Loveland Magazine

Thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

Come join us for a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner at the Loveland United Methodist Church on Saturday evening. The meal consists of: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, applesauce, coleslaw, cranberry sauce, dessert and beverage.

Prices are: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3.50 for children ages 4-11 and free for children 3 and under.

We will also have themed gift baskets, coupons for goods and services, along with special hand-crafted items for silent auction.

In addition, our United Methodist Women are selling homemade candies and baked goods, prepared especially for you.

Loveland UMC: 10975 S. Lebanon Rd. in Loveland /  / www.lovelandumc.org

Loveland United Methodist Church at 10975 S. Lebanon Rd. (513.683.1738)

Saturday, November 8, 4:00 – 7:00 PM

Sincerely,

Pat Blankenship

MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT COUNT

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

Every year Loveland Inter Faith Effort (LIFE) provides a holiday shopping opportunity for local families in need who have registered to be part of the 2008 Giving Shoppe. Last year LIFE served 166 families who were able to choose Christmas gifts for each family member, have the gifts wrapped and carried to their  cars . All gifts are brand new and are at no cost to the family.

Present economic conditions will affect what LIFE can provide for these families  this year, and the LIFE Giving Shoppe Committee is asking the community to come to our  aid with a campaign of "MAKE YOUR GIFT COUNT.” You and your family, business, organization or small group can be a part of this by making a donation to LIFE for these families in need.

As your book club, card club, neighborhood, office, church group, youth group or scout troop plan your holiday party, consider purchasing a gift for a needy family instead of a customary gift or ornament exchange.  Get your group to cooperatively "Make your Gift Count" by contacting LIFE to see how you can help these families.

"Make Your Gift Count" by contacting Chris Rubenstein  477-3188 or by e-mail chrisr613@yahoo.com.   Suggested items will be assigned to you or your group.  Monetary donations will also be accepted. All donations can be dropped off at the LIFE  Pantry at Prince Of Peace Lutheran Church. Gift items need to be delivered by Sunday, Dec. 7.

Sincerely,
Chris Rubenstein

Thank you Victoria Wulsin

I'm writing to thank you publicly for your visit to the Fairways at O'Bannon Creek subdivision on Thursday October 23. I found your honesty refreshing and was excited about your ideas and proposals to help bring a positive change to Ohio and our country. In particular, I thought your willingness to cross party lines and work with people from either party especially valuable given the extreme partisanship that has developed in recent years. Your common-sense approach to solving problems is clearly sensible in these financially troubled times.

It was good to meet an honest down to Earth person running for Congress that truly listens to and talks with people in the community. You heard our concerns and took our comments to heart.  Thank you again. You have my vote.

Bonnie McNett
Clubside Drive
Loveland OHIO

We need...

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

This election voters need to sort through lots of smoke and mirrors.  We need to analyze the effectiveness of abstinence only sex education and consider a pregnant Alaskan teen.  We need to examine the evidence of climate change and the McCain/Palin denial that humans contribute in any significant way to it.  We need to question record gas prices, while oil corporation post record profits.  We need to look at home foreclosures, sky-rocketing grocery prices, and high unemployment and realize we can't afford four more years of the same, tired policies.  We need real change and a progressive philosophy.  We need Obama/Biden.

Bonnie McNett
Loveland Ohio

Promises to bridge Hockey/Soccer Mom Gap

Dear Senator McCain,

If you are elected, I am applying for the Secretary of State job. I am more than qualified, maybe even over-qualified by your standards. First I am the proud mother of three boys. Secondly I have traveled to five continents and sixteen countries. Sarah Palin has only travel to four countries so I have considerably more international experience. Third, I am a soccer mom and thus can bridge the vast gap between soccer and hockey moms. Fourth, like Sarah, I promise to use sophisticated language or big words. Lastly, I wear lipstick too. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best of luck (though I'll be voting for Obama).

Bonnie McNett
Loveland Ohio

Loveland Initiative backpack program a great success

From July 1 thru August 20 The Loveland Initiative accepted donations of backpacks and school supplies from many local businesses, local residents, and local churches in the Loveland community.  At one point, donations for backpacks and school supplies looked slim; but as the deadline approached we received enormous numbers of backpacks and school supplies from the community. Their outstanding support and generosity helped in a major way.

On Monday August 20 the Loveland Initiative distributed 130 backpacks filled with supplies to children that were pre-registered to receive backpacks, including walk-ins. There were volunteers that gave up so much of their time and energy to help with the program. They dedicated eight, full 5 hour days the week of August 13-19, sorting through supplies and arranging backpacks. On the day of the event volunteers saw excitement on the children faces as they were able to personally pick out their own backpack; they also saw appreciation of the parents at the end of the program.

