Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: Steve Max

  • [VIDEO] Local Soccer Program Donates Checks to Mile42 Coffee and the Loveland Legacy Foundation

    [VIDEO] Local Soccer Program Donates Checks to Mile42 Coffee and the Loveland Legacy Foundation

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The COVID-19 pandemic has effected many across Ohio including those involved in Loveland’s elite kids’ sports programs. A local soccer group by the name of “Loveland Storm FC” has become very familiar with the obstacles COVID-19 has created many of the obstacles coming right before their Spring soccer season.

    Due to the pandemic Loveland Storm FC had no choice but to cancel their Spring soccer season. Because of the season cancellation, the local soccer program quickly recognized that their financial outlook was troubling because they had already made investments before COVID-19 made itself known. On top of the prior investments, Loveland Storm FC  also felt a strong obligation to return the downpayment parents had already made for the spring season registration. At the same time, the Storm did not want to totally bankrupt the youth soccer program.

    In order to help out the Loveland Storm FC soccer program and get the community involved the decision was made to hold a Virtual 5k Walk/Run Fundraiser with donations going towards the soccer program. Although the Loveland Storm absolutely wanted the community involved in the Virtual 5k Walk/Run the soccer program also wanted to be sure that the way they asked the community for help was done in the right way especially with so much economic hardship present due to the pandemic.

    Local mother and Loveland community advocate, Libby Westerman, took the time to explain to us and our many readers in the video interview below how the Virtual 5k Walk/Run decisions were made, and how the Loveland Storm FC program’s plan would emphasize the values that they make a top priority. According to the soccer program’s mission statement, the Loveland Storm FC is meant to be a “player-centered, family-friendly, community connected, competitive soccer program that grows players, has fun, and gives back.” The Loveland Storm FC program stands by their mission by asking each team to take on a community service project each season as part of its investment in the community.

    After the Virtual 5k Walk/Run was all said and done the Loveland Storm FC program was able to not only refund the money they received for registrations but also give away a doughnut or pizza party to the top teams in the Virtual 5k Walk/Run.

    On Friday, August 7th the local soccer program was able to take more of the donations they received from the Virtual 5k Walk/Run and give back to both the Loveland Legacy Foundation and Mile42 Coffee located in Loveland’s Historic Downtown District. The President of the Loveland Youth Soccer Program, Bruce Jones, along with Loveland Storm FC representatives personally presented checks to the Loveland Legacy Foundation and Mile42 Coffee in a special ceremony on Friday, August 7.

    The Loveland Legacy Foundation will use their check to support the foundation’s mission which is “the betterment of Loveland, now and in the future.” Mile 42 Coffee plans on using their donation on providing Loveland teachers with free coffee. Loveland teachers will need to present their school I.D to retrieve a 4 dollar credit towards a coffee or specialty drink of their choice.

    Katie Butler, the owner of Mile42 Coffee, expressed her gratitude for the donation as well as explained what the coffee shop would be doing with the donated check in the on-camera interview below. You will also witness the check being presented to both Katie and her mother, Jackie Butler!

    In the interview below Libby Westerman shares with us how the Virtual 5k Walk/Run came to fruition, why the money was raised by the Loveland Storm FC, and why she wanted herself and her children involved in such a great local sports program!

    In the 3rd on-camera interview, we captured on Friday we talked to Steve Max, CeeCee Collins, and Brian Garry, who were representing the Loveland Legacy Foundation, about the donation check and what they would be using the donation for!

    For more of Loveland’s latest sports stories stay tuned to the Sports 411 with me, Cassie Mattia!

  • [Video] Rob Geiger announces milestone for Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery restoration project

    [Video] Rob Geiger announces milestone for Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery restoration project

    Loveland, Ohio – On Monday LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV took our camera to the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery in the White Pillars subdivision where Rob Geiger made an important announcement regarding the on-going restoration project. Geiger is the President of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association.

    In an email to Loveland Magazine Geiger exclaimed, “Look what got installed May 1, 2020!”

    Geiger has worked for the last two years to make Loveland’s most significant historical site presentable again. They removed a 20-year old rusty and broken fence, installed a new one, removed dying trees that threatened the new fence and tombstones, attempted a gentle restoration of the 208-year-old tombstones, brought a historical marker that had been in storage to the cemetery, and just this week saw the installation of a historical wrought-iron gate.

