Loveland, Ohio – Did you know more than 6 million Americans have one or more developmental disabilities (DD)? That means about 15 percent of the United States population is living with DD. Over the few past decades, individuals with DD and DD advocates have been fighting for inclusion and equal opportunities within their communities and the workforce. Without help from leaders and social reformers like Dorothy Dix, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Reagan, and George Bush, to name a few, both National Developmental Disabilities Month and the Americans with Disabilities Act wouldn’t exist.
“It’s just basic human needs not special needs.” – Courtney Hineman
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a public announcement asking Americans to provide individuals with DD “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” Reagan’s powerful message not only established the month of March as National DD Awareness Month, but his advocacy also led to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being passed in 1990 by George Bush. The ADA officially made it illegal to discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
Once the ADA passed, DD advocates across the world began to take a stand, using their own experiences and success stories to promote equal rights. Although progress has been made in the DD community there are still many obstacles’ individuals with DD face every day. This is why National DD Awareness Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of those with DD and take the time to educate yourself and those surrounding you on the importance of including individuals with DD in all aspects of community life!
In light of this very special March celebration, I decided to invite two of the most respected DD advocates in Ohio, Community Connection Coordinator Connie Mehlman and Community Outreach Advocate Courtney Hineman, both with the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities to my Loveland Magazine TV Table of Discussions! Connie and Courtney have paved the way for inclusion and equality within the DD community giving them both a plethora of knowledge when it comes to educating others about how they too can advocate for individuals with DD.
I am pleased to present my latest Table of Discussions episode featuring Connie Mehlman and Courtney Hineman! Happy DD Awareness Month!
Check out Episode 1 of Courtney’s BCBDD VLOG, “Courtney Explains It All!”
The video below features Courtney as she discusses Neurodiversity with the BCBDD staff!
Below Courtney was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Best Buddies Ohio Annual Gala!
In celebration of National Developmental Disabilities Month, Courtney wrote an Opinion Editorial about what it’s like to live with developmental disabilities and how the community created equal opportunities for her.
Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), has announced that the Best Buddies Friendship Walk will take place April 22, 2023, at Marcum Park in Hamilton for the second time in Southwest Ohio.
Since 2009 more than 250,000 participants have walked in over 60 cities and raised more than $24 million for Best Buddies.
The Friendship Walk is coming together out of a need for funding in Southwest Ohio. Program numbers have grown significantly, creating a need for more support.
“Our Friendship Walks are one of Best Buddies’ most celebrated events, bringing communities together where they can experience our mission in action and engage with our program participants,” said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. “I am beyond grateful that the important work of this organization will continue, thanks to our participants, volunteers, partners, and the entire community. I am confident that we will continue empowering people with special abilities, connecting advocates, and mobilizing our supporters to create a more inclusive world.”
Best Buddies in Ohio anticipates more than 100 participants lacing up their shoes to walk for inclusion, all working to surpass the 2023 fundraising goal of $35,000. Registration begins at 10:30 AM, and the Walk commences at 11:15 AM at Marcum Park, 116 Dayton Street in Hamilton.
Following the Walk, please join Best Buddies for a day of fun, family, wellness, and friendship.
Proceeds from the Friendship Walk are fundamental in supporting state programs that provide one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living. These programs can be found in all 50 states and will create promising opportunities for more than 350,000 people this year.
Walk for inclusion. Walk for friendship. Walk for a better Southwest Ohio!
ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 2,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide.
Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, and Inclusive Living— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 56 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly 700,000 people with and without disabilities around the world.
In many cases, due to their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships.
Loveland Magazine President and Publisher Cassie Mattia at her “Table of Discussions”.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – “We know Grant is ‘done with cancer’ but not in the way any of us hoped for,” Sara Wolf said in 2021 after losing her son, Grant Wolf at just 7 years old to Medulloblastoma, a malignant tumor in the cerebellum region of the brain.
Grant’s twin sister, 9-year-old Julia Wolf, has made it her mission to advocate for childhood cancer research in memory of her brother. This will be the third year that Julia’s “Grant for Grant” fundraiser will be raising money with “The Cure Starts Now” for childhood cancer research.
Julia’s love for stuffed animals was abundantly apparent when immediately after my interview she went to sit with the sock monkey in our studio.
