Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Lynn Oury is not a lifetime Loveland resident.
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Valentine Ladies serve the community of Loveland Ohio. They are chosen by community nomination, then picked by a committee from the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.
Lynn Oury has been selected as the 2025 Loveland Valentine Lady. She is a former teacher at the Loveland Early Childhood Center.
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The Valentine Program began in 1972 and has grown over the years to include a variety of Valentine community activities, as well as our nationally-known cachet stamping and postmark program.
Valentine Ladies are women who have distinguished themselves in community, school, or family endeavors. Being nominated for Valentine Lady is quite an honor!
The Valentine Lady is the ambassador for the Chamber’s Valentine Program, and visits area businesses, nursing homes and schools, among her duties as Valentine Lady.
Loveland, Ohio – The city of Loveland stole the hearts of many at the 3rd annual Hearts Afire Weekend! The celebration which took place on Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 11 featured a number of heart-felt activities, vendors, food, drinks, live entertainment, Valentine’s Day decorations, and gorgeous ice sculptures.
This year, over 30 businesses participated in spreading the love! On Friday, the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance kicked off Hearts Afire Weekend with their annual Valentine’s Day breakfast where the 2024 Valentine’s Lady, Becky Giver, was announced as well as the winners of the poetry and art contests. Later, Friday evening Lemons & Limes Boutique, Blume Home, Alley Boutique, Trailside Provisions, and Whistle Stop Clay Works hosted a Galentine’s Night. The Loveland Stage Company also presented Crushin’ It (Vol. 2), a Valentine themed variety show. The first night of the Hearts Afire celebration ended with Line Dancing Lessons at City Hall and Love Songs Singo at Hops & Berry Taproom.
On Saturday, the Hearts Afire celebration featured over 30 different activities beginning with a Frozen meet and greet at Bike Trail Books and a puppy kissing booth at Eads Hardware Store and ending with Fireworks and a concert starring Rooster Ridge at Cappy’s Taproom. The day also included a Heart Art Scavenger Hunt, a unique Taylor Swift photo op and friendship bracelet activity, an ice sculpture walking tour, a Caricature Artist, carriage rides, pottery painting, a 360° Photo Booth, speed dating, food trucks, family karaoke, and the first ever dance Elvis costume contest.
On Saturday, I got the opportunity to volunteer at one of the most popular activities at the Hearts Afire Weekend, The Valentine Pageant! The 2nd annual Hearts Afire Valentine Pageant took place at the Loveland Stage Company and showcased children ages 1-4 as they competed to be crowned Miss Valentine or Mr. Cupid. The contest was judged by Loveland Valentine Ladies, Jeanie Shumaker, Donna Barns, Debbie Murray, and John Espy. This year Dr. Kathy Lorenz (2019 Valentine Lady) and Kay Bolin (2018 Valentine Lady) emceed the pageant.
During the pageant I directed guests where to sit and explained to them how to vote for their “Fan Favorite,” a category in which the audience could vote for their favorite child in the pageant. Those that voted included a dollar or more with their vote which went towards funding for a new HVAC system for the Loveland Stage Company.
Assistant City Manager, Misty Clark, was in awe as the guests rolled in as every single seat was filled in the Loveland Stage Company’s auditorium! “This is the largest turn out I have ever seen,” Misty said, “We also have 24 contestants this year in the pageant!”
I couldn’t help but get all the pageant action on camera after hearing how unbelievable the turnout was! Watch my Facebook Live and video from the 2nd Annual Hearts Afire Valentine’s Pageant!
The 2024 Hearts Afire Valentine’s Pageant winners were as follows: (Ages 1-2) – Little Miss Valentine – Rory, Little Mr. Cupid – Beau, (Ages 3-4) – Miss Valentine – Dawson Joan, and (People’s Choice) – Dawson Joan
The Hearts Afire Weekend ended on Sunday with a Chasing Cupid 5k at Fleet Feet, a Taylor Swift Brunch at Paxton’s Grill, and a Sweetheart Brunch at Tano Bistro.
I had an absolute blast exploring the Hearts Afire weekend festivities and meeting so many visitors that traveled miles just to experience the Hearts Afire celebration! I am so proud to be a part of the Sweetheart of Ohio! If you missed the 3rd Annual Hearts Afire Weekend watch the Loveland Magazine TV video that captures the essence of the celebration including “Family Karaoke” and the Dance Elvis Costume Contest! The music featured on the video is by DJ JOE KOOL.
All of our LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV episodes and my Table of Discussions are made possible by the generous support of the team of realtors at Move 2 Loveland.
President and Publisher of Loveland Magazine, Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and the Public Relations Coordinator at Butler County Board of DD. Cassie was awarded the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance 2021 Young Business Professional of the Year.
Loveland, Ohio – On Thursday, the Loveland Valentine Ladies announced on their FaceBook page that Becky Giver will be 2024’s lady with the biggest Loveland heart.
Loveland, Ohio – What better way to celebrate love than by attending the annual Valentine’s Day breakfast this Friday! This honorary event will pay homage to the “Sweetheart of Ohio” and the community’s most loved individuals!
