LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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89 acres of Grailville could become dedicated green space in perpetuity

The House of Joy at Grailville (Loveland Magazine 2005 file photo)

by David Miller

Loveland, Ohio – On Tuesday, City Council will be asked to support a grant application that will be submitted by the Cardinal Land Conservancy to the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, for funding to purchase 89 acres of the remaining Grail property that is within the city’s corporation boundaries.

This is the site where Drees Homes was denied the zoning change they requested in 2022 after local residents filled Planning and Zoning chambers to urge that the site be protected. The Kentucky home builder had requested the land become a Special Planning District which could have allowed 209 homes on the site. The same parcel is also where the Loveland City School District proposed building a campus until the funding they wanted was denied by voters in 2019.

The site is bounded by O’Bannonville Road and State Route 48 (Oakland Road).

After the re-zoning Drees requested was denied, local Grail members and other local residents coalesced to find the solution that will be presented to City Council on Tuesday.

For background: History of Grailville – The Grailville Archive

If acquired by the conservancy, the 89 acres of land would be deeded as dedicated green space in perpetuity. The proposed purchase by the conservancy would be adjacent to the 100-acre Clermont County Park District property, which was also acquired from the Grail using Clean Ohio funding.

House of Joy at Grailville (Loveland Magazine 2009 file photo)

The Conservancy is proposing to portion off the area surrounding the existing structures to allow them to be renovated and utilized for their offices and community meeting space.

Cardinal Conservancy and the Grail will be notified if the application is successfully funded sometime this fall, according to City Manager Dave Kennedy in a memo to Council. The resolution requires no financial contribution from the city.

About Cardinal Land Conservancy

Their address is 790 Garfield Avenue in Milford.

Cardinal Land Conservancy is a private, nonprofit, 501c3 tax-exempt conservation organization, incorporated in September 1999 under the laws of the state of Ohio. Cardinal is a member of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA), a national organization, and Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts (COLT). Cardinal earned LTA accreditation in 2019 and uses LTA’s “Land Trust Standards and Practices” to guide our work as we grow. This accreditation confirms that Cardinal practices sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship.

Cardinal Land Conservancy, formerly known as the Citizen’s Land Conservancy of Hamilton County (“the Conservancy”), is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) land preservation organization and land trust. Cardinal holds the title to 11 nature preserves.

Cardinal Land Conservancy is a land conservancy in Southwest Ohio whose mission is to preserve natural habitats, waterways, agricultural lands, and open space in Southwest Ohio.

We protect and restore natural lands with significant habitats that support native wildlife and create scenic vistas for public enjoyment, as well as agricultural lands suitable for the production of food, timber, or other cultivated or natural products. Cardinal acquires conservation interests in real properties which it then monitors and stewards in perpetuity. These include conservation easements, fee simple title, and other conservation interests which are acquired through donations and purchases guided by, and executed through, Cardinal. Once obtained, Cardinal monitors and otherwise stewards the properties and interests through regular oversight, periodic assessment and, if needed, protective action and legal defense. Our service area includes the Southwestern Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland, and Warren.

Rinsky Woods Nature Preserve

Clermont County

There are few woods like this in the world. Those woods that exist are found only in Southwest Ohio and Southeast Indiana. Rinksy Woods is the second largest woods of this kind in the world. In fact, it has been designated as an Ohio Natural Landmark by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. These wet flat woods are adjacent to Stonelick State Park, adding to an admirable stretch of greenspace in the area. Details & Trail Map

Todd’s Fork Nature Preserve

Clinton County

Native prairies give way to a 100+ acre woods on this preserve, which also includes the Todd’s Fork of the Little Miami River. Cardinal has several stewardship projects ongoing here including maintenance of the prairie. Maintenance includes prescribed burning which is meant to discourage unwanted invasive plants on an annual basis. Details & Trail Map

Kope Hollow Nature Preserve

Brown County

In Southeast Brown County, the Kope formation (a bedrock formation unique to Southern Ohio and Indiana) runs through incredibly diverse woods. A recent native plant survey listed over 100 native species. This property is also graced with five waterfalls that contribute to Roup’s Run. This water flows into the Ohio River just beyond the bounds of the property. Details & Trail Map

Bortz Family Nature Preserve

Hamilton County

This 119-acre preserve offers respite in deep and cool woods along with views of the wide Ohio and of the Little Miami’s emerald shores. This land appeals to both humans and wildlife because of its diversity. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources determined that this land is likely the home of the endangered Indiana Bat and several endangered species of mussels. Overlooking the confluence of these two great rivers is an American Bald Eagle nest, atop a towering cottonwood tree. Our eagles can be viewed by our Eagle Camera from January to June! Details & Trail Map

Read about the other nature preserve of the Cardinal Land Conservancy.

