WestChesterBuzz.com

The Cincinnati leg of the Great Amazing Race for Youth will be held at Keehner Park in West Chester Sunday.

According to the release, the event will take place in all NFL cities and is committed to providing opportunities for youth to get active while experiencing the thrill of running in a fun and exciting environment.

Patterned after the show, “The Amazing Race,” teams of two individuals will run a 2K (1 mile) cross country race that includes up to eight challenge stations. At each station, teams will be provided clues that will direct them to perform a task before proceeding to the next station.

The event will kickoff at 1 p.m. with the first race and again at 3 p.m. with the second race.

Teams can choose recreation pace (those who prefer to walk or jog at a leisure pace) or
competitive pace (those who prefer to jog or run).

The race is open to runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and skill levels.

The top 25 teams qualify for the national championship race and a chance to win $2,000.

Participants, who cross the finish line, will receive an official time card to recognize their accomplishment. Special awards are given to the winners of each grade division (determined by grade of youngest team member): grades K-4 division, grades 5-12 division and adult division.

The team entry fee is $40 until April 14. The cost is $50 on day of the race. Souvenir t-shirts are $15 before the race and $20 at the race. There is a $5 discount per team when you register five or more teams.

To register or for more information, visit www.GreatAmazingRace.com.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati leg of the Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race, Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race for Youth West Chester, Great Amazing Race West Chester, Great Sports Race, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, The Amazing Race

The Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB) is seeking volunteers to help it with some of the county’s biggest events in 2012.

Volunteer responsibilities include assisting with the distribution of county related materials at information booths, as well as interacting with visitors and residents at community events by answering questions that they may have about Butler County. In addition, help is occasionally needed in the BCVB office with mailings, packet assembly and other administrative tasks.

According to a release from the BCVB, ideal volunteers will have great interpersonal communication skills, a good knowledge of Butler County, and a willingness to help a diverse population of people.

Below is a list specific events where the BCVB needs volunteers:

• April 13: MASC Girls Soccer Tournament
• April 20: MASC Boys Soccer Tournament
• June 27, 28: USA Archery National Target Championships
• July 13: 7th Grade Girls Basketball Division I, II, III National Championships
• July 13, 14: MidUSA Ohio Challenge Balloon Festival
• August 2 – 5: Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships
• August 10-12: USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championships
• Sept 29, 30: Pyramid Hill Art Fair

Interested volunteers should contact Sandy Walther at 513-860-4194 or at swalther@butlercountyvb.com.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: BCVB, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Butler County Visitor's Bureau volunteers, Butler County Visitors Bureau Liberty Township, Butler County Visitors Bureau West Chester

The next session of the West Chester Nature Basket program will take place at the Station Road Schoolhouse at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The program is for children, ages 3-to-5, and their adult companions. The Nature Basket session includes a story, a talk about seasonal nature and a craft. Adults with children will be needed to help with the craft activity.

Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.

To register, call 513-759-7312 or e-mail lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.

There is no charge to attend the program. The program will not be canceled due to rain.

The Station Road Schoolhouse is located 6670 Station Road off Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Nature Basket, Station Road Schoolhouse, West Chester Nature Basket program

Photos by Tony Jones

This Saturday, two different Easter egg hunts will take place at local parks.

One of the egg hunts will take place at Keehner Park in West Chester, while the other will take place at Liberty Park in Liberty Township.

Prior to this week, the annual Helicopter Egg Drop (photos above) at The River Church in Liberty Township took place March 24 and the Passage Church in West Chester put together an egg hunt at the Fort Liberty Playground last Saturday, March 31.

West Chester Township egg hunt - The West Chester Easter Egg Hunt will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Keehner Park. The West Chester Fire Department and the Tylersville Road Kroger are presenting this year’s egg hunt. Children will be organized into different age groups and are asked to bring a bag or basket to collect eggs. Last year, participants hunted for candy-filled eggs as well as a special golden egg that contained a savings bond. The egg hunt will take place in the Keehner Park tennis court area. Keehner Park is located at 7211 Barrett Road.

