Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - Raptors at Montessori School

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS - The students at Children's Meeting House Montessori School were visited by a volunteer from Raptors Incorporated.  The students first learned what a raptor is: a bird of prey that has sharp, curved talons and hooked beaks.  The students learned that raptors are predators, and include eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, and kestrels.

The Raptors Inc. volunteer then showed the children some live raptors: a peregrine falcon, a screech owl, and a great horned owl.  The children were able to see first hand the talons and hooked beaks and discussed how these help the birds capture prey.  They also talked about the habitats in which these birds live and how rodent populations are kept in balance by raptors.  They discussed the importance and benefits of conserving the places, or habitats, where these birds live.

The children were surprised that owls come in such different shapes and sizes. The screech owl is just six or seven inches tall, whereas the great horned owl is about twenty inches tall.  The children were particularly impressed with the majestic peregrine falcon.  They learned the name 'peregrine' means wanderer and that the falsons travel up to 15,500 miles in a year.  The falcons are found on every continent, except Antarctica, and their diet consists primarily of other birds, such as ducks and pigeons.  The children were most impressed by the falcon's title of the world's fastest flyer.  The falcon can reach speeds of 70 m.p.h. in pursuit of prey or an amazing 200 m.p.h. as it drops out of the sky, diving for prey.

Raptors Incorporated is a non-profit organization the gives over 250 programs annually to schools, scout troops, and conservation groups to help educate people about birds of prey.  The group accepts injured birds and volunteers care for them in hopes that they can be released back into the wild.  Birds that have injuries preventing them from being released, act as educational ambassadors to teach about raptors and conservation.  Raptors Inc. can be reached at (513) 825-3325 to schedule an educational program or if an injured raptor is found.

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS – Winter Garden Party

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS – On Saturday, February 9th, between 1-5 PM Granny's Winter Garden Party will be held at the Loveland Greenhouse (Map). The indoor celebration of gardening is to raise funds for the garden programs in the Loveland schools.

The party takes place on the Saturday between Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day. Granny says, “It is a fun time for friends, families and couples.  The setting - inside of a warm greenhouse filled with growing plants is a welcome respite from the cold February weather outside.”

The party starts at 1 PM when kids begin creating in Granny's Craft Room in one section of the green house while the “yummy” entries in the decorated cakes competition are being judged in another area.  This is the same section where professional appraisers will be evaluating family treasures in our Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal Fair (1-2:30 PM)  While you're waiting in line to have Great Aunt Mary's clock evaluated, check out the  entries for the Blooming Cakes Competition.

If you have a special Valentine to shop for, stop by and see the treasures they are offering in the live auction beginning at 2:30 PM. Between the live auction and selection of flowering baskets,  you're sure to find something that will “gladden his or her heart.”

Girl Scout troop 7822 is cooking up large pots of soup and there will be many other goodies to choose from including French crepes which are a traditional Mardi Gras treat.

All kid’s activities are Free.

Click here for complete information.

Ohio scores low in gun-control study

By Alan Johnson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Ohio is not doing enough to protect its citizens against gun violence, according to an annual scorecard released Thursday by backers of the Brady gun-control law.

Ohio's 13 points out of a possible 100 ranked it 20th of 50 states in statistics compiled by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (http://www.bradycampaign.org/).

Toby Hoover of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence said Ohio has not passed key laws on mandatory background checks on all gun purchases and bulk purchases of handguns.

Gun-rights supporters consider the low score a distinction, not a shame, said Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

Link: The Columbus Dispatch : Ohio scores low in gun-control study.

MILFORD, OHIO - 17th Annual Habitat Souper Bowl Bean Soup Sale

MILFORD, OHIO - “Delicious” homemade bean soup will be prepared, and sold Saturday, February 2, 10 am - 4 pm, and Sunday, February 3, 10:00 - 12 noon, at Milford United Methodist Church Welcome Center, 541 Main Street. Bean soup will be provided as carryout orders for $4.00/quart donation.

