Venedocia sits in the southeastern portion of Van Wert County, along State Route 116. Founded by Welsh immigrants, the village revels in its roots.

The town's sole remaining church, Salem United Presbyterian Church, was still conducting worship services in Welsh in the 1920s. "For over half of Salem Church's 150 year history, everything was done in Welsh," reported Rev. Wendy Pratt, the church's pastor for the past ten years.

On the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Salem Church hosts Gymanfa Ganu (pronounced Guh-mah-fuh Gah-nee), a singing celebration that draws over 400 people to the tiny village. "It's a big thing for the village," Mayor Doug Ruen said. "People from Wales come over and it's really something to see. The bad thing is it conflicts with the Van Wert County Fair, so while it's a big draw for the village of Venedocia, in Van Wert County it gets overlooked and that's really a shame."

// posted by Andy @ 9:43 PM

ROMANTICS have long argued that Welsh is the language of heaven, but Welsh trade unionists still prove it's the language of debate and the picket line.

// posted by Andy @ 5:20 PM