David Miller is the Managing Editor of Loveland Magazine.
UPDATE: Loveland Schools reports that students and staff donated more than 6,000 food items.
Loveland, Ohio – I met Nancy Grant at the corner of Lebanon Road and Durango Drive right across from the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church this morning where she was directing traffic for the 22nd Annual Pass it On Food Drive. Hundreds of Loveland Intermediate School and Loveland Middle School students were carrying food to the church that they donated to the LIFE Food Pantry. The food will be packaged into Thanksgiving baskets for local residents and clients of the pantry.
The children walked about 3/4 mile to hand deliver the food.
The food drive was started by Nancy Grant to heal wounds after the terrorist attack on 9/11. The purpose is so that clients of the LIFE Food Pantry and other residents in the community can eat well at Thanksgiving and later in December.
Grant said twenty-two years ago, “Well, we can’t change the world, but we can change our little corner of it.” She had this idea to line up the kids down the street and pass the food donations one bag and box, hand-to-hand at a time to one another until it reached the church. A pay it forward so children could feel good about themselves. She thought it worked after 9/11 and has ever since. The students didn’t exactly “pass-it-on” to one another like they used to, but each carried their own donations to the church.
After the donations arrive, adult volunteers will sort, date-check, organize, and assemble a Thanksgiving meal box to go out to area families. The huge effort is to ensure that all our Loveland families and singles will have the items they need so they can sit down together and enjoy a traditional meal for the holiday.
Loveland, Ohio – The Warren County Health District (WCHD) is urging the public to stay up to date with immunizations, especially for pertussis (whooping cough). WCHD has identified an increase in pertussis cases in the county. In 2023, there have been 15 cases, including 14 that have been in the last month. By comparison, there was one case in 2022.
The Advisory
Whooping cough is highly contagious and is usually spread by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. It can cause serious illness in people of all ages but is most dangerous for babies.
Symptoms of whooping cough usually develop within 5 to 10 days after you come into contact with the bacteria that cause it. Sometimes symptoms do not develop for as long as 3 weeks.
Whooping Cough symptoms can be classified into three stages: Stages 1,2, and 3.
Stage 1, or early symptoms can last 1-2 weeks and include:
• Runny or stuffed up nose
• Low-grade fever (less than 100.4F)
• Mild, Occasional cough (babies do not do this)
• Apnea (life threatening pauses in breathing) and cyanosis (turning blue or purple) in babies and young children
Many times, in the early stages of whooping cough, it is very easy to think it is just a common cold. Early testing is important since the antibiotics used to treat the illness is most effective in the first stage of pertussis. Antibiotics are not effective once the “whooping” starts.
Stage 2 symptoms can begin one to two weeks after symptom onset, and can last anywhere from 1-10 weeks. During this time, someone affected by whooping cough will develop rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits. As the illness continues, these coughing fits will increase in frequency and intensity.
Stage 3 is recovery, which can be slow, as the cough becomes milder and less common as someone gets better, but they can return if someone develops another respiratory infection.
Whooping cough can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in babies. This is especially true within the first 6 months of life. It is important to know that some babies with whooping cough don’t cough at all. Instead, it causes them to stop breathing and turn blue.
If their mothers are vaccinated in the third trimester (27-36 weeks), newborns are offered some protection.
The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. Two vaccines in the United States help prevent whooping cough: DTaP and Tdap. These vaccines also provide protection against tetanus and diphtheria. These vaccines cannot give you whooping cough, tetanus, or diphtheria.
WCHD offers both of these vaccinations. If you are unsure of if you need the Tdap vaccination or have not received one in the last 10 years, and need to get scheduled, call 513-695-1229.
For people exposed to whooping cough, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends preventive antibiotics only if they:
• Live with the person who has been diagnosed with whooping cough.
• Are at increased risk for serious disease (e.g., babies, people with certain medical conditions) or will have close contact with someone who is at increased risk for serious disease (e.g., women in their third trimester of pregnancy, people who work with or care for high risk individuals).
If you’ve been exposed to the bacteria that causes whooping cough, talk to your doctor about whether you need preventive antibiotics. This is especially important if there is a baby or pregnant woman in your household or you plan to have contact with a baby or pregnant woman.
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Magazine TV was there yesterday in the gym at Loveland High School when Ian Ciric and Nick McHenry signed their letter of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Athletic Director Rich Bryant introduced the young men and read a short bio about them.
I’m at “The Asylum” at Simpson Farm because it’s that time of year when scares and frights are near! Welcome to Loveland Magazine’s Haunted Asylum hosted by me, Skeletor!
