LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

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  • Students at Loveland High School are nominated for 14 Cappies

    Students at Loveland High School are nominated for 14 Cappies

    Loveland High School Stage managers and crew (back row) Allison Kiehl, Stefan De Jongh, Millie Terselic, Ryan James, Gabe Collazo, Evan Miller, Molly McCort, and Samantha Weaver (front row) My Fair Lady and Zack Peebles

    Loveland, Ohio – Students at Loveland High School (LHS) have received 14 Cappies nominations for their November 2019 production of My Fair Lady.

    The Cappies Critics and Awards Program recognizes Greater Cincinnati’s young writers, performers, and technical crews. High school theatre and journalism students in the Cappies program are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, and write and publish reviews. At the end of each school year, they vote on awards for their fellow students in a list of categories, including outstanding productions, group, and individual performances, as well as achievements in various technical categories

    The gala is usually held at the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati but will be held virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The awards gala will be held “virtually” this year on Thursday, May 28.

    Photos by Steve Kovacs

     

    Loveland High School Cappies Nominations for My Fair Lady

     

    Special Effects/Technology

    Amy Laufersweiler and Ava Swearingen

    Sound

    Adam Zdrojewski (lead), Evan Bell, Joshua Bryant, Jessica Ferrell, and Ryan Griswold

    Props

    Jordan Lawrence (lead), Jade Bradford, Rosa Karl-Chacon, and Cayleigh King

    Orchestra

    My Fair Lady Orchestra

    Stage Management and Stage Crew

    Samantha Weaver and Allison Kiehl (Stage Managers) and Adrianna Bell, Marissa Christmann, Gabe Collazo, Stefan De Jongh, Ashley Dunlap, Ryan James, Evan Miller, Molly McCort, Zack Peebles, and Millie Terselic

    Ensemble in a Musical

    Men’s Ensemble

    Featured Actor in a Musical

    Jude Wint as Professor Zoltan Karpathy

    Featured Actress in a Musical

    Keller Walls as Mrs. Eynsford-Hill

    Male Vocalist

    Calloway Hefner as Freddy Eynsford-Hill

    Comic Actor in a Musical

    Aidan McCracken as Alfred P. Doolittle

    Supporting Actor in a Musical

    William Gibbs-Heard as Colonel Pickering

    Lead Actress in a Musical

    Anna Colletto as Eliza Doolittle

    Lead Actor in a Musical

    Aiden Hubbard as Henry Higgins

    Musical

    My Fair Lady

    (For a full listing of 2019-20 nominations, visit The Cappies of Greater Cincinnati website.)

    Excerpts from Top Reviews of the Loveland High School production of My Fair Lady

    Stunning performances included both Anna Colletto and Aiden Hubbard as the leads, as well as William Gibbs-Heard and Claire Yoder playing the down-to-earth Colonel Pickering and the motherly Mrs. Pearce, respectively. Particularly, Colletto showed exceptional vocal talents through her singing voice and her consistent Cockney accent that lasted through the majority of the first act. – Joshua Inman, Ross High School

    The production simply wouldn’t have been as “loverly” without the efforts of the props and special effects teams. From a glowing fire pit to baskets bursting with flowers, the student-made props contributed immensely to the spectacle’s early 20th-century feel, especially in Professor Higgins’s study, which was furnished with a realistic gramophone and an indecipherable phonetics chart. – Nadya Ellerhorst, Walnut Hills High School

    Aiden Hubbard’s performance as the stubborn, yet genius Henry Higgins was also well-executed. The actor did not shy away from Higgins’s snobbery, and his assertive vocal style fit the character to boot. – Lucy Lawler, Saint Ursula Academy

    With a stage crew of only six, all scene changes were prompt and kept the same velocity as the show. As the script is written for roughly three hours, the stage crew didn’t prolong the performance. In fact, they worked at a speed that seemed almost impossible. – Sam Jamison, Randall K. Cooper High School

