Loveland Valentine Ladies
Over the years…
2019: Kathryn Lorenz
2018: Kay Bolin
2017: Carol Williams
2016: Laurie Gordon
2015: Sue Lundy
2014: Janis Fogle
2013: Marge Henderson
2012: Jan Ranard
2011: Avery (Winkie) Foster
2010: Bonnie Larson
2009: Linda Cox
2008: Kay Napier
2007: Sue Newburger
2006: Peggy Goodwin
2005: Lu Boike
2004: Helen Gosch
2003: Kathryn Undercoffer
2002: Patricia Furterer
2001: Marirose Stiver
2000: Anne Fowler
1999: Winona Franz
1998: Barbara Dee
1997: Bobbie Books
1996: Jo Ann Richardson
1995: Mary McDonnell
1994: Margaret Keifer
1993: Kathryn Sidney
1992: Doris Osborne
1991: Martha Hockman
1990: Rose Wene
1989: Pat Randolph
1982-88: Ruth Jackson (Doris’s daughter)
1982: Doris Pfiester
“I hope to show the children and adults of Loveland that we can find hearts in nature and express love every day, not just on Valentines Day.”
– 2019 Loveland Valentine Lady Kathryn Lorenz
Loveland, Ohio – “I found out about this while at dinner at the Works on December 9th with my daughter and her family. Santa and Mrs. Claus had just visited the restaurant, to the absolute delight of my 5-year-old grandson”, said Kathryn Lorenz about finding out she would be Loveland’s 2019 Valentine Lady. “So when I heard a little commotion and saw some ladies wearing red, it just never occurred to me what was happening. Several Valentine Ladies and my son appeared at the table and gave me flowers and a balloon and just surprised me completely. My daughter did a really good job helping them surprise me.”
Lorenz is the 33rd Valentine Lady. She has also served on the Loveland Board of Education for the past 26 years, 17 as president. She also serves on the board of directors for the Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Education. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati and a former member of the Governor’s Task Force Ohio.
The photo album below is from Saturday, January 5 when the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance held a ceremony at the Loveland Kroger officially announcing that Lorenz was the 2019 Valentine Lady and Donna Treinen was the winner of the 2019 Valentine Card design competition.
The Valentine Lady tradition goes back to 1971 when the Loveland Chamber of Commerce created a Valentine postmark. Doris Pfiester, chamber secretary at the time, mailed 1,000 Valentines for Loveland residents that had a special Loveland, Ohio postmark that year and was referred to as the “Valentine Lady” until a formal selection process began in the 1980s. Pfiester was named the very first Valentine Lady in 1992. Today, the Valentine Lady plays an important role in the Chamber’s signature Valentine program, which includes a card design competition, poetry, coloring contests, and visits to students in Pre-K through fourth-grade classrooms and nursing homes throughout the Loveland area. The Chamber re-mails thousands of cards they receive from around the world for people wanting their cards mailed from “Loveland” with the slogan, “There is nothing in the world so sweet as Love”. Chamber president in 1972, Dr. Roland Boike, coined the phrase, inspired by Samual Johnson.
2015 Valentine Lady, Sue Lundy nominated Lorenz. In her nomination letter, Lundy wrote, “Kathy’s public, professional and private life all demonstrate her commitment to the community of Loveland.” Lundy pointed out Lorenz’s commitment to education saying, “Kathy believes in education from the ground up. She is active in the Ohio Conservation League and encourages and supports excursions and educational experiences for children. She has spent time in our elementary classrooms teaching French, worked with mentor programs, and coordinated the Basic French Program at UC.” Lundy is a former Loveland School teacher.
I am really honored to become a member of this exclusive group. First of all, it is unique for Loveland to have a Valentine Lady and to focus on the thought that we can spread thought of love just because we live in a town called Loveland. – Kathy Lorenz
“If you look at all the accomplished, dedicated women who have already been named Valentine Lady, anyone would be proud to be like them,” Lorenz told Loveland Magazine. “I am especially grateful for Sue Lundy, who nominated me and Pat Furterer, Kay Bolin, and Janis Fogle, who have offered many tips about my role already. All the Ladies have welcomed me warmly.”
Lundy added, “She speaks openly, honestly and with pride of all we hope to offer children in our schools. Kathy loves her family and her community. It is evident in all she has achieved and continues to do. Her positive spirit would be a valuable addition to the Valentine Lady program.”
Lorenz told Loveland Magazine she collects pictures of hearts occurring in nature and heart shaped rocks and hopes to show the children and adults of Loveland that, “We can find hearts in nature and express love every day, not just on Valentines Day.”
During the ceremony at Kroger, Bill Hounshell introduced former Valentine Ladies as Loveland Vice-Mayor Rob Weisgerber presented each with a bouquet of flowers.
An invitation by President/CEO Harry Snyder to visit your Great Oaks Career Campuses
