Mason Our Town, April 2009 by Enquirer Media

FUN FOR MASON: Your 16-page guide to all the city has to offer

MASON

& DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP

family | community | life APRIL | MAY 2009

PRESCHOOLS There’s a lot more to them than just watching your kids

PRUDENT PRUNING Save yourself some green with these gardening tips

It’s in the cards Local entrepreneur deals up success with a new game

Our Town’s guide to …

MEETING THE NEIGHBORS • WHERE TO EAT • THE BUZZ WHAT’S NEW • ALL-STARS FROM KINGS AND MASON CONNECTMASON.COM

•

CONNECTDEERFIELD.COM

MANAGING EDITOR NON - DAILY PRODUCTS

Michael Perry

EDITOR

Michael Kurtz

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS ART DIRECTOR

Tim Bonfield Melissa Huelsman Jamie Rockwell

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ernest Coleman Amanda Davidson Deogracias Lerma David Sorcher Leigh Taylor Tony Tribble

WRITERS

Jenny Callison Michael D. Clark Sue Kiesewetter Gregory Korte Sheila McLaughlin Janice Morse Chau Nguyen Amber Samblanet Jill I. Solimini Richard Stewart Carrie Whitaker

SALES MANAGER

RETAIL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Tony Elam telam@cincinnati.com 513.755.4167 Mike Gleason mgleason@cincinnati.com 513.768.8232 Jeremy Furniss Delinda Kennedy April Rich Katy Sheehan Will Smith

Our Town 312 elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 tel | 513.768.6033 fax | 513.768.6086 Our Town is published six times per year: December/January, February/ March, april/May, June/July, august/ September and October/november

BUSINESS TO CONSUMER Our Town is published by

april | may 2009

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6 8 10

26 getconnecteD! get Submit your Mason and Deerﬁeld Township stories, photos and events at your community Web sites, connectMason.com and connectDeerﬁeld.com.

• Announce your business • Celebrate your kids’ achievements • Highlight community news • Submit your upcoming events for our free calendar listings

the buzz What’s making headlines in Mason and Deerfield Township. 5 questions …with township officer and wish granter John Wahle. what’s new Policies for your protection, a trim for your best friend, convenience for your health needs, an educational foundation for your child, your own home gym away from home and an organic choice. kings island The park embraces its past and straps you in for a new thrill in 2009.

the sounds of winter Spend a few hours with the Mason Community band.

success is in the cards Spend a few hours with the Mason Community band.

eDitOR’snote

ne of the characteristics that makes the Mason and Deerfield Township area so nice is convenience. Beautiful homes, excellent school districts, incredible parks. All of it is within about 15 minutes. You can live, shop and play without really having to leave town. You can also work. The number of companies here — from the mom and pops to some of the world’s largest — is second to none. But like the rest of the country, we here in Mason and Deerfield Township are feeling the effects of a tough economy. Families and companies alike are having to make difficult decisions. Our Town wants to help in whatever way we can. We’ve heard from many of the Our Town readers that they’d like to see more coupons in the magazine from our advertisers. Because everyone is trying to save money these days, we thought our readers had a great idea and we’ve gone ahead

our town

and created a brand new page called the Mason & Deerﬁeld $$$ Saver. This new page will be a regular feature in each Our Town issue and offers great deals and savings to our readers from the local advertisers. Take a look at page 33 and support your local businesses. If you have a business or offer that you would like to advertise yourself please contact Tony Elam at 513.755.4167. We know things will eventually get better. But in the meantime, let’s all do our part to keep Our Town a great place to live.

Michael Kurtz 513.465.7024 | mkurtz@cincinnati.com connectMason.com | connectDeerﬁeld.com

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18 20 24 26 30

a magic school day Magician Stephen night wows the students of St. Susanna’s. school news and notes all you need to know from the Mason and Kings school districts. finish line in site Mason High School principal Dave allen is running to a dream. building block of learning Preschools are a lot more than glorified day care. academic all-stars it doesn’t take brains to see that these six students have it under control in and out of the classroom.

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where to eat: dewey’s Tasty pies and a fun time are on the menu at Dewey’s newest pizza parlor.

events calendar Dozens of great places to go and things to do.

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FUN FOR MASON: Your 16-page guide to all the city has to offer

C7IED :;;H<?;B: JEMDI>?F

meet the kralls Life is very full for these empty nesters.

family | community | life APRIL | MAY 2009

saving green with gardening Home improvement doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out these tips for a cheap makeover.

FH;I9>EEBI

FinALtHouGHts

crank it up Our Town columnist richard Stewart tries to decide if the good ‘ol days really were better, or if he’s just getting old.

funformason

There’s a lot more to them than just watching your kids

FHK:;DJ FHKD?D= Save yourself some green with these gardening tips

It’s in the cards Local entrepreneur deals up success with a new game

16 40

Our Town’s guide to …

MEETING THE NEIGHBORS t WHERE TO EAT t THE BUZZ WHAT’S NEW t ALL-STARS FROM KINGS AND MASON CONNECTMASON.COM

CONNECTDEERFIELD.COM

Dwight Porter deals a game of LoYo! Photography by tony tribble.

Our 16-page guide to all the fun and fitness brought to you by the city of Mason begins on page 33.

april | may 2009

thebuzz What’s going on in Mason and Deerfield Township COnTribuTeD bY Michael D. clark, GreGory korte, Sheila MclauGhlin anD Janice MorSe

mason plans smoke detector blitz

PHOTO bY cara owsley

the Veillette house, bought by Deutsche Bank at $120,000 below the appraised value, had $156,000 worth of repairs made to it.

veillette house auctioned to the bank neighbors of the house where Michel Veillette killed his wife and four children a year ago won’t be welcoming a new family to brackenview Court anytime soon. There was no bidding war when the property was auctioned in January at a Warren County sheriff’s sale. instead, Deutsche bank bought the house back at the minimum bid: $240,000—$120,000 less than its appraised value. “We kind of expected that’s what was going to happen,” says rene Garvin, who lives in one of three houses on the cul-de-sac. “Of course, we’d like to see somebody move in there but ... we know it’s probably going to take a lot of time.” Veillette, who hung himself in jail, owed $343,397 on the house. He bought it for $436,659 in 2006, according to the auditor’s records. after the tragedy, residents in the Hickory Woods subdivision suggested that the house be torn down for a memorial park. When that wasn’t possible, neighbors said they hoped the house would just be repaired and sold, and that a new family would give the property a fresh start. Contractors made about $156,000 in repairs to reconstruct the interior. How much the house might sell for remains unclear. Whether the future buyer will know the history of the house also remains unclear. Legally, the seller is not required to disclose that a murder happened at the house, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce.

want coMMunity newS...anD More? Discover and discuss the latest news, events and school happenings in Mason and Deerfield Township at connectMason.com and connectDeerfield.com. 6 our town

Fires killed at least 184 people in Ohio last year—a 12-year peak that was 43 percent higher than the 129 who died during 2007. Yet many of those deaths could have been avoided, fire marshals say, because about 82 percent of those deaths occurred in situations where investigators could not find a working smoke detector. The grim figures include 26 dead in 21 fires in the region. Working smoke detectors were confirmed in only four of those fires. Some of those deaths happened in Mason. aslee engleman, 76, died in May after her sewing machine sparked an electrical fire. in January 2008, the four Veillette children were killed in a fire started by their father, Michel Veillette, after he killed his wife. “The Veillette fire is not in the preventable category,” says Mason fire chief John Moore. “no fire-safety program could have prevented those fatalities.” Would a smoke alarm have helped engleman survive? “Maybe,” Moore says. Mason firefighters plan to expand their smoke detector blitz this year with donations from the local VFW.

road widenings not quite so wide residents living near two big road-widening projects planned for butler and Warren counties said the new roads would be too big— and planners say they’ve listened. Design changes are in the works for projects to add lanes to butler Warren road north of Tylersville road, and bethany road east of butler Warren road in Warren County. The $11.3 million plan for widening two-lane butler Warren road calls for creating a five-lane road from Tylersville road to Heritage Club Drive, then four lanes north to bethany road. but the initial plans upset residents on the Warren County side. So the road was shifted west to preserve landscaping mounds and trees that buffer homes in the Heritage Club neighborhood. eliminating a proposed sidewalk on the Warren County side also reduced the need to acquire rights-of-way along the east side of the road just north of Tylersville road. Meanwhile, planners have backed off an initial design to turn mostly two-lane bethany road into a five-lane road. When plans were presented in august for a $6.2 million widening project along a 1.5-mile stretch of bethany, residents said they could accept no more than three lanes. Since then, county and state transportation officials have dropped the five-lane plan and streamlined several other features. Construction is expected to get under way in 2011. Citizens can check out more details on the Warren County engineer’s Web site at www.co.warren.oh.us.

WhAt’stHat? how often does it happen? We’re driving through a town we know well but stumble across something that causes us to ask, “What is that?” if you’d like us to find out what something is, let us know at mkurtz@cincinnati.com and we’ll publish the answer here in our next issue.

it’s true, the Liars bench is back. it may be that people just move too fast these days for a bench in the middle of a sprawling suburban city to become a social hub. but folks in Mason are honoring the memory of one that was. in 1944, anybody who strolled through downtown Mason knew about the Liars bench. it was a spot in front of a popular confectionary called Morse’s, where oldtimers often gathered to swap stories that were always entertaining, but often less than true. it was a popular hangout for the younger set, too. in reverence to that old bench and the memories that it conjures, the city of Mason has placed a new bench and a plaque about its history near the spot where the Liars bench once perched. “i graduated in 1944. The bench lasted through the war, and after that, i don’t remember too much going on there,” says al Voorhis, a lifelong Mason resident and founder of Voorhis Slone Welsh and Crossland architects in Mason. “Some of the old people—i guess i’m that old guy now—always sat there. They seemed so old to me then.” The new Liars bench was built by Mason resident ron Larcomb, owner of Larcomb Construction. it’s made of cedar and is shorter than the original, so it probably could not seat six rowdy high school boys. but perhaps it will be a place for a new generation to make memories. “i think it’s a great story,” ron says. “i was happy to do it.” CARRie WhitAKeR

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fiveqUestiOns WiTH townShip

officer anD wiSh Granter

John wahle

ohn Wahle doesn’t have super powers or own a magic wand, but he knows how to make wishes come true. John, Deerfield Township’s fiscal officer, and his wife Patti have volunteered in various capacities since they were married 42 years ago. With four grown children, the Wahles wanted a way to work with children. So they became wish granters for the Make-a-Wish Foundation in 2007. now, they act as fairy godparents to children in need all over southern Ohio.

What keeps you coming back to volunteer at the Make-aWish Foundation? JOHn: You see children that are in need and have some rather difficult situations, health wise. it’s rewarding to work with them and their families and help them get a wish they would never have a chance of getting otherwise because of health or financial reasons. We’ve been fortunate that it hasn’t happened to us and it’s great to get out and help others.

Describe the most memorable child you’ve worked with.

PhOtO PROViDeD

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PaTTi: i don’t even know we can pick one out. They’re all so different. it’s just each child, the enthusiasm, the families; i think every wish is very special. JOHn: What really hit me was how positively people work with the children despite the tragic situations. When this happens to anyone, it’s hard to handle, but it’s so neat to see people who are so caring and are appreciative of others who want to help their children.

What’s your favorite thing about volunteering for Make-a-Wish? JOHn: it’s seeing all the resources go to the family and the child and to see that we’re able to help them with it. it’s a really good feeling to be involved in an organization that puts all their resources to someone in need. PaTTi: The most rewarding thing is working with the child and the family. You have the chance to give them a bit of hope, some strength and someone to lean on. You give a little bit of love and you always get back more than you ever give.

What aspect of the work is most misunderstood? PaTTi: i’ve heard people sometimes make a joke about it, that it’s really not for critically ill children and it riles me because the foundation is definitely structured to help these children. When you go to see the children and see their reaction when they have a wish granted, you see that everyone’s heart is where it should be.

What do you like best about volunteering? PaTTi: When you get into volunteering, you can’t believe what you get back. JOHn: in every instance, we’ve made new friends. i’d encourage everyone to volunteer. You always feel good when you come away from it and think about what you can do. in every case, it’s enriched our lives. We’re very happy people and a part of that is because we’ve been involved. We find our strength in others. ChAU ngUYen

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what’s new in mason and deerfield township

COMPILED BY Jenny calliSon PHOTOS BY Michael kurtz

mike gallagher, agent State Farm insurance 5604 Tylersville road 513.204.1518 or www.mikegallagheragency.com in January, Mike Gallagher celebrated the opening of his agency, which offers a complete array of State Farm auto, home, business, life and health insurance. Through State Farm bank, the agency can provide loans and deposit products. Mike is also a registered representative of State Farm VP management Corp. for securities products. Working with Mike are Julie Gallagher, Diane amburgy and Karlie Gallagher. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. appointments at other times can be arranged. Mike Gallagher and his staff offer a complete line of auto, home, business, life and health insurance.

the dog house 2906 u.S. 22 & 3 (Montgomery road) 513.583.9978

Dog house co-owner susan Huff gives buster a long-overdue haircut. the Dog house provides grooming for dogs and cats.

Jimmy and Susan Huff have moved their pet grooming business from Symmes Township to its new location in the Landen Square Shopping Center. The shop, which opened in early February, provides a complete line of grooming services for dogs and cats. Dawn Mason is the grooming specialist. “We have the capability of grooming all dogs, including large and giant breeds,” says Susan Huff. The Dog House, which was at its former location for 11 years, needed more space. Since the move, Susan Huff says, they’ve also found that the Landen Square location is more convenient for many of their clients. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 8 a.m. until mid-afternoon Saturday. The shop is closed Sunday and Wednesday.

the little clinic Kroger arbor Square 5100 Terra Firma Drive

the Arbor square Kroger is the newest location for the Little Clinic, which offer a convenient way to meet your medical needs.

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This 340-square-foot walk-in clinic is the first of its kind in a Cincinnati Kroger, although The Little Clinic has already opened several locations within Kroger stores in the Columbus area. The clinic is staffed by registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who can prescribe medication and treat common illnesses and minor injuries. Staff members can also perform sports physicals, pre-employment health screenings, and vaccinations. They can provide referrals to primary-care physicians and to urgent care centers or hospitals when needed. The Little Clinic is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Care is available for infants (12 months and older) through adults, and no appointment is necessary.

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kiddie academy 6202 Snider road 513.234.0699 or www.kiddieacademy.com/mason

Owners shannon and rafael nazario work with one of the many classes at the Kiddie Academy.

This new child care facility offers the character education program Life essentials as a core part of its curriculum. it focuses on values, morals and principles to start young children on the path to becoming educated, ethical and involved adults. Kiddie academy accepts children 6 weeks old through preschool age, and provides before- and after-school care to children up to age 12. in addition to its preschool programs it offers a private full-day kindergarten, and a summer camp program. Lead teachers have a bachelor’s degree at minimum; some have a master’s degree. in addition to serving a hot lunch and snacks daily, Kiddie academy features Web cameras in each room and a computer lab with ageappropriate programming. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

snap fitness 4200 aero Drive 513.229.7300 or www.snapfitness.com/masonoh

snap Fitness offers a full range of free weights and strength training in addition to cardio equipment.

Snap Fitness, a 24-hour fitness club, positions itself to provide a convenient, less expensive alternative to “big box” full-service facilities by locating in residential communities and limiting services that many busy members may not need. The new Snap Fitness location, like the company’s other franchises nationwide, offers the latest commercial-grade equipment including strength equipment and free weights; soft-surface treadmills; tanning beds; certified personal trainers and small group classes. The secure facility remains locked at all times; members enter with an electronic keycard. “it’s like having your own private gym minutes from your doorstep,” says Marianne appel. The club is open every day of the year.

basilico organic 6176 Tylersville road 513.492.9521

Basilico Organic is the first UsDA-certified organic restaurant in the Midwest. the menu offers a wide variety of choices.

This new eatery is “fast casual” in its concept, but with a twist: everything that comes out of its kitchen is organic. executive chef Pedro Zuniga says that basilico Organic is the first uSDa-certified organic restaurant in the Midwest, and one of only a few in the u.S. The restaurant’s name provides a clue to its culinary foundation: Zuniga said that basil and pesto sauce are used in many of the signature dishes. “Our menu features mainly italian dishes but it’s also intercontinental, with a Sushi bar, and South american and european specialties as well,” Pedro says. “but the main thing is that everything’s organic.” basilico Organic, owned by Sylvio and antoniela Miranda, is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. it opened in late December.

april | may 2009

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Kings Island

features the new and the classic BY carrie wHitaKer

get the first ride on diamondback the park will be accepting bids for the inaugural ride on Diamondback until april 15. the minimum bid is $50 and nearly 100 people will win a seat. Proceeds for the auction will go directly to a Kid again, a program that pays for adventures, like day trips to Kings island or sporting events, for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. a Kid again is based in columbus, but has a cincinnati chapter based in anderson township. Visit www.kidiamondback.com for more information.

the Kings island entertainment crew gets their flashdance on. Flashback: totally 80’s! is one of six live shows that will be presented at Kings island in 2009. PhOtO PROViDeD

his year, Kings island celebrates the new and the old. Diamondback, the park’s new roller coaster —a $22-million investment with 10 vertical drops ranging from 106-230 feet—is expected to attract big crowds. “This ride is big—real big,” says Greg Scheid, Kings island’s vice president and general manager. “its use of rugged natural terrain and a spectacular splashdown ending ensures that no other roller coaster tops these thrills.” The beast roller coaster gets a nod of respect this year, too, as the park celebrates the wooden coaster’s 30th anniversary. The beast remains the longest wooden roller coaster in the world. “Kings island’s thrills don’t end with Diamondback and the beast,” says park spokesman Don Helbig. “Our entertainment lineup has something for everyone.” Got a tween who can’t put down her iPod? Try a new show called “Don’t Stop the Music,” featuring music by beyoncé, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Katy Parry. How about a grumpy husband who’s a sucker for Loretta Lynn? The new “Down Home Country” show features songs by Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Willy nelson and other country classics. The third new show, “Marty’s Party,” is for children. Kings island also plans to revive a popular park perk from the 1970s and 1980s: roving entertainment. also, bubba Gump’s Shrimp Shack will reopen this year after a one-year hiatus. For more information about what’s new this year at Kings island, go to www.visitkingsisland.com. The park opens april 18.

ticket info annual passes to Kings island can be bought individually or per family. regular season passes for a family of four start around $360. the cost for season passes will increase sometime around Memorial Day, Don says. Gate price for adults is $47.99. Discounts are available at www.visitkingsisland.com.

april | may 2009

The sounds of winter The Mason Community band plays on. PhOtOgRAPhY BY tony tribble

rumpets sounded. The winds rose. and the band joined in. Mason Middle School was filled with the classic sound of the Mason Community band during its winter concert in February. The band, comprised of musicians from around the area, performed under the direction of Scott Cook. be sure to hear them the next time.

