By Heather Bailey

The Tipp City Foundation recently awarded over $33,000 in scholarships. Many awards went to graduating high school seniors while $8,000 went to renewable awards from prior years. Of the 61 endowment funds within the Foundation, 18 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, and

Miami East are represented. 

Ernest Clay Back Scholarship for History – (not awarded for 2023)

Lester & Cleon Bowers Family Scholarship – Dottie Everett

Marlene E. Chapman Memorial Scholarship – Ameila Campbell

Jeanette C. Gaston Memorial Music Scholarship – Theodore Thompson

Gilmore Family Scholarship – Kaitlyn Dankworth

Sarah Gross Scholarship for Sportsmanship – Eliza Zweizig

Life is a Journey - Don't Stop Believing Scholarship – Cami Gingrich

Katherine G. Lobo Memorial Scholarship – Sean Nicholas

McKee Family Matthew 5:16 Scholarship – Makenna Gentry

Sarah Merritt Memorial Scholarship – (not awarded for 2023)

John and Louise Miller Memorial Scholarship – Lydia Brannan

Robert E. Nessle Memorial Scholarship – Max Colby

Elizabeth Spano Scholarship – Jillian Magato

Tipp City Rotary Club Scholarship – Lydia Brannan, Emma Davis, Connor Snider,

Tipp City Rotary Club Renewal Scholarship – Kylie Balkcom, Emily Graham, Alexander Holbrook, Alayna Liskey, Kailey Longo, Luke Norman, Noah McElhose, Alicia Miller

Tippecanoe Alumni Scholarship – Ayeva Tilley, Shelby Hept

Wenzlau Family Scholarship – Connor Snider, Kayla Williams

Willhelm Family Scholarship – Benjamin Anticoli

The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. If you would like information about how to establish an endowment fund or 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.

By Nancy Bowman

Read Across America Week was celebrated earlier this month at Nevin Coppock Elementary School with local illustrator Liz Ball drawing students into the world of hidden pictures.

Ball, creator of the Hidden Picture Puzzles books, shared tips on developing a hidden picture using items associated with the students' and their teachers’ interests to grab the young people’s attention.

Read Across America Week is celebrated each year on or near March 2, which is the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

The nationwide celebration of reading was created by the National Education Association in 1997 as a means to promote literacy and encourage a love of reading among young children, said Nancy Carus, a Nevin Coppock teacher. The Nevin Coppock Literacy Committee developed the local activity.

Ball was invited this year to demonstrate for kindergarten and first grade students the creative stages of developing illustrations.

The week’s theme, “We Can Be Reading Detectives,” was reflected in activities centered around the hidden pictures and mystery books.

“Students read with magnifying glasses, flashlights, solved clues of a mystery reader and dressed as their favorite book character. During Liz’s visit, students enjoyed having the opportunity to create their own hidden picture,” Carus said. “They were proud of their work and had fun finding the objects in the pictures Liz created.”

Ball said she first led students and teachers in an exercise where she made a personalized hidden picture for a teacher with students helping provide information on the teacher’s favorite things such as animals, hobbies and activities.

She then led students through a step by step how to make a hidden picture. “This is always fun, and their drawings are adorable!” Ball said.

She also allowed time for the students to ask her questions.

"Their enthusiasm, concentration on drawing and behavior made it a pleasure to be part of their day.  Besides helping with spatial skills, hidden pictures also improve eye coordination, memory retention and concentration--but kids (and adults) just look at them as fun,” she said.

The Read Across America Week project received funding through a grant sought from and awarded by the Tipp City Foundation.

By Nancy Bowman

Read Across America Week was celebrated earlier this month at Nevin Coppock Elementary School with local illustrator Liz Ball drawing students into the world of hidden pictures.

Ball, creator of the Hidden Picture Puzzles books, shared tips on developing a hidden picture using items associated with the students' and their teachers’ interests to grab the young people’s attention.

Read Across America Week is celebrated each year on or near March 2, which is the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

The nationwide celebration of reading was created by the National Education Association in 1997 as a means to promote literacy and encourage a love of reading among young children, said Nancy Carus, a Nevin Coppock teacher. The Nevin Coppock Literacy Committee developed the local activity.

