In 1976 the Bluffton Business Men's Association participated in one of the WBGU TV telethons. The BBMA eventually became the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dick Boehr, president of the association at the time, gathered a group of Bluffton volunteers to "man the phones" during the event.
This photo was taken on March 11, 1976, in the WBGU TV studio. A note on the back of the photo indicates Bluffton raised $770 during its time working the phones.
Persons in the photo, from left in front, Dick Boehr and Ron Geiser.
The answer is: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" And it's in color. Shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Dick Boehr snapped this downtown photo on Dec. 17, 1968.
For younger viewers, here's the scene:
• On the left is the Carma Theater (today: Shannon theatre).
• Next is the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, aka the A&P (today Town and Country Flowers).
• Next is Leiber's Jewelry Store (today Book ReViews).
Check out the downtown Christmas lights on the light pole.
You bet, and it was quality merchandise. Dick Boehr took this photo of the former Basinger Furniture store in 1969 - 45 years ago.
Today the building is home of The Black Lab Trading Co.
Here's a couple things to check out:
• The beautiful green trash container
• The condition of the sidewalk
• The business on the south side - was a a Western Auto store?
• Is that a '62 Chevy parked "the wrong way?" (Vine wasn't a one-way street in 1969)
If you can identify the location of these two Bluffton residences you are a true Bluffton expert. (Those TV towers resemble Steinman tip-over towers.)
Here's some hints:
• Photo taken 1967, prior to the houses being razed
• Main Street, Bluffton
• The white/green house is standing today (you can see just a glimpse of it on the far right)
• Study the signs near the curb (you can only see the back side). These help in the location idenfication.