    A standout performance was given by Anna Colletto who glowed as Eliza Doolittle. Colletto sang Eliza’s solos beautifully, adding her own acting chops to the rambunctious Cockney flower girl. Colletto captured the comedic aspects of Eliza Doolittle’s role splendidly, giving her role a feeling of feistiness. – Isabelle Armour, Cincinnati Christian High School

    The technical aspects of this show were flawless. It seemed like every aspect was thoughtfully planned around the others. The choreography and costumes played well together with strategic flowing and twirling of dresses and drapery. The set interacted well with the projections for the background. Props also were well-placed and very purposeful. The lighting crew, led by Matthew Rychlik and Kathryn Taylor, was dazzling. It can be difficult to evenly light an actor on stage with the projections behind them. – Emilee Taylor, Colerain High School

    Featured ensemble members delivered witty lines with charm, originality, and humor. With engaging choreography backing up beautiful vocals, the actors brought together the best elements of the show. – Mary Defoor, School for Creative & Performing Arts

    You can read the complete reviews HERE

     

    Ricky Mulvey’s new Podcast: “Total Fighter,” about Cincinnati’s Ezzard Charles

    Listen to the Latest Episode…

  • Goering moves Hamilton County property real estate tax due date

    Goering moves Hamilton County property real estate tax due date

    Hamilton County, Ohio – On May 4, Treasurer Robert Goering announced he is extending the real estate tax due date to July 17. The deadline for taxes due for the second half of 2019 was June 22.

    Goering said that the tax bills will be mailed approximately June 22.

    The decision was made taking into account multiple factors according to the Goering, including that the Hamilton County Administration Building remains closed to the public and his office is not available to taxpayers. The office is closed to the general public until further notice.

    Communication with the office can be made by phone at 946-4800 or email at county.treasurer@hamilton-co.org.

    Web Site

    FRONT PAGE STORIES

    Donate $socks4homeless2020

    Dear Loveland Magazine Readers, I’m William Gibbs-Heard, a graduating senior at Loveland High School, and instead of having a graduation party, I decided, because of…
  • Donate $socks4homeless2020

    Donate $socks4homeless2020

    Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

    I’m William Gibbs-Heard, a graduating senior at Loveland High School, and instead of having a graduation party, I decided, because of the virus, that I should hold a sock drive.

    For the graduation year of 2020, I would like to collect 2,020 pairs of new socks, or more, by the time I turn 18 on June 11th.

    I want to do this in an effort to help those who are homeless and less fortunate than us. Due to all of the depression and fear surrounding the community in times like these, I want to be able to be a light in someone’s life by providing something to them that is so simple, yet very necessary.

    I am accepting money donations through Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp (all of which are listed below), as well as setting up a drop-off point at my house, 1205 W Main Street, Loveland, OH 45140.

    Venmo

    Paypal

    Cashapp: $socks4homeless2020

    Thank you for your time,

    William Gibbs-Heard

    For more information and to find out how you can help
  • COVID-19 Update: Reopening of restaurants, bars, and personal care services

    COVID-19 Update: Reopening of restaurants, bars, and personal care services

    CURRENT OHIO DATA

    There are 22,131 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 1,271 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 4,140 people have been hospitalized, including 1,167 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.

    Video of yesterday’s State House announcements, including versions with foreign language closed captioning, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel’s YouTube page.

    CURRENT LOCAL DATA

    Clermont County

    115 confirmed cases. 5 probable cases. 120 total cases. 2 confirmed deaths. 1 probable death. 27 Hospitalizations. 60 Recovered.

    Hamilton County

    1664** confirmed cases. 100 deaths. 323 Hospitalizations.

    **Includes Cincinnati, Norwood, and Springdale.

    Warren County

    191 cases. (46 new possible cases in last 14 days). 36 hospitalizations. (9 new hospitalizations in last 14 days). 13 total deaths (3 in the last 14 days).

