Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District will have a staggered start again this school year..
The first day of school for students with last names beginning with A-L (grades 1-12) is Wednesday, August 14.
The first day of school for students with last names beginning with M-Z (grades 1-12) is Thursday, August 15.
According to the District, the staggered start allows teachers and students to get technology set up, work through problems, and establish new routines in smaller groups.
Preschool and kindergarten families will get first day of school information directly from Loveland Early Childhood Center.
David Miller is the Managing Editor of Loveland Magazine
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – “I am so incredibly happy that Chris will be joining the Loveland Magazine team as our new sports editor,” said President and Publisher, Cassie Mattia.
Loveland resident Chris Ball started submitting stories in March of this year. He is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. Chris graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Chris said that he has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.
With his usual modest demeanor, Chris said in an introductory email, “I don’t think any of my articles will be groundbreaking but would love to contribute what I can.”
On June 7 Chris published the inaugural episode of The Queen City Sports Podcast, with co-host Mark Raines. Mark is also a graduate of Loveland High School.
Chris also launched The Loveland Magazine Sports Desk FaceBook page and posts 4 or 5 stories each day. His X account is also quite active and popular. There, you will find his commentary along with Reds, Bearcats, and Bengals reels. His tagline is, “Chris Ball at the Loveland Magazine Sports Desk, here to talk Bengals, Reds, Cavaliers, Wolverines, and all Loveland, Ohio sports!”
Chris is an excellent communicator, not only his organized story telling, but in how well he communicates with me as he and I ask daily questions to each other.
President and Publisher, Cassie Mattia
Cassie also said, “Chris is so knowledgeable on not just local sports but sports all across Ohio. Chris also has a knack for reaching all of our readers, whether they are knowledgeable about sports or not, which has always been really important to me. We have so many fantastic sports programs in Loveland and Cincinnati, and I am beyond excited for Chris to help give recognition to those programs and athletes. He is an incredible sports writer who will really help Loveland Magazine expand its reach beyond Loveland.”
Chris is fun to work with too. When I asked him to respond to what Cassie said about him for this story, he said, “I couldn’t have said it better myself. That is very nice and I thank you and Cassie so much for the recognition.”
Chris will have many responsibilities, including:
Writing and editing.
Assigning stories, proofreading, and making edits to ensure content is ready for publication.
Being proficient in various multimedia platforms, such as blogging, podcasting, video production, and social media.
Developing new writers and executing special editorial projects.
Creating and maintaining a strong online presence.
Interviewing players, coaches, and administrators, and reporting on happenings on and off the field.
Congratulations Chris and thank you for accepting your new responsibilities. Thank you so much for all you have done so far. Let’s continue having fun while you keep our readers engaged inside your sports world.
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Follow Sports Editor Chris Ball on these platforms:
Loveland, Ohio – Chanaka De Laneroll brought his passion for fine food and exceptionally good service to Historic Downtown, and it gave rise to an inspiring addition to Loveland’s restaurant landscape.
De Laneroll prides himself on providing nutritious and delicious options, fast and friendly service, and making sure that everyone in the community gets the most out of their dining dollar at Teak Loveland Sushi & Thai Cuisine. I was thrilled to learn just how little Teak relies on outside sources, besides raw ingredients, for what ends up on your plate or in your cocktail glass.
In my latest Cassie the Food Guru episode, I talk to Chanaka about his extensive menu and his ability to retain staff at Loveland and his two companion restaurants, one in OTR and one in Oakley. During the interview I also asked Chanaka about patrons not familiar with Asian style cuisine and what they might want to sample on their first visit including what level of “spice” first-timers should dare try on their first visit. His answers make giving the Thai cuisine a try, easy.
My favorite part about Teak is that they have both vegetarian and vegan options which is fantastic for those making these healthy dietary choices. Teak is my go-to Loveland restaurant choice because of their attention to this, and their extensive menu options.
Watch my all-new Cassie the Food Guru episode featuring owner Chanaka De Laneroll!
