April 2023

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Wins by first and second doubles

By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton High School boys tennis team lost a close 3-2 bout at Bryan Saturday afternoon, April 15.

The Pirate record fell to 2-7 with the loss.  Bluffton lost all three singles matches, and won the two doubles matches, each in three-setters.

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By Laura Durliat, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist, Julie A. Cole Rehab & Sports Medicine

It’s spring in northwest Ohio, and that means track, softball and baseball seasons are underway. Unfortunately, that also means injuries. A common injury, which occurs in young athletes, at this time of year is “little league elbow.” This occurs most commonly in the ages of nine to 14 because the bones of the elbow at this age are not fully developed. These young pitchers often have joint laxity, open growth plates and immature bones. Little league elbow occurs with overuse and repetitive throwing motions. This is an injury of the inside area (medial) elbow’s tendons, ligaments and or bones in the young throwing athlete. Repetitive throwing causes trauma and injury to the immature skeleton of young athletes causing an overload to the inside of the elbow. If left untreated, it could lead to a stress fracture (crack in the bone) at the head of the humerus caused by overuse.

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By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

Nah. Well, maybe.

We’ve collected several local stories of buried coins plus the discovery of coins older than your great-great grandmother. The following stories reveal some of the loose change that could be waiting discovery, plus a copy stories of rare finds right in our back yard.

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During Bluffton University’s annual Keeney Peace Lecture, Rev. Valerie Bridgman shared, “What is Peace When You Feel Like Fighting: Reflections of a Womanist Biblical Scholar.”

During the April 4 presentation, Bridgman looked back on her 50 years of experience as a peace activist. Ordained in 1977, she is the dean and vice president of academic affairs at Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) where she also serves as an associate professor of homiletics and Hebrew Bible.

At the onset of the presentation, Bridgman explained, “I am living the history I am thinking about.”

She shared several stories from her life including the integration of schools during her childhood, leading MTSO during a difficult transition at the seminary, and interacting with young gang members in Austin and Memphis.

Focusing on her experiences in Texas, Bridgman shared about an invitation to join the gang task force for the county, but she quickly realized the task force was more interested in policing young people rather than helping young people. Instead, she got to know about their lives—their names, their families, their struggles.

CONTINUES

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By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton High School boys tennis team lost 3-2 to Sylvania Southview on April 14. The Pirate record fell to 2-6 with the loss.  

Senior Braeden Ackerman won at second singles over Jacob Slutsky 6-3, 6-3.

Junior Wade Ginther beat Kevin Choi at third singles 6-0, 6-4.

Bluffton lost both doubles matches 6-4, 6-4.

Bluffton plays at Bryan on Saturday.

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By Cort Reynolds

OTTAWA–The Bluffton High School track and field teams competed at the eight-team Ottawa-Glandorf Gold Medal Meet on Friday, April 14.

Host Ottawa-Glandorf won both the boys and girls team titles. Bluffton finished fourth in the boys standings, while the Pirate girls took seventh.

Eden Antrim won the boys 1600 meter run. Wyatt Lovell took first in the high jump.

Brianna Taber won the girls pole vault. Hayden Dearth captured first in the long jump.

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By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton High School  softball team lost to Miller City 5-0 in a non-conference contest Friday evening, April 14.

The Wildcat girls improved to 6-3 with the victory. Bluffton fell to 5-7 with the defeat. 

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Bluffton University’s Camerata Singers and University Chorale will perform a spring concert at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 16 in Yoder Recital Hall.

Dr. Bo Young Kang, director of choral activities will lead University Chorale in pieces by Ola Gjeilo and Bob Chillcott. Camerata Singers will perform music from animated films as well as a few gospels by Reuben Morgan and Robert Ray.

This event is free and open to the public.

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Jimmy Burrow, former assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Ohio University, will present the Bluffton University Athletic Awards Forum “Plan to Win: Sports and Life,” at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18 in Yoder Recital Hall.

During the presentation, the football coach discusses lessons learned from a career in coaching such as how to be successful and persevere through adversity. 

This event is free and open to the public.

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By Kaye Phillips
Swiss Community Historical Society member

Spring brings back thoughts of playing in my grandparent’s barn. We lived beside my grandparents, so I had full access to explore daily. Kittens in the hay mow. Rabbits in the pens. Two steers that loved to be fed sugar cubes. Across the way were the sows and piglets. There was also a brooder house for chicks. The chicken coop was close to the barn and full of activity. Endless hours were spent enjoying the small farm.

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