Cynthia Tait is our newest Valentine honoree

By Chuck Gibson (Special thanks to Janis Fogle)

LOVELAND, OH (December 15, 2025) – Valentine Lady you say. What?  Christmas is still on the way and, oh my, we haven’t even welcomed the New Year yet.  

With all that was happening last week coming off the City of Loveland’s Christmas Tree Lighting Festival and heading into the annual Christmas in Loveland celebration, you may have missed it. If you did, here’s the news:

The Women’s Club luncheon at the Museum Center Tuesday, December 9, was the setting for the surprise moment for Cynthia Tait. We don’t want to give away future surprise announcements, but this Women’s Club luncheon surprise has become something of a Loveland Valentine Lady tradition. And so it was, the 2026 Valentine Lady was showered with special attention as the ladies of the Women’s Club surprised Cynthia with the news she has been chosen as the Loveland Valentine Lady for 2026. Congratulations Cynthia Tait, 2026 Loveland Valentine Lady!

Cynthia will be formally presented as the 2026 Loveland Valentine Lady during a ceremony at City Hall on January 10th at 11 a.m. The 2026 Loveland Valentine card will be unveiled there as part of the formal introduction ceremony.

Loveland Valentine Ladies will be at the Loveland Post Office beginning Tuesday, February 3- Thursday, February 12th (weekdays 10-4 & Saturday, 10-12). Cynthia Tait will begin her Valentine Lady program Monday, February 2nd at Children’s Meeting House starting at 9:30 a.m.

Remember the Loveland Valentine Lady program is presented by the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) each year and includes the Loveland Valentine Card art contest, the Valentine Poetry contest and rounds out with their annual Valentine Breakfast at the Oasis Conference Center. The 2026 Poetry contest is underway now. Winners, along with the Valentine Lady, and the Card art winner, will be honored at the breakfast (This year scheduled for February 13, 2026 at *:30 a.m.) Poetry contest winners will receive an excused absence from school to attend the breakfast and read their winning poem.

Here’s Poetry Contest details:

• Poems should be typed or printed, no longer than 16 lines, and reflect love and/or Valentine’s Day. Poetry will be judged on written content only.
• Contest Entry Deadline is: January 16, 2026
• Contest categories are as follows:

• 7^th & 8^th grade
• 9^th – 12^th grade
• Adults

Submit your poetry entry online or download at: https://lmrchamberalliance.org/get-involved/valentine-program/

Poems may also be submitted via email at: lovelandpoetry@gmail.com