TEAK Loveland Sushi & Thai Cuisine is located at 110 S 2nd St, Loveland, OH 45140 – one block from the Loveland Bike Trail and thirty steps from Graeter’s Ice Cream at Loveland Station.
Columnist 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. She is the President and Publisher of Loveland Magazine.
Loveland, Ohio – Any time a season doesn’t go to plan, and that’s exactly what is happening in 2024 for the Cincinnati Reds, there is a question of where the responsibility for it rests. No answer in sports is simple, which is especially true for baseball. Success in Major League Baseball for small to mid-market teams is not easy. It requires foresight in draft picks and trades for prospects, smart and economically feasible free agent signings, and a heavy dose of luck with respect to both injuries and perhaps hitting a home run with that under-the-radar guy that turns out to be the difference for an aspiring ballclub.
But the manager of a big-league club is a huge part of that calculus. Coaches in the NBA have to manage superstar personalities as there are only 5 players on the court at any given time. So when 20 percent or more of your scoring comes from one primary guy, keeping him happy and in cohesion with the other 4 teammates on the court matters somewhat less than the specific X’s and O’s of any given play or system. NFL head coaches have coordinators to call plays and manage the flow of games, and generally have the same lineups to work with game in and game out regardless of the opponent.
But managers in baseball have a job that isn’t always readily understandable by average fans (and this isn’t a knock against average fans, this author is just as mystified by the intricacies of the managerial decisions in the sport as much as anyone else). Whether it be the matchups of hitters versus batters, splits between left- and right-handed pitching, day games versus night games, Sabermetric statistics, and a million other factors that play out over 162 games, MLB managers have so many decisions to make that could have an impact on the outcome of those games.
And still, at the end of the day, those decisions, difficult as they may be, have to translate into wins. This is unfortunately where the rubber hits the road when it comes to David Bell. In 6 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, he is 386-432 which equates to a .472 winning percentage. Other than the COVID season of 2020 Bell has 2 winning seasons with the Reds, and he’s also had a team lose 100 games.
Last year the Reds were contending for a playoff spot after losing those 100 games just the season before. They called up the likes of Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion Strand, Spencer Steer, and of course Elly De La Cruz. Those rookies did nothing except pump pure adrenaline into the city of Cincinnati as the team went 18-9 in June and then 15-11 in July. After that, though, it was a different story as they managed to go just 23-31 over their last three months of the season and fell out of playoff contention. They had a losing record at home (38-43) and also posted a losing record against other NL Central teams (21-30).
There were understandable explanations for that series of events. After all, when nearly the entirety of your core players are rookies in their 20s, the long-haul of a major league season is a tall mountain to climb. The front office also chose to largely stand pat at the trade deadline, making many fans question the extent to which the team had a true intent to do what was necessary to win. But even still, the team exceeded most reasonable expectations and so the tone moving into 2024 was one of optimism and hoping to build on the things the Reds did well in 2023.
Here at Loveland Magazine, we’ve documented the roller coaster that the 2024 season has brought us. Apart from a very disappointing May where the Reds went 9-18, they’ve had a winning record in every other month this year. They’ve dealt with injuries to key players that we all know about. But there are other more troubling statistics that are hard to ignore.
The Reds are 9-20 in one-run games and have blown 18 leads. They simply cannot build any momentum even when the door is open for them to get back into serious contention for a wild card spot. Their lack of consistency is a maddening problem that has haunted them on countless occasions this season.
Make no mistake, this is not an article calling for David Bell to be fired. The players bear responsibility as well. Several key players are playing either slightly or well below league averages, including Jeimer Candelario, Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild, and Noelvi Marte. Then there is the front office and the ownership group who are at the helm of this franchise. They control the purse strings and are responsible for providing the manager and coaches the resources to acquire, keep, and attract the players necessary to win at the big-league level. There are serious deficiencies there that should not be ignored and absolutely play a role in holding this team back.
