“What’s in a name?
That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
-Juliet, Romeo and Juliet

Of course a rose would be just as beautiful if it had a different name, Juliet! As we were browsing Natorp’s website for plants to spruce up our garden, we couldn’t help but notice the things that modern plants and flowers go by. Some of the names that botanicals go by this days are downright FUN! Check out these fun finds at Natorp’s which  boast unique monikers!

Natorp’s Nursery is Cincinnati’s place for plants, with 1 million plants online!
Did you know? Natorp’s Nursery has curbside pickup! Simply complete your order and you will receive an email when your order is ready. It may take 2 business days-so plan accordingly

Natorp’s Nursery
8601 Snider Road
Mason, OH 45040
(513) 398-4769 | www.natorp.com

Click here to discover easy spring curb appeal ideas to refresh your home!

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Summer adventures are right around the corner and one of the best parts of June and July is cooling down with friends. Whether you are spending time at a creek, lake, river, ocean or pool, a few precautions can ensure everyone has a fun and safe time. Get ready to splash into summer by brushing up on basic summer water safety.

SWIM LESSONS
For inexperienced swimmers, taking a few swim lessons can result in life-saving skills. Even experienced swimmers can benefit from brushing up on skills, too.
Check out these Cincinnati designations that offer swim lessons:
Bear Paddle | Goldfish Swim School | YMCA | Cincinnati Recreation Commission 
 University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati Sports Club | Kids First Sports | TriHealth | Lori’s H2O Skills | Mayerson JCC  |
British Swim School | Five Seasons NKY

DON’T SWIM SOLO
Swimming with a buddy is both more fun and more safe. The buddy system is a great way to spend time together in the water.

DESIGNATE A WATER WATCHER
Supervision is an important part of water safety. The water watcher is an adult who needs to stay distraction-free and keep a watchful eye on swimmers.

FOLLOW POSTED RULES
Look for posted signs regarding swimming conditions when visiting natural bodies of water. While it is preferable to swim at pools with life guards on duty, if unavailable, see posted pool rules for guidance.

CHOOSE A SMART SWIMSUIT
Brightly colored and neon swimsuits that contrast with water make swimmers  easily visible. Avoid dark color swimsuits, which make it hard to spot children while swimming. UPF swim suits are also available which provide protection from the sun!

WEAR A LIFE JACKET
For children who are unable to swim, a Coast Guard certified life vest is the way to go.

GRAB THE SPF
Be sure to apply, and reapply sunscreen. Nothing dampers summer fun more than a painful sunburn.

TAKE BREAKS
Swimming is great exercise! Be sure to remind children to take breaks, grab a snack and, of course, stay hydrated.

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Cannonballs, can openers and diving are so much fun! Make sure to follow rules and also to literally look before you leap to make sure the area you are jumping into is deep enough and that no one is in the space.

Wishing you the safest (and most fun) summer yet!

The post Summer Water Safety appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Renowned Cincinnati bakery SERVATii serves up mouthwatering baked goods every day at 15 convenient locations (including 6 bakery & deli stores). This family-owned German storefront bakes up delicious goods for every meal and occasion, making it a part of Cincinnati families dinner tables and their traditions, too. Breakfasts are delightful with donuts and pastries, parties are made popular with the addition of a giant Bavarian pretzel sandwich and of course there are those legendary SERVATii cakes.

If you are a Cincinnati native, we don’t need to sell you on SERVATii. It’s kind of a “If you know, you know” situation.

Something you may not know is that SERVATii is debuting four new specialty loaves to celebrate World Baking Day, which falls on Saturday, May 17th this year! The lineup of SERVATii’s new limited-time specialty loaves includes:

• Shepherd’s Multigrain: Crafted with SERVATii’s signature sourdough starter and packed with flaxseeds, millet, sunflower seeds and oatmeal.
• Roasted Garlic and Peppercorn: This sourdough loaf is infused with slow-roasted garlic and cracked black peppercorns for bold, savory flavor. Naturally fermented for 24 hours to develop a tangy crumb and golden crust.
• Blueberry Pecan: This rich, buttery wheat sourdough is loaded with sweet blueberries and rustic pecans, creating the perfect balance of natural sweetness and nutty crunch.
• Asiago Semolina: Crafted with high-protein semolina flour and loaded with bold asiago cheese, this naturally fermented loaf is both buttery as well as nutty and golden brown.

