Tag: local news

  • 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.



  • U. S. News: Best High Schools in Ohio

    U. S. News: Best High Schools in Ohio

    U. S. News has released its annual report on the nation’s high schools.

    Ohio had 732 school districts supporting 902 high schools in the 2017-18 academic year. Students are assessed via mathematics and English proficiency tests.

    Loveland High School is ranked 55th within Ohio out of 902 schools.

    Ohio high school students must earn at least 20 credits in various subjects, including four credits of English language arts, four of math, three of science, and three of social studies. High schoolers in Ohio must also learn economics and financial literacy to graduate, as well as take two or more semesters of fine arts, according to the Ohio Department of Education.

    How U. S. News Rank the Best High Schools »

    Quick Stats for Loveland H.S.

    Grades

    9-12

    Total Enrollment

    1,443

    Student-Teacher Ratio

    18:1

    Overview of Loveland High School

    Loveland High School is ranked 55th within Ohio. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Loveland High School is 50%. The total minority enrollment is 7%, and 11% of students are economically disadvantaged.

    #1,745 in National Rankings

    Overall Score 90.19/100


    Top Ranked Cincinnati Metro Area Schools

    1. Walnut Hills High School
    2. Indian Hill High School
    3. Wyoming High School
    4. Highlands High School
    5. Beechwood High School
    6. Mariemont High School
    7. William Mason High School
    8. Turpin High School
    9. Sycamore High School
    10. Anderson High School
    11. Kings High School
    12. Springboro High School
    13. Larry A. Ryle High School
    14. Loveland High School
    15. Lakota East High School
    16. Lakota West High School
    17. Waynesville High School
    18. Campbell County High School
    19. Milford Sr High School
    20. Dixie Heights High School
    21. Ross High School
    22. Williamstown Sr. High
    23. School for Creat and Perf Arts High School
    24. Finneytown Secondary Campus
    25. Little Miami High School
    26. Oak Hills High School
    27. Conner High School
    28. Randall K. Cooper High School
    29. Simon Kenton High School
    30. Monroe Jr./Sr. High School
    31. William Henry Harrison High School
    32. Goshen High School
    33. Lebanon High School

    Top Ranked Ohio Schools

      1. #1Ottawa Hills High School
      2. #2 Walnut Hills High School 
      3. #3 Bexley High School
      4. #4 Solon High School
      5. #5 Indian Hill High School
      6. #6 Wyoming High School
      7. #7 Chagrin Falls High School
      8. #8 Mariemont High School
      9. #9 Dublin Jerome High School
      10. #10 William Mason High School
      11. # 14 Turpin High School
  • Autism Society recognizes Loveland Schools’ Mary Frees as “Unsung Hero”

    Autism Society recognizes Loveland Schools’ Mary Frees as “Unsung Hero”

    Mary Frees (front center) was recognized for her work serving individuals with autism and their families at “Faces of Autism” on March 5. Left to right: Heidi Terselic, Donna Ernst, Jane Miller, Lara Ferrer, Joe Frees, Taylor Reid, Mary Frees, Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, Dr. Amy Crouse, Helen Jones, Michelle Grafflin and Jennifer Forren.

    Loveland, Ohio – The Regional Autism Advisory Council (RAAC) of Southwest Ohio celebrated its 20th anniversary in March with “Faces of Autism”- an event presented in collaboration with Autism Society Greater Cincinnati to recognize autism “ambassadors and unsung heroes” in the region. Mary Frees, an intervention specialist at Loveland Elementary School (LES), was among those honored for their work serving individuals with autism and their families.

    “When I learned about this special recognition, I was shocked, but felt so valued for doing what I love,” said Frees. “This just motivates and energizes me to continue to accomplish more for my students with autism and other special needs. My students make my job enjoyable each day and push me further to continue to learn more about this ever-changing field of special education.”

    The Faces of Autism Unsung Hero nominees were selected for going above and beyond the expectations of their jobs in advocating for acceptance, community inclusion, relationship building, and community impact. 12 educators were recognized, two of whom represent public school districts – Loveland and Sycamore Schools.

    “Mary is an outstanding educator who works tirelessly for her students, going above and beyond on a daily basis,” said LES Principal Jen Forren. “She works to ensure that her students and their families have an excellent experience at LES, both academically and socially.  She established an ambassador program that matches her students with other students in the building to help them work on their social skills and it has been very impactful for everyone involved.”

