls 3,200-meter run at the regional meet at Welcome Stadium in Dayton on Saturday.
An area official said she's excited about the Grand Lake area's tourism potential and recent investments and improvements.
"The Moeller Brew Barn i
COLDWATER - The Knights of Columbus will host the group's 49th annual picnic June 3-5 on the grounds of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater.
ST. ANTHONY - The annual Mercer County Pomona Grange Strawberry Festival will leave attendees full from all the strawberries and shortcakes they can eat.
CHICKASAW - Park board officials hope an increased focus on live music will help make this year's Chickasaw Community Picnic as enjoyable as possible
COLDWATER - The fourth annual Taste of the Town returns to Coldwater on June 7.
The Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce will host the event from 5-10 p.m. on Elm Street near the depot in the park.
ST. MARYS - Holy Rosary Catholic Church will hold its annual festival June 10-12 in downtown St. Marys and will feature amusement rides and popular musical acts.
BURKETTSVILLE - The dates have changed for 2016, but the fun is still in store for all at the Burkettsville Community Picnic June 9-12 at Burkettsville Community Park.
ROCKFORD - Rockford Community Days organizers invite the public to enjoy the weekend of free family fun, June 17-18.
New this year, the inflatable attractions will be offered for free. The idea came after last year's record downpours in June led to a last-minute decision to drop the cost.
MONTEZUMA - Fans of drinking beer and friendly competition will have a new avenue to explore their passions at this year's Zuma Days festival.
Fest
Eldora Speedway enters its 63rd season of racing with great racing from cars ranging from stock cars to NASCAR trucks running laps on the famed half-mile dirt oval.
GRAND LAKE - On the heels of last year's successful debut, the Lake Improvement Association on June 18 will host Summer Kickoff 2016. The day begins at 11 a.m. with a color run 5K run/walk.
FORT RECOVERY - The word "quasquibicentennial" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue naturally. But it is only once that a village can celebrate its 22
MARIA STEIN - This year's Country Fest, set for June 24-26, is looking to break the mold, literally.
New to the festival this year is the TEAM ROC
ST. HENRY - The young and old will have plenty to do at the 2016 St. Henry Community Picnic July 1-3.
From listening to bands to competing in tournaments such as Friday night's kart races to the Steeplechase Bike Tour on Saturday, everyone can find something fun to do.
CELINA - The 12th annual Freedom Days celebration is July 1-3 at Lakeshore Park.
The three-day event will feature a grand fireworks show, mechanical rides, a 5K run/walk, a motorcycle poker run, pontoon rides, fishing derby, pony rides and lots of live music.
CELINA - The Immaculate Conception Parish Festival will take place July 15-17 on the church grounds.
Food stands, a raffle, rides, an auction and g
CELINA - Last year's revelers filled up on gourmet walnut-cranberry chicken salad wraps, bacon-topped mac and cheese and firecracker shrimp tacos.
Who knows what delectable fare will be offered at the sixth annual Taste of Celina from 5-10 p.m. July 8.
CHATTANOOGA - The Chatt Farmer's Picnic is July 28, marking 102 years of community fun.
The event is located along Tama Road, about 2 1/2 miles east of Chattanooga. It began more than a century ago when local farmers decided to hold a community gathering.
CELINA - The 2016 Celina Lake Festival will see the return of two very popular attractions introduced last year, tethered hot-air balloon rides and a hard-rocking cover band.
NEW BREMEN - A popular event will return to the New Bremen Fireman's Picnic on July 23 thanks to a village project.
Water ball, a game in which tea
BERNE - 2016 Swiss Days in Berne, Ind., will be July 28-31. Berne will share its heritage with food, craft vendors and authentic Swiss costumes.
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FORT RECOVERY - The ground-pounding power and excitement of the Fort Recovery NTPA Grand Nationals return to Fort Recovery's Ambassador Park July 29-30. The action begins each night at 7 p.m. with pulls on two tracks. The event is sponsored by the Fort Recovery Ambassadors Club.
