A Pawsitive Difference
LIFE + CULTURE PUPS & PINTS ON PATIOS BEDS TO REST LITTLE HEADS
ARCHER AND FLOWER POWER
Two of a Kind: The Story of Tricia & Jill
Friendship, Fun, and the Magic of Seasons
At Seasons, friendship is more than a feeling it ’s part of what makes the community shine. Few people embody that better than Tricia Feitlinger, Director of Resident Services, and Jill James, Director of the Magic of Seasons.
The two have been best friends for 21 years, their friendship beginning long before their time at Seasons. Their kids went to school together, and their first real outing was a family trip to Perfect North Slopes “ We took the kids tubing,” Tricia laughs. “ We even put Jill’s oneyear-old in a tube to join the fun That ’s how it all started ”
Years later, Jill then a stay-athome mom was offered a position at Seasons Soon after, she invited Tricia to come help dye Easter eggs with the residents. One introduction to the Executive Director later, and Tricia was hired “Little did we know,” Jill says, “ that 13 years later we’d still be working together.”
Their workdays have been filled with laughter, creativity, and purpose ever since. “ We love sharing our experiences with the
residents and what they mean to us,” Tricia says. “They bring us joy. Our circle of friends has grown by 250 our Seasons residents.”
Outside of work, the pair enjoy concerts, theater, dining out, biking, and long walks. “Work has actually enriched our personal lives,” Jill says. “We do so many things with our residents on and off campus that it just deepens our friendship.”
When asked about the best part of working together, both agree it’s knowing someone always has your back. “In all aspects of life work, home, good or bad it’s nice to know your best friend is right there,” Tricia says.
After two decades of friendship, they have plenty of inside jokes but they’re keeping those private “If we told you,” Jill grins, “they wouldn’t be inside jokes anymore.”
If they could plan the perfect “Best Friend Day” at Seasons, it would include coffee, a spa day, a walk, and dinner with cocktails “Best day ever!”
“How lucky we are,” Tricia reflects, “to come to work every day in a place we love and to share it with your best friend.”
That’s the magic of Seasons: where friendship, laughter, and care come together to create a true sense of home
Heart Warming
Our food issue always makes me hungry, the health and wellness issue leaves me feeling inspired, but August’s kids and pets’ issue makes my heart smile.
Sometimes it’s the story of a kid who sets out to make a different that warms my heart. Such is the case with Archer McCulloch. This sevenyear-old dreamed of adding a little extra beauty and color to this world, in the form of daisies and tulips (and a dog rescue, too).
Other times it’s a group of individuals banding together with a common goal in mind — to change the lives of kids who need it the most. The nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace is not only providing deserving kids with a bed to call their own, they are giving them the gift of a good night’s rest, a brain reset, and a chance to grow and thrive.
When it comes to our four-legged friends, we’re thrilled to highlight a few local nonprofits that are ensuring that the dogs and cats in our community are being cared for and getting their basic needs met. Check out our Local Experiences round-up for more.
I think this issue will give you all the warm and fuzzy feels. As always, enjoy!
EMILY BARLOW, PUBLISHER @LOVELANDLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
August 2026
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
Kelsie Ruoff | lovelandlifestyle@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ali Waychoff, Pamela McWhorter, Mary Kate Lenard, Carly Tamborski, Kathy Doane, Lisa Fletcher, Nicole Browning, Amy Tinnin, Kali Kasprzyk
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Matthew J. Capps, Janie Jones, Jessa Plante Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
Proverbs 3:5-6
Perennial Professional Services, LLC
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city scene
1: Bridge Street Health gave a “Food As Medicine” presentation @DorothyLaneMarket to a sold-out crowd. 2: More than 3,000 pounds of food were donated to @LifeFoodPantry during “Stuff the Bus.” 3: It was a glorious orange-and-black affair at LMRCA’s annual Symmetry Women’s Luncheon. 4: Congrats! Tiger Birthday Bundle was awarded a 2026 Small Business Power Grant from the LMRCA. 5: Congrats, LLM writer Kathy Doane (right)—inducted into the Society of Professional Journalists Hall of Fame! 6: It was a beautiful day for (“fore!”) @PaxtonsGrill’s annual golf outing benefiting @CancerFreeKIDS. 7: Head-to-toe health, wellness, and relaxation were the focus at LMRCA’s annual Road to Health expo.
