West Chester & Liberty, OH July 2023

Summer Fun

I hope you’re reading this issue while lying by the pool soaking in the summer sun or enjoying a much-deserved vacation. Some days the summer heat is too intense to even think about leaving the air-conditioned sanctuary of our home, but other days my family can’t wait to get out and explore. The pages in our Summer Fun issue will give you the perfect excuse to try something new and make the most of this season without straying too far from West Chester and Liberty.

With so much to do in our region, it’s hard to decide what to try first. We turned to Tracy Kocher, the President and CEO of Visit Butler County, our local visitor’s bureau, to get her advice on seven unforgettable summer experiences in Butler County. From skydiving to horseback riding, she offers recommendations to suit a wide variety of interests and adventure levels.

If you love to explore nature, check out our story about Aullwood Audubon in Dayton. They offer eight miles of lushly shaded trails, and hidden along them are four larger-than-life wooden sculptures created by world-renowned recycle artist, Thomas Dambo. Most mobility-impaired people can only dream of trekking through the woods, which inspired a local pastor to start a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities have better access to nature. Read all about Luke 5 Adventures on page 18.

One thing I love to do in the summer is to visit the West Chester Farmers Market on Saturday mornings to pick up fresh produce. Our grilled peach flatbread recipe will show you a creative way to use fresh summer ingredients and even teach you how to make your own paneer cheese!

We hope the pages inside this month’s issue will help contribute to a memorable, adventurous and fun summer for all of our readers!

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Michelle Moody | Michelle.Moody@CityLifestyle.com

EDITOR

Tera Michelson | Tera.Michelson@CityLifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

A.J. Lape

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Karen Andrea

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

CarJo Studios, Mark Lyons—Lyons Photography, Jenna Oxford

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

MICHELLE MOODY, PUBLISHER

MICHELLE.MOODY@CITYLIFESTYLE.COM

Proverbs

Sports

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: Power of the Purse held its spring gathering. Online registration is open for the August 8 summer meeting at their website: Northern Cincinnati.Foundation. 2: Robin Gear, Kris Titko, Jeanne Brauns + Kathy Cook at Power of the Purse. 3: The Chamber’s annual Everest Awards honoree Patti Alderson. Not pictured: Honorees Carl Satterwhite + Jason Woodward.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @WestChesterLibertyLifestyle

17th Annual Emery Federal Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament–August 21

Tee up with Emery Federal Credit Union to have fun and support Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Charitable Care Fund, assisting families with medical bills when their children require continued care. Get your foursome together for a friendly but competitive 18 holes of golf and refreshments at Four Bridges Country Club in Liberty Township. Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Email for details: marketing@emeryfcu.org . Reserve your spot online by August 11, as space is limited. EmeryFCU.org

Scan

Calling All Ninjas—New Forest Park Obstacle Course Playground

Jump and climb your way across the largest ninja course playground in Ohio, now open in Forest Park’s Central Park. Test the nimble skills of your little ninjas as you race the clock on the 15-piece obstacle course that includes a zipline and viper swing. Open to the public daily from 6 a.m. until dusk, Central Park also features tennis, basketball and pickleball courts and a reservable shelter. ForestPark.org , 1201 West Kemper Road, Cincinnati

Whimsy in the Woods

Aullwood Audubon Provides the Perfect Setting for a Nature-Filled Family Outing

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE MOODY

Denmark-based recycle art activist Thomas Dambo builds stunning, larger-than-life trolls from recycled materials. One hundred of these creative creatures can be found around the world in locations as far away as Australia, South Korea and Belgium. Three of his woodland masterpieces call Aullwood Audubon their home, just a short 45-minute drive away in Dayton.

Aullwood Audubon is a 200-acre nature sanctuary and educational farm with eight miles of tree-shaded

trails, open prairies and category three wetlands. Aullwood is an environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats.

“We’re all about what birds need to survive and thrive,” says Aullwood Audubon Development and Marketing Manager Laurie Cothran. “That’s why Audubon exists. It’s also to get people excited about birds.”

Many of Aullwood’s attractions and events are hands-on, so the COVID shutdown had a devastating

impact on the organization. The team was looking for something big and unique that would encourage people to come back to the woods while also incorporating their focus on science, nature, conservation, recycling and a love of birds. The Executive Director at that time, Alexis Faust, knew of Thomas Dambo.

“She knew that he built trolls from wood, all recycled materials, which follows our mission,” says Cothran. “He had an opening in his schedule to create trolls at Aullwood. It was like a miracle!”

The staff had only six months to gather all the materials, line up the volunteers and coordinate the visits from the artist. Most of the wood used to build the sculptures came from fallen trees on the property. What resulted are three whimsical trolls and a giant-sized nest tucked along the winding nature paths. The sculptures are woven into their mission of education and stewardship of birds through a delightful tale.

