Tag: CeeCee Collins

10th annual Loveland Food Truck Rally this Saturday
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Loveland, Ohio – The 10th annual Loveland Food Truck Rally will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 3 PM until 10 PM at Shopper’s Haven Plaza (597 Loveland-Madeira Rd.). The President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance CeeCee Collins said, “We are so happy this event has become the unofficial kick of to summer in Loveland.”

Collins added that the Chamber loves highlighting businesses along the Loveland Madeira corridor and in the Shoppers Haven area. “There will be excellent entertainment, an enhanced children’s area, tons of food trucks that any foodie can enjoy and a variety of cold beverages.”

Be sure to help others and bring a non-perishable goods for the LIFE Food Pantry-Stuff a Truck on site!”

There is no cost to attend the food truck rally.

The event includes:

• Food options from over variety of 25 food trucks offering something for everyone’s taste! We are at capacity for food trucks! Vendors still welcome.

• Beverages for sale to include beer, wine, seltzers, water, and soda.

• Live music.

• Help the Loveland Police Department Stuff-a-Truck with non-perishable donations for Loveland LIFE Food Pantry.
- Join OrangeTheory Fitness in the kids area for family fitness classes!!!
• Children’s area with inflatables, face painting and more!

Schedule:

3 o’clock – Food Trucks will begin serving

3 – 4 o’clock – Premier Dance on stage

4 – 6 o’clock – Counting Skeletons on stage

6 – 10 o’clock – Hifi Honey on stage

10 o’clock – Event ends

Food Trucks:

• Adena’s Beefstroll

• Best Thing Smokin

• Brents Smokin Butts & Grill

• Chicken Mac truck

• City Belle Fried Pies

• Crazy Bird Kitchen

• Daizies Dillas

• El Cardenal Taquería

• Funnel Vision LLC

• Indigenous Chef

• Jenn’s Hot Tamale

• Just Jerks Food Truck

• Kabobske

• Kona Ice of NE Cincinnati & Dayton

• Loveland Dairy Whip

• Off The Hook

• Red Sesame Korean BBQ

• S.E.A. Cuisine Foodtruck

• Steak It Eazy

• streetpops

• Sweet Jazz Treats Bakery

• Sweet Maize Company, LLC

• Sweets & Meats BBQ

• The Cheesecakery

• The Naughty Lobstah

Parking is available at the Primary School across the street and in Shoppers Haven Plaza parking lot.

Bring your friends and folding chairs to enjoy the complimentary entertainment on stage! Feel free to also stop in and get a take-out order!

For more information visit www.lmrchamberalliance.org or call the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance office at 513-683-1544.
May 8, 2023
Eastside Business Bash – largest business expo in area

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Attending the Expo is free

The 2023 Eastside Business Bash, presented by the Milford Miami Township Chamber and Little Miami River Chamber Alliance will be hosted on March 9 between 4 and 7 pm, at the Little Miami Brewing Event Center, 310 Mill St in Milford, OH. This is the second year for this joint event which is the largest business expo in the northeast Cincinnati region, featuring 45 businesses from the area that provide both B2B and B2C services.

Attending the Expo is free, and the first 50 people to arrive will receive a free beer, featuring Little Miami Brewing’s unique hand-crafted beers. Attendees may enjoy light bites and drinks from the cash bar as they browse the booths. Items from local businesses and attendees will be raffled off throughout the afternoon.

This crossover event supports not only the entire Milford-Miami Township-Loveland area, but the entire east side of our region. Last year, over 200 people attended the Bash to explore the various businesses.

“Last year was our first year, so we didn’t know what to expect,” says CeeCee Collins, President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance. “The high turnout validated that our local communities are very interested in learning more about and supporting our local businesses.”

Andrea Brady, Executive Director of the Milford Miami Township Chamber, adds, “There are no ‘lines’ between our communities, and we want to reduce the number of times we think about an area as one place or another. We are one large region, and we are thrilled to support the entire area since increasing commerce supports us all.”