June 23, 2023
Gathering signatures to put abortion amendment on November ballot is ‘going very well’

Abortion rights groups attempting to get the measure on the ballot need to get 413,000 signatures by July 5.

BY: MEGAN HENRY – Ohio Capital Journal

Less than two weeks until the deadline, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights is saying abortion right advocates will get the signatures needed to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution.

Abortion advocates attempting to get the amendment on the ballot need to collect 413,000 signatures by July 5.

“The signature gathering effort has been going very well and we are on track to be successful,” Dr. Lauren Beene, OPRR co-founder and general pediatrician in Northeast Ohio, said Thursday during a media call. “We will have reached our goals to be able to submit before the deadline coming up in July.”

OPRR said they were unable to quantify how many signatures have been gathered so far because the number constantly changes.

“We’re actually in the verification and counting phase right now,” Beene said.

This comes as the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision nears, which overturned Roe v. Wade and gave states the power to regulate abortion access. OPRR, which formed after the Dobbs decision, has grown to more than 4,000 individual healthcare members.

Abortion is currently legal in Ohio up to 21 weeks as the six-week abortion ban is held up in court.

Issue 1

Before the November election, abortion advocates first must look to the Aug. 8 special election when Ohioans will vote on Issue 1, which would raise the threshold for a constitutional amendment to pass from a simple majority of 50% plus one to 60%.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently said Issue 1 is, “100% about keeping a radical pro-abortion amendment out of our constitution.”

“Issue 1 is obviously extremely important to us,” OPRR co-founder and pulmonologist Dr. Marcela Azevedo said. It is targeted towards our issue. … We are pretty aware that this is just another desperate attempt to thwart the will of voters with a goal of ending majority rule and transferring the power from the people to politicians and lobbyists in Columbus. This constitutional amendment is just another ploy.”

Heartbeat bill

After the Dobbs decision last June, Ohio’s six-week abortion ban was in place for about 11 weeks until a Hamilton County judge put a temporary restraining order on the heartbeat bill.

“Living under a time period where you’re doing the right thing for patients and it’s illegal was not something I would have thought it would have experienced in my career,” said Dr. Amy Burkett, a board-certified OB/GYN in northeast Ohio and OPRR member. “Doing the right thing was not supported by my state legislature.”

That’s how the constitutional amendment was born.

“Our solution to the ambiguity and confusing nature of the poorly written heartbeat ban is our constitutional amendment right,” Beene said. “What we are putting forth what people have been coming out of the woodwork to sign.”

She said the decision for someone to get an abortion should be between them and their doctor.

“You have to make sure what’s most important is that when our patients need access to care, that access to care is available and available immediately,” Beene said.

OPRR members said it’s tough to quantify how many people were referred out of state by Ohio doctors while the six-week ban was in place, but said it’s not always possible for patients to go out of state.

“That’s a huge burden to patients to have to go somewhere else for the care that’s considered evidence based health care,” Burkett said. “They need funds for travel. If it’s overnight they’re missing more work, they may need childcare.”

Ohio had 21,813 abortions in 2021, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Twitter.

MEGAN HENRY

Megan Henry is a reporter for the Ohio Capital Journal and has spent the last five years reporting on various topics including education, healthcare, business and crime at The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA Today Network.

MORE FROM AUTHOR

June 23, 2023
Loveland City Schools Seeking New Early Childhood Center Principal

Loveland Magazine File Photo

Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District is beginning the search for the next great leader of the Loveland Early Childhood Center. Current principal Sara Gehring is leaving the district for a new position in Madeira City Schools.

Sara Gehring (Photo by Loveland Schools)

Gehring joined Loveland City School District in 2018 as assistant principal of Loveland Middle School before taking the position of principal of Loveland Early Childhood Center in 2021. She will join Madeira City School District as the assistant principal of Madeira Elementary.

“These last two years have been some of the best of my career, and the LECC team is a special and strong group of educators who rise up each day to do what is best for kids. This is a bittersweet moment because I’ll miss Loveland, yet I’m excited to become the assistant principal of Madeira Elementary,” Sara Gehring said.

The search will begin immediately. The campus is home to Loveland’s preschool and kindergarten programs.

June 21, 2023
Art Gallery Crawl in Loveland this Saturday, June 24

Advertisement

Loveland, Ohio – The Art League of Loveland has announced the 3rd annual Art Gallery Crawl, which will be held Saturday, June 24, from 4 until 9 PM.