“The Troll That Hatched an Egg” exhibit opened in the fall of 2021 and tells the story of a family of trolls that loves birds and calls Aullwood Audubon their home. One day a large metal “bird” (airplane)

drops her “eggs” (propane tanks) into the woods. The family decides to build a nest to try to hatch these eggs. Father troll Bo, mother Bodil, their daughter Bibbi and the nest can be found nestled along the trails at Aullwood.

“Thomas Dambo inspires people all over the world to look at trash as something other than trash–it could be a treasure,” Cothran reflects. “I think it’s a wonderful perspective–Thomas helps people want to protect and preserve our beautiful earth and recycle as much as possible.”

Beyond the trails and trolls, Aullwood offers educational workshops, camps, events, wedding venues, a hands-on nature center and more. Its farm is home to unique breeds of animals that are on the Livestock Conservancy’s endangered and threatened species list.

Special summer activities at the nature center include a Faerie House Exhibit and an all-day camp for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. This month they will open a wheelchair accessible boardwalk that spans 800 feet along the marsh. Check the website for lists of events and other educational opportunities happening throughout the year.

To help maintain the non-profit sanctuary, there is a small admission charge, but they also offer a variety of low-cost annual membership options. One of the many benefits of membership is reciprocity with Cincinnati Nature Center, the Association of Nature Centers and the National Audubon Society, which collectively includes 180 nature centers around the country.

“You can never get too much nature-it always gives back to you,” says Cothran.

This summer, add an afternoon of outdoor exploration at the Aullwood Audubon to your plans. Aullwood.Audubon.org

“Thomas Dambo inspires people all over the world to look at trash as something other than trash–it could be a treasure.”

– Laurie Cothran

Going Off-Road

LUKE 5 ADVENTURES HITS THE TRAILS WITH MOBILITY-CHALLENGED HIKERS

In December 2019, Luke 5 Adventures hit the trails with their first hike making the impossible possible for mobility-challenged people to enjoy the off-roads in nature. Luke 5 Founder and President Kevin Schwieger, who at the time was a pastor at Grace Chapel in Mason, was part of the volunteer group who hiked that day with fellow church member Debi Rosen. Debi, who had lost her ability to walk years earlier, was the inspiration for the ministry of Luke 5 Adventures as well as the ‘Rosie,’ the name given to the innovative onewheeled all-terrain wheelchair used on the hikes.

Kevin relates, “Our world is more accessible, which we applaud, but our focus is introducing the impossible to those with mobility challenges. Luke 5’s ministry takes individuals with

BACK | LIFE + CULTURE

disabilities on off-road hikes to experience the 99% of God’s extraordinary creation that is beyond their typical accessibility. Our tagline is ‘Hiking with those who can’t hike themselves.’”

Luke 5 was first introduced to the community in the summer of 2020 when they had completed just a few hikes but were beginning a partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. That partnership led to numerous other organizations and churches requesting their unique services and increased the number of hikes from 120 in 2020 to 275 in 2021.

The growth of community partnership events enables Luke 5 to maximize volunteer time and the number of hikers they can serve. They now have exceeded 800 hikes, including about 100 hikes completed in eight new chapters around the country.

Kevin explains, “In the summer of 2021, we saw another opportunity for growth when the Christian Broadcasting Network did a story on Luke 5 that was viewed by millions. Organizations began calling from around the country asking

how they could begin a similar program. We grew nationally in 2022-2023 with the launching of eight additional chapters across the U.S. that operate under the leadership and policies of our local headquarters but raise their own funds and coordinate their own hikes.”

Vice President Whitney Blackston knows the operational side of Luke 5 but also the personal side. Her daughter, 10-yearold Emerson, is a hike participant. Emerson is blind, hearing impaired, nonverbal and mobility challenged, but finds a way to connect while on hikes.

Whitney shares, “We explain Biblical truths to her through creation. On hikes, she encounters God by dipping her hands in streams, feeling the gentle wind or the sturdiness of rocks.”

Whitney adds, “These hikes are life-changing for Emerson and our whole family. We can dream again. Beyond the challenges of family outings, there is often a feeling of isolation. We can go places, but an outing with Luke 5 also adds a loving community

and togetherness with the volunteers who come along to help, eliminating that feeling of being alone in the world.”

The concept of community was also important in naming the ministry.

Whitney explains, “People ask about the name Luke 5 Adventures. It emerged from the Biblical account of a group of friends who carried their paralyzed friend across town to Jesus for healing, together overcoming many hindrances along the way.”

The Mason headquarters continues to provide individual hikes and partner events, but the staff also works on launching and assisting other chapters and partnerships and pioneering new opportunities such as their ‘hike of a lifetime’ and hiking internationally.

