Loveland Magazine

Rise up and speak out against such actions

by Pastor Will Mullins

Life is precious and it needs to be respected no matter our differences

We live in a country that is divided over many issues: abortion, the economy, entitlement programs and health care, just to name a few.  Our freedom allows us to openly speak our minds, and a healthy debate of important issues that we face as a people and a country, in my opinion, is good for America.

But, nowhere is such passion displayed than when the issues that divide us spill over into one’s religious beliefs.

Last week Dr. George Tiller was gunned down in the lobby of the church he attended for many years and served as an usher.  Dr. Tiller became controversial for his practice of late term abortions and was among only a handful of doctors in the country who would perform such procedures.  As a result of his belief and practice, he became the target of passionate protest from pro-life groups .  He was labeled by many as “Tiller the baby killer.”  While some on the pro-choice side of the debate would consider Dr. Tiller a saint, alleged killer Scott Roeder would not even consider him a Christian, though he espoused the same faith in Jesus Christ.   Roeder’s brother was quoted as saying that his brother Scott had suffered from mental illness.  His mental illness coupled with his passionate belief that Dr. Tiller was nothing short of a mass murderer likely caused him to act out in violence.

Just a few short days after Dr. Tiller was gunned down, eighty-eight year old white supremacist John Von Brunn allegedly shot and killed a security guard inside the entrance to the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.  Von Brunn had been spewing his hate speech for years and his hatred for the Jewish people and black Americans culminated in his acts of violence in our nation’s capital.

News reports indicate that Von Brunn was an atheist, but he obviously held similar beliefs to that of Adolph Hitler when it came to the Jewish people.  His views, though not religious, were very dogmatic toward others who were not like him.  He too allowed his hatred to rise to the level of violence, minimized only by the heroism of other security guards and law enforcement.  Only time will tell if John von Brunn was acting out of pure hatred or whether he too had some mental deficiency that aided his acts of violence.

The reality is that the divisions that exist in our country and the world have given rise to countless hate groups. Most people who differ with one another will choose to enter into civil debate and respect each other’s point of view.  However, there will always be a small minority who, out of unadulterated hatred, mental instability or religious fanaticism act out in violence.  Scott Roeder’s actions are not representative of Christianity just as John Von Brunn’s actions are not representative of atheism.  They are representative of hate-filled, violent people.

When acts of violence like the ones that have taken place over the last week occur, those on both sides of the debate need to rise up and speak out against such actions.  I for one am pro-life and I believe that life begins at conception.  I do not agree at all with the practices of the late Dr. Tiller or others who perform similar procedures, but I do not condone acts of violence against them either.  It is a horrible tragedy that Dr. Tiller’s life was taken from him prematurely.  His family and friends are grieving the loss of a husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and I grieve with them.  The death of the security guard at the National Holocaust Museum is an unspeakable act.  People everywhere need to stand up and say this is not acceptable.

Let’s continue to debate the issues, but let’s stop the violence.

Life is precious and it needs to be respected no matter our differences. 

-Will Mullins is Executive Pastor at River Hills Christian Church in Miami Township

Read More Guest Columns About the Killings

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150th Anniversary St. Columban Festival

LOVELAND, OHIO - The 150th Anniversary St. Columban Festival starts Friday, June 25 and runs through Sunday, June 28. There will be music by Blue Stone Ivory, Midnight Special, and Saffire Express. Fireworks on Saturday night. St Columbans is at 894 Oakland Road - follow the signs, follow the traffic, or follow the long line of hungry, festive natives waiting for Father Larry's Famous Funnel Cakes.

Symmesfest June 19-21

SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OHIO – The Township's annual family summer event, Symmesfest, will be held at Symmes Park, 11600 Lebanon Road, June 19-21.

Friday, June 19 - 6 to 11 PM

• Never Enuff performs on stage from 7 to 11 PM
• Fireworks at 10:00 PM

Saturday June 20 - 5 to 11 PM

• Chrome performs on stage from 7to 11 PM
• Fireworks at 10:00 PM

Sunday, June 21 - 4to 10 PM

• P&G Orchestra performs on stage from 6 to 10 PM
• Fireworks at 10 PM

The event will offer rides, games, food, live music and nightly fireworks.

Admission and parking is free..

Taste of Deerfield Premiers this Saturday June 13

Day of Contests, Food, Pets and Prize Money

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, OHIO - With the largest number of popular restaurants in the area, Deerfield Township invites you to a Taste of Deerfield. On Saturday, June 13.

If you love great food, free fun, animals, kids and a chance to win prize money, plan to attend. This year children’s rides are FREE. There will be an assortment of  activities such as rock climbing, free pony rides and more.

Taste of Deerfield from 2 PM to 7 PM at Cottell Park will feature:

• Little Deerfield Darlin’ – “Our version of a Little Miss Pageant” open to girls ages 8-12. “Your little beauty queen” will compete in personality, talent and party dress to “wow the judges” for a chance to win $100 (First Place), $75 (First Runner-Up) or $50 (Third Place).
• Smart Pooch Tricks – “Your pooch is special, and can probably do a trick or two”, so enter her/him to win $100 cash for his “dog-gone best trick.” Sponsored by Deerfield Petsmart and Warren County Humane Association.
• Honey Hill Farm Pony Rides and Petting Zoo - FREE Pony Rides for Children. Petting Zoo with donkeys, miniature horses, goats, sheep, rabbits and more.
• Warren County Humane Association – “We welcome the Warren County Humane Association at this year’s festival. Fall in love with one of their dogs or cats they will bring for adoption.”
• Celebrity Showdown – “Back by popular demand, our version of American Idol” will once again offer top cash prizes for the three top finalists in three age groups in rounds of competition of Broadway-style show singing.

