Loveland, OH August 2023

Cover Dog Archie + Company

LIFE + CULTURE

A LIGHT IN THIS “PERFECT STORM”

FOOD + BEVERAGE PET WANTS KNOWS WHAT PETS WANT

HEALTH + WELLNESS

GARDEN CITY CHIROPRACTIC— MAKING ADJUSTMENTS FOR KIDS

They Stole the Show!

Funny—we’ve never actually featured kids on the cover of our Kids and Pets issue before. Our annual cover dog contest winners have always been the focus and have graced the cover solo, but this year three charming, determined little ladies share the spotlight.

Dressed in coordinating outfits—they were quite the smiling trio as they entertained us during the shoot—telling us how they had plotted, planned, saved (yes, they were working hard and combining their allowances) and worn down their parents so they could bring the newest member of the family, Archie, home. It was the same story their mother told in her contest entry, and it’s why we couldn’t resist picking Archie. Actually, come to think of it, I guess we sort of picked Elin, Isla and Mila. Don’t get us wrong—Archie is as cute as they come, but these sisters stole the show.

Congratulations to Archie on being our cover contest winner and for getting to spend his days playing and snuggling with such an awesome group of girls!

August 2023

PUBLISHER

Emily Barlow | emily.barlow@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Stephanie Meinberg

stephanie.meinberg@citylifestyle.com

SALES SUPPORT DIRECTOR

Courtney Kraemer | courtney.kraemer@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Courtney Kraemer

INTERN

Maria Monfreda

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Pamela McWhorter, Carly Tamborski, Stephanie Meinberg, Elizabeth A. Lowry, Bill Furbee, Nicole Browning, Chris Sherritt, Amanda Stout, Maria Monfreda

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Matthew J Capps, Elizabeth A. Lowry, Cathy Lyons – Lyons Photography, John F Martin Photography

EMILY BARLOW, PUBLISHER @LOVELANDLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

Proverbs 3:5-6

Do You Have a Plan for Your Furry Best Friend?

Pets are family members.

Unfortunately, our beloved friends often end up in shelters after their owners’ passing. Let Wolterman Law Office help you plan for the future today!

Steve R. Wolterman, Esq. has over 15 years of experience and can help you designate a guardian, establish directives, and set aside funds for your pets’ ongoing care. Do not let your best friend end up in a shelter.

A trio of sweet sisters. A wish, a pup, a plan (oh how they planned), and finally a dream come true. Now this charming, adorable quartet has stolen our hearts as well as the cover.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: Great new food from a great new company, @BentOnLOVELAND’s ribbon cutting on June 3rd. 2: Emcee Christina Beck and Keynote Speaker Logan Hines get pics @LMRChamberAlliance’s annual Symmetry Women’s Luncheon. 3: Official ribbon cutting at Nisbet Park to celebrate the brand-new, beautiful gazebo with @CityofLovelandOH. 4: @CityofLovelandOH’s family-fave Movie in the Park, The Goonies, complete with pirate bounce house fun. 5: Congratulations to CeeCee Collins on her 10-year anniversary as president of @LMRChamberAlliance!

6: It was all high-flying fun @FlyBungeeFitness’s open house on June 4th. 7: A grateful crowd gathered for the Sunday June 11th @AngelsByTheTrail mural ribbon cutting in downtown Loveland.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your Instagram photos with @lovelandlifestylemagazine

8: @AMAEzingSweetShoppe debuted some pretty amazing new ice cream flavors and crazy shakes in June. 9: The third annual @ArtLeagueOfLoveland Art Crawl was a huge success—looking forward to next year! 10: Mimi’s House Assisted Living & Memory Care celebrating their grand opening with @LMRChamberAlliance.

Celebrating over 50 years as Cincinnati’s premier Nature Montessori, we’ve recently expanded and now offer a Middle School Program for 7th grade.

Celebrating 50 years as Cincinnati’s premier Nature Montessori. Located minutes from historic Loveland, CMH students enjoy many acres of thick woods and lush meadows, encouraging our students to explore, interact with, and learn in a rich and varied environment. We currently offer programs for Preschool through 6th grade, with an expansion into 7th and 8th grade planned for Fall 2023.

Learn more and secure your child’s spot for the 2023-2024 school year at CMHSchool.com.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

We’ve Got Your Back

Living With Motion Chiropractic has a new spinal traction treatment to help relieve chronic pain and improve your spinal health. This method is available for lumbar or cervical traction and is non-invasive—requiring no drugs or injections. With these traction treatments, you’ll see a reduction in pain as well as improvement in your range of motion—it’s ideal for sciatica relief or people experiencing low back or neck pain. Call Dr. Luke to learn more or schedule your appointment!

Scan to read more.

Gifting Joy

Happy birthday? It can be for all—Tiger Birthday Bundle is dedicated to providing gifts to kids 1–18 whose families use LIFE Food Pantry or NEST services. This nonprofit’s goal is to “make each kid feel extra special on their birthday!” says owner Erica Riggell. Bundles include age-appropriate books, stuffed animals and toys/games. Want to help make a birthday kid’s day amazing? Make a purchase on their amazon wishlist or donate via venmo or gofundme.

Scan to read more.