Julia came up with the idea to fundraise in memory of her brother Grant at his funeral in 2021. Julia had been worried about having a birthday without Grant by her side so she brainstormed and came up with two ideas; donate stuffed dogs to kids with cancer, as she and Grant loved to play with stuffed animals together, and raise money for childhood brain cancer research. Julia’s mom loved the idea and thought what a great way to get “Grant’s Wolf Pack” involved, a group of supporters and advocates for childhood cancer research, and other cancer organizations such as The Cure Starts Now. “She set the fundraising goal at $240. We watched the total grow, and grow and grow and knew that the Grant for Grant fundraiser was going to make a big impact,” Sara said.
Julia’s first Grant for Grant fundraiser collected $56,000 and the following year the campaign brought in $52,000.
With Julia and Grant’s 10th birthday coming up and the third year of the Grant for Grant fundraiser in full swing, Julia has been working hard to spread awareness about childhood brain cancer. Julia’s goal this year is to raise at least $50,000 for her A Grant for Grant fundraiser by her and Grant’s birthday on February 11th.
“Grant was really funny. He loved playing dogs and sports. He was the best twin brother,” Julia said to Loveland Magazine in a 2021 interview, “I really wanted to do something about finding a cure for cancer so that no other kid has to go through these tough times.”
Here at Loveland Magazine, we wanted to make sure we not only continued to support Julia’s cause but also let our community of readers know how they can support the cause too, so we invited Julia into the Loveland Magazine studios for a one-on-one interview! Click below to listen to the “Send it to the Table” podcast and the on-camera interview featuring Loveland’s sweetheart, Julia Wolf!
Listen to the “Send it to the Table” Podcast by Cassie Mattia featuring Julia Wolf
Wolf Family Photos
The Cure Starts Now represents something truly different – a grassroots effort dedicated to, not just fighting one cancer, but the elimination of ALL cancers. We believe as the experts do; that in order to truly cure cancer you have to focus on: • Those cancers that are immune to treatment. • Those cancers that also affect children. • Those cancers that are the biggest bullies with the highest death rate.
Learn all about The Cure Starts Now in the video below!
SAVE THE DATE for one of Cincinnati’s most unique auctions and the premiere fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now
As the premiere fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now, the Once in a Lifetime Gala is one of Cincinnati’s most unique galas. Join over 900 guests as they enjoy a 3-course gourmet meal, open bar, a 400-package silent auction, a once-in-a-lifetime experience live auction, and entertainment. Please join us as we continue our battle against pediatric brain cancer and honor our cancer warriors.
100% of the proceeds benefit The Cure Starts Now. Thanks to events like this, The Cure Starts Now has funded $21,188,327 in pediatric cancer research and support in conjunction with our DIPG/DMG Collaborative Partners. The proceeds will benefit The Cure Starts Now, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to finding a “home run” cure for cancer through funding of pediatric brain cancer research.
Receive admission to The Cure Starts Now auction, dinner, and program. Includes complementary beer, wine, and soft drinks.
Send it to the Table
If you have a story you would like to bring to my all-new segment, the “Table of Discussions,” where I talk about anything and everything going on locally and nationally, email me at cmattia12@gmail.com. I’d love to sit at my table with you and discuss an issue or listen to your story!
Everyone experiences challenges in their lives whether it’s having a not-so-great work week, overcoming an illness, or getting into an argument with someone you care about. In the grand scheme of things, those challenges are often ones you can quickly overcome and grow from! Some obstacles in life can be so challenging that when one overcomes them it is not only inspirational to see but also serves as a beautiful example for those experiencing the same obstacles. Meet Kathryn (Kat) Feldmann, a 21-year-old who has not only never backed down from a challenge but has also been a source of motivation for others in the developmental disability community to pursue their dreams.
Kat, who lives with her mom, Kristen, her dad, Kurt, and her brother, Konrad in Liberty Township has overcome a lot of medical challenges in her life. As a baby, Kat was diagnosed with an Atrial Septal Defect that was eventually corrected through surgery. Kat was also diagnosed with autism, Pierre Robin Sequence, anxiety, Craniofacial Anomalies, and a speech delay. Though Kat deals with challenges daily due to her disabilities, she has successfully managed to not only exceed her goals, but also receive many awards/honors along the way for her outstanding achievements.
