An Ohio historical marker commemorating Cranberry Prairie, a small community in southern Mercer County, draws its name from the cranberries that grew there abundantly before swampy areas were drained to provide fertile farmland.

Much of the holiday fare brought to local tables Thanksgiving Day has been raised in the area one time or another. And that includes the tart red fruit American Indians once called "ibimi" or "bitter berry." Dutch and German se . . .