The Event Center sits at the start of downtown Milford, a street lined with unique shops and restaurants. The DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) allows alcoholic drinks to be carried on the street (in DORA cups), so visitors may browse the shops and wend their way to dinner after the event while enjoying their beverage.

For more information, visit the Milford Miami Township and Little Miami River Chamber websites.

Mar 8, 2023
[VIDEO] Ribbon Cutting and Open House at Loveland’s new Chamber office
The public was invited to join the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance as they celebrated moving into their new office on March 2nd at 514 West Loveland Avenue.

There is plenty of free parking behind the office that can be accessed from either the driveway off of West Loveland or the driveway off of Center Alley. The new office is next-door to Union Savings Bank in the West Loveland Historic District.
Provided by Chamber
Provided by Chamber
Provided by Chamber
Provided by Chamber
Provided by Chamber
Mar 3, 2023
A deep dive into happiness

by CeeCee Collins

I really like this article as it offers an interesting point of view and deep dive into happiness. This is a tough time of year around here; dark, cold weather, post-holiday and back to grind. I felt this would be a great article to share.

One of the highlights I liked about the study conducted (references cited in the article) is how it correlates strong social and family interaction to your level of happiness. One lesson it focuses on is how people that focused on work more than family and friends weren’t as happy.

Personally, I learned this lesson a long time ago. Our family was young, and I wanted to have it all. Although I was working part time, I was dragging my kids to work with me. I told myself it was for our family, to help. When I looked inward and was stressing my children out, it was about me. I wanted to have the satisfaction of working and the rewards that can come with that. I wasn’t happier, the work simply caused more stress for me and my family. Someone gently (thanks Jim), pointed that out and I made the adjustment. I did continue to work, just in a different more flexible role.

Another portion of the article explains, “Social Fitness.” Sounds like a new buzzword for the year-LOL. Seriously, social fitness is taking stock in relationships through time. They point out that some relationships energize you and some may drain you. Take stock and decide who you want to connect with further and who do you need to move on from. The best way to improve social fitness is to schedule time with those you want to further connect.

I really enjoy the people I work with; however, I get driven and have really worked to make time to give myself and those I work with the time to share. For some reason, I had it in my head that socializing while working was a big no, no! Obviously, when you balance socializing in the work place it can strengthen your work environment. When I was much younger, I would call our corporate office and jump right into business. One time, the person on the other end, said, “CeeCee, you never ask how I am, lets chat for a second.” They were correct. I felt like they didn’t have time, well I was wrong, and we became much better coworkers and friends.

Today, a large part of why I love my work is because I truly care about the people I work with.

We’re all still learning but thankfully, I have grown and am a tad more intuitive today.

Have a great month, enjoy the article!

Feb 6, 2023
This particularly caught my eye

by CeeCee Collins

We recently received a newsletter from the business that helps us with our website, Legend Webworks. They had a few articles in the newsletter and this one particularly caught my eye.

The article discusses the importance of community involvement, a topic very near and dear to my heart. I’ve given a few talks about this in our area. One of the most important factors is to be authentic about your involvement. We’ve all seen the serial volunteers that sign up for committees and don’t give back, or even worse don’t show up, all while they tell everyone how many boards or committees they sit on. I feel that does more damage than good.

If you’re going to give back, it’s important to find your area of interest and where you can truly contribute. Ideas are schools, city government, non-profits, the arts, sports teams, and of course, the chamber!

The article emphasizes how where and when you volunteer, sponsor, or contribute your time and resources reflects on your brand. I completely agree. This is something I also look at when a business is involving themselves in a nonprofit. I look at why would that business align with that nonprofit; does it pair up? Does it align with what the business is trying to accomplish? It’s so important to be purposeful and not just go for the shiniest nonprofit in town.

As we are in the benevolent time of the season, please let me know if you need a list of area non-profits. I keep a running list for reference, I’m happy to share. Don’t be shy to share what your business is doing for the nonprofit. I respect folks that are humble, but it your business is contributing, either the nonprofit should share, or you can do it in a high-class, smart manner.

Believe me when community involvement is done correctly, people will know. Word gets around.

Have a fantastic holiday!

