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1896 village storage basins bite the dust

Posted by Fred Steiner on August 10, 2010 - 6:31pm

A bit of Bluffton history is disappearing this week. Demolition of original 1896 drinking water storage basins at 111 Triplett Drive (north of Steinmetz soccer field) is being razed.

The following information from Nathan Jordan: Rebar in walls was large diameter and closely nested, as one would expect to see. Rebar in roof (now resting on the bottom) was narrow, as if drawn through a die-like wire or cable. Reportedly, the poured roof sections were added somewhere around the 1940s.

Section: 
Public Meetings
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What's so special about "76"?

Posted by Fred Steiner on August 10, 2010 - 6:14pm

Was ZF born in 1976? If so, who is ZF? Viewers' thoughts are welcome.

Section: 
Regional news
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Bluffton Library to celebrate 75 years of service

Posted by Fred Steiner on August 10, 2010 - 4:14pm

Bluffton Public Library is busy making plans to celebrate its 75th anniversary during the month of September. "This is a significant milestone to celebrate, though a challenging one to plan, with the loss of nearly 30 percent in state funding last year and further cuts this year," library director Cindi Chasse said.

Section: 
People
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Bluffton's Woodcock power plant

Posted by Fred Steiner on August 10, 2010 - 1:03pm

Click on photo to enlarge.

Here's a remarkable photo of a once-thriving business in Bluffton: The Woodcock power plant. For residents of Bluffton since 1983 or so, this plant was located on the site of John's Body Shop, Lake Street. This photo was taken in the early 1950s.

There are several things to notice. First, count the railroad coal cars on the AC&Y Railroad siding. The plant was fueled by coal and that may be a one or two-day's worth of fuel sitting there.

Notice how clean (absence of trees and brush) are the banks of the National Quarry.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
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Patricia Kay Hilty 1944-2010

Posted by Fred Steiner on August 10, 2010 - 12:44pm

Former Bluffton resident Patricia Kay Hilty, 66, died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, after an illness with cancer.

She was preceded in death by her son, Mitchell Todd Hilty. She is survived by her children, Michelle Pekel of Fremont, Mich., Angela and Andrew DeMeester of Zeeland, Mich., Jeremy and Kristin Hilty of Wyoming, Mich.; grandchildren, James and Jennie Pekel Makenna and Christian DeMeester; brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces.

A memorial service took place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at Cornerstone Church, 1675 84th St., SE, Caledonia, Mich. 49316.

Section: 
Obituaries
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It's August: highs in the 80s, lows in the high 60

Posted by Fred Steiner on August 10, 2010 - 4:57am

Highs in the 80s, lows in the high 60s. That the weather trend in Bluffton during the first nine days of August. Here is the daily report of highs, lows and rain fall from Guy Verhoff, Pandora weather observer.

Date High Low Precipitation

Aug. 1 85 60

Aug. 2 88 64

Aug. 3 86 69 .56

Aug. 4 86 70 .55

Aug. 5 87 67 .03

Aug. 6 82 61

Section: 
Regional news
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