Kat, as a very young girl, loved being involved in the community and supporting organizations that she truly believed in.
“Throughout her school age years, she participated in Butler County 4H doing mostly food and nutrition projects and even competed at the state fair twice,” Kat’s mother Kristen said. “Kat was also involved in Girl Scouts since first grade and earned the Girl Scout Gold award. For this, she earned a multiyear grant from Katie’s Krops and grew a garden from which she donated her entire harvest to a local food pantry. She also identified and printed recipes to donate alongside the produce so that the recipients would have a better idea of how to cook it.”
Kat and her many accomplishments, awards, and honors!
Kat’s determination and dedication to the environment, her community, and cooking delicious, healthy, fresh food earned her multiple 4H awards and a trip to Washington DC where she served as the “Citizens Focus” Club’s Treasurer. Little did Kat realize she was becoming one of the biggest local advocates for those with developmental disabilities!
As time went on, Kat began to really enjoy researching things that interested her, often watching YouTube videos to learn as much as she could about topics that she was passionate about. This led to Kat diving into many hobbies such as collecting American Girl Dolls, reading books, cooking, music, dancing, spending time with her Siamese cats, and art.
Kat, her brother Konrad, and her mother Kristen (Photo top left), Kat and 1 of her 3 Siamese cats (Photo top right), Kat and her SSA, Teresa Rouff (Photo bottom left), Kat in Pittsburgh (Photo bottom right).
Kat successfully graduated from Lakota East and shortly after became a part of Butler Tech’s Project Life, a comprehensive, multi-year transition program where students develop, practice, and strengthen skills that increase adult independence and successful integrated employment in the community, and Butler Tech’s Project Search, a school-to-work program for students with disabilities who are serious about working hard and getting a job.
“Kat completed both Project Life and Project Search in May of 2022. For Project Search she completed rotations in the emergency department and the lab at West Chester Hospital,” Kristen explained. “She is now working with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) to secure employment in the future.”
Once Kat finished Project Search she realized she had an interest in Hospitality which led her to enrolling in the Tartan TOPS program at Sinclair College, an educational/career pathway program for part-time students who have an intellectual disability.
Kat in front of Sinclair College, where she currently takes classes in the Tartan TOPS program.
BCBDD Service and Support Administrator (SSA), Teresa Rouff, began working with Kat in April and couldn’t be more impressed with Kat’s progress!
“On top of all the amazing things Kat is doing, she recently began a vocational habilitation program at InsideOut Studio where she creates various art pieces,” Teresa said. “She loves art and is VERY talented. She has a few pieces for sale on the InsideOut Studio website that show how gifted she is at art!”
Kat enjoys all aspects of art and is currently working with fiber and crocheting knits at InsideOut Studio. Kat said she hopes to sell some of her creations through the online store.
“Kat is also involved in SpeakUp and was recently matched with a buddy through Best Buddies and looks forward to fun times ahead with her new friend,” Kristen said. SpeakUp is a BCBDD self-advocacy group and Best Buddies is a non-profit organization that offers one-on-one friendship and leadership development programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Kat’s “Happiness” acrylic on canvas that she created at InsideOut Studio (Photo top left), Kat’s white pumpkin garden stone that she created at InsideOut Studio (Photo top right), Kat with advocate Jodi Mann, Director Kimberly Hauck from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), advocate Cassie Sullivan, and Steve Beha, the Chief Policy Officer for the DODD, Kat was on an advocate panel when DODD’s Director Hauck visited the BCBDD (Bottom right photo).
Kat says her main hope and dream is to become as independent as possible and to live with roommates and friends for socialization. She says she would like to get a job that allows her to make a difference in the world and continue doing what she’s passionate about!
Watch the on-camera interview with Kat Feldmann, BCBDD SSA Teresa Rouff, and Kat’s mother Kristen Feldmann below!
When children go back to school, it’s time for YOU!
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Magazine readers, are you ready to get your sweat on? Well now is your chance to join me in my first ever Kickboxing 101 video where you will learn how to Jab, Uppercut, and Kick your way into a fantastic workout routine!
