News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area
Without fear or favor
Since 2004
![[Video] LIFE Food Pantry receives $2K donation](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/life-check.jpg)
Loveland, Ohio – On Thursday, LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV broadcast live from Historic Downtown Loveland when Paxton’s Grill, Ramsey’s Trailside, and the Loveland Legacy Foundation presented $2,000 to the Loveland Interfaith Effort LIFE Food Pantry.
Speaking was Kevin Egan, one of the owners of the restaurants and Linda Bergholz, the Executive Director of the pantry.
Watch all LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV videos.
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – After more seven decades, the WWII Honor Roll for those Loveland women and men who heard the call to defend Europe during a Nazi invasion and Japan’s attempt to rule Asia and the entire South Pacific has been returned to public display – full restored. It was a way to let townspeople know who was defending the American experiment of democracy.
Loveland Museum Center President Jim Grethel and I stood on the porch of the museum to get out of the rain yesterday when he told me story of how the honor roll was discovered in a barn outside of Loveland and the efforts to restore it to former glory.
A formal dedication will take place on Memorial Day morning, Monday, May 31 after the annual speeches at the Veterans’ Memorial at West Loveland Avenue and Riverside Drive. After those ceremonies, the public will be invited to walk one block away to the Museum. The annual Memorial Day Parade begins at 9 AM at the Loveland Primary and Elementary School Campus and proceeds to the Veterans” memorial.
The Museum is at 201 Riverside Drive in the West Loveland Historic District.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Downtown Historic Loveland is becoming quite the popular foodie destination as new restaurants are popping up left and right! Not all the phenomenal food culture is necessarily at the new Loveland restaurants, in fact, one restaurant, in particular, has been around since 2002 and has been serving up deliciously unique combinations ever since.
The Works Pizza, located in the heart of Downtown Loveland at 20 Grear Millitzer Place, has been pairing up Pizza and Beer for over 20 years to families within the community and beyond with just a few missions in mind; serving One-of-a-kind-food at a One-of-a-kind-location creating a One-of-a-kind-experience!
Owners of The Works Pizza, Scott and Jamie Gordon, both grew up in Loveland and of course, always held Loveland close to their hearts as they both attended school in Loveland as well. The Gordon’s first came across The Works Pizza building in high school while working on building their “Class Float,” but never imagined that they would eventually be opening a very successful restaurant within the same building!
What is now The Works Pizza was built in 1905 and was used as a water filling station for steam locomotives. Years later the building was home to both the Fire Station and Public Works. Although there have been some renovations to The Works the building, it still holds quite a bit of history. The Works Pizza is home to the Chime Bells that you can hear ring beautifully throughout Loveland, and “The Crusader,” a 1921 Pullman Passenger Train Car that Scott Gordon managed to find in Gettysburg, PA. The Crusader has since been remodeled so that it could seat up to 36 people, as the car can be rented out for events and parties. Oh and each vintage piece of art on the wall of The Works has history and meaning behind it too, but of course you will have to let Scott give you the history lesson on each piece!
The Works Pizza is not only historically appealing; the food is out of this world. From their unbelievable Cauliflower Crust to the Deep Fried Green Beans to the infamous Breakfast Pizza, you can’t go wrong selecting just about anything on The Works Pizza menu! What goes better with Pizza than Beer? The Works Pizza has a huge selection of beers on tap and from the bottle, most of the beers being from local suppliers.
Hungry yet? LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV and me, Cassie the Food Guru, have got you covered as we had the opportunity to stop in The Works Pizza and chat with owner Scott Gordon about his journey and why The Works has guests coming back time and time again!
Without further ado, we bring to you, our loyal Loveland Magazine readers, a one-on-one on-camera interview with Scott Gordon! Click below to view the interview now!
Want to see more of me, Cassie the Food Guru, and Loveland’s top restaurants? Check out the articles below!
Stay tuned to experience Loveland’s latest foodie spots with Me, Cassie the Food Guru!
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Eating Out to Help Out has brought the community of Loveland together once again for Coach Darnell Parker, only this time The Works Pizza helped us all Roll on into Monday!