To celebrate the four new specialty loaves and World Baking Day, SERVATii is offering a very special BOGO deal on Saturday, May 17th, while supplies last. Customers can purchase any fresh baked loaf and receive a new specialty loaf for free!

ABOUT SERVATii
For more than 60 years, SERVATii has been a trusted name in the Greater Cincinnati region, offering freshly baked pastries, pretzels, decorated cakes, and an assortment of deli products. As a family-owned business spanning five generations, the Gottenbusch family remains committed to using only honest, fresh ingredients, free from enzymes or additives. We honor the legacy of our original Café SERVATii bakery in Muenster, Germany, by preparing our products using authentic, time-honored recipes. Additionally, SERVATii is proud to give back to the community by donating leftover baked goods to local charities daily.

Browse the SERVATii Bakery menu and learn more by clicking here 

Discover more Cincinnati food news by clicking here

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Ted Karras, a true gentle giant. At six-foot-four and 310 lbs., the center for the Cincinnati Bengals is a fearsome beast of an opponent on the football field. Off the field, Karras tackles an issue near and dear to his heart: adults with developmental disabilities have a lack of continued education opportunities and limited options when it comes to inclusive living communities. Karras aims to shine the light on these community needs by bringing awareness and raising funds for organizations that are paving the way to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

Ted Karras’ foundation, The Cincy Hat, produces hats that are both stylish and do good. Sales proceeds are divvied up between two fabulous organizations- The Village of Mericici, an Indianapolis based living community, and also the University of Cincinnati’s Transition and Access Pathways program. Karras won the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge, a fan voted recognition that proves both the Jungle and the nation sees and values Teds amazing initiatives.

“It is important to give back and help out where it’s needed.”
-Ted Karras

The Cincy Hat has had many collaborations including various local schools, Cincinnati events and more. Fans are able to rep Cincy in a way that recognizes their organizations and also benefits a great cause.  A new style of hat has been launched for The Christ Hospital! Pre-order one today to rep The Christ Hospital for only $35—100% of sales proceeds help support The Cincy Hat Foundation’s missions. Click here to preorder yours today.

Discover more Health news coverage from Cincinnati Family Magazine by clicking here.

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Local student, gamer, history buff, roller-skater and actor Dorien Watson has made history! 13 year-old Dorien voiced a major role in Pixar’s first-ever long-form animated series in the show Win or Lose. This adorable series follows a host of characters and their unique experiences surrounding one shared event… the Pickles middle school softball team’s journey leading up to the big championship game. Based on his talents Dorien was hand-picked for the role of imaginative dreamer Ira, the little brother of Pickles ball player Taylor. Dorien has also landed a host of modeling gigs and even a role on the infamous Sesame Street. Along with being an amazing actor, Dorien is an overall amazing kid. We were lucky enough to snag a lunch chat with Dorien at SCPA, where he attends school, to ask him a few questions about himself and his budding career. Read on for our full interview with Dorien…

Cincinnati Family Magazine (CFM): So Dorien, when did you start acting?
Dorien Watson (DW): In 2020, I took some online classes with Young Actors of Atlanta and that really helped me start becoming an actor. But even before that, I had been modeling in some magazines for hotels, Huffy Bikes and a Halloween Magazine.

CFM: Do you remember your first acting gig, like the first official role, where you were like, “Okay, this is it”?
DW: It was a short film some Xavier students made called Brothers. It was the older brother and the younger brother and it focused on brotherly love and stuff like that. That was my first role—as the younger brother.

