February 2023

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Ash Wednesday will be observed on February 22 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 301 North Main Street, Jenera. The service, led by Pastor Matt Nowak, will be based on John 11 under the theme:  "His final steps led to a tomb."  The students of Trinity School will sing "Glory Be to Jesus."  Hymns by the congregation include: "As Surely as I Live, God Said;" "Be Still, My Soul;" and "I Lay My Sins on Jesus."

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Bluffton Bread Company spring sales are underway at https://shop.blufftonbreadcompany.com. Three flavors are available through Feb. 28:

Birthday Bread, $15 for a regular sized loaf or $25 for a bundle of five mini loaves

Triple Chocolate, $12 for a regular sized loaf or $25 for a bundle of five mini loaves

Asiago Cheddar, $12 for a regular sized loaf or $25 for a bundle of five mini loaves

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The Ohio Department of Transportation Northwest Ohio District 1 has announced the following construction project to affect Bluffton next week. Outlined work is weather permitting.

State Route 103 (Bentley Rd.) between Main Street and Harmon Road in the village of Bluffton will close on Friday, Feb. 24, for approximately 64 days for reconstruction and waterline installation.

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By Cort Reynolds

DEFIANCE–The Bluffton High School girls basketball team led by 12 at halftime but went cold after intermission and lost 42-35 to Defiance Tinora in Div. III sectional semifinal action Wednesday evening, February 15 at Ayersville High School in Defiance.

The Pirate girls led 21-9 at halftime yet got outscored 33-14 in the second half as the Rams rallied for the victory. A game-changing 19-7 Tinora third period tied it up 28-28 heading to the final stanza.

The Rams then closed the game on a 10-1 run to break up a very close game and win by a deceptive total of seven points. Tinora won the fourth period, 14-7. Overall, they outscored Bluffton 13 to four at the foul line.

Bluffton finished its season 13-10 after the tough loss eliminated them from the tournament. 

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By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team shot its way to a big early lead and swarmed Elmwood 70-40 to win a rare Thursday night contest in their regular season finale, February 16. 

Balanced Bluffton canned 11 three-pointers to help post the 30-point blowout.

The Pirates raced to a 22-6 lead after the first period as Marek Donaldson and John-Paul Yoder each scored six points.

Carson Soper nailed two of his three first-half triples in the second stanza to extend the margin to 38-21 at the half.

Bluffton outscored the Royals 32-19 after intermission. Terron Boblitt nailed two of the four Pirate triples in the fourth period.

Soper led four Pirates in double figures with 16 points. Yoder tallied a season-best 15 points. Landen Worcester netted 13 points, and Boblitt chipped in with 10 markers.

Donaldson added nine points on three treys.

Bluffton finished its regular season with a solid 14-8 record after the convincing non-league win.  

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UPDATED FEBRURAY 16

Sheila M. Hurlburt, 88, passed away February 15, 2023, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. 

Sheila was born June 6, 1934 in Bluffton, to Lewis and Clara (Hinkle) Burkholder who preceded her in death. She married George Hurlburt who preceded her in death on July 7, 2000. 

Sheila was an active member of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church and the Senior Citizens Center. She was a kind woman who deeply cared about the Lord. 

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Grandey named honorable mention 

By Cort Reynolds

Bluffton senior guard Sami Scoles was named first team All-Northwest Conference in voting recently conducted by the league basketball coaches.

The smart southpaw playmaker was a second team all-league pick last season.

Scoles led the Pirates in scoring, assists and free throws. She controlled the game with solid floor play, and was the Bluffton Holiday tournament MVP in November.

Sophomore post Ayla Grandey was voted honorable mention all-league. She led the Pirates in rebounding and was the team's number two scorer.

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Free votive candle making on February 17 and 18

By Paula Scott

Rebecca Dotson has made candles for many, many years, as well as sewn items including baby quilts. She first sold items on a small scale at Indian Lake. But when workplace stress during the early days of Covid was wearing on her, her son Tom convinced her that it was time to turn her hand to entrepreneurship.

Now Becky has opened a second Family Candle and Creations shop in Tommy’s Plaza at 142 E. Jefferson St. Her first shop and home base, where she makes and sells products, is at 142 W Findlay St, Vaughnsville. Hours for the new Bluffton shop are Wednesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Becky has filled one of the two shops between Verizon and Natural Healing Massage and Reiki Center with her own candles, scented wax melts, baby quilts and hand painted items, as well as with hand made items from a variety of vendors. When the Icon visited, there were Easter themed items, dog toy baskets, fabric play food sets, child size tables and chairs, realistic fancy drink candles and cedar crosses for displaying indoors or out.

CONTINUES

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PANDORA—Join birders at The Quarry Farm Nature Preserve & Conservation Farm on Saturday, February 18 for a 9:00 a.m. hike in celebration of the world-wide Great Backyard Bird Count.

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The office of the Ada Icon and Bluffton Icon is closed on federal holidays including Presidents' Day, Monday, February 20.

Please continue to send your news, letters and advertising information 24/7 to [email protected].

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