Apart from all that, firing Bell would be a drastic decision that goes against most of what we know about the Reds front office. Last year then extended Bell for a further three years and to fire him any time soon and eat that contract money is completely out of character for them. Still, the Reds’ best chance to win significant games corresponds directly to how long Elly De La Cruz remains on their roster.
That timeframe will not last forever, and within that window Cincinnati’s margin for error remains very small. Their mandate is clear: surround Elly with the best talent that is reasonably available so that this offense can support the ace in its rotation (Hunter Greene) and the very good pitchers behind him (Abbott and Lodolo). Frankie Montas and Jeimer Candelario unfortunately do not represent the kinds of signings that Nick Krall and the Reds’ brass have to make to execute that strategy. There must be real, significant free agents brought in that will play to expectations and we cannot afford to miss for much longer.
David Bell at least deserves one season with a complete roster and a at least a majority of his key players healthy before he’s judged with finality. Absent a significant change in the Reds’ future in 2024, though, this season can’t help but be seen as a regression. Win, lose, or draw, 2025 has to be the year that will determine once and for all whether David Bell is the manager this team needs to be a playoff threat, or if it is time to start fresh and inject new blood to match the youth we’re putting out on the field.
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Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?
Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?
Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.
Loveland, Ohio – In my debut broadcast of “Courtney Explains it All” I talk about what inclusion means for those with a developmental disability and what we can all do together to make life more manageable and equitable.
“Courtney Explains It All” is a vlog on LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV that will feature my insight on different topics, issues, and interviews focused on the developmental disability community.
This vlog episode is about what inclusion is, what inclusion looks like, and how to advocate for others with disabilities. As someone who has lived with a disability all my life, I hope you find my explanations and tips helpful. Thank you so much for checking out my vlog!
My desire is that you will find the following organizations helpful as we continue our journey together!
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Welcome to the Roll Mobility – your go-to app for a smoother life, specially designed for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues. With a staggering 12% of U.S. adults facing mobility disabilities, we’re here to make a difference.
Discover a world of convenience with Roll Mobility. Our platform equips you with reliable information about the accessibility of restaurants, public spaces, businesses, trails, and parking areas. Say goodbye to doubts about whether a place is truly accessible.
Roll Mobility isn’t just an app; it’s a community-driven accessibility tool. Unlike other search engines, we understand that accurate data requires a united effort from the community. Together, we’re paving the way for a more inclusive future.
Disability Rights Ohio
Disability Rights Ohio is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for an equitable Ohio for people with disabilities
Since October 2012, Disability Rights Ohio has served as Ohio’s Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP). It is governed by a Board of Directors, primarily consisting of people with disabilities and family members of people with disabilities.
Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports over 4,100 Butler County Residents. Supports and services are available life-long through contracts with partner agencies or directly provided by our Board.
Founded in 1967, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports over 4,100 people. Supports and services are available life-long through partner agencies or directly provided by our Board.
Much of our services go beyond the walls of our facilities and take place in the community. The Board’s supports are geared toward the philosophy of person-centered thinking, which places the individual at the center of decisions made about the services they receive. We are committed to helping people determine their dreams and helping to make those dreams come true.
Hamilton County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) is a government social services agency established by state law. For more than 50 years, HCDDS has provided educational, vocational, and residential support and services to thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). Each year, we support approximately 7,300 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout their lives, from babies through seniors, by providing case management, monitoring service quality, and funding services provided by our community partners.
We treat each person we serve as a unique individual and connect them to services to reflect the life they want. By collaborating with more than 1,000 certified providers, we’re able to support people to live a life that is important and meaningful to them, on their own terms.
Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The mission of the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to help those we serve expand capabilities and navigate the possibilities. We envision a culture comprised of inclusive communities where people with disabilities thrive and live a life on their own terms. Individuals and families served by the Clermont County Board of DD have the right of choice and flexibility regarding what, how and where services are provided. Individuals and families will be empowered to make decisions, become partners and work cooperatively with professionals, and exert control over the services provided to them.
Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services and supports to over 2,400 people in Warren County who have developmental disabilities. The mission of the board is supporting people with disabilities and their families to achieve what is important to them. The Board employs 127 people in full and part time positions. We operate out of four locations in Warren County, and have an annual budget of $30,500,000.00. More than 65% of our revenue is derived from local levy funds.
Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
The mission of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council) is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life. The Ohio DD Council operates under the authority of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) and is a part of the Ohio DD Network. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities assists and supports the Ohio DD Council as the federally mandated designated state agency.
When Kamala Harris was announced as the running mate for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential campaign, the questions about her heritage, ethnicity and even eligibility for office came strongly from the opposition.
Now that she’s running for the top job following President Joe Biden’s suspension of his reelection campaign, the emphasis on her skin color and her gender has come back fast and furious, just as swiftly as the enthusiasm for her campaign brings big fundraising numbers to the camp.
A supporter holds a sign as members of the San Francisco Democratic Party rally in support of Kamala Harris. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
“The United States has conflicting traditions,” said Dr. Susan Burgess, distinguished professor emerita of political science at Ohio University. “One of rampant racism and misogyny, and another toward greater change and inclusion.”
U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, the vice presidential candidate alongside former president Donald Trump, added to the rhetoric in a 2021 clip that has been brought back up in light of his new role. In the clip from a Fox News interview, he mentions the fact that Harris (and others) has not birthed any children of her own (she has two stepchildren with First Gentleman Doug Emhoff), and criticizes Democrats as “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.”
The comments don’t surprise those who are a part of or study the history of political campaigns, where sexism and misogyny are “alive and well,” according to Ohio University history professor Dr. Katherine Jellison.
“A man running for office, I’ve never heard comments about him being a childless cat/dog/fish person,” Jellison said. “These double standards are so blatantly on display and voiced whenever we have a prominent woman running.”
‘Attacks on the person, not the policy’
For women currently in the state legislature, criticism based on gender and family is nothing new. Even in local campaigns, female politicians have been underestimated and questioned on their merits in ways they say they don’t witness in male campaigns.
The Capital Journal contacted every female state representative and senator in the Ohio General Assembly to talk about their experience campaigning and working in politics. Included in the those who responded were the leaders of the minority side in both chambers, House Minority Leader Allison Russo and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio.
Consistently, those that responded said they have talked to constituents with all sorts of interests and issues, and worked with local campaigns or in favor of local issues before they worked their way up to state office. Also consistently, it was their community and their families that were their biggest advocates.
House Minority Leader Allison Russo, left, talks with Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, as they await the start of the Sept. 13, 2023, Ohio Redistricting Commission meeting.
(Photo by Susan Tebben, Ohio Capital Journal.)
Often, the women who are now representatives and senators didn’t intend to pursue politics until they were encouraged to or an issue motivated them to action. For most, misogyny wasn’t blatant, but the fact that they worked among a “boy’s club” was still highlighted.
“People told me I couldn’t win because, you know,” Antonio told the Capital Journal. “And I would make them say what that was, and it was because I was a lesbian.”
She faced the criticism of being a woman running for office, but called it a “false narrative that some people embrace, that I think they want to hang on to because frankly, I think we’re better at the job.”
The first time state Rep. Sharon Ray, R-Wadsworth, campaigned back in the early 1990s, she said she knocked on the door of a man in her community. She explained that she was running for local office and had a conversation with him about local issues.
“At the end he said, ‘You seem nice and all, but I would never vote for a woman,’” Ray said. “I had to tell him, ‘Well you’re in a bad way, because the two people going up for this are both women.’”
State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney fought against the fact that not only was she a woman running for office, but she was also a 25-year-old.
“Most people, when I’d go to the door, thought I was selling Girl Scout cookies,” she said.
Though she had worked as a staffer in the Statehouse and could point to quotes she’d written for elected officials, she still had to answer questions about her life experience.
