Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: Simpson Farm

  • Skeletor Introduces October “Fright Nights!” from the Simpson Farm Asylum

    Skeletor Introduces October “Fright Nights!” from the Simpson Farm Asylum

    by Skeletor

    I’m at “The Asylum” at Simpson Farm because it’s that time of year when scares and frights are near! Welcome to Loveland Magazine’s Haunted Asylum hosted by me, Skeletor!

    On a spooky October night Loveland Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, David Miller, was held hostage at The Simpson Farm’s Asylum! Over the past couple of decades, The Asylum has been said to be extremely haunted by evil spirits begging to be released from their Asylum cells. I could have decided to save Mr. Miller from his cell in the Asylum but instead, my inner “Skeletor” came out and forced me to keep him without food and water.

    While torturing Mr. Miller an idea popped into my skull; why not share my favorite scary movies with those in the community that happen to have the same love for Halloween as I do!

    So sit back, turn off the lights, grab some ghostly treats, and take a walk with me to the Simpson Farm’s Asylum, as I show you where I keep my prisoners and talk about what scary movies I think would complete a perfect October “Fright Night!” Click the video below to start “The Asylum” experience!

    HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY SPOOKY MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS…

    • Halloween, 1978, John Carpenter
      • Starring Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis, Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie, and Tony Moran as Michael Myers
      • Rated R
      • You can rent this film on Prime Video for 3.99, Redbox On Demand for 1.99, or watch on Shudder when you download for a free 7-day trial
    • Hocus Pocus, 1993, Kenny Ortega
      • Starring Better Midler as Winifred Sanderson, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Thora Birch as Dani, Omri Katz as Max, Vinessa Shaw as Allison
      • Rated PG
      • You can watch this film on Disney + or you can rent this film on Prime Video, YouTube, or Vudu for 2.99 YouTube. You can also visit your local Redbox and rent this film for 1.80
    • Insidious, 2010, James Wan and Leigh Whannell
      • Starring Patrick Wilson as Josh Lambert, Rose Byrne as Renai Lambert, Barbara Hershey as Lorraine Lambert, Lin Shaye as Elise Rainer, Ty Simpkins as Dalton Lambert, Leigh Whannell as Specs, and Angus Sampson as Tucker
      • Rated PG-13
      • You can rent this film on Prime Video for 2.99 or on Redbox On Demand for 2.99
      • There are 3 more films  within this series: Insidious Chapter 2, Insidious Chapter 3, and Insidious: The Last Key
      • All of the films are rated PG-13
      • You can rent the 3 other films in the series on Redbox on Demand for 2.99 or if you have a cable subscription that includes Bravo you can watch Insidious: The Last Key on the Bravo Now App
      • It is recommended that you watch the Insidious film series in the following order: Insidious Chapter 3, Insidious: The Last Key, Insidious, and Insidious Chapter 2
      • __________________________

      • Columnist Cassie Mattia who occasionally metamorphoses into Skeletor is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland. She is the Co-Owner and President of Loveland Magazine.

     

  • [Documentary] How Loveland, Ohio’s Simpson Farm was preserved in its pristine beauty

    [Documentary] How Loveland, Ohio’s Simpson Farm was preserved in its pristine beauty

    If there is a park around that truly belongs to the residents it is the Simpson Farm.

    simpson-farm-deed-restrictionDownload

  • [Documentary] How Loveland, Ohio’s Simpson Farm was preserved in its pristine beauty

    [Documentary] How Loveland, Ohio’s Simpson Farm was preserved in its pristine beauty

    Loveland, Ohio – Here is a Loveland Magazine Documentary. It is a love story of how 27 years ago the Simpson Farm in the West Loveland Historic District was preserved in its pristine beauty and in perpetuity.

    Local residents banded together and fought hard to establish a 41-acre conservation covenant that was eventually placed on the Simpson Farm deed.

    You will learn how the Drees’ bulldozers and proposed condos eventually lost traction and were steered away from Loveland.

    It was a four-year “labor of love” to keep the acreage in the heart of our “Sweetheart City” untouched by human hands so all future generations of girls and boys could fall in love with it as well.

    You can win the fight against City Hall and “developers” when precious greenspace needs protecting.

    This is a love story. As often happens, love stories often mingle with their nightmares and the familiar sleepless nights. First, the love story though, and perhaps at a later time what the current heartache is.

