Here's the Bluffton University arts and events calendar for January. Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted
Jan. 8 Art Exhibit: "Human Targets" exhibit by George Cooley and Margaret Brostrom, Grace Albrecht Gallery, Sauder Visual Arts Center, displayed through Feb. 23
Jan. 14 Forum: "My Leadership Journey in Health Care," Forum presentation by Ronda K. Lehman, president Mercy Health, Lima, 11 a.m., Yoder Recital Hall
In the early 1950s Paul Diller took a series of black and white portraits of Main Street men. This is one of those photos. It is of Lazarus Basinger, also known as "Santa Claus."
This photo was taken in front of Leland Gerber's Neu-Art Photo Studio on South Main Street. Today it is part of the Citizens National Bank parking lot.
Viewers with stories about Lazarus are welcome to send them to [email protected].
ST. NIK (Richard Gainey) lived in Ada, and retired to Florida. Lots of Bluffton youth met ihim at the public library and around town for several holiday seasons. His bumper sticker reads: "My other car is a sleigh."
Bluffton, Pandora-Gilboa and Allen East high school choirs are among 26 area high school choirs performing in in TV-44’s annual Holiday Music Festival studio production.
Each choir performed three musical selections, which will air on WTLW TV-44 at 4 and 10 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 24 and at 7 a.m. and noon, Wednesday, Dec. 25, and online at wtlw.com.
Lots of small change added up to $1,280.88 in this year’s elementary Coins for Kids! collection, according to Christine McCafferty, elementary teacher.
“Elementary students started the coin collection on Dec. 2 and it continued until Dec. 17, she told The Icon.
During that this time, the students collected coins and dollars and put them in their grade level jar located in the elementary lobby.
PromoHits Ltd., of Bluffton announced selection of three local charities to support during the first six months of 2020 through its PromoCares inititive, according to Melinda Bowden, owner.
"We are committing to donating 5% of our total product sales next year to local charities," she said.
In November, Bowden invited customers to nominate local charities to benefit from the program during January to June 2020.
By Cort Reynolds
CONVOY - Visiting Bluffton rode a 22-9 third quarter outburst to defeat defending state champion Crestview 58-40 in Northwest Conference boys basketball play Friday night.
Bluffton led only 19-18 after a low-scoring first half. But the Pirates outscored the Knights 39-22 after halftime to win going away.
By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - Tournament host Bluffton finished a solid sixth at the 11-team Allen County Invitational wrestling meet this past Saturday.
Powerhouse Allen East won the tournament crown with 400.5 points. The Mustangs far out-distanced second-place Spencerville (215), with Shawnee in third (210).
The Pirates ended up with 125 points to tie Elida for sixth.
Pirate freshman Thayne Kleman went 3-0 with three pins at 106 lbs. to win his bracket title.
The Icon scrunched the 12 Days of Christmas into the 5 Icon Days of Christmas, in honor of those last-minute shoppers who want to shop local. Here's three ideas, plus one bonus idea, for the final Icon Day of Christmas.
