Darnell D. Parker, Jr. Beloved husband of Samantha Parker. Devoted father of Alexis, Madison, and soon to be born, Jalen Parker. Loving son of Nina and the late Darnell Parker, Sr. He is also survived by numerous extended family members and friends. Darnell passed away peacefully surrounded by the people he loved the most Sunday, July 24, 2022, at the age of 44.
Darnell was born and raised in Findlay, OH where he attended Findlay High School and played basketball. His education and basketball career continued at Bluffton University. His passion for basketball lead him to coaching high school basketball at Finneytown, Glen Este, Clark Montessori, CNE schools and finally spent five seasons at Loveland.
Darnell graduated from Bluffton University with a bachelor’s degree in Business and spent most of his professional career as Vice President at Beal Bank and Chase Bank. His last job was with Peoples Bank where he served as the Dealer’s Service Manager.
Above everything, Darnell loved his wife, daughters, family, and loved making memories with them. He will be greatly missed because he was deeply loved.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service 11:00 a.m. at The Vineyard Church-Chapel, 11340 Century Cir East, Springdale, OH 45246. Interment to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. A celebration of life reception will be held at the Loveland High School Gymnasium, 1 Tiger Trail, Loveland, OH 45140, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Loveland, Ohio – The Bengals today signed college free agent QB Drew Plitt and waived CB John Brannon. In addition, G Alex Cappa and HB Samaje Perine have been cleared to practice and removed from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Drew Plitt at a Loveland High School basketball game in 2018.
Plitt (6-2, 206), a rookie out of Ball State University, played in 46 career games for the Cardinals with 36 starts and completed 777 of 1246 passes (62.4 percent) for 9062 yards and 68 TDs. He also rushed for 423 yards and 14 TDs.
Plitt, who participated at the Bengals’ rookie minicamp in May as a tryout player, is from the Greater Cincinnati area and played at Loveland High School in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, where he set a school record for career TD passes (42) and in 2013 led the Tigers to a 14-0 record and the Ohio Division II state championship.
Drew Plitt quarterbacked the Ohio Division II state championship team in 2013 for Loveland High School. An undefeated 14-0 Tiger season.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect that there is visitation at Vineyard Church from 10 AM until the service at 11 AM.
Loveland, Ohio – The beloved head coach of the Loveland High School Women’s Basketball team Darnell Parker succumbed to cancer on Sunday, July 24, 2022.
Here are the funeral, visitation, and celebration events for Coach Parker:
Family & Friends:
The funeral will be held Saturday, July 30th at 11 AM at Vineyard Church located at 11340 Century Circle East in Springdale. (MAP)
Visitation will be at Vineyard Church from 10 AM until the service at 11 AM.
Family & Friends:
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 30th from 2 until 4 PM at Loveland High School located at 1 Tiger Trail.
Here are stories and videos produced by Loveland Magazine and Loveland Magazine TV
Loveland, Ohio – The beloved head coach of the Loveland High School Women’s Basketball team, Darnell Parker succumbed to cancer Sunday. As hundreds of condolences pour in from schools and individuals from around Ohio and the Tri-State, many remember and mention his endearing smile.
Loveland, Ohio – Who doesn’t remember being a kid and you get the fresh new box of crayons, Terri Carter answered when I asked her why the LIFE Food Pantry does their Back to School Backpack Drive each year. She continued, “It’s a new start. It’s a new year. It’s a new backpack filled with supplies.”
It’s early, but it’s never too early to help Loveland Area children be ready to head to their first day of Fall classes. You can help them go back with the same things and confident attitude that their more affluent classmates will have. Terri explains why in the interview.
Carolina Maurer added, “With dignity. With new school things.”
Terri is the President of the food pantry and Carolina coordinates their back-to-school program. I spoke to both today at the food pantry in Shoppers Haven to find out what they are doing and how you can help. I’m pretty sure after watching them answer questions, you will be willing to pitch in.
Visit the Pantry’s website to find out more about receiving assistance for yourself or your children, volunteering, or the instructions to hold a food drive in your place of worship, workplace, or friendly neighborhood.
Loveland, Ohio – This year’s Loveland High School Homecoming Parade will be on Thursday, October 6.
The Homecoming Game will be Friday, October 7 against the Little Miami Panthers.
The Loveland Athletic Boosters Homecoming Parade, celebrating Loveland High Schools Homecoming is a Loveland tradition. The Parade starts at the Moose Lodge Hall on East Loveland Avenue and proceeds to West Loveland Avenue, to Rich Road, and ends at Loveland High School.
The annual Powder Puff football game will be held at Tiger Stadium immediately following the parade. The school is at #1 Tiger Trail.
