There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park.
Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Trees will be need to be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic. Artificial trees will not be accepted at the recycling locations.
Mulch from the trees, after chipping, will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
The drop-off area at Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, will be located near the tennis courts.
Beckett Park’s drop-off area will be located in the parking area just before the gate. Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road, is located off Union Centre Boulevard.
Both locations will have signs designating the correct drop-off spot.
The recycling collection is available until Jan. 31 and is only for live Christmas trees. Other yard debris will not be accepted.
Trees will be chipped and mulch will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
Both parks are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Planes Moving and Storage is participating in its third annual “Fill the Truck” event to benefit Reach Out Lakota. They are hosting a semi-truck at their West Chester location, 9823 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, and are asking community members to donate food, clothing (new or gently-used) and personal care items to fill the truck.
Now through this Friday, people can bring items to the local business, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or, they can make a donation online and Planes will purchase the item and load it onto the truck for them.
Furthermore, the MidPointe Library System, which includes the West Chester Library, is once again offering its “Food for Fines” promotion, which allows library goers a chance to eliminate their overdue fees when they donate food.
The program, which runs through Dec. 31, will eliminate one dollar of outstanding fines for each non-perishable food item a patron donates.
“This program is a wonderful way for our users to eliminate their fines, while contributing to a worthy cause,” library director Anita Carroll said.
The MidPointe Library System will be distributing the contributions throughout their service area to multiple food pantries and charitable organizations including Reach Out Lakota, the EMA Food Pantry in Trenton and the Salvation Army of Middletown.
Do you own or work for a business in West Chester and/or Liberty Township that is giving back to the community this holiday season? Please share it by emailing akiefaber@westchesterbuzz.com.
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.
Speaker of the House John Boehner of West Chester became the 61st Speaker of the House Jan. 5, 2011. Photo taken by Michael E. Keating.
Enquirer poll: Should John Boehner keep his job?- House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester was on the hot seat last week from those worried that he will give in to President Barack Obama’s demands for higher tax rates in their negotiations to reduce the deficit.
Butler County ready to approve 2013 budget – After at least three years of slashing expenses, layoffs and stagnant pay, Butler County’s budget woes seem to be easing up, Sheila McLaughlin reported last week. Commissioners are expected to approve a 2013 general fund budget of just more than $79 million, about the same as 2012. They’ll vote Dec. 27.
On this birthday, a special number is the one-two know – John Johnston shared the story of Jack Greenlee of West Chester Township, who turned 12 on 12/12/12. Twelve-year-old birthday boys and girls everywhere have extra reason to whoop it up last week. After all, the calendar won’t show this kind of confluence of numbers again until Jan. 1, 2101, or 01/01/01.
West Chester parks to accept trees for recycling in Jan. – There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January, the Township announced last week. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park. Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Lakota East defeated school district rival, 77-73, Lakota West on Saturday, Dec. 15. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/121512east_west
Lakota East edges Lakota West 77-73 in classic – Lakota East held off school district rival Lakota West, 77-73, Saturday night in a game that went down to the final seconds. The Thunderhawks, No. 3 in the latest Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, led Lakota West, No. 2 in the same poll, by 10 points with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter. The Firebirds, however, closed the gap to one and trailed 74-73 with a minute remaining.
EnterTRAINment Junction extends hours – Due to popular demand, EnterTRAINment Junction extended its hours starting this past Saturday through Dec. 30. The West Chester model train destination will now close at 9 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Bill Balfour, who was the venue’s general manager before it opened in 2008, says more than 20,000 people will visit the EnterTRAINment’s free holiday train display and its Journey to the North Pole attraction before the new year.
Speaker John Boehner on the shooting in Newtown, Conn. – House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester ordered flags over the United States Capitol to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Friday. He also issued a statement.
Brian Garver (on lift, on left), who is the grandson of Bob and Janet Niederman, spearheads the set up for the annual Niederman Family Farm Christmas Walk. The event, which opened for the 12th straight year Nov. 23 did so without one of its founding family members Bob Niederman (parents are Bob and Janet) who passed away midway through the event in December of 2011. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber Nov. 16, 2012.
The holiday season continues this weekend with many things to do in Greater Cincinnati and in the West Chester area.
However, at the same time, there are many other things to do close to home.
All weekend
Christmas at Junction continues - The Christmas season at EnterTrainment Junction features multiple attractions that will run through Dec. 31. The Main Street Holiday Trains exhibit features three free train displays. There is also a Christmas Journey attraction where visitors walk through a winter wonderland to visit Mrs. Claus and Santa. Extended hours (open until 9 p.m. Dec. 15-23, Dec. 26-30) begin Saturday. Closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and on New Year’s Eve. Closed on Christmas.
