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Christian college teams from across the nation descended on Prasco Park this month in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Div. I and II Baseball National Championship World Series.

The Div. 1 championship game will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Mason athletic facility. Oklahoma Wesleyan will look to defend its National Championship title against California Baptist University.

Toccoa Falls College beat out Florida Christian in the Div. II championship, held on May 12.

This is the fourth year for the NCCAA World Series at Prasco Park, which opened in 2008. The 550-seat stadium built to Major League specifications is on the corporate campus of Prasco Laboratories and is an initiative of the Arington Foundation, named for Prasco founder Thomas Arington.

Arington Executive Director Jeff Zurcher said the partnership is a matter of faith, in addition to providing a first-class baseball experience.

Arington’s mission is to positively affect the values of young people through Christian influence in sport, media and education — values which merge with the Christian intercollegiate athletic association, he said.

As part of their participation in the World Series, each team donates service hours at Matthew 25 Ministries, a Blue Ash-based charity.

The park maintains a code of conduct for guests, which prohibits profanity, alcohol and excessive displays of affection, and opens each game with a prayer.

“It’s a values match,” said Zurcher of the NCCAA. “We love God and we love people and we try to do that in a safe, pleasant experience. We’ve created a destination not only for baseball fans, but for families.”

In addition to hosting the NCCAA World Series, the park is the permanent home of the Cincinnati Spikes amateur baseball team. Select colleges, universities and youth programs also use the facility.

Admission is free and open to the community. In addition to the tournament are family-friendly games, activities, vendors and food in a festival-like atmosphere..

Prasco Park is at 6125 Commerce Court in Mason. For more information, go to www.prascopark.com.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events, Religion, Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: arington foundation, baseball, baseball national championship world series, california baptist university, christian, div. i, div. ii, florida christian, free, jeff zurcher, mason, national christian college athletic association, nccaa, oklahoma wesleyan university, prasco laboratories, prasco park, religion, thomas arington, toccoa falls college, world series

The Goddard School in Mason will hold a fundraising car wash and bake sale from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday to benefit Relay for Life.

Relay for Life is an all-night walk to raise funds and awareness of cancer research with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.

The next Relay for Life event in Mason is set for June 9 at the Mason Municipal Center.

“We are all delighted to help in the fight for finding a cure for cancer ,” said franchise owner Kerra Spaeth.  “The teachers and children are anticipating a lot of fun and a great learning experience.”

The early childhood development center will also celebrate its Family Fun Day that day.  Science to Go will conduct science experiments and every child will receive a free take-home experiment.

The Goddard School is at 754 Reading Road and can be reached at 513-398-2777.  More information is online at www.goddardschool.com.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: american cancer society, bake sale, car wash, charity, deerfield township, family fun day, fundraiser, goddard school, kerra spaeth, mason, relay for life

Dozens of vintage Jeeps from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s will be on display during the Midwest Willys Jeep Reunion,which runs today through Sunday at the Kings Island Resort and Conference Center.

The reunion is described as the “finest gathering of Willys and Jeep vehicles north of the Mason-Dixon.”

Also featured are parts vendors, vehicles for sale, tech demonstrations and seminars. Guest speakers include Ron Szymanski, a retired 35-year Jeep employee and former curator of the Jeep House Museum.

Admission and parking are free; $20 per vehicle to show. Tickets for Saturday evening’s banquet and guest speaker are $25 for adults and $14 for children ages 12 and under.

Kings Island Resort and Conference Center is at 5691 Kings Island Drive in Mason. For more information, call 513-423-8724.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: king's island resort and conference center, midwest willy's jeep reunion, reunion, ron szymanski, swap show, vintage jeeps, willys jeep reunion

Joshua Engel / Provided photo

Sheila McLaughlin reports:

Posted in: News, Warren County |

Tags: Tags: joshua engel, law, office of the inspector general, ohio department of public safety, ohio supreme court, prosecutor, rachel hutzel, suspended, warren county

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:

It doesn’t get any better than this: Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies, low humidity and a high temperatures near 80 degrees.

Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will enjoy a nice stretch of weather this weekend with plenty of sun and highs in the mid-80s.

Humidity should remain low throughout the weekend, thanks to a high pressure system from the west, said meteorologist Ashley Novak with the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

The normal high temperature this time of year usually is around 74 degrees.

The next chance for rain will be early next week, late Monday night through Tuesday.

Posted in: News, Weather |

Tags: Tags: may, national weather service, spring, sunny, weather

Mason High School’s athletic office announced its athletes of the week.  This week’s honorees are volleyball and tennis standouts Drew Pfander and Colin Heim.

