News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area
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Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Youth Volleyball Organization will be sponsoring a food drive to benefit the Life Food Pantry this Saturday, May 7th, at the Loveland Elementary School gym. They will have games there from 9 AM until 3 PM and will have a table set up to collect donations.
“Please consider dropping off any nonperishable food items that you may have. We do this to not only help LIFE but to help teach our players about volunteering and helping others.”
The community is invited to come to this convenient location to add to the collection of the players.
The following items are ones that LIFE has a more urgent need for.
Beef stew, canned carrots, ketchup, canned chili, coffee, cooking oil, Manwich, mashed potatoes, pasta, peanut butter, canned pineapple, salad dressing, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, Stove Top Stuffing, paper towels, Kleenex, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
Introduction by Kevin Kiley
What’s going on in Loveland this week?
The City of Loveland is currently reviewing an application for a large housing development on the east side of Loveland. This 111 acre parcel of land, a historic property currently owned by Grailville, was recently annexed into Loveland and is under contract to Drees Homes “with an option to buy” for $7.3 million. Drees has requested that Loveland re-zone the site to a special planning district (SPD) and approve an exception to build more than twice the number of homes permitted by current zoning. This same property was offered to Loveland Schools but failed to pass levies in the months preceding the pandemic.
Why does this matter?
Several concerns have been addressed to the Loveland Planning and Zoning Comission on how this new development will impact Loveland, including its effect on traffic, parking, schools, and other taxpayer expenses. This proposed new housing development borders 100 acres of nature preserve now owned by the Clermont County Parks District. A growing number of forward-thinking residents see this additional 111 acres as an incredible opportunity for Loveland to build something amazing for all who live in Loveland, not just a select few.
How can I get involved?
The next Loveland Planning and Zoning meeting is Wednesday, May 4th at 7 PM at Loveland City Hall. Please attend to learn more and show support—help us pack the room. There will be a sign-in sheet in the room for anyone who wishes to speak.
To residents and elected decision makers of Loveland
by Laurie Kiley
As I sit to put my feelings about the development of the Grailville property into writing, Joanie Mitchell’s lyrics are stuck in my head…
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
While I am a tree hugger in my soul I am also realistic that as humankind continues to evolve nature will always be at risk. We must be diligent to make personal choices—and choices as a community—that result in the greatest legacy for those who come after us. We cannot be shortsighted.
That being said, my biggest concern here today is actually about accountability. Loveland residents elect our Council to have privileged access to information on our behalf. We expect that they are making decisions holistically and with the future in mind well beyond their tenure.
As accountable Council members, we implore you to not make easy compromises today that lead to deeper issues for our community tomorrow. The full impact of every rezoning decision, every parking garage, and every field that is eliminated must be considered.
In our personal lives, it is irresponsible to spend beyond our means or to act now and think later.
Likewise, it would be irresponsible for our Council to make decisions that put Loveland’s future at risk.
The Grail is entitled to sell the property they cannot afford to hold. Drees is entitled to request an exception to maximize its profits and create a space to benefit 209 new households. Loveland Council, however, is not obligated to create new laws to make it possible.
I want to go back to my previous point about encouraging holistic decision-making. Here is a summary of inter-related concerns from my point of view:
If Council is contractually obligated to respond to this SPD then the answer must be “no” until we can thoughtfully consider the big picture.
Yes, “something must be built here”. Let’s build something that benefits the entire community. Let’s build something that will make Loveland even more cherished by its citizens and inspires hope for its future.
Please don’t cite failed levies of the past. There’s no need for blame in any direction. Those levies only indicate that the expectations of the planners and the voters were not in line. Time has certainly moved on, so must we. We need to learn from those experiences and move forward together.
Loveland needs to stand up for itself. We need to be bold and brave and involved in order to maintain our character and identity as a community. By NOT approving this SPD our elected Council would give Loveland a huge opportunity to help The Grail and Loveland find an optimal solution to the benefit of all.
by Mahi Sheth
Loveland, Ohio – We are pleased to present Loveland Magazine’s Pet of the Month for April! The community of Loveland provided us with some lovely Pet of the Month photos and we are beyond thrilled to celebrate these local pets with YOU the readers!
Introducing Louis, a beautiful 4-year-old cockapoo, who lives with Rebecca and Doug Jones on Park Avenue in Loveland!
“Louie loves to walk in downtown Loveland and visit his friends at Union Savings Bank, Paxton’s, Narrow Path Brewery, and Graters!” Rebecca says.
Louie likes going to visit his friends at the Loveland Stage Company! Louie has been in two productions at the theater. He starred as “Chowsie” in Gypsy and was in the 2021 Christmas Show.
“Louie is a certified 4-H pet pal and enjoys visiting friends in care facilities. He can be found hanging on his front porch in the West Loveland Historic District of Loveland where he loves to meet new friends!”