    (You can view the story in a larger size by using the “+” button.)

    The-Saving-the-Simpson-FarmDownload

    Here you can watch the accompanying video. Featured are the sights and sounds of the wildlife that resides on the “Farm”. The primary reason for the effort that began 25 years ago was to provide a sanctuary and a peaceful place for the animals you see in this video.

    The Restrictive Covenant Establishing the Conservation District

    simpson-farm-deed-restrictionDownload
  • [Coming Documentary] How our Simpson Farm was preserved in its pristine beauty

    [Coming Documentary] How our Simpson Farm was preserved in its pristine beauty

    Loveland, Ohio – Coming soon to the pages of Loveland Magazine is the love story of how the Simpson Farm in the West Loveland Historic District was preserved in its pristine beauty. Local residents banded together and fought hard to establish a 41-acre conservation covenant that was eventually placed on the Simpson Farm deed.

    You will learn how the Drees’ bulldozers and proposed condos eventually lost traction and were steered away from Loveland.

    It was a four-year “labor of love” to keep the acreage in the heart of our “Sweetheart City” untouched by human hands so all future generations of girls and boys could fall in love with it as well.

    “This is a love story. As often happens, love stories often mingle with their nightmares and the familiar sleepless nights. First, the love story though, and perhaps at a later time what the current heartache is.”

    In the meantime, you can watch the accompanying video that will be part of the documentary. Featured are the sights and sounds of the wildlife that resides on the “Farm”. The primary reason for the effort that began 25 years ago was to provide a sanctuary and a peaceful place for the animals you see in this video.

  • I respectfully suggest that in 2022, we commit ourselves to making this the priority

    I respectfully suggest that in 2022, we commit ourselves to making this the priority

    by Lisa Freeman

    Last Saturday, a friend and I walked the Simpson Farm. We entered from Wall Street across from Kiwanis Park. About 100 feet in, we noticed that two trees were recently felled and left lying. The bridge on the Conservation District had new and very graphic graffiti, as well as new hatchet marks, cut into it.

    Further along, we saw that another tree had hatchet marks cut into it and someone had attempted to set it on fire.

    Looking ahead we saw the remains of a bonfire. A campsite was littered with candy wrappers, the remainder of the yellow pages, beach towels, a graphic novel, an overturned trash can, and the remains of a sofa.

    The bonfire must have been quite large. It burned the bark and branches of the tree at least 20 feet up.

    I called the non-emergency number. I thought it would be best to have the fire department make sure the fire was completely out. The dispatcher did not know where the Simpson Farm was, so I told her and I met the firefighters by the Wall Street bridge. They were happy to take a water cannon out and stated that it was much easier to do that than fight a forest fire.

    Canine Officer Cruz was on the scene and eager to investigate. We are beyond fortunate to have this beautiful old-growth forest here in Loveland and it is time to stop ignoring it. We also have the East Loveland Nature Preserve, Hidden Creek Park, the Little Miami River, and the bike trail. It is everyone’s responsibility to care for these resources.

    I’m asking the Council and all the City’s committees to make promoting and protecting our green spaces the top priority in 2022.

    What does that look like? When the Planning and Zoning Committee considers new developments, how can they assure that greenspaces are incorporated? When the finance committee considers transactions, how can they promote natural resources? Is the Beautification Committee using only native plants in the beautiful planters they create? Has the Community Master Plan committee considered how important green spaces are in their plans?

    I know that traditionally the care and keeping of our natural resources have not been the primary purpose of all our committees, but I respectfully suggest that in 2022, we commit ourselves to make this the priority.

    Lisa Freeman lives in the Glen Lake subdivision in Loveland

  • [Photos] Simpson Farm Conservation District in snow

    [Photos] Simpson Farm Conservation District in snow

    David Miller

    Loveland, Magazine– It didn’t last very long, but about 1-1/2 inches of snow, topped off the pretty deep, recent snowfall yesterday afternoon.

    These photos were taken deep into the Simpson Farm Conservation District during the brief storm. The Simpson Farm is a 40-acre Conservation District in the heart of the West Loveland Historic District. Loveland Magazine’s office is in the old farmhouse.

    The protective Conservation District covenant, recorded on the deed of the Simpson Farm, is unique to the State of Ohio and perhaps the nation in that it permanently protects publicly owned land and vests the future of the parkland only at the ballot box, by future voters.

