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Photographer Jamie Nygaard captured the start of the 2022-2023 school year at Bluffton Elementary School, where students and teachers began the process of settling back into classroom routines.

As students left afterwards, the atmosphere was all sunshine and smiles. Superintendent Greg Denecker reported that the day went well. Elementary Principal Ben Thiel said the real challenge is when kindergardeners arrive on Wednesday, Agust 31.

After buses departed, the flock of children meeting siblings, parents and grandparents for the walk or ride home was lively, with school staff helping sort it all out.

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Dale and Deb (Huffer) Metzger of Bluffton, Ohio will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 19, 2022. They were married by Rev. Robert Quillen at Gomer United Church of Christ on August 19, 1972.

The Metzgers have two daughters and one son: Kristi (Matt) Lora of Bluffton, Ohio, Kelly (Brandon) McClure of Ada, Ohio, and Craig and Amy Metzger of Delaware, Ohio. 

Dale and Deb have 8 grandchildren: Kaden and Karlie Lora, Braydon, Brantley, and Madison McClure, and Drew, Austin, and Kendall Metzger.

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Developers claim $20,000 prize for designing social VR experience 

Bluffton residents Ross Kauffman and Tobias S. Buckell were awarded first prize in the Meta (formerly Facebook) Horizon Worlds Builder Tracks competition. The duo claimed the $20,000 prize for constructing the "Studio 51" experience in Meta's Horizon World platform, a social virtual reality (VR) program that allows players to interact in user-created worlds. 

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On Friday, Sept. 16, the Bluffton High School marching band will welcome alumni back for a pre-game performance and possibly a song at half-time.

The schedule follows. Alumni are asked to request music if needed.

5:00 p.m. Flag refresher

5:30 p.m. Meet and greet in the HS cafeteria

6:10 p.m. Blocking

6:40 p.m. Pre-game show

7:00 p.m. Kick off

...maybe a song at half-time...pending

Alumni Dress: Bluffton Shirt (or red or black or white shirt), long jeans, tennis shoes. Flags: feel free to wear appropriate pants.

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A new cycling club has formed in Bluffton: the Bluffton High Noon Riders
invite cyclists of any level to join them at noon each weekday for a
45-minute ride.

The organizers emphasize: "Rides are casual for exercise and fun. No one is dropped!"

Riders meet at the Mennonite Church Parking lot each day at noon, rainy days
excepted. For more information contact Dwain Hall at (567) 376-7337.
 

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The Bluffton High School Class of 1962 celebrated its 60th reunion on Saturday, July 30.

Pictured here, left to right, are class members:

(Standing) Donna McCluer Morrison, Rachel Hilty Friesen, Chuck Amstutz, Dave Barnett, Scott Edwards, Sharl Steiner, Keith Klingler. 

(Seated) Jim Badertscher, Donna Basinger Lehman, Karen Gilbert Bash, Nancy Swank Young Yeager, Nancy Balmer Steiner, Jeanne Davis Smucker.  

The note shared with this photo: "Pirates all are we! BHS 1962!"

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