Loveland, Ohio – With the end of January quickly approaching Loveland is preparing for one of the city’s most celebrated holidays, Valentine’s Day! For those who haven’t experienced the magic of Valentine’s Day in Loveland, you may be wondering why it is one of the most celebrated holidays. Well, other than the city itself being called “Love-land” it is also referenced to as the “Sweetheart of Ohio,” and for a VERY good reason! This year two very special “Sweethearts,” Debbie Murray and Lilly Hummer, were selected to join the historic Loveland Valentine’s Program. Of course, Loveland Magazine wanted to pay tribute by providing our readers with some Loveland Valentine history and an exclusive on-camera interview with Debbie and Lilly!
This year two very special “Sweethearts,” Debbie Murray and Lilly Hummer, were selected to join the historic Loveland Valentine’s Program.
The Loveland Valentine’s Program began in 1972 and quickly became a nationally-known cachet stamping and postmark program. Once the program was up and running the community of Loveland decided to broaden the program’s horizons adding more fun and exciting ways to spread love throughout the city. This included the addition of two very prestigious competitions, the selection of Loveland’s annual Valentine Lady and Loveland’s Valentine Card Design Contest.
So what is a Valentine Lady? A Loveland Valentine Lady can be defined as “a woman who has distinguished themselves in the community, at local schools, and/or with family endeavors.” This lovely lady once selected is the ambassador for the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance’s Valentine program meaning she will spread both love and generosity by visiting area businesses, nursing homes, and schools. The Valentine Lady is chosen by the Loveland community and then picked by the LMR Chamber committee. In 1982 Loveland’s first Valentine Lady, Doris Pfiester was selected. Below is the list of Loveland’s past Valentine Ladies!
Debbie Murray was announced on December 12th at Loveland’s legendary spot, The Works, as the 34th Valentine Lady! Murray has resided in Loveland since 1985 and is a highly decorated woman in all that she does for the community. Loveland’s 2018 Valentine Lady, Kay Bolin, when asked about Debbie Murray being selected as the 2020 Valentine Lady, had nothing but kind words to say about Murray!
Debbie is indeed one of the nicest, most down to earth individuals you could ever meet.
“I met Debbie Murray in 2018 when I was at that year’s, Loveland Valentine Lady celebration. As we all know, part of the Valentine Lady’s responsibility is to go around to the local schools, which is when I met Debbie as she was a teacher at Tender Years,” Bolin explained, “I have been fortunate to spend more time with Debbie since she has been selected. CeeCee Collins asked me to read one of the many nomination letters that the chamber received nominating Debbie for the 2020 Valentine Lady at the recent Valentine Lady kickoff event. I was honored and felt so fortunate to share this nomination letter to the community. Debbie is indeed one of the nicest, most down to earth individuals you could ever meet and what she has contributed to the Loveland community is wonderful. Deb is the definition of love and kindness! I am looking forward to personally getting to know Debbie better as well as seeing her continued contribution to our community. Debbie, we welcome you to our Valentine Lady Sisterhood!,” Bolin said.
Lilly Hummer, a freshman Lacrosse player from Loveland High School, was recognized as Loveland’s Valentine’s Day card design winner.
Check out the video of Debbie Murray being surprised at The Works with her 2020 Valentine Lady honor!
I’m sure everyone can agree that Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be what it is without a great Valentine’s Day card! The LMR Chamber realized this during the early stages of the Valentine’s Day Program so they decided to incorporate a Valentine’s Day Card Design Contest! The design contest is open to anyone in the Loveland community and the only stipulations are that the artwork must reflect or incorporate the theme: “Love is…..” and must also include (or provide space for) the phrase, “There is nothing in this world so sweet as love.” Allowing anyone in the Loveland community to participate in the design contest makes the contest itself both creative and diverse! There have been many great design winner’s in the past, one of them being Loveland Magazine’s very own David Miller.
2020 marks one of the most creatively diverse card designs to date. Lilly Hummer, a freshman Lacrosse player from Loveland High School, was recognized as Loveland’s Valentine’s Day card design winner, on January 11th at the Valentine Kick-off at the Loveland Kroger’s.
Lilly Hummer, a freshman Lacrosse player from Loveland High School, was recognized as Loveland’s Valentine’s Day card design winner
Hummer will receive design credit on the back of the 2020 Valentine’s Day cards, local recognition, media recognition and two complimentary invitations to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance Annual Valentine Breakfast on February 14, 2020. Click on the link to learn how you can join the community at the annual Valentine breakfast: http://business.lovelandchamber.org/events/details/2020-valentine-s-day-breakfast-event-6785.
Now that we have shared a little Loveland Valentine Program history and informally introduced the 2020 Valentine Lady and Valentine Card Design winner LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV would like to formally introduce to you, Mrs. Debbie Murray and Miss Lilly Hummer! Click below to view the exclusive on-camera interview with these two lovely ladies!
Amy Aspenwall (center), surrounded here by students in one of her AP Environmental Sciences classes at Loveland High School, is one of 20 teachers nationwide selected for “Nourish the Future” national teacher leadership training in San Antonio, Texas, in February.
