Loveland Magazine

Sarah Stetz's Seven Deadly Sins

by David Miller

I guess you could say I'm more of a creative, artist person. I'm excited, scared, happy, and sad all at the same time thinking about college. It's something completely different and I'm not quite sure I'm ready to leave my parents and my cats, but I think I'll be OK once I get to Band Camp and see all the crazy nerds just like me.

Sarah Stetz just graduated from Loveland High School, and she is heading this summer to be a Falcon at Bowling Green State University. You have seen her art on the recent cover of Loveland Magazine. It is part of a high school photo project she titled, “Seven Deadly Sins.” The cover photo is titled, Lust.

 

For Lust Gretchen Kessler put a lot of jewelry on and then when we were about to take the photos, she said "Can I use this!?" and she held up a random peacock feather. And so I said "Sure, what the heck" thinking it would make for an interesting photo. We took the photos on a white wall to make her stand out as much as possible. Now looking back on it, I'm really glad we used that feather because I love old fashion stuff. For the editing, I used the filter sumi, then used vignette to make the picture have a round feel, and then change the color balance to make her eyes and the shadows seem darker. Lust is probably my favorite photo.

Stetz said she liked doing the personal project because she had freedom to do whatever she wanted. A couple of things inspired her to do the Seven Deadly Sins. One of them was the song "Seven Deadly Sins" by Flogging Molly, which Kessler introduced her to. She said another reason was that, “I thought it would pretty cool to take pictures of - to put my own personal twist on a famous piece of the Bible. It seemed like an interesting thing to do.” She said that there wasn't much of a theme to the project other than that they all shared the title of a sin. “I just did whatever popped into my head at the time. I try not to plan out photography, because then it just isn't me.”

For Envy I had the subject be Gretchen Kessler and her little sister Molly. I moved around the room a lot for this one. Gretchen was great to work with. She's a great actor, so she moved around a lot and gave a lot of different expressions, which, to be honest, made my job a little easier. For this one, editing wise, I made the edges darker by using vignette, I changed the color balance, and then I went to sepia tone and changed the color and the opacity. And I also patched the rug a little because there was stuff lying around and I wanted it to look a little more clean (remember that I'm an organized person).

Stetz said her senior year was her favorite because she was the Drum Major for the marching band. “I gained so many friends and respect, I learned so much about myself, and I realized that I love photography and I want to pursue it in college.” Her favorite teachers in high school were Julie Powers, her pre calculus, and calculus teacher, and James Barrett, her photography teacher. “I got along great with both of them and I couldn't help but have fun in all of their classes.”

For Gluttony the subject was Hannah Trate. Basically, we rummaged through my cabinets and just put a whole bunch of food on the table. I was in the middle of sitting down at the other end of the table when I noticed she was making a weird face, so I quickly took the photo, and then we went on from there. But the funny thing is that I ended up using that first photo as my final. I think the colors blended really well, so I didn't do much to change it. I made the colors a little darker using color balance, then put the vignette on the edges.

Stetz will attend band camp at Bowling Green this summer, and said she is uncertain about her college major because there are so many things she wants to study and learn. “Though I'm leaning more towards journalism, I still want to learn about photography and graphic design.

For Greed the subject was Gretchen Kessler. When I went over to her house, I told her I wanted her to be Greed, so we just dumped all her change on the floor of her room, which was luckily green. Once again for this one, I moved around a lot. The one I choose was one of the last ones I took. I wasn't sure if I had gotten a good one because I didn't take that many and some of the money was blurry because she was moving it around in her hands. But thankfully I got this one so we didn't have to do it again. For editing, I used vignette and used sepia tone. For sepia tone, I choose a dark green and actually had the opacity up pretty high.

Stetz likes photography because it's something completely original. “It's me. It's you,” she said. “It's something that can define a person, and can show a lot about them while simply looking at a photograph.” She doesn't really have a photo routine because she’s a spontaneous person and so her photos are pretty random. She takes her camera everywhere she goes, and takes pictures of everything she sees. When she gets home she usually has 100 new photos in her camera. She sits down at her computer and goes through each one and picks out the ones she likes and the ones she wants to save. She’s a really organized person, and likes having a clean memory card. Stetz said, “With the ones I like, I mess around with them on Photoshop.” Her favorite thing to do in Photoshop is “play” with lens flares and sepia tones. She loves the old fashion look of photos.

For Pride the subject was me. To be honest, I was getting really close to the due date and I hadn't been able to get a hold of anyone to do another photo shoot. So I set up the tripod and went over to my horseback riding ribbons and started taking photos. This one is my least favorite because it just doesn't fit the flow of the rest of the photos, in my opinion. For editing, I used sepia tone and used a brown, then turned the opacity up really high, and then I used the posterize filter.

Stetz said she received a Nikon D5000 camera for graduation. Her favorite setting is Macro. “I take so many pictures in the macro setting. And I don't just use it for flowers.” She said she uses the setting for pretty much everything. Also, she adds this “little fun, nerdy fact” about herself. She names everything. Her car's name is Maverick. Her cell phone's name is Alphonse, and so naturally,she named her new camera. Its name is Jim.

For Sloth the subject was Gretchen again. This is another one of my favorites. The whole point of this photo was to have her floating in mid-air right above the bed, but I never took a single photo of the bed by itself so I could crop her into it. So, I just had to stick with her being on the bed. If I could change one thing about this photo, it would be to go back in time and tell Gretchen to relax her feet a little bit more. But oh well, it came out as a good photo. For editing, I used vignette, then changed the color balance, and then set the sepia tone to a light green.

For the Seven Deadly Sins Project, she used her mom's Nikon D90. She didn't have Jim at the time. She used a couple of different settings while shooting this project; auto, portrait, and macro. “I couldn't tell you what each photo's settings were because I just changed it after I took a few photos.” Most of the photos were taken with the macro mode however, because she just leaves the camera on that setting. The photos were taken either at Kessler's house, or her own. Though Kessler was the main subject for the photos, there was also Hannah Trate, Molly Kessler and self portraits.

For Wrath the subject was Hannah Trate, and I was at a loss. This was the hardest one to shoot because I couldn't really come up with anything. When I asked her to just give me an angry face to see what it would look like, we both just ended up laughing. So I decided we had to think of something else other than just a straight on shot of her being angry. So we just ended up going outside to see if anything was motivational, and I just randomly thought of chalk, so that's what I used. For editing, I used vignette and a sepia tone of a dark blue.

1st annual Play for 4 Baseball Tournament

Schlesner and Fox Throwing First Pitch

LOVELAND, OHIO - This Thursday July 1, Play for 4 and the Cincinnati STIX are hosting the 1st annual Play for 4 Baseball Tournament.. The games will be played at Phillips Park, Loveland Middle School, Loveland High School and Stottman field in Kwanis Park. There will be 38 teams in the 9u ,13u and 15u age divisions. Teams are from Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Coel Schlesner and Aron Fox will be throwing out the first pitch at 4:25 PM on Thursday at Phillips Park field 3 before the start of the first game. In 2009, Cole Schlesner was pitching in Loveland for the Cincinnati STIX 14U baseball team and struck by a line drive, suffering brain injury. Aaron Fox a 12 year old baseball player from Kentucky was injured on April 15th of this year by a line drive to the head while pitching to a live batter at practice. Aaron plays for the Florence Storm.

Play for 4 provides financial assistance for adolescents who suffer traumatic brain injuries due to an athletic related activity and those responsible for the expenses associated with their care.

Play for 4 President Steve Plitt said, "We hope that you can come to celebrate the ongoing recovery and support of Cole and Aaron. We would love to see everyone from our great community to share in this event."