The Grand Marshal this year is Jeff Williams. Jeff was president of Loveland Athletic Boosters for over 10 years. Parade organizer Tori Morrison said, “He was instrumental in getting funding for our first turf field and building our Athletic Fitness Center which is used by athletes in grades 7-12. I can’t think of a better or more deserving person to serve as our Grand Marshal.”
A 2009 Loveland Magazine file photo of Jeff Williams doing his thing. raising money for a turf field at Loveland High School. Williams pulled off the installation fundraising during a recession.
Loveland, Ohio – Brady Burns said, “I wanted to help the people in the Goshen community because what they experienced had to be devastating.”
Connor Burns said, “I can’t imagine how scared these people must have been because the area looked like something out of a movie.”
Brady Burns added, ”The least we could do was help in any way possible.”
Connor Burns added, “Thanks to all of those who donated money, cleaning supplies, gift cards, and nonperishable food. We appreciate it as well as the people in the Goshen community.”
Immediately after Loveland High School Students Brady and Connor Burns hear that a tornado touched down in Goshen, Ohio, neighboring their hometown of Loveland, Tiger Country – the started a collection for families in Goshen, Warrior Country. They put it out to the Loveland community that they would have a relief drive. When they did they said, “Actually we have family who live there. One had the top of their roof come off.”
In the next few days, they had cash donations that totaled $1,000 which was used to buy gift cards, nonperishable food, and cleaning supplies. They also had a van load of items that was dropped off at their house.
Brady, an 11th grader has always been a straight-A student. He is on the Tiger tennis and bowling teams and a Manager for the cross country team. He participates in: SALT (Student Athletic Leadership Team), FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, and was just selected to be on the Ohio Advisory Safety Council.
Connor is just starting high school – 9th grade. He has also always been a straight-A student and was on the Tiger cross country and track teams Connor has a love for roller coasters.
Brady and Connor Burns (Provided Photo)
Below is the original appeal that Brady and Connor Burns sent out to the Loveland Tiger community:
Yesterday, a community close to us experienced a devastating tornado. Goshen has been declared a state of emergency.
We have family that live in Goshen and luckily they are safe.
We would love to have the neighborhood help the families of Goshen in this time of need.
Please consider donating bottled water, nonperishable food items, gift cards, new blankets, new pillows, etc.
Many of these families are displaced.
We are providing our mom’s Venmo account if you are unable to go purchase items, but want to donate money. We will take the money to buy items needed for families.
Last week with the monetary donations they received, Brady and Connor Burns purchased these items for the community of Goshen, Ohio. The boys then had more money donated and purchased a lot of $25 Kroger gift cards for groceries and gas. (Provided Photo)Provided PhotoProvided PhotoProvided PhotoProvided PhotoProvided PhotoProvided PhotoProvided PhotoProvided Photo
The young men delivered “a ton” of nonperishable food items to the collection point at Goshen High School. When they heard that gas gift cards were in need because people are using generators, they bought some.
They want people that responded to their appeal to know that the people who were volunteering at Goshen High School were so appreciative. “Seeing the devastation was heartbreaking. Thanks to everyone who donated. If any more money or items come to the house we will make another delivery.”
A previous story was published in Loveland Magazine in October 2021 about Brady Burns’ doing what needs doing!
Loveland, Ohio – Ray Wene, graduated from Loveland High School in 1991 and he passed away in 2019 from brain cancer. His wife Tina has started a non-profit foundation in his name to raise money for brain cancer research at Jewish Hospital; money for local youth sports and families that may not be able to afford the costs involved, and a local church youth group. These were some of the most important things to Ray and we hope to carry his legacy on by providing support for these organizations.
They are having their first golf outing at Hickory Woods and would like to reach out to the local community for interests.
This man here is Ray Wene, the face of The Ray Hope Foundation.
As stated above, Ray was diagnosed with Grade IV GBM in June of 2017. He fought a long and hard 29 months, and in November of 2019, “the Lord brought him home”. Ray’s faith was unshakable throughout those hard times; nothing broke him. Through his testimonial journey, he wanted to change the lives of others by bringing them closer to God. Ray was a passionate, loving man. He cared deeply about the youth programs held in church and kids who couldn’t pay to play. He desired to support them in any way he could, whether that be; financially or spiritually. Lastly, Ray’s biggest goal was to bring awareness to brain tumors and further research in the medical field. The proceeds will be donated and used to further his request for The Ray of Hope Foundation.
The number one goal for this foundation is to honor the life of Raymond Wene. “We will be supporting local youth faith-based programs, community youth sports, nurses education, and cancer research at The Jewish Hospital Brain Tumor Center.”
