News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area
Without fear or favor
Since 2004
DA NANG, VIETNAM – As the USS Antietam arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, Loveland H. S. grad Alex Marcero was at the at helm. Marcero is 2020 graduate of Loveland High School.
The Antietam is attached to Commander, Task Force 70/ Carrier Strike Group 5 is conducting operations in the Indo-Pacific.
In May 2022, the Antietam was homeported at Yokosuka, Japan. She was part of Carrier Strike Group 5 led by USS Ronald Reagan.
Those on the ground trying to eradicate hunger in Ohio say the new budget proposal from the state Senate would only exacerbate the problem.
After finding out that many of Ohio’s foodbank clients are forced to choose between paying for food and things like utilities and medicine, the Ohio Association of Foodbanks urged the state legislature to include increased funding to the Ohio Food Program and Agricultural Clearance Program (OFPACP), along with hopes that the federal government would make positive changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“Clearly (the study’s) findings had the reverse impact on the Senate Republicans,” OAF executive director Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, told the OCJ. “If enacted, (the Senate’s budget proposal) will make hunger, insecurity, and poverty worse than it is now.”
The Ohio Senate’s version of the budget, headed to the chamber’s finance committee, would reduce the OFPACP funding and added a request for the Department of Medicaid to establish work reporting requirements for Medicaid.
The House version of House Bill 33, the official title of the budget bill, included $15 million per year for the next two years to the food and agricultural clearance program, and created free-lunch eligibility for any student who qualified for the reduced lunch program as well.
Neither of those are included in the Senate version.
“Eliminating increased funding to help workers, families, older adults, disabled Ohioans and marginalized people put food on the table, when the state of Ohio has incredible resources at its disposal, is cruel and short-sighted,” the OAF said in a statement.
The Hunger Network in Ohio disparaged the GOP version of the budget for cutting funding not only to the hunger efforts, but also to K-12 education and free and reduced lunches in schools.
“We cannot continue to balance our budget on the backs of hardworking and hungry Ohioans,” said Nick Bates, director of the network. “This proposal will leave Ohioans hungry, our schools under-resourced, and families without the resources to get ahead.”
According to Hamler-Fugitt, the association of foodbanks provided take-home groceries to more than 3 million state residents in the last quarter, over 30% more than the same time last year.
In the research study by the OAF, two in three Ohio households who come to the foodbanks have had to cut the size of meals or skip meals due to a lack of money, which could be attributed to rising food costs and a reduction in SNAP monies boosted during the pandemic.
The association study also found that only 5% of SNAP participants’ benefits lasted a full month since the end of the pandemic-expanded program, which stopped in March.
Ending the program resulted in a monthly loss of about $90 per person on average, according to the OAF.
The Senate Finance Committee will hold hearings on the budget and conduct a floor vote on the bill. The deadline for passage is the end of June.
Welcome to GiGi’s Playhouse in Miami Township! In September 2022, they became the 56th GiGi’s Playhouse in the national network of Playhouses to open their doors.
At GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati, we celebrate and believe in every person with Down syndrome. That’s why we provide 100% FREE programs for anyone with Down syndrome. As infants and toddlers, we provide therapy. As school-aged children, we provide education. And as adults, we provide career development programs. We do ALL of this through our amazing volunteers!
GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati is located at 732 Middleton Way in Loveland, Ohio. Just email cincinnati@gigisplayhouse.org to set up a tour.
We hope to see you soon at the Playhouse!
Oxford, Ohio – The Juneteenth holiday, commemorates the date enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas learned of their emancipation, more than two years after the proclamation was issued. The holiday has long been celebrated by African Americans. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Miami University will observe Juneteenth on Monday, June 19.
Rodney Coates, professor of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies in the Department of Global and Intercultural Studies at Miami University, provided a list of curated books to become better acquainted with the history and meaning of Junteenth.