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A Grant for Better Care
Homewatch CareGivers of Cincinnati has exciting news. The local in-home senior care provider was selected by the Duke Grant Committee to receive the 2026 Duke Grant of $750, awarded through the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance. “We’re using the funds to provide dementia certification training to organizations in our community working with people living with dementia,” says owner Emily Harris. A meaningful investment in dignified care for Cincinnati seniors.
Photography by Little Miami River Chamber Alliance
No Prep, No Stress
Healthy eating just got a whole lot easier. Project LeanNation, now open at Harpers Station, takes the stress out of nutrition with pre-made, ready-to-eat meals crafted from clean ingredients. But they don’t stop there. They also provide nutrition support, accountability, InBody body composition tracking, and a Refuel protein shake bar to help members stay on track with their goals. “It’s more than meal prep,” says co-owner Jill Strasser. “It’s a practical solution for busy professionals, athletes, and families looking to build lasting healthy habits.”
ProjectLeanNation.com
Photography by Project Lean Nation Harper’s Point
business monthly
CONTINUED
Art in the Park
The 9th Annual Loveland Art Festival is heading to Nisbet Park—and bigger than ever. This family-friendly, juried show featuring 70+ artists is trading WSCW’s front lawn for a venue in the heart of downtown, and festival director Bonnie McNett is thrilled. “The larger, more centrally located venue will accommodate more artists and feature three live musicians and food trucks,” she says, “creating a city-wide celebration of the arts and music.” Saturday, September 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. LovelandArtFestival.com
Giving Back, One Vote at a Time
Giving back is a team effort at Move2Team. Through its Gives Back program, the community nominates and votes for a local nonprofit each quarter, with the winning organization receiving a donation from Move2Team. This quarter’s recipient, the Ben Morrison Fund, was selected for their inspiring work breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and empowering youth through their Ben’s Way initiative. It’s an impactful way to celebrate organizations making a lasting difference right here in Loveland.
Photography by Bonnie McNett
LOCAL experiences 5
2 3 4 5
Tail-Wagging Causes Across the Tri-State
1. ANIMAL FRIENDS HUMANE SOCIETY:
Since 1952, this Hamilton staple has been Butler County’s go-to for finding pets their happily-ever-afters. It’s the oldest and largest nonprofit shelter in the county, and no appointment is needed to stop by. AnimalFriendsHS.org
2. PAWS FOR MILES:
This Loveland rescue, named after Miles (a loving 3-yearold pit bull who suffered injuries and cancer) pulls cats and dogs from municipal shelters into foster homes where no breed, age, or need is turned away. PawsForMiles.org
3. UNITED PET FUND:
When smaller shelters and independent rescues run low on food or supplies, they call UPF. This all-volunteer Blue Ash nonprofit runs monthly distribution days, supporting more than 100 member organizations with corporate donations. UnitedPetFund.org
4. LOUIE’S LEGACY ANIMAL RESCUE:
One of the country’s largest foster-based rescues, Louie’s operates across Cincinnati and NYC, placing every dog and cat in a screened foster home (not a cage), with complete medical care before adoption. LouiesLegacy.org
5. YOU TO THE RESCUE:
Shopping for a good cause has never been more fun. This Montgomery resale boutique turns secondhand clothing and home goods into a lifeline for local life-saving shelters. YouToTheRescue.org
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DR. LAUREN CAPOZZA
CHARLIE AND
the flower factory
Meet the Young Sprout Behind One Blooming Biz, Wild Archer Flower Farm
ARTICLE BY PAMELA MCWHORTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW J. CAPPS
If Willy Wonka ever wanted fresh flowers, he’d probably buy them from Wild Archer Flower Farm. It’s where long rows of flower seedlings line the in-ground pool. And even more seedlings live in grow tents that look like silver-lined, illuminated bookshelves. They stand not too far from rolled-up paper sculptures and other random projects, all the vivid, vibrant products of a child’s imagination. In the garage, there’s even a brightly colored cart to hold all the blooms.
And then, there’s Charlie. No, not the Winner-of-the-Golden-Ticket Charlie. But a four-legged English setter named Charlie who’s the best friend of seven-year-old Archer McCulloch. Archer is the CEO, CFO (Chief Flower Officer), and official namesake of Wild Archer Flower Farm.
His employees? Why, Mom and Dad, of course!
“Now that he’s older, he wants to make some money,” explains Wild Archer’s Chief Operations Officer, Nate McCulloch, whose other job is at a biotech company.