Since becoming a certified Kickboxing instructor, I have wanted to produce inspirational, instructional workout videos for Loveland Magazine readers so that they could have the opportunity to get in a great workout from their very own homes. During the “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo on Saturday, July 30 in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park, I was asked to perform a fitness class for those who wanted to enjoy a free workout at the Expo. Of course, I chose to do a Kickboxing class and while preparing for the class, I thought, “Well this would be the perfect time to film my first workout video for Loveland Magazine readers!” David Miller grabbed his iPhone and we immediately began filming, Kickboxing 101!
In Kickboxing 101, you will learn the basic boxing and kickboxing exercises so that you can learn the proper technique of each move before moving into “combination” moves. The Loveland Magazine TV workout videos are split into 5 parts as I demonstrate each exercise at a slow pace and then move into a faster pace.
Although the Kickboxing video routine is only 15 minutes total (tune in to the 6th video to go straight through the workout with no break), this workout can also be extended to an intense 30-minute workout that will leave you drenched in sweat! I incorporate 1 to 2 Kickboxing workouts into my weekly exercise regimen as it is not only great for your cardiovascular but also works on muscles that are often hard to get to with just traditional weight lifting.
Below is my Kickboxing 101 30-minute workout routine! Once you get the hang of the moves used in the workout feel free to write this workout down and perform it at any time and any place. You will need a timer for this workout. Boxing gloves are optional although incorporating them into this workout adds another level of intensity to the routine!
Perform each move for 30 seconds twice on each side
Boxer Shuffle with Arm Circles
Jab
Cross
Jab, Cross
Hook
Uppercut
Hook, Uppercut
Elbow
Knee
Elbow, Knee
Rear Elbow
Front Kick
Rear Elbow, Front Kick
Duck
Duck, Jab, Cross
Are ready to box your way into a workout that combines cardio, muscle toning, balance, and self-defense? Click Part 1 of my Kickboxing 101 workout to begin instructional demonstrations on the technique of each move. Once you feel comfortable and have watched Parts 1-5, tune into video 6 to watch the entire workout all the way through.
Don’t forget to “Subscribe”, “Follow”, and “Like” Loveland Magazine TV on YouTube! We have a large collection of videos we have produced that you can enjoy on your big screen at home and at work or at the gym on your phone! You can simply tell Alexa, “Find Loveland Magazine TV” and she will take you straight to our YouTube channel to watch any of our on-demand videos. If you are better friends with Siri simply say, “Play Kickboxing 101 with Cassie Mattia!”
Want more workout videos? Stay tuned for more exercise routines coming in the near future!
Loveland, Ohio – What goes better with the Loveland Bike Trail than health and wellness? Your requests were finally answered as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) hosted the inaugural “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park on Saturday, July 30!
Over the past couple of years, Downtown Loveland has become the go-to spot for entertainment, exercise, and food culture. The Little Miami Bike Trail, which is the longest bike trail in the Miami Valley stretching out to 78 miles, has become the focal point of Loveland for bike riders, running enthusiasts, and families. The historical bike trail has been consistently encouraging people to travel miles just to experience the Loveland culture for themselves so CeeCee Collins, President of the LMRCA, and Meredith Taylor, Program Director of the LMRCA, decided that they needed to organize an event right off the Loveland bike trail for those that enjoy health, wellness, and fitness!
The “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo brought in mental, physical, and financial health professionals and enthusiasts to communicate to the community the benefits of living a life balanced with health and wellness. The event included swag bags, health and wellness interactive booths, music, the Acai “BOL” Bar, “breakout session” speakers, FREE fitness classes taught by community experts, kids’ activities, and much more!
“We have a beautiful setting in the heart of Loveland for this event and hoped the community would come out and learn something new and take advantage of the great resources we have right in our own backyard,” LMRCA Program Director MeredithTaylor said.
Watch my Instagram Reel here that takes you through the “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo!
I was honored to be involved in planning the first-ever “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo! In addition to volunteering at the registration booth during the event, I got the opportunity to share my Kickboxing expertise with those in the community by offering a free Kickboxing 101 class in the amphitheater in Nisbet Park. The class went so well that David Miller and I thought that it would be the perfect time to film a Kickboxing workout for those who would like to get their sweat on virtually! Click the image below to watch a short clip of my Kickboxing 101 workout coming very soon to Loveland Magazine!