Coates has selected three books that he references as voices of liberation and jubilation. “A Voice from the South,” “The Souls of Black Folks,” and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
Coates provides a brief synopsis of each:
No voice is as proactive, clear, and poignant as that of Anna Julia Cooper, writing her classic, “A Voice from the South,” 21 years after the end of the Civil War, 142 years ago. Her message — the plight, reality, and future of Black people — depended upon the Black woman’s success. For too long, the Church and clergy, the politicians and educators, and even the Black man thwarted these efforts by placing constraints upon the Black woman’s hopes, dreams, and opportunities. Cooper’s “Voice” provides a clarion call not to look back with inflated conceit, but to glean wisdom from experiences, to capture the spiritual essence of our being and to look to the future with hope and trust. This Voice shrugged condescension and victimhood yet shouted determination and “the radical amelioration,” liberation, and regeneration of the Black woman and community. Cooper ends with hope, believing black women shall arrive at the “promised land.”
Almost a decade after Cooper’s “Voice” was published, W.E.B. Du Bois published “The Souls of Black Folks.” This collection of essays articulated Du Bois’ dreams toward an action plan for Black freedom in the 20th century. He began with a question, “What is it like to be a problem?” A problem complicated by prejudice, lawlessness, and ruthless competition. What is it like to be a Black and an American, two unreconciled selves, two paradoxes, two ends of a spectrum — in one body? Forty years after the promise of emancipation, freedom was still illusive to the freedman. Constantly vilified and condemned, over policed and undervalued, within just one generation, Blacks crafted institutions that provided escapes from the prison of poverty, mediocrity, and complacency. Yet, the soul of Black folks, the spiritual strivings of a people, was made manifest as they went from enslaved person to free, from forced laborers to skilled artisans and farmers. They created thousands of business people, clergy, teachers, and doctors in the process.
While Black history is marked by progress, resilience, and perseverance, it is easy to ignore the trials, tribulations, and suffering endured by many Blacks over the ages. Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” reminds us that it is not always a bed of roses. This is particularly true in this autobiographical work that traces a life often interrupted by tragedy, moving from kin to kin, grandparents to separated parents, and back to grandparents. Being the ugly duckling, battered and abused (sexually, mentally, and spiritually). But after being raped, pregnant, and disgraced, she continued onward. She did not allow these obstacles to drag her into hopelessness and despair. Head held high, she continued to pursue her path, gave birth to a marvelous son, graduated from high school, and the rest is history. So why can the caged bird sing? She dreams of freedom.
Lastly, while reading and contemplating the meaning of the Juneteenth holiday, listen to “Blackbird” written by Paul McCartney and featured on the Beatles’ iconic White Album in 1968. A young McCartney was inspired to write the song after meeting civil rights pioneers Thelma Mothershed Wair and Elizabeth Eckford. Wair and Eckford are two members of the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine black students who faced discrimination and the lasting impact of segregation after enrolling in the all-white Little Rock Central High School in 1957, following the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision.
“Blackbird singing in the dead of night. Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life. You were only waiting for this moment to arise. Blackbird singing in the dead of night. Take these sunken eyes and learn to see. All your life. You were only waiting for this moment to be free.” McCartney (1968).
Loveland, Ohio – “Don’t be afraid to put yourself first sometimes and get the help you need if it’s needed,” mental health advocate, Elly Steinbrunner said when asked what encouraging message, she wanted to send to those struggling with their mental health.
On my latest episode of “Table of Discussions” I invited Gina Marek, creator of the Fave Five App, Tori Morrison, who started a non-profit called the Ben Morrison Memorial Fund, and Elly Steinbrunner, a former member of the Loveland Hope Squad to my table to talk about Mental Health Awareness Month.
During the episode, Gina and Tori talk about how losing their sons to suicide encouraged them to advocate and educate those in the community about mental health. In this Loveland Magazine TV interview, both Gina and Tori offers advice about suicide prevention, eliminating the stigma of depression, and mental illness. Since the conception of the Fave Five app and the Ben Morrison Memorial Fund, Gina and Tori have been able to provide a wealth of information for parents, caregivers, and peers.
Elly, who recently graduated from Loveland High School, shared her perspective on why mental health struggles are climbing so rapidly among her generation and how being a member of the Loveland High School Hope Squad allowed her to not only help so many young people, but also educate her peers about mental health.
Join me, Gina Marek, Tori Morrison, and Elly Steinbrunner as we talk about Mental Health Awareness on my latest episode of “Table of Discussions! Watch as these three impactful women offer life-saving tips to those families and youth struggling with the mental health crisis.
