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.

EnterTRAINment’s holiday attractions continue to grow – WestChesterBuzz.com visited one of the region’s biggest holiday attractions last week. More than 20,000 people will visit EnterTRAINment Junction’s free holiday train display and its Journey to the North Pole attraction before the new year, according to EnterTRAINment general manager Bill Balfour.

A female suspect is believed to have stolen a purse from the Splash N Dash in West Chester on Nov. 9. The suspect then used the victim’s credit cards at three locations, including Thorntons in West Chester. In photo, suspect is shown entering the gas station on Thornton’s security camera. Photo provided.

Police looking for West Chester laundromat thief- A female suspect is believed to have stolen a purse in early November from the Splash N Dash at 7770 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester, according to a police report that was shared by Crime Stoppers last week. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.

Nude protesters jam John Boehner’s D.C. office – Several AIDS protesters took off their clothes in House Speaker John Boehner‘s office last Tuesday. A reporter for Talking Points Memo witnessed the disrobing and chanting, in which they rhymed “budget cuts will make us sick” with a “Boehner don’t be a (word we can’t use here.)”

Exchange “Food For Fines” at West Chester Library – WestChesterBuzz.com announced last Monday that the MidPointe Library System 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.

IKEA debuts redesigned marketplace – IKEA has redesigned the accessories marketplace (lower level) of its West Chester store and now has updated displays, new products and a redesigned layout for its cookware, bedding, lighting, home organization and textiles departments, among others.

Basketball season tips off – The Lakota East and Lakota West varsity basketball teams began the 2012-2013 season this past week. Through Sunday, both the Lakota East (2-0) and Lakota West (1-0) boys’ teams are unbeaten, while the Lakota East (0-3, 0-1 in GMC) and Lakota West (2-1, 1-1 in GMC) girls’ teams are getting adjusted with young rosters.

Posted in: Business, Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Crime Stoppers, EnterTrainment Junction, EnterTrainment Junction train display, EnterTrainment Junction West Chester, IKEA, IKEA Cincinnati, IKEA Ohio, IKEA West Chester, Journey to the North Pole, Liberty Township Christmas, Splash N Dash, Splash N Dash West Chester, Thorntons, Thorntons gas station, train display, Urban Active West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news, West Chester Christmas, West Chester laundromat thief, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

The holiday season always starts to pick up on the first weekend of December.

For things to do in Greater Cincinnati, including holiday events, visit Cincinnati.com’s new Things to Do page.

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 last Friday 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.

Spirit of Christmas: Nativity Exhibits - More than 400 international, privately owned nativity sets (photos below) will be on display at the annual Spirit of Christmas: Nativity Exhibits and Music this weekend (hours 2 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday) The event will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7118 Dutchland Parkway, in Liberty Township and is free to attend.

Friday

Lakota boys’ basketball season tips off – Both the Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball teams will tip off the 2012-2013 season with games on Friday. Lakota East – No. 7 in The Cincinnati Enquirer preseason coaches’ poll – will play at Wilmington, while Lakota West – No. 2 in Enquirer preseason poll – will open at home against Talawanda. Both games will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Santa Claus at EnterTRAINment Junction. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.

Breakfast with Santa -Liberty Township’s Breakfast with Santa is changing locations to accommodate a larger crowd. The popular gathering with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be held Saturday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Liberty Heights Church, 7904 Princeton Road. It will still be hosted by Eli’s Sports Bar and Grill.

Photos with Santa – Tractor Supply Co., 4525 Hamilton-Middletown Road, in Liberty Township is hosting a special photo session with the big guy himself – Santa Claus. Children and pets can have their picture taken with Santa. A variety of print packages will be available.

Lakota West and Lakota East girls’ basketball to face top teams/players – Lakota West and Lakota East will face the two top teams in Greater Cincinnati, according to the Enquirer preseason poll, this Saturday. No. 6 Lakota West will host No. 1 Princeton, who features one of top ranked girls’ high school basketball players in the country in junior Kelsey Mitchell. Meanwhile, No. 8 Lakota East will play at No. 2 Mason, who features senior forward and Missouri commit Kayla McDowell. Both games tip off at 2 p.m.

