Monroe Wee Hornets Conditioning Camp 2009

The Wee Hornets is a pee wee football league located in Monroe for boys in grades 1 through 6. The Wee Hornets are a part of the Southwest Buckeye Pee-Wee Football League (SWBL) and players compete against many other young boys from area schools that they will face off against in High School.

Conditioning Camp has already begun for the Wee Hornets Football. Camp begins today, Monday July 27 and ends Wednesday July 29 at the Monroe High School Football Stadium. The camp runs from 6:00pm until 8:15pm. Camp instructors ask that your son be at the field early enough so he can be dressed and on the field by 6:00pm.

Attire for the camp consists of shorts, a t-shirt and football cleats (gym shoes are acceptable). Water will be provided for the players via a multi-hose water dispenser. Should you desire to bring your own drink it must be water only. No sports drinks, such as Gatorade, are permitted on the field or track. Players will run through various drills from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and from 8:00pm to 8:15pm coaches will have time to huddle up with their team to discuss the days camp.

For all the Wee Hornets info, visit the Monroe Wee Hornets Football website.

Shakespeare in the Park at Monroe Community Park July 24th, 2009

With all the hype about the next big box office hit movie, people tend to forget about how the movies they love so much and can't wait to see got started. Before there was Blu-Ray, Disney 3D and movie theaters there were plays. Real people right in front of you acting, dancing, singing and entertaining. Unless you like making trips to Broadway in New York, finding a play to go to is hard, that is of course you want to go to one of the local schools theater productions. Well thanks to the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company you can now watch plays in a park near you.

This Friday, July 24th, 2009 at the Monroe Community Park you can see the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company perform Romeo and Juliet as a part of their second annual Shakespeare in the Park summer tour. The show is open to the public and is free of charge. You can enjoy this display of the arts at 7:00pm this Friday. The play is presented by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in conjunction with PNC Bank. The play is directed by Artistic Associate Christopher Guthrie with Ensemble Member Sara Clark in the role of Juliet.

If you are interested in learning more about the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company or you would like a full list of performance dates and locations for Shakespeare in the Park and all the other plays by the company then visit the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company website.

The Red Onion Cafe

If you're looking for good food in Monroe, look no further than the Red Onion Cafe. The restaurant, which has been open for four years, takes great pride not only in their food but in being a part of Monroe's history, as well. They are located in an old historic building on South Main Street which was once a stop on the Pony Express. The name "Red Onion Cafe" comes from the history of the building where workers would hang red onions outside to let those traveling the Pony Express know food was being served at the location. Inside, the restaurant's tables and walls are decorated with old newspaper clippings and photos.

But of course, the great food is the main attraction at the Red Onion Cafe. As one patron put it, "...the atmosphere is inviting, and menu selections vary from good to outstanding." From mouthwatering salads such as the Smoked Gouda Apple Salad to their "best in the Midwest" Crabcakes made with real lump crab meat and a "perfect blend of fresh peppers and seasonings," there is not a bad item on the menu at the Red Onion Cafe. During July 2009, the restaurant will be featuring the "Cuisine World Tour." Each day you can order cuisine from a different country around the world including China, Thailand, England, Jamaica, Brazil, Spain, and so many more!

The Red Onion Cafe is located at 214 South Main Street in Monroe, Ohio. They are open from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM Monday through Thursday and from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call (513) 360-0180 or visit their blog: The Red Onion Cafe.

Monroe's "Light Up The Sky" 2009

The fourth of July is a wonderful time to celebrate and have fun with friends and family. There are so many activities that you can do on fourth of July weekend but one thing you most certainly do not want to miss is the annual "Light Up The Sky" festival and fireworks celebration held every year in Monroe.

