1997 HALL OF FAME WINNER Minabelle Abbott Hutchins (1909 – 1981) Hutchins began her radio career in 1930 in Cincinnati. By 1935, she had won the role of Mary Southern in one of the nation’s first radio soap operas. Hutchins moved to Piqua in 1946 and became one of the Miami Valley’s first radio stars on “Your Best Bet” from 1951 until 1976 on WPTW Radio. Hutchins other activities included promotion of the local Girl Scout program, encouraging environmental awareness through bird watching, and working with the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Fine Arts Foundation and various public school committees.