LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: ohio

  • Kathryn Lorenz is 33rd Loveland Valentine Lady and Donna Treinen wins card design competition

    Kathryn Lorenz is 33rd Loveland Valentine Lady and Donna Treinen wins card design competition

    Loveland Valentine Ladies

    Over the years…

    2019: Kathryn Lorenz

    2018: Kay Bolin

    2017:  Carol Williams

    2016:  Laurie Gordon

    2015:  Sue Lundy

    2014:  Janis Fogle

    2013:  Marge Henderson

    2012:  Jan Ranard

    2011:  Avery (Winkie) Foster

    2010:  Bonnie Larson

    2009:  Linda Cox

    2008:  Kay Napier

    2007:  Sue Newburger

    2006:  Peggy Goodwin

    2005:  Lu Boike

    2004:  Helen Gosch

    2003:  Kathryn Undercoffer

    2002:  Patricia Furterer

    2001:  Marirose Stiver

    2000:  Anne Fowler

    1999:  Winona Franz

    1998:  Barbara Dee

    1997:  Bobbie Books

    1996:  Jo Ann Richardson

    1995:  Mary McDonnell

    1994:  Margaret Keifer

    1993:  Kathryn Sidney

    1992:  Doris Osborne

    1991:  Martha Hockman

    1990:  Rose Wene

    1989:  Pat Randolph

    1982-88:  Ruth Jackson (Doris’s daughter)

    1982:  Doris Pfiester

    “I hope to show the children and adults of Loveland that we can find hearts in nature and express love every day, not just on Valentines Day.”

    – 2019 Loveland Valentine Lady Kathryn Lorenz

    Loveland, Ohio – “I found out about this while at dinner at the Works on December 9th with my daughter and her family. Santa and Mrs. Claus had just visited the restaurant, to the absolute delight of my 5-year-old grandson”, said Kathryn Lorenz about finding out she would be Loveland’s 2019 Valentine Lady. “So when I heard a little commotion and saw some ladies wearing red, it just never occurred to me what was happening. Several Valentine Ladies and my son appeared at the table and gave me flowers and a balloon and just surprised me completely. My daughter did a really good job helping them surprise me.”

    Lorenz is the 33rd Valentine Lady. She has also served on the Loveland Board of Education for the past 26 years, 17 as president. She also serves on the board of directors for the Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Education. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati and a former member of the Governor’s Task Force Ohio.

    2019 Valentine Lady Kathy Lorenz and 2018 Valentine Lady Kay Bolin

    The photo album below is from Saturday, January 5 when the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance held a ceremony at the Loveland Kroger officially announcing that Lorenz was the 2019 Valentine Lady and Donna Treinen was the winner of the 2019 Valentine Card design competition.

    The Valentine Lady tradition goes back to 1971 when the Loveland Chamber of Commerce created a Valentine postmark. Doris Pfiester, chamber secretary at the time, mailed 1,000 Valentines for Loveland residents that had a special Loveland, Ohio postmark that year and was referred to as the “Valentine Lady” until a formal selection process began in the 1980s. Pfiester was named the very first Valentine Lady in 1992. Today, the Valentine Lady plays an important role in the Chamber’s signature Valentine program, which includes a card design competition, poetry, coloring contests, and visits to students in Pre-K through fourth-grade classrooms and nursing homes throughout the Loveland area. The Chamber re-mails thousands of cards they receive from around the world for people wanting their cards mailed from “Loveland” with the slogan, “There is nothing in the world so sweet as Love”. Chamber president in 1972, Dr. Roland Boike, coined the phrase, inspired by Samual Johnson.

    2015 Valentine Lady, Sue Lundy nominated Lorenz.

    2015 Valentine Lady, Sue Lundy nominated Lorenz. In her nomination letter, Lundy wrote, “Kathy’s public, professional and private life all demonstrate her commitment to the community of Loveland.” Lundy pointed out Lorenz’s commitment to education saying, “Kathy believes in education from the ground up. She is active in the Ohio Conservation League and encourages and supports excursions and educational experiences for children. She has spent time in our elementary classrooms teaching French, worked with mentor programs, and coordinated the Basic French Program at UC.” Lundy is a former Loveland School teacher.