Thanking Army Specialist Jacob Dohrenwend for his Service

MILFORD, OHIO - Yellow ribbons, American flags, and business marquees thanking Army Specialist Jacob Dohrenwend for his service to our country are prominent in Milford and surrounding communities today as family and friends prepare a Celebration of Life ceremony for the 20-year-old Milford High School graduate, who died of non-combat injuries while stationed in Balad, Iraq on June 21, 2010.

Specialist Dohrenwend’s body will be returned to the area Wednesday afternoon.  A processional will then travel from Lunken Airport, along Wilmer Avenue onto Beechmont Avenue, merging on SR 32, heading left on Church Street/Newtown Road, right on Wooster Pike/SR 50 into Milford, to the Craver-Riggs Funeral Home, located at 529 Main Street in Milford. 

Visitation is set for 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday (July 2) in the Great Hall at Milford First United Methodist Church, located at 541 Main Street.  On Saturday (July 3), the community is invited to attend a 10 a.m. Celebration of Life ceremony at the church, also in the Great Hall.  In addition to a slide show and special music, Specialist Dohrenwend’s parents, 13-year-old brother, and seven of his friends will take part in the ceremony.

The family has requested that memorials be made to the following: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.iava.org), 292 Madison Avenue - 10th Floor, New York, N.Y.  10017, donate@iava.org or call (212) 982-9699; the Wounded Warrior Project (www.WoundedWarriorProject.org), 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy. - Suite 100, Jacksonville, Fla. 32256; Impact a Hero (www.ImpactAHero.org), 8044 Montgomery Road - Suite 700, Cincinnati, Oh. 45236, info@impactplayer.org or call (513) 792-4070.

Celebrating God and Country at Epiphany United Methodist on JULY 4th

There will be no Saturday service on July 3rd at Epiphany United Methodist Church. And, there will be only one service on Sunday, July 4 at 10 AM, celebrating "God and Country." Nursery will be available. Directions

Brett Griffith Again Speaks Out Against Council TIF

This time he shows up with more numbers

LOVELAND, OHIO - On June 22, Loveland resident, Brett Griffith took to the podium at the Loveland Council meeting. This time returning as he said, because two weeks prior, when he first spoke to them, council asked him if he had had a "Chance to run the numbers."

You can watch Griffith's talk to City Council in the LOVELAND MAGAZINE VIDEO below.

Griffith, the Loveland School Treasurer, has taken a personal public stance in opposition to City plans to finish an incomplete subdivision, the Reserves of Loveland, using Tax Increment Financing. Griffith said on June 8, that he didn't feel that all the residents of Loveland or all the residents of the Loveland School District should have to incur the cost of completing the failed subdivision.

Griffith presented spreadsheets to council this week saying that Tax Increment Financing was not in fact necessary at all.

Download TIF SPREADSHEET 6-22-10 - A

Download TIF SPREADSHEET 6-22-10 - B-1

Download TIF SPREADSHEET 6-22-10 - C-1

Loveland's 4th of July Parade and Fireworks

Full swager rib-off?

Music by Euphoria

LOVELAND, OHIO: The City’s Fourth of July Parade begins at 7 PM Sunday July 4 at the Loveland Primary School.

The parade travels north on Loveland Madeira Road and then east on West Loveland Avenue ending at Karl Brown Way, near the Loveland Bike Trail in Historic Downtown.

Fireworks begin at dusk. the launch point is on the ball field at Kwanis Park on Wall Street. The show can be seen from many of Loveland's hill tops, but many prefer Nisbet Park where you can enjoy music by Euphoria beginning at 8 PM. The band plays classic rock; music from The Beatles, Boston, The Who, Rush, Genesis, Black Sabbath, Steely Dan, Journey, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and more.

In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE VIDEO Paxton's Grill manager Ralph Dunnigan and Liberty City Barbeque's Sheldon “Tico” Greene share what will be on their menus for the afternoon's celebration. It sounds like an informal ribs cook-off.

Both resturants are in Historic Downtown Loveland along the Loveland Bike Trail at West Loveland Avenue and Railroad Avenue.

City Manager Gives Mayor White Glove "Order" to Fix Sidewalk

Tom Carroll Treats Mayor Differently Than Heights Residents

Mayor must be a "white glove privilege" - his sidewalk being so neat and all.

Will not face minor misdemeanor fines.

by David Miller

LOVELAND, OHIO - On March 24 Loveland Magazine published the photo at left showing the deteriorated sidewalk in front of the home of Loveland Mayor, Rob Weisgerber (Read: Weisgerber Does Not Live in Affected Area). The article prompted Weisgerber to send a stream of "comments" to Loveland Magazine complaining that the article was not fair, then several more comments wanting to know why his first amendment rights were being denied, because his comments have never been published.

Two Loveland Magazine internal policies come into play here. First, Loveland Magazine moderates all comments, and they are not published if they contain statements of fact that may not be true. Second, we have a tenet that says, “Just because the government, office holders, or politicians say something, does not necessarily make it true and as such, we have no obligation to go to print.”

In the first comment Weisgerber submitted on April 8, he said, “What Mr Miller failed to ‘report’ on his blog is that I have been notified by the City manager and I already have my permit to repair my walk. I will need to repair the full length of my property and will have it completed in short order.” He sent three more comments, two chastising the Magazine for not publishing his first comment. In one he said, “Unfortunatly [sic] my response does not fit the political ends of the editor Dave Miller and so there is no freedom of speach [sic] for anyone who disagrees with him.”

Weisgerber’s comment would be posted, however, the veracity of his statement, “...I have been notified by the City manager...” and that it inferred that he already had a permit when the photo was published, would be looked at more closely.

Did Weisgerber in fact get the same legal Notice of Violation from Loveland City Manager Tom Carroll that 264 Loveland Heights property owners received for below standard sidewalks? Did Weisgerber receive the same citation that the Heights homeowners received, saying they faced prosecution for minor misdemeanor fines if their sidewalks were not brought up to code?

Had Weisgerber already applied for a permit before the story was published?

Was Weisgerber devoid of any personal responsibility in the citations to the 264 Loveland Heights properties?

After some fact checking, Loveland Magazine has found that Weisgerber did not receive the same legal notice from the City Manager other residents received. Since Weisgerber said he had been “notified” by Tom Carroll, Loveland Magazine went to City Hall to get a copy of the “notice.” Fully expecting that if there were one, it would be the same as a Loveland Heights widow received, a 15 page, single spaced, legal notice sent by certified mail. The letter that ordered sidewalk repairs; or be found guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

Knocking on the City Manager’s office door, he answered and after polite pleasantries exchanged, he said, “I’m in an interview. Can I help you with something?”

D. M. “Well, what I wanted to was to get a copy of the orders that were written against Rob Weisgerber’s sidewalks.”

T. C. “Why don’t you do this. Why don’t you make an appointment and come back and do that. I haven’t written orders on those. I’m in the middle of a job interview for an assistant city manager position. So why don’t you do me the courtesy of making an appointment and I’d be happy to talk to you about that at length.”

This threw me a little. I was pretty sure he just said that he hadn’t written any orders against Weisgerber’s sidewalks, but if so, why was he suggesting I make an appointment? So I asked, “Well, isn’t there someone that could just give it to me?”

T. C. “Actually, no there’s not. They all in interviews with the assistant city manager... so... Misty is, I am, so... Today’s April 15, tax day, utility billing day.”

This answer confused me more. I sounded like if city staff just wasn't so darned busy, they could give me the document, and lead me to believe that if I came back, he would give me the notice he just said he didn’t issue. So now, I certainly wouldn't leave without them if they existed. I said, “Public records are supposed to be made available...”

Carroll interrupted, “In a reasonable time frame.”

“When you come and get them,” I completed my sentence.

Carroll replied “Actually, that’s not the law. If you want, uh... Why don’t you contact me at three o’clock. I’ll be done at three o’clock.”

