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Tag: David Miller

  • Michael P. Monahan, John C. Looker, and Purcell Taylor Jr. will enter Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame

    Michael P. Monahan, John C. Looker, and Purcell Taylor Jr. will enter Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame recognizes the post-military efforts of outstanding Ohioans who contribute to their communities.

    The Department has announced the members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2023 including veterans from Clermont and Warren Counties.

    Michael P. Monahan, who served in the Army and is from Milford in Clermont County, John C. Looker, who lives in Mason and served in the Army, and Purcell Taylor Jr., who served in the Marine Corps and from Warren County will represent the Class of 2023.

    The members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame are honored in a permanent display at the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts in Columbus. All 20 members of the class will be honored during the annual Induction Ceremony at 10 AM on Nov. 9 at the Fawcett Center for Tomorrow on the campus of The Ohio State University.

    Michael P. Monahan

    Hall of Fame Class of 2023
    Clermont County
    United States Army Veteran

    Mike Monahan served as a Scout Dog Handler for the 46th Scout Dog Platoon in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. His partner’s name was Chico. Chico alerted Mike to a trip wire attached to explosives, saving Mike’s life and the lives of others who were on patrol. Following Vietnam, Mike spent 22 years in construction, working as a pipe fitter, becoming a local leader in the industry. Mike was then led to a different calling after attending a life-changing personal growth seminar. He began volunteering with Life Success Seminars to help others achieve their full potential through many avenues, including personal responsibility, trust, forgiveness and leadership. Mike’s volunteerism led to a career change, where he served 19 years as executive director of Life Success Seminars. Mike currently uses his experience as a personal coach to mentor leaders and business owners. After a trip to Vietnam in 2005, he wrote and published the first of his six books, From the Jungle to the Boardroom, and became No. 1 on the Inc. Magazine Best Sellers list. The return trip from Vietnam gave Mike a peace he had long sought, but he still felt indebted to the partner who saved his life. Mike’s latest book, Chico’s Promise, gave him healing and he created a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the same name whose mission is to support selected no-kill shelters by paying adoption fees to save 50,000 dogs to honor Chico’s memory. An accomplished leader, speaker, author and activist, Mike enters the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame at age 75.

    John C. Looker

    Hall of Fame Class of 2023
    Warren County
    United States Army Veteran

    While John Looker’s dedication to his country was demonstrated by his military service during the Vietnam War, it is his post-military altruism that truly makes him stand out. John has dedicated his life to bettering his nation, his community and the lives of his veteran peers. John has done this through his involvement in a wide variety of committees, advocacy groups and other veteran service organizations, all of which provide insight into his leadership and selflessness. John is an American Legion National Committee Member for Veterans Employment and Education, a position that focuses on improving veterans’ education, employment and economic well-being. John has held many leadership roles in the Commanders Action Network for the Disabled Veterans of America, where his advocacy helped protect the benefits of ill and injured veterans and their families. In addition, John is involved in many other veterans’ advocacy groups including the City of Mason’s Veterans Board of Affairs, where he leads veterans’ activities and programs throughout the Mason community; the Warren County Veterans Court Mentorship program; and the Warren County Suicide Prevention Coalition. John has been instrumental in many community initiatives in Mason, a snapshot of which includes its dedication as a Purple Heart City; developing the Military Banner Program; organizing the POW/MIA Memorial; and orchestrating annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades and ceremonies. John’s spirit of generosity and commitment is recognized by his local community, but his efforts impact and extend to others far beyond his city. We recognize John as he enters the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame at age 75.

    Purcell Taylor Jr.

    Hall of Fame Class of 2023
    Warren County
    United States Marine Corps Veteran

    Purcell Taylor Jr., an enlisted Marine Corps veteran, returned to Cincinnati following his military service in Vietnam, Cuba and Quemoy-Matsu. In the face of adversity, he persisted, and became a lifelong researcher and educator. Purcell has earned prominence as a teacher, counselor, administrator, author and expert forensic psychologist. Throughout his career, he served numerous visiting and adjunct faculty positions in the southwest Ohio region. As a strong leader in his field, Purcell serves as a positive role model for inner city African American youth. Notably, in 1977, Purcell became the first African American at the University of Cincinnati to receive a doctorate degree in school psychology. He has authored or edited 10 books as well as dozens of articles published in professional journals and magazines. Purcell currently serves as Professor Emeritus of Psychology in Forensic Practice at UC. This title is awarded only to faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding service and achievements in teaching, researching and leadership. In addition to his teaching credentials, he has served as an administrator and supervisor in mental health and has served as an expert witness in court hearings, evaluations and trials. Local leaders appointed Purcell to the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and Hamilton County Task Force for Community Safety. His enduring legacy as founder of the DECLARE Therapy Center, Inc. in Cincinnati treats people suffering from chemical dependency. Among many other community engagements, and professional memberships, he volunteers his time as a peer mentor for the Warren County Veterans Treatment Court. Undeniably worthy of recognition, Purcell enters the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame at age 82.