    I am really honored to become a member of this exclusive group. First of all, it is unique for Loveland to have a Valentine Lady and to focus on the thought that we can spread thought of love just because we live in a town called Loveland. – Kathy Lorenz

    “If you look at all the accomplished, dedicated women who have already been named Valentine Lady, anyone would be proud to be like them,” Lorenz told Loveland Magazine. “I am especially grateful for Sue Lundy, who nominated me and Pat Furterer, Kay Bolin, and Janis Fogle, who have offered many tips about my role already. All the Ladies have welcomed me warmly.”

    Lundy added, “She speaks openly, honestly and with pride of all we hope to offer children in our schools. Kathy loves her family and her community. It is evident in all she has achieved and continues to do. Her positive spirit would be a valuable addition to the Valentine Lady program.”

    Lorenz told Loveland Magazine she collects pictures of hearts occurring in nature and heart shaped rocks and hopes to show the children and adults of Loveland that, “We can find hearts in nature and express love every day, not just on Valentines Day.” 

    During the ceremony at Kroger, Bill Hounshell introduced former Valentine Ladies as Loveland Vice-Mayor Rob Weisgerber presented each with a bouquet of flowers.

    An invitation by President/CEO Harry Snyder to visit your Great Oaks Career Campuses

  • [Part 3] My journey to the “West Loveland Historic District”

    [Part 3] My journey to the “West Loveland Historic District”

    Did you Know that the Loveland Museum Center is located in the West Loveland Historic District?

    Did You Know?

    Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown

    Loveland, Ohio – Our journey continues as we take a stroll down the sidewalks of the West Loveland Historic District (WLHD) and discover the facts that make living and working there so appealing.

    It may not be a surprise to Loveland residents that this historic district has always had businesses that give off an artistic ambiance. In the WLHD, there are two businesses that not only give off that Loveland artistic feel, but have also found a way to set themselves apart from other art studios. DID YOU KNOW there is an art studio that provides art classes, parties, events, after school programs, camps and art exhibitions for children and adults? For the Love of Art Studio teaches people of all ages the fundamentals of art using only the best tools and supplies. The art studio hosts birthday parties, private business events and special themed parties for adults, teens and kids. For the Love of Art has a had an overwhelming response to its after-school programs and summer camps. In the after-school art program students from ages, 8 to 14 can work with pastels, oil paint, mix media, acrylic, paper-mache and textures. DID YOU KNOW the Love of Art helps young talent pursue fashion design in their summer camps? The art studio teaches students the basics of fashion illustration and helps them create their own collections using “figure design” and watercolor pencils. Students also get the opportunity to create their very own accessories, such as fiber jewelry and a purse.

    A recent work by Loveland artist Deirdre Dyson.

    Another place where art is both shared and celebrated is Studio 430 & Art Gallery (formally The Art House II) located in a historic home at 430 West Loveland Avenue. Deirdre Dyson, a world renown artist known for her landscape art, turned the home into a beautiful workspace and art gallery. DID YOU KNOW Dyson has created some of the most sought-after art collections right here in Loveland? Landscapes, A World of

    Deirdre and Dick Dyson invested several hundred thousands of dollars in the WLHD to create an art studio and gallery in this historic home as well as a “live-work” 2nd floor.

    Light and Color, and Fall Art Show are just a few of Dyson’s collections that have been featured in the media and have been up for prestigious art awards. The public is welcome to enjoy Dyson’s art collections displayed at Studio 430 as well as use the house as an open art studio. Dyson also holds painting classes where she teaches beginners and those with experience about color mixing and how to look at images through a more creative lens. DID YOU KNOW several of Dyson’s painting are inspired by architecture and landscape in Loveland? Dyson has created beautiful oil paintings of the Loveland Historical Museum, Loveland Presbyterian Church, Loveland Market Tents, Putti Fountain Loveland, Old Broadway Loveland, Rolkes Coal Loveland, April Showers on The Little Miami and Loveland Historic Home.

    Deirdre and her husband Dick also live above the gallery, living the dream of creating a live/work environment. The Dysons invested thousands and thousands of dollars in the historic home with a large addition to the back, secluded balcony and gardens, and an elevator.