Luke 5 Adventures offers many ways to be involved. Volunteers (called ‘sherpas’) are needed on the hikes and off-trail, offering hospitality at the base camp. Individual and corporate

donations help to provide their services for free, purchase Rosies and other equipment and allow staff to research and develop new opportunities.

Whitney notes, “Monetary gifts allow us to expand dreams and multiply miracles!”

Reflecting on making the impossible possible, Kevin shares, “While hiking on a trip in Israel, we came to a sign that said ‘End of Wheelchair Accessibility.’ I had to chuckle as I thought, ‘The end of an accessible trail is where the Luke 5 trail begins.’”

To schedule a hike, volunteer or donate, please visit Luke5 Adventures.org or contact Kevin or Whitney directly.

RED, WHITE, & BLUE

4TH

Butler CountyBucket List

Seven Adventures to Spice Up Summer

Butler County is 470 square miles of adventure waiting to happen. Extending from West Chester and Liberty all the way to the Indiana border, the southwestern corner of Ohio is both rural and urban and filled with all the opportunities for fun that come with this beautiful dichotomy. Welcoming guests from far and wide, the host of our county is the President + CEO of Travel Butler County, Tracy Kocher.

“I love it here,” Kocher says. “I enjoy welcoming visitors to our community and sharing the things that I love with others. Butler County offers lots of different things that appeal to different types of people. There’s always something new and exciting to share. People may go on vacation and explore other communities but may never really explore the place where they live,” she adds.

Kocher invites you to experience summer the Butler County way with this round up of local activities to spice up the season. Saddle up, buckle in and prepare to soar as you explore what’s just outside your own front door—adventure awaits!

Nation Road Horse Rental

WHERE: 6484 Morning Sun Road, Oxford

WHAT: Hit the trails for horseback riding with Nation Road Horse Rental. Choose from five different rides to match your skills. Be sure to meet the new filly on the farm. “They match the riders to the horses,” Kocher says.

CONTACT: NationRoadHorseRental.net | 513.255.5752

Holiday Auto Theatre

WHERE: 1816 Old Oxford Road, Hamilton

WHAT: Take in a double feature under the stars at the 75-year-old Holiday Auto Theatre. From SnoCaps to fresh, buttered popcorn, the Snack Bar is fully stocked for an unforgettable outdoor movie experience. “It’s a classic drive-in with modern movies,” shares Kocher.

CONTACT: HolidayAutoTheatre.com | 513.929.2999

The Cone

WHERE: 6855 Tylersville Road, West Chester

WHAT: Treat yourself to a soft serve ice cream treat at The Cone, the popular summer dairy housed in a building in the shape of its namesake. Kocher recommends any cone with a twist of flavors or a blended Wizard with a favorite candy.

CONTACT: TheCone.com | 513.779.7040

Tracy Kocher - President + CEO of Travel Butler County

After 10 years with Travel Butler County, Kocher is an area expert with a contagious excitement for all Butler County has to offer.

TravelButlerCounty.com | 513.860.4194

Start Skydiving

WHERE: Middletown Regional Airport, 1711 Run Way, Middletown

WHAT: Get a bird’s-eye view when you strap on a parachute and jump from a plane with instructors and coaches of Start Skydiving at the Middletown Airport. Skydiving is an adrenaline rush like no other. “I’ve done it myself!” Kocher shares. “It starts with a thrilling rush and then is very peaceful as you gracefully float to the ground under the canopy.”

CONTACT: StartSkydiving.com

513.422.5867

Pinball Garage

WHERE: 113 N. 3rd Street, Hamilton

WHAT: Delight your senses on a retro road trip to Pinball Garage, a family-friendly stop with more than 70 pinball, arcade and prize games. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Stranger Things, Legends of Valhalla, The Beatles and so much more. Come for the fun and stay for the food, cocktails and 20+ beers on tap. “Pinball Garage has incredible vintage and new machines,” Kocher says.

CONTACT: Facebook.com/PinballGarage

513.805.7367

Wake Nation

WHERE: 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield

WHAT: Cool down and make waves at Wake Nation, a unique water park for all ages with wakeboarding, water-skiing, an Aqua Park and a Superslide. “A cable tow system pulls riders around a lake—no boat required!” Kocher says.

CONTACT: WakeNation.com | 513.887.9253

Petals & Wicks

WHERE: 119 Main Street, Hamilton

WHAT: Choose from a variety of delightful smells to create your own signature scent for body butter, candles and more at the Petals & Wicks scent bar. Kocher explains, “They have a whole wall of scents and help you through the creative process.”

