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Posted By: The Reporter December 24, 2025
In the summer of 2024, CrossRoads Church at Westfield, 19201 Grassy Branch Road, was having trouble with some Canadian geese. Someone suggested the church get a pair of plastic swans for the lake because geese and swans don’t like to nest together.
The church adopted two decoy swans, which helped a bit keeping the geese at bay.
Unbeknownst to CrossRoads officials, years ago, there were a pair of real swans nesting in a local lake. The plastic ones were very realistic and fooled not only the geese, but many of the humans, who took to social media talking about the return of the swans.
Last winter, when the lake froze, the two plastic swans froze in place in the lake.
The people who were curious about the CrossRoads swans were now concerned that the church allowed swans to freeze in the lake. Reportedly, half a dozen people went to the church door alarmed anyone would allow those swans to freeze in the lake.
Church officials politely explained that the swans were not real, and some had a good laugh over the misunderstanding.
As Christmas approached, CrossRoads adopted five more plastic swans, adorned them with bows, and launched them on their little lake so we could have seven swans a swimming for Christmas.
Now that we’re successfully stuck the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” in your head, we wish you’re a Merry Christmas and happy Seven Swans a Swimming from The Hamilton County Reporter and CrossRoads Church at Westfield.

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