“I was shocked at how many times they didn’t think I was the candidate,” Sweeney said.
As a single mom who had adopted her children from China, state Rep. Rachel Baker went through a similar struggle to other moms running for office, in that she balanced taking care of her family and campaigning.
But when Chinese flags appeared around her campaigns signs in the yards of her supporters, put there anonymously in the dark of night, she saw a different side of campaigning.
It’s such a paradox, (my children) are why I’m doing it, but it’s also why I’m scared to do it.
– State Rep. Rachel Baker, D-Cincinnati
Russo – who also ran for a congressional seat in the U.S. House in 2021 against U.S. Rep. Mike Carey – said when she talks to women who are contemplating running for office, putting themselves out there, and even more, putting their family in the public eye is high on the list of reasons not to.
“It’s that piece that is the hesitation: Am I willing to open up my family for the level of scrutiny and potential for harassment,” Russo said.
She and other moms who campaigned often had no choice but to bring their kids along as they talked to voters, because of partner work schedules or a lack of alternative child care. Sometimes, that worked to the candidate’s advantage.
“Voters appreciated that because I’m a real person just trying to balance all the things in my life,” Russo said.
Still, she was questioned about who would care for her children.
“I’m pretty sure my male counterparts never got that question,” she said.
Accidental advantages
Dealing with heightened scrutiny as a woman in public office can be a struggle, but it can also be something that feels familiar to women who have faced challenges their entire lives and for which women already have coping mechanisms.
“You can’t change your ethnicity or race or sex,” said state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo. “I am who I am, and therefore you just have to deal with whatever those issues are.”
COLUMBUS, Ohio — MAY 10: State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Westlake, speaks during the Ohio House session, May 10, 2023, at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal)
Nothing can prepare you for “people writing the most heinous things about you,” as Sweeney said of social media attacks, but for many woman public officials, life has prepared them to work harder than might be expected of others.
“We think that we have to check certain boxes to run, and the reality is most of us are overqualified for office,” Russo said. “The woman candidates that I’ve worked with are incredibly good at putting together teams and networks, and that’s something that I think is very intuitive for women.”
Antonio said women are often “auditioning long before we see ourselves in that role” as a leader in the community or in politics.
State Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, feels like “it’s much more relevant that I’m a woman” with the issues in the political spotlight these days, including reproductive health.
“I don’t think the legislature should be making decisions about people’s health, and the population that is directly impacted, I’m in it,” she said.
The state representatives and senators who talked to the Capital Journal had their start in smaller ways, whether it be working in the Statehouse, opening their houses for local candidate meet-and-greets, knocking on doors for local campaigns or volunteering in their children’s events. It was those efforts that gave them the inside scoop on the issues that were important to their neighbors and melded them into the community to the point that they would be encouraged to make bigger moves.
As a divorced young mom going to night school, one thing Ray liked to do with her free time was work on campaigns. In one Wadsworth race, the candidate left the race and after being encouraged to – and seeing an opportunity to help her son get his Boy Scout government badge – Ray decided to run.
Antonio was miffed after a pitch for her daughter and other Lakewood kids to have a safe place to skateboard fell to an uninterested city council, when the opportunity occurred to her.
“I came home and I said I’m sick of explaining what’s important in our community,” she said. “I could do that job, and I heard myself say I could do that job.”
Looking forward, reaching back
The road to November will be fast-paced for the Vice President and other women running for office, but there’s a sense of hope from public officials that more women will take up the cause, whether it be at a local, state or congressional level.
The women of the Ohio legislature emphasized the need for anyone seeking the job of representing their community to meet with those constituents, whether at campaign events or at the residents’ front doors.
State Rep. Beth Liston, D-Dublin, speaks at a rally to protect abortion rights. (Photo from General Assembly website.)
“When you run for office, you’re often running to represent specific values, and you definitely learn the values of your constituents when you knock on doors,” said state Rep. Dr. Beth Liston, D-Dublin.
Not only do you get to hear what the community needs from their legislators, but candidates get to explain their “why” when it comes to running.
