Loveland, Ohio – The Holiday season is here which means giving back is at its peak here in the Sweetheart of Ohio!
Recently Editor in Chief David Miller spoke with Loveland’s City Manager David Kennedy and Lisa Craig, the City of Loveland’s Utility Billing Clerk, in which they informed Miller that an anonymous donor settled 28 past due water bills. The total donation was nearly $7,000! Although the donor wanted to remain anonymous, the donor himself asked if we would share this information in hopes that other “copycats might do something similar.” The donor said in an email, “The more people that can help, the better.”
Kennedy said that in his 36 years of government employment he had never experienced anyone doing something so generous.
Loveland City Manager Dave Kennedy
Kennedy told Miller in a phone conversation that Craig worked with the private donor all week to help identify those community members that had been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He’s overpaying each account by $100, so each of them are going into the new year with a credit of $100,” Kennedy explained to Miller, “He wanted to remain anonymous, but he thought if there was a way to get the word out, maybe other people would help. It ended up being 28 accounts that he picked to help these people out. The private donor worked hand and hand with Lisa Craig, herself a long-time Loveland resident, and our utility billing clerk to do this. She could not have been more impressed with what this person did.”
Craig was also very much touched by this anonymous donor’s generosity.
‘He was looking for people impacted by the pandemic that were really trying to make the effort to set up payment plans with us,” Craig said, “When he first called he said that he had heard something on the news about someone doing this in another community. He and his wife were inspired to do something for people living in Loveland. They wished to remain anonymous, but was hoping that going public with the story without disclosing his name would inspire someone else to help out.”
Inspired and want to do your own holiday good deed?!
Craig told us that all anonymous donations sent to them would be applied to where they felt it would be needed the most! Craig also informed us that anyone who sent a check would remain anonymous.
So where can you send your anonymous donation?
“I hate to put out a number, but I know there are people really struggling to make it,” Craig said, “We really don’t want to shut anyone’s water off. Especially this time of year. Any time of year is hard. But this time of year, and with the struggles of twenty-twenty…need I say much more!”
Anyone wishing to be a copycat donor can reach out to Lisa Craig at 513-707-1451 or email Lisa Craig at lcraig@lovelandoh.gov. Lisa may be able to take your donation “on-line” with a credit card.
You may also send a check to City Hall. Please address to “City of Loveland, 120 West Loveland Avenue, Loveland, Ohio, 45140.”
If you would like to reach out to City Manager Dave Kennedy you can do so by phone at 513-707-1454 or email at dkennedy@lovelandoh.gov.
City Hall office hours are Mon-Fri 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
A winter without an Ohio State-Michigan football game is, well, it’s like hot soup without a spoon. It’s like an Ohio highway without orange barrels.
“I know that life in Ohio is not complete without the glory of Ohio State football and other football,” President Trump told supporters in Circleville.
The rivalry is older than the Circleville Pumpkin Show. The two teams first played in 1897 and competed in most years over the next decade or two, though they took several years off during World War I.
Starting in 1918, though, the Buckeyes and Wolverines faced off in every season thereafter. Until this year. A yearly tradition that began the year of the Spanish flu pandemic ends the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The streak of playing 102 years in a row predates Kewpee burgers in Lima and Skyline chili in Cincinnati. It predates the construction of the Cedar Point causeway in Sandusky and the Terminal Tower in Cleveland.
It even predates the founding of the NFL in Canton.
Life was different in 1917, the last year the two teams didn’t play. Let’s look at a few news storylines from that year:
Darke County newspaper: Ohio lawmakers are stupid
The Greenville Journal in western Ohio offered a rather provocative headline on March 15, 1917: “General Assembly Noted As Peculiar.” The subheadline: “Legislature, Taken in the Aggregate, Is Below Average Ohio Body in Intellectual Force.”
Newspapers weren’t nearly as polite back then.
Dr. Clarence Maris, a Columbus physician and political writer, offered an explanation as to why the 1917-18 Ohio General Assembly was, in his view, lacking in intelligence.