    In Loveland City Council unanimously passed a resolution expanding the dates and times for the operation of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (“DORA”) in downtown Loveland. The action authorized the City Manager to implement this expansion once the State relaxed the Stay at Home Order or allowed residents to leave their homes to engage in non-essential work or activities.

    On Thursday, City Manager Dave Kennedy used that authority and announced that the expansion of the DORA will begin Saturday, May 9, at noon and run until 11 PM. The DORA will remain in effect 7 days a week for 60 days.

    Within the DORA people can purchase alcoholic beverages in a designated cup from permitted establishments and carry the beverages outside within a defined Downtown area.

    Additional picnic tables have been placed in Nisbet Park. Visitors to Historic Downtown may also bring tables or chairs to use as long as they “maintain safe distancing guidelines which will also be posted in the downtown area.”

    The newly renovated restrooms in Nisbet Park are also open and will be sanitized daily by the City.

    In Columbus, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Dr. Amy Acton, MD, MPH, announced Thursday the next phase of the Responsible RestartOhio plan as it relates to restaurants, bars, and personal care services.

    As part of yesterday’s announcement, Governor DeWine reminded Ohioans that COVID-19 is still “incredibly dangerous” and stressed the importance of continuing to exercise safe health habits as different sectors of the economy begin to reopen.

    “Reopening Ohio is a risk, but it’s also a risk if you don’t move forward. We’re on a dangerous road that has never been traveled before in Ohio and the danger is that we relax and stop taking precautions,” said DeWine. “All of us collectively control this. I ask you to take calculated risks and make good judgments. Continue social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing face coverings. If you aren’t concerned with what happens to you, do it for others.”

    RESTAURANTS/BARS

    Restaurants and bars in Ohio will be permitted to reopen as follows:

    • Outdoor dining: May 15
    • Dine-in service: May 21

    DeWine’s Restaurant Advisory Group created a detailed list of guidelines and best practices for restaurant and bar owners to follow. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices can be found at coronaviurs.ohio.gov.

    PERSONAL CARE SERVICES

    Personal care services such as hair salons, barbershops, day spas, nail salons, and tanning facilities may reopen on May 15.

    DeWine’s Personal Services Advisory Group created a detailed list of guidelines and best practices for personal care service providers to follow. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices can be found at coronaviurs.ohio.gov.

    CURRENT OHIO DATA

    There are 22,131 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 1,271 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 4,140 people have been hospitalized, including 1,167 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.

    Video of yesterday’s announcements, including versions with foreign language closed captioning, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel’s YouTube page.

  • Ricky Mulvey’s new Podcast: “Total Fighter,” about Cincinnati’s Ezzard Charles

    Ricky Mulvey’s new Podcast: “Total Fighter,” about Cincinnati’s Ezzard Charles

    This podcast shines a new light on the underrated Cincinnati Cobra; the greatest light-heavyweight of all time.

    “Total Fighter,” is a narrative, nonfiction podcast about Ezzard Charles, Cincinnati’s heavyweight champion, and hosted by Loveland native Ricky Mulvey.

    Ricky Mulvey is a former sportswriter and talking head at Loveland Magazine

    The premier episode, “More Than a Gym Fighter” is a deep-dive into a very different Cincinnati. Go to a bustling Findlay Market in the 1940s, in between the pool tables and cigar smoke at the American Legion Hall in Newport, Kentucky for Charles’ first boxing match, and a Battle Royale in Lawrenceville, Georgia.  

    This podcast shines a new light on the underrated Cincinnati Cobra; the greatest light-heavyweight of all time. The series will ultimately follow Charles to his match against Joe Louis, and the characters who followed him– his family and the mafia. 

    By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42512075

    “Total Fighter” features interviews and stories from Buddy LaRosa, founder of LaRosa’s Pizza, William Dettloff, author of “Ezzard Charles: a Boxing Life,” Frank Wettencamp, one of Ezz’s high school classmates, and more. This show explores his complex character; why the name “Ezzard Charles” became an insult by Frank Sinatra and an inspiration to the composer George Russell. 

