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Mason Intermediate fifth grader Chris Li creates a snowflake ornament. Students in Amy Sheets’ fifth grade class are creating and selling ornaments to benefit autism research and awareness. Photo provided

Fifth grade students at Mason Intermediate are getting crafty for a cause.

Students in Amy Sheet’s class created handcrafted snowflake ornaments this month as a way to raise money for Autism Speaks, a leading nonprofit autism science and advocacy organization.

Like a real snowflake, each ornament is unique, crafted with recycled puzzle pieces — the symbol for autism awareness.

Ornament cost is $5, with all proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks.  Purchase ornaments these Mason retailers:

• Kidd Coffee, 322 Reading Road
• Mims off Main, 623 Reading Road
• Main Street Sweets, 200 E. Main Street

“It’s been powerful watching the students get so involved in this project,” said Sheets. “Not only was the project itself fun, but the students have shown great passion for helping others.

Posted in: Schools |

Tags: Tags: amy sheets, autism, autism speaks, christmas tree, fundraiser, mason intermediate, ornaments, snowflake ornaments

The city of Mason will dress up its downtown business district and celebrate the holiday season during its annual Christmas in Mason event from 6-9 p.m. Friday.

Activities take place on Main Street and Reading Road between Mason-Montgomery Road and Second Avenue. This area will be closed to traffic from 4:30 p.m. until midnight.

• Photos: 2011 Christmas in Mason

A parade of canine escorts dressed up in holiday finery will lead Santa Claus into the festivities at 6 p.m. when the Santa Paws parade gets under way.  The parade kicks off this year at the corner of Main Street and Mason-Montgomery Road and proceeds down Main to the Plaza.

After the parade, a tree lighting ceremony takes place on the Plaza.  Santa will also be available for pictures for the rest of the evening.  A full line-up of live entertainment takes place on the Main Stage throughout the evening.

Other activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, story times at the Mason Public Library, caricature and balloon artists, strolling carrollers and ice and wood carvers. “Stocking Stops” scattered throughout the downtown area will welcome visitors.

Shuttle buses will run from St. Susanna Church at 616 Reading Road and Grace Baptist Church at 5595 Mason Road.

For more information, go to www.festivalsofmason.org or call 513-229-8534.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: christmas, christmas in mason, christmas tree, city of mason, demonstrations, downtown, entertainment, food, free, parade, santa claus, tree lighting

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

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

Wherever you go, call in advance for details.

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

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

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

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

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

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Posted in: Business, Community, News |

Tags: Tags: christmas tree, cut your own tree, tree cutting, xmas tree

Christmas tree and brush pickup begins in Mason on Monday.

Discarded Christmas trees should have all decorations removed and be placed at the curb with the cut end toward the street.

In Deerfield Township, trees can be recycled from dawn to dusk at three different locations through Jan. 15:

• Cottell park, 5847 Irwin Simpson Road
• Fleckenstein Park, 3834 Mason-Montgomery Road
• Landen-Deerfield Park, 2258 W US Hwy 22 & 3

Signs will be posted at each park for designated discard areas. Christmas trees may also be set outside at the curb for pickup.

For more information, call the city of Mason at 513-229-8500 or Deerfield Township at 513-701-6968.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: christmas tree, city of mason, cottell park, deerfield township, disposal, fleckenstein park, landen-deerfield park, mason, recycling, rumpke