Sunday

Former Hughes School opens for holiday open house - The former one-room Hughes School will open to the community Sunday for a holiday open house, decorated as it would have been in the late 1800s or early 1900s. The Liberty Township Historical Society is opening the Princeton Road school from 1 to 3 p.m. for the Christmas open house.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: A-Maze-N FunHouse, Clown College, Crazy Caper, Curtain Chaos, EnterTrainment Junction, EnterTrainment Junction train display, EnterTrainment Junction West Chester, Journey to the North Pole, Liberty Township Christmas, Mirror Maze, Outer Limits: Journey Through the Black Hole, train display, West Chester business, West Chester business news, West Chester Christmas

The Cincinnati Brass Band will perform “A Christmas Music Festival” at Crestview Presbyterian Church, 9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

Rodney Barbour will perform at ‘A Christmas Music Festival’ Dec. 15 at Crestview Presbyterian Church in West Chester. Photo provided.

Rodney Barbour, Claire Northcut and the Crestview Chancel Choir will also be performing.

Barbour is an accomplished organist whose performing career includes solo concerts of classic organ repertoire, theatre organ music and as the official organist of the Cincinnati Reds. Barbour also serves as director of worship and arts at Crestview Presbyterian Church.

Northcut, 10, is a fourth grader at Mason Intermediate School. She won the 2011 Mason Idol, 2011 Redsfest/Cincinnati’s Got Talent and the 2012 Dayton Dragon’s Dayton Daily News vocal competitions, and recently performed the lead role of Annie in the Beechmont Players production of “Annie.” She will be singing “Christmas Time Is Here,” “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” and “Let It Snow.”

The Crestview Chancel Choir will join the band in four Christmas arrangements: “Sing Gloria,” “Glad Tidings,” “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol” and “Christmas Time Is Here.”

The Cincinnati Brass Band was formed in 1993 to create an opportunity for local brass musicians to play in a traditional British style brass band. There are 35 members of the CBB, including their conductor Anita Cocker Hunt.

For more information about the Cincinnati Brass Band, visit www.cincinnatibrassband.com.

Tickets are not required to attend. However, the church will accept donations.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Claire Northcut, Crestview Presbyterian Church, Liberty Township Christmas, Rodney Barbour, West Chester Christmas

More than 20,000 people will visit EnterTRAINment Junction’s free holiday train display and its Journey to the North Pole attraction before the new year, according to EnterTRAINment general manager Bill Balfour.

“It is by far our biggest time of year,” Balfour said.

“People, for some reason, have always associated trains with Christmas.”

The West Chester model train destination started featuring its holiday attractions in 2008, after opening in August of that same year. Balfour, who has served as the venue’s general manager before it opened, said the holiday activities bring in 20 percent more people each year and also make up more than 20 percent of the people who visit the destination each year.

“I don’t think we envisioned it becoming as big as it has become,” Balfour said. “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 you 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.

To accommodate the extra visitors this holiday season, EnterTRAINment will extend its hours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 15-23, Dec. 26-30. The venue opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at noon on Sundays. EnterTRAINment will also be open on Christmas Eve, but will close at 4 p.m.

Discounted tickets and other promotions can be found at entertrainmentjunction.com.

IF YOU GO

What: EnterTRAINment Junction’s free holiday train display and Journey to the North Pole attraction.

When: Through Dec. 31; 10-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m. Sunday. 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.

Information: 513-898-8000

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: A-Maze-N FunHouse, Clown College, Crazy Caper, Curtain Chaos, EnterTrainment Junction, EnterTrainment Junction train display, EnterTrainment Junction West Chester, Journey to the North Pole, Liberty Township Christmas, Mirror Maze, Outer Limits: Journey Through the Black Hole, train display, West Chester business, West Chester business news, West Chester Christmas

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.

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.

Niederman Farm’s Christmas Walk shines on - More than 1 million lights were turned on Friday when the Niederman Family Farm 12th annual Christmas Walk opened to the public. But one shining light is missing from this year’s display, which draws thousands of people each year.