On Monday, April 19th, The Works Pizza located at 20 Grear Millitzer Place in Historic Downtown Loveland, hosted the 2nd round of “Rolling Mondays,” a fundraiser dedicated to Loveland High School’s (LHS) Women’s Basketball Coach Darnell Parker as he battles his way through Colin and Liver Cancer. The Works Pizza’s Owner Scott Gordon not only donated 10 percent of The Work’s sales for the day to Coach Parker’s Cancer bill fund he also helped organize a “Bartender’s Competition,” in which those involved in organizing Rolling Mondays competed for the most tips, which ultimately were donated to Coach Parker as well!
“Coach Parker’s smile lights up any room he is in,” Scott Gordon said, “He brings so much positive energy to the kids on his team. I am happy to do a small part in helping him know he is appreciated, and we are returning as much joy as he gives.”
The Works Bartender’s Competition held from 6 PM-10 PM ended up being quite a hit as each competitor collected more than anyone could have hoped for! I competed first ending with $113, Jill Dressell, the parent of an LHS basketball player, competed next collecting $154, Brad Early, Assistant Varsity Coach for the LHS Women’s Basketball team, and a parent of a player, was the next competitor earning $212, and Jodi Stanton, the parent of a former LHS Women’s Basketball player, competed last adding $177 to the Coach Parker fund. The winner of the Bartender’s Competition was Brad Early earning a total of $212. Early won a $25 gift card to Tahona which was donated by former player Kate Garry’s dad, Brain Garry.
“I was blown away by the support for Darnell from the Loveland Community,” Brad Early said, “I had so much fun guest bartending and winning the competition! Huge shout out to Ashley, the true bartender, and The Works for hosting this event.”
The Split the Pot also continued on Monday night from 6 PM-8 PM. LHS’s Women’s Basketball players did their absolute best to collect funds from those that attended in honor of Coach Parker. It was announced by Jessica Early, one of Rolling Mondays organizers, that after the 2nd Rolling Monday the Split the Pot is now officially at $800!
After hearing about all of the generous donations from the community as well as seeing all the support surrounding him at both Rolliing Mondays, Coach Darnell Parker voiced that he couldn’t say thank you enough to everyone involved!
“The last two Mondays have been an absolute blast! Although I knew people came out to support me, it didn’t feel like a pity party and I appreciated that. These last two Mondays at Bishop’s Quarter and The Works have felt more like a family reunion than a benefit,” Parker said, “And that is what makes Loveland so special! We take care of and support our own, and I’m proud to be a part of this wonderful community!”
Coach Parker’s finance, Samantha McElfresh, also expressed her gratitude for those supporting Darnell.
“The Rolling Mondays have been better than I could have expected. The amount of love and support the Loveland community has shown is amazing,” McElfresh said, “It has made this journey a little easier knowing we have so much support. I never knew I could like Monday’s as much as I do after Rolling Mondays! I cannot wait to see the turnout at the next one.”
The next and final Rolling Monday will be held at Narrow Path Brewing Company located on the Loveland Bike Trail at 106 Karl Brown Way in Historic Downtown Loveland on Monday, April 26th. 30 percent of the sales throughout the day at Narrow Path Brewing will go towards Coach Parker’s Cancer bills. From 6 PM-8 PM, LHS athletes will be once again running the Split the Pot so be sure to come out to get your entry in as the pot is now over $800!
“I’m am very excited about getting together at Narrow Path,” Coach Parker said, “Narrow Path is another great Loveland establishment and it is going to be a great day on Monday. I would like to invite the entire community to come out and have a great time! I think it’s important that we continue to support our great treasures in Downtown Loveland, and Narrow Path is one of the best!”
If you haven’t had the chance to come out to Downtown Loveland for Rolling Mondays to support Coach Parker now is your chance! Head on down to Narrow Path Brewing Company this Monday, April 26th, and join us as we rally around Coach Parker for the 3rd and final round of Rolling Mondays!
Were you not able to make it to round 2 of Rolling Mondays at The Works Pizza in Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio? No worries! We captured all the special moments from the night! Check out the photos below!
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – It’s official! Loveland High School’s (LHS) Women’s Basketball Coach, Darnell Parker, has quite a loyal fanbase of Tigers!
On Monday, April 12th, Bishop’s Quarter, located in Downtown Historic Loveland, hosted “Rolling Mondays,” a fundraiser in support of Coach Darnell Parker as he battles Colin and Liver Cancer. The first Rolling Monday proved to be a success as fundraiser organizers, Jessica Early, Jodi Stanton, Loveland Magazine, and several LHS parents and local business owners, brought the community together to generate funds to help pay Coach Parker’s Cancer bills.
