Life + Culture

Wrap it Up

Pro Tips to Make Your Holiday Packages Shine Article by Tera Michelson | Photography by Brianna Richardson Photography Some argue that the best gifts come in small packages, while others claim that the most memorable presents come under gigantic bows. When it comes to holiday gift-giving, presentation matters. We turn to professional gift wrapper Amber Blakley, founder of Westfield Wrapper, for her tips to make your holiday packages shine this giving season.  Stock a Wrapping Station Prepare...

Life + Culture

Christmas Cheer

Kids 'N Cops Program Strengthens Community Bonds During the Holidays Article by A.J. Lape | Photography by Provided by West Chester Township The holiday season can be a time of joy and togetherness, but for some families and children, it can also bring challenges. To spread cheer and ensure every child feels special, West Chester’s Kids ’N Cops program—part of a national initiative by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)—works to make a difference. Each year, officers from the West Chester...

Food + Beverage

Winter Menu

Delight Family + Friends with Savory Salad + Festive Focaccia Article by Stephanie Amlung, Amanda Stout + Carly Tamborski | Photography by Cathy Lyons–Lyons Photography + Stephanie Meinberg Your great-aunt’s candied yams. The infamous Jell-O fruit salad. Grandma’s fruitcake. Long-standing traditions aside, holiday meals often feature special dishes for the sake of nostalgia and not necessarily taste. Thankfully, we’ve got friends in the flavor business—Melanie Cedargren of The Spicy Olive and...

Travel

Holiday Magic In Santa Claus, Indiana

Nostalgic Holiday Traditions for the Whole Family to Enjoy are Just a Car Ride Away Article by Sarah Skate | Photography by Spencer County Visitors Bureau Live reindeer, miles of light displays and delicious gourmet treats are just a few of the magical Christmas offerings for Santa Claus, Indiana visitors. About three hours southwest, the town has loads of unique shopping, vibrant restaurants and family-friendly activities.  “The holiday season in a town called Santa Claus is pretty...

Entertainment

Celebrate the Season

The More the Merrier at West Chester’s New Holiday Family Fun Day—December 7 Article by Tera Michelson | Photography by Provided Mark Saturday, December 7 in your calendar—the volunteer elves of C3 Caring Community Collaborative (C3) have been preparing a day of holiday fun to celebrate the season. The nonprofit organization committed to bringing our community together invites you to take a break from the holiday rush and join your neighbors at The Square @ Union Centre for the local party of...

Life + Culture

Red Kettle Season

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Give to The Salvation Army Article by Mike Burcham | Photography by Provided The act of giving is what makes the holiday season such a magical time. There may not be a better example of giving than The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. “I like to say that we were the original crowdfunders,” says Julie Budden, divisional director of development for Salvation Army’s Southwest Ohio Northeast Kentucky Division. The Red Kettle Campaign started in 1891...

Wellness

Gratitude Guide

Express Your Thanks with Notes, Gifts + Reflection During This Season of Gathering Article by Tera Michelson + Michelle Moody Giving thanks can make you happier and healthier. It’s a scientific fact that feelings of gratitude trigger the release of the happiness hormones dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Thankfulness manifests physically in our bodies, slowing our breath, creating a sensation of warmth and leading to an emotional response, often tears or smiles. Express your thanks for...

Home + Design

Holiday Home

Designer Tips to Make Your Home Shine for the Season Article by Tera Michelson | Photography by Anjali Fong Photography It’s time to deck the halls! Are you stuck in a holiday rut? If your style has lost its sparkle, it may be time for a refresh. Local interior designer and owner of Sacksteder’s Interiors, Karen Sacksteder accepts the annual challenge of sophisticated and affordable holiday makeovers. With thirty-six years in design, she has a well-trained eye and contagious penchant for...

Life + Culture

D-Day’s Quiet Hero

World War II Veteran Honored in Normandy on 80th Anniversary of D-Day Article by A.J. Lape | Photography by Provided Daniel McIlvoy Regimental Surgeon for the 82nd Airborne/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Daniel McIlvoy, Regimental Surgeon for the 82nd Airborne/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, embodied the Biblical creed of John 15:13–“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” His daughter, Annie Zaya of West Chester, treasures his legacy and...

Life + Culture

Pause and Play

Local Nonprofit Provides Pathway to Hope for Special-Needs Kids + Families Article by A.J. Lape | Photography by Provided Having a child with special needs often brings unique challenges like isolation, judgment, helplessness and feelings of being misunderstood. But for families facing these struggles, Pause for Parents, Play for Kids (Pause) provides a much-needed lifeline. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, Pause offers a range of services, including “respite care for children with developmental...