Loveland Magazine

Boys and Girls give back

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – To honor our country and military, and show their gratitude to the Epiphany United Methodist Church, the Boy Scout, Cub Scout and American Heritage Girl troops donated a flag pole to the congregation. A flag raising and special ceremony was held immediately following the Sunday church service, the day before Memorial Day.

The flag was donated by Epiphany member, Brian Glenwright who flew it over Afghanistan in 2007.

Refreshments were served by the scouts following the service officiated by Pastor Doug Damron.

Herbal Delights Luncheon at Muesum

LOVELAND, OHIO - Monday, August 4, will mark the 16th annual Herbal Delights luncheon, hosted by the Greater Loveland Historical Society Museum. The luncheon will be in the JoAnn Richardson History House, on the museum grounds at, 201 Riverside Drive starting at 11 AM.

Janis Fogle said, “Back by popular demand, storyteller, Janey Kattleman will delight you with a monolog on the topic of “Thinking Green”.

You can also tour the “Who, What, Where and When” of Loveland’s Past display in the recently renovated Bonaventure Museum, visit the Museum gift shop, meander through the Audrey Gomes-Martha Hussar Memorial Herb Garden, and browse through the local vendor displays before lunch. Raffle tickets for door prizes will be made available at the door the day of the event.

When Herbal Delights was begun, it was a lecture on herbs by JoAnn Richardson, over the years it has evolved into the ladies luncheon that it is today Fogle said, “In respect to JoAnn, a lady called home before her time, we have never changed the name.”

“Tea Time attire is appropriate,” said Fogle. “You won’t want to miss this delightful event.” Admission is $20, and seating is limited. Call the museum with reservations by Aug 1.

Fogle added that the fund raising event is completely planned and implemented by volunteers.  If you would like to help set a table, prepare food, or help the day of event, she would appreciate your assistance.  Please call the Museum office to volunteer or with questions at 513-683-5692.

Quotables

The City of Loveland and Hamilton County are working cooperatively on a joint project to improve Union Cemetery Road starting on June 9. Loveland Mayor Rob Weisgerber pointed out that this project is an excellent example of the City of Loveland partnering with another government to benefit the taxpayers. - Loveland Mayor Robert Weisgerber on June 6, 2008

Another “excellent” example:

In response to the Loveland City School Board’s decision Tuesday to again table a decision on Loveland High School’s contractually-obligated annexation into the City, the City of Loveland today filed a lawsuit in Clermont County Common Pleas Court seeking to compel compliance with the 1992 agreement requiring annexation. - Loveland Mayor Robert Weisgerber on May 22, 2008.

Bark Park celebrates 1st anniversary

Celebration on June 21: prizes for winners, demonstrations, Frisbee contest

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO - Miami Township will celebrate the 1-year anniversary of its first “Bark Park” for all its canine residents and their owners in the township on Saturday, June 21 at Miami Meadows Park on SR131 from 10-2 PM.

Contests for dogs and pet owners will take place, with prizes for the winners. There will also be a canine search and rescue exhibition, and a frisbee catching contest from the Sky Houndz.

The Bark Park opened in April 2007 on existing property the township owned on the northern part of the property at the end of the main drive into the park. The facility features fenced areas for dogs to run free, although they will still be welcome in other areas of the park and other township parks. All dogs must be kept on leashes while outside of the fenced area.

The decision to build the facility came after years of requests by dog owners in the township. Over the past five to seven years, the township had numerous people call and request a dog park. With about three acres of surplus land at Miami Meadows it was well-suited perfectly for a fenced-in dog park.

A special dog water fountain is available for a good slurp at the end of a hard day’s play, and the facility will also feature amenities for the dog owners, such as shaded areas to sit and relax while their dogs run.

A list of rules is has been set for the new facility. The township asks that dog owners using the facility make sure their pets have all of the recommended vaccinations. For more information, please call the Miami Township Recreation Department at 248-3727, or visit www.MiamiTwpOH.gov.