    Listen to “Total Fighter” at one of the links below, or on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. The show will soon be available on all platforms.

     

    The first episode of a five-part series about Cincinnati’s heavyweight champion, Ezzard Charles. This show tracks Charles’ rise from his humble beginnings in Georgia to a top light-heavyweight contender. Travel back in time to a very different Findlay Market, a Battle Royale in Lawrenceville, and Ezzard Charles’ very first boxing match.

    https://blubrry.com/totalfighter/60079865/more-than-a-gym-fighter/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5JTBTxxOvk

    You can first hear new episodes and updates right here on Loveland Magazine or by following Ricky Mulvey on Facebook, @rickymulvey on Instagram, and @rickssoslick on Twitter.

  • [Video] Loveland School Board meeting of April 30

    [Video] Loveland School Board meeting of April 30

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Board of Education met on April 30.

    Here is the meeting agenda: BoardDocs® Pro

    Here are the LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV videos – Part 1 and 2.

  • The LHS 2020 “Safe” Graduation will be May 23

    The LHS 2020 “Safe” Graduation will be May 23

    WHO

    LHS CLASS OF 2020

    WHY

    Award Diplomas and honor the accomplishments of LHS graduates

     

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School (LHS) has announced a “Structured and Controlled In-Person Graduation Ceremony” for the Class of 2020. The commencement ceremony will be held on the day originally scheduled. It will be held at Loveland High School.

    “The Class of 2020 deserves to have the most memorable ceremony possible given the current circumstances,” said LHS Principal Peggy Johnson. “While this is not the traditional ceremony that we had envisioned for our seniors when we started out this school year, we feel it is the most personal of all options given us by the Ohio Department of Education.”

    EVENTS

    May 13 – Drive Through Cap and Gown Distribution

    Graduates will be given an appointment time and remain in their cars for the entire process. All LHS staff members will be wearing face masks and will adhere to health and safety guidelines. Any items or materials distributed to graduates will be sanitized and quarantined for at least 72 hours prior to distribution. Graduates will receive their rental gown, cap, and tassel. Graduates earning cords will receive them.

    May 13 – Virtual Senior Awards Ceremony

    The LHS staff will “host” the ceremony as if speaking to a packed house in the auditorium.

    The goal is to honor the accomplishments the graduates have achieved. “Unfortunately, we are not able to hold our traditional Senior Awards Ceremony honoring students for a variety of accomplishments to include our Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Top 10 of the class, scholarship winners, military accolades, academic medals and pins, and much more.” This ceremony is also typically the night many “Local” scholarships are announced.

    This year, the Class of 2020 will be celebrated virtually. The LHS staff will “host” the ceremony as if speaking to the usually packed house in the LHS auditorium during this annual event. The event will be video recorded and shared. “Our hope is that we can release it later in the day on May 13 so you can view it that evening.” As in the past, scholarship winners are not announced until the evening of the ceremony so most of what will be announced is a surprise.

    May 23 – “Single Family In-Person” graduation ceremony

    Graduation will be held on May 23, the originally scheduled date.

    Families will be called into the Ron DeWitt auditorium at the High School one-by-one (no more than 10 people total including the school administrators). Graduates are permitted to bring 4 guests. The student walks across the stage, receives a diploma and their 4 guests remain in the general seating area.

    Graduation speeches by school officials, student speakers, and musical performances will be recorded prior to the ceremony.

    The entire graduation ceremony will be video recorded and shared.

    Graduates and their families will exit the auditorium through a side door that will lead them to the cafeteria where they will return their rental graduation gown. The student and guests return back to their vehicle.

    Any items or materials distributed to graduates will be sanitized and quarantined for at least 72 hours prior to distribution.