I then thought, he might be saying that “three o’clock” would give him a “reasonable” amount of time to produce the records that didn’t now exist. So, I persisted, wanting a straight up or down answer without all his caveats, “Are there orders?” I explicitly asked.

“There are not orders. Again, David, I’m in the middle of an interview, so.” He pleaded - his interviewee seated a few feet away.

I asked, “Well, why should I come back at three o’clock if there aren't any orders?”

Carroll's reply this time was, “Well, I don't know exactly what it is that you are looking for.”

Wanting him to know exactly what public record I was there for, I said, “Well, he (Weisgerber) said orders were...” (interrupted).

“No, he said he talked to me about it,” Carroll said, as if he knew better than I what the Mayor had told me.

Finishing my sentence I said, “Well, he said he was ordered.”

T. C. "That’s not what he said actually. No actually. Well that’s not. I don’t know what he told you."

D. M. "So you didn’t..."

Interrupting again he said, “David, I’m in the middle of an interview, please.”

Persistent, I asked again, “Are there written orders?”

T. C. "There are not."

D. M. OK, that’s what I wanted to know. I didn’t want to come back at three o’clock if there weren't any.

T. C. “OK.”

D. M. I wanted to get that answer now. Thank you.

I contacted Weisgerber via e-mail on April 19 and said, “I went to City Hall on Thursday morning and asked Tom Carroll for the ‘orders’ he has written for your sidewalk repairs. He said there are none.”

Weisgerber replied, “After the City Manager had received a comment from a fellow Council Person about my walk, he informed me of the comment and I took that as having received notice (verbally).  Mr Carroll is correct that there is no written notice - it was verbal. I took a proactive stance (even though my neighborhood has not yet been inspected) after his verbal notice and applied for my permit under the City's process.”

After making a public record request, I found Weisgerber’s permit issued by the City. It was dated March 24, the date Loveland Magazine first reported on the deteriorated condition of the Mayor’s sidewalk. However five other documents, one in the Mayor’s handwriting, and four e-mails with date lines, document that he didn’t apply for the permit until March 31.

“Any communication prior to the request/submittal of my permit was via personal verbal communication,” Weisgerber wrote on top of the stack of documents - apparently referring to his private notice from Tom Carroll.

Carroll had repeated for many months that he is duty bound by his oath of office and the laws of the state and city that if is he is informed of sidewalk violations that he must issue orders against the homeowner. That he says, is why the Heights residents were notified by certified mail that they face misdemeanor violations.

Carroll said in a March 27 e-mail to City Council, “I took an oath to uphold the code, and I try to be a stickler about that oath and the Code. As I said on March 9th, I am duty-bound to enforce the code. Section 905.14 (b) of the Code makes it clear that when the Manager is aware of a violation, he or she SHALL (not optional) cause it to be fixed.”(Carroll's emphasis)

At that point, the subject was pretty much closed from my perspective because what Weisgerber said when he submitted his comment to Loveland Magazine, was not factual, and there was no obligation to publish his assertions. I felt that I had fulfilled my obligation to readers of Loveland Magazine. I had an interesting tale to tell, however, the whole subject had a quality of getting petty, silly, and childish - except for that troubling date on Weisgerber's permit.

Nevertheless, Weisgerber has persistently, insisted that his comments should be published. Besides his e-mails, he has asked me in a personal conversation, to publish his comments.

Another troubling aspect of Weisgerber’s assertions to Loveland Magazine was that he insists he had nothing to do with the violation orders being sent to the 264 Heights homeowners. He says that Carroll had an obligation to send the letters, and as Mayor, his only role in the matter was to help residents pay for repairs.

On April 8 Weisgerber told Loveland Magazine, “Mr Miller has misled his readers that council (lead by me) voted on the enforcement of the mandated repairs. This is not true and is beyond my authority.” And, on April 9, Weisgerber wrote in Cincinnati.com, “City council did not vote on whether or not residents in the Loveland Heights neighborhood will have to fix their sidewalks - this is a matter of the current property codes. While you may have heard council was voting on enforcement or read it on a blog page, it is not fact.”

A close review of the video of the council meetings however revels that at least three council members thought that a vote by Council would stop Carroll from sending the violation letters. Carroll, despite the vote, sent the letters the next morning, prompting Council-member Paul Elliott to question the move. Elliott asked that the Clerk of Council review the meeting tapes, and have the word for word language inserted into the meeting minutes. Weisgerber voted not to have the subject reviewed, apparently wanting his role in the matter to remain vague. Weisgerber’s position prevailed.

Add to Weisgerber’s vote, he called a special Good Friday meeting of city council which hurried along a second round of citation letters to the 264 Loveland Heights Residents. In contrast to council members Linda Cox, Mark Fitzgerald, and Elliott urging Carroll to use caution and better discretion in the Heights, Weisgerber urged full speed ahead.

Sidewalks have been a sore subject for many residents lately. In addition to the  violation orders sent to the 264 Loveland Heights home owners, taxpayers have payed part of the cost of removing parking in downtown and installing brick paver sidewalk for more outdoor patio space for restaurants. A grant to help rural Appalachia, and Community Development Block Grant money is being used not to provide services to the working poor and unemployed, but for sidewalks among proposed art galleries, boutiques, and upscale restaurants in the downtown area. The City is close to installing sidewalks at the Reserves of Loveland, an upscale housing development, and passing 75% of the cost along to all of the Loveland School District taxpayers. And the City is considering using public money to install sidewalks for Loveland businesses along Montgomery road.

Weisgerber also said in that Cincinnati.com guest column, “The maintenance and repair of the infrastructure in the city is very important. It influences property values, business investment, neighborhood pride and more.”

So, maybe discussing Weisgerber’s personal sidewalk and the special treatment he received from self-described, “Stickler” Tom Carroll, is not really so silly.

Click to read Weisgerber's comments to Loveland Magazine and to view the documents received from the public record request:

Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra Independence Day Concert

MONTGOMERY, OHIO - On July 3, at 7:30 PM the theme for this year's annual Independence Day Concert of the Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is “Independence Day 1976!”  - a salute to the bicentennial of our nation’s founding.

The orchestra will play patriotic music, marches and songs, plus selections made famous by Chicago and Earth Wind and Fire, as well as other “fabulous sounds from 1976!”

Bring your blankets or chairs and come back in time with us.

The concert is at Montgomery Park is at Schoolhouse and Montgomery Roads

The Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony is an orchestra of Professional Musicians.

Gin Blossoms and Eddie Money Headline MidSummer at the Meadows

Mid Summer Festival in Miami Township’s Miami Meadows Park

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO - Two days of “All Day Fun” for the whole family is offered with the Kidz Fun Zone and Teen activity areas, including festival rides and the popular Game Zone at the Township’s annual family festival on July 9 and 10.

The “Taste of MidSummer” features over fourteen food booths offering promised, “Treats to satisfy any taste.”

You can watch the competition of the Skyhoundz Disc Dogs, and Saturday’s finale will be a Rozzi's fireworks show.

The Gin Blossoms is the headliner for Friday, July 9, and Eddie Money for Saturday, July 10.