Also returning this year: 5k Deerfield Honors Veterans Race/Walk; Kids Fun Run at 2 p.m.; Cincinnati Zoo Wildlife Comes to You Show at 3 p.m.; K.I.D.S.; Movies in the Park at dusk.

Visit this website at Events, for details on contests. To enter a contest, or reserve booth space, go to Forms. For questions contact Director of Public Relations Ms. Fran M. Klatte at franklatte@deerfieldtwp.com or 513-701-6960.

 

I wish for each of you, now and in the future, forever, a warm heart

by Dr. Molly Moorhead

(This is the address given to the 2009 Loveland High School Graduating Class by Dr. Molly Moorhead, the Principal of Loveland High School on May 30 at Xavier University's Cintas Center.)

Good morning again. It is my pleasure to honor the Class of 2009 by sharing some of their noteworthy accomplishments with you. This class has amassed over 13 million dollars in scholarship money—bravo to them!

Do you remember the fall of 2005? You and I arrived at Loveland High School — you to begin your high school careers and I to become your principal. I’m not sure any of us knew for certain what was in store for us!  I was immediately impressed with the Link Crew students who welcomed you to the school, made sure you knew your way around, helped you get both your schedules and your first high school pictures taken.

I was impressed during Homecoming Week when the entire town came out for the Homecoming Parade and the bonfire that followed it. What a bonfire that was - brief and flaming high, and consequently, the only bonfire we have seen in our four years at LHS. Throughout our four years together, you have been a delightful class, friendly, and fun, and until this past Tuesday, I would have said you were about perfect. I told countless people that I did not want you to leave.

In November, 50 of you were fortunate enough to go Washington, DC. with Mr. Volkman as your tour guide. Since this was my senior year, I asked if I could chaperon. It was a great trip! Not only were you all always prompt, Mr. Volkman said that you were the first group of young people he had ever taken on a trip who were actually early everywhere we went. You all seemed to enjoy one another and got along so well together. Seeing our nation’s capital with a patriot like Mr. Volkman was a unique and moving experience for all of us, and I appreciated your maturity and how well you represented Loveland.

This class has demonstrated an appreciation for academic excellence.  Our National Merit Scholarship Finalists for this year were Chris Stahl and Jenny Klein and our National Merit Commended Finalist was Katherine Ramos.

I would like to introduce our Top 10 Seniors beginning with #1: Valedictorian Christopher Stahl, Salutatorian Jenny Klein, Heather Winterhalter, Emily Kowalchik, David Hewitt, Andy Jarc, Katie Linz, Meghan McLaughlin, Ben Hinchman V, and Calvin Budinger.

This school year, seniors Samantha Cardwell and Meghan McLaughlin represented Loveland High School on our Loveland City Schools Board of Education. We appreciate their work with the board.

This past fall, Jamie Allison’s Biotech students were invited to display at the National Career Pathways Network Convention held downtown at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Josh Hoge, Jeff Kamperman, Jenny Klein, Dane Larson, Nick Nobiletti, Emily Rahm, and Sydney Viox discussed their Biotech projects with college professors and business people from across the country. Our Biotech students also presented at UC’s College of Applied Science Tech Expo where Jenny Klein was named the Greater Cincinnati Tech Prep Consortium BioScience Student of the Year, and Andrew Distasio, Dane Larson, Morgan Smith, and Sydney Viox all were awarded scholarships. Mr. Allison reports that the total scholarship awards based upon being in our Biotech program top $120,000 for this group of seniors.

We were thrilled to learn that senior Alexandra Dodenhoff had artwork selected as “Top 25” in the 2009 Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition. Alex received the Governor’s Award of Excellence—her work was selected from almost 12,000 pieces which were entered in 15 regions throughout the state. Colin Dyer also had artwork selected in the Top 200 in the state. Earlier in the year, Colin received a significant honor in the Visual Arts competition of the 2008 Overture Awards where he competed against talented students from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Bravo to Alex and to Colin!

In the field of written expression, Angelica Gutierrez was awarded a finalist in the 2008 National Hispanic Heritage High School Writing Contest.

Our Thespian drama students are wearing blue honor cords today. During their past four years at LHS, they have worked with 4 different drama directors, yet have maintained their high performance standards, with impressive productions this year of Bye, Bye, Birdie and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.

In our music department, Midori Kudo was selected for All-State Orchestra and both Midori and Kai Nemoto were chosen for Southwest Regional Orchestra.

I’d like to thank our seniors involved in media production at LHS. Senior newspaper editors of The Roar have been Chelsey Saatkamp and Jeff Varley who have worked with advisor Neil Schmidt.  Yearbook editor in chief of the Lohian has been Rachel Voss who worked with advisor Kelly Partridge. We have been enjoying televised news each morning under the supervision of art teacher Jim Barrett featuring on air talent Lauren Martinez, Case Henskins, Sarah Bailey and David Gillman. These seniors have kept the morning news lively, interesting, and unpredictable.

Besides academic achievement, the Class of 2009 has demonstrated an understanding of the importance of community service. During her junior year, Julia Sos organized a fashion show to raise funds for our school's Invisible Children of Uganda campaign. This service to others was returned to her with a college scholarship offer based on her commitment to community service. Jil Templeton’s psychology and sociology classes have had a partnership with at-risk or disabled students from Becker Elementary in the North College Hill School District. Our students wrote to their partners every Friday and used their peer interaction to foster and encourage literacy. Many of our students spent their TLC afternoons at Becker reading books to children to show them that education can be their bridge out of poverty. One more community service nod goes to Art Sabga who came to my office throughout the school year to pick up recycling for Mr. Dorsey’s Ecology Club.