“(M)any of the Democrats elected in normally Republican counties or senatorial districts were thought by the party managers to have no chance for election,” Maris wrote,” and men were put up to be sacrificed, but the (Woodrow) Wilson peace wave carried them into office.”
Maris went on to list a number of legislative projects undertaken by the legislature to back up his claim. In defense of Ohio’s lawmakers from the 1910s, Maris made a lot of wild claims. A decade later, the New York Times quoted him as saying Ohio State University was rife with communism and that the “youth movement” at OSU was controlled by Moscow.
Ohio overhauls its statewide health authority
The above Greenville Journal paper had another noteworthy article on March 15 in a separate column called “News Culled In The Capital.”
The Ohio House of Representatives had just voted to abolish the state board of health. Instead, lawmakers wanted to have a singular state health commissioner run the show, which would be aided by an advisory council. Governor James Cox supported the move.
The reason for this change? The Marion Star reported the health board “has been in the limelight repeatedly during the last year because of internal dissensions.”
The Lima Times-Democrat reported that “too much bickering” from the seven health board members made them the “subject of considerable criticism.” The newspaper continued: “The health commissioner, to be chosen by the council, with the governor’s approval, will be endowed with administrative and executive powers.”
The new law specified the commissioner had to be a physician and be skilled in sanitary science. The term would be for five years. Dr. A. W. Freeman of Cincinnati was chosen in September 1917 to be the first state health commissioner.
New Cleveland Indians pitcher paid a pretty penny
Team owner Jim Dunn made a big bet in signing pitcher Joe Wood ahead of the 1917 season.
This illustration of “Smoky” Joe Wood printed in a 1917 edition of the Sandusky Star-Journal.
After all, Dunn paid $15,000 for his prized new hurler.
“Smoky” Joe Wood, formerly of the Boston Red Sox, didn’t pitch in 1916. But the Tribe hoped he would return to form in ‘17.
“Tris Speaker, Wood’s former teammate and close friend, has said that he believes Joe is in as good of shape as he ever was,” the Sandusky Star-Journal reported. “But of course till Wood shows the goods on the diamond the deal is completely a gamble.”
For reference, a century later, Cleveland Indians star Carlos Santana was paid $20,333,333 for the 2019 season. He came to bat 686 times that year, earning $29,640 per plate appearance.
In essence, Santana earned “Smoky” Joe Wood’s 1917 salary twice over every time he stepped in to hit.
Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downtown
Loveland, Ohio – Winter sport student-athletes in Loveland have been competing, and wow have they claimed some excellent victories already! Although COVID-19 positive cases have been spiking in the tri-state area, LHS Athletics has managed to keep the athletes safe, healthy, and competing. So without further ado here is your Loveland Sports 411 for December 7th-10th!
Men’s Basketball
On Tuesday, December 8th Loveland’s Men’s Basketball Team battled against Walnut Hills at home but unfortunately came up with a loss, 57 – 28. Addison Hearn was the Tigers’ lead scorer with 12 points.
Earlier this month the Men’s Basketball Team gained two victories against Harrison and West Clermont. Loveland is currently 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the ECC.
Loveland will travel to Winton Woods on the 11th and to Mariemont on the 12th. Both games will tip off at 7:30 PM.
Women’s Basketball
The Loveland Women’s Basketball Team played Milford at home on Monday, December 7th, and pulled out a conference victory, 45 – 35. Nia Kemper was the Tigers’ lead scorer with 15 points and Olivia Raby hit the boards hard collecting 8 rebounds.
On Wednesday, December 9th Loveland played in another rivalry ECC match-up against Little Miami at home. The Tigers won 58 – 51. Tess Broermann was Loveland’s top performer with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals while Jenna Batsch played quite the game as well ending with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks.
The Tigers are now sitting in 2nd place in ECC with a 4-1 overall record and 3-0 ECC record. The Loveland Women’s Basketball Team will face Turpin on Turpin’s home court on the 12th at 2 PM.