The Natalie Fossier 4th Annual Fly Thru the Park 5K run is on Saturday morning. This year there will be the Amazing Portable Circus with a magician and stilt walker juggling and making balloon animals for the kids. Food and refreshments will be available. Registration

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS


Friday JULY 9

• 

6:00 pm Amusement rides open
...
• 6:00 pm Face painting and tattoos
• 
6:00 pm Food booths open
• 
6:00 pm Game Zone Volleyball & Corn Hole

• 6:00 pm Band I - TBA

• 7:30 pm Band II - TBA
• 
9:00 pm Gin Blossoms

Saturday JULY 10 



• 6:00 am - Noon Natalie Fossier 5K Run
...
• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Classic Car Show
Noon -
• 5:00 pm Skyhoundz Disc Tournament
• 

2:30 pm Kidz Zone
3:00 pm Volleyball & Corn Hole
• 
3:00 pm Face Painting & Tattoos

• 3:00 pm Food Booths Open

• 3:00 pm Amusement Rides Open

• 3:00 pm Game Zone Opens
• 
5:00 pm Magic Shows

• 6:00 pm Band I - TBA
• 
7:30 pm Band II - TBA
• 
9:00 pm Eddie Money

• 10:15 pm Rozzi Fireworks Finale

Miami Meadows Park is at 1546 State Route 131.

One More Time

By Julie Irwin Zimmerman in Xavier Magazine

Loveland resident, Jenny Vonasek’s interest in sustainability and the environment goes back further than most: she and her husband spent their honeymoon in 1982 at the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tenn., where she was intrigued by the exhibits on solar energy. In the ensuing years, Vonasek worked in several different industries, but she always wanted to own her own business and work in a field related to conservation.  Read on...

Study Finds Adult Drivers Are the Worst Text Messaging Offenders

---

By JIM MOTAVALLI

June 24, 2010, 11:56 am

If you think it is teenagers who are primarily guilty of sending text messages while driving, think again.

According to a new poll from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, adults are more likely to have performed this behind-the-wheel juggling act, as well as talking on cellphones from the driver’s seat.

Beyond driving, one in six (17%) cell-toting adults say they have been so distracted while talking or texting that they have physically bumped into another person or an object. That amounts to 14% of all American adults who have been so engrossed in talking, texting or otherwise using their cell phones that they bumped into something or someone.

The poll, released last Friday, contrasted its adult results from earlier this year with a 2009 survey of teenagers. Both were conducted for Pew by Princeton Survey Research Associates International.   Read on...

Talking, Texting Behind the Wheel Top Concern for Parents

AAA Insurance surveys parents on teen driving issues

According to a recent survey by AAA Insurance, parents are more concerned about teens talking or texting while driving than they are concerned about teens becoming involved in a motor vehicle crash.  Approximately 93 percent responded they were very concerned about teens talking or texting on cell phones while driving, compared to 89 percent indicating they were very concerned about teens becoming involved in a motor vehicle crash.

City Hall has Tempory Summer Hours

LOVELAND, OHIO - As a result of a failed air conditioning system, City Hall will be altering its hours of operations by adopting a summer schedule beginning, Monday, June 28. City Hall will be open from 7 AM until 3 PM. Hours of operation will return to normal, 8:30 AM until 5 PM, when the new system is in place.

You can check the City’s Community Calendar at www.lovelandoh.com or call City Hall at 683-0150 throughout the summer to find out if evening meetings have been moved to new locations. It is being suggested that community groups that use City Council Chambers for meetings, consider alternatives such as the Loveland Safety Center. For more information contact Misty Cheshire at 683-0150.

2010's Taste of Music

LOVELAND, OHIO - On May 15 the Loveland Music Boosters and The Loveland High School and Middle School show choirs presented a Taste of Music at Loveland High. It was billed as “An evening of fun and music.” It was all that and more, with food dishes prepared by some of the Loveland areas finest restaurants. The evening was also hosted by Q102’s Laura Powell and Jon Jon as DJ’s. The Boosters partnered with the L.I.F.E. Food Pantry. There was quite an assortment of silent auction and raffle items donated by some very generous individuals and local businesses.

The high school cafeteria was a buzz of action early as tables were decorated with unique centerpieces, and food prepared by volunteers. Piece after piece of auction items were put on display, and booster moms and dads attended to the details of their very ambitious affair.

When most of the preparation was finished, the fun moved to the auditorium where By Request and Revolution preformed - as well as  individuals performing end of year class projects. Then the action moved back to the cafeteria where show choir students sang in small ensembles and solo. That’s when the entertainment of Q102’s Laura and Jon started, and of course the food.

In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO you can watch food being prepared, tasted, and enjoyed. Also, watch By Request in backstage rehearsal, and selected clips of the entertainment.

Ath. Booster President Jeff Williams Earns State Award

OHSAA Scholar Athletic Association “STATE AWARD”

The Ohio High School Athletic Association “State Award” is presented to a coach, teacher, administrator or booster member who continually exemplifies good sportsmanship, is a role model for others, reflects the high level of ethics and integrity in dealing with students, supports and demonstrates positive values and has contributed to the well being of the youth of Loveland High School.

The 2010 winner of the “State Award” is a local business leader, and Loveland Athletic Booster President, "who continually provides support for all of our athletes" - Jeff Williams.

 

St. Columban Festival Chicken Recipe Safe for Now

Festival Continues Saturday and Sunday

LOVELAND, OHIO -In this LOVELAND HD MAGAZINE VIDEO, Michael Wolbers tells how his family has been cooking BBQ'd chicken at the annual St. Columban Parish Festival since the 1920's, but he won't revel the family's secret basting sauce ingredients.

The festival continues Saturday from 6 - 11 PM, and Sunday from 3 - 9 PM. On Saturday night, Midnight Special will entertain, and there will be a visit from WGRR, with fireworks at 10:30.

On Sunday Midnight Special will again entertain, and from 3 - 5:30 PM you can purchase $10, "all you can ride" arm bands.

There will be a grand prize of $10,000 given away at the festival.

Correction

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

On June 20, I wrote in the editorial, Tom Carroll Speculates on Who Tipped Off School Board, that I had not circulated petitions in the City of Loveland, "for at least 17 years."

The statement I made has nagged at me since the story was published, so today I got out some old files and discovered that I was wrong. In fact, I was intimately involved in the efforts to overturn the rezoning of the land commonly known as "White Pillars." The City had rezoned the property for commercial use, and citizens, including myself took the issue to a successful to ballot box conclusion and overturned the rezoning.

The petitions were circulated in July of 2002. So, the correct number of years should have been 7, instead of 17.

I apologize for the misstatement of fact.

David Miller

Let Us Never Forget Seth Mitchell Scholarship Awarded to Terra Kreiner

LOVELAND, OHIO - Loveland High School senior, Terra Kreiner "most embodies the spirit of Seth Mitchell" and during a ceremony at the High School on May 13, she received the Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarship.

High School teachers were involved in an interview process and the Seth Mitchell's parents made the final selection. The amount was $2000. Guidance counsuler, Debra Hager said, "Her selection was based on her essay, a personal interview and two letters of recommendation."

Seth Mitchell was born in Charlotte NC and lived in that area until he was 11 years old. As a child, Seth participated in sports and school activities and loved water sports such as skiing and tubing. As a young boy Seth wanted to be a pilot. Seth had a huge collection of planes. He even had them hanging from the ceiling in his room. Seth was usually seen with some sort of plane or helicopter on his shirts.

When Seth and his family moved to Loveland, he continued his dream of flying by taking his first “solo” flight at the Waynesville, OH air field. Seth flew in a glider plane for his 12th birthday. The instructor let Seth took the controls as the glider sailed through the air. He was Hooked! At Loveland Middle School, Seth got his first taste of organized football. Seth graduated from Loveland High School where he played football; pole vaulted for the track team, was a member of the student council and elected class president for 1997. Seth called Loveland home because that is where he developed lifelong friendships and the skills, talent and character traits that guided his life. One turning point in Seth’s life was getting involved with Student Venture, the high school ministry of the Campus Crusade for Christ. Seth found his spiritual compass and developed leadership skills that would serve him well in future endeavors.

After high school Seth enrolled at Virginia Tech and the ROTC program. Seth was a member of Echo Company. He earned a ROTC scholarship after his freshman year and became the executive officer of Golf Company during his senior year. He was a member of the German Club, Ring Design Committee and member at large for the Class of 2001. After graduation, Seth entered the Marine Corp Office Candidate School.

