Grand Lake Voices: Tractor Square Dancing & Turtle Soup: Inside the Maria Stein Country Fest

Grand Lake Voices: Tractor Square Dancing & Turtle Soup: Inside the Maria Stein Country Fest

Episode Summary In this episode, we kick off one of the grandest summer traditions in Mercer County: the Maria Stein Country Fest (running June 26th–28th). Joining the show is 30-year festival veteran and committee member Randy Homan, who takes us behind the scenes of this massive volunteer-driven event. Randy shares how the festival evolved from three separate local picnics into one unified celebration on the historic Maria Stein Shrine grounds. From the logistics of coordinating hundreds of "green shirt" volunteers to keeping the event entirely free to enter and park, this episode is a testament to the powerful small-town roots and competitive spirit of the Grand Lake region. Key Takeaways from the Episode: * The Headliner Event: Tractor Square Dancing! Randy breaks down the weekend schedule for this crowd favorite (Friday at 10:30 PM; Saturday at 2:30 PM & 10:00 PM; Sunday at 3:30 PM & 9:00 PM). * Local Delicacies: A look into the legendary, spicy Maria Stein turtle soup—a chili-like staple that draws people from miles around. * Fresh Attractions: How a new wave of young committee members is keeping traditions alive while introducing modern twists like the Roomba challenge and reviving the classic backseat driver contest. * Faith & History: The deep-rooted connection between the festival, the Sisters of the Precious Blood, and the German-Catholic heritage that built the community. "If you want something good in your community, you have to put something forth through it." > — Randy Homan on the spirit of volunteerism.

Honoring Tradition and Celebrating Community at the 2026 Fort Recovery Jubilee

In Episode 11 of "Diving In with Lee Keaser," Lee is joined by committee members Jenna Wilson and Keisha Willman to discuss the 2026 Fort Recovery Jubilee. Running from June 18th through the 21st, this year's theme is "Celebrating Community, Honoring Tradition, Marking America's 250th Birthday and Independence". The guests share their personal journeys of getting involved five years ago to immerse their families in the town. They emphasize the importance of volunteering to maintain longstanding traditions, noting that the Jubilee serves as a vital fundraiser for local parks and youth sports organizations. Jenna and Keisha detail an action-packed schedule, noting that local sponsors make many free activities possible. Festival highlights include: * Opening Night: The event kicks off on Thursday with the Taste of Fort Recovery and a softball tournament. * Family Events: Saturday focuses heavily on kids, featuring the Jungle Island Petting Zoo, a volleyball tournament, and the new Tug-A-Truck contest. * Nostalgic Traditions: Attendees can enjoy live music, a massive parade with over 80 entries, and the return of the classic cake stand. The episode also dives into the lighter side of festival planning, revealing the hilarious behind-the-scenes stress of organizing the weekend turtle races amidst a national turtle shortage. Ultimately, the conversation showcases how the community rallies together to create unforgettable memories.

Music, Community, and 20+ Years of the Celina Concert Series with Monte Diegel

In Episode 10 of Diving In on WCSM Radio 96.7 The Wave, host Lee Keaser sits down with lifelong Grand Lake resident and dedicated volunteer Monte Diegel to break down the 2026 Celina Summer Concert Series. Running for over 20 years, this six-week Sunday tradition brings free, donor-funded musical entertainment to Lakeshore Drive every Sunday evening at 6:30 PM. Monte explains the unique, relaxed atmosphere where attendees watch the performances from lawn chairs, parked cars, golf carts, or even pontoon boats out on the lake. The 2026 season introduces an exciting "hybrid" schedule, alternating venues weekly between the familiar Red Tent and the city's amphitheater. The pair previews an eclectic lineup that spans genres, highlighting traditional country artist Eli Burgett, the highly requested pop-rock group Attaboy, and classic rock outfit Direct Energy. Beyond the music, the series provides a boost to local businesses and supports community youth. The Mercer County Marksman 4-H club manages the food concessions, serving up popular staples by free-will donation, with 100% of proceeds funding local youth projects. Organized by a small two-person committee working alongside the Mercer County Civic Foundation, the entirely volunteer-run event reflects the immense generosity of local sponsors. Finally, Monte notes that they operate at the mercy of Mother Nature; since there is no indoor backup venue, any weather-related cancellations will be announced on their Facebook page by 2:00 PM.

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.