    History of White Pillars

    In this video, you will see Geiger explain how all the work was accomplished and hear about how the community and local businesses pitched-in to accomplish it all.

    The cemetery is where Loveland’s “Founding Family” is buried and Rob is a direct ancestor.

    In this video clip, Rob Geiger talks about how important the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery is to Loveland’s heritage.

    He also talks about the work the Association still hopes to accomplish as more funds become available.

    You can make a tax-deductible donation to help complete the project by sending a check to Geiger Made out to:

    Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association

    C/O Rob Geiger

    PO Box 25

    Loveland, Ohio 45140.

    Listen as Rob Geiger talks about the cultural significance of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery to the Greater Loveland Community…

     

    A note From Rob Geiger to the sponsors of the restoration project:

    I’d Like to thank:

    • David Miller – Loveland Magazine Media Sponsor
    • City Manager Dave Kennedy and City of Loveland Public Works
    • Kevin Egan – Ramsey Trailside and Paxton’s Grill
    • Steve Max – Loveland Legacy Foundation
    • Ralph Dunnigan and Sandy Russell – Paxton’s Grill
    • John Zielke – Ramsey’s Trailside
    • Gloria Wilson – Loveland Sweet Shop
    • Kevin Malof – Bonds Home Furnishings
    • Bill Re – Bush Re Shea Insurance Agency
    • American Legion Post 256
    • American Legion Auxiliary 256
    • Loveland Museum Center – Jan Beller
    • Paige Craig and Wand Langdon – Clough Valley Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
    • Steve Rainey – Rainey Tree Service
    • Dale Eads and Becky Eads Sands – Eads Fence Company   

    Fun Facts

    Breakdown of the donations

    • Family of the Ramsey Paxton $6,175
    • Businesses $3,650
    • Fundraising Events (Total 4) $2,456
    • Individual donations $3,531

    Total $15,812

  • Loveland Legacy Foundation Aims to Give Back to Local Businesses and Their Employees!

    Loveland Legacy Foundation Aims to Give Back to Local Businesses and Their Employees!

    Cassie Mattia is theAssociate Editor and Lead Reporter at Loveland Magazine. She lives in Historic Downtown Loveland

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The COVID-19 outbreak has been devastating for many people around the world. Those who own or are employed by small businesses have been some of the individuals that have been hit the hardest by this crisis. Both The City of Loveland and The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) recognized that these businesses and their employees needed assistance so they came together and created a game plan. Saturday, President of LMRCA Cee-Cee Collins released a statement announcing that the Loveland Legacy Foundation would be assisting area businesses affected by closing and lay-offs due to the COVID-19 virus restrictions. This, of course, is another prime example of what the “Sweetheart of Ohio” is all about! Below is a statement from President Cee-Cee Collins on just what the Loveland Legacy Foundation will be doing for Loveland’s local businesses and employees.

    “Many businesses in the Loveland, Ohio area have had to either close their doors at this time or lay off several employees in order to stay open. Many continue to fight to stay open to serve us.

    The Loveland Legacy Foundation whose main purpose is to improve the Loveland community plan to offer assistance to area businesses.  President, Steve Max, shared, “this type of crisis is what our organization was created for! We want to help our smaller businesses survive this crisis and come back strong when it passes.”

    We are asking the community at large to give where they are able. Gift cards are being accepted to help unemployed workers bridge the gap. Consider a gift card from an area business or store where they can obtain the resources they may be lacking. Here is a list that shows area businesses that are selling gift cards and their hours: https://lovelandoh.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=204

    Gift cards can be dropped off to Alley Boutique located in Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio: 210 West Loveland, Ohio. (drop cards in the secure mailbox next to the flagpole), or to the Little Miami River Chamber of Commerce: 425 West Loveland Avenue mailbox.

    Loveland Legacy Foundation is also asking for monetary donations to help both business owners who may help with rent or supplies to stay open. Please make donations directly to Loveland Legacy Foundation; www.Lovelandlegacyfoundation.org.