Loveland, Ohio – As one of only 20 teachers nationwide, Loveland High School Science Teacher Amy Aspenwall has been selected to attend the national teacher leadership training by EducationProjects.org in San Antonio, Texas, in February. The training will take place at the Commodity Classic, the nation’s largest agricultural trade show, and professional development event.
“This is really exciting for me personally, but also for Loveland High School,” said Aspenwall. “It will provide leadership opportunities and allow collaboration with teachers around the country to identify and create new problem-based modules, flipped classroom materials, and science labs for our students.”
It will also highlight the connection between the science they teach in the classroom and the application to food production and food security.
Loveland High School science teacher Amy Aspenwall
EducationProjects.org has connected industry to the classroom for more than 20 years. The upcoming training, “Nourish the Future,” will introduce participants to the latest developments in water quality, sustainable agriculture, and 21st-century tools and technology in precision agriculture. It will allow teachers to take part in a curated tour of the trade show, with a focus on the science and engineering that support the production of food, fiber, and fuel. It will also highlight the connection between the science they teach in the classroom and the application to food production and food security. After the three-day event, teachers will continue to collaborate and access additional training through webinars and national and regional conferences.
“Agriculture is an important aspect of our work and a great opportunity to engage students in concepts and activities that impact their own lives,” said Aspenwall.
“Agriculture is an important aspect of our work and a great opportunity to engage students in concepts and activities that impact their own lives,” said Aspenwall. “When that connection is made, students are empowered to become more involved and engaged in environmental issues.”
Loveland City School District and Amy Aspenwall receives Sustainability Award by local chamber in 2018
Through the nomination of Aspenwall and her AP Environmental Science class at LHS, Loveland City Schools earned the Sustainability Award by the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance in 2018. The award recognized the work with students and the commitment to developing environmental leaders for the future. Aspenwall’s class continues to offer authentic, hands-on opportunities for students to understand issues like water quality and biodiversity, and allows them to develop innovative solutions to problems. The class was implemented at LHS in the fall of 2016 and was filled to capacity after only a couple of years.
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance has released the walking map for Saturday’s Christmas in Loveland in Historic Downtown.
A Few Fun Facts About Christmas in Loveland
The event takes place from 4-9 PM, Saturday, December 14.
Train rides will be available at the Loveland Museum Center as well as a trolley that will take guests from Downtown Loveland to the museum.
Maps of all the activities will be placed inside local businesses and by the clock tower in Downtown Loveland.
The back portion of Railroad Avenue will be closed for horse-drawn carriage rides.
You can line up for carriage rides on Railroad Avenue across from Lyle’s Bike’s, Brews & BBQ.
A Holiday Trolley will be available to transport people to the Loveland History Museum from Harrison Avenue at no charge.
Entertainment will be held in the center of downtown next to the fountain.
Right Click on the MAP to open a larger view or download this file and print your own. The Maps will also be available at downtown businesses on Saturday. (2019 Christmas in Loveland Walking Map)
Loveland Legacy Foundation Executive Committee Member CeeCee Collins presented a check of $1,000 to Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs (LEAAD) Program Coordinator Katie Sedziol for LEAAD’s important contributions to the betterment of our community.
Loveland, Ohio – Katie Sedziol, program coordinator for Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs (LEAAD), accepted an award and donation from Loveland Legacy Foundation on Monday, December 9. With a mission of supporting a wide variety of ideas, interests, initiatives, and needs benefitting the betterment of Loveland, the Foundation presented a check of $1,000 for LEAAD to continue the important work providing students with direction, education, and awareness of healthy life choices and supporting families in prevention and intervention strategies through community and school-based activities.
“As an example, the LEAAD youth ambassador program has taken prevention initiatives to the next level by engaging students in meaningful discussions, activities, and experiences to create positive change in our community.”
“LEAAD has a tremendous impact through its work for students and families in Loveland,” said CeeCee Collins, member of the Loveland Legacy Foundation executive committee. “As an example, the LEAAD youth ambassador program has taken prevention initiatives to the next level by engaging students in meaningful discussions, activities, and experiences to create positive change in our community.”
Youth ambassadors make up the student sector of the LEAAD coalition, which is a partnership of numerous community-based organizations, including Hope Restored Counseling, the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, the Loveland Police Department and the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, local faith-based organizations, NEST, and many others. For more information, visit LEAAD’s page on lovelandschools.org.
About Loveland Legacy Foundation
The Loveland Legacy Foundation was initially created in response to the devastating 2017 fire in downtown Loveland. Businesses and residents affected by the fire received financial support through the generosity of members of the Loveland community and in turn, created the foundation as a way to pay it forward.
Loveland, Ohio – It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas….in Loveland! The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance is calling all Christmas fanatics to come and enjoy a beautifully decorated City of Loveland winter wonderland this Saturday, December 14th beginning at 4 PM!