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The Mason Community band puts on a show at Mason Middle School.

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The band takes its direction from conductor Scott Cook.

The band is comprised of musicians from around the area.

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The concert opened with the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rendition of the national anthem.

a percussionist chimes in. The Mason Community band performs throughout the year in the Mason area.

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april | may 2009

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Dwight Porter plays LoYo! with his family, Marla, asia, and alexis.

Success

PhOtOs BY ernest coleMan

in the cards

for local entrepreneur 16

our town

YOURcommunity

BY cArriE WHitAkEr

playing loyo! • the object of the game is to have the lowest score at the end of six rounds of play. • Each player receives four face-down cards. • After glancing at any two cards, players pull cards numbered 1 to 9 and two specialty cards Loyo!, worth 0 and oH no!, worth 15, from the deck and replace with their cards. • When you think you have the lowest score, shout “Loyo” to roll the dice and get a bonus deduction or add to your opponent’s score. • Be warned, there are little twists in the game that can double players’ scores or let them catch up in the middle of the game. Plus, there are two other versions of the game, played with the same game pieces. So, if you feel like risking more, play Loyo! challenge. this feature challenges all players to a potential “all in poker show down” at the beginning of each round. Also, if you want a mind-boggling experience try Loyo! Headache, where players play with six cards instead of four. informAtion ProvidEd By Pfun, PArEnt comPAny for Loyo!

wight Porter “had to be peeled off the ceiling” of his Mason home after he received a phone call from the Chicago Tribune informing him that his new game, LoYo!, had been chosen as one of the 10 coolest new board games on the market. The “quick-playing game combines the best of poker, Concentration and Uno,” said the Tribune’s “gadget adviser,” Eric Gwinn. Porter began futzing around with the pet project in the early 1990s, and finally launched LoYo! at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair in November. “I couldn’t believe the notoriety I got two weeks later,” Dwight says, about the attention he’s received since the Tribune shout-out. In January, he got a call from a company about working out a licensing deal. He declined to name the company. “That’s the ultimate level you want to get to ... it allows me to receive royalties and they do the distribution,” Dwight says. Dwight and his wife, Marla, are board and card game lovers. When he was younger, Dwight would pack his apartment full of friends on the weekends to play games ranging from Monopoly to the rummy card game Tonk. Now, game night is a family affair with his wife and two children, Dwight says. LoYo! is a game of strategy, memorization, risk and luck, played with a deck of cards, score sheets and a die. There are three versions of the game played with the same deck. Right now, the game can be purchased on Amazon.com and at the game’s Web site, www.loyogame.com. The introductory price is $12.99. “A 7-year-old can beat an adult,” Dwight says. “No one was at an advantage in the game, you do need that skill set to improve your odds of winning. And I like the variability of the game—you can play for an hour, or 15 minutes.” Bloggers ate up the review by the Chicago Tribune, and Dwight is starting to get orders from all over the country, he says.

april | may 2009

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A magic school day St. Susanna students get dazzled. phOtOgRaphY BY AmAndA dAvidSon

now made a first scheduled magic show disappear from St. Susanna’s Catholic Schools Week schedule in February. But students got the chance to see Stephen Knight’s act “Respect the Magic Word” a few days later. Students got into the act for some of the illusions, and sat mesmerized by the rest.

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Magician Stephen Knight demonstrates a few tricks for St. Susanna students. First grader Jack Haglage is pleased by what he sees. Second Grader olivia Polson readies herself for what comes next. Terri Cunningham, a fourth grade teacher, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lose here head when asked to help with one of the tricks. Students watch intently at one of the magic tricks. Third grader Kyle Atchley gives his approval.

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april | may 2009

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kings Schools

SCHooLnotES BY SuE kiESEWEttEr

Lunch now compLeteLy cashLess There is no need anymore for students in any of the Kings Local Schools to carry cash to pay for school lunch. or for parents whose children have allergies to certain foods to worry that their child might purchase something they may react negatively to. The final two computerized cash register systems have been installed in the cafeterias—Kings Mills in February and South Lebanon in March.

Under the new system when students pay for their food, they give the cashier their student ID number. That will bring up the child’s account and picture along with any alerts for food allergies or other concerns. It will also show how much money is in the account and then deduct the child’s purchase. Parents can replenish the accounts on their children’s accounts online through the Pay For It prepayment system using a credit card. They can also send checks or cash as they do now and the cafeteria staff will add the money to the child’s account.

For The Fridge kingS ScHooLS

April

registration begins

6 Spring break begins

7 Kings Mills art show, 3:30-7 p.m.;

14 Classes resume; Kings Kids

junior high talent show, 7 p.m.

kindergarten registration opens; Columbia PTo, 7 p.m., art room

11 High school academic awards, 7 p.m.

17 Junior high dance, 5-7 p.m.

7 p.m., high school

21 Kings Board of Education, 6:30 p.m.,

14 Sixth grade student orientation at junior high, 9 a.m., parent orientation, 6 p.m.

Kings Education Center; J.F. Burns, kindergarten musical, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Kings Mills fourth grade panoramic picture, 1:30 p.m.

12 orchestra performance, grades 6-12,

18 Fourth grade student orientation to

RegisteR foR kindeRgaRten Kindergarten registration for students who will be attending Kings Mills, J.F. Burns or South Lebanon elementary schools for the 2009-10 school year will be held from 4-7 p.m. at Kings Mills Elementary School on three April dates. Those whose last names begin with A-L are asked to register on April 2. Last names beginning with M-Z should register April 15. Anyone who couldn’t make either of those registration dates should report April 16. Those registering after April 16 should do so at the Kings Education Center, 1797 King Ave. Children who will be 5 years old by September 30 are eligible for kindergarten. Registration packets are available at each of the three elementary schools or online at HYPERLINK “http://www. kingslocal.k12.oh.us” www.kingslocal. k12.oh.us Parents should bring the child’s original birth certificate, Social Security number or card, completed papers, custody papers if applicable, immunization records, proof of residency and photo identification. Acceptable proof of residence includes rental or lease agreements along with deeds or settlement papers. Information: Tammy Schnetzer, 513.459.2932.

22 Kings celebration, 7 p.m., high

intermediate school at Columbia, 9:30 a.m., parent orientation, 6 p.m.

school

kings footbaLL wins in the cLassRoom

19 Kings Board of Education, 6:30 p.m.,

23 Kings Mills kindergarten musical,

Kings Education Center

6:45 p.m.

20 Columbia choral concert, 7 p.m.,

The 2008-2009 Kings High School football team wasn’t just a presence on the gridiron with an overall 8-4 record, going 1-1 in the playoffs. Team members are powerhouses in the classroom too. The ohio High School Football Coaches Association designated the Knights an All-Academic team—the first ever for the school. The team was ranked 14th out of more than 725 teams in ohio

25 High school prom, oasis Center

cafeteria

28 High school band awards, 6 p.m.

21 junior high choral concert, 7 p.m.;

30 South Lebanon first/fourth grade chorus musical, 7 p.m.

23 High school graduation, 3 p.m.,

MAy

Cintas Center at Xavier University

1 Interim grades send home 4 Kings Kids before and after school 20

Kings Mills fourth grade musical and marimba, 6:45 p.m.; South Lebanon kindergarten concert, 7 p.m.

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25 Memorial Day, school & Kings Kids

based on the grade point average—3.6—of the team’s top 22 lettermen. one player, senior Andy Dauner, received an individual All Academic award, one of 16 among 35,000 players. “This is a reflection of how hard our kids work in the classroom, a reflection on our teachers,’’ says coach Andy olds. “It’s a real team effort and I just happen to be the head coach.” The honor is a first for the team, Andy says. He attributes it to players tutoring each other and teachers who work after school one-onone with players who need help. “We’re sending the message that academics are important and sometimes it means coming late to practice to get help,’’ he says.

swimmeR saiLs to new RecoRd A Kings Junior High School swimmer has set two Fort Ancient Valley Conference records.

Eighth grader Ian Wooley swam the 50-backstroke in 26.15 seconds in the championship competition, setting a league record. He set the second league record in the 100-backstroke, where he swam it in 56.12 seconds. “Ian is an incredible swimmer,’’ says coach Anne Albert. “He was on fire this year.” overall the junior high swim team had an undefeated regular season, with a 9-0 record.

new compLeX on time, on budget Some educators at the junior-senior high school complex already have a little bit more breathing room even though the $27.2 million construction project won’t be finished until this summer. The project began last spring and is on target to be completed on budget this summer, says business manager Steve Waldmann.

In January the new entrance and lobby, commons area and front offices at the junior and senior high schools opened. In February the junior high weight room opened, quickly followed by the multi-purpose room. The high school lobby is next to the cafeteria where dozens of new high and low top tables along with a snack bar have been added for seniors to use during lunch. Also completed is the bus garage. Still under construction, Steve says, is the classroom wing, which will be finished in June or July. An August 23 grand opening of the remodeled junior and senior complex is planned for the community.

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mason Schools

SCHooLnotES BY SuE kiESEWEttEr

seLf-poRtRaits eaRn honoRs Patience and perseverance finally paid off for art teacher Audrey Gorman and her painting students. For the past four years, Gorman’s painting I, II and III students entered a self-portrait contest sponsored by Utrecht’s – a painting supplies distributor – and co-sponsored by the Savannah College of Art and Design. None of the students had won awards -- until this year when Glorimar Garcia, Seth Simmons and Katie Young all won honorable mentions. “I am really proud of these students,”

Gorman said. “Their commitment to quality shows in their work, and each of them deserve this recognition.”

kindeRgaRten RegistRation set Four dates have been set aside for kindergarten registration for the 2009-10 school year. Parents may bring completed registration packets to the Kiva at the Mason Early Childhood Center, 4631 Hickory Woods Dr. from 1-3 p.m. March 30; 8-10 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. March 31; 6-8:30 p.m. April 7; or 8-10 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. April

For The Fridge mASon ScHooLS

April

high school.

2 Kindergarten Spring Fine Arts Program, 8 District Art Show, 7-10 p.m., high 6:15 p.m., Early Childhood Center.

school.

4 Cultural Fair 2009, Early Childhood Center, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

11 Third grade music concert, 6:15 p.m., Mason Heights.

6 Kindergarten registration, 6-8:30 p.m.,

12 School board, 7 p.m., high school.

Early Childhood Center.

13 High school orchestra concert, 7 p.m.

8 National Honor Society Prom Fashion Show, 7 p.m., high school auditorium.

14 Funfest 2009, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., intermediate school softball field.

9 Kindergarten registration, 8-10 a.m.

16 High school prom, 8 p.m., Roberts

and 1-3 p.m., Early Childhood Center; National Honor Society Prom Fashion Show, 1 p.m., high school auditorium.

10 Spring break begins. 20 Classes resume from spring break. 21 School board, 7 p.m., high school.

Center.

17 After Prom, midnight to 4 a.m., high school.

18 High school spring choral concert, 7 p.m.

19 Senior recognition, 6 p.m., high

23 Middle school early release, 1:30 p.m.

school auditorium.

30 Preschool cancelled.

21 Middle school early release, 1:30 p.m.

MAy

22 Drama awards, 6 p.m., high school auditorium.

5 Third grade music concert, 6:15 p.m., Mason Heights.

7 The Secret Garden musical, 7 p.m., 22

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26 School board, 6:30 p.m., high school.

9. Parents also should bring proof of residency, the child’s original birth certificate with the raised seal or a passport, the child’s social security card or number; parents’ driver’s license or state ID, and custody papers, if applicable. Registration packets are available from the Mason Central receptionist, 211 N. East St. They will not be mailed and are not available online. Morning kindergarten sessions run from 9:10-11:55 a.m. and afternoon classes are from 12:55-3:40 p.m. Students are assigned to morning or afternoon classes depending on where they live. Go to www. masonohioschools.com/downloadslinks. aspx to determine which session your child is assigned. Information: 513-398-3741.

bRight “RetiRes” but stays on The Mason school board has agreed to allow Superintendent Kevin Bright retire, and then be rehired April 1 with certain stipulations. Bright will begin collecting retirement checks in addition to his salary. However, he will give up bonuses for two years and his pay will be frozen for three years. The new agreement will extend his contract through the 2011-12 school year. “I love Mason City Schools,’’ Bright said. “There was no better place for my own kids and there’s never been any better place for me.” Bright also donated a $20,000 bonus for the current school year back to the district.

westeRn Row students Rock at Reading When it comes to reading, students at Western Row are among the most voracious in the region. of the 62 Greater Cincinnati Schools that participated in Xavier University’s reading program, Western Row students read the most – just over 15 books per

student. The school now has a banner proclaiming it School of the Year. Students also received free admission passes to Xavier sporting events. “(It was) a fabulous way to motivate the entire school to read more,’’ said Krista McMillen, a reading specialist. Krista, along with fellow reading specialists Emily Menendez, Emily Mongillo and Jessica Schuler coordinated Western Row’s participation.

student poem pubLished After a nearly twoyear wait Katie Hibner is a published author. The Mason Intermediate School sixth grader’s poem, The Sunrise, was published in the February issue of Creative Kids magazine. The poem was submitted to the national magazine when Katie was a fourth grader. “A fantastic writer, Katie is sure to have many more successes like this in the future,’’ said Holly Cammerer, intermediate school gifted intervention specialist. Here’s the poem: THE SUNRISE The sun is gone, over skies a full black cloak is spread. Infinite dreams sparkle and sing in our heads. Night is here, darkness present. Day, dissolved its light so pleasant. Silver-outlined shadows slowly creep, Whispers of the past’s secrets, promised to keep. Streaks of racing comets, twilight bands. Twinkling moons and stars are raised by many hands. The sun returns, nature’s shining prize. A message from the future, The sunrise.

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teacher feature ?

Mason high School principal dave Allen is serious about his leisurely runs.

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Finish line in sight for Mason principal

hile most people are sleeping, Mason High School Principal Dave Allen starts every weekday at 4:30 a.m. with a 4 to 10 mile jog. Then on the weekends, he does 14 to 22 miles. He’s applying strict discipline to himself in preparation for a long-held goal—running the Boston Marathon. “For a lot of different reasons, I had gotten myself tremendously out of shape,” Dave said. “I started jogging a bit and set a goal for myself to finish a marathon.” His wife, Kim Allen, a group aerobics instructor, remembers when Dave didn’t have time to work out because he was always at school, pursuing a doctorate degree. “It got to the point where I was dragging him to exercise,” Kim says. “He has really come full circle and it’s been amazing to see him go from not being able to run 3 miles to qualifying for the Boston Marathon. He’s never been in better shape than me and now he is.” Dave ran the Flying Pig Marathon three years ago. By that time, he’d gotten hooked on running, Kim said. Along the way, he has lost 60 pounds. “I love setting goals for myself and doing things people say I have no business doing,” Dave says. He secretly trained for the Nashville marathon in May 2007 with the hope of qualifying for the Boston Marathon, which requires a time of 3 hours, 15 minutes and 59 seconds. Dave was doing fine in Nashville until the 20th mile when he started cramping up. “I finished, but didn’t qualify [for Boston],” Dave says. “It really ticked me off so I started training more intensely.”

BY cHAu nguyEn phOtO BY LEigH tAyLor

In october 2007, Dave finished the Columbus Marathon in 3 hours, 14 minutes and 4 seconds. A picture of the Allens at the finish line showed up on the front page of the local section of The Columbus Dispatch. “Kim is just grabbing me and there were tears running down her face,” Dave says. “She was more excited for me than I was.” With six months of training time per marathon, Dave said having a good support system is essential. For him, it’s his wife, 7-year-old daughter Emmi and 2-year-old son Ty. Sometimes on the weekends, Kim rides her bike beside him with a backpack full of water. Normally, Dave makes his weekday runs alone. “When you run at 4:30 in the morning, there are not many people who want to go out with you,” he says. Training is like a part-time job, especially for someone with young children, Kim says. The Allens have scheduled Dave’s training into their family time, trading off on exercise days because she considers his training more important than her need to exercise. Despite his intense training regimen, Dave makes sure he doesn’t miss commitments at home or at school. “What I miss out on is sleep,” Dave says. “But with my commitment with work and evening activities, it really benefits me to run early in the morning so I have time for my family after work.” Kim says his training has allowed him to stay in shape and inspire others. “He was in no condition to do what he is doing right now four years ago,” Kim says. “Now he’s a tremendous inspiration for people who maybe didn’t think they were

runners.” Martin Muff, whose wife coaches at Mason High School, was also running in the Columbus Marathon and was surprised see Dave trim 40 minutes off his time. “I talked to him about how he did it and I thought, ‘Hey, if he could keep me to that training time and intensity, that would help me a lot,” Martin says. “I’ve been trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon for five years and I’m hoping to qualify while helping Dave train for it.” The two meet with a small group of people on Saturday mornings for longer jogs. “Dave’s a very focused, approachable individual,” Martin says. “When you’re out there as long as we are with the intensity and discomfort of running, it’s better to have someone that’s enjoyable and that will push you. There’s a camaraderie that helps you get to that level of intensity.” His training for the Boston Marathon mirrors the leadership he does at Mason High School, Dave says. “I have a ton of kids who talk to me about [my training] and it opens up the opportunity for me to talk to them,” Dave says. “No matter what age you are, what your hobbies or interest are, it’s important to set goals for yourself and stay active. our teachers [at Mason] help our students with goal setting and our coaches do it with our athletes.” Dave is using his run as a fundraiser for Common Ground, a wheelchair accessible playground for special needs children. “our high school is starting to rally behind it and getting involved with something that’s going to be there for a long time,” Dave says. “I wanted to be a part of something like that as well.”

april | may 2009

YOURScHooLS

Building blocks of learning Preschools are a lot more than glorified daycare BY SuE kiESEWEttEr phOtOS BY tony triBBLE

thIS pagE: forrest day gets a kiss from his mom Brenda after being dropped off at Creative tots pre-School. FaCINg pagE: reed mattingly concentrates on one of the toys.

