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PHOTOS from Trevor Bassitt. Click on photos to enlarge and view at your own pace.

Olympic athlete Trevor Bassitt, 26, Team USA Track & Field and 5x World Medalist, competed in the men’s 400-meter hurdles in the 2024 summer Olympics. See Icon coverage of his Olympic races HERE.

By Benji Bergstrand

When Trevor Bassitt arrived in France to compete in his first ever Olympic games there wasn’t much time for contemplation or reflection on his journey from competing for the Bluffton Pirates in the Northwest Conference to competing for Team USA on the world’s biggest stage. He was running late. “Touching down in Paris was a little hectic. Because of flight delays I had to get to the Olympic Village, drop my stuff off and go straight to practice,” Bassitt said. And then there were Trevor’s evening plans. “After practice I had a bit of time to get organized before the Opening Ceremonies.”

Even getting to the Opening Ceremony involved delays. All of the athletes had to gather in the lobby of the Team USA building in the Olympic Village in order to board shuttles that would take them to the docks where the team boat was waiting, a process that took two hours.

The waiting didn’t end there.  “We had to stand on the boat for a long time because we were the 2nd to last country to go since we are the host of the 2028 Olympics,” Bassitt said. “We passed time walking around the boat and getting to talk with other athletes.” ▶︎

The following events and closures are scheduled for November 25-30 at the Bluffton Public Library:

Monday, November 25

Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle, 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm

Tuesday, November 26

Open Crafts and Game Space, 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Open Chess, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Wednesday, November 27

Last day to bid on Holiday Gift Silent Auction items, all day

Library closing at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 28

A thicket of Christmas-themed wood cut-outs look like they grew out of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church lawn. Photographer Jamie Nygaard captured the dedicated volunteers who wield post drivers and cordless drills to install the Ream Folk Art display. The Blaze of Lights festival and parade are this Saturday, November 30.

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON __ In the championship game of the 2024 McDonald’s Holiday Classic tournament, the Bluffton High School girls basketball team were dominated for three quarters by Allen East, fought back to come within 4, but lost 40-28 on Saturday, November 23.

Et Cetera Shop, Inc. will wrap up its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration with Redo, Renew, Repurpose from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Bluffton Family YMCA, 215 Snider Road, Bluffton. 

Redo, Renew, Repurpose will showcase creators and the things they’ve made by repurposing used materials. Although the event is intended to simply highlight how to make something new and useful from old items, some vendors will be selling their creations. 

Many with displays have purchased their materials from the three stores that operate under the umbrella of Et Cetera Shop Inc., including Et Cetera Shop, Ten Thousand Villages and Book ReViews, all in Bluffton.

Children in Bluffton Family YMCA’s afterschool program have been creating items from materials found at the Et Cetera thrift shop. Some of their projects will be displayed during the event.

Individuals who create items from recycled materials are invited to display and sell their creations. Displays are limited to a card table or 6-foot table and artists must provide their own table. Artists who wish to sell their crafts must manage their own sales. To sign up to participate, contact Joyce Schumacher at [email protected]. Use “repurpose” in the subject line. 

PHOTOS by Marvin Foster. SLIDESHOW click on photo to enlarge and view at your own pace

Advance to state semis vs. Cavaliers

By Cort Reynolds

FINDLAY __ The Bluffton High School football team defeated Patrick Henry 24-7 in their Div. VI, Region 22 final matchup at Findlay’s Donnell Stadium Friday night.

The Pirates scored 14 fourth-period points and made two big defensive stops in their own territory to put the Patriots away.

Bluffton improved to 13-1 and advances to the state semifinals vs. Coldwater Nov. 29 at Wapakoneta. 

Coldwater defeated Anna in their regional final Friday, 45-21.

Fourth-seeded Patrick Henry ended its season 11-3 after the loss. 

Bluffton led 3-0 after the opening period on Jackson Brauen’s 29-yard field goal. The Pirates racked up 89 first quarter yards compared to just 33 by Patrick Henry. ▶︎

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