Lakota West and Lakota East basketball teams make top 10 - The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at both Lakota West and Lakota East high schools made The Cincinnati Enquirer’s local coaches’ top 10 poll, which was released last Monday. The Lakota West boys’ program is the highest ranked team among the four, ranking No. 2 in the Division I poll.

WG Kitchen and Bar opens at Bridgewater Falls - Shauna Steigerwald reported for The Cincinnati Enquirer that the WG Kitchen and Bar at Bridgewater Falls Lifestyle Shopping Center in Fairfield Township opened for lunch at 11:30 a.m. last Monday. The 6,300-square-foot restaurant, wine bar and wine shop has a similar look and feel to The Wine Guy Bistro at Rookwood Pavilion.

Volunteers build a house for a 7-year-old’s family as she copes with cancer – Last Tuesday marked a new beginning for 7-year-old Yosselin Villatoro and her family. That’s because Yosselin, her 6-year-old brother, Freddy, and grandparents, Tammy and Keith Randall, moved into a new house built for the family by volunteers. Before they could move in, they were greeted Tuesday evening by 30 to 40 community members, who wanted to reveal the home they built for the family.

Third time stealing from employer gets woman prison - Former Dominion employee Cathleen Schmid of West Chester was sent to prison last week by Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Jerome Metz., Jr., for two years for stealing $214,717 from the company, Kimball Perry reported for The Cincinnati Enquirer. Dominion was the third employer she’s been convicted of stealing from but the first time she went to prison for it.

Butler County agrees to settlement with ex-director - Sheila McLaughlin of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the former executive director of Butler County Children Services who got the boot in an immediate reorganization of the embattled agency will be paid through Jan. 18 as part of a settlement with county commissioners.

Lakota class names hospital’s new surgical robot - With the help of a Lakota Plains Junior seventh grade science class, West Chester Hospital has a name for its new surgical robot – S.A.M. (Surgical Assisting Mechanism). Erin Middendorf’s class at Lakota Plains Junior School, which won the “Name the Robot” contest held in collaboration with the hospital and the school district, received a certificate signed by West Chester Hospital chief executive officer Dr. Kevin Joseph and chief operating officer Tom Daskalakis, as well as an iPad 2 for the classroom last Tuesday.

Clerk of Butler County Area Courts to return after retirement - The longtime clerk of Butler County Area Courts will retire this month to come back as a part-timer in February, allowing her to collect her pension as well as a salary, Sheila McLaughlin of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last week. Butler County commissioners approved the Nov. 30 retirement of Debbie Bolser. She’ll be rehired on Feb. 1. In the interim, deputy clerk Melinda Parsons will fill in for Bolser.

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

Tags: Tags: Bob Niederman, da Vinci Si surgical robot, da Vinci Si surgical robot West Chester Hospital, Dr. Kevin Joseph, Hopewell Jr. School, Hopewell Junior, Kevin Joseph, Lakota East, Lakota Plains Jr. School, Lakota Plains Junior, Lakota West, Liberty Township Christmas, Niederman Family Farm, Niederman Family Farm Christmas Walk, Niederman Family Farm Liberty Township, Niederman Farm, Niederman Farm Christmas Walk, Niederman Farm Liberty Township, Niederman's Family Farm, STEAM2, West Chester Christmas, West Chester Hospital

The MidPointe Library System 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.

MidPointe first launched the Food For Fines program last year and the 2011 campaign resulted in almost $6,000 in forgiven fines and more than 7000 items donated to local charitable organizations.

“Food For Fines was huge last year and we are very excited MidPointe is offering this important project again,” EMA Food Pantry coordinator Debra Shane said.

The Food For Fines program is not the only way the library system will be giving back to the community this holiday season. The MidPointe Library West Chester Young Adult Board will be sponsoring a “giving tree” to benefit the Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County. Patrons can find more information at the Youth Services Desk of the MidPointe Library West Chester or by calling 513-777-3131. The MidPointe Library System also hosts Toys for Tots drop boxes at all their locations through Dec. 16.