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s the 3- and 4-year-old children walk into Nancy Piening’s classroom at Creative Kids Preschool each is greeted by name and then guided to wash his or her hands. For the first 15 or 20 minutes as classmates are arriving, each child can choose where to go in the classroom: there is an easel for painting, a table filled with rice, a block center, areas for dramatic play, games, a science center and more. Then Nancy gathers the children together on the rug for the morning meeting. They begin with a review of shapes—in Spanish. She holds up a rectangle, triangle. “They all end with an ‘o’,” Nancy says. “Let’s clap it.” Annabelle is asked to be the Queen of Weather for the day and puts on a tiara before deciding whether it’s sunny or cloudy, warm or cold. As a group they decide how to dress the frog—long sleeves on this day. During their daily meeting the children learn they will take turns making paper pizza today—with cheese or pepperoni—and then put their name under the picture of the pizza they made. While one group makes the pizza, another goes for a science lesson with Jessica Tipkemper-Wolfe and Nancy helps others at

the writing center. It is a typical morning at Creative Tots, which has seen enrollment grow from just 40 children when the Mason school opened in 2006 to about 125 children today. The school has already expanded once and now has three large, brightly colored classrooms, a gym, and a fenced outdoor play area accessible from two classrooms. Morning or afternoon half-day programs are offered for children as young as 18 months in the farmthemed toddler room, through age 5. It is one of two-dozen preschool programs licensed by the ohio Department of Job and Family Services in the immediate Mason/ Deerfield Township/Maineville area. Some are church-based, others are childcare centers with preschool instruction while others, like Creative Tots, are privately owned.

SoCIALIZATIoN AND FUN As the population has boomed, so have the offerings to accommodate the growing number of families with children 5 years or younger who are seeking programs for their children. Deerfield Township mom Leila owens is one such mom. Her daughter Kaia, 4, is in her second year at the school; >>

>> What to look for in a preschool • Low child-to-teacher ratios • no more than 18-20 pre-schoolers in a group • Well-trained staff. find out what qualifications, training and degrees the teachers and helpers have • Low staff turnover • Safe, healthy environment. make sure center is licensed, looks clean and children are under adult supervision at all times. Staff should be able to clearly describe health/safety/emergency plans and policies • Accreditation by the Association for the Education of young children —Source: nAtionAL ASSociAtion for tHE EducAtion of young cHiLdrEn

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Emilie Parry reads to kids.

>> Signs of a great Preschool • children spend most of time playing and working with materials or other children. • children have access to lots of activities such as building blocks, props for pretend play, picture books, art materials, matching games, pegboards or puzzles. • teachers work with individual children, small groups and the whole group at different times during the day. • the classroom is decorated with children’s artwork, their writing and stories. • children learn numbers and the alphabet in context of everyday experiences that could include cooking, taking attendance, serving snacks or similar activities. • children work on projects and have long periods of time - at least one hour - to play and explore. few, if any, worksheets are used. • children have the opportunity to play outside every day. • teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day not just at group story time. • curriculum is adapted to the needs of every child. • children and their parents look forward to school. —Source: nAtionAL ASSociAtion for tHE EducAtion of young cHiLdrEn

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and Wyat, 2, recently started attending the toddler program. “If they’re given the chance to learn, they do,’’ Leila says. “Here, she’s challenged and it’s fun. She comes home learning stuff she wouldn’t have learned from us. She’s exposed to so much.” Leila said her son, who had been a “mama’s boy”, is learning to socialize with other children. A former third grade Indian Hill teacher, owner Emilie Parry bases her lessons on the latest and best practices in early childhood education so her students will be well prepared for kindergarten. She incorporates preschool curriculum set by the ohio Department of Education and standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children into her toddler, preschool and pre-kindergarten programs. “We now know a lot more about how children learn,” says Peter Pizzolongo, associate director for professional development for the Washington D.C.based National Association for the Education of Young Children. “So much of what they learn at an early age is the basis for what they’ll be learning K-12.” Peter says a good preschool program allows a child to use all of his or her

senses; lets them learn through play, questioning and exploration; and provides lots of interaction with adults. Classroom materials should allow children to use them in many ways. And, he says, teachers should have degrees in early childhood education. “The correlation between teacher competence and the quality of a program is very high,’’ Peter says. That’s one concept Emilie has embraced at Creative Tots. Three teachers—all with education or bachelors degrees—teach no more than 21 preschoolers or no more than 18 children between the ages of 18 months to 3 years in the toddler class. “We are holding ourselves accountable,” Emilie says.

BUILDING BLoCKS FoR SCHooL J.F. Burns principal Cheryl Montag says because of changes in the curriculum and higher expectations for young children, pre-school is a great start to a child’s formal education. “I recommend at least one year of preschool before kindergarten. The expectations are that once a child gets to kindergarten they’re starting to read. Letters and sounds are reinforced in kindergarten but introduced in

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Amy Safran reads Ned Said No to the kids.

preschool,” Cheryl says. “Preschool is such a building block for the children I can tell a difference between children who have gone to preschool and those who haven’t.” Many of the preschools where her children attend have prepared the students well for school - both socially and educationally, Montag said. She has developed a relationship with the coordinators who keep in close contact to make sure their programs meet the children’s needs. “They want to know they’re doing a good job. That’s very rewarding and says a lot about the program,’’ Montag said. Mason parent Meg Chisholm likes the flexibility of the Creative Tots programs along with the extras—like Spanish instruction. She looked at several preschools before settling on Creative Tots. “They expect a lot more in the schools. This is an excellent program and I want my children to be ready for kindergarten. I want them to have equivalent experiences as other children so they are ready for school.” Parent Angela Grimm of Liberty Township was amazed at how much Spanish and reading skills her daughter has picked up. “I had four years of Spanish in school and here’s my 4-year-old correcting my Spanish,” Angela says. “It’s not like when I went to school.”

>> mason, deerfield township area Pre-schools • *camp JB mac, 9500 Snider road • *chai tots, 7587 central Parke Blvd. • *childtime Learning center, 595 Western row road; 6820 tylersville road; 120 grandin road • *creative tots/Busy Bees, 6408 thornberry court • *Endeavor Learning center, 5188 cox-Smith road • *Heritage Presbyterian church, 6546 S. mason-montgomery road • *Jvv Early childhood School at cedar village, 5467 cedar village drive • *kiddie Academy, 6202 Snider road • *kids ‘r’ kids Quality Learning center, 7439 mason-montgomery road,6493 ohio 48 • *king of kings Lutheran Preschool, 3621 Socialville-foster road • *Lakeview Preschool, 8639 columbia road • *Little Leprechaun Academy, 6956 cintas Blvd. • *Pooh’s corner Preschool, 6315 mason-montgomery road • *Primrose School of mason, 5888 Snider road • *the goddard School, 754 reading road • *the goddard School of Landen, 3613 Socialville-foster road • *the Little Schoolhouse Preschool, 4934 Western row road • *the Sunshine House, 7818 mason-montgomery road • *toddler time Learning center, 8126 ohio 48 • *Weekday ministries, 5165 Western row road • *ymcA Little miami Learning center, 247 u.S. 22/ohio 3

april | may 2009

Academic aLL-staRs

YOURcommunity

kings high school

mason high school BY micHAEL d. cLArk AND SuE kiESEWEttEr phOtOgRaphY BY tony triBBLE

Ivy Charneski, SENIoR Early in her schooling Ivy Charneski knew what would be important to her as a Kings High School senior. “I knew even when I was small that I wanted to go to a good college. I realized early that you have to train yourself to be successful.” How did you achieve your academic success? I received my academic success through staying focused. I knew that I wanted to go to college, so I dedicated my time to studying and keeping up in the classroom. My parents never had to push me or remind me to study because those were things I did for myself. What has been the most exciting moment in your academic success? The most exciting moment in my academic success is applying to college because that is what the past four years have been preparing me for. After working so hard through senior year, the moment when you’re applying to colleges and deciding where you want to go next year is the most rewarding feeling. How will you pursue your studies? I will pursue my studies by continuing to work hard in college. I plan to study law or business.

eski iVy chahRn school kings hig

What is your favorite part of academics? My favorite part of academics is just learning. I especially like to learn things that you can apply to ever day life. I like how you can talk to your friends and family and show them interesting facts and they will usually have something cool in return. We all learn something new everyday.

Kashi Goyal, SENIoR At Mason High School, 18-year-old Kashi Goyal has garnered a 4.9 grade point average while taking on leadership roles. She is captain of the speech and debate team, vice president of the National Honor Society, and serves on the Student Leadership Advisory Council and Senior Sibs. How did you achieve your academic success? I have looked to my sister Shalini as my mentor and, really, my inspiration for my academic success. She has provided an amazing example to follow. What has been the most memorable academic moment? I am really most proud of qualifying for state in speech and debate, last year. It is really nice to know that the time and effort my partner and I put into our event paid off. How will you pursue your studies after high school? Next year I will leave the shelter of Mason High School for college. I don’t know where that will take me. Right now I am really tempted by a 6-year medical program. How have academics played a role in your life? In high school, it’s easy to have the mentality that grades are everything. But when I take a step back from test scores and grades I can honestly say that the courses I have taken have prepared me for a lot more. I have learned how to manage my time, and equally as important, when to just take a breath and relax.

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kashi goyaL

mason high school

Kristen Turney, SENIoR Being tuned into the world has always been important to Kings High School senior Kristen Turney. “I like government a lot and I like current affairs and politics and discussing what’s going on,” says the 18-year, who will be attending Miami University in the fall. How did you achieve your academic success? It’s just always been important to me to keep up in school. As I got older, I learned to balance my time well between weekends, homework, and school activities. For me, it’s mostly whether you view your classes positively or negative and how you choose to prioritize that makes you succeed. If you want to succeed, you do. What has been the most exciting moment in your academic success? So far, the most exciting thing academically for me was doing well on my Advance Placement chemistry test last year. It sounds corny, but I worked really hard for it. The class was really demanding and chemistry was a very challenging subject for me. How will you pursue studies? In the fall, I will be attending Miami University. I want to major in economics—I’ve been sure for a while now that I wanted to go into business, but I didn’t realize which branch of it would fit me right until this year.

kRisten tuRne kings high scho

What is your favorite part of academics? My favorite part of academics is definitely my government class. It’s my best subject, and it just feels natural to me. I’m lucky, because sometimes, what you’re best at and what you feel fits you right isn’t always the same. But with me, it is. I like how government isn’t just a study of hypothetical things or theories—it’s real-life stuff.

Michael Verleye, SENIoR Mason High School senior Michael Verleye may be one of the school’s top students with a 4.9 grade point average but he’s far from a bookworm. Michael is involved in marching and pep bands and he volunteers at the Cincinnati Art Museum. He’s also involved in the National Honor Society, Senior Sibs, Mock Trial and the Student Leadership Advisory Council. How did you achieve your academic success? I credit my parents for my academic success. As a child, my parents spent a lot of time reading with me and we liked to play little geography games too. They have always created a home atmosphere that puts academics first, which has helped me throughout all of my schooling. What has been the most memorable academic moment? I am most proud of having straight A’s throughout high school up to this point. It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication. It means a lot to me because Mason is a very challenging school with a variety of difficult classes. Because of Mason’s rigorous academic slate, I feel well prepared for college and life after school. How will you pursue your studies after high school? I hopefully will be attending the University of Notre Dame, a school I’ve been a fan of since birth. I plan on majoring in engineering. As of now, I am leaning toward chemical engineering. How have academics played a role in your life? Academics have shaped many facets of my life. I find that I am surrounded by a group of hardworking, intelligent individuals that I’m glad to call my friends. I know I’ve learned a lot from staying up late, finishing papers or lab reports. My time management skills have improved tremendously throughout high school. I know that will help me not only in college, but also during my entire life.

L VeRLeoyl e michae high scho mason

april | may 2009

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Esther Oh, SENIoR Eighteen-year-old Esther oh’s parents always hoped she would one day go into math and science. But this Mason High School senior was inspired to write after taking an after school enrichment class many years ago. How did you achieve your academic success? My parents were serious about me getting good grades when I was younger. They were always kind of hoping that I’d take up math and science, except that was pretty hopeless. But a while back, I had this superb English mentor in a writing workshop who helped me get into writing. What has been the most memorable academic moment? Pulling off an acceptance to Stanford is pretty high up. It was my first acceptance because I applied for early action. My counselor, Ms. Clark, had kind of hinted at it to me, but I didn’t get the official e-mail until a few days later. So I opened it up and then there was this long moment of shock and jumping around like a little kid.

oh estheR sc hool

mason high

How will you pursue your studies after high school? I can’t wait for graduation and then college. As far as the school goes, I want to see how the money plays out, but I’m pretty much in love with both sunny California (Stanford) and also Columbia so hopefully it’ll be one of those two. For a major, I’m thinking about foreign policy or international relations right now—although if you ask me again in college I’d probably say undecided.

Erin White, SENIoR Discipline was an early and important lesson from her parents that stuck with Kings High School senior Erin White. The 17-yearold says “my parents would always make me do my home work before I could do anything else.” How did you achieve your academic success? I think that the biggest part of my academic success could be attributed to my parents who always encouraged me to do home work and study before anything else after school. Also I think that studying a little every day helped me, most subjects don’t come extremely naturally to me. The difference is my hard work. What has been the most exciting moment in your academic success? I think that I was always pushing myself academically, for other people and because I thought it was the right thing to do. But, the most exciting thing was the first college acceptance letter I received. I finally felt like everything had paid off. How will you pursue your studies in college? I will be studying international business, French and Spanish at Loyola University of Chicago next fall. What is your favorite part of academics? I really just enjoy coming to school most days and learning new things. Being in honors classes most of the day, I have the benefit of interacting with lots of talented students. We often challenge each other in many ways during discussions and debates both in and out of the classroom. It’s really great when a friend can help you and you can help a friend.

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eRin wh

e kings high scit hool

mason & DeerfielD $$$ saVer

YOURschools YOURfreetime

Brian and lisa wolf of West Chester look on as sons Logan and Alex perfect the art of pizza cheese stretching at Dewey’s.

Tasty pies and fun times at dewey’s

phOtO bY DaViD sorcher

DEWEY’S PIZZA 7663 Cox Lane, West Chester, OH 45069 513.759.6777 or www.deweyspizza.com Andrew E. DeWitt opened the first Dewey’s Pizza in Oakley in 1998. The Cincinnati native and musician had fallen in love with pizza all over again when he got a job at a pizza delivery place to make a few extra bucks. Then he decided to open his own restaurant that combined great pies, cold drinks and good music. Now, Dewey’s has more than a dozen locations in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton, St. Louis and Cleveland, with a Columbus shop opening this year. The Dewey’s location on the border of Mason and West Chester Township has only been open since late last year, and already the place is a packed on a regular basis. My boyfriend and I joined my parents for a celebratory dinner. The second we walked through the door, my mom said, “It smells good in here!” And she was so right. My group and I had a short wait for a seat even on a Sunday, but the cool thing about Dewey’s is you can watch pizzas being made through the glass window that looks into the kitchen. I easily passed the few minutes waiting for a table by watching the pizza makers toss dough in the air and have fun with the kids whose noses were pressed to the glass. We got our table and immediately began salivating over the pizza list. Dewey’s doesn’t offer appetizers but has a choice of salads, make-your-own calzones and pizzas. We decided to get

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something more tame (a 13-inch pepperoni, $13.45) and then got adventurous with the 11-inch Southwest BBQ Chicken ($14.95), which is topped with olive oil, smoked cheddar and mozzarella, black bean corn salsa, Amish chicken, roasted red peppers and barbecue sauce. My dad really enjoyed the barbecue pizza, and the pepperoni was devoured quickly with help from my boyfriend. My mom shared in some pizza but ordered a chicken Caesar salad for her meal ($6.45 plus $1.75 for chicken). My boyfriend and I opted for side Caesar salads ($4.65) to go with our pizza. All of Dewey’s dressings are made daily at the restaurant. I had a Diet Coke ($1.85) to drink, my dad had a Bud Light ($2.59), my boyfriend tried a Mt. Carmel Copper Ale ($3.76) and my mom stuck with water. We enjoyed the fun and inviting atmosphere of Dewey’s, where it seems the servers work as a team with whoever is available to fill drinks and clear empty dishes away. It’s familyfriendly but also a lively place for friends to grab some beers and delicious pizza. The only problem arose when we had a hard time fitting all of our food and plates on the table. Dewey’s is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday. aMbER SaMblanEt

Seconds

BRAZENHEAD IRISH PUB 5650 Tylersville Road Mason, OH 45040 513.229.0809 You’ll find plenty of space for parties large or small, traditional Irish cuisine and a huge selection of imported and domestic beers, martinis, wine, Irish whiskeys and single malt scotches. Order the classic fish and crisps platter or try seafood specialties such as Aunt Patty’s Crabby Sandwich and Kilroy’s West Coast Fish Tacos. and yes, there’s more than just Guinness to wash it all down with.

TAQUERIA MAYA 7876 Mason-Montgomery Road Mason, OH 45040 513.339.1300 Pozole? Ceviche? Menudo (the food, not the band)? Not quite sure what these are ... or even how to pronounce them? Fear not, because Taqueria Maya will not only let you know just how to speak some Spanish, they will also fill you with some delightful Mexican cooking. The menu is full of items you may never have heard of, but will soon learn to love.

PITRELLI’S ITALIAN CAFE 312 Reading Road Mason, OH 45040 513.770.0122 Ah, love. Nothing is more romantic than a nice Italian dinner away from all the pressures of life, and Pitrelli’s wants to provide that setting for you. Famous for their signature dishes, this restaurant will wine and dine you in the finest manor.

For more restaurant reviews or to rate and review where you’ve eaten lately, visit www.connectmason.com or www.connectDeerfield.com.

YOURfreetime

Events calendar Looking for fun? For even more event listings, visit connectmason.com or connectDeerfield.com. April 1 Art & Craft Classes Students Making Art Club, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Fairfield Community Arts Center. After school program in pottery, painting, woodworking, edible art, youthful yoga, theater and more. Includes snacks, field trips, homework and free time. Bus service may be available. Grades K-6. $45, $40 resident. $80 deposit and registration required. 513.867.5348. 411 Wessel Drive, FAirField.

Films dinosaurs Alive!, 1 p.m. Museum Center,

Omnimax Theater. Film goes on adventure of science and discovery with dinosaurs from Triassic Period to Cretaceous Period. Call to verify times. $7.50, $6.50 ages 60 and up, $5.50 ages 3-12. 513.287.7000. 1301 Western Ave., QueenSgAte.