“It’s totally free, no-nonsense, and took less than three minutes to start adding my trusted friends who I would want to contact if I needed help. The people in my life who I would trust with my life,” Loveland Magazine Managing Editor David Miller said after downloading Gina Marek’s My Fave Five app to his iPhone.
The Ben Morrison Fund
The Ben Morrison Memorial Fund is committed to providing scholarships to graduating seniors from Loveland High School. We are dedicated to erasing the stigma of mental health struggles, opening conversations, and offering lifelines to help save lives of young people in crisis.
The Ben Morrison Memorial Fund is at 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Fed id 86-2896878.
Visit “The Ben Morrison Fund” on Facebook.
My Fave Five – the Mobile App
The MY FAVE FIVE Mobile App helps you identify, connect, and build relationships with trusted people in your life.
Get the APP TODAY to set up your personalized network of support or offer it to someone and be one of their FAVES – just one is a GIFT!
Visit “My Fave Five” on Facebook.
Loveland Hope Squad
The HOPE Squad program is a school-based peer support team that partners with local mental health agencies. Peers select students who are trustworthy and caring individuals to join the Hope Squad. Squad members are trained to watch for at-risk students, provide friendship, identify suicide-warning signs, and seek help from adults.
HOPE Squad members are NOT taught to act as counselors but are educated on recognizing suicide warning signs and how to properly and respectfully report concerns to an adult. Once invited to be a HOPE Squad member, students must get a permission form signed by their parents and go through training.
Goal:
Hope Squads seek to reduce self-destructive behavior and youth suicide by training, building, and creating change in schools and communities.
Objectives:
Train:
Hope Squads will train students and staff in schools to recognize suicide-warning signs and act upon those warnings to break the code of silence.
Hope Squads will train students and staff to identify adolescents with undetected, untreated, or emerging mental disorders.
Build:
Hope Squads will build positive relationships among peers and faculty in schools to facilitate acceptance for students seeking help.
Hope Squads will build strong relationships with local mental health agencies and communities while educating students, parents, and school staff about available community mental health resources.
Change:
Hope Squads will work to change the school culture regarding suicide by reducing stigmas about suicide and mental health.
Hope Squads will work to change community perceptions of mental health by creating awareness about suicide and the tools available to prevent suicide.
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Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (para ayuda en español, llame al 988)
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Sunday, August 6
1:30 PM @ Hickory Woods Golf Course
Lunch at the turn and dinner will be provided.
We look forward to seeing you again this year.
Please email teamforben@gmail.com for additional sponsorship opportunities or any questions you may have.
Loveland High School Hope Squad takes lead role in creating mural
[Photos] The theme was “Teal Out” for My Fave Five, The Ben Morrison Fund, and Loveland High School’s Hope SquadColumnist 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.
Watch Cassie’s previous Table of Discussions episodes!
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Learning Garden says that they are excited to invite kids to their garden and nature trail this summer for a variety of free events to connect with nature. Programs are tailored for 1st through 4th grades but siblings are welcome.
At least 1 adult must be present with children attending. All programs are held on the campus of Loveland Primary and Elementary schools located at 600 Loveland-Madeira Road in either the garden located between the buildings or behind the school on the nature trail. The garden and nature trail are outdoor spaces for learning that are maintained by volunteers of Loveland Learning Garden.
Please register for events of interest so they know how many to expect.
If you have any questions, email info@lovelandlearninggarden.org or follow @lovelandlearninggarden on Facebook or Instagram.
Learn more about the garden program HERE.
Loveland, Ohio – Dave Spencer will be Loveland High School’s next principal. He joins Loveland after 19 years in the Forest Hills School District.
“Loveland High School is the flagship of our district, and I believe Dave Spencer will be a great person to lead LHS. He is a seasoned administrator, and a high-character, student-focused leader.” Superintendent Mike Broadwater said.
Spencer comes to Loveland High School after eight years as the principal of Turpin High School and eleven years as the assistant principal at Turpin. He has been a high school administrator for 24 years, including five years in Bright Local Schools.
“I’m excited to be a part of Tiger Nation! I’m looking forward to supporting the students and staff and contributing to the many great things that lie ahead for Loveland High School,” Dave Spencer said.
Spencer’s hiring is pending approval by the Board of Education. He will lead Loveland High School beginning with the 23-24 school year.
Current LHS principal Adam Reed will be taking a new role in the Central Office of Mount Healthy City Schools.