COLDWATER - The 56th annual Coldwater Community Picnic will be Aug. 4-7. The theme is "Don't Stop Believin' (an '80s flashback)." Back by popular demand will be the Thursday night movie and music in the park. A family friendly movie will begin at dusk.
WAPAKONETA - The Grammy-nominated gospel group Newsong will headline the 164th Auglaize County Fair, which runs July 31-Aug. 6.
The group, consisting of eight men, will perform in front of the grandstand at 8 p.m. Aug. 5. Fair manager Fred Piehl said scheduling the group seemed to be destined.
CELINA - A new head coach takes over for the Grand Lake Mariners summer collegiate baseball team as they embark on their 27th season.
Christopher
CELINA - Nothing is bigger than the 127 Yard Sale. The event features yard sales stretching from Gadsden, Ala., to Addison, Mich. That equals 690 miles of sales.
ST. MARYS - The 33rd annual St. Marys Summerfest is set for Aug. 7, 10-14 at Memorial Park in downtown St. Marys.
Opening ceremonies are at 6:45 p.
COLDWATER - The 37th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Benefit Softball Tournament will be held this year at Coldwater Memorial Park from Aug. 17
NEW BREMEN - Old favorites will return and new entertainment will take the stage at the 2016 Bremenfest, which has events Aug. 14 and Aug. 18-21.
"We're trying to mix it up as much as we can this year," Bremenfest president Rob Ashman said.
CELINA - Organizers have roped in some top-notch entertainment for the Mercer County Fair this year, including a new rodeo show and a nationally acclaimed country singer.
ST. MARYS - The sixth annual Waynestock-Living for the Rock Christian concert and fundraiser on Aug. 20 will host local and national talent.
The fr
NEW BREMEN - The annual Pumpkinfest event, which takes place this year on Sept. 23-24, has always highlighted local talent. However, this year organizers will pay it forward by donating some funds to a local art initiative.
ST. JOSEPH - This year's edition of St. Joe Homecoming Festival is slated for Sept. 10-11 on the grounds of St. Joe Catholic Church. The two-day festival is packed with activities.
CELINA - Ryan King of Can't Stop Running Co. is the new race director for the third annual Grand Lake Marathon, and he can't stop thinking about the possibilities the event presents for now and the foreseeable future. The marathon is set for Sept. 24.
DURBIN - Mercer County's only annual bean-themed tribute to U.S. veterans is set to return for its 118th year on Labor Day, Sept. 5.
Families and f
MINSTER - German food, polkas and a plethora of entertainment will return for the 42nd Minster Oktoberfest, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
Returning favorites th
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 Mercer Health 5K Challenge returns for a 13th year to allow area road runners the chance to compete at area races, many of which take place during festival weekends in area towns and villages.
CELINA - The Celina Summer Concert Series will provide a variety of entertainment at Lakeshore Park. The free performances begin at 6:30 p.m. on Sundays.
FORT RECOVERY - The Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts is sponsoring the 25th annual Summer Concert Series at the Hein Amphitheater in Van Trees Park.
Most of the free concerts are set for 7 p.m. on Sundays.
ST. HENRY - Now in its fifth season, the St. Henry Summer Concert Series in the Park will feature 12 events, kicking off June 3 with the Soul'd Out Quartet.
MINSTER - A musical tribute to Jimmy Buffett will be among the highlights of the Minster phase of the Golden Triangle Summer Concert Series.
"Trip
NEW BREMEN - With a line-up that includes some old favorites and new additions, the New Bremen portion of the Golden Triangle Summer Concert Series kicks off June 5.
Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta
Located along Interstate 75 (exit 111), the museum is named in honor of astronaut and Wapakoneta nat
Grand Lake area visitors have plenty of options when it comes to places to stay.
Hotels, motels, inns and other lodging accommodations are availabl
Food stand sponsored by Kiwanis Club
COLDWATER - Good flavor has led to good deeds by the Coldwater Kiwanis Club.
People often think of grilled hamburgers when spring arrives. Many Co