Happy Hours Happy Hour, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Dingle House Irish Pub. $4.50 drafts, $2.25 domestic bottles and house wines specials. 513.874.7468. 9102 West Chester Towne Center Drive, WeSt CHeSter tWp.

Happy Hour, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Miso Thai & Sushi Asian Bistro. Half price drinks, sake and Japanese drinks. 513.779.1807. 7334 Tylers Corner Place,

WeSt CHeSter tWp.

Health / Wellness Flow Yoga, 7:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m. Alliance

Healing Center. Stephanie Herrin, instructor. $36 for 6 weeks; $32 for 4 weeks. Registration required. 513.204.0091. 3484 Irwin Simpson Road,

deerField tWp.

dinosaurs unearthed, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Museum Center. Exhibit of over 20 life-sized, moving dinosaurs, full skeletons and fossils. Feathered dinosaur models bring life to new discoveries in paleontology. $15, $10 children; $10, $7 children for members. 513.287.7000. Through Sept. 7. 1301 Western Ave., QueenSgAte.

Sports

Exercise Classes Healing Yoga, 6 p.m.-7:15 p.m. Alliance Healing Center. For beginner, novice and those with range of motion limitations. With Stephanie Herrin. $8. 513.204.0091. 3484 Irwin Simpson Road,

deerField tWp.

Winter/Spring Meet, 1:10 p.m. Turfway Park. Free. 859.371.0200. 7500 Turfway Road, FlorenCe.

April 2 Art Exhibits Awakening: path to Spirituality, noon-6 p.m. Gallery 42 Fine Art. More than 20 paintings

our town

April 4 Health / Wellness Kids guided imagery Meditation, noon-2 p.m. Alliance Healing Center. Ages 5 and up. With Brecka Burton-Platt. $10. Registration requested. 513.204.0091. 3484 Irwin Simpson Road, deerField tWp.

Student Theater

April 3 Education

Charlotte’s Web, 2 p.m. Taft Theatre. $7-$20. 513.562.4949. Presented by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. 317 E. Fifth St., doWntoWn.

lunch & learn, noon-1 p.m. Mars Hill Academy. Hear from experts on topics relative to classical and Christian education. Bring lunch, friends welcome. Free. 513.770.3223. 4230 Aero Drive, deerField tWp.

April 5 Music

Meditation Class, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Alliance

Cincinnati pops orchestra, 3 p.m. Music Hall. Doc Severinsen & Friends guest. Steven Reineke, conductor. $25-$69. 513.381.3300. Presented by Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. 1241 Elm St.,

Food & Drink

April 6 Book Clubs

Exercise Classes Healing Center. With Mike Perry. $15. Registration Requested. 513.204.0091. 3484 Irwin Simpson Road, deerField tWp.

lenten Fish Fry, 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. St. Maximil-

ian Kolbe Church. Includes cod, shrimp, salmon or seafood combo dinners. Clam chowder. Carryout available. Bring a non-perishable item for Reach Out Lakota for free soft drink. $3-$8; Kid’s Meal $3. 513.777.4322. 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road,

libertY tWp.

Fish Fry, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. St. Margaret of

York. Includes fish, shrimp, salmon, pizza, sides, drinks and dessert. Carryout available. Benefits youth group’s mission trip. $5-$10. 513.683.7100. 9483 Columbia Road, deerField tWp.

St. Columban Fish Fry, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. St.

Columban Church. Salmon, fried cod, shrimp, cheese pizza, sandwiches and dinners, sides and beverages. Drive-through and walk-in carryout available. Stations of the Cross offered from 7:308:30 p.m. $2-$9. 513.683.0105. 894 Oakland Road,

lovelAnd.

Cincinnati Cyclones Hockey, 7:30 p.m. U.S. Bank Arena. Professional minor league ice hockey. Johnstown Chiefs. $22.50 VIP, $10. 513.562.4949. Presented by Cincinnati Cyclones. 100 Broadway, doWntoWn.

by Chuck Marshall. 513.234.7874. Through April 4. 105 E. Main St., MASon.

St. peter Men’s Club Fish Fry, 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. St. Peter Church - New Richmond. Fried and baked fish and sides. Dessert and drink included. Carryout available. Benefits parish projects. $6.75 adult, $3.25 children under 12. 513.553.3267. 1192 Bethel-New Richmond Road, neW riCHMond.

Happy Hours West Chester’s biggest office party, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Jag’s Steak and Seafood. Buffet, halfprice appetizers, entertainment and drink specials. Buffet from 5-7 p.m. Weekly drawings for gift certificates to local businesses. $5 buffet. 513.860.5353. 5980 West Chester Road, WeSt CHeSter tWp.

over-tHe-rHine.

A Course in Miracles, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Alliance Healing Center. Study group for “A Course in Miracles” by Foundation for Inner Peace. With Ken Obermeyer. Free, donations accepted. Registration recommended. 513.204.0091. 3484 Irwin Simpson Road, deerField tWp.

April 11 Sports Cincinnati rollergirls, 7:30 p.m. Cincin-

nati Gardens. Women’s roller derby. $15, $7.50 ages 12 and under; $10, $5 ages 12 and under advance. 513.351.3999. Presented by Cincinnati Rollergirls. 2250 Seymour Ave., roSelAWn.

intimidation Cage Fighting, 8 p.m. U.S. Bank Arena. Professional mixed martial arts with local amateurs. ICF: Breakout. $78, $53, $38. 513.562.4949. 100 Broadway, doWntoWn.

April 12 Bookstores Scrapbooking, 1 p.m. Agora Bookstore. 513.898.0804. 108 W. Main St, MASon.

April 14

Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions information Session, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Mercy

HealthPlex Fairfield. Information session about medical and surgical weight loss options. Coverage, procedures, cost, fitness and more discussed.

YOURfreetime

FrYing up SoMetHing good There’s no problem getting your fill of fried fish at this time of the year. The calendar is full of fish fries at churches, schools, fire departments and more. Find the one nearest you and dig in!

Free. 513.603.1441. Presented by Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions. 3050 Mack Road, FAirField.

April 16 Mom’s Clubs MoMS Club of landen/Mainville business Meeting, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Deer-

field United Methodist Church. New members welcome. 513.469.1922. Presented by MOMS Club of Landen/Mainville. 2757 W. U.S. Route 22 and 3, deerField tWp.

Theater Shock and Awe, 8 p.m. NKU Corbett Audi-

torium. Members of U.S. Army share personal experiences while abroad fighting War in Iraq. Based upon interviews with U.S. veterans. Part of Y.E.S. Festival of new plays. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 859.572.5464. Through April 25. Presented by Northern Kentucky University Theatre and Dance. Nunn Drive, HigHlAnd HeigHtS.

April 17 Education Mad Anthony Writers Conference, 10

a.m.-4 p.m. Miami University Hamilton. Thirty workshops for writers of all genres. Police Academy. $125, $99 March 31st or before. Registration required, available online. 513.856.9800. Presented by Mad Anthony Writers Conference. 1601 University Blvd., HAMilton.

April 18 Garden Shows Cincinnati Flower Show, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Symmes Park. Horticultural event showcasing

gardening displays, plant markets and more. Cincinnati Fine Food Show. Local and national vendors. Advanced tickets sales only, available online. $20, $14 advance. Reservations required, available online. 513.872.9555. Presented by Cincinnati Horticultural Society. 11600 Lebanon Road, SYMMeS tWp.

Special Events butterfly Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Krohn Conservatory. Featuring international butterflies, flowers, culture and art of India. $6, $5 seniors, $4 ages 4-17, free ages 3 and under. 513.421.5707. Through June 21. 1501 Eden Park Drive, eden pArK.

April 19 Music

tion required. 513.682.1218. 3050 Mack Road, FAirField.

April 23 Theater A little night Music, 8 p.m. New Stage

Collective. Stephen Sondheim musical. $20, $16 seniors, $12 students. 513.621.3700. Through May 17. 1140 Main St., over-tHe-rHine.

April 24 Benefits Spring Fling, 8 p.m.-midnight Museum Cen-

Frankie valli and the Four Seasons,

ter, Union Terminal. Holly Morgan of Q102, emcee. Includes food, drinks, and parking. Entertainment by DJ KaeJae and Naked Karate Girls. Benefits Cincinnati Horticultural Society’s Project Grow. $50. Online reservation required. 513.200.9830. Presented by Cincinnati Horticultural Society. 1301 Western Ave., QueenSgAte.

April 21 Theater

April 26

7:30 p.m. Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall. $80, $70, $60, $50. 513.621.2787. Presented by Star Productions. 650 Walnut St., doWntoWn.

Avenue Q, 8 p.m. Aronoff Center, Procter &

Art Openings

Gamble Hall. Musical comedy with puppets. Addresses some adult issues and may not be appropriate for children. $20-$60. 800.982.2787. Through May 3. Presented by Broadway Across America. 650 Walnut St., doWntoWn.

greater Hamilton Art exhibit, 2 p.m.-4

April 22 Recreation

April 27 Music

pretty, pretty princess party, 6:30 p.m.-

7:30 p.m. Mercy HealthPlex Fairfield. Pampering, manicures, pedicures, crafts and treats. Dress-up is optional. Ages 4-12. $10, $8 members. Registra-

p.m. Fitton Center for Creative Arts. Juried exhibition in various media by local artists. Exhibit continues through June 15. Free. 513.863.8873. 101 S. Monument Ave., HAMilton.

Silverstein, 7 p.m. Bogart’s. With Norma Jean, Bless The Fall and Before Their Eyes. $20, $18 advance. 877-598-8703. 2621 Vine St., CorrYville.

april | may 2009

YOURfreetime

Avenue Q This isn’t the Muppets you remember from your childhood. Avenue Q is a hilarious look at some of life’s basic - and not so basic - issues. Warning: this one’s definitely just for the parents!

Support Groups grieving for a parent, Sibling, Friend topic night, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. St. Maximilian Kolbe Church. Night set aside for those who have suffered the death of a loved one. Free. 513.870.9108. Presented by Companions on Journey Grief Support. 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road, libertY tWp.

April 28 Music Music Cafe, 7 p.m. Fitton Center for Creative

Arts. Five local and traveling musicians of all abilities and ages perform approximately 25 minutes each. Refreshments provided. Free. 513.863.8873. 101 S. Monument Ave., HAMilton.

April 29 Theater donít Make Me pull this Show over: dispatches From the Frontlines of parenting, 7:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Cin-

cinnati. New musical that takes us on the winding road of parenting. $29-$38, $26-$32 students and seniors, $16 ages 12. 513.421.3555. Through June 30. 1127 Vine St., over-tHe-rHine.

Recreation boys night, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Mercy Health-

Plex Fairfield. For boys only. Games, male bonding, crafts and snack. Ages 4-12. $10, $8 member. Registration required. 513.682.1218. 3050 Mack Road, FAirField.

April 30

our town

Civic Warren County virtual Community School board Meeting, 4 p.m. War-

ren County Educational Service Center. Regular business meeting. 513.695.2900. 320 E. Silver St.,

lebAnon.

Music reverend Horton Heat, 7:30 p.m. Bogart’s. $20, $5 advance. 877-598-8703. 2621 Vine St.,

CorrYville.

Theater Something’s Afoot, 8 p.m. Parrish Audi-

torium. Murder mystery. $15; discount available for seniors, students and groups. 513.737.7529. Through May 3. Presented by Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre. 1601 University Blvd., HAMilton.

MAy 1 Music the devil Wears prada, 7 p.m. Bogart’s.

$17.50, $14.50 advance. 877-598-8703. 2621 Vine St., CorrYville.

MAy 2 Music lisa biales, 8 p.m. Fitton Center for Creative

Arts. Mixture of folk and blues. Tickets include post performance wine and beer reception. $17, $15 members. Reservations recommended. 513.863.8873. 101 S. Monument Ave., HAMilton.

Dance Yu Wei: Chinese dance Collection, 8 p.m. Fairfield Community Arts Center. Presented by One Stage Series. Dance with cinematic vignettes

when 8 p.m. April 21 where Aronoff Center tickets 513.982.2787

depicting stories of dance. $15, $12 seniors and students. 513.867.5348. 411 Wessel Drive, FAirField.

Schools pre-primary Art Show, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Children’s Meeting House Montessori School. View art made by children age 3-6 including water colors, collage, drawings, mosaics, self portraits, and pottery. Refreshments served. Free. 513.683.4757. 927 O’Bannonville Road, lovelAnd.

MAy 4 Benefits it’s not How You play, it’s Who You play For St. rita golf outing, 7 a.m.-6:30

p.m. Crooked Tree Golf Course. Play 108 holes of golf, choosing best ball out of three at each hole. Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, personal caddy, and special gift. Benefits St. Rita School for the Deaf. $1000 in pledges. Registration required. 513.771.7600. Presented by St. Rita School for the Deaf. 5171 Sentinel Oak Drive, MASon.

MAy 5 Support Groups Survivors After Suicide, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. St.

Maximilian Kolbe Church. For those who have suffered death of a loved one, friend or close associate by suicide. All welcome. Free. 513.870.9108. Presented by Companions on Journey Grief Support. 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road, libertY tWp.

MAy 8 Theater Arms and the Man, 7:30 p.m. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. In late 19th century

Bulgaria, Raina finds herself torn between the boisterous man of her dreams and the sensitive hero from behind enemy lines. $26, $22 seniors, $20 students. 513.381.2273. ext.1. Through May 31. 719 Race St., doWntoWn.

MAy 9 Music gwar, 8 p.m. Bogartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. With Priestess and Cattle Decapitation. $23, $20 advance. 877-598-8703. 2621 Vine St., CorrYville.

MAy 12 Music Kings of leon, 7:30 p.m. PNC Pavilion at Riverbend. With The Walkmen. $46. 513.562.4949. 6295 Kellogg Ave., AnderSon tWp.

MAy 13 Lectures great ohio road trips, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Fitton Center for Creative Arts. Carruthers Signature Ballroom. For Ohioans who like to hit the open road. Includes buffet lunch and entertainment by Treva Boardman. $17, $15 members. Reservations recommended. 513.863.8873. ext. 110. 101 S. Monument Ave., HAMilton.

Support Groups new beginnings Widowed group, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Huff Realty West Chester. For those who have been widowed more than or less than 1 year. Free. 513.870.9108. Presented by Companions on Journey Grief Support. 6192 Mulhauser Road, libertY tWp.

MAy 14 Theater Hal Holbrook in Mark twain tonight,

8 p.m. Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall. Tony Award-winning one-man show. $45, $35, $25. 513.621.2787. 650 Walnut St., doWntoWn.

MAy 15 Dance riverdance, 8 p.m. Aronoff Center, Procter &

Gamble Hall. Irish dance. Farewell tour. All ages. $25-$60. 800.982.2787. Through May 17. Presented by Broadway Across America. 650 Walnut St., doWntoWn.

MAy 16 Music Chuck brisbin & the tuna project, 9:30 p.m. Turner Gillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar and Grill. 513.863.3383. 2556 Millville-Oxford Road, HAMilton.

Theater Moon over buffalo, 8 p.m. Fairfield Com-

munity Arts Center. Presented by Fairfield Footlighters. $12, $10 seniors and students. 513.867.5348. Through May 31. 411 Wessel Drive, FAirField.

MAy 24 Music the rusty griswolds, 10 p.m. Jefferson Hall. 859.491.6200. Newport on the Levee, neWport.

MAy 26 Civic land use planning Committee, 4:30

p.m.-5:30 p.m. Community Development Department. 513.777.4214. 9577 Beckett Rd., Suite 100,

WeSt CHeSter tWp.

Theater A Chorus line, 8 p.m. Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall. Musical. In an empty theatre, casting for new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. Ages 13 and up. $20-$60. 800.982.2787. Through June 7. Presented by Broadway Across America. 650 Walnut St., doWntoWn.

MAy 27 Theater Meshuggah-nuns: the ecumenical nunsense, 8 p.m. Fitton Center for Creative

Arts Benninghofen Theatre. The Sisters are on an all-expense paid cruise where the entertainers get seasick. $17, $15 members; $10 Wednesday. Reservations recommended. 513.863.8873. Through May 31. 101 S. Monument Ave., HAMilton.

YOURfreetime

Meet the Kralls Life is full in this empty nest

our town

YOURschools YOURhome Meet the Kralls: The Krall family takes a minute to pose for a shot.

bY Jill i. solimini | phOtOgRaphY bY Deogracias lerma

mpty nesters Bonnie and Bob Krall couldn’t be happier. When they moved to Mason 18 months ago to be closer to family, they traded in country club cuisine for happy meals with the grandkids, and their nest is rarely empty now. “It’s like living with extended family,” Bonnie says about her daughters, son-inlaws and three grandchildren. “We spend tons of time together, we just live in three different houses.” Longtime residents of Medina, Bonnie and Bob embarked on a path that led them to a four-year stint in Birmingham, Alabama eight years ago. “Life was good there. We had a beautiful house with a pool and a country club membership,” says Bob. “But on a Friday night we’d be floating around the pool alone. Life is so much fuller now.” During their time in Birmingham, the couple never went more than two months without seeing their grandchildren.

