Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: COVID-19

  • LHS’s Women’s Soccer Coach Weighs in on What his Athletes are Doing to Stay in Shape!

    LHS’s Women’s Soccer Coach Weighs in on What his Athletes are Doing to Stay in Shape!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School is staying “Loveland Strong” by keeping both their students and athletes motivated through virtual classes and workouts! This year during these unfamiliar times, LHS coaches are dedicating a lot of their time to making sure their athletes are staying in shape.

    This week we chatted with LHS’s Women’s Soccer Coach, Todd Kelly, to see just what his team is doing to stay in competition shape during the COVID-19 Stay At Home Order! Coach Kelly told us that in late February the coaching staff designed a series of workouts that are released to the team every couple weeks.

    LHS’s Women’s Soccer Coach, Todd Kelly (Loveland Magazine file photo)

    “These workouts are specific to what we do as a program so they focus on things we believe are inherent to the success of the women’s soccer program,” Kelly explained,  “Anyone that has been in the program knows this and passes on the importance of the workouts to our incoming freshmen. Each day the girls can choose between a beginning workout, intermediate workout, or an advanced workout…so they have three choices each day depending on how they feel.”

    Coach Kelly said that in order to encourage unity within the team, the coaching staff asked the 9 returning varsity juniors and seniors to be group leaders. The group leaders are responsible for following up with 6 to 7 players every day about how their individual workout went.

    Maria Bashardoust during the 2019 season. Maria has committed to play for Cleveland State this Fall. (Loveland Magazine file photo)

    “Each individual player in their respective group sends a snapshot of themselves after the workout each day, also indicating how they feel and which workout they completed,” Kelly said, “As you can imagine, the snapshots have continued to get more creative with text, emojis’, etc. They have even come up with taglines on their snapshots and also on twitter like #Beastssss, #LetsGetIt, and #WinTheOffseason to name just a few. The 9 leaders are assigned to one of the varsity coaches who they connect with every day by sending their group’s snapshots. These snapshots are compiled every two weeks and sent out to the players and parents in a video for them to watch so they can know what each of their teammates is doing. This has also created a little bit of a rivalry on which group or individual can come up with the best snapshots,” Kelly added.

    LYSA COVID Relief

    LYSA Challenge Grant to our soccer community DONATE NOW

    The LHS Women’s Soccer coaching staff provided the women’s team with shirts in early March to keep them motivated to keep pushing themselves. Kelly said most of the team wear the shirts during each of their workouts.

    The shirts above are the workout shirts the LHS Women’s Soccer Team has been wearing during the COVID-19 outbreak to stay motivated!

    “In addition, the leaders have gone to the houses of their group members and left chalk messages on the driveway to help support and motivate them. We have the coaches and girls answering 12-15 questions about themselves on a slide with pictures, designs, etc. that represent them, kind of a “Get to Know” them or an “In the Spotlight” feature so they can learn more about their teammates while we are away from each other,” Kelly said, “We will put all these together into a slide show that we will send out each week with 7-10 new entries. We also have former players including some as far back as 2010 (and earlier) and some from our State Championship team that reached out and sent a 1-2 minute video message we are sending the current players to encourage them. These former players know the importance of what we do in the workouts and they wanted to encourage the current players during this difficult time to make sure they are staying focus and doing what needs to be done.  They all view each other as one big family regardless of when you graduate…once a Tiger, always a Tiger,” Kelly said.

    The 2017 State Champion Ring (Loveland Magazine file photo)

    Coach Kelly really wanted to focus on the team connecting during these tough times so the coaches decided to hold a Zoom call every 2 weeks with all the team leaders and their groups. This has allowed each player in the Women’s Soccer program to get an idea of what is going on and has allowed the coaches to see how each player is doing, if they have any struggles, and how they can help support each player.

    LHS’s Women’s Soccer Coach, Todd Kelly (Loveland Magazine file photo)

    “As a result, we are connecting with either our leaders or our players each week on a video call. Since the leaders have access to a coaching staff member, we are interacting each day to ensure they have what they need to get through these unchartered times,” Kelly explained, “These are just a few of things we as a staff and program are doing to stay connected with our players and encourage them.  It is important we all stay connected and supported and we want the girls to continue working out for their physical and mental health…and ours too.”

