June 2020

Chad Shutler, university women's basketball coach: “I can’t imagine how we would have navigated something of this magnitude 20 years ago.”

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In the late 1920s, long-time coach and athletic director A.C. Burcky suggested the beaver as Bluffton’s mascot. 

His rationale, according to “Dancing with the Kobzar: Bluffton College and Mennonite Higher Education,” was beavers are resourceful, don’t tire easily, accomplish more with less and work hard to make the world a better place. 

One hundred years later, that’s exactly what today’s Bluffton Beavers did despite their seasons ending early, classes moving online and the difficulties of being separated from their friends and teammates due to the coronavirus.

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New Leaf Landscape and Garden Center, 0395, State Route 235, Ada, has several Father's Day gift ideas, according to Laurie Laird.

These range from bird houses, bird baths and feeders, trees and shrubs, fruit trees and plants, rose bushes, garden tools, rain gauges and decorative solar lights.

Gift certificates are available in any amount.

Summer workshop
A summer workshop providing demonstrations on how to plant succulent planters and fairy gardens is set.

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George and Sara McCune will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on June 23. They were married in the Bluffton Church of Christ in 1950.

Sara is the daughter of the late Homer and Gladys Bracy. She is retired from Family Eye Care.

George is the son of the late Hector and Geneva McCune. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and when discharged moved to Bluffton. The McCunes lived in Bluffton until they moved to Spring Lake, Pandora.

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Kathleen Mikkelsen will celebrate her 103rd birthday on July 3.

Cards may be sent to: 
Kathleen Mikkelsen 
410 W Elm Street
Apartment 305
Bluffton Ohio 45817

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Thomas and Cheryl Craig of rural Bluffton will be celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 20, 2020.  

They are the parents of Pamela (Steve) Bell of Lambertville, Michigan, Angela (Mitch) Vital of Fort Meyers Florida, Paul Craig of Thibodaux, Louisiana, and Erin Flores  of Louisville Kentucky.

Their grandchildren are  Colin Bell, Kendra Bell, Isabella Vitale, Teagan Vitale and Eden Flores.

A celebration has been postponed for the safety of friends and family.

Was a past vice president of General Conference Mennonite Church

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Former First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, pastor, Jacob T. Friesen died June 6, 2020​, at Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton, Kansas.

​He was born ​on​ Dec. 30, 1919, to Jacob L. and Helena Toews Friesen, Mountain Lake, Minn. Jacob married Lisbeth Koehn of Meno, Oklahoma, Sept. 2, 1945, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 20, 1971.

He graduated from Bethel College, Kansas, ​in 1944. Advanced degrees earned include a Th.B. from ​New York Biblical Seminary and ​a​ ​Th.M. ​from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.​ 

Project involves five contractors to extend pathway from Richland Drive to Riley Street

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Bluffton’s pedestrian and bike path way is moving ahead with its 2020 project, according to Richard Ramseyer, board chair.

This year’s project extends the North Bentley Road path from Richland Drive to Riley Street, on the east side of Bentley. Currently that area has no public sidewalks. This project involves five different contractors.

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So, you think you know Bluffton.

Last week's photo showing the entrance to Maple Grove Cemetery was a easy catch. This photo bring it up a notch or two. Hint? Well, it's an entrance to something in the vilage. 

Watch the Icon on Wednesday for the answer.

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Teresa Zimmerly came up with, "Hey Mom! Did you look both ways before crossing?" to win the recent Icon write a caption contest.

This contest had over 30 entries, and the competition was tough. Teresa wins five passes to the Shannon Theatre. 

Watch for our next caption contest coming very soon.

And, season passes now on sale

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Bluffton Community Swimming Pool is now open to the general public – meaning an expansion from the initial limitation to Bluffton-only swimmers.

The decision to open the pool to the wider community came from the village park and recreation board late last week.

The decision came after assessing patron admissions in its first week of swimming.

The pool will still remain limited to 100 swimmers at a time and 125 persons in the pool area.

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