Take a look at the EXPO through the lens of myself and David Miller…
Thank you to all those that helped plan, volunteered at, and attended Loveland’s First “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo! We can’t wait to help make next year’s health and wellness extravaganza even better! The LMRCA would also like to say thank you to the “Road to Health and Wellness” presenting sponsor, the Suzi Cree Team at Keller Williams Realty!
For the latest Loveland events and news updates, stay tuned to the Loveland Salad with ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland Magazine’s very own Cassie Mattia will demonstrate Kickboxing at 1 PM
Promoted Story
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – What goes better with the Loveland Bike Trail than health and wellness? Your requests have finally been answered as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) is hosting the first “Road to Health” Expo in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park!
Over the past couple of years, Downtown Loveland has become the go-to spot for entertainment, exercise, and food culture. The Little Miami Bike Trail, which is the longest bike trail in the Miami Valley stretching out to 78 miles, has become the focal point of Loveland for bike riders, running enthusiasts, and families. The historical bike trail has been consistently encouraging people to travel miles just to experience the trail for themselves so both CeeCee Collins, President of the LMRCA, and Meredith Taylor, Program Director of the LMRCA, decided that they needed to organize an event for those that enjoy health, wellness, and the bike trail!
“Loveland by nature lends itself to health and wellness; the beautiful parks, flowing river, and overall landscaping offer opportunity to exercise and live a better life,” Collins said. “When we combine the natural landscaping with an array of health, wellness, and recreational businesses in the area, we felt that it made sense to showcase and offer to our community.”
The “Road to Health” Health and Wellness Expo will be held on July 30th from 10 AM until 2 PM in Nisbet Park off the Loveland Bike Trail. The event will bring in Mental, Physical, and Financial health professionals and enthusiasts to communicate to the community the benefits of living a life balanced with health and wellness. The event will include swag bags for those who register, health and wellness booths, live entertainment, food trucks, “breakout session” speakers, kids’ activities, and much more!
“We are so excited to bring this expo to our area to highlight many aspects of health–not just physical, but mental, financial, nutritional, senior care, and more,” Taylor said. “Every time we’ve mentioned this expo to our chamber members, we have received such positive feedback. We have a beautiful setting in the heart of Loveland for this event and hope the community can come out and learn something new and take advantage of the great resources we have right in our own backyard.”
The LMRCA would like to invite communities throughout Cincinnati along with health and wellness professionals to not only attend the inaugural “Road to Health” Expo but to sign up to be a vendor, offer sponsorship for the event, or volunteer to help. Below you will find the sponsorship document as well as the vendor booth document that you can download and easily print off and mail to the LMRCA or email. If you would rather register online click here.
If you would like to simply volunteer to help with the “Road to Health” expo click here.
The LMRCA is also looking for food vendors or food trucks for the “Road to Health” expo! If you are interested click here.
Handcrafted wishing wells, customized bird houses, and one-of-a-kind bat houses are just a few of the items, Steven Webster creates weekly for his growing clientele at Steven’s Woodshop.
Steven, who is now the CEO of his very own woodshop located within Midd Town Cabinets in Middletown, has never let his disability stand in the way of doing what he loves to do. Steven was born with a part of his brain missing which eventually led to frequent seizures. Although Steven is non-verbal and deals with cognitive disabilities daily, according to his mother, Gail Webster, he hasn’t allowed that to stop him from living out his ultimate passion; woodworking.
Steven did not find his passion for creating beautiful objects out of wood until he finished the Project Life program, “a comprehensive, multi-year transition program in which students develop, practice, and strengthen skills that are high predictors of increased adult independence and successful, integrated employment in the community,” at Butler Tech, and even then Gail and Steven’s job coach had to work really hard to find what he was most passionate about.
“I knew Steven needed to fill his time with something he loved to do, but just wasn’t sure what exactly that would be,” Gail said. “Steven’s job coach after he got out of school took him around to many places and did the discovery process trying to locate something Steven liked to do that he connected with,” Gail explained. “We wanted to find what his interests were, what his passions were, and what his strengths were. We looked at truck washes, tractor sales, and sports places, all things that held an interest for Steven.”
Finally, Steven landed a job at the Fields Sports Arena located in Monroe where he vacuumed the indoor soccer fields with a large industrial vacuum cleaner. “Any big loud machinery is what he likes,” Gail said with a smile. Shortly after that, Steven got a job at One Stop Rental where he is still happily working today.