    The city of Loveland has always been a community that is dedicated to helping others whether that’s through hosting benefits and charities or just simply getting the word out for a greater cause. DID YOU KNOW the WLHD has two facilities that are dedicated to helping the greater good located in an iconic historic church, The former site of the United Methodist congregation? One such business in the renovated church is RecruitMilitary, founded in 1998. RecruitMilitary is a veteran-owned firm. This recruiting agency has helped more than 1.3 million veterans find careers making them the number one military-to-civilian recruiting firm. DID YOU KNOW RecruitMilitary is the largest producer of military career fairs in the country? Thus far, RecruitMilitary has held more than 900 career fairs in over 60 different markets. From these career fairs, the recruiting agency typically does at least 300 interviews with military veteran job seekers, which in turn generates on average 120 job offers. In addition to the success of the career fairs, RecruitMilitary offers more than 200,000 job opportunities on their website’s job board and has recently teamed up with Google to enhance their job search engine so that candidates will be able to find jobs more relevant to their experience. 

    Both CancerFree KIDS and RecruitMilitary are in buildings that used to be the Loveland United Methodist Church.

    Another organization that the WLHD holds near and dear to its heart is a non-profit for kids that’s also located in the beautiful old church. DID YOU KNOW CancerFree KIDS has been funding childhood cancer research since 2002? CancerFree KIDS was founded by Ellen and Sam Flannery after their five-month-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer in both her eyes. Today their daughter is enjoying a normal life in college due to cancer research. CancerFree KIDS host fundraisers and events all year long to fund the most innovative research in cancer. DID YOU KNOW, since 2002 CancerFree KIDS has funded 124 research projects for a total of 4.4 million dollars? Most recently, on June 19th CancerFree KIDS gave $800,000 in research grants to projects at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. DID YOU KNOW if you visit CancerFree KIDS website you can send a “Courage Lion” to a courageous person? If you go to the how you can help tab on the non-profit’s website you can buy a 12-inch stuffed lion that comes with a personalized gift card and send it out to someone you know. With every lion sent out, CancerFree KIDS sends a “Courage” lion to a child that has been recently diagnosed with cancer. Those wanting to help CancerFree Kids have a number of options they can choose from. Those wanting to help can hold a fundraiser, purchase a raise awareness magnet, donate to CancerFree KIDS or volunteer for any of the events held by the non-profit.

    A Loveland Magazine file photo of the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial taken in 2006

    History runs very deep in Loveland’s roots, which is why the landscape is decorated in historical memorials. DID YOU KNOW the WLHD has a Veterans’ Memorial? Located on the corner of West Loveland Avenue and Riverside Drive in Veterans’ Memorial Park, the memorial was designed to honor the men and women who have served our country. DID YOU KNOW the Veteran’s Memorial features brick pavers with the names of local veterans engraved in them? Every year before Memorial Day people can order brick pavers to be engraved and placed in the Veteran’s Memorial. The memorial is owned and maintained by taxpayers and overseen by a Veterans’ Memorial Committee.

    To learn more about purchasing a paver, call 513-707-1439. (Download the memorial paver application form (PDF).)

    Each year residents come to the WLHD on Memorial Day at the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial to pay respect to men and women who “gave their all” and to those left behind to mourn. (This is a Loveland Magazine file photo from the Memorial Day service in 2009)

    The Veterans’ Memorial was designed by Loveland designer, David Camele and dedicated on Sunday, November 13, 1994.

    DID YOU KNOW one of the oldest family-owned funeral homes in the nation is in the WLHD?

    Loveland is home to many family legacies, many of those legacies being businesses that were built by generations of family members. DID YOU KNOW one of the oldest family-owned funeral homes in the nation is in the WLHD? Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Centers legacy began in 1840 in Maineville. Seth G. Tufts passed the business on to his son Oscar B. Tufts who then moved the business to a livery stable in Loveland. Eventually, in 1920 Lawrence S. Tufts, Oscar’s son, bought the property on Riverside Drive and the rest is history! Today Robert and Marilyn Schildmeyer along with their sons and grandson run the funeral home officially making them the fourth, fifth and sixth generations to help run the family business. DID YOU KNOW Tufts Schildmeyer offers more funeral options than any other funeral home in Cincinnati? Tufts offers the Traditional Complete Funeral Service, Graveside Service, Personalized Services, Funeral Director Services, top of the line Memorial Products and several different Cremation Services with four different memorialization options for Cremation.

