MasonBuzz.com

A summer job at the Mason amusement park is a rite of passage for many young workers, but for the Reece family of South Lebanon, it’s a family tradition.

The “family business” began with patriarch Bob Reece, who served as director of the Mason amusement park’s Wild Animal Habitat from 1977 to 1992.

Son Clay Reece worked as a rides operator for four years in the late 1980s and early 1990s, where he met now-wife Mary Reece, who served in various roles at the park from 1980 to 1994.

Their son, Taylor, became the third generation of the family to work at the park when he became a rides operator three years ago.

“It’s sort of been a natural process of us always being around Kings Island,” said Mary. “The Kings thing is really in our family.”

• Photos: The Reece family at Kings Island

Bob Reece, 71, a real estate agent who now lives in Florida, was brought on to help the park transition its safari-style monorail tour through an animal preservation from a third-party vendor, Lion Country Safari, into a park-owned attraction.

The renamed Wild Animal Habitat occupied 125 acres and housed 300 animals spanning 35 species, Reece said.

As director, Reece oversaw a $2 million annual animal budget and a seasonal staff of up to 90 employees. In 1982 he helped form the Cincinnati Wildlife Research Federation, a partnership of Kings Island, the Cincinnati Zoo and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

The organization researched ways to remove embryos of rare or endangered species to implant in surrogate mothers – cutting-edge work that rivaled that of many national zoos, Reece said.

Started in 1980

When she started at Kings Island in 1980, Mary Reece never expected she would one day become the daughter-in-law of Bob Reece, who she remembers as a no-nonsense member of the park’s upper management.

Back then, she was Mary Beth Hunt, a 16-year-old in search of a fun summer job she could carpool to with friends.

(more…)

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Kings Island, News |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, bob reece, family, first job, kings island, lion country safari, mary reece, mason, south lebanon, taylor reece, teenagers, three generations, wild animal habitat

From turtles to puppies and photography to Celtic folk music, there’s lots of fun and free things to do around Greater Cincinnati this weekend.

Friday

Building Men and Women for Others, 7 p.m., Fairfield High School, 8800 Holden Blvd. Young men, young women and adults explore formula for success needed to face challenges of 21st century. Celebrities Jeffrey Marx, Joe Ehrmann and Sean Casey speak. Hosted by Sheila Gray, FOX19 Morning News anchor. Benefits The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields. For parents, mentors, youth leaders, coaches, athletes, organizations and ages 12 and up. Doors open 6 p.m. Free, donations accepted. Registration required. 513-942-2999; www.soita.org/Nuxhall.

Let’s Talk Turtles, 7 p.m., Ellenwood Nature Barn, Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, 3455 Poole Road, Colerain Township. All about turtles. Free, parking permit required. 513-521-7275; www.greatparks.org.

Photography Travel Series: A Trip Through Ancient Egypt, 7:30 p.m., Sharon Centre, Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. View the Pyramids and Sphinx, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Valley of the Kings and Karnak and Luxor Temples. With Cliff and Fran Turrell. Free; vehicle permit required. 513-521-7275; www.greatparks.org.

Project Feeder Watch, 9-11 a.m., Visitor Center, Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Road, Union Township. Share cup of coffee or tea with friends who enjoy watching birds. Ages 21 and up. Members free: nonmembers pay daily admission. 513-831-1711, ext. 125; www.cincynature.org.

Something Different, noon-2 p.m., Great Hall, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Variety of performances from musicians, poets, storytellers, dancers and more. Free. Through Aug. 30. 513-721-2787; www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Saturday

Amazing Amphibians, 1 p.m., Visitor Center, Miami Whitewater Forest, 9001 Mount Hope Road, Crosby Township. Meet some of the native slimy, creepy and cool creatures. Free; vehicle permit required. 513-521-7275; www.greatparks.org.

Artist Demos and Try-Its, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., The Barn, Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center, 6980 Cambridge Ave., Mariemont. Part of Macy’s Arts Sampler. Live demonstrations of oil painting, enameling, pottery, watercolor, pastels, wool spinning, sketching, beading, portrait painting and more. Free. 513-272-3700; www.artatthebarn.org.

Celtic and International Folk Music Performance, 3:30-4:15 p.m., Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave. Clark and Jones Trio performs Celtic, international and American folk music on Celtic harp, fiddle, bodhran, guitar, recorder and vocals. Free. 513-524-8506; www.theartswave.org.

Dada Rafiki: Sisters of Legacy Exhibit Ribbon Cutting, noon-1 p.m., Education Wing, Third floor, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. With artist Annie Ruth and diverse leaders from community. Exhibit designed to celebrate 40 women who have impacted Cincinnati’s history. $12. 513-333-7500; www.freedomcenter.org.