O’Neal Johnston, soup  crew leader, said that “the bean soup fund raising project was conceived by Anna Campbell, an original Board Member of the Clermont County Habitat for Humanity Chapter, in 1991 to draw attention of the need to eliminate sub-standard housing in our community as a contrarian focus to the hoopla associated with the Super Bowl Football Championship”.  In recent years, a Habitat for Humanity House has been built during Super Bowl week in the host city by football players and fans.  Anna had worked for several years as a food manager in the Milford Schools, thus as the “Queen of the big pots”, she prepared the wonderful bean & ham soup receipt that could be prepared in 60 quart volume for community churches to prepare as a fund raising effort to support house construction by the volunteers of Clermont Habitat Chapter.

Again Toomey Natural Foods, (914 Lila Ave, Milford, OH) has donated 175 pounds of great northern beans and Kroger’s Deli Dept. (824 Main St., Milford, OH).  provided quart food containers. Over the years more than 6,000 quarts of Souper Bowl Bean Soup have been prepared which provided funds to purchase construction materials for each of 33 Habitat houses built in Clermont County.  On February 17 at 3:00 pm, Clermont Chapter of TriState Habitat for Humanity will celebrates the completion of their 33rd Habitat House at 326 Brown Avenue in Bethel.

Clermont County Habitat Chapter of TriState Habitat for Humanity builds affordable, simple housing for working low-income families in Clermont County.  These families perform 500 hours of sweat equity on Habitat projects as part of their down payment.  Habitat Families purchases these homes with zero interest loans at cost, being reduced by volunteer labor and donated materials.  Their mortgage payments to Habitat are applied to the construction of additional homes.  Thus, a gift to Habitat works in perpetuity, reinforcing the cycle of community responsibility and improvement. TriState Habitat for Humanity has built 178th Habitat house in their 8-county service area and tithed funds to support construction of over 150 International Habitat Houses. For more information contact TriState Habitat office at 513-942-9211; or www.habitat-tristate.org. (Picture of Bethel Habitat House)

LADY TIGERS ROLLING ALONG

by Bob Gish

Loveland Lady Tigers defeat Harrison on Senior Night
The Loveland Lady Tigers extended their winning streak to nine games defeating the visiting Harrison Lady Wildcats 63-49 on Saturday night, then made it ten in a row by beating Wyoming on Monday, 41-26.

Loveland traveled to Wyoming to meet the Cowboys on their home court. Wyoming was leading the Cincinnati Hills League with an 11-2 conference and 15-2 overall record. (Now 11-2, 15-3)

In a pre-game ceremony Saturday, Loveland High School Principal, Dr. Molly Moorhead, Assistant Principal, David Eads and Athletic Director/Assistant Principal, Mr. Jeff Zidron recognized Loveland senior players for their contribution to the girls basketball program. Loveland seniors, Marissa Boswell, Jen Elmore, Krystle Gish, Erin Henry and Elyse Wenger started the game for Loveland against Harrison.

Loveland established a first quarter lead 17-8. Harrison would take a couple of runs at Loveland in the second half narrowing the gap but never getting closer than three points. Loveland's
continuous defensive pressure put the game away in the fourth quarter. Officials called 24 first half personal fouls controlling the tempo of the game. Loveland out rebounded Harrison 51-25 and dominated the game with steals and second chance scoring.

Loveland: (16-2,  7-2 FAVC) Wenger 1-1-3, Boswell 2-2-7, Gish 5-0-10, Elmore 3-2-8, Henry 1-0-2, Voss 1-0-2, Iaciafano 3-4-12, McIver 4-2-10, Randall 2-0-4, Pohl 2-1-5, 3PFG (Boswell, Iaciafano 2)

Harrison: (7-11,  2-7 FAVC) Shrivner 5-0-11, Stanton 3-8-14 Brown 1-1-3, D. Brooks 4-4-13, Stenger 0-1-1, A. Brooks 1-0-2, Haynes 2-1-5, 3PFG (Shrivner, D. Brooks)


Two Conference Leading Opponents Next Up for Loveland
With Wyoming atop the Cincinnati Hills League, Loveland's last games of the regular scheduled season ended up being against two league leading opponents.

