LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Tag: Pat Furterer

  • Pat Furterer founder of the Loveland Stage Company passes

    Pat Furterer founder of the Loveland Stage Company passes

    A Loveland Magazine File Photo of Pat Furterer

    Loveland, Ohio – Rosalynne Patricia “Pat” Furterer, founder of the Loveland Stage Company passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the age of 90.

    Furterer was born in Chester, Pennsylvania and married Fred Furterer on February 13, 1954. Fred Furterer passed away in 2009. The couple lived in Pennsylvania and Michigan before Fred was transferred to Cincinnati in 1977. The couple settled in Pheasant Hills in Loveland.

    Pat was a leader in community theater in Battle Creek, Michigan.

    In 1979, when Pat realized that there was no community theater in Loveland, she ran an ad in the local paper seeking people who might be interested in starting one and gathered a group of eleven people who were interested in live theater, at her home in the Pheasant Hills subdivision. She continued in many roles with the theater company, as a performer, educator, fundraiser, set designer, Director, and mentor for 50-years.

    To honor her legacy as the leader of the volunteer Board of Directors, she was named President Emeritus of the Loveland Stage Company in 2013.

    She was the 2002 Loveland Valentine Lady. She was an officer and active member of the Loveland Woman’s Club; and she professionally worked for the Loveland Chamber of Commerce for several years.

    Loveland’s Second Street in front of the theater added the honorary name of PAT FURTERER WAY on its street sign. She was inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2022.

    Pat won the City of Loveland’s Louis G. Rookwood Award and given a “Key to the City” in 1994. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce, now the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, began a college scholarship program in her honor.

    For her contributions to community theater, Pat won the Art Rouse Award in 2006 from the Association of Community Theaters of Greater Cincinnati (ACT). The Ohio Community Theater Association (OCTA) inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 2015.

    Visitation will be on Thursday, April 25 from 3 until 5 PM at the Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Avenue in Loveland. A services will be held at 5 PM.

    The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s memory may be made to the Loveland Stage Company, PO Box 312, Loveland, Ohio 45140, or to the Loveland Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund, 119 N. Riverside Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140.

  • Another Op’nin, Another Show and “Anything Goes”

    Another Op’nin, Another Show and “Anything Goes”

    Director Gregory Carl Smith, Choreographer Marjory Clegg, and Musical Director John Nixon, look over score for Loveland Stage Company’s next production which opens November 1 at the theatre.

    Contributed by Ann Barfels

    Loveland, Ohio – “Cole – an entertainment – The Life and Fabulous Music of Cole Porter” is the next production being offered by the Loveland Stage Company which opens November 1. If you love Cole Porter this is a show not to be missed. Selections from 51 of Porter’s songs and lyrics will be featured  during the production highlighted by dancers and singers in breathtaking costumes and tied together by narration of his interesting life.

    Selections from 51 of Cole Porter’s songs and lyrics will be featured.

    But keep in mind “… this is not a review.” According to director Gregory Carl Smith, “This is a rich, humorous and informative story of Cole Porter’s life told in song, dance, and narrations.” The music including lyrics is all Cole Porter and the script was written by Benny Green and Alan Strachan. It tells the story of Porter’s life from Peru, Indiana to Yale, to Paris, to Manhattan to Broadway, to Hollywood and back to Broadway.

    Porter was the creator of 26 musical comedies during the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s.  Some of the more familiar songs from these are “Anything Goes” from the musical of the same name; “Night and Day” from “Gay Divorce;”; “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” and “From this Moment On” both from “Kiss Me Kate”.

    Gregory Carl Smith is directing this show with Marjory Clegg as the choreographer, John Nixon as the Musical Director, Chris Lee as Technical Director, and K. Buckler and Pat Furterer as co-producers.

    Members of the ensemble which includes singers, dancers, soloists and narrators: are: Kate Arnold, Susan Decatur, Melinda Hubbard, Izy Jones, John Masterson, Dave Marcus, Joshua Marcus, Mike Williams, Missy Fram, Michael Kiser, Norm Lewis, Susan McElroy-Marcus, Sherry Michalak, Adam Peters, Donna Treinen, Phyllis Wene, Ann Barfels, Doug Decatur, Deb Giehl and Bobby Jo Swearingen.

    The six-piece orchestra includes Bob Donisi, Becky Jones, Alycia McClurg, Tom McClurg, and Bob Schwartz.

    The show opens on Friday, November 1 at 7:30 PM at the theatre at 111 S. 2ndSt. (Rt. 48), Loveland, 45140.

    Other performance dates are November 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 7:30 PM and Sundays Nov. 3, 10 and 17 at 3 PM.

    Tickets are $20 each and can be found at http://lovelandstagecompany.org.

    Seating for those with a handicap, and groups of 15 or more, please call 513-443-4572.

