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What started as a little extra Christmas money turned into a whole lot of popcorn. On Episode 20 of Diving In, Lee Keaser sits down with Abby Balster, owner of Tin Acre Gourmet Popcorn, to hear how a holiday side hustle that began in her home in 2018 grew into a full-time business, a storefront in Botkins, fundraising programs, retail partnerships and dozens of popcorn flavors. Abby takes us behind the scenes of the business — from filling the family’s “good living room” with popcorn supplies and making caramel by hand, to navigating the leap into full-time entrepreneurship after COVID changed her career plans. She explains how Tin Acre develops new flavors, why its Buckeye popcorn outsells everything else by a huge margin, and why running a popcorn company involves a lot more science, spreadsheets and production planning than you might expect. We also meet “Rosie” the hot-air popcorn machine, hear about the experimental hops-flavored popcorn that absolutely did NOT make the menu, discover Abby’s most underrated flavor, and find out just how far a bag of Tin Acre popcorn has traveled. It’s a conversation about popcorn, small business, taking chances, family support and what can happen when a simple idea grows far beyond the original plan.

Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman joins Lee Keaser for Episode 19 of Diving In. The conversation begins with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Academy — what participants can expect, the hands-on opportunities available, and why the program gives residents a better understanding of everything that happens behind the scenes at the Sheriff’s Office. Timmerman explains that the office goes far beyond road patrol, with responsibilities including 9-1-1 dispatching, corrections, court security, civil process, investigations, prisoner transports and more. Lee and Sheriff Timmerman also discuss some of the lesser-known parts of the job, including extraditions and transporting inmates across Ohio and even from other states, along with how technology has changed law enforcement over the years. Timmerman reflects on the many positions he held before becoming Sheriff, the challenges of leading the department, recruiting and retaining employees, and why — after more than 30 years in law enforcement — the people of Mercer County continue to make the job worthwhile.

Lee Keaser sits down with Aaron Keaser, the man behind Teaford’s Pizza in Greenville. Aaron talks about taking over the business, shifting the focus toward food, building a customer base that reaches across western Ohio and eastern Indiana, and what it really takes to keep a local business moving forward. The conversation also gets into customer loyalty, social media, community support, the reality of running a small business, what makes a Teaford’s pizza different, and why Aaron says good food and good customer service still matter most. And yes... Dave Portnoy somehow enters the conversation before it’s over.

What started with 3,000 raffle tickets and an ambitious idea in Fort Recovery has grown into one of the region’s biggest fundraising events. On this episode of Diving In, Lee Keaser talks with Ryan Steinbrunner of the Win on the Wabash committee about the remarkable growth of the WOW Super Raffle, the work happening behind the scenes, and the hundreds of volunteers who make the event possible. They dive into the massive Super Raffle, the explosive growth of the pre-event 50/50, the infamous system crash caused by last year’s ticket rush, and how an event rooted in Fort Recovery now attracts visitors from well beyond western Ohio. More importantly, Steinbrunner explains where the impact goes after the weekend is over — from helping pay off Fort Recovery’s baseball facility to scholarships, community organizations and a $100,000 contribution toward the Sawyer Overman Ninja Park. The conversation also looks at why volunteerism remains such a major part of life throughout Mercer County and the surrounding region. The 8th annual Win on the Wabash takes place August 28–29 at Ambassador Park in Fort Recovery, with entertainment including Lätter, Back in Black, Saw Crush and Joe Nichols.

One of the Grand Lake area’s biggest summer traditions returns for its 66th year! On this episode of Diving In, Lee Keaser is joined by Coldwater Community Picnic President Jason Schlarman and Vice President Wes Mohler to preview a packed weekend of food, family activities, contests, live music, fireworks and the annual Sunday parade. Jason and Wes take listeners behind the scenes of the year-round planning required to organize the picnic, explain several new activities and location changes, and discuss this year’s theme: “Hometown USA: Where Tradition Lives.” They also highlight the volunteers and community organizations that keep the picnic running, explain how picnic proceeds support the Coldwater Public Library and Coldwater Memorial Park, and share a few rapid-fire picnic hot takes—including their favorite foods, the best place to watch the fireworks and which committee member checks the weather forecast every 10 minutes. The 66th Coldwater Community Picnic takes place Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, August 2, 2026. EPISODE SUMMARY: President Jason Schlarman and Vice President Wes Mohler join Diving In to discuss the history, preparation and community spirit behind the 66th Coldwater Community Picnic. The conversation covers the Thursday night reverse raffle, Friday night fireworks, Saturday’s family activities and live entertainment, and Sunday’s parade, chicken dinners and veterans program. Jason and Wes also discuss new carnival games, activities for teenagers, the return of the bourbon tasting and the decision to move the Big Wheel races and kiddie tractor pull closer to the midway. Listeners will also hear how hundreds of volunteers, stand operators, trustees and committee members work together throughout picnic weekend. Any profits raised by the picnic are donated to the Coldwater Public Library and Coldwater Memorial Park, allowing the event to continue supporting the community long after the weekend ends. The episode concludes with quick picnic hot takes and a meaningful discussion about the friendship, teamwork and “hectic brotherhood” created by serving on the picnic committee.

