December 2021

According to Ancestry.com, the name Luginbuhl has its roots in South German (Luginbühl) as a topographic name meaning 'to watch or (lie in) wait' + bühel 'hillock.'

If you are or know a Bluffton and Pandora-area Luginbuhl, check out ForeverBluffton.com for an account of the family tree of Bluffton-Pandora Swiss pioneers Christian John and Katherine Steiner Luginbuhl.

Bluffton University’s music department has announced the soloists for its 126th performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” at 4 p.m. on Dec. 12, in Yoder Recital Hall. Soloists are Summer Aebker, soprano; Ryu-Kyung Kim, mezzo-soprano; Benjamin Bunsold, tenor; and William Schott, bass.

By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

As Christmas music and movies play continuously on some stations, we might hear the song released on October 24, 1934 called “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.”  This song was first written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie and has been recorded by over 200 different artists. Some of the more well-known artists include Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Buble´ and Mariah Carey.  In 2014, an a cappella version was released by Pentatonix. Many children are reminded of the lyrics “he’s making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.” 

This famous song is not the only reference to naughty or nice. In 2012, the Hallmark Channel helped produce a Christmas television movie titled Naughty or Nice. This movie has not quite become a classic but some may remember it. The premise of the movie is that Santa’s book listing all of the naughty and nice children ends up in the hands of the character named Krissy Kringle and the book lists all these naughty things that she now knows.

Sharleen A. Olson, 84, passed away December 4, 2021.  Sharleen was born June 3, 1937 in Bluffton to the late Howard and Ruth (Moser) Basinger.  On October 20, 1956 she married Arthur Olson who preceded her in death on August 9, 1992. 

Sharleen was a 1955 graduate of Pandora-Gilboa High School and attended Bluffton College.  She was a homemaker and had previously worked as a secretary.  Sharleen was a member of St. John Mennonite Church, Pandora and also the Red Hat Society.  She volunteered at the Et Cetera Shop in Bluffton and enjoyed reading, traveling and hummingbirds.  

Debra Rose Smith, 61, passed away December 4, 2021 at the Bowling Green Care Center.

Debra was born September 16, 1960 in Upper Sandusky, Ohio to Mahlon and Dorothy (Moore) Downs.

Deb graduated from Mohawk High School. She worked as a cafeteria worker for Sodexo at Bluffton University. Deb enjoyed baking and cooking.

The first official home swim meet of the season for the Bluffton Pirate swim team will be live streamed on December 6.

The Pirates host the Ada and St. Henry swim teams at the Putnam County YMCA.

Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ODv5wA_sM

The Icon wants to help families get to holiday worship services on time with a schedule including Christmas Eve, Christmas, and and New Year's services in the Bluffton area.

Email [email protected] with details. The information will be compiled under NOTICES on the classifieds page www.blufftonicon.com/classifieds.

Bluffton High School has announced that the 2022-2023 College Credit Plus (CCP) meeting will be held virtually from 7-8 p.m. on December 15 in a recorded YouTube session. Students considering enrolling in CCP are required to participate in the meeting.

The Bluffton University men's basketball team battled HCAC heavyweight Hanover on Saturday, Dec. 4, dropping a 75-64 decision to the Panthers. Bluffton slipped to 2-4 overall and 0-1 in the Heartland Conference, while Hanover stays perfect at 5-0 and 2-0 in the HCAC.

Sharleen A. Olson, 84, of Bluffton passed away December 4, 2021 at the Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora.  Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.

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