    Thank you to all the LHS staff, coaches, administrators, and parents for keeping the students motivated and dedicated to bettering themselves as students and athletes! Here at Loveland Magazine, we will continue to bring the latest updates on COVID-19 and the effects it’s having on the community of Loveland as well as the latest LHS news!

    Stayed tuned for the next “What are LHS Athletes Doing to Stay in Shape” segment!

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  • LHS Men’s Tennis Coach lets us in on What his Athletes are Doing to Stay in Shape!

    LHS Men’s Tennis Coach lets us in on What his Athletes are Doing to Stay in Shape!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Ohio is starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel and so are LHS’s coaches and athletes! Over the past couple of months, athletes and coaches have been in limbo waiting to see if their season will continue. During the COVID-19 outbreak, LHS’s Coaches have been hard at work with their athletes trying to keep them motivated and doing workouts even though they aren’t in school or competing. This week we spoke with LHS’s Men’s Tennis Coach, Thomas Sharpless, to see just what his athletes have been doing to stay in shape.

    LHS’s Men’s Tennis Coach, Thomas Sharpless

    Coach Sharpless gave a lot of credit to LHS’s Strength Coach for keeping his athletes in shape, but he also didn’t fail to recognize how dedicated his athletes have been during this time.

    “Most of my athletes play tennis year-round at the club; however since the tennis clubs have been closed per the governor’s directions along with most of the local public courts, my players, like all Ohio athletes, are indeed having to find other means to stay fit,” Sharpless explained, “Luckily, we have an awesome weight coach at LHS and he has put together a nice list of dumbbell and free weight exercises for our players. I’ve shared this valuable resource with my players in the hopes that, if they have the equipment, they will utilize this information to stay in shape,” Sharpless added.

    Sharpless had an unbelievable 2019 season leading his team to an ECC Championship! The Men’s Tennis team ended 2019 with a perfect 6-0 record and a 14-3 record overall.

    We are excited to hopefully be seeing some Tiger competition very soon! Stay tuned to read more about what LHS coaches and athletes are doing to prepare for their potential seasons!

    What: Online ordering, custom ordering, yard signs, banners, decals
    When: Currently we are here Monday-Friday 11:00-5:00 and Saturday 11:00-2:00 to answer calls, assist customers with ordering and curbside pick up.
    Where: 370 Loveland-Madeira Rd. (This is NOT the retail store. It’s the door to the left of the store entrance.)
    Why: Our retail store is currently closed but we are still filling online orders, custom orders, yard signs, banners, and decals.
    During the current situation of COVID-19 we are offering FREE DELIVERY in the 45140 area code. Just simply select local pick up and enter your address in the COMMENTS section.
  • CDC American Sign Language Video Series on COVID-19

    CDC American Sign Language Video Series on COVID-19

    View more CDC American Sign Language Video Series on COVID-19

    View more CDC American Sign Language Video Series on COVID-19

  • Loveland High School’s Spring Athletes Commit to Collegiate Play!

    Loveland High School’s Spring Athletes Commit to Collegiate Play!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Although time seems to be slowly dragging due to the COVID-19 Stay At Home Order, for LHS Seniors time is still flying by as graduation is right around the corner! With graduation just a few weeks away, LHS Senior Athletes are also preparing for collegiate sports opportunities. We would like to take the time to give a big shout out to the LHS Senior Athletes that have committed to playing their sport at the collegiate level! Congratulations to the following LHS Student-Athletes:

    Katlyn Kramer-Softball
    Otterbein University

    Jake Cotsonas-Wrestling
    University of Mount Union

    Connor Patton-Soccer
    Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

    Nathan Holman-Football
    Heidelberg University

    Andrew Gwynn-Football
    Thomas More University
    (No Photograph Available)
    Iyon Davis-Football
    Hocking College

    A Note from the Publisher to these athletes – their teachers, coaches, and parents

    Over the past, five or so years Loveland Magazine TV was at the annual Spring, Fall, and Winter signing events at LHS to record the ceremonies so the whole community could hear the athletic director brag about your accomplishments on and off the playing fields, courts, pools, and alleys.