Angels Among Us

Angels by the Trail is a bright, joyful, graffiti-style memorial mural near the Linda Cox parking lot on the trail-side of Loveland Hardware in historic Loveland. It serves not only to remember, but to honor and celebrate the memories of the school-aged Loveland children who have passed too soon. The mural was painted by local artist David Jonathan Creative LLC. You can help maintain this mural or add the name of a lost loved one.

Scan to read more.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Loveland

Since

AUGUST 2023

local experiences

How can school be starting already ? Noooo—say it isn’t so. Thankfully, it’s not (yet!).

Squeeze in one last massive-mega-marvelous dose of summer, sunshine and family fun before loading up the backpacks and busses again later this month. Grab the kiddos, invite the friends, make a day of it, get away for a long weekend. Choose one (choose ALL) and end your vacay months with a bang. BAM.

Our Picks for Family-Friendly Fun

COOLEST TOYS ON EARTH: Every kid’s dream—a store chock-full of toys, toys, toys! For cool games, extraordinary diversions, contraptions and collectibles bound to make anyone’s day? It’s all here. 314 Main St, Milford, OH

KIRKWOOD CAMP & ADVENTURE PARK: Inflatables on water, go-karts, splash pad, mini golf, tubing and more (like canopy trails, frisbee golf, we could go on!)—a fun-filled day worth the drive. 5719 W. State Route 73, Wilmington, OH

RECREATIONS OUTLET: Looking for somewhere to take the crew on a rainy day? You’re covered here! Indoor playgrounds, trampolines and b-ball courts will definitely keep everyone entertained. 885 OH-28, Milford, OH

CINCINNATI FIRE MUSEUM: Did you know? This downtown museum is dedicated to firefighting, a profession born right here in Cincy. Experience firsthand their exciting history and fire-safety education. 315 W. Court St, Cincinnati, OH

HIGHFIELD DISCOVERY GARDEN: Take a stroll through 12-acres of gardens—there’s one for musical instruments, frogs, veggies, trains, wizards and more—the perfect fantasyland kids big and little will enjoy!  10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH

Want to recommend a local experience?

Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

WELLNESS

TAKES ROOT

How a Fresh Vision of Care Helps People of All Ages Thrive

ARTICLE BY PAMELA MCWHORTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW J CAPPS

Close your eyes and think of a stereotypical healthcare office. You may see harsh fluorescent lighting. The walls are a nondescript shade of neutral. The only decoration is a cardboard brochure holder sitting on a table.

Now, open your eyes and see yourself stepping into Garden City Chiropractic. There’s a leafy-green wall panel behind the reception desk. Lamps with warm, woven shades hang from the ceiling, emitting a soft glow. Uplifting music softly plays in the background. Smiling faces greet you at the front desk.

“We wanted our office to feel like home,” says Dr. Nick Hoar. “We know a lot of people can be anxious going to the doctor. So, we didn't want it to feel like a typical medical office.”

Dr. Nick, along with his wife and practice partner, Dr. Kenzie Hoar, bought the space in May 2021, renovating the former nail salon themselves. At the same time, they were actively networking and attending events throughout the community, providing complimentary health screenings. By the time they opened the doors to Garden City Chiropractic in mid-October that same year, they already had about 350 consultations scheduled.

“We just wanted to build these relationships, get our name out there, share our story,” says Dr. Kenzie. “We’re trying to rewrite the narrative of traditional chiropractic.”

HEALING FROM THE INSIDE, OUT

Some people may be apprehensive about chiropractic care because they associate it with twisting, cracking and popping, according to Dr. Kenzie. At Garden City Chiropractic, the doctors use a very gentle adjustment approach that’s tailored to each individual and grounded in neurologically based chiropractic care.

“The nervous system controls and coordinates everything in the entire body,” explains Dr. Nick. “If we’re focused on removing stress from the nervous system, our bodies have an amazing ability to start to heal from the inside out.”

Many who have received care at Garden City have seen dramatic improvements in their overall health and well-being.

Marlo Thigpen had been struggling with neck pain for years and was experiencing stress in her life, as well. After receiving specific chiropractic adjustments, she was impressed by the change.

“Now, I can’t even remember when I wasn’t painfree,” Marlo says.

HELPING CHILDREN BLOOM

But at Garden City, chiropractic care is not just for adults. Many children are practice members, too. Take for instance, 10-year-old Dominic, who before starting chiropractic care, experienced frequent tension headaches that sometimes turned into migraines. He also had trouble focusing at school. Since receiving care at Garden City Chiropractic, he says now he only gets headaches when he feels overwhelmed, and he’s much better at focusing during class.

Even babies and toddlers can benefit from chiropractic care, Drs. Kenzie and Nick say. When adjusting babies and children, the doctors use a technique called sustained contact or sustained pressure, which is a very light pressure placed on different areas of the spine to address the nervous system.

“It’s a very gentle, very respectful technique,” explains Dr. Kenzie. “A lot of babies sleep through the adjustment.”

Even though Drs. Kenzie and Nick work together, they don’t see much of each other—theirs is a busy practice, where they care for a few hundred people a week. Have no fear, though, they always have openings for new clients of any age.

A MODERN APPROACH TO CARE

As they practice neurologically based chiropractic care, the doctors feel blessed by the positive response they’ve seen among their practice members and in the community. They want to open people’s eyes to what chiropractic care really means in 2023.

“Let’s look at the brain and spinal cord— how are we going to help those function at their best so people can live life to the fullest?” Dr. Kenzie asks. “It’s about helping people realize their true health potential.”