Visitors will have the opportunity to take a carriage or a train ride as well as take part in complimentary tastings, festive crafts, and holiday beverages. Historic Downtown Loveland will feature some incredible Christmas entertainment at some of the local historic hot spots. Loveland City Hall will be transforming into “Whoville at City Hall” while the Loveland Stage Company will be offering free Christmas in Loveland shows at 5 PM, 6 PM and 7 PM. There will be several other Christmas spectacles in the center of town next to the live nativity scene and inside many of Loveland’s local businesses.
CeeCee Collins, President of the Little Miami River Chamber of Commerce, shared what visitors should expect this year at Christmas in Loveland. “There will be so many fun activities such as a caricature artist, singing with carolers, and meeting Elsa & Anna, just to name a few!” Collins added that Christmas in Loveland is truly a great event for many reasons one being that the event gives local businesses the opportunity to give back to everyone that has not only visited Historic Downtown but has made a significant effort to support the local businesses. “They truly appreciate everyone supporting local businesses and I hope they will continue to come back, especially now that all the businesses are re-opened (and more have been built) after the fire.”
Christmas in Loveland will feature different samplings throughout Downtown as well as several give-a-ways that all ages will be able to enjoy! This event will be held in any inclement weather so if you are planning on coming Downtown to celebrate be sure to bring rain and snow gear!
The event takes place from 4-9 PM, Saturday, December 14.
Train rides will be available at the Loveland Museum Center as well as a trolley that will take guests from Downtown Loveland to the museum.
Maps of all the activities will be placed inside local businesses and by the clock tower in Downtown Loveland.
The back portion of Railroad Avenue will be closed for horse-drawn carriage rides.
You can line up for carriage rides on Railroad Avenue across from Lyle’s Bike’s, Brews & BBQ.
A Holiday Trolley will be available to transport people to the Loveland History Museum from Harrison Avenue at no charge.
Entertainment will be held in the center of downtown next to the fountain.
Not sure what to expect at Christmas in Loveland this year? Click below to view photos taken by Loveland Magazine Photographer Sam Smith of Christmas in Loveland in 2016.
Please join us for our 6th Annual Breakfast with Santa event! Kids will have the opportunity to meet Santa, get their picture with Santa, crafts, and more!
Breakfast to be served includes: Waffles with Toppings, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage Links, assorted fruit display and pastries.
Activities during the event include:
*Pictures with Santa
*Holiday Craft Stations
*Cookie Decorating
*Special Performance by the dancers at Broadway Bound Dance Studio
Registration tips: When registering, you will need to register each attendee separately, but will only need to pay for those ages 3+. You will be asked for your company name, just enter your family’s last name.
Please note there are no refunds no day of no-shows to this event.
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance had two reasons, really about 308 reasons to celebrate on November 20, so they threw a party. The decision to celebrate at Oasis Turf & Tree was because they had just recently become the 300th Chamber member. Since the date for the party was set, Chamber membership has now grown to 308.
Oasis was also chosen because their brand new building was to be open in time and they have an incredibly big, ideal atrium just perfect for a party.
The Oasis Turf and Tree atrium – Photo from Oasis Turf and Tree
Chamber President, CeeCee Collins said, “What a gift the owners of Oasis Turf & Tree have brought to the Loveland area, specifically Loveland-Madeira Road. They have given us not only a beautiful building but amazing landscaping to enjoy.” The new building is across from the Loveland Kroger, on land where the old Loveland Lanes bowling alley used to be. Collins added, “It was an honor to hold our 300th member celebration at the new location. We are appreciative of all our chamber members and the business they have brought to Loveland, Symmes and Miami Townships.”
Here are some photos from the party…
Co-owner of Oasis Turf & Tree Angela Reindl
Chamber
Chamber Board of Directors President, Doug Portmann
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance will host its Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, November 20, at Receptions in Loveland.
“Each year we feel it is time to say, thank you, to our businesses for all they do for our community. We look forward to honoring them for enhancing our community and making it a better place to live,” said CeeCee Collins, President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.
The Annual Awards Dinner event begins at 5:30 PM with a Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction. Proceeds from the Silent Auction will benefit a local non-profit, Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, and the Chamber’s Scholarship Fund. The event also includes live music, a plated sit down dinner, and the Awards Presentation emceed by John Popovich. The Awards Presentation will honor businesses and individuals in the following 12 categories:
Business of the Year
Emerging Business of the Year
Non-profit of the Year
Beautification Award
Community Involvement Award
Business Community Advocate Award
Sustainability “Go Green” Award
Health, Wellness & Fitness Business of the Year
Recreation Business of the Year
Community Responder Award
Young Professional Award
Businesses were encouraged to nominate each other, as well as themselves. You may register to attend this event online at LMRChamberAlliance.org. Prices are $55 for an individual and $400 for a table of 8.
This event is FREE and the public is encouraged to attend
The format will follow the same as in the past:
Candidates will each present for 2 minutes to open the forum.
Questions will be asked for 60 minutes allowing each candidate two minutes to reply or pass.
After 60 minutes candidates will close with a 2 minute speech.
Residents will be putting their questions into a “hat,” and all questions will be screened for duplication. The Honorable Judge Brad Greenburg (Hamilton County Courthouse) will serve as the emcee.
by Cassie Mattia
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