  • [Video] Rob Geiger announces milestone for Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery restoration project

    [Video] Rob Geiger announces milestone for Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery restoration project

    Loveland, Ohio – On Monday LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV took our camera to the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery in the White Pillars subdivision where Rob Geiger made an important announcement regarding the on-going restoration project. Geiger is the President of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association.

    In an email to Loveland Magazine Geiger exclaimed, “Look what got installed May 1, 2020!”

    Geiger has worked for the last two years to make Loveland’s most significant historical site presentable again. They removed a 20-year old rusty and broken fence, installed a new one, removed dying trees that threatened the new fence and tombstones, attempted a gentle restoration of the 208-year-old tombstones, brought a historical marker that had been in storage to the cemetery, and just this week saw the installation of a historical wrought-iron gate.

    History of White Pillars

    In this video, you will see Geiger explain how all the work was accomplished and hear about how the community and local businesses pitched-in to accomplish it all.

    The cemetery is where Loveland’s “Founding Family” is buried and Rob is a direct ancestor.

    In this video clip, Rob Geiger talks about how important the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery is to Loveland’s heritage.

    He also talks about the work the Association still hopes to accomplish as more funds become available.

    You can make a tax-deductible donation to help complete the project by sending a check to Geiger Made out to:

    Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association

    C/O Rob Geiger

    PO Box 25

    Loveland, Ohio 45140.

    Listen as Rob Geiger talks about the cultural significance of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery to the Greater Loveland Community…

     

    A note From Rob Geiger to the sponsors of the restoration project:

    I’d Like to thank:

    • David Miller – Loveland Magazine Media Sponsor
    • City Manager Dave Kennedy and City of Loveland Public Works
    • Kevin Egan – Ramsey Trailside and Paxton’s Grill
    • Steve Max – Loveland Legacy Foundation
    • Ralph Dunnigan and Sandy Russell – Paxton’s Grill
    • John Zielke – Ramsey’s Trailside
    • Gloria Wilson – Loveland Sweet Shop
    • Kevin Malof – Bonds Home Furnishings
    • Bill Re – Bush Re Shea Insurance Agency
    • American Legion Post 256
    • American Legion Auxiliary 256
    • Loveland Museum Center – Jan Beller
    • Paige Craig and Wand Langdon – Clough Valley Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
    • Steve Rainey – Rainey Tree Service
    • Dale Eads and Becky Eads Sands – Eads Fence Company   

    Fun Facts

    Breakdown of the donations

    • Family of the Ramsey Paxton $6,175
    • Businesses $3,650
    • Fundraising Events (Total 4) $2,456
    • Individual donations $3,531

    Total $15,812

  • Loveland Board of Education to fill 2 Vacancies

    Loveland Board of Education to fill 2 Vacancies

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland City School District board member Art Jarvis did not attend the April 30 Board meeting but instead resigned before it started. At the beginning of the meeting, President Kathy Lorenz read a letter Jarvis sent to the Board. You can watch a video clip of her reading the letter below.

    Board member Ned Portune attended the meeting and resigned his position after it was over. You can read the statement he sent to Loveland Magazine the next morning below.

    Both resignations were effective immediately and follow the apparent overwhelming defeat a vote on an operating levy announced the day before. (Loveland Levy apparently fails by wide margin)

    According to a press release issued by the District the day after the meeting, the vacancies are expected to be filled at the May 12 board meeting.

    The release also said that the board is now seeking candidates to replace Jarvis and Portune. It says that applicants should submit a “notice of interest” by Email to Treasurer Kevin Hawley (hawleyke@lovelandschools.org) by 5 PM on Monday, May 4.

    Applicants should include biographical information, address, affirmation of voter registration, and a short statement describing qualifications and reasons for filling the role of Board Member of the Loveland City School District. Both of these positions would be for service through December 2021.

    Remaining Board members are Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, Board President, Michele Pettit, and Eileen Washburn.