“I know because of the sacrifices that I’ve made to be in this position that some lives are better and people’s voices get heard because of the work that I do, and that gets me up and going everyday,” Sweeney said.
Russo, Ray, Sweeney, Baker, Piccolantonio and Liston are all running for reelection to their districts in the November general election.
And while the differences may be the focal point of campaigns against candidates in a political climate the public officials acknowledged is divisive and “terrifying” in some ways, those differences are reason enough for women to enter races.
“I don’t think differences are deficiencies,” Hicks-Hudson said. “I think they add flavor.”
It’s those who already hold office that can make the difference in whether or not more women come into the political space, too, according to Antonio.
“I think it’s important for those of us who are in office to encourage it,” the minority leader said. “You have to reach back as you climb, and bring folks with you.”
Comments like Vance’s “childless cat ladies” statement only serve as motivation for officials like Sweeney who see more women in office as the way to “change the world.”
“To say that I have no stake in America, that I can’t contribute … (Vance) clearly hasn’t been around a lot of women and doesn’t respect them,” Sweeney said.
Parsing through the messaging
Throughout the next three months (and already this election cycle), voters will go through the process of making decisions about who and what they want to choose in the general election. That means parsing through the heavy load of information coming from all sides about how to feel about those candidates and issues.
As elected officials who have read and distributed their fair share of campaign info, the legislators said it’s important to form opinions based on resources voters trust, and nonpartisan research like voting guides from the League of Women Voters of Ohio.
But it’s also just as important to base decisions on the issues and values that matter most to each voter, and vet each candidate based on those specific values.
“I personally think the voters should be able to interact with the people that are wanting to represent them,” Piccolantonio said.
When it comes to the presidential race, self-reflection and a vision for the future come right along with diligent research.
We are at a critical time for finding out what the integrity of candidates are. As we go forward with this presidential election, let’s look at what does this country need, what should we be looking for when it comes to our next leader.
– State Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo
While some people might be looking for parity in representation, Antonio said she thinks some are ready “for a majority of women to be running things to right the ship.”
Right before Biden announced he would be abandoning his reelection bid, Antonio said she was pulled aside by a man who said, “Look, it’s time, can the women just … I know we’ve made a mess of this, could you just fix this for us?”
The Senate minority leader said she smiled.
“I looked at him and I said, ‘We’re working on it.”
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Susan Tebben
Susan Tebben is an award-winning journalist with a decade of experience covering Ohio news, including courts and crime, Appalachian social issues, government, education, diversity and culture. She has worked for The Newark Advocate, The Glasgow (KY) Daily Times, The Athens Messenger, and WOUB Public Media. She has also had work featured on National Public Radio.
Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Loveland, Ohio – On this week’s all new Queen City Sports Podcast Chris rides solo and discusses the approach Nick Krall took for the Reds at the trade deadline and how it was a safe play given the state of the team. But was it the right play? Also, the Ja’Marr Chase situation drags on for the Bengals in training camp, along with some concerning injuries. Finally, Chris hits on the 2024 Loveland Tigers Football schedule and some of the best matchups to look for this fall!
Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!
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Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?
Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?
Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.
Loveland, Ohio – The organizers say “Thank You for Making the 19th Annual Paxton’s Grill Golf Outing a Record-Breaking Success.”
“From each of us here at Paxton’s Grill & CancerFree KIDS, thank you for supporting our annual event. We cannot do it without you. In fact, we broke the $100,000 fundraising mark for this year’s outing – the first time ever.”
The CancerFree KIDS mission is to eradicate cancer as a life-threatening disease in children by funding promising research that might otherwise go unfunded. Our annual golf outing contributes to this worthy cause.
“Thanks to all who came out to golf and volunteer at our weekend dates in the 19th annual Golf Outing last Friday and Saturday at Hickory Woods Golf Course! The weather was perfect and we believe everyone had a great time!”