Liberty Township egg hunt – Like West Chester, the Liberty Township Easter egg hunt will take place Saturday. The Liberty Township event will begin at 10 a.m. at Liberty Park, 6757 Yankee Road. The egg hunt will be broken down into four age groups (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8). Each group will hunt for about 5-to-10 minutes before set up begins for the next group. The order will go from youngest to oldest. The first egg hunt will start at 10 a.m. and the last egg hunt is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. Children may bring a basket, bag or other contained to collect the eggs. The Easter Bunny will also be available for pictures from 10 a.m. to noon in the first picnic shelter. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera. In case of inclement weather, the hunt will move inside to the Lakota YMCA.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Easter, Easter Egg Hunt, Fort Liberty Playground, Keehner Park, Kroger, Liberty Park, Liberty Township Easter, Liberty Township Easter Egg Hunt, Liberty Township holidays, Passage Church, Passage Church West Chester, Tylersville Road Kroger, West Chester Easter, West Chester Easter Egg Hunt, West Chester Fire Department, West Chester holidays, West Chester photos

The farmers’ market season in West Chester Township is on its way back. There are only two winter farmers’ markets remaining before the weekly West Chester Farmers’ and Art Market will open for the 2012 season May 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Just like the weekly farmers’ market, the next winter market will take place at The Square at Union Centre. The two remaining winter markets will take place this Saturday and April 28. Both April winter markets will take place from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The farmers’ market (picture above from market season) features all local vendors with produce and meats grown and raised locally and products made by hand. The availability of produce is dependent upon weather conditions, but shoppers can choose from a variety of foods including homemade breads and desserts, honey, jams and jellies.

For information about the West Chester Farmers’ Market, visit www.westchestersfarmersmarket.com.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Square at Union Centre, Square at Union Centre West Chester, the Square at Union Centre, the Square at Union Centre West Chester, West Chester Farmers' Market, West Chester winter market, winter market

Photos by Tony Jones

The annual Helicopter Egg Drop at The River Church in Liberty Township last Saturday was the first of multiple Easter egg hunts this spring that will take place in West Chester and Liberty townships.

There are also many other local events captured on our Flickr photostream. And more West Chester and Liberty Township related photo galleries on our Photos page.

Also, remember to share your photos through the Photos page.

Upcoming local Easter egg hunts

Egg hunt at Fort Liberty Playground, March 31 - This Saturday, there will be another free community egg hunt at the Fort Liberty Playground, 6845 Van Gorden Road in Liberty Township. This egg hunt, which is being put together by the Passage Church in West Chester, will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will feature egg hunts for three different age groups, up to the third grade. Registration for all three age groups begins at 10 a.m. Egg hunters should bring their own basket. The event will also feature a bounce house, snacks, face painting, raffle prizes and candy. To pre-register online and enter a chance to win a one-night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge, visit passagechurch.com.

West Chester Township egg hunt April 7 - The West Chester Easter Egg Hunt will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. April 7 at Keehner Park. The West Chester Fire Department and the Tylersville Road Kroger are presenting this year’s egg hunt. Children will be organized into different age groups and are asked to bring a bag or basket to collect eggs. Last year, participants hunted for candy-filled eggs as well as a special golden egg that contained a savings bond. The egg hunt will take place in the Keehner Park tennis court area. Keehner Park is located at 7211 Barrett Road.

