By Becky Gulden

According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association’s Topline Participation Report for 2025 Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. for the fourth straight year. Nearly 48 million adults played Pickleball at least once in the previous 12 months and now those who live in Tipp City won’t have to travel to play.

New pickleball courts just opened in September at Kyle Park thanks in part to a grant from the Tipp City Foundation.

Jeremy Bowser, the Director of Municipal Services, for Tipp City said leaders wanted to invest in this project because of the rising popularity of Pickleball.

“Tipp City viewed the pickleball courts not just as a recreational amenity, but as an investment in health, community engagement, and quality of life for both Tipp City residents and those in our surrounding communities,” said Bowser.

The Tipp City Foundation’s grant of $50,000 will be paid out over 5 years and was essential in covering many costs associated with the construction, development, and initial operation of the new pickleball courts.

“The Tipp City Foundation grant provided valuable support for additional amenities at the new pickleball courts, enabling the city to install upgrades such as taller perimeter fencing for improved safety and ball containment, a drinking fountain to keep players hydrated, bike racks to encourage alternative transportation to the facility, and an AED device for emergency preparedness,” said Bowser. “These enhancements help ensure the courts are accessible, welcoming, and well-equipped for the growing number of pickleball enthusiasts in our community.”

Before these courts were installed, residents who wanted to play on dedicated pickleball courts had to travel to nearby cities like Piqua and Troy.

“The sport is adaptable to all ages and skill levels, and its social, community-oriented nature continues to drive its popularity both locally and nationally,” said Bowser.

The courts have only been open for a few weeks, and they are already getting a lot of use.

“I visited the courts nearly every day last week, and it appears that all courts are consistently full of players from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and again during the evening hours. Based on initial feedback, the courts are being received with great enthusiasm by the community,” said Bowser.

Bowser expects that number to grow. The city estimates that more than 2,000 residents, neighbors, and visitors will directly benefit from access to these courts.

The courts are near the foundation’s tree grove at Kyle Park. The tree grove consists of more than 65 trees – each planted to honor the foundation’s endowed funds.

Bowser says the Miami County Pickleball Association has been a huge help in making this a reality.

“The association has been instrumental to the success of this project since it was first introduced as an idea to the Parks Advisory Board nearly two years ago. They assisted with court specifications and have provided invaluable support throughout the bidding process and now into construction. A special thank you to Bob and Carolyn Bradley for their dedication to the sport and for helping bring Pickleball to Tipp City.”

The courts won’t just be for local use. Local and regional tournaments are expected to be played in Tipp City.

“The courts are part of a larger vision to modernize and enhance Kyle Park, one of Tipp City’s main public spaces.”

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. You can make a difference with your dollars in our community by:

• Donating online here.
• Making your check payable to the Tipp City Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 626, Tipp City, OH 45371.
• Setting up a fund or legacy plan by contacting Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.

STAY CONNECTED
We’d love to stay in touch. Stay connected with the Tipp City Foundation by:

• Following us on Facebook or Instagram
• Visiting our Website
• Sending us an Email

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
All marketing activities of the Foundation is 100% underwritten by generous sponsors. Please contact us at info@tippfoundation.org for information on how your business or organization can become our partner in philanthropy. 

• Silver Sponsor — Thrivent Financial (Matt Buehrer)
• Bronze Sponsors —J & L Wood Products, Monroe Federal, Park National Bank, Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling, Sibcy Cline – Jackie Halderman, John J. Skolnicki, CPA, Taft Law Firm, Tipp Eye Center
• Friend Sponsors — Captor Corporation, Greenville Federal, Minster Bank, Royal Crest Agency, Turnstone Financial, US Bank
• Media Sponsor — Tippecanoe Gazette
• Hospitality Sponsor — Tipp Center

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH SHARING
Use the links below to share the TIPPing Point with friends and neighbors. Not a subscriber?
Sign up here! If there is something you would like to see in future installments, please email news@tippfoundation.org. Your input is welcome and appreciated!

By: Becky Gulden

The Miami Valley Veterans Museum in Troy sits on a sprawling five-acre site with 5,000 square feet of museum space. The museum contains artifacts from war, a full-color 42-foot mural that serves as a historic timeline, and a research library with interviews from more than 250 veterans. Today, the museum stands as an impressive tribute to veterans, but it began humbly born from nothing more than a simple idea.

