Loveland 365's logo, Designed by John Metcalf of JM Designs

Thanks to Connie Luke at High Impact Signs
for our awesome sandwich board signs!

Excellent photos by John Giroux of Family Mortgage
graced these sandwich board signs!

Thanks to Classic Designs Embroidery
for our Loveland 365 t-shirts and caps!

Thanks to John Horton at First Impressions
for our Loveland 365 pins!

Thanks to our parade participants – including canines – and the great energy everyone contributed to singing and marching and handing out yummy bubble gum and pins and flyers!

We had a ball being in the parade!  Members of Loveland 365 handed out flyers and buttons with the Loveland 365 logo.  It was fun to have folks call out to us in the parade … and great to be telling Loveland about our forthcoming book.

Notice the pin we handed out!  It features a HEART made up of many components.  This idea (beautifully executed by designer John Metcalf of JM Designs) personifies what Loveland 365 if all about – the many people places and things that make Loveland so special!

This is what we sang as we walked along …

2010 Corn Roast Festival Skit – Loveland 365
written by Maryjo Morgan (Sing-Song Marching Chant)

We’re Loveland 3-sixty-five,
It’s not corn-y to have pride.

We love Love-land, yes we do,
We love Love-land, how about you?

Our book’s full of folks you know,
And places that you like to go.

People, places and good things,
Stir our hearts and make us sing.

Sculpture, people … lots of art,
Our ci-ty’s a real Sweet-heart!

Proceeds stay right here in town,
With non-profits of re-nown.

Read our blog and see Facebook,
We deserve a second look!

Our book’s gonna be so grand
All a-bou-t Love-land.

We’re Loveland 3-sixty-five,
It’s not corn-y to have pride.

Love-land, Love-land
365!

Marching with us will be other wWriters, Photographers, Real Estate Agents, Promoters, Book Designers, PR Reps, Graphic Designers, and Citizens interested in the success of our Loveland 365 project. You can see past parade photos HERE, on the Corn Roast Festival Facebook Fan Page.

The Corn Roast Festival itself is a hoot, lots of family fun.  We’ll be at the Fairgrounds Park on Railroad.  In case you have not run through the Water Park there, this weekend would be a great opportunity!  There will be food vendors, a beer garden, vendor booths, and plenty of fun stuff for the kids!

Don’t miss out on the fun!  The parade starts promptly at 9:30am.

Loveland Receives Recognition from US Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Day in Loveland means listening for the tolling of the bell that makes its reverent tour of town during the chilly early morning hours.  Other celebrations are well attended, and our parade grows each year.

It is a great pleasure to post this letter of recognition from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which designates Loveland as a Regional Site for the observance of Veterans Day 2010.

Loveland is among a mere 45 cities in the NATION to receive this kind of nod!

Many thanks to Tony DuMosch, Veterans Day Chairman and the many Veterans and Volunteers who make this all happen every year.

DuMosch says, “This is something Loveland can be proud of because of people like you and me make it happen. Thank you for your support as we gear up for this years 2010 Veterans Day and special tribute to the Korean War era Veterans.”

Here is a sampling of a typical Veterans Day activities in Loveland:

0400: Bell ringers hit the streets

0600: Posting of Flags of the fallen at Loveland Cemetery

0600: Posting of Colors Downtown Loveland

0600: OPEN FREE to public the Associated Vets Club @ 305 Cleveland Ave. View the military history of local veterans and more

0600-0900: Breakfast @ Vets Club

0700: Table displays & information for the public in Vets Club including Operation Military Kids, American Legion, US Army, US Navy, Freedom Car, and more

1111: Parade starts and ends at Dwayne Webster Veterans Park (Veterans Memorial site)

1200: Afternoon main event with Guest Speakers (In 2009 the speaker was Latoya Lucas, First Female elected Officer within the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s Department of Colorado.)

1300: Lunch served up by Squadron 15 Sons of American Legion

1300: Main hall entertainment with DJ music, Karaoke, & dancing.

So watch the paper for listings of this year’s Veterans Day activities.
If you are interested in taking on an opportunity to volunteer this year on November 11th, contact Tony DuMosch.

