Those two facts answer the two questions on most people’s minds in Bluffton today.
Q: How cold was it?
A: Minus 13 early Monday morning
Q: How much snow did we get?
A: 6.7 inches on Saturday
The weather stats are from Guy Verhoff, Pandora weather observer.
That -13 is 1 degree colder than the coldest temperature reported in 2018. But it doesn’t match -16 in 2009 or -19 in 2014. Yet, it is 68 colder than January 2019 high of 55 on Jan. 8.
The Bluffton University track and field team made the trek to Tiffin a day early this week, as the meet was moved up to Friday, Jan. 18, to beat out Winter Storm Harper's arrival and the Beavers responded with great performances.
Highlighting the day for Bluffton was the distance medley relay team of Jennifer Matteson (Guysville/Alexander), Tami Groff (Versailles), Bailie Barrington (Waynesfield/Waynesfield-Goshen) and Alexis Cash (Gaines, Mich./Lake Fenton) who took home a victory after 4000 meters of racing, running a time of 13:28.69, seven seconds in front of Ohio Northern.
Carla Montgomery shares with the Icon this photo she called "Harper showing you her name-sake snow." The weekend storm was called Harper by the national weather agencies.
Dr. Lamar Nisly has been appointed Bluffton University’s vice president and dean of academic affairs. Nisly has served as the interim vice president and dean of academic affairs since June 2017.
As a member of the President’s Cabinet and the university’s chief academic officer, Nisly will oversee the academic program of the university including faculty development, assessment and general education. He will also guide the Center for Career and Vocation, Learning Resource Center, Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center, library and registrar’s office.
On Jan. 19 the Bluffton Middle School celebrated its 20th birthday.
Kyle Leatherman, middle school principal, decided the event needed a birthday cake. So, on Friday during lunch students, staff and teachers had some cake and cupcakes, 20 years in the making.
Six of the teachers who were on the staff in 1998-99, and continue teaching this year, posed with the cake before it was cut into pieces.
Margaret Weaver, 97, of Bluffton died Jan. 20, 2019, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(SPENCERVILLE) – A 12-0 third quarter burst saved Bluffton in a boys' league matchup at Spencerville.
The Pirates started and ended the game with less scoring and energy than they hoped for but it was enough to grit out a 51-47 road win against the 1-10 Bearcats. Luke Denecker scored 19 points and Jared Piercefield 18 as the top Pirate scorers. Bluffton improved to 10-3 (3-1 in league play) with the win.
By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(VAN BUREN) - Senior Deandre Nassar won the 182 class leading Bluffton to a fourth place team finish at the Van Buren Invitational. Tayton Kleman, Jeremy Sturgeon, Kaden Basil & Landen Luginbuhl all finished fourth in their classes and Dustin Mortimer nabbed fifth aiding in the strong Pirate team score.
Robert "Bob" E. Badertscher, 88, died Jan. 20, 2019, at his residence. Bob was born March 30, 1930, in Bluffton to the late Milton and Edith (Kunzler) Badertscher. On June 27, 1959, he married Lena Preto Badertscher who preceded him in death on April 26, 2017.
Bob retired from Cooper Tire in Findlay. He enjoyed gardening, bowling, fishing, doing puzzles and was well-known for his long walks all around Bluffton and greeting folks. He was a veteran of the U.S Army serving during the Korean War.
Due to the bitter cold and icy roads, Bridge Bereavement Services is rescheduling the January "Living through Loss" presentation titled "Understanding Depression through Grief" for Monday, Jan. 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Marathon Auditorium of Blanchard Valley Hospital.
This is the same time, location and presenter, only a different date. The original date for this event was Jan. 21.