Graduation from OCS, 2nd Lt Mitchell was assigned to Camp Lejuene, NC. While at Camp Lejuene he served tours in Okinawa, Haiti and Iraq as part of an infantry unit. Seth was promoted to 1st Lt. and on November 1st 2005 he achieved the rank of Captain. Growing up he had dreamed of becoming a pilot but did not qualify for the military aviation program due to his eyesight. After corrective eye surgery and while stationed at Camp Lejuene Captain Mitchell achieved his private pilot’s license. Due to his determination, Captain Mitchell beat long odds and was awarded a Marine Aviation training spot after four years in the Corp. Captain Mitchell began flight training in Pensacola FL, earning his wings in May 2007. He later qualified to fly the AH-1 Super Cobra Helicopter. Captain Mitchell had achieved and was living his dream of serving his country as a Marine aviator. Captain Mitchell loved to fly and did so during his second tour in Iraq in 2008. In very typical fashion, Captain Mitchell volunteered to report early to duty in Afghanistan to assist a unit short on manpower.

Captain Seth Mitchell, 30, was killed October 26, 2009 when two helicopters collided while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Captain Mitchell was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Mason Scheeler, Dustin Brown, Andrew Marlatt in East West All Star Game

Graduating Loveland High School Seniors, Mason Scheeler and Dustin Brown  played in the 35th Southwest Ohio Football Coaches Association/Ron Woyan East-West High School All-Star Game at Kings High School June 14.

Loveland Tiger Head Coach, Andrew Marlatt was the assistant Head Coach for the East All Stars.

This short Loveland Magazine Video shows Brown’s and Scheeler’s excitement at playing in the game, and Coach Marlatt coaching the defensive squad.

Paxton’s Grill Erupts at Last Second Win

First Mens US World Cup Victory in 8 Years

LOVELAND, OHIO - Watch the large crowd at Paxton’s Grill in Historic Downtown Loveland in this LOVELAND MAGAZINE VIDEO as they erupt in cheers and high fives when the USA beat Algeria (1-0) in the final seconds of World Cup Play on Wednesday.

Paxton’s will again host soccer fans on Saturday afternoon, June 26, when the USA team plays Ghana - game time is 2:30 PM.

“The Sound is Heavenly Beautiful”

Jessica Flora: Good Heart, Hard Work, Intelligence and Talent

by David Miller

I think many photographers keep the corner of one eye peeled on the setting sun, as I did on Memorial Day at the annual concert at the Blue Ash Town Square. The sun, you can fight - or wait on to do its wonderful tricks. The harpist caught my eye, really, it was the highlights of her red hair, the glowing metal of the polished golden harp - the setting sun adding even more red and orange colors. And, the concert goers through the harp strings. I took a deep breath and about thirty shots, changing the camera exposure between each, until the musical piece ended.

I failed to capture all of the wonderful color and sparkle I saw in my lens, but wanted to publish one of the photos none-the-less. That led me to contact the orchestra, who put me in touch with the young woman’s mother - so i could ask for permission to publish her name along with the photo.

Funny, how that setting sun led me to meet a gracious and very proud mom, and to be introduced to a young person who dreamed. Please allow me to introduce you to her.

Jessica Flora turned 16 in April and she’ll be a junior at Anderson High School. She was performing under the concert shell at the Blue Ash Town Square during the annual Memorial Day concert. She is a member of the Blue Ash Youth Symphony Orchestra (BAYSO). Also featured was the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (BAMSO). The free concert attracts many thousand music lovers. BAMSO is conducted by Michael Chertock, the distinguished keyboardist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and as their music director, always ensures the Memorial Day concert is a tribute to those who have lost their lives for our country, and service veterans of all ages.

I found out that Jessica had wanted to play harp after she saw the woman who later became her instructor, Heather Witter, playing at her grandparent’s church, Hartzel United Methodist. Jessica was very young. From that moment, she asked her parents if she could learn to play the harp.

Her mother, Joyce Flora said that in the Anderson School District, children can choose to play a string instrument in 4th grade. However, harp was not a school sponsored or taught choice. But, Jessica she still had her heart set. Joyce said, “When she sadly stated, ‘I guess I could play viola,’  I knew we would do whatever it would take to support and fulfill her dream of playing the harp.”

“My husband and I always joke that it is not an instrument we would recommend talking your child into. It is expensive, huge, heavy, and very cumbersome to move. But, the sound is heavenly beautiful,” Joyce said.

So, Jessica started playing harp when she was 9 and in the 4th grade, and has now been taking private instructions from Heather Witter for 7 years.

Joyce Flora said, “We are so thankful to BAYSO for giving Jessica the opportunity to play in a group environment.  Especially since Anderson High School could not accommodate a harpist  and she was not permitted to play for their orchestra.” She continued, “I am sure you can note the tone of lingering pain that came with that reality.”  In her freshman year she took a study hall 7th bell just “in case” they “might” use her. Which her mom said was a ridiculously hopeful choice looking back, because she was not receiving credit for a class.

Joyce said that Jessica is very active and has a lot of varied interests including harp and BAYSO. She also bowls for the Anderson High School bowling team and her softball team “just won tournament champions.”  She is volunteering as an intern at Parkside Christian Church this summer with planned mission trips and youth retreats. On top of all that she finished the year with a 4.0 and  received Maxima Cum Laude for her performance on the National Latin Examination.

“We are very proud of Jessica for her good heart, hard work, intelligence and talent.  And on top of all that, she’s just lovely and nice to be around,” said her mother.

BAYSO takes the summer off, however BAMSO's next concert is July 3. The theme is “Independence Day 1976!” with a salute to the bicentennial of our nation’s founding. Patriotic music, marches and songs plus selections made famous by Chicago and Earth Wind and Fire as well as other sounds from 1976. This 7:30 PM concert, part of the Montgomery Independence Day celebration, will take place in Montgomery Park, Montgomery Road and Schoolhouse Roads.The members of the orchestra are all professional musicians, many of whom perform regularly with the finest symphony orchestras in the Cincinnati area.

Milford Soldier Army Specialist Jacob Dohrenwend Remembered as Big Brother to Many

2008 Graduate of Milford High School

MILFORD, OHIO - Flags are being flown at half-staff at Clermont County, Milford, and Miami Township government buildings in honor of Army Specialist Jacob Dohrenwend.  The 20-year-old Milford man has died from non-combat injuries sustained while stationed in Balad, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  At the time of his death, Specialist Dohrenwend was serving on personal security duty for the Lt. Commander of his battalion.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas.  In an e-mail from the family, they say the Lt. Commander called and told them Jacob was an exemplary soldier who took care of his fellow soldiers.  “He told us that Jacob was very concerned about the children of Iraq and used his own money to buy them whatever he could,” said the e-mail.

The e-mail from his family said that on his 18th birthday, Jacob did two things: registered to vote and enlisted in the Army.  “He was a wonderful brother, son, and friend.  He loved his family, friends, his country, and the Army,” said his family in the e-mail.  “When he wasn’t playing video games with friends, he was serving the community by volunteering at the library or a nursing home.”

The family also sent an article that Jacob wrote before he left for Iraq.  It is called Freedom and says, in part:

Each person has their own set of values; I value freedom above all else.  I joined the Army not for adventure or money, but because I feel it is my duty to defend the freedoms I hold so dear.  I’m not a person able to stand by and enjoy the luxuries of this country while others fight and die for this magnificent country.

Dohrenwend was a 2008 graduate of Milford High School where he was part of the Junior ROTC program.  A 6 p.m. candlelight vigil is planned tonight (June 23, 2010) at Miami Meadows Park, located at 1546 SR 131 for Specialist Dohrenwend.