  • Loveland Stayed True to the Red, White, and Blue at the Annual Independence Day Celebration

    Loveland Stayed True to the Red, White, and Blue at the Annual Independence Day Celebration

    Loveland Magazine writer, Cassie Mattia lives in Historic Downtown Loveland

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Families and friends came together to celebrate one of Loveland’s largest family events of the year, The Independence Day Celebration, in Loveland’s Historic Districts. The weather was a little unwilling to start off the evening, but as the clouds finally opened up and the sunshine cast down it rays, Loveland was ready to celebrate America’s birthday!

    The Red, White and Blue festivities kicked off at 4 PM at the famous Loveland Tower Clock with performances by Inquire Without. Directly across the street, kids and adults lined the sidewalk to watch the Cincinnati Circus Stunt Show.

     

    The stunt show duo provided families and friends with excellent 4th of July entertainment as they hula-hooped fire, twirled and flipped through the air using ariel ribbons and took a spin through the “Wheel of Death!” The Circus duo performed every hour throughout the evening switching up their routine to keep the audience engaged. Right next to the Cincinnati Circus Stunt show at City Hall, “N.E.S.T” created a “Family Fun Zone,” that featured family-friendly activities such as sack races, water balloon toss, hula hoop contests, three-legged races, patriotic crafts, watermelon seed spitting competition, and an apple pie baking contest!

     

     

    The 4th of July spirit spread down the Little Miami Bike Trail to Nisbet Park as the Independence Day Parade hour drew nearer and nearer! Kids were spotted all over enjoying the “Kid Zone,” which included Cool Critter’s Outreach, Heavenward Farms Pony Rides, Foam Dance Party, Disney Characters, a Bounce House, Inflatable Games, Face Painting, Balloon Artists, Branches Church Photo Booth, and several food trucks. Families enjoyed everything from sprinkled ice cream cones at the Loveland Dairy Whip mobile truck, to warm, buttery pretzels from PretzelFuls, to good old fashion Farmhouse Lemonade.

     

     

    Did I mention Bite Me Gourmet Corndogs was there as well serving up some unique corndog combinations?! In addition to the food trucks that camped out in Nisbet Park, there were also several other food trucks that offered some excellent summer cook-out food selections. Chocolate Freaking Bacon served up plenty of bacon at the Loveland Tower Clock, The Beerded Pig Food Truck of Ohio handed out their award-winning bbq combinations at Cappy’s, AJ’s Cheesesteaks sliced up some delicious sandwiches at Cindy’s, and The Italian Truck gave their guests the full Italian experience, street food style, at Narrow Path Brewing.

     

     

    With food and drinks comes music and Loveland’s musical entertainment selections did not fail to do what they do best….ENTERTAIN! Cappy’s featured Rooster Ridge, Lyle’s Bikes, Brews & BBQ hosted Jason Ritchie and Frank Grasso, and Bishop’s Quarter featured DJ MoCool.

    As the time drew closer to 7 PM, families and friends selected their favorite spots so that they could get the ultimate view of the parade! American flags hung high and the crowd showed off their best 4th of July wear as the sound of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department truck rung throughout the streets, officially kicking off the 2019 Independence Day Parade. The parade featured dedicated Loveland community members, such as the Valentine Ladies, Loveland City School students in their most festive 4th of July gear and of course the Grand Marshall, Pat Furterer. Both Loveland Canoe and Kayak and The Loveland Museum Center made an appearance in the parade sporting their Red, White, and Blue as well as the Cincy River Rats and Spring Master’s Tumbling.

    Those gathered in the West Loveland Historic District were cooled off in a “Wet Zone” provided by spray from the Loveland/Symmes Fire Department trucks

    As the parade proceeded down Loveland Madeira Road into the West Loveland Historic District, and into the heart of Downtown, children lined the street with bags waiting for those who were in the parade to throw their candy! The Loveland Police Department, as well as many beautifully decorated floats representing organizations such as the Showboat Cloggers, Loveland United Methodist Church, Saint Columban Council 13813, and the Lawn Rangers of Chatham Woods, waved to the community. After the parade came to an end, families and neighbors gathered around the Loveland Tower Clock for a performance by The Whammies.

    A photo by Sam Smith of people watching the fireworks from Loveland’s National Wild and Scenic Little Miami River. © 2019 Sam Smith/Loveland Magazine

    At 10 PM, Rozzi’s Fireworks rose above the river for the annual firework show for an excited crowd covered in Red, White, and Blue! Families and friends claimed their favorite viewing spots with blankets and lawn chairs all throughout Loveland. People were seen watching the unbelievable fireworks on the gigantic hill behind Loveland Station Apartments, on the Col. Thomas Paxton Bridge over Little Miami River and throughout downtown’s parks! People gathered at Loveland High School and friend’s homes in the West Loveland Historic District. Children and adults alike ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ as the fireworks lit up the sky and the City of Loveland. The fireworks ended with some very unique Independence Day themes. Everyone who attended the fireworks was not disappointed! After the fireworks, families and friends could not stop talking about how impressed they were with the show. It just proved to be the perfect ending to another successful Independence Day Celebration in Loveland!

    This photo was taken by Sam Smith from the vantage point of the access to Loveland’s National Wild and Scenic Little Miami River in Nisbet Park in Historic Downtown Loveland. © 2019 Sam Smith/Loveland Magazine

    If you missed out on the Independence Day Parade don’t worry, Loveland Magazine was lucky enough to capture some amazing moments from the event. Click the album below to see if we captured you and your family enjoying the holiday!