Since the next-door neighbors had a lemonade stand going, Archer didn’t want to enter an already saturated market. So, he and his team launched a different venture.
“We thought we could have a little flower cart at the end of the driveway,” recalls Chief Marketing Officer, Stephanie McCulloch, who also works as a design director during the day.
Sounds easy enough. Right?
BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP
The first step was simple: Just buy 10,000 tulip bulbs from Tulip World. Last fall, those went into fenced-off, raised flower beds in the McCulloch’s side yard. Turns out, Archer’s a natural at planting.
“The easy thing with the bulbs is we just basically put them in, and then he throws a bunch of dirt on top,” explains Nate.
Archer even used an auger to drill holes for the daffodils.
“It’s only a drill with a bit on it,” says Archer, speaking like a true gardening pro.
When the tulip bulbs went dormant over the winter, Stephanie’s creative mind went to work to develop a name and logo that would bring their gardening brand to life.
“We wanted it to feel fun and kid-like and different,” she recalls.
After looking over a long list of names, the family landed on Wild Archer Flower Farm, and then Archer chose the logo. Now that the business had an official name and playful brand identity, it was time to get the Wild Archer flower show on the road.
Nate designed and built a self-service flower cart that could easily be rolled down to the end of the driveway or transported to a local farmers’ market. The construction involved “a lot of Home Depot trips,” according to Archer.
Once the cart was built and had its first coat of paint, it was Stephanie’s turn to add the finishing touches in bright shades of yellow, pink, orange, and green.
“I was quality control,” she explains with a smile.
PETAL TO THE METAL
With everything now in place, Wild Archer Flower Farm just needed its first crop to bloom, which it did much sooner than expected. Imagine waking up to never-ending tulip blooms — like the gardening version of Everlasting Gobstoppers.
“We had such a warm March,” Nate recalls. “We weren’t expecting tulips that early, and we needed a fridge right away — so, Amazon!”
The fridge was for the flowers. To preserve the blooms, tulips need to be picked — bulb and all — before they open. Then, they’re wrapped in paper in bunches of 10 to 15, and dried stored in a refrigerator, which stops the flowers from opening. The day before they’re needed, the tulips can be taken out of the refrigerator and rehydrated.
Because tulips essentially bloom all at once, the McCullochs were harvesting tulips non-stop in early spring.
“We were going out like two to three times a day,” says Stephanie. “You really have to catch them at the right time.”
BUSINESS IS BLOOMING
Once the blooms were all picked and stored, it was time to start taking their colorful first crop to market. Archer and his dad brought the Wild Archer cart to the Montgomery Farmers’ Market about once a month over the spring. (After all, as a young entrepreneur, Archer needed to balance his business life with other priorities like playing soccer, doing ninja things, or going to birthday parties.) They also sold bouquets via their Instagram page, and a few of Archer’s school teachers bought bouquets, as well. By the end of May, Wild Archer Flower Farm had made a little over $300.
Archer used the money to purchase a 3D printer. He also donated a third of the proceeds to Our English Setter Rescue, a national nonprofit founded and headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, which supports rescue and adoption of English setters throughout the United States. Charlie, decked out in his favorite canine sweater, thinks it’s a wise investment. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad have provided additional venture capital to buy seeds and bulbs for blooms later this summer and fall.
As Archer drives around the family’s rural five-acre property on his ATV, Stephanie reflects, “It’s all been just sort of an experiment, but it’s been fun. He tells his friends he’s got a real job.”
At this flower factory, everlasting memories are in full bloom. And that’s pretty sweet.
Want to help keep Wild Archer Flower Farm growing? Follow Archer, Charlie, and the Wild Archer crew on Instagram with videos, progress, flower cart days, and farmers’ market stops.
a family affair
From Generation to Generation, This Business Is Rooted in Relationships
For Stephen and Janet Zorko, what started as a quiet act of love for their family has evolved into a thriving business rooted in integrity. Now 23 years later with their daughter Laura Zorko Gentzkow on board and a multigenerational client family, Integrity Wealth Management is a reminder that the most enduring businesses are the most personal ones.
WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY?
It was not necessarily a surprise, but the ability for us to each manage our workload with little disagreement is
a huge plus when working so closely with family! We are each independent thinkers but often think alike. We also divide our workload and responsibilities to cater to each of our strengths.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT CAN FEEL VERY DATA-DRIVEN. HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS FEEL THAT PERSONAL, FAMILY-ORIENTED SIDE OF THE BUSINESS?