In the field of athletics, our seniors won many games and competitions that made our fans proud. Our Academic Team, which is an FAVC sport, was 2nd in the FAVC conference and the FAVC tournament. Captain of the team was Vidhya Sabapathy and other senior members were Fiona Robertson, Katherine Foster, Alexsa Schrader, Amanda LaCombe, Patrick Conley, and Katy Ramos.

 I would also like to mention the following senior athletes who specifically received an honor that has made history for the Loveland athletic program:

• Bobby Capobianco became our boy’s basketball all time leading scorer and rebounder while leading the team to an undefeated conference championship. Bobby is a four year 1st Team All Conference recipient. He was also named to the all city, all southwest district, and played in the North-South all star game.   
• Chris Stahl has become our all time most winning tennis player with over 90 wins en route to qualifying in doubles at the state finals in Columbus.
• Brian Wozniak was honorable mention all city in two sports—football and basketball. Brian was an MVP of both the basketball and football teams.
• Alex Pohl has received 12 varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and track over her career making her one of the most decorated female athletes in our history.
• Mike Brizzi was named 1st team All City and All Southwest Ohio in soccer as well as 2nd team All State. Mike also participated in the East-West All Star game.
• Overall, this year’s senior athletes were offered over $775,000 in athletic scholarships.

In the spring, our seniors were called to the auditorium and presented with the news that they were going to have to make up one school day and also complete a 6 hour project to meet the required attendance days and hours for the state of Ohio. They could have balled up the pages of information and thrown them back at me. Instead, they sat in the auditorium respectfully and began to contemplate what they might each do to complete a six hour Senior Project.

Mollie Fitzgerald, who has been delightful to work with as class president, Syd Meinking, Ryan Henke, Evan Stanley, Bobby Capobianco, and Brian Wozniak planned a Senior Walk-a- thon that would benefit a group called Operation Thank You which supports our local soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 100 seniors gave up one entire Saturday in May to walk as their Senior Project, and they raised well over $1000 for Operation Thank You. I’d like to thank the many teachers who advised seniors and graded their individual projects.

The Class of 2009 is unique in that it includes two sets of twins Patrick and Andrea Conley, and Andrew and Kevin Ver Hoef and a set of quadruplets: Joseph, Kathleen, Kelly, and Keri Pfaltzgraff.  We have seniors who come to school faithfully while dealing with serious medical challenges, they are true profiles in courage: Ashley Hutson has been a varsity cheerleader, performing with the rest of the squad all the while dealing with Cystic Fibrosis, Deena Trewiler battles Spina Bifada, and Keri Pfaltzgraf always has a smile on her face despite dealing with Cerebral Palsy. 

Three of our LHS teachers have children who are members of the Class of 2009: Kevin Bowdler and his daughter Allison, Kerri Daugherty and her daughter Jillian, and Theresa Hill and her son Andrew Bierke. Our school nurse Vickie Falconi Young has daughter Lindsay, school resource officer Rod Housley has niece Leah Mayes, and Loveland bus driver Ola Smith has a son, Will in the graduating class.

I’d like to thank the staff members participating in graduation today. Leah Evans was selected by this senior class as Teacher of the Year. Trent Compton wrote in his nomination, “From the quirky way she puts a singing hamster on every student’s desk on their birthday to the way she accepts any and all questions and won’t stop explaining until it is completely understood, Ms. Evans deserves this award. She’s inspired me to consider being a math teacher.” Bravo to Ms. Evans and all our staff who work with our students each day, challenging them, supporting them, and helping us maintain our record of excellence.

I wish these seniors all the best as they begin the next phase of their lives’ journeys. Young people, you have the opportunity make a real difference in the world. You are my first four year LHS friends with whom I have been privileged to spend some of the most significant years of your lives. While you are now graduating and moving on, I will remain behind, forever a senior, and truly miss seeing you each day in the halls of Loveland High School. You have been fun people and you have brightened my days!

You are the young people who as freshman first heard me remind students, “If you have to choose between being right and being kind, choose kindness.” After four years, I hope you have each figured out that to be kind is the greatest gift you can give to your family, your friends, your community, your world, and yourself. The Dalai Lama has said that there’s no shop that sells kindness; you must build it within. You can transplant hearts, but you cannot transplant a warm heart. I wish for each of you, now and in the future, forever, a warm heart.

The Downside of Deserve

by Pastor David Smith

The voice within a bullet never lasts

A man murdered in his own church. A security guard killed at a memorial made to halt hate. Both are true stories, unfortunately. During the course of two weeks, Dr. George Tiller of Wichita, Kansas and Stephen T. Johns, a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial and Museum in Washington D.C., were both gunned down by people who sought inner peace by unleashing outer fury.

Most people call that murder.

Yet, if we’ve read about both stories, some may find more empathy swelling for Stephen T. Johns, the security guard who was on duty at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial and Museum.  He was innocent, not hurting a soul…just doing his job.

For Dr. George Tiller, doing his job is what cost him his life. He was one of the nation’s leading abortionists. Many would say he was not innocent, and that he was not just hurting tens of thousands of lives…but killing them.  Of course, he had been shot before. But not like this. Not in his place of worship.

