We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family. LIFE is thankful for those who donated food, money, and/or time to help us create and deliver 300 Thanksgiving boxes for our neighbors in need.
With 10% of our Loveland neighbors living below the poverty level, the need to help with food and emergency financial assistance goes beyond the Thanksgiving holiday. #GivingTuesday is a day where the world comes together to give back and help those less fortunate. You can help local neighbors in need by donating to Loveland Interfaith Effort LIFE.
#GivingTuesday is November 28th and we would be so grateful for your support. No amount is too small to help our clients with food, essential shelter and services, and hope for a better future. If you’re ready to donate today, click below to visit our #GivingTuesday page.
Flu, RSV and COVID-19 are the current viruses going around at the moment as we approach the 2022 holidays. Here is what you can do to keep your loved ones safer.
Flu, RSV and COVID-19 infections all are skyrocketing just as we’re gearing up for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
“We are officially in respiratory viral season. That includes everything you can think of from the common cold to more severe illnesses, and it has begun with a vengeance,” said Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention and control for UCHealth and one of the top infectious disease experts in Colorado.
“Sometimes we have a slow start to the respiratory season. Not this year,” Barron said. “We went from nothing to hundreds of cases in a very short time frame.”
Barron is advising people who are sick to avoid large gatherings.
We don’t have to go back to the isolation of the 2020 Thanksgiving and holidays season. But Barron is encouraging people to think of others before they travel or show up at a big Thanksgiving dinner or another holiday gathering.
“Use your common sense. If you’re sick, you don’t want to give your illness to grandma and grandpa. At the end of the day, the goal is to still be able to do things and enjoy the holidays. Just do it in a way that doesn’t impact others badly,” said Barron, who is also a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Her guidance is straightforward and familiar to most people since this is the third Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season we’re facing since the pandemic began in early 2020.
Barron’s advice for staying healthier over the 2022 holidays includes:
Getting vaccinated to prevent COVID-19 and flu. (There’s no vaccination yet to prevent RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), but there may be one for pregnant women soon.)
Staying home from work, holiday gatherings and parties if you’re sick.
Washing your hands frequently.
Wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings.
Testing yourself or going to your doctor’s office to get tested if you are sick. If you test positive, there are therapies that can help people early in the course of a COVID-19 or flu illness.
Seeking emergency medical care immediately if you or your child can’t breathe or you are experiencing any other kind of medical emergency.
Get preventive care like regular vaccines for children and adults and keep current on medications for chronic illnesses like diabetes.
“Now is the time. If you have not done it yet, get your flu shot and your COVID-19 bivalent booster,” Barron said.
Health experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also are urging people to think about indoor air quality. Keep in mind that respiratory illnesses spread through the air. Using air filters and opening windows to ventilate crowded indoor settings can help reduce the spread of respiratory illness. See how ventilation might help you stay safer by checking out the CDC’s interactive ventilation tool.
Viruses going around at the moment in 2022
The current infectious disease outlook is worrisome since doctors and public health experts are fighting a trifecta of foes: flu, RSV and COVID-19.
Last year, health experts worried about a potential “twindemic” of flu and COVID-19 cases. COVID-19 infections increased dramatically last fall and winter, but the flu season wasn’t as bad as feared.
This year, flu and RSV have hit early and COVID-19 infections are increasing this fall, just like they have for three years in a row. Twin infectious diseases that were worrisome in past years have morphed into a trio causing illnesses this year.
“If you are sick, do not show up at gatherings or wear a mask,” Barron said, reiterating the perennial advice she gives at this time of year.
“Be very cognizant that these infections can disproportionally impact our elderly, our very young children, and our immunocompromised hosts,” Barron said. “We want to make sure that these people don’t get infected and that everybody’s equally able to enjoy the holidays, illness free.”
Many people are tired of being careful or wearing masks. But the evidence is clear. Wearing a mask on a plane or in a crowded grocery story can drive down infection rates.