    Riverview Monument is part of the Tufts Schildmeyer Family of Services and a full-service memorial provider of top quality Granite and Bronze Memorials with full art design Department. They provide civic Memorials such as veteran memorials. They also offer personalized custom printing and can use a laser to engrave any image you choose on a memorial stone.

    The Gertz law firm is at the corner of West Loveland and Wall Street in the WLHD and still undergoing a major facelift.

    DID YOU KNOW there is another business that dates back to the 1800’s that is now in the WLHD? Gertz Law began its legacy in Reading with Charles and Marie Gertz. Eventually, Charlie’s son Anthony continued the Gertz legacy and opened his general law practice at the Pike Street office in Reading in 1972. In 2013 Susan Gertz (Allspach) opened a second Gertz law office location in Loveland so that Clermont and Warren County clients could easily access Gertz services. DID YOU KNOW Gertz Law has three attorneys that practice 7 areas of law? The Gertz Law Firm handles divorce and family law, probate administration, wills, trusts, and estate planning, corporate and small business transactions, real estate and personal injury.

    The firm has recently invested tens of thousands of dollars into their WLHD building with such things as extensive new landscaping and rebuilding the copper box gutters.

    If you are interested in visiting or finding more information on any of these businesses please see the contact information below.

    For the Love of Art Studio, 513-207-3165, For the Love of Art Studio in Loveland on Facebook

    The 430 & Art Gallery, 513-683-0349, and on Facebook

    RecruitMilitary, 513-683-5020, RecruitMilitary on Facebook

    CancerFree KIDS, 513-575-5437, CancerFree Kids on Facebook

    Veterans’ Memorial, 211 Riverside Drive, Loveland, Ohio

    Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Center, 513-683-2430, Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home on Facebook

    Gertz Law, 513-583-1549, Gertz Law Firm on Facebook

    [Part 1] My journey to the “West Loveland Historic District”

    [Part 2] My journey to the “West Loveland Historic District”

  • Loveland Primary students write Veterans Day story at Loveland Magazine Offices

    Loveland Primary students write Veterans Day story at Loveland Magazine Offices

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Students from Jennifer Miller’s 1st-grade class walked to Loveland Magazine’s offices on December 12 to learn about newspapers and write their own story. They had been studying about military Veterans.

    “There was a lot of excitement leading up to our trip to LM. Lots of questions – what does it look like? What does your dad do there? Are we stopping to get ice cream?” said Miller. “Upon our return and through a follow-up activity for our scrapbook about our trip – I was able to reiterate that writers write in all different kinds of spaces and places and for different reasons. And that this trip to LM will help our reports on Veteran’s Day reach all kinds of readers in our community.”

    Jennifer Miller grew up in Loveland and in 1993 graduated from Loveland High School. She is the daughter of Loveland Magazine Publisher, David Miller. She has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Miami University and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Literacy. She has taught in the Loveland School District for 21-years.

    Miller, a teacher in the Loveland Primary School said she believes writing is important for first-graders because they can learn to express themselves through their words and pictures. Every day, her students write and read what they write to each other. Often, they will collaborate on a story in small groups. Miller said, “They watch me be a writer every day. They become confident during writing as well. Writing is a social experience for us.”

    During their visit to Loveland Magazine, the students learned about magazines, newspapers, news websites, and the purpose of writing news stories that people in their own community will want to read. They understand that teachers and parents will read what they write, but if their stories are published in newspapers people they don’t even know will learn what’s on their mind as well.

    Many parents came with the students and helped the smaller groups complete their writing assignment.

    The students work on a specific piece of writing during “Writer’s Workshop” every day. Before they write though, they practice yoga to get their bodies ready for a morning of learning. Miller said that Yoga helps first-graders focus and make good decisions about their behaviors. “Yoga allows us to move in a purposeful way before we have to sit still. That makes for fewer unexpected behaviors in our classroom and room for more meaningful learning,” said Miller.

    Students and parent-volunteers sprawl out on the floor to write their story about Veterans.

    Amy Reiss is the English as a Second Language teacher for the District, servicing grades 1-4. This is her 6th year teaching in Loveland and her 12th year of teaching. She services students who are bilingual, or who need support from exposure to another language. She sees students inside and outside of the classroom and provides them additional support in English Language Development. There are over 14 languages represented in the District. Reiss and Miller have co-taught for 5 years and work together teaching the Expanding Expressions Tool Writing sequence for the whole class. The languages represented in Miller’s first-grade class this year are Spanish, Uzbek, Tajik, Kyrgyz, and English.