So what, you may say. He deserved it, floods your mind. He’s no Christian, come the cries.
True? False? Who knows? Maybe that’s not for us to judge. Two men are dead, murdered by the reckless hate that spawns in hurting hearts. Some may think that one man deserved his fate, but the other didn’t.

But there’s a downside to the word deserve.

It implies that some of us deserve something better than others. It implies that our measuring stick of deserve is simply each other. I’m better than you, so I deserve the prime promotion. Or, you’re better than me, so you deserve the Prom Queen on your arm.

What if our measuring stick was different? Look at the murder of Dr. George Tiller. He was within his church walls at the time of being shot. The mainstream Christian belief is that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, sent down to earth in the form of a man to die on the cross for our sins and to rise again to give us new, eternal life. That’s their ‘mantra,’ their belief, their reason for existing. Their measuring stick is Jesus…a sinless, innocent man who gave his life for those who do not deserve it. There’s that word again. In this priceless process, he redefines the definition of deserve. No one deserves his grace, love, mercy, and salvation. You can only accept it. It’s a gift that we unwrap and are changed by, inside out.

The downside of us defining who deserves what is that we end up playing judge. We end up making the rules and designating the kings and minions of the land. Let’s leave that alone. Two men are dead. Two families are crippled with pain. And now many of us may feel the urge to pull a new trigger and judge what has happened to each man.

Let’s leave it alone.

The voice within a bullet never lasts.

- David Smith is the Associate Pastor at NorthStar Vineyard Community Church in Loveland

Influenza pandemic alert raised to phase 6

Influenza pandemic alert raised to phase 6 11 June 2009 -- On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6. "The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic," she said at a press conference today. Read Dr Chan's statement to the press

Ohio Information

The Ohio H1N1 (swine flu) Information line is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call 1-866-800-1404 for answers to your questions about swine flu.  As of 8 a.m. 6/10/09, the info line has received more than 1,760 calls.
Listen for an audio recording of a sampling of calls.

 

Read Ohio's latest news.  

 

Ohio’s influenza A (H1N1) (swine flu) cases - as of 12 p.m. 6/10/09

 

CONFIRMED (47)
Allen County – 1 (20-year-old male

Butler County – 2 (30-year-old male, 13-year-old female)
Clark County – 6 (15-year-old male, 25-year-old male, 12-year-old male, 15-year-old female, 13-year-old male, 14-year-old male)

Cuyahoga County – 6 (41-year-old female, 9-year-old male, 14-year-old female, 14-year-old female, 13-year-old male, 14-year-old male)

Franklin County – 16 (31-year-old male, 33-year-old male, 18-year-old male, 20-year-old female, 19-year-old female, 21-year-old male, 20-year old male, 22-year-old female, 23-year-old female, 19-year-old male, 11-year-old female, 13-year-old female, 35-year-old female, 44-year old male, 8-year-old male, 41-year-old male)

Fulton County – 1 (10-year-old female)

Hamilton County – 1 (21-year-old male)

Holmes County – 1 (47-year-old female)

Huron County – 1 (3-year-old female)

Knox County  – 1 (45-year old male)

Lawrence County – 2 (2-year-old male, 8-month-old male)

Lorain County – 1 (9-year-old male)

Lucas County – 1 (14-year-old female)

Mahoning County – 1 (22-year-old female)

Montgomery County – 4 (16-year-old male, 13-year-old female, 9-year-old female, 17-year-old female)

Portage County – 1 (39-year-old female)

Stark County – 1 (29-year-old female)

 

PROBABLE (5)

Cuyahoga County – 2 (20-year-old female, 16-year-old female)

Fulton County – 1 (11-year-old female)

Lucas County – 1 (10-year-old female)

Summit County –1 (40-year-old male)

 

SUSPECT (29)

County-by-county breakdown of cases.

County-by-county breakdown of cases ruled out.

Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Seminar

LOVELAND, OHIO - Karen Folzenlogen says that safety experts agree the single most important step ensuring your personal safety is making the conscious decision to refuse to be a victim. “You stand a much better chance of preventing criminal attack if you develop a safety plan before you need it.” She says that is why the National Rifle Association is offering the Refuse to be a Victim - Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Seminar.

The seminar teaches “easy-to-understand methods you can use to increase awareness and prevent criminal confrontation. In just three to four hours, you will get the tools you need to develop your own personal safety strategy.” The program is designed to help women and men learn how not to be a victim

Here are a few things you will learn:

• How to minimize risk of victimization
• How to create a personalized safety plan before it is needed
• An array of personal safety strategies
• The psychology of criminal predators
• Mental preparedness
• Home and technology security
• Physical security
• Basic self-defense physical training
• Automobile security
• Out of town travel security
• Personal protection devices (non-lethal)
• Safety in the work place
• Protecting children - preschool through college students
• Safety for senior citizens and persons with handicaps

You will receive student handbooks (for you to keep), statistical information, view demonstrated use of non-lethal weapons, and certificate of completion.

Saturday, June 20
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Lebanon Citizens National Bank
500 Loveland-Madeira Road

Cost: $20.00 - This seminar will be co-ed.

This program will be presented by Regional Counselor and Instructor: Jim Bonney
(419) 467-1551

For more information and to register, please contact Karen Folzenlogen
Home phone: (513) 677-1182
Cell phone: (513) 582-6047

Jennifer Reigle one of Loveland's Amazing Women

Reigle to speak: Thursday, June 18, at 10 AM-Blue Chip Gourmet.

LOVELAND, OHIO – Jennifer Reigle will share her expertise and insight on how women can navigatethe maze -  "The 9 Things You Need to Know About Retirement - Why Women Have Unique Considerations." You might not be thinking about this... but you should, especially in these economic times.

