WestChesterBuzz.com

It will not be just an eventful weekend in Greater Cincinnati, but also in West Chester and Liberty Township. From touring the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting to attending the seventh annual Safety Fair at Bridgewater Falls there is plenty to do close to home.

Friday

Lakota West senior linebacker Mike Kelly leads his team onto the field for a game against Anderson this September. Photo taken by Mark Ferland of ferlandfotos.smugmug.com.

Get a free scoop of Graeter’s ice cream- Graeter’s is giving away a single scoop of Elena’s blueberry pie ice cream in a sugar cone to its customers Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. The free ice cream giveaway is the kickoff to Cones for the Cure, a partnership between Graeter’s and The Cure Starts Now Foundation to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

Friday night lights – Both Lakota East and Lakota West will enter conference play this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Lakota West will be hosting Greater Miami Conference rival Mason, while Lakota East will be on the road at GMC foe Oak Hills. For previews and results, visit WestChesterBuzz.com’s sports page.

Saturday

Farmer’s market continues- The weekly West Chester farmers’ market will take place this Saturday and every consecutive Saturday through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Square at Union Centre. The farmers’ market features all local vendors with produce and meats grown and raised locally and products made by hand.

After two years of being shutdown to the public, the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in West Chester opened its doors to the public for a few weekend tours in late 2011. After renovations were completed in July, the museum is now planning to be open on the third Saturday of every month for the time being. Photo by Tony Jones.

Safety Fair at Bridgewater Falls- Helicopter landings, a fire safety house for children and a robot used by the bomb squad are just a few of the attractions offered at this Saturday’s Safety Fair at the Bridgewater Falls shopping complex in Fairfield Township. For the seventh year this is a free event for the community, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tour the National VOA Museum – With the recent completion of some significant construction work, the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting re-opened for tours in July and will provide another opportunity for the public to tour the West Chester landmark this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Those unfamiliar with the museum will be surprised to learn how much history is in West Chester.

Zeke Stepaniak Memorial Fund Kickball Tournament – The first annual Zeke Stepaniak Memorial Fund Kickball Tournament will kick off this weekend, Sept. 15-16, and continue next weekend, Sept. 22-23, at Lakota West High School. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Zeke Stepaniak Memorial Fund, created to honor the Lakota West student, who died after being involved in a fatal car wreck March 16.

Community Foundation’s Key Event – The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty will be hosting their 19th annual Key Event this Saturday. The event is the Community Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year. This unique event draws more than 600 people and raises more than $140,000.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Bridgewater Falls, Bridgewater Falls Safety Fair, Bridgewater Falls Shopping Center, Graeter's, Graeter's West Chester, ice cream, National VOA Museum of Broadcasting, National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, Safety Fair, The Cure Starts Now Foundation, VOA Museum, VOA Museum of Broadcasting, Voice of America Museum, West Chester business, West Chester business news

Graeter’s is giving away a single scoop of Elena’s blueberry pie ice cream in a sugar cone to its customers Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.

The free ice cream giveaway is the kickoff to Cones for the Cure, a partnership between Graeter’s and The Cure Starts Now Foundation to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

Participating Graeter’s locations in Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Louisville and Lexington will offer the special.

Graeter’s has locations in Mariemont Square, Mt. Auburn, Cherry Grove, Clifton, Colerain, Deerfield Township, Springdale, Finneytown, West Chester Township, Fountain Square (downtown), Western Hills, Hyde Park and Kenwood.

For a complete list of Graeter’s stores and hours, visit Graeters.com.

West Chester’s Graeter’s is located at 7651 Cox Lane.

Guests that visit a Graeter’s store during the campaign period have the opportunity to donate $1 or $5 for “Cones for the Cure.” Those who donate $5 will receive a gift booklet with more than $15 worth of savings at Graeter’s stores. 100 percent of the proceeds benefit The Cure Starts Now.

Visit www.conesforthecure.org for more information.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: cancer research, charity, Cones for the Cure, fundraiser, Graeter's, Graeter's West Chester, ice cream, The Cure Starts Now Foundation, West Chester business, West Chester business news

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Mellow Mushroom in West Chester set to open on Labor Day – The owner of the Mellow Mushroom in West Chester said last week that his restaurant is looking to hire more than 100 employees and is targeting Labor Day, Sept. 3, as its opening date. The location of the Mellow Mushroom is in the former Rafferty’s at 9238 Floer Drive and Union Centre Boulevard.

Portion of LeSourdesville-West Chester Road reopens – The Butler County Engineer’s Office reported Tuesday that LeSourdsville-West Chester Road has reopened. A portion of the road, .6 mile north of Cherry Lane Farm Drive/Lyonhil Drive and ten feet south of Beckett Ridge Boulevard, had been closed since July 23.