The event is back by popular demand and boasts the participation of 118 artists featured throughout the City of Loveland showing their wares and talking with guests about their work. The show includes jewelry makers, painters, sculptors, ceramic and glass artists, fiber artists, and many more.

As always, Loveland’s seven primary art galleries will be holding Open Houses and featuring a variety of renowned artists — both past and present. In addition, eight local businesses will be featuring artists, including Bond Furniture, Hometown Cafe, Trailside Provisions, and more.

This year’s Art Crawl will have a Welcome Tent at Union Savings Bank on the corner of West Loveland Avenue and Wall Street, where participants can get more information, such as a map of all the venues and a listing of all the artists participating.

The Art Crawl brochure will also show the mile-and-a-half route the event’s “Art Buggy” will be taking, so guests can either walk the route or hop on the free shuttle to pursue their artistic journey viewing a wide variety of art and meeting local artists and artisans. The galleries and venues will be providing special deals and light refreshments for all.

“Right Click” this map to see a larger view, and for printing.

“The show really highlights artists living in and around Loveland,” says Deirdre Dyson, the show’s Honorary Chair and one of the city’s award-winning artists. “Loveland has so much to offer artistically, and we’re proud to sponsor this city-wide event celebrating the arts.” Dyson is the owner of Art House II, which features several galleries of her work.

Overall, 118 artists will be showing their wares, including jewelry, paintings, drawings, pottery, sculptures, glass, fiber arts, and many more.

The Art Gallery Crawl once again will be offering four $250 raffle prizes for participants who complete the Art Gallery circuit and visit each venue. Each prize entitles the winner to select $250 worth of artwork from any of the participating artists/galleries.

There will be several additions that make this Art Crawl a “can’t miss” event! For example, thanks to the Grail’s Art Director, Caroline DiGiovenale, there will be a Children’s Station at Jackson Street Market offering free crafts and activities to entertain young and old alike. A food truck, Caveman Crepes, will be serving up sweet and savory fare at the Welcome Tent. Plus, there will be live music by Ellen Mershon at Whistle Stop Clay Works! This is a free cultural arts event for the entire family brought to you by the Art League of Loveland and the Art Crawl’s many generous sponsors. All are welcome.

ABOUT THE LOVELAND ART GALLERY CRAWl

MISSION:

The Art Crawl highlights the City’s vibrant art culture — and focuses on the extraordinary creative works by our many Loveland artists!

This event also introduces participants to Loveland’s rich art history. For example, in historic West Loveland, there are two art galleries that feature internationally renowned artists:

Nancy Ford Cones (1869-1962), was an award-winning pioneer in photography as an art medium.

William Schickel (1919-2009), was a prolific liturgical artist and architect whose body of work includes paintings, sculptures, stained glass, and furniture design.

During this one-day art event, Loveland Art Galleries and Artists hold Open Houses from 4-9 PM and offer light appetizers and drinks, while also showcasing a featured artist or highlighting artwork for sale. Altogether, there are seven art galleries and dozens of artist studios within the city.

To provide an extra element of fun for our art crawlers, most galleries provide individual raffles, and one large LAGC raffle prize ($250) will be offered to those crawlers who complete the entire art gallery circuit.

The LAGC “Art Buggy” Shuttle offers hop-on, hop-off transportation from one end of town to the other (about a mile-and-a-half circuit).

All Loveland artists who live and/or work within the Greater Loveland area are welcome to participate. Many local businesses also support this event by featuring local artists’ works or through sponsorships.

The first Loveland Art Gallery Crawl was initiated last year by a group of committed artists and art lovers. The success of that event led to the creation of the Art League of Loveland (ALL), a non-profit organization for artists and art lovers that is dedicated to ensuring all artists thrive in the Loveland community.

This year’s Loveland Art Gallery Crawl is led by members of the Art League of Loveland. For more information: www.ArtLeagueofLoveland.org

June 21, 2023
Burgers & Brews w/live music at Lake Isabella
Symmes Township, Ohio – Join us this summer for live music and grill-outs on the deck of the Lake Isabella Boathouse.

Enjoy the fun atmosphere, peaceful views of the lake, and live music for free. Burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing beverages will be available for guests to purchase.

What to Know:
Date: Select Fridays Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Location: Lake Isabella

A Vehicle Permit might be required to enter.