Tony DuMosch
American Legion Post 15
305 N. Cleveland Ave.
Loveland, CO

Shumway releases racing pigeons

I’ve always had an affinity for animals that can do amazing things and Homing Pigeons are no exception.

Unlike most of us, Homing Pigeons do not require GPS technology to find their way home. A Homing Pigeon can reach maximum speeds of 75 mph and some of them can fly 300 miles without stopping. Jim Shumway is a resident of Loveland and he has a passion for raising and racing Homing Pigeons. When I interviewed Jim for the Loveland 365 Project I also had the opportunity to meet his parents who inspired him to carry on a family tradition of pigeon racing. Jim’s family has been racing Homing Pigeons for three generations.

The raising and racing of Homing Pigeons is a serious endeavor. Aficionados purchase chicks from top breeders and these birds are used to develop a pedigree that can fly like the wind. A Homing Pigeon is not your average pigeon because they travel great distances at a high rate of speed. Consequently, they require specialized feeds, vitamins and fresh water to maintain optimal health and athletic performance. Jim’s pigeons have a good reason to return home because he built a nice “loft” in his backyard to keep them safe and comfortable. Jim’s owns approximately 75 Homing Pigeons and 16 of these are use for breeding purposes.

Racing pigeons on the wing

When the young birds are old enough to fly, Jim will train them to be “homers” by releasing them at drop points like Lake Loveland. As the birds mature, the distance between the release point and the pigeon loft is increased. e.g. Burlington, Colorado. Homing Pigeons use significant landmarks, sound and the position of the sun to guide their flight path. Some are faster than others and that’s how pigeon racing became a sport. Jim prepares his birds for racing by placing a leg band with a computer chip on one of their legs. Birds are transported in specialized cages to the release point. Start time and GPS information is recorded and the race begins! When the pigeons return to Jim’s loft, they cross a landing board with a built in scanner. The scanner identifies the bird by its leg band and a flight time is recorded.

Parrotheads pose at the Flip-Flop Fun-Raiser sponsored by the Big Thompson Rotary Club to benefit the Bous & Girls Clubs of Larimer County

Loveland’s Parrotheads – sponsored by the Big Thompson Rotary Club –   gathered for fun and sun at the Flip-Flop Fun-Raiser last week to raise $ for Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County.  You’ll see some familiar faces here on Loveland 365′s Facebook Fan Page.  It looks like they brought some of “the islands” to Loveland for this event.  Notice their fine feathered friends in some of the photos – shoulders make good perches!

The Rotary’s interest in BGCLC is just one of the reasons Loveland is such a good place to be.  Citizens pitch in to support non-profits and give everyone attending the event a great evening.  Kudos to the Big Thompson Rotary!

Bruce has been in charge of the City of Loveland’s recycling program for a number of years.  The City of Loveland’s web site says Bruce’s job title is Solid Waste Superintendent, but he has been so much more – a spokesperson and strong supporter of recycling here in our city.  He has implemented upgrades and expansions in the recycling program, and has helped other municipalities learn the ins and outs of such a comprehensive program.  Way to go, Bruce.

We send Bruce off with best wishes and thanks for a job well done.

July 9-11, 2010   

Civic Center Park/Foote Lagoon
500 E. Third Street
Downtown Loveland

Loveland 365′s booth at Foote Lagoon
will be nearby the pony rides & petting zoo …

Stop by to have your photo taken.  Be in the book!

What’s happening at SummerFest!:

Celebrate summer at SummerFest in the Rockies July 9-11 at the Civic Center Park/Foote Lagoon in downtown Loveland!  This community event will feature something for the entire family through live music and entertainment, car show, salsa tasting competition, beer garden, arts and crafts vendors, amusements, and an amazing fireworks display.

Summerfest! has something for everyone.

Directions to SummerFest

Wine Tasting – July 9 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Tickets: $35 per person; $60 per couple or $200 per group of eight (includes reserved table); participants must be 21 years and older.  A Wine Tasting hosted by World Beverage will kick off SummerFest in the Rockies from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and includes a relaxed atmosphere on a Colorado summer night.  Attendees will enjoy samplings of more than 60 fine wines, savory refreshments and live music.