Drew Pfander / Provided photo

Coaches say Drew Pfander, a sophomore on the Mason boys volleyball team, has stepped up this year and has become a strong blocker and attacker for the Comets.  He has a strong passion for the game and has helped all his teammates be successful this season, according to school release.

Colin Heim / Provided photo

Senior Colin Heim, a third-year varsity green tennis doubles player, has been a “huge contributor” to the team’s success, coaches say.  His record is 11 – 3 so far this season. Colin and his partner, Young-Jin Kang, won 2nd doubles championship for the GMC and both were named First Team for the GMC. Colin and his sectional partner, senior John Mostowy, took the 2nd seed in sectionals and will play in the districts on Thursday.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: athletes of the week, boys volleyball team, colin heim, comets, drew pfander, high school, mason, mason high school, sports, tennis

The Mason Community Center is launching its first teen health and wellness camp this summer.

The one-week camp geared for teens ages 13-15 seeks to educate camp-goers on healthy exercise and wellness habits and includes many community center amenities, such as the fitness center, Edge climbing wall, gymnasiums, indoor and outdoor pools and local parks.

Two one-week sessions will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Camp sessions held the week of June 25 and the week of July 23.

Teens may attend either or both camps. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Cost is $30 for Mason Community Center premier members; $35 for basic members; $44 for non-member Mason residents and $53 for non-residents.

Register online (activity number 461803) at www.imaginemason.org or call 513-229-8555. Registrations are recommended at least one week before the camp session begins.

Posted in: Events, Health & Fitness |

Tags: Tags: fitness, health, mason community center, programs, sports, summer camp, teen health and wellness camp, teens

The Cincinnati United Sycamore Australia U16 girls soccer team swept the competition last month to be named the 2012 Club Ohio Nike Challenge Cup winners.

The team, which includes several players from Mason, finished the tournament with a record of 3-0-1 while outscoring their opponents 7-2.

Pictured above are:

Front row – Kelly Woodward (Ursuline Academy), Madison Castellanos (Loveland), MacKenzie Johnson (Loveland), Ronnie Huon (Madeira), Darby Moloney (Loveland), Beth Rawson (Loveland) and Olivia Sutton (Milford).

Back row – Emily Dicks (Mason), Cassie Hoesl (MND), Regina Doench (Princeton), Lucy Sweeney (Indian Hill), Hailey Martin (Princeton), Hayley Robinson (Milford), Skyler Wilson (Princeton), Paige Ratterman (Loveland), Katrina Schroeder (Milford), Abbie Wootton (Mason) and Coach Mike Prosser.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: abbie wooton, cincinnati united sycamore australia, club ohio nike challenge, cup, emily dicks, girls, soccer, sports

Sara, a 2-year-old female Pointer/Hound mix, is one of many available dogs at the Cincinnati SPCA. Provided photo

Looking to add a new four-legged member to your family?

Emeritus at Long Cove Pointe in Mason will host the Cincinnati SPCA’s mobile adoption unit from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 30. The SPCA will have several available dogs and cats for prospective adopters to meet.

The senior living community is also accepting donations for the SPCA throughout the month as part of the community’s “project with a purpose” campaign.  Donations will be presented to the SPCA at the adoption event.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at the free event, held at 5535 Irwin-Simpson Road. For more information, call Community Relations Manager Debby Farmer at 513-229-3155.

See a list of available cats and dogs at the SPCA at www.spcacincinnati.org.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: cats, cincinnati spca, dogs, donations, emeritus at long cove pointe, mason, mobile adoption unit, pet adoption, spca

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy senior WR Austin Jones. The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Austin Jones, of Mason, is one of five Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy football players headed for the college gridiron this fall.

The senior wide receiver will be a preferred walk-on at Virginia Tech.

Jones garnered attention during his junior year for his breakaway speed. He went to camps last summers, but was setback by an injured hamstring, which meant teams couldn’t see him at full speed.

In the end, it all worked out for Jones, who always wanted to end up a Hokie, according to CHCA head coach Eric Taylor.

Jones, who is about 6-fee-4, according to Taylor, possesses the size many teams covet in a receiver.

“He’s got such a great frame and speed…that’s what everyone’s looking for, these big tall receives than can run,” Taylor said. I’m excited to see what he can do.

Other college football-bound CHCA players are: Brandon Moore (Monroe, University of Alabama), Nick Taylor (Mainville, Hillsdale College), Zach James (Norwood, Carthage) and Josh Thiel (West Chester, Robert Morris).

Enquirer reporter Nick Dudukovich contributed

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: austin jones, chca, cincinnati hills christian academy, eric taylor, football, hokie, sports, virginia tech