Reigle is featured at Blue Chip Cookies' monthly meeting of Loveland's Amazine Women. Thursday on June 18. (It is always the 3rd Thursday of every month.)

Jennifer Reigle's Bio:
Reigle was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Walnut Hills High School. She went to Hanover College and graduated in 1982 with a B.A. in French and Psychology.

Reigle started her career in 1983 at Merrill Lynch in downtown Cincinnati and joined Wachovia Securities, LLC in October of 2008. She is a Financial Advisor and specializes in helping people plan for and enjoy retirement. In particular, she has chosen to focus her practice on helping women gain investment knowledge and become financially strong.

Reigle has served on the Alumni Association Advisory Board for Hanover College and is involved in various organizations, including "WIN" (Women's Idea Network) and the Christian Marketplace Network. She has served on the Finance Committee for Epiphany United Methodist Church and currently serves as the Leadership Chair for Epiphany.

Reigle and her husband Bill live in Loveland with their two sons, Ben and Nate. She enjoys cooking, music, gardening and walking her dog, Tucker.

Blue Chip Gourmet is located at 200 West Loveland Avenue. (rain or shine)

What to bring:  Smile and bring a notebook/paper--Blue Chip supplies the pen.

Please RSVP to Donna Drury.

Healthy Swimming Habits

Help prevent Crypto contamination

HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO – As area residents jump into the pool to cool off this summer, Hamilton County Public Health wants everyone to understand the healthy swimming habits that can prevent the spread of recreational water illnesses, specifically Cryptosporidium – commonly known as Crypto.

“There are several simple steps I urge swimmers to take to ensure that everyone has a safe swimming experience this summer,” said Hamilton County Health Commissioner Tim Ingram. “If you visit a pool, please do your part to keep it germ free.”

Swimmers can become infected with recreation water illnesses – like diarrhea – by swallowing, breathing or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools. Swimmers who are ill may contaminate the water, posing a health risk for the healthy swimmers in the pool.

Chlorine kills most germs over time, but some germs – like Crypto – can survive in chlorinated water up to several days. That is why it is important for pool users to practice healthy swimming habits, including:

   1. Do not swim and don’t allow children to swim when experiencing diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
   2. Don’t swallow the pool water and try to avoid getting any in your mouth.
   3. Practice good hygiene. Shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.
   4. Take children on bathroom breaks or change diapers often.
   5. Change diapers in a bathroom, not poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and spread illness.
   6. Wash your child thoroughly with soap and water before swimming. Everyone has invisible amounts of fecal matter on their bottoms that end up in the pool.

 More information about healthy swimming is available at www.hamiltoncountyhealth.org and www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.

My Trash's Afterlife (Part 1)

My Trash's Afterlife (Part 1) Was I wrong to recycle the junk-mail envelopes with plastic windows? Won’t the "Two Buck Chuck" bottle just shatter? A guided tour of trash heaven. —By Josh Harkinson and Alexandra Bezdikian  Read on...

Dump the Pump Day Offers Free Clermont Bus Rides

Free bus rides on all fixed routes June 18

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - The Board of Clermont County Commissioners has declared Thursday, June 18 as Dump the Pump Day in Clermont County.  “We’d like to encourage people to ride public transportation as a way to save money, protect the environment, reduce  our dependence on foreign oil, and to improve the quality of life,” said Clermont Commission president Ed Humphrey.  “As an incentive to park your car and ride the bus, Clermont Transportation Connection (CTC) will offer county citizens free rides on all fixed routes.”

This is the fourth annual Dump the Pump Day, sponsored by the American Public Transit Association.  The organization estimates that people who ride public transportation can save over $8,000 a year, based on parking and gas costs.

“We are seeing an increasing number of people choose to park their cars and ride CTC, especially on our fixed routes from New Richmond and Amelia to downtown Cincinnati and the Milford-Miami Township-Goshen route,” said CTC Director Ben Capelle.  “By offering free fares on the fixed routes on June 18, we hope that more people will discover the benefits of riding the bus to work, doctor’s appointments, and shopping.”

Public transportation saves the United States the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually and saves the equivalent of 900,000 automobile fill-ups every day!

For more information about Clermont Transportation Connection fixed routes or the Dial-a-Ride service, visit the Web site www.ctc.ClermontCountyOhio.gov or call (513) 732-7433.

State News

OU: 3rd meningitis case likely.

Ohio University officials reported the school year's probable third case of bacterial meningitis, even though each of the students had been vaccinated against the illness.

Suburbs courting colleges to spur economic boost.

Rally calls for lawmakers to raise taxes to help needy.

Advocates for poor Ohioans are urging Gov. Ted Strickland and legislative leaders to raise taxes to meet the growing needs of low-income children, the disabled, elderly, unemployed and struggling families.

Which Brunner campaign fund paid for what?

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is reviewing purchases made by her state campaign to determine whether they included equipment for her U.S. Senate campaign, which would be a violation of federal regulations.

DUI-only courts seem to reduce repeat offenders.

CLEVELAND -- Specialized courts that offer intense treatment programs to repeat drunken drivers are helping to reduce recidivism in some Ohio counties.

Ohio School Board Replaces President

OSU Issues New Crime Alert | NBC4i.com.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University has issued a new crime alert for the Columbus Campus, off-campus housing area.

In the twilight of the evening as you pass those many veteran’s markers….