Men’s and Women’s Swimming
Both Loveland’s Men’s and Women’s Swimming Teams will compete on Friday, December 11th at Milford at 6 PM.
Men’s Bowling
The Loveland Men’s Bowling team competed on Tuesday, December 8th where they won against Milford, 2691-2636 (Match Details). Brayden Shepard was the Tigers’ top performer with a 223 average and 446 Pins.
On Wednesday, December 9th Loveland won against Walnut Hills, 2564-2238 (Match Details). Sherron Peacock was the Tigers’ top bowler with a 210 average and 420 Pins.
The Men’s Bowling Team are 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the ECC capturing the 3rd place spot. Loveland will compete again today against Winton Woods at 4 PM at Omni Funplex and again on the 13th in the Holiday Classic at Western Bowl at 9:30 AM.
Women’s Bowling
The Loveland Women’s Bowling Team competed on Tuesday, December 8th against Milford where they won 1989-1528 (Match Details). Ashley Gilker was the Tigers’ top performer with a 188 average and 376 pins.
On Wednesday, December 9th the Tigers captured another win against Walnut Hills, 2057-1518 (Match Details). Ashley Gilker was the top bowler for the Tigers with a 202 average and 404 Pins.
Loveland’s Women’s Bowling Team is now 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the ECC. The Tigers will take on Winton Woods today at 3:30 PM at Omni Funplex and on the 13th will participate in the Holiday Classic at Western Bowl at 9:30 AM.
Academic Team
The Loveland Academic Team faced Milford in two games on Wednesday, December 9th winning 81-47 in both games.
The Academic Team is currently 2-0-0 in the ECC and will play again on January 6th against Little Miami at 4 PM.
For more of Loveland High School’s latest sports news stay tuned to the Sports 411 With Me, Cassie Mattia!
Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downtown Loveland
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Many college football fans across Ohio are devastated due to the announcement that was delivered by the American Athletic Conference and the Michigan Athletic Department on Tuesday that both the OSU vs. Michigan game and the Cincinnati vs. Tulsa game are officially canceled.
Both rivalry games were scheduled for Saturday, December 12th, but because of the rise in positive COVID-19 cases in Cincinnati and in Michigan, it was advised by UC’s conference Medical Advisory Group and Michigan’s health experts that they cancel the games. The UC vs. Tulsa game will not be rescheduled but both teams are scheduled to play again on Saturday, December 19th in the AAC Championship Game.
Both UC’s and Michigan’s Athletic Directors spoke about the spike in positive COVID-19 cases in their student-athletes and around campus.
“Like so much of our country, the Bearcats football program has dealt with rising cases of COVID-19 over the last several weeks,” UC’s AD John Cunningham said in a press release, “Since returning from Orlando on Nov. 21, 2020, we had an increased number of positives among our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Thankfully, we have had very few symptomatic cases and those who did show symptoms appear to be doing well. This week, UC began a slow, measured return to activities, fully aware of the importance of monitoring our student-athletes who are returning after time away from practice. If we are selected to host the AAC Championship game on Dec. 19, we have requested a variance with the state of Ohio to allow a limited number of fans in the stadium. We look forward to continuing our season on Saturday, Dec. 19.”
Michigan’s Athletic Director Ward Manuel said, “The number of positive tests has continued to trend in an upward direction over the last seven days. We have not been cleared to participate in practice at this time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to field a team due to COVID-19 positives and the associated quarantining required of close-contact individuals. This decision is disappointing for our team and coaches but their health and safety are paramount, and it will always come first in our decision-making.”
The Wolverines will continue daily testing in hopes that they will be cleared to be apart of the Big Ten Champions Week, which will be held December 18th-19th.
Due to the OSU vs. Michigan game cancellation, the Buckeyes are now facing their third game cancellation this season resulting in the team being ineligible for the Big Ten Champions Title. This particular rule was established before the season began.