Liberty Township egg hunt April 7 – Like West Chester, the Liberty Township Easter egg hunt will take place April 7. The Liberty Township event will begin at 10 a.m. at Liberty Park, 6757 Yankee Road. The egg hunt will be broken down into four age groups (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8). Each group will hunt for about 5-to-10 minutes before set up begins for the next group. The order will go from youngest to oldest. The first egg hunt will start at 10 a.m. and the last egg hunt is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. Children may bring a basket, bag or other contained to collect the eggs. The Easter Bunny will also be available for pictures from 10 a.m. to noon in the first picnic shelter. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera. In case of inclement weather, the hunt will move inside to the Lakota YMCA.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Easter, Easter Egg Hunt, Fort Liberty Playground, Keehner Park, Kroger, Liberty Park, Liberty Township Easter, Liberty Township Easter Egg Hunt, Liberty Township holidays, Passage Church, Passage Church West Chester, Tylersville Road Kroger, West Chester Easter, West Chester Easter Egg Hunt, West Chester Fire Department, West Chester holidays, West Chester photos

The Cincinnati leg of the Great Amazing Race for Youth will be held at Keehner Park in West Chester Sunday, April 15.

According to the release, the event will take place in all NFL cities and is committed to providing opportunities for youth to get active while experiencing the thrill of running in a fun and exciting environment.

Patterned after the show, “The Amazing Race,” teams of two individuals will run a 2K (1 mile) cross country race that includes up to eight challenge stations. At each station, teams will be provided clues that will direct them to perform a task before proceeding to the next station.

The event will kickoff at 1 p.m. with the first race and again at 3 p.m. with the second race.

Teams can choose recreation pace (those who prefer to walk or jog at a leisure pace) or
competitive pace (those who prefer to jog or run).

The race is open to runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and skill levels.

The top 25 teams qualify for the National Championship Race and a chance to win $2,000.

Participants, who cross the finish line, will receive an official time card to recognize their accomplishment. Special awards are given to the winners of each grade division (determined by grade of youngest team member): grades K-4 division, grades 5-12 division and adult division.

The team entry fee is $40 until April 14. The cost is $50 on day of the race. Souvenir t-shirts are $15 before the race and $20 at the race. There is a $5 discount per team when you register five or more teams.

To register or for more information, visit www.GreatAmazingRace.com.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati leg of the Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race, Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race for Youth West Chester, Great Amazing Race West Chester, Great Sports Race, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, The Amazing Race

Online registration is currently underway for the inaugural Run for the Edge 5K Run and Walk to be held Saturday, April 21, at Voice of America Park in West Chester. Sponsorships are also needed for the event.

The Southeast Butler County (SEBC) Leadership 21 Class of 2011 has established the “Leadership 21 Class of 2011 Benefit Run Fund” at The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. Each year the Class of 2011 will host a benefit run to support a charitable cause in the community.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Edge Teen Center, an after-school nonprofit organization for local teens to hangout, study or volunteer. The center is located in donated space at 7568 Wyandot Lane in Liberty Township.

L-21 hopes that it can raise awareness as well as capital through this event to keep the Edge Teen Center operating for years to come.

“A society is judged by the way it treats its weakest members, and we think encouraging young people to engage in positive, healthy behaviors after school is very important,” said Mitchell Willis, co-chairman of the event.

Sponsorships are available from $250 to $2,500. Sponsorship logos will be used in promotional materials and the 5K T-shirt.

For sponsorship information, contact Brad Farr at Brad.Farr@muohio.edu or 513-895-8869 or Ian Murray at ian@mmrmedia.com or 513-779-4223.

Checks can be made out and mailed to: L-21 Benefit Run Fund, c/o Community Foundation West Chester-Liberty, 5641 Union Centre Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069. Checks must be postmarked by April 13.

Online run registration is available at www.wclfoundation.com/leadership21.asp until noon on April 18. Fees to walk or run in the chipped race are $20 for adults and $15 for youths 17 and under until April 18, and $25 for adults and $20 for youths the day of the race.

Donations can also be directed to the L-21 Benefit Run Fund with the West Chester-Liberty Community Foundation at www.wclfoundation.com/Leadership21.asp.

Awards will be given to the top men and women finishers in each runner and walker division.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: Chamber, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Edge Teen Center, Lakota, Run for the Edge 5K, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance

The annual Helicopter Egg Drop at The River Church in Liberty Township last Saturday was the first of multiple Easter egg hunts this spring that will take place in West Chester and Liberty townships.

This Saturday, there will be another free community egg hunt at the Fort Liberty Playground, 6845 Van Gorden Road in Liberty Township.

