Loveland Magazine

This photo of an old barn was taken last Friday on Kings Mill Road in Fosters along the bank of the Little Miami River.

LOVELAND, OHIO - Granny's Gardening Classes

Learn from the experts how to become a Victory Gardener in your own back yard!

Granny is bringing in the gardening experts from Turner Farm to offer a three part series of basic gardening classes that will leave you feeling like a seasoned green thumb and ready to start your own garden, This series is for those who are new to gardening or those who would like to refresh their knowledge. Sign up for all three classes or just one class. Classes are $12 each. All classes are at the Loveland Primary School.  Registration is required; please call 561-7400.

Wednesday, April 2, 6-8 PM  -  The Basic Garden Plan - Come ready to dream about spring. In this class, we'll cover site selection, site preparation, how to determine the appropriate amount to plant, where to get seeds and plants, and other aspects to consider when beginning a garden.  We'll also discuss how to keep a vegetable garden from being considered an eyesore and gardening in containers.

Wednesday, April 16, 6-8 PM   -  Seed Starting  - We'll cover all of the basics of starting your own plants from seeds, including how to take care of your new babies. 

Wednesday, April 30, 6-8 PM  -  Soils and Compost - Bring some soil from your garden site. We'll do some simple soil tests and learn about ways of preparing the soil for the upcoming season. We'll also learn about the basics of composting. Finally, we'll discuss methods of planting and how to get free compost from Granny.

Granny's Garden School is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.  They partner with, but are not funded by the school system. They raise our own funds through private donations, grants and annual fundraising events.

Their mission: Our children are losing touch with the natural world.  Granny's Garden School uses the school grounds to help kids discover the nature in their own backyards, experience the satisfaction of growing and preparing their own food and the simple pleasure of picking a flower. We collaborate with the schools and the community to offer fun and imaginative, hands on learning opportunities that compliment and enhance the school curriculum.

MORROW, OHIO – News-a-Palooza from Little Miami

Panther Palooza, Alumni Banquet, Fine Arts Festival (LMHS to present "the crucible"), Groundbreaking Ceremony Rescheduled – Coming soon... – Coming soon...

GOSHEN, OHIO - Lutz graduates Basic Training

GOSHEN, OHIO - Air Force Airman Clinton E. Lutz has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

He is the son of Cindy Lutz of State Route 132, Goshen, and is a 2004 graduate of Goshen High School.

During the six weeks of training, Lutz studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

MILFORD, OHIO - Potticary serving Operation Iraqi Freedom

MILFORD, OHIO - Air Force Senior Airman Matthew C. Potticary is deployed overseas at a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Potticary, an official mail manager with four years of military service, is normally assigned to the 435th Communications Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Kaiserslautern, Germany.

He is the son of Robert and Juliann Potticary of E. Pershing, Cheyenne, Wyo. His wife, Krysta, is the daughter of Bobbi and Bill Cummings of Willnean Drive, Milford, Ohio. Potticary is a 1999 graduate of Milford High School.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq.  Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq. Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

LOVELAND, OHIO - Vormwald graduates AIT

LOVELAND, OHIO - Army Reserve Pfc. Matthew D. Vormwald from Loveland has graduated from the Food Service Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.

The course is designed to train servicemembers to perform preliminary food preparation procedures according to Army production schedules and recipes; cook, bake and serve food in large and small quantities, field and garrison kitchen operations; and general operation of Army dining facilities, including cleaning and housekeeping, sanitation measures, and storage of subsistence items.

     Vormwald is the son of Tom E. and Penny L. Vormwald of Bridle Lane, Loveland, and a 2001 graduate of Loveland High School.

MORROW, OHIO - Destination Imagination

MORROW, OHIO - Weeks of teamwork and some very creative brainpower have brought success to four Little Miami Local School District teams, who recently competed at Miami University in the Regional Destination Imagination Tournament.

