ISSUE
PPP NEWS
QUARTERLY
12
UPDATE OF
POSITIVELY
PROMOTING
Q1-2016
PIQUA
this issue
HELP Article P.1
Piqua Passes the Positive P.2
Hinsch Community Service Awards P.2
Awesome Foundation Comes to Piqua P.3
Young Adult Focus Group Shares Insight P.3
Calendar of Events P.3
Rock Piqua! 2016 Line-up P.4
www.positivepiqua.org
Visit us on Facebook
Photo by Mike Ullery, Piqua Daily Call
THE HOUSING ENHANCEMENT LEAGUE OF PIQUA (HELP)
IS HERE TO HELP!
by Nikki Reese
Mission
statement
We are Positively
Promoting Piqua, a
diverse group of Piqua
citizens, including
wage earners, retirees,
responsible property
owners, and local
business, professional
and civic leaders,
united to help Piqua be
the best it can be and
focused on positive
efforts to help Piqua
improve and grow
as an outstanding
community in which to
live and work.
As citizens of Piqua, we all try to do the
Please know that as part of the HELP
best that we can to keep up with the
program, it is expected that the homeowner
maintenance of our homes and property.
will work side by side with those who
There are times, though, that for a variety
come to work on the needs that have
of reasons, many of them being financial,
been identified. Of course, the physical
that we are unable to stay on top of the
abilities of the homeowner will be taken
maintenance that is needed with our
into consideration, but HELP feels that it
homes and property. In times like these,
is important that the homeowner who is
HELP could be just a phone call away.
receiving the HELP, be part of the solution.
Through HELP, Citizens for a Better Piqua is working
Upon the request of HELP a member of the HELP
to coordinate residents, businesses, civic and fraternal
coordinating committee will meet with the homeowner.
groups, churches, schools, neighborhood associations
It will then be determined how the homeowner can assist
and other interested individuals that are interested in
those who will be providing the HELP that is needed to
volunteering, to help a neighbor in need. By offering
maintain the property.
to HELP with small projects such as snow removal, leaf
raking and minor home repairs, those who are working
If you are in need of some HELP, please contact Resource
together with the neighbor who is in need, can be about
Coordinator, Nikki Reese, Piqua Development Program
making Piqua the best that it can be!
Manager with the City of Piqua at 937-778-2062.
Picture shown above is a volunteer group formed by HELP to assist a local citizen in need.
Find us on Facebook!
Facebook is an easy and fun way to learn about the positive things happening in our community so please
“LIKE” us at, Positively Promoting Piqua, and stay informed. You will receive all the latest happenings in the city:
Piqua alerts, community events, charity events, and city news. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be in the loop!
We Believe In
Positive Piqua News!
Striving To Be an Outstanding
Community
The Scott and Margaret Hinsch
Community Service Awards
Piqua needs a comprehensive
program to make our community
by Karen Wendeln
The Piqua Community Foundation is pleased to
announce a new community service award for
volunteers serving Piqua charitable organizations
and schools.
a great place – and a more
attractive community for our
citizens, our businesses, their
employees, and business
leaders.
Keeping Piqua on a Path Forward
We need to keep our City on
a positive, progressive path –
poised for economic development
and providing an excellent quality
of life for our citizens.
Speaking Up for Positive
Solutions
Affirmative, positive action by the
many Piqua citizens who agree
with our principles is needed to
oppose the forces of negativity
in our community. Remaining a
silent majority on Piqua’s future is
not a viable option.
A Well-Informed Community
We need to work together to
provide the community with
accurate information on issues
that affect the citizens
of Piqua.
Forward-Thinking Leadership
Committed to Working for Piqua
as a Whole
We need elected representatives
and city officials who are
intelligent, well-informed,
experienced and forward thinking,
who are committed to working for
the benefit of Piqua as a whole,
who face our problems squarely,
who want Piqua to be a strong,
clean, and safe community in
which to work and live, and
who develop and implement
innovative programs to achieve
these objectives.
Piqua Passes the Positive
At one of “Citizens for a Better Piqua” meetings this past
summer a discussion began about all the wonderful folks we
have in our community that do so much. We began to speak
about the “Positive Energy” they give to our community and
how their can-do attitude is such a gift to our town. This quickly
grew into a desire to acknowledge the positive people in our
midst and soon the “Pass the Positive” award was created.