He is the eleventh soldier with ties to Clermont County that has died since Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003.

Pick Your Own Lavender Harvest

You've Bought Their Products at the Milford Farmers Market, Now You're Invited to the Farm

MT ORAB, OHIO - A Pick Your Own Lavender Harvest will be held on Sundays, June 27, July 4, and July 11from noon untill 4 PM at Jaybird Farms, 3370 State Route 134, Mt. Orab, Ohio 45154. The farm is located 7 miles north of Sardinia on State

Route 134 in Highland Couty. 
There are many rows of blooming lavender for your picking, or just enjoy the view and fragrance from the shaded picnic area. Herbal teas and bottled water will be available. Vivian Pfankuch said, "Bring a picnic lunch, and the family, and enjoy."
 
Jaybird Farms owner Pfankuch, is a former resident of Miami Township and lived in Mt. Repose until 1991.  "I grew up on a small family farm, so farming is in my blood."  She said that the Milford area had grown so much and there was little farm land left.  "I needed to move farther out into the country to be able to continue doing what I love," says Pfankuch.
 
Pfankuch and her husband, Jay have been growing herbs, cut flowers and vegetables for many years and added the lavender farm in 2007. They make many products from the lavendar, including lavender blackberry jam, lavender apple jelly, lavender dream pillows, herbal bath sachets, and other items.
 
Pfankuch said that Jaybird Farms was honored to be one of the growers for the Granny's Garden Spring Plant Sale and Party this year. They supplied many varieties of herbs for the event and set up a display to showcase their other products.
 
Jaybird Farms is a member of the Milford Farmers Market, which is held Wednesdays 2 PM until 5 PM and Saturdays 10 AM untill 2 PM at the Milford Shopping Center on Route 50 in Milford.  The market runs from June through Thanksgiving.
 
Call 937-442-4800 for more information, or visit their web site: www.jaybirdfarms.com.

June 22 Council Meeting Moved to Safety Center

LOVELAND, OHIO - The June 22, 2010 council meeting has been relocated to the Safety Center at 126 S. Lebanon Road. The meeting begins at 8 PM.

Lane Closures on I-275 on Friday June 25

Midnight to 6 AM

LOVELAND, OHIO - Pavement work will require various two-lane closures in both directions of Interstate 275 at the Hamilton/Clermont county line (Loveland-Madeira) from midnight to 6 AM. Friday, June 25.

For additional information on lane and road closures caused by construction, accidents or other related traffic events, visit www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

Greetings...

This Thursday, June 24th at 10 AM come spend 60-90 minutes and hear the journey of a woman that knows the true meaning of life...a truly amazing woman that believes that community service is where everyone truly discovers their passion.  "No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."

We will learn how volunteerism can make a difference in your life from a true role model...Rochelle Cooper-Morton.  She has served as Director for Community Engagement at the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati - volunteerism is truly a way of life for Rochelle. 

Please come and sit on the patio and listen to her story...and hear about her latest work with the American Cancer Society and learn about the incredible volunteerism story of this wonderful lady!

RSVP Donna at donna@bluechipcookies.com.

Have a Sweet Day...Enjoy Every Morsel of LIfe!

Sincerely,

Donna Drury

Loveland's Amazing Women

Location:  Blue Chip Cookies/Gourmet in Loveland, on the bike trail.

Thursday, June 24th at 10 AM

Cost- A $mile
(Isn't that Priceless)

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Donna Drury, Hostess with Cookies & Coffee!

Rochelle Cooper-Morton served as Director for Community Engagement at the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, volunteerism is truly a way of life for Rochelle.  While it would be impossible to list all of the organizations she gives of her time to, some of them include Bigg's Curtis Breeden Foundation, American Cancer Society, Center for Closing the Health Gap, Cincinnati Hamilton Community Action Agency, Junior Achievement, Cincinnati Public School Mentorship Program and a host of other organizations.  As a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, she served on the Vestry and worked with a number of committees for the church

  She has served on many boards:  Hoxworth Blood Center, Parents for Public Schools, Every Child Succeeds, Caracole, Ohio Justice Policy Center, Leadership Cincinnati, FBI Citizens, and the Health Alliance.

Rochelle has received the following awards:  Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year, Speaking of Women's Health,  CAA Bridge Builder Award, Urban League Leadership Award, Unsung Hero, Cincinnati Herald Neffertiti Award, Outstanding Women-Outstanding Times WCPO, Teacher of the Year for Cincinnati Public, and Career Women.

  She believes that community service is the price we pay for being on this earth.  This is something she continues to instill in her daughter.  While she was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer in 2008, she has not allowed the cancer to hold her back from volunteering.  She would like to leave you with these words, "No one cares how mush you know, until they know how much you care."

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LOVELAND, OHIO - On Wednesday morning, Paxton's Grill in Historic Downtown Loveland along the Loveland Bike Trail will again host a early morning viewing of the USA World Cup competition.

The match against Algeria will be on all the screens at Paxton's for the screaming, fanatic fans. The game begins at 10 AM. (Directions to Paxtons) Phone: 513-583-1717

In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE VIDEO you can watch the excitement at Paxton's as the US team comes from 2 points behind against Slovenia, and then robbed of their apparent winning goal last Friday morning.

“I am not positive but am quite certain that the “anonymous” tip to the School Board was from one of them.” - Loveland City Manager, Tom Carroll


by David Miller

City Manager Tom Carroll has exchanged e-mail messages with some residents of the  Reserves of Loveland (Read Background Story) after they asked for City help to finish their subdivision.

In an e-mail to resident Barry Schults on May 26, Carroll speculates about who might have tipped off the Loveland School Board about the plan Carroll crafted to solve the neighborhood’s problems. Schults had sent an e-mail to Carroll saying he was in attendance at the council meeting the night before, and said, “Thank you for your support and help as we struggle through this unfortunate situation here in the Reserves of Loveland. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself.” Schults did not say anything about the School Board, or ask Carroll any questions about who might have tipped them off to Carroll’s plan.

Carroll replied to Schults within 8 minutes that morning, explaining in detail the process that must be followed and the time it might take to put in place a Tax Increment Finance District for the subdivision. The TIF would capture future increases in property taxes within the uncompleted subdivision, taking the money from the school district, and diverting it into a special fund that can then be used to complete the infrastructure within the failed development. Or, let Fifth Third Bank “donate” money to the City to build a park shelter including a plaque to honor themselves.

Carroll explains to Schults that after the proposed TIF ordinance is passed by City Council, it would not become law for 30 days, then offers this unsolicited speculation:

 “...it sits for 30 days before it becomes effective, by law, so that residents in the community can if they wish circulate referendum petitions. A couple of the folks who do that often in Loveland were in the audience last night, and I am not positive but am quite certain that the “anonymous” tip to the School Board was from one of them. So, we still have a ways to go.”

The night before, School Board President Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, Treasurer Brett Griffith, and Business Manager John Ames attended the meeting, and Griffith spoke during open forum in opposition to the plan Carroll had spent months crafting.

From my own recollection from attending the meeting, there was no one in the audience that had circulated petitions in Loveland for at least 7* years. In fact, there was no one in the audience that night who had ever circulated petitions in Loveland, except myself. I had circulated petitions a long time ago, and have been a consultant and resource for the printed petitions other groups used in recent years, but did not publicly advocate for what my clients were proposing, and never circulated those petitions. Carrol’s speculation is completely void of any real truth. Carroll saw two people in the audience that night "who do that often" and I can think of only one who has ever, circulated petitions.

Lorenz: Why should someone have to tip us off?

Lorenz said she found the e-mail disturbing. “I'm not sure why any public official or employee of a city would put such statements in an email to anyone. The statement that someone ‘tipped’ us off is disturbing in and of itself. Why should someone have to tip us off?  Why wouldn't the city want to work with us on this?”