This is the Memorial Day Address by Jim Poe at Goshen Cemetery on May 25, 2009

I hate to burst the bubble on the boys’,  However I don’t think the four and the first three for sure decided on a military career out of patriotism. They chose it basically for free college.  The patriotism came starting with the first gulf war and was hammered home with 9-11.  Number #4 Blake however was always a warrior. I don’t think he ever wore anything but camo BDU’s at Halloween and he always had a fort instead of a tree house. But you see that between Academy, ROTC, and National Guard scholarships, Judy and I never wrote a tuition check. And, everyone was debt free at graduation. We feel they have probably paid their dues several times over with five total deployments so far to the gulf theater of war, plus tours in Korea along with Air Force and Army Commendation medals, Combat Action badges, and a Bronze Star Medal. The four at his time have jointly served a total of 59 years….and we’re still counting. I’m not sure how she has done it, but Judy has held her breath all 59 years.

It was September of 1970... Judy and I along with our two year old twin sons moved into a year old… new house on Shiloh Road. The house had been built the year before and we were the first and as it has turned out the only owners.  I hired Jerry Turner from Gaynor Road to bush hog the two acres that hadn’t been mowed in several years. 

We learned the three constants of Goshen Township that day and over the next several months. First with that initial mowing, we learned that it’s a shame that there is no market for wild onions. During that late winter and early spring we understood why the early settlers from Pleasant Plain nick named this area Plumb Socks. You see when one steps off of the hard road one sinks in the mud … Plumb past their Socks. But the main thing we learned was that Goshen had for many decades…. a Memorial Day service in this cemetery. A tradition that was started soon after the Civil War. 

It’s probably been twenty years since I stood out there and listened to the late Gordon “Cap” Glancy standing in this exact spot telling of when in his youth being at this same ceremony, listening to what remained of the area’s Civil War soldiers reminisce about their war years.

Over the past four decades this old cemetery has become sort of a friend to me.  I guess my love and interest in Goshen history just sort of led me to these hallowed acres.  I have learned that laid to rest in this small piece of Goshen real estate is the great baseball player Sam Leever... the Goshen Schoolmaster. He pitched in the first world series for the Pittsburgh Pirates… 1903. His first win was against Cy Young.. 1-0. 54 feet 6 inches from Sam is Larry Goetz... long time National League umpire who was pictured on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post… “The 6th Inning”… by Norman Rockwell. Same area is Frank Hogget long time educator of Goshen Schools. He along with cemetery resident Dwight Richie, a store owner, both won the prestigious Grand America Trap Shoot. 

Heading over in that direction we pass the grave of another educator, the superintendent/headmaster of the old Goshen Seminary… which was on the hill above Kroger’s, where Clara Heywood lives. His name, Sanford Turnipseed.  Not far from Sanford is the monument of Chloe Chaney… died in 1865. We don’t know much about Chloe except sometimes when the cemetery is empty a single rose shows up at the foot of her stone. Down over the hill from Ms Chaney is the late John Glancy… a somewhat eccentric, local artist and musician. It is said that one is not a true Goshenite until one owns a John Glancy painting. I finally bought my first three years ago.

Heading up the hill to the right is a line of graves belonging  to the Nichols’ Family, nine children ranging in ages from 6 years to just several days old. We have no Idea of those circumstances.  On top of that hill lies Dr. Lyman one time owner of our Historical Society Museum, The Anchorage. Down just a little from Dr. Lyman is Tubel Early relative of the Confederate General Jubel Early... next to Tubel is his freed Slave. We have no idea what his name was… you see decades ago vandals chipped all of the information off of his stone.

As interesting or boring as this little bit of Goshen history may be... we’re not here today to honor those folks. As we travel these sacred grounds one will notice hundreds of small metal markers standing guard at many of the graves. These represent our veterans starting with the Revolution. I’m embarrassed to say that I can’t give much information about these heroes.  However, I do have some words from a renowned American warrior that I think may help us to see what sort of person lies beneath these markers.

One cannot have sent two sons from the banks of the O’Bannion Creek here in Goshen to the banks of the Hudson River to the United States Military Academy at West Point without having had embedded in their mind… General Douglas MacArthur’s address in May of 1962… shortly before his death… to his beloved Corps of Cadets about their motto - DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY. In a 35 minute speech without notes the General told the future military leaders about the American fighting man.

And what sort of soldiers are those you are to lead? Are they reliable? Are they brave? Are they capable of victory?

Their story is known to all of you. It is the story of the American man at arms. My estimate of him was formed on the battlefields many, many years ago, and has never changed. I regarded him then, as I regard him now, as one of the world's noblest figures; not only as one of the finest military characters, but also as one of the most stainless.

His name and fame are the birthright of every American citizen. In his youth and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mortality can give. He needs no eulogy from me, or from any other man. But when I think of his patience under adversity, of his courage under fire, and of his modesty in victory, I am filled with an emotion of admiration I cannot put into words.

In twenty campaigns, on a hundred battlefields, around a thousand campfires, I have witnessed that enduring fortitude, that patriotic self-abnegation, and that invincible determination which have carved his statue in the hearts of his people.

In memory's eye I could see those staggering columns of the First World War, bending under soggy packs on many a weary march, from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle deep through mire of shell-pocked roads; to form grimly for the attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home to their objective, and for many, to the judgment seat of God.

I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. They died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to victory. Always their blood, and sweat, and tears, as they saw the way and the light.

And twenty years after In World War II, on the other side of the globe, against the filth of dirty foxholes, the stench of ghostly trenches, the slime of dripping dugouts, those boiling suns of the relentless heat, those torrential rains of devastating storms, the loneliness and utter desolation of jungle trails, the bitterness of long separation of those they loved and cherished, the deadly pestilence of tropic disease, the horror of stricken areas of war.