Thankfully for both UC and OSU fans, both teams are still ranked in the Associated Press Top 10. Below are the rankings as of December 9th.
Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downtown
Columbus, Ohio – High school winter sports are a go in the state of Ohio! On November 20th the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) sent out a memo to schools confirming that the up and coming winter sports season would begin as scheduled.
The OHSAA memo read, “While individual school districts can pause sports at any time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OHSAA does not intend to alter the statewide season dates.The decision came after discussions with the Governor’s Office, the OHSAA Board of Directors, OHSAA staff, and many school administrators, along with the results of a recent survey of OHSAA member school administrators. Of 1,464 survey responses, 826 respondents (56 percent) voted to begin winter sports as previously scheduled.”
According to the survey, 33 percent of Ohio’s school administrators wanted to post-pone winter sports until early January, while 11 percent voted to post-pone winter sports indefinitely until Ohio’s COVID-19 conditions got significantly better.
The OHSAA made sure to mention the Governor’s Curfew Order in the memo as well stating, “the Governor’s 10:00 p.m. Ohio curfew order does not mean that teams and fans must be home from their competitions by 10:00 p.m., but venues must be vacated by 10:00 p.m. The OHSAA encourages schools and conferences to alter start times if needed so that competitions end in time to close the facility by 10:00 p.m.“
OHSAA has made it very clear since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that their number one priority is the safety of the student-athletes, coaches, and fans. In order to continue interscholastic competition during the winter sports season OHSAA developed “sport-specific requirements, recommendations, and modifications.” Below are the links to each winter sports requirements, recommendations, and modifications provided by OHSAA.
Although Ohio’s High school winter sports seasons are allowed to continue as planned, for the time being, OHSAA was sure to include in the memo Friday mandates, spectator capacity, and recommended best practices per the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Sports Order (https://bit.ly/2RWa1jh). OHSAA’s memo read, “It is especially important that requirements for facial coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand washing be followed and that facility hosts disinfect and clean competition and high contact areas frequently. Also note that the Order has a limit on spectator capacity, which is the lesser of 15 percent of fixed, permanent seats or 300.“
Loveland, Ohio – As the holidays are right around the corner, many are looking for that perfect family gathering spot where they can safely sit down, catch up with loved ones, and enjoy an affordable yet delicious meal. Well, the wait is almost over as Rodi Italian, located in Historic Downtown Loveland at 115 Karl Brown Way, is set to have its soft opening in December.
In August I visited Rodi to get a feel for the beautiful Italian eatery and wow was I impressed! From the traditional Italian family recipes to the plethora of Italian wines, to the rustic decor, I knew that this soon-to-be Loveland hot-spot would take the community by storm! To see my on-camera interview with Roberto Peloni, Rodi Italian’s owner and head chef, click below!
Since my last visit to Rodi Italian, the restaurant has been totally transformed! Loveland Magazine’s Editor in Chief, David Miller, myself, and my nephew, Emmett, visited Rodi last week just to see the transformation, and after seeing all the new additions, we are more than excited to welcome Rodi Italian into the Loveland restaurant culture!
Peloni walked as through his restaurant as he explained what went into all the new restaurant additions and how proud he was of what Rodi was becoming.
Since August, Rodi Italian’s Stefano Ferrara Neapolitan Wood-Burning Pizza Oven has been installed and is up and running. Peloni said that they recently made their first pizza and he couldn’t wait to share them with Loveland! Click the link below to see a video of Rodi Italian’s first pizza being made in their brand new pizza oven!
Each pizza served on Rodi Italian’s menu will be Neapolitan style and cooked from scratch in their 900-degree wood-burning pizza oven. Some of the unique pizza’s that will be served on Rodi Italian’s menu is, Brussels, which will include shaved Brussel sprouts, pancetta, and fontina, finished with ricotta and lemon drizzle, Figs, which will have olive oil, fontina, fresh figs with gorgonzola, and fig puree, and The Fun Guy (FUNGHI), which will include cream, Tallegio, fontina, sausage, a blend of mushrooms, and sea salt. Gluten-Free pizza crust will be available as well.