On a spooky October night Loveland Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, David Miller, was held hostage at The Simpson Farm’s Asylum! Over the past couple of decades, The Asylum has been said to be extremely haunted by evil spirits begging to be released from their Asylum cells. I could have decided to save Mr. Miller from his cell in the Asylum but instead, my inner “Skeletor” came out and forced me to keep him without food and water.
While torturing Mr. Miller an idea popped into my skull; why not share my favorite scary movies with those in the community that happen to have the same love for Halloween as I do!
So sit back, turn off the lights, grab some ghostly treats, and take a walk with me to the Simpson Farm’s Asylum, as I show you where I keep my prisoners and talk about what scary movies I think would complete a perfect October “Fright Night!” Click the video below to start “The Asylum” experience!
HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY SPOOKY MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS…
Halloween, 1978, John Carpenter
Starring Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis, Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie, and Tony Moran as Michael Myers
Rated R
You can rent this film on Prime Video for 3.99, Redbox On Demand for 1.99, or watch on Shudder when you download for a free 7-day trial
Hocus Pocus, 1993, Kenny Ortega
Starring Better Midler as Winifred Sanderson, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Thora Birch as Dani, Omri Katz as Max, Vinessa Shaw as Allison
Rated PG
You can watch this film on Disney + or you can rent this film on Prime Video, YouTube, or Vudu for 2.99 YouTube. You can also visit your local Redbox and rent this film for 1.80
Insidious, 2010, James Wan and Leigh Whannell
Starring Patrick Wilson as Josh Lambert, Rose Byrne as Renai Lambert, Barbara Hershey as Lorraine Lambert, Lin Shaye as Elise Rainer, Ty Simpkins as Dalton Lambert, Leigh Whannell as Specs, and Angus Sampson as Tucker
Rated PG-13
You can rent this film on Prime Video for 2.99 or on Redbox On Demand for 2.99
There are 3 more films within this series: Insidious Chapter 2, Insidious Chapter 3, and Insidious: The Last Key
All of the films are rated PG-13
You can rent the 3 other films in the series on Redbox on Demand for 2.99 or if you have a cable subscription that includes Bravo you can watch Insidious: The Last Key on the Bravo Now App
It is recommended that you watch the Insidious film series in the following order: Insidious Chapter 3, Insidious: The Last Key, Insidious, and Insidious Chapter 2
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Columnist Cassie Mattia who occasionally metamorphoses into Skeletor is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland. She is the Co-Owner and President of Loveland Magazine.
by Cassie Mattia – (Republished from October, 2021)
Loveland, Ohio – With Halloween right around the corner, it only seems right to take YOU our readers to the Simpson Farm Asylum where you will once again meet Skeletor the Halloween Movie Guru!
Everyone loves a good scary movie, especially during Halloween, but at times it can be tough selecting the one that will be sure to chill you to the bone! Skeletor, who hibernates all year at the Simpson Farm Asylum, located at Loveland Magazine’s office, awakens in October to celebrate all things spooky and to share what 5 Halloween movies you should watch.
Follow me down to the Simpson Farm Asylum where we will meet Skeletor for the Top 5 Halloween Movies! Turn off the lights, snuggle under your favorite blanket, grab a bag of candy, and prepare to be creeped out!
Skeletor’s Top 5 Halloween Movies and Where to Find Them!
Nightmare on Elm Street, 1984, Supernatural Slasher, Rated R, Watch on HULU or HBO MAX
The Hills Have Eyes, 2006 remake, Horror, Rated R, Watch on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Goosebumps The Series, 1995, Children’s Anthology Horror Television Series, Rated PG, Watch on NETFLIX
Fear Street The Trilogy, 2021, Horror Film Series, Rated R, Watch on NETFLIX
Child’s Play, 2019 remake, Slasher, Rated R, Watch on HULU or AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Here is a collection of still photos from the Skeletor video shoot taken by David Miller.
Take a Look at my Skeletor Photo Album!
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Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and the Public Relations Coordinator at Butler County Board of DD. Cassie was awarded the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance 2021 Young Business Professional of the Year. She is the President and Publisher of Loveland Magazine.
David Miller is the Managing Editor of Loveland Magazine
Listen to the emotional account as Tori Morrison tells you how she finally summed up the emotional courage to meet the man who received Ben’s liver and kidneys
by David Miller
On September 22, Tori Morrison and Kate Jackson came to the LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV studio at the Simpson Farmhouse to talk about a new initiative of the Ben Morrison Fund. Morrison is the President and Treasurer of the Fund and Jackson is a member of the Board.