Niederman Farm’s Christmas Walk shines on - More than 1 million lights were turned on the day after Thanksgiving when the Niederman Family Farm 12th annual Christmas Walk opened to the public. The unique holiday event focuses on the Bible and the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas Walk is open until Dec. 30 and is available from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The farm is located at 5110 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road in Liberty Township.
Friday
Lakota West Swing Dance – The Lakota West Jazz Bands will perform at the school’s annual swing dance event this Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. The dance is for all ages and is open to the community. The dance will be held at the high school’s cafeteria, 8940 Union Centre Boulevard in West Chester. Throughout the evening, party goers will enjoy dancing and listening to music from the big band era as well as holiday classics performed by the various Lakota West Jazz Bands.
Saturday
Santa Suit Fun Run – The first annual Mojo Running Santa Suit Fun Run will take place this Sunday at 11 a.m. in The Streets of West Chester. 500 people in Santa suits will participate in the event. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit Reach Out Lakota, which is a charitable organization aimed at assisting individuals and families in the Lakota school district through its food and clothing pantries.
Lakota East Freshman School to host robotics tournament – A total 24 teams will compete this Saturday at the Thunderhawk Regional FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League tournament in attempt to qualify for the iSPACE District Tournament. The robot competitions, which will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., are free to attend and will be held on the Lakota East Freshman School, 7630 Bethany Lane.
Rodney Barbour will perform at ‘A Christmas Music Festival’ Saturday at Crestview Presbyterian Church in West Chester.
Brass Band to perform Christmas concert- The Cincinnati Brass Band will perform “A Christmas Music Festival” at Crestview Presbyterian Church, 9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, at 7 p.m. Saturday. Rodney Barbour, Claire Northcut and the Crestview Chancel Choir will also be performing.
Toys for Tots collection – Bridgewater Falls shopping complex is partnering with B105 to host a drive for the United States Marines’ Toys for Tots program. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at stations located at the end of the Staples parking lot from noon to 2 p.m.
Miami’s VOALC to host shopping event with Santa – The Miami University Voice of America Learning Center will host a special holiday shopping event that will feature Santa Claus and plenty of Miami University gifts. The holiday shopping event will take place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Learning Center’s lobby.
Voice of America Museum opens for tours Saturday – The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting will once again be open for tours this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. The West Chester landmark has opened on the third Saturday of each month since July, so the public can have the opportunity to learn about the history of Voice of America.
Lakota East at Lakota West – Both Lakota boys’ basketball programs are ranked in the top half of The Cincinnati Enquirer’s coaches’ poll and both are unbeaten. No. 2 Lakota West (2-0, 1-0 in GMC) will host No. 3 Lakota East (5-0, 1-0 in GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Each team plays on Friday night, so their records will change by gametime Saturday. The two rivals will face each other again this season on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Lakota East High School.
Remember to share your holiday photos
Photos of Olde West Chester Christmas Walk and other holiday events in 2011
The 2011 WestChesterBuzz holiday photo gallery is made up of photos provided by community members, WestChesterBuzz, West Chester Township and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Please feel free to submit your 2012 holiday pictures through WestChesterBuzz.com’s photo page or by emailing akiefaber@westchesterbuzz.com.
There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park.
Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Trees will be need to be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic. Artificial trees will not be accepted at the recycling locations.
Mulch from the trees, after chipping, will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
The drop-off area at Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, will be located near the tennis courts.
Beckett Park’s drop-off area will be located in the parking area just before the gate. Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road, is located off Union Centre Boulevard.
Both locations will have signs designating the correct drop-off spot.
The recycling collection is available until Jan. 31 and is only for live Christmas trees. Other yard debris will not be accepted.
Trees will be chipped and mulch will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
Both parks are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Due to popular demand, EnterTRAINment Junction is extending its hours starting this Saturday through Dec. 30. The West Chester model train destination will now close at 9 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.
The exceptions are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Even when EnterTRAINment Junction will close at 4 p.m. It will also be closed the entire day on Dec. 25. EnterTRAINment Junction opens daily at 10 a.m., except on Sundays when it opens at noon.
Bill Balfour, who was the venue’s general manager before it opened in 2008, says more than 20,000 people will visit the EnterTRAINment’s free holiday train display and its Journey to the North Pole attraction before the new year.
“I don’t think we envisioned it becoming as big as it has become,” Balfour said in a recent interview with WestChesterBuzz.com. “I think we underestimated that whole combination of trains and Christmas.