As we walked through Rodi Italian Peloni showed us another one of their newest additions, The Faema E91Coffee Espresso Machine, which will feature Cafe Filicori Coffee straight from Bologna, Italy! Rodi Italian is the only restaurant other than a few spots in New York, California, and Chicago, that will have this specialty coffee. Peloni shared with us that his restaurant will be serving Brunch on Saturday’s and Sunday’s, he just hasn’t decided on the hours as of now.
As an Italian myself, when I think of a traditional Italian meal I always end up grabbing a beautiful Italian wine that will pair nicely with my meal. Peloni reassured me that finding the perfect wine to match my meal wouldn’t be a problem at Rodi Italian as the restaurant will feature over 70 different labels from Italy and California. As I looked around Rodi Italian I could already see that wine would be a major part of the restaurant as it had gigantic beautifully sculpted wine holders framing one of their doorways and a state of the art mahogany bar located in the heart of the restaurant surrounded with chairs for guests. Rodi Italian’s one-of-a-kind bar was built by The Cincinnati Wood Collaborative, a group that specializes in repurposing wood. The bar will also include 10 beers on tap and 10-15 bottled beer options.
What goes better with a glass of wine than a traditional Italian appetizer or salad? No need to look any further as Rodi Italian will have plenty of legendary family recipes for the community to enjoy! Rodi Italian’s salads and small plates section of the menu will feature items such as The Cesare (an old family recipe), which includes anchovy, garlic, and romaine, the Burrata Tartufato, which is a ball of hand-pulled burrata cheese over arugula, shaved black truffles, and crostini, and the Sacchetti ‘Beggar’s Purse’ (a house specialty), which will feature a pizza dough purse filled with roasted garlic and herbs in olive oil.
Although Rodi Italian’s menu isn’t entirely official yet, Peloni was kind enough to give Loveland Magazine the okay to share a few of the Pasta options, “Chef Rob’s Seasonal Menu,” and the Dinner Plates. A few of the Pasta menu items, which will be made from scratch in the restaurant, that grabbed my attention was the Rodi Pasta, which features Fusilli (GF option available) sauteed with thin onion, pancetta, green peas, and white wine, the Family Recipe Lasagna, a traditional meat sauce lasagna created by Peloni and his family, and the Risotto Al Porcini, which includes Porcini mushrooms, shallots, and green peas.
Peloni told us that he will consistently be featuring a Seasonal Menu crafted by him using ingredients that are in season for that particular time of the year. One of the seasonal meals that caught my attention was the Ravioli Di Zucca, a pumpkin filled ravioli sauteed in brown sugar and sage finished with pieces of toasted hazelnuts. YUM!
Rodi Italian’s Dinner Menu also includes a “Plates” section and of course a few items for the Bambini’s a.k.a The Kids! One particular item on the Plates section that sounded delicious is the Cacciuco, which includes clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, white fish, and salmon in a tomato and fish stalk broth. This traditional seafood soup originated in Liguria where Peloni’s family is from. Of course, we can’t forget about the Bambini’s menu, which will feature Kids Antipasto, Mini Cheese Pizza, S’ghetti, and the Cheese and Fries Pizza (a kid favorite in Italy), which will literally be an 8-inch pizza, covered in tomato sauce, and mozzarella topped with french fries!
The Faema E91Coffee Espresso Machine, which will feature Cafe Filicori Coffee straight from Bologna, Italy!
Walking through Rodi Italian and seeing what the building was in August compared to what it is now has made us more than excited to introduce this traditional family Italian restaurant to the community! Like I mentioned previously Rodi Italian is set to have a soft opening in December but as for the official date, Peloni said he will announce it via Rodi’s Facebook Page or Website. Rodi Italian’s dinner hours are set to be Tuesday – Friday 11:30 A.M. – 10 P.M. Again Peloni plans on opening up on Saturday’s and Sunday’s for Brunch, but the hours are yet to be set.