 

Toward the end of his address the old solider tempers his comments to the cadets with….

This does not mean that you are warmongers. On the contrary, the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: "Only the dead have seen the end of war.

Back to Memorial Day 2009…

I would challenge all of you… sometime in the next year to travel this old cemetery and enjoy it’s beauty and history… read the stones... but in the cool of the evening while walking… listen… listen… you may hear the sound of a baseball striking leather… a softly called strike… educators lecturing their students… the cry of a heart broken parent… the hushed violin music of a local artist… a former slave singing…… Free at last… free at last… praise God almighty… I’m free at last.

Awwww… but in the twilight of the evening as you pass those many veteran’s markers…. listen more intently and you’ll hear whispering.

These are the special ones… the defenders of the Flag... the protectors of our freedom… Lest we ever… ever forget those we honor here today.

Judy, our four warriors and I wish you a wonderful Memorial Day. God Bless our troops, and God Bless America.

Loveland High Class of '09 Earned $13 Million in Scholarships

Been Making Homemade Ice Cream for a Century

Bethel Murdock Ice Cream Social this Saturday

A topping of Blue Grass

Summer is almost here, and with that comes a century old tradition at an area church- homemade ice cream.

The Bethel Murdoch Presbyterian Church, three miles northeast of Loveland on State Route 48, has been hand churning ice cream every summer for over a century, and hosting  community ice cream socials where people can get a great meal of sloppy joes, hotdogs, homemade cakes, pies and cobblers, and any of eight flavors of ice cream, all freshly made.

Ice cream making starts a few evenings before the socials, which are held on the second Saturday of June, July and August.  Members of the congregation begin gathering in the late afternoon to begin the process of mixing cream, sugar, eggs, and flavors, then churning it five gallons at a time in old fashioned Amish built churns, and by quitting time six hours later they have packed 75 gallons of ice cream that is full of love, flavor and old fashioned memories.

There is more to the Murdoch church’s ice cream socials than just ice cream. The June social features local musical talent, and in keeping with the old timey feel of the social its old time Bluegrass music.  Award winning singer-songwriter Steve Bonafel and his One Iota Band will be featured this year, playing two sets of his unique brand of bluegrass. 

Listen to Steve Bonafel & One Iota - Ballad of Roseanna McCoy

In July, a classic car show is held under the trees behind the church, with dozens of beautifully restored antique and classic cars.  August finishes off the year with a quilt show featuring the beautiful and detailed work of many talented local quilters.  But perhaps best of all is original reason these socials began- to meet and make new friends.

The socials are all on the second Saturday of the month- that’s June 13, July 11 and August 8, start at 4:00 PM, and go until the ice cream is gone. The food and ice cream are at old fashioned prices, and the entertainment and events are always free. Directions and more information are available at www.theBMPC.org, under “events.”  Come on out and enjoy this sweet summer treat.

9602 Murdoch-Goshen Road

(513)583-9676
Off of Route 48 between Maineville and Loveland

No need to call or come in to talk about your child support case

Do a live online chat

Free workshop about proposed new child support guidelines June 5, 2009

Attorneys, probation officers and others with an interest in child support are invited to a free workshop about proposed new state guidelines on Aug. 5.

Attorneys can earn free Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for the 2:45-5:45 p.m. workshop at 237 William H. Taft Road.

To register, call (513) 946-8251 or e-mail workshop@jfs.hamilton-co.org.

Changes are being proposed by a commission reviewing Ohio's Child Support Guidelines. This workshop will help people better understand what may be coming their way. A brief opening ceremony will honor the annual Child Support Hero.

Practice Safe Swimming Habits

In recent years, the Clermont County General Health District has identified and investigated several outbreaks of recreational water illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing vapors, or having contact with contaminated water.

The Clermont General Health District licenses all community swimming pools within the county each year, and conducts frequent inspections of these facilities to ensure that safety standards are met; bathing beaches are also closely monitored.  To avoid illness, don’t swim when you have diarrhea, don’t swallow pool water, take children on regular bathroom breaks, take a shower before swimming, and don’t change diapers poolside.

Every year thousands of people are rushed to emergency rooms for injuries associated with pool chemicals.  There are precautions homeowners should take to ensure family and friends are safe while enjoying backyard pools:

• Always secure pool chemicals, keeping children and animals away
• Always read product name and manufacturer’s directions before each use
• Always wear appropriate safety gear, such as safety glasses and gloves when handling chemicals
• Never mix chlorine products with each other, acid, or other substances

By practicing healthy swimming habits you can protect yourself and others from developing water related illnesses.  For more information on health swimming, visit the Centers for Disease Control Web site www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming or visit the Clermont County Health District Web site www.clermonthealthdistrict.org.

Clermont Coloring Contest Promotes Child Support Awareness

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - Get out the crayons!  Children between the ages of 3 and 10 are invited to compete in the fourth annual coloring contest sponsored by the Clermont County Department of Job and Family Services’ division of Child Support Enforcement (CSE).  The winners will be announced in August as part of Child Support Awareness Month activities in the county.  There will be winners in three age categories, 3-4, 5-7, and 8-10.  Winners will receive McDonald’s gift cards.

The contest is part of outreach efforts to increase awareness about CSE, the services it offers, and the agency mission to ensure financial and medical support for children.  Complete details about the contest are available on the CSE Web site at www.ClermontSupportsKids.org.GO TO THE WEB SITE TO DOWNLOAD THE COLORING PAGES.