“We saw them all the time, but I didn’t like being known as ‘Gramma Alabama,’” says Bonnie. “We wanted our grandkids to grow up really knowing us and being comfortable with us.” So, when an opportunity to move to Columbus four years ago came up, it was an easy decision. Two years later, when Time Warner offered Bob a position as fleet manager in Mason, that decision was even easier. Their oldest daughter, Kim, resides in Loveland with her husband, Mason High School Principal Dr. Dave Allen, and two children, Emmi and Ty. Middle daughter, Kelly, is a Mason Intermediate School sixth grade teacher and girls varsity track coach. She, her husband, Mason High School guidance counselor and assistant varsity football coach Tony Affatato and daughter, Gabby, live in Mason. These days, Bonnie and Bob are thrilled to be out and about in Mason and

april | may 2009

YOURhome be recognized as Emmi and Ty’s Grammy and Pappy or Gabby’s Grammy. “We take them to our neighborhood pool, and we even have our own passes to King’s Island so we can meet them there,” says Bonnie. “We have to have a kid calendar to keep up with their schedules—they spend so much time with us,” she adds. The house is certainly outfitted for the grandkids. “We don’t have a pantry—we have a ‘snack cupboard’ and enough bikes for everyone,” jokes Bob. The spare bedroom serves as the dormitory for sleepovers and will soon sport a crib. Their youngest daughter, Kerry, and her husband, Matt, are expecting their first child in March. “They live in Detroit, so it will be hard. But we plan on seeing our new grandson at least every six weeks,” says Bonnie. The couple will have to get those visits on the calendar, because in addition to being phenomenal grandparents, they lead really busy lives. Bob’s 95-year-old mother, Caroline, is also a frequent visitor to their home. She travels down from Toledo every couple of months and stays for a week or so. “It is great for the grandkids to interact with GG—short for great-grandmother—and it’s great for her, too,” says Bob. In her spare time, Bonnie works as a receptionist for Martinez and Martinez Family Dental and is active in a book club. “I love sewing, too,” she says, “But it’s the kids that really fill my life.” In addition to his full time position with Time Warner, Bob, who has had his pilot’s license since 1971, flies with the Civil Air Patrol and belongs to a flying club. “The Civil Air Patrol serves two roles,” says Bob. “Its primary function is to provide search and rescue missions in the event a plane goes down. But we also take kids from ROTC programs up to see if they have an interest in flying.” There are not enough hours in a day for Bob. He is not one to sit for long and always has a project underway. Whether it be putting the finishing touches on an addition to the screened-in back porch or redoing their guest bath from the tile on up, Bob always has a tool in hand. Even a frigid, winter day finds him hard at work in the backyard on his latest endeavor—a compost pile. “It’s all good,” he says, “Hard work keeps you young.” “We have to stay young,” says Bonnie. “We are so proud that our kids want us in their lives, and we want to be able to do things with them for a long time.” “The kids want us here,” says Bob, “and we want to be here. I finally feel like we are home.”

our town

YOURhome

april | may 2009

YOURfreetime

our town

YOURhome

Saving

green with

gardening bY chaU ngUYen

espite the current state of the economy, residents are finding ways to bring color into their yard without losing too much green. According to Beth Maddux-Coolie, retail general manager at the Liberty Township location of the Delhi Flower and Garden Center, research and planning are the first steps to successful budget gardening. “Do some research about the types of plants you like,” Beth says. “Know what kind of sun requirements you have, where you’re planting, if there’s any water issue in the area. You really have to know your area so you can make the right decision on which plants to get.” When Beth was growing up, her parents planted everywhere across the front of their house. “I don’t have the time or the money for that, so I put things in containers,” she says. “You can still have the color you want without spending hundreds of dollars planting every single inch of landscape.” Likewise, a hanging basket can add a burst of color to a patio or porch without costing a fortune, she says. Beth suggests starting plants and vegetables from seed, growing them inside during the colder months before moving them into the garden in April. “You can start off seeds in two-liter bottles or egg cartons,” she says. “You can do inside gardens, too, especially herb gardens which you can do on your window sill.” Although gardening from seeds may take more work and patience, Beth says a pack of seeds can last a few years if they’re stored and cared for properly. “A pack of tomato seeds is the same price as one or two tomatoes at a store,” Beth says. “You’re looking at a plant that will yield you tomatoes all summer long.” It’s more popular to start annuals— plants that need to be planted yearly—

april | may 2009

YOURhome

You can utilize things around the house to plant in, like an old wheelbarrow (above). Just make sure you’re not going to need it for a while. Or, in the case of perennials, ever again.

from seed compared to perennials—plants wheel barrels—can be used as planting that come back every year, Natorp’s store containers instead of buying new pots. manager Sherree Wilson says. Beth also recommends composting as a “Most people who do seeds go with good way to save. annuals because most perennials don’t “You can either spend a little bit more bloom for the first year typically from seed,” up front to buy a composting bin or you Sherree says. can use chicken wire and a cage,” she says. Even so, perennials are a good “Doing that, you’re turning all the stuff that investment, Beth says. you’re throwing into your garbage into “You’re going to spend a little bit more fertilizer for your plants. Coffee grounds, on the perennials, but they can still give banana peels are great for your soil.” you as much color and satisfaction as According to Beth, more people are your annuals will,” she says. “Friends or looking for easy-to-care-for plants. neighbors may have perennials that can be “It’s a good idea for the customer to divided and you can look on the web for know how much time they have to devote groups that do perennial or seed swaps.” to their garden because some take a lot Gardening on a budget is about using of time between watering, fertilizing, your imagination and utilizing every spraying,” she says. “You have to be really day things, Beth says. Things around honest about how much time you’re the house—such as wagons, old boots or willing to make for [your garden] because

our town

it can be like another job.” For those who don’t have a lot of time, Natorp’s Inc. nursery supervisor Alan Cohen recommends knockout roses—a flowering shrub—which come in a variety of colors. “They’re re-blooming, easy to trim, a pretty solid plant,” Alan says. The Rozanne geranium—perennial of the year in 2008—is still popular, as well as the Walkers Low Catmint, hydrangeas, wave petunias and ornamental grass, Sherree says. According to Tom Fryman, a Natorp’s landscape architect, a slower economy means advantages for the consumer. “There’s more plants and more selections,” he says. “There are larger plants to buy and of course, we become more aggressive in our pricing.”

Likewise, Alan suggests joining customer reward programs and looking for sales early in the planting season. Despite the economy, Natorp’s staff has an optimistic outlook for the spring business season. Garden stores and nurseries typically don’t get hit as hard during recession, Alan says. “We may have lower sales and lower inventory, but we can still pull out a good year for ourselves,” he says. And Sherree says a nice garden can be a get-away at home for people who cannot afford a vacation this year. It’s a “feel good business,” she says. “When your yard, your porch, your deck looks good, you feel good. If you can’t afford to take a vacation, you’re stuck there, so people still want their landscape to look good.”

finalthoUghts

Crank It Up

Am I are curmudgeon, or did things actually used to be better? bY richarD stewart

vidence suggests that I have begun, somewhat prematurely, the descent into curmudgeonhood. There need be no more definitive proof of this than the inescapable reality that things annoy me almost every day of my life. I do not refer here to things which correctly anger people of any age such as cruelty to children and animals or the slow, ceaseless torture of being a Bengals fan. No, I mean broader, state-of-humanity kind of things: thoughts and sentences that begin with the phrase “When I was a kid …” Inevitably, these mental comparisons and occasional out-loud utterances are unflattering to the more recent version of anything and commonly conclude that something or someone or society collectively used to be better—more intelligent or more respectable or more qualified or just more fun (in ways that did not involve the threat of communicable diseases). I am awash of late in something of a pervasive, low-fat version of melancholia, believing as I do that mankind in general is advancing heedlessly toward some proverbial cliff. I did not have a computer until I was in my late 20s. My children find this both amusing and incomprehensible. I fondly recollect that there was once a life without e-mail, cell phones, Bluetooth anything, or digital HD television. Eating dinner with your family was neither an occasion nor an optional activity; you ate dinner with your family because it was time to eat and because you were hungry. There was once a dividing line between being at work and being home. Weekends often arrived without specific plans. People knew how to read road maps and how to write thank you notes. You are certainly free to disagree but I contend that life was fuller and more meaningful when we actually interacted with one another in a face-to-face, full and grammatically correct, complete sentence sort of way. Given the current economic conditions, one can quite plausibly assert that “times are hard,” because, for too many, this is factually accurate. But, the basis of my lament here is not economic. Rather, it is behavioral. Look at photographs of breadlines during the Great Depression—most every man in the queue is wearing a suit and a hat. Even in the darkest of hours, they comported themselves with a certain level of dignity and self-respect. Lack of economic advantage does not

our town

excuse or necessitate a lack of manners. By comparison, last December a man was trampled to death at a Wal-Mart in New York by a mob entirely too eager to get their hands on poorly made, ridiculously cheap junk. It seems like proper regard for basic decency and civility has very nearly disappeared from our country. Just try to have a conversation that includes even a modicum of genuine human interaction or eye contact with anyone who carries a Crackberry. Apparently, the word “shame” no longer exists in our societal dictionary. I submit that irrefutable evidence of this may be obtained simply by observing the astoundingly shameless behavior routinely on display on YouTube. Decency is defined as “conformity to prevailing standards of propriety and modesty.” Therein lies the root of our pervasive descent into behavioral decay—there really aren’t any such prevailing standards anymore. Don’t believe me? Check out the quantity of uninhibited, spandex encapsulated people on parade at nearly any retail location. Too many, it seems, confuse the constitutionally protected freedom of personal expression with utter disregard for humility or self respect. Pride should be earned, I think, and bestowed by the esteem of others for your good works and kind gestures rather than simply adopted as an attitude for a lifestyle. Perhaps it is only distorted warmth of recollection on my part that suggests that we are capable of being better. Maybe, as I suggested at the outset, I am simply slipping on the mantle of the curmudgeon. But, I would be lying if I said I believed that. In 1922, Emily Post published a book entitled Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home. I suggest that it may be time for a reprint.

Some folks report that Richard Stewart is actually a fairly pleasant guy with a decent sense of humor. He may just be in a bad mood because his granddaughter recently moved out of town. He can be reached at stewart. richard @ yahoo.com.

funformason mason City of Mason

April/ May 2009

Outdoor Adventures Await LOOK INSIDE FOR: Summer Camps Tennis in the Parks Outdoor Swim Team And LOTS More!

Priority Registration Begins March 28 See back cover for Registration Information

Programs and events from the

Table of

contents 3

Special Events

Youth Enrichment

Ballet/Dance

Camps

Tennis in the Parks

Teens & Tweens

Enrichment

Nature Programs Special Events Arts & Crafts Tumbling/Gymnastics Sports Wellness

Special Interest Arts & Crafts Computer Classes Sports

Fitness/Wellness Special Interest Exercise Wellness

Aquatics

Bursting at the Seams! Here at the Mason Community Center, we’ve been working hard to bring you a variety of programs and events. We have so many we can’t fit them all! For more program times and descriptions, including some special events in our Live Well in Mason series with Group Health Associates and Bethesda, visit us online at www.imaginemason.org!

The programs and events in Funformason are brought to you by the City of Mason, which operates the Mason Community Center. Mason Community Center 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road Mason, Ohio 45040 p 513-229-8555 f 513-229-8556

City of Mason 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road Mason, Ohio 45040 p 513-229-8500

Weather Hotline: 513-229-8502, option 5 Call hotline for weather updates, cancellations, and field rainouts (option 6). Programs presented by the City of Mason are open to all, including those who live outside of Mason or those who do not have a community center pass. Programs fees are set by pass holder status and residency and are listed at VIP/MR or CR/NR. You are eligible for the VIP rate if you have a current VIP membership to the Mason Community Center. You are eligible for the Mason resident (MR) fee if you reside within the boundaries of the City of Mason. You are a community resident (CR) if you reside within the Mason City School District. All Mason residents are also community residents. Please note that your ZIP code is not an indicator of your residency status. Many households with the 45040 ZIP code are not in the City of Mason. Proof of residency will be required if not on file.

This symbol designates a program where volunteers are needed. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out a volunteer application form located on our web site at www.imaginemason.org.

This symbol designates a Young Rembrandts™ program. Young Rembrandts™ encourages creativity, technique, and joy of the artistic process by offering a unique, step-by-step method that successfully teaches children how to draw. This symbol designates a Live Well in Mason program provided through a partnership between the City of Mason, Group Health Associates, and Bethesda. It includes Wellness Wednesday on the first Wednesday of every month and other programs as designated.

Special Events

NATURE PROGRAMS

Earth Day Celebration 2009

Great Outdoors Month

Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with your family, friends, pets, and neighbors at our free non-competitive walk and expo. The expo features earth-friendly vendors, interactive nature programs, organic gardening tips, live music, and tasty food. One FREE event T-shirt will be given to each of the first 100 registered Earth Walk participants. The Mason Tree Committee will give free tree seedlings to the first 200 walkers who complete the Earth Walk.

Celebrate National Great Outdoors Month with the City of Mason and local nature professionals. Events will be held throughout the month of June. Visit www.imaginemason.org for a complete event schedule. Group pricing is available. Contact the Mason Community Center at 513-229-8555 for details.

Pine Hill Lakes Park - NEW 2009 LOCATION!

Day Sa

Date 4/25

Time 10:00A-2:00P

Age All

Deadline 4/18

Fee Free

Activity 213813-03

Pine Hill Lakes Park

Enjoy the thrill of the catch at the annual Family Fishing Derby! Prizes will be awarded within several age groups for the “biggest catch” (most weight), the “longest fish”, and the “most fish caught.” You must be present to win. All participants 10 years and older must have a current 2009 City of Mason fishing pass. Passes will be sold at the lake on the day of the event. Date 5/16

Time 7:00A-noon

Age All

Moonlight Fishing Pine Hill Lakes Park

Enjoy fishing at the park after dark! Fishing will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and will continue until 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. All participants 10 years and older must have a current 2009 City of Mason Fishing Pass. Passes will be sold at the lake on the day of the event. Day F-Sa

Date 6/5-6/6

Time 6:00P-7:30A

Age All

Family Fun and Fitness Nights

Kids in Nature

presented by the Wild Bird Center of Mason

Pine Hill Lodge What does it mean to be a caretaker of the Earth? Learn the importance of recycling and conservation, and gain a better understanding of your impact on our friends in the forests and streams. Day Date Tu 4/21

Time 4:45-6:00P

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 6-12 4/14 $9 /$10 /$15*

Activity 313122-01

Conservation Good Turn Plant native perennials and shrubs in a butterfly garden on the grounds of Pine Hill Lodge while learning which native plants create the best habitats for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other plant pollinators. Discuss soil, water, and light conditions to determine which plants grow best in different areas. Day Date Th 4/23

Time 4:45-6:00P

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 6-12 4/16 $9 /$10 /$15*

Activity 313122-02

Environmental Science Reduce pollution and conserve resources in your home, school, and community. In this exciting interactive program, you’ll explore ten simple changes you can make in your daily life to promote a greener planet. Day Date Tu 5/12

Time 4:45-6:00P

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 6-12 5/5 $9 /$10 /$15*

Activity 313122-03

Outdoor Adventurer

Special Needs Program

Mason Community Center Family Fun and Fitness Night includes activities for youth who have cognitive, sensory, and motor planning delays. The entire family is encouraged to participate in recreational activities to promote healthy lifestyles. The cost is for a family of four, and at least one parent or guardian must participate. For more information, contact the Mason Community Center at 513-2298555. Day Date Time Age Fee(VIP/CR/NR) F 4/24 6-8P 6 & up $26 /$30 /$45* F 5/15 6-8P 6 & up $26 /$30 /$45* F 6/12 6-8P 6 & up $26 /$30 /$45* *Cost is for a family of up to 4 participants

Pine Hill Lakes Park

The Earth is Our Home

Family Fishing Derby

Day Sa

Join our volunteer naturalist and discover how our feathered and furry friends protect themselves from the elements in this fun and informative nature hike through Pine Hill Lakes Park. Day Date Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) Activity Th 5/14 4:45-6:00P 6-12 5/7 $9 /$10 /$15* 313122-04 *Pricing is per family. Group pricing rates are available by calling 513-229-8555.

Activity 211201-02 211201-03 211201-04

To register, see page 16.

Youth Enrichment

Pre-Teen Drawing/Cartooning

SPECIAL EVENTS

This is the best of both worlds for students who want a challenge. More complex concepts are stressed in this Young Rembrandts™ class, such as shading and highlighting, perspective, and color theory. All supplies are included. Each session will introduce new subject matter.

Arts & Crafts 1

ZUMBA Kids Bunny Hop Activity Room

Boys and girls are invited to a ZUMBA kids party with moving and shaking, twisting and hopping, hula-hooping and running! Your kids will get active with fun Latin music and easy-to-follow moves to help build strong muscles and bones, boost energy, maintain a healthy weight, and create positive self-esteem. Day Date Sa 4/11

Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 12:15-1:15P 5-13 4/4 $0 /$2 /$6 269115-01

Arts & Crafts 1

Young Rembrandts™ instructors provide a positive, nurturing environment for your child. Each week, your child will draw something along with the instructor, from fish to teddy bears; rainbows to cowboys. Classes will concentrate on drawing and coloring, but will also work on developing fine motor skills, focus, listening, staying on task, spatial organization, and patience. All supplies are included. Each week will consist of all new lessons. Time 6:00-6:45P 6:00-6:45P 6:00-6:45P 6:00-6:45P

Age 4-6 4-6 4-6 4-6

Deadline 4/14 4/15 6/2 6/3

Fee (VIP/CR/NR) $68 /$80 /$95 $68 /$80 /$95 $60 /$70 /$80 $60 /$70 /$80

Activity 231200-03 231200-04 331200-01 331200-02

Elementary Drawing Arts & Crafts 1

The innovative, step-by-step drawing method of Young Rembrandts™ can help any child learn how to draw, regardless of artistic ability. Children will learn to express their creativity with skills that will last a lifetime. All materials are provided. New subject matter is introduced every week, ranging from animals and landscapes to still lifes and art history. Day Date Time W 4/22-5/27 4:45-5:45P W 6/10-7/8 4:45-5:45P

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) 6-12 4/15 $68 /$80 /$95 6-12 6/3 $60 /$70 /$80

Activity 231202-02 331202-01

Cartooning Arts & Crafts 1

Learning to draw can be lots of fun, especially if your child is creating silly characters and funny expressions, and drawing sequences that tell jokes. This delightful program combines Young Rembrandts’™ innovative step-by-step drawing method with light-hearted subject matter that engages children, their sense of humor, and their vivid imaginations. All supplies are included. Each session will introduce a new lesson. Day Date Time M 4/20-6/1 6:00-7:00P M 6/8-7/6 6:00-7:00P *No Class 5/25

Activity 231203-02 331207-01

TUMBLING & GYMNASTICS Gymnasium B

Pre-School Drawing

Date 4/21-5/26 4/22-5/27 6/9-7/7 6/10-7/8

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) 8-13 4/14 $68 /$80 /$95 8-13 6/2 $60 /$70 /$80

Kinder Tumble

ARTS & CRAFTS

Day Tu W Tu W

Day Date Time Tu 4/21-5/26 7:00-8:00P Tu 6/9-7/7 7:00-8:00P

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 7-13 4/13 $68 /$80 /$95 231201-02* 7-13 6/1 $60 /$70 /$80 331201-01

VIP: Community Center VIP Pass Holder

MR: Mason Resident

Your toddler will develop balance and coordination as he or she learns how to walk or crawl across beams, roll down wedges, hang from bars, and slide down mats. This is all with the help of instructors and a parent or chaperone. Day Date Time Age Th 5/7-6/25 10:00-10:30A 1-2