Destination Imagination (DI) is a creative, team problem-solving competition in which teams work together to solve one of five Central Challenges. Their hard work culminated at the regional tournament.
"Destination Imagination is fun, because we get to work together and use our imaginations," said Isabel Davidson, a third-grader from Morrow Elementary School. This was her third year participating in DI.

From Little Miami Junior High School, The Lucky Doubles won a Third Place trophy for their problem-solving and theatrical skills in their original skit about an Italian restaurant, a health inspector, and meatballs that strayed away from the cook. The team learned some Italian, researched famous Italians, made much of their set from recycled materials, and they conducted a scientific experiment for their performance.

From Morrow Elementary, three teams competed in the Regional Destination Imagination tournament, and all three teams came home with an award.

The Aviators came home with a Second Place trophy in their category, as well as a prestigious and rare Renaissance Award, for their well organized story line, coordinated costumes and uniquely detailed scrapbook journal. For their solution, they had to research engineering facts and build a structure that could hold weight, and they had to perform an original skit.

The Team Players and Ginger and the Gorilla Einstein Band teams won the DaVinci Awards, which are given to teams who clearly demonstrate the "spirit of adventurous, creative risk-taking to reach truly new and unique destinations."

The Team Players researched Egyptology and created an original skit that included a set with a team-designed golden throne and sarcophagus. The Ginger and the Gorilla Einstein Band team researched the first man on the moon, and wrote a skit about how history changed when an alien was the first creature to step on the moon. They were recognized for their creativity in the translation of alien speech and for their work on the astronaut scrapbook.

"Taking the DI challenge can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling life-long experiences a boy or girl can have," said Rusty McCarty, Vice President of Creative Programming for Destination Imagination. "The DI team approach to problem solving - in our highly-competitive and challenging culture - nurtures capabilities and values in kids that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. This is a time that will be cherished and stay with them forever."

The teams were:

The Lucky Doubles: Alicia Anderson, Autumn Christensen, Shianne Connor, Stephanie Cornett, Lisa Franklin and Laura Kniep; Parent Team Manager, Diane Franklin

The Aviators: Spencer Ballard, Justin Griggs, Dylan Papali and Ryan Papali; Parent Team Manager, Paul Papali

The Team Players­: Isabel Davidson, Gianna Fontanella, Madison Huffman, Evan Jones and Jacob Whitley; Parent Team Manager, Debra Davidson

The Ginger and the Gorilla Einstein Band: Toby Davidson, Emma Fontanella, Gabe Fuman, Ethan Jones and Justin Papali; Parent Team Managers, Debra Davidson and Leslie Papali.

Destination Imagination is an enriching program available to all Little Miami students who can form a team with an adult volunteer Team Manager. District Coordinator for DI is Katie Ramsdell.

Clermont Town Hall Meeting Targets Teen Drinking

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - The statistics are sobering.  “Underage drinking is the leading public health problem in the United States,” said Jimmi McIntosh with the Clermont County Drug Free Coalition.  “Consider also that 65 percent of youth suicides are alcohol related.”  With those facts in mind, the coalition is holding a Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking on Thursday, April 3, between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the Union Township Civic Center, located at 4350 Aicholtz Road.   

“We would like to invite parents, teens, teachers, school administrators, community leaders, and law enforcement to attend this informative town hall meeting,” said coalition member and Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud.  “Our keynote speaker will be Mike Hall, currently the principal at Miami Valley Christian Academy.  He is well known locally and nationally for his efforts promoting drug free schools.”

Milford High School students Rachel Slade and Stephanie Howes are also members of the coalition.  “The timing of this town hall meeting is very good because many teens drink during upcoming prom and graduation parties,” said Howes.  “We need to help others learn not to bow to peer pressure,” said Slade.  “We need to get the message out that drinking often leads to other drugs and bad decisions today can ruin the rest of your life.”

For more information about the Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking or to learn about the Clermont County Drug Free Coalition, call (513) 735-8327 or email mcintosh_j@ccesc.org.

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - Pre-foreclosure Counseling Available in Clermont County

Clermont County Responds As Ford Announces May Plant Shutdown