    The 20-person class will be honored with medals by Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) Director Deborah Ashenhurst. Many other distinguished guests, including previously inducted Hall of Famers, will be present.

    Twenty inductees will be honored for their accomplishments and achievements at the 32nd annual Induction Ceremony in November for their post-military service. This class represents 14 Ohio counties and four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently approved the entire class and will offer his congratulations during the official ceremony.

    Living members of the class range in age from 56 to 86 and there are three posthumous inductees: Korean War veteran and globally successful entrepreneur Donald Keehan; famed Tuskegee Airman and Brigadier General Charles McGee; and Iraq War veteran Heath Robinson, who is credited as the inspiration for the PACT Act that provides funding and health care access for veterans who are dealing with illness related to toxic exposure.

    The 2023 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Inductees are:

    Darrin M. Adams, Army, Shelby
    Michael L. Close, Army, Delaware
    Carolyn L. Destefani, Air Force, Greene
    Terry Johnson, Air Force, Montgomery
    Donald J. Keehan*, Marine Corps, Lorain
    Paul M. Keller, Air Force/Air Force Reserve, Greene
    John C. Looker, Army, Warren
    Lester L. Lyles, Air Force, Montgomery
    Laurel A. Mayer, Air Force, Greene
    Charles E. McGee*, Army Air Corps/Air Force, Cuyahoga
    Timothy E. McMonagle, Army, Cuyahoga
    Michael P. Monahan, Army, Clermont
    Jack L. Patterson, Army, Coshocton
    Heath M. Robinson*, Ohio Army National Guard, Fairfield
    Stephen L. Rosedale, Army, Hamilton
    David L. Scheffler, Army, Fairfield
    Donald P. Scott, Army Reserve, Mahoning
    Purcell Taylor Jr., Marine Corps, Warren
    Bruce K. Thorn, Army, Franklin
    Robert A. Walkup, Navy/Army Reserve, Williams

    * Posthumous Award

    “Each year I am awed by the contributions of our nominees to their communities, to the State of Ohio, and to the nation,” said ODVS Director Deborah Ashenhurst. “They represent the powerful difference Ohio’s veterans make to the heart of it all.”

    The Class of 2023 joins 954 Ohio veterans who have been inducted since 1992 and represent all eras, branches of service, and walks of life.

    The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 1992 by former Gov. George Voinovich to recognize the post-military achievements of outstanding Ohio veterans. Charter members of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 1992 include the six Ohio veterans who were elected President of the United States as well as Medal of Honor recipients from Ohio. Honorees of the past 31 years include astronauts, entrepreneurs, volunteers, community leaders, safety officers, veteran advocates, and government officials.

    The Ohio Department of Veterans Services, on behalf of and in collaboration with the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Executive Committee, administers the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Comprised of 13 veteran volunteers, the Executive Committee members serve as advisors to the Hall of Fame, and their primary purpose is to select up to 20 honorees annually.

  • Virtual Tour of the Art and Decor of The White House

    Virtual Tour of the Art and Decor of The White House

    Loveland, Ohio – Here is the virtual tour of the White House you’ve been hearing about.

    First Lady Jill Biden launched a new virtual tour of the White House. The White House, Google Maps, and Google Arts & Culture have collaborated to create a new virtual tour of the White House using Google Street View technology. It will live on WhiteHouse.gov/VirtualTour, as well as on both Google Maps and the Google Arts & Culture page.

    “Since day one of this Administration, the First Lady has worked to open the doors of the White House wider and wider, using technology and digital platforms to bring the “People’s House” to as many people as possible. Not everyone can make the trip to Washington, DC to tour the White House, so she is bringing the White House to them. We especially hope teachers everywhere can use this in their classrooms as a new interactive tool to educate their students about the White House – both past and present,” said Elizabeth Alexander, Communications Director for the First Lady.

