Alvin M. Keeling 
LIMA – The Association of Sister Cities of Lima will host a Japanese-themed picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 at the Japanese Garden, 202 W. Eureka St., Lima.
The cherry blossom picnic will include Japanese food and green tea samples, as well as music, games and prizes. Visitors must bring their own lunch, soft drinks and lawn chairs. The Y parking lot and washrooms will be available. See www.limasistercities.com for more information.
Easter celebrations in the region include:
Ahl Family Easter Dinner: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday via drive-thru at the main entrance of the Wingate Hotel, 175 W. Market St., Lima.
There will be 600 bags of unprepared food available on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to one bag per family.
Community Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. Saturday at New Creation Church, 8127 E. Main St., Ottawa. The event is aimed at children up to 17 years old. Bikes and other prizes will be awarded.
Easter : 6:30 p.m. Saturday; 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, Shawnee Alliance Church, 4455 Shawnee Road, Lima.
Children and Youth Ministries will be in operation during all services. Birth through Pre-K is held on West Campus and Kindergarten through Grade 8 classes are held on East Campus.
Easter service: 11 a.m. Sunday at Gilboa United Methodist Church, 102 Franklin St., Gilboa.
Easter sunrise service, play: 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Pandora United Methodist Church, 108 E. Washington St., Pandora.
The service will include a piece performed by the Pandora/Gilboa Confirmation class.
There will be an after-service breakfast starting at 8:15 a.m.
Easter egg hunt at Hilty: 10 a.m. Saturday on the lawn of Hilty Home, 304 Hilty Drive, Pandora. 9 and under. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance and pose for photos with attendees.
Participants must bring their own baskets to collect the eggs. Entrance to the main building, including restrooms, will be closed during this event.
The event will be canceled in case of rain.
Easter Bunny at Lima Mall: Friday and Saturday all day outside Old Navy at Lima Mall, 2400 Elida Road, Lima.
Resurrection Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Sunday at In Faith Ministries, 1575 E. High St., Lima.
Other events in the area include:
American Legion Charity Bingo: 5:00 p.m. doors open Friday and Sunday, and at 6:45 p.m. games begin at American Legion Post 96, 711 S. Shore Drive, Lima.
Allen County Genealogy Society: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Allen County Museum in the Seward-Folsom Auditorium at 620 W. Market St., Lima.
The topic of this month’s meeting is “Using Scanners and Digitizing Devices to Preserve Your Photographs and Documents.” Several types of devices will be presented.
The nine weeping cherry trees donated to Lima by Harima-cho, Japan, are in bloom at the Japanese garden of the Sisters of Lima. A picnic at the Lima Sister Cities Association Japanese Garden, at the corner of Elizabeth and Eureka streets, is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 16.