Congratulations to Louis’s mother, Rebecca, and Louis for being selected to represent Loveland Magazine’s Pet of the Month for April! Rebecca and Louis will be rewarded with a Nothing Bundt Cakes Bundtlet Tower, a gift card to The Works Pizza, a gift certificate to Tara’s Pet Boutique and Doggy Daycare, and an 8X10 frameable photo keepsake! Louis will not only be featured in our publication but will also be included in our weekly newsletter for the month of April and our social media pages.
We would like to thank everyone who sent in photos of their pets as it was an absolute joy to see how many beautiful animals there are in our community! For those who sent in photos but weren’t selected this time around, don’t worry, as your entries will be entered back into the competition for the following month’s selection! For those that missed the deadline for April’s Pet of the Month, we will be taking entries from April’s 5th-25th for May’s Pet of the Month. Don’t be afraid to dress up your pets in their finest Memorial day gear for May!
Check out the video below created by David Miller that features Louis as well as some of our favorite Pet of the Month entries!
To enter into Loveland’s Pet of the Month contest you must email me, Mahi Sheth, at shethmahi6@gmail.com 2-5 of your favorite photos of your pet along with a short bio about your pet. Share with us and the community why your pet is so special to you along with any other unique facts that set your little buddy apart from other pets! When sending in your pet photos and bios please include your pet’s name, age, and breed as well as your contact info with a short description of each photo you provide us with. If you want to share where your pet’s favorite spots are in Loveland that would be great as well! Remember we DO NOT discriminate against any pets; all pets are welcome to enter into the contest!
Join us in celebrating Louis for the month of April!
We can’t wait to see whose pet will be featured in May for Loveland Magazine’s Pet of the Month Edition!
Here at Loveland Magazine, we would like to send a personal shout-out to The Works Pizza, Tara’s Pet Boutique and Doggy Daycare, and Nothing Bundt Cakes Mason (nearby in Deerfield Township) for providing wonderful gifts to our winners!
Want to see previous Pets of the Month? Click here!
![[VIDEO] Sir Harry Striber was in Historic Downtown Loveland on his way to work](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sir-harry-striber.jpg)
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – Sir Harry Striber stopped in Historic Downtown Loveland last Saturday morning while walking the 2.5 miles to the Loveland Castle Museum where he gives guided tours.
“The Historic Loveland Castle & Museum Chateau Laroche was built as an expression and reminder of the simple strength and rugged grandeur of the mighty men who lived when Knighthood was in flower. It was their knightly zeal for honor, valor, and manly purity that lifted mankind out of the moral midnight of the dark ages and started it towards the gray dawn of human hope. Present human decadence proves a need for similar action. Already the ancient organization of Knights has been re-activated to save society. Any man of high ideas who wish to help save civilization is invited to become a member of the Knights of the Golden Trail, whose only vows are the Ten Commandments. Chateau Laroche is the World headquarters and Residence of the K.O.G.T.”
Warren County, Ohio – Starting May 9th approximately 1,000 ft. in each direction of the Grandin Road intersection, the Little Miami Scenic Trail will be closed for construction for the duration of 2022. According to the Warren County Engineer, “There will be no posted detour because there is no complete off-road alternative”.
For more information: Warren County Construction Projects (arcgis.com)
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – According to the Loveland Police Department, skimmers were found on gasoline pumps at the Mobil gas station at 106 West Loveland Avenue. A short time after the initial investigation by the local police, the United States Secret Service responded to the scene.
The Department said on FaceBook, “If you feel you have been impacted by the skimmers placed at the Mobil gas station, please contact Officer Michael Wright at the Loveland Police Department.” His telephone number is 513-677-7000.
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – Last Friday, April 22, Cassie Mattia and myself, along with CeeCee Collins and Meridith Taylor with the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance went to the LIFE Food Pantry to present checks. We were greeted by Pantry Executive Director, Linda Bergholz.
CeeCee presented a check that represented all the VENMO donations that were collected during our Easter Weekend Food Drive. Cassie, who had the vision of holding the food drive on Easter Eve presented a matching check from Loveland Magazine.
The Food Drive was held under the Town Clock in Historic Downtown Loveland.
The Pantry said that as a result of seeing about the Loveland Magazine and Chamber food drive a neighborhood was inspired to do their own. Linda said the current need for food by folks in the community is “enormous”.
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is of the reception we received at the Pantry. It tells the story of how Cassie was led to organize the food drive, how the Chamber so enthusiastically agreed to partner with her, and Linda talks about how the Pantry serves the community and how you can help them. Cassie talks about how easy it is to organize a food drive.
If you feel inspired to make a dollar donation to the Pantry right this moment, please do so with this PayPal link where you can also use your credit card. Or write a check today and mail it to LIFE Food Pantry, 541 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, Ohio 45140.
or click here to find out how to get involved!
Apple Sauce, Beef Stew, Canned Carrots, Cooking Oil, Flour, Hearty Soups (Progresso Chicken Noodle especially), Jello gelatin and pudding, Manwich, Canned mixed vegetables, Canned Pineapple, Pinto beans, Stuffing Mix, Paper Towels. Granulated Sugar, Tuna, Ensure, and Depends (Womens M,L, XL)
Create an event to help those in need! Click Here
There are so many ways to get involved! Click Here
RECEIVE FOOD OR ASSISTANCE
To receive food from LIFE, come to our pantry during regular hours and you will be provided groceries on that first visit.
