In 1985, the successful film Out of Africa was released even though it was not well received by critics. The film was loosely based on the 1937 autobiography of Isak Dinesen, which was the pseudonym of Danish writer Karen Blixen. The film starred Meryl Streep and Robert Redford and was directed by Sydney Pollack. The movie won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. The Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture for a Drama was awarded to Out of Africa in 1986.
Area women have created a northwest Ohio chapter of WELD (Women for Economic and Leadership Development) and will host a virtual Coffee Chat on January 25 to introduce the organization to guests.
Circe Krout, an Edward Jones Financial Advisor in Ottawa and Amanda Riess of Clemans, Nelson & Associates, Inc. of Lima spoke with the Icon about their interest in networking with area women and the opportunities for enrichment provided by WELD.
UPDATED January 5. Vida Mae Hilty, 88, of Wapakoneta and formerly of Pandora, passed away January 3, 2022 at her daughter's residence. Vida was born April 23, 1933 in Bluffton to the late Harley and Alma (Agin) Diller. On November 5, 1952 she married Paul Hilty who preceded her in death on October 17, 2005.
EMS Chief Jan Basinger reports that the Bluffton EMS had a record year for calls for service and number of patient transports in 2021. The all volunteer crew had 756 calls in 2021 which resulted in 499 patients being transported.
These numbers eclipsed the 2020 record of 573 calls and the previous record for patient transports of 398 in 2019.
The Bluffton Public Library Board of Trustees met for an organizational meeting on January 4. Robert Beer was elected President, Nancy Yeager was elected Vice President and Carrie Phillips was elected Secretary. Other board members for 2022 are Amy Lehman Mikesell, Robert Scott, Emily VonStein and Nancy Yeager.
The board’s meeting schedule will be monthly on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., with no meetings in July or December. Meetings take place in the library board room, 145 S. Main St.
Nancy J. Knitz, 83, passed away January 3, 2022 at Blanchard Valley Hospital, Findlay. Nancy was born July 20, 1938 in Michigan to the late Hilbert and Frances (Main) Bihn. On February 10, 1955 she married Kenneth Knitz who preceded her in death on February 14, 2017.
Make a resolution to exercise more? Bluffton Family Recreation director Amy Byers announced the following schedule of group exercise classes.
Registration is by phone at 419-358-4150 and online at www.bfronline.com. Child care is available by reservation only: 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 5:30-8:00 p.m.
For the uninitiated, TRX is a suspension training class that develops strength and flexibility. HIIT is high intensity interval training.
JANUARY 7 UPDATE: Garland removal delayed by snow. Watch the Icon for the rescheduled activity.
The Bluffton Fire Department will announce a new date for removing the lighted garlands and snowflakes decorating downtown Bluffton businesses and light poles.
The decorations are coordinated by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Fees paid by participating businesses help support the Fire Department and the chamber.
Blanchard Valley Health System, including Bluffton Hospital, has issued the following COVID testing and vaccine guidance with the goal of keeping patients and associates safe.
It answers the questions 1) When is it best to test? and 2) Why are booster shots important?
The McDonald's Classic left Bluffton flat on Sunday, Jan. 2, as host Anderson University pummeled the Beavers 81-52 in the opening game of 2022, snapping their four-game winning streak in the process. Bluffton fell to 6-5 overall and 1-3 in the Heartland Conference, while the Ravens moved to 5-6 and 2-2 in the HCAC.
