Loveland, Ohio – If you are a little Miami River Chamber Alliance member, resident of the Loveland School District, or work in the Loveland area your Valentine Card Design original artwork may be submitted.
Artwork must reflect or incorporate the theme: “Love is…..” and must also include (or provide space for) the phrase, “There is nothing in this world so sweet as love.”
One-color, two-color, and full-color entries are acceptable. Artwork must be flat (two-dimensional) and reduce proportionately to fit within a 5 inch by 3 ¾ inch space, the size of the printed Valentine’s Day cards.
The submission deadline is November 20, 2021.
Last year’s winner was Cindy Wilmes and she created this video of her taking one of her cards to be stamped at and mailed from the Loveland Post office.
Entry forms and contest rules are available at the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, 113 Karl Brown Way, Loveland, OH 45140. If you would like one sent to you, call the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance at 683-1544.
The winner will receive design credit on the back of the 2022 Valentine’s Day cards, recognition at the Valentine Kick off, other local recognition, media recognition and two complimentary invitations to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance Annual Valentine Breakfast. Entries not selected may be picked up after December 10, 2021.
The winning card design will be featured as a “Cover Photo” in Loveland Magazine.
Click below to witness the 2021 Valentine Art and Card Reveal presented to you by LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV!
Watch this interview by Cassie Mattia interviewing the 2021 Valentine Card Designer and Valentine Lady Jeannie Shumaker.
We have more Loveland Magazine TV videos for you to enjoy! Click below to watch now!
Loveland, Ohio – If you are a little Miami River Chamber Alliance member, resident of the Loveland School District, or work in the Loveland area your Valentine Card Design original artwork may be submitted.
Artwork must reflect or incorporate the theme: “Love is…..” and must also include (or provide space for) the phrase, “There is nothing in this world so sweet as love.”
One-color, two-color, and full-color entries are acceptable. Artwork must be flat (two-dimensional) and reduce proportionately to fit within a 5 inch by 3 ¾ inch space, the size of the printed Valentine’s Day cards.
The submission deadline is November 20, 2021.
Last year’s winner was Cindy Wilmes and she created this video of her taking one of her cards to be stamped at and mailed from the Loveland Post office.
Entry forms and contest rules are available at the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, 113 Karl Brown Way, Loveland, OH 45140. If you would like one sent to you, call the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance at 683-1544.
The winner will receive design credit on the back of the 2022 Valentine’s Day cards, recognition at the Valentine Kick off, other local recognition, media recognition and two complimentary invitations to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance Annual Valentine Breakfast. Entries not selected may be picked up after December 10, 2021.
The winning card design will be featured as a “Cover Photo” in Loveland Magazine.
Click below to witness the 2021 Valentine Art and Card Reveal presented to you by LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV!
Watch this interview by Cassie Mattia interviewing the 2021 Valentine Card Designer and Valentine Lady Jeannie Shumaker.
We have more Loveland Magazine TV videos for you to enjoy! Click below to watch now!
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland community is welcoming Nancy Garfinkel home with open arms after spending several days in the ICU.
Garfinkel has been a staple in the Sweetheart of Ohio for years spending countless hours giving back to the community time and time again. Recently Garfinkel was hospitalized due to the effects COVID-19 had on her health. Close friend and Executive Director of LIFE Food Pantry Linda Bergholz shared that at one point during Garfinkel’s time in the ICU she was put on a ventilator.
“It was quite a scary experience for Nancy,” Bergholz said, “She is a well-loved institution in our community. Nancy volunteers for EVERYTHING in Loveland! She is a huge part of LIFE Food Pantry, she helps with Granny’s Gardens, she does landscaping for various places including Branch Hill Coffee. Nancy is also involved with the Loveland Women’s Club and would have been selected to be a Valentine Lady as she has been nominated multiple times but is usually in Florida during February,” Bergholz added.
According to many residents in Loveland, Garfinkel is known and loved by nearly everyone in the community!
“Because Nancy is so loved at LIFE we decided to plan a ‘We love you Nancy’ parade past her house on Saturday, February 6th,” Bergholz said, “She’s so active and vibrant that staying at home and being on oxygen is really rough on her and we want her to feel supported. We are all so grateful that she pulled through!”
Anyone who would like to join the “We love you Nancy” parade hosted by LIFE Food Pantry can meet the group at Ohio Valley Voices at 2 PM on Saturday, February 6th. Departure for Garfinkel’s neighborhood, which is in Miami Trails, will be at 2:10 PM.