Musical Guests:

June 23 | Courtney Halloway
July 7 | Ed Sax
July 21 | Charlie Millikin
Aug. 11 | Katie Pritchard
Aug. 25 | Meg Kecskes
The boathouse at Lake Isabella just outside of Loveland at the I-275 interchange. (Loveland Magazine file photo)

Lake Isabella is a quiet 76-acre park that packs a big bite when it comes to fishing for feisty catfish.

Enjoy a 28-acre pay lake that offers fishing from the bank, dock or rental boat.

Great Parks stocks its lakes with thousands of pounds of adult fish annually. Farm-raised rainbow trout are stocked in March and October when lake waters are cooler. Channel catfish are stocked in the summer at each lake. Additional species include blue and shovelhead catfish, yellow perch, and panfish.

Electric trolling motors are permitted. Personal watercraft, such as canoes and kayaks, are not permitted on the lake. Lake Isabella also has a full-service boathouse and reservable Chart Room, Riverside Lodge, and Shady Elm Shelter for group outings. The park offers picnic areas, a playground, and access to the Little Miami River.

Photo by Great Lakes

Lake Isabella also has a full-service boathouse located on a 28-acre pay lake that is stocked weekly (March-October) and offers fishing from the bank, dock or rental rowboat. The boathouse has an assortment of rods, reels, lures, artificial and live bait as well as plenty of seating out on the deck. You can purchase day or season passes at the boathouse. An Ohio State Fishing License is not required to fish at Lake Isabella.

Lake Isabella Campground is comprised of six primitive camping pod sites located in the beautiful, shaded grove of trees adjacent to the Little Miami River canoe/kayak launch and within walking distance to the playground and Lake Isabella boathouse. Each pod site features four picnic tables and shares a fire ring.

At Great Parks of Hamilton County, the health and safety of our employees and guests are our highest priority. We continue to take precautionary steps and make service adjustments in response to the latest information available from the Ohio Department of Health. More detailed information can be found here.

An online reservation will be required to camp at Lake Isabella Campground. Great Parks Campgrounds will not be accepting walk-in reservations.

One family household is permitted to occupy a campsite or cabin, up to (6) people.
Address:

10174 Loveland-Madeira Road
Loveland, OH 45140

Get Directions >
Hours:

Open daily from dawn until dusk.

Phone:

Lake Isabella Harbor: 513-791-1663

Lake Isabella Campground: 513-851-2267
June 20, 2023
Emma Grome Selected for USA Collegiate National Team
Photo by UK Athletics

Emma Grome from Loveland, a junior setter for the University of Kentucky Volleyball team and reigning Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, was selected for the 2023 Collegiate National Team.

The team includes 20 of the country’s top collegiate women’s volleyball players and a staff of seven. The Collegiate Team will train June 18-24 in Anaheim, Calif., alongside the U.S. Women’s National Team as it prepares for the final preliminary round of Volleyball Nations League.
- Played club volleyball for Tri-State Elite
- PrepVolleyball ranks her as the No. 25 player in the country
- 2020 Under Armour First Team All-American
- Career assists record holder at St. Ursula Academy
- First Team All-Conference in 2018, 2019 and 2020
- All-Ohio First Team in 2020
June 19, 2023

Air Quality Alert issued for Saturday and Sunday in Loveland
Loveland, Ohio – Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Saturday, June 17, and Sunday, June 18.

The Agency issues an Air Quality Alerts when ozone or other major air pollutants are expected to reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The Agency expects to see levels of ozone in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Use this SITE to track pollution levels in real time.

“Sensitive Groups” refers to people with health issues that might be affected by pollution. This category includes:
- - Babies
  - Young children
  - Elderly people
  - People with respiratory disease
  - People with allergies
  - People with hypersensitivity
For people with sensitivity issues, this could be bad enough to be affected. People with asthma will experience shortness of breath more often. Children and the elderly may suffer more coughing or allergic reactions. Long-term exposure may cause more serious damage.

What to Do During an Air Quality Alert
- Take the bus, carpool, bike or walk instead of driving
- Refuel your vehicle after 6 p.m., do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap
- Do not idle your vehicle
- Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
- Keep your vehicle maintained with properly-inflated tires and timely oil changes
- Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Alert days
- Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Alert days
- Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings
- Always burn clean, seasoned wood in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and wood stoves
- Avoid using fire pits or fireplaces for non-essential home heating on Air Quality Alert days
- Conserve electricity
For more details on the Air Quality Index and its corresponding health messages, refer to AirNow. You may also choose to sign up for EnviroFlash, a free s
June 16, 2023
Art Gallery Crawl in Loveland on Saturday, June 24

Advertisement

Loveland, Ohio – The Art League of Loveland has announced the 3rd annual Art Gallery Crawl, which will be held Saturday, June 24, from 4 until 9 PM.