Day Hike, 10 a.m.-noon, Campbell County Environmental Education Center, 1261 Race Track Road, Alexandria. Find out what kind of trees are along the trail. Spot animal tracks and try to guess what made them. With Aubree Forrer, Campbell County Environmental Education assistant. Registration required. 859-572-2600; www.campbellcountyky.org.

Family First Saturday: Picture Perfect, noon-4 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Interactive performances by Dramakinetics and music of the Allegro Ensemble. Discover collection while completing special scavenger hunt. Visit local artists Dani Tipler and Kris Donnelly. Free. 513-721-2787; www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

First Saturday Artists Reception, 5-8 p.m., Mudlark Pottery Studio and Fine Art Gallery, 102 E. Main St., Warsaw. New artwork displayed. Reception for public to meet artists and view work. Food and drinks served. Free. 859-630-0701.

Heroes and Villains, 1-1:55 p.m., Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Collaborative community performance features combined forces of Music Hall’s resident companies: Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and May Festival; plus Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Free. 513-621-2787; www.theartswave.org.

Hero Design Company Mask-Making, 2-4:30 p.m., School for Creative and Performing Arts, 108 W. Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine. Working alongside professional artist and his sidekicks, participants create their own superhero identity, complete with mask and super powers. Free. 513-363-8100; www.theartswave.org.

Puppy Social, 10-11 a.m., All Creatures Animal Hospital, 1894 Ohio Pike, Amelia. Puppies socialize with other pups under supervision of professional trainers at indoor facility. Free. 513-797-7397; www.all-creatures.com.

Sunday

The Art of Charley and Edie Harper in Needlepoint, 2-5 p.m., The Barn Gallery, Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center, 6980 Cambridge Ave., Mariemont. Needlepoint reproductions of Harpers’ prints stitched by Richard Gegner, who has 75 needlepoints on display on his 75th birthday. Colorful, geometric images of nature appeal to children and adults. Exhibit continues through March 31. Free. 513-272-3700; www.artatthebarn.org.

Get Ready for Hummingbirds, 1 p.m., Ellenwood Nature Barn, Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, 3455 Poole Road, Colerain Township. Learn how to attract these little birds to your home while taking a quiz. Free; vehicle permit required. 513-521-7275; www.greatparks.org.

Graphic Novel Drawing Workshop, 2 p.m., Room 3B, Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Main Library, 800 Vine St., Downtown. From script to finished product, take advantage of learning from David Michael, illustrator. He will provide drawing tips. Program is two sessions in length. Bring paper, pencils, erasers and markers. Adults only. Registration required. 513-369-6917; www.cincinnatilibrary.org.

Irish Spring Concert, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Miami University Middletown, 4200 E. University Blvd. Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band. Chris Brandenburg directs concert of Irish favorites by Leroy Anderson. Free reception follows performance. Free. 513-727-3200; www.sosband.org.

Marjorie Celona, Leah Stewart and Sharon Short, 4-6 p.m., The BookShelf, 7754 Camargo Road, Madeira. Author open house. Authors discuss new books: “Y,” “History of Us” and “My One Square Inch of Alaska.” Ages 18 and up. Free. Reservations recommended. 513-271-9140; cincybookshelf.com.

Posted in: Events |

Tags: Tags: activities, family, free, greater cincinnati, things to do

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: a cincinnati night before christmas, cincinnati art museum, circle tail, events, family, first saturday, free, live @ the library, mason community band, meg lacey, owl-a-palooza, sakura ladies chorus, sharon woods, something different, suit up, symana she speaks, ten thousand villages, trakehner horse exhibition, young adult author event

Civil War reenactors attempt to take a train during a reenactment on the Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Railroad. Photo provided

The Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Railroad will hold its Civil War train ride excursion Saturday and Sunday.

The ride will feature Civil War reenactors as Southern troops attempt to overtake a Northern train, followed by a battle reenactment and historically accurate campsites at the LM&M Junction.

Nearly two hours in length, the excursions are set for 10 a.m. and 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday from the station at 127 South Mechanic St., Lebanon.

Cost is $18.50 adults; $15.50 seniors and children ages 5-16; $8.50 for children ages 2-4 and free for infants ages one year and younger.

Purchase tickets online at lebanonrr.com or call 513-933-8022, ext. 101.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: activbities, civil war, family, history, lebanon mason monroe railroad, lm&m, train, train ride

Enjoy a free outdoor movie Friday evening, courtesy of Deerfield Township.

The township will screen the family-friendly movie “The Zookeeper” at Landen-Deerfield Park, 2258 S.R. 22/3

The movie begins at dusk, or around 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs.  For more information, call the township at 513-701-6958.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: deerfield township, family, free, landen-deerfield park, movie in the park, the zookeeper

Harry Jackson, 3, gets help making a spiral sandwich from his mom Sandra during the Half Pint kids club at Whole Foods market in Deerfield Township on Tuesday, August 31, 2010. The kids made the sandwiches using wraps, cream cheese, basil, and tomatoes. The Enquirer/Leigh Taylor

Looking for things to do close to home this weekend?  From football to fiestas, here’s what’s happening in Mason this weekend.