    After yoga, Miller dives into the writing lesson. She said, “Some days there is a mini-lesson from me, some days there is time to share, and there is always time to write, or what we call a work session”. Amy Reiss (English as a Second Language teacher for grades 1-4) and I work together.” The students just finished pieces titled “My Thanksgiving” where they retold the facts from their Thanksgiving Holidays with their families. “They turned out wonderful. The children worked hard on including adjectives to describe pie and mashed potatoes. So much work went into this three-week writing project. We completed our pieces of writing with a fancy cover, class photo, and a ribbon. They knew their piece of writing was even more important when I took the time to pull it all together for them this way.”

    The languages represented in Miller’s first-grade class this year are Spanish, Uzbek, Tajik, Kyrgyz, and English. There are 26 students in the class and approximately twenty-five percent are “English Learners”.

    is one of the many tools Ms. Miller uses to teach her students to write.
    Upon return from Winter Break, the class will turn their focus to “small moments.” These personal narratives are also fun to write, according to Miller. For example, instead of writing about their Winter Break, a huge topic, a student might focus just on the moments of making cookies with their grandma while on winter break. “We will then move into a personal narrative about a snowy day which also serves as an assessment piece. And then, my favorite – opinion pieces,” said Miller.
    Miller’s first-grade classroom recently volunteered to pilot two new writing resources for the District so they will be working with those during January and February. Miller said, “We are excited to see what they have to offer to help us become even better writers. I will then share my thoughts and examples of my student’s writing with our writing team to help make a decision about which resource we will use in our District at the elementary level in the years to come. It’s going to be a lot of work, but worth it.”
    While at Loveland Magazine each group practiced reading what they wrote and were filmed for broadcast.

    Miller’s first-graders also work on writing in personal journals every day. This can be a challenge because they can sometimes see this as a job rather than a place they can express themselves. Miller says writing in the journals improves writing stamina. Miller said, “Each month the expectation increases to help them expand a topic that they have been writing about. They must stick to the prompt and really stretch their thinking during this time each day.” When they are done writing in their journal, they have to read it to a friend before turning it in. Reading what they wrote is an important skill for first graders, according to Miller. Their classmate then offers them some constructive criticism and usually, the student returns to their desk to improve their journal before turning it in. Miller said they also work on choosing a friend who will actually offer good advice and not just say, “It looks good.”

    While at Loveland Magazine each student wrote their own sentence describing Veterans to make their group’s story that they read on camera.

    “So much learning!” said Miller. Each child has a goal for their journals hanging on their desk. The students write their goal. Some want to make their writing more interesting or work on their illustrations. And some who are learning English want to better use their new vocabulary. “Goal setting has become a very important part of writing in our classroom,” said Miller.

    Publisher’s Note: I cannot thank the parents and Amy Reiss who accompanied the children – enough. Your help with the children’s field trip to our office is so very valuable, from ensuring they have a safe walk to and from their school, to each of you taking part in helping the small groups with their lesson.

    In sincere appreciation,

    David Miller

  • Loveland’s Christmas Tree recycling and disposal

    Loveland’s Christmas Tree recycling and disposal

    Loveland, Ohio – ThePublic Works Department will begin picking up Christmas Trees on January 2 and continue through January 18. 

    Rumpke trash and recycling holiday schedule

    Christmas trees should be placed near the curb, not on the street. Remember to remove all lights, plastic bags, and ornaments from the trees since trees are composted.

    Residents who miss this schedule are encouraged to drop their tree off at Evan’s using the City’s brush drop off program* or Rumpke will pick it up.

     

     

    *Residents can receive a free voucher to drop off their brush at Evans Landscaping at 9700 East Kemper Road. There is no additional cost to residents for this service. Residents of the City can pick up a voucher at City Hall Monday through Friday, 8 AM until to 4:30 PM.

  • Rumpke trash and recycling holiday schedule

    Rumpke trash and recycling holiday schedule

    Christmas Day 2018: Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018

    Customers serviced on Monday will NOT be affected by Christmas Day.

