By Nancy Bowman

Brukner Nature Center has a new way to promote its offerings thanks to the Tipp City Foundation.

A grant for $1,709 received in 2020 was used to buy materials to increase the nature center’s presence in surrounding communities through participation with a booth at public events, volunteer fairs and other activities.

Due to COVID-19 the materials were first used this year at a downtown Troy nonprofits night on the Public Square’s Prouty Plaza, said Deb Oexmann, executive director, Brukner Nature Center.

“We used the money to purchase a tablecloth, table runner with our logo, monitor with portable battery power to show videos, and a rolling tote to carry it all in,” Oexmann said

“We also used some of the funding to create some new videos to share not only at these events but also with our members, on our website and Facebook page.  Some funding was also used to create fun stickers to pass out at events to engage kids and their families,” she said.

The Brukner staff loves the new booth and materials although there hasn’t been a lot of time so far for public feedback, Oexmann said. The stickers already are a big hit with the children, she said.

The public relations campaign for Brukner Nature Center is an ongoing effort. “The more people who learn about us and our mission, the more memberships grow, the more wildlife myths are busted and the more friends and partners we create!” Oexmann said.

The center continues to be a popular destination. Its trails remained open during closings forced by COVID-19. The restrictions didn’t stop people from taking in the center’s outdoor offerings – Oexmann said a 20 percent increases in visitation was experienced in the past year and a half.

The center has been closed some this summer as its new driveway and parking lot project is underway. The areas are being paved with concrete. “I am so thankful for the support of our members, community foundations and our Board of Trustees.  This project was by no means the least expensive fix for our aging drive but it is by far the best environmentally friendly option,” she said.

Upcoming events at Brukner Nature Center include its annual fundraiser, The Art of Nature, scheduled for Oct. 3. An online auction is planned for members with some of the larger items available at the Oct. 3 auction.

Work on the annual Arts and Crafts Show on Dec. 3 is underway. Vendor applications are now being accepted. Everything offered at the show must be handmade or somehow related to nature, Oexmann said.

For more information on Brukner Nature Center, visit www.bruknernaturecener.com.

By Nancy Bowman 

The number of Tipp City homes whose history can be documented at least 100 years is growing, as is the effort to recognize those structures.

The Century Home Project was created by and in tribute to Paula and Phil Lantz, who came to the community in the early 1970s and made it their home.  After Phil Lantz passed in January 2017, Paula worked with Heather Bailey, the Tipp City Foundation and the Tippecanoe Historical Society to create the Century Home program as a tribute to him.

Homes that are confirmed by official documents to being at least 100 years old qualify. The homes will be awarded a brass Century Home plaque along with a framed award featuring the home.

Phil and Paula Lantz came to Tipp City in 1973 from Lima to be closer to his new job in Moraine. While heading home after checking out possible places to move in Kettering and Oakwood, they made a chance stop in Tipp City for gas.

Paula Lantz said she and her husband were attracted by the community’s charm and its houses. “It was such a unique spot in the world,” she said. “It has been a wonderful place to live. This program is another little piece that makes our community special.”

They ended up finding a home and over the years lived in four in the community.

The Century Home Project slowed the past year or so due to COVID-19 but again is in action.

Lantz is working on the project with Jackie Wahl of the Tippecanoe Historical Society. Houses in both Tipp City and Monroe Township can qualify for the recognition.

To promote the program, hangars were placed on doors of some houses that appeared to meet the century age criteria. Several applications were received and more are being taken.

A change in the program now has the Century Home Project volunteers verifying the age of homes using records now more readily available at the Miami County Courthouse. In the past, applicants were asked to provide that information, which could have been a deterrent for some owners.

“They may really love their old house, but don’t have the time to dig into public records,” Wahl said.

There is a $20 application fee.

Lantz said the project continues to evolve as the women work on the quickest, easiest way for those with a Century Home to apply. She is not aware of another program like it.

The project is a positive for the community, Wahl said. “It is one of the feel good things that help celebrate our community,” she said.

For more information on the Century Home Project, email info@tippecanoehistoricalsociety.org.