Cincinnati-based nonprofit encourage area educators to submit applications for Mussels in the Classroom and River Explorer programs for the 2022-23 school year
Purple warty backs? Pyramid pigtoes? Monkeyfaces? No, not fictitious creatures from a fantasy novel, just the very real—and important—river species coming to a classroom near you next school year as part of Ohio River Foundation’s Mussels in the Classroom program.
With successful programs dedicated to protecting and improving the water quality and ecology of the Ohio River and its entire watershed, Cincinnati-based nonprofit Ohio River Foundation (ORF) has opened registration for its popular hands-on educational programs for the 2022-23 school year. Along with improving academic STEM skills, the goal of these programs is to help kids—the next generation of environmental stewards, voters, and government leaders—foster a lifetime interest in protecting the environment in their communities and beyond.
May marked the end of another successful school year, so registration is officially opened for 2022-23 and area educators are encouraged to apply. This year, more than 4,700 students were able to take part in ORF’s Mussels in the Classroom and River Explorer programs.
Mussels in the Classroom
Through ORF’s Mussels in the Classroom program (MIC), students get the chance to play host to and learn about freshwater mussels and their importance to river ecosystems. ORF launched MIC, the only program of its kind, in 2017. Since then, nearly 7,000 students in the Greater Cincinnati, Greater Columbus, and Greater Lexington areas have experienced the program.
The program kicks off with an in-person or virtual visit by an ORF educator, who describes the freshwater mussels’ unusual characteristics and significance to their ecosystems. While freshwater mussel species may have some interesting and humorous names, these small but mighty creatures have an important job to do. Although they clean water, acting as a natural filter for our waterways, most people know little about these important animals. Many species are threatened or endangered. Following the educator visit, mussels remain in the classroom for two weeks so students can care for and study them.
“We hope that participating students come away with not only a better understanding of complex aquatic ecosystems but also an appreciation for these amazing animals,” said Rich Cogen, ORF’s executive director. “With increasing scientific interest in repopulating rivers with native mussels, it’s critical for the public to understand the important role they fill.”
MIC is open to grades K-12, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis on the program’s web page. Availability is Sept. 1 through Dec. 15 and Jan. 15 through June 1.
River Explorer
In addition to MIC, ORF offers its perennially popular River Explorer program in Greater Cincinnati and Columbus. The trips let students be junior scientists for a day as they learn about the ecology and importance of the Ohio River and its watershed at area creeks, streams, and rivers. Open to grades four through 12, River Explorer includes three hands-on stations:
1) Catching, examining, and identifying fish;
2) Collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates; and
3) River chemistry (grades six through 12) or water use and the water cycle (grades four and five).
All but the youngest students also take part in habitat assessments as part of their day, and ORF educators touch on issues such as water pollution and environmental stewardship with all students.
The River Explorer program is offered in September, October, April, and May. Greater Cincinnati field trips take place at Nisbet Park and Lake Isabella Park in Loveland; Sycamore Park in Batavia; Sharon Woods Park in Sharonville; Pioneer Park in Covington; and Guilford Covered Bridge Park in Guildford, Indiana. Columbus programs are at Highbanks MetroPark and Gahanna Friendship Park.
Registration for fall River Explorer field trips is open through Monday, August 15 on the program’s web page.
So far more than 55,000 students have participated in Mussels in the Classroom and River Explorers.
Russel the Mussel
Rounding out ORF school programs is an environmental literacy offering, courtesy of ORF team member, Russell the Mussel. He’s a freshwater mussel not unlike those that inhabit the creeks, streams, and rivers of the Ohio River watershed.
Russell himself is a character in a Virginia Tech/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service children’s book that bears his name. ORF spearheaded efforts to resurrect the book, which was previously out of print. The nonprofit distributes copies as part of its Mussels in the Classroom program. It’s most appropriate for students on fourth through sixth-grade reading levels or for teachers who wish to read the book to younger students.
“Adding the Russell the Mussel book as a leave-behind lets us share information about freshwater mussels in a new way that will benefit students who are reading/writing learners,” said Cogen. “Because the book will remain in the classroom after our program ends, it will also reinforce what we teach and serve as a continuous reminder about this critical species.”
Support for ORF education programs is provided by the Charles H. Dater Foundation, Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation, Harrison Family Foundation, Toyota, Inc., Honda Manufacturing, International Paper, The Gardner Family Foundation, PNC Charitable Trusts, Marge & Charles Schott Foundation, Thomas Anthony Sullivan Foundation, and Valvoline, Inc.