    It was also a time I could see the athletes alongside their parents with those proud smiles and their own well deserved sense of accomplishment.

    It was always a wonderful afternoon seeing the representatives of the Athletic Department, the Principals, teachers, and coaches deservedly proud of their own unwavering work.

    It is darned sad that the event couldn’t be held this Spring because it was something you all deserved due to your outstanding work as an athlete, in your classroom, and at home. Being there has always been a real treat for me, however, I also know you didn’t accomplish so much just to get a few moments of fame and applause. Hard work is its own reward.

    Your continued success is guaranteed because you have been scholars of merit, good sports, and good representatives of your school and the entire community. I have enjoyed every single moment watching you compete.

    Best regards as you take these next steps,

    David Miller

    RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery

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    Image may contain: 1 person, standing, possible text that says 'Tigers'
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  • LHS’s Men’s Track and Field Coach Tells us What his Athletes are Doing to Stay in Shape!

    LHS’s Men’s Track and Field Coach Tells us What his Athletes are Doing to Stay in Shape!

    On Senior Night, April 26, 2019, during the Dawn Dahart Track and Field Invitational, Cooper Smeller cleared 14’9” to break the school pole vault record by an inch.

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – As May inches closer and closer, many LHS athletes are working hard to stay in the best shape they can in preparation for their Spring seasons. School is set to potentially open on May 4th and if indeed that happens Spring sports will reconvene as well!

    Over the past couple of weeks, we have made it our goal to check in with LHS’s coaches and athletes to see just what they are doing to stay in shape in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. We have received some impressive responses from several motivated athletes and coaches! This week we chatted with LHS’s Head Men’s Track and Field Coach, James Vanatsky, to see what he is having his team do just in case the 2020 Track season continues.

    LHS’s Head Men’s Track and Field Coach, James Vanatsky

    Coach Vanatsky shared that he has been consistently sending out optional workouts every morning at 7:30 A.M. for his dedicated team.

    “Some of our guys are early risers and they want to know what the workout will be so they can plan accordingly as to where and how they may have to complete their workouts,” Vanatsky said, “We send our workouts out through an app we have used for several years called ‘Remind 101.’ Before the quarantine I would use the app to send reminders to our guys for all kinds of things in the off-season and in-season but is it obviously handy in our current situation.”

    Vanatsky also mentioned that the other Men’s Track team coaches have been getting involved by sending him daily optional workouts so that he can then add the workouts to what he sends out to the team.

    “Our strength coach Derek Berry sends the team various workouts they can do based on the teams’ access to available weights, dumbbells, stretch bands, etc,” Vanatsky explained, “Our kids have told us they have been using the Loveland Bike Trail quite a bit for their workouts. They are supposed to be practicing social distancing while they workout but without being there in person (which we are not allowed to do) so it is hard to say if kids are completely by themselves or if they are getting up with a teammate or two in order to stay motivated and accountable for their workouts.”

    With large neighborhoods spread throughout Loveland and easy access to the Loveland Bike Trail, Coach Vanatsky told us that he is very fortunate that his team is able to train outside in a safe and open environment.

    “What percent of our kids are actually working out is hard to say,” Vanatsky added, “Also we do not know what intensity and regularity the workouts are being completed. It is obviously difficult to stay motivated when the season is not guaranteed or even probable at this point but we have a lot of very committed guys who I am sure are staying on top of their fitness levels.”

    Here at Loveland Magazine, we commend all of the LHS coaches and athletes that continue to strive for success through these very tough times! We will continue to bring you the latest updates on what LHS athletes and coaches are doing to stay in shape so STAY TUNED!

  • OHSAA Announces Potential Ohio High School Spring Sports Plans!

    OHSAA Announces Potential Ohio High School Spring Sports Plans!