Although Steven enjoyed his job opportunities Gail and Steven’s job coach knew that Steven had another passion inside of him, they just had to figure out what that was.
“The job coach asked well what does Steven like to do when he has a little extra time and I said well one thing he really likes is to hammer,” Gail said, “he’s loved to hammer his entire life. When he was little he probably hammered through half a dozen hammer toys and then when he got a little bit older we would bring in a big log and buy a box of nails and he would hammer the nails until the entire log was covered with nails!”
So what exactly kickstarted Steven’s Woodshop? Tune in to the video interview below featuring Gail Webster as she gives us a tour of Steven’s Woodshop and goes more in-depth about how Steven started his business!
Since 2010, when Steven’s Woodshop officially opened for business, Gail and Kevin, Steven’s parents, Bill Bench, who works side by side with Steven at the woodshop, and Mike Valdini, Steven’s 9th grade Special Education Teacher, have taken several steps toward making Steven’s woodworking passion more accessible. With Steven being non-verbal both Gail and Valdini decided to create picture books and a “Steven’s Woodshop How-To Guide” to help Steven effectively communicate with others and build his custom wood items.
Gail came up with the photo book idea after brainstorming how she could help Steven communicate with others about his personal life. Gail wanted Steven to have a physical copy of all the amazing things that he was experiencing in his life so that he could then share those memories with others and reminisce any time he wanted to! Shortly after Gail created the first photo book she knew that this would be something she would continue for the remainder of Steven’s life.
“Steven takes his photo book with him everywhere and takes it out to show others and to look at himself every day,” Gail said. “Putting a photo album together with text next to each photo or collection of photos has really shown to be an effective way for Steven to communicate. I think at this point I have made over a dozen photo books. Once one photo book starts to get full I create another one.”
“Photos are something Steven has always enjoyed so I thought why not try to put a photo book together of all the major events and milestones in Steven’s life so he could share it with others.” she said. “I believe in celebrating Steven’s disability rather than being distraught about it all the time and so I thought with this photo book we could allow Steven to celebrate his life with others.”
Watch the video below of Gail explaining why the photo book is such an important part of how Steven communicates!
Gail isn’t the only one that has created tools that Steven can use to communicate and create beautiful wooden custom pieces; both his dad and Valdini also established effective ways to ensure Steven can successfully do what he loves to do.
Once Steven discovered his passion for hammering and creating, Valdini decided to create a “Steven’s Woodshop” manual that not only lists step-by-step directions and photo diagrams on how to properly execute each woodworking project but is customized to what Steven’s responsibilities are for each project!
Steven’s dad, Kevin, piggybacked off Valdini’s incredible homemade manual and began making “jigs,” which are devices that hold a piece of work and guide the tools operating on it. Using both the manual and jigs daily, Steven has been able to exceed all expectations and gain a well-deserved sense of independence.
Watch the video below featuring Steven in woodworking action as well as Steven’s dad, Kevin showing how to use use a jig!
The success of Steven’s Woodshop and the progress Steven has made despite his disabilities has not only made Steven’s parents proud but also those that help Steven daily at the woodshop. Gail said at this point the sky is the limit for Steven and his business as they are continuing to get more and more orders every day including special custom items.
“As more people hear about what Steven is doing we have been getting orders for wood items that people have found online such as Pinterest,” Gail explained, “This has created some positive challenges for Steven but has also made those helping him use their own creative abilities.”
Steven’s Woodshop specializes in wishing wells, bee houses, bird houses, bat houses, trash holders, end tables, serving trays, planters, wall racks, and much more! “If you don’t see it on our website or in the woodshop that doesn’t mean we can’t make it,” Kevin said, “We have had many people send us photos of custom items and we love the challenge!”
To take a look at what Steven’s Woodshop has to offer or to simply place an order for your next hand-crafted wooden item visit Steven’s Woodshop on Facebook, Etsy, or check out his website!
Loveland Magazine’s very own Cassie Mattia will demonstrate Kickboxing at 1 PM
Promoted Story
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – What goes better with the Loveland Bike Trail than health and wellness? Your requests have finally been answered as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) is hosting the first “Road to Health” Expo in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park!