Purchase at the door or:

• Engaging Loveland, Inc., 231 W. 4^th Street
• World Beverage, 3655 N. Garfield Avenue
• Outlets at Loveland, 5661 McWhinney Blvd.
• Anthology Book Store, 422 E. 4^th Street
• Fort Collins at Outpost Sunsport, 931 E. Harmony Road.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, July 10 – 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission: FREE

• 11 a.m.-7 p.m. – Vendors and amusements open
• 11 a.m.-10 p.m. – Beer/Wine Garden open
• 10 a.m-2 p.m. – Car Show on Washington Street
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – NEW! Fly Fishing Demonstrations
• Noon, 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. – NEW! Colorado Disc Dog Demos
• 9:15 p.m. – Special Fireworks Display
• 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. – Live Music on Main Stage
  • 10-11 a.m. Up In Lights Performance
  • 11:30 – 12:30  Papa Juke ~ mix of contemporary American Styles
  • 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  Children at Play ~ 60s and 70s
  • 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Gristle Gals ~ Folk
  • 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.  Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams ~ Honky Tonk
  • 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  The Blendercats ~ Funk/Soul
  • 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. That Eighties Band ~ 80’s music

Sunday, July 11 – 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.  Admission: FREE

• 10 a.m-2 p.m. – Car Show on Washington Street
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Vendors and amusements open
• 11 a.m.-10 p.m. – Beer/Wine Garden open
• 2 p.m.-4 p.m. – K-9 Police Dog Demonstration
• 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Live Music on Main Stage
  • 10:00 .m. -11:30 a.m.  Crossroads Church Service/Performance
  • 12:00-1:00  Henry Howard ~ Rock Acoustic
  • 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Patrick Emerine Band ~ Rock and Soul
  • 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Archie Funker ~ Funk/R&B

Visit Loveland 365′s Facebook Fan Page

The Namaqua Star celebrates Independence Day!

Max Moree, a 13-year old Loveland Boy Scout, delivered on his promise to have the Namaqua Star relit in time for the 4th of July last evening.  He will light it again for the fireworks (which were delayed due to weather) TONIGHT, July 5th!

This was the first time – after all these years as a Christmas and winter holiday decoration – that the Namaqua Star shone to celebrate Independence Day!

Max Moree throws the switch and lights up the Namaqua Star in the hills west of Loveland for the 4th of July

Moree took it upon himself to test/replace the strings of white bulbs that form a star in the Namaqua hills west of Loveland, Colorado.  His pains-taking work shone brightly through last night’s torrential downpour.

Way to go, Max!

Photos by John Giroux

Loveland 365 Team Ross Livingston, Rick Denning, & Jessica Reed-Baum

With a winning time of 2 hrs 25 mins and 15 sec, Loveland 365′s Team placed first overall.

Congratulations to the L365 Lake to Lake Triathalon Team!  Starting at Lake Loveland and taking on the uphill to Horsetooth Reservoir, this is an athlete’s challenge the Loveland 365 Team tromped.

They took first place in the relay yesterday, beating the nearest competitor by 12 minutes. Be sure to check Loveland 365′s on Facebook to see additional photos; this photo was originally posted there.

See the Loveland 365 Team’s button-poppin’ score listed on the Lake to Lake Triathalon website.  WOW!

Ross Livingtson enthusiastically notes, “Each of us finished first in our respective relay categories.  This was the best day of my summer by far.”  He says it was a great race and he made great new friends, thanks to Loveland 365 idea man, John Giroux.

An “Olympic Distance Triathalon” includes a three part relay with these specified distances, each of which is a race unto itself:

Swim: 1.5 K  (.93 miles)
Bike: 30 miles (48.2 miles)
Run: 10K (6.2 miles)

Kudos to the Loveland 365 Team!  Jessica Reed-Baum set the pace swimming, Ross Livingston kept it up cycling, and Rick Denning ran the relay to the finish.  Hats off to each of you for this significant accomplishment.