The show celebrates the animals' personalities as well as their physical endurance.

        The free show will be at the Hedgerow Picnic Area, near the campground on Hedgerow Road, in the park.

        “It's a family thing with a lot of kids participating,” said Karl Schneider, a resident of Hanover Township in Butler County and a member of the society. “We usually have 100 participants and another 150-200 spectators.”

        This year, a new arena should be ready for use at the park, said Karl Schneider Jr., another society member and son of the elder Mr. Schneider. “It's one of the society's better shows.”

        In recent years, Ohio has become a leader in keeping donkeys and mules as pets. Their owners are teachers, cops, engineers, dentists — all kinds of people.

        The Midstates group was formed in 1971 to cover six states. By 1985, membership had grown to 1,500.

        If you're wondering, here's the scoop on the animals: A mule is the offspring of a female horse and a donkey. Mules are usually infertile; donkeys are not. In the Southwest, donkeys are called burros. The donkey is generally known by its other common name, the ass.

        Information: 523-6347.

        LEBANON - The city's main bicentennial events is this weekend, but you can buy special bicentennial baskets anytime through the mail.

        They range from $50, for the executive letter basket, to $20 for the trinket basket. Commissioned by the American Traditions Basket Co. in honor of Lebanon's 200th birthday, each basket is handcrafted in Ohio and personally signed and dated by the artist.

        A percentage of the sales price will help pay for the bicentennial.

        Information: 932-9818.

        LOVELAND — The Greek Revival house called White Pillars will be a main attraction on the Greater Loveland Historic House Tour Oct. 6.

        The tour will be 1-5 p.m. and is open to the public.

        It costs $10 for members, $12 for non-members.

        In addition to White Pillars (1850), the tour will feature Loveland Baehr House; the Paxton-Lee House; a stone house built in 1812 by Benjamin Hill; and another site not yet listed.

        Information: 683-5692.

        HAMILTON — Lane Public Library, in a partnership with Hamilton High School, will sponsor a series of programs that start with a talk by TV series producer Christopher Cerf Reads from 6:15-7:15 p.m. Sept. 9. He created The Lions.

        Another program will be Surfing the Web Smarter, to help parents and children who want to learn more about the Internet and school lessons.

        Programs will be in the Hamilton High Community Room. Information: www.lanepl.org.

        BATAVIA — One Appalachian Christmas, based on a true story from the 1940s, will be at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at UC Clermont College's Calico Theatre Season.

        Information: 732-5281.

        MIDDLETOWN — Four Miami University alumni will perform for the third annual scholarship benefit concert at 8 p.m. Sept. 7 in Miami Middletown's Dave Finkelman Auditorium.

        “With a Little Help from Our Friends” is an annual fall tradition at the school. It features keyboard players Jimmy Rogers, Jeff Smith, Julius “Juice” Davis and Rod Nimtz.

        They will be joined by vocalists and Miami graduates Sebronette Barnes, Laurie Traveline and Michelle McDowell.

        Proceeds will help endow the Audrey Candfield Neel Nursing Scholarship at MUM.

        Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 for students. Patron tickets (you get a recording of the concert and may attend a reception) cost $50.

        Information: 727-3383.

        WAYNESVILLE — Deborah Woodworth, author of The Sister Rose Callahan Shaker Mysteries, will appear at the Waynesville Area Heritage and Cultural Center at the Friends Home, 114 Fourth St.

        A reception and book signing will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 26.

        Her books include Death of a Winter Shaker and Sins of a Shaker Summer.

        Donation: $5. Information: 897-1607.

        Randy McNutt's community column appears on Saturday. Contact him at the Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Dr., West Chester, OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. e-mail: rmcnutt@enquirer.com.

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