We try to establish a close relationship with all of our clients and get to know them on a personal level
ARTICLE BY MARY KATE LENARD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSA PLANTE PHOTOGRAPHY
to fully understand their goals, whether it be traveling during retirement or building savings for a new home. Understanding our clients and their respective goals comes well before the numbers and data piece. A lot of our clients are friends, family, old colleagues, and neighbors … our client base has grown as a result of personal referrals from those longstanding clients. This helps us build relationships and get to know clients on a deeper level.
WHAT VALUES HAVE YOU INSISTED ON PROTECTING AS THE BUSINESS HAS GROWN?
Our reputation and our relationship with our clients are critical to us. We are a fiduciary to all of our clients, where we must always put their interests before our own. We pride ourselves with having integrity, which is why 20+ years ago, we included that word in the name of the business.
WHAT’S IT LIKE WATCHING LAURA AND THIS NEXT GENERATION BRING NEW IDEAS INTO SOMETHING YOU’VE BUILT?
Seeing the level of maturity with the benefit of Laura’s prior experience has been positive and refreshing. To know she is at a point where she is fully committed to the company is gratifying. This gives us confidence that our clients will be in good hands once we decide to scale back.
SPEAKING OF, WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR IWM?
Our expectation is that Laura will ultimately take over and own the business once we decide to fully retire. We feel this is in the best interest of our clients. Those who know us know that even in retirement, we will always be available to assist and consult with the business ... as this isn’t only work, but genuine interest in the success of the company. Our clients will always be a priority.
WHEN FUTURE GENERATIONS LOOK BACK ON THIS CHAPTER OF THE FIRM’S STORY, WHAT DO YOU HOPE THEY SAY ABOUT THE WAY YOUR FAMILY WORKED AND BUILT BUSINESS TOGETHER?
We hope they recognize the integrity and the hard work that went into building the business. Coming into the business as a second generation was easier in the sense that financial literacy was taught at an early age … those decisions that we help our clients with were already well versed. We want to continue to teach financial literacy to the younger generations of our family and our clients. We want future generations to understand the benefits of starting early and compounding so that they can enjoy financial freedom as well.
www.iwmcfp.net | 118 Cedar Woods Drive, Loveland 513.633.8370
www.maxstrengthfitness.com/montgomery-oh/ montgomery@maxstrengthfitness.com
BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP
A room full of middle-school boys isn’t usually known for its quiet attention. However, during a visit to Magnolia Springs Loveland Senior Living, one resident quickly became the center of a crowd.
The students from Loveland Intermediate School had come to interview residents about their lives. Before long, one gentleman was surrounded by boys eager to hear about his childhood, his first job, and the experiences that had shaped his life. Even after the class project ended, several students stayed in touch.
Darci Schirmer, Magnolia Springs Loveland’s Resident Experience Director, has seen firsthand how simple moments can grow into meaningful relationships between young people and older adults. All it takes is curiosity, conversation, and time together.
“Our residents enjoy being heard,” Darci explains.
The benefits go both ways. While children gain family stories and life lessons, older adults often experience renewed energy, laughter, and opportunities to strengthen memory through conversation.
The best part? Every stage of childhood offers its own unique way to connect.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE (5-10): KEEP IT PLAYFUL
For younger children, connection often happens through play. At Magnolia Springs Loveland, simple activities like chair volleyball, bingo, and arts and crafts regularly bring smiles to residents’ faces. Seasonal traditions also create opportunities for generations to connect. The Annual Easter Egg Hunt invites children and seniors to celebrate side by side, while Fall Fest hayrides have become a favorite for both residents and their families.
Those shared activities often lead to the best conversations.
“Seniors love being asked about their families, their work, and their achievements,” Darci smiles.
Parents can help younger children feel comfortable by making visits a regular part of family life. Whether they’re sharing a favorite toy, coloring together, or showing funny cat videos on a tablet, children have a natural way of bringing joy to older adults.
“This shows them the benefits and excitement of experiences, not the downfalls of aging,” she adds.
MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE (11-14): ASK GREAT QUESTIONS
Middle schoolers are at the perfect age to discover that every older adult has a story worth hearing.
Darci suggests question starters such as: “What kind of work did you do? Tell me about growing up. What was your first job? First car? How did you meet your spouse?”
In addition, looking through old photographs, creating a scrapbook together, or challenging a grandparent to a favorite game can naturally spark conversations that might never happen otherwise.