    This is the first Google virtual tour of the White House with available Spanish translation and audio captions for those with disabilities. Audio captions were narrated by White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo. The opening video on the virtual tour of the President and the First Lady is the same video that plays at the White House Visitors Center, so those who come for the virtual tour will get the same experience and message as those who come in-person.

    TAKE THE TOUR

    ____________________

    The holiday theme at the White House in 2004 was “A Season of Merriment and Melody” which featured holiday songs that have been favorites for generations of Americans.

    These photos were taken by Loveland Magazine Managing Editor David Miller during a Holiday Open House during the administration of George W. Bush in 2004.

    All photos © DAVID MILLER/Loveland Magazine 2004.

     

  • Skeletor Introduces October “Fright Nights!” from the Simpson Farm Asylum

    Skeletor Introduces October “Fright Nights!” from the Simpson Farm Asylum

    by Skeletor

    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
      • __________________________

      • 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.

     

  • Join Skeletor at the Simpson Farm Asylum for the Top 5 Must-Watch Halloween Movies!

    Join Skeletor at the Simpson Farm Asylum for the Top 5 Must-Watch Halloween Movies!

    Cassie Mattia as Skeletor

    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!

    • _______________________________
    • 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.
  • Jane Gonzales and Patty Lawrence return and talk about the “new” Issue 1

    Jane Gonzales and Patty Lawrence return and talk about the “new” Issue 1

     

    “Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion”

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Jane Gonzales from Loveland and Patty Lawrence from Miami Township returned to the LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV studio last week to talk about current politics and the activities they have been engaged in in recent months in the community.

    They discussed and answered questions about Ohio Issue 1 which will be on the General Election ballot on November 7. Yes, they talked about Issue 1 when they were last in the studio, and that Republican-led measure was soundly defeated.

    This November, Issue 1, which was a citizen-led effort, will ask voters to amend the Ohio Constitution to enshrine a woman’s “Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion”.

    In this interview, Gonzales and Lawrence tell viewers what their reaction was when the attempt to make it harder to circulate initiative petitions and would have raised the bar for citizen-led amendments to a 60% threshold failed in the special election in August. Both women campaigned against the change simultaneously while collecting signatures to have the right to make reproductive decisions including abortion on the Fall ballot. They opposed the August Issue 1. They are encouraging a “YES” vote on the citizen-led amendment.

    In this new interview, they discuss what the current Issue 1 will and won’t do and why they are encouraging voters to vote “YES” on the constitutional amendment.

    ____________________

    The amendment as it would be in the Ohio Constitution

    [pdf-embedder url=”https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Right-to-Reproductive-Freedom-with-Protections-for-Health-and-Safety.pdf”]

    ________________

    ISSUE 1 BASICS (Leauge of Women Voters of Ohio)

    WHAT IS ISSUE 1 ABOUT?

    • Issue 1 relates to reproductive health care. Also known as “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety”, it would amend the Ohio Constitution, if passed by voters in November. 


    WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO VOTE YES ON ISSUE 1?

    • A “yes” vote supports amending the Ohio Constitution to restore the right to an abortion, as well as other reproductive health care such as fertility or miscarriage treatment : 

      • ​establish a state constitutional right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,”including decisions about abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and continuing pregnancy; 

      • prohibit the state of Ohio from interfering with this constitutional right, except when the state demonstrates “that it is using the least restrictive means to advance the individual’s health in accordance with widely accepted and evidence-based standards of care;” 

      • allow the state to restrict abortion after fetal viability, defined as “the point in a pregnancy when, in the professional judgment of the pregnant patient’s treating physician, the fetus has a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus with reasonable measures;” and 

      • prohibit the state of Ohio from banning abortion when, in the professional judgment of a physician, an abortion “is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health.” 


    WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO VOTE NO ON ISSUE 1? 

    • A “no” vote opposes amending the Ohio Constitution to establish the constitutional right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions.” This would allow the state to continue to create legislation relating to abortion and other reproductive health actions.


    WHAT HAPPENS IF ISSUE 1 PASSES? 

    • Abortion would go back to being legal up until viability of the fetus — as it had been for nearly half a century since Roe v. Wade.  Access to miscarriage care, to contraception, and to fertility treatments, as well as the right to remain pregnant, would also be protected under this amendment. Under this amendment, the state would be allowed to restrict abortion beyond viability, with exceptions made when a physician deems abortion necessary for the life or health of the pregnant patient.