    Loveland area businesses need us all at this time. They are the fabric of our community and have always been generous to all of us, it’s time for US to give to them.  Thank you!”

    If you would like to learn more about Loveland’s local businesses and how you can help visit LMRCA’s website at  www.lmrchamberalliance.org or feel free to email President CeeCee Collins at ceecee@lmrchamberalliance.org.

    Stay tuned to our website, Twitter (https://twitter.com/lovelandmagazin), and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LovelandMagazine/) page for the latest Loveland and COVID-19 updates!

  • Update on the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery capital Improvements

    Update on the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery capital Improvements

    You can make a charitable tax-deductible donation to the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association, Inc. and mail it to the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association C/O Rob Geiger, PO BOX 25, Loveland, Ohio 45140.

    Rob Geiger is the President of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association

    by Rob Geiger

    Over the last 224 years since the first settler that entered the Greater Loveland Area, so many historical landmarks that were created have disappeared because of fire, floods, and development. Our oldest historical landmark of 206 years is well on its way to being preserved for another generation because of the generosity of so many people and having community support.

    The Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association, Inc has received almost $12,487.00 with another $722.00 pledged to be given – bringing the total to $13,200.00. We are having faith that we will reach our goal of $14,200.00 very soon. We have a tentative date in which the work will start by removing trees, the old rusted chain-link fence, the installation of a new black aluminum industrial grade 4’ fence with an antique wrought iron gate in September.

    The old rusted chain-link fence will be replaced with the installation of a new black aluminum industrial grade 4’ fence with an antique wrought iron gate in September.

    The first internment was Lt. Col. Thomas Paxton in 1813 who contributed so much on the National, State and Local levels including being in the American Revolution along with his son-in-law Captain John Ramsey, who is buried in the cemetery with other family members. There is plenty of history on Paxton through the internet, the Loveland Museum Center (having the original land grant document for Paxton signed by President John Adams), and family members.

    With partnerships formed it seems that the donations started to come and after our third attempt in 23 years to make capital improvements to the cemetery we will succeed this time!

    This has been a frustrating project. Trying to get community support was hard until Loveland Magazine became our Media Sponsor and Kevin Egan, one of the owners of Paxton’s Grill and Ramsey’s Trailside restaurants came on board, including the Loveland Legacy Foundation (Steve Max). With partnerships formed it seems that the donations started to come and after our third attempt in 23 years to make capital improvements to the cemetery we will succeed this time!

    I was at the Loveland Museum Center and held the original land grant certificate issued by President John Adams issued on April 13th, 1798 for 1,100 acres to Thomas Paxton.

    The cemetery is owned by family members of the Paxton Ramsey family which serves as trustees. We do not receive any source of income like other municipality cemeteries that you see along roadsides in our community. We are very conscientious with financial expenditures so that we can preserve this historical site for years to come and look at other funding revenue to accomplish our mission “To preserve and restore the dignity and honor of the graves for the education of tomorrow’s citizens”.

    The trustees are very grateful to Loveland’s City Manager, Dave Kennedy for showing his support early on with clearing vegetation on city property by the fence line, installing the Bicentennial Cemetery Sign at the cemetery, and waiving the fence permit.

    Loveland’s oldest historical landmark is located in White Pillars subdivision on Ramsey Court.

    We could not complete this project without the in-kind donations from our two contractors, Steve Rainy Tree Service, and Eads Fence Company! This project would normally have cost $32,200.00 but with their generosity, they have reduced the cost to $14,200.

    Dale Eads also is donating the antique wrought iron gate that will be the focal point of the project. We were so excited when Paxton’s Grill (Ralph Dunnigan and Sandy Russell) Ramsey’s Trailside (John Zielke) had a benefit night, and so appreciative to Loveland Sweet Shoppe (Gloria Wilson), Bond Home Furnishings (Kevin Malof) and Bush Re Shea Insurance Agency (Bill Re).

    There were so many individuals in the area along with the family members of the Paxton Ramsey Family that have donated almost half of the project cost and we appreciate their giving.

    We are so pleased to have formed a partnership with the Loveland American Legion Post 256 with their enthusiasm and donations, not only for the present but for our future plans. We are looking forward to when Mike Henderson from the Legion will be cleaning the gravestones in the very near future.