Posted in: Events, Library events, News |

Tags: Tags: Animal Friends Humane Society, Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County, Children’s Desk of the West Chester Library, Food For Fines, Food For Fines West Chester Library, holiday drive West Chester, Reach Out Lakota, West Chester Christmas, West Chester library events, West Chester Library Teen Young Adult Board

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.

Through Jan. 1: Scuba Santa, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee. Holiday decorations throughout aquarium. Underwater Santa show alongside sharks, shark rays and Denver the Sea Turtle. Included with admission: $23, $15 ages 2-12, free under age 2. 800-406-3474; www.newportaquarium.com.

Through Jan. 1 – Christmas at the Junction, EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Court West Chester. For hours, call 513-898-8000. The Main Street Holiday Trains exhibit features three train displays. There is also a Christmas Journey attraction where visitors walk through a winter wonderland to visit Mrs. Claus and Santa, who will be on vacation after Christmas; www.entertrainmentjunction.com.

Through Dec. 23: Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s Santa, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Macy’s Fountain Place, 505 Vine St., Downtown. Bring your own camera for photos. Free. Thursday-Sunday through Dec. 23, and Christmas Eve; hours vary. 513-361-4333; www.downtowncincinnati.com.

Through Dec. 23: Santa Workshop, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way. Animatronic display from Shillito’s Department Store. Mail letter to Santa and experience a day in the life of an elf at the North Pole. $7, free ages 3 and under. $56 family passes. www.shillitoselves.com.

Saturday: Child/Pet Pictures with Santa Next to a Fire Truck, noon-4 p.m., Delhi Township Fire Department, 697 Neeb Road, Delhi Township. Includes safety item giveaways. Bake sale, refreshments provided. Canned good or cash donations to Anderson Ferry Food Bank. Benefits Delhi CERT Inc. $5 for 5-by-7 picture. 513-451-1566; www.delhicert.org.

Starting Saturday: Santa Skates, noon-1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Santa arrives early to visit with families on the U.S. Bank Ice Rink . Through Dec. 23. 513-763-8036; www.myfountainsquare.com.

Starting Saturday: Macy’s Downtown Dazzle, 6:30 p.m. Saturdays weekly, Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Santa rappels down the side of the 525 Vine Building office tower to Macy’s rooftop to kick off a fireworks display. Also features holiday music. Free. Through Dec. 15. 513-763-8036.

Starting Saturday: Story Time with Mrs. Claus, 7 p.m. Saturdays weekly, Macy’s Fountain Place, 505 Vine St., Downtown. After Macy’s Downtown Dazzle fireworks, head in to Macy’s Fountain Place for cookies and story time with Mrs. Claus and craft activities. Free. Through Dec. 15. 513-361-4333; www.downtowncincinnati.com/home.aspx.

Dec. 1: Breakfast with Santa, 8:30-10 a.m. and 10-11:30 a.m., St. Joseph School, 2470 Lorraine Court, Crescent Springs. Undercroft/Noll Hall. Pancake breakfast, raffle, games, crafts, letters to Santa and pictures with Santa. $7. 859-331-5020.

Dec. 1: Breakfast with Santa, 9-10:30 a.m., Max and Erma’s Restaurants, 3411 Princeton Road, Fairfield Township. Breakfast, activities and balloon-twisting elves. $10, $8 ages 2-12, free under age 2. Reservations required. 513-895-6800, ext. 2; www.shopbridgewaterfalls.com.

Dec. 1: Liberty Township’s Breakfast with Santa, 8:30-10:30 a.m.,Liberty Heights Church, 7904 Princeton Road, Liberty Township. Liberty Township’s Breakfast with Santa is changing locations to accommodate a larger crowd. The popular gathering with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be held Dec. 1 at Liberty Heights Church. It will still be hosted by Eli’s Sports Bar and Grill. (more…)

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Liberty Township Christmas, West Chester Christmas

At The Big Tree Plantation in Morrow, generations of families gather to hunt down and cut down their Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving. Kevin Donahu of Loveland pulls the sled with the family’s tree while mom Donna, dad Michael and brother Brian follow. File photo.