By choosing to partner with LIFE your business will not only provide assistance to the community but LIFE will proudly spread the word about your generosity. See the chart to review all of the benefits our partners will receive.
Washington, DC – “This is the honor of a lifetime,” said Evan Osgood, who was awarded the $25,000 top prize by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. “Meeting the other finalists and learning their stories this weekend reinvigorated for me the power of our generation. We can do anything,” said Evan Osgood in a press release issued by the organization.
“We are incredibly proud of Evan for receiving this honor. He is truly a remarkable young man, and his dedication to others, along with his hard work, will take him on to great things. Congratulations to the entire Osgood family on this accomplishment,” said Superintendent Mike Broadwater in a press release.
As a national finalist for the award, Osgood was invited to attend the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Trailblazing Leadership Week, which he attended with his family and Loveland High School Principal Adam Reed.
Osgood was recognized for his work during the pandemic creating the nonprofit SOSforPPE, to make and ship protective equipment, along with his creation of STEMsfForYouth, a nonprofit committed to improving access to STEM education.
Read these past Loveland Magazine stories about Evan Osgood:
*Please read this CORRECTION to this story.
The hillside in Loveland’s downtown where a highly contested proposed parking garage may be built
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – The possibility of Native Americans’ remains under the site of a proposed parking garage on a hill in “Historic Downtown” may give a new connotation beyond the history of White settlers and developers of the area.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, both Lauren Enda and Tom Scovanner reported that they have come into possession of a 2019 report by a preservation consultant that was commissioned by Hamilton County. The report says there is some potential for “archaeological resources” on the property. The report was based on an 1848 map of Loveland. The consultant said the map identifies a “mound” at the location. The report was commissioned because Loveland was seeking federal dollars to demolish two houses on the site and the money Loveland was seeking, was ultimately federal dollars. According to Enda and Scovanner, the report concluded that there was no historical significance to the houses so the City was given a green light to proceed with removing them.
However, after the houses were removed, the City proceeded to do excavation on the hillside to make a temporary overflow parking lot to mitigate parking congestion in “Historic” downtown apparently without the knowledge of the reported mound that may contain the remains of American Indians who once lived on the bank of O’Bannon Creek which abuts the hillside. O’Bannon Creek enters the Little Miami River a few hundred feet downstream.
The proposed garage site is 213 North Second Street (Parcel 200602.029).
Enda says that as soon as she received the report she immediately put in a call to City Manager Dave Kennedy who could not be reached. She then sent the report to both Kennedy and Councilmember Andy Bateman on April 8. She sent it to Bateman because he is the council’s representative on the City Historical Preservation and Planning Commission (HPPC). Bateman is a sitting member of the Commission.
Enda’s presumption was that Bateman would forward the report to all of the HPPC members, however, the report was not brought up or discussed at their next meeting. She had asked Bateman in an email, “Please share with the other members as I do not have their addresses.” She said on Monday that she was surprised that it was not discussed at the HPPC meeting.
After Enda and Scovanner gave speeches during the open forum at Monday’s council meeting, there was also no discussion between Council and the City Manager. She said on Monday that she did not hear back from either Kennedy or Bateman after she sent them the report. *
City Manager Kennedy told Loveland Magazine via email that he first knew of the report when Enda sent it to him on April 8 at 2 PM. He said that subsequently, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office contacted him and they are scheduling a time to discuss the matter.
The Hamilton County Community Development Historic Preservation Review worksheet says, “It is not known whether the ‘mound’ remains or is an Indian mound, but it is possible. The area appears topographically similar to other areas with Indian mounds. Locations on a bluff or hill overlooking a flat river or creek bottom always have high probability for prehistoric sites of all time periods.” It concludes, “The property is not considered eligible for historic architecture for the purpose of demolition, but consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office regarding the need for an archeological survey is recommended if a federal permit or funding is involved for new construction.”
Enda said at the council meeting that according to Loveland’s Director of Finance, Mark Medlar, Loveland taxpayers have already spent $980,000 on purchasing the site, demolition, and design engineering for the “multi-million dollar” proposed garage.
Enda wants Council to commission an archaeological survey of the property which she says is the recommendation of the Ohio History Connection. The Ohio History Connection was formerly the Ohio Historical Society and carries out history services for Ohio and its citizens focused on preserving and sharing the state’s history. This includes housing the state historic preservation office, the official state archives, local history office and managing more than 50 sites and museums across Ohio.
Enda was contacted by the Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition, who in turn have reached out to other Native American organizations such as the National Congress of the American Indians in Washington, DC. During the council meeting, Scovanner read a letter from the Cincinnati organization.
Enda has advocated for months for residents to be given the chance to vote the proposed parking garage up or down at the ballot box.
She says that if there are Indian remains at the site they should be treated with respect and dignity.
