As Ohio’s largest career technical provider, Butler Tech prepares high school students and post secondary learners for in-demand careers that power our region—connecting education directly to the real needs of employers.
Butler Tech students learn through hands-on, industry-aligned instruction in real-world environments gaining the skills and experience employers expect from day one.
As workforce demands evolve, Butler Tech continues to expand programs, facilities, and employer partnerships—so students, businesses, and communities are prepared not just for today, but for what’s next.
The Comforts of Home
Each month as we put together a new issue of West Chester + Liberty Lifestyle, I’m reminded how much our homes shape our daily lives—and not just because I work from a home office. Our homes are special places where we gather and recharge after long days of work or school and create the small, meaningful moments that matter most. Our annual Home issue is a celebration of the spaces we cherish and the local professionals who help us care for, improve and truly love where we live.
As I write this, we’re just a few days removed from the HUGE January snowstorm that had many of us snowed in for days. Roads were quiet, schedules paused and for a little while, life slowed down. What might have felt inconvenient at first turned into an unexpected gift. Extra time in pajamas, leisurely mornings without the usual rush (thanks to all the 2-hour school delays), movie nights, making savory soups to warm my family and a fresh appreciation for the comfort and warmth of home. It was a simple reminder of how fortunate we are to have spaces that shelter and warm us but also serve as our own personal sanctuaries.
In the pages ahead you’ll find inspiration, ideas and trusted local businesses ready to help you invest in your own home—inside and out. Here’s to creating spaces you’ll love coming home to.
Warmly,
March 2026
PUBLISHER
Michelle Moody | Michelle.Moody@CityLifestyle.com
EDITOR
Tera Michelson | Tera.Michelson@CityLifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
A.J. Lape
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Marie Kriedman, A.J. Lape, Heather Spinks
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
A.C.E. Productions Photo Fun Booth, Janie Jones, Len Kaltman, Lakota Local School District, Souley Oumarou
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
business monthly
Lakota Cyber Academy Students Make National History
Two Lakota West seniors, Samantha Boothe and Caleb Kingan, made history when they were both selected for National Cyber Signing Day during the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Conference. This honor spotlights the nation’s top cyber scholars and was the first time that a single school district has had two honorees in the same year. With 200+ students enrolled this year, Lakota’s Cyber Academy is recognized as the largest high school cybersecurity program in the midwest. LakotaOnline.com
Chamber Alliance Named Best Chamber in Ohio in its 50th Year
The West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance was named The Best Chamber of Commerce in the State of Ohio for 2025 by Ohio Business Magazine, chosen from more than 360 across the state. This recognition marks the third time in six years that they’ve received the honor, with previous awards in 2020 and 2023. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Chamber is committed to advancing business success, strengthening community connections and supporting economic vitality throughout the region. TheChamberAlliance.com
Support Hope’s Closet at Hope in Bloom Gala—April 18
Tickets are on sale for Hope in Bloom, the signature fundraising gala for Hope’s Closet, a local nonprofit supporting foster children and families. This annual celebration includes an evening of dinner, dancing and a silent auction. Proceeds provide vital support for children in foster care and the families who care for them. Hope’s Closet relies on a powerhouse volunteer network as the demand for foster families grows. Learn more and purchase tickets online. HopesClosetOhio.org
Photography by Lakota Local School District
Photography by A.C.E. Productions Photo Fun Booth
Photography by Souley Oumarou
WAHOPI
Tucked into a residential block in East Hyde Park, Wahopi—often called the “mushroom house”—stands apart from its surroundings. Designed and built beginning in 1992 by architect Terry Brown, the structure was originally known as “The Studio.” Brown’s early design work is known as Wahopi, a Native American word loosely translated as “nest ”
Wahopi was conceived as an immersive expression of organic architecture—a philosophy rooted in the belief that buildings should echo the forms, materials and rhythms of the
ARTICLE
BY
A.J. LAPE
natural world. The movement traces back to Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, whose work emphasized harmony between structure and environment.
According to Rick Wolf, one of the craftsmen who helped build Wahopi, “[The house] reflects those principles through its undulating cedar shakes, lack of orthogonal [traditional right-angled] shapes... including the windows...and constant use of found or recycled materials.” All of which are trademarks of an approach that elevates what might otherwise be discarded into something intentional and expressive.
| PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY WAHOPI OWNER + WOLF CUSTOM TILE & DESIGN
Where Craft, Tile + Home Come Together
Wahopi, located in Hyde Park, is an example of organic architecture, expressing harmony between structure + environment.
LOCALLY SOURCED
A defining principle of organic architecture is the use of materials drawn from the area.