“There is zero debate on this,” Barron said. “Masking works. If you really want to see your loved ones during vacation, wearing a mask will help you prevent the spread of illnesses.”
I never put a title to photographs, however, this will be an exception. In honor of our Loveland school children, “The Everyday Table Shakers“.
David Miller is the Publisher of Loveland Magazine
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Magazine was invited to the LIFE Food Pantry Pass it On Food Drive last Friday to witness hundreds of students walking food donations from their school to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Lebanon Road. The two buildings are about 3/4 mile from each other.
This was the 20-year anniversary of the food drive started by Nancy Grant to heal wounds after the terrorist attack on 9/11. It has always been scheduled ahead of the holiday season. The purpose is so that clients of the LIFE Food Pantry and other residents in the community can eat well at Thanksgiving and later in December. This was Libby Westerman’s third year of organizing the food drive throughout the Loveland schools
Ahead of Friday, LIFE Executive Director Linda Bergholz explained how extremely important the event is for the pantry. She said, “As you all know, Thanksgiving is coming up and for us at the food pantry. It is an extraordinarily important time of year. Food insecurity has always been important. Food insecurity during a Pandemic is enormous.”
Grant said twenty years ago, “Well, we can’t change the world, but we can change our little corner of it.” She had this idea to line up the kids down the street and pass the food donations one bag and box, hand-to-hand at a time to one another until it reached the church. A pay it forward so children could feel good about themselves. She thinks it worked after 9/11 and will now – during the Pandemic. This year the students at the Loveland Intermediate and Middle schools didn’t exactly “pass-it-on” to one another, but each carried their own donations to the church.
After the donations arrived, volunteers sorted, date checked, organized, and assembled a Thanksgiving meal box to go out to area families. The huge effort is to ensure that all our Loveland families and singles will have the items they would need so they can sit down together and enjoy a traditional meal for the holiday.
Each classroom/grade K-4 also had specific items to collect that were delivered to the church in cars and vans.
Here is a very short timelapse video of the food being delivered and a few photos of the donations.
As we move into the season of gratitude, we are so thankful for our donors and our volunteers that work together to make the holidays brighter for families in our community that need a helping hand.
Without the dedication, long hours, giving spirits, and loving hearts, the LIFE Food Pantry wouldn’t be able to provide Thanksgiving Box Meals, the Holiday Giving Shop and Holiday Bag Meals.
From canned goods to gift cards, from turkeys to stuffing — all of your donations fill the boxes with meals for the season. New coats, toys, household items, clothing, stocking stuffers fill our Holiday Giving Shop tables with gifts for the holiday guaranteed to bring happy smiles to both the littles and the seniors and everyone in between.
Your generosity touches the lives of so many, and for this we give thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Linda Bergholz, Executive DirectorLIFE Food Pantry
Loveland, Ohio – “So, for all of you who are grocery shopping this weekend, please keep us in mind and up the items you could donate to the Pass It On Food Drive,” said Libby Westerman on Monday evening.
Loveland Magazine was invited to the LIFE Food Pantry on Monday so we could help spread the word about this year’s annual food collection that for the past 20-years has always been scheduled ahead of the holiday season.
Every year, along with the assistance of Loveland City Schools, a food drive takes place to collect items to disburse as Thanksgiving boxes – to clients of the LIFE Food Pantry and other residents in the community as well as holiday bags for later in December.
Westerman is in her third year of organizing the food drive throughout the Loveland schools and wanted to give parents and others in the community a heads-up about participating.
In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, LIFE Executive Director Linda Bergholz explains how extremely important the event is for the pantry. She said, “As you all know, Thanksgiving is coming up and for us at the food pantry it is an extraordinarily important time of year. Food insecurity has always been important. Food insecurity during a Pandemic is enormous.”