CHIROPRACTIC CARE FAQS

HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE HELP?

At Garden City, members have seen improvements across a number of health conditions, including:

• Attention deficit disorder (ADHD)

• Anxiety

• Earaches

• Headaches

• Low back pain

• Mental health

• Neck pain

• Sciatic pain

• Sleep

• Stress

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

At your first visit, you will:

• Spend 5-10 minutes completing paperwork (or complete it online)

• Receive a consultation and an assessment, including X-rays, if needed

• At your next appointment, you’ll receive a doctor’s report about next steps and recommendations

• Not convinced just yet? Try a complimentary health consultation first!

GoGardenCity.com | 9531 Fields Ertel Rd, Loveland | 513.640.4500

"IF WE’RE FOCUSED ON REMOVING STRESS FROM THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, OUR BODIES HAVE AN AMAZING ABILITY TO START TO HEAL FROM THE INSIDE OUT."

- DR. NICK

Dr. Kenzie (in orange), Dr. Nick and the Garden City team

Man’s Best Friend

MEET SIDON: A SOURCE OF SUPPORT AND WELL-BEING FOR ONE LOCAL SCHOOL

Sidon, Archbishop Moeller High School’s emotional support canine, is officially its first dog-ployee.

Last spring, the school welcomed the addition of this now 3-year-old Yellow Lab, specifically trained to provide physical, social, cognitive and emotional assistance to young adults in a school environment.

Sidon’s presence at Moeller was made possible through a partnership with the Keep Going 25 Foundation, which honors the legacy of 2020 graduate Michael Currin.

Although Sidon initially began as a dog intern—joining the counseling department and working with their team—this good boy has since become a full-time staple at the school. According to veterinarians and educators, there are endless benefits to having a facility dog— including boosting morale and lowering stress levels.

“Emotional support animals help individuals in stressful situations, or times that create intense emotions, to calm or stabilize,” says Sidon’s doctor, Dr. Peter Hill, DVM at PetCare Animal Hospital. Personal pets help do this to a degree, Dr. Hill says, but support dogs are trained to not react to the stressors and simply provide comfort.

“Having an emotional support dog in a school setting can be an excellent tool for the administrators to use in a crisis or when tragedy strikes,” Dr. Hill says. “Dogs have an ability to get people to calm down, to talk to, even embrace when you just need a hug. These dogs require the same veterinary care as family dogs—annual physical exams, vaccinations and more. We see Sidon a few times a year for wellness checks and his preventative care.”

“Facility dogs routinely bring joy and laughter to situations that might feel frightening,” says Kristen Merica, house counselor and Counseling Department Chair at Moeller. “Sidon provides something to talk and think about other than difficulties or problems—he helps both students and faculty cope with illness, depression and loneliness. Sidon lives with me, and I bring him to school each day. He loves coming to work!”

PetCareCincinnati.com | KeepGoing25.org

ARTICLE BY CARLY TAMBORSKI

Sidon and Dr. Hill,

Photo by John F Martin Photography

Kids

Sarah Nicole

R

Reimagine the Familiar

At Sarah Nicole Redesign we embrace what you own to create a comfortable and beautiful home. Now is a great time to update decor and breathe new life into the familiar Schedule a consult today to make your house your dream home!

Every Wednesday, Evelyn, age 7, looks forward to going to Mathnasium. This week, she’s only two reward stamps away from earning a coveted Squishmallow, plus it’s popsicle day! But best of all, she feels confident she’ll ace her first math quiz when school starts. She actually likes subtraction now. You’ve got this, Evelyn!

Schedule

Children of the Perfect Storm

“I think we’re at a crossroads right now, whether people want to acknowledge it or not … that storm, that perfect storm can go either way—it can become a positive, with exactly what we need. Or it can go the other way. A total tragedy, where nobody survives.”

People use that phrase in both ways—the perfect storm . Positively, it’s an ideal convergence, every factor working in concert to a surprising yet critical advantage. More

often, it skews negative, describing disastrous results from one powerful confluence of uncontrollable forces. You may even think first of the true-story-turned-book-turnedmovie, where every crisis, every chapter, every scene unfolded from a different and ever-changing perspective—the captains, the crews, the first responders, the meteorologists, the families left behind. And that resonated with Evangeline DeVol.

WHERE THE POWERFUL COLLABORATION OF HOPE, SUPPORT AND CHANGE BEGINS

ARTICLE

GIVING BACK | LIFE + CULTURE

BY STEPHANIE MEINBERG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW J CAPPS

“They argued, and got mad, everyone thought they knew what they were doing, everyone had their own bias,” she explains. “There’s an analogy in each of those scenes for what the plight of the children in this country looks like right now. The child population is suffering, COVID made sure of that. Those of us in the trenches know that it’s bad—we see it. So we need to make people aware of it, then everybody can do something about it.” Thus where Children of the Perfect Storm was born.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. We’ve jumped into the middle of this story, this storm, when there’s so much more that came before it. I met Van in November of 2018. I sat at her table, in her home, expecting to learn a few facts about NEST Community Learning Center—a nonprofit that was bringing ground-breaking educational support services to Loveland kids in need, literally to their front doors. As founder and executive director, she’d forged this program from the wheels up, shining a bright, muchneeded light on children living at or below the poverty line. Just three years in, NEST had already changed lives, changed futures—no hype, no hyperbole— bringing help and hope to kids and families formerly without either. Mission accomplished, right? Awards won, method proven, success tracked, community bettered, children saved. And, scene

I walked away from Van’s house that day a wholly different person. As do many who meet her. Van has a way of not just inspiring, but moving you to do more, to be more. To give of yourself in all the ways that truly make a difference to others. It’s an amazing thing, to be a small part of that kind of sea change, especially in my own community. But NEST was just the proving ground. Van called it training for what was about to come. And what came next was COVID.