“Everyone has something different to offer,” she notes. “Most seniors have had experiences that are unbelievable to those living in this age.”
CONTINUED >
TEENS (15-19): BUILD A LASTING FRIENDSHIP
Teenagers have an opportunity to move beyond occasional visits and build genuine relationships.
Magnolia Springs participates in Opening Minds through Art (OMA), a program that pairs teens one-on-one with residents living
“CHILDREN TEND TO BRING OUT THE KID IN SENIORS. OLDER GENERATIONS ENJOY TALKING, JOKING, AND REMINISCING … SIMPLY BEING HEARD.”
with dementia to create artwork together over several weeks.
“Residents are always so happy to see ‘their person,’ and are proud of the work they achieve together,” Darci shares.
For teens hoping to strengthen a relationship with a grandparent, her advice is refreshingly simple: find something they enjoy, and do it together.
“My grandmother loved to play cards and eat fried chicken,” she recalls. “So every Tuesday night was chicken dinner and a card game.”
Teenagers also have something valuable to offer. Whether introducing new technology, sharing a favorite hobby, or simply listening, young people are often surprised by how much of a difference they can make.
“The earlier you start, the greater the benefits,” Darci says.
Whether it’s a kindergartener coloring with a grandparent, a middle schooler asking thoughtful questions, or a teenager making time for game night, every stage of childhood offers a chance to connect. Those moments preserve family stories and remind us that some of life’s greatest lessons are shared across generations.
SinceriSeniorLiving.com/magnolia-springsloveland | 767 Loveland-Miamiville Rd, Loveland 513.774.9000
country luxury in loveland’s backyard
This
Year’s HOMEARAMA® Offers the Best of Both Worlds
You don’t need to be in the market for a multimillion dollar estate to walk away from this year’s 63rd Annual HOMEARAMA® with a fullblown wish list for your own home (or the one you’re always dreaming of).
When the gates open at The Estates at Bothe Farms at the end of this month, attendees will gain exclusive access to a showcase of the region’s elite builders, developers, decorators, landscapers, and craftsmen. For local homeowners or those just always eagerly on-the-browse, the upcoming show serves as a living lookbook — a dynamic experience far more satisfying to stroll through than to just scroll through home websites.
“This year’s HOMEARAMA® showcases estate-style living on spacious homesites of more than two acres,” says Carmen Hickerson, Executive Director of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati. “The eight featured custom homes range from approximately 5,500 to 9,000 square feet and are priced from $1.6 million to more than $3.7 million.”
Taking place August 29 – September 13th, this year’s HOMEARAMA® builders are Brookstone Homes, Eagle Custom Homes, John Hill Construction, Justin Doyle Homes, K Homes, Old World Custom Homes, Sterling Homes, and Wieland Builders.
ARTICLE BY CARLY TAMBORSKI PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
“HOMEARAMA® also celebrates the collaboration behind every custom home,” Carmen explains. “Builders work alongside architects, designers, craftsmen, suppliers, landscapers, cabinet makers, and countless other professionals to transform a vision into reality ... highlighting the incredible talent within Greater Cincinnati’s residential building industry.”
And this year, it’s all about location, too. The neighborhood — on 9697 Cozaddale-Murdock Road in the Little Miami School District — is singularly pastoral, yet convenient enough to deliver close proximity to local towns, favorite stores, and major roadways.
“Hamilton Township is one of Warren County’s fastest-growing communities — so The Estates at Bothe Farms offers a peaceful, rural setting near the Little Miami River while remaining just minutes from Loveland and Maineville,” Carmen says. “Residents will enjoy easy access to shopping, dining, parks, schools, major highways, and everyday amenities ... offering the best of both quiet country living and modern convenience.”
Provided by Jeff Wright with Hamilton Township
Home trends of years past have included butler’s pantries, game rooms, and man caves — so what can attendees expect in the newest wave of home must-haves?
“This year’s homes showcase many of the features today’s buyers are looking for … beautiful outdoor living spaces, flexible rooms that can adapt as families’ needs change, smart home technology, and innovative building materials and design,” Carmen shares. “Visitors will also see standout amenities including resortstyle pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas, golf simulators, a flight simulator, a home brewery, home theaters, music rooms, and zero-entry first-floor living designed for both convenience and aging in place.”
