July 2018

It's Bluffton's great blue heron

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CHECK OUT OUR PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY -

You’ve seen it many times.

Often as you head to the Buckeye, just to the west of the Spring Street bridge. Or, you spotted it in the village park pond.

If you’ve heard a sound like a very loud, rusty railroad freight car on an even more rusty and scratchy rail - then you’ve heard it.

It’s the great blue heron of Bluffton and we have several of the birds. The Icon has photographed these solitary birds year round.

From Nerf darts to volleyball; outdoor family movie; kids' night out, TRX

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FALL BFR NEWSLETTER LISTING ALL CLASSES AND PROGRAMS IS ATTACHED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.

Bluffton Family Recreation released a fall schedule filled with many new program choices for youth and adults, according to Daniel Tinch, BFR executive director.

Among new programs include a Nerf darts night, outdoor movie, two kids’ nights out and a December youth basketball tip-off festival.

In addition, four 4-week sessions of youth programs are offered from Aug. 27 to Dec. 21.

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Senior Isaac Zickafoose (Middlebury, Ind./Northridge) has been named a pre-season Second Team All-America selection by d3football.com. A two-time All-Region selection, Zickafoose was the HCAC Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2016.                       

Zickafoose battled double and triple teams on his way to a third straight First Team All-Heartland Conference honor last season.  The talented defensive end was second on the team with 51 tackles, 12.0 yards TFL's and 5.0 sacks. His six quarterback hurries tied Ryan Aelker for first on Bluffton's single-season list. 

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The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Thursday, July 26, its academic awards for the 2017-18 NCAA DIII Track & Field season - including All-Academic and Scholar of the Year awards. 

Sophomore TORI BOWEN (Wapakoneta/Elida) is just the second Bluffton University track and field athlete to earn this prestigious honor. She follows in the footsteps of fellow Heartland Conference champion pole vaulter Terrill Webb who broke the ice for Bluffton in 2015-16. 

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Icon viewers:

Hello, Bluffton. It has been three years with very little action from our village council regarding the improving of Bluffton Shannon Cemetery.

Considerable efforts have been put upon mayors, administrators, and council members to put all the cemetery stones back, similar to where they were.

It seems to some of us volunteers that there was a broad majority to encourage the proposed “Shannon Cemetery Park” proposal of April 2013.

Now we need to let the new council, mayor and administrator know how the Bluffton populous feels.

1-K on Aug. 18, plus registration for flag football, coed volleyball, U6 soccer

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Flag football, U6 soccer, Summerfest 1-K and adult coed volleyball are all coming soon to Bluffton Family Recreation, according to Daniel Tinch, BFR director. Here’s what you need to know about the August registration deadlines:

Summerfest 1-K
Can you believe at 1-K? It’s at noon, Saturday, Aug. 18, and the route is a beeline from Parkview on South Main Street all the way out to Southgate Lanes bowling alley. There’s a $20 registration fee and all proceeds go to BFR. A registration form is attached at the bottom of this story.

Interview with Dennis Baker of North Central Ohio Waste Management District

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By Liz Gordon-Hancock
Part 3 of the Icon's recycling series
What does the future hold for recycling?

The Icon interviewed Dennis Baker, Executive Director of North Central Ohio Waste Management District to find out.

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Here are recent births reported from Bluffton Hospital:

July 19 – Faye Virginia Kirian, daughter of Seth and Jenny Kirian, Alvada

July 19 – Harper Grace Ross, daughter of Ryan and Taylor Ross, Pandora

July 20 – Alec Robert McCoy, son of Aric and Keri McCoy, Bluffton

July 23 – Evelyn Grace von Stein, daughter of Miles and Melissa von Stein, Jenera

July 25 – Owen Samuel Missler, son of Travis and Amanda Missler, Bluffton

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Amy Warren has been named to the Dean's List at the Berklee College
of Music with a 4.0 GPA. Amy is a junior majoring in music business. She is
the daughter of James and Lesley Warren.

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Miss Minerva Hilty taught many Icon viewers in Bluffton elementary school. Here's a photo of one of her last classes. Leland Gerber took the photo. There are several familiar faces in this photo.

If you can identify students, please send information to: [email protected]

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