The Scott J. Hinsch and Margaret W. Hinsch
Community Service Awards are being established
by the Hinsches’ family to honor the memory
of their parents, who were active volunteers in
Piqua for many years. Each year, the awards will
be made to one man and one woman volunteer.
In the months of May - November, “positive” people are
awarded a sign they can keep in their yard for a month
acknowledging they are a positive citizen. The recipients then
have the opportunity to “pass the positive” by nominating
others they feel should be recognized for their positive attitude
and contributions.
In 2015, the following citizens were recognized for all they do to
make our community what it is…a great place to call home. We
thank them for “Passing the Positive” in Piqua!
August 2015
Father Angelo C. Caserta
Ryan & Amanda King
Edna Stiefel
Mary Beth Barhorst
Mike and Elizabeth Gutmann Mary Frances Rodriguez
Lisa Feeser
Wilma Earls
Cassidy Hemm
September 2015
Jordan Knepper
Jim & Cheryl Burkhardt
Chris & Paula Schmiesing
Chip Hare
Mike & Sue Yannucci Amanda & Dustin Brown
Elizabeth Butt
Greg & Kathleen Wyatt
October 2015
Bev Yount
Jim Oda - Harry R. Oda
Jim McMaken
PHS Marching Band
Lorna Swisher
Al Cooper
Artie Parker
Nathan Hampton
November 2015
Dick Donnelly
Joe & Laurie Reiser
Rhonda Meckstroth
Chuck and Shelly Black
Noralie and Bill Brower
Jeanie Bates
December 2015
Michele Herndon
Tammy Pence
Cathy Large
Lisa Dotson
Peggy Henthorn
Ruth Cameron
Cindy Pearson Mike & Sandie Cox Piqua City Streets Department
To learn more about the Citizens for a Better Piqua organization
visit Facebook. u
These awards are unique because honorees will
be selected based on activities done on behalf
of a single organization in one specific calendar
year. Nominees are proposed by the charitable
organization or school, and the group whose
nominee is selected will be awarded a $1000
grant in honor of that outstanding volunteer. A
fund to support the monetary awards is being
established in The Piqua Community Foundation
by Scott and Margaret Hinsch’s children and their
spouses, John and Marsha Hinsch and Linda and
Bob Campbell.
A simple, one-page nomination form which
includes details on eligibility and timeline is
available at piquacommunityfoundation.org on
the news page. Nominating organizations must
be located in the city of Piqua or Washington or
Springcreek Townships. Completed applications
must be submitted by March 15, 2016.
This project will give Piqua schools, churches and
charitable groups the opportunity to promote
their volunteer programs, recognize one
outstanding volunteer who has made a significant
difference during the year, and potentially receive
a grant to help with their most pressing needs.
The first awards will be presented in May 2016,
based on volunteer activities in 2015. u
We Believe In
Positive Piqua News!
Supporting Our Public
Awesome Foundation Establishes
Amenities
Our public amenities, including
by Dan French
Do you have an awesome idea, which would be fun, do some good, make people smile and feel better about living in
Piqua? Would $1,000 turn your idea into reality?
The Awesome Foundation is a global community advancing the interest of awesome in the universe, $1,000 at a time.
PPP is starting an Awesome Piqua Chapter early next year.
An Awesome Chapter supports awesome projects through $1,000 grants, usually given out monthly. The grants come
out of pockets of the chapter’s “trustees” and are given on a no-strings-attached basis to people and groups working on
awesome projects.
Typically, ten “trustees” each contribute $100 toward a monthly grant, though some chapters have more trustees
sharing the load. Each chapter sets its own ground-rules and provides its own grants. Grant applications are taken
online from people with awesome, fun, worthwhile ideas.
If you are interested in being an Awesome Trustee, or receiving a grant, contact us through the PPP Facebook page. u
Young Adult Focus Group
Shares Insight
by Kathy Sherman
On November 16, the 311 Drafthouse was
the site for a meeting of young Piqua
residents. Citizens for a Better Piqua
committee members, Kazy Hinds and Kathy
Sherman, along with Amanda Brown, owner
of balanceYoga by Amanda, organized the
gathering with the intention of forming a
young adult’s focus group and uncovering
ideas for our community through this
instrumental generation.