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/30 $73 /$85 /$110 232300-02

Tumbling for Tots Gymnasium B

During this class, your toddler will begin with fun stretching activities and focus on developmental movement, coordination, balance, strength, and peer interaction. Parents or guardians will be active participants in this class. Day Date M 5/4-6/29 W 5/6-6/24 Th 5/7-6/25 Sa 5/9-6/27 *No Class 5/25

Time 10:00-10:30A 10:15-10:45A 10:30-11:00A 10:00-10:30A

Age 18mo-3yr 18mo-3yr 18mo-3yr 18mo-3yr

Deadline 4/27 4/29 4/30 5/2

Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $73 /$85 /$110 232301-06* $73 /$85 /$110 232301-07 $73 /$85 /$110 232301-08 $73 /$85 /$110 232301-09

Tumbling for Toddlers Gymnasium B

Your child will begin to develop flexibility and tumbling skills. Class will focus on somersaults, bridges, balancing in headstands, cartwheels, arm strengthening, and coordination skills such as skipping, hopping, and jumping. Day Date M 5/4-6/29 W 5/6-6/24 W 5/6-6/24 W 5/6-6/24 Th 5/7-6/25 Th 5/7-6/25 F 5/8-6/26 F 5/8-6/26 Sa 5/9-6/27 Sa 5/9-6/27 *No Class 5/25

CR: Community Resident

Time Age 10:30-11:15A 3-5 10:45-11:30A 3-5 11:30A-12:15P 3-5 4:15-5:00P 3-5 11:00-11:45A 3-5 5:15-6:00P 3-5 10:00-10:45A 3-5 10:45-11:30A 3-5 10:30-11:15A 3-5 11:15A-noon 3-5

NR: Non-Resident

Deadline 4/27 4/29 4/29 4/29 4/30 4/30 5/1 5/1 5/2 5/2

Fee (VIP/CR/NR) $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110 $73 /$85 /$110

Activity 232302-10* 232302-11 232302-12 232302-13 232302-14 232302-15 232302-16 232302-17 232302-18 232302-19

Tumbling

Gymnastics Birthday Parties

Gymnasium B

Level 1

Cartwheels, running cartwheels, round-offs, handstands, strength, balance, coordination, and other basic skills will be introduced. Day Date W 5/6-6/24

Time 5:00-6:00P

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) 5 & up 4/29 $77 /$90 /$115

Activity 232303-03

Level 2

Running round-offs, kick-overs, back bends, and front limbers will be taught while continuing to work on the basic skills. Day Date

Time

Age

5:00-6:00P

5 & up 4/29

5/6-6/24

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) $77 /$90 /$115

232304-03

The focus will be on advanced tumbling skills, including walkovers and front and back handsprings. Round-off back handsprings will be introduced. Time

Age

6:00-7:00P

5 & up 4/29

5/6-6/24

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) $77 /$90 /$115

Activity 232305-02

Level 4

Tumblers will work on round-off back handsprings, aerials, and back handspring series. Day Date

Time

Age

7:00-8:00P

5 & up 4/29

5/6-6/24

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) $77 /$90 /$115

Activity 232306-02

Single Day Gymnastics Clinics Gymnasium B

Cartwheel Clinic

Gymnasts can perfect their cartwheel by practicing correct body positions through drills and skill specific instruction. Round-offs, handstands, and other tumbling skills will also be touched upon. Day Date Sa 5/2 M 6/8

Gymnasium B

Time 6:00-7:30P 1:00-2:30P

Age 5 & up 5 & up

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/25 $17 /$20 /$30 232351-01 6/1 $17 /$20 /$30 232351-02

Back Walkover Clinic

Students will learn and perfect the skills needed to perform back walkovers and other bridge skills. Day Date Sa 5/9 M 6/15

Gymnastics

Time 6:00-7:30P 1:00-2:30P

Age 5 & up 5 & up

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/2 $17 /$20 /$30 232352-01 6/8 $17 /$20 /$30 232352-02

Back Handspring Clinic

Level 1

Beginner students will be introduced to the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor. The focus will be on cartwheels, roundoffs, and walkovers. No prior experience is necessary. Day Date Time Age Tu 5/5-6/23 6:00-7:00P 5 & up Th 5/7-6/25 6:00-7:00P 5 & up *No Class 4/11-4/18

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/28 $94 /$110 /$135 232355-01 4/30 $94 /$110 /$135 232355-02

Level 2 Prerequisite: Must be able to do cartwheels and round-offs, and be working on walkovers.

Participants will progress through new skills on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor. The focus will be on bridge skills and the beginning fundamentals of back handsprings. Day Date Tu 5/5-6/23 Th 5/7-6/25

The Mason Community Center is now offering a new way to celebrate birthdays! This exciting new party package includes 45 minutes of gymnastics instruction tailored to fit the needs of the guests. La Rosaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pizza, a Sweet Sensations cake, and a private party room will also be provided. Please contact the center at 513-229-8555 for pricing and availability.

Activity

Level 3

Day Date

Gymnasium B

Time Age 7:00-8:00P 5 & up 7:00-8:00P 5 & up

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/28 $94 /$110 /$135 232356-01 4/30 $94 /$110 /$135 232356-02

Participants can improve their back handsprings with helpful tips and tricks from the instructor. Day Date Sa 5/16 Sa 5/30

Time 6:00-7:30P 6:00-7:30P

Age 5 & up 5 & up

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/9 $17 /$20 /$30 232353-01 5/23 $17 /$20 /$30 232353-02

Gymnastics Skill Development

This class is an open forum for the up-and-coming gymnast who wants extra time to explore his or her talent. A coach will be on hand to assist in setting up drills and spotting gymnasts on their skill sets. Day Su Su Su Su W

Date 5/3 5/10 5/17 5/31 6/10

Time 4:30-6:00P 4:30-6:00P 4:30-6:00P 4:30-6:00P 1:00-2:30P

Age 5 & up 5 & up 5 & up 5 & up 5 & up

Deadline 4/26 5/3 5/10 5/24 6/3

Fee (VIP/CR/NR) $9 /$10 /$15 $9 /$10 /$15 $9 /$10 /$15 $9 /$10 /$15 $9 /$10 /$15

Activity 232354-01 232354-02 232354-03 232354-04 232354-05

Level 3 Prerequisite: Must be able to do front and back walkovers and be working on back handsprings.

Advanced vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise skills will be stressed. Day Date Tu 5/5-6/23 Th 5/7-6/25

Time 7:00-8:00P 7:00-8:00P

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5 & up 4/28 $94 /$110 /$135 232358-01 5 & up 4/30 $94 /$110 /$135 232358-02

Participation Requirements Please note that a community center pass is NOT required to participate in any Funformason programs unless otherwise noted. To register, see page 16.

Ballet/Dance

SPORTS

Baton Twirling

Presented in collaboration with

Community Room 3

Students will be introduced to the basic twirls, dance combinations, and terminology of baton. Batons may be rented or purchased from the instructor on the first day of class.

Day Date

Time

Tu Tu

6:00-6:45P 4-7 6:45-7:30P 8-14

5/5-6/2 5/5-6/2

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/28 4/28

$60 /$70 /$95 $60 /$70 /$95

231301-08 231301-09

Sporties for Shorties Gymnasium B

The “shorties” will learn movements that assist in motor development and rhythmic skills, and will have an opportunity to interact with other children their own age. They will have fun running, throwing, jumping, and dancing. Each class will introduce an age-appropriate sport. Day Date Sa 5/2-6/6

Time Age 1:00-1:45P 3-4

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/25 $51 /$60 /$85 232350-02

Field House

Prepare your 4- to 5-year-old for organized baseball in a fun, nonthreatening environment. Classes will focus on throwing, catching, batting, running, and agility. Spend quality time working one-onone with your child. Parent participation is required. Time

Age

M,W 5/4-5/20 6:30-7:15P 4-5

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/27

$43 /$50 /$75

232503-01

WELLNESS

Connect more consciously with your baby or toddler through yoga, music, and mindfulness. With the help of an instructor, you’ll engage your child in baby yoga poses in a loving and respectful manner. Simple poses are also offered for your benefit, along with meditation, breathing practices, and relaxation exercises. For parent and baby 3 months to 3 years old. One child per parent, please. Time

Inspiring and creative, this class encourages your child’s natural talents. The curriculum stresses development of coordination, muscle strength, motor and listening skills, and musical and spatial awareness. Fundamentals of classical ballet will be gradually introduced. Time Age 4:15-5:00P 5-7

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/22 $102 /$120 /$145 266806-02

Ballet Basics Activity Room

Your child will improve flexibility, build muscle strength, and learn the basics of ballet—all while developing the poise, grace, and self-confidence that is possible only through this art form.

Level 1 Day Date Time Age F 5/29-7/17 5:00-6:00P 8-10

Day Date

Activity Room

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/22 $102 /$120 /$145 266804-02

Level 2

Baby Yoga

Day Date

Creative Dance

Day Date F 5/29-7/17

Start Smart Baseball

Day Date

Do you find your child dancing around the living room? Have you always wanted to try your hand at ballet or jazz? Starting this fall, your entire family can explore the art of dance with the Cincinnati Ballet. Whether the goal is a career in dance or a life enriched by movement, the Cincinnati Ballet along with Mason Community Center will provide you with the training you’re looking for.

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

4/24-5/22 11:15A-noon 3mo-3yr 4/17

$33 /$38 /$57

266705-02

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR)

5/29-7/17 6:00-7:15P 10-12 5/22

Activity

$136 /$160 /$185 266805-02

Teen/Adult Ballet Activity Room Offered to teens and adults with a broad range of abilities and experience, this class will be taught in a manner that adjusts to students. Barre exercises and center work will be included. Day Date Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity Sa 5/30-7/18 noon-1:30P 14 & up 5/23 $136 /$160 /$185 266808-02

Preschooler Yoga Adventure Gymnasium B

Designed for preschoolers, this fun-filled class blends yoga, play, music, dance, and drama. Children will develop physical strength, flexibility, emotional calm, and self-expressions. The games played in this class will help increase concentration and self-esteem while stimulating creativity, imagination, and social skills. Day Date F

Time

Age

4/24-5/22 12:15-1:00P 3-5

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/17

VIP: Community Center VIP Pass Holder

$33 /$38 /$57

266704-02

MR: Mason Resident

HIP-HOP/Jazz Activity Room Young teens can extend their boundaries and take part in this program that features an exciting mix of jazz and hip-hop choreography. They will learn the joy of expression through movement. Day Date Time Age Sa 5/30-7/18 1:30-2:30P 12-14

CR: Community Resident

NR: Non-Resident

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/23 $102 /$120 /$145 266807-02

Camps

Counselor in Training

Spring Break Camp

If you have always been a leader and enjoy working with younger children, this is an ideal program. Get hands-on experience working with our Spring Break and Summer Fun camps. Counselors in Training will be required to lead group games, speak in front of groups, and provide programming support for other themed camp activities.

Mason Heights Elementary School

Mason Community Center

No spring break vacation plans? Bring your children to the Mason Community Center for a vacation from school. Each day will include games, arts and crafts, free time, and daily swimming in the community center pool. Please pack a swimsuit, towel, lunch, and snack for your child each day. All children must wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. Morning and evening extended hours are available. Visit www.imaginemason.org for more information. Day Date

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

M-F 4/13-4/17 9:00A-4:00P 6-12

4/6

$94 /$110 /$135 236509-01

Skyhawks Soccer Camp Mason Community Center

All the skills and thrills of soccer are taught through fast-paced drills, skill-building exercises, and game-speed scrimmages. Coaches will focus on the essential skills of dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball control to enable young athletes to play with confidence and have fun. Day Date

Time

W W W W Sa Sa Sa Sa

9:00-10:00A 3-4 10:15-11:15A 3-4 11:30A-12:30P 3-4 12:45-1:45P 3-4 9:00-10:00A 3-4 10:15-11:15A 3-4 11:30A-12:30P 5-6 12:45-1:45P 7-9

4/22-5/27 4/22-5/27 4/22-5/27 4/22-5/27 4/18-5/23 4/18-5/23 4/18-5/23 4/18-5/23

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/15 4/11 4/11 4/11 4/11

$60 /$70 /$95 $60 /$70 /$95 $60 /$70 /$95 $60 /$70 /$95 $60 /$70 /$95 $60 /$70 /$95 $60 /$70 /$95 $60 /$70 /$95

232403-01 232403-02 232403-05 232403-06 232403-03 232403-04 232403-07 232403-08

Day Date

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

Spring Break Camp M-F 4/13-4/17 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 4/6 $64 /$75/ $100 Summer Fun Camp M-F 6/8-6/12 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 6/1 $64 /$75 /$100 Beginning with the Basics: Understanding the role of a counselor M-F 6/15-6/19 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 6/8 $64 /$75 /$100 Leadership M-F 6/22-6/26 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 6/15 $64 /$75 /$100 Safety Week: CPR and First Aid M-F 7/6-7/10 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 6/29 $64 /$75 /$100 Teamwork M-F 7/13-7/17 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 7/6 $64 /$75 /$100 Problem Resolution M-F 7/20-7/24 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 7/13 $64 /$75 /$100 Behavior Management M-F 8/3-8/7 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 7/27 $64 /$75 /$100 Group Management M-F 8/10-8/14 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 8/3 $64 /$75 /$100 Character Development M-F 8/17-8/21 9:00A-4:00P 12-15 8/10 $64 /$75 /$100 Professional Development

236509-04 236517-01 236517-02 236517-03 236517-04 236517-05 236517-06 236517-07 236517-08 236517-09

Summer Fun Camp

Mason Heights Elementary School - NEW 2009 LOCATION!

Laffalot Summer Camp Mason Community Center

Laffalot Summer Camp is a high-energy, high-activity, funfocused sports and activities program devoted to the physical, emotional, and social development of children ages 6 to 12. LSC offers day camps specifically developed in girls-only and boys-only formats. The camps are created for any range of athletic ability so that no child is left behind in this all-inclusive program. Activities are designed for large muscle development, which improves balance and overall coordination, is essential for kids at this age, and is the foundation for skill development later. In addition, this program reinforces good social skills by fostering teamwork and group play, all while having fun! For more information on morning and evening extended hours visit www.imaginemason.org. Detailed program information is available at www.laffalotcamps.com. COPYRIGHT, 2009, LAFFALOT SUMMER CAMPS LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Day Date M-F 6/29-7/3 Boys Only Camp M-F 6/29-7/3 Girls Only Camp M-F 7/27-7/31 Boys Only Camp M-F 7/27-7/31 Girls Only Camp

Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) 9:00A-2:00P 6-12 6/22 $94 /$110 /$135

Activity 236515-01

9:00A-2:00P 6-12 6/22

$94 /$110 /$135

236515-02

9:00A-2:00P 6-12 7/20

$94 /$110 /$135

236515-03

9:00A-2:00P 6-12 7/20

$94 /$110 /$135

236515-04

Perfect for children age 6 through 12, each week will feature group games, crafts, sport activities, movies, swimming at the Lou Eves Municipal Pool, and an off-site field trip. Please remember daily to have all campers pack a full lunch, refillable water bottle, plenty of snacks, sun block, a hat, sunglasses, and extra clothing in a durable backpack or gym bag. Morning and evening extended hours are available. For weekly field trip and extended hours information, visit www.imaginemason.org. There is no Summer Fun Camp the weeks of June 29 and July 27. Day Date Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) M-F 6/8-6/12 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 6/1 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: Cincinnati Zoo (Cincinnati, OH) M-F 6/15-6/19 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 6/8 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: Boonshoft Museum (Dayton, OH) M-F 6/22-6/26 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 6/15 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: Glow Bowling at Mason Bowl (Mason, OH) M-F 7/6-7/10 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 6/29 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: Youngâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dairy (Yellow Springs, OH) M-F 7/13-7/17 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 7/6 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: Newport Aquarium (Newport, KY) M-F 7/20-7/24 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 7/13 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: EnterTRAINment Junction (West Chester, OH) M-F 8/3-8/7 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 7/27 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: Splash! Moraine (Moraine, OH) M-F 8/10-8/14 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 8/3 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: Cincinnati Museum Center and Omnimax (Cincinnati, OH) M-F 8/17-8/21 9:00A-4:00P 6-12 8/10 $94 /$110 /$135 Field Trip: Laser Web (Fairfield, OH)

Activity 236507-01 236507-02 236507-03 236507-04 236507-05 236507-06 236507-07 236507-08 236507-09

To register, see page 16.

Camp Little Feet Glass Rooms

This half-day morning program is designed with age appropriate games and crafts. Your child will engage in activities to promote social and motor skill development while enjoying a new environment and new theme every week! This is a perfect program for introducing your child to a school-type environment.

