LOVELAND HERALD
Your Community Press newspaper serving Loveland, Miami Township and other Northeast Cincinnati neighborhoods
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2018 ❚ BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS ❚ PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK
Blue Manatee bookstore searching for new owner Sarah Brookbank Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
Santa Claus called every boy and girl by name to personally greet them with a gift during Christmas with Santa sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at St. Columban Church in Loveland. PHOTOS BY CHUCK GIBSON/FOR THE COMMUNITY PRESS
Santa Claus overcomes illness to make night special in Loveland Chuck Gibson Special to Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
More than 50 excited kids greeted Santa Claus with delight as his sleigh came into sight for the annual Christmas with Santa organized by the St. Columban Knights of Columbus Council the evening of Dec. 7 in the parish hall at St. Columban Church in Loveland. A hearty “Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas” was heard as Santa’s wooden sleigh on wheels, pulled by a few volunteer members of the Knights, came into view for all the boys and girls. Mrs. Claus had just finished reading them the classic Christmas tale “Twas The Night Before Christmas.” They squealed with joy as they heard the familiar greeting from the jolly old elf himself. Santa Claus had come to town. The largest crowd ever, children and parents alike, filled the parish hall in anticipation of the special annual Christmas event. It was special to see the kids gather around Mrs. Claus (Chris Smith) as she read their favorite Christmas stories. “It makes my Christmas,” said Chris Smith, Mrs. Claus. “It makes my whole year. They’re so fun, so excited. I like that.” Knox Smith has been playing Santa Claus for more than 10 years, for a lot of Christmas events, a lot of kids and for the K of C Christmas with Santa at St. Columban Church every year since it started. It was more special this year to see Santa Claus cheerfully calling each child by name to come up and sit with him as he handed each one a present of their own. You see Knox Smith, in the person of Santa Claus, almost didn’t make it this year. “It’s a blessing he is able to do this,” said Chris, his wife. “He just loves it. He loves all the kids. It’s important to him, to both of us.”
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The Blue Manatee bookstore in Oakley is looking for a new owner after 17 years, the current owners have announced. The bookstore has been a staple for young readers since 1989. John Hutton and Sandra Gross purchased the Blue Marble and renamed it the Blue Manatee in 2001. Now they say it's time for someone else to take the helm. "We have had the privilege to get to know and work with some of the kindest, most fantastic and dedicated, impassioned people we have ever known. Truly members of our family, who have enriched our lives beyond measure," the owners said. The couple has their hands in many things. Gross runs Brazee Street Studios. Hutton was recently named the Director of the Reading and Literacy Discovery Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. They both have a hand in the Sleepy Bee Cafe. See BOOKSTORE, Page 1A
Santa Claus (Knox Smith) arrives with a hardy "Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!" at St. Columban Knights of Columbus.
Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus greet the children at Christmas with Santa.
Smith was hospitalized with an unknown illness in early September after passing out at his home. He was unconscious for days as doctors in the trauma
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center at University Hospital worked diligently to determine what was wrong and how to heal him. It was weeks in the hospital before he was finally moved to the Meadowbrook rehabilitation center. “It was pretty traumatic,” said Smith. “The first thing I remember was actually waking up at Meadwobrook rehab. They took good care of me.” Smith faced months-long rehabilitation learning to walk, talk, dress, and do everyday things for himself. They asked him to set goals the first day. “I told them right then and there, Santa Claus is coming to town,” Smith recalled. “I gotta get outta here and on my feet by early December for those kids. I think I made pretty significant progress for what they were thinking.” See SANTA CLAUS, Page 1A
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The Blue Manatee bookstore in Oakley is looking for a new owner after 17 years. SARAH BROOKBANK/THE ENQUIRER
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