“In Cincinnati, that means wood—oak, pine or cedar—and tile, due to our clay and river,” says Rick Wolf.
Across the region, examples of organic architecture include the stonework of Burnet Woods Open Shelter Pavilion and Bellevue Hill Park Pavilion, the brick-and-stone Eden Park Board Administration Building and the rustic materials of Mount Airy Forest’s Oak Ridge and Maple Ridge Lodges.
At Wahopi, a private residence, cedar and recycled materials bring the philosophy home.
As an architecture student, tile artist Rick Wolf worked inside Wahopi, tiling floors, ceilings + walls.
THE CRAFT OF PRESERVATION
As an architecture student, Rick Wolf worked inside Wahopi layering hand-cut cedar shingles to create rippling interior walls and embellishing windows and doorways with hammered copper remnants. He was later invited to take on something entirely new: mosaicking three studio ceilings using leftover Italian glass tiles from a client’s bathroom remodel.
“I had never installed tile,” Wolf says, “but was excited by the project.”
After completing the ceilings, Wolf submitted a kitchen floor concept inspired by a Louis Sullivan stencil. He spent weeks installing the floor himself—and in the process discovered tile as an expressive medium.
Today, he runs Wolf Custom Tile & Design and maintains Wahopi’s tilework. Preservation, he notes, is very different from renovation. Organic buildings age, shift and sometimes leak. When that happens, the goal is restoration, not reinvention.
“We try to put it back exactly the way it was made,” he shares.
TILE AS ART—WHAT CINCINNATI IS EMBRACING
NOW Wolf sees Wahopi as an early example of tile being treated as art rather than surface. While national design trends often cycle through colors and finishes (from beige, to gray, to greige), he’s noticed a growing number of Cincinnati homeowners seeking spaces that reflect personality, memory and warmth.
“What’s changing,” Wolf says, “is people realizing their homes don’t need to look like a showroom.”
Wolf often begins projects by asking clients about their grandparents’ homes—how they felt, not how they looked. Color, texture, photographs and mementos frequently come up. From there, tile becomes a storytelling tool.
He sees kitchens becoming the emotional center of the home, a place where homeowners are most willing to take creative risks. He’s also seeing growth in outdoor kitchens, expressive entryways and the use of locally made tile.
“My job,” he says, “is to help people create spaces that feel like them.”
Wahopi.com | WolfCustomTile.com
Windows + doorways in Wahopi are embellished with hammered copper remnants.
Through his work in Wahopi more than 25 years ago, Rick Wolf discovered tile as an expressive medium.
A Wahopi bathroom, in earth-tone tiles.
Juvenile
Criminal
Probate
• Multigenerational family practice carrying forward a tradition of trust, continuity, and modern innovation.
• Patient-first approach focused on comfort, transparency, and personalized treatment.
• Delivering exceptional clinical outcomes for 25 years in a warm, welcoming environment.
“Together, we are building more than a dental practice; we are creating a legacy of care, innovation, and service, and with my family and my amazing team by my side, I look forward not just to the past 25 years, but to another 50 years of purpose and possibility.”
you live LOVE WHERE
At Home with Diana Werthmann of Transformed Interiors
ARTICLE BY TERA MICHELSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEN KALTMAN
Diana's favorite chair.
Surrounded by soothing blue and something that sparkles in every room, Diana Werthmann, interior designer and owner of Transformed Interiors, is in her element at home. The moment you cross the threshold you meet her in the romantic art and touches of glitter. Diana loves where she lives, and she is on a mission to transform homes so that her clients love where they live, too.
Diana has a favorite chair in her living room, a modern wingback, outfitted with a comfy throw pillow, draped with a luxurious blanket and flanked by family photos and plants. From her perch, she can survey the kitchen and see past the dining room into the tranquil backyard. Her design style teaches us that when we immerse ourselves in colors, textures, art and sundries that we love, our rooms can become more than just home—they can transform into a sanctuary, a respite from our noisy and stressful days.
“I have two fast rules,” Diana shares. “The first one is, surround yourself with what you love. If you love where you live, that positivity and energy come back to you—home is our sacred space. I want my clients’ homes to feel like that for them.
“My second rule is to honor the space,” she continues. “I pay special attention to the windows, the light, the ceilings, the shape of the room. I try to balance the architecture and really listen to what the house is telling me.”
These core design principles take shape in Diana’s step-by-step client process, during which she listens carefully, curates ideas that inspire and implements the plans to create beautiful rooms that feel like home.
“I have a very organized process,” Diana explains. “It’s step by step—to guide people through a project from start to finish, all the way through from concept to completion.”
