Not another Bluffton history book?

No, this is not just "another" Bluffton history book. Here's a history book centering on historical footnotes cut from all the other attempts at writing Bluffton history. You might consider it a collection of scraps from the wastebasket of Bluffton's history writers.

Fred Steiner of The Icon is compiling the book in behalf of the Bluffton Sesquicentennial committee.

"Bev Amstutz of the Bluffton Cultural Affairs Committee, who is heading up the Bluffton Sesquicentennial in June, invited me to create a book for the celebration," said Steiner, who is compiling the edition. "I'm really grateful for her confidence in me to create a book officially commemorating the 150th anniversary of Bluffton."

"The book lacks a name at the moment, but the material will consist of stories I've collected nearly all my life. Until the name hits me, let's call it 'Bluffton's Footnotes 1861-2011'," he said. "I've completed an outline of what the book will include and am now in the interview process."

"Blame my grandmother Bertha Althaus Hahn for my interest in local stories," he said. "This story-collecting business started when she told me over and over about her own growing up on Bluffton in the 1870s and later.

"For example, did you know that one of this community's first attempts at locally-created drama was the retelling of the William Tell story? Or, did you know that when the natural gas and oil boom hit Findlay in the 1890s that the lights of that city were so bright at night that you could see the lights from Bluffton? How about this, prior to electricity coming to Bluffton the village paid a retired man as a lamplighter. Lamps were posted throughout town. Youth of the village would follow him in the early evening as he lit the streetlights," said Steiner.

"I have lots of little snippets like these. I've always felt they were worth telling, but individually they don't make much of an impact," he said. "I hope that once these are collected, the result will reveal a little about what makes Bluffton tick."

There will be lots of newer material, including stories from recent memory in the decades of the 20th century. In addition, the book will include several Bluffton historic photos.

Steiner is working with Andre Swartley of WorkPlay Publishing, Bluffton, in creation of the book. "Andre is extremely helpful to work with. He's provided several great ideas that will make this book worth belonging on every bookshelf in Bluffton," said Steiner.

Specific details including the title, number of pages, price and release date will be provided soon. Icon viewers will have the opportunity to purchase the book prior to its publication date at a reduced price.

"Icon viewers who may have good stories that I'm not familiar with are encouraged to contact me at [email protected], or call me at 419-889-3065," he said.