    Service will NOT occur on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25. Service will be delayed one day during the rest of the week (Tuesday will move to Wednesday; Wednesday will move to Thursday; Thursday will move to Friday; and Friday will move to Saturday).

    New Year’s Day 2019: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019

    Customers serviced on Monday will NOT be affected by New Year’s Day.

    Service will NOT occur on New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1. Service will be delayed one day during the rest of the week (Tuesday will move to Wednesday; Wednesday will move to Thursday; Thursday will move to Friday; and Friday will move to Saturday).

  • [Time-lapse Video] Sunrise over Historic downtown

    [Time-lapse Video] Sunrise over Historic downtown

    Loveland, Ohio – This time-lapse video of a recent sunrise over Historic Downtown was taken from the rooftop of Tano Bistro & Catering on West Loveland Avenue by resident Joseph M. Timmerman. The title of the background song is, “Godspeed” by Frank Ocean.

      Take Home Tano is about fresh, wholesome food for the frenzied family   Our goal is to meet the needs of busy families.

  • Loveland City School District recognized among only 373 school districts in United States and Canada

    Loveland City School District recognized among only 373 school districts in United States and Canada

    Loveland City School District Named to College Board’s
    9thAnnual AP® Honor Roll

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District has been recognized as one of only 373 school districts in the United States and Canada to earn a place on the College Board’s 9thAnnual AP District Honor Roll. To be included, districts had to increase the number of students participating in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, while also maintaining or improving the percentage of students earning scores of at least 3 or higher on AP Exams.

    Only 21 Districts in Ohio made the list this year.

    “This is such great news for our Tigers and our high school team,” said Superintendent Amy Crouse. “As a comparison, there are about 614 districts just in Ohio, and Loveland was among 21 of them to make the list this year. Our high school teachers, under Principal Peggy Johnson’s leadership, are working very hard to help our students be successful. This is wonderful validation for everyone that their efforts are paying off in a big way.”

    Welcome to All About Kids We invite you to come visit one of our convenient locations, talk to our staff and teachers and learn why.

  • Carolyn Bingaman has been a part of Loveland’s DNA since the age of 19

    Carolyn Bingaman has been a part of Loveland’s DNA since the age of 19

    The first in a continuing search for Loveland’s kindest, sweetest people and what they’re made of. What is our DNA match?

    Carolyn Bingaman at her desk at Accounting Plus
    Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland

    Loveland, Ohio – Every city is known for something. Some cities are known for their restaurants, some are known for their national parks and trails and some are known for their shopping. The city of Loveland, of course, does not fall short when it comes to having some of the best restaurants, parks, trails, and shopping, but where Loveland really leaves its mark is through its people. So just what’s in Loveland’s DNA?

    The area of Loveland was first settled in 1795 by Colonial Thomas Paxton and was later incorporated as a chartered city in 1961. History runs deep within Loveland’s roots giving the city a very long line of DNA. Many Loveland residents have not only lived in the “sweetheart” city for years but have also created a long line of DNA themselves within the city with their children now building a life in Loveland too. One could say that families build long lines of DNA in places across the United States all the time, so why is it unique that it happens in Loveland too? To that, I would say yes families do this all the time, but what is unique about families doing this in Loveland is that these same families dedicate their lives to making Loveland the absolute best place to live, work and go to school. That just doesn’t happen in every place.

    Carolyn Bingaman has been a part of Loveland’s DNA since the age of 19 years old when she and her husband moved to Loveland. Fred “Allen”, an Air Force veteran, died in 2010. He and Carolyn were married for 53-years and Allen’s obituary said his motto was, “Try every day to be a blessing to someone”.

    “We bought a house up in one of the only subdivisions in Loveland. We were going to move to Milford, but they didn’t have any openings in any subdivisions, so we came to Loveland. At first, I was thinking oh gosh Loveland…but then I fell in love. There has been a lot of changes since then. We have lived in the same house for 53 years,” Bingaman said.

    Shortly after moving to Loveland, Bingaman began not only building a DNA strand of her own with her husband and 5 children but also began leaving her mark on the community through sports.

    “Loveland had a great women’s and children’s softball teams. My husband and I played every Thursday night and I also had a women’s team that I coached,” Bingaman said, “We had so much fun! We played where the bus garage is now, at the Loveland Elementary School. There were bleachers there and lights and a concession stand,” Bingaman added.