Inspiration for the museum came on the Fourth of July in 2009 when a group of people started talking about how veterans should be honored all the time, not just a few times a year. So that group got to work and began assembling various military items. And what started out as a small, one-room office in the Stouder Building has grown into what it is today.

Museum President Ted Jones explains how this museum differs from others.

“Unlike other museums, the Miami Valley Veterans Museum’s main focus is on the ‘Person’ and their service to our country,” said Jones. “The museum showcases military uniforms, artifacts, weapons, documents, and personal stories from veterans located in and around Miami and the surrounding counties. One of the most unique aspects of the museum is our focus on local stories and contributions from veterans who served from the Miami Valley area. The museum also hosts events, ceremonies, and educational programs throughout the year.”

Jones is a veteran himself. He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1965 to 1969 on active duty and then two years inactive reserve duty. He says most of his service was aboard a ship, for a total of 3 years and 8 months of sea service. Jones began volunteering at the museum in 2010, gradually taking on greater responsibilities. Today, he not only leads the museum but also champions its mission to serve the entire community, including those who have never worn a uniform.

“As a way of serving the community, we also maintain a place where educators, authors, and the public can do historical research. The library maintains a video library that contains the first-person account of not less than 250 video recordings available for research.  The Miami Valley Veterans Museum is working directly with the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, to add to their collection of video recordings.  Recently, the Miami Valley Veterans Museum delivered 47 recordings of area veterans to the Library of Congress for inclusion in the Library’s Veterans History Project,” said Jones.

Additionally, the museum hosts a free breakfast for all active duty, veterans, and guests every first Wednesday of the month. The museum also provides an off-site learning program called History-In-A-Box. Boxes containing examples of period equipment that servicemembers would have typically worn or used during that period would be explained in a program format. They cover from the beginning of the frontier period through more recent conflicts.

The Museum has moved a few times over the years as the collection expanded but since 2019 it has been housed at the former Erwin Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership on South County Road 23 in Troy. The owner, Ron Erwin, along with help from the Troy Foundation made the move possible.

The dealership was a godsend as the artifacts grew but the property needed a lot of work. It was an old, dark garage, with a leaky roof, and wasn’t up to code.

“In the real estate business, it’s known as a “Fixer Upper.” But never underestimate the power of a few dedicated volunteers who have a vision and the will to carry it through,” said Jones.

The Miami Valley Veterans Museum relies on grants, volunteers, and donations to stay running. In June it received a $2,500 grant from the Tipp City Foundation to help fund a new security system, which will help safeguard more than 10,000 artifacts in the museum’s collection.

“We have been fortunate in that we have had excellent support from our area foundations and businesses. But even those sources are not limitless, which is why our board is in a constant state of fundraising. We need to raise a minimum of $2,720 every month just to make our property payment, so it takes a lot of oars in the water to keep the boat moving, so to speak,” said Jones.

For those who want to help by volunteering or supporting the museum financially there are several options. Financial support can be directed to the Troy Foundation’s fund to support the museum. There are two funds set up there, one to help with general operational costs and the second is to help build a new multi-purpose gallery and learning center. You can also donate directly to the Miami Valley Veterans Museum.

For those who want to volunteer or visit the museum, it is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Currently, there are no weekend hours, but Jones is hoping to change that eventually, if he can get enough volunteers.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. You can make a difference with your dollars in our community by:

• Donating online here.
• Making your check payable to the Tipp City Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 626, Tipp City, OH 45371.
• Setting up a fund or legacy plan by contacting Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.

STAY CONNECTED
We’d love to stay in touch. Stay connected with the Tipp City Foundation by:

• Following us on Facebook or Instagram
• Visiting our Website
• Sending us an Email

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
All marketing activities of the Foundation is 100% underwritten by generous sponsors. Please contact us at info@tippfoundation.org for information on how your business or organization can become our partner in philanthropy. 

• Silver Sponsor — Thrivent Financial (Matt Buehrer)
• Bronze Sponsors —J & L Wood Products, Monroe Federal, Park National Bank, Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling, Sibcy Cline – Jackie Halderman, John J. Skolnicki, CPA, Taft Law Firm, Tipp Eye Center
• Friend Sponsors — Captor Corporation, Edward Jones – Neil Nehring, Greenville Federal, Minster Bank, Turnstone Financial, US Bank
• Media Sponsor — Tippecanoe Gazette
• Hospitality Sponsor — Tipp Center

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH SHARING
Use the links below to share the TIPPing Point with friends and neighbors. Not a subscriber?
Sign up here! If there is something you would like to see in future installments, please email news@tippfoundation.org. Your input is welcome and appreciated!

