Diving In With Lee Keaser

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.