March 2011

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Fill that yellow plastic bag with non-perishible food items. Place the bag on your front porch Saturday afternoon. You'll be doing the Boys Scouts a favor and will assist some Bluffton residents who are in need of food.

Boy Scout Troop 256 from Bluffton is participating in the national BSA event - Scouting for Food. Scouts delivered yellow plastic grocery bags to all houses in Bluffton and Beaverdam this past weekend.

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Bluffton University will host open houses for its graduate programs the next two Wednesdays, March 16 in Lima and March 23 in Ottawa.

Hours are 4:30-7 p.m. both next Wednesday at The Meeting Place on Market, 220 W. Market St., Lima, and on March 23 at the Putnam County Educational Service Center, 124 Putnam Parkway, Ottawa.

Bluffton faculty, admissions representatives and current students will be available both evenings to answer questions about the university's master's degree programs in business administration, organizational management and education.

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Jacob Ryan Graham

Jacob Ryan Graham, 21, of Gomer, and a Bluffton University senior, died at 1 p.m., March 9, 2011 in the Putnam County Ambulatory Care Center, Ottawa.

He was born March 25, 1989, to Daniel "Joe" and Janice K. Moening Graham in Lima.

Survivors include his parents of Gomer; brother, Jason Ball, Lima; Cory King, Columbus; Justin Graham, Gomer; sister, Jenna Graham, Gomer; and niece, Jaylynn Ball.

Preceding him in death were paternal grandparents James and Donna Stemen Graham; and maternal grandparents Theodore "Ted" and Annette Krider Moening.

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If we are not mistaken, this plate belongs to Dottie Anderson. The Icon spotted it on Main Street.

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Bluffton's 2011 Relay for Life sponsorship commitment form is now available on The Icon. The form is an attachment to this story.

Persons, organizations or businesses interested in being a sponsor may contact Sharon Garmatter, Relay Sponsor chair, 419-963-1103.

This year's Relay is Friday and Saturday, June 24-25 from 6 p.m. until noon at Bluffton University's Salzman Stadium.

The March Advocacy update is also an attachment to this story.

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Got an idea that could be really BIG business? The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) wants to help Bluffton University students take a big step toward launching new businesses.

The BCE is conducting the 2011 BIG Idea contest to reward student entrepreneurs. The grand prize is an Apple iPad. All awards will include free assistance developing a business plan.

Judges from the BCE will assess entries for originality and uniqueness, potential for actual commercialization, and likely long term viability in the marketplace.

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Karen Wilkins

Karen Wilkins of Bluffton is the Mennonite Memorial Home employee of the month for March.

Wilkins has worked as a State Tested Nursing Assistant on floor one at the Mennonite Memorial Home since 2009.

Her peers have given high praise for her leadership and teamwork. She has been known to go above what her job expectations are by lending an extra hand, picking up shifts, and being respectful and caring with the elders. She is a dedicated worker and wonderful employee.

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A community Bingo benefit for Bluffton Relay for Life will take place from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 11 (doors open at 5 p.m.) at the Bluffton Middle School cafetorium.

The benefit is sponsored by Village Cut & Curl team. All proceeds go to Bluffton's Relay.

The evening includes Bingo, special games and various prizes. Concessions available.

Call 419-358-7593 for any questions.

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In an effort to help struggling taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced a series of new steps to help people get a fresh start with their tax liabilities.

The goal is to help individuals and small businesses meet their tax obligations, without adding unnecessary burden to taxpayers. Specifically, the IRS is announcing new policies and programs to help taxpayers pay back taxes and avoid tax liens.

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Bluffton Community Preschool is now accepting enrollment of students for next year's classes, according to Chassity Gallant, director.

Class options follow:

3-year-old classes - JoAnne Heaster is the lead teacher
o Monday/Wednesday 8:05-10:45 a.m.
o Monday/Wednesday 12:05-2:45 p.m.
(this class is possible if morning classes fill-up and we need to open an additional section)
o Tuesday/Thursday 8:05-10:45 a.m.

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