General admission tickets are available now for $20 each (or $23 at the gate). More to consider, the showcase periodically hosts special events throughout its run, such as Food Truck Fridays, happy hours, and live music, plus special discounts and extras including an Opening Day Celebration with Rozzi Fireworks (Aug. 29), Meet the HOMEARAMA® Designers (Sept. 2), Date Night (Sept. 3), Hamilton Township Residents Day (Sept. 4), Union Savings Bank Car Show (Sept. 5), Animal Adoption Day (Sept. 6), Heroes’ Day (Sept. 11), and so many more.
“While these homes represent the pinnacle of custom homebuilding, HOMEARAMA® is ultimately about inspiration,” Carmen smiles. “Whether you’re planning to build, remodel, or simply dreaming about your next project, visitors will leave with ideas they can incorporate into homes of every size and budget.”
Provided by Jeff Wright with Hamilton Township
PUPTASTIC PATIOS
Our Favorite Spots to Be Cool, Kick Back, and Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer
ARTICLE BY NICOLE BROWNING
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
This summer, your furry friends don’t have to miss out on the fun … we’ve explored these eight local joints and can confirm, they are all dog-friendly! From delicious treats and water bowls for your beloved pooch to shady spots and wide umbrellas for puppers to bask under, these bars and
restaurants welcome your doggos with plenty of belly rubs, tidbits, and headpats. So get out, explore spots along the bike trail or take a short car ride with your pups, but be sure to stop in and reward them with lots of relaxing patio time to beat the heat at these locations.
1. Sonder Brewing 2. Fifty West Deerfield 3. Loveland Cappy’s, photo by Steph Meinberg 4. Rosé Boutique & Wine Bar, photo by Steph Meinberg 5. Hops & Berry Taproom 6. Miamiville Trailyard, photo by Steph Meinberg 7. The Wicked Pickle 8. Cartridge Brewing 1.
1. Ready to bask in a beer garden with your best fourlegged friend? Sonder Brewing is the spot. They offer handmade dog bones (made from upcycled brewery grains) that support training and employment for young adults with disabilities. SonderBrewing.com
2. Fifty West welcomes pups of all shapes and sizes with pup cups and water bowls! You’re welcome to walk up to the counters with your pups, or a server will bring a pup cup and water bowl to you. FiftyWestBrew.com
3. With both shaded and sunny patio options, Cappy’s has you covered (literally), and welcoming your dogs inside the shop, too. Not only are they dog-friendly, but they have multiple shelves dedicated to your pups, with treats ranging from chew-cuterie boards to furrball and pawrona extras. LovelandCappys.com
4. Sit back and sip some vino at Rosé Boutique and Wine Bar, a hidden gem perfect for you and your pup to relax and enjoy the sunshine on their lovely patio. With umbrellas offering plenty of shade, plus an amazing selection of wines on their ever-evolving by-theglass and bottle menu, it’s not a destination to be missed! RoseBoutiqueWineBar.com
by Steph Meinberg
From delicious treats and water bowls for your beloved pooch to shady spots and wide umbrellas for puppers to bask under, these bars and restaurants welcome your doggos with plenty of belly rubs, tidbits, and head-pats.
5. At Hops & Berry Taproom, you and your furry friend are welcome both inside and out! “We always joke that we like dogs more than people!” they tell us, proving just how seriously they take welcoming their four-legged guests. HopsAndBerry.com
6. With their extensive patio and location right off the bike trail, Miamiville Trailyard is the perfect pup-centric destination. With water bowls available and plenty of umbrellas for shade (not to mention live music often!), you and your pup will always be super comfy here. MiamivilleTrailyard.com
7. At The Wicked Pickle , dogs are welcome on the patio allll the time. Complete with Fido’s Freezzys, a special frozen treat available to purchase that’s made from banana, yogurt and peanut butter. WickedPickleLoveland.com
8. Enjoy beautiful views and historic sights with your dog at Cartridge Brewing . With plenty of water bowls (and a dropped french fry or two?), your four-legged friend will be one happy pup on their patio this summer. CartridgeBrewing.com
Photo
SUPPORTERS SHARE A PASSION: THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES A BED OF THEIR OWN
BEDTIME ANGELS
It’s a harsh reality that most of us never consider … some children among us do not have a bed. They sleep on a couch, or the floor, or other makeshift space.
Not having a proper bed affects every aspect of a child’s physical and mental well-being. In Clermont County alone, it’s estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 children are living this way, according to Diane England of the Clermont County chapter of Sleep In Heavenly Peace, a national organization that builds and delivers free twin and bunk beds to 3- to 17-year-olds living without one.
