News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area
Without fear or favor
Since 2004
Loveland, Ohio – The LIFE Food Pantry Back to School Program is in full swing but they could still use some supplies. Would you please consider donating?
• NEW backpacks
• Composition books
• Folders with prongs
• Crayola markers
• Dry erase markers
Thanks for helping us supply our kids with the means to start the school year with a positive direction!
Read more and watch this interview about the Backpack program with all the details about how to help:
Rev. Dr. Wormack-Keels will lead Seat at the Table discussion
Loveland, Ohio – National non-profit based in Loveland, The Grail in The US, has announced its 2022 showcase for the Art at The Oratory Series in collaboration with Heritage Village Museum and Education Center. A Seat at the Table features Grail member Renee Wormack-Keels, a quilter based in Columbus. Rev. Dr. Wormack-Keels will lead an Artist Talk focusing on the role her art has played in her personal life and the purpose of her art in documenting and activating social transformation.
According to Wormack-Keels, “Historically women’s stories are either ignored or reduced in favor of another to subjugate their value, contributions, and importance. Telling stories has always been a part of the quilting traditions of African American women. In fact, every quilt has a story either in front of it or behind it. Each quilter, in my experience, generally has been inspired to make a quilt with intention.”
While the showcase is a one-day event, Rev. Dr. Wormack-Keels has curated an exhibit of over twenty quilts which will remain available for viewing until October 15th. When asked why it was important to give African-American women a seat at the table by sharing their stories in her art, Wormack-Keels said, “There are many reasons, and I may not be able to share them all, but it is important to know and hear the genesis of these quilts in this exhibition.”
After the Artist Talk, quilters from the Heritage Village Museum Quilters Society will have circles set up where attendees can sit and sew as they experience the historical importance of such circles. The event will take place the afternoon of Saturday August 6th from 1 until 4 PM and is free of charge; donations are always appreciated. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP by emailing art@grail-us.org and follow the Grail Facebook and Instagram for more details. RSVPs are not required. For the safety of all, attendees who have not been fully vaccinated are required to wear masks.
Promoted Post
“Get your $10 tickets to see Scone Cash Players on Friday, August 12th for the ‘Blast Furnace!’ album release party! Get the record signed, and catch an intimate performance from one of the best organ players we’ve ever known!”
Scone Cash Players – Album Release Show
Tickets: https://www.plaidroomrecords.com/…/scone-cash-players…
At Plaid Room Records in Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio.
Loveland, Ohio – Downtown Loveland is ready to welcome the Fall season with open arms as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance will be holding its second Oktoberfest!
On Friday, September 23rd from 4 PM-10 PM, and Saturday, September 24th from noon until 10 PM, Downtown Loveland will become “Liebesland” (Loveland in German) for Oktoberfest 2022. The festival will include a plethora of traditional German activities, competitions, food, drinks, and of course some spectacular German attire!
Common Cause Ohio reminds Ohioans that this Tuesday, Aug. 2 is the second primary for the 2022 elections.
Here are a few ways Ohioans can vote:
For returning ballots:
For Election Day voting:
Voters can view what’s on the ballot here.
Statement of Catherine Turcer, Common Cause Ohio Executive Director
“The right to vote is the foundation of our government, and elections — both generals and primaries — are a key element of that foundation.
Tomorrow, Aug. 2, marks Ohio’s second primary election. While it is hard to go to the polls knowing that the Ohio House and Senate districts have been determined to be unconstitutional, Ohioans want to have their say. Voters will not opt out because of these rigged voting districts.
There may be some voter confusion because of this additional primary. On Election Day, polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. You can check your polling place before you get in line, and you’re allowed to bring one of several acceptable IDs in order to vote. If you requested a mail-in ballot, it must be postmarked by TODAY, Monday, Aug. 1. Voted ballots can be returned to the County Board of Elections until 7:30pm on Election Day.
If you have questions or need assistance, you can call or text the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. The nonpartisan Election Protection program has been helping voters for more than two decades. We encourage voters to take advantage of their expertise.
If Ohioans aren’t yet registered to vote, they can still register for the upcoming November general election.”