The event is back by popular demand and boasts the participation of 118 artists featured throughout the City of Loveland showing their wares and talking with guests about their work. The show includes jewelry makers, painters, sculptors, ceramic and glass artists, fiber artists, and many more.

As always, Loveland’s seven primary art galleries will be holding Open Houses and featuring a variety of renowned artists — both past and present. In addition, eight local businesses will be featuring artists, including Bond Furniture, Hometown Cafe, Trailside Provisions, and more.

This year’s Art Crawl will have a Welcome Tent at Union Savings Bank on the corner of West Loveland Avenue and Wall Street, where participants can get more information, such as a map of all the venues and a listing of all the artists participating.

The Art Crawl brochure will also show the mile-and-a-half route the event’s “Art Buggy” will be taking, so guests can either walk the route or hop on the free shuttle to pursue their artistic journey viewing a wide variety of art and meeting local artists and artisans. The galleries and venues will be providing special deals and light refreshments for all.

“Right Click” this map to see a larger view, and for printing.

“The show really highlights artists living in and around Loveland,” says Deirdre Dyson, the show’s Honorary Chair and one of the city’s award-winning artists. “Loveland has so much to offer artistically, and we’re proud to sponsor this city-wide event celebrating the arts.” Dyson is the owner of Art House II, which features several galleries of her work.

Overall, 118 artists will be showing their wares, including jewelry, paintings, drawings, pottery, sculptures, glass, fiber arts, and many more.

The Art Gallery Crawl once again will be offering four $250 raffle prizes for participants who complete the Art Gallery circuit and visit each venue. Each prize entitles the winner to select $250 worth of artwork from any of the participating artists/galleries.

There will be several additions that make this Art Crawl a “can’t miss” event! For example, thanks to the Grail’s Art Director, Caroline DiGiovenale, there will be a Children’s Station at Jackson Street Market offering free crafts and activities to entertain young and old alike. A food truck, Caveman Crepes, will be serving up sweet and savory fare at the Welcome Tent. Plus, there will be live music by Ellen Mershon at Whistle Stop Clay Works! This is a free cultural arts event for the entire family brought to you by the Art League of Loveland and the Art Crawl’s many generous sponsors. All are welcome.

ABOUT THE LOVELAND ART GALLERY CRAWl

MISSION:

The Art Crawl highlights the City’s vibrant art culture — and focuses on the extraordinary creative works by our many Loveland artists!

This event also introduces participants to Loveland’s rich art history. For example, in historic West Loveland, there are two art galleries that feature internationally renowned artists:

Nancy Ford Cones (1869-1962), was an award-winning pioneer in photography as an art medium.

William Schickel (1919-2009), was a prolific liturgical artist and architect whose body of work includes paintings, sculptures, stained glass, and furniture design.

During this one-day art event, Loveland Art Galleries and Artists hold Open Houses from 4-9 PM and offer light appetizers and drinks, while also showcasing a featured artist or highlighting artwork for sale. Altogether, there are seven art galleries and dozens of artist studios within the city.

To provide an extra element of fun for our art crawlers, most galleries provide individual raffles, and one large LAGC raffle prize ($250) will be offered to those crawlers who complete the entire art gallery circuit.

The LAGC “Art Buggy” Shuttle offers hop-on, hop-off transportation from one end of town to the other (about a mile-and-a-half circuit).

All Loveland artists who live and/or work within the Greater Loveland area are welcome to participate. Many local businesses also support this event by featuring local artists’ works or through sponsorships.

The first Loveland Art Gallery Crawl was initiated last year by a group of committed artists and art lovers. The success of that event led to the creation of the Art League of Loveland (ALL), a non-profit organization for artists and art lovers that is dedicated to ensuring all artists thrive in the Loveland community.

This year’s Loveland Art Gallery Crawl is led by members of the Art League of Loveland. For more information: www.ArtLeagueofLoveland.org

June 16, 2023
Third Thursday Summer Concert: Mothman tonight at Hometown Cafe on the Bike Trail

Promoted Post

Loveland, Ohio – Mark your calendars for the Third Thursday Summer Concert presented by the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, BF Realty, Brittney Frietch Team for helping make these summer concerts happen! All concerts are free to attend and bands will perform on the patio of Hometown Cafe.

Tonight Mothman will be on the Hometown Cafe patio adjacent to the Loveland Bike Trail in Historic Downtown Loveland.

June 15, 2023