Loveland, Ohio – Love was most certainly in the air on Thursday in Downtown Loveland’s Sweetheart Alley as some of the sweetest people in Loveland gathered to witness the 2021 Valentine Art and Card Reveal!
Valentine’s Day of course is one of the most coveted holidays in Loveland for obvious reasons…the city has the word “love” in its name and the city has been given the “Sweetheart of Ohio” title! With that title comes a long standing tradition that dates back to 1972; Loveland’s Valentine Program. This lovely program has significantly grown over the years adding more community activites focusing on the celebration of Valentine’s Day and a NATIONALLY recognized “catchet stamping and postmark program.”
The Loveland Valentine Program includes opportunities to volunteer for various Valentine’s Day activities, the nomination of a Valentine Lady (women who have distinguished themselves in the Loveland community, school, or family endeavors and acts as the ambassador for the Chamber’s Valentine Program, while visiting local businesses, nursing homes, and schools), the Valentine Card Design Competition, the Valentine Breakfast, the Valentine Poetry Contest, the opportunity to purchase Valentine Yard “Heart” Signs, a Business Window Decorating Contest, a Kids Valentino Coloring Contest, and volunteer opportunities to stamp Valentines at the local post office as well as purchase them. Because of COVID 10 the annual breakfast has been cancelled for this year.
With the 2021 Loveland Valentine Program activites set to kick off at the Loveland Post Office on February 1st with the stamping of Valentine’s Day cards, here at Loveland Magazine we decided to share with you our loyal readers, the 2021 Valentine Art and Card Design Reveal as well as the introduction of the winning artist!
Although both the introduction of the 2021 Valentine Lady and the Card Design Artist is typically celebrated with a much larger audience the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance President, Cee Cee Collins, wanted to be sure to keep everyone safe making the reveal a much smaller gathering. The celebration included the Valentine Ladies, who were thrilled to honor this year’s and next year’s (due to COVID-19 restrictions this year the Chamber decided to give the 2021 Valentine Lady the 2022 title as well in hopes that she could be more celebrated next year) Valentine Lady, Jeannie Shumaker, several members from City Hall and the LMRCA, and the 2021 Valentine Card Design Artist Cindy Wilmes.
Click below to witness the 2021 Valentine Art and Card Reveal presented to you by Loveland Magazine TV!
Shortly after the Valentine Card Design reveal Loveland Magazine had the opportunity to chat with the 2021-2022 Valentine Lady herself, Jeannie Shumaker, and the 2021 Valentine Card Artist, Cindy Wilmes about how it feels to represent the “Land of Love.” Nothing in the world is as sweet as these two very special women! Click below to watch the interview!
Here is a list of the 2021 Valentine Program activities and contests you can get involved in!
Enter the 2021 Valentine Poetry Contest. Submissions are due by January 26th (Download the Entry Form >).
Purchase and send out a Loveland Valentine Card! You can purchase your card at the LMRCA Office, the Loveland Post Office beginning on February 1st, MILE42 COFFEE, the Loveland Kroger, Busy Bee Boutique, Trailside Provisions, Lemons and Limes Boutique, Blume, Alley’s Boutique, Hometown Cafe, and some local banks.
The Valentine Lady tradition goes back to 1971 when the Loveland Chamber of Commerce created a Valentine postmark. Doris Pfiester, chamber secretary at the time, mailed 1,000 Valentines for Loveland residents that had a special Loveland, Ohio postmark that year and was referred to as the “Valentine Lady” until a formal selection process began in the 1980s.
Pfiester was named the very first Valentine Lady in 1992. The Chamber re-mails thousands of cards they receive from around the world for people wanting their cards mailed from “Loveland” with the slogan, “There is nothing in the world so sweet as Love.” Chamber president in 1972, Dr. Roland Boike, coined the phrase, inspired by Samual Johnson.
The official announcement of Loveland’s 2021-2022 Valentine Lady, Jeannie Schumaker, will occur at Loveland City Hall on January 26th.