    Cassie Mattia

    by Cassie Mattia

    Columbus, Ohio – Athletes all over the state of Ohio are at a standstill as they wait to hear if their 2020 sport seasons will continue. Well the wait, for now, has ended as OHSAA announced last Wednesday that if school facilities reopen in early May Spring sports schedules and tournaments are in place and ready to go!

    OHSAA’s Director of Communications, Tim Stried, and Executive Director, Jerry Snodgrass constructed and sent out a press release last Thursday addressing the state of Ohio’s concerns about high school athletes continuing their Spring sports schedules. Below are the plans OHSAA has put in place for Ohio High School Spring athletes.

    “School facilities are closed through May 1 due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. If the closure is extended beyond May 1, the OHSAA will provide updated information. If school facilities do not reopen this school year, there will not be a spring sports season.

    State tournament venues listed below are subject to change.

    ‘If the Governor and Ohio Department of Health deems it safe to reopen school facilities in early May, then we will have a shortened spring sports season that extends into June,’ said OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass. ‘I commend our sports administration staff for putting the schedules together working on state tournament sites.’

    Wednesday’s memo to school administrators also included details regarding Pupil Activity/Coaching Permits, annual awards certificates, District Athletic Board elections and academic eligibility for fall sports and college-bound seniors. The memo is posted at https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/school-administrators-update-april-8

    ‘We continue to applaud each of you for helping provide guidance and leadership to your coaches and your efforts to keep students engaged,’ Snodgrass wrote to school administrators in the memo. ‘This crisis has heightened the awareness that students want to be back in the classroom. Teachers want students back in the classroom. In our solid belief that school-based athletic programs are an extension of the classroom, we hold that same belief for our student-athletes and coaches. Getting kids back with coaches is much more than winning and we feel it a vital part of returning life to normalcy.’

    SPRING SPORTS OVERVIEW

    – If school facilities are closed for the remainder of the school year, spring sports will be canceled.

    – The dates below for each sport are tentative and are based on the Governor’s optimistic direction that schools will reopen May 4.  We will adjust accordingly.

    – The mandatory no-contact period remains in place through May 1. No practices or group workouts may occur through this date, but the OHSAA encourages coaches to maintain electronic correspondence with their student-athletes.

    – With a current return on May 4, the schedules below have been adopted for spring sports. Specific information relative to sectional and district tournaments, playing dates, seeding procedures, game sites, will all be provided in communications from the respective six District Athletic Boards.

    – State tournament venues listed below are subject to change.

    – If for any reason specific sites are shut down due to Governor’s orders, ALL sites will be shut down and tournaments will not be held.

    BASEBALL

    State tournament dates determined by the availability of Akron Canal Park.

    Acclimation Period – May 4-8

    Season Begins – May 9

    Tournament Entry/Withdrawal – May 11

    Tournament Draw/Coaches Meeting – May 17

    Sectional Tournaments – May 23-30

    District Tournaments – June 1-6

    Regional Tournaments – June 11-12

    State Tournament at Akron Canal Park (subject to change) – June 19-21

    Season Concludes (regular-season games can be played up until this date) – June 27

    SOFTBALL

    Acclimation Period – May 4-8

    Season Begins – May 9

    Tournament Entry/Withdrawal – May 18

    Tournament Draw/Coaches Meeting – May 24

    Sectional Tournaments – May 30-June 6

    District Tournaments – June 8-13

    Regional Tournaments – June 15-20

    State Tournament at Akron Firestone Stadium (subject to change) – June 25-27

    Season Concludes (regular-season games can be played up until this date) – July 4

    LACROSSE

    Acclimation Period – May 4-8

    Season Begins – May 9

    Tournament Entry/Withdrawal – May 18

    Tournament Draw/Coaches Meeting – May 25

    Regional Qualifying – May 26-30

    Regional Tournaments – June 1-7

    State Semifinals – June 8-10

    State Championships at Ohio Wesleyan University (subject to change) – June 13

    Season Concludes (regular-season games can be played up until this date) – June 13

    BOYS TENNIS

    Acclimation Period – May 4-8

    Season Begins – May 9

    Tournament Entry/Withdrawal – May 18

    Tournament Draw/Coaches Meeting – May 24

    Sectional Tournaments – May 30-June 6

    District Tournaments – June 8-13

    State Tournament at Hilliard Davidson High School (subject to change) – June 18-20

    Season Concludes (regular-season contests can be played up until this date) – June 27

    TRACK AND FIELD

    Athletic facilities at The Ohio State University will not be available in June, so the state tournament will be split into three different sites, per division. The details are below.