The winners for the two days included:
Friday Foursome Winners
1st Place: TQL: Gary Carr, Austin Hansford, Matt Herring and Joe Turnser
2nd Place: Michael Brady, Dave Frye, Keith Burkhardt and Dan Edwards
3rd Place: Roderick MacEachen, Quam MacEachen, Hansel Stansel and Jared Wagoner
Longest Drive Women: Mary Jo Phillips
Longest Drive Men: Nicholas Creech
Closes to the Pin: Gary Carr & Bill Phillips (one on hole 6 and one on hole 15)
Longest Putted Hole: Tyler Kuhnash
Saturday Foursome Winners
1st Place: Stan Pitchard, Roberts Mark, Bob Stebbins, and Tim Wachenfeld
2nd Place: Ralph Dunnigan, Curt Gardiner, Mike Hinds and John Fisher
3rd Place: Andrew Jaeger, Ben Jaeger, Erik Lund and Glen Lund
Longest Drive Women: #5: Tish Marquardt
Longest Drive Men: #3: Wes Minton
Closest to the Pin: #6: Brian Duermit
Closest to the Pin: #15: Curt Gradner
Longest Putted Hole: #9: Dan Hare
About Paxton’s Grill
Located in the heart of the Historic Loveland District just outside Cincinnati, Paxton’s Grill is housed in one of the town’s oldest buildings and is adjacent to the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail. Our relaxed atmosphere and friendly service welcomes you back time and time again!
Although Loveland, Ohio was named after the city’s first postmaster and early shopkeeper James Loveland, the area’s first settler was Col. Thomas Paxton. Born in Pennsylvania in 1739, Paxton moved to Kentucky in 1790. After having the opportunity to observe the beauty of the Little Miami River landscape, Paxton traveled north and in 1795 settled in the area now known as Loveland.
During the Revolutionary War, Paxton served as Lt. Colonel of the Second Battalion of the Bedford County
Militia. In 1777, he ate Christmas dinner at Valley Forge with Gen. George Washington and other illustrious military personnel such as the Marquis de Lafayette and Alexander Hamilton.
Paxton is acknowledged for being the first to build a log cabin in the area. He died in 1813 and was buried in the family graveyard on the farm where he built his first cabin.
Thirty-five years later, Col. William Ramsey, a land speculator, laid out the town of Paxton which was partially bordered by the Little Miami Railroad. A few years later, Ramsey laid out the town of Loveland, which adjoined the town of Paxton.
Due to residents’ frequent stops at James Loveland’s general store, the name caught on and in 1863, Paxton officially became Loveland and new boundaries were established.
Paxton’s Grill is housed in one of Loveland’s oldest buildings built about the same time that the town of Paxton became Loveland. In January 2000, a few locals saw the need for a family-friendly establishment and purchased this historic building with the goal of providing good food at reasonable prices in a comfortable setting.
We welcome you to Paxton’s Grill and are proud to pay homage to Thomas Paxton and his early contributions to what is now called the Historic Loveland District.
Thank you for joining us and welcome to Paxton’s Grill!
Loveland, Ohio – The Reds were in a difficult position in the days leading up to the July 30th MLB trade deadline. They were near the bottom of the division but only a handful of games out of the last Wild Card spot, one of seven teams within 8 games of that last playoff position. Though losing two out of three from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (themselves heavy sellers at the deadline) certainly put a damper on things, statistically speaking their hunt for the postseason was not officially over yet.
There were certainly arguments to be made that the Reds could either buy or sell at the deadline, but there was no question that whatever moves were going to be made, they needed to have an impact. If the Reds were looking to contend, those moves had to bring in players that could close the gap in the playoff race in the second half. If they sold, the return on the players they traded needed to be substantial and with an eye towards helping them contend immediately in 2025 or in 2026 at the latest.
Ultimately, Nick Krall attempted to split the middle. The Reds didn’t acquire any immediate-impact difference makers, but they did not dismantle the club either. The moves made at the 2024 deadline will ultimately take time to pass judgment on, but here is a rundown of how it played out.