Loveland, Ohio – A “Special Meeting” of the Loveland City School District Board Of Education will be held in the LIS/LMS Media Center at 757 South Lebanon Road on Tuesday August 2 at 6 PM. Among the agenda items that will be discussed is placing a 4.90 Mill levy on the ballot for the General Election on November 8.
Also on the agenda is a discussion of accepting a territory transfer from the Little Miami School District, accepting financial reports, acting on an updated Exempt Employee Handbook, and acting on employment recommendations.
In accordance with Policy 0169.1, public participation may be permitted at scheduled business meetings of the Board. “Hearing of the Public” will be included on the agenda of this meeting.
The draft agenda:
![[Hearing rescheduled] Johnny’s Car Wash may become micro brewery](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/johnnys-car-wash-rescheduled.jpg)
The Hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission on a conditional use permit for converting Johnny’s Car Wash on Loveland Madeira Road into a micro-brewery and tap room has been rescheduled for Monday, August 8, at 7 PM.
Loveland Magazine has made a public records request for the “Staff Report” that will tell readers more about the project and will publish it as soon as it is received from City Hall.
Loveland, Ohio – A micro-brewery and tap room are being proposed for property along the Loveland Madeira Road leading out of Loveland. A “conditional use” application was submitted to the Loveland Planning and Zoning Commission on June 21 from DVDREAL,LCC. The existing zoning for the property according to the applicant is for “commercial” use. The applicant is Dana Depenbrock. The proposal is for the location of Johnny’s Car Wash at 1555 Loveland Madeira Road.
The application says, “By granting this conditional use we are ensuring the current old, outdated car wash will be converted into a community establishment where community members can congregate, laugh, and begin their journey into other parts of Loveland.”
The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing for the proposal on Monday, August 8 at 7 PM in the council chambers at City Hall at 120 West Loveland Avenue.
Here is the link to Home (dvdbrew.com).
by Mahi Sheth
Loveland, Ohio – Hey there, Loveland! Ready to change your summer with some Desi? Come to Downtown Cincinnati on August 21st to see some Bollywood dance performances. There are going to be Indian food stalls, as well as some classical dances choreographed by Gajdi Jawani. There will be puppet shows for the kids, and a Henna stall to get temporary tattoos! There will also be Indian jewelry and Indian clothes that you can buy. So clear out your calendar for August 21st come on down!
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – John Muenzer will be attempting to swim from Catalina Island to Long Beach California August 2, at 11 PM. If accomplished, this will be the final leg needed for his Grand Slam and Triple Crown of open water swimming.
Muenzer says it will be his last long-distance swim and he decided to add more purpose. In addition to obtaining his personal goal, he’s is raising money for his nephew Graeme who was born with Dravet Syndrome. “This is a devastating form of epilepsy. Children afflicted with this have many seizures from daily to monthly and often times are resistant to medication,” Muenzer said.
Muenzer was born in 1961 and grew up in Maumee, Ohio. He started swimming in high school and went on to have a successful career at the University of Toledo where he set 7 school records and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Muenzer had hopes of qualifying for the Olympics. However, in 1980, led by the United States, 66 countries boycotted the Olympics entirely, because of the Soviet-Afghan War so Muenzer went to Indiana University and trained under Doc Councilman that summer. Councilman had just become the oldest person to swim the English Channel. He was the Olympic Coach in 1976 and coached Mark Spitz to seven gold medals. Councilman told Muenzer, “You can’t make it deep into the Olympics, you can make the trials, maybe, but, I think you can be a great open-water swimmer.”
Muenzer said it was the first he’d ever heard of this sport.
If successful, the 60-year-old will become the oldest person and 27th person in history to accomplish the Grand Slam of Open Water Swimming which includes the English Channel, 20 Bridges, Catalina Channel, and Tampa Bay Marathon Swim.
Muenzer on August 25, 2018 at Manhattan Swim in the Hudson River
Fast forward, Muenzer set a World record in 1984, a 36- mile swim taking 24 hours and 20 minutes swimming from Point Pelee, Canada to Ohio. “There was no GPS in those days. Laugh out loud. So it took a long dang time,” says Muenzer.