Half Pints Kids Club
10 a.m., Saturday, May 5
Whole Foods Market Mason, 5805 Deerfield Blvd., Deerfield Township

Interactive class introduces children to new foods through crafts and games.  Free.  513-398-9358; www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/mason.

Preserving the Harvest: Berry Canning Class
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5
Whole Foods Market Mason, 5805 Deerfield Blvd., Deerfield Township

Lindsey, with CrunchySavings.com, teaches how to make berry jams and jellies from your harvest at home.  Cost: $5.  Reservations required.  513-398-9358; www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/mason.

Cincinnati Gridiron Kids Open House
Noon Saturday, May 5
Wall2Wall Soccer, 846 Reading Road, Mason

Learn more about the organization’s educational football program for children ages 3-7 and take a free class.  Free.  513-340-3335;  www.cincinnatigridironkids.com.

Back2Back Cinco de Mayo Family Reunion
4-7 p.m. Saturday, May 5
Grace Chapel, 406 4th Ave., Mason

This free festive celebration features an afternoon of games, food, music and children’s activities.  Guest speakers and Back2Back directors Todd and Beth Guckenberger will share ministry updates from Back2Back sites. A cookout-style dinner will be served from 5:30-7 p.m.  Free.  513-754-0333; www.grace-chapel.com.

Cincinnati Civic Orchestra Spring Concert
3-5 p.m. Sunday, May 6
Christ’s Church at Mason, 5165 Western Row Road, Mason

Joel Payne, trumpet soloist, performs Concerto in C Minor by B. Marcello. Selections: Variations on America by Charles Ives, Kismet Overture by A. Borodin, Symphony No. 7, the Great by Franz Schubert.  Free.  513-861-9978.

Posted in: Community, Events, Health & Fitness, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: back2back cinco de mayo family reunion, canning, christ's church at mason, cincinnati civic orchestra, cincinnati gridiron kids, concert, crunchsavings, deerfield township, events, family, grace chapel, half print kids club, mason, open house, wall2wall soccer, whole foods market mason, workshop

Looking for fun and free things to do this weekend the entire family will enjoy?  Here’s a round up of free events in the Cincinnati area.

Saturday

Asian Culture Fest, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday), Cincinnati Museum Center, Queensgate. History, arts and traditions of Asian countries. Includes music, dancing, performances, face painting, health screenings and more. Asian Market and Cultural Place. Part of Passport to the World Series. Free. 513-287-7000; www.cincymuseum.org.

Bead-a-thon, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Brazee Street Studios, 4426 Brazee St., Oakley. Beads of Courage Bead Challenge and Beads in Space Tour stop. Bead Challenge Raffle, bead sponsorship and bracelet making. Replica Beads in Space shuttle bead and poster available. Benefits Beads of Courage, local program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Free. 513-321-0206; www.brazeestreetstudios.com.

Coyote Lecture and Night Hike, 7-10 p.m., Community Meeting Room, Fernald Preserve, 7400 Willey Road, Crosby Township. Talk with author Carol Cartaino about coyotes in our lives today and her book, “Myths and Truths about Coyotes – What You Need to Know about America’s Most Misunderstood Predator.” Followed by hike to listen for coyotes and search for tracks and traces. Free. 513-648-4026; www.lm.doe.gov/fernald.

A Gathering: Installations by Migiwa Orimo, 6-8 p.m., Kennedy Heights Arts Center, 6546 Montgomery Road, Kennedy Heights. Gathering of selected components of the artist’s installations from 2006-2011. Installations involve combination of painting, drawing, sculpture, text, sound and video, making exhibition a mixture of materials and elements. Exhibit continues through May 26. Free. 513-631-4278; www.kennedyarts.org.

InDepth: Impressions of Venice, 2-3 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Attendees meet in front lobby. From its sparkling canals to shadowy alleyways, Venice has long inspired American artists. Join Julie Aronson, Curator of American Painting and Sculpture, for a discussion of works by the Frank Duveneck circle made in this magical city. Free. Reservations required. 513-721-2787; www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Kite Fest, noon-5 p.m. (noon-5 p.m. Sunday), Voice of America Park, Cox Road at VOA Park Drive, West Chester Township. Kite flying event. Chicago Fire choreographed kite team, open fly areas, kite-making, animals from the Cincinnati Zoo and food. Children can make their own kite for a fee. Shuttle provided for parking at West Chester Hospital across from the park. Free. 513-867-5835; www.airwaveskitefest.com.