    Acclimation Period – May 4-8

    Season Begins – May 9

    Tournament Entry/Withdrawal – May 25

    Tournament Draw/Coaches Meeting – May 31

    District Tournaments – June 9-13

    Regional Tournaments – June 17-20

    State Tournament – June 26-27

    State Tournament Sites (subject to change): Division I at Hilliard Darby; Division II At Pickerington North; Division III at Westerville North

    Season Concludes (regular-season meets can be held up until this date) – June 27″

    For the latest news in the world of OHSAA, you can visit www.ohsaa.org. If you have any urgent questions about the tentative Spring sport plans contact Tim Stried at tstried@ohsaa.org.

  • PWC provides critical and emergency home repairs

    PWC provides critical and emergency home repairs

    “Everyone in our community should have a safe and healthy place to live, especially in times of crisis.”

    As our community adjusts to the new normal amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, People Working Cooperatively understands that the vulnerable populations we serve daily are scared and anxious about the new health and financial hardships they are facing. At this unprecedented time of crisis, their work of providing critical and emergency home repairs is needed more than ever to ensure the safety and health of our low-income neighbors including families with young children, seniors, people with disabilities, and other at-risk populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), community preparedness for COVID-19 should include older adults and people with disabilities and the organizations that support them, to ensure their needs are met.

    The need for PWC’s emergency services will continue to grow as conditions expand and worsen. Those living on the margins will face unemployment, elderly are being asked to self-quarantine and children will remain home for weeks as schools remain closed across the region. Due to these new circumstances, they are constantly being exposed to unhealthy and unsanitary living conditions such as no heat or water, no working toilet, dangerous electrical issues, leaking roofs and the inability to get in or out of their home safely. These emergency issues need to be addressed immediately to not only keep our neighbors healthy and safe, but also to prevent additional stress on our already overwhelmed healthcare providers and hospitals.

    PWC is monitoring the spread of COVID-19, taking precautions to protect our high-risk neighbors and preparing for increased demand and new ways of delivering their services. At this time they have postponed volunteer projects and suspended other non-emergency services, and are focusing on level 1 emergency repairs, or emergencies which pose an immediate threat to the client’s well-being including:

    • Broken water lines where water is pouring, not dripping, out of the line
    • Client’s only accessible commode is blocked or otherwise unusable
    • No water
    • Gas fumes present
    • No heat
    • First-floor doors or windows cannot be closed and/or secured
    • Existing air conditioning is not working and a resident’s health issues could be complicated during a heat emergency
    • An electrical condition that poses a fire threat
    • Accessibility modification to allow a client to return home
    • Main drain/sewage backup

    General Qualifications

    Call Today to see if you Qualify

    PWC’s customer service specialists can be reached at (513) 351-7921 or contact us online

    For More Info about Qualifying

    Please Consider Making a Gift to PWC

    Donate Today!

  • Hamilton County Public Health modifies syringe and harm reduction services during Covid-19 Pandemic

    Hamilton County Public Health modifies syringe and harm reduction services during Covid-19 Pandemic

    Clients can schedule an appointment to receive Narcan via a drive-through service.

    Hamilton County, Ohio – Before COVID-19 commanded the lion’s share of headlines, Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) was in the midst of another battle — fighting the disease of addiction.

    “We have made some modifications to our program to ensure the health and safety of our clients and our harm reduction team.”

    “We certainly haven’t lost sight of those struggling with addiction,” says Greg Kesterman, interim health commissioner at Hamilton County Public Health. “But we have made some modifications to our program to ensure the health and safety of our clients and our harm reduction team.”

    Syringe services are now available only through an appointment.  Clients will receive a one-month supply of all items offered through the service. Clients can schedule appoints by phone, text, e-mail or through Facebook. Call or text 513-316-7725; log onto Facebook: @hc.xchange; or e-mail ExchangeProject@hamilton-co.org.

