Diving In With Lee Keaser

WCSM Radio
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Welcome to "Diving In with Lee Keaser," your ultimate podcast to everything happening in Ohio’s own slice of paradise—the Grand Lake Region! Running all season long from the spring thaw in April through the crisp autumn breeze in October, this podcast is your front-row ticket to the vibrant communities of Mercer and Auglaize counties. Hosted by local enthusiast Lee Keaser, we are plunging headfirst into the very best our region has to offer. Whether you are a lifelong resident, a weekend boater, or planning your first family getaway to the lake, "Diving In" connects you with the heartbeat of the community. Each episode features engaging, in-depth conversations with the passionate small business owners, dedicated fair and festival leaders, and local champions who make the Grand Lake Region an incredible place to live, work, and play. Get ready to explore our rich local culture as we highlight the events that define our summers and falls. From the roaring engines of the Amphicars at the Celina Lake Festival to the irresistible deep-fried treats at the Mercer County Fair, and the legendary steins raised at the Minster Oktoberfest, Lee is bringing the celebration straight to your headphones. We will navigate the waters of local history, uncover hidden gems along the Grand Lake Brews-N-Vines Trail, and keep you completely up to date on where you need to be this weekend. So, grab your sunscreen, roll down the windows, and get ready to celebrate the people and places that make our lakeside community so special. Hit that subscribe button and join us all season long. The water is absolutely perfect—it is time to start Diving In with Lee Keaser!

  1. The Ultimate 4th of July Bash: America’s 250th & Coldwater’s Red, White, and Blue Celebration

    2d ago

    The Ultimate 4th of July Bash: America’s 250th & Coldwater’s Red, White, and Blue Celebration

    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!

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

    Jun 25

    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.

    26 min
  3. Honoring Tradition and Celebrating Community at the 2026 Fort Recovery Jubilee

    Jun 18

    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.

    25 min
  4. Music, Community, and 20+ Years of the Celina Concert Series with Monte Diegel

    Jun 11

    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.

    25 min
  5. Finding the Anchor: Toby Leach on Music, Memory, and the Grand Lake Region

    Jun 4

    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.

    25 min
  6. Striking a Chord with Conner Albers

    May 27

    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.

    25 min
  7. Putting Mercer County on the Map: Agritourism at MVP Dairy

    May 22

    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!

    25 min
  8. Hook, Line, and Sourdough: Crappie Fishing & Grains of Love with Matt Tuttle

    May 12

    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!

    26 min
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About

Welcome to "Diving In with Lee Keaser," your ultimate podcast to everything happening in Ohio’s own slice of paradise—the Grand Lake Region! Running all season long from the spring thaw in April through the crisp autumn breeze in October, this podcast is your front-row ticket to the vibrant communities of Mercer and Auglaize counties. Hosted by local enthusiast Lee Keaser, we are plunging headfirst into the very best our region has to offer. Whether you are a lifelong resident, a weekend boater, or planning your first family getaway to the lake, "Diving In" connects you with the heartbeat of the community. Each episode features engaging, in-depth conversations with the passionate small business owners, dedicated fair and festival leaders, and local champions who make the Grand Lake Region an incredible place to live, work, and play. Get ready to explore our rich local culture as we highlight the events that define our summers and falls. From the roaring engines of the Amphicars at the Celina Lake Festival to the irresistible deep-fried treats at the Mercer County Fair, and the legendary steins raised at the Minster Oktoberfest, Lee is bringing the celebration straight to your headphones. We will navigate the waters of local history, uncover hidden gems along the Grand Lake Brews-N-Vines Trail, and keep you completely up to date on where you need to be this weekend. So, grab your sunscreen, roll down the windows, and get ready to celebrate the people and places that make our lakeside community so special. Hit that subscribe button and join us all season long. The water is absolutely perfect—it is time to start Diving In with Lee Keaser!

Information

  • Creator
    WCSM Radio
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Buzzards Media, LLC 2026
  • Show Website
    Diving In With Lee Keaser