But it’s in her breaking of the typical design rules where Diana’s signature design style transcends beauty to practicality. She has a knack for helping clients discern what they want and need—rooms they can actually live in.
This curated tray of baubles adds a sparkle to the Werthmann living room.
“Accidents
happen—life happens—so I create spaces that look beautiful but are cleanable and livable. I want you to be able to live in your home.”
“I think every home should have some sparkle or some glitter.”
“When I ask questions, I shut up and truly listen,” she explains. “I think listening to people and picking up on their pauses and hesitations—that’s where the magic is.”
Diana designs for real life, not perfection. Her mindset combines beauty and practicality. Her favorite chair is covered in performance fabric. When she snuggles in there, she is within reach of a table for a beverage, a drawer for reading glasses and an electrical outlet for a phone charger.
“Of course we want your home to look good, but at the same time, I think about how clients are really going to use the space. I anticipate what happens in the rooms after I’m finished doing all the finishing touches,” says Diana. “When I leave, does it pass the Swiffer test? What good is a gorgeous tile if you can’t clean it?
“I want it to be beautiful, but it has to function for you,” she adds. “Accidents happen—life happens—so I create spaces that look beautiful but are cleanable and livable. I want you to be able to live in your home.”
Transformed Interiors was born from Diana’s passion to connect with clients. Their happiness fuels her fervor.
“It is the greatest compliment when clients feel safe with me,” she says with a smile. “The looks on their faces when they see their ideas brought to life in their rooms—the hugs, the tears, the thank-you’s—that’s what encourages me. Their happy dance becomes my happy dance.”
Whether it’s a whole-house overhaul or a room-by-room refresh, Diana delights in helping clients see their home with new eyes and love where they live.
SUMMER CULINARY CAMPS
The Fresh Start
A GUIDE TO PEACEFUL AND INTENTIONAL SPRING CLEANING
ARTICLE BY HEATHER SPINKS
Take a second to close your eyes and picture this: The afternoon sun streams through your windows, casting a warm glow across the room. Outside, Robins and Blue Jays sing their familiar melody, welcoming the season’s return. A gentle breeze slips through the slightly cracked window, carrying the crisp scent of early spring as your curtains sway softly. You stand in your kitchen, pouring a midday cup of coffee, feeling lighter—hopeful even— because warmer days are on their way.
There’s something about this fresh, ethereal feeling that not only melts away the last traces of winter but also sparks a quiet urge to refresh our surroundings. The cupboards that need decluttering, the baseboards that have gone untouched for months, the unworn clothes that no longer serve us—it all calls for renewal. This is the essence of spring cleaning:
Refresh and Declutter
Week1
clearing out the old to make space for the new, both in our homes and in our minds.
For some, the idea of cleaning feels anything but peaceful. The thought of tackling clutter and dust can be overwhelming, turning what should be a refreshing transition into a dreaded chore. That’s why we’ve created a simple, practical guide to help you navigate spring cleaning with ease, turning it into a rhythmic, intentional process that mirrors the calm of the season itself.
Spring cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing and decluttering—it’s about creating a home that nurtures and uplifts you. By embracing this season of renewal with a gentle, intentional approach, you can welcome spring with open arms and a refreshed spirit.
Let this be the year when cleaning isn’t a chore but a ritual—a way to honor your home and the season’s promise of new beginnings.
• Wash windows and mirrors to welcome in the sunlight.
• Deep clean the fridge and pantry, wiping down shelves and organizing items.
• Launder curtains, cushion covers and throw blankets.
• Vacuum and shampoo rugs and carpets for a fresh start.
• Rotate and flip mattresses; wash all bedding, including pillows.
• Open windows for fresh air and let the natural light in.
• Declutter surfaces—countertops, coffee tables and shelves—removing anything unnecessary.
• Go through kitchen cabinets and toss expired pantry items and mismatched containers.
• Sort through closets, donating or repurposing clothes you haven’t worn in the past year.
• Wipe down baseboards and dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents.
Week2
Deep Clean and Rejuvenate
Outdoor and Seasonal Transitions Week3
• Sweep porches, patios and outdoor furniture, preparing for warm-weather gatherings.
• Check gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage.
• Tidy up gardens and potted plants, removing dead leaves and refreshing the soil.
• Store winter coats and boots, making space for lighter spring essentials.
• Replace seasonal decor—bring in fresh flowers, soft pastels and airy textures.
• Touch-up scuff marks on walls and doors.
• Stock up on cleaning supplies to maintain a fresh environment.
• Set a simple weekly cleaning routine to keep your home feeling refreshed.