Dec 8, 2022
Christmas in Loveland will be a beautiful wonderland on December 17
David Miller

by David Miller

Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance is calling all Christmas fanatics to come and enjoy a beautifully decorated City of Loveland winter wonderland. Can anyone resist the clip-clop and jingle of horse-drawn carriages and the smell of hot cider?

The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance said that the City of Loveland will once again be transformed into a beautiful wonderland for the Christmas holiday.

On December 17, visitors can enjoy carriage rides, a train ride, complimentary tastings, crafts, holiday beverages, a trolley ride, Christmas entertainment, and a few new items in historical downtown Loveland. Entertainment will be in the center of town next to the live nativity scene and inside many businesses.

CeeCee Collins, President of the chamber shared that “there will be so many fun activities such as train rides, caroling and Santa’s Wonderland, just to name a few! This is such a great event where the businesses want to give back to everyone that has patronized and visited in downtown. They truly appreciate everyone supporting local businesses and hope they will return to enjoy all of the Loveland area. There will be many samplings and give-a-ways for all ages to enjoy!”

This event will be held rain, snow, or shine. And we predict shine because the Weather Channel says it will be sunny and nearly 40 degrees on December 17,

A few Facts:
- The event takes place from 4-8 PM, on December 17th
- The train is at the Loveland Museum Center and a trolley will take guests from Downtown Loveland to the museum
- Maps of all the activities will be placed inside the businesses and available by the clock tower.
- A back portion of Railroad Avenue will be closed to allow for the horse-drawn carriages. Carriages will cost $2 per person.
- Line up for the Carriage is on Railroad Avenue across from the Wicked Pickle Restaurant.
- A Holiday Trolley will transport people to the Loveland History Museum from Harrison Avenue at no charge.
- Entertainment will be in the center of town and next to the fountain.
- A shuttle bus will take folks from the Shoppers Haven Parking lot to downtown Loveland. The Shuttle will run the entire time.
- The event is free for all, thanks to our sponsors. Special Thank you to our Presenting sponsors: Sibcy Cline Realtors, Kelli Williams, and McCluskey Chevrolet, Inc.
This is believed to be the poster for the first Christmas in Loveland in 1987.

The event began in 1987 when Loveland artist, Deirdre Dyson was asked to design and silkscreen posters for the first two years of Christmas in Loveland.

On, December 6, 1987, women at Grailville saw the crass capitalism of how the birth of Jesus was celebrated and wanted to change things up, at least for Loveland. They wanted to put a little “Christ” back into Christmas by offering a community event they named, Christmas in Loveland.

Dyson said, “The intent of the women at the women’s retreat center was to celebrate Christmas, rather than celebrate Christmas shopping.”

Years later, former Loveland resident, Martin Schickel volunteered to start organizing the event and did so for many years. Schickel’s family was deeply connected with Grailville, so it was a natural fit. In 2013, Schickel, who was also one of the founders of Loveland’s Amazing Race, later re-named The Amazing Charity Race, decided to gradually retire from being so actively involved in community events, so he turned over Christmas in Loveland to the Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce. It was Schickel’s gift to the community that he re-gifted to the Chamber. Schickel also has deep connections with the Chamber having once served as its President.

Not sure what to expect at Christmas in Loveland this year? Click below to view photos taken by Loveland Magazine Photographer Sam Smith of Christmas in Loveland in 2016.

Christmas in Loveland (2016) through photos

This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is short clips of some of the sights and sounds of Christmas in Loveland 10-years-ago.
Dec 1, 2022
Who doesn’t like to laugh?

by CeeCee Collins

This article seemed timely as we enter the “darker days,” of the year. Some people tell me they get seasonal affective disorder where they feel like they are getting up, going to work, coming home, taking care of family, and then repeating (think the movie Groundhog Day).

The repetitive nature of not doing anything for yourself or interesting can start to take a toll and you become depressed.

This has snuck up on me a few times. I do try to combat the SAD feeling by lining up activities and experiences that I’ve not tried before. Some ideas are a cooking class (Out of Thyme), a painting class-this saved me during Covid, and I did like 3 classes, Lemons and Limes offers many different types of learning experiences. You could try a new gym-check out Hotworx-for a warm to your bones work out or Activate Brain and Body to wake your brain up while working out, or Power Ryde for a very stimulating stationary bike riding experience.