    To Loveland residents who know Carolyn, she could be described as very kind and modest about all the good she does for Loveland’s community, but what many don’t know is that she is also a strong advocate for women’s rights. What inspired Carolyn to fight for equal rights? Well, it all began on a Thursday night right before her women’s softball team was about to play a game.

    “I was told by the men (Dave Hirsh and Roger Muething) in charge of the softball fields that I needed to be self-reliant and that I needed to stop asking them to get me bats and other supplies for the softball games. So, one night we had a game and we didn’t have a home plate. I knew there were some plates in the cupboard in the front building so I went up and borrowed a home plate with prongs on it. I went back and pounded it into the ground and started the game. Later, I saw people up by the building running around and yelling wondering where something was and one of the men came up and said, ‘Is that my home plate?’ I said ‘Yup!’ From then on, we always had our equipment and never had to go find our own,” Bingaman said.

    Carolyn was very motivated starting at a young age. She knew most women during the ’60s and ’70s were expected to stay at home, take care of the children and make dinner for their husbands, but that just wasn’t what she saw for herself.

    “I was not the best at math in school, but I did get A’s and B’s. When my husband and I came here I got a job with the Browns who at the time owned half of Loveland. Bob Lonagrover was their accountant,” Bingaman explained, “I began working at their supermarket. I worked the registers counting money and making deposits. Bob was instrumental in saying you must learn how to type, and Barkley Gest said why don’t you learn how to do something else so you can advance your skills. I took their advice and I just kept growing and growing my skills and eventually, I got the opportunity to work at Totes on Kemper Road. Totes was famous all over the country for their “stretch-on” footwear. I worked in the accounting department and ended up becoming the secretary to the vice-president of manufacturing,” Bingaman said.

    Bingaman working her way up in a “man’s world” was something that inspired women all over Loveland. Unfortunately, after working for Tote’s for 9 and a half years, Carolyn made the decision to leave the company.

    “I filed an EEOC suit in 1974 against Tote’s because they wouldn’t let me have a job I deserved. Paul Hackmen had lost his sight and had to retire. I did his job and mine for 4 or 5 months, but then they wouldn’t give it to me formally,” Bingaman explained, “Tote’s ended up hiring a man to take Paul’s place and wanted me to train him for the position I had been doing. I asked if they were going to give me the title. I didn’t even care about the money. I told them I would be quitting if they didn’t give me the job title because I worked hard for it and deserved it. There were a lot of women that worked there that did a lot of work and didn’t get credit for it,” Bingaman stated, “I ended up winning with the EOC and the right to sue, but I had to find another person for class action. My lawyer wanted to get another woman to speak out against Tote’s so that we could get more money, but I told him he would never get another lady to speak out against Tote’s because they would be gone in a second as I was,” Bingaman said.

    I asked Carolyn if Totes didn’t give her the job title because she was a woman and she answered without hesitation, “Yes, that was why.” Carolyn now has a law in the books named after her.

    After Carolyn gained the knowledge and confidence she needed to be successful in the business world she decided to open her own accounting firm called “Accounting Plus,” which has now been open for over 40 years. Carolyn believes that her biggest impact on Loveland has come through her business.

    “People know if they have a question they know they can come here (Accounting Plus) and ask a question and I won’t charge them for just a question that I have an answer for. I have the same clients that I had 40 years ago. They wouldn’t dare leave me because I care so much for them that I would go get them,” Bingaman said.

    Carolyn says that ever since she came to Loveland she has been in love with it. She loves the people more than anything and whether she knows it or not the people love her too. Pat Furterer, a longtime friend of Carolyn’s, couldn’t say enough about Carolyn and her impact on the Loveland community. 

    “Carolyn is a very unassuming, kind, gracious and generous donor to many organizations in Loveland. She has supported the Loveland Stage Company for years,” Pat Furterer said, “She supports the Loveland Historical Society as well. I feel she would make a great Valentine Lady representing the city!”

    Loveland Magazine’s very own David Miller also had a few things to say on the impact Carolyn has had on him and the community.