    Faces of Autism was presented by RAAC and the Autism Society Greater Cincinnati in partnership with several other organizations, including Cincinnati Children’s, Linden Grove School, and the Heidt Center of Excellence by The Children’s Home, among others.

    About the Autism Society Greater Cincinnati and the Regional Autism Advisory Council (RAAC)

    The Autism Society Greater Cincinnati is a leading resource and advocate for the local autism community, working to improve the lives of all who are affected by autism through education, support, and services. RAAC leads community partnerships to plan, develop, and implement a vibrant continuum of services that meets the lifelong needs of individuals with autism, their families, and those who serve them. The Advisory Council facilitates task forces on a range of subjects, such as early intervention, educational identification, and adult services.



  • Loveland Levy apparently fails by wide margin

    Loveland Levy apparently fails by wide margin

    Loveland, Ohio – With “Summary/Unofficial” results, the Loveland City School District operating levy of 6.95 mills is failing in all three counties as of 6:30 AM Wednesday morning.

    All mail-in ballots and provisional ballots will still have to be tabulated in the days to come. The mail-in ballots needed a postmark of April 27, so some of those ballots will still have to be received from the Post Office. Validly cast provisional ballots also will need to be tabulated.

    Hamilton County says they will need 2-3 weeks to publish final results.

    Clermont County

    YES – 1,988

    NO – 2,741

    Hamilton County

    YES – 1780

    NO – 2921

    Warren County

    YES 76

    NO 104

    TOTAL

    YES – 3844

    NO – 5766

    In a statement posted on the District web site, Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse said, “We accept the outcome and respect the decision voters made, but this is a devastating loss for our schools. At this time of national and global uncertainty, we will also prepare to start the new school year in August with a significantly reduced budget, which will directly impact programs, class size, and services to our students. In addition, we will have to start preparing to go back on the ballot. This is unfortunately how school funding works in Ohio.”

    As of this morning, the “Loveland Voice” Political Action Committee has not issued a statement only posting preliminary results on their FaceBook page. Loveland Voice had organized to actively oppose the levy.

    The District statement also said:

    In addition to the $2.7 million in expense reductions already made in 2019, significant cuts will be made to the operating budget in the coming months. These reductions include, among others, the elimination of at least 25 administrative, teaching and non-teaching staff positions, and the elimination of high school busing.

    “Yes for Loveland” the Political Action Committee supporting the school levy posted this message on their FaceBook page 3 hours ago:

    According to current results, it appears the Loveland Community has voted to NOT pass the Operating Levy. Official results will be reported in 2 – 3 weeks.

    We appreciate all of your hard work and support this year. We understand we have to rally together once again to find the answer to funding the district for our children. We will do this together.

    Seeing the out pour of love for one another and the care of our community gives us all hope in this time of a pandemic. Continue to support and take care of one another. We’re all in this together!



  • Library makes staffing adjustments during pandemic building closure

    Library makes staffing adjustments during pandemic building closure

    The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Board of Trustees has affirmed a plan from the Library’s leadership team to make staffing changes due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

    The Library is reducing hours for 435 non-exempt staff in paygrades 1-6 down to 25 percent, and is furloughing an additional 106 staff in paygrade 1 who typically work 12 or fewer hours per week. The Library currently employs 839 individuals. In addition, the Library leadership team is taking a 5-10 percent reduction in salary, and the Library Director is taking a 15 percent reduction.

    The reduction in hours and furloughs amount to a weekly savings of approximately $167,800.

    These reductions and the furlough take effect Sunday, May 3, 2020 and continue for an indefinite amount of time; however, the Library leadership team intends to evaluate the situation continuously. The Library is continuing to pay the full employer benefit contribution for medical and dental premiums for all staff with reduced hours. Reduced hours staff will also continue to earn credit for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System at a prorated rate.

    The exact funding loss for the Library during the remainder of 2020 is unknown at this moment, as approximately half of the Library’s revenues come from the state of Ohio through the Public Library Fund, while the other half comes from Hamilton County taxpayers via two levies. Current projections range from an $8 million to $12 million gap in the budget, a projection that represents a 20–30% reduction of Public Library Fund and approximately 10–15% of the budget overall.