CFM: Yes! I remember seeing that one on your IMDB page! You were so little! Now, when I was little, I loved watching Big Bird and all of those puppet friends. But you actually got to appear on Sesame Street!?
DW: That was so cool and so much fun. That was in 2022 or 2023 and I had auditioned earlier in the year around Christmas. When they called me, it was summer and I kind of forgot that I even had done the audition! But they called me back and said, “We want you for this” and that was pretty amazing. I got to go to New York, which is always fun! The set is like a whole actual street and Big Bird is really, really, tall. Like maybe the height of this classroom!
CFM: So when they say Big Bird, it is not an exaggeration!
DW: No, not at all! He was looming over me, even a couple feet away. All of the puppets are super cool and the voice actors move around on skateboards to get to their places.
CFM: So puppeteering, would that be something that you would be interested in?
DW: *laughs* Um, puppeteering. I don’t think that for me because I just feel like that is a lot to micromanage and then also control the puppet, too.

CFM: Your most recent role is Ira on Win or Lose. What was the experience like with voice acting on such a big show?
DW: The recording process was downtown locally in Cincinnati at a voice acting studio. I was sitting on a stool on a Zoom call with the casting directors and I would just say my lines into the microphone. The directors would sometimes give me feedback and we would re-record. The recording sessions were usually like three hours per session each.

CFM: I think your Australian accent was fabulous in the show. Super, super impressive.
DW: *laughs* It was terrible.
CFM: I think it was great! Would you ever want to visit Australia? Or is there another place you would like to travel?
DW: I think Australia would be cool. But then again, they have like 10,000 foot tarantulas and Kangaroos that’ll like eat you *laughs*.
CFM: *also laughs!* Yeah, and Koala bears aren’t even cuddly, right? They are actually kind of mean!?
DW: Yeah, what’s up with that? If there is another place I could go, I think it would either be the UK or Germany. I like Germany’s architecture since Cincinnati is so German-inspired. I think the culture is cool, too. And the UK, of course is amazing but the food isn’t great. They conquered most of the world and they couldn’t get those spices.
CFM: *laughs*. Maybe you could help bring them over some spices?
DW: Maybe! But I just love British humor, it’s some of the best.
CFM: Do you have a good British accent?
DW: Not so much, accents are not my strength. *laughs*

CFM: So, Ira is incredibly imaginative. Can you relate to being a dreamer like that, or is there another character on the show that you relate more to?
DW: I relate to Ira the most. I am a bit of a dreamer!
CFM: I found myself relating to a lot of the characters… some of the kids, and definitely a lot of the parents.

CFM: For those who haven’t seen Win or Lose, can you tell us a little bit about the show and why they should tune in?
DW: Win or Lose is great, no bias whatsoever. *laughs*. There are so many different perspectives and little details where all of the stories intertwine. In the show, everyone watching will find someone to relate to. Whether it is Ira, or Taylor or Rochelle or whoever, I just think the story lines are really relatable to where someone can say, “Yes! I do that!”.
CFM: Another thing I liked about the show is it takes one simple storyline and looks at it from all of the characters angles. And I think it is so important to realize that in any given instance of life, you never know what someone is going through. It has such a nice moral where a little bit of kindness and empathy go a long way.
DW: Definitely. Sometimes people need to take a second and look at things from a different point of view.

CFM: What would you say to a kid who is interested in getting into acting… what advice would you give them?
DW: Just give it a try! You might not be great at first, but you will get better and it may be something that really fits you. Find characters you can relate to and just try it. Just give it a shot. Persistence.

CFM: Besides being persistent in acting, what other activities do you enjoy?
DW: I’m a competitive person, so I like to challenge myself in school and other things too, like video games
CFM: What kind of games do you enjoy?
DW: I like Super Smash and also Counter Strike, too. I also love roller skating. That’s another one of my big passions. There’s a Black Music Hall of Fame downtown and I was in a music video for that! I was also in the Opening Day Parade three years in a row for the Flying Pig last year. One of the greatest roller skaters was down there: Dylan Morton! He has skated for Mariah Carey and he was in the Super Bowl skating for Usher.
CFM: Wow! Show out to Dylan! That is super cool.
DW: Yes! Shout out to him, he is very cool.

