All Bluffton Icon News

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Annette "Sue" Sprunger, 86, passed into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus, on February 23, 2025. Sue was born May 6, 1938 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to the late Paul and Opal (Wasson) Berlien who preceded her in death. On August 26, 1961 she married Ben Sprunger and he survives.

A woman of deep faith, Sue dedicated her life to her family, church, and community.  She was a faithful wife, loyal helper and mother with distinction.

Her career in education spanned many years, serving at the Worthington School Board office and as a secretary at Worthington Estates Elementary and Worthington Hills Elementary, where she became a beloved mother and grandmother figure to countless children.

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FINDLAY, OH—The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Board of Trustees approved  grants totaling $770,654.84 at the February board meeting. This total includes seven responsive  grants and 164 donor advised fund grants.  

Among grants of special interest to the Bluffton area, the West Ohio Land Conservancy was awarded $56,600 to support hiring a part-time  executive director. 

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A history of "Sharing Hopes And Nourishing Needs Of Neighbors"

By Duane Bollenbacher and Patien Dulaney

Duane:
In 1997 a group of young couples and individuals in Bluffton formed the Bluffton Junior Chamber of Commerce (the Jaycees). After one year they decided they did not like paying big dues that were sent out of town. So in 1998 they formed a local service club--called the Bluffton Area Service Organization, or BASO. They existed for a couple years and they got busy, most of them with young children and disbanded. When the Exchange Club was formed, BASO gave them ideas for activities and turned over the money in their account.

There were 25 members when the Exchange Club officially started on April 25, 2003. The activities were dictated by International Headquarters and 90% of the expensive dues went out of town. As the President and other officers became busy elsewhere, our numbers dwindled extensively but we still tried to do all the nationally-dictated activities. We finally got down to a very small number, myself being the only remaining charter member from the Exchange Club just three years prior. 

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By Bill Herr

The greatest basketball game I ever witnessed on the Pirates newer court was against Crestview on December 14, 2018. The Knights were undefeated and ranked high in Ohio. They were led by All-State center Javen Etzler and his younger brother Kalen who is now on basketball scholarship at Ohio State University. The Pirates had a young, talented team. Coach Todd Boblitt said of the team, "We were a really skilled group in 2018-2019. Our guys had good basketball IQ and were able to adapt to in game adjustments. This group was able to control and dictate tempo with their skill and IQ."

Coach Boblitt said their strategy was to focus on stopping Crestview's three best shooters and leave the other two alone. One of the Pirate starters, Baylor Garmatter, who was quick on his feet, was given the assignment on defense of keeping between the center and whoever had the ball for Crestview. The strategy worked and a packed gym watched a close, exciting game that came down to the last minute. The tall Etzler in desperation took two long jump shots that failed to connect and Bluffton won the game 43-41. The Pirate fans exploded in joy.

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The Village of Bluffton has announced that the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 25 has been moved to 5:30 p.m. (This is a time change from the original 6:00 p.m. time)

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Are you hosting events in Bluffton during March 2025? Now's the time to send them to [email protected] for placement on our Community Calender.

We also keep track of what brings folks to Bluffton. Here's how 2025 is shaping up so far. View this calendar on the the Classifieds page.

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