News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area
Without fear or favor
Since 2004
Loveland, Ohio – Paxton’s Grill is located in the heart of the Historic Loveland District adjacent to the Loveland Bike Trail.
You served us, so it’s our turn to serve you!
On Friday, November 11th (Veterans Day), all Veterans and Active Duty Military eat for free with a complimentary meal at Paxton’s and our sister restaurants, Ramsey’s Trailside in Loveland and SwingLine in Madeira. Thank you for your service!
Loveland, Ohio – The below LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is from the Loveland-Symmes Fire and the Loveland Police department’s annual 9-11 Remembrance at the Firefighter’s Memorial Park at Harrison and Railroad Avenues in downtown in 2015.
During the remembrance, plaques were unveiled to the honor and memory of Cincinnati Firefighter FAO Daryl Gordon and Cincinnati Police Officer Sonny Kim. Firefighter Gordon worked for a period of time for the Loveland/Symmes Fire Department. Officer Sonny Kim was a Symmes Township resident and business owner and his family was a part of the City of Loveland School District Family. Both died in the line of duty.
Loveland-Symmes Fire Department Chaplin, Bill Hounshell, spoke both of the men and women who died on September 11, 2011 when murderers flew planes into the Twin Towers in NY, the Pentagon, and crashed a plane in a field at Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and of Officer Kim and Firefighter Gordon.
Family members of Kim and Gordon were there to participate in the unveiling of the plaques.
Loveland celebrated the heroes who lost their lives during the 9/11 tragedy gathered around the Chief Candace M. Cook Firefighters Memorial, located on Harrison Avenue right along the Loveland Bike Trail in September 2020. (Photos by David Miller© 2020)
The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11,[c] were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by the militant Islamic extremist network al-Qaeda[3][4][5] against the United States. On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners scheduled to travel from the northeastern U.S. to California. The hijackers crashed the first two planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and the third plane into the Pentagon (the headquarters of the American military) in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane was intended to hit a federal government building[d] in Washington, D.C., but crashed in a field following a passenger revolt.[6] The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and instigated the global war on terror.
The first impact was of American Airlines Flight 11 at 8:46 am, into the North Tower of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan. At 9:03 am,[e] the World Trade Center’s South Tower was hit by United Airlines Flight 175. Both 110-story towers collapsed within an hour and forty-two minutes, precipitating the collapse of other World Trade Center structures including 7 World Trade Center, and damaging nearby buildings. A third flight, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the west side of the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, at 9:37 am, causing a partial collapse. The fourth and final flight, United Airlines Flight 93, flew in the direction of Washington, D.C. Alerted of the previous attacks, the plane’s passengers attempted to regain control, but the hijackers ultimately crashed the plane in a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, near Shanksville, at 10:03 am. Investigators determined that Flight 93 was targeting either the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
Suspicion for the attacks quickly fell onto al-Qaeda. The United States formally responded by launching the war on terror and invading Afghanistan to depose the Taliban, which had not complied with U.S. demands to expel al-Qaeda from Afghanistan and extradite its leader, Osama bin Laden. The U.S.’s invocation of Article 5 of NATO—its only usage to date—called upon allies to fight al-Qaeda. As U.S. and NATO ground forces swept through Afghanistan, bin Laden fled to the White Mountains where he narrowly avoided capture by U.S.-led forces.[11] Although bin Laden initially denied any involvement, in 2004 he formally claimed responsibility for the attacks.[2] Al-Qaeda’s cited motivations included U.S. support of Israel, the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq. After evading capture for almost a decade, bin Laden was killed by the U.S. military on May 2, 2011.
The attacks resulted in 2,977 non-hijacker fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences, in addition to at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.[12][13] It remains the deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in U.S. history, with 340[14] and 72 killed,[15][16] respectively. The destruction of the World Trade Center and its environs seriously harmed the New York City economy and induced global market shocks. Many other countries strengthened anti-terrorism legislation and expanded their powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Cleanup of the World Trade Center site (colloquially “Ground Zero”) took eight months and was completed in May 2002, while the Pentagon was repaired within a year. After delays in the design of a replacement complex, the One World Trade Center began construction in November 2006 and opened in November 2014.[17][18] Memorials to the attacks include the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial at the Pennsylvania crash site. (source Wikipedia)
![[Video Interview] “You want to try one out?”](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/feature-trikes.jpg)
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – It took me from Sunday evening until Tuesday morning, and bugged me to no end till I realized why I came about two feet from crashing a $2K electric tricycle into one of the concrete picnic tables at Nisbet Park. You don’t “lean” to turn it, you actually do turn the handlebars.