The most exciting part of the Loveland Initiative’s Backpack program is that:

1. The children were able to come and personally pick out their own backpack and leave with smiles on their faces.
2. We have the support of the Loveland community, i.e.: donors, local residents, and many volunteers.
3. The success of the program is due to the time and efforts that the communities of Loveland are giving. The Initiative’s goals were met. With the help of the Loveland community, we made sure that every child started off the school year with proper school supplies. The children felt more optimistic and encouraged to start the school year with fresh new backpacks and supplies.

We at the Loveland Initiative would like to thank all of those who helped make this possible; we need you to know that every donation received; or news article published; you all made a big difference. Your thoughtfulness touched the lives of many low income Loveland families. We are confident that our community will come together next year to help the children and families in Loveland. You can be part of something really positive, really vital; something that really changes people's lives and our community in a major way.

Thank You,
The Loveland Initiative
Terri Rogers, President

Invitation to a military personnel to participate in a Loveland tradition.

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

The day before school starts the students come to school with their parents to meet their new teachers and learn where their rooms are located. Granny's Garden volunteers go into the gardens early in the morning to pick nearly 2,000 flowers.  When the children arrive later in the day we are waiting outside of the schools with flowers in hand.  Each child is given a flower to give to his teacher.  We pick extras so we can share with siblings as well.

Granny is inviting all military personnel who are home on leave to join us in passing out the flowers to the children.  It will be an opportunity for the children to see first hand the people who are helping to keep them safe and an opportunity for all of us to say, "Thank you!"

It takes place August 25, 3:30-5:30.  We hope you will come for the entire time, but would appreciate whatever time you have to spare.  Just let us know so we can make sure all of the times and locations are covered.

Let us know if you are interested.

Sincerely,

Roberta Paolo

Please send care packages to troops

Dear Loveland Magazine,

When my brother was in Vietnam, we sent him baked cookies, etc., and we would pack everything in popcorn. They would really like eating the popcorn too. Boy, this takes me back lots of years.

My brother died of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma ,brought on by his heavy exposure to Agent Orange. He always told me how much he would look forward to the packages and letters. His letters always came back with red dirt on them, and when we did not hear from him for weeks, we would panic.

He was a medic, having given up college in his junior year of pre-med to enlist and serve his country. He was in Cambodia, mostly serving with the Big Red One.

When he came home we did not talk about it much, we didn't know how or why at first. A few years later, he shared a few stories with us, enough to see why he was so changed, and by then, he was ill. I am so glad we took the time to send him those packages and letters. It was a bright spot for him and thinking about our anticipation of receiving word from him, we can't even imagine his anticipation and comfort hearing from home.

He always said the saddest thing was those who did not have anyone sending packages, and had no-one. We also saw that at the VA hospitals where my brother, Art, was. There were so many men who did not have anyone to visit, and the nurses and doctors became their only "family." They always said my brother was so lucky to have so much family to visit and be with him.

Well, I hope you get a good response to this plea for the community to adopt a troop.

Sincerely,

Mary Gish

We can solve the climate crisis

                                    

Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,

Every so often, a leader says something so simply and clearly that it's almost impossible to ignore. That happened last week with Al Gore's challenge.

More than a quarter of a million people have watched the speech, and major papers across the country continue to write about it. Watch the highlights here.

He challenged America to generate 100% of our electricity from sources that do not lead to global warming -- and to do it within 10 years. Meeting this ambitious goal would create millions of new jobs, lead to permanently lower energy costs for families and help America lead the fight against global warming. Watch his powerful speech here.

John McCain couldn't ignore it, saying "if the Vice President says it's doable, I believe it's doable."

And Barack Obama said, "I strongly agree with Vice President Gore that we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of energy like solar power, wind power and advanced biofuels."

Please take a quick look. If you've already seen it, please forward it to at least ten friends. The technology to make this shift is ready. What is missing is political will -- and that's why we need more people to see this speech and join the We Campaign.

Sincerely,

Matt, Lauren, Melissa and rest of the online team

Summer Box Lacrosse league

Dear Loveland Magazine,

FYI, this weekend kicks off the second season of our very popular Summer Box Lacrosse League held Sunday Nights at Miami Riverview Park.

Over 140 boys grades 2nd-8th play box lacrosse at the park Sunday evenings starting this Sunday 6/22.  Game times are 6, 6:45 and 7:30 and we play on these weekends:  6/22, 6/29, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27.  Participants include local players from Loveland and surrounding communities.

We invite you to come on down and see why Loveland has earned the reputation of being THE place to play summer league in Cincinnati.

Hope to see you!

Regards,

Michael Cotsonas
Director
Loveland Youth Lacrosse