Each Friday, Camp Little Feet will meet at Pine Hill Lodge for a special day of outdoor programming, weather permitting. Day Date Time M-F 6/8-6/12 9:00A-noon Spectacular Sports M-F 6/15-6/19 9:00A-noon Celebrating Summer M-F 6/22-6/26 9:00A-noon Into the Wild M-F 6/29-7/3 9:00A-noon Radical Recycling M-F 7/6-7/10 9:00A-noon Slimy Science M-F 7/13-7/17 9:00A-noon Nutty Nutrition M-F 7/20-7/24 9:00A-noon Incredible Insects M-F 7/27-7/31 9:00A-noon To the Moon M-F 8/3-8/7 9:00A-noon Wacky Water Week M-F 8/10-8/14 9:00A-noon Magic Camp M-F 8/17-8/21 9:00A-noon Circus Craze

Age 4-5

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) 6/1 $51 /$60 /$85

Activity 236514-01

4-5

6/8

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-02

4-5

6/15

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-03

4-5

6/22

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-04

4-5

6/29

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-05

4-5

7/6

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-06

4-5

7/13

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-07

4-5

7/20

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-08

4-5

7/27

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-09

4-5

8/3

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-10

4-5

8/10

$51 /$60 /$85

236514-11

Pine Hill Lakes Park Get your child hooked on fishing while enjoying a full week of learning the basics! Your camper will develop life skills, responsibility, and respect for the environment while building self-esteem and learning how to fish. By the end of the week, each child will know Ohio fishing regulations, will be fishing on his or her own, and will be able to identify local fish. Day Date Time Age M-F 7/13-7/17 9:00A-noon 9-12

Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 7/6 $51 /$60 /$85

Activity 236503-01

Nature Day Camp presented by the Wild Bird Center of Mason

Safety Camp Help your child become aware of what to do in dangerous situations. Safety Camp will teach fire safety, first aid, water safety, and animal control. Children will participate in a bike rodeo, nature hikes, and many other fun activities, including a graduation on the last day of camp. This program is sponsored by the City of Mason Police, Fire, and Parks & Recreation Departments. Age 5-9 5-9

Pine Hill Lodge Treat your child to a week of nature exploration. Naturalists from the Wild Bird Center of Mason and Parks & Recreation staff will introduce your child to the great outdoors. Educational presentations, plenty of fun games, nature crafts, and a daily theme such as “The Hunter and the Hunted”, “Beaks, Feet & Feathers,” and “Frogs and Polliwogs” will be featured. Day Date Time Age M-F 7/27-7/31 9:00A-noon 6-8 M-F 8/3-8/7 9:00A-noon 9-12

Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 7/20 $51 /$60 /$85 7/27 $51 /$60 /$85

Activity 236502-01 236502-02

Snorkeling Camp

Heritage Oak Park

Day Date Time M-F 6/8-6/12 9:00A-noon M-F 6/15-6/19 9:00A-noon

Fishing Camp

Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 6/1 $51 /$60 /$85 6/8 $51 /$60 /$85

Activity 236500-01 236500-02

Clay Camp Arts & Crafts 2 Guided by wildlife sculptor Bonnie Meyer Day, campers will learn several hand-building techniques to form animal likenesses. Campers will also learn simple tricks to apply details like fur, feathers, or even skin. Glazes will be provided so each sculpture will be a finished work of art. Day Date Time Grade Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) M-Th 6/15-6/18 9:00-11:00A 1-6 6/8 $51 /$60 /$85 M-Th 8/10-8/13 9:00-11:00A 1-6 8/3 $51 /$60 /$85

VIP: Community Center VIP Pass Holder

Activity 236521-01 236521-02

MR: Mason Resident

Meeting Room 3

If your child enjoys swimming, introduce him or her to another aspect of the aquatics world! Snorkeling Camp introduces campers to the proper use of snorkeling equipment and the skills and techniques associated with snorkeling. All equipment and materials are provided. Participants must bring their own lunch and be ready to swim. Camp runs Monday through Friday with an optional field trip on Saturday. The trip is an additional cost, but does allow campers to participate in a real snorkeling dive in New Paris, Ohio. On this trip, participants will have the opportunity to practice their snorkeling skills viewing fish and other aquatic life in a pristine stone quarry. All equipment will be provided. Day Date Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity M-F 8/3 – 8/7 9:00A-3:00P 10-15 7/27 $143 /$168 /$193 236512-01 Camp Registration Sa 8/15 8:00A-5:00P 10-15 8/8 $39 /$45 /$68 236512-02 Field Trip Registration

Looking for a summer camp for your sports enthusiast? In addition to the camps you see here, we also offer a wide range of Skyhawks sports camps sure to please any sports enthusiast, big or small! Visit www.imaginemason.org for listings.

CR: Community Resident

NR: Non-Resident

TriHealth’s Camp Crazyfood

Adult Tennis Lessons Heritage Oak Park

Beginner

Glass Rooms Children can discover the adventure of cooking and how rewarding it can be at TriHealth’s national award-winning Camp Crazyfood, sponsored by Meijer at the Center of Cincinnati. Young students will become little chefs for a week as a registered dietitian teaches how to prepare exciting new recipes each day. Kids can participate in an edible fundraiser to raise money for The Kids Cafe, part of the Cincinnati Free Store. This is definitely a recipe for cooking up a week of fun! Day Date Time Age M-F 8/10-8/14 1:00-4:00P 6-8

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 8/3 $128 /$150 /$175 236527-01

Tennis in the Parks Youth Tennis Lessons This class is for beginners. Most enrollees will have little to no tennis experience. Day Date Time Age Th 4/30-5/28 5:30-6:30P 4-5 Sa 5/2-5/30 10:00-11:00A 4-5

Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 4/23 $56 /$65 /$90 4/25 $56 /$65 /$90

Activity 232100-01 232100-02

Future Stars

Future Stars are just beginning to play from the baseline. This program will follow the “games” approach to learning tennis. Time 6:00-7:00P 6:30-7:30P 11:00A-noon

Age 6-8 6-8 6-8

Deadline 4/22 4/23 4/25

Fee (VIP/MR/NR) $56 /$65 /$90 $56 /$65 /$90 $56 /$65 /$90

Activity 232101-01 232101-02 232101-03

Junior Champs

These children are beginners or graduates from Future Stars. They are comfortable serving and playing from the baseline and are beginning to rally. Day Date Time Th 4/30-5/28 6:30-7:25P Sa 5/2-5/30 noon-1:00P

Day Date Sa 5/2-5/30

Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 9:00-10:00A 14 & up 4/25 $56 /$65 /$90

Activity 222100-01

Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

This class is for adults who know how to play sets. Players will work on spin, court positioning, and match strategy. Day Date Time W 4/29-5/27 7:00-8:00P

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 14 & up 4/22 $56 /$65 /$90

Activity 222101-01

Teens & Tweens Activity Room

Pee Wees

Date 4/29-5/27 4/30-5/28 5/2-5/30

Classes will be half traditional stroke work and half focused on rallying skills.

All Access: Strength Training

Heritage Oak Park

Day W Th Sa

Age 7-13 7-13

Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) 4/23 $56 /$65 /$90 4/25 $56 /$65 /$90

Weather Hotline: 513-229-8502

Activity 232102-01 232102-02

This program allows 13- and 14-year-olds an opportunity to access the fitness center and weight room before turning 15. Participants will learn etiquette, correct form and technique, how to use all of the weight and cardio equipment, and much more! Attendance will be taken. Participants who attend every session will be permitted to use the fitness center without direct adult supervision. (Daily admission or Community Center membership required for fitness center and weight room use after completion of the class.) Day Date W 4/8-4/29 M 5/4-5/18 W 5/6-5/20 *No Class 4/15

Time 4:30-5:30P 2:30-3:30P 4:30-5:30P

Age 13-14 13-14 13-14

Deadline 4/1 4/27 4/29

Fee (VIP/CR/NR) $64 /$75 /$100 $64 /$75 /$100 $64 /$75 /$100

Activity 261100-02* 261100-03 261100-04

Teen Tuesday Yoga Activity Room Perform muscle stretches to help prevent injuries from all your other activities. Inversions and power poses will increase strength and class will end with a relaxation period. Day Date Time Age Tu 4/21-5/19 4:00-5:00P 10-15

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) 4/14 $17 /$20 /$30

Activity 266700-04

Parent & Teen Workout Time Fitness Center Teens and Tweens 10 to 14 years old may access the Fitness Center from 1-6 p.m. on weekends with adult supervision. Restrictions apply. Visit www.imaginemason.org for details.

To register, see page 16.

Enrichment

COMPUTER CLASSES

SPECIAL INTEREST

Computer Basics Computer Lab

Job Search Assistance Workshop 10

Arts & Crafts 2 Develop the tools and techniques for finding, and getting the job you want. Each two-hour workshop will provide you with more information on creating and executing a job search plan. A certified career coach with proven expertise working with individuals who have gone through a job loss and those looking for a career change will conduct the workshops. It is recommended that participants take all the workshops in order to maximize an effective job search. Series pricing is available. Day Date Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity W 4/22 6:00-8:00P 18 & up 4/15 $26 /$30 /$45 221602-01 Plan and Execute a Successful Job Search W 4/29 6:00-8:00P 18 & up 4/22 $26 /$30 /$45 221602-02 Assessing Your Skills and Abilities: Identify, demonstrate, and package your skills W 5/6 6:00-8:00P 18 & up 4/29 $26 /$30 /$45 221602-03 Creating a RĂŠsumĂŠ that Works W 5/13 6:00-8:00P 18 & up 5/6 $26 /$30 /$45 221602-04 Networking for the Hidden Job Market: Skillfully employing networking techniques W 5/20 6:00-8:00P 18 & up 5/13 $26 /$30 /$45 221602-05 Interview Skills: Communicating to create good first impressions W 5/27 6:00-8:00P 18 & up 5/20 $26 /$30 /$45 221602-06 Online Job Search & Networking Tools: Using electronic databases, on-line classified postings, and social networking sites W 6/3 6:00-8:00P 18 & up 5/27 $26 /$30 /$45 221602-07 Age Bias and the Job Search: Reframing the age question W 4/22-6/3 6:00-8:00P 18 & up 4/15 $155 /$180 /$205 221603-01 Series Pricing

Job Seekers Focus Group BRIDGE Lounge

Date 4/27-6/15

Time 7:00-8:00P

Age 18 & up

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $68 /$80 /$105 $68 /$80 /$105

241400-03 341400-01

Computer Lab

Learn the purpose of Windows Explorer, understand the relationship between folders and files, and know how to work with them. Day W F Tu

Date 4/22 5/15 6/23

Time 10:00A-noon 10:00A-noon 6:30-8:30P

Age 18 & up 18 & up 18 & up

Deadline 4/15 5/8 6/16

Fee (VIP/CR/NR) $17 /$20 /$30 $17 /$20 /$30 $17 /$20 /$30

Activity 241405-02 241405-03 341405-01

Working with Word Computer Lab

Learn how to use Microsoft Word and its many functions, including the automatic spell checker, thesaurus, and the grammar correction tool. Day Date

Time

W F

10:00A-noon 18 & up 10:00A-noon 18 & up

Embark on your own memoir-writing journey in this guided life story workshop. Explore your life experiences, relationships, and choices through weekly themes. Discover the stories within you while developing the tools to share and save them. Activity 221129-02

MR: Mason Resident

Age

Working with Files

4/29 5/22

Day Date

Arts & Crafts 1

VIP: Community Center VIP Pass Holder

Time

5/1-5/22 10:00A-noon 18 & up 4/24 6/9-6/30 10:00A-noon 18 & up 6/2

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/22 5/15

$17 /$20 /$30 $17 /$20 /$30

241410-02 241410-03

Building on your word processing skills, this class will give you the basic tools to create colorful slide presentations, handouts, and flyers for work or school. Learn how to use text boxes; insert objects; create master slides, themes, and backgrounds; and how to use custom animations.

Fee Free

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) 4/14 $85 /$100 /$125

F Tu

Computer Lab

Life Story Workshop

Day Date Time Age Tu 4/21-5/26 2:00-4:00P All

Day Date

PowerPoint

Out of work? Meet with other job seekers on a weekly basis to network for information and ideas on improving your job search. Assistance provided by a professional career coach. Day M

Learn how to define key computer-related terms, navigate using the mouse, and turn the computer on and off properly. You will also learn the concept of Windows, having multiple windows open on your desktop at once, and working with files, folders, and Windows Explorer.

Time

Age

6/9-6/23 6:30-8:30P 18 & up

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 6/2

$51 /$60 /$85

341409-01

Beginning Internet Computer Lab

Navigate browsers, web sites, web pages, and search engines while learning how to use the toolbar and functions of a web site. E-mail will also be discussed in depth. Day Date

Time

Tu F

10:00A-noon 18 & up 4/28 10:00A-noon 18 & up 5/29

5/5-5/26 6/5-6/26

CR: Community Resident

Age

NR: Non-Resident

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $68 /$80 /$105 $68 /$80 /$105

241401-02 341401-01

SpyWare and Anti-Viruses Computer Lab

Learn simple tips and tricks that will help keep your computer from being exposed to the dangers of the Internet, including how to deal with pop-ups, avoid viruses, and protect your personal information. Understand what spyware does and protect yourself from it with simple programs that are free and can be downloaded from the Internet.

E-mail

Computer Lab

Day Date

Time

Learn how to create an e-mail account, send and receive e-mail, set up and use an address book, work with e-mail attachments, and organize saved e-mails. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t own a computer, the BRIDGE computer lab enables you to have your own e-mail account to keep in touch with loved ones.

10:00A-noon 18 & up 5/6

Day Date Tu F

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

5/19-5/26 10:00A-noon 18 & up 5/12 6/19-6/26 10:00A-noon 18 & up 6/12

$34 /$40 /$60 $34 /$40 /$60

241403-02 341403-01

Digital Photography Computer Lab

Digital Photo 1

5/13

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $17 /$20 /$30

241411-01

eBay Buying Computer Lab

Learn how to use your home computer to buy items on eBay. Electronics, cars, clothing, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods, digital cameras, and everything else are available on eBay, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online marketplace. Find out how to look for that one-of-akind item. Day Date

Time

10:00A-noon 18 & up 6/3

6/10

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $17 /$20 /$30

341422-01

Learn the many features of a digital camera while defining those strange terms such as megapixels, jpeg, tiff, resolution, optical versus digital zoom, compression, dpi, and compact flash versus secure digital memory. At the end of the course, you will be able to choose a digital camera that fits your needs.

eBay Selling

Day Date

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

Th Th

10:00A-noon 10:00A-noon

18 & up 18 & up

4/30 5/28

Sell items on eBay using your home computer. Have fun selling everything quickly and easily. You must have an eBay account and know how to buy on eBay prior to this class.

5/7 6/4

$17 /$20 /$30 $17 /$20 /$30

241418-03 341418-01

Digital Photo 2

This course will cover using the camera features and uploading, printing, and archiving images. How many images will your memory card store? What does fully automatic mean? How do you control the resolution and depth of field aperture setting? Learn the answers in this class. Day Date

Time

Th Th Th

10:00A-noon 18 & up 10:00A-noon 18 & up 10:00A-noon 18 & up

4/16 5/14 6/11

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 4/9 5/7 6/4

$17 /$20 /$30 $17 /$20 /$30 $17 /$20 /$30

241419-02 241419-03 341419-01

Digital Photo 3

Learn to adjust the color and contrast, crop and resize the photo, save it in a variety of formats, and manage your database of images. Day Date Th 3/19

Day Date

Time

10:00A-noon 18 & up 6/10

6/17

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $17 /$20 /$30

341423-01

SPORTS

Tae Kwon Do Beginner Community Room 1 & 2

The emphasis is on overall self-control, self-discipline, physical fitness, self-defense techniques, balance, flexibility, and strength. Build character while developing courtesy, integrity, honor, respect, loyalty, perseverance, concentration, and compassion. Day Date Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity Tu,Th 5/5-5/28 6:30-7:30P 5 & up 4/28 $40 /$50 /$60 211100-03 Tu,Th 6/2-6/30 6:30-7:30P 5 & up 5/26 $40 /$50 /$60 211100-04

Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 10:00A-noon 18 & up 3/12 $17 /$20 /$30 241420-01

Digital Photo 4

Manipulate digital images utilizing color adjustments, cropping, layering, retouching, distortion, blurs, and brush filters. Get answers to all the questions you have about digital image processing. Day Date Th 4/30 Th 5/28

Computer Lab

Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 10:00A-noon 18 & up 4/23 $17 /$20 /$30 241421-02 10:00A-noon 18 & up 5/21 $17 /$20 /$30 241421-03

Teen/Adult Gymnastics Gymnasium B

High school gymnasts, keep up your skills over summer break. Adults, learn a new method to keep your body in motion. Build strength and flexibility while maintaining previously mastered tumbling skills. Day Date F

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

5/1-6/19 6:00-8:00P 14 & up 4/24

$136 /$160 /$185 232359-01

To register, see page 16.

Fitness & Wellness SPECIAL INTEREST

Flashback to the 80s Activity Room

Combine low and high impact aerobic moves with your favorite 80s music in this fun, energetic class. Be sure to bring a water bottle and a friend to reminisce to our 80s classics. Day Date Time

Age

Deadline

Sa 4/18 12:15-1:15P 13 & up 4/11 *Pricing is per person.

Fee (VIP/CR/NR)

Activity

$0 /$2 /$6*

261409-01

WELLNESS

Yoga Strong Activity Room

108 Sun Salutations

Utilizing 3- to 4-pound body bars and handheld weights, the mindfulness of yoga is integrated with the strength of bodybuilding. This user-friendly system combines breath-based yoga postures, held in accurate alignment, while simultaneously working out with free weights.

Cultivate positive energy to bring in the new season. Classical sun salutations, called Surya Namaskar, develop strength and endurance, and can be a powerful tool for meditation and selftransformation.

Day Date

Time

1:00-2:15P 13 & up 4/28

Pine Hill Lodge

Day Date Time Sa

5/2

Age

Deadline

8:30-11:00A 13 & up 4/25

Fee (VIP/MR/NR)

Activity

$8 /$10 /$15

269108-01

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $18 /$21 /$32

261406-03

Prenatal Yoga Activity Room

EXERCISE

Prenatal yoga has many physical and mental benefits. These include relief from Sciatica and back pain, relaxation and stress relief, help with digestion, increased or maintained stamina for labor, reduced fear of labor, increased trust in the wisdom of your body, and increased confidence.

Xtreme! Kickboxing Activity Room

This class is an intermediate to advanced athletic cross-training program with drills for kicks, punches, and combinations, as well as strength training using barbells, jump rope, balance, and flexibility. Punch bags will be provided. Please bring your own boxing wraps or weight lifting gloves. Day Date

Time

9:30-10:45A 15 & up 4/29

5/6-6/3

5/5-6/2

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $26 /$30 /$45

261405-08

Day Date

Time

Age

9:45-11:00A

15 & up 5/2

5/9

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $6 /$7 /$11

266706-01

Also Available Mason Community Center

To help you on your path to fitness, we offer fitness center orientations, as well as numerous screenings. For a complete listing, visit us at www.imaginemason.org.

Kickboxing & Activity Room

Super kickboxing combos will take your body to the next fitness level. Then add muscular endurance, improve your fat-burning ability, and increase your overall self-confidence with 45 minutes of Train it! followed by stretches and cool-down. Day Date Th 5/7-6/4

Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 9:30-10:45A 15 & up 4/30 $18 /$21 /$32 261402-08

Boot Camp & Activity Room

Personal Training Fitness Area

The Mason Community Center is please to offer an outstanding Personal Training program to help you reach your fitness goals. Our certified personal trainers will assess your current fitness level and coach you through an effective program tailored to fit your needs. For more information about our personal training packages and instructors, please visit www.imaginemason.org.