The fund was established after Morrison lost her son Ben and his battle with his hidden mental health problems. Ben took his life by suicide in 2021. To honor Ben and help erase the stigma of pain and struggles with mental health, the fund was established to fight for others and fight against that stigma to help make sure no one feels alone.
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“Ben’s continuing legacy will not be one of loss, but as a lifesaver through organ donation, as a loyal friend and stalwart teammate and a man of deep compassion for others. His legacy will go on through the Ben Morrison Fund and through those of us who serve that cause and carry him with us to take care to light the way out of darkness for others and spark hope to always continue your story.”
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The Ben Morrison Memorial Fund is committed to providing scholarships to graduating seniors from Loveland High School. They are dedicated to erasing the stigma of mental health struggles, opening conversations, and offering lifelines to help save the lives of young people in crisis.
The Ben Morrison Memorial Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
In this interview, my guests will tell you about Ben and the life of giving and kindness he led, most of it not obvious to his mother Tori. She tells how “onery” Ben could be, typical of teenagers not allowing parents to know their true selves.
Tori tells you that when Ben got his driver’s license she encouraged him to sign up to be an organ donor and asked him if he would. Ben would never answer her, his cantankerous nature was a tease. Tori and Ben’s father never knew he had signed the form until in the hospital after Ben took his life they asked them if it would be OK to harvest some of Ben’s organs. Realizing then that to their surprise Ben wanted that too, without hesitation they agreed.
Listen as Tori reveals for the first time how the donor process works and how she became emotionally strong enough to agree to meet the man who received Ben’s liver and kidneys.
Tori has now determined, because of the suggestion by Kate, that the current Loveland High School students don’t know what attributes Ben had that so enamored his class and teammates to him, and Ben’s Way would be a good vehicle to keep his legacy alive.
• Ben spoke up for others.
• He was unselfish.
• A leader, and protector.
• A young person who led by example and modeled hard work and resilience.
• Ben treated others with acceptance, kindness, and encouragement.
These attributes were revealed to them through the applications and actual words of the students who applied for the 21 scholarships the fund has awarded. Kate tells a story about being inspired after witnessing a young student one day that reminded her of Ben in the kind way he was treating a “special needs” child. Kate says, “Well number one, this is something Ben would do, and number two, this child should be recognized for doing something so positive in a world that’s not always so positive.” The child had done something, Ben’s way.
Watch Tori and Kate tell you how Ben’s Way will transform life and lives at Loveland High School.
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Ben may have been one of those unrecognized/uncounted victims of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Covid was hard for Ben, as for all those seniors. He didn’t get his final lacrosse season, prom, graduation, or grad parties, and life changed in so many ways. He didn’t know what his next chapter should be. But later that year, he decided to become a Firefighter and go to community college. He didn’t get to start those chapters. For some reason we will never know, maybe a bad day, a moment of self-doubt, an offhand comment that cut too deep, some inner turmoil or unspoken conflict, our Ben, a boy who never expressed depression nor showed signs of any form of struggle with mental illness, was suddenly and without explanation gone from our lives forever.
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Kate Jackson was a football “Team Mom” and her son was a teammate of Ben when they played for Loveland High School. Ben also competed in lacrosse. Jackson said, “Ben was an important part of my son’s life and an important part of my life and Tori became likewise an important part of my life.”
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Become a Ben’s Way Sponsor
As a sponsor of Ben’s Way, you will help us bring this initiative to more schools. Students that are chosen will receive a $25 gift card.
if you would like to sponsor Ben’s Way at a school, or you would like to bring Ben’s Way to your school, please send an email to BensWayInitiative@gmail.com
On Saturday, September 29 Cappy’s Wine and Spirits is hosting a fundraiser for the Ben Morrison Fund featuring the Chuckies in Love band playing the “ultimate throwback tunes, bringing you the iconic sounds of the 70s & 80s”.
Watch Chuckies in Love…
Become a Ben’s Way Sponsor
As a sponsor of Ben’s Way, you will help us bring this initiative to more schools. Students that are chosen will receive a $25 gift card.
if you would like to sponsor Ben’s Way at a school, or you would like to bring Ben’s Way to your school, please send an email to BensWayInitiative@gmail.com
Loveland, Ohio – In my newest Table of Discussions I decided to leave the LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV studio and head down the road to take a tour of the Loveland Learning Garden! My garden tour hosts Laurie Flanagan, Board President of the Loveland Learning Garden, Lori Bregger, and Jill Simmons, who are both Ohio State certified master gardeners, Loveland Learning Garden volunteers, and nature educators who teach lessons during the fall and spring to Loveland Primary and Elementary students, not only showed me the garden, but also explained why the garden is so vital to our community’s youth!
