March 2024

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By Matt M. Stutz

The Pandora-Gilboa High School boys basketball tournament run will continue on to the District Finals. The #2 seed Rockets pulled out an exciting, hard fought 53-48 rematch win over #3 seed Ottoville (17-7) in the Division IV District semi-finals Tuesday, March 5 at the Elida Fieldhouse.

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UPDATED with statement from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Preliminary information from the National Weather Service says that a brief landspout tornado occurred between Ottawa, OH and Leipsic, OH in Putnam County on Tuesday, March 5.

The overview notes, "The landspout was only on the ground for 1 minute, but did cause damage to a home on Road H5. The home sustained moderate loss of the roof and siding, and an attached garage also collapsed. Debris was scattered northeast of the property."

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The Bluffton High School String Orchestra earned a Superior rating at OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) state orchestra adjudicated event held at Perrysburg High School on March 1.

The orchestra performed in class C playing "Arlington Sketches" by Elliot Del Borgo, "If Thou be Near" G. H. Stozel/arr by Carrie Lane Grueselle and "Echelon" by Katherine Griesinger. The orchestra is under the direction of Rachael E. Lewis. 

Students in the orchestra: Theo Andreas, Ben Hartzler, Cole Bowers, Avery Kinn, Zoe Shank, Maia Gearing, Liliana Liberato, Ethan Hoffman, Aaron Unashick, Lauren Bowers, Ellie Harzler, Claire Phillips, Eva McBrien, Katie Bauman, Sadie Combs, Daphne Johnston, Emma Miller, Leo Gearing, Emmitt Kidd, Leah Shadle, Laney Kiene.

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Dr. Robert Brenneman, professor of criminal justice and sociology, Goshen College, will present the Forum, “The New Peacebuilders: Shifting Violence, Shifting Peace in Northern Central America,” at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12 in Centennial Hall’s Stutzman Lecture Hall.

During the presentation, Brenneman will discuss what can be learned from the nitty-gritty peacebuilding practices of Central American Anabaptist-Mennonite congregations.

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The Community Meal for Thursday, March 7 at the Bluffton Senior Center has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Have plans for community events or a change of plans? Send announcements to [email protected].

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The March 8 breakfast meeting of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce will feature Nicole Scott from the Small Business Development Center at Rhodes State College. Scott will talk about the services available to small businesses through the SBDC.

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The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Niese Tire & Service Center on Friday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m. The event will take place at their new Bluffton location, 319 N. Main St.

Niese Tire & Service Center, owned by Kyle Niese, is a full comprehensive automotive service destination that extends beyond tires, offering a full spectrum of vehicle solutions. Chamber director Jim Enneking comments, "We are thrilled to welcome Niese Tire & Service Center to our Bluffton community. The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce invites all members of the community to join us in welcoming Niese Tire & Service Center to Bluffton." 

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Lindsay Horn, a 2019 Bluffton University graduate and associate director of social mission at Bellarmine Chapel in Cincinnati, Ohio, will present the Spiritual Life Week Forum, “Contemplation for Spiritual Peace and Wellness,” at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19 in Yoder Recital Hall.

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Hazel Marie Mowery, 95, passed away March 4, 2024 at Taylor Place in Findlay. Hazel was born September 28, 1928 in Lima to the late Lewis and Effie Pearl (Spitzer) Rumsey. On December 7, 1946 she married Donald Mowery who preceded her in death on March 18, 2021. 

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Getting a bag ready for Scouting for Food on Saturday, March 9 or considering making a direct donation? Here's a list of needed items from Bluffton Community Assistance, which runs the Food Pantry at St. Johns UCC, 223 W College Ave.

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