I myself find the e-mail very unsettling on several fronts. First, why is Carroll pitting the Reserves residents, several of who were at the council meeting that night against other fellow citizens? And, why has he done so in such a reckless manner? Is he creating a “straw man” whom he can blame later if his plan doesn't pan out?

I go to church with one of the Reserves of Loveland families whom Carroll is communicating with. I have walked with them in a cancer walk. I have written about their children in Loveland Magazine and how they were walking on behalf of their grandmother with cancer. When this family moved into their new home at the Reserves, they gave me some left over items they no longer needed.

Note to Tom Carroll from David Miller:

These are my friends.

Note to residents of the Reserves from Tom Carroll:

Don’t be mad at Mark Bradley Zaring or Robert Krohngold who waltzed out of town and didn’t finish your streets or sidewalks. Don’t be mad at Fifth Third Bank who took possession of the valuable remaining building lots, but not the land under those unfinished streets and sidewalks. Be mad at whomever I point my reckless, waving finger at.

However, the most important message Carroll sends to the residents of the Reserves; Don’t be mad at Tom Carroll who let Zaring’s and Krohngold’s letter of credit expire. Oh, and don’t be mad at Tom Carroll who approved reductions of the letter of credit over the years, so much so that now even if it were still good, didn’t have enough money in the account to finish the streets and sidewalks anyway.

No.... Look around the room Carroll tells them; the person to be mad at is “one of them” who tipped off the School Board.

The reason I say this is reckless, is that these are new residents probably without much knowledge of past local politics in Loveland. All they may know now is that Carroll has swept his pointing finger at everyone in the room that night. That’s the thanks one gets for attending a council meeting here?

Welcome to the Sweetheart of Ohio, new Reserves of Loveland residents, bet ya didn’t know you already had quite so many fellow residents to be suspicious of, did ya?

So, there was the mild mannered, and very softly spoken Treasurer of the Loveland School Board, Brett Griffith, speaking as a resident of Loveland, on a subject you could tell he was reluctant to publicly express his displeasure with. Griffith himself is also very new resident of the City.

Is it not a reasonable thing for the District Treasurer to express opposition?

Carroll has spent months crafting a plan that absolves Mark Bradley Zaring or Robert Krohngold of their responsibilities to this City and residents of the Reserves, and one that lets Fifth Third Bank off the hook if they will build a new park shelter with a plaque to honor themselves. The plan then puts the burden on the residents of the entire local school district to finish the construction of the streets and sidewalks. Given that two-thirds of school taxpayers don’t even live in this city, is it not a reasonable thing for the District Treasurer to express opposition?

Shouldn't we all want the anonymous tipster found?

The residents of Loveland, and especially the entire population of the school district should also be in the hunt for the anonymous tipster that lighted the lantern Tom Carroll speculates about. They should find her or him and mount a Paul Revere type plaque on the Col. Thomas Paxton Bridge over the Little Miami River in their honor.

Lorenz told me in an e-mail last week, “I will be happy to assert to anyone that it was not you who let me know that this issue would come before Council.”

Riding through present-day Somerville, Medford, and Arlington, Paul Revere warned patriots along his route - many of whom set out on horseback to deliver warnings of their own. By the end of the night there were probably as many as 40 riders throughout Middlesex County carrying the news of the army's advancement. (From Wikipedia)

Will you be one of the forty to spread the news?

* Editors Note: This number was originally published as 17. (Correction)

55th anniversary Celebration July 9, 10, and 11

LOVELAND, OHIO - Do you remember when the Post Office and the Sohio Station operated at the corner of W. Loveland and Oak Street (now Loveland Madeira)?  Do you remember when the newest business in Loveland was to open at this same corner?  If you do, you must have been born before 1955.

The “Dairy Whip Drive-In” as Mrs. Brennan (the original owner) put it, opened July 8, 1955. The Loveland Dairy Whip is celebrating its 55th anniversary the weekend of July 9th 2010.  The Dairy Whip has been serving soft serve ice cream from the same location since its Grand Opening.  As Mrs. Brennan offered in 1955, the Dairy Whip will have a "Buy One Sundae, Get One Sundae Free" special all weekend to celebrate its anniversary and to thank its loyal customers. 

Teresa Morgan, the current owner, got her start at age eleven by bagging hamburgers for her parents, Marian and Jim Flint, which owned the Dairy Whip from1972 through 1986.  The Dairy Whip no longer serves the “Fifth Wheel Hamburgers “ which were popular in the 70s when the Flints owned it, however, it is still known for its creamy soft serve ice cream.  The Dairy Whip uses a soft serve mix from Trauth Dairy.  Soft serve desserts are made fresh before your eyes.  While offering the usual vanilla, chocolate and twist cones with candy "eyes" for kids they can also be topped with sprinkles or chocolate, cherry, or butterscotch dip. They also have banana boats and sundaes.  The specialties are Parfay’s and Cyclones with a variety of candy toppings.  The Chocolate Mountain, Reese Tulip and Hot Fudge Sundae are only a few of the favorites.

This year the Apple Carmel Delight Parfay, a vanilla soft serve with warm apple and caramel toppings, whip cream, nuts and a cherry on top has been added to the menu.   They are also adding a third soft serve machine.  Rick says “We have needed one for a while now and hopes it will enable the Drive Thru window to operate more efficiently.”  There are also future plans to expand and upgrade the picnic areas and parking lot.

In honor of Jim Flint which passed this year of lung cancer, Teresa and Rick would like to find those customers and employees that remember when the “Dairy Whip Drive-In” first opened in 1955.  Rick is looking for pictures and stories of those days so that history is not lost.  You can look up Rick at the Dairy Whip, via email, or on Facebook.

The Loveland Dairy Whip is located at 611 W. Loveland Ave, four blocks west of downtown Loveland and one building west of Loveland Madeira Road.  It is within walking or biking distant from the Loveland Bike Trail.  It is open for the season from first weekend in March through last weekend in September.  Spring/Fall hours 2 in the afternoon until 9 PM, and in the Summer they're open until 10 PM.

Watch USA vs. Algeria World Cup at Paxton's

LOVELAND, OHIO - On Wednesday morning, Paxton's Grill in Historic Downtown Loveland along the Loveland Bike Trail will again host a early morning viewing of the USA World Cup competition.

The match against Algeria will be on all the screens at Paxton's for the screaming, fanatic fans. The game begins at 10 AM. (Directions to Paxtons) Phone: 513-583-1717

In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE VIDEO you can watch the excitement at Paxton's as the US team comes from 2 points behind against Slovenia, and then robbed of their apparent winning goal last Friday morning.

Tom Carroll Speculates on Who Tipped Off School Board

“I am not positive but am quite certain that the “anonymous” tip to the School Board was from one of them.” - Loveland City Manager, Tom Carroll


by David Miller

City Manager Tom Carroll has exchanged e-mail messages with some residents of the  Reserves of Loveland (Read Background Story) after they asked for City help to finish their subdivision.

In an e-mail to resident Barry Schults on May 26, Carroll speculates about who might have tipped off the Loveland School Board about the plan Carroll crafted to solve the neighborhood’s problems. Schults had sent an e-mail to Carroll saying he was in attendance at the council meeting the night before, and said, “Thank you for your support and help as we struggle through this unfortunate situation here in the Reserves of Loveland. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself.” Schults did not say anything about the School Board, or ask Carroll any questions about who might have tipped them off to Carroll’s plan.

Carroll replied to Schults within 8 minutes that morning, explaining in detail the process that must be followed and the time it might take to put in place a Tax Increment Finance District for the subdivision. The TIF would capture future increases in property taxes within the uncompleted subdivision, taking the money from the school district, and diverting it into a special fund that can then be used to complete the infrastructure within the failed development. Or, let Fifth Third Bank “donate” money to the City to build a park shelter including a plaque to honor themselves.