Paulette Grady. Photo provided.

Paulette Grady named principal at Cherokee Elementary- The Lakota Board of Education approved the appointment of Paulette Grady to principal of Cherokee Elementary School during a special meeting last Monday. Grady had previously served as Cherokee’s assistant principal and will replace Jennifer Forren, who left to take an administration job in the Loveland school district.

West Chester Fresh Market to open Aug. 22 – A public relations specialist, who works for The Fresh Market, announced last Tuesday evening that its new West Chester store will open Aug. 22. Jordan Worrall of BRAVE Public Relations said there will be a “large-scale grand opening event” when the business, 7720 Voice of America Centre Drive, opens its doors at 9 a.m. that day.

Local athlete featured in Cincinnati Children’s ad – This summer, Cincinnati Children’s has been airing an advertisement featuring 2011 Lakota West graduate and now Michigan volleyball star Lexi Dannemiller, who went Children’s for rehab on her knees. Lexi’s mom, Maria, who was also interviewed for the commercial, discussed the experience with WestChesterBuzz.com.

Black Cherry Chocolate Chip is Graeter’s ‘Mystery Flavor’ – Graeter’s revealed its latest “mystery flavor” last Wednesday. The new flavor is … Black Cherry Chocolate Chip. According to Graeter’s Facebook page, it is all natural black cherry flavored ice cream loaded with black cherries and its signature dark chocolate chunks.

Joe Morgan talks baseball in West Chester – There to interact with fans and help publicize his new Honda dealership in Monroe, Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan visited the Sports Gallery in West Chester last Thursday night for an autograph session. While at the event, the senior advisor of the Cincinnati Reds talked about the current team.

Swine flu confirmed at Butler County Fair – The Centers for Disease Control confirmed last Thursday that nine of 10 suspected influenza cases at the Butler County Fair have tested positive for the H3N2v swine flu. That puts Butler County in the lead for confirmed H3N2v cases so far this year throughout the country.

Suspect, who is being described as a heavy set male with a European accent, used credit cards he stole from lockers at West Chester fitness clubs to purchase electronics, police say. Photo provided.

Suspect wanted for stealing credit cards from local gyms – The West Chester Police Department is looking for information to help identify a suspect, who is wanted for taking credit cards out of lockers at local fitness clubs in West Chester. The suspect, who is being described as a heavy set male with a European accent, was able to get into locked lockers at both Urban Active and LA Fitness in West Chester on July 21 and 22.

Music retailer opening at Bridgewater Falls in late August – A music retailer featuring guitars, amps, drums, keyboards, microphones and more is expected to open in the Bridgewater Falls Lifestyle Shopping Center in late August. Play on This! specializes in music wares and wearables and is the nation’s only authorized retailer for Two Old Hippies merchandise.

Returning starters primed for fast start for Lakota East – With nine returning starters on offense, including a junior quarterback who was a backup at this time last summer, Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes feels that his team should get off to a fast start in 2012. WestChesterBuzz.com previews the season, as summer practice officially began last week.

Expectations are high at Lakota West – The Firebirds are hoping to return to the postseason after it has suffered back-to-back losing seasons. The main question heading into the season, however, is who will be the quarterback? WestChesterBuzz.com previews the season, as summer practice officially began last week.

Posted in: Board of Education, Business, Crime, Fall sports, News, Schools, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Fair swine flu, Cherokee Elementary School, Fresh Market, Fresh Market West Chester, Graeter's mystery flavor, Graeter's West Chester, H3N2v swine flu Ohio, Joe Morgan, Joe Morgan Cincinnati Reds, Joe Morgan signing, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Lexi Dannemiller, Mellow Mushroom, Mellow Mushroom West Chester, Michigan volleyball, Paulette Grady, Paulette Grady Cherokee Elementary, Play on This, Play on This Bridgewater Falls, University of Michigan volleyball, West Chester fitness club thief

Susan McGlynn and her son Mike McGlynn of West Chester get a free scoop of ice cream after making a donation to fight pediatric brain cancer during a promotion last September. The latest promotion by Graeter’s has been its “mystery flavors.” Photo by Tony Jones.

Graeter’s revealed its latest “mystery flavor” Wednesday. The new flavor is … Black Cherry Chocolate Chip.

According to Graeter’s Facebook page, it is all natural black cherry flavored ice cream loaded with black cherries and its signature dark chocolate chunks.

The flavor was one of five that had been featured this summer at locations throughout Greater Cincinnati. Other favors included Strawberry Cheesecake, Mexican Chocolate (flavored with cinnamon and ancho chili spices), Coconut and Watermelon Sorbet.