• Light a scented candle or diffuse essential oils to celebrate your clean, peaceful space.
Week4
Finishing Touches and Maintenance
PRO TIPS FOR BACKYARD GARDENING
ARTICLE BY MARIE KRIEDMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
VEGETABLE GARDENING ADVICE FROM LOCAL PROS AT THE OSU EXTENSION OFFICE
“Each plant has different soil, water and sunlight requirements and unique planting guidelines.”
A backyard veggie garden can bring gardeners joy during the growing and harvesting seasons. Some gardeners like to know where their food comes from, others want to reduce chemicals used in traditional farming or find relief from high grocery prices.
The farm-to-table movement has created renewed interest in how commercial growers produce the food we enjoy daily. Many view a backyard vegetable garden as a way to connect with the outdoors and make healthy choices for their families.
Greg Meyer is an extension educator with the Ohio State University (OSU) Extension office, focusing on agriculture and natural resources. He shares tips and advice for anyone interested in tackling a backyard garden for the first time.
START WITH SOIL
Greg notes that it is important for gardeners to understand the soil they will use to grow their crops. A soil test will “measure soil pH and the nutrient levels in your garden,” he tells us. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. The ideal soil pH for most veggies is 6.0-7.0. This information is crucial for gardeners to fertilize the soil properly to encourage healthy growth.
FIND THE BEST SPOT
Much like a cat will always find the best sunspot for an afternoon nap, vegetables need good placement to maximize sun exposure.
“Vegetables need full sun to be successful,” Greg says.
Ten hours of sunlight every day is ideal for the best growth. This rule applies whether crops are grown in a garden, a container or a raised bed.
MONITOR PLANTS
Backyard gardens involve a fair amount of work, and a laissez-faire approach to gardening will lead to disappointment. While there is no need to go to extremes, it is important to learn how to recognize signs that the plants may be distressed. Greg emphasizes that plants must be regularly monitored for insects, diseases or other problems.
HARVEST TO GROW
Knowing when to harvest a crop isn’t an exact science, but “if you keep harvesting, the plant will keep making more,” Greg notes. “If you don’t, then production will slow down.” Harvesting a crop encourages new growth as the plant tries to replace what was taken, but this only applies when harvesting a portion of the plant–not the entire crop.
USE LOCAL GARDENING RESOURCES
Gardening was always a part of Greg’s life growing up.
“My grandparents had a small farm in Northern Ohio,” he shares. “I developed a passion for livestock and agriculture while helping on the farm. I like to teach and work with people to help themselves through research-based education.”
Leeoria Willis, an agriculture and natural resources educator and master gardener volunteer coordinator with the OSU Extension Office, advises new growers to make a plan before they begin their first garden. Each plant has different soil, water and sunlight requirements and unique planting guidelines.
She also recommends attending classes to learn more about all kinds of planting and to find new like-minded friends. She notes that some libraries host gardening classes throughout the year.
“Classes taught by master gardeners help residents better prepare for the gardening season, as well as promote gardening education throughout the year,” she says. “There is always more to learn, and residents can call their local extension office for additional support.”
Greg adds, “Master gardeners enjoy working with people in the community and we are available to help. We use research-based education to help Ohioans improve their lives, families and communities,” he explains.
The extension office provides the community with vital, research-based advice on topics such as soil health and pest management for both home gardeners and small farmers alike. Annual 4-H project exhibitions at summer county fairs also highlight the local extension office’s core mission of education and community building.