“Our goal was not just dismantle this team. We did that in ‘22 when we went through a full rebuild.” Reds president of baseball ops Nick Krall summing up 2024 trade deadline pic.twitter.com/zozwtCfTK2
A trade that could show an immediate impact was the one that sent Frankie Montas to Milwaukee for relief pitcher Jakob Junis and outfielder Joey Wiemer. Montas was supposed to be a key signing for the Reds this year, but it did not pan out. He was 4-8 with a 5.01 ERA. His contract was for 1 year at 16 million dollars with a mutual option for 2025, so getting at least some of that salary off of the books is an additional benefit.
Junis is the player with the most big-league experience and promise. This season he’s appeared in 10 games, including one start. In 26 innings he’s amassed a 4-0 record while striking out 19 and walking 5. With the trade of Lucas Sims (discussed below) Junis could step into the bullpen right away and pitch meaningful innings for this team.
Wiemer is a bit more of a project. He is just 25 and was a highly valued prospect in the Brewers farm system, though he’s yet to fully capitalize on his talent. For Milwaukee’s AAA team he hit .242/.387/.358. His power numbers are below projections but he’s playing much better in July, slashing .333/.494/.517, certainly trending in the right direction. If he is on the cusp of playing in the big leagues, the Reds are a team that can use all of the outfield bats they can find.
Also, the Reds traded reliever Lucas Sims to the Boston Red Sox for young right-handed pitcher Ovis Portes. Fangraphs has Portes as the Red Sox 38th ranked prospect at just 19 years old. This year for Boston’s A-level minor league team he has pitched 21 innings, allowing 17 hits and 8 earned runs. He’s been a bit feast or famine with his control, striking out 25 while walking 15 in 7 appearances, 5 of them starts. Portes certainly has potential, but it’s likely going to be several seasons before Cincinnati fans see that play out at Great American Ballpark.
In addition, the day before the deadline, the Reds acquired first basemen Ty France from the Seattle Mariners. France hit .223 with 8 home runs and 31 RBIs. According to Baseball Savant, France is above average in terms of barrel %, and walk rate, showing a patient eye at the plate. However, his average his dropped each season in the majors since 2021 when he hit .291 for Seattle. Perhaps a change of scenery and new opportunities in the Queen City will help France get back on track.
As Nick Krall emphasized, the Reds can still contend with the team they have. None of their key players who were performing well (apart from perhaps Sims) were shipped. Montas clearly was not going to work out and Lucas Sims had just one year left on his contract. As of the publishing of this, the Reds have taken the first two games of their series against the Chicago Cubs and have shown life on offense and have gotten contributions from a wide variety of players.
That's the first four-hit day for Santiago Espinal in his career!
— FanDuel Sports Network Cincinnati (@FanDuelSN_CIN) July 31, 2024
While the 2024 MLB trade deadline didn’t bring Cincinnati players that will drive them to the playoffs this year, it didn’t result in the front office waiving the white flag, either. And so, Reds fans can only soldier on and hope that the team has enough to string together enough wins to give it a go in August and September.
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Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?
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Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.
Loveland, Ohio – The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program (SCP) will provide a one-time benefit to eligible Ohioans to assist with electric bills, central air conditioning repairs, and air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases.
The program will run from July 1 through September 30.
Columnist Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland and the Public Relations Coordinator at 
by Chris Ball
Last year the Reds were contending for a playoff spot after losing those 100 games just the season before. They called up the likes of Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion Strand, Spencer Steer, and of course Elly De La Cruz. Those rookies did nothing except pump pure adrenaline into the city of Cincinnati as the team went 18-9 in June and then 15-11 in July. After that, though, it was a different story as they managed to go just 23-31 over their last three months of the season and fell out of playoff contention. They had a losing record at home (38-43) and also posted a losing record against other NL Central teams (21-30).
Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Courtney Hineman is a disability rights advocate. She is the Community Outreach Advocate at the 