“Think of a time in your life as a child that you remember as negative. We all have something,

a time when we were frightened or confused or alone. Certain things in life stick with you, that’s what trauma does,” Van explains. “COVID was trauma for so many children, especially our at-risk, low-income kids—school was their one safe place. And then it was gone—that interaction, that safe piece, that happy piece—without any warning.”

They struggled academically, with no one to help, no one to push them to try, no experiential growth, no connection or accountability. Some children had to focus on caring for siblings instead of school. Some struggle still to read because of underdeveloped eye muscles—everything was on-screen. And while the official public health emergency is over, the pandemic left an even bigger mark on an already imperfect educational system.

“We’re actually worse off than we were prior to the pandemic, and everyone says, ‘well, we need to get back to normal.’ Really??” she laughs, but it’s laced with frustration more than humor. “The only thing that’s going to change the trajectory for these kids, for their lives, is education. Because that leads to a job. And a job lets you break the cycle of generational poverty. A job gives you options. A job allows you to take care of yourself.”

Many of these kids—kids all over the country, not just in Loveland—are victims of that storm, are still in the storm. And that brings us back to Children of the Perfect Storm. Which is what, exactly, I’m sure you’re asking. A program? A plan? A podcast? Yes, to all three, and yet so very much more.

“It’s a voice,” Van smiles. I can feel her excitement about this. It’s tangible. It’s contagious . “It’s an effort to recognize and then do something about the state our children are in—especially children in poverty—that’s getting worse and worse. How do we become a concise, loud voice so people cannot ignore what has happened to these kids?”

“We’re just trying to give every kid the tools and support they need to have a fighting chance, so they can be whatever they’re supposed to be.”

This is how. It starts here, first as a podcast series— this dialogue and discussion. Then it becomes a go-to collection of resources, an online hub, a gathering of groups who already have expertise and assets to offer but need a bigger, better platform from which to broadcast and share them. Then it becomes a brand. Then a force of change that can’t be ignored.

“I want to highlight all the people who put themselves on the line every day for these kids, who individually have a great voice—but it’s not loud enough. If

we all come together with one voice, then people will know who we are. If we’re one big voice, we can help each other. I want this voice to be so loud, that if you’re one of those struggling kids or families, you’ll have a resource to turn to. It’s about access—there’s good stuff out there, just no easy access to it.” Yet.

So, this is where we start—the podcasts. The first episodes of Children of the Perfect Storm are out, with more to follow (12 total), each diving a bit deeper into the possibilities for everyone to do something, for everyone to play a part.

“There’s a child right now somewhere, in a struggling economic situation who needs this.”

No surprise, Van had some help navigating this uncharted territory: Nick Winnenberg, Alex Winnenberg and Laura Calhoun. “I have a team!” she laughs. “Laura’s job is to hold on and if I fly too high, she’ll say, ‘OK, I like where you’re going, but whoa, whoa.’ She’s my partner and podcast cohost. Nick is in the middle going ‘fly, fly … but come this way!’ Nick’s done for me what I do for my kids—he looked at me and said, ‘I believe in this woman, I know she can do this.’ They all want to be a part of this—so here we go.”

Part of Van enjoys that this stage is a bit unstructured—that this new-born movement has room to morph and grow. “There’s a child right now somewhere, in a struggling economic situation who needs this. The needs will never end, but that doesn’t mean we don’t try.” Whether that means volunteering time, donating funds, connecting people, we all have something to contribute.

“Everyone’s got to come to the table and say, ‘I’m willing to be part of something that’s bigger than I am.’ If the story isn’t told,

then we leave children who are hurting,” she says. “This is the way to change things.”

“Because of my faith, the Lord doesn’t allow anything to touch my life that doesn’t have a purpose—I believe that with all my heart. So many things I went through and didn’t understand ... now I do. I understand why these kids feel frightened, what it’s like to be abandoned, to feel like nobody sees you, or your voice doesn’t matter. Every child needs to be seen and every child needs to be heard. How hard is that?”

This is how we turn the storm, stem the tide. We flip the script and help these children write their own perfect story.

“I have a huge faith in people,” Van finishes softly, yet full of conviction. “If they really know how bad this is, they’ll do something.” Invitation accepted.

buzzsprout.com/2182763 | invisible.kids@proton.me

REASONS

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Special Delivery

Pet Wants Brings Healthy, Nutritious Food Right to Your Door!

Downtown Loveland has a lot of offerings for people, but, until recently, there’s been nothing catering to all those four-legged friends walking, jogging and lounging right alongside their humans.

Enter Pet Wants, a new kind of pet store offering clean, nutritious pet food (and more), with the goal of improving the health and well-being of our furbabies.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, owner Marc Drapp says he’s cycled through various accounting and financial roles during his career, from staff accountant to CEO—all with a dog or two by his side.

