If you watched the Today Show this morning, you might have caught two familiar faces.
Jerry and Julia Szabo of Bluffton were among the new year's eve morning throng awaiting to be panned by the NBC cameras. Jerry informed the Icon earlier this week of their plan. He said that he and Julia hoped to be in line at the NBC studio by 5 a.m.
Looks like they made it.
Asked if we should watch for them in Times Square when the ball drops, he replied: "No way." Adding that most of those people show up around noon.
The Swiss Community Historical Society invites the public to join in singing of traditional New Year’s Eve carols of the Swiss Settlement, Bluffton-Pandora.
From 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, carolers will gather at the Maple Crest lobby, 700 Maple Crest Court, Bluffton. Caroling will take place at Maple Crest first, then Willow Ridge, 101 Willow Ridge Drive, and finally at Mennonite Memorial Home, 410 W Elm St.
Troy J. Wilcox, 49, died on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at 9:24 p.m. at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.
He was born on Dec. 29, 1969, in Lima, Ohio, to David and Janet (Stalnaker) Wilcox. His father, David preceded him in death and his mother Janet survives in Waynesfield, Ohio. On Sept. 23, 1995 Troy married Stormy Hewitt and she survives in Harrod.
Here's the Bluffton Public LIbrary Janaury calendar:
Winter Book Challenge: The library is happy to announce the Winter Reading Program for children, teens, and adults! Pick up a Winter Reading Bookmark at the library, or download and print it from our website. Then complete five or more challenges during the months of January through March to receive a prize. At this time, you may also enter a drawing to win a larger prize!
By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
Bluffton Wrestling turned in a spectacular performance at the Defiance Tri State Border Wars Tournament this weekend. Deandre Nassar was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Wrestler and won the 182 class. Despite being one of the smallest schools in the field, the Pirate team finished 7th out of 42 teams from Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
The Bluffton University men's basketball team was back in action for the second straight night in the McDonald's Holiday Tournament title game. The Beavers knocked off a talented Albion College squad that was under the direction of former Coach Neal assistant Jody May, 73-63, on Saturday, Dec. 29.
By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(BLUFFTON) – The host Pirates won the McDonald’s Holiday Tournament for the fifth consecutive year with a 58-51 triumph over Arlington. Mason Soper scored a game high 19 points and earned the tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Jared Piercefield and Luke Denecker joined Soper on the All Tournament Team. The Pirates improved to 8-0 on the year.
The Bluffton University women's basketball team fell to Wheaton (Ill.) in the championship game of the 6th annual McDonald's Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, by the score of 67-47. The loss dropped Bluffton to 4-7 on the season, while Wheaton improved to 9-3.
Wheaton went out to a quick start against the Beavers, going on an early 11-0 run after trailing 2-0. That was the story of the first quarter as the Beavers trailed 17-4 at the end of one. The Beavers struggled to a 2-of-13 shooting performance during the first 10 minutes.
(ARCADIA) – A balanced Arcadia team effort handed Bluffton girls basketball their third loss of the season by a 54-42 count. The host Redskins had four players in double figures scoring 13, 12, 10, and 10 points respectively. Bluffton was led by Alivia Koenig’s 23 points. Averey Rumer added 10 and Katie Prater 6. Bluffton is now 7-3 overall and is off until the new year. The Pirates had a four game winning streak snapped.
By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(DEFIANCE) - Tayton Kleman and Deandre Nassar opened the Defiance Border Wars with three straight wins and will wrestle in their respective class semifinals Saturday. As a team, the Pirates are fourth of 42 teams.
Kleman, wrestling at 106, had a first round bye and then turned in a 10-1 tech fall over Bath's Ezekiel Burkholder in the quarterfinals. In the semis, Kleman earned a 4-1 decision over Allen East's Jordan Kennedy.