Beginning at 6 PM the community began to “Roll” into Bishop’s Quarter so that they could “Eat Out to Help Out” Coach Parker. The fun-filled night kicked off with the serving of the “Coach’s Cocktail,” which included Tito’s, muddled strawberries, lime, basil, and simple syrup. I for one can say that the cocktail was not only unbelievable but very popular with those that attended the fundraiser!
While Coach Parker’s fans enjoyed their cocktails they were able to enjoy spectacular live music provided by Brad Martin, and yes he did dedicate “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga to yours truly! As if the fantastic live music and refreshing cocktails weren’t enough, LHS Women’s and Men’s Basketball players competed against one another to see who could get the most entries into the Split the Pot drawing (Women’s Team) or the Gift Basket Raffle (Men’s Team)! The winning team ended up being the LHS Women’s Basketball Team but that doesn’t go without saying that the Gift Baskets were beautifully done and included a lot of superb prizes. The Split the Pot rounded out to be a whopping $500 for the very first Rolling Monday!
Towards the end of the fundraiser, it was easy to see that Coach Darnell Parker has touched a lot of people’s lives with his vibrant personality, competitive drive, unbelievable coaching skill set, and ability to help so many athletes succeed.
Bishop’s Quarter was filled with many pillars of the community on Monday night and they wanted to share with YOU what their experience was like at the first Rolling Monday EVER! Here are a few of those individuals’ thoughts about their “Eat Out to Help Out” night at Bishop’s Quarter!
“Bishop’s Quarter was honored to support Darnell and his fight against cancer. It was my first time meeting Darnell and it did not take long to understand why so many people care about him and support him in his fight vs. cancer,” Co-Owner of Bishop’s Quarter, Mark Wiehe said, “He is an amazing and inspiring guy and I left our first meeting feeling like we have known each other for years. I was extremely proud as a Loveland resident and business owner to see the support shown by the school, basketball program, and community. Thank you, Cassie and Loveland Magazine for your support of Coach Darnell!!”
“The first of the three Rolling Monday events to support Coach Parker was incredible! Bishop Quarter management, Mark and Kevin, hosted a fantastic evening,” LHS parent and one of the Rolling Monday organizers, Jessica Early said, “Loveland Magazine’s sponsorship and support were fantastic. Our Loveland community showed up with love, energy and amazing generosity. It truly was a special night in Loveland and we look forward to the next Rolling Monday event, Monday, April 19th at The Works! I’m sure it will be wonderful.”
“Because I respect coach Parker and his team so much I jumped at the chance for Loveland Magazine to be the media sponsor,” Loveland Magazine Editor in Chief David Miller said, “I was so impressed with what Jodi and Jessica did! I was especially impressed with their organizing skills! I truly appreciated the wonderful hospitality Bishop’s Quarter and staff showed to all, it was a memorable night.”
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to making the night such a big success! We appreciate YOU!
Here at Loveland Magazine, we of course had to capture the magic of the very first Rolling Monday so please enjoy the video footage and photos captured by both David Miller and myself!
The next Rolling Monday is set to kick off at The Works Pizza located at 20 Grear Millitzer in Downtown Loveland on April 19th with activities from 6 PM-10 PM. The Works Pizza will be holding a Bartender Competition from 6 PM-10 PM in which guest appearances will be made by several Loveland community leaders! I will be guest bartending from 6 PM-6:45 PM, Jill Dressell (parent of a LHS basketball player) will be taking the 7 PM-7:45 PM time slot, Brad Early (Assistant Varsity Coach for the LHS Women’s Basketball team and a LHS parent) will be competing from 8 PM-8:45 PM, and Jodi Stanton (Parent of a former LHS Women’s Basketball player and current LHS Men’s basketball player) will be running the bar from 9 PM-9:45 PM.
The guest bartender with the most tips (tips will be donated to Coach Parker) will win the competition! Split the Pot tickets will also be sold from 6 PM-8 PM.
We hope to see the Loveland community and beyond at next week’s Rolling Monday at The Works Pizza! Believe me you won’t want to miss out on all the fun and the opportunity to give back to Coach Darnell Parker!