Bergholz introduces Westerman and Nancy Grant who founded Pass It On in 2001 as a way children could give to the community and heal after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Grant said twenty years ago, “Well, we can’t change the world, but we can change our little corner of it.” She had this idea to line up the kids down the street and pass the food donations one bag and box, hand-to-hand at a time to one another until it reached the church. A pay it forward so children could feel good about themselves. She thinks it worked after 9/11 and will now – during the Pandemic.
Westerman tells you how you can participate and Grant tells you about the origin, and because of the Pandemic, why it is still so important for the children and our community.
You don’t want to be that parent that opens up a backpack on the morning of the drive and discovers at the bottom an unread note and realizes there are no canned cranberry sauce or Mandarin oranges in the cupboard that your child is supposed to take to school that morning. Each classroom/grade K-8 will have specific items to collect, bring to school, and pass along to the food pantry.
Students at the Loveland Intermediate and Middle schools will walk the food the several blocks to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church down the road from their school where it will be sorted and eventually given away.
This year’s “Pass It On” will be on Friday, November 19th.
This is a heads-up to grandparents and guardians as well because your child can probably only participate if you do some early shopping for them.
Many students and volunteers deliver the donations from the food drive to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church where volunteers sort, date check, organize and assemble a Thanksgiving meal box to go out to area families. The huge effort is to ensure that all our Loveland families and singles will have the items they would need so they can sit down together and enjoy a traditional meal for the holiday.
Each classroom/grade K-8 will have specific items to collect. When your child brings home information about the Pass It On Food Drive, please be generous when you send your donations with them to take to school.
Here is the shopping list. You can also download and print this shopping list to take with you while grocery shopping.
Loveland, Ohio – “So, for all of you who are grocery shopping this weekend, please keep us in mind and up the items you could donate to the Pass It On Food Drive,” said Libby Westerman on Monday evening.
Loveland Magazine was invited to the LIFE Food Pantry on Monday so we could help spread the word about this year’s annual food collection that for the past 20-years has always been scheduled ahead of the holiday season.
Every year, along with the assistance of Loveland City Schools, a food drive takes place to collect items to disburse as Thanksgiving boxes – to clients of the LIFE Food Pantry and other residents in the community as well as holiday bags for later in December.
Westerman is in her third year of organizing the food drive throughout the Loveland schools and wanted to give parents and others in the community a heads-up about participating.
In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, LIFE Executive Director Linda Bergholz explains how extremely important the event is for the pantry. She said, “As you all know, Thanksgiving is coming up and for us at the food pantry it is an extraordinarily important time of year. Food insecurity has always been important. Food insecurity during a Pandemic is enormous.”
Bergholz introduces Westerman and Nancy Grant who founded Pass It On in 2001 as a way children could give to the community and heal after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Grant said twenty years ago, “Well, we can’t change the world, but we can change our little corner of it.” She had this idea to line up the kids down the street and pass the food donations one bag and box, hand-to-hand at a time to one another until it reached the church. A pay it forward so children could feel good about themselves. She thinks it worked after 9/11 and will now – during the Pandemic.
Westerman tells you how you can participate and Grant tells you about the origin, and because of the Pandemic, why it is still so important for the children and our community.
You don’t want to be that parent that opens up a backpack on the morning of the drive and discovers at the bottom an unread note and realizes there are no canned cranberry sauce or Mandarin oranges in the cupboard that your child is supposed to take to school that morning. Each classroom/grade K-8 will have specific items to collect, bring to school, and pass along to the food pantry.
Students at the Loveland Intermediate and Middle schools will walk the food the several blocks to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church down the road from their school where it will be sorted and eventually given away.
This year’s “Pass It On” will be on Friday, November 19th.
This is a heads-up to grandparents and guardians as well because your child can probably only participate if you do some early shopping for them.
Many students and volunteers deliver the donations from the food drive to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church where volunteers sort, date check, organize and assemble a Thanksgiving meal box to go out to area families. The huge effort is to ensure that all our Loveland families and singles will have the items they would need so they can sit down together and enjoy a traditional meal for the holiday.