“I’ve always been a lover of dogs,” he smiles. “In 2018, I decided to bring my experiences together, opening a full-service dog daycare, boarding and grooming facility on the other side of town.”

Then in December 2022, Marc took his love for business and pets another step further, opening a Pet Wants in Hamilton. “From there, I spent quite a bit of time on the road delivering our fresh food, which allowed me to engage in communities along the way,” Marc explains.

“After stopping in multiple areas, I decided downtown Loveland would be perfect for our second store. With its location on the river as well as the walking trail, it’s a great place to showcase our healthy offerings for pets,” Marc says.

Want to give Pet Wants a try? Consider the Pet Wants Challenge: Take a small sample of fresh food home and have your dog or cat participate in a taste test. Their bet? Buddy or Scratchy will be begging for more!

The Pet Wants Difference

• Fresh food. Marc explained that most commercial pet food is manufactured in mass quantities and sent to distribution warehouses before finally making it onto the shelf at your local store where it can sit for months. Because pet food loses its nutritional value over time, pets can ultimately end up eating a diet that’s low in nutrition, which can lead to sickness, disease or even a shortened life. Pet Wants offers fresh foods and treats sourced locally with whole, all-natural, healthy ingredients.

• Delivery. Pet Wants is a locally owned small business that’s passionate about being your neighborhood pet store, and the Loveland location allows them to bring fresh food, treats and excellent personal service to the communities along the eastern corridor of I-275. Their healthy, small-batch, slow-cooked food is delivered within weeks of being made. You can stop into the store, shop online or place orders over the phone. Plus, they offer free delivery on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

• Tasty treats & more. Treats are all-natural and made with limited ingredients sourced in the USA. They are protein-packed and offer great nutrition for both cats and dogs. They offer multiple varieties of jerky as well as freeze-dried options. But the store’s offerings don’t stop at fresh food—you’ll also find a full line of natural Pet Spaw products (shampoos, wipes, sprays, etc.), plus a plethora of unique toys for your favorite furry friends.

• Training supplies. Looking to keep your dog safe and fashionable with a new collar? Want to take your best four-legged friend on a long trail walk or hiking in the woods, but not sure what type of leash or harness is best? Or, would you like to see how Fido fares out on the Little Miami? Pet Wants offers a wide range of collars, harnesses, leashes and even life jackets—and is ready to recommend the perfect solution for your pet.

Planning for Pets

Including Pets in Estate Plans Is Easier Than You Think

ARTICLE BY BILL FURBEE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Trixie

Trixie and Steve’s Stepsister, Cassie

“We’re responsible for providing love and care to our pets, along with a healthy environment that allows our pets to live their best lives,” remarks experienced Loveland attorney Steve Wolterman. “And this includes making plans for pets beyond our own lives.”

A comprehensive estate plan, Steve says, is important for anyone. “Obviously, getting your assets to family members and those you love is important,” he says, adding that estate plans also incorporate crucial end of life directives, the power of attorney, and other considerations.

But a well thought-out estate plan, he continues, should also include concern for the pets we love and care for.

“Often, people feel like it’s overkill—or even silly—to formally discuss making plans for their pets in the event of their passing,” he says. But Steve begs to differ. “After all, most of us adore our pets, and it’s very easy to make some simple arrangements that will ensure that they’re loved and taken care of for the remainder of their lives.”

“If we’re in the process of setting up a will or even a trust for other purposes, such as a trust for children, it’s easy to include instructions for a pet.”

There are, of course, some guidelines to keep in mind. “In Ohio, we can’t leave money or property directly to pets,” Steve explains. “Pets are considered property, and you can’t leave property to other property. But we can leave our pets to a named person or organization that will take care of that animal, and we can leave money to the person receiving our pet.”

Steve fondly recalls a childhood pet of his own, his dog Trixie, who joined the family

while he was in grade school. “She is as prominent in my memories as any other family member or experiences I had growing up,” he smiles. “Trixie was by my side for so many years—always happy to see me—and couldn’t have been more loyal to me and my family.”

“Pets can fit into any estate plan, simple or complex,” Steve continues. “I don’t advocate creating a complex estate plan to solely meet the needs of planning for pets. But whether you have a simple will and are using beneficiary designations to create efficiency in the transfer of assets, or you’re utilizing trusts to transfer assets, simple instructions and allocations of funds can be made in either to take care of your beloved pets.”

The Wolterman Law Office moved to Loveland nearly a decade ago, and offers services such as estate planning, tax and business matters, general business matters, mergers and acquisitions, personal injury, product liability, and business litigation. “I love meeting people, and feel lucky to be able to help so many wonderful individuals and families in our community,” Steve says.

And, while certainly a legal specialist, Steve considers himself a friend and sincere animal-lover at heart, first.

“I think the old adage ‘man’s best friend’ is true in so many ways. Pets absolutely impact our lives for the better, and can be incredible companions.”

For more information about estate planning (or to receive a free consultation about any of Wolterman Law Office’s other services), simply call the office or visit their website.

WoltermanLaw.com | 434 W. Loveland Ave, Loveland | 513.488.1135

Menu at Work

NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS MEETS SIMPLE, FAST AND HASSLE-FREE (FOR THE WHOLE FAM)

Picture this: you’ve gotten home from picking the kids up from school and you’ve had a long day at work (not unusual, right?). But it’s time to feed the family, and that Pinterest recipe you found is looking mighty tedious with all its steps and ingredients. Your first thought—rummage something from the fridge, or ditch the dishes and order carry-out. Better thought? Take advantage of Gray Nutrition’s new meal kit program, which is dedicated to making family dinners a breeze with simple steps and easy-to-follow directions.