    A variety of operational savings have been realized during the closure, primarily security costs and consumable supplies. Additional budget savings beyond personnel are needed, and will be identified and addressed in the coming weeks. The time-sensitive nature of the CARES Act led the Library to prioritize staffing decisions to ensure this funding was available to staff impacted by the personnel changes.

    Staff who are not being furloughed or having hours reduced are those staff members whose full scope of work is able to be accomplished remotely at this time and/or whose work supports critical tasks that enable the Library to continue to function while our facilities are closed.

    “I am incredibly proud of the Library’s staff. Last year when we engaged with the community for the Facility Master Plan project, everywhere I went community members told me how much they valued and appreciated our staff,” said Paula Brehm-Heeger, Library Director. “The pandemic has left us with no good choices, and making this difficult decision is especially distressing. I am heartened, however, when I recall how together we have risen to meet past challenges, and I know that our collective passion and perseverance will carry us through these extraordinary times together, too.”

    These actions do not affect any services the Library is currently providing. Library buildings have been closed since March 13, and will remain closed through at least May 3. While the Library buildings have been closed, the Library has been focusing on expanding access to digital materials, offering programming through videos and live-streams, and creating new services like one-on-one appointments with staff to get personalized help with job issues, small business assistance, and even appointments with a social worker.

    Visit CincinnatiLibrary.org or call 513-369-6900 to schedule an appointment. Phones are operated 9 AM – 9 PM Monday through Wednesday; 9 AM – 6 PM Thursday through Saturday; and 1 – 5 PM Sunday.

    As shared in a blog post last week, the Library is actively working on a recovery and re-opening plan, and is following state and national guidelines on how to proceed. “Ramping back up hours for staff, and calling furloughed staff back to work, depends on variables that are out of our control, such as the health of our staff, the actual reduction of revenue over projections, the status of the state’s stay-at-home order and physical distancing measures, what the scientific community can learn about how long the virus can live on surfaces, and the availability of cleaning and physical distancing supplies and equipment,” said Brehm-Heeger.



  • OHSAA Confirms Cancellation of Spring Sports

    OHSAA Confirms Cancellation of Spring Sports

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) informed member schools, including the Loveland City School District Monday, April 20th, that Spring sports would officially be canceled. This decision was made after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced earlier the same day that school facilities would remain closed for the rest of the academic year due to the coronavirus COVID-19.

    OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass sent out a memo confirming to school administrators following Governor DeWine’s press conference about the Spring sports cancellation. For weeks, the OHSAA communicated that if schools remained closed for the year Spring sports would be canceled as well. Of course, there were several reasons that went into the final decision of Spring sports being canceled, one of the main reasons being that it would be nearly impossible to ensure the health and safety of all individuals and support personnel involved in practices and contests at all member schools.

    OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass

    “As we have stated in our previous communications, today’s announcement by Governor DeWine to close schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year also will now result in the cancellation of OHSAA-sponsored spring sports seasons including tournaments,” Snodgrass wrote Monday.

    The OHSAA’s mandatory no-contact period for all interscholastic sports will remain in effect until at least May 3, and could in fact be extended until a later date. Coaches and school administrators have been encouraged to have non-mandatory electronic and online communications with their student-athletes during the no-contact period. The closure of school facilities includes all athletic facilities for any interscholastic training, practice, or competition.

    In an interview Monday afternoon, Snodgrass reflected on the unprecedented times that the pandemic has brought to the nation and the impact it has had on schools and interscholastic athletics.

    “I’ve heard from so many people who have said ‘You really need to understand what this means to our kids,’” Snodgrass said during the interview. “I’m a parent. I was a coach. I grew up every day as a player and a coach wanting to play high school sports and get to the state tournament. So I do think I understand that. I also have to go with the fact that my number one concern that I have, over everything, is the health and safety of everyone involved. It’s not just our student-athletes. It’s the parents, coaches, umpires, officials, the scorekeepers. All those things enter into this. It’s a tough decision and it’s one that I and all the other Executive Directors of the other states never thought we would have to do. Never did I think this would be the case, but I’ve tried to be as prepared as I could every step of the way.”