This egg hunt, which is being put together by the Passage Church in West Chester, will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will feature egg hunts for three different age groups, up to the third grade.

Registration for all three age groups begins at 10 a.m.

Egg hunters should bring their own basket.

The event will also feature a bounce house, snacks, face painting, raffle prizes and candy.

To pre-register online and enter a chance to win a one-night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge, visit passagechurch.com.

West Chester Township egg hunt April 7 - The West Chester Easter Egg Hunt will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. April 7 at Keehner Park. The West Chester Fire Department and the Tylersville Road Kroger are presenting this year’s egg hunt.

Children will be organized into different age groups and are asked to bring a bag or basket to collect eggs. Last year, participants hunted for candy-filled eggs as well as a special golden egg that contained a savings bond.

The egg hunt will take place in the Keehner Park tennis court area.

Keehner Park is located at 7211 Barrett Road.

Liberty Township egg hunt April 7 – Like West Chester, the Liberty Township Easter egg hunt will take place April 7. The Liberty Township event will begin at 10 a.m. at Liberty Park, 6757 Yankee Road.

The egg hunt will be broken down into four age groups (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8). Each group will hunt for about 5-to-10 minutes before set up begins for the next group. The order will go from youngest to oldest. The first egg hunt will start at 10 a.m. and the last egg hunt is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m.

Children may bring a basket, bag or other contained to collect the eggs.

The Easter Bunny will also be available for pictures from 10 a.m. to noon in the first picnic shelter. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera.

In case of inclement weather, the hunt will move inside to the Lakota YMCA.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Easter, Easter Egg Hunt, Fort Liberty Playground, Keehner Park, Kroger, Liberty Park, Liberty Township Easter, Liberty Township Easter Egg Hunt, Liberty Township holidays, Passage Church, Passage Church West Chester, Tylersville Road Kroger, West Chester Easter, West Chester Easter Egg Hunt, West Chester Fire Department, West Chester holidays

Sue Kiesewetter reports

Eggs will start dropping from the sky at 10 a.m. Saturday for the second annual Helicopter Egg Drop at The River Church in Liberty Township.

About 2,000 brightly-colored, plastic eggs filled with candy will be dropped from a helicopter where they will join about 10,000 other eggs on a large field at the church, 5546 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

“Last year we had close to 1,000 people – over 400 kids and their parents – and we had 10,000 eggs,’’ said Debbie Fortenboher, who is one of the organizers of the Children’s Ministry sponsored egg drop.

“We hold the kids back while the helicopter drops the eggs. Then we let the kids go search for them. It’s a lot of fun.”

There is no cost for the egg hunt, which is open to the community. Children are divided into two groups to hunt for eggs: those age two through kindergarten; and those in grades 1-5.

Each group will hunt for eggs on a large field, divided in half for each age group. Before and after the egg hunt children can do a craft, get their picture taken with the Easter bunny, participate in a cupcake walk, and play games.

Families are asked to pre-register their children online at www.hittheriver.com Check-in and registration for those who haven’t pre-registered, begins at 9 a.m., the same time activities start.

For more information or to register, call 513-755-7777, email info@hittheriver.com.

West Chester Easter Egg Hunt April 7 - The West Chester Easter Egg Hunt will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. April 7 at Keehner Park. The West Chester Fire Department and the Tylersville Road Kroger are presenting this year’s egg hunt.

Children will be organized into different age groups and are asked to bring a bag or basket to collect eggs. Last year, participants hunted for candy-filled eggs as well as a special golden egg that contained a savings bond.

The egg hunt will take place in the Keehner Park tennis court area.

Keehner Park is located at 7211 Barrett Road.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Easter, Easter Egg Hunt, Keehner Park, Kroger, Liberty Township Easter, Liberty Township Easter Egg Hunt, Liberty Township holidays, Tylersville Road Kroger, West Chester Easter, West Chester Easter Egg Hunt, West Chester Fire Department, West Chester holidays