July 2017

Now the trees are identifed thanks to a Girl Scout troop 20007 project

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What’s that tree?

Thanks for the efforts of seven girls in Bluffton Girl Scout Troop 20007 nearly 50 trees in the 20-year-old Village Arboretum are now identified. Gail Clingerman and Sarah Bergstrand are troop leaders who helped with the ambitious project.

A 34-page arboretum guide is attached at the bottom of this story -

Most residents might not even be aware of the arboretum’s existence. But, with the identification project completed, the awareness of the grove and the important part it plays in the community will become more evident over time.

Where Joanne Niswander is nurse practitioner

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Mention “Bluffton’s nursery” and the Bluffton Hospital comes to mind.

Another Bluffton nursery exists and it’s very special because it’s for monarch butterflies.This special nursery is at Maple Crest Senior Living Village.

Joanne Niswander is the nurse practitioner. This week the nursery is full of activities. Here’s the story behind the nursery, according to Joanne:

“Our first venture into raising monarch butterflies began in the fall of 2007, when then-MMH administrator, Lynn Thompson, brought a few monarch caterpillars to Maple Crest.

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The following births were reported in July at Bluffton Hospital.

In new location at Bluffton Presbyterian Church

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Bluffton Community Preschool will hold a community open house on Monday, Aug.  7, from 6 to 8 p.m. to let the community tour its new location in the Bluffton Presbyterian Church, 112 Main St.

The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served.

The teaching staff will be present to answer questions parents of children may have. Registration forms are available for last minute enrollments.

The staff encourages parents to bring their children to see the new space.

It's part of the Black Swamp Bike Tours

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Get ready for the next area bike ride. It’s the third of five rides all part of the Black Swamp Bike Tours this summer.

Rally Point River Ride takes place Saturday, Aug. 5, in Lima, according to  Pandora native Jared Diller of Rally Point Youth Center, Lima.

Diller describes the ride this way: “It’s designed to get you outdoors and enjoy Lima’s excellent bike path and parks.

“We have three routes for families, weekend bikers, and seasoned riders, for a challenging and beautiful ride.

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Bluffton third graders in 1911.

First row, from left, Fairy (Berry) Musselman, Elmond Althaus, Howard Augsburger, Florence Johns, Beatrice (Steth) Conaway.

Second row, from left, Helen Basinger, Geraldine Bigler, Harold Kempf, Mae McGeorge, Ruth Murray,

Third row, from left, Lester Hahn, Robert Swick, Bernice (Althaus) Carder, Frances Geiger, Opal Betzner, Carl Lewis.

Fourth row, from left, Robert Cook, Herbert Thutt, Harold Althaus, unidentified, Rhoda (Stratton) Augsburger.

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MATH ONE - The Icon spotted this plate in Ada on a silver Cadillac.

Book discussion group, dulcimers, playgroup, si-fi writers

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Several programs of interest to a wide audiences takes place this week at Bluffton Public Library.

Dulcimers @ the Library play at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The musicians meet in the Richland Room in the library’s lower level.

The Adult Book Discussion group will meet at noon on Wednesday, and discuss "We are Called to Rise," by Laura McBride. This monthly discussion group is always looking for new members, but registration is requested.

Need more time to read? The group will discuss "A Man Called Ove," by Frederik Backman on Sept. 6.

Bluffton's 4th annual National Night Out is Tuesday evening

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It's almost here.

Bluffton’s biggest night of the summer, National Night Out is Tuesday, Aug. 1.

The event includes free food, games for youth, performance by Nashville Crush Trio from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m., and Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Here’s the updated schedule for the fourth annual event held at the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool from 6 to 9 p.m.:

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Harry "Bill" Edward Snyder, 89, died July 29, 2017, at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.Harry "Bill" was born Aug. 31, 1927, in Beaverdam, to Lawrence and Margaret (Bickmier) Snyder who preceded him in death.

On Feb. 22, 1948, he married Josephine Bassitt Snyder who preceded him in death on June 8, 1988. Bill retired from Lima Ford Engine Plant where he was a Hi-Lo driver.  He enjoyed music, woodworking, his grandchildren and riding the 4-wheeler with them.

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