December 2016

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Mary Louise (Dean) Toews, 87, died Nov. 30, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center, Redding, Calif.

Mary was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to David and Metta Dean. She graduated from Bluffton College and married Theodore Toews, also a Bluffton College graduate.

Mary was a teacher for over 30 years. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Dean, three children, Aiyana Sequana, David Toews (Becky Thatcher) and Rachel Meyer; and grandchildren Jesse Toews, Kyle, Dylan and Devan Meyer, and Megan Sequana.

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Several Bluffton High School athletes are Northwest Conference Scholar Athletes for the fall sports season.

Gold level students have grade point averages of 3.50 or above.
Silver level students have grade point averages of 3.00 to 3.49

Cheerleading -  Gold: Sidnie Koontz, Maddie Soper, Chase Koontz, Shyanne Mortimer, Allison Wise

Boys CC - Gold: Brayton Businger, Tanner Pinks, Derek Swartzlander, Austin Warren, Seth Andreas, Noah Woodruff, Brice Metzger

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“The Song of Zechariah” is the focus of the Wednesday, Dec. 7,  7 p.m. Advent service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jenera.  The choir will sing “Praise to the Lord” and the church will be decorated for Christmas. Everyone is welcome as we hear how happy Zechariah was following the birth of his son John, who would go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him. 

Kelly Prichard is Allen East SADD advisor

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Allen East High School is the Region 5 winner of the  2016 National Red Ribbon Photo Contest.

Students, faculty and staff were led by teacher and SADD advisor, Kelly Prichard, in decorating the school with this year’s theme, “YOLO. Be Drug Free.”

This was done in addition to the school’s traditional Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31) celebrations to promote their commitment to living a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.

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With smart phones at many people’s fingertips all day, every day, a generation of young people have grown up with access to information at all times. But has all that information lead to an increase in knowledge?

BHS beats Ft. Jennings 53-30 on Saturday

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Bluffton High School girls' basketball team defeated Fort Jennings 53-30 on Saturday. The Pirates were led in scoring by Abbie Parkins and Averey Rumer both with 12 points each.

The box score is attached.

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At least one snow creature appeared in Bluffton following Sunday night's snowfall. This guy was seen on West Elm Street at the Bergstrand front yard. A few other sightings were reported on the Bluffton University Centenial Hall lawn.

The word the Icon received was that these snow people will return later this winter.(Jerry Maag photo)

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A children's Christmas program, "The Good News Flash" will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Crossroads Ministry Center at Ebenezer Mennonite Church.

The program includes children sharing in drama and song about the Christmas story. The church is located at 8905 Columbus Grove-Bluffton Road, Bluffton. 

An afterglow will be held following the program. 

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One of the most attention-grabbing polls on the Icon is the poll from last week (Dec. 1-5).

Our question concerned the village park pond. Sixty-eight viewers responded to the poll with 75 percent indicating an interest in keeping the pond. Fifteen person of those who responded said to fill it in. Two percent had no opinion.

Bluffton council, on recommendation of the village park board voted 5 to 1 on Dec. 5 to fill in the pond. Joe Sehlhorst voted against the measure to fill in the pond.

Including 50 new wedding gowns and lots more

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A Main Street Bluffton business is ready for the next 50 area weddings.

Rachel Davis, owner of Studio Silhouette, 103 N. Main St., recently add 50 new wedding gowns to her shop’s inventory.

That’s not all.

The wedding gowns are part of over 230 new dresses and other clothing accessories coming to the shop this week, she says. In addition to a dress for the bride, additional inventory includes dresses for flower girls, bridesmaids, mother of the bride, and mother of the groom.

The wedding gowns range from size 8 to 28 with prices from $200 to $1,500.

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