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When Santa Claus lived in Bluffton

Posted by Paula Scott on December 24, 2023 - 6:00am

By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

Over the decades Bluffton residents lift up several memorable individuals to a sacred list known as “Bluffton characters.”  One of those special people was Lazarus “Lotzy” Basinger, (also known as Santa Claus) a familiar face in the Bluffton crowd over his 90-year life span.

These special people each developed a niche of their own calling, earning respect from the common citizen. Their traits and stories are recalled by many, although they are unknown by today’s younger and newer residents. 

To us, their contributions to what makes Bluffton such an interesting and accepting community cannot be ignored.

Lazarus was probably one of the last people in Bluffton who experience way of life of the earliest Swiss immigrants. He was raised on his father’s farm near Pandora, Riley Township, Putnam County, Ohio.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
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Letter: 2023 Holiday greeting from Mayor Johnson

Posted by Staff on December 23, 2023 - 3:33pm

To my fellow Bluffton residents:

The holidays are fast approaching and I would like to take a moment to thank each and every one for your patience and kindness as we dealt with many projects in Bluffton. 

Section: 
Letters
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January 5 and 6 Nature Pals programs added

Posted by Staff on December 23, 2023 - 9:08am

Nature Pals: Winter is “snow” much fun!

The Johnny Appleseed Park District is happy to announce that we will be  offering additional days (with different times) for this popular program! The Park  District will offer “Nature Pals: Winter is “snow” much fun!” on: 

  • Fri., Jan. 5 at 11:00 a.m.  
  • Sat., Jan. 6 at 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. 

McElroy Environmental Education Center, 2355 Ada Rd., Lima, OH. 

Section: 
Events
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BVHS announces more comfortable mammography technology 

Posted by Staff on December 23, 2023 - 8:15am

Blanchard Valley Health System is now offering 3D mammography at three locations in Northwest Ohio.

Mammograms are available at Bluffton Hospital, EasternWoods Outpatient Center in Findlay, and the Ottawa Medical & Diagnostic Center.

Section: 
Blanchard Valley Health System
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Pirate wrestling 3rd at county meet; Basil wins 175 crown

Posted by Staff on December 23, 2023 - 8:07am

Video of the meet is available HERE.

By Cort Reynolds

Tournament host Bluffton High School finished a strong third at the 10-team Allen County Invitational wrestling tournament Friday, December 22.

Shawnee narrowly won the team title with 256 points to edge Allen East by a single point. 

The youthful Pirate wrestlers came in third with 179 points.

Mustang freshman wrestler Jordan Neal won the 144 lbs. weight class title and was named tournament MVP. He posted a 5-0 mark with three pins at the event.

Pirate senior Kyle Basil rose from the fourth seed to win the 175 lbs. crown. He pinned top seed Jameson Wicker of Lima Senior in the third round at 3:20 to win Pool A in preliminary action.

Basil pinned Allen East senior Nick Zellmann in the semifinals of the tournament to advance to the title match.

Section: 
Sports
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Leland W. Wilkins was an Army veteran of the Korean War

Posted by Staff on December 23, 2023 - 6:00am

Leland W. Wilkins, 95, passed away December 22, 2023, at Willow Ridge-Betty House. 

Leland was born September 10, 1928 in Rawson, OH, to Ira and Emma (Tschiegg) Wilkins who preceded him in death. On October 24, 1952 he married Joan (Niswander) Wilkins who preceded him in death on October 1, 2018. 

Section: 
Obituaries
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