All Bluffton Icon News

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Before we dive into our 2025 resolutions and to-do lists, have you celebrated a 2024 done list? In the past 12 months, Bluffton has marked the 90th anniversary of the Bluffton Lions Club, the 50th anniversary of Et Cetera Inc., the construction of a Swiss Community Historical Society Heritage Center, groundbreaking on a new Village park and much more--including the April 8 total solar eclipse.

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Bluffton author Bur Shilling has been busy in retirement, penning five books that draw from his career of teaching and ministry work. Shilling was the featured speaker at 2024 Memorial Day ceremonies in Bluffton.

Q. What are the "stepping stones" of your adult life in reverse chronological order?

BGSU faculty – taught and online advisor for all online students

Winebrenner Seminary – taught New Testament/evangelism/discipleship, created and first director of Doctor of Ministry degree, began teaching in Israel (have continued that for past 32 years)

Bluffton University – Campus Pastor and Church Relations

Youth for Christ – Director of 12 staff and three ministry divisions

Q. How does the little boy Bur resemble the adult Bur?

As the oldest of five children, I often was “in charge.” I still like to create itineraries for my trips, plan the hotels and restaurants for meals, and teach at the sites we visit. 

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By Cort Reynolds

KENTON – The Bluffton High School boys bowling team competed in the 12-team Kenton Holiday Baker Series tournament on December 30 at Hillcrest Lanes.

The Pirates finished sixth out of 12 teams in the 10-game Baker set, which served as the preliminary pool play round.

In a Baker Series game, five bowlers from each team roll two frames apiece: one and six, two and seven, three and eight, four and nine, and five and 10 (plus potentially 11 and 12).

The Pirates tallied 1,647 pins in their 10 Baker games, with a high score of 211 in the fourth contest. 

The Kenton A team finished first with a score of 1,904. 

Then in the eight-team Baker tournament, the sixth-seeded Pirates lost a three-set match to third seed Minster in the first round, two games to one. 

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Grandey sets rebound record

By Cort Reynolds

MILLER CITY – The Bluffton High School girls basketball team went on the road and defeated tough non-conference foe Miller City 38-28 on December 28.

The visitors outscored Miller City 22-12 in the second half to break away from a halftime tie and emerge victorious by 10.

Pirate 6-2 senior post Ayla Grandey also set the program record for career rebounds in the win.

Bluffton improved to 6-4 overall after the impressive road victory. MC dropped to 8-3 after the Pirates handed them their first loss in six home games this season.

The Pirates led 10-5 after the opening quarter. The Wildcat girls rallied in the second period to tie it 16-16 after a low-scoring first half. 

Bluffton then took a 25-20 lead into the final period following a 9-4 third quarter. The Pirates captured the fourth period 13-8 by hitting five of their six free throw tries to clinch the win.

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By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School boys basketball team lost a 55-53 nailbiter to Arlington in a clash of undefeated teams vying for the championship of the annual McDonald’s Holiday Classic on December 28 at Bluffton University's Sommer Center. 

The Pirates fell to 6-1 with their first defeat. Arlington improved to 9-0 after the championship win.

Pirate Blake Sommers scored a game-high 20 points, while Kain Wright tallied 13 markers. Guard Marek Donaldson added eight points. 

Bluffton led 10-7 after the first period, and maintained a 24-19 edge at halftime. Arlington turned the momentum around with a 20-13 third quarter that gave the Devils a 39-37 edge heading to the final stanza.

Arlington canned 10 of 16 foul shots in the fourth quarter to hold on and post the two-point win.

Wayne Trace defeated Emmanuel Christian 41-36 in the third-place consolation game earlier Saturday evening.

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The following 2024 highlights were shared with members of the Bluffton Council at their final meeting of the year.

By Joe Sehlhorst
Village of Bluffton Council Member

December 2023

• Brightspeed fiber installation: Brightspeed is installing fiber throughout the town. The project spans 13 miles, with 84% being aerial installations, targeting 1,840 service locations.

• Cemetery rate updates: Burial rates have increased from $500 to $600, and infant burial rates have increased from $300 to $400. Currently, 65 plots are available for purchase.

January 2024

• Building and Zoning updates: In 2023, $23.7 million was invested in commercial and residential improvements. GROB Industries is planning a 90,000 square foot expansion valued at $18 million.

• Sanitary Compliance: Compliance efforts are 74.3% complete, with 34 sump pumps removed and connected to the sanitary system.

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