“We thank Adam Reed for his hard work and dedication to our Loveland Tiger students and wish him the best as he takes on an exciting new challenge,” Superintendent Mike Broadwater said.
Loveland, Ohio – “The names make it so powerful. It has been an inspiring project to work on. They will finish it on Tuesday. All the names are up that I have right now,” said the organizer of the “Angels by the Trail” mural, Stacey Lund.
The photo above and those below of the names, was taken this morning.
On June 11 at 11 AM there will be the ribbon cutting ceremony. The public is invited and also invited to submit more names.
Angels by the Trail will become a permanent, brightly painted memorial wall space that forever “Celebrates Loveland’s school-aged children whose lives were cut short.” The colorful 65′ X 20′ memorial is facing the bike trail and the Little Miami River near the Linda Cox parking lot on Karl Brown Way in Historic downtown Loveland. It is being painted on a previously bare industrial wall of the Eads Fence Company by artist David Uy.
Watch this interview with the artist…
If you would like to have an Angel’s name, a child who has passed on and was a resident of the Loveland community and was between the ages of 3-23 added to the mural, please click the following link.
Angels by the Trail Submission Form
On the GoFundMe page created for the project where you can contribute to the expenses, Lund said, “Our hope is that the conversion of this plain industrial wall into the “Angels by the Trail” installation will bring joy to the families of these children and those who love them and will give our community another beautiful, bright and cheerful landmark and backdrop within our special home of Loveland.”
If you “Right Click” on the photo below you should be able to view it in a larger view to see where the current names are on the mural.
Follow Angels by the Trail on FaceBook.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Early Childhood Center has received a Five-Star Step Up To Quality Award from the State of Ohio. The award recognizes the preschool program offered at LECC.
“Congratulations to our team at the Loveland Early Childhood Center for this recognition of their outstanding work and effort they put into helping our youngest Loveland Tiger Students have a successful start on their educational journey,” Loveland Superintendent Mike Broadwater said.
Step Up To Quality is Ohio’s rating system for learning development programs. It is designed to recognize high-quality educational programs and make it easy for families to select programs for their children.
“We believe in Loveland City Schools that Preschool is an important time for young students to develop their love of learning in a safe and nurturing environment. This award recognizes the amazing partnership between our LECC team and our families to support our Preschool students during this important time in their development in building self-confidence and pre-academic skills,” LECC Principal Sara Gehring said.
Step Up To Quality is administered by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. You can learn more about the Step Up To Quality Award by following this link.
![[Video] Loveland High School Wind Ensemble “Rise from the Ashes”](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/rise-from-ashes.jpeg)
Loveland, Ohio – On Tuesday, May 9 the Loveland High School Wind Ensemble performed, “Rise from the Ashes” as their last concert of the school year. The band was directed by Geoffrey Miller, Evan Wood, Rebecca Jones, and Drew Hadley.
Before the last piece was played Director Miller introduced the Seniors that played their last concert at the high school and introduced the winner of the John Plillips Sousa Award to Senior, Lizzy Lipp.
The Wind Ensemble performed:
Procession of the Nobles – Nicolai Rimsky – Korsakov, arr. Leidzen
Ash – Jennifer Jolley
Trombone King – Karl L. King
Seis Manuel – Shelley Hanson
Dancing Fire – Kevin Day
Julia Kavouras
Rori Paul
Zack Peebles
Megan Rutz
Nick Peebles
Ashlee Willett
Kirsten Arill
Paul Laufersweiler
Morgan Poe
Ben Sauer
Claire Zeigler
Sammy Alarcon
Ally Carpenter
Will Day
Luis Garcia Saucedo
Payton Brown
Livia Schorn
Jens Arill
Luke Aldrich
Amelia Macura
Eros Whitlock
Ryver Chronister
Luka Docter
Lizzy Lipp
Thomas McKenzie
Aaron Spjut
Conner Wilson
Justin Campbell
Evan Miller
Erin O’Neill
Olivia Smith
Avery Dennedy
Mason Huffsteder
Jake Simon
Isaac Astifan
Alex Boni
Jonathan Kaseff
Lucas Lomonaco
Carter Lucas
Tyler Oaks
Danielle Peterson
Eliana Rumberg
Daniel Watts