A scarecrow scene at Samuel W. Diller LPA featuring grannies Janet and Rita from the animated series Bluey was voted the best of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce 2024 competition. Pictured here is the staff with the traveling trophy and coordinator Liz Gordon-Hancock. ▶︎
Combs, Steiner and Dunlap step it up in Health Action Council challenge
The Gingerbread Squad of Jaime Combs, Heidi Steiner and Ryan Dunlap from Bluffton Elementary School earned first place in the Health Action Council Healthy Fall Spring Step It Up Challenge and won $1,500 for their school.
ABOVE) Rick Shaner in 2000 with Varsity basketball page spread from the Buccaneer yearbook. The yearbook is online at BHS Wall of Fame
By Bill Herr
Bluffton Icon columnist
Who was the greatest coach of any sport at Bluffton High School? I don't claim to be the best qualified to make that choice, but I am one of the oldest, having seen most sports teams at the high school since 1946 when my brother Don played football and basketball. I attended Bluffton Exempted Village Schools for 21 years and after college came back and taught at Bluffton for 19 years. I love Bluffton Schools and I have a shirt I wear proudly that has the words, "Pirate Pride is Forever."
Who was the greatest coach? Was it Darlie Stuckey? She coached the 1927-1928 girls basketball team, which was undefeated at 18-0 and Allen County champions. Was it Dwain Murray? He coached the 1928-1929 boys basketball team. The team won their first 23 games–the longest winning streak in BHS history–before losing by one point to Akron St. Mary's in the Class B state championship game. ▶︎
The Village of Bluffton has established a Monday-Thursday schedule for leaf pickup. Crews will begin a sweep of the Village on Monday and another on Thursday. Leaves should be ready in advance and vehicles should not be parked near leaf piles. The new leaf vacuum equipment is larger in capacity and harder to navigate around parked vehicles.
The November 12 meeting of the Bluffton Council included numerous committee reports and seven items of legislation, all of which were approved unanimously. Meeting packet contents are listed and attached below. The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and Bluffton Icon were in attendance.
Reports included an update on development of a new village park including a soccer complex on the north side of Snider Rd. near Main St. Legislation included approval of a new water rate of $3.54 per CFF from the Village of Ottawa to begin January 1. ▶︎
By Myron D. Lewis, FACHE
President & Chief Executive Officer, Blanchard Valley Health System
Medicare open enrollment season is upon us, and I encourage eligible community members (generally age 65 or over) to examine their Medicare health coverage plans between now and the December 7 deadline. The choice comes down to traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage, and the difference may surprise you. Medicare Advantage might sound appealing due to its name, the positive portrayal on high-dollar commercials, and the promise to cover all aspects of care, including dental, vision, and prescriptions. “Advantage” does not mean the plan will be better for you or your health care provider, as these plans come with significant risk. ▶︎
