Parks, Playgrounds, and Progress – Inside the LIA with Brian Miller

Finding the Anchor: Toby Leach on Music, Memory, and the Grand Lake Region

In Episode 9 of "Diving In" on 96.7 The Wave, host Lee Keaser sits down with local musician Toby Leach to discuss his emotional and professional journey in the Grand Lake region. Leach, originally from Preble County and now residing in Celina, began his musical career in 2022 following the passing of his mother. By picking up her old guitar, he found a deeply personal emotional anchor that continues to drive his passion for singing and songwriting today. During the interview, Leach explains his creative process, noting that he typically writes lyrics first and structures his original songs with three verses and a chorus, which averages out to about three and a half minutes per track. He emphasizes that his live performances are designed to take the audience on a "rollercoaster of emotions," blending upbeat covers with moving original pieces. While currently performing as a solo artist, Leach announces that he is actively looking to hire musicians to form a full band for the upcoming year. The episode highlights Leach’s impressive milestones, including the rare feat of playing on all four stages at Country Concert. Listeners are encouraged to support his work by purchasing his latest singles, "Turn the Jukebox Off" and "Psycho," directly from iTunes, or by streaming them on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. Keaser concludes the episode by promoting Leach's live Saturday performance on the new patio at the Celina Eagles.

Striking a Chord with Conner Albers

In Episode 8 of "Diving In," host Lee Keaser sits down with St. Henry native and talented acoustic musician, Conner Albers. The episode explores Conner's musical journey, which began with drum lessons at just eight years old and led to him joining his first band by age nine or ten. Listeners get an inside look at how the COVID-19 pandemic shifted his focus toward solo acoustic performances, marking a major transition that officially started with his first gig on January 1, 2021. Conner opens up about the physical demands of the job, noting the exhaustion that comes from singing for four hours straight. He also shares a unique practice method: shredding on the electric guitar at home to make his acoustic playing feel much simpler on stage. The duo discusses the thriving, vibrant live music scene in the Grand Lake region, highlighting how local venues have evolved over the years to support artists. While Conner hasn't written original music yet, he hints that a solo release could be in the cards within the next five years. Beyond the gigs, Conner emphasizes the profound, healing power of music and its ability to connect people universally. To wrap up, Lee runs through Conner's packed summer schedule, featuring upcoming shows at Lakeside Hideout, the beach-vibed Coconut Hut Tiki Bar, and a guaranteed party at Rossburg Acres. You can catch this and all previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Spotify.

Putting Mercer County on the Map: Agritourism at MVP Dairy

In Episode 7 of Diving In, we sit down with Allison Ryan, Director of Marketing and Communications for MVP Dairy. Because many people today are three to four generations removed from agriculture , MVP Dairy is actively working to pull back the curtain and show consumers exactly how their food is produced. What We Cover in This Episode: * The Reality of Modern Farming: Discover how MVP Dairy manages 4,500 cows and utilizes incredible technology to milk 550 cows in a single hour. Allison explains how this large-scale efficiency actually provides highly individualized care, ensuring cows have customized nutritionist diets and relaxing brushes. * Booming Agritourism: Hear how the MVP Dairy Learning Center, established in 2018 , has blossomed into a massive tourism draw for the Grand Lake area. The center has hosted more than 50,000 visitors, representing all 50 states and over 70 different countries. * Local Economic Growth: We dive into MVP's direct partnership with Danone and Van Tilburg Farms. We also discuss how their local STEM programs and internships are creating diverse career pathways to keep young talent in the region. * A Famous Visitor: Get the behind-the-scenes scoop on the farm hosting Blippi, the massively popular YouTube kids' character, for an upcoming episode! If you are looking for summer plans, don't miss the details on their upcoming June and July barn shuttle rides. Tune in to explore how local agriculture is making a global impact!

Hook, Line, and Sourdough: Crappie Fishing & Grains of Love with Matt Tuttle

Welcome back to another episode of Diving In on 96.7 The Wave! In this exciting installment, we are joined by a local legend who truly embodies the spirit of the Grand Lake region: Matt Tuttle. Matt is a professional crappie fisherman and local guide who has been fishing Grand Lake St. Marys since 1991. He sits down with us to share his deep love for this incredible fishery and the community surrounding it. Matt reveals some surprising secrets about crappie behavior, explaining why the hot months of July and August can be just as productive as the spring spawn if you target the right feeding windows. He also breaks down the game-changing technology of LiveScope, which allows anglers to spot fish up to 90 feet away , and why Grand Lake’s concrete seawalls are a hidden goldmine for bites. But fishing is only half the story! Matt and his wife of 15 years, Megan, are the dynamic duo behind Grains of Love, a thriving local bakery born out of a true passion project. Matt shares the heartwarming journey of how Megan started baking sourdough bread to help manage his diabetes. That single weekly loaf quickly snowballed into selling hundreds of items at local farmer's markets. Now operating out of a remodeled storefront at the only stoplight in Rockford, Ohio, they are famous for their daily fresh sourdough, particularly their highly demanded pepperoni and mozzarella loaf. Tune in to hear a genuine conversation about turning passions into a way of life and how great local businesses support one another!

What’s Next for the Boardwalk Grill, Shipyard, and Beyond

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Diving In on 96.7 The Wave! This week, we sit down with Brianna Albers, Marketing Coordinator for Bruns Construction, to discuss the massive waterfront development transforming the local lakefront. If you’ve driven up and down 127 recently, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the vibrant colors and architecture that make the shoreline look more like a Florida getaway than a typical Midwest town. Brianna takes us behind the scenes of Boardwalk Village and the Boardwalk Grill, sharing how this ambitious project evolved from colorful blueprints in 2019 into a premier destination. We discuss how the team has created an all-encompassing experience so guests can enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment without ever having to leave the lake. In this episode, we dive into: * The Ultimate Boardwalk Vibe: Exploring the open-air Coconut Hut tiki bar, the rentable cottages, and an incredible live music lineup featuring eight different shows a week. * An Action-Packed Summer Calendar: A breakdown of upcoming events, including the highly anticipated return of the boat Regatta, Boardwalk Fest on June 19th and 20th, and even live MMA fights. * Inside the Shipyard: How this formerly flood-prone area was completely transformed into a massive indoor complex hosting weekly sports tournaments, golf simulators, energy fitness, and the Sub Shack. * What's Next for the Area: Brianna shares exclusive hints about seven new cottages opening this summer and teases the potential future of the beloved Bella's property.To wrap things up, Brianna reveals her favorite underrated menu item—the shrimp tacos at the Boardwalk Grill! Tune in to hear how this dedicated team is boosting tourism and bringing amazing energy to the Grand Lake region.