Each classroom/grade K-8 will have specific items to collect. When your child brings home information about the Pass It On Food Drive, please be generous when you send your donations with them to take to school.
Here is the shopping list. You can also download and print this shopping list to take with you while grocery shopping.
Loveland District says staff absences may cause last-minute notice of school closing
Loveland, Ohio – In a news release issued this afternoon, the Loveland School District said that during the next few weeks, some school buildings may have to temporarily switch to remote learning because of staff absences.
The District said in the release, “This year it has become challenging to find substitute teachers, and we may run short on staffing due to COVID-19 cases or quarantines.” If this happens, a switch to remote learning will happen on a school-by-school basis. The District said they are trying to plan ahead so that families can plan ahead, however, these changes may happen as late as the morning of scheduled attendance.
They suggest that parents and caregivers should begin considering how they might handle a possible late-notice class cancelation.
The District said they will notify families as “quickly as possible” about closings through their alert notification system, the website, Facebook (Loveland City Schools), and Twitter (@lovelandtigers) pages.
CDC still recommends 14 days however District adopts a less restrictive “acceptable alternative” quarantine period
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a change in guidance for quarantines. The new guidance shortens the quarantine period for someone who has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case. The Ohio Department of Health has also adopted the new CDC guidelines, as has Hamilton County Public Health.
The District said in the release that the new less restrictive guideline notification came to them late today. They will begin implementing those directives and will personally notify families affected.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new quarantine guidelines for people who were exposed to coronavirus, reducing the length of time from 14 days to 10 days without symptoms or seven days with no symptoms and a negative test. Officials said the shorter time period is intended to encourage more people to quarantine.
Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said today, “Staying home for 14 days after contact is still the safest way to limit possible spread of COVID-19. We continue to recommend this time period for people in congregate living facilities, such as nursing homes; in workplaces with a large number of employees; and in other settings in which COVID-19 could spread extensively.”
Dr. Andy Thomas, chief clinical officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, yesterday warned that “Ohio is not yet seeing the impact of gatherings that took place over Thanksgiving because hospitalizations are a lagging indicator. Symptoms generally develop within 10 days of transmission, and hospitalizations typically occur a week after diagnosis.”
According to CBS News the CDC rationale for the less restrictive guidelines is:
“Reducing the length of quarantine may encourage more people to do so, especially when they may not be able to work during quarantine time,” CDC’s COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Henry Walke, told reporters on a call Wednesday. He said the agency still recommends 14 days, but is now offering two “acceptable alternative quarantine periods.”
According to the District, “We are pleased with these new recommendations from an educational perspective. Our goal is to keep students learning in our school buildings and shortening the required quarantine time is key.”
This is the District’s COVID 19 Dashboard published today:
On 12/03/20, the district was notified that a non-teaching, non-school-based staff member tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member was last at work on 11/30/20.
On 12/03/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Intermediate School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 11/18/20.
On 12/03/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Middle School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 11/18/20.
On 12/04/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 11/30/20.
On 12/04/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Intermediate School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 12/02/20.
On 12/03/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Intermediate School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 12/01/20.
On 12/02/20, the district was notified that a teaching staff member at Loveland Intermediate School tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member was last at school on 11/24/20. No close contacts were identified for this confirmed case.
On 12/02/20, the district was notified that a student at Loveland Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last at school on 11/30/20.
On 12/1/20, the district was notified that a non-teaching staff member at Loveland High School tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member was last at work on 11/18/20. No close contacts were identified for this confirmed case.
Loveland Intermediate School and Loveland Middle School students walked donations from their buildings down the street to the L.I.F.E. Pantry during the 2017 Pass-it-On drive, an annual tradition. (Provided Photo)
Tiger Family helps to ‘Pass-it-On’ during annual food drive
Loveland, Ohio – A Holiday Box with all of the fixings – decorative holiday napkins included – with enough food to serve families for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah. That was the gift to more than 200 Loveland families thanks to a community pulling together, and a 17-year partnership between the Loveland City School District and Loveland L.I.F.E. Pantry. The Tiger Family donated nearly 8,000 items during the November Pass-it-On donation drive.