“You want to try one out?”, asked Shannon Meadors.
I did.
I shouldn’t have.
I was in Nisbet Park listening to the very cool sounds of My Brother’s Keeper, a Cincinnati-based progressive bluegrass band that has played venues all over the country.
When I spotted the stream of adult trikes rolling into the park my first thought was, well this is very cool, ya never know anymore what ya might see on the Loveland Bike Trail these days. The second was, in the 1960s, Loveland was infamously known for criminal biker gangs. This sight put a different spin on Loveland history for me.
An “electric motorcycle gang” of nine mature adults rode in on tricked-out electric adult tricycles with custom handlebars, Bluetooth sound systems, large padded seats, baskets, luggage compartments, and gyrating multicolored LED lights. The bikes also had custom, electronic horns, fat tires, saddle bags, drink holders, and cell phone chargers.
Describing he and his twin brother Shawn’s creations, Shannon says, “how fast do ya wanna go?” They have capable speeds up to 30 mph with disk brakes in front and deluxe mirrors mounted on some stunning ape hanger handlebars.
They look like a “carnival ride at night” is how they are described on their website.
Throttle King Custom Bicycles can build you a custom-style chopper at their fabrication shop in Amelia.
Shannon and Shawn worked for a metal manufacturer for 20 years before they became unemployed earlier this summer when the business moved to Mexico. They turned to their side gig to make ends meet.
They also make “big wheel drifters” similar to what kids rode decades ago and custom chopper Trikes with custom white wall tires.
“You don’t realize how much you like riding bikes until you get a really cool, comfortable bike,” said Shannon. His 82-year-old father is back out on a bike again riding one of the custom trikes almost every day. “And, he loves it,” said Shannon.
There were nine riders, including Shannon’s twin on the Loveland Bike Trail Sunday and had already gone 18 miles. With dusk approaching, they were not yet calling it a day, and why would they? It wasn’t dark enough for all of their twinkling LEDs to truly sparkle and bedazzle!
Phone: [ 513-491-2074]
Email: [ throttlekingcustom@gmail.com ]
Follow me: [@throttlekingcustombicycles on Facebook]
[@throttle.king.custom on instagram]
[@throttle_king_bicycles on TikTok]
![[Video Interview] LoveBird brings new flavor to Historic Downtown Loveland](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/lovebird.jpg)
by Sean Behling
Loveland, Ohio – Earlier this year, Enoteca Emilia, an Italian restaurant in Downtown Loveland unfortunately closed its doors for good. This was not the end, however, as owner Margaret Ranalli recently opened a new restaurant in its place called LoveBird, serving Southern comfort food staples inspired by her time living in Charleston, South Carolina.
LoveBird is located on the first floor of the retail center of Loveland Station and faces the Loveland Historic District. There is plenty of indoor or patio seating, a fully stocked bar, as well as a carryout menu.
Watch our interview with Ranalli to learn more about the exciting new flavor she’s bringing to downtown Loveland:
Promoted Post
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance says they are looking forward to summer fun!
Join them for THIRD THURSDAYS on the patio of Hometown Cafe Loveland! Live Music on the trail, cold beverages for sale, all in heart of downtown!
Warren County, Ohio – Starting May 9th approximately 1,000 ft. in each direction of the Grandin Road intersection, the Little Miami Scenic Trail will be closed for construction for the duration of 2022. According to the Warren County Engineer, “There will be no posted detour because there is no complete off-road alternative”.
For more information: Warren County Construction Projects (arcgis.com)
by Elizabeth Robinson
Dear Fellow Lovelanders,
I want to speak to you about vision and make sure you are aware of an important ongoing process before the Loveland Planning and Zoning Board and Loveland City Council. Drees Homes is requesting a change in the current low-density zoning status on 110 lovely acres of green unspoiled land, with historic buildings, currently owned by Grailville (The Grail). This land sits between where East Loveland Avenue turns into O’Bannonville Road and Rte 48. Drees desires this zoning status change to put 209 homes on this green space.
The Grail Mission and Vision Statement speaks of Care for The Earth. This has always been vital to Grailville/The Grail in its history and practice. Grail members including myself are expressing significant and ongoing distaste that the Grail is seriously considering divesting itself of this land to Drees to build another subdivision in our town.