Start enrolling in January for the August program!
All major areas of required ASE expertise will be covered including tune-up and front-end alignment, engine performance, suspension and steering, transmisson, brakes, colling system, and electricial/electronics trouble-shooting. An ASE (Automotive Serivce Excellence) Certified Program.
Start enrolling in January for the August program!Learn machine tool set-up and basic machining skills, basic computer numeric control (CNC) and computer-assisted drafting (CAD), plus blueprint reading and interpretation of drawings and symbols. Students are eligible to learn CPR/First Aid, OSHA, NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills), and FANUC CNC certifications.
Start enrolling in January for the August program!Learn residental carpentry, electrical, and plumbing skills as you earn NCCER credentials. Master a wide range of hand and power tools and read building plans. Students are eligible to earn NCCER, CPR, and OSHA certifications.
Start enrolling in January for the August program!Join a fast growing profession! Learn to assist chairside during operative and specialty procedures, understand X-ray processes, learn basic types of impression materials, and identify and use basic types of dental lab equipment. Review office receptionist duties. Learn CPR, first aid, oral hygiene, and preventative dentistry techniques. Students prepare to take exams for radiographer, CODA, and DANB. BCI and FBI record checks are required prior to enrollment.
Start enrolling in January for the August program!Learn the all-important aspects of electrical and electronic repair and maintenance. Besides learning how to use test instrumentation such as digital voltmeters, oscilloscopes, and logic probes, you will also learn how to program PLCs and troubleshoot electrical motors and motor control circuitry. In addition, you will learn how to read ladder-logic diagrams and be introduced to pneumatics, hydraulics, and robotics. Students are eligible to earn the MSSC safety certification.
The Fire Academy offers 675 hours/18 weeks of EMS, fire, fire pumper, hazardous materials training, and technical rescue instruction from our nationally and internationally recognized faculty. All graduates of the accredited program recieve Pro Board certifications and are eligible to take examinations for Ohio FF, EMT, Hazard Recognition Officer (FIre Inspector I), and National Registry of EMT credentials. Must pass a physical exam and background check (at additional cost) before enrollment into the program.
Start enrolling in January for the August program!Learn to install, service, and maintain gas, oil, and electric furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, and heat pumps, preparing you for industry-required certification and employment. Accredited by PAHRA (Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation). Students are eligible to earn ICE and EPA certifications.
Start enrolling in now for the February program!Heavy Equipment Operations is one of the highest paying careers in the construction industry. Using state-of-the-art heavy equipment, students receive extensive training to operate power construction equipment: dozers, scrapers, backhoes, excavators, skid steers, compactors, tractors, and front-end loaders. Students earn NCCER certifications.
Start enrolling in January for the August program!Learn all aspects of diesel engine service and repair on buses, trucks, over-the-road trucks, construction equipment, emergency service vehicles, aircraft tuggers, and railroad equipment. Assemble, adjust, repair, and maintain hydraulic systems and drive trains, electrical and cooling systems, and steering and suspension systems. Students are eligible to earn ASE certifications. NATEF accredited.
The Police Academy offers over 800 hours of police training under the direction of a State Certified Police Academy Commander. Succesful completion of this course and passing the Ohio Peace Officer Certification Exam is the first step to certification in the State of Ohio by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commision. This certification eligibility is the gateway to inclusion in a class of individuals who are sought by many police recruiters. This program is accredited by OPOTA and Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy. Candiates must pass a physical exam before enrollment into the academy.
The Police Academy offers over 800 hours of police training under the direction of a State Certified Police Academy Commander. Succesful completion of this course and passing the Ohio Peace Officer Certification Exam is the first step to certification in the State of Ohio by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commision. This certification eligibility is the gateway to inclusion in a class of individuals who are sought by many police recruiters. This program is accredited by OPOTA and Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy. Candiates must pass a physical exam before enrollment into the academy.
The Police Academy offers over 800 hours of police training under the direction of a State Certified Police Academy Commander. Succesful completion of this course and passing the Ohio Peace Officer Certification Exam is the first step to certification in the State of Ohio by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commision. This certification eligibility is the gateway to inclusion in a class of individuals who are sought by many police recruiters. This program is accredited by OPOTA and Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy. Candiates must pass a physical exam before enrollment into the academy.
Start enrolling in January for the August program!Precision and excellent hand/eye coordination are important for the welding program. You will learn various types of welds and cutting operations as well as fabrication, quality control, weld testing, and blueprint reading. Through this program, you will have the opportunity to become a certified welder. Other career pathways might include welding inspector, metal fabricator, or sales. Students are eligible to earn AWS certifications.
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