August 2022

The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and local shops, restaurants, and organizations will host three 2022 Discovery Days events highlighting shopping, dining and resources available in the village of Bluffton. The first is Saturday, August 27.

Stop in any participating business and receive a ticket for a chance to win up to $100 in Bluffton Bucks gift certificates. Earn 1 additional ticket for each $10 spent, up to $100.

Fifteen locations are participating in the event:

The August 27 Made in Ada Wilson Football Festival is growing. Two new attractions were announced by the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce this week:

A goal kick simulator will be provided by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is the premiere event for this Hall of Fame feature.

A beer permit has been approved. Beer sales will take place at the Center on Central with Ada Lions Club volunteer servers.

Coach and player rosters, Pirate game schedule

The agenda for Friday night, August 19 at Cory-Rawson's Spike Berry Field: shared memories of Dominic Francis--a C-R coach and substitute teacher as well as a Bluffton police officer--who will be memorialized by the 6:20 p.m. dedication of the C-R weight room, followed by the long-anticipated regular football season kick-off for the Hornets and the Pirates at 7:00 p.m.

Cory-Rawson will sell presale tickets online:
https://cory-rawson.org/page/athletics

L. Marie Meffley, 91, went to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at the Frieda House of Willow Ridge, Bluffton, Ohio.  Marie was born in Montcoal, West Virginia on March 6, 1931 to the late Arlie and Lenora (Dravenstott) Milam.

Beacon Life Ministries, 125 N. Main St. is getting a new head pastor. The church will be installing Steven Heinze at the 11:00  a.m. worship service on Sunday, August 21. The church also has a 9:30 a.m. Sunday school class.

Heinze is currently pursuing a Masters in Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (online).  

Larry Joe VanAtta, 67, passed away August 17, 2022 at Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay.  Larry was born October 18, 1954 in Mt. Gilead, Ohio to the late Leon and Joyce (Wolfley) VanAtta.  

Larry graduated from Bluffton High School in 1974 where he held records in wrestling and pole vaulting.  He was a mechanic and auto body worker. 

A visit to the Allen County Museum using public bus

By Paula Scott

On August 17, the Icon tagged along for a ride on the Route 9 bus provided by the Allen County Regional Transit Authority. I joined a small but sociable group from the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center for a visit to the Allen County Historical Society and Museum, 620 W. Market Street.

My purpose was to investigate the bus-riding opportunity, which has been available since June 2021, but the group's destination was an added temptation. Senior center director Tonya Meyer was our leader, providing information about fares and recommending a brown bag lunch. I hurried over to the Dough Hook for a quick sandwich and drink, asking Marlena Ballinger what was her fastest sandwich--smoked turkey was on the slicer.

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

The Temptations released the song, “A Ball of Confusion” on the Motown label in 1970.  The song was featured on their Puzzle People album and was written by the team of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. The song was a political statement on the chaos and disorder with the pervading times.  The lyrics are still relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The lyrics, “ball of confusion, oh yeah, that’s what the world is today” can certainly be applied to the SARS-CoV-2 mutations, the spread of monkeypox, and the new cases of polio.

Otis Williams continues to perform Temptations’ material as the sole surviving original member.  In 1989, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the group in 2013.  Two of my favorite Temptations’ songs are “My Girl” and “Just My Imagination,” but the lyrics to “A Ball of Confusion” are making me ponder!  Near the end of the song, one of the lines is “and the band played on.”  This lyric was meant to portray all the problems in the world, but it didn’t stop the band from playing.  Ultimately, a statement on ignoring the issues.

Greenhorn owner Jonah Agner remembers dancing in the streets in downtown Bluffton, decades ago. With the short one-way stretch of Vine Street immediately next to his restaurant's patio service at 112 Vine, he decided to throw a block party for local families and university students on Saturday, August 20.

Dale and Deb (Huffer) Metzger of Bluffton, Ohio will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 19, 2022. They were married by Rev. Robert Quillen at Gomer United Church of Christ on August 19, 1972.

The Metzgers have two daughters and one son: Kristi (Matt) Lora of Bluffton, Ohio, Kelly (Brandon) McClure of Ada, Ohio, and Craig and Amy Metzger of Delaware, Ohio. 

Dale and Deb have 8 grandchildren: Kaden and Karlie Lora, Braydon, Brantley, and Madison McClure, and Drew, Austin, and Kendall Metzger.

Pages