By Heather Bailey

The Tipp City Foundation recently awarded over $29,000 in scholarships. Many awards went to graduating high school seniors while $8,000 went to renewable awards from prior years. Of the 53 endowment funds within the Foundation, 14 represent scholarships. 

Often these funds commemorate inspirational values of the scholarship founder; when this is the case, applicants are measured against those standards. Winners are determined through a vetting process led by an independent body of judges. To read more about the stories behind each of the scholarship funds or to apply for future scholarships, visit www.tippfoundation.org.

Graduates from Tippecanoe, Bethel, Miami East and Troy are represented. 

Ernest Clay Back Scholarship for History – (not awarded for 2021)

Lester & Cleon Bowers Family Scholarship – Sophia Markley

Jeanette C. Gaston Memorial Music Scholarship – Samantha Thieman

Gilmore Family Scholarship – Kaitlyn Hemmelgarn

Sarah Gross Scholarship for Sportsmanship – Samantha Thieman

Life is a Journey -Don't Stop Believing Scholarship – Elijah Niemi

Katherine G. Lobo Memorial Scholarship – Lauryn Williams

McKee Family Matthew 5:16 Scholarship – Kenna Smith

Sarah Merritt Memorial Scholarship – Dakota Schroeder

John and Louise Miller Memorial Scholarship – Madison Spaeth

Robert E. Nessle Memorial Scholarship – Alaina Yarwick

Elizabeth Spano Scholarship – Kaitlyn Hemmelgarn

Tipp City Rotary Club Scholarship – Alexander Holbrook, Alayna Liskey, Alicia Miller

Tipp City Rotary Club Renewal Scholarship – McKenzie Dean, Jessica Gilbride, Emily Graham, Taylor Haggerty, Tristian Johnson, Noah McElhose, Olivia Rust, Leena Vyas

Tippecanoe Alumni Scholarship – Ashleigh Mader, Ashlyn Tarzinski

Wenzlau Family Scholarship – Jack Baldwin

By Nancy Bowman

Sometimes, there’s just not enough money in the budget to go around.

The decisions a person at times has to make on how to spend the money they do have can be a huge challenge.

Members of the 2021 Teen Leadership Academy in Tipp City in early June spent time taking a look at personal finances and participating in a poverty simulation game led by Richard Bender, chief financial officer of the United Way of Miami County, and Sean Ford, the organization’s chief executive officer.

During the simulation, a scenario was laid out and the students as a group were asked how they would spend a limited amount of money as they tried to balance work, finances and those unexpected expenses that arise in life.

Do they take a child to the doctor, approve a costly surgery for a pet, buy a birthday present for a friend’s party or approve preventive work on a car?

“It’s easy for me to talk about situations like this but the game requires the participants to think about each situation.  What would you do, how do you make tough choices, would I actually do that if I was in that situation?  These are some of the questions the teens have to consider while playing the game,” Bender said.

“I believe that the teens gain a better understanding of what it would be like to live day by day. The situations are ones that could be happening to their friends or neighbors.  It helps them be more aware of what others may be going through,” Bender added.

The poverty simulation exercise was used to help prepare the teens as they were then asked to consider applications for grants from non-profit organizations and whether or not to approve each request. They had $5,000 provided through the Tipp City Foundation

Of 17 requests, the students chose to distribute money to 11 specific projects during a presentation program held on the final day of the week-long leadership academy.

Among the teens participating in this year’s Teen Leadership were those from Tippecanoe High School, Bethel High School and Troy Christian High School. Among them was Ethan Spencer.

“I was interested in this program because I wanted to look into the inner workings of city government. I had heard a lot of good things about the program from my former teammates on the soccer team, so I knew I had to apply,” Spencer said.

He said he learned “many valuable lessons” through the leadership program. “For example, Simon Patry taught me how to stay quiet in an argument. We learned how a committee can work smoothly from the Miami County commissioners,” Spencer said. “Liz Sonnanstine (Tipp City chamber director) taught us the most out of everyone we met. She taught myself and other leaders how to create connections, a valuable skill that we will use for the rest of our lives.”

