May 2021

83 years ago this week in Bluffton

Air mail delivery in Bluffton?
83 years ago?
Yes, and here’s proof.

Susie Gilliland of Bluffton shared proof of this event with the Icon earlier this week. Here’s a letter postmarked from Bluffton on May 19, 1938. The letter was send to Susie’s father, Wayne Matter, who at the time was a pre-teenager living in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Wayne as an adult returned to Bluffton and was active in many aspects of the community including serving as mayor.

Vocal, bands and strings

By Bluffton school music teachers
This column is reprinted from the spring school newsletter.
Over 250 students were part of the vocal music program during 2020-2021.

Vocal
The high school symphonic choir (juniors and seniors), concert choir (freshmen and sophomores), and chamber choir (by audition) participated in virtual recordings of a fall, Christmas, chicken barbecue, and spring concert. 

Simple Tips to Stay Independent

Whether you choose to stay at home or start to resume a “normal” life since the start of the pandemic, one thing seniors should be aware of is their fall risk while at home and while out-and-about. Measuring your fall risk is more than thinking about physical abilities, age and medical conditions. You should also consider the following, which all increase your risk for falls.

I-75 • U.S. 30 and S.R. 696 • S.R. 65

Several Ohio Department of Transportation construction projects are anticipated to affect highways in the Bluffton area this week.

• Interstate 75 between Napoleon Road and state Route 235 just south of the village of Beaverdam to three miles north of the village of Bluffton, in Allen and Hancock counties, will experience lane restrictions and ramp closures for paving and reconstruction.

UPCOMING IMPACT
Daily work is expected to resume on Monday, April 5.

A West Ohio Food Bank food distribution takes place from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, at St. John Mennonite Church, 15988 Road 4, Pandora. The attached flyer provides details.

All 3 singles competitors won matches in the 35-player draw

By Cort Reynolds
LIMA - The Bluffton boys tennis team's spring season came to a close after the first day of Div. II sectional play Thursday at UNOH.

No Pirates advanced to the semifinals in day two, although all three Pirate singles competitors won matches in the 35-player draw.

Bluffton's Luke Shadle won his first round singles match over Keaton Fishbaugh of Celina 6-0, 6-4. Shadle then defeated Dylan Byers of Elida 6-0, 6-1 in the round of 32. 

Pirate hurler Grace Myers gave up just 4 hits and 1 run in 6 innings. She also singled twice to lead the offense

By Cort Reynolds
LIMA - The visiting Bluffton softball team lost a 1-0 pitcher's duel to Lima Central Catholic in the Div. IV sectional softball finals Thursday evening.

The Lady Pirates fell to 8-14 with the difficult defeat. LCC advances to the district semifinals with the win.

Pirate hurler Grace Myers gave up just four hits and one run in six innings. She also singled twice to lead the Bluffton offense.

Riley Busch, Rebekah Hoff and Sophie Bricker added one hit apiece for Bluffton.

BHS travels to Cory-Rawson on Friday

By Cort Reynolds
FT. JENNINGS - Visiting Bluffton lost a non-league makeup baseball game to Fort Jennings 5-3 Thursday evening.

The Pirates drop to 0-24 with the defeat, while FJ improved to 4-18 with the victory.

Gavin Schimmoeller earned the pitching win with six innings of five-hit hurling. He gave up two earned runs, while striking out four and walking none.

Musketeer Aidan Grothouse earned the save in relief. Eli Brown singled twice and drove in a run. Jon Grote doubled and scored two runs.

The Icon took this photo during the senior breakfast on Friday. It shows Marvin Diller, Charles Amstutz and Richard Boehr.

The Icon invites persons to write a caption for this photo. The best two captions will win the following prizes:

• First prize is a 1-item, 14-inch Padrone's Pizza
• Second prize is a $10 gift certificate from Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn

Send entries to: CAPTION CONTEST via email at [email protected].

No entries will be accepted from Facebook.

Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio offers the following volunteer opportunities this month. Persons interested may contact Chris Moser,  [email protected],  419-358-1015 extension 263.

At Mennonite Memorial Home
Medical Transport drivers:
(Licensed driver to take residents to Bluffton Lima Findlay area doctors’ appointments)

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