Baseball tradition runs deep in the Grand Lake region, and this week, host Lee Keaser sits down with a true titan of the sport. The Grand Lake Mariners made a massive statement for their 2026 season by bringing in head coach Mike Roberts—a man with over 50 years of elite baseball experience at every single level of the game. In this episode, Coach Roberts shares his incredible journey through baseball history and his first impressions of the West Central Ohio community. Inside This Episode: A Legendary Resume: Coach Roberts looks back on his 25-year tenure as the head coach for UNC Chapel Hill, his 21 summers coaching elite prospects in the Cape Cod League, and his time as a minor league base-running instructor for the Chicago Cubs (yes, he brought his 2016 World Series ring to town!), Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays.The Mariners' Mission: Why summer collegiate baseball is about far more than just wins and losses. Coach Roberts discusses the vital role of host families, player discipline, and building lifelong connections.A Call to the Community: From library visits to running the bases with the Challenge League, the Mariners are embedding themselves in Celina. Coach Roberts issues a passionate invitation for local fans and volunteers to pack the stands at Montgomery Field and interact with the team.Future Visions: Hear Coach Roberts’ unique ideas for the organization, including a fan-friendly bullpen redesign to bring the community closer to the players.Rapid-Fire Fun: Stick around until the end to find out Coach Roberts' favorite MLB team, his ultimate baseball movie, the historical player he wishes he could have coached, and where he stands on the great ballpark food debate!"Go play like you're in the backyard." — Coach Mike Roberts on his coaching philosophy and keeping the love of the game alive. Catch the Mariners all summer long! Check out their full schedule on the Grand Lake Mariners website or follow the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League for updates.

Welcome back to Diving In with Lee Keaser! This year marks a massive milestone as America celebrates its 250th birthday, and the community of Coldwater in Mercer County is pulling out all the stops. In this episode, Lee sits down with local leaders Bob Hibner and Brad Niekamp to discuss the convergence of two massive milestones: the 6th annual Red, White, and Blue event and the town's official U.S. 250th Anniversary celebration. What started six years ago as a simple party in the park has evolved into a massive county-wide festival. Bob and Brad share the history behind the event—originally inspired by a desire to honor our local "safety personnel heroes" (Red for Fire, White for EMS, and Blue for Law Enforcement)—and how they are leveling it up this year. They also dive into the highly anticipated opening of a 50-year-old community time capsule buried during the nation's bicentennial in 1976! This entirely FREE community event takes place right on Saturday, July 4th, from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Coldwater Memorial Park Amphitheater. What to expect at the festival: Three Incredible Live Bands: Local favorites Exploit Deluxe, Canada's The 70s Rock Show, and the ultimate Garth Brooks tribute band, Fresh Horses.A "Touch-a-Truck" Experience: An up-close look at fire trucks, ambulances, and police cruisers for the kids.Local Food Trucks & Drinks: A massive lineup featuring Holy Smokes Barbecue, Keyhole Pizza, Kiwanis K-Burgers, Creme de la Creme desserts, and a beer stand hosted by the Buzzard’s Glory Community Club.Giving Back: Learn how the event raises thousands of dollars for local first responders (including a recent $14,000 donation for a new Sheriff's Department K9 unit) and how you can scan QR codes to donate even if you can't make it out.Tune in to hear about the incredible volunteer spirit of the Grand Lake region, why people always find their way back home to Mercer County, and a fun "rapid-fire" segment on favorite 4th of July foods and core firework memories!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.