Several area community members are getting ready for an original play written by a local resident! Inside the St. Marys Grand Opera House, cast members were quickly changing costumes, running their lines, and going through the motions for the upcoming play "The Ditchmen: The Play, The Sequel." This play follows the fictional bigfoot-like creature from the original play performed in the St. Marys bicentennial celebration and introduces three new fictional creatures including the legendary Hoedag of Grand Lake. This play is based off the four books written by local author and former teacher, Joe Ginter, and on Tuesday evening, we talked with him about what inspired him to do this.

It was announced today at the Lima Rotary that the stage at the Greater Lima Region Amphitheater will be known as the "Pangle Pavilion". Howard Pangle bought his first grocery in 1924 and his family has continued in the business world with many different opportunities. The Kriegle-Pangle family continues to make significant contributions to the Lima region.

Funded by Nutrien of Lima and Nutrien Ag Solutions, the new concrete stage has been in the works for a while. Construction on the stage started back in July and finished up just in time for the beginning of the fair. It replaces the old wood stage that was set up in that area and fair officials say that not only does the new stage look nice, but it also gives the acts plenty of room to put on their shows.

It was a slow start to get that seed in the ground for farmers, and now attention is turning to how weather may impact crops in the weeks ahead.