Rob Peloni showing me the early draft of the RODI menu
We want to thank Rodi Italian and Rob Peloni for letting Loveland Magazine be a part of the Rodi journey and we cannot wait for opening day! Take a few moments to check out our photo album featuring our walk-through at Rodi Italian last Friday!
Click on an image to see it larger and to click through the photo album.
For more of the Loveland Salad with me, Cassie Mattia, stay tuned!
Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downtown
Loveland, Ohio – It’s that time of year again to honor the L.H.S student-athlete Seniors as we send them on their way to play collegiate sports at the conclusion of this school year!
L.H.S’s National College Signing Day was held on November 12th at 2:30 PM, in the legendary Tiger gymnasium. Although the Loveland Athletic Department tried to make the ceremony as normal as they could for the student-athletes they did send out COVID-19 safety precautions so that everyone attending would feel as comfortable as possible. Below are some of the safety precautions L.H.S took for the National Signing Day ceremony:
1. Athletes, please e-mail Ms. Brulport the number of family members attending. We need to know this for seating and contact tracing.
2. Your family and student-athlete will be assigned seating in our Main Gym Bleachers. Please look for the placard with your child’s name on it. You will be socially distanced from other families.
3. No congregating is allowed prior to, during, OR after the ceremony. All families must leave immediately following the ceremony.
4. Face coverings ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES.
5. No group photos of the student-athletes together is permitted. Only pictures of the student-athlete, with their family, will be taken.
6. There will be NO student body allowed. This is for immediate family ONLY, plus 1 coach.
The L.H.S National Signing Day ceremony turned out to be quite the event as the Tiger student-athletes’ coaches, parents and family members celebrated the Seniors’ achievements and wished them the best of luck in their future college endeavors! The following Senior student-athletes signed to participate in athletics and get a college education in 2021!
Photos and Graphics provided by the Loveland Athletic Department.
Sarah Lolli signed to compete in Water Polo at Indiana University.
Connor Ruble signed to play Tennis at Wittenberg University.
Lauren Donovan signed to play soccer at the University of Minnesota.
Carly Wilhoite signed to play lacrosse at the University of Tampa.
Hanna Wenger signed to play lacrosse at the University of Central Michigan.
Josey Storm signed to play lacrosse at Notre Dame College.
Sherron Peacock signed to compete in Bowling at Tiffin University.
Brock Perkins signed to play baseball at Bluffton University.
Spencer Rodriguez signed to play baseball at Clark State Community.
Jenna Batsch signed to play basketball at Kent State University.
We would like to take the time to congratulate these OUTSTANDING Tiger student-athletes for getting the opportunity to fine-tune their crafts at the collegiate level! It has been a joy watching each and every one of you thrive as students and excel as athletes. We will be cheering all of you on as you take the next step in your athletic and education journey! LONG LIVE THE LOVELAND TIGERS! GOOD LUCK SENIORS!
For more of the Sports 411 with me, Cassie Mattia stay tuned!
The above photo is Jenna Batsch in action in the District Semi-Final for the Loveland Tigers last season (Loveland Magazine file photo)
Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downton.
Loveland, Ohio – As the end of the school year nears, L.H.S’s Senior student-athletes are making plans for the future! It was announced last week that two Tigers, Jenna Batsch and Lauren Donovan committed to playing collegiate athletics at two very prestigious schools.
Lauren Donovan
University of Minnesota’s Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Stefanie Golan, announced last Wednesday, that L.H.S’s Lauren Donovan would become a part of the Women’s Soccer 2021 Recruiting Class. Joining Donovan will be five other talented women, two forwards, two midfielders, one defender, and one goalkeeper.
Donovan has had quite the impressive Tiger journey earning All-City and First Team All-Southwest honors in 2019 for Soccer as well as two varsity letters in Basketball and Track and Field (in addition to Soccer). This year Donovan was apart of the 16-4 L.H.S Women’s Soccer Team that not only secured a District Championship but also Regional Runner-Up honors.