    For Immediate Release. 5/1/2020

    It is with sadness that I acknowledge my departure from the Loveland City Schools Board of Education. My resignation is for personal reasons, and should not be interpreted as a negative reflection of my faith in, and support of, the district leadership.

    As I have said previously, students and teachers alike can’t be successful if they aren’t in the right culture of care, support, learning, and high expectations set by their administrators.  And as such, our administrative team and educational staff have raised the bar of expectations at Loveland well beyond “average.” The improvements our district has experienced, and the achievements our students have accomplished over the past several years have been tremendous. Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse and Treasurer Kevin Hawley are tireless champions for our students, and perform their roles with exceptional grace and integrity, as do Dr. Kathy Lorentz and the rest of the Board.  I am grateful to have worked with this team.

    As community members, we should all take pride in what we have accomplished together over the past several years, and the reputation for excellence that has been achieved by our schools. This success is only possible with support. I know I am proud to have been a part of a list that includes:

    • moving key state report card grades to A and B from C, D and F,
    • improving from 433rd (out of 610 districts) to 22nd in ODE’s Value Added rankings,
    • LES students performing on average 20% higher than the State average in Reading/Math for AIR and exceeding MAP projections, on average, at 20% higher than the National average,
    • 100% of all third graders meeting the Third Grade Reading Guarantee for 3 consecutive years,
    • LIS students scoring 20% higher than the state average in 3 of 5 areas, and 15% higher in all 5,
    • 8th grade foreign language curriculum increasing from 150 students receiving HS credit to 227 students, and foreign language exposure in 7th grade increasing from 0 students to 185, 
    • LHS increasing AP offerings to 24 courses serving 428 students, up from 291 in 2016, and our students earning AP Honor Roll for 2 years (a distinction given only to the top 3% of districts in the US and Canada), with 80% scoring a 3 or higher,
    • Over 40% of our LHS seniors earning college credit through AP or CCP offerings,
    • LHS adding 20 new elective offerings, and adding Transition to Work programming with multiple community sites,
    • Developing  6-12 College and Career counseling programming, and adding class-leading Teaching, Business and IT programs,
    • LHS ranking in Cincinnati Magazine improving to 8th out of 80 local high schools, and receiving the Momentum Award from ODE for the last three years.

    And this doesn’t begin to address the improvements in gifted and special education services, social-emotional support improvements, or individual awards and accolades our students and teachers themselves have received across all of our schools. Add to that the readiness and excellent implementation of remote learning which has kept our students learning during a time no one could have predicted.  Our administrators and educators have truly moved the bar higher for our students, and we should all celebrate that accomplishment.

    Today, the district, its staff, students, and parents are entering an unprecedented time in our history. The right thing to do is to be positive, helpful and supportive in keeping our schools operational and our students successful. I believe we as a community will do that moving forward.

    It has been an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to serve our schools and this great community with this Board.  I will continue to be a fervent supporter of Loveland Schools and our students.

    -Ned Portune

  • Loveland Junior Adella Winkle Recognized as Live Oaks Student of the Month for March

    Loveland Junior Adella Winkle Recognized as Live Oaks Student of the Month for March

    Loveland, Ohio – Adella Winkle, a Loveland junior in the Great Oaks Culinary Arts and Hospitality Services program at the Live Oaks campus in Milford, was recognized as the March Student of the Month for her contributions to the program.

    “Live Oaks is undeniably a better place because Adella fosters strong relationships among students and faculty which has created a positive school culture where her classmates feel valued,” said Culinary Arts Instructor Molly Maundrell. “Adella fully embraces and exemplifies our ideal for engaged learning and community impact.  She’s a pleasure to have in the Culinary Arts program.”

    The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Services program allows students to learn various popular cooking methods to prepare an assortment of foods. Students learn how to create, write, and understand recipes and menus and to use a variety of hand tools and equipment found in commercial kitchens and bakeries. The program also teaches students to supervise and manage a restaurant staff, including front office, reservations, and support services.