Carroll explains to Schults that after the proposed TIF ordinance is passed by City Council, it would not become law for 30 days, then offers this unsolicited speculation:

 “...it sits for 30 days before it becomes effective, by law, so that residents in the community can if they wish circulate referendum petitions. A couple of the folks who do that often in Loveland were in the audience last night, and I am not positive but am quite certain that the “anonymous” tip to the School Board was from one of them. So, we still have a ways to go.”

The night before, School Board President Dr. Kathryn Lorenz, Treasurer Brett Griffith, and Business Manager John Ames attended the meeting, and Griffith spoke during open forum in opposition to the plan Carroll had spent months crafting.

From my own recollection from attending the meeting, there was no one in the audience that had circulated petitions in Loveland for at least 7* years. In fact, there was no one in the audience that night who had ever circulated petitions in Loveland, except myself. I had circulated petitions a long time ago, and have been a consultant and resource for the printed petitions other groups used in recent years, but did not publicly advocate for what my clients were proposing, and never circulated those petitions. Carrol’s speculation is completely void of any real truth. Carroll saw two people in the audience that night "who do that often" and I can think of only one who has ever, circulated petitions.

Lorenz: Why should someone have to tip us off?

Lorenz said she found the e-mail disturbing. “I'm not sure why any public official or employee of a city would put such statements in an email to anyone. The statement that someone ‘tipped’ us off is disturbing in and of itself. Why should someone have to tip us off?  Why wouldn't the city want to work with us on this?”

I myself find the e-mail very unsettling on several fronts. First, why is Carroll pitting the Reserves residents, several of who were at the council meeting that night against other fellow citizens? And, why has he done so in such a reckless manner? Is he creating a “straw man” whom he can blame later if his plan doesn't pan out?

I go to church with one of the Reserves of Loveland families whom Carroll is communicating with. I have walked with them in a cancer walk. I have written about their children in Loveland Magazine and how they were walking on behalf of their grandmother with cancer. When this family moved into their new home at the Reserves, they gave me some left over items they no longer needed.

Note to Tom Carroll from David Miller:

These are my friends.

Note to residents of the Reserves from Tom Carroll:

Don’t be mad at Mark Bradley Zaring or Robert Krohngold who waltzed out of town and didn’t finish your streets or sidewalks. Don’t be mad at Fifth Third Bank who took possession of the valuable remaining building lots, but not the land under those unfinished streets and sidewalks. Be mad at whomever I point my reckless, waving finger at.

However, the most important message Carroll sends to the residents of the Reserves; Don’t be mad at Tom Carroll who let Zaring’s and Krohngold’s letter of credit expire. Oh, and don’t be mad at Tom Carroll who approved reductions of the letter of credit over the years, so much so that now even if it were still good, didn’t have enough money in the account to finish the streets and sidewalks anyway.

No.... Look around the room Carroll tells them; the person to be mad at is “one of them” who tipped off the School Board.

The reason I say this is reckless, is that these are new residents probably without much knowledge of past local politics in Loveland. All they may know now is that Carroll has swept his pointing finger at everyone in the room that night. That’s the thanks one gets for attending a council meeting here?

Welcome to the Sweetheart of Ohio, new Reserves of Loveland residents, bet ya didn’t know you already had quite so many fellow residents to be suspicious of, did ya?

So, there was the mild mannered, and very softly spoken Treasurer of the Loveland School Board, Brett Griffith, speaking as a resident of Loveland, on a subject you could tell he was reluctant to publicly express his displeasure with. Griffith himself is also very new resident of the City.

Is it not a reasonable thing for the District Treasurer to express opposition?

Carroll has spent months crafting a plan that absolves Mark Bradley Zaring or Robert Krohngold of their responsibilities to this City and residents of the Reserves, and one that lets Fifth Third Bank off the hook if they will build a new park shelter with a plaque to honor themselves. The plan then puts the burden on the residents of the entire local school district to finish the construction of the streets and sidewalks. Given that two-thirds of school taxpayers don’t even live in this city, is it not a reasonable thing for the District Treasurer to express opposition?

Shouldn't we all want the anonymous tipster found?

The residents of Loveland, and especially the entire population of the school district should also be in the hunt for the anonymous tipster that lighted the lantern Tom Carroll speculates about. They should find her or him and mount a Paul Revere type plaque on the Col. Thomas Paxton Bridge over the Little Miami River in their honor.

Lorenz told me in an e-mail last week, “I will be happy to assert to anyone that it was not you who let me know that this issue would come before Council.”

Riding through present-day Somerville, Medford, and Arlington, Paul Revere warned patriots along his route - many of whom set out on horseback to deliver warnings of their own. By the end of the night there were probably as many as 40 riders throughout Middlesex County carrying the news of the army's advancement. (From Wikipedia)

Will you be one of the forty to spread the news?

* Editors Note: This number was originally published as 17. (Correction)

Buy One Sundae, Get One Sundae Free at Whippy-Dip

55th anniversary Celebration July 9, 10, and 11

LOVELAND, OHIO - Do you remember when the Post Office and the Sohio Station operated at the corner of W. Loveland and Oak Street (now Loveland Madeira)?  Do you remember when the newest business in Loveland was to open at this same corner?  If you do, you must have been born before 1955.

The “Dairy Whip Drive-In” as Mrs. Brennan (the original owner) put it, opened July 8, 1955. The Loveland Dairy Whip is celebrating its 55th anniversary the weekend of July 9th 2010.  The Dairy Whip has been serving soft serve ice cream from the same location since its Grand Opening.  As Mrs. Brennan offered in 1955, the Dairy Whip will have a "Buy One Sundae, Get One Sundae Free" special all weekend to celebrate its anniversary and to thank its loyal customers. 

Teresa Morgan, the current owner, got her start at age eleven by bagging hamburgers for her parents, Marian and Jim Flint, which owned the Dairy Whip from1972 through 1986.  The Dairy Whip no longer serves the “Fifth Wheel Hamburgers “ which were popular in the 70s when the Flints owned it, however, it is still known for its creamy soft serve ice cream.  The Dairy Whip uses a soft serve mix from Trauth Dairy.  Soft serve desserts are made fresh before your eyes.  While offering the usual vanilla, chocolate and twist cones with candy "eyes" for kids they can also be topped with sprinkles or chocolate, cherry, or butterscotch dip. They also have banana boats and sundaes.  The specialties are Parfay’s and Cyclones with a variety of candy toppings.  The Chocolate Mountain, Reese Tulip and Hot Fudge Sundae are only a few of the favorites.

This year the Apple Carmel Delight Parfay, a vanilla soft serve with warm apple and caramel toppings, whip cream, nuts and a cherry on top has been added to the menu.   They are also adding a third soft serve machine.  Rick says “We have needed one for a while now and hopes it will enable the Drive Thru window to operate more efficiently.”  There are also future plans to expand and upgrade the picnic areas and parking lot.

In honor of Jim Flint which passed this year of lung cancer, Teresa and Rick would like to find those customers and employees that remember when the “Dairy Whip Drive-In” first opened in 1955.  Rick is looking for pictures and stories of those days so that history is not lost.  You can look up Rick at the Dairy Whip, via email, or on Facebook.

The Loveland Dairy Whip is located at 611 W. Loveland Ave, four blocks west of downtown Loveland and one building west of Loveland Madeira Road.  It is within walking or biking distant from the Loveland Bike Trail.  It is open for the season from first weekend in March through last weekend in September.  Spring/Fall hours 2 in the afternoon until 9 PM, and in the Summer they're open until 10 PM.