“Thanks to the enormous efforts of our team working with the school – the teachers and students, parents, and police officers, the L.I.F.E. Pantry was able to serve 207 area families,” said L.I.F.E. Pantry Director Linda Bergholz. “The blessings of this community are abundant, and we are both humbled and grateful for the outpouring of our school community.”
Families picked up the Holiday Boxes from the pantry on Saturday, Nov. 18. The pantry provided families with additional fresh items, some donated from area businesses, as well as gift certificates for the main course for the two meals. This year, the pantry also provided recipe cards for each family so they could make traditional holiday foods, like green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and even hot cocoa with marshmallows, too – and clients could taste-test the delicious recipes at box pick-up.
“Our Preschool through fourth graders collected over 2,500 items towards making winter holiday meal baskets for families right here in our own district,” said Stacy Fitzgibbon, LEPTA Pass-it-On chairperson.
“Our Preschool through fourth graders collected over 2,500 items towards making winter holiday meal baskets for families right here in our own district,” said Stacy Fitzgibbon, LEPTA Pass-it-On chairperson. “This is my third year helping with Pass-it-On, and the generosity this community exhibits with its time and resources always amazes me.”
“For the 17th year, Pass-it-On has been a great partnership between Loveland Schools and L.I.F.E. Food Pantry,” said Lauren Aiello, M/INT Pass-it-On Chairperson. “The fifth through eighth grades at Loveland Intermediate School and Loveland Middle School collected over 5,200 items toward the holiday baskets. That is twice what was requested! Loveland’s generosity to its neighbors is inspiring, and shows just one aspect of our wonderful community. We couldn’t do any of this without the families taking part, teachers supporting our efforts, and the volunteers who help pull all of this together.”
“Painting by Jack, diagnosed with autism at age 3. Jack is nonverbal and likes to communicate through his artwork.”
As each of us looks forward to gathering with family and friends and giving thanks, we want you to know how thankful we are to have you as our partners and advocates, allies and friends. Some of you have been with us on this journey for years and some of you are new, but each of you makes our mission possible — to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow.
No matter how busy and complex your lives are, when we ask, you give. When you share your challenges and victories, you inspire us. Because of you, we are enhancing the lives of thousands of families and people with autism.
Autism Speaks is committed to ensuring that each person on the spectrum has access to a full range of supports throughout the life span. And that’s where you come in. You are an important part of a growing and caring autism community.
We are deeply grateful for all that you do, and we send warm wishes for a happy Thanksgiving.
Erlanger– The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is launching into the holiday travel season by offering passengers more flights and destinations. CVG expects more than 150,000 passengers during the Thanksgiving travel period (11/19-11/26).
“With increased flight options and more capacity, we expect passenger volumes to increase approximately 14 percent compared to 2016’s Thanksgiving travel period,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG. “Customer service is a top priority for CVG. We encourage passengers to arrive two hours before their flight to not be rushed. Some airlines require customers to be present at the gate 10-20 minutes prior to scheduled departure, and many begin boarding 30-45 minutes before departure. We want travelers to have an unforgettably positive travel experience the moment they arrive at the airport until they return home.”
With holiday travel right around the corner, now is the time to book, pack and prepare. CVG offers the following tips to walk passengers through their air travel experience.
Booking a flight:
Book your trip as early as possible for lower-priced airfares and holiday deals. You can look for fare deals at cvgairport.com/deals or nonstop cities served by which airline from CVG at http://cvgairport.com/flight/cities.
Parking:
CVG parking options include curbside valet service, pre-pay reserved premium parking, garage parking adjacent to the Terminal, and surface parking with shuttle service in CVG’s ValuPark lot. For details, visit: cvgairport.com/park/options. For more information on how you pre-pay and reserve a parking space in the garage, visit: cvgreservedparking.com. To check out the quickest parking options and available spaces when on your way to the airport, visit: cvgairport.com.