Last year's festivities were something to be remembered and the people behind "Light Up The Sky" promise this year's event to be bigger and better. Due to economic conditions the festival has been shortened from two days to one day with events going on all day long. Featured attractions at this year's celebration include numerous different rides and games for kids, a car show, pie baking contest, corn hole tournaments, sack races, watermelon seed spitting contests, hot dog eating contest, watermelon toss contest, the annual Little Mr. and Miss Red White and Boom Pageant, many different live bands and, of course, the fireworks display. There will also be many different food vendors in the park for you to fill up on including popular foods like Chic-Fil-A, The Red Onion Cafe, and Yardbirds Southern Barbecue. There is also a parade that will start at 5 pm.

The festivities will take place on July 4th at the Monroe Community Park in Monroe. The festival starts at noon and will go until dusk, concluding with the fireworks display. This year's events promise to be a day full of fun for the whole family that you won't want to miss and won't soon forget. If you want all the information on the festivities, need directions, or are interested in sponsoring or working the event, then go to the Light Up The Sky website.

Kings Island's "Son of Beast" Shut Down

The Son of Beast, a popular roller coaster located at Kings Island, has been shut down due to a pending investigation. According to a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Cincinnati area amusement park decided to close the ride after a woman contacted park officials to say she had been injured on the ride on May 31. An investigation is currently in progress and no details have been released as to when it may be completed.

According to King Island spokesman, Don Helbig, it is not unusual for large rides such as the Son of Beast to be shut down for periodic inspections and maintenance. He also told Cincinnati.com that he did not know why the woman didn't speak up until over two weeks after the incident, but that the park shut down the ride immediately because they "take all guest comments seriously."

The Son of Beast, which opened at Kings Island in 2000, is the world's tallest, fastest wooden roller coaster and until 2006, was one of the only roller coasters in the world to successfully include a vertical loop. In July 2006, an accident involving the roller coaster sent 27 people to local hospitals and prompted removal of the loop. The ride reopened in July 2007.

2009 Kid's Bike Rodeo

The Monroe Police Department and the Dayton Children’s Medical Center have already kicked off the 2009 Kid’s Bike Rodeo. These are days dedicated to teaching children about bike safety awareness within the community. It is free to participate in and features safety tips from Officer Bret Kahny and a mini bike obstacle course. In case of any questions or comments, you can contact Officer Kahny at the Monroe Police Department at 539-9234.

Dates, Times, and Locations:

June 19th, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Old High School Parking Lot

June 19th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Wexford Drive (Dead End)

June 25th, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Rochest Hills (Front Entrance)

June 25th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Monroe Crossing (Shanda Drive)

July 1st, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Bridle Creek (Bobtail Way)

July 1st, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Monroe Community Park

July 2nd 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Locust Street (Lemon Township)

July 2nd 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Debord Lane

Read the original story about the 2009 Kid’s Bike Rodeo.

1869 Era Baseball Game to be Hosted by Monroe Historical Society

For over 200 years, baseball has been the great American sport. People have filled the fields and the stands to partake in this fun-filled past time since the 1800’s. It is a game that most Americans can enjoy in one way or another. What some people don’t know though is that baseball used to be quite different then the sport we watch today.

The Monroe Historical Society is providing the community with an opportunity to experience a true to life 1869 Era baseball game. Together with the Cincinnati Red Stockings-Cincinnati Buckeyes, the Historical Society will host this baseball game, which will be played exactly as it was in 1869. This means that all the same rules and equipment of an 1800’s baseball game will be utilized.

Not only will there be the authentic baseball game, but also there will be a variety of games, food, and fun held throughout the park. There will be potato sack races, three-legged races, and many other activities for everyone to participate in. Prizes and awards will be given to the lucky winners in an assortment of age groups.

This family-fun event will be held on August 8, 2009 at the Monroe Community Park. Festivities will begin at 11:00, and the baseball game will begin at 1:00.

If you would be interested in volunteering to play in the baseball game, contact Council Member Tracy Shell at 600-0366.

Read the original story about the Monroe Historical Society’s 1869 Era Baseball Game.