Sunday, February 12, 2012

Valentine's Greetings from LOVEland!


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This is a bit of a re-wind from past years, with appropriate changes.

Way back in 1946 an idea came to Postmaster Elmer Ivers, Chamber of Commerce President Ted W. Thompson, and his wife Mabel. They had a vision - a vision to share the romantic name of our town of Loveland with the whole world.

So it came to pass, in the February of 1947 the Loveland Valentine Remailing Program was born. Since 1947, literally millions of valentines have touched the heart strings of loved ones with Cupid's message hand stamped and remailed from Loveland, Colorado.

Since 1962 a high school senior girl has been chosen to represent the program and the city as "Miss Loveland Valentine". Personal appearances representing the City of Loveland take this ambassador around the state of Colorado. An appearance at the Colorado State Legislature and a personal visit with the Governor are just two of the highlights in her busy schedule.This is the first governor's picture I've ever seen in all these years where he seems to be so thrilled to receive the official box of candy. He's quite the people person.



In 1964, a specially designed Valentine card was produced to offset some of the expenses of this costly program, and the Official Loveland Valentine's Cards continue to touch the hearts of people around throughout the world. Loveland Valentines can be purchased through the Chamber of Commerce , from their Official Loveland Valentine web site, or through any of the participating Chamber merchants. Every year there is a contest for the card's design, for the message on the inside, and the cachet that is stamped on the envelope. This is the first year that I remember the governor ever coming up here to stamp the envelopes. Here is this year's winner, front cover, inside message, and the cachet on the envelope:








Heart-shaped messages on the light posts around town can be purchased by anyone who wants to leave a very public "heartfelt" message to someone they love. It's fun and a bit corny, but is the "heart" and soul of town. It does represent somewhat of a hazard as you drive and try to read the messages! I have never taken pictures of these, but here is an artist's rendition on the official card from a couple of years ago. I must take some pictures.




Loveland's "Valentine Sweethearts", Ted and Mabel Thompson have now passed away. The Loveland community feels their absence. To commemorate their vision and love of Loveland, their memory lives on through the annual Valentine Remailing Program. A bronze relief of the Thompsons is featured in Thompson Park on 4th Street in Loveland. (portions copied from the Loveland Daily Report Herald).




An average of 200,000 letters are stamped each year with the cachet and with the postmark from LOVEland. I read that Oprah even sent her cards here one year for the Valentine cachet. People from 110 countries send their cards here for remailing. The valentine program is so popular that there is a volunteer waiting list of 45 people.



Valentine's Day, oddly enough, has been overshadowed in our family ever since Kevin was born on the 13th in 1977. Happy 35th Birthday, my dear son.




13 comments:

Needled Mom said...

I love the idea of selling the post signs!!

Happy birthday, Kev. I can see why your Valentine's Day gets overshadowed.

Brenda said...

"Love"ly picture of your kiddos! Happy birthday to you son!
I'm going to send your link to my SIL in Longmont. I'm sure she knows about this but since she just moved from NY, maybe not.

Liz said...

Such a lovely photo of Kevin and his wife! Happy birthday to Kevin.

And I love your blog header of the girls - so gorgeous!

Lovely & interesting post...I hope you have a lovely Valentines Day.

Hootin Anni said...

Happy Birthday to Kevin. Those two make such a wonderful couple...such happy faces and contagious smiles!

I think you're talking about Google Plus...Thom [a one time blogger who is now on facebook more] told me about Google Plus. Like I said in my comment reply to you this morning---I'm just not a 'fraternity' type person. I'll stick to blogging the old style. Well, maybe you're talking about the new Google Interface...yep, tried that too. And I continue to go back to my old ways.

Tomorrow will be the revealing of the 'hidden' object that is in plain sight.

Oh, and I have always thought that Loveland had it all over any other city when it comes to Valentine's Day.

nannykim said...

I love the idea of the light post valentines!! what fun it must be around town. Wish you could get a few pics of these for your blog!

grammy said...

Just caught up here!!!
Happy BD to Kevin.
All the years I have lived here... so close and I never get around to using the famous mailing system. I hardly ever send Valentines anymore anyway (o:

Linda said...

Happy Birthday to Kevin. What a great picture Dawn. And the header picture of the girlies is just stunning.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Oh, and yes I took that picture on our trip to Wyoming.

nancygrayce said...

What a sweet idea. I wish I could remember one year to send my cards there....oh, that is if I sent cards.....because I think it would be a great surprise for my sweet hearts in Florida and California to get one from the Love city!

Happy Birthday to Kevin! That's a great picture of them.

Glenda said...

Happy Valentine's Day, Dawn, and Happy Birthday to your Kevin!

Forty Pound Sack said...

Happy Valentine's Day! You folks sure know how to do it up right. What a great community project.

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

Ginger said...

Love the hearts with messages idea.

Oh, and I LOVE the girl's pic as well!!!

Unknown said...

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Birthday (a day late) to Kevin!

Carole Burant said...

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours, dear Dawn. I hope you were able to have some time alone with your hubby today:-)

I never get tired reading of the history behind Loveland. Little did Ted and Mabel realize just how big their vision would become:-) I love all the various contests and such that go on every year...this year's winner did a wonderful job of making the postcard.

Happy Birthday to Kevin, such a beautiful picture of them:-) xoxo