CONTACT: PetalsNWicks.com | 513.316.2307

Fabulous Flatbread

Grilled Peach Flatbread with House-Made Rosemary Paneer Cheese

Yield: 4 flatbreads

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 peaches cut into 8 pieces each

• 12 slices soppressata or any salami

• Fresh mint

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• ¼ cup pistachios, chopped

• Balsamic reduction

• 4 baked naan bread

FOR

THE PANEER CHEESE:

• 6 cups whole milk

• 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar

• ½ tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

HOW TO MAKE PANEER CHEESE:

Paneer cheese is made by curdling milk using an acidic additive such as lemon juice or vinegar. Paneer cheese does not use any kind of rennet, nor fermentation or aging.

In a pot, bring 6 cups of whole milk to 200 degrees. Once milk has reached temp., stir in the 2 tbsp. of vinegar and turn off heat; milk will begin to separate. Allow milk to curd for 5 minutes, strain whey and curds into a cheesecloth-lined colander. Transfer curds to a mixing bowl and add chopped rosemary and 1 tsp. kosher salt, mix ingredients together, reserve the cheesecloth for the next step. Place the curds back into the cheesecloth, pull the corners of the cloth together, ring out excess whey from the curds, and hang for 30 minutes to continue draining. Once the curds have drained, place cheesecloth-wrapped curds back into the colander and place a heavy item on top, in order to press the curds into shape and press more of the whey from the cheese, for 3-4 hours. Use cheese fresh or keep refrigerated up to 4 days.

FLATBREAD:

Brush olive oil onto both sides of naan flatbread, and place in oven on rack for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, or grill for 2 minutes each side. Grill peach slices for 2 minutes each side, or place in oiled sauté pan till each side begins to caramelize. On a cutting board, lay flatbread down, and place grilled peach slices around flatbread. Take small pieces of Paneer cheese and place throughout over the peaches. Be creative and find place for the soppressata or salami of your choice. Garnish with crushed pistachios and torn fresh mint. Cut flatbread, transfer to serving plates, and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

“I love the use of fresh, locally sourced peaches, and giving people the chance to make an easy, versatile cheese at home with ingredients that many already have in their refrigerators and pantries.”

THURSDAYS

Liberty Center Summer Concert Series

THE SQUARE AT LIBERTY CENTER | 6:00 PM

Enjoy a new live band each summer Thursday at The Square at Liberty Center. Dance to the tunes of the July bands, Red Idle Rejects, Revival, Lady Joya and Rolled in Stone, 6-9 p.m. The music series continues through September 28. Shows are weather-permitting and dates, times and performances are subject to change. See the full schedule online. Liberty-Center.com

SATURDAYS JULY

West Chester Farmers Market

PARKING LOT AT MIDPOINTE LIBRARY, WEST CHESTER | 9:00 AM

Shop local from the artisan, farm and food booths at the West Chester Farmers Market each Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The one-of-a-kind market features fresh eats, entertainment and fun activities for the whole family. WestChesterOH.org

Fourth of July Parade

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP | 9:00 AM

Happy Independence Day! The Liberty Township Fourth of July Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The annual red, white and blue celebration begins at Lakota East High School and winds its way to Liberty Junior School. Find a spot along the parade route to enjoy floats, fire trucks and the Lakota East Marching Thunderhawks. Liberty-Township.com

JULY 13TH

Yappy Hour

WIGGLY FIELD DOG PARK, VOA METROPARK | 6:00 PM

Bring your pup to Yappy Hour, the pet-friendly summer celebration at Wiggly Field Dog Park in Voice of America MetroPark. Dogs and their humans are invited to relax and unwind together from 6-8 p.m. on the second Thursday of each summer month with food trucks, music and local dog-friendly vendors. YourMetroParks.net

JULY 14TH

Storytime at the Park

FT. LIBERTY PLAYLAND | 10:00 AM

Gather at the Ft. Liberty Playland from 10-10:30 a.m. for a fun, free and family-friendly storytime, provided by the MidPointe Library System. This summer literacy program is open to all ages and is a part of MidPointe’s Summer Reading Program. Explore all of the ways to participate and win prizes at their website. Liberty-Township.com, MidPointeLibrary.org

JULY 18TH

2023 Regional Business Expo

LAKOTA WEST HIGH SCHOOL | 12:00 PM

The West Chester • Liberty Chamber Alliance hosts the Regional Business Expo at Lakota West High School on July 18, 12-4 p.m. The largest Business-to-Business Expo on the I-75 Growth Corridor, the networking event offers businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and services and make face to face connections with potential clients. Register online. TheChamberAlliance.com

JULY 20TH

Creative Arts in the Park

FT. LIBERTY PLAYLAND | 10:00 AM

Get crafty at this creative event for all ages. Creative Arts in the Park is a free art activity offered each summer month. Stop in anytime from 10-11:30 a.m. to enjoy the activity led by volunteers from the Fitton Center for Creative Arts. Liberty-Township.com

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