My husband and I have been doing some symphony experiences. We went to a really cool one with a James Bond theme.

The article included today is about laughter. Who doesn’t like to laugh? When I have a good laugh, I think wow, when was the last time I’ve laughed that hard?!? It’s not enough! I’m watching a dark comedy called Afterlife with Ricky Gervais-stay with it. It is funny!

I hope you find time to laugh and not take things too seriously. We should all have fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 1, 2022
Meredith Taylor promoted to Chamber Vice President of Operations

Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber of Commerce Alliance recently voted (15-0 in favor) to promote Meredith Taylor to Vice President of Operations for the chamber.

Taylor has been serving the chamber as the program director for almost 6 years.

Chamber President CeeCee Collins said, “Meredith has been a tremendous asset to the chamber since her arrival. She brought customer service experience as well as an advertising and promotion background. Her skills have helped the chamber grow tremendously. The event that stands out the most is the Loveland Frogman Race. This race now sells out every year! Meredith has helped create several new events to benefit the economic development of the Loveland, Symmes and Miami Township areas.”

Vince Colaluca, 2022 Chairman of the LMRCA Board of Directors added, “Meredith always tries to improve an event year after year. She reflects on the event and analyzes what can happen to make it better. She truly cares about adding value to the businesses and the community.”

Meredith graduated from Miami University in 2006 with a degree in Business Marketing. After graduation, she began her career as an admission counselor for the University, working with high school students who were in the college decision process, while also managing university communications with students and parents.

After her time at Miami, she then worked for a B2B marketing agency for 2 years as a senior account executive on national digital advertising campaigns. Desiring to return to non-profit work combined with her interest in working with small businesses, she joined the staff of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) in the fall of 2016.

As VP of Operations, she manages communications and marketing, event planning, and general office management. When not in the office, Meredith can be found taking a cycling class at Power Ryde, dining at one of our local eateries, or planning her next travel destination. She lives in Symmes Township with her husband, JR and their sons, Luke and Max.

Oct 11, 2022

Everything you need to know about the 2nd Annual Oktoberfest in 2 weeks

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Loveland, Ohio – On Friday and Saturday, September 23^rd and 24th, the city of Loveland will host their second annual Oktoberfest event. The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance and area businesses are turning the downtown Loveland area, well let’s just say it won’t be “Margaritaville” for two days.

Warsteiner, an international German beer company that came to conception in Warstein, Germany in 1753 when Antonius Cramer was asked to pay beer tax after his home brewing volumes passed the amount allowed for personal use, will be hosting a Biergarten (beer garden in German) Emporium in Nisbet Park. Traditionally a Biergarten is an open-air space where beer and food are served. This concept dates back to the 19th century in Bavaria in which breweries planted gardens above cellars to keep their lagers cool enough to ferment underground. (Loveland Magazine photo from the 1st Loveland Oktoberfest)

Learn more about Loveland Oktoberfest 2022 in this chat with Randi Rico WLWT who is the celebrity guest for the Stein Hoist on Saturday night (Sept 24th)! Hear more about the event and what to expect as well as a surprising record that Randi holds! Listen in! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1837100

Restaurants and bars will hold the first round “Masskrugstemmen” Competitions (Stein Hoist Contests) on Friday and then the battle amongst businesses with the strongest Stein Hoist participant will be held on stage Saturday at 5:45 PM. Also on Saturday, Loveland will host an official Keg procession and tapping of the keg by Loveland’s Mayor, Kathy Bailey.

“O’zapft is” – the keg is breached!

Of course, we can’t forget about one of the most coveted German Oktoberfest traditions, the tapping of the Keg! The tapping of the Keg is one of the oldest traditions in Germany’s Oktoberfest celebrations. The Keg tap is typically done by the Mayor of Munich, which in Loveland’s case will be Mayor Kathy Bailey. The goal of the Keg tapping is for the Mayor to hit the Keg with a hammer the least amount of times possible before yelling “O’zapft is” (keg breached). Once the Mayor yells “O’zapft is” surrounding vendors may officially sell their beer!

