November 2023

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FINDLAY__Hancock Park District’s 28th Annual Photography Contest is now underway. To be eligible for judging, photographs must be taken in the Hancock Park System (i.e., parks owned and/or managed by the Hancock Park District), from the Blanchard River Greenway Trail, or of the Blanchard River (e.g., landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor recreation).

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COLUMBUS__ Ohio hunters checked 19,359 white-tailed deer during the opening day of gun hunting season on Monday, Nov. 27, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s seven-day gun season is open until Sunday, Dec. 3, and a two-day gun season is open on Dec. 16-17.

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The first of three Wednesday evening Advent services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on December 6 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 301 North Main Street, Jenera. 

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UPDATE "LATE BREAKING NEWS!! We have just learned that Father Christmas will be visiting the Homestead at 4:00 p.m. each day of the Open House on Dec. 2 and 3! He plans to read and tell some stories for just a little while and talk with any children who would like to chat. He can’t stay too long and needs to go by 5:00 at the latest. It’s his busiest time of year you know."

The Bluffton/Pandora Swiss Community Historical Society Christmas Open House, “Christmas at the Homestead” will be held from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3 at the Schumacher Homestead.

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By Paula Scott

A visit to the Bluffton Lions Club meeting on November 21 provided updates from the organization and a chance to learn about Bluffton’s police department straight from Chief Ryan Burkholder, who made a presentation and answered questions from members.

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On Sun., Dec. 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., The Johnny Appleseed  Metropolitan Park District will host Nature Diy: Holiday Gifts at the  Mcelroy Environmental Education Center (2355 Ada Rd., Lima, OH). 

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CLASSIFIEDS UPDATE BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024

FREE ADS Include help wanted, garage sales, card of thanks, lost and found, wanted, and free items. Non-profit events of interest are free for 10 days.

$1/DAY ADS Items for sale and ticketed events. Items for sale including cars, trucks, real estate or business services. Please provide up to 75 words for $1/day, minimum 10 days. Includes clickable links and phone numbers, one attachement (jpg. png or pdf).

Items may be posted to one or both Icons.

Email ads to [email protected]. (No phone calls.) Payment must be received in advance. Payable by credit card or by check to Bluffton Icon, P.O. Box 31, Bluffton, OH 45817.

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COLUMBUS GROVE__Ruth Ellen Hammer (Ruthie) of Columbus Grove passed peacefully on Saturday, November 25 at The Meadows of Ottawa.

She was born Ruth Ellen Beck on June 11, 1935 to Herbert and Mary Beck. She attended Lakeview High School and on October 3, 1955, she married Charles “Tack” Hammer who passed away March 19, 2015. Ruth is also preceded in death by 11 siblings and survived by 2 siblings Donald (Angie) Beck and Jim (Mary Margaret) Beck.

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COLUMBUS__The Ohio Department of Development has announced the release of more than $5.3 million in funding to support business growth and community enhancement including a project in Bluffton to improve the SR 103-Navajo Dr. intersection.

During its Monday meeting, the Ohio Controlling Board approved the release of more than $1.6 million through its Regional 166 Direct Loan program to benefit a pair of businesses and more than $3.7 million in Roadwork Development Grants to assist in a trio of construction projects.

Three communities will benefit from the Roadwork Development Grant, also known as the 629 program.

The Village of Bluffton will receive $1.22 million for public roadwork improvements in support of the GROB Systems, Inc., project in Hancock County. The proposed roadwork consists of constructing a single-lane roundabout on State Route 103 at the intersection with Navajo Drive and the reconstruction of Navajo Drive from State Route 103 moving south and then west to the intersection with Pocono Drive. As a result of the project and state assistance, 200 full-time equivalent jobs will be created, and 838 full-time equivalent jobs will be retained.

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Wade L. Oberly, 93, passed away on November 27, 2023 at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Wade was born September 20, 1930 in Putnam County, Ohio to the late Reno and Bertha (Hochstettler) Oberly. On December 29, 1950 he married Carolyn Matter Oberly who preceded him in death on August 1, 2018. 

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