CFM SIDE THOUGHT: Dorien, himself, is very cool, I hope he knows that!

CFM: Looking forward what kind of roles are you looking to explore? Not puppeteering *laughs*, but maybe voice acting, comedy, drama, a musical?
DW: Definitely more voice acting. I think that is where I can shine the most. I also really like comedy and think I am a comedian person. I also think I could get into the world of drama, and that is something I would want to work on.

CFM: We know you will be awesome at whatever you set your mind to. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! We loved watching you in Win or Lose and we can’t wait to see where you pop up next!
DW: Thank you!

Discover more about the Pixar series Win or Lose by clicking here.

The post Getting to Know Dorien Watson appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Warmer weather means it is time to hit the parks and get those kids moving (and worn out!). Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky boast an abundance of fabulous playgrounds, each with unique features and draws that bring families back time and time again. Branch out and explore what our communities have to offer when it comes to PLAY!  Why not make a point to check out ALL of these perfect playgrounds around town?

Alms Park Playground
710 Tusculum Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
This hilltop park is a fabulous destination for a playdate. The stone slide brings nostalgia that grown-ups will adore, while kids will enjoy the climbing boulder, musical instruments, spinners and swings.

Beech Acres Park
6910 Salem Road, Cincinnati, OH
With a train station tot-lot and a massive fort-like play unit for bigger kids, this playground is fit for the entire family. There are bridges, climbing rocks, slides and so much more. Be sure to visit during the summer to check out the water play area.

Common Ground Playground
6000 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 
All-inclusive elements at this playground promote fun for everyone! The park is fenced in, so don’t worry about the kids running off. There are also designated areas for different age groups, an accessible zip line and musical elements, too. 

West Fork Park
4764 West Fork Road, Cincinnati, OH
This colorful playground is so much fun! Featuring a zip line, huge playscape, an area for littles and lots of room for creative play, be sure to add this park to your must-visit list.

Summit Park Playground
4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, OH
Not just one, but two phenomenal playscape at one location. The contemporary playground has slides, ropes, play mounds and unique climbing structures. The Nature Playscape is not your average playground! Utilizing earth elements, kids can feel one with nature as they climb giant logs, get their knees dirty crawling through a hobbit-hole and more. There are also two fun zip lines for kids to feel like they are swinging through the forest.

Washington Park Children’s Playground
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH
Nestled in downtown Cincinnati, Washington Park is a beautiful spot for a family afternoon out! There are plenty of local eateries near by to grab a bite and there are often times free concerts going on or exciting events happening. The fenced in playground features a play castle, climbing wall, slides and musical instruments for children to explore. During summer months, the Washington Park spray ground is a big hit with little ones.

Tower Park Playground
900 S Fort Thomas Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY
This recently renovated playground mixes innovative play with elements of a traditional playground. Featuring slides galore, learning through play activities, climbers, balance beams, a zip line and a emphasis on both history and nature, we guarantee little ones will love this park.

Smale Riverfront Park
100 West Merhing Way, Cincinnati, OH
This sprawling riverfront park showcases natures beauty alongside city life. Take in a view of the river, watch barges and boats go by and check out the PNC Grow Up Great Adventure Playground, too. With slides, climbing elements, a rock wall and so much more, this oasis in the heart of Cincinnati is so much fun for families to enjoy together. During warm months, the spray ground is a big hit with little ones.

1000 Hands Playground
5915 Ridge Road, Pleasant Ridge, OH
This is the park of your childhood dreams. This classic wooden playscape has the best hiding spots for hide and seek! There are delightfully designed nooks and crannies for kids to explore with their grown-ups and lots of opportunities to climb, slide and swing.

Land of Make Believe Lunken Playground
4740 Playfield Lane, Cincinnati, OH
Enjoy watching planes taking off while taking turns on slides. This playground near Lunken Airport is a great place for some plane watching in between playing.

The post Perfect Cincinnati Playgrounds appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

Tradition meets contemporary. Comfort meets innovation. Belgium meets America.