This class is a fun, dynamic, and intense circuit workout that incorporates agility, plyometrics, and core conditioning. There will be a combination of cardio drills mixed with the squats, presses, lifts, and curls of Train It! Day Date

Time

9:30-10:45A 15 & up 5/2

5/9-6/6

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

VIP: Community Center VIP Pass Holder

$18 /$21 /$32

MR: Mason Resident

261401-11

CR: Community Resident

NR: Non-Resident

Aquatics

Preschool 2 Leisure Pool

Prerequisite: Must be 3 by the first day of class, have a Preschool 1 certificate or be able to submerge head and blow underwater bubbles, move five yards independently, bob five times, do the front and back float with minimal support, and open the eyes underwater to recover an item at armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s length.

Swim Lesson Testing Leisure Pool

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re new to the Mason Community Center swim lessons or are just unsure which level to place your child, we are offering free swim lesson testing sessions the week before registration. Call the Mason Community Center at 513-229-8555 to schedule your appointment. Day

Date

Time

Age

Fee

Tu Th

2/10 2/12

4:30-5:30P 9:30-10:30A

3 & up 3 & up

Free Free

Day

Water Tots Leisure Pool

Learn how to work safely and effectively in the water with your infant or toddler. Basic water safety and self-help skills will be covered. The program emphasis is on water adjustment, preparatory activities for swimming, and enjoyment for you and your child. An adult must accompany the child in the water. Children in diapers MUST wear swim diapers or securely fitted rubber pants. Day Date

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

6:00-6:30P 10:15-10:45A 5:25-5:55P 10:15-10:45A 6:00-6:30P 11:05-11:35A

6m-3yr 6m-3yr 18m-3yr 18m-3yr 6m-3yr 6m-3yr

5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

$33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57

Your child will learn to float on front and back without support and recover to a vertical position, the arm and leg motions of treading water, submerge the entire head for five seconds, push off the wall, and swim using a combination of arm and leg action on front and back for 15 feet. Preschool 2 is a challenging class that is often repeated and modeled after the skills in Level 2.

351010-01 351010-02 351010-03 351010-04 351010-05 351010-06*

Preschool 1 Leisure Pool

Date

M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

Time

Age

9:05-9:35A 3-4 10:15-10:45A 3-4 4:15-4:45P 3-4 4:50-5:20P 3-4 5:25-5:55P 3-4 9:40-10:10A 3-4 10:15-10:45A 3-4 4:15-4:45P 3-4 5:25-5:55P 3-4 6:00-6:30P 3-4 9:05-9:35A 3-4 9:40-10:10A 3-4 10:15-10:45A 3-4 4:15-4:45P 3-4 4:50-5:20P 3-4 6:00-6:30P 3-4 9:05-9:35A 3-4 10:15-10:45A 3-4 4:15-4:45P 3-4 4:50-5:20P 3-4 5:25-5:55P 3-4 8:10-8:40A 3-4 8:45-9:15A 3-4 9:20-9:50A 3-4 11:05-11:35A 3-4 11:40A-12:10P 3-4

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

$33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57

351009-01 351009-02 351009-03 351009-04 351009-05 351009-06 351009-07 351009-08 351009-09 351009-10 351009-11 351009-12 351009-13 351009-14 351009-15 351009-16 351009-17 351009-18 351009-19 351009-20 351009-21 351009-22* 351009-23* 351009-24* 351009-25* 351009-26*

Prerequisite: Must be 3 by the first day of class and comfortable in a class setting without a parent.

Your child will become oriented to the aquatic environment and learn elementary skills such as buoyancy, breath control, supported floating, water entry and exit, and alternating arm action. Day

Date

M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

9:05-9:35A 9:40-10:10A 10:15-10:45A 4:15-4:45P 6:00-6:30P 9:05-9:35A 10:15-10:45A 4:15-4:45P 4:50-5:20P 9:05-9:35A 9:40-10:10A 4:15-4:45P 9:05-9:35A 10:15-10:45A 4:15-4:45P 5:25-5:55P 6:00-6:30P 8:10-8:40A 8:45-9:15A 9:55-10:25A 10:30-11:00A

3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4 3-4

5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

351008-01 351008-02 351008-03 351008-04 351008-05 351008-06 351008-07 351008-08 351008-09 351008-10 351008-11 351008-12 351008-13 351008-14 351008-15 351008-16 351008-17 351008-18* 351008-19* 351008-20* 351008-21*

Preschool 3 Leisure Pool

Prerequisite: Must be 4 by the first day of class and have passed Preschool 2 and be able to swim independently on front and back in deep water.

Your child will learn rotary breathing with the front crawl and continue working on the back crawl, elements of butterfly, and fundamentals of treading water. Day

Date

M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Th 6/11-7/30 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

Time

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

10:15-10:45A 5:25-5:55P 9:05-9:35A 4:50-5:20P 6:00-6:30P 9:55-10:25A 11:40A-12:10P

4 4 4 4 4 4 4

5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

$33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57

351019-01 351019-02 351019-03 351019-04 351019-05 351019-06* 351019-07*

To register, see page 16.

Level 1

Level 3

Prerequisite: Must be 5 years old by the first day of class.

Prerequisite: Must be 5 by the first day of class and have a Level 2 certificate or be able to front float for five seconds, then roll over to a back float for five seconds, roll over again to a front float, and return to a standing position independently. Children must also be able to swim 15 yards of a combined stroke on front and back.

Leisure Pool

Your child will become oriented to the aquatic environment and learn elementary skills such as buoyancy, breath control, supported floating, water entry and exit, and alternating arm action. Day

Date

M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

9:05-9:35A 4:15-4:45P 4:50-5:20P 6:00-6:30P 9:40-10:10A 4:15-4:45P 6:00-6:30P 9:05-9:35A 4:50-5:20P 6:00-6:30P 9:40-10:10A 4:50-5:20P 6:00-6:30P 8:10-8:40A 9:20-9:50A 9:55-10:25A 10:30-11:00A

5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10

5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

351001-01 351001-02 351001-03 351001-04 351001-05 351001-06 351001-07 351001-08 351001-09 351001-10 351001-11 351001-12 351001-13 351001-14* 351001-15* 351001-16* 351001-17*

Level 2 Leisure Pool

Prerequisite: Must be 5 by the first day of class and have a Level 1 or Preschool 1 certificate or be able to blow underwater bubbles with the mouth and nose, move five yards in the pool, bob five times, do the front and back float with support, and open the eyes underwater to recover an item at armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s length.

Children will learn to float on front and back without support and recover to a vertical position, the arm and leg motions of treading water, pushing off the wall, and swimming using a combination of arm and leg action on front and back for 15 feet. Day

Date

M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

Time

Age

9:40-10:10A 5-10 4:15-4:45P 5-10 6:00-6:30P 5-10 9:05-9:35A 5-10 9:40-10:10A 5-10 4:15-4:45P 5-10 4:50-5:20P 5-10 5:25-5:55P 5-10 9:40-10:10A 5-10 10:15-10:45A 5-10 4:15-4:45P 5-10 4:50-5:20P 5-10 5:25-5:55P 5-10 9:05-9:35A 5-10 9:40-10:10A 5-10 4:15-4:45P 5-10 4:50-5:20P 5-10 5:25-5:55P 5-10 6:00-6:30P 5-10 8:10-8:40A 5-10 8:45-9:15A 5-10 9:20-9:50A 5-10 9:55-10:25A 5-10 10:30-11:00A 5-10 11:40A-12:10P 5-10

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

VIP: Community Center VIP Pass Holder

351002-01 351002-02 351002-03 351002-04 351002-05 351002-06 351002-07 351002-08 351002-09 351002-10 351002-11 351002-12 351002-13 351002-14 351002-15 351002-16 351002-17 351002-18 351002-19 351002-20* 351002-21* 351002-22* 351002-23* 351002-24* 351002-25*

MR: Mason Resident

Children will learn rotary breathing with the front crawl and continue working on the back crawl, elements of butterfly, and fundamentals of treading water. Day

Date

M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

9:40-10:10A 4:15-4:45P 4:50-5:20P 5:25-5:55P 4:15-4:45P 4:50-5:20P 6:00-6:30P 4:15-4:45P 4:50-5:20P 5:25-5:55P 6:00-6:30P 10:15-10:45A 4:15-4:45P 4:50-5:20P 6:00-6:30P 8:10-8:40A 8:45-9:15A 9:20-9:50A 9:55-10:25A 10:30-11:00A 11:05-11:35A

5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12

5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

351003-01 351003-02 351003-03 351003-04 351003-05 351003-06 351003-07 351003-08 351003-09 351003-10 351003-11 351003-12 351003-13 351003-14 351003-15 351003-16* 351003-17* 351003-18* 351003-19* 351003-20* 351003-21*

Level 4 Leisure Pool

Prerequisite: Must be 5 by the first day of class and have a Level 3 certificate or be able to jump into chest-deep water from the side, do the front crawl with their face in the water using rotary breathing for 15 yards, maintain body position by floating or treading water for 30 seconds, and swim the back crawl for 15 yards.

Your child will learn to dive from a compact or stride position, improve skills, and increase endurance by swimming front crawl with rotary breathing and back crawl for greater distances. Work will continue on butterfly, elementary back, and breast strokes. Elements of the sidestroke will be introduced. Day

Date

M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 Tu 6/9-7/28 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 W 6/10-7/29 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Th 6/11-7/30 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

CR: Community Resident

Time

Age

4:50-5:20P 5-12 5:25-5:55P 5-12 6:00-6:30P 5-12 4:50-5:20P 5-12 5:25-5:55P 5-12 6:00-6:30P 5-12 4:15-4:45P 5-12 4:50-5:20P 5-12 5:25-5:55P 5-12 9:40-10:10A 5-12 4:15-4:45P 5-12 4:50-5:20P 5-12 5:25-5:55P 5-12 8:45-9:15A 5-12 9:20-9:50A 5-12 10:30-11:00A 5-12 11:05-11:35A 5-12 11:40A-12:10P 5-12

NR: Non-Resident

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

351004-01 351004-02 351004-03 351004-04 351004-05 351004-06 351004-07 351004-08 351004-09 351004-10 351004-11 351004-12 351004-13 351004-14* 351004-15* 351004-16* 351004-17* 351004-18*

Level 5 Leisure Pool

Prerequisite: Must be 6 by the first day of class and have a Level 4 certificate, or be able to swim the front crawl with rotary breathing for 25 yards, maintain position on the back for one minute in deep water, and swim the elementary backstroke for 15 yards. Children must also be able to swim breaststroke for 15 yards, tread water for one minute, and do the back crawl for 25 yards.

Children will refine their performance of the strokes and increase their distances. They will also learn flip turns and diving. Day

Date

M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 Th 6/11-7/30 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

Time

Age

5:25-5:55P 6-14 6:00-6:30P 6-14 5:25-5:55P 6-14 11:40A-12:10P 6-14

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

$33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57

351005-01 351005-02 351005-03 351005-04*

Adaptive Aquatics Leisure Pool

Adaptive Aquatics is a Learn-To-Swim program designed for special needs children ages 5 to 12. With the assistance of qualified staff, participants will work on enhancing swimming ability and comfort level. Day Date Time Age W 6/10-7/29 5:25-5:55P 5-12

Level 6

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity 5/22 $33 /$38 /$57 351018-01

Leisure Pool

Prerequisite: Must be 6 by the first day of class and have a Level 5 certificate or demonstrate the skills necessary to complete Level 5.

Children will swim 100 yards of front and back crawl and 50 yards of breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, and butterfly. This level will work toward better efficiency, strength, and smoothness while swimming greater distances. Day Date

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

M 6/8-7/27 Tu 6/9-7/28 W 6/10-7/29 Sa 6/6-8/1 *No Class 7/4

4:50-5:20P 5:25-5:55P 6:00-6:30P 11:05-11:35A

6-14 6-14 6-14 6-14

5/22 5/22 5/22 5/22

$33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57 $33 /$38 /$57

351006-01 351006-02 351006-03 351006-04*

Competition Pool

Improve your overall fitness, develop better technique, train for a triathlon, swim competitively, or just enjoy the water. Competitions are optional. Swimmers age 19 and older of all abilities are welcome. Coaches are available during scheduled practice times to help you attain your personal goals. Additional practices may be added, though you are not required to attend all practices. Practice times are 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. A Mason Community Center pass is NOT needed to participate in this program. For more information, pick up a brochure at the Mason Community Center.

Adult Swim Lessons Leisure Pool

Day

Beginner

Basic swim mechanics are covered, including flutter kick, rhythmic breathing and breath control, front crawl arm mechanics, and elementary backstroke. Additional instruction includes the safety skills of bobbing, floating, and gliding. Day Date Time Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Su 6/7-8/2 12:15-1:00P 15 & up 5/22 $33 /$38 /$57 Th 6/11-7/30 6:00-6:45P 15 & up 5/22 $33 /$38 /$57 *No Class 7/5

Activity 351011-01* 351011-02

Intermediate/Advanced Intermediate: Refine your freestyle and elementary backstroke and begin learning back crawl and breaststroke. Deep-water exploration and treading water will be introduced. You will also build endurance through lap swimming. Advanced: Refine your freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke and learn flip turns, diving, and the butterfly stroke. Build endurance by swimming longer distances and begin practice sets. Day Date Time Su 6/7-8/2 1:05-1:50P Th 6/11-7/30 6:50-7:35P *No Class 7/5

Manta Ray Masters

Age Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) 15 & up 5/22 $33 /$38 /$57 15 & up 5/22 $33 /$38 /$57

Activity 351014-01* 351014-02

Date

Tu,Th,Su 5/5-5/28 Tu,Th,Su 6/2-6/30 Tu,Th,Su 7/2-7/30

Time

Age

Varies Varies Varies

19 & up 5/5 19 & up 6/2 19 & up 7/2

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity $26 /$30 /$45 $26 /$30 /$45 $26 /$30 /$45

552008-05 552008-06 552008-07

Deep Water Fitness Competition Pool

This class is designed as a moderate to high intensity workout featuring cardio, strength training, and abdominal moves that will help you gain endurance and flexibility. Get the perfect workout without the stress of impact on your joints! Day Date

Time

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/CR/NR) Activity

Tu F Tu Th Tu Th M Th Tu Th M Th

9:30-10:30A 9:30-10:30A 8:00-8:45P 8:00-8:45P 9:00-10:00A 9:00-10:00A 6:45-7:45P 6:45-7:45P 9:00-10:00A 9:00-10:00A 6:45-7:45P 6:45-7:45P

16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up 16 & up

5/5 5/1 5/5 5/7 6/2 6/4 6/1 6/4 7/7 7/2 7/6 7/2

5/5-5/26 5/1-5/29 5/5-5/26 5/7-5/28 6/2-6/30 6/4-6/25 6/1-6/29 6/4-6/25 7/7-7/28 7/2-7/30 7/6-7/27 7/2-7/30

$17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29 $17 /$19 /$29

351021-01 351022-01 351023-01 351024-01 351021-02 351022-02 351023-02 351024-02 351021-03 351022-03 351023-03 351024-03

To register, see page 16.

Mason Water Moccasins Swim Team

Male Day

Lou Eves Municipal Pool May 26 – July 27

The Mason Water Moccasins is a recreational swim team that competes in the Tri-County Swim League in June and July. The team practices at the outdoor Lou Eves Municipal Pool. Participants will improve the four competitive swim strokes, starts, turns, and learn what it’s like to work as a member of a team and the importance of sportsmanship. Children (regardless of age) should possess some knowledge of basic swimming skills. The team is not a substitute for swim lessons. Team swimmers must possess a Level 5 swim certificate or successfully demonstrate Level 5 skills. Swimmers should be able to swim one length of the pool (25 meters) without stopping. Children who do not possess these skills should enroll in the Swim Lesson Program to develop the skills and endurance needed to participate on the Water Moccasins Swim Team. Evaluations by the coaching staff will occur within the first week of practice.

Date

Time

M-F 5/26-7/27 10:30-11:45A M-F 5/26-7/27 10:30-11:45A M-F 5/26-7/27 10:30-11:45A M-F 5/26-7/27 8:00-9:05A M,Tu,Th,F 5/26-7/27 9:10-9:55A M,Tu,Th,F 5/26-7/27 11:15-11:45A

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) Activity

15-18 13-14 11-12 9-10 7-8 5-6

5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7

$75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75

352002-01* 352002-02* 352002-03* 352002-04* 352002-05* 352002-06*

Swim meets will be held on Tuesday nights with the exception of up to two weekend invitationals and championships. Home swim meets will be held in the Mason Community Center. *After-School Practices Tuesday, May 26 through the last day of class Age

Time

11 & up 9 & 10 7&8 6 & under

3:30-4:30P 6:00-7:00P 5:00-5:45P 4:30-5:00P

Please note that each family will be expected to volunteer in some way with a committee in order to ensure a successful swim season. The Swim Meet committee, the Information committee, the Social committee, and the Awards committee will all need family participation. Committee sign-ups will be taken at the Parent Meeting. For more information, please visit www.masonwatermocs.org. Please note: A Lou Eves Municipal Pool pass is required to participate.

Female Day

Date

Time

M-F 5/26-7/27 10:30-11:45A M-F 5/26-7/27 10:30-11:45A M-F 5/26-7/27 10:30-11:45A M-F 5/26-7/27 8:00-9:05A M,Tu,Th,F 5/26-7/27 9:10-9:55A M,Tu,Th,F 5/26-7/27 10:00-10:30A

Age

Deadline Fee (VIP/MR/NR) Activity

Informational Meeting

15-18 13-14 11-12 9-10 7-8 5-6

5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7 5/7

Community Center Competition Pool Wednesday, April 22 7:30–8:30 p.m.

$75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75 $75 /$75 /$75

352001-01* 352001-02* 352001-03* 352001-04* 352001-05* 352001-06*

Other Important Dates Last Day of Registration

Thursday, May 7 (Register online at www.imaginemason.org or at the Mason Community Center.)

Team Suit Fitting

Wednesday, May 27 5–7 p.m. Community Center Glass Rooms

Mason Community Center 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road Mason, OH 45040

Parent Meeting

Sunday, May 31 4:30–6:00 p.m. Community Center Meeting Room

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513-229-8555

registration All Programs except Swim Lessons Priority Registration:

(MR and Community Center pass holders only) begins Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. Walk-in and online only. www.imaginemason.org

Open Registration:

begins Monday, March 30, 8 a.m.

Swim Lesson Registration Priority Registration

(MR and Community Center pass holders only) begins Saturday, May 16, 8 a.m. Walk-in and online only. www.imaginemason.org

Open Registration:

begins Monday, May 18, 8 a.m. Please note that swim lesson registration closes at 5:30 p.m. on May 22.

Please update your household information and obtain your username and password from the front desk before registration.