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – It’s that time of year again for the Annual Paxton’s Grill Golf Outing!
This year the 16th Annual Paxton’s Grill Golf Outing will be once again benefiting CancerFree Kids, a local non-profit that has made it their mission to raise money for children’s cancer research. The benefit will take place at Hickory Woods Golf Course, located at 1240 Hickory Woods Drive, Loveland, Ohio, on June 11th and 12th.
Paxton’s Grill Golf Outing has had a great turn out in its past benefits so they set a goal of $75,000 to raise during the outing this year. As of current, they have already reached $17,735.
Want to learn how you can get involved with this incredible event? Well, Loveland Magazine has got you covered as we decided to pay Paxton’s Grill a visit and chat with co-owner Ralph Dunnigan about why this benefit is so important to him and even more important for the community to show their support for CancerFree Kids. Click below to hear all about the 2021 Annual Paxton’s Grill Golf Outing benefiting CancerFree Kids!
Still photos in the video are a combination of images from Paxton’s Grill and photos by David Miller during the 2018 Golf Outing.
Need more details about the 2021 Paxton’s Grill Golf Outing? Click the “Event Details” box below!
Want to register for the Paxton’s Golf Outing Benefit? Click the “Register” box below!
Are you a business or individual that wants to Sponsor a golfer or be a part of the Logo Swag Gift that will be given out at the Golf Outing Benefit? Click the “Sponsor” box below!
If you would like even more details about the 2021 Paxton’s Grill Golf Outing benefiting CancerFree Kids you can visit Paxton’s Grill website or CancerFree Kids website!
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – There are so many reasons why Loveland is such a great community to be a part of; the biggest reason being the community is ALWAYS ready to pay it forward and give back to those who have made a significant impact in the lives of those who reside in Loveland and beyond!
Darnell Parker, the Loveland High School Women’s Basketball Coach, received devastating news in light of the 2020-2021 basketball season, that he was diagnosed with both Colon and Liver Cancer. Coach Parker decided to take a positive outlook on his Cancer diagnosis by sharing his story and experience with those that in some way had been touched by Cancer in hopes that he would provide both strength and encouragement for those struggling.
Click the article link below to read Coach Parker’s initial announcement to the community about his Cancer diagnosis.
After Coach Parker announced he had Cancer the community of Loveland as well as those who had been positively impacted by Coach Parker rallied around him giving as much love and support as possible. Not only did the community hold multiple fundraisers benefiting Coach Parker they also created the hashtag “ParkerStrong” placing it on both t-shirts and magnets that they then sold, giving the proceeds to Coach Parker and his family.
While Coach Parker was undergoing chemotherapy, the Women’s L.H.S Basketball Team dedicated their season to him, exerting that much more effort to have the most successful season possible. The Tigers ended their season going 20-4, winning the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) for the 2nd year in a row, and Coach Parker through it all was elected the 2020-2021 ECC Coach of the Year also for the 2nd year in a row!
A couple of Coach Parker’s top-performing athletes had a lot to say about him and his impact on their lives.
“Coach Parker has inspired me to never give up and to always find the silver lining in the worst of situations,” Jenna Batsch said, “He has taught me that every little hiccup in the road is just another opportunity to get better and he has inspired me to live every day with no regrets like it’s your last.”
“Coach Parker got some of the worst news you could ever get and if you hadn’t heard it, you wouldn’t be able to tell,” Tess Broermann said, “He always has a smile on his face, and I’m thankful for his ability to fight. He doesn’t live in fear but leads a life with confidence. He inspires me to not sulk in bad news but make the most out of every day because you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
“Coach Parker is family to me, so it’s a no brainer to do what we can to help him out,” Jenna Stanton L.H.S class of 2018 and former basketball player of Coach Parker’s said, “I know that I could call him any day of the week and he’d be there for me, and you can’t say that about too many people. He’s treated me like family since the day we met and I’m so thankful I was able to play for him and Coach Keith. The Loveland community always comes out in full force to support their own so I’m excited to see the turn out for Coach Parker. He’s done so much for our community, this is the least we can do.”
Jenna now plays basketball at the College of Wooster.
Click on the image below to see Coach Parker talk all about the 2020-2021 basketball season and how he was able to coach effectively while going through chemotherapy in a Loveland Magazine TV exclusive Zoom interview!
