This week Fred Steiner's local history-focused website www.blufftonforever.com added links to 10 area history-related websites for viewer access. The addition was due to the interest in history from followers of the website.
History-related links now include:
• Bluffton Public Library
• Swiss Community Historical Society
• Bluffton University Mennonite Historical Archives
The Icon recently posted an article on the Pirate athlete with four Super Bowl rings, Neil Schmidt. Columnist Bill Herr has this first-hand account of Schmidt and his family.
During World War II, Neil Schmidt enlisted in the Navy before his senior year at Bluffton High School. After completing his service, he returned to Bluffton to complete his high school education. He starred on both the basketball and football teams in 1946. Those teams won the championship of the Western Buckeye League in each sport.
Adolescent sledding memories thawed in my soul last week.
Probably due to viewing winter Olympic games on TV.
Thoughts of Bluffton’s 1950s most dangerous sledding hill–that is, in my opinion–caused this avalanche of recall on a cold winter day.
Other dangerous Bluffton hills existed. But, this one, at a slope of, oh, 80 degrees with no speed limits, cluttered with moguls–you know, those bumps on the way down–well, I’ve set the scene for you.
From the "files" of www.BlufftonForever.com, a story on some 30 years of Bluffton photographic history:
Most residents 65 and older once sat in the chair where this photo was taken. It was taken in 1971 in the Leland Gerber Photography Studio. The studio is now part of the parking lot of Citizens National Bank (north of the Post Office).
The Swiss Community Historical Society (SCHS) is reconfiguring the bank barn at the Schumacher Homestead to reflect the original location of entrances to the upper floor.
The doors will be painted but their design and materials can be best appreciated in the current state.