Come be a part of the Weiner Dog Race fun! Register your pup here: https://bit.ly/3BzwHNP

Live entertainment, a Biergarten, stein slide, wiener dog race, kids zone with inflatable, axe throwing, crafts with our local Scouts, the Warsteiner Emporium, and much more make up the remainder of the weekend. Not to worry if you don’t have your dirndl dry cleaned, there will be Oktoberfest swag available for purchase on both days which will give you a very confident attitude or manner and personality that will last for days!

The Cincinnati Enzian Dancers will be entertaining Loveland with German Folk Dancing from 7 until 8 PM on Friday.

Keep your eyes on the time for an hourly Chicken Dance led by Liebeland’s leaders and personalities.

**Schnappsband** will play from 6 until 10 PM on Friday and from 1 until 5 PM on Saturday.

Below is a complete schedule of events for the main stage. Restaurants and Bars will also be hosting German music throughout the weekend. There will be German fare available all over Loveland from restaurants and vendors as well.

Mayor Kathy Bailey said, “We are very excited that the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance agreed to take on this event! It will be a wonderful addition to all the other events that we offer the community.”

Here’s all the yummiest to expect!

All the Ingredients–on the patio of Hometown Cafe	Bahama Mama Sausages and Fried Sauerkraut Balls
The Works–at restaurant	German Potato Cakes and German Pizza
Bishop’s Quarter–in Biergarten	Goetta Sliders
Hometown Cafe–on patio	Schnitzel and Spaetzle
Knights of Columbus–in biergarten	Goetta Burgers, metts, brats

Ramsey’s Trailside–in restaurant	pretzels
Funnel Vision Food Truck–bier garten	funnel cakes
Right Stuff Grill–bier garten	brats, metts, german potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, pretzel bites, burgers
Kona Ice–bier garten	shaved ice
Dolph’s Dogs–bier garten	hotdogs

CeeCee Collins, president of the chamber shared, “We are so happy to hold Oktoberfest in downtown Loveland. We have a lot of festivals and fun activities in late spring and summer, now we have a fall event that our visitors can enjoy.”

The Zinzinnati Bier Band will be live on stage at 6 PM on Saturday

Shuttles will be offered from Loveland Early Childhood Center and Shopper’s Haven from 5 pm until 10 pm each evening to provide easy access to the event.

Uber and Lyft too. Drink responsibly, please!

Come enjoy fall/Oktoberfest offerings in a great environment!

Friday, September 23

4 PM Biergarten opens (featuring Warsteiner), Stein Slide opens
4 until 6 PM Live Music on Main Stage: Alico the Band
6 until 10 PM Schnappsband
6:30 PM Stein Hoist Prelims begin at local Restaurants and Bars
7:30 until 8 PM Cincinnati Enzian Dancers
10 PM Call it a night!

Saturday, September 24

Noon – Biergarten Opens, Live Entertainment Begins, Stein Slide opens
Noon -1 PM Premier Dance and Tumbling
Noon until 4 PM Kids zone with face painting, crafts, bounce house & games
1 until 5 PM Schnappsband
3 PM Weiner Dog Race: Nisbet Park (pre-register here!)
3 until -10 PM Chicken Dance on Stage on the hour with Loveland Leaders
5 PM Ceremonial Keg Procession and Keg Tapping: meet in front of City Hall
5:45 PM Stein Hoist Finals on Main Stage hosted by WLWT Channel 5 Weather Forecaster, Randi Rico
6 PM Zinzinnati Bier Band live on stage
10 PM Call it a rap, enjoy the earworms, and dream fond memories.

Premier Tumbling and Dance
offers all styles of dance, including Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre.

CLICK this LINK to read the details about each parking location in Historic Downtown Loveland near the 2nd Annual Oktoberfest.

Sep 13, 2022

Loveland’s First Road to Health and Wellness Expo was a hit!

by Cassie Mattia

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!

Aug 14, 2022