WRAPPING UP CHRISTMAS B1
How will you remember 2011? From a wet and cold beginning to a ... wet and cold ending, 2011 looks much the same going out as it did coming in. In between, however, we had our share of laughs and cries, joys and heartbreaks. What will you most remember about 2011? And to what are you looking forward in 2012? E-mail your thoughts to loveland@communitypress.com, with “2011 memories” in the subject line. Please include your name, community and a way to contact you. Happy New Year.
LOVELAND HERALD
Your Community Press newspaper serving Loveland, Miami Township, Symmes Township
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011
50¢
BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS
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or many of our neighbors, giving isn’t what they do during the holidays – it’s how they live year-round. As is our holiday tradition, The Loveland Herald is proud to introduce you to “Neighbors Who Care.” Enjoy the stories, and Happy Holidays!
Model citizens Recently, 44 members of the Mount Notre Dame Model United Nations delegation represented the school at a conference held at the University of Dayton. The theme for this year’s conference was human rights and the role of nations in protecting those rights for its citizens. See Schools, A4
On balance, the best Another great football season is in the books, and it got Nick Dudkovich to thinking about the best prep football players he saw in 2011. See Sports, A5
Collections In the next few days your Community Press carrier will be stopping by to collect $2.50 for delivery of this month’s Loveland Herald. Your carrier retains half of this amount along with any Doarn tip you give to reward good service. This month we’re featuring Katie Doarn. Katie is 13-years-old and in eighth-grade at Loveland Middle School. She plays basketball and lacrosse. She loves listening to musicand playing her trumpet and piano. Katie also loves to shop and play video games, and bought a new phone and iPod Touch. For information about our carrier program, call Steve Barraco, 248-7110.
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Vol. 93 No. 43 © 2011 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Epiphany United Methodist Church in Loveland is a "Neighbor Who Cares" for Lisa Schmidt. CHUCK GIBSON/FOR THE COMMUNITY PRESS
COMMUNITY PRESS
A community that cares
Staff and students at Loveland Early Childhood Center where Lisa Schmidt teaches have shown they are a "Neighbor Who Cares" in Loveland. CHUCK GIBSON/FOR THE COMMUNITY PRESS
By Chuck Gibson loveland@communitypress.com
Caring neighbors have been overwhelming in support of Lisa Schmidt and her family since she was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer in July. She had surgery in August and continues chemotherapy treatments today. So many have given so much help that Lisa named the entire communities of Miami Trails, where she lives, Epiphany United Methodist, where she attends church, and Loveland Early Childhood Center, where she teaches, as her choice to be honored as “Neighbors Who Care” for 2011. “It just feels like the whole neighborhood and whole community have embraced us,” Schmidt said. “It has just been overwhelming. It has given me a ton of positive energy and support to fight through this.” Schmidt lives in Miami Trails with her husband, Neil, and their 10-year-old son, Gabe. Neighbors just kind of took charge bringing over meals, sending cards, delivering care packages and sending emails. Neil teaches English at Loveland High School and Lisa is currently on leave from her teaching position at LECC. Staff, students and former students come by to visit her.
Neil and Lisa Schmidt with their son Gabe in Paris before Lisa was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer. PROVIDED
Lisa Schmidt with her son Gabe shows off football jersey signed by all the Ohio University players as their show of support for her battle with cancer. She wears the jersey to all her chemo treatments. PROVIDED “Everybody is doing things without being asked,” Schmidt said. “They’re asking what they can do to help.” There is a group of ladies from the church who drive Lisa to her chemo treatments. They literally get on the Internet and fight to get her spot when they think it’s time for her scheduled treatment.
“I know some of them and some of them I don’t,” she said. “They have the power of prayer. It’s just amazing to feel all the people praying for you and caring for you.” Schmidt doesn’t want them to feel sorry for her and believes they don’t. She’s more struck by their display of real compassion for Neil and Gabe too. One of the
older kids in the neighborhood has made it his mission to get Gabe safely on the way to school and home every day. The staff and administration at both schools have offered to do whatever is necessary to help. One of those staff members has a nephew who plays football at Ohio University – Lisa and Neil are OU grads. He had the whole team sign a jersey for Lisa. She wears it to all her chemo treatments. She says it makes her feel like “I have the whole OU football team behind me.” “It makes things easier,” Schmidt said. “It’s hard to put into words, but Loveland…there’s a ton of love in this community.”
Kaminski cares for many years. “Lisa fits such a title well,” Etzkorn wrote. “She is always When Celeste Etzkorn saw ready to reach out to any person, The Community Press request or group, in need.” Kaminski is very infor “Neighbors Who volved with Impact 100 Care,” she knew right providing awards to nonaway who to nominate. INSIDE profit organizations that “Your request truly make a difference for caught my eye when you More those in need. She and asked about neighbors Neighbors her husband have raised who care,” Etzkorn said. Who Care, three “amazing” chil“It has been a privilege to A3 dren while leading the know a wonderful woman way with many helpful who fits that category.” She has known Lisa Kaminski programs in the community. Ceof the Chatham Woods community in Loveland for nearly 20 See KAMINSKI, Page A2 By Chuck Gibson
loveland@communitypress.com
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The community of Miami Trails in Loveland took charge caring for Lisa Schmidt and her family in a time of need. CHUCK GIBSON/FOR THE
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Loveland resident Lisa Kaminski (middle, No. 2610), is a member of the Impact 100 group. Other members include, from left: Cathy Ernst of Landen, Mary Jo Blankemeyer of Loveland, Lee Wimmert of Loveland, Barb Widmer of Symmes Township, Kaminski, Annemarie Henkel of Anderson, Janet Montgomery of Clifton and Elaine Seuss of Clifton. FILE PHOTO
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