By Nancy Bowman

David and Sue Cook made community a centerpiece of their lives, a legacy that will live on with an endowment fund honoring them through the Tipp City Foundation.

The Cooks, who were married 65 years, both passed away earlier in 2025. He was 86, she was 83.

With their passing, their children, Chad Cook, his wife, Stephanie, and sister Dianne Lytle, created the Dave and Sue Cook Community Fund within the Tipp City Foundation. The endowment will support the Tippecanoe Historical Society and Community Minded Women, with each organization receiving 50 percent of award dollars yearly, Chad Cook said.

Sue Cook was the first to suggest setting up a fund with the local foundation, but she passed before the fund was created, he said.

“Dianne and I decided we should honor both of them by having the fund support all the great organizations they participated in that brought so many great things to Tipp City.  Of the organizations that are eligible for Foundation funds we felt the Tippecanoe Historical Society and the Community Minded Women represented them well.  This would honor Mom’s wishes to promote genealogy as well as honor both of them from their involvement in the Historical Society,” Chad Cook said.  The organizations have not decided how the funds will be used.

“Dad spent a lot of time at the museum and writing stories and newsletters after his retirement,” Chad  Cook said. “Mom had a special place in her heart for the young females of the community wanting them to succeed in life, one of the big reasons she ran for council.”

The Cooks both served on the Tipp City Council, and as the community’s mayor. Sue Cook was the first female mayor.

The Cook fund honors not only the Cooks but friends and family who participated with them in many organizations and projects such as Tipp City Jaycees and the Jayceettes as charter members of the Tippecanoe Historical Society and the proposal and approval of the city’s charter. Sue Cook loved anything Christmas-related, researching genealogy for her family and others’, serving as a poll worker, repairing dolls and becoming an antiques dealer.

David Cook studied engineering and held architect licenses in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. He was involved in the design of many projects both through his employment and during his personal time. Among them was the design of the senior citizens renovations on South First Street, residences including for local homebuilders and special projects such as the West Main Barber Shop, Helen Timmer Pavillion in Thomas Kyle Park and renovation of the City Park Roundhouse. “I don’t think they would have wanted their names on the fund.  All of their service has been accomplished in groups with friends and family,” Chad Cook said. “That’s why we added ‘Community’ to the name.  We wanted the fund to represent Mom and Dad and all their great friends that have done so much service establishing so much for Tipp City and its citizens.”

The Cooks have four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Donations can be made to the Dave and Sue Cook Community Foundation by visiting https://thetroyfoundation.org/tippcityfoundation or by mailing a check to the Tipp City Foundation, P.O. Box 626, Tipp City, Ohio, 45371.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. You can make a difference with your dollars in our community by:

• Donating online here.
• Making your check payable to the Tipp City Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 626, Tipp City, OH 45371.
• Setting up a fund or legacy plan by contacting Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.

STAY CONNECTED
We’d love to stay in touch. Stay connected with the Tipp City Foundation by:

• Following us on Facebook or Instagram
• Visiting our Website
• Sending us an Email

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
All marketing activities of the Foundation is 100% underwritten by generous sponsors. Please contact us at info@tippfoundation.org for information on how your business or organization can become our partner in philanthropy. 

• Silver Sponsor — Thrivent Financial (Matt Buehrer)
• Bronze Sponsors —J & L Wood Products, Monroe Federal, Park National Bank, Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling, Sibcy Cline – Jackie Halderman, John J. Skolnicki, CPA, Taft Law Firm, Tipp Eye Center
• Friend Sponsors — Captor Corporation, Edward Jones – Neil Nehring, Greenville Federal, Minster Bank, Turnstone Financial, US Bank
• Media Sponsor — Tippecanoe Gazette
• Hospitality Sponsor — Tipp Center

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH SHARING
Use the links below to share the TIPPing Point with friends and neighbors. Not a subscriber?
Sign up here! If there is something you would like to see in future installments, please email news@tippfoundation.org. Your input is welcome and appreciated!