Sure, you can buy a Christmas tree from a roadside seller or big-box store, but for many families, there’s nothing quite like visiting a tree farm and cutting their own. We’ve sorted tree farms by county to make your search easier. Note that most farms provide saws; free shaking, baling and drilling of trees; hot drinks and roaring fires to keep you toasty and lots of holiday cheer.

Wherever you go, call in advance for details.

Big Tree Plantation, 2544 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow. Types: Fraser, Canaan and balsam fir; up to 14 feet. Precut white and Scotch pine, and Douglas and Fraser fir; up to 15 feet. Baled Colorado blue, Norway and Serbian spruce, and Canaan and balsam fir. Delivery, set-up and pickup service available. Cost: $25 and up. Open daily through Dec. 23. 513-836-0975; www.bigtreeplantation.com.

Rossmann’s Christmas Tree Farm, 7917 S.R. 132, Blanchester. Noon-5 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Cut-your-own Canaan fir, Scotch and white pine. Wreaths, swags and primitive crafts available. $30-$85. 513-317-0692; www.rossmannsctf.com.

Wertz Family Tree Farm, 5682 Union Road, Franklin. By appointment only. Cut-your-own Canaan and Concolor fir, Scotch pine, and Norway and blue spruce. Trees 4-15 feet. Pre-cut trees: Canaan and Concolor fir, scotch pine and blue spruce. $35 and up. 937-746-7870; www.chooseatree.com.

John T. Nieman Nursery, 3215 Hamilton New London Road, Hamilton. Canaan and Douglas fir; Norway and blue spruce; Scotch and white pine. Up to 20 feet. Wreaths, swags, arrangements. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23. Cash only, $20-$200. 513-738-1012; www.johnniemannursery.com.

Koch Christmas Trees, 6232 Hamilton-Scipio Road, Oxford. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Dec. 24. Other times by appointment. Cut-your-own Scotch and white pine, Canaan fir and pre-cut Fraser fir. Trees ranging in height 5-10 feet. $35-$100. 513-756-1998; www.kochchristmastrees.com.

CLERMONT COUNTY

Dirr Nurseries, 6066 Goshen Road, Goshen. Thousands of cut-your-own Canann and Balsam fir, and Scotch and white pine; up to 12 feet. Cost: $40 any size. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Sundays through Dec. 24. 513-625-2000; www.dirrnurseries.com.

Miller’s Christmas Trees, 1600 Eckmansville Road, West Union. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays through Dec. 23. Hand sheared Scotch pines up to 7 feet. Pre-cut trees available. Easy access to fields. $25-$30 trees; $22 and up wreaths. 937-544-2220.

Country Pines Christmas Tree Farm, 8280 W. Third St., New Lebanon. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily through Dec. 23. Scotch, white pine and spruce up to 9-feet. Pre-cut pines and firs 6-11 feet. Tree wagons, shaking, bailing, saws, wreaths, garland and other natural decorations available. Table top and live trees for replanting. $15 and up. 937-835-3464; www.christmas-tree.com/real/oh/countrypine.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Christmas tree, cut your own tree, Liberty Township Christmas, tree cutting, West Chester Christmas, xmas tree

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 will open for the 12th straight year Nov. 23, 2012, will do 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.

More than 1 million lights will be turned on Friday when the Niederman Family Farm 12th annual Christmas Walk opens to the public.

But one shining light will be missing from this year’s display, which draws thousands of people each year.

Bob Niederman, one of the founding family members of the event and the only son of Bob and Janet Niederman, died in December – midway through the unique event, which focuses on the Bible and the birth of Jesus Christ. Niederman, 45, died of cancer, leaving behind his wife, Bethann, and their five children.

“It has been a difficult year. It really has,” his father said. “He was always such an important part of this display from the very first year. Now, he is not here to help run things.

“But it proves one thing: We are not in control – God is.”

From his paintball course to his corn mazes to the football field he erected for local Pee Wee Football teams, the late Bob Niederman touched many lives in the region.

His visitation at Center Pointe Christian Church in Liberty Township attracted so many people that some waited in line five hours to pay their respects.

Bob and Janet Niederman stand outside the Nativity scene at the Niederman Family Farm Christmas Walk. It was Bob who first thought of the idea, but he also leaned on his late son for advice on how to better run the family farm. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber Nov. 16, 2012.