Madeira Hunger Games: Hapkido, 2 p.m., Madeira Branch Library, 7200 Miami Ave., Madeira. Brush up on your skills as Master Mark Stacey of Ahn’s Tae Kwon Do Institute demonstrates the weapons and self-defense techniques of the dynamic, Korean martial art of Hapkido. Ages 12-18. Free. 513-369-6028; www.cincinnatilibrary.org.

Monet in Giverny: Landscapes of Reflection, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Monet’s late works depicting iconic motifs from his garden in Giverny, such as the Japanese footbridge, water lilies and wisterias are among the most innovative of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Free. Through May 13. 513-721-2787; www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Mount Adams Art Walk, noon-6 p.m., Mount Adams, Mount Adams, Mount Adams. More than 100 of area’s top artists. Music, food, beer, wine, cocktails and cigars. Rain or shine. Free. Through June 9.

Random Acts of Poetry, 2 p.m., Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Main Library, 800 Vine St., Downtown. Special programs in TeenSpot on writing and performing poetry. Elementz Hip-Hop Youth Arts Center is presenter. Ages 12-18. Free. 513-369-6900.

School of Rock Grand Opening Celebration, noon-4 p.m., School of Rock, 755 Reading Road, Mason.  Live entertainment, prizes, tours and open house.  Free.  513-770-1257; http://mason.schoolofrock.com.

Wildflowers of Winton, 2 p.m., Winton Woods, 10245 Winton Road, Springfield Township. Hike along the Great Oaks Trail to look for wildflowers. Free, vehicle permit required. 513-521-7275; www.greatparks.org.

Sunday

Gold Star Chilimobile, 1 p.m., Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Main Library, 800 Vine St., Downtown. Register for Summer Reading Program and receive free coney. Free. 513-369-6900.

Laura Hoevener and Terri Weeks, 2-3 p.m., Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore, 3054 Madison Road, Oakley. Local moms/authors sign best-selling book, “Adventures Around Cincinnati.” Free. 513-731-2665.

Mixed Messages Book Launch, 1-3 p.m., Zen and Now Coffee House, 4453 Bridgetown Road, Cheviot. Patricia Gligor selling and signing copies of her debut novel, mystery that takes place on the west side of Cincinnati. Book available for $15. Free. 513-598-8999.

Super Sundays Family Programming: Nature Abound Celebration of Earth, 1-5 p.m., Behringer-Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Road, Covington. Learn what can we do to save the earth and our quality of life. Explore exhibits from Boone County Arboretum, Kenton County Extension Office, Sanitation District No. 1 and CSI. Children take home glove garden. Free. 859-491-4003; www.bcmuseum.org.

Posted in: Community, Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: art, asian culture fest, bead-a-thon, books, cincinnati art museum, coyote lecture, events, family, food, free, gold star, hike, hunger games, kennedy heights arts center, kite fest, literature, madeira, mason, migiwa orimo, nature, park, recreation, school of rock, west chester

The Northern Hills Synagogue-Congregation B’nai Avraham will hold its Hanukkah party at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

The party, sponsored by the congregation’s Men’s and youth clubs, features a dairy dinner with latkes and sufganiot (donuts), dreidel tournament, Hannukkah crafts, games and activities.

Attendees are asked to bring a menorah to light, as well as gently-used eyeglasses to donate.

Dinner cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 3 to 10 and free for children under 3. There is a maximum family charge of $40.

The event is open to the community.  Northern Hills Synagogue is at 5714 Fields Ertel Road in Deerfield Township and can be reached at 513-931-6038.

Posted in: Community, Events, Religion |

Tags: Tags: community, congregation b'nai avraham, deerfield township, dinner, donation, dreidel, faith, family, hanukkah, latkes, northern hills synagogue, religion, sufganiot

Western Row third grader Cierra Tibbs enjoyed KISS Day with her mom, Pam, and dad, Scott. Photo provided

Hugs abounded last week at Western Row and Mason Heights elementary schools.

Students at both schools invited friends and family to share a part of their school day with them as part of KISS (Kids Invite Someone Special) Day.

Western Row students and their guests participated in the school’s Kids Caring for Kids campaign, in which students raise money to purchase and assemble craft kids for patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Sam Graler was excited to bring his grandfather, Tom Graler, to share his school day.

“This is the best day of the year because I get to do fun things in class with my Papa,” he said.

Posted in: Schools |

Tags: Tags: family, friends, kiss day, mason heights elementary, mason schools, school, students, western row elementary

Powder Keg Harley-Davidson will hold its second annual Family Fun Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Special Olympics of Greater Dayton.

The day’s lineup includes live performances by Hollywood Tragedy, carnival games, children’s activities, a silent auction and swap meet.

Powder Keg Harley-Davidson is at 2383 Kings Center Court and can be reached at 513-204-6962.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: carnival, events, family, family fun festival, games, hollywood tragedy, mason, music, powder keg harley-davidson, special olympics of dayton