Head Coach Golan is excited to see Donovan’s contribution to what Golan thinks will be a stellar 2021 recruiting class!
In addition to playing soccer, Donovan will be majoring in Communications at the University of Minnesota.
The University of Kent State’s Women’s Basketball Coach, Todd Starkey, also announced on Wednesday that Loveland Tiger basketball stand-out, Jenna Batsch, along with three others, would be joining the 2021 Recruiting Class.
Head Coach Starkey said that he believes Batsch will be a much needed addition to an already talented group of student-athletes! Starkey then went on to predict a possible Mid-American Conference Championship throughout the course of the 2021 Recruiting Class’s four seasons.
Six-foot guard, Batsch was a part of last year’s Loveland Women’s Basketball Team that made history earning their first-ever ECC Championship, a Sectional Title, and a 22-4 record. Batsch collected First Team All-ECC, Honorable Mention All-District, and was ranked in the ECC’s top 10 in both steals and blocked shots, averaging 10.9 points, 2.5 steals, and 0.8 blocked shots per game.
Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and Lives in Historic Downtown Loveland
by Cassie Mattia
Batavia, Ohio – Clermont County will be bringing vintage baseball to a city near you! It was announced on October 26th in a press release from The Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau that they would be partnering with Olympic Fields to host the 2021 National Showcase of Vintage Baseball. The prestigious baseball event is scheduled for June 12th and 13th of 2021.
The Vintage Baseball theme is meant to represent the rules and customs from baseball clubs and origins dating back to the 1800s. The National Showcase is played using rules and uniforms from the 1850s, 1860s, and 1880s.
The respected event is set to bring in at least 40 teams from all across the United States with 15 players on each team. The baseball showcase, which will be managed by Oaks of Locust Corner BBC and Moscow Monarchs BBC, is expecting nearly 500 spectators in attendance with an estimated 650 Clermont County hotel rooms booked creating an estimated $300,000 for the county’s economy, according to Discover Clermont County’s press release. If the first year proves successful the vintage baseball event will be hosted annually in Clermont County.
There will be some differences in the way the vintage baseball games will be played compared to today. There will only be underhand throws to the batter (striker), there will be no fences, no gloves will be used, and the ball will be allowed to be played off one bounce.
In addition to all the baseball fun, those attending the baseball showcase will be able to get Cincinnati’s best food, and craft beer as well as shop at local baseball merchants and enjoy live music!
Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downtown
Loveland, Ohio – It has been a sad week for the Loveland High School Tiger Family as Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Darnell Parker, announced that he has been diagnosed with Colon and Liver Cancer.
Coach Parker made the devastating announcement over Twitter on October 29th and almost immediately the Loveland community rallied together to root him on in his battle with cancer. Below is the announcement Coach Parker made a little over one week ago.
Thank you all in advance for your Prayers and Support! I know I can’t respond to everyone but just know it’s appreciated!
Coach Parker has not been the only one to remain positive after being diagnosed with Colon and Liver Cancer; the support from the Loveland community and many others across Ohio has been outstanding! Below are just a few of the tweets that have been dedicated to Coach Parker’s post-cancer announcement.
Oh Man, I Love my Pep band Tigers!! Best in the Business!! Thank you it absolutely put a smile on my face!!! #TigerFamhttps://t.co/YbJQEiQC60
Thank @mcdermottmadi.. you will always have a special place in my heart! How could you not kid, your one of my "Day Ones"!! Love you kid, looking forward to watching you coach this year! #OurWay#ParkerStronghttps://t.co/9YotMRcN7s
Dog Gone it Coach I almost had a year free Monday! I appreciate this more than you can imagine! Looking forward to sharing the court with you guys soon!! https://t.co/nCpTJGNhFQ
This is what it's all about!! Love my GLen Este kids! Thank you @TF4_Era for posting the throwback! Love you kid! Keep doing great things, proud of you! https://t.co/by611I7VDW
It’s no secret that Coach Parker has not only done a lot for Loveland High School but has also succeeded in developing an unbelievable Women’s Basketball program, breaking several school records along the way. Click below to read about Coach Parker’s stellar coaching career and his 100 win milestone!