Loveland is undefeated on their home court this season and will end the regular season on Saturday, February 2nd at 2:30 PM against FAVC Buckeye Division League leading and city ranked Winton Woods. Winton Woods is sporting a perfect 9-0 league and 17-1 overall record. Winton Woods only loss of the season was to non-conference opponent Oak Hills. Winton Woods defeated Loveland 68-32 at Winton Woods in their first match-up and Loveland is looking for revenge on the Lady Tigers home court. The outcome of the final season game with Winton Woods will set the tone for the Lady Tigers entering tournament play. Loveland has a lock on second place in the FAVC Buckeye Division.

Tournament Game Scheduled for Loveland
The girls basketball tournament draw was held last week with Lakota West earning the top seed in the 34 team Division I field. Mount Notre Dame was picked the number two seed, Oak Hills the third seed and Winton Woods picked up the fourth seed. Wyoming picked up number one seed in Division II. Wyoming jumped over two teams that were ahead of them in the Cincinnati Area polls then lost to conference opponent Reading 47-35.

Loveland will be playing in the Lakota East Lower bracket. The lower bracket includes Game 1 matching Sycamore and Walnut Hills on Wednesday February 6th. Game 2 matches Anderson and  Loveland at 3:00 PM and game 3 Glen Este versus the game one winner at 5:00 PM The final game will be held on Thursday February 14th at 7:30 PM with Lower and Upper  Bracket winners meeting for the Sectional Championship.

Loveland split the regular season games losing at Anderson 48-58 and winning at home 49-34. The seasonal tie breaker against Anderson will be on a neutral court. Loveland will be entering tournament play with confidence and able to play with the best teams in the city.

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO - No Child left inside…

MIAMI  TOWNSHIP, OHIO - Children's Meeting House Montessori School is for the birds.  All sorts of birds: cardinals, chickadees, blue jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches, you name it.  The school has teamed up with bird expert Brett Gilmore from Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU) in Montgomery.  “This collaboration is a unique opportunity for us.  We are excited about the opportunity to work with the staff and students of Children’s Meeting House!”, said Gilmore.  “Feeding and watching birds is a great educational hobby and it is especially wonderful to share it with children”, says Gilmore.

Gilmore helped the school to develop a feeding station that would attract a wide diversity of birds.  He explained that some birds prefer to feed on the ground, others prefer platform feeders, and others standard bird feeders.  He explained that having a variety of food choices (thistle, sunflower, millet, nuts, suet, and berries) would attract more types of birds than a limited food choice.  The station he helped install at the school offers a wide variety of food types and offers them in many different feeders to attract even the finickest of avian diners.

The school hopes to increase the students' bird knowledge and identification skills through regular bird watching trips and visits to the bird feeding station.  The school will also be participating in the 11th  Annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 15 - 18, lead by Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  Millions of expert and novice bird watchers participate in the event every year and enter their information at www.birdcount.org.  This event helps to create a picture of where birds are across the continent and contribute valuable information of science and conservation. Mr. Gilmore will be spending a day in February teaching the Montessori students about the birds at their feeders in preparation for the bird count.

The Cincinnati WBU will be hosting a feeder swap in March 2008 with the school being the recipient of the used feeders.  Customers can bring in a used feeder which will be refurbished for the Montessori students and will receive 20% off on a new feeder of their choice. 

Wild Birds Unlimited has created a Pathways to Nature for Kids initiative (http://www.wbu.com/pathwayforkids/) which promotes outdoor exploration in nature.  Pathways To Nature for Kids is also a major supporter of the National Wildlife Federations Green Hour website (http://www.greenhour.org). This site provides parents, caregivers and educators with resources, a daily calendar of exploration ideas, and an online community forum to help them get their kids outside everyday.