SHP was founded in 2012 by Lucas and Heidi Mickelson of Twin Falls, Idaho, which grew from an experience in their own neighborhood when Lucas learned that a young child living nearby did not have a bed.
ARTICLE BY KATHY DOANE
He couldn’t ignore the situation, so no surprise, he built a bed for that child. Lucas then learned that this situation was far from unique, and naturally led to the couple forming Sleep In Heavenly Peace.
Today, SHP has more than 400 chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. Our own Clermont County chapter was formed last year by a group of volunteers who previously helped build and deliver beds with the now-defunct Warren County chapter. Among them were Clermont Chapter co-presidents, Tim Stephens and Ron Dunn, and Ron’s wife, Barb.
“At the time with Warren County, we were getting a lot of requests from Clermont County, so it was clear there was a need ... and an opportunity to start a chapter here,” says Barb, who coordinates all parts of this new local chapter’s processes.
Getting a bed for a child — or in some cases, multiple children — begins with filling out an application through a link on SHP’s website or facebook page. All applications go through the National SHP headquarters where they are linked by zip code to the nearest local chapter. For the Clermont County chapter, applications are forwarded to Barb, who gets the ball rolling.
“I contact the applicant to explain how the process works and make sure all the criteria listed on the website have been met,” Barb explains. She also determines if it’s an emergency situation. For instance, if grandparents are suddenly taking in grandchildren but don’t have beds for them, or there’s been a disaster that has displaced the family. Those needs are met as fast as possible. If the need isn’t an emergency, it usually takes 18 to 20 days from application to delivery.
Of course, at the heart of SHP’s mission is bringing people together to help some of the most vulnerable members of the community. So far, the Clermont chapter has held a dozen “builds.” And since last September, SHP has already delivered more than 200 beds to families throughout Clermont County.
Twin and bunk bed designs are based on the same model used by all chapters. Each bed only costs $250, which includes construction materials and bedding. Impressively, SHP beds are all paid for through donations and sponsorships.
Often, a church, company, or organization covers the entire cost of building and outfitting a pre-determined number of beds and supplies for volunteers to then build them. “Sometimes, a sponsor will pay for the components of the bed, and we cover the cost of the mattresses and bedding,” Ron says. Opportunities to contribute are fluid — some sponsors only supply volunteers while others prefer to just pay for materials. For building events open to the public, SHP will post a blast on facebook asking for volunteers when a build is scheduled.
Most of the builds take place in nearby Owensville in a warehouse owned by SHP core team member, Greg Wolffram. “He’s been our biggest blessing,” Ron shares. “Greg not only donates space for the build, but stores the completed bed components as well as the mattresses until they’re delivered.” Another business next door donates storage space for bedding.
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All construction materials, including lumber, are purchased at a discount from Lowe’s. “Once a sponsor approaches us and tells us how many beds they want to build, we calculate the cost and put in the order,” Ron explains. Mattresses and bedding are usually ordered online from Amazon or Walmart.
On build day, SHP core team members arrive several hours early to precut lumber and set up a production line to build the headboards, footboards, and mattress slats. “The precutting of the wood to spec allows volunteers to come in and immediately get to work sanding and drilling holes,” Ron says. Although volunteers must be at least 14 years old to operate some tools, kids as young as 11 or 12 help, too, often serving as runners between the different work stations.
Diane, Ron, and Barb all stress that no construction experience is necessary. Core team members and experienced volunteers explain all the different stages of the construction process, circulating throughout each build day to ensure volunteers are comfortable doing their tasks and completing them correctly.
Despite the heartbreaking situations that the delivery team sometimes encounters in a home, the payoff for volunteers is in the smiles on the kids’ faces when they see the assembled bed — knowing it now belongs to them
Diane recalls one 12-year-old boy whose bed was delivered in the middle of the day. “He wanted to go to bed the moment it was put together and the sheets and comforter were in place,” she says. “He told us it was the first time he’d ever had a bed.”
Ron and co-president Tim often speak to local groups about Sleep In Heavenly Peace, and the difference it has made in so many young lives. “I always get the same response,” Ron says “They immediately ask, ‘How can I help?’”
And with every follow-through is the knowledge that the decision to help was a life-changer, for both these kids and themselves.
SHPbed.org | Facebook.com/SHPClermontCo 844.432.2337 ext 5613
GET INVOLVED
There are several ways to lend your time, skills, and contributions to the mission of Sleep in Heavenly Peace — to help this unique organization achieve its goal of “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town.”
