January 2025

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A panel of Bluffton University faculty, staff, students and alumni will discuss the meaning of the Anabaptist faith tradition at Forum at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28. 

The panel consists of Micah Dodson ’27, Dr. Melissa Friesen, Bill Hanefeld, Jr. ’05, Dr. Paul Neufeld Weaver ’81 and Deborah Yoder ’23. The panelists will discuss how their lives have been influenced by Anabaptism. 

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The Bluffton Icon provides Civic, Community and Worship listings for local entities on the Classifieds page. This week we have expanded the Civic organizations listing, see below. Please contact The Icon at [email protected] for any organization changes in your listing.

BLUFFTON EMS (non-emergency)
Chief Jan Basinger, 419-358-2066 ext. 293, [email protected]

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Send announcements to [email protected]

Arthur-Lugibihl Community Center, Pandora
Will be utilized as a warming station January 20-22.

Bluffton Exempted Village Schools
Cancelled on Wednesday, January 22

Bluffton Public Library
Closed on Wednesday, January 22

Bluffton Senior Center
Canceling all activities on January 22. Open as a warming station.

Bluffton University
Campus closed on January 22

Book Reviews
Closed on January 22

Ebenezer Mennonite
Warming station open Monday-Wednesday - 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at  8905 Columbus Grove Road. Phone 419-358-8588

Jacomet’s Martial Arts
January 21 classes are canceled. The normal schedule will resume on Thursday, January 23.

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Pirate bowlers 5-2

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School bowling team has enjoyed a solid inaugural season under head coach Ben Nye.

The Pirate varsity squad is 5-2, while the JV team is 2-2. The roster is comprised of 14 boys and two girls.

The Pirate rollers finished third at the Ridgedale Baker tournament with 3,065 pins to open the season November 16.

On Nov. 26, the varsity lost 2,713-2,411 at Lima Senior. The JV beat the Spartan reserves with 1,578 pins.

On December 6 at home, Bluffton beat the LCC varsity 2,470-1,602.

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Grothause, Shank and Kaufman take 2nd

By Cort Reynolds

VAN BUREN – The Bluffton High School wrestling team finished a strong fourth at the 31-team Van Buren Invitational last Friday and Saturday, January 17-18. 

Woodmore won the two-day event with 167 points, followed by Defiance Tinora (162.5), Swanton (160.5) and Bluffton (148). Allen East was fifth with 142.

Pirate junior Evan Grothause finished second in the 190 lb. weight class. He was seeded third and after a first round bye, won his first match by pin at 4:57. He then took a 12-1 majority decision in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, he won by technical fall 15-0. In the title bout, he lost to top-seeded junior Michael Seeger of Woodmore, 9-3. 

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St John Bible Church, 15988 Road 4, Pandora, will host Natalie Strong, the founder and owner of Elegant & Armed for a free women’s safety program at 7:00 p.m. on February 27. Strong will provide practical advice on mindset, situational awareness and simple self-defense tools.

Organizers note, "The evening will also include how arming ourselves with God’s word and His peace is our biggest defense against living with fear."

Register by calling St. John Bible Church at 419-384-3680.  The deadline to register is February 12.

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Provided by Ohio Department of Wildlife for Northwest Ohio – District 2

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KENTON – The Bluffton High School boys bowling team competed in the Bowling at Jack Hammill Invite at 20th Century Lanes on January 20.

The Pirates finished fifth in the Baker series competition.

The team lost in the first round bracket to Shawnee in a best of three match, 164 to 247 and 168 to 185.

The BHS bowling team roster is below. Coaches are Head Coach Ben Nye and Assistant Coach Jeff Shadbolt.

Austin Blue 10

Coby Dailey 10

Declan Dunifon 10

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The Quarry Farm has issued its digital news for Winter 2025, noting, "If you are like me and are drooling over seed catalogs and dreaming of spring flowers, be sure to read The Gardener's column about what flowers are best for ALL things.

Hope to see you on the trails soon. Stay warm!"

- Valentine's Day Hike for the Birds, February 14

- Worm Moon Hike, March 14

- Women for the Land: Birding Workshop, April 10

- Annuals that Pollinators Love

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The Bluffton High School boys basketball game vs. Lincolnview on January 24 is Military Appreciation Night.

Veterans and Military Personnel receive Free Admission to the 6:00 pm. game and a complimentary snack from the concession stand.

These honorary guests may join the teams on the court during the National Anthem.

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