    ​WHAT HAPPENS IF ISSUE 1 DOES NOT PASS?

    • Laws around abortion and other reproductive health care would continue to be made by state government. 

    • Right now, Ohio has a ban on abortion after the 6th week of pregnancy in place, but this ban has been temporarily blocked by a judge. The judgment blocking the ban has been challenged by the Ohio Attorney General on behalf of the state of Ohio, and is under review with the Ohio Supreme Court. If the Court rules in the state’s favor, the 6 week abortion ban will resume, making abortion after 6 weeks of pregnancy illegal. This includes pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. 


    WHO IS LEADING THE CAMPAIGN TO PASS ISSUE 1? 

    • An organization named OURR – Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights– is heading Issue 1. According to their website, this is a coalition of statewide organizations that includes ACLU of Ohio, Abortion Fund of Ohio, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Ohio Women’s Alliance, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Preterm-Cleveland, Pro-Choice Ohio, and URGE. 


    WHO IS LEADING THE CAMPAIGN OPPOSING ISSUE 1? 

    • An organization named Protect Women Ohio is heading the opposition against Issue 1. According to their website, this is a coalition of people and organizations; no names are identified. 


    WHO ARE SOME SUPPORTERS OF ISSUE 1? 

    • American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Ohio Section

    • National Association of Social Workers 

    • Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine


    WHO ARE SOME OPPONENTS OF ISSUE 1?

    • Center for Christian Virtue 

    • Ohio Catholic Conference 

    • Ohio Right to Life 

    ABORTION IN OHIO 

    WHAT IS THE CURRENT LEGAL STATUS OF ABORTION IN OHIO? 

    • ​On June 24, 2023, immediately after the Dobbs ruling, a federal judge lifted an injunction that had been placed on a law that made abortion after 6 weeks illegal in Ohio, including for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. That law had originally been passed in 2019 but blocked in court because it was unconstitutional according to Roe v. Wade; after Dobbs, the law was no longer unconstitutional. 

    • On September 14, 2023, a different judge blocked the 6 week ban, restoring abortion rights to Ohioans temporarily. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, representing the state, has challenged this ruling, and the Ohio Supreme Court is set to hear arguments later this month. If the Court rules in favor of the state, who brought the suit, abortion will again be banned after 6 weeks. 


    WOULD THE AMENDMENT AFFECT ANYTHING OTHER THAN ABORTION?

    • Yes. 

    • In addition to guaranteeing the right to abortion, the amendment would also protect the right to other reproductive health actions such as access to contraception, fertility treatment, and miscarriage care, as well as the right to continue a pregnancy. 

    ISSUE 1: FACTS vs. MISINFORMATION 

    CAN A PREGNANCY BE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME DURING A PREGNANCY? 

    • The amendment maintains the standard set by the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which prohibits abortion after viability (which most doctors say is around 24 weeks), except in cases when the patient’s life or physical health would be endangered by maintaining the pregnancy. In those instances, determined by the patient’s physician, abortion would be a protected option.

    • Historically, abortion after viability is very, very rare, with 93.1% of abortions happening before 13 weeks gestation in 2020, and less than 1% over 21 weeks gestation. (CDC). Typically, abortion during this period only happen when there are severe fetal anomalies and/or the patient’s life or physical health is in danger. 


    HOW WOULD THIS AMENDMENT AFFECT PARENTAL RIGHTS? 

    • It wouldn’t. There is nothing in the amendment that changes Ohio laws around parental consent. 

    • Ohio law requires minors under the age of 18 to get consent from at least one parent when seeking an abortion. Minors who believe they are unable to tell a parent must get a court order from a judge through a process called judicial bypass. There is nothing in the amendment that would change this. 

    HOW WOULD THIS AMENDMENT AFFECT GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE? 

    • It doesn’t. There is nothing in the amendment that has anything to do with gender-affirming care.

    ______________________

    Ohio’s county boards of elections have begun distributing ballots to active duty military and overseas voters, officially opening the November 7 general election.