For more information about gardening education and extension office volunteer opportunities, visit Extension.OSU.edu
MARCH 6TH + 20TH
Armchair
Program:
A Travelers’ Storytelling Series
West Chester Township Hall, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester | 7:00 PM
Chase away the winter blues and dream of faraway places as local guest speakers present photos and stories from recent trips around the world. The Armchair Program invites you to virtually travel the world from the comfort of Township Hall. Register online to save your seat. WestChesterOH.org
MARCH 7TH - 8TH
Pyramid Hill Founder's Weekend
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton | 9:00 AM
Visitors are invited to enjoy free admission all weekend in honor of Pyramid Hill’s founder, Harry T. Wilks. Explore modern sculptures, hiking trails, an antiquities collection and all new art exhibitions in the Gallery Museum. An additional family-friendly craft activity will be hosted on Sunday, March 8. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. PyramidHill.org
MARCH 9TH - APRIL 13TH
Fitton @ The Foundry: Better Together: Teen Hand Stitching + Embroidery
Liberty Center, The Foundry, 7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Township | 6:00 PM
Designed for teens and their guardians to attend together, organized by Hamilton’s Fitton Center for Creative Arts, will focus on hand-sewing projects with basic embroidery stitches. Projects include a personal needle case, handwarmers, a fun stuffed cat pillow, and more. Discover a relaxing hobby and spend some quality time with your loved one. Liberty-Center.com
MARCH 13TH - 15TH
Disney's Newsies JR
Plains Junior High School, 5500 Princeton Road, Liberty Township
Celebrate the theater program at Plains Junior by enjoying their spring production, Disney's Newsies JR. Follow the story of orphaned newsboy Jack Kelly in turn-of-the-century New York City as he leads a revolution for fellow newsies. Disney's Newsies JR comes to the Plains Junior stage this spring for one weekend only. Find showtimes and purchase tickets online. PlainsJr.LakotaOnline.com
MARCH 14TH
Shamrock Shuffle
West Chester Road near MidPointe Library West Chester, 9363 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester | 7:30 AM
Run. Walk. Jog. The Shamrock Shuffle 5K is a race for everyone. Take an awesome 3.1-mile loop through West Chester and end with an epic block party in the MidPointe Library parking lot. Register for an individual challenge or join a team representing a charity you support. THEShamrockShuffle.com
MARCH 15TH
Cincinnati Heart Mini-Marathon & Walk
Downtown Cincinnati, Corner of 5th & Lawrence | 7:30 AM
Join the American Heart Association at their annual mini-marathon and walk to take the first step in saving lives. Every person who joins and every dollar donated means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Register online. Heart.org
MARCH 20TH
Lakota Pi Day
Lakota East High School, 6840 Lakota Lane, Liberty Township | 6:30 PM
Celebrate science at the 11th Annual Lakota Pi Day. Join Lakota LEADS and more than 40 local exhibitors for fun and educational activities geared for Lakota families, grades K-8. Touch a human brain, interact with live animals, get hands-on with robots, step aboard the Wonder Bus, plus so much more. Food trucks will be available. Free admission, 6:30-9 p.m. LakotaLEADS.org/pi-day.html
Support the talented drama students of Ridge Junior School for their spring musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR, March 20-21. The story follows a new and very nervous teacher on his first day of class, featuring the music of the Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning educational cartoon series and pop culture phenomenon. Find show details and purchase tickets online. RidgeJr.LakotaOnline.com
MARCH 26TH
American Sign Language Storytime with Lakota East
MidPointe Library Liberty, Liberty Community Room, 6716 Yankee Road, Liberty Township | 11:30 AM
Lakota East High School students of American Sign Language present story time in both American Sign Language and English at this event. All ages are welcome. MidPointeLibrary.org
A long-standing tradition, the 106th Opening Day parade kicks off the Cincinnati Reds baseball season in style. Dress in your favorite Reds gear to enjoy the procession of floats, bands and surprise guests as they proudly march through downtown. Find the full parade route and details about other Opening Day community celebrations throughout the city online. FindlayMarketParade.com
MARCH 28TH
Boys & Girls Club Pickleball Tournament
The Pickle Lodge, 7373 Kingsgate Way, West Chester | 9:00 AM
Suit up for the 2nd Annual Club Rally Pickleball Tournament, benefiting Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/ Liberty. This coed round-robin tournament is for players ages 16+ at beginner and intermediate levels. Play to support after school and summer programming for more than 700 local youth from our community each year. BGCWCL.org
A FRESH APPROACH TO YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE
Helping Companies Grow And Families Thrive
Excellent custom-built home on 5.817 scenic acres with over 4,100 sq. ft.
Features include a remodeled kitchen with quartz/new appliances, hardwood floors, first-floor mudroom, and a family room with fireplace and built-ins. Primary suite offers walk-in closet, bonus room, and updated bath. Second floor includes laundry, remodeled hall bath, and loft space. Finished LL adds great rec space and storage. Highlights include a remodeled attached garage, detached four-car garage, heat pump and roof, and an enclosed porch.
Beautifully appointed home in Four Bridges featuring hardwood floors, a two-story family room with stone fireplace, and a bright, spacious kitchen. The primary suite offers a spa-like bath and walk-in closet, plus two additional en-suite bedrooms upstairs. Walkout LL includes a bar, theater room, and full bath—perfect for entertaining. Enjoy the landscaped backyard patio and oversized 3-car garage with epoxy floors. Recent updates include new HVAC (2024) and tankless water heater (2017). Minutes to VOA and Liberty Center.
“We had a great experience with Tiffany. She has a no nonsense, common sense approach that we appreciated. She’s a great communicator and was always available at any time of day or evening. We are grateful she was on our team to make this sales transaction effortless.”