There are important long-term practical reasons why many Loveland residents have spoken AGAINST enabling a zoning status change proposed by Drees to build 209 homes. They include, among others, an overcapacity school system, aggravating already clogged traffic and infrastructure concerns including sewer and water. (Please reference the below open letter to Loveland residents by Elizabeth Murphy for more details on these pressing issues)
I want to concentrate here on a compelling and magnanimous (great of mind or heart) vision of protection from development such as the proposed Drees subdivision. Standing up for a NO vote on this zoning status change from low density is a very important first step.
If the Grail is determined to divest itself of this land, are we as citizens willing to stand up for a vision that will honor the cultural and spiritual history of the Grail on this land, and also stand up for the inestimable value of added community green space which will do so much more than another subdivision to keep Loveland a treasured place to live into the future?
I wonder: If Loveland has the foresight to reject this proposed Drees zoning change, would The Grail accept significantly less money from the city or other entity committed to a higher vision that cares for the earth and the people of Loveland?
I have lived in Loveland all my life and our Loveland Bike Trail was just such a vision. There were many who could not see the immensely positive difference this green path of natural beauty that intersects our town and all enjoy, would make for the future of Loveland. It is with gratitude we now look back and honor those who had vision and were tenacious, so we could see the flowering of that vision.
Today Loveland is thriving. With that has come some of the problems of success mentioned earlier such as traffic and stress on infrastructure. We can make decisions now that see another subdivision that destroys precious green space and exacerbates traffic and stressed infrastructure will not be a decision that is truly good for the future of Loveland.
Loveland citizens will thank us years from now if we reserve green and natural places for the good of all, as did those bike trail visionaries.
I ask the Loveland Planning and Zoning Commission and Loveland City Council to reject this Drees proposed zoning change. Reject it not only on very real practical matters such as traffic and infrastructure, but to support a greater vision of the intrinsic beauty and value added of green spaces for Lovelanders into the future.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Robinson
East Loveland Avenue
April 11, 2022 Dear Fellow Loveland Residents, It is important that you are aware of a process which is now ongoing involving 110 acres of Grailville land between Rt.48 and O’Bannonville Rd. Loveland City Council and the Zoning Board will have to make a decision on the Drees Homes’ request for a change in the zoning status to allow them to build 209 homes on that land. The iniPal public hearing drew a standing room only crowd. Everyone who spoke, with the excepPon of the Drees representaPves, requested that the Zoning Board say NO to the Drees proposal. There are important long-term reasons why it is best for our community that the Drees proposal does not go forward. We all know the traffic situaPon in downtown is bad now. The construcPon of a large subdivision on this Grail land will iniPally cause several years of construcPon trucks and dirt funneling into town from Rt.48 and O’Bannonville Rd. As the houses are built and sold regular traffic of several thousand car “trips” through town will phase in. This will never stop. Our school system is currently overflowing recommended capacity. Extra trailers are needed for space. It is esPmated that 4-5 addiPonal classrooms of children are likely to be added by this subdivision. We are all painfully aware of the costs that would be incurred to build new schools, as well as the stresses on children and teachers involved in overcrowding. Again, once this increase is allowed to happen it is unlikely to be reversed. There are also serious general infrastructure issues relaPng to water. The Loveland water system is a series of wells which when run at high demand can drop the water table in a significant way. One must ask at what point will this become a problem. Water pressure has at Pmes been an issue and more homes drawing water cannot but aggravate this. The other end of this problem is the management of the addiPonal sewage. The sewer line under East Loveland Ave. is outdated, fragile, and it is quesPonable whether it is adequate to handle a large new neighborhood. The receiving Polk Run sewage treatment plant has no more room to expand. There has been no confirmaPon of sewer availability, capacity, or access compliant with MSD standards. Will the City of Loveland be put in a posiPon of providing this infrastructure at Loveland residents' expense? With the Liale Miami River so nearby it is crucial that there be no chance of contaminaPon. Natural rainwater run-off must also be considered. The land from White Pillars on slopes to the northwest. The homes along O’Bannonville Rd. are all in the path of this natural drainage and vulnerable to surface flows or overflowing of Bares Run Creek in Pmes of heavy rain. The new roads and houses will eliminate acreage which currently absorbs the rainwater and so more will conPnue on downhill. The final thing I need to speak of is the special quality of this parPcular piece of land. For about 80 years women of The Grail have lived or worked there. They have tended the land, holding it, knowing the sacred nature of this place. As the Grail has shared access to their land with others for walking and connecPng with nature, many have become aware of the spiritual calm which it provides. In today’s world we need this more than ever. In conclusion, I would encourage everyone who feels that we do not need another big subdivision on this Grailville land, with all the negaPve side-effects, to please make your views known. Aaend the public meePngs (the next is on May 4), write or call members of the Zoning Board and City Council. In our country we have government of ciPzens for ciPzens. Our officials have a duty of honor to listen to the members of the community which they serve. They are us; and therefore, we must speak so they may be guided. Sincerely, Elizabeth Murphy - Fallis Road Loveland OH
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – The Easter Weekend Food Drive proved nothing is sweeter than Loveland, Ohio!
