February 2025

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

SPENCERVILLE – The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team lost a 48-45 heartbreaker to Northwest Conference leader Spencerville Friday, January 31, in a key league contest.

Bearcat sophomore Will Sensabaugh nailed a three-pointer at the final buzzer to complete a late rally and win the game. He scored a game-high 25 points.

Spencerville outscored the Pirates 18-6 in the fourth quarter to overcome a nine-point deficit and win.

  • /

Check out the events and programs offered for the month of February at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St. Phone 419-358-5016.

Winter Read 
For all ages and runs from January through March. Pick up a Winter Read Challenge Sheet for your age group, complete it, and stop by the front desk to pick up a small prize!

No-Obligation Book Discussions (R) 
The library is reaching out to the Bluffton, OH area to see if there is interest in adding this book discussion in 2025. Please let us know if you are interested! For this evening book discussion, rather than reading a single title and then discussing, we would gather occasionally to share the book titles we are enjoying this year, and perhaps find our next great read! Those who are interested should call or stop by the library or email [email protected] to sign up with your email, along with the evening(s) (Tue., Wed., Thu.,) that would work best for you!

READ MORE

  • /

An honor roll for grades 9-12 has been issued by Bluffton High School for the second quarter of the 2024-2025 school year.

9th Grade – All A

Owen Armstrong, Mallory Blackburn, Avery Boehm, Peighton Bowers, Owen Brauen, Caleb Cockerham, Willow Derstine, Phoebe Edwards-Leeper, Camryn Fruchey, Xandra Gatchel, Lane Ginther, Tala Gipson, Klaira Hohenbrink, Camryn Lamb, Emme Lee, Micah Lemley, Maelee Miller, Alexis Mummert, Alexander Nance, Elizabeth Phillips, Isabella Recker, Natalie Richards, Ella Roby, Ethan Smith, Adrean Sprunger, Lilly Swartzmiller, Carli Wise, Jubilee Wolford, Peyton Worcester

READ MORE

  • /

Currently on display at the Sauder Visual Arts Center Grace Albrecht Gallery on the campus of Bluffton University is the "Discovering Order: Exploring and Reinterpreting Nature" visual arts exhibit.

The gallery features ceramic sculpture by Beth Lindenberger and paintings by Jack McWhorter which "consider the concept of the visible and invisible, by referencing organic objects, microscopic organisms and elements drawn from the diverse forms in the natural world."

An artists' reception will be held on Sunday, February 16 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

◾️

  • /

Apollo Career Center has provided an annual report of the number of Bluffton students enrolled in its high school programs. The center serves all or part of six counties, providing 21 career-technical programs.

READ MORE

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton varsity bowling team outscored Miller City 2,738 pins to 2,505 pins on January 30.

The win improved the Pirate record to 7-2.

Bluffton won round one with a consistent 890-888=1,778 two-game series. MC rolled an 844-812-1,656 two-game set.

High games for the Pirates were rolled by Coby Dailey (232) and Matt Piehl (206). Wildcat Lucas Klear bowled a 213, while teammate Branden Reynolds shot a 203 high game.

The Pirates entered the Baker Series with a 122-pin lead. Bluffton rolled 192-215-180-215-158=960 Baker set to win round two by 111 pins.

MC bowled a 177-202-179-142-149=849 Baker Series.

“We had a strong performance from our varsity,” said Pirate head coach Ben Nye. “Coby Dailey had his high game and series of the season with a 232 and 426 (total). 

READ MORE

  • /

By Brittany Grider, MD

Pediatricians consider medications given to newborn babies very carefully. There are generally plenty of safety data and studies evaluating if the benefits of a medication outweigh the potential harms. If we are encouraging you to give a medication to your baby, it’s because we feel that it is potentially lifesaving. 

One medication recommended for all newborns is Vitamin K. Vitamin K (phytonadione) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for blood to clot. We also need this vitamin in our bodies to stop bleeding from cuts and bruises. 

Vitamin K does not cross the placenta and is poorly excreted in breast milk. Also, due to differences in the gut microbiome in babies, it is poorly absorbed when we try to supplement it by mouth. The only way to give it to babies in the United States is by a one-time injection when they are newborns. 

Vitamin K deficiency is not just an issue immediately after birth —babies who do not receive Vitamin K remain deficient until they are at least six months old.

READ MORE

  • /

By Robert McCool

What a delightful book! "Remarkably Bright Creatures" (HarperCollins, 2022) by a debut author, Shelby Van Pelt. This book has been on the New York Times bestseller list numerous times since its publication and the author won a Reader's Choice Award for Best Debut Writer. 

It remains one of the most read pop-fiction books and was the first unanimous selection by Ada Book Club members for 2025. I have to thank Jill Simmons for bringing this book to our attention.

First off, it has the most unique voice for a narrator and commentator on human behavior. Marcellus McSquid (inappropriately named on the plaque above his tank, as he is a Giant Pacific Octopus, not a squid.) opens the book with a commentary on his conditions and the visitors beyond his glass tank. He tells you of his intelligence (for example, his ability to read) and you need to be aware of this throughout the novel as his personal life is explained in too few commentaries.

Pages