Imported curved labels on a path in CS5 (windows)

[grants_psu]

I'm having trouble importing curved labels from ArcGIS 10.4 to Illustrator and having Illustrator recognize the labels as one continuous word on a path.  I am making a map that shows various waterways in the United States, and I need to slightly tweak some of the labels that have been placed automatically.  Whenever I import (either PDF or ai. document) into Illustrator and release the clipping mask, the program will only recognize individual letters (i.e. O, h, i, o)...not Ohio as one word (see picture below).  Is there a way to import labels as whole words on a path? This would allow me to move and customize labels without having to move individual letters.  Any help will be very much appreciated! 

[Ray Yorkshire]

Not sure what you are dealing with

maybe this script ?

by: Iaroslav Lazunov,

How to Merge the Text Blocks into One in Illustrator - Freebies - Vectorboom