On Friday, February 11th from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) will be hosting the 2022 Valentine’s Day breakfast at the Oasis Conference Center. While enjoying a beautiful hot breakfast the LMRCA will be presenting to you the 2022 Valentine Lady, the Valentine Card Designer, the Poetry Contest Winners, and the Valentino Coloring Contest Winner. In addition to all the heartfelt fun, there will also be special entertainment! The cost for the event is $30. Platinum Chamber Members will be able to enjoy the Valentine’s Day breakfast for free. Sign up for the 2022 Valentine’s Day breakfast here.
Jeannie Shumaker, the 2022 Valentine Lady, and Valentine’s Day Card designer Nancy Sullivan.
Be sure to purchase your 2022 Valentine’s Day Cards designed by Nancy Sullivan from the LMRCA Office (113 Karl Brown Way 2nd floor), your favorite Valentine Lady, or any of the following local businesses:
Valentine’s Day Cards are $1.50 each or you can purchase 4 for $5.
Get Your Valentine’s Day Cards Stamped by the Valentine Ladies at the Loveland Post Office!
Once you grab your Valentine’s Day Cards stop by the Loveland Post office anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning on January 31st to get your cards officially stamped by the Loveland Valentine Ladies! Stamping will be available until February 12th.
If you have any additional questions about the 2022 Valentine’s Day breakfast contact the LMRCA at 513-686-1544.
Valentine’s Day Card designer Nancy Sullivan
For more local event updates stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland, Ohio – What better way to celebrate love than by attending the annual Valentine’s Day breakfast! This honorary event will pay homage to the “Sweetheart of Ohio” and the community’s most loved individuals!
On Friday, February 11th from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) will be hosting the 2022 Valentine’s Day breakfast at the Oasis Conference Center. While enjoying a beautiful hot breakfast the LMRCA will be presenting to you the 2022 Valentine Lady, the Valentine Card Designer, the Poetry Contest Winners, and the Valentino Coloring Contest Winner. In addition to all the heartfelt fun, there will also be special entertainment! The cost for the event is $30. Platinum Chamber Members will be able to enjoy the Valentine’s Day breakfast for free. Sign up for the 2022 Valentine’s Day breakfast here.
Jeannie Shumaker, the 2022 Valentine Lady, and Valentine’s Day Card designer Nancy Sullivan.
Be sure to purchase your 2022 Valentine’s Day Cards designed by Nancy Sullivan from the LMRCA Office (113 Karl Brown Way 2nd floor), your favorite Valentine Lady, or any of the following local businesses:
Valentine’s Day Cards are $1.50 each or you can purchase 4 for $5.
Get Your Valentine’s Day Cards Stamped by the Valentine Ladies at the Loveland Post Office!
Once you grab your Valentine’s Day Cards stop by the Loveland Post office anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning on January 31st to get your cards officially stamped by the Loveland Valentine Ladies! Stamping will be available until February 12th.
If you have any additional questions about the 2022 Valentine’s Day breakfast contact the LMRCA at 513-686-1544.
Valentine’s Day Card designer Nancy Sullivan
For more local event updates stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland, Ohio – We all would love to receive a personal poem of affection on Valentine’s Day, but you all know that it’s sometimes better to give than receive. Right?
Well, here is your opportunity as each year the Loveland Valentine Ladies and the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance invites students, teachers, parents, and the community’s poets to compete in their Annual Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest. This gift can be your present to the whole community of LOVEland.
Poems should be typed or printed, no longer than 16 lines, and reflect love and/or Valentine’s Day. Poetry will be judged on written content only. Contest Deadline: January 21, 2022
Poetry Contest Categories Include:
Pre-school and Kindergarten 1st and 2nd Grades 3rd and 4th Grades 5th and 6th Grades 7th and 8th Grades 9th – 12th Grades Adults
Contest winners will attend the Chamber Valentine Breakfast at Oasis Conference Center on February 12 to read their poems. Student winners receive an excused absence from school to attend the breakfast.
Entry forms are available on the chamber website – lmrchamberalliance.org under the “get involved” tab.
Poetry Workshops
Valentine Lady, Kathryn Lorenz will be offering two free poetry writing workshops leading up to the submission date.
The first will be on Saturday, January 8 at Hometown Cafe between 9 and 10:30, AM.
The second will be on Saturday, January 10 at Mile 42 Coffee from noon until 2 PM.
Valentine Art and Card Reveal
Beginning at 11 AM on Saturday, January 8 the 2022 Valentine Art and Card Reveal will take place and it will be a chance to meet the designer, current Valentine Lady, Jeannie Shumaker, and past Ladies. Join the fun at the Valentine Ladies Wall of Fame in Historic Downtown on the Loveland Bike Trail.
When Lily Gruffydd was in 5th grade she was recogonized at the 2017 annual Valentine Breakfast for this poem.
WHAT IS LOVE?
by Lily Gruffydd
Every one of you should feel loved,
When you are loved, you might feel light like a dove,
Loveland, Ohio – Beginning Monday, Feb 3rd from 10 AM until 4 PM, the Loveland Valentine Ladies will be at the Loveland Post Office stamping your Valentine’s with a special cache stamp as well selling the 2020 Valentine card, by designer, Lilly Hummer.
Lilly Hummer on the left is a Loveland High School student who designed this year’s, Valentine Card.
The last day to get your cards stamped will be Thursday, Feb 13 at 4 PM.
President and Publisher of Loveland Magazine, Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and the Public Relations Coordinator at 