This meal kit method, created by Gray Nutrition owner Emily Mobley, focuses on bringing balance to every plate. Emily explains, “I have something that helps people get a

healthy meal in front of their families with five ingredients or less.” And she’s making it easy, giving her clients all the tools they need, plus a visual-aid to help everyone in the family conceptualize each meal, even the littles. “I get a lot of parents who want to know how to teach their kids to be healthy, and this provides a good visual cue to hang on their fridge, or let their kids pick cards for the week so they better understand ‘oh, this is what my plate needs to look like.’”

These meal kits range from breakfast to dinner recipes, and include snack ideas to keep the kiddos full all day long. “I think this helps inspire parents to teach kids how to balance their meals, and shows parents how to teach their kids in a way they understand.”

ARTICLE BY NICOLE BROWNING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW J CAPPS

How It Works:

Gray Nutrition’s meal kit method was born from the idea that “you can do really simple things to organize your life and get a healthy meal in front of you.” Intrigued? Here are six hard-hitters to help convince you this is a can’t-miss choice.

Kid-Friendly

This plan goes heavy on the visuals, giving kids a concrete idea of a wellrounded plate in a way they understand. “We’re still using fun foods, like chicken nuggets or gummy bears, but doing it in a way that’s healthier,” Emily promises.

Stress-Free

Your meals for the week are chosen so there’s no back-and-forth about what’s for dinner. Your grocery list is right there when you go to the store to pick up ingredients, taking the stress out of weekly grocery trips (or Instacart orders).

Reduces Waste

“If you have a plan for the week, you utilize what you buy,” Emily explains. When you’re following your meal kit guide, you

reduce the risk of running out of time before fresh foods or produce goes bad.

Five Ingredients or Less

Everything is approachable and super simple with minimal ingredients, some of which are prepackaged— designed to work specifically to make meal-planning, prep and cooking significantly easier.

Healthy & Balanced

Each kit pairs together whole, healthy foods with some processed items to make preparation painless. It’s all about creating a plate that’s well-rounded in nutrients and that also keeps your family fueled and full longer.

Easy Meal Plans in Under Five Minutes

Meals can be prepared in as much or as little time as you have to spend. In a pinch, prepackaged ingredients can be heated up quickly, making weeknight meals time-affordable and trouble-free— and who doesn’t love that?

DOGS WILL GO NUTS FOR THESE QUICK + EASY SNACKS

TREAT YOUR PET

MAN’S BEST FRIEND DESERVES MAN’S BEST FOOD. Dogs will go nuts for these quick and easy peanut butter and oat treats. With just a few ingredients and a little bit of time, you’ll be well on your way to getting your dog to do anything you ask. And, if you get hungry, you can even sneak one for yourself—just don’t let your pup see!

Peanut Butter + Oats

INGREDIENTS

+ 1 cup old-fashioned oats

+ 1/2 cup flour

+ 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

+ 1 egg

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 300 F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together oats, flour, peanut butter and egg until combined.

3. Roll your dough out on a flat surface to about 1/2-inch thickness.

4. Cut out your dog’s favorite shapes with cookie cutters.

5. Place your treats onto a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

Be sure the peanut butter you use does not contain xylitol—the artificial sweetener can be fatal to dogs.

Makes about 36 1-inch diameter treats.

ARTICLE BY CHRIS SHERRITT PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW J CAPPS

PUPPY LOVE

HOW THE YEARSLONG WISH OF THREE VERY DETERMINED YOUNG GIRLS FINALLY CAME TRUE

After an enthusiastic chorus of “Look here, Archie, look here!” he turned to the camera—as a good boy would—and click. Perfect. This year’s Loveland Lifestyle Cover Dog was crowned. And not a moment too soon for Elin (11), Isla (9) and Mila (4) Jurkowitz.

The Jurkowitz sisters planted the idea of getting a puppy with their parents more than three years ago. They were serious and persistent. So serious, in fact, they started saving on their own to acquire Archie, even choosing his name and breed—noting to their parents that golden retrievers make wonderful family pets and are great with children. Finally, the “somedays” and “next years” came to an end. They got their dog.

Archie’s just a few months old, but he’s proven to be a real nature lover. Known to playfully roll down hills in the backyard, lie contentedly on the lawn. Chase birds and uproot flowers, too? Well, yes. Mom Katie admits Archie’s

going through a digging and chewing phase. But the girls are diligently training and walking him when not enjoying lots of puppy snuggles and extra wet kisses.

Fun facts about Archie: Enjoys exercising by running at high rates of speed throughout the house. Known to mischievously try out an infant’s pacifier for size (fits perfectly). List of preferred activities does not include baths. Yet to acquire a liking for peanut butter (but will sneak a taste of cereal).

As Archie happily toddled away from the Nisbet Park photo shoot, he was headed for a rewarding nap. The girls? Some summer fun in the sun at the water park. Welcome to the family, Archie. And congratulations, girls!

Thanks to our contest sponsors: PetCare Animal Hospital, Pet Wants, Fetch! Pet Care, Bella Luna, Off Leash K9 Training, and Dale Robertson Jewelry.