“Our fans know best,” stated Chip Graeter, head of retail operations for the fourth generation family-owned ice cream company. “We wanted to give our customers a chance to vote on their favorite and then bring that flavor back to our stores as a seasonal selection.

“There were some interesting choices, but Black Cherry Chocolate Chip was a definite favorite.”

More than 15,000 votes were cast this summer at Graeter’s stores with Black Cherry Chocolate Chip receiving more than 40 percent of the total votes.

In March of this year, Graeter’s revealed its first “mystery flavor” of 2012. The new flavor was Cake Batter Fudge Brownie, which is no longer available.

The new flavor is now available by the scoop and by the pint through September (or while supplies last) at Graeter’s ice cream store locations in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.

Graeter’s has locations in Mariemont Square, Mt. Auburn, Cherry Grove, Clifton, Colerain, Deerfield Township, Springdale, Finneytown, West Chester Township, Fountain Square (downtown), Western Hills, Hyde Park and Kenwood.

For a complete list of Graeter’s stores and hours, visit Graeters.com.

West Chester’s Graeter’s is located at 7651 Cox Lane.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Graeter's, Graeter's Cake Batter Fudge Brownie, Graeter's mystery flavor, Graeter's West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news

Local Graeter’s stores will feature a new “mystery flavor” beginning next Wednesday, Aug. 1.

The announcement will be made on the company’s Facebook page at 11 a.m. that day.

Graeter’s Cake Batter Fudge Brownie. Photo provided.

In March of this year, Graeter’s revealed its first “mystery flavor” of 2012. The new flavor was Cake Batter Fudge Brownie, which is no longer available.

“This is our second mystery flavor to be announced this year,” said Chip Graeter, Graeter’s head of retail operations. “But this time our fans had a say in the seasonal selection by voting on the bonus flavor they wanted to see return to our stores.”

The bonus flavors have been featured on locations throughout Greater Cincinnati earlier summer. During that time, customers were able to vote on which ice cream they would like to come back as a limited edition seasonal flavor.

Bonus flavors included Strawberry Cheesecake, Black Cherry Chocolate Chip, Mexican Chocolate (flavored with cinnamon and ancho chili spices), Coconut and Watermelon Sorbet.

According to the local ice cream company, customers selected a clear winner.

Once the new flavor is announced, it will be available by the scoop and by the pint through September (or while supplies last) at Graeter’s ice cream store locations in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.

Graeter’s has locations in Mariemont Square, Mt. Auburn, Cherry Grove, Clifton, Colerain, Deerfield Township, Springdale, Finneytown, West Chester Township, Fountain Square (downtown), Western Hills, Hyde Park and Kenwood.

For a complete list of Graeter’s stores and hours, visit Graeters.com.

West Chester’s Graeter’s is located at 7651 Cox Lane.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Graeter's, Graeter's Cake Batter Fudge Brownie, Graeter's mystery flavor, Graeter's West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news

Graeter’s is celebrating National Ice Cream Day this Sunday by offering single scoop sugar cones for $1.42 at all of their retail locations.

The company will also be celebrating its 142nd birthday on the same day.

Graeter’s has locations in Mariemont Square, Mt. Auburn, Cherry Grove, Clifton, Colerain, Deerfield Township, Springdale, Finneytown, West Chester Township, Fountain Square (downtown), Western Hills, Hyde Park and Kenwood.

For a complete list of Graeter’s stores and hours, visit Graeters.com.

West Chester’s Graeter’s is located at 7651 Cox Lane.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: birthday, business, business news, Graeter's, Graeter's birthday, Graeter's West Chester, ice cream, National Ice Cream Day, West Chester business, West Chester business news

Graeter's Cake Batter Fudge Brownie. Photo provided.

Graeter’s revealed its latest “mystery flavor” Thursday on its Facebook page. The new flavor is … Cake Batter Fudge Brownie.

According to a release from Graeter’s, Cake Batter Fudge Brownie is a decadent yellow cake batter flavored ice cream loaded with soft chewy chunks of handcrafted brownies.

The new flavor is available by the scoop and by the pint only at Graeter’s ice cream store locations in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.

However, the new flavor will be available only through June, according to the release.

It was first of two “mystery flavors” Graeter’s has scheduled to be released in 2012. As of right now, the next “mystery flavor” is scheduled to be revealed in August.

West Chester’s Graeter’s is located at 7651 Cox Lane.

For a complete list of Graeter’s stores and hours, visit Graeters.com.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Graeter's, Graeter's Cake Batter Fudge Brownie, Graeter's mystery flavor, Graeter's West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news