    “I used to work with Carolyn at Totes before and after I went to Vietnam. She, before, during and after treated me like she was my slightly, older sister taking care of me. She does an awful lot for Loveland and is very modest about it. She is very kind,” Miller said. “Not many, outside of my own family really cared that I was in Vietnam, but Carolyn did, and she worried about my safety. Hers was a deep personal concern for all who were serving during the war, and when I got home she wasn’t one to shy away from asking me about my experience. She wasn’t afraid to hear my answers.”

    Carolyn is also responsible for the beautiful scenery Loveland residents and visitors enjoy during the spring and summer, “I love the flowers! I have planted flowers for I don’t know how many years in Loveland. Many women help,” Bingaman said.

    Although Carolyn Bingaman is very humble there is not a question in anyone’s mind in the Loveland community that she is a huge part of, and matches Loveland’s DNA.

    If you think you know someone in the community that has made a huge impact on Loveland and would be a great candidate for our Loveland’s DNA segment feel free to contact us.

    Wildflower House — where women & girls bloom!

  • Providing a great education and a great value

    Providing a great education and a great value

    by Kevin Hawley

    Our goal at Loveland City Schools is to provide a great education for our students and a great value to the community. In order to provide the level of education our community has come to expect and our students deserve, public school districts like ours must return every few years to ask voters to support their schools. This is the reality of public-school funding in Ohio.

    Kevin Hawley is the Loveland City School District Treasurer/CFO

    Schools in the state of Ohio are financed with a combination of federal, state and local funds. The state uses a formula to determine how much money each district should receive based on enrollment and the relative wealth of a district based on property values. This amount varies widely from district to district. Typically, as is the case with Loveland City Schools, a district receives more of its revenue from local property taxes. These taxes are primarily determined by locally-voted tax increases, otherwise known as tax levies. In our case, approximately 58 percent of the financial burden falls to local taxpayers.

    The wonderful part of local revenue being a primary contributor to school funding is that the community maintains control of its schools. Conversely, the challenge is that local revenue does not increase with increases in property values. Therefore, a large portion of a district’s revenue is flat until the community votes to increase its property taxes.

    The Loveland City School District is on the right track and reflects our community, but with our operational needs and reliance on property taxes, coupled with the way Ohio funding works, we will soon need to ask our residents for their support.

    And in the Loveland City School District, we are coming up on a need to ask for additional operating funds, separate from our discussion around Building Tiger Nation and our facility needs.

    Funds generated from operating levies are used for the day-to-day operations of the district such as teachers, utilities and supplies. Because schools, by nature, are a “people” business, the majority of operating funds are used to hire and retain high quality educators as well as provide highly competitive programming for our students.

    The Loveland City School District is on the right track and reflects our community, but with our operational needs and reliance on property taxes, coupled with the way Ohio funding works, we will soon need to ask our residents for their support.

    In the meantime, we continue to send the majority of our budget – 62 percent – directly to the classroom where the biggest impact can be made to prepare students for tomorrow, today. Maintaining the district budget through thoughtful and prudent spending is and always will be my priority. And I am incredibly grateful to our residents for the continued support for our schools, which are such an important part of our community.

    Wildflower House — where women & girls bloom!

  • Bionic Tigers win multiple awards at Pennsylvania robotics competition

    Bionic Tigers win multiple awards at Pennsylvania robotics competition

    Loveland’s Bionic Tigers won multiple awards at the West Central Pennsylvania Qualifying Tournament and will be competing in the Pennsylvania State Championship in March

    Loveland’s FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team 10464, The Bionic Tigers, competed in the West Central Pennsylvania Qualifying Tournament on December 8 in Johnstown, PA. The team won the Connect Award for “the team that most connects with their local science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) community” and won second place in the Inspire Award. The Inspire Award is the top award given at an FTC competition and is presented to the team that best “embodies the ‘challenge’ of the FIRST Tech Challenge Program.” Out of the 24 registered teams in the competition, 10464 also received third place for the Think, Design and Motivate Awards.

    Based on their Inspire Award placement, the Bionic Tigers advanced to the Pennsylvania State Championship Tournament on March 2-3.

    Christine Rasmussen: An opportunity to sponsor a Loveland Robotics tournament

    Loveland Robotics hosts 2 upcoming tournaments

      RP Diamond is the exclusive retailer of LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR Welcome to  RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery located at 370 Loveland Madeira Road.