    There were so many individuals in the area along with the family members of the Paxton Ramsey Family that have donated almost half of the project cost and we appreciate their giving.

    We have one more fundraising event that will take place August 21, at 7 PM at the American Legion Hall at 4618 River Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45204 on the Westside of Cincinnati. This will be a quarter auction type of event along with basket raffles. Please come out to this event or you can make a charitable tax-deductible donation to the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association, Inc. and mail it to the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association C/O Rob Geiger, PO BOX 25, Loveland, Ohio 45140.

    In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, Cassie Mattia talked with Steve Max and Rob Geiger last May about the history of the cemetery, who is buried there, and the announcement of the matching grant.


     

  • [Video Interview] Matching Grant announced to help restore historic Loveland cemetery

    [Video Interview] Matching Grant announced to help restore historic Loveland cemetery

     

    Fundraisers and supporters of efforts to restore the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery were at the cemetery on Monday, May 19 for the announcement of the matching grant offered by the Loveland Legacy Foundation and see first-hand why the restoration of the historic cemetery is needed.

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Legacy Foundation has partnered with the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association, Inc. and will offer a dollar-for-dollar match up to $1,500 to complete the funding needed to restore the historical cemetery located in White Pillars subdivision on Ramsey Court. With your help, and this matching grant, the restoration work will be completed this summer and this historically significant site can be restored to a level of care that it deserves.

    In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video Cassie Mattia talks with Steve Max and Rob Geiger about the history of the cemetery, who is buried there, and the announcement of the matching grant.

    The first burial at the cemetery was Lt. Col. Thomas Paxton in 1813, a Revolutionary War patriot who dined with General George Washington as one of the officers of the day at Valley Forge on Christmas Day in 1777. Paxton also was chosen by General Anthony Wayne to lead the advance guard at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.

    Paxton was credited as being the first permanent settler in Clermont County. Paxton and his sons-in-law carved out the wilderness to make a home for their families in 1795 and brought their wives and children here to Loveland in 1796. Paxton is the founder of Clermont County, Miami Township, the city of Loveland, and he helped with the Statehood of Ohio.

    Capt. John Ramsey, Paxtons’s son-in-law, also a Revolutionary War patriot, is buried in the cemetery along with other family members. 

    The Loveland Legacy Foundation, passionate about preserving our founding families’ place of rest, has partnered the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association to restore the historic Loveland landmark. Other partners include American Legion Post # 256, American Legion Auxiliary Post #256, Bond Home Furnishings, City of Loveland, Clough Valley Daughters of the Revolution, Eads Fence Company, Loveland Magazine, Paxton’s Grill, Ramsey’s Trailside, Loveland Sweets, and Rainey Tree Service. They have all united together to make this project a reality which will include removal of the dead and decaying trees, the replacement of the chain link fence to a 4’ black aluminum industrial grade fence, and a 10’ antique wrought iron gate provided by Eads Fence that will be fully restored and installed.

    You now have an opportunity to help secure the final part of the funds needed with this generous match from the Loveland Legacy Foundation which doubles the value of your donations up to $3,000.

    Here are ways you can help:

    • Please go to https://lovelandlegacyfoundation.org/ and click on the DONATE NOW button to make your online contribution.
    • Visit these local downtown Loveland businesses to place your donation in the donation jars at: Bond Home Furnishings • Eads Fence Company • Paxton’s Grill • Ramsey’s Trailside • Loveland Sweets.
    • Make out a check, payable to Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association and mail it to Rob Geiger, PO Box 25 Loveland OH 45140.  Both Loveland Legacy Foundation and Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Associations are 501-3C organizations so your contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

     

    The Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery is a hidden gem locally, statewide and nationally. Jan Beller, Director of the Loveland Museum Center (Greater Loveland Historical Society) said: “We are fortunate to have such a historical site right in our own thriving town!”   

    Steve Max, Chairman of the Loveland Legacy Foundation and Rob Geiger, President of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association both added: Thank you for joining us to see this project through and living up to our motto “Loveland Strong.”

    Loveland Magazine is the proud Media Sponsor of the effort to restore this extraordinary local landmark.