    These calls will help clients find healthcare, housing, food or other needed resources.

    In addition to syringe and other exchange service items, the HCPH team implemented a text service for its clients with alerts and messages covering a number of health and safety issues. The team is also reaching out through clients’ preferred communication mediums to check in during the stay-at-home order. These calls will help clients find healthcare, housing, food or other needed resources.

    The HCPH Harm Reduction team is also continuing its distribution of Narcan®.

    The HCPH Harm Reduction team is also continuing its distribution of Narcan®, the overdose-reversing drug. Clients can schedule an appointment to receive Narcan via a drive-through service. To schedule an appointment, call or text 513-946-7676; log on to Facebook: facebook.com/hc.narcan; or e-mail narcan@hamilton-co.org.

    The HCPH team is also working closely with the Hamilton County Justice Center to ensure inmates released from incarceration have the appropriate resources. Each inmate will receive resource information in their property bags upon release. Finally, addiction treatment providers are operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The HCPH team is available to help clients navigate the referral process to enter treatment.

    “These are difficult times for all of us, but certainly for those with additional medical challenges,” Kesterman adds.  “Even though we are all working to comply with stay-at-home requirements, our clients’ needs don’t go away. That’s what we’re here for.”

     

  • LHS Women’s Track and Field Coach Shares What his Athletes are Doing to Stay in Shape!

    LHS Women’s Track and Field Coach Shares What his Athletes are Doing to Stay in Shape!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The community of Loveland has proven time and time again that it can get through anything! The inspiration from the community has trickled down to the youth of Loveland especially the LHS athletes as they are continuing to put in as much work as they can to prepare for their potential sports seasons. The LHS coaching staff along with the Athletic Director has gathered around and taken time to not only prepare workouts for the athletes but has also made them easily accessible for the athletes through the new workout app Teambuildr!

    LHS’s Women’s Track Coach, Herbert Laughman, is one of the many LHS coaches that has dedicated a lot of time and effort into helping his athletes succeed during the COVID-19 outbreak.

    “This has been a very difficult time for all of us. It’s tough to keep things in perspective. Our staff and athletes have done a great job of this. We know the community and the health of the community comes first,” Laughman explained, “That being said, we are very creative in how we are staying in contact with the girls. We have a spring track group and I have put suggested workouts on there.”

    Coach Laughman also created some fun challenges for his athletes!

    “We have also done fun things like the Camera roll challenge. In this challenge, you pick the 5th picture on camera roll and post. Another fun activity we have done is having the athletes select their top 5 movies of all time,” Coach Laughman said, “My personal favorite activity has been having the athletes post pictures after their optional workout. The girls flooded me with pictures! These girls are still working hard and still want to be pushed. I am so honored and blessed to be a part of this group. I pray for the safety of all of those around us and hope that we can continue on with our spring season,” Coach Laughman added.

    LHS’s Women’s Track captains’ weighed in as well on how COVID-19 is affecting them and how they are motivating themselves to keep working out.

    “As a three-year varsity athlete, it’s scary to think that I may not get my fourth year,” LHS Women’s Track Captain, Sophia Horrigan, said, “Despite the setbacks, I have been working hard to stay in shape for a season that still may be. From lifting weights in my basement to running on the bike trail, I am doing whatever it takes to stay ahead of future competition. I see this as a reason to work harder, rather than giving up in the face of adversity. The season isn’t over yet!”

    LHS’s Megan Korniak, who is also a Captain for the Women’s Track team said she is still working hard and that the team has made so much progress over the last few months.

    “Now there is a lot more individual accountability to stay in shape,” Korniak added, “I personally have been doing home workouts and going on runs in public parks to stay active. We are still close as a team and love to send timer pictures of our workouts to keep spirits high!”

    We would like to encourage the Loveland community to stay active and stay safe! If you aren’t sure what activities you can do to stay active check out our weekly “What are LHS Athletes Doing to Stay in Shape?” for tips! Stay tuned!