• Participate in a build, constructing the pieces for easy-to-assemble twin and bunk beds. No construction experience is necessary (and SHP supplies all tools). Simply check the chapter’s facebook page for the next scheduled build date.
• Encourage your community, church, or company to help sponsor or participate in a build.
• Make a direct financial donation — or buy gift cards from Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart so the chapter can buy construction materials, mattresses, and bedding.
• Have more questions about others ways to support our local chapter? Contact Clermont County SHP co-president Ron Dunn at ron. dunn@shpbeds.org to learn more.
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
Homemade Dog Food
ARTICLE BY AMY TINNIN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
My two pugs are more than pets—they’re part of the family. That’s why I started making their food at home, and it’s been one of the most popular posts on my blog. You may be surprised just how easy this recipe is. I add all the ingredients to my slow-cooker to cook, and my dogs love it. If you decide to try this recipe for your pet, please consult your veterinarian. Every dog has different needs based on age, weight, and any health issues. You can even share this recipe with your vet to see if any changes are needed. The ingredients are flexible and can be easily swapped to substitute the turkey for chicken or beef, and even try different dog-safe vegetables. Making dog food at home isn’t hard—it just takes a little planning, and my dogs love it.
Slow Cooker
Homemade Dog Food
INGREDIENTS:
• 3 lbs ground turkey (85% lean)
• 1¼ cups frozen sweet potatoes
• 1½ cups frozen peas and carrots
• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1½ cups uncooked brown or white rice
• 4 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
2. Break up the ground turkey and mix all the ingredients.
3. Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours or Low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
Note: My dog food was ready in 3½ hours on High. Let cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for later use.
Recipe from Amy Tinnin - A Cup Full of Sass
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 4TH
Symmes Movie Night in the Park
Hopewell Meadows Park | 8:30 PM
Round up your favorite movie buddies for an evening that’s sure to be wildly entertaining. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab some free popcorn and ice cream, then settle in for Disney’s Zootopia 2. Packed with humor, heart, and adventure, it’s the perfect recipe for one more unforgettable summer movie night. SymmesTownship.org
AUGUST 8TH
1.21 Gigawatts: The Ultimate 80’s Cover Band
Community Park: Miami Township | 6:00 PM
Neon colors, big hair, and unforgettable hits are making a comeback — at least for one night. Part of Miami Townships’ Second Saturday Fun, 1.21 Gigawatts delivers the soundtrack of the ’80s with infectious energy, from rock anthems to dance-floor favorites. Bring a lawn chair, gather your crew, and get ready for an evening that’s free and totally rad. www.miamitwpoh.gov/free.html
AUGUST 19TH
Magnolia Springs Lemonade Stand Fundraiser
Magnolia Springs Loveland Senior Living | 10:30 AM
When life gives you lemons ... support a great cause. Magnolia Springs Loveland’s annual Lemonade Stand Fundraiser returns with refreshing lemonade, games, raffles, and plenty of smiles, all benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Cincinnati. Stop by, cool off, and help make a difference — one glass at a time. Facebook.com/MagnoliaSpringsLovelandSeniorLiving
AUGUST 21ST
Movie in the Park at Sunset: Ghostbusters
Phillips Park
Ghosts, laughs, and plenty of nostalgia are headed to Phillips Park. Grab a blanket, pack your favorite movie snacks and settle in under the stars for a free sunset showing of the beloved 80’s classic Ghostbusters. Whether it’s your first time watching or your 50th, this supernatural comedy is always a crowd-pleaser. lovinlifeloveland.com/events/movie-in-the-park-2
AUGUST 21ST
Cocktails and Classics: 1984
Bike Trail Books | 7:00 PM
Books are even better when paired with good conversation — and a themed cocktail! Spend an evening exploring George Orwell’s 1984 through a lively discussion led by a university professor, complemented by creative cocktails, light bites, and your own copy of the novel. It’s part book club, part happy hour, and designed for great conversation. BikeTrailBooks.com/events
AUGUST 28TH & 29TH
St. Columban Festival
St. Columban Catholic Church
St. Columban is celebrating a century of faith, family, and community with a festival packed with fun. Enjoy live music, games, delicious festival favorites, fireworks, raffles, and the popular Bid & Buy auction. Whether you’re reconnecting with old friends or making new memories, this milestone celebration promises something for every generation. StColumbanFestival.org
