LOVELAND HERALD
Your Community Press newspaper serving Loveland, Miami Township, Symmes Township
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2013
75¢
BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS
Honoring lifetime of involvement Kathryn Undercoffer’s influence spans generations, multiple organizations
By Jason Hoffman jhoffman@communitypress.com
LOVELAND — For more than 70 years, Kathryn Undercoffer has made a difference in Loveland, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. Loveland City Council awarded Undercoffer the Louis Rockwood Community Service Award at its March 12 meeting. The award, some might say, is long overdue considering Undercoffer’s involvement in the Loveland community started
during World War II and continues to this day. “I guess I just fall into things,” Undercoffer said. “That’s the only way to keep up with people.” Receiving the award was quite an honor to Undercoffer, as she has so many activities that are near and dear to her heart. She was the 2003 Loveland Valentine Lady, taught in Loveland Schools, served as president of the Loveland Woman’s Club three times, was president
of the Loveland historical society, and served in different capacities in many other organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. In addition to being a Valentine Lady, Undercoffer also started and still runs the Valentine’s poetry contest each year. “She has such a wide variety of involvement,” said Linda Cox, Loveland council member who nominated Undercoffer. “I’ve probably not seen anyone else that gives so much time and energy to their community.” Undercoffer moved to Loveland with her husband, John, in
Loveland Mayor Rob Weisgerber, left, awards Kathryn Undercoffer, right, the Louis Rockwood Community Service Award Tuesday, March 12. THANKS TO COREY SCHMIDT
See ROCKWOOD, Page A2
Sims takes over as new fiscal officer for Symmes By Leah Fightmaster lfightmaster@communitypress.com
Symmes Township has a new fiscal officer. John Borchers, who served as the township’s fiscal officer for the last 20 years, retired from his position March 19. The township’s trustees appointed Carol Sims, who has been working for Symmes since 1989 in various positions. Sims She worked most recently as the assistant fiscal officer. Borchers said that after a good career at Symmes, he felt that now is a good time to hang up his hat as fiscal officer. He’s retiring during an elected term that ends April 2016, which Sims will have to run for reelection this November to maintain, she said. He added that he feels he served Symmes well and appreciates that he was repeatedly re-elected to his position. Sims said she’s looking forward to working as the fiscal officer, because she enjoys “doing what I do.” Want more updates for Symmes Township? Follow Leah Fightmaster on Twitter: @LCFightmaster.
Physical education students at Loveland High School use the new Williams Health and Wellness Center Wednesday, March 21. JASON HOFFMAN/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
New gym brings Loveland High School into future Technology drives training programs for more than athletes By Jason Hoffman jhoffman@communitypress.com
LOVELAND — The newest addition to Loveland High School has tiger orange and black all over, but the Robert and Pauline Williams Fitness Center benefits more than just its student athletes. Conceived more than three years ago, Loveland High School opened the doors to its newest athletic facility Decem-
INSIDE LOOK Hear Loveland students talk about the fitness center. Go to Cincinnati.com/video.
ber 2012 thanks to the school’s athletic boosters raising $575,000 for the addition to the school. The room is complete with its own heating and air conditioning, surround-sound stereo system, flat-screen televisions and Apple TV setup. “The vision for the facility was identified over the last four to five years,” said Jeff Zidron, Loveland High School athletic director. “This is part of the
BLACK HISTORY B1
BUILDING CONFIDENCE
Museum expands students’ horizons.
The scene was impressive: 25 second-graders hard at work hammering and painting. See Schools, A6
GOLD PRICES ARE UP!
CE-0000543508
WE BUY GOLD! “ANY KIND” OLD, BROKEN, UNWANTED, WORN OUT, ETC, ETC.
school’s long-term vision and collaboration with athletic boosters.” The technology component gives strength coach Brian Conatser more opportunities to expand his expertise to the Loveland Schools community. “Loveland strength training is becoming its own sport, and it’s a great place to be team connected,” Conatser said. “We have higher numbers of students using the facility now, and we’re reaching a larger group of students in relation to physical fitness.” By recording students and athletes performing exercises and getting automatic feedback, Conatser said he is able to help students with their form
Contact us
News ..........................248-8600 Retail advertising ..............768-8357 Classified advertising .........242-4000 Delivery ........................576-8240
and posture to decrease the risk of injuries. “It has already paid off in terms of getting more kids training,” Zidron said. “They are doing more than just strength training, they are learning life skills like staying in shape and leading healthy lives that they can continue with when they are older in the community.” The facility also will eventually be open for school district employees to use during times when there aren’t any classes or sports teams training, Zidron said. A dedication for the facility is planned around the time it hosts the athletic awards banquet May 22. Vol. 95 No. 4 © 2013 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
See page A2 for additional information
Gold and Silver BRING IN THIS AD AND RECEIVE ADDITIONAL
10% MORE MONEY PAID BY GRAM WT.
WA T K I N S JEWELRY PLUS
FULL SERVICE JEWELRY STORE 547 Loveland Madeira Rd. • Loveland, OH 45140 513-683-3379
SHOPPERS HAVEN PLAZA