Miami township soldier back from war

World of roadside bombs, sniper fire and harsh living conditions had become a way of life for Jeff Johnson

By Phyllis Hanson

    FORT HOOD, Texas - There's no fast way of "getting back" to normal for soldiers who are deployed away from home for more than a year.  Separation from loved ones and friends, along with an accustomed way of life can be hard for even the toughest GI.

    For the son of a Miami Township man who recently returned, along with his unit, from a 15-month deployment to Iraq, the moment meant even more.  Army 2nd Lt. Jeffrey J. Johnson, son of James Johnson, West Knollwood Circle, arrived back at Fort Hood from Iraq, where a world of roadside bombs, sniper fire and harsh living conditions had become a way of life.

    Johnson is a member of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort Hood.  He served as a platoon leader during the deployment.

    "I was a tank platoon leader in Camp Taji," said Johnson, a 1999 graduate of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati.  He earned a degree in political science in 2004 from Muskingum College in New Concord.  "I had daily interactions with local Iraqi nationals who were very nice, honorable people," explained Johnson. 

      "My platoon conducted dismount missions off our tanks and got to experience local Iraq culture.  I think my platoon enjoyed the local food the most," said Johnson.

    Securing their region in Iraq was the primary mission for the 1st Cavalry Division and its soldiers, and their efforts paid off.  Roadside bomb explosions were reduced 94 percent, murders dropped from 440 to 45 in a year's time and many shops and businesses in the region began to flourish following several years of Al Qaeda intimidation.  Johnson and his fellow soldiers helped to make a dramatic difference in the lives of those they protected. 

      "I enjoyed meeting locals in Iraq," said Johnson.  "They were under the perception that soldiers only killed or harmed them.  That was until they started interacting with us and realized that we were there to ensure that they had the freedoms and rights to live their lives," explained Johnson.

      "It took a while to gain their trust, but after several meetings, they grew accustomed to having the Army around as we ensured they would be safe from harm," said Johnson.

    After 15 months without family and friends and the creature comforts of home, Johnson and his fellow soldiers are ready to settle in for a sense of their version of "normalcy."  "It feels great to be home," said Johnson.  "I'm now just adjusting to garrison life in the Army.  Instead of running missions all the time, we train all the time for whatever conflict we might get sent to next," he said.  "I'm also adjusting to the 'paperwork' side of my job, again," he said.

    Johnson has been in the Army for nearly two years.  After earning his commission through Officer Commissioning School he trained at Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Knox, Ky., before coming here to Fort Hood.

Governor Signs Bills Passed in 127th General Assembly

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed several bills passed in the 127th General Assembly.

John McCain's Ohio disconnect

CINCINNATI -- As the architect of Ohio's ballot measure against gay marriage, Phil Burress helped draw thousands of conservative voters to the polls in 2004, most of whom also cast ballots to reelect President Bush. So Burress was not surprised when two high-level staffers from John McCain's campaign dropped by his office, asking for his help this fall.

What surprised Burress was how badly the meeting went. He says he tried but failed to make the McCain team understand how much work remained to overcome the skepticism of social conservatives. Burress ended up cutting off the campaign officials as they spoke. "He doesn't want to associate with us," Burress now says of McCain, "and we don't want to associate with him." Read on... John McCain's Ohio disconnect - Los Angeles Times.

Fridges of the world, unite!

IF THE millions of refrigerators, electric water-heaters and air conditioners attached to the average power grid were less selfish, and adjusted their energy consumption according to the state of that grid, there would be less need to run spare coal-fired generating capacity on the off-chance that it might be required—and intermittent power sources, such as the wind, could be accommodated more easily. Read on... Monitor | Fridges of the world, unite! | Economist.com.

Secretary of State Brunner says she'll keep pushing legislature on voting issues

Columbus- Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner says she will continue to push the legislature to give voters more places to cast early ballots and allow counties to conduct elections by mail.

So far, though, the first-term Democrat has mostly struck out with the Republican-controlled legislature. Read on... Secretary of State Brunner says she'll keep pushing legislature on voting issues- cleveland.com.