    Snodgrass also addressed the Summer and the start of Fall sports in the interview

    “July is a very physical month for our student-athletes entering fall sports, so we have already started looking at, if this continues through the summer, we’ll have the potential of having a lot of kids who haven’t had the physical activity that they would normally have going into a fall season. So for the health and safety of everyone, we have to look at the acclimation periods going into the fall, if that happens. We have to be prepared for that. We’re also talking about that if this does go through the summer, what is the likelihood that a student can get in to get a physical (annual medical exam). We have a sports medicine advisory group that is looking at that. They are looking at all aspects such as whether artificial surfaces need to be treated. We are relying on the advice of experts in our decision making.”

    The OHSAA said that they will continue to communicate throughout the Spring and during the Summer regarding any adjustments to OHSAA’s off-season regulations, academic eligibility standards, sports medicine updates, and more. STAY TUNED!


    Want a yummy way to Help OHSAA out of their scholarship shortfall?

    Raising Cane’s Partners with the OHSAA to Support Programs for Student-Athletes!



  • Raising Cane’s Partners with the OHSAA to Support Programs for Student-Athletes!

    Raising Cane’s Partners with the OHSAA to Support Programs for Student-Athletes!

    WHAT   Raising Cane’s Ohio and the OHSAA partnership to provide funding for student-athletes.

    WHERE   All Raising Cane’s locations in Ohio, a full list of Ohio Raising Cane’s locations can be found here.

    WHEN  Thursday, April 30, 2020.

    The nearest location is at 3901 Montgomery Road in Deerfield Township near Menards

    by Cassie Mattia

    Deerfield Township, Ohio – Restaurant chain Raising Cane’s Ohio is raising money for scholarships! The popular chicken establishment recently entered into a partnership with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) in order to provide funding for student-athlete scholarship programs and postseason tournaments.

    The three-year partnership will kick off Thursday, April 30th, in which all Raising Cane’s restaurants across Ohio will donate 15 percent of their sales from 4 PM to close to the OHSAA scholarship project. Due to the current coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that earlier this month canceled all of the OHSAA’s Winter State Tournaments as well as all Spring sports competitions, guests will have the ability to place their orders at the drive-thru.

    The annual OHSAA Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Program, which provides more than $175,000 to college-bound seniors including many Loveland High School Tigers, was canceled this Spring partly due to the OHSAA’s lack of revenue from the tournaments.

    Jerry Snodgrass, executive director of the OHSAA

    “We cannot begin to thank Raising Cane’s enough for stepping up during these unprecedented times to help give back to the student-athletes across Ohio,” said Jerry Snodgrass, Executive Director of the OHSAA. “Our mission at the OHSAA begins with ‘to serve’ and we will be able to continue to do just that with partners like Raising Cane’s, who are committed to both education and active lifestyles. We get to see firsthand how those two directly impact communities, schools, and students across Ohio. We’re really excited to kick off this three-year partnership and forge what will be a special effort to positively impact students statewide.”

    “Active lifestyle and education are two of our pillars of community involvement, when we found out various programming and scholarships could be lessened or taken away due to cancellations of championships from the COVID-19 pandemic, we immediately reached out to the OHSAA to see how we could help,” said Matt Salts, Director of Marketing at Raising Cane’s Ohio. “We’re committed to team up with the OHSAA to help provide support for the next three years to help keep these key programs available to athletes across the state of Ohio.”

    For the latest updates on Ohio’s sports world stay tuned to Loveland Sports 411 With Cassie Mattia!


  • Former LHS standout Giovanni Ricci joins Panthers as Undrafted Free Agent

    Former LHS standout Giovanni Ricci joins Panthers as Undrafted Free Agent

    From wmubroncos.com/news

    Photo from Western Michigan Broncos

    KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A native of Loveland, Ohio, Giovanni Ricci was a four-time Academic All-MAC selection at Western Michigan who was a third-team all-league selection in 2018 before bumping up to the first team in 2019. He finished with 21 games with two or more receptions and 22 contests with 20 or more receiving yards. Ricci received the Iron Bronco Award in 2019 for having played the most snaps during the regular season and represented WMU at the East-West Shrine Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla., on January 18, 2020. Ricci was a standout player for Loveland High School Tigers. Ricci was on the Loveland High Schoo’s 2013 Ohio State Championship team.

    In 2013 Gio Ricci catches a pass for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter against the Zanesville Blue Devils. The Tiger win sent them to the State Championship. (Loveland Magazine File Photo by David Burig)

    Ricci has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers to join the NFL organization as an undrafted free agent.