“We thought we’d get a dog eventually, but this year we were so excited because we knew we had pressed the button!” - Elin

Isla, Elin, Archie and Mila

As a leader in health and wellness, FYZICAL can assist you to enhance your mobility, relieve chronic pain, recover from surgery, and prevent injuries. By demonstrating proper body mechanics, appropriate stretching, strengthening and conditioning exercises, our PTs can help you stick to your goals of improving your wellness and establishing a fitness routine, safely.

For more information on how we can help you, please call and speak with one of our Physical Therapists today.

Backyard Chickens

Everything you need to get started on your backyard coop.

Chickens have become increasingly popular as pets in both suburban and urban areas during the last 20 years. Backyard chickens may seem to be an unsuspecting animal to keep as a pet but the tried and true egg producers are back in fashion as food costs are soaring and families are looking for more food independence in light of recent supply chain shortages. There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. Surprisingly, chickens are relatively low maintenance. And bonus – unlike dogs, they don’t need to be bathed or groomed, and they don’t shed on your clothes or require training. Oh and bonus – they make you breakfast.

The eggs from backyard chickens are the best—tastier and fresher than any store-bought eggs. Much of the day, the birds entertain themselves, picking at grass, worms, beetles, and all of the good things that go into making those delicious farm eggs. Plus, with their keen eye for insect pests, chickens make for great gardening companions.

Chickens can provide family companionship, fun, entertainment, sustainable fresh food, and plenty of poop that gardeners prize as a natural fertilizer/composting material. Could backyard chickens be the perfect pet/producer to add to your home?

Backyard Chicken Q&A:

HOW MANY CHICKENS SHOULD I KEEP?

Chickens are sociable creatures, so plan to keep three to six birds at least. With this amount, you’ll always have a steady supply of eggs, since an adult hen lays about two eggs every three days, on average. Local ordinances also dictate how many chickens one household can keep.

HOW MUCH DOES KEEPING CHICKENS COST?

All of this costs money, of course. The materials to build and furnish a coop and a 20 x 5-foot run—including wood, fencing, and hardware—are going to set you back at least $300. If you can’t do this work yourself, you’ll also be buying skilled labor.

Overall, expect to spend between $500 and $700 when getting started depending on the size of your flock, coop and run. For prefabricated coops, expect to pay $600 or more.

WHAT KIND OF SHELTER DO THEY NEED?

Chickens need to have an enclosed coop that provides adequate space, protection from the elements and predators, and good ventilation. A modified shed, barn, or stable with an outdoor run is a good option for a coop. The outdoor run should be fully enclosed if you have predators like hawks or owls nearby. Ideally, coops are slightly elevated off the ground to prevent flooding and have windows on each side, enough nest boxes to allow several chickens to nest simultaneously, outlets for lighting, fans if they’re needed, air inlets or ventilation holes on the roof, and a concrete floor treated with a pet-safe waterproof coating that allows for easy cleaning and drainage.

Want to go the fancy route?

Search Pinterest for “chicken coop building plans” if you’re building your own or consider going the luxury route with a gorgeous custom-built coop from a company like CutestCoops.com

WHEN DO CHICKENS START LAYING EGGS?

Most hens will start laying eggs when they’re about 18 to 20 weeks old, although it may take more time for them to reach their peak output. Often, the first eggs are laid irregularly or are smaller or oddly shaped when compared with a typical egg. This is nothing to worry about! Once a cycle is established, most hens will lay one egg per day.

A sample of recently sold properties in Loveland.

ANDY MEYER Partner & Senior Wealth Advisor ameyer@vfplanning.com

MICHAEL FRANKS Senior Wealth Advisor mfranks@vfplanning.com

Call your local fiduciary for a consultation.

423 Wards Corner Rd. Suite A Loveland, OH 45140 P | 513-239-2933

W | vfplanning.com

Take Control of Your Finances!

Get your financial house in order. Hope is not a plan that increases your probability for success. There are excellent financial resources around to find a partner that is a good fit for your specific needs.

Schedule a financial physical A comprehensive review of your current financial picture will help you recognize any shortcomings.

Prioritize what needs attention first. Financial planning has many moving pieces.

Understand your risk and potential blind spots There are two equally important sides to risk: too much or too little. Mistakes can be made when focusing on one side versus the other.

Time is your most valuable asset. We are committed to protecting your time and best interest by helping you navigate real-life questions through an ongoing tailored advising relationship.

Trust your plan. Stick to your plan.

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ARTICLE BY AMANDA STOUT

GET PLENTY OF PLAY, TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT FOR YOUR FURRY FRIENDS AT PETSUITES

SIT, STAY, GOOD DOG!

For new puppy parents or frisky fidos that need a little extra support, PetSuites Mason has a variety of training options as well as tips to promote safety and good dog manners.

DOG-FRIENDLY TRAINING

Carrie Downey, PetSuites Mason’s general manager, started her PetSuites career as a certified dog trainer. Her advice? It’s never too early to start training.

“I’m a big believer in setting your dog up for success—because then you’re setting yourself up for success, too,” she says.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHY LYONS –LYONS PHOTOGRAPHY

As a pet parent, you want your dog or cat to be safe, happy and, above all else, healthy. At PetSuites, they promise to provide a personalized, secure and loving environment for your pets—not to mention memorable service for you.