Although Coach Darnell Parker has just recently completed round 11 of chemo treatments, he is still making a conscious effort to motivate and inspire others battling cancer to stay strong by sharing his own journey.
Coach Parker’s constant positive outlook on life and his dedication to helping L.H.S student-athletes inspired Loveland’s parents to do something extra special for Parker and his family. Beginning on Monday, April 12th, L.H.S parents Jessica Early and Jodi Stanton, and local businesses, Bishop’s Quarter, The Works, and Narrow Path Brewing Company, will be hosting “Rolling Mondays” in honor of Coach Darnell Parker.
Rolling Mondays will include basket raffles, split the pot, a “Darnell” signature cocktail, music, and a guest bartender competition in which yours truly will be competing in! A percentage of the sales generated at the business hosting the Rolling Monday will be put towards Coach Parker’s Cancer bills.
On Monday, April 12th Rolling Mondays will be held at Bishop’s Quarter with fun events going on from 6 PM until 8 PM. On Monday, April 19th Rolling Mondays will be held at The Works with a Guest Bartender Competition going on from 5 PM until 8 PM. On Monday, April 26th Rolling Mondays will be held at Narrow Path Brewing Company.
So just how did the idea of “Rolling Mondays” come about? Coach Parker supporters Jessica Early, Jodi Stanton, Scott Gordon, owner of The Works, and Loveland Magazine’s David Miller explained to us why this fundraiser is so important to them.
“Jodi Stanton and I discussed the idea of holding a fundraiser in downtown Loveland back in November when we were both organizing t-shirt fundraising. At the same time, Scott Gordon reached out asking if The Works could help support anything,” Jessica Early said, “Since the Go Fund Me and t-shirt fundraisers were going strong in November, we sort of felt it seemed best to wait until the next phase of his treatment process began.”
Early said that in addition to waiting until the next phase of Coach Parker’s treatments, they also wanted to wait to hold Rolling Mondays until vaccinations were readily available so that the event could feel safer. “We understood that our Loveland restaurants took a big hit with the Covid Pandemic and thought it would be great to combine efforts of raising funds for Darnell as well as bringing life and energy back into downtown Loveland.”
“I am so inspired by his ‘style’ of fight. I’m pretty sure most people would stop everything to focus on the fight. Darnell instead uses all aspects of his life as his fuel in the fight. Cancer robs individuals and families of energy, happiness, and positive health. No one seems to be immune from getting stuck in the web of cancer,” Early said, “The best we can do is work together as families and communities to help support those In need. Our Loveland and surrounding communities have been amazing thus far with supporting Darnell. At the same time, we (like so many others) are a community in need as we navigate thru this pandemic. I’ve been so impressed with how our local businesses have ‘hung’ in there and worked on creative ways to stay in business.”
Early shared that she knows the Loveland community will enjoy coming out to Downtown Loveland on Mondays in April to help support businesses, Darnell, and each other. “Connecting to others is so important during this time. My goal is that Darnell doesn’t have the stressor of finances while making health decisions. His battle ahead is long and there will be continued treatment and monitoring for many years.”
Jodi Stanton said, “The idea of Rolling Mondays developed from a few brainstorming conversations of ways we could help Coach Parker. The ideas were discussed early on after his diagnosis. However, we decided to wait until after the holidays and after the first couple of fundraisers including T-Shirt sales and car magnets.” Stanton explained that the idea of Rolling Mondays manifested into using multiple local restaurants/establishments and hosting the event on more than one night.
“I was actually on the interview panel for the hiring of the Varsity Women’s Basketball Coach, along with other parents and coaches. When we interviewed Coach Parker, his enthusiasm and positivity were amazing,” Stanton explained, “From day one with the program, he hit the ground running. Stanton also said that Parker made an unforgettable impact on her daughter’s high school basketball career. “The funny part is, they didn’t always see eye to eye, but, their player/coach relationship turned into something special.”
“Unfortunately, me and my family have been directly affected by colon cancer. My father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer 17 years ago,” Stanton said, “I’m thankful that research has been expanded and there are additional treatment options available to others today fighting this awful disease. I think our Loveland Community shows time and time again why Loveland is so special. When we have someone who has given so much to the athletes in our community, this is the perfect opportunity for others to give back!”