The participants shared the excitement
felt by many about the recent increase in
community events including Rock Piqua,
Cyclovia and the ever-popular Taste of the
Arts to name a few. They also enlightened
the organizers on how to reach out to this
generation of individuals who do not read
the newspaper but instead look to social
media for a means of staying in touch. The
social media used by the majority included
Instagram and Facebook.
The attendees shared ideas on other events
they felt would bring younger adults both
downtown and to the community as a whole.
More
young adult
focus group
meetings
are planned
in the
future to
continue
to move
forward
in finding
ways to
make our
community
attractive
to this
younger
population.
Next Meeting: April 21, 2016 6-7pm 311 Drafthouse u
our streets, our city parks
and other recreational areas,
our schools and our public
library, make up an important
part of the fabric of the Piqua
community. We must work
together as a community to
support them and keep them
in good condition and appropriately funded.
The Importance of Great
Neighborhoods
CALENDAR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
RC MODEL AIRPLANE SHOW
February 26, 2016
Miami Valley Centre Mall
Remote Control Model Airplane Show, which displays and
exhits throughout the interior of the mall. Event is free.
RACE CARS & FUTURE STARS EXPO
March 3-6, 2016
Miami Valley Centre Mall
10am-9pm
ROUTES FOR ROOTS
March 19, 2016
Piqua Public Library
Registration: 8:15am
Fee $15 in advance or $20 for walk-ins
Research your Roots in Miami County. With the help of
expert genealogists, learn the techniques for researching
your ancestors. Visit www.rootsweb.ancestry.
com/~ohmchgs for more information.
DANCING WITH THE PIQUA STARS
April 16, 2016
A Learning Place
Matinee $10 and Dinner Show $30
Tickets available at Readmore Hallmark. For more
information visit www.piquaartscouncil.org
CITY OF PIQUA TAX RETURNS
April 18, 2016
Office Hours - Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
City of Piqua income tax returns are due on or before
Monday, April 18, 2016. For assistance with any income tax
questions or help filing a return, please contact the City of
Piqua Tax Department at 937-778-2009.
CAKES FOR A CAUSE
April 22, 2016
Miami Valley Center Mall
11th annual communtiy event/cake auction
For more information about how to enter or buy a cake,
visit www.piquacommunityfoundation.org
We want Piqua and its
neighborhoods to be the best
they can be. The appearance
of our neighborhoods, and our
willingness as a community to
stand up for their appearance,
are vital. The majority of
Piqua people take pride
in their property and our
neighborhoods. But we cannot
afford to ignore neighborhood
blight and its negative effect on
our community as a whole. For
this reason, Piqua
needs to continue its
focus on improving
our neighborhoods.
Putting Our Best Foot Forward,
to Help Grow Piqua Now
We need to constantly
recognize that Piqua competes
with many other communities
for businesses, jobs and
people. We need to act and
look our best, to help Grow
Piqua Now succeed.
A Great Future for Piqua
We see Piqua as a community
with a great future before it.
We need to work together,
in a positive and cooperative
manner, to achieve this vision
and sustain it, for Piqua’s
citizens today and those coming
after us.
ROCK PIQUA!
RIVERFRONT CONCERT SERIES
2016 ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP
HEADLINER: KATE HASTINGS BAND
Saturday, June 18
In 2013 The Kate Hasting Band released “Country
Music” an EP recorded with Grammy-winning
Nashville producer Chad Carlson along with guitarist
and co-producer Rob McNelley. That EP led the band
to opening for multiple national acts and serious
industry recognition. “We’ve worked hard, and have
been fortunate enough to share the stage with the
talent of Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan, Randy Houser,
Parmalee, Colt Ford, Joe Diffie, Larry Gatlin, Sunny
Ledfurd and more. We have been honored to play
throughout the midwest and humbled by the love our
fans give us in return. Being asked to sing the National
Anthem for Vanderbilt University, performing on The
Billy Block Show, being named CMA Emerging Artists,
and SESAC Artists of the Month has truly been an
honor. I believe the best things in life are worth taking
a chance for…and that’s what we’re doing with our
music,” says Kate.
By Jordan Knepper
Theme: 50’s- 70’s
Opening Act: American Kings
www.positivepiqua.org
“LIKE” us on Facebook!