PetsSuites began in Erlanger, Kentucky, and their Mason location off Kings Mills Rd just celebrated its first anniversary. Their state-ofthe-art resorts are colorful, inviting and sparkling clean, always ready for countless hours of enrichment for their four-legged guests. And they’re growing—a new PetSuites resort is being built in Liberty Township with a tentative October opening.

The PetSuites resort experience offers tons of options—including luxurious suites, double-level cat condos, grooming, training, playtime with dog pals or one-on-one time with their Pet Pros. No matter your pet’s temperament, there’s a tailored boarding or daycare experience for every furry friend.

Eight-week-old pups can start group training sessions with Puppy Kindergarten, then move on to their Good Dog Manners classes. After completing their training, dogs can test for the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Certificate.

If your dog needs to brush up on some skills or is picking up bad habits, consider a one-onone session with their full-time trainer, Katie New, or add tutoring to your daycare or boarding stays. Katie also offers seminars just for pet parents, including potty training tips and tricks. Some techniques are best learned in a classroom setting to help set the knowledge base so training practice can happen at home.

“You can teach an old dog new tricks! It’s a matter of meeting them where they are and teaching them that training is fun,” Carrie describes.

PetSuites’s policy is to only use positive reinforcement. “It’s all about creating a positive connotation to the relationship between you and your pet. That sets a great precedent for good behavior and recognition,” she explains.

KEY CANINE COMMANDS

Look: The “look” command is one of the best ways to teach your dog to avoid potentially dangerous situations. If they get away from you, using the “look” command instantly focuses their attention. “That’s the very first thing to start teaching your dog,” shares Carrie.

Place: PetSuites is also partnering with local breweries like Cartridge and Sonder to teach dogs good patio manners. “Our trainers visit dog-friendly patios and help reinforce good manners such as the ‘place’ command,” she says. “‘Place’ helps your dog learn that good things happen when they go to a specific spot and stay. Their human can then sit with friends and enjoy a beer without their dog lunging or pulling.”

Focus/Recall: If your dog learns good focus and recall, you can get them away from a busy street or a dog that may not be so friendly. “Training is beneficial for any dog and their human’s quality of life. Routine and regimen can build a dog’s confidence and help prevent dangerous situations,” Carrie explains.

Best of all, PetSuites Mason is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. for daycare and boarding, plus enrichment activities like play, grooming and training. It’s easy to book through their app and keep track of your pet through features like “paw-gress” reports, photos and video snippet updates. Ready to treat your four-legged fave to a resort stay or service visit? Woof!

Mason.PetSuitesofAmerica.com | 2690 Water Park Drive, Mason | 513.201.7956

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

National Night Out

OEDER’S LAKE | 6:00 PM

For the first time, our own Loveland Police Department has joined forces with Hamilton Township Fire and PD to bring back this nationwide event that promotes partnership and builds community between our police force and residents. Celebrating 40 years of camaraderie, come meet our officers, ask questions, and enjoy fireworks, a bounce house, petting zoo, entertainment and more. lovinlifeloveland.com/events/national-night-out/

Artisan Bread Series – Rustic Fennel

ABERLIN SPRINGS | 1:00 PM

Farm charm, bountiful bread, a touch of Italy—that’s a tasty trifecta you don’t want to miss! Join Blue Bike Bakery and Chef Rebecca Denny from the Aberlin Cooking School for this hands-on (mouth-watering) artisan bread class, featuring rustic fennel (or U Ficcilatìdd for you Puglia and Salento peninsula purists). Each class includes tasting and talking (sì, per favore!). $75/ticket. Facebook.com/AberlinSpringsOhio

The Comedy of Errors

SUMMIT PARK | 7:00 PM

Bring two sets of identical twins (with the same name, of course) together with a shipwreck, mistaken identity, love triangles, and a Shakespearean dose of slapstick, and you’re in for a modern-day but terrifically wild ride perfect for the whole family! Don’t miss this free performance from Shakespeare in the Park, appearing one night only under the canopy. CincyShakes.com/event/park/

Movie in the Park: Encanto

PHILLIPS PARK | 7:00 PM

We don’t talk about Bruno, but … tonight we do! Experience the magic of the Madrigals with this special (free!) outdoor movie night. Plus, enjoy a character meet-and-greet, door prizes, an ice cream truck and popcorn, culminating with the movie itself at sundown. Make sure to bring your crew to see everyone’s favorite magical family on the big screen. lovinlifeloveland.com/events/movie-in-the-park-encanto/

Concerts in the Park

NISBET PARK | 6:00 PM

Nothing’s better than wrapping up summer with some free tunes at our favorite outdoor amphitheater! Kicking off these must-see shows is Rooster Ridge on the 13th—a perfect blend between upbeat folk and classic Americana. That’s not all, on the 27th, find Bourbon Road Band—a unique country and southern rock band. Don’t miss the last Sunday shows of the season! lovinlifeloveland.com/events/

Full Moon Hike – Blue Moon

CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER – ROWE WOODS | 9:00 PM

A rare treat (and a classic tune!), come hike under the stars and this month’s second full moon. On this quiet and quaint guided trek, you’ll traverse the trails, enjoy some history and lore, and marvel at this uncommon experience’s transformation after sunset. A leisurely 1.5-mile stroll, great for families with children 12+. Registration required, limited spaces: $7/members, $13/nonmembers. calendar.cincynature.org/event/fullmoon-walk-blue-moon-at-rowe-woods

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Loveland