2020: Debbie Murray 2019: Dr. Kathy Lorenz 2018: Kay Bolin 2017: Carol Williams (Photos) 2016: Laurie Gordon (Photos) 2015: Sue Lundy 2014: Janis Fogle (More Video) 2013: Marge Henderson 2012: Jan Ranard 2011: Avery (Winkie) Foster 2010: Bonnie Larson 2009: Linda Cox 2008: Kay Napier 2007: Sue Newburger 2006: Peggy Goodwin 2005: Lu Boike 2004: Helen Gosch 2003: Kathryn Undercoffer 2002: Patricia Furterer 2001: Marirose Stiver 2000: Anne Fowler 1999: Winona Franz 1998: Barbara Dee 1997: Bobbie Books 1996: Jo Ann Richardson 1995: Mary McDonnell 1994: Margaret Keifer 1993: Kathryn Sidney 1992: Doris Osborne 1991: Martha Hockman 1990: Rose Wene 1989: Pat Randolph 1982-88: Ruth Jackson (Doris’s daughter) 1982: Doris Pfiester
We have more Loveland Magazine TV videos for you to enjoy! Click below to watch now!
The winning Valentine Card design by Loveland Magazine Publisher David Miller after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance says they are excited to kick-off the 2021 Valentine Program with the assistance of the Valentine Committee. The Committee is chaired by past Valentine Lady Patricia Furterer and is comprised of some of the Valentine Ladies from past years and other representatives from Loveland.
Valentine Card designs and all the names of the Valentine Ladies are engraved on granite walls in Historic Downtown Loveland.
The committee is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Valentine Lady. Valentine Lady nominees are women who distinguish themselves in community, school, and family endeavors. The Valentine Lady serves as the official spokesperson of the Valentine Program in the Loveland area and helps the Chamber make the 2021 Valentine Program a success.
The Committee is chaired by past Valentine Lady Patricia Furterer and is comprised of some of the Valentine Ladies from past years and other representatives from Loveland.
Nominees must reside in the Loveland 45140 zip code, and be able to work with the Chamber January 2, 2021 through the end of February 2021, stamping Valentine cards and visiting area schools, businesses, and other community organizations and participating in area events throughout the year.
Ohio Sweetheart City Offers Valentine Card Design Contest
Don’t miss the opportunity to compete in the Annual Valentine Card Design Contest sponsored by the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance. All Tri-State area artists, photographers, high school students, and interested persons are encouraged to participate.
If you can design a card which pertains to love and Valentine’s Day, and contains the signature slogan, “There is nothing in this world so sweet as love”, submit the original artwork to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.
“The submission deadline is November 20, 2020 but don’t wait until the last minute and be caught in the holiday rush,” says the Chamber.
The winning card design will be unveiled at the Valentine Kick-off on January 9, 2021 and will be the official 2021 Valentine card.
The card will be for sale at several Loveland area businesses, stores, and other locations. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your design displayed for everyone to admire.
Send your Valentine Lady nominations and card designs to:
Little Miami River Chamber Alliance
113 Karl Brown Way Floor #2
Loveland, Ohio 45140
Nominations and card designs must be received at the Chamber office by November20, 2020.
All nominees will be recognized at the Valentine Kick-off on January 9, 2021 and the annual Valentine Breakfast on February 12, 2021. For further information, feel free to contact:
Loveland, Ohio – Citizens all across the state of Ohio are getting used to the “new” normal and aren’t hesitating in asking the question, “When will Ohio open up?” Thursday we not only received the answers we have been so anxiously waiting for from Governor DeWine we also received new information about Loveland “opening-up” as well from Little Miami River Chamber Alliance President, Cee Cee Collins.
Cee Cee joined me and Loveland Magazine Publisher, David Miller virtually through Zoom and she not only shared with us some of the life-saving measures the Chamber has taken to keep local businesses healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic but also provided us with some very positive predictions about Loveland’s financial recovery.
Loveland Magazine readers gather around the computer, virtually of course, and tune in to LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV’s Zoom interview with Cee Cee Collins…oh and don’t forget…WE ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE SWEETHEART OF OHIO!
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!”
Loveland, Ohio – It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas….in Loveland! The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance is calling all Christmas fanatics to come and enjoy a beautifully decorated City of Loveland winter wonderland this Saturday, December 14th beginning at 4 PM!
Visitors will have the opportunity to take a carriage or a train ride as well as take part in complimentary tastings, festive crafts, and holiday beverages. Historic Downtown Loveland will feature some incredible Christmas entertainment at some of the local historic hot spots. Loveland City Hall will be transforming into “Whoville at City Hall” while the Loveland Stage Company will be offering free Christmas in Loveland shows at 5 PM, 6 PM and 7 PM. There will be several other Christmas spectacles in the center of town next to the live nativity scene and inside many of Loveland’s local businesses.