The mission of the Loveland Learning Garden is to foster lifelong connections to the wonders of the natural world. The garden gives children the opportunity to immerse themselves in the outdoors from an early age so that they can experience the lasting impact of a positive impression of nature.
The Loveland Learning Garden serves Loveland Primary School (1st-2nd grade) and Loveland Elementary School (3rd-4th grade) students. Just this Spring, the garden had 36 Loveland teachers participate!
The Loveland Learning Garden features both vegetable and flower gardens as well as a nature trail on school grounds so that students can get outdoor hands-on learning. Students that visit the Loveland Learning Garden can engage with nature’s elements (plants, animals, land, air) through observation and fun. In addition to the outdoor hands-on experience, interactive learning activities are utilized in order to explore a plethora of academic subjects! One of the best parts about the garden is that children get the opportunity to see how food is grown and get to taste fresh produce all while serving the community by harvesting food to donate to the LIFE Food Pantry. In 2020, during the pandemic, the Loveland Learning Garden donated over 1,200 pounds of fresh produce to the LIFE Food Pantry!
The Loveland Learning Garden education program is incorporated into the class curriculum. Students come out to the garden or nature trail where Garden Educators, who are recruited and funded by the nonprofit, deliver the lesson plan, and guide the learning. The learning materials developed by the program are offered for others to use in their own nature education programs and can be adapted for at-home activities. Lesson plans are created and maintained by the nonprofit, and many are made available on their website (titles include Planting a Salad, How Do Earthworms Live, Soil Properties, Living Things in Compost, Animals in Garden Habitat, Decomposing Log Study, How Weather Affects Nature).
In 2022, the Loveland Learning Garden launched their first afterschool program called “Outdoor Adventures,” which is run through Loveland Elementary and Primary school’s Parent and Teacher Associations. The program not only allowed the garden to expand its message but also introduced new summer events to children.
This past Summer, the Loveland Learning Garden board held free summer events, such as “Storytime in the Garden,” which was led by the Loveland Library, and “Family Harvest,” which gave children a chance to pick vegetables and make a delivery to the LIFE Food Pantry. Children that visited the garden over the Summer also got the chance to learn about composting from Hamilton County Rc3 Source outreach.
The Learning Garden also placed a huge focus on the community over the Summer by hosting education booths at the Loveland Farmer’s Market and boy and girl scout meetings in the garden setting.
The Loveland Learning Garden according to Board President, Laurie Flanagan, has so many things in store for the future and can’t wait to continue impacting students through nature!
Click the video below to see and hear what Lori had to say about the Loveland Learning Garden!
The Loveland Learning Garden is a 501c3 nonprofit funded solely through donations, grants, and fundraisers.
The Loveland Learning Garden is on the campus of the Loveland Primary School and the Loveland Elementary Schools. It is tucked in between the two schools at 600 Loveland Madeira Road.
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Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and the Public Relations Coordinator at Butler County Board of DD. Cassie was awarded the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance 2021 Young Business Professional of the Year. She is the President and Publisher of Loveland Magazine.
Watch more episodes of Cassie’s Table of Discussions:
Loveland, Ohio – The 2013 Loveland High School State Football Champions were recognized on the field between the 1st and 2nd quarters of the Homecoming game on Friday.
Loveland High School sophomore, Drew Plit was 5 for 5 passing for the game, with two touchdown throws in the first half, one to freshman,Tre Heath for 22 yards and one to Jake Elfers for 12 – in the 41-23 Division II State Championship victory over Glenville on Dec. 6.
Loveland, Ohio – During the pre-game festivities of the Loveland High School Homecoming Game last Friday, Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, the President of the Loveland City School District was recognized for her service to the schools for the past 32 years.
Lorenz was also the Grand Marshall of the Homecoming Parade.
![[VIDEO] 22nd Annual Pass it On Food Drive](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pass-it-on-2.jpg)
![[VIDEO] Ian Ciric and Nick McHenry sign letter of intent to continue athletic career in college](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Ian-Ciric-and-Nick-McHenry.jpg)
by Skeletor
Halloween, 1978, John Carpenter
Hocus Pocus, 1993, Kenny Ortega
Insidious, 2010, James Wan and Leigh Whannell
Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and the Public Relations Coordinator at ![[VIDEO INTERVIEW] Ben’s Way a new initiative of the Ben Morrison Fund](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bens-way-feature.jpg)
by Cassie Mattia
Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and the Public Relations Coordinator at 
![[VIDEO] 2013 Loveland High School State Football Champions recognized during Homecoming Game](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2013-football-champs.jpg)
![[Video] Dr. Kathryn Lorenz recognized during Homecoming pre-game](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-homecoming-22.jpg)