Ball was invited this year to demonstrate for kindergarten and first grade students the creative stages of developing illustrations.

The week’s theme, “We Can Be Reading Detectives,” was reflected in activities centered around the hidden pictures and mystery books.

“Students read with magnifying glasses, flashlights, solved clues of a mystery reader and dressed as their favorite book character. During Liz’s visit, students enjoyed having the opportunity to create their own hidden picture,” Carus said. “They were proud of their work and had fun finding the objects in the pictures Liz created.”

Ball said she first led students and teachers in an exercise where she made a personalized hidden picture for a teacher with students helping provide information on the teacher’s favorite things such as animals, hobbies and activities.

She then led students through a step by step how to make a hidden picture. “This is always fun, and their drawings are adorable!” Ball said.

She also allowed time for the students to ask her questions.

"Their enthusiasm, concentration on drawing and behavior made it a pleasure to be part of their day.  Besides helping with spatial skills, hidden pictures also improve eye coordination, memory retention and concentration--but kids (and adults) just look at them as fun,” she said.

The Read Across America Week project received funding through a grant sought from and awarded by the Tipp City Foundation.

A robust variety of grant requests were submitted for the Tipp City Foundation’s first quarterly meeting. Perennial favorites among them addressed literacy, children’s dental care, and new high school stadiums. Read more about these below.

Other requests stood out for the scale and scope of the need. One of those is Bethel Hope’s expansion into book bags and backpacks for incoming refugee students. These essentials for building a new life in a new country are in demand as resettled families move into the Bethel community.

Ultimately, 12 organizations were chosen to receive 13 awards. Grants totaled $43,612 for the first quarter.

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

ARTS & CULTURE

Project T.I.P.P. (Teens Impacting and Promoting Philanthropy), $5,000, gives teens grantmaking responsibility in conjunction with the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce’s Teen Leadership Academy. 

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,635, hosts children’s book author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand in K-1 classes, to discuss the creative stages of making a book.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $699, updates the high school band room with a Harmony Director, a keyboard that helps make teaching more effective.

Tipp City Seniors, $5,000, fills out a newly renovated space by purchasing tables and chairs. Members will be able to show off this new space in just a few months. Awarded, in part, from the Jim and June Kyle Family Fund and the August Henke Comfort for the Needy Fund.

EDUCATION

Bethel Local Schools, award, pilots the Positive Behavior Support Rewards project in the elementary. A Robinson-Walters Family Fund grant.

Troy-Miami County Public Library, $2,000, supports Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

ENVIRONMENT

Brukner Nature Center, $1,278, warms orphaned and injured wildlife in three new incubators. Nearly 1,300 wild patients pass through this rehabilitation unit annually. 

HEALTH & SAFETY

Miami County Dental Clinic, $5,000, supports Traveling Smiles, a dental care program for uninsured and underinsured children from our community.

RECREATION

Bethel Local Schools, $5,000, represents a payment towards the Foundation’s commitment of $25,000 to build a new stadium. Awarded, in part, from the Bethel Arts Fund.

Tipp Monroe Community Services, $3,600, defrays Camp Kern excursion costs for 95 campers.

Tipp Pride Association, $7,500, represents a payment towards the Foundation’s commitment of $75,000 to build a new stadium in City Park.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Bethel Hope, $3,000, purchases book bags and school supplies for incoming students in need. Many of these students are from resettled refugee families.

DREAM Pet Rescue, $2,400, spays and neuters dogs from the Miami County Animal Shelter.

GIVE Medical Ministry, $1,500, supplements durable medical equipment for this lending source.

Quarterly grant deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 each year. 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 $2,713,187.86 through December 31, 2022.

Members of the Foundation are Heather Bailey, Richard Bender, vice president, Bryan Blake, Mary Bowman, Diana Featherstone, treasurer, Dee Gillis, Joellen Heatherly, Bruce McKenzie, Glen McMurry, Patrick Reese, Jim Ranft, president and distribution chair, Julie Taylor, Jackie Wahl, and Bill Wendel, secretary.