CeeCee Collins, President of the Little Miami River Chamber of Commerce, shared what visitors should expect this year at Christmas in Loveland. “There will be so many fun activities such as a caricature artist, singing with carolers, and meeting Elsa & Anna, just to name a few!” Collins added that Christmas in Loveland is truly a great event for many reasons one being that the event gives local businesses the opportunity to give back to everyone that has not only visited Historic Downtown but has made a significant effort to support the local businesses. “They truly appreciate everyone supporting local businesses and I hope they will continue to come back, especially now that all the businesses are re-opened (and more have been built) after the fire.”
Christmas in Loveland will feature different samplings throughout Downtown as well as several give-a-ways that all ages will be able to enjoy! This event will be held in any inclement weather so if you are planning on coming Downtown to celebrate be sure to bring rain and snow gear!
The event takes place from 4-9 PM, Saturday, December 14.
Train rides will be available at the Loveland Museum Center as well as a trolley that will take guests from Downtown Loveland to the museum.
Maps of all the activities will be placed inside local businesses and by the clock tower in Downtown Loveland.
The back portion of Railroad Avenue will be closed for horse-drawn carriage rides.
You can line up for carriage rides on Railroad Avenue across from Lyle’s Bike’s, Brews & BBQ.
A Holiday Trolley will be available to transport people to the Loveland History Museum from Harrison Avenue at no charge.
Entertainment will be held in the center of downtown next to the fountain.
Not sure what to expect at Christmas in Loveland this year? Click below to view photos taken by Loveland Magazine Photographer Sam Smith of Christmas in Loveland in 2016.
Loveland, Ohio – Our community has a lazy river flowing down its center – the main artery of the “SweetHEART of Ohio”. It is the Little Miami, with State and National “Scenic River” designation.
“Thank you for the opportunity to share some of the beautiful photos I captured of Loveland,” said Cindy Wilmes, a long-time resident of our quaint town. Here’s a little bit about Cindy to help set the tone for her passion for living in the land of love.
“It soothes my soul and feeds my love for adventure.”
Cindy is Loveland native; her parents went to Loveland schools, met in Loveland, and decided to raise a family here. “When I moved out after college, I chose to continue the legacy and buy a house in Loveland – close to my community and a huge fan of this small town, I’m thankful to put roots down in this city,” she said. She tells Loveland Magazine that she is on the Loveland Bike Trail almost every day running or biking. “The bike trail has been an avenue of fresh air, amazing wildlife, and views I can’t ignore. It soothes my soul and feeds my love for adventure.”
About the photographs
I caught this spectacular sunset on the trail while out for a cold evening run. It’s my favorite spot on the bike path, as the river curves around part of the woods before heading downstream. No matter how many times I catch this view, I still stand in awe.
Cindy said, “Proud to call this town my home, my goal ever since I was little was to grow up and be the Loveland Valentine Lady—and it still is. As a young adult, I want to advocate for my city and love capturing those moments that make this town so unique.”
Click the photos for a larger view…
See MORE of Cindy’s photos in the Facebook album she calls…
I love my small town! Some days feel like you may be stuck in a Gilmore Girls episode—the bells chime every hour, people wave as you run by, there are small shops to peruse—not to mention, the beautiful bike trail. Lots of time spent around town taking in the view—love my hometown!
Loveland, Ohio – City Council held a public hearing on August 13, to hear public comments on the proposed purchase of 1.15406 acres of land in Historic Downtown and to construct a parking facility. An entrance to the garage from Rt. 48 is an integral part of the plan presented by City Manager, Dave Kennedy.
The property includes eleven parcels contiguous to First Street to the west and Second Street/State Route 48 to the east. The parcel total 1.15406 acres.
Peter and Matthew Ross agreed to a selling price of $550,000 which matched the appraisal obtained by the City. The total “appropriation” cost according to Kennedy, will be $571,150. Council has already authorized Kennedy to purchase the land.
Council gave the City Manager authority to complete the purchase in May once he completed studies to see if there were such things as environmental or soil problems that would prevent the city from building a garage on the site. These videos are of Kennedy’s report to Council and the public comments they received during the public hearing. After the public hearing, Council debated whether or not to give the City Manager further direction and support for moving ahead with the purchase.
To built the garage would cost between 6 and 6.8 million dollars in addition to buying the land.
![[VIDEO] Parking garage coming to Historic Downtown](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/feature-loveland-parking-garage.jpg)