     

     

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  • Loveland Stage Company announces 2019-2020 season

    Loveland Stage Company announces 2019-2020 season

    by Ann Barfels

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Stage Company has announced the 2019-2020 season which will be the community thespian group’s 40th consecutive season of quality live theater.

    The summer youth production will be “Bugsy Malone Jr.” and will be directed by Pia Rader with Jill Gornet and Jonathan Eckman producing. This 1976 musical gangster comedy will be presented July 12-21 at the theatre at 111 SW. 2nd St  (Rt.48) in Loveland.

    “Mamma Mia” will be the summer musical production scheduled for August 16-25.  Deirdre Dyson will direct this musical which is based on songs of the pop group ABBA.  Glenna Knapp will be technical director with Steve and Theresa Kovacs producing.

    The 40th Anniversary celebration will feature “Cole, An Entertainment” scheduled for Nov. 1-17. The musical tells the story of the life and fabulous music of Cole Porter.  Gregory Carl Smith will direct, Chris Lee will be technical director and K. Buckler and Pat Furterer will be producers.

    As part of Christmas In Loveland, the stage company will present a free family-friendly production entitled “An Olde Fashioned Christmas” on Dec. 14.  This will be directed by Pat Furterer and is always the group’s gift to the public!

    “Gypsy” will be presented March 6-22, 2020.  This popular musical is loosely based on the  1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and her mother, Rose. The show will be directed by Michael Kiser and produced by Tom Cavano, Becky Cole and Jill Gornet.

    The last show of the season will be “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” which is a side splitting comedy and promises a good time for the entire audience!  This will be directed by Becky Cole and produced by Jill Gornet and is scheduled for May 15-24, 2020.

    Supplemental auditions for Mama Mia will be held at the Loveland Stage Company Theater on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 6-8 pm. If you’re interested, please prepare 16 to 32 bars of a song in the same style as the show to showcase your range. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for a dance audition. There will also be cold readings from the script. Interested parties will find additional details on our Auditions Page.

    Season tickets will be available in June for $72.00 for the 4 shows.  Tickets for individual shows are $20.  Season tickets offer first choice in seating and performance date as well as reduced price per show.

    For more information go to www.lovelandstagecompany.org or call the ticket line at 513-443-4572.

    Don’t miss this great opportunity to see quality theater in a unique setting in beautiful downtown Loveland!

  • 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 email us at lovelandmagazine@cinci.rr.com.

    Wildflower House — where women & girls bloom!

  • Join Loveland Stage Company at the Kit Kat Klub thru November 18

    Join Loveland Stage Company at the Kit Kat Klub thru November 18

    Advertisement

    Berlin, 1931; the Nazis were rising to power and we find ourselves at the seedy Kit Kat Klub. Welcome to the Loveland Stage Company’s (LSC) production of Cabaret. 

    Cabaret is a musical based on a book written by Christopher Isherwood, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1966 Broadway production became a hit, inspiring numerous subsequent productions in London and New York, as well as the 1972 film by the same name. 

    LSC’s production staff includes Pat Furterer (Director), K Buckler (Producer), John Nixon (Music Director) and Marjory Clegg (Choreographer).

    Cabaret is the story of American writer, Cliff Bradshaw (Payton Hahn) as he begins working in Germany by teaching English to Ernst Ludwig (John Sloan). While visiting the decadent and seedy Kit Kat Klub we are introduced to the Emcee (Charlie Rader) and the beautiful English cabaret star Sally Bowles (Bonnie Emmer). As the Emcee guides us through the story, we see the development of a relationship between German boarding house owner Fraulein Schneider (Pia Rader) and Jewish fruit vendor Herr Schultz (Dave Marcus).  

    Loveland Stage Company will proudly present Cabaret the first 3 weekends in November.

    Performance dates: November 3 (7:30 pm), 4 (7:30 pm), 5 (3:00 pm), 10 (7:30 pm), 11 (7:30), 12 (3:00 pm), 16 (7:30 pm), 17 (7:30 pm) and 18 (7:30 pm). 

    Tickets are on sale now at www.LovelandStageCompany.org/Tickets.

     

     

  • [Exclusive Video] Loveland Stage Company dedicates their new marquee

    [Exclusive Video] Loveland Stage Company dedicates their new marquee

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Stage Company cut a red ribbon, hooted, and lit up their new marquee at dusk on Tuesday.

    This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is exclusive coverage of the event and includes an interview with Bob Kessler about how for the most part volunteers constructed the new sign. Kessler led the project and is the President of the Stage Company.

    The new lighted marquee replaces a sign that laid flat on the front of the wall and was not very visible as motorist and pedestrians went past the theater. The still photos of the construction below were provided by the Stage Company. (© 2017 Loveland Stage Company)

    Jarvis Global is an investment advisory firm in Symmes Township, Ohio which offers private portfolio management and retirement services to high net worth individuals.