September 2011

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Bluffton Boy Scout Troop 256 held its most recent Court of Honor in the town hall on Aug. 28. Three scouts advanced in rank and 17 scouts received merit badges for their recent work and awards were presented from summer camp, according to Darrell Groman, assistant scoutmaster.

Scouts advancing in rank were: Scout Joseph Schumacher, First Class Scout Brice Metzger and Star Scout Misha Groman. Eagle Scout Taylor Steele was awarded his Bronze and Gold Eagle Palms for earning 10 merit badges beyond the original 21 merit badges required for his Eagle Award.

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True, it's only mid-September. Even so, the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce Blaze of Lights committee is hard at work, planning Bluffton's favorite holiday event - this year on Saturday, Nov. 26.

To keep Icon viewers updated, here's an overview of this year's Blaze to date. The theme is "Winter Wonderland."

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Allan Birchnaugh

Allan Joseph Birchnaugh, 57, died Sept. 15, 2011 at his residence. He was born Feb. 8, 1954 in Bluffton to Joseph and Evelyn (Petty) Birchnaugh who preceded him in death. He had been married to Pam Brown Birchnaugh and she survives in Bluffton.

He worked for Securitas, Toledo. He was a graduate of Bluffton High School. He was an Army veteran.

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Elizabeth A. Hauenstein, 78 of Lima, died at 12:10 a,m,, Sept. 16, 2011, at her residence. She was born March 4, 1933 in St. Marys, to Bernard and Bessie Arnett Lengerich, who preceded her in death.

On July 19, 1952, she married Charles D. Hauenstein, who died on March 15, 1991. Mrs. Hauenstein retired with 31 years from Ohio Department of Transportation.

She was a Life Member of OCSEA AFL-CIO Local 11 Allen Chapter-0200, AFSCME Retiree Chapter1184, UAW Local 1219, Retiree Member, PERI Ohio and Allen Chapter #8, Democrat Party of Ohio and Allen County.

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Bob Minto at work

Where did you grow up?

I was born and grew up in Parma, Ohio. I graduated from Valley Forge High School, which had at the time the best art program in the area. One of my art teachers, Dan Mihuta, went on to work in TV, in shows called The Art Chest, The Art Maker, and Return of the Art Maker.

Where did you go to college?

I went to Findlay College, BGSU, and the U. of Dayton. I try to attend at least one clay conference per year.

Did you always plan to be an artist and to teach art?

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"Howard Raid: Man of Faith and Vision," is the title of a book about a former Bluffton community leader that will be available in a Saturday, Oct. 1, book launch in Bluffton.

Elizabeth Raid, Howard's daughter, who grew up in Bluffton, wrote the biography, which tells about her father, who was a Bluffton community businessman, Bluffton College professor and Mennonite Church leader.

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The Gilboa Twig Benders Mother's Club plans to hold a one-day trip to Holmes County on Saturday, Oct. 8. The club will travel on a 55-passenger bus operated by Excursions Trailways. The cost of the trip is $30 per person.

The bus will depart from the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center at 6:15 a.m. and will return to Bluffton by 9 p.m.

Reservations are required via check made payable to Twig Benders Mother's Club. Reservation deadline is Monday, Sept. 26.

Reservations may be mailed to Tonya Deitering, 3337 Road I, Leipsic, OH 45856. Her phone is 419-943-2799.

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Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs holds its third annual dinner and art auction fundraiser in November. The event is Saturday, Nov. 12, at The Centre. An art preview is at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:15 p.m and auction at 7 p.m.

Pieces for the auction are being juried this month. Tickets for the evenign are $50 each. Contact BCE or its board members for information on purchasing tickets.

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The residents of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio enjoyed the day visiting the Allen County Fair in late August.

This is an annual event for many of the residents and volunteers. They look forward to the food, the exhibits and they have fun reminiscing about the past fairs they have attended, accoridng to Julie Stratton, MHCO marketing director.

Virginia Spillman, Mennonite Home resident, poses with her great-grandson, Dylan, and his prize winning rabbit.

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Brian Fossett

The Bluffton Baptist Church will host a fall tent crusade at the church Friday through Sunday, Sept. 30, to Oct. 2, according to John McMinn, pastor.

Events will take place in a large tent on the Baptist church lawn. The crusade features Brian Fossett from Georgia, 2007 evangelism director of the Southern Baptist Convention. Michael Wilson from Texas, an upcoming artist, will be the contemporary worship leader.

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