On Saturday, April 16th in the heart of Downtown Loveland under the historic clock tower we kicked off our first ever Easter Weekend Food Drive benefiting LIFE Food Pantry! I had wanted to lend my time and energy to the LIFE Food Pantry for months, so when LIFE communicated that they were in desperate need of food and that food drives were the best way to gather that much-needed food I knew that this was my chance to give back to a community that had supported me throughout my time with Loveland Magazine.
Once I decided that I was going to organize a food drive I immediately reached out to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance all-star duo CeeCee Collins and Meredith Taylor. They almost instantly agreed to help with the food drive as they both said that there was nothing more fulfilling than giving back to the community. I was overjoyed by their response and shortly after began working on the logistics.
I knew that I wanted the food drive to be on a day where there would be a lot of foot traffic on the Loveland Bike Trail but also envisioned doing it on a day that meant something. After brainstorming with CeeCee and Meredith, we landed on having the food drive on Easter Weekend! Having the food drive during Easter Weekend to me meant that I could help families less fortunate have the opportunity to celebrate Easter like my family and I had been lucky enough to do for the past several decades.
One of the biggest deciding factors in having a food drive during this particular time of year was because LIFE Food Pantry is almost always in desperate need of food donations due to a slower rate of donations coming in. To put it in perspective, just by holding this one food drive on Easter Weekend, we not only helped provide “staples” and everyday necessities to local families that then freed up money in their budgets so that they could celebrate a holiday like Easter, we also gave these same local families the opportunity to buy Easter candy for their baskets, decorate eggs, enjoy a beautiful Easter brunch, and hunt for chocolate bunnies on Easter morning! That thought alone made the Easter Weekend Food Drive that much more special to me.
After weeks of planning, passing out flyers around town, gathering Easter decorations, stuffing Easter eggs with candy, finalizing details with local restaurants and LIFE Food Pantry, writing food drive stories in Loveland Magazine, and spreading the word on social media, the day of the Easter Weekend Food Drive finally came! We set up our beautifully decorated Easter tent under the historic clock tower in Downtown Loveland and prepared for a fun-filled day of giving back.
The food drive kicked off at 10 am and almost immediately we began getting food, cash, and Venmo donations. For each donation, we received we made sure to express our gratitude followed by an Easter egg filled with candy! Parents and their children loved that we were celebrating giving back by wearing bunny ears and giving out Easter eggs! The day itself couldn’t have gone any better.
The Easter Weekend Food Drive wrapped up at 5 pm and as we were cleaning up the overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude touched us all. Those feelings alone were enough for me to agree to make the Easter Weekend Food Drive an annual event!
The Easter Weekend Food Drive collected $290 dollars in Venmo and cash donations and over 75 pounds of food for the LIFE Food Pantry. Needless to say, the food drive was an absolute success!
There were so many individuals and local businesses that helped make the Easter Weekend Food Drive possible and I want to take the time now to express how thankful I am:
Enjoy the slideshow of the photos I, Sean Behling, Adam Ploof, and David Miller took at the Easter Weekend Food Drive!
If you would like to help the pantry by volunteering, holding your own food drive or would like to donate dollars, please visit their WEB SITE. If you are in need of food or financial assistance you will learn about that also.
For Loveland event updates and coverage, stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Promoted Post
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance says they are blowing past this rainy day and looking forward to summer fun!