    Click on a photo for a slide show view.

    Learn more about the Simpson Farm Conservation District

    Parents and children should explore Loveland’s Simpson Farm on Spring Break

  • Have you ever visited Loveland’s South Island?

    Have you ever visited Loveland’s South Island?

    David Miller is the Publisher and Editor of Loveland Magazine

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio– I’ve always called it the South Island because just north of Nisbet Park there is a similar island I call the North Island. During dry spells, you can walk across dry creek beds formed by erosion to get onto the islands, but during higher river levels the water channels merge into one wider, Little Miami River.

    Both channels of water may someday form into permanent and complete oxbow ponds, but for now, they only occasionally do.

    Both islands are one of nature’s ways to prevent downstream and localized flooding. Because of their unique soil composition, they can absorb rainfall from the hills high above and hold water when the Little Miami rises. River floodplains are low, flat areas that periodically flood, collecting water that would otherwise rush downstream, threatening people and property. They temper the river flow.

    According to American Rivers: “A single acre of wetland, saturated to a depth of one foot, will retain 330,000 gallons of water – enough to flood thirteen average-sized homes thigh-deep. Wetlands also help provide clean rivers and drinking water by naturally filtering out run-off pollution.”

    The channel of water flowing through the east side of the South Island.

    The topography of the approximately 12 acres South Island benefits from both the erosion caused by the flow of the Little Miami and the deposits of silt left during flooding. It’s an ever-changing physical environment, but the flora and fauna remain pretty consistent. The emerging spring-time growth and the natural decay of the ancient tree trunks, including those trees that fall prey to the eroding effects of spring rains and fast river current are the seasonal changes you will notice.

    The South Island is the City of Loveland owned property just south of the Linda Cox Parking lot on Broadway in Historic Downtown. When you enter the lot, head to the last parking spaces and walk south between the Loveland Bike Trail and the Little Miami River. The path you begin on is the abandoned section of Lower River Road. You will be walking towards Branch Hill.

    This is a remarkable spot in the City and perfect for solitary exploring, dog walking, or picnicking with friends or family. Use caution and good judgment during periods of rain or storms and waterproof boots are recommended although occasionally you will find that some fellow explorer has placed convenient river stones to keep you dry and less muddy.

    You will enjoy the large lawn-like open spaces, however, it is not a place for throwing a ball or frisbee – beware of the hidden groundhog holes.

    These photos have been taken over the past 14 years. Most of them in the springtime.

    Perhaps because of the insane beauty of the South Islands, I always called the second set of mages below “Spring Rorschach Photos” because one day on one of my many treks I started noticing what I imagined stick-like animal figures entering my camera lens. A “wide-opened” telephoto lens that blurs the background can help you discover things you will not ordinarily notice. You have to look for eyeballs.

    Some psychologists used to use the Rorschach Test to examine a person’s personality characteristics and emotional functioning. It was employed to detect underlying thought disorder, especially in cases where patients are reluctant to describe their thinking processes openly.* So there you go… I confess.

    Feeling a little insane right now? This insane beauty might be your balm.

    Another place to visit in our resort-like town is the Simpson Farm
    Parents and children should explore Loveland’s Simpson Farm

     

    “Spring Rorschach Photos”

    Feeling a little insane right now? This insane beauty might be your balm.

     

     

  • Loveland Magazine has moved and has a new home

    Loveland Magazine has moved and has a new home

    Our New Home is the Simpson Farm House

    Loveland Magazine has moved into the 102-year-old Simpson Farm House at the entrance to the Simpson Farm, a 40-acre Conservation District in the heart of Loveland. We are at 243 Wall Street (Across from Kiwanis Park). We are still in the West Loveland Historic District.

    We have greatly expanded outdoor space, expanded office and meeting space and will have a vastly improved and larger LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV studio for recording interviews and public affairs broadcasts.

    The Simpson Farm House was built in 1918. Forty acres of the original Simpson Farm became a dedicated Conservation District and part of Phillips Park in the 90s after the City of Loveland purchased the property from the Simpson Family.

    Loveland Magazine Publisher David Miller wrote the Conservation District deed restrictions for the property and circulated Initiative Petitions that were approved by Loveland voters 85-15% to ensure it would be protected in perpetuity from development.