A new menu is now available at Taste of Belgium. Diners can browse the streamlined menu, below, which showcases selections for each part of the day- breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Plus some a la carte items which are available all day, too. Of course it wouldn’t be a true taste of Belgium without an extensive selection of imported beers.

Taste of Belgium is well known (and loved) for their Belgian Liege waffles.  Made with dough instead of batter, the waffles have a bite to them, and the special pearl sugar (imported straight from Belgium) caramelizes when they touch the hot waffle iron, giving the waffles their signature crunch. The sugary exterior makes the Liege waffles a perfect accompaniment to savory companions like Korean Chicken and the new Birria Waffle dish. Salty, meet sweet- a beautiful balance of flavors.

Other new menu items include Florentine Eggs Benefit, Nordic Eggs Benedict, the Cranberry Orange Waffle and more. But don’t fret- ToB will still have those beef tallow fried frites with dips (chipotle mayo, pesto mayo, malt vinegar mayo and curry ketchup). And the menu also kept dreamy dinner dish, mussels, adding in a pesto cream version that is to die for.

Cincinnati Family Magazine had a chance to sample some of the menu items and sit down with Taste of Belgium founder, Jean-François Flechet. Here’s what he had to say about growing up in Belgium, the new menu and community connections…

Cincinnati Family Magazine (CFM: You grew up in Belgium, you are raising your child in Cincinnati. Can you talk to us about the differences?

Jean-François Flechet (JFF): I don’t know if it was different because it was in Belgium, or because it was a different time. He (my son) is growing up in Over-the-Rhine, so it is an urban environment. While I grew up in the countryside, so we were pretty much the only house on the street and really self-sufficient. Both my grandparents were farmers, so at home, we had chickens, geese, sheep and rabbits. If an animal ended up on my plate, I knew it’s name. So that was very very different in terms of upbringing. And we had a big garden, so lots of fruits and vegetables.

 

CFM: Did you have a lot of chores then? Or would you even call them chores? Maybe it was just a part of being a member of a farm family?

JFF: Yeah, whatever it was planting or cleaning the garden or picking green beans or cleaning them. I was very involved as a kid.

 

CFM: Do you think that hands-on approach to food is incorporated to your business?

JFF: It shows up in the way we look at ingredients and the way we are cooking. We make everything from scratch here because back home, nothing came out of a can. I rarely buy anything processed! I mean, the most processed thing would be canned tomatoes from Italy.

 

CFM: Especially with Findlay Market so close, you can get what you need nearby and you probably know the market vendors by name and they know to expect you.

JFF: You can go to Findlay and get pretty much anything you want, you don’t need to buy large amounts. It’s a lot fresher. The market is great. Our goetta is from Eckerlin Meats. The food just tastes better with local ingredients.

 

CFM: With the new Menu, what do you think families and their little ones will enjoy?

JFF: It’s funny, because the one thing I realized is that we did not put a kids menu on here. We went back and forth for a really long time on that But there is plenty of food that is kid-friendly. I remember when we started and people would say ‘I cannot believe you don’t have a kids menu!’. But in Belgium, we think of kids as little humans who eat human food and not just Mac and cheese and chicken fingers. We will probably bring something back in the form of an activity sheet.

 

CFM: I would agree that the menu does have very kid-friendly foods, though!

JFF: I do think it is kid-friendly, too. The frites, any of the waffles. The Waffle Flight is something familiar but they can have four different versions, so they can try something new. The Belgian cheese croquette is like a super cheese stick, if you will. The Belgian meatballs are very traditional. The Mac and cheese has a little kick to it, but it’s not overly spicy. And the Beer Cheese with pretzels.

 

CFM: Everybody is a VIP here- great drinks, amazing food for every meal of the day, and you are family-friendly. How many locations are there- where can families enjoy Taste of Belgium?

JFF: We have three full service restaurants. One in Over-the-Rhine, the original location. One at the Banks in between the Reds and Paycor Stadium and one at the food exchange in Norwood.

 

CFM: Thank you so much for having us and chatting with us. We can’t wait for families to check out the new Taste of Belgium Menu!

Visit www.tasteofbelgium.com for more information. 

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