     

     

    OCTOBER 31st:  DEADLINE TO REQUEST YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT

     

    _______________________

     

  • [EXCLUSIVE FIRST RELEASE] Grailville land acquisition grant awarded to Cardinal Land Conservancy

    [EXCLUSIVE FIRST RELEASE] Grailville land acquisition grant awarded to Cardinal Land Conservancy

    David Miller is the Managing Editor of Loveland Magazine

    Cardinal Land Conservancy Secures Future of Historic Grailville Site

    Threat of development leads to protection in perpetuity

    by David Miller

    Loveland/Miami Township, Ohio – In sending a press release with this good news for the Loveland and Miami Township residents who worked so tirelessly preserving 89 acres of land at Grailville “in perpetuity”, Andy Dickerson with the Cardinal Land Conservancy said, “David, we’re getting ready to send this out, but I wanted to send it to you first. We just found out this morning… good news!”

    ____________________

    Andy Dickerson

    After a yearlong effort in collaboration with The Grail and the Grail Land Preservation Group, Cardinal Land Conservancy has received favorable confirmation from the Natural Resources Assistance Council District 10 that its application is being recommended for funding to the Ohio Public Works Commission.

    The $4.897 million grant through the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program will allow Cardinal to purchase 89 acres of the historic Grailville site in Loveland. Once used for spiritual growth, education, farming, and retreats, this property became a target for development in recent years due to its desirable location. Outspoken community members and former members of The Grail partnered with Cardinal to protect its scenic natural areas, historic buildings, and spiritual legacy.

    For over 70 years, Grailville served as a retreat center and organic farm for The Grail, an international women’s organization focused on spirituality, ecology, and social justice. The property includes woodlands, wetlands, and productive farmland. Its historic buildings date from the 1830s and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    The House of Joy at Grailville

    The grant is the largest in Cardinal Land Conservancy’s 8-year history. It adds to the over 8,500 acres the land trust has already protected in Southwest Ohio. Cardinal holds and monitors 57 easements on private properties and the titles to 11 nature preserves to ensure the land is protected from development and maintained in a largely natural condition. Cardinal is based in Milford however hopes to relocate its offices to the House of Joy on the Grailville site.

    Sharon Scovanner (Loveland Magazine file photo)

    Loveland resident Sharon Scovanner with the Grail Land Preservation Group told Loveland Magazine yesterday, “Today was a big day. It looks like the funding is coming through which is just amazing. It feels amazing what we have been able to accomplish in these eighteen months.”

    “The protection of this new nature preserve in Loveland will be a huge benefit for the community as Cardinal Land Conservancy will protect it in perpetuity, said Dickerson in the early news release to Loveland Magazine.

    Cardinal will need to raise additional funds to restore select buildings on site for public and private use and eventually open the property as a public nature preserve. Dickerson says that restoration efforts will begin as early as possible. Cardinal also hopes to work with healthcare professionals to utilize this preserve as a place where they can meet patients and “prescribe” nature as a treatment for certain mental and physical health problems.

    This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is from an August public hearing before the Clermont County Commission in which members of the Grail Land Preservation Group and the Grail advocated Commission support for securing the grant.

    In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, Andy Dickerson explained the details of the grant and what he was asking the Miami Township Trustees to do.

    About Cardinal Land Conservancy:

    Cardinal Land Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust serving 7 counties in Southwest Ohio. Its mission is to preserve waterways, native habitat, farmland, and open space in Southwest Ohio by working with individuals, families, and communities. For more information, visit www.cardinallandconservancy.org.

    Read the History of Grailville

  • [VIDEO INTERVIEW] Ben’s Way a new initiative of the Ben Morrison Fund

    [VIDEO INTERVIEW] Ben’s Way a new initiative of the Ben Morrison Fund

    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.

    __________________

    “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.”

    __________________

    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.

    __________________

    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.

    __________________

    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

    Follow the Ben Morrison Memorial Fund on Facebook

  • [VIDEO] 2013 Loveland High School State Football Champions recognized during Homecoming Game

    [VIDEO] 2013 Loveland High School State Football Champions recognized during Homecoming Game

    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.

    This is how on December 6, 2013 Loveland Football won the Div. II State Title

    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.

  • [Video] Dr. Kathryn Lorenz recognized during Homecoming pre-game

    [Video] Dr. Kathryn Lorenz recognized during Homecoming pre-game

    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.

    Your Loveland High School Homing Parade Highlights

  • Your Loveland High School Homing Parade Highlights

    Your Loveland High School Homing Parade Highlights

    Loveland, Ohio – This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is the highlights of the Loveland High School Homecoming Parade held on September, 21.