    A two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection and one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award in 2019, Ricci was a four-year letterwinner for the Broncos. In 45 career games with 21 starts, Ricci tallied 98 receptions for 1,114 yards (11.37) and 11 touchdowns.

    During his 2019 senior season, Ricci started all 13 games, catching 51 passes for 642 yards (12.59) and eight touchdowns. He tied for the team lead in receptions and finished second on the squad in receiving yards. Ricci also tied for the lead in the MAC, and for 40th nationally, in receiving touchdowns. Among tight ends nationally, he tied for third in receiving TDs. Ricci caught two TD passes versus Monmouth and Ohio and had one score against Michigan State, Syracuse, Central Michigan and Toledo.

    As a senior, Ricci caught two or more passes in 11 games and made four or more receptions in eight contests. He finished with a personal-best eight grabs at Syracuse and added a career-high 105 receiving yards versus the Orange. In his two games against Power 5 opponents (Michigan State & Syracuse) during the season, Ricci finished with 14 receptions for 158 yards and two TDs.

    During his junior campaign in 2018, Ricci caught 35 passes for 392 yards (11.20) and three touchdowns to finish third on the team in receptions and receiving yards. He registered two touchdown catches against Delaware State and one against Ball State, hauling in a nine-yard pass from Kaleb Eleby with 1:48 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 35-35. Earlier in the final quarter against the Cardinals, Ricci caught a two-point conversion pass from Eleby to knot the contest at 28-28.

    A member of one of the best Western Michigan teams in program history, Ricci primarily played on special teams in 2016 as the Broncos captured the MAC West Division title and Marathon MAC Championship Game crown and made an appearance in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Ricci recovered a fumble against Ohio in the Marathon MAC Championship Game, setting up WMU at the Bobcat 17-yard line and leading to a Bronco field goal and a 6-0 lead.

    Ricci graduated from Western Michigan in April, 2019, with a degree in finance.



  • The ol’ cabin at the Meade Property Park by Scott Carney

    The ol’ cabin at the Meade Property Park by Scott Carney

    Photographer Scott Carney painted his photograph of the Ross Log Cabin in Symmes Township’s Meade Property on Lebanon Road. Scott calls it, “The ol’ cabin at the Meade Property Park.”

     


    Learn more about the Ross Log House and Boy Scout Calvin Spencer’s work to preserve it


     

    MORE ABOUT THE ROSS FAMILY LOG HOUSE MUSEUM on the Meade Property in Symmes Township

    The Symmes Township Historical Society and the Symmes Township Board of Trustees joined together to guarantee that this historic 1830’s two-story (20’ x 24’) log house is restored for future generations to enjoy. The Society entered into a long-term lease with Symmes Township which allowed for the log house to be reconstructed on a portion of the Township’s historic Meade House property at 11887 Lebanon Road.

    The Society received a $100,000 grant from the Ohio Cultural Facility Commission, but bringing this history to life through restoration required the support of many other individuals and groups. The Society is thankful for all the donations received for this project. Everyone’s contribution, no matter how large or small, was important.

    This 2-story log home was originally located at the corner of Rich Road and Mulberry Street. The Society believes John and Mary Ross built the log house about 1836. In the 1830’s there were no “building permits” issued so it’s hard to know for certain. But when the Ross’ purchased the 137-acre tract they had 8 children. This house is 20′ x 24′ and is a full 2-story log house.  The size of the house would have accommodated the family and the Society’s research to date points to this family as builders of the log structure.

    John Ross’ parents, John and Jeannette Ross, were natives of Ireland who settled in Juniate County, PA. In 1812 they emigrated with their 11 children to 20-Mile Stand in Warren County. The elder John Ross was a Revolutionary War soldier. The Ross family helped organize the Somerset Presbyterian Church (the church building has been moved to Sharon Woods Village). John and Jeannette are buired in the Township’s Union Cemetery.

    The original log home had an interior chimney. This is somehwat unusual but a feature that would have kept the house warmer in the winter months. The beams are hand hewn and the 2nd level had the original floorboards. There would have been a privy and a smokehouse/cookhouse also on the site. An unusual feature of the house is the front door, which is no higher than six (6) feet. Why such a short main entrance to the house – were people really shorter 180 years ago?