Stanton said that she has no doubt Loveland will show up and provide support not only to Coach Parker but to our amazing restaurants and brewery who have stepped up to assist. “With the pandemic affecting our local businesses over the past year, this is a perfect chance to help out not only the Loveland businesses but Coach Parker as well. I don’t know that we have a certain monetary goal in mind. Anything we can do to help him and his fiancée, Sam, during this difficult time and to let them know they are not fighting this alone will be more than we could have hoped for. Like I mentioned earlier, Coach Parker is a special kind of guy. He invested so much time and energy into our players, our daughters, and the L.H.S Basketball program. Throughout that short time for me, he and Sam have also become two people I call friends. This is just a small opportunity to help out friends.”
Scott Gordon, the owner of The Works, talked about his connection to Coach Parker and why he holds this cause so close to his heart. “I am a Loveland High School grad ‘85 and later came back to help coach baseball for several years. I have too many connections to Cancer and hate hearing when people I know are fighting that battle,” Gordon said, “Coach Parker was my nephew Alec Gordon’s coach many years ago in Glen Este. I don’t know Coach Parker personally, but our paths have crossed a lot over the years. Our staff at The Works knows that the money raised is a small part of this, raising awareness for the ongoing battles with cancer is of course a small part. But, showing a member of our community they are appreciated and loved while battling for their life and health is what Loveland is all about.”
Loveland Magazine’s very own David Miller also weighed in on how Coach Parker has left a lasting impression on his life. “Coach is such a positive expression of all things Loveland. Watching him coach, since he has been here, has been so much fun,” Miller said, “He has a unique way of showing displeasure with an official that never seems to get him in trouble, and his coaching style during games is always to encourage and applaud his players. His constant smile is pretty contagious and it spreads to the crowd.” David added that he was delighted to be asked to help with “Rolling Mondays” and was even more gracious that Loveland Magazine was selected to be the Media Sponsor.
Here at Loveland Magazine, we encourage you to attend Rolling Mondays in support of Coach Darnell Parker. There is no better way to give back to the community than to support an individual that has given so much of himself to the community of Loveland and L.H.S. Join me on April 12th at Bishop’s Quarter as we rally around Coach Parker and his family for one awesome time in Downtown Loveland!
Check out past Loveland Magazine articles featuring Coach Darnell Parker below!
LHS’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Reaches 100 Wins!
Loveland High School Basketball Programs Look to Change School History!
![[VIDEO] Paxton’s Grill: “Yes, we’re hiring.”](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cassie-interview-ralph-dunnigan.jpg)
Loveland, Ohio – Paxton’s Grill in Historic Downtown has immediate job openings that will help prepare the restaurant for the many springtime patrons they expect to have with warm weather approaching.
In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV interview, co-owner, Ralph Dunnigan tells reporter Cassie Mattia about the positions they hope to fill soon. Dunnigan also tells her which positions and the type of atmosphere he and his staff strive to create for new hires.
WATCH THIS RECENT VIDEO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PAXTON’S GRILL…
A story by a Loveland resident presented by Loveland Magazine in collaboration with the Loveland Diversity Advisory Board
A sharp pain startled me. Something had pelted my head. Whatever it was ricocheted to the floor with a hollow plink. I rubbed the back of my skull and looked around trying to determine what had hit me. As I did, I took another sharp blow, this time to the cheek, followed again by a distinct plinking sound. The next shot hit my shoulder. Then my neck. Finally one of the projectiles flew past my face and I was able to identify what was being hurled toward me.
It was a penny.
I looked in the direction from which the projectiles originated and saw a lunch table of my fifth grade peers laughing, trying to look inconspicuous in the conspicuous way guilty ten year-olds have a tendency to do.
“Did she pick them up?” one whispered.
“Shhhhh! She’s looking over here,” the other said, waving his hand in the universal sign to keep it down.
More giggles.
x
I sheepishly rubbed my cheek, which by now was smarting and red. I looked down at the floor where several pennies lay in a telltale scatter at my feet.
Another sharp pain.
“Pick up the pennies, Jew,” someone from the table jeered, just loud enough for me to hear.