Upon setting this record Muenzer got married to Mary and they have seven children. Their last three were adopted, “By the grace of God at birth. So, we have a blended family. My first four are white and my last three are black. It’s been a beautiful experience and I will forever be grateful to God,” said Muenzer
Muenzer also started a business, so from 1984 until 2007 he swam 4,000 yards 4 or 5 days a week waiting for the chance to do the swims. He did the Tampa Bay 24 mile and English Channel 20.5 mile swims in 2009 at 48 years of age. Then the economy hit his business very hard. “I had to take care of my family and business so back to the pool 4-5 days a week swimming 4,000 yards a day until the Fall of 2015. Then I started training for a “Manhattan” which is 28.5 miles.
“Then while training in March of 2016 my beautiful son Dan was killed in a motorcycle accident. Obviously, a tragedy I can’t explain except a deep sadness and loss that never goes away. My wife Mary and I made a pact going down on the 5 AM flight to the hospital that we would form a pact to keep our family together and navigate through the terrible loss. We knew Dan would want this,” said Muenzer. He added, “We have a beautiful daughter-in-law and granddaughter, so we were blessed.” Muenzer’s son’s best friend from West Point would eventually go on and marry his daughter-in-law. “Again, so blessed, I think my son Dan was involved with this, with God.”
“So, I heard Dan tell me, Pops, time to do the Manhattan Swim. I started training and did the swim in August of 2018 at 57 years of age.” He said that The Manhattan Swim Organization was gracious and let him in without having to go back on the waiting list. Then, started delays like Covid so, MuenzerI began swimming 4,000 yards a day again.
Muenzer said, “So, here I am four years later, just about 61 years old and way past where I saw myself doing these swims.” He began training again last October with world-renowned coach Marcia Cleveland who had been his coach on all of his swims.
Muenzer leaves on July 29 for Long Beach, California. His swim will start at 11 PM West Coast time on August 2. It’s a night swim so it is dangerous. He will leave at night so he can get a solid push in the first seven hours before the winds pick up. “My crew is coming in for the swim. They have been with me on all my swims. We have aged together,” said Muenzer. His lead is Mike Carson who he believes is the best manager. There will be real-time tracking and videos and pictures. Muenzer has a camera crew doing underwater and drone footage. He said, “I want to give people the opportunity to see what this sport is all about.”
Muenzer will be the 27th person to do the Grand Slam and the oldest. He will be the 269th to do the Triple Crown and the 6th oldest. To date, 268 have done this challenge, 103 women and 165 men. Only 124 of this 269 have been Americans.
“I hope the story is interesting. With my 12th and 13th grandchildren on the way, this has really changed for me over all these years. In the beginning, I was about the records, now, I want to make competitive swimmers aware of this world of open water swimming. Most importantly, I want to be an example to my grandkids that you set goals, work hard, and never give up. It’s funny how my mindset has changed with age,” Muenzer mused before he set out on his adventure.
Muenzer has had a title sponsor step forward in a big way. He said, “It’s the company MEGA CORP. They have been in the news lately for building a new corporate office and naming rights to the Cincinnati music pavilion. This was so appreciated. These swims cost $10,000 plus to do, so it’s a big deal for me.” Five Seasons Family Sports Club also provided Muenzer with pool facilities for training.
Muenzer is renowned for his feedings during his marathon swims. His menu for the Catalina Channel includes chocolate, Lays potato chips, peanut butter and jelly squares, three cans of Coca-Cola, tea, and water.
This will be my last swim and I decided to add more purpose in addition to obtaining my personal goal. I am raising money for my nephew Graeme who was born with Dravet Syndrome. This is a devastating form of epilepsy. Children afflicted with this have many seizures from daily to monthly and often times are resistant to medication. All funds raised will be donated to life saving research as well as necessary medical equipment to help these children with this debilitating disease. Graeme is happy go lucky and would steal your heart in seconds. He has inspired me at some of my toughest moments to push through and stay determined! Please help me to raise funds for the Dravet Foundation.
Dravet syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a rare form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy and proceeds with accumulating morbidity that significantly impacts individuals throughout their lifetime. It has an estimated incidence rate of 1:15,700. To better understand this condition, and the work DSF does, check out their website www.dravetfoundation.org
Thank you,
John Muenzer