Over the past couple of years, Downtown Loveland has become the go-to spot for entertainment, exercise, and food culture. The Little Miami Bike Trail, which is the longest bike trail in the Miami Valley stretching out to 78 miles, has become the focal point of Loveland for bike riders, running enthusiasts, and families. The historical bike trail has been consistently encouraging people to travel miles just to experience the trail for themselves so both CeeCee Collins, President of the LMRCA, and Meredith Taylor, Program Director of the LMRCA, decided that they needed to organize an event for those that enjoy health, wellness, and the bike trail!
“Loveland by nature lends itself to health and wellness; the beautiful parks, flowing river, and overall landscaping offer opportunity to exercise and live a better life,” Collins said. “When we combine the natural landscaping with an array of health, wellness, and recreational businesses in the area, we felt that it made sense to showcase and offer to our community.”
The “Road to Health” Health and Wellness Expo will be held on July 30th from 10 AM until 2 PM in Nisbet Park off the Loveland Bike Trail. The event will bring in Mental, Physical, and Financial health professionals and enthusiasts to communicate to the community the benefits of living a life balanced with health and wellness. The event will include swag bags for those who register, health and wellness booths, live entertainment, food trucks, “breakout session” speakers, kids’ activities, and much more!
“We are so excited to bring this expo to our area to highlight many aspects of health–not just physical, but mental, financial, nutritional, senior care, and more,” Taylor said. “Every time we’ve mentioned this expo to our chamber members, we have received such positive feedback. We have a beautiful setting in the heart of Loveland for this event and hope the community can come out and learn something new and take advantage of the great resources we have right in our own backyard.”
The LMRCA would like to invite communities throughout Cincinnati along with health and wellness professionals to not only attend the inaugural “Road to Health” Expo but to sign up to be a vendor, offer sponsorship for the event, or volunteer to help. Below you will find the sponsorship document as well as the vendor booth document that you can download and easily print off and mail to the LMRCA or email. If you would rather register online click here.
If you would like to simply volunteer to help with the “Road to Health” expo click here.
The LMRCA is also looking for food vendors or food trucks for the “Road to Health” expo! If you are interested click here.
Loveland, Ohio – What goes better with the Loveland Bike Trail than health and wellness? Your requests have finally been answered as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) is hosting the first “Road to Health” Expo in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park!
Over the past couple of years, Downtown Loveland has become the go-to spot for entertainment, exercise, and food culture. The Little Miami Bike Trail, which is the longest bike trail in the Miami Valley stretching out to 78 miles, has become the focal point of Loveland for bike riders, running enthusiasts, and families. The historical bike trail has been consistently encouraging people to travel miles just to experience the trail for themselves so both CeeCee Collins, President of the LMRCA, and Meredith Taylor, Program Director of the LMRCA, decided that they needed to organize an event for those that enjoy health, wellness, and the bike trail!
“Loveland by nature lends itself to health and wellness; the beautiful parks, flowing river, and overall landscaping offer opportunity to exercise and live a better life,” Collins said. “When we combine the natural landscaping with an array of health, wellness, and recreational businesses in the area, we felt that it made sense to showcase and offer to our community.”
The “Road to Health” Health and Wellness Expo will be held on July 30th from 10 AM until 2 PM in Nisbet Park off the Loveland Bike Trail. The event will bring in Mental, Physical, and Financial health professionals and enthusiasts to communicate to the community the benefits of living a life balanced with health and wellness. The event will include swag bags for those who register, health and wellness booths, live entertainment, food trucks, “breakout session” speakers, kids’ activities, and much more!
“We are so excited to bring this expo to our area to highlight many aspects of health–not just physical, but mental, financial, nutritional, senior care, and more,” Taylor said. “Every time we’ve mentioned this expo to our chamber members, we have received such positive feedback. We have a beautiful setting in the heart of Loveland for this event and hope the community can come out and learn something new and take advantage of the great resources we have right in our own backyard.”
The LMRCA would like to invite communities throughout Cincinnati along with health and wellness professionals to not only attend the inaugural “Road to Health” Expo but to sign up to be a vendor, offer sponsorship for the event, or volunteer to help. Below you will find the sponsorship document as well as the vendor booth document that you can download and easily print off and mail to the LMRCA or email. If you would rather register online click here.
If you would like to simply volunteer to help with the “Road to Health” expo click here.
The LMRCA is also looking for food vendors or food trucks for the “Road to Health” expo! If you are interested click here.