Coach Parker has touched the lives of everyone he has surrounded himself with including myself. The first meeting I had with Coach Parker and his Tiger basketball team was last year when I decided to do a feature on-camera interview with him, his coaching staff, and the women’s basketball team. I remember walking into the gym excited to feature a Tiger women’s team that was kicking butt and taking names! Last year the women’s basketball team had one of their most successful seasons in history and of course, it had something to do with the talent Coach Parker had on his team but it had more to do with Coach Parker’s “ourway” philosophy. Below is the interview I conducted on that very special day!
The passion, the excitement, and the heart Coach Parker displayed the first day I interacted with him inspired me to the core. I remember asking Coach Parker why he created the #ourway and his response made me want to join the Tiger women’s basketball team myself! He told me that he didn’t want the Tiger program to mimic any other program, he wanted to do things their way. Coach Parker wanted his team to stand out through the way they played and through the way they carried themselves off the court and in school. I loved his mentality. His tenacity honestly reminded me of my own experience of playing basketball for my father which is saying something because I consider my father one of the best coaches around.
My next encounter with Coach Parker other than through emails as I always made sure I kept him up-to-date on any articles featuring him and his Tigers, was when the women’s team faced Mount Notre Dame for the 2019 District Title at Princeton High School. Although I had heard about Coach Parker’s coaching style I had never experienced it in person. I was so impressed with how Coach Parker and his coaching staff were able to get the Tigers so focused while encouraging them to stay positive and just play the game they were born to play.
Unfortunately, the Tigers lost that day and of course, the players were upset but the one thing I noticed is that everyone including the fans, parents, and assistant coaching staff went directly up to Coach Parker gave him a big hug, and thanked him for his dedication to them and the game of basketball. That really spoke to me. The fact that the first thing everyone did after the loss was go up to Coach Parker to encourage and congratulate him on an outstanding season said to me that the Tiger community knew he gave the team and LHS his all regardless of the loss. Click below to read about the Tiger’s 2019 District Title run!
When I heard the news about Coach Parker and his battle with cancer my heart broke in two. Why does such an amazing human being have to go through so much pain? It just didn’t make sense to me. Then I read about the positive outlook Coach Parker decided to take on the entire situation. Wow what a selfless person. Instead of giving up on life, Coach Parker has decided to inspire others battling cancer through words of encouragement and sharing his own story. Although I am more than saddened by Coach Parker’s cancer diagnosis I know that he will do everything in his power to defeat cancer and spread love and kindness along the way!
Coach Parker, I want you to know that you have inspired me to not only be a better person but also spread positivity with a smile on my face regardless of what obstacles may be challenging me. I am here for you, your awesome family, and the Tiger’s Women’s Basketball Team, and I will do whatever I can to help you spread that cancer won’t defeat your spirit or dedication to the Loveland/Tiger community! We love you here at Loveland Magazine and we can’t wait to see how successful you will be in the near future!
Sincerely,
Cassie Mattia
Continue reading to see Loveland Magazine Editor in Chief, David Miller’s tribute to Coach Parker.
Dear Coach Parker,
You’ve become too much of a personal friend not to offer anything but, “Loveland Magazine is here for you to offer our support in any way we can.” You are more to me than just someone Loveland Magazine covers as a sports figure. I’ve come to love how you coach, always that big smile, always that grin, always that encouragement to your players. Even the prodding I see towards the officials is done with your natural good nature.
To Coach’s players… I am here for you too. Trying to put myself in your Nike’s is impossible because I have never been there, but I acknowledge how difficult this is for you. Loveland Magazine is here for you too!
Loveland Magazine is here for you… to help you all cut down this net too and we will be here to cover you cutting down many, many more!