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

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

Claudia Houdeshell Koerner has returned to her hometown after more than 50 years. She has established a legacy connection with two funds, focusing on supporting those interested in the trades and providing equipment and facilities to related educational institutions. The funds, established in recent months, honor her husband Phil, who passed away in 2021, and his decades-long respect for those who work in the trades.

Philip Koerner, an east coast native whom Claudia met when she moved to Hartford, Connecticut, following graduation from Miami University, worked as an insurance company executive. Claudia worked in the insurance business for a time, then later obtained a master's degree in library science and also worked in real estate. 

The Koerners lived in Hartford and then in New Hampshire. Through the years, they owned many houses and came to appreciate the skill and pride which so many brought to their work. “His fear was that the emphasis on education in the trades was no longer a priority,” said Claudia. “Hopefully, these funds will be an encouragement for some who might not otherwise consider entering these fields.” The Road Less Traveled Scholarship Fund is for anyone of any age who wants to pursue the trades. The Koerner Family Fund is more geared toward providing equipment and facilities for trade-associated colleges and trade schools. 

The Koerners were planning on moving back to Tipp City in 2021. However, Philip passed unexpectedly before he could make the move. So, Claudia is again making Tipp City her home. “I am happy to be here” she said, noting that her sister and nieces and their families live locally, as well as some old school friends. She was familiar with the Tipp City Foundation through a bequest left by her parents, Gene and Jean Houdeshell. “The Foundation does good work, and I am happy to help where I can. This is where I'm from and where I plan to stay. The Tipp City Foundation was the right way for me to go. I'm happy with my choice.”

Walking around town on a nice day lately, I recognize the things which tell you spring is in the air…birds chirping, daffodils springing forth, people enjoying a brisk walk and the freshness of a bright sunny day.

I saw one man, and although I know his name and have seen him many times, I must admit I know very little about him. He was strolling along Main Street, doing some casual “window shopping” downtown. I’ve seen him at various events and activities, and he seems to be one of those gentlemen that you often see talking to people or just walking around town. This man is Gordon Honeyman, a lifelong resident.

Gordon was born in this great little town many years ago. His father was the village electrician. Gordon, meanwhile, went to work for Merrill Lynch, starting in 1965 and continuing in that line for more than fifty years. During that time, Gordon has seen the village grow into a town and the town into a city, what many of us call Tipp City. 

Speaking of that name, Gordon feels strongly that our fair town should once again be called “Tippecanoe.” His desire for this stems from the significance our community has played, even in years gone by. Gordon points out that the name has “class” and carries “historical meaning” from an era that many today are unfamiliar with. To Gordon, the name “Tipp City” sounds a bit silly and fails to convey the rich heritage that built our downtown and the surrounding area. The only reason it may not sound silly to most locals is because it’s what they have come to know and have heard repeated for years. But tell it to someone who is not familiar with the name, and they usually ask why such a wonderful town has such an odd name.

But a rose is still a rose, and with his hometown of Tipp City being his inspiration through the many years, Gordon has always looked for ways to give back. Having served on the Tipp City Foundation board for many years, Gordon was eager to have another way to give back when he established a fund in 2021 to carry on his devotion to the town in perpetuity. Gordon knows that those on the board will see to it that the funds coming from his endowment will strengthen the community in the best way possible. Although Gordon started the fund with a smaller initial amount, the fund will receive a much larger injection of assets transferred in from Gordon’s retirement funds when the day finally arrives that he no longer needs them.

The weeks to come will surely bring some beautiful spring days, the sort which tell you it won’t be long until the lazy, hazy days of summer—with its heat and humidity—will be upon us. And on one of these beautiful days, I will surely take a walk, and most likely I’ll see Gordon out and about in the community. I may walk up and let him expound on his thoughts of changing the name of our community back to Tippecanoe. Who knows, maybe someone will start a movement to reclaim the name, and maybe that movement will need funding—and in another way Gordon’s vision might continue. After all, his fund fittingly uses the name “Tippecanoe” to bring attention to that wonderful name this great community holds near and dear.

See how you can have a lasting impression on your community starting today. Visit https://tippfoundation.org/.

Story written by Bruce McKenzie