The timing of the first quarterly meeting of the Tipp City Foundation seems preordained to add to the celebration of long-time board member Jesse Chamberlain’s 100^th birthday. By unanimous vote, all grants awarded in the session were made in his honor. His birthday is March 30.

Jesse Chamberlain served on the Foundation board from 1970 to 2020.

The variety of grants submitted for consideration was inspiring. Though the pandemic aftermath prevails, so does a skilled community of nonprofit organizations supporting citizens. Dirt digging, pedaling books, valuing trees, and outdoor seats are new elements coming to boost the quality of life. Each of these is addressed through the grants awarded.

Ultimately, 11 organizations were chosen to receive 14 awards.  Grants totaled $33,527.41.

The following is a list of recipients, award levels and the impact grants will make. The additional support that donor advisors gave through their grantmaking is included.

COVID RESPONSE

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $1,414.00, meets the demand for COVID-safe outdoor dining options, by using the broad sidewalks for extra seating. Additional support from Lucky 13 Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $1,914.00.

St. John’s Early Childhood Program, award, purchases additional classroom desks to maintain safe distances between children. Robinson-Walters Family Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $500.00.

ARTS & CULTURE

Project T.I.P.P. (Teens Impacting and Promoting Philanthropy), $5,000.00, gives teens grantmaking responsibility over these dollars as they play the role of a grant distribution committee. This exercise is in conjunction with the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce’s Teen Leadership Academy in June 2021.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,600.00, hosts children’s book author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand in K-1 classes, to discuss the creative stages of making a book. Hillenbrand, who is dyslexic, recalls that learning to read was extremely difficult, but he has learned to express himself through his art. He is the author of over 70 books. This is a Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler and Jim and June Kyle Family Fund grant.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $670.00, partners K12 Gallery with high school French classes to learn about French Impressionism. This is a Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler grant.

Tipp City Public Library, $2,750.00, saddles up a book bike to put the library on the road. This extra effort can bring books and services to places like Liberty Commons, Tipp City Schools, and town events. This is an H. E. “Tiny” & Emma Drewing Fund and August Henke Comfort for the Needy Fund grant. Additional support from Wahl Family Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $3,000.00.

EDUCATION

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $265.86, updates video production equipment for Design Thinking middle school students making commercial-grade productions. Videos support a collaboration between the students and ACCO, a company producing school supplies.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, purchases Scholastic Scope magazine for 7^th grade readers. Tipp Giving Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $989.01.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, meets a need identified by high school counselors by purchasing calming objects and mindfulness games. Tipp Giving Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $616.96.

Tippecanoe STEM Education, Inc., $600.00, covers the cost of student registration fees to attend State Science Day.

ENVIRONMENT

Bethel Local Schools, $3,427.55, plants a school garden where a new 6^th grade course, Principles of Food and Agriculture, will be taught. The outdoor classroom area provides sensory engagement for special needs students, hands-on learning of science and agriculture, and knowledge about nutrition. This is a Radle Family Fund for Science Education grant.

Tipp City Tree Advisory Board, $500.00, tags trees in public spaces with eco-value tags     , which educate on the value of trees. Values include improved air quality, cooling

and shading, stormwater control, increased property values, and the intangible asset of beauty. This is an Outdoor Experiences Fund iho Abby Kessler Bowling grant.

RECREATION

Tipp City Enrichment Program, $1,800.00, enhances the summer activities offered to the children who attend this extended care program.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $2,000, takes fun outside with the purchase of two basketball hoops. This grant request was proposed by the Middle School Student Council.

Tipp Pride Association, $7,500.00, represents a payment towards the Foundation’s commitment of $75,000.00 to build a new stadium in City Park.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Miami County Dental Clinic, $5,000.00, nods to the importance of oral health by supporting lab and supply fees of the Dental Direct Program. Last year, 8,172 patients from Miami County used these services.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Bethel Hope, $1,000.00, assists citizens of Bethel Township and the surrounding areas in meeting basic needs during times of critical personal downturns. Needs met include food assistance, utility support, help with rent and pharmacy aid.

The deadline for 2Q grant submissions is June 1. Jim Ranft is available for your grant-related questions at 937-528-2482. Applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org.