I felt the tears welling behind my eyes and willed them not to escape. No one would see me cry. Despite my best intentions, a tear leaked out, betraying me as it rolled down my injured cheek. Its saltiness stung against the broken skin.
x
The perpetrators weren’t the school’s “bad” kids. They weren’t the “troublemakers.” They weren’t the kids who wadded up the stiff brown paper towels, wet them, and threw them up on the bathroom ceiling where they’d stick and harden like cement.
These were the kids who raised their hands to read aloud from the social studies textbook when the teacher asked for volunteers.They attended PSR at the church down the street from my house where a giant tree sprouted pink blossoms each spring before dropping her petals in a sudden heap. These were the kids who, if I’d told a teacher, would elicit the response of ‘Well now that doesn’t sound like them. I’m sure they meant nothing by it. Have you tried ignoring it?’
x
The lone tear fell onto the lunch table, a solitary puddle on the faux wood facade. Pennies? What does that even mean? I pondered this question silently, focusing intently on the fallen tear to prevent more from spilling out. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. I never mentioned it again.
This was the first time it happened, but it wouldn’t be the last.
At ten years old, I didn’t understand the deeply anti-Semitic implications of these kids’ actions. As an adult, I know they picked up on these stereotypes somewhere. I feel confident that the hateful message was learned outside of school, however subtly transmitted. Maybe slips of the tongue by their parents. Maybe from the innuendos presented in the news channel their family watched. Maybe from friends whose families held biases. But what about what they learned–or didn’t learn–while they were in school? What was the message there?
There was nary a mention of Jewish people in my elementary school. Despite a small population of Jewish students, the curriculum had settled into a comfortable rhythm they saw no need to update. I remember clearly how each year my teachers were startled when they learned that I didn’t have a Christmas tree.
“What do you mean?” my second grade teacher asked incredulously. “Everyone has a Christmas tree,” And so it went.
x
I accepted my lot early. I dutifully completed my “Letter to Santa” assignments each December prior to “Christmas Break” where I’d take home the ornament I had to make for my non-existent tree. In the spring, I mustered up fake gusto to color oil pastel Easter egg cut-outs. I completed the multiplication worksheets asking how much tinsel Jane needs to trim her Christmas tree and conducted the science experiments on decorating Easter eggs with various substances, bright red beet juice staining my hands for days.
The message coming from the school was clear: one specific religion was the universal norm. Obviously, I was different. That made me a target.
I share this with you to illustrate that representation matters. While some may disagree, they are likely the ones who have never been in a situation where they were the “other.”
Representation doesn’t mean anyone has to alter their own convictions or feel put on the defensive. It doesn’t mean one side is right and the other is wrong, that there’s a hidden agenda, or that any one lifestyle is being attacked.
What it does do is allow students to learn that the world is full of people whose beliefs, values, and opinions differ from their own. It means the students who aren’t part of the status quo feel a sense of belonging. At its best, it fosters mutual understanding and civility. Representation neither promotes one lifestyle, race, or religion, nor detracts from another. All representation does is to allow students to see that there are different ways of being and that there is validity in who we ALL are.
x
While I cannot change my school experience, we owe it to our own kids the opportunity to explore diversity through equal and prominent representation. If you’re a minority, there is value in seeing someone like yourself; if you’re in the majority, there is value in seeing that there’s an actual living, feeling human being behind the label. Most importantly, there is value in having no child feel rejected and invisible in their own school. If I can help it, none of them will.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – The LHS Women’s Basketball Team is still doing it #ourway while keeping their head coach #parkerstrong!
The 2020-2021 LHS Women’s Basketball season was quite the eventful one! The Tigers not only captured the ECC title for the second year in a row during a chaotic Pandemic but were also able to successfully motivate their coach, Darnell Parker as he battled cancer and dealt with the loss of his father giving him the strength to not only beat Cancer but also win the ECC Coach of the Year title for the second year in a row.
Here at Loveland Magazine, we decided it would be a great idea to catch up with Coach Darnell Parker via Zoom to see just how he felt about the 2020-2021 basketball season, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and his personal journey with cancer.
So without further ado, Loveland Magazine TV brings to you our loyal readers, “One-On-One Zoom Style With Darnell Parker!” Believe me, you don’t want to miss this inspiring interview!
Click below to view the Zoom interview now!
Thank you to team photographer Gayle Rothmeeler for allowing the use of her wonderful photos during this Zoom interview!