Also in town that weekend was the Niedermans’ extended family. It marked the first time that all 16 grandchildren were together and the first time that some of them experienced the walk.

Seeing the faces of people who enjoyed the walk was extra special for grandson Brian Garver, who for eight years has led a group of volunteers setting up the event, only to return to his youth ministry in Pennsylvania before it begins.

This year, Garver and his team of 50 local volunteers set up the display in 10 days (Nov. 8-18).

“The thing that I miss is getting to see people’s faces when they walk into the barn and say how much they appreciate it,” Garver said. “I was able to see a little bit of that last year when I was back for Bob’s funeral. It was definitely bittersweet.”

In 2001, after the family spent thousands of dollars on three 400-amp transmitters to handle all the lights and on the purchase and refurbishing of life-sized Nativity figurines, the event began with the goal to spread the true meaning of Christmas.

“I can remember the first year, we had a man come in the barn crying,” Janet Niederman said. “He said, he hadn’t been to church for years and this was so meaningful. You hope that people would enjoy it in that respect and realize there is more to Christmas than just the commercial side of it.”

The barn also serves as an entertainment center, where volunteers perform holiday music and serve free cookies and hot chocolate.

“We always looked for a Christmas gift that we could give back to the community,” Garver said. “That is why we do this. It is our Christmas gift to the community.”

IF YOU GO

What: Niederman Family Farm 12th annual Christmas Walk, a free walk-through Christmas display that features a life-size Nativity and several Biblical scenes. In addition, there are hundreds of decorated trees and live animals.

When: Friday through Dec. 30; 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: 5110 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road, Liberty Township.

Directions: From Cincinnati, take Intersate 75 north to Exit 24 (Ohio 129 west); go 5.2 miles to Exit 21 (Ohio 747) toward Middletown. Turn right on Princeton-Glendale Road. Go 2.5 miles. Turn right on Kyles Station Road. Go left through roundabout onto Lesourdsville-West Chester Road; farm is on right (look for lighted arches),

Admission and parking: Free. A barn-shaped bank is available for visitors to leave a donation.

There’s more: In the barn, volunteers play holiday music, give out free cookies and free hot chocolate. The walking path is wheel chair and stroller accessible.

Information: 513-887-0725

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

Tags: Tags: Bob Niederman, Liberty Township Christmas, Niederman Family Farm, Niederman Family Farm Christmas Walk, Niederman Family Farm Liberty Township, Niederman Farm, Niederman Farm Christmas Walk, Niederman Farm Liberty Township, Niederman's Family Farm, West Chester Christmas

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Liberty Township’s Breakfast with Santa is changing locations to accommodate a larger crowd.

The popular gathering with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be held Dec. 1 at Liberty Heights Church. It will still be hosted by Eli’s Sports Bar and Grill.

“Last year the event was a great success so we selected a larger venue for 2012 so we can accommodate more families,’’ said Melanie Brokaw, assistant township administrator and Events Committee liaison.

“We are grateful to Eli’s who will continue to serve as the event host, providing a chef and donating the bacon.”

The breakfast and fundraiser for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Liberty Campus, runs from 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the church, 7904 Princeton Road.

Families can come anytime during those hours for a traditional all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, including bacon, coffee, orange juice and milk.

“Liberty Heights Church is being a gracious partner in providing us the space to grow our event and give more children the chance to have breakfast with Santa Claus,’’ Brokaw said.

Families can bring a camera to take pictures of their children with Santa Claus. He will arrive at the event on the township’s original 1954 fire engine.

Entertainment will be provided by the Lakota West Jazz Ensemble, playing holiday music. Children can also complete a craft while they wait to have their picture taken.

Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children, which includes a $2 donation for every adult ticket and $1 from every child’s ticket, to the Liberty Township campus of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Tickets can be purchased at the township administration building, 6400 Princeton Road or at the door.

Information/tickets: 513-759-7500 or vdaniel@liberty-township.com.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Breakfast with Santa, Christmas, Eli’s Sports Bar and Grill, Liberty Township Christmas, West Chester Christmas