“A lot of people remember having a train around their Christmas tree and it is very nostalgic and fun and it just comes together in a nice warm, happy package.”
The actual holiday train display, which also features lighted Christmas trees and musical artist Neil Young’s train set that he used to play with while on tour, is free for the public.
The free display, which opened Nov. 17, is put up in a two-week period while EnterTRAINment Junction employees take down the Halloween display at the same time.
Santa Claus at EnterTRAINment Junction. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.
Besides the free holiday train display, the Journey to the North Pole exhibit takes visitors through a series of rooms that feature falling snow, Christmas trees, Santa’s reindeer stables, an elf workshop, free cookies from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen and a private visit with Santa Claus.
“We have a great Santa Claus experience,” Balfour said. “You walk through the North Pole, Mrs. Claus gives you a cookie and then you have private time with Santa and your family. That means you don’t feel that crush of people around you like you get with other Santa situations.”
Personal cameras are permitted into Santa’s house, however pictures with Santa will also be available for purchase as people leave the holiday attraction.
Tickets to take the journey to Santa’s house are $9.95 and include admission into the A-Maze-N FunHouse, which opened in March of 2011. The clowned-themed funhouse features four additional attractions including Curtain Chaos, Clown College, Mirror Maze and Journey Through the Black Hole.
According to Balfour, about 95 percent of customers purchase a Do-It-All pass for $15.95 for adults. The ticket includes admission into the funhouse, as well as into the venue’s 25,000-square foot indoor model train display, an interactive kids’ play area and into the American Railroading Museum.
What: EnterTRAINment Junction’s free holiday train display and Journey to the North Pole attraction.
When: Extended hours (open until 9 p.m. Dec. 15-23, Dec. 26-30). Closes at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve and on New Year’s Eve. Closed on Christmas.
Where: 7379 Squire Court, West Chester Township.
Directions: From Cincinnati, take Intersate 75 north to Exit 22 (Tylersville Road toward Mason), turn right onto Tylersville Road, take first right onto Kingsgate Way, take first right onto Squire Court.
Admission and parking: Parking and the holiday train display is free. Admission to the Journey to the North Pole exhibit, which includes admission to the A-Maze-N FunHouse attraction, is $9.95. Do-It-All tickets are $15.95 for adults. Tickets prices can vary for children (3 through 12) and ages 2 and under are free.
The Miami University Voice of America Learning Center will host a special holiday shopping event that will feature Santa Claus and plenty of Miami University gifts. The holiday shopping event will take place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Learning Center’s lobby.
This will be the fourth year that the Miami Bookstore and Alumni Association will be setting up the special holiday shopping event at the Voice of America Learning Center.
Santa will at the event and available for free family pictures from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Voice of America Learning Center is located at 7847 VOA Park Drive, at the corner of VOA Park Drive and Cox Road in West Chester.
For more information call the Learning Center at 513-895-8862, or visit the Center’s web site at www.muohio.edu/voalc.
Planes Moving and Storage is participating in its third annual “Fill the Truck” event to benefit Reach Out Lakota. They are hosting a semi-truck at their West Chester location, 9823 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, and are asking community members to donate food, clothing (new or gently-used) and personal care items to fill the truck.
Now through Dec. 21, people can bring items to the local busines, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Or, they can make a donation online and Planes will purchase the item and load it onto the truck for them.
There are also other ways to give back through Reach Out Lakota this holiday season.
West Chester’s Tri-County Heating and Cooling is sponsoring the Spread the Warmth campaign to benefit Reach Out Lakota. The company is collecting new and gently-used coats and winter accessories for Reach Out Lakota through Dec. 15.
Tri-County Heating & Cooling will pick up any coats and accessories from homes they service until Dec. 15. People can also drop off coats and accessories at the following locations:
Tri-County Heating & Cooling, 7110 Office Park Drive, West Chester, until Dec. 15
West Chester Community Foundation, 5641 Union Centre Drive, West Chester, until Dec. 15
Walmart, 8288 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester, on Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reach Out Lakota, 6561 Station Road, West Chester.
Community members are being asked to donate gently-used winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens. All sizes of children’s and adult coats will be accepted.
Tri-County Heating and Cooling will donate $20 for each coat collected and$10 for each hat, scarf and pair of gloves collected, up to a maximum of $2,000. For more information on this campaign, visit www.tricountyheatingandcooling.com.
Furthermore, the MidPointe Library System, which includes the West Chester Library, is once again offering its “Food for Fines” promotion, which allows library goers a chance to eliminate their overdue fees when they donate food.