Have you ever found yourself wishing, hoping or even
praying that you could go back in time and relive the
two greatest decades in history? Well, there’s good
news for those of you who long for the simplicity and
genuine good times of the 1950s and the 1960s…The
American Kings. The American Kings is a Dayton, OH
band that takes great pride in giving their audience
an authentic, fresh, and danceable show with true
renditions of your favorite Rock N’ Roll songs. And
because The Kings live a life with a vocabulary that
allows the words “sock” and “hop” to still make
perfect sense together, you can fully trust them to
put on a good show. The American Kings are on a
mission to bring REAL entertainment back to the
people.
HEADLINER: AGENT 99
Agent 99 is a 6-piece cover band that has been
entertaining in Ohio, from Lake Erie to the Ohio River,
for almost 20 years, delivering a high energy show
of carefully selected and masterfully performed
seminal pop/rock songs of the 70’s to their audiences,
defending the musical claim,“The Best Music You
Forgot You Loved”!
Contributing Editors
Dan French
Jordan Knepper
Nikki Reese
Sharon Semanie
Kathy Sherman
Mary Frances Rodriguez
Karen Wendeln
When Agent 99 takes the stage, you see why all
ages find a connection to great music, and to each
other, while enjoying it… Agent 99 is comprised of
seasoned professionals, who happen to love what
they’re doing, and it shows. They are at home on
stages entertaining festivals, clubs, corporate and
reception crowds - and are just as comfortable
with low-keyed jazzy dinner sets as non-stop club
dance sets. Tight musicianship and singular vocals,
complete with lush harmonies, make Agent 99
predominant in their genre, and their accessibility,
sense of humor and fun, keeps their loyal fans coming
back for more and event planners calling each year.
Come on out and see what all the fuss is about!
Just remember: you can do The Hustle…and you
might Shake Your Booty, and we’re not even ruling
out getting down tonight at the Carwash…but,
please! Everybody will please refrain from Kung Foo
Fighting.
Saturday, July 16
Theme: Country
Opening Act: Reflektion
For information about
commission and other public
meetings held in Piqua visit
www.piquaoh.org.
they’ve injected their life experiences into a collection
of tunes they will soon use on their first album”. Jared
and Justin aspire to bring their audiences into their
shows in a playful but respectful way, so be prepared
to be entertained.
Reflektion - 19 year old twins, Jared and Justin
Younce of Piqua, Ohio are in their 4th year of playing
gigs from Nashville, TN to Lake Erie in Ohio. They are
self taught musicians, singing and playing an array
of instruments from acoustic & electric guitar to the
bass, banjo & drums. The duo sings mostly Country
with a splash of Southern Rock in a dynamic and
soulful tone. They bring a unique blend of harmonies
brought about by many hours of singing together to
develop their talents. As co writers on over 20 songs
(CMA Emerging Artist)
Saturday, August 20
Theme: 80’s to Today
Opening Act: Spungewurthy
Spungewurthy has been together since early 2001
and has been performing at clubs/weddings/private
and corporate events/festivals regularly in Cincinnati/
Dayton/Columbus and beyond. We play mostly
“dancey rock” music. But we also have a country
section, a hip hop section, a classic rock section,
and a straight dance section. We cover artists like:
Maroon 5, Dave Matthews, Kid Rock, Sublime...
to Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich, Keith Urban, Rascall
Flatts...to Snoop Dogg, Fifty Cent, Kanye West, Nate
Dogg/Warren G, Vanilla Ice...to Justin Timberlake,
George Michael...to Van Halen, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi,
Skynyrd, Tom Petty, Cheap Trick, Led Zeppelin. All
this is brought to the listeners in a high energy, very
interactive show. We like to say we have something
for everyone and if you haven’t heard one ya like so
far, stay tuned....we’ve got you covered.
HEADLINER: THE 1988’S
1988 performs the danceable and head banding “big
hair” hits of the 80’s. While other groups have chosen
to present themselves in a clown-like fashion, 1988
has stayed true to its 80’s roots by paying respectful
tribute to bands like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Poison,
Motley Crue, Guns-N-Roses, and even Journey. 1988
recreates a show one might have seen on Hollywood’s
Sunset Strip at the height of the 80’s era.