Since 1943, the Tipp City Foundation has awarded $2,428,638.44, through December 31, 2020. Members of the Foundation are Heather Bailey, Mary Bowman, Diana Featherstone, treasurer, Dee Gillis, president, Melissa Keller, Bruce McKenzie, Jim Ranft, vice president and distribution chair, Nathan Rentz, Claire Timmer, Jackie Wahl, secretary, Bill Wendel and Sarah Worley.

The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. If you would like information about how to make a tax-deductible contribution, please contact Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.

For more information visit www.tippfoundation.org or Tipp Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

The full impact of the Downtown Tipp City Coronavirus Relief Fund likely can never be calculated, but evidence of its successes is visible all around the historic downtown.

The fund, started in spring 2020 by the Downtown Tipp City Partnership with $10,000 seed support from the Tipp City Foundation and added community donations, continues its work as the COVID-19 pandemic remains.

The fund was intended to “support the preservation and livelihood of Tipp City’s historic downtown business district amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”

During the past year, 20 businesses have benefited from the fund with distributions totaling just more than $20,000, said Kim Bulgin, executive director of the DTCP.

“I believe the impact this fund has had on our community has been one full of hope and perseverance. I think is was created during a time when so many people needed good news,” Bulgin said. “I think It helped encouraged the businesses to keep pushing through. One day at a time.”

Those eligible for the relief fund are employers in the downtown district who are DTCP members. Applications still are being taken at www.downtowntippcity.org.

Among employers that applied for funding was Grounds for Pleasure on Main Street. The business was closed for several weeks in the spring and an application was made with hopes it would help with operating expenses as the business again opened, said Teanna Lambert.

“When we were able to reopen, we had to do so with carry out orders only.  Our business is one that thrives on the community that is created and conversations that are had while sitting down and having a cup of coffee,” she said. “In fact, it is the real reason we exist--to help cultivate an environment where people can connect to each other. Transitioning to a take-out only establishment was certainly not something that we were prepared for.”

Lambert said the week the relief fund arrived was an interesting one for Grounds for Pleasure. Not only were rent and payroll due but the ice machine broke beyond repair and acrylic barriers to prepare for opening had been ordered.

“The relief funds definitely came at a great time to help us with our normal operating expenses as we dealt with other expenses that we weren't anticipating,” Lambert said.

The application process was easy and she would encourage other employers who would benefit to apply, Lambert said.

“We are very thankful that the Tipp City Foundation and DTCP came together to create this fund for our downtown businesses,” she said. “We are also very grateful for the community support we have seen in the last year! Those that donated to the relief fund as well as those that continue to choose to shop and dine in our downtown --YOU have made a huge difference for so many and we would love to take this opportunity to say thank you.”

Donations still are being accepted to the relief fund at www.downtowntippcity.org.

To ensure businesses are aware of its availability, there is the special section on the web page, word has been spread via social media and Bulgin talks with business owners about the fund when she does in-person visits, said Andi Trezciak, DTCP board chair.

Although grant checks are not huge, they are a sign that DTCP is doing what it can and it’s available to help in various ways, Trezciak said.

“There were many community members who were major donors to the fund in addition to the Tipp City Foundation and we are incredibly grateful for their support,” she said.

Bulgin said DTCP is hopeful those who have not taken advantage of the fund yet apply for it.

“Ultimately this relief fund was a way to bring everyone together and help each other. I think we achieved that. We showed up and represented Tipp City well,” Bulgin said. “Tipp pride? We are a tight knit community and always show up when it’s needed the most.”

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
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• WebsiteSending 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 - Advanced Machinery Companies; Dunaway Family Foundation; Dungan & LeFevre; Ever-Green Turf & Landscape; Gibson Law Offices; Monroe Federal Savings and Loan; New Carlisle Federal Savings Bank; Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling; Unity National Bank
• Friend Sponsors - Captor Corp.; Edward Jones (Neil Nehring); Frings & Bayliff Funeral Home; Minster Bank; RSM US; Turnstone Financial; US Bank
• Media Sponsor - Tippecanoe Gazette

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