Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: mother nature

  • Ohio weather: Everyone jokes about it – by Julie Watson

    Ohio weather: Everyone jokes about it – by Julie Watson

    In 2018, a driver drove his Jeep into the flood waters of East Kemper Road and the occupants had to swim to safety. The automobile remained almost completely submerged overnight and the driver was cited by the Loveland Police because he ignored “Road Closed” signs. (Loveland Magazine file photo)

    by Julie Watson

    Wait five minutes and the weather will change; You can experience all four seasons in the span of a few hours; Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind.

    Spring is the season when Ohio weather is the most unpredictable. Spring weather can be downright dangerous, even deadly. Rain and warming temperatures can cause flooding and fog. Changing temperatures can result in strong storms bringing lightning, high winds, hail, and tornadoes. 2024 saw a record breaking 74 tornadoes in the Buckeye State. Six of them were in Warren County alone.

    Here are some tips to stay safe in Ohio weather this spring:

    • Never drive through flood water. Water is the strongest force on earth. Even if flood water appears to be shallow, currents can carry dangerous debris and weaken infrastructure foundations. Water levels can also rise quicker than expected. The National Weather Service slogan ‘Turn around, don’t drown’ is good advice.

    • When driving in foggy conditions reduce your speed accordingly. Be sure to leave plenty of distance between you and vehicles in front of you. If fog is heavy, turn your hazard lights on, and your headlights even if it is daylight. Just remember to use your low beams. High beams will reflect more off of the fog making it even more difficult to see. If fog is too thick, consider pulling off the road.

    Loveland Magazine File Photo (© 2017)

    • In stormy weather, there are some basic rules to remember. If you are at home, keep an emergency storm kit stocked and handy. It should contain a flashlight (with good batteries), bottled water, blankets, hand sanitizer, a first aid kit. You can add more things to it if you choose.

    • When it is storming, avoid touching any device that is plugged in including corded phones. Avoid plumbing and water including washing hands, showering, washing dishes. Stay away from doors and windows that may contain metal.

    • If tornadic activity is expected, go to the lowest level of the building taking your storm kit and charged cell phone with you. If you cannot get below ground level the next best place is in an interior room with no windows, in a bathtub (dry of course), or under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or workbench. Crouch down and cover your head with your hands.

    • If you are outdoors during sever weather take shelter from hail and high winds. Do not shelter under or near trees. Watch out for blowing debris.

    • During a lightning storm remember that thunder is the sound that lightning makes. If you hear thunder, there is lightning in the area even if you cannot see it. Lightning wants to find the quickest path to the ground, so it tends to strike the tallest object around; do not shelter under trees. If you are the tallest thing around, stay low. Another quick path for lightning to travel is through conductors like metal, water, and electric lines. Avoid touching concrete structures which contain metal rebar. Stay away from water and power lines.

    • If a tornado is near, evacuate all vehicles and find the lowest spot possible, like a ditch (as long as its not filled with water).  Lie flat or crouch down covering your head with a blanket, jacket, or your hands. Do not seek shelter under an overpass or bridge.

  • Granny’s Garden School continues in Loveland

    Granny’s Garden School continues in Loveland

    The photo above of is one of the Granny’s Garden School gardens on the Campus of the Loveland Primary and Elementary School in 2014.

    Mihaela Manova

    by Mihaela Manova

    As summer has ended and fall is upon us, Granny’s Garden School continues to provide an experience that many children will never forget. As our world is growing in terms of social media and more and more at-home activities, Granny’s Garden School gives back to our planet and brings children back to basics. 

    Granny’s Garden provides “hands-on learning experiences for children through school-based garden and nature-focused programs.” as stated on their website. For over fifteen years, this business allows 1st through 4th-grade students to explore the world of nature. With their courtyard garden and nature trail, trained Garden Educators lead lessons with subjects like science, math, and health to let kids apply new knowledge into the real world. Kids enjoy the paths and learn not by sitting in a classroom, but diving into mother nature. 

    Now Granny’s Garden will be under new leadership and will continue with its goals to teach the young and give back. As great support to the Loveland’s Life Food Pantry, Granny’s Garden donates a portion of their harvest each week of the growing season and maintains a close relationship, developing crops and donating constantly.

    As many parents praise the garden’s activities when clicking on their website, one can see a quote that reads, “My daughter loves the garden days so much we now raise a vegetable garden at home.” Other parents like Angela, from Loveland Primary School, said, “I value the lessons my children learn, the work the experts do and the beauty Granny’s Garden School brings to our community.” Outside activities prove that they can be brought inside as new knowledge and practices can grow a new future in Loveland. 

    With new leadership comes new opportunities, Granny’s Garden now accepts individual or group help all year-round. Leadership opportunities and educational team spots are also available for applicants. Follow this LINK to learn more about Granny’s Garden School, how you can help with your own resources and become involved.

    Roberta Paolo was the founder of Granny’s Garden School. When her grandchildren were young, they spent most of their time together in Paolo’s gardens. When they were in first and second grade, she wanted to extend that experience by starting a garden at their Loveland, Ohio school. The original goal was simply to give other children the chance to pick flowers. Granny’s Garden School took on a life of its own and grew to be one of the largest and most comprehensive school garden education programs in the country. Though she is retired from GGS, Roberta continues to provide guidance to school garden programs through her website.

    If you find this story useful and helpful in your daily life…