The children of the Hardin County Family YMCA participated in a Mardi Gras celebration for the Super Silly Saturday program on Feb. 11. The participants learned about the origins and meaning of Mardi Gras, which literally means Fat Tuesday in French. It is celebrated 46 days before Easter and since Easter is a floating holiday it changes yearly. Its actual date this year is Feb. 28. It is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent and fasting in the Christian church.

The Easter House Bed and Breakfast in Ada was recognized as the Business of the Year on Wednesday night at the annual dinner of the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Riverdale art students took home top prizes in the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership’s Rain Barrel Decorating Contest.

Bob Beitler received the Lifetime Service Award from the Forest Community Improvement Corporation at its meeting Wednesday for his volunteer work in the community and his dedication to Forest.

LIMA — Ohio State Lima’s a cappella group Carmony, which includes five Hardin County residents, won the 2017 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Quarterfinal competition held Feb. 11 at Bowling Green High School.

ADA — On Friday, Ada’s Klava Katayama will attempt to accomplish something no Bulldog girl has done before as she looks to earn a trip to the state high school swimming championships when she competes in the Bowling Green Division II district meet. And by looking at the rankings going into the meet, Katayama stands a good chance.

For the Kenton High School swim team, there were no expectations of them going into the 2017 sectional meet. However the Wildcats delivered a solid performance when it counted at the sectional meet last Saturday and qualified for five events in the Division II district meet in Bowling Green, which begins at 3 p.m. Friday at the BGSU Recreation Center.

Bud Winzenried is pictured with Kenton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s physical therapist, Bobbijo Drumm. Bud is working hard and making strides toward his goal of returning home.

Each year, the Kenton Kroger store invites their customers to purchase Valentine balloons to be delivered to various locations in Hardin County, including Kenton Nursing and Rehab Center.

Kenton Kroger donated beautiful Valentine balloons to Hardin Hills Health Center residents for Valentine’s Day. There were plenty for all residents to enjoy.