The program, which runs through Dec. 31, will eliminate one dollar of outstanding fines for each non-perishable food item a patron donates.
“This program is a wonderful way for our users to eliminate their fines, while contributing to a worthy cause,” library director Anita Carroll said.
The MidPointe Library System will be distributing the contributions throughout their service area to multiple food pantries and charitable organizations including Reach Out Lakota, the EMA Food Pantry in Trenton and the Salvation Army of Middletown.
Do you own or work for a business in West Chester and/or Liberty Township that is giving back to the community this holiday season? Please share it by emailing akiefaber@westchesterbuzz.com.
However, at the same time, there are many other things to do close to home.
All weekend
Christmas at Junction continues - The Christmas season at EnterTrainment Junction features multiple attractions that will run through Dec. 31. The Main Street Holiday Trains exhibit features three free train displays. There is also a Christmas Journey attraction where visitors walk through a winter wonderland to visit Mrs. Claus and Santa. The holiday attractions are open from 10-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12-6 p.m. Sunday. Extended hours (open until 9 p.m. Dec. 15-23, Dec. 26-30). Closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and on New Year’s Eve. Closed on Christmas.
Niederman Farm’s Christmas Walk shines on - More than 1 million lights were turned on the day after Thanksgiving when the Niederman Family Farm 12th annual Christmas Walk opened to the public. The unique holiday event focuses on the Bible and the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas Walk is open until Dec. 30 and is available from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The farm is located at 5110 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road in Liberty Township.
A Night in Bethlehem – This Saturday and Sunday, the Crestview Presbyterian Church, 9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, in West Chester is hosting its fifth annual holiday event where visitors can become an interactive part of ancient Bethlehem. Visitors will receive customers and get to walk through Bethlehem. There will also be many hands on activities. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on both nights.
Friday
Lakota boys’ basketball season tips off – Both the Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball teams will be in action on Friday. Lakota East (3-0) – No. 7 in The Cincinnati Enquirer preseason coaches’ poll – will host Colerain (1-0), while Lakota West (1-0)– No. 2 in Enquirer preseason poll – will host No. 4 Middletown (0-1). Both games will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Adopt a pet or have your pet met Santa - The Liberty Veterinary Hospital, 6823 Yankee Road, will host a unique holiday event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a pet adoption drive, a Humane Society fundraiser and a holiday craft and bake sale.
Fairfield Twp. Christmas Parade – Bridgewater Falls, a popular shopping location for West Chester and Liberty Township residents, will host its Christmas Parade this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The parade ends in The Village at Bridgewater Falls. Families can meet Santa Claus at Buffalo Wild Wings from 12 to 2 p.m.
Walk on Wild Side – Voice of America Park will have it Walk on Wild Side Hikes event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. During the event, park goers can explore the park with the aid of a MetroPark guide. The hikes are open to all ages and last approximately an hour. Walkers should meet at The Ronald Reagan Lodge.
Sunday
Pioneer Christmas - Santa will also be at the annual Pioneer Christmas event in the cabin in the clearing at Keehner Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. This event will provide children with an opportunity to celebrate Christmas like the pioneers did in 1833. There will be some traditional pioneer fare such as buffalo, deer chili, molasses cookies and apple cider.
Santa’s Workshop – Voice of America Park will host a holiday event this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will be held at The Ronald Reagan Lodge. The event will include a visit from Santa, food, entertainment, activities and crafts. Admission is $12 per person (ages 13 to adult), $9 per person (ages four through 12) and free for children under the age of 4.
Remember to share your holiday photos
Photos of Olde West Chester Christmas Walk and other holiday events in 2011
The 2011 WestChesterBuzz holiday photo gallery is made up of photos provided by community members, WestChesterBuzz, West Chester Township and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Please feel free to submit your 2012 holiday pictures through WestChesterBuzz.com’s photo page or by emailing akiefaber@westchesterbuzz.com.
Above: Pet photos with Santa at West Chester’s PetSmart in 2011
The Liberty Veterinary Hospital, 6823 Yankee Road, will host a unique holiday event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a pet adoption drive, a Humane Society fundraiser and a holiday craft and bake sale.
The pets available through the adoption drive are provided by the Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County. The pet shelter group is also providing pet photos with Santa for $5 per photo and microchipping for $10 per pet. Money will also be raised through raffle baskets for $2 per ticket and $10 for six tickets.
The event will also feature a holiday craft and bake sale that will include items from local artists and crafters. Items include pottery, jewelry, handmade pet accessories and holiday decor.