Join them for THIRD THURSDAYS on the patio of Hometown Cafe Loveland! Live Music on the trail, cold beverages for sale, all in heart of downtown!
by Sean Behling
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland is known for many unique and authentic experiences! People from all over Cincinnati come down to the “Sweetheart of Ohio” just to experience the local delicacies Loveland has to offer. One shop located right off the Loveland Bike Trail specializes in all things homemade and local, encompassing what Loveland is really all about.
Introducing Trailside Provisions; a little pop of Loveland paradise!
Trailside Provisions is a family-owned store that specializes in homemade treats and features local vendors’ handcrafted products. Trailside opened in Loveland two and a half years ago, in a more expansive location after operating in Mason for 13 years. Owner Vickie Larcomb has an extensive background in the food industry, as she grew up in her family’s butcher shop.
“I’ve always been in the food business. I was a caterer and grew up in my family’s butcher shop. We were just looking for something that there wasn’t. There was not a popcorn shop, nor was there a chocolate shop in Mason, so that’s where we started and we just kept getting bigger.”
After working in the food business for such a long time, Larcomb wanted a shop of her own. She said, “Instead of running around catering for others and planning events, doing everybody else’s stuff, I wanted my own place.”
After looking for a market in Mason that didn’t exist, she settled upon owning a shop that sold popcorn and sweets, opening Main Street Sweets and Popcorn in 2006. Though it was tough to start her business in Mason, she kept adapting and growing further and further. After 13 successful years, Main Street Sweets and Popcorn closed in Mason, reopening as Trailside Provisions in a larger building here in Loveland.
“You know, whenever you start, not everything works, and we had to make changes and adjustments as we went along, so it made it easier when we made the change from Mason to Loveland because we already had 13 years behind us in this business,” said Larcomb.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic started flaring up after Trailside Provisions had only been in business for two months. However, Larcomb managed to keep the business running using an online order system through Facebook. Larcomb established “pickup days” outside of the storefront, which carried Trailside through until its full reopening in late May of 2020.
Larcomb said, “The pandemic hit us a little differently because we had only been open 2 months before it hit. So we were open for 2 months and then closed down. But, Loveland being Loveland, we did Facebook business.”
When I arrived at Trailside Provisions, Larcomb was hands-deep in chocolate preparing treats for the Easter season, which only enticed me more about what the local shop had to offer. Trailside Provisions is most well known for its delicious selection of chocolate treats, and scrumptious array of gourmet popcorn. Their most popular popcorn is the caramel corn, which Larcomb makes fresh and serves warm every day. Luckily I got the opportunity to personally try Trailside’s caramel corn, and I found it to be a delectable combination of sweet and salty.
Trailside Provisions is also known for its locally sourced products. The shop carries Wolf’s Honey Bee Farm honey from Goshen, Thomas Ireland Smith Farm maple syrup from Morrow, La Crema Coffee Company coffee from West Chester, and The Jam and Jelly Lady jams and jellies from Lebanon just to name a few.
“When you start with one local product, they talk to you about somebody else that they know. It’s sort of like a network”, said Larcomb.
To my surprise, Trailside Provisions not only sells local businesses’ products, but they also sell small businesses’ products from all over the country.
“What other things we buy we try and buy from small businesses, women-owned businesses, and family-owned businesses from across the country. So we’ve got stuff from the East Coast, West Coast, North and South,” said Larcomb.
On top of supporting small businesses from all over the country, Trailside Provisions also plays a part in many community events. Whenever there is a City or Chamber of Commerce event or fundraiser, you can be sure that Trailside Provisions will participate. On top of that, they also help with other events as well, such as giving out samples and holding giveaways at events to lend a helping hand to the people running them.
Larcomb is always trying to find new products to add to her shelves, scouring food shows looking for great new products to sell. Not only is she always searching for new local products, but she’s always coming up with new and interesting popcorn recipes to line their shelves as well. Soon, they’re planning to roll out a seasonal assorted mix of glazed popcorn to celebrate Easter.
“So I went to a food show in January, found new things and they’re starting to come in now. We found a few new things that will go with what we have here, and we’ll just keep adding to it as long as I’ve got room,” said Larcomb.
Trailside Provisions is located at 120 Karl Brown Way, Loveland, OH 45140, and is open from 10 AM until 6 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 10 AM until noon on Fridays, and noon until 5 PM on Sundays.
If you’re craving some delectable local treats, head on down to the Loveland Bike Trail to taste and see what Trailside Provisions has in store for you.