Entries must be postmarked or received by the CSE office by July 22, 2009.  For more information call (513) 732-7248.

Needling Your Teen Can Save His or Her Life

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - Is your teen up-to-date on his/her shots?  Last year, over 2,300 cases of chickenpox, 800 cases of pertussis, and 40 cases of meningococcal disease were diagnosed among young people in Ohio; these are diseases that could have been prevented.  Vaccination rates across the country for teens and preteens are far below national goals, resulting in many contracting serious, even fatal, diseases.  Hoping to increase awareness, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has proclaimed June as Teen Immunization Month.

The Clermont County General Health District encourages parents to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, recommending immunizations for 11-18 year-olds against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, influenza, hepatitis B, and chickenpox.  It is also recommended that girls be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus.

There are many diseases we are able to prevent today, that we were unable to prevent even 10 years ago.  Immunizations have been proven to provide important benefits to preteens and teens, especially as they grow into adults. Lowering disease rates among young people also assists in lowering the chances of those diseases being spread to the elderly, children, and infants. Protection for one means protection for all.

If you would like to schedule an appointment for vaccinations for your child, or would like more information, contact the Clermont County General Health District Nursing Division at (513) 735-8400.

 

Paint the Town (of Loveland) - June 22 to June 28

Loveland through Artists' Eyes - A Loveland Arts Council Event

Paint, Draw, Photograph all week long.

Sign up at Loveland Hardware, 131 Broadway. Cost is $20 for non-members, $15 for Arts Council Members.

Wet Paint sale at Loveland Station around the fountain, 127 West Loveland Avenue, June 28th from 2 - 4 pm.

Special Events

• Plein Air Workshop - June 22 with special guest, professional artist Deidre Dyson
• Group Luncheon - June 24 at The Works
• Cocktail Party - June 26 at 234 Railroad Avenue
• Loveland Gardens Visits - June 27

For more information, contact Ginny at 513-683-1696 or Holly at 513-405-3302

Clermont Auditor Upgrades Web Site

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - “We’ve made some improvements to our Web site to better serve the needs of our citizens,” said Clermont County Auditor Linda Fraley.  “You’ll notice changes to the look and design of the Web site, and it is faster and easier to use.  We have also upgraded the site to include information about real property transfers and conveyances, as well as more detailed information about manufactured homes.”  The Web site continues to provide information for appraisals and assessments, detailed information about personal property taxes, the license bureau, and dog licensing.  There is a library of forms available for download, including those to apply for a vendor’s license, the Homestead Exemption, wholesale and retail cigarette licenses, and much more.

“We hope citizens will find the upgraded Web site easier to use,” said Fraley.  “They can access information when researching real estate records, reviewing tax rates, and checking the latest posted county financial information at their convenience.”

For more information about the Clermont County Auditor’s Office, visit the Web site www.ClermontAuditor.org.  The Auditor’s Office is located at 101 E. Main Street in Batavia.  You can also contact the Auditor’s Office at (513) 732-7150.

Loveland's Memorial Day Photos

It's in their faces...

Isn't it?

Click HERE to view ALL of the photos from the Loveland, Ohio 2009 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony.

Listen to Carolyn Maupin's Memorial Day Address:  “There was a Prisoner of Worry.”

Click HERE to view MORE of the photos from the Loveland, Ohio 2009 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony.

Air Pollution Alert Issued for Monday

LOVELAND, OHIO - The air quality in the Loveland area is predicted to be "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" on Monday.

Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Living an Integral Life: Retreat & Workshop Series for Men and Women

Grailville Retreat and Program Center has invited you to participate in its Living an Integral Life Series, retreats and workshops held throughout 2009. Integral Theory is a comprehensive framework that draws from the world’s great scientific, spiritual and psychological traditions, helping us to bring new depth, clarity and compassion to our relationships with self and others.  Both men and women are invited to participate. Spring activities include:

Living an Integrally Transformative Life:

• How Integral Theory Can Help Us Reach Our Fullest Potential, A Weekend Retreat held Friday May 8 though Sunday, May 10, 2009.
• 
  Becoming Whole, Building Relationships: A Weekend Retreat on Integral Life Practice held June 5-7.
• 
  Creating a Practice Community: Follow-on Sessions, June 13, 20, & 27, 2009 9 AM - 5 PM.

Are you living life with the deepest integrity, realizing your fullest potentials for being, relating and acting? This weekend retreat is an inquiry into the essential question of what it means to live an integrally transformative life. Integral theory provides the map, while your life provides the territory of exploration.

Living an Integral Life Series is sponsored by Grailville and The Grail’s Women’s Institute for Social Transformation. Programs are led by Australian Grail member Caresse Cranwell, PhD in Eco-philosophy, a passionate and skilled facilitator of inner and trans-personal journeys.

Future workshop in this series are:     

• Sustaining Spirit/Sustaining Earth: A Weekend of Integral Ecology, August 21-23. (Co-sponsored by Imago and the Michigan Grail)
• Creating Personal & Social Change: A Weeklong Inquiry into Transformative Action, Wednesday through Sunday, October 7-11.

Living an Integral Life Series programs are held at Grailville, 932 O’Bannonville Road. Tuition (with meals) for each retreat (May 8-10 and June 5-7) is $300 Single Occupancy/ $250 Double Occupancy/$200 Commuter. Tuition for the three workshop follow series (June 13, 20, & 27, 2009) is $150.  Reservations are required. Multiple reservation discounts and scholarships are available. Contact 513-683-2340 or www.grailville.org for more information.