Packing luggage:
Familiarize yourself with TSA (Transportation Security Administration) procedures at www.tsa.gov to ensure what you pack in your carry-on is compliant with TSA standards. Weapons may not be carried aboard aircraft. This includes replicas, toy weapons and anything that can be mistaken for a weapon.
For protection against lost luggage, label your bags inside and out with your contact information. Be sure to include the address and phone number of your destination.
Do not wrap gifts that you plan to carry onboard. If a security officer needs to inspect a package they may have to unwrap your gift.
Before leaving home:
First-time guests can watch videos with closed captioning prior to arriving at CVG. The videos offer a visual tour of the facilities to help plan. Step-by-step navigation scripts are available on CVG’s website, suitable for smart phone text-to-voice accessibility function. cvgairport.com/terminal/videos.
New this season is a Google 360° Virtual Tour accessible from any PC, Mac or mobile smart device. cvgairport.com/terminal/360
CVG recommends passengers arrive to the airport two hours before your flight to ensure adequate time to park, check baggage, go through security and make it to your gate in time for boarding. To save time and avoid lines, select your seat, check your bag, and print or download your boarding pass prior to arriving at the airport. Real-time updates such as flight status, weather and security times for TSA Pre-Check and general screening are available at cvgairport.com.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with your specific airline’s time requirements. Passenger check-in, baggage tagging, and boarding times vary by airline. Generally, airlines will restrict checking baggage 30 to 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure to allow ample time to tag, screen, and load baggage on board your aircraft. Boarding times are often included on your boarding pass indicating the boarding time beginning 30 to 40 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Most airlines end the boarding process 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure to ensure an on-time departure from the gate.
Follow CVG on Twitter: @CVGairport, for travel tips, weather information and promotions for future trips.
Navigating the airport:
Look for public safety assistants wearing yellow jackets/vests located from the moment you arrive at curbside to security to help get you to your gate faster. Volunteer airport ambassadors are available throughout the Terminal and Concourses (everyday 8am-8pm) to also help answer questions. Information booth volunteers and public safety personnel have access to iPad language interpretation service including American Sign Language.
Passengers in a wheelchair, using a stroller or service animal can utilize a designated lane in security.
When using general screening, be prepared to remove blazers, coats and bulky sweaters and activate any electronic or battery-powered equipment as part of the security inspection. This includes laptops, music players, games and phones. PreCheck customers may leave jackets and shoes on and electronic devices may remain packed in carry-on luggage. You can find more information about Pre-Check online via tsa.gov/tsa-precheck. All airlines at CVG are now TSA Pre-Check compatible. If not already a PreCheck member, passengers can apply for future travel at CVG’s Pre-Check Enrollment Center located on the baggage claim level which is open from Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm – 5 pm.
CVG offers more than 20 unique and diverse food and service options. The Club at CVG, an all-inclusive departure lounge, does not require a membership, and is accessible no matter what class of airline ticket. Kids play areas are located at Concourses A and B. The Garra Fish Spa, Natalie’s Candy Jar and a second Vino Volo location opened in Concourse A earlier this year. Passengers can also check out artifacts on loan from the Cincinnati Museum Center throughout the terminal and concourses with some locations hosting activity tables by CMC staff and volunteers. Also, new this year is a CPR-training kiosk in Concourse A where you can learn this life-saving skill in five minutes.
CVG also supports service dogs, emotional support animals, and the family pet in a travel-safe carry-on bag. Animal Relief Areas are located near Gate A18 (interior) and Ground Transportation Center (exterior). Free Wi-Fi is available including plenty of outlets to recharge all your electronics before the flight.
![[300 Thanksgiving boxes] Thank you from the LIFE Food Pantry](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lifesaver-brochure-feature.png)
![[Video Interview] Thousands of Loveland Children will “Pass It On” and you can join them!](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pass-it-on.jpg)
