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The launch of the Lounge Sports Network (LSN) and the official game audio broadcast schedule for the 2023 Bluffton Pirates football season has been announced by Lounge Media Group.

Broadcasts will start with the season-opener at home against Benjamin Logan on Friday, August 18; game time is 6:50 p.m.

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Saturday, August 5
5:00 p.m. - BHS girls team vs. alumni
7:00 p.m. - BHS boys team vs. alumni

The Bluffton community is invited to the Bluffton High School soccer alumni game on August 5. It's a chance to see the 2023 BHS soccer teams for the first time, to watch some of your favorite former student-athletes in action and support the Bluffton Food Pantry.

The annual event will take place at Steinmetz Field. All former BHS players are invited to play. This year, the girls will play at 5:00 p.m. and the boys will play at 7:00 p.m. Alumni should wear red for the game.

Organizers are inviting all in attendance to bring a donation for the Bluffton Food Pantry. Donations will be collected just inside the main entrance to the field.

According to the Bluffton Food Pantry, items that are needed most include: canned meat, tuna, peanut butter, instant potatoes, cake mixes, shampoo, laundry soap, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, canned fruit, pasta, instant meals and chunky soups.

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Mark A. Kohli, 62, passed away July 23, 2023, at his home.

Mark was born June 24, 1961 in Bluffton, to Francis and Doris (Martz) Kohli who preceded him in death. On June 24, 1995 he married Carol (Gagnon) Kohli who survives.

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Citizens National Bank (CNB) has named Amy Yochum as VP/Head of Operations. She replaces Janet Dukes who recently retired after 47 years with CNB. In this role, Amy is part of the bank’s strategic team and assists with establishing long-range goals while also overseeing the operational business units. Eric Faulkner, CNB President states, “Amy’s career path at CNB has been a natural progression into this leadership role. She understands the bank’s goals and I look forward to seeing her taking on this new challenge.”

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By Paula Scott, Icon editor

On July 21, the Bluffton Soccer Club hosted an outdoor watch party for the first game of the U.S. women’s national soccer team in the 2023 World Cup tournament. A large screen television was set up on the Steinmetz soccer field where young children, teens and adults watched from the bleachers, in lawn chairs and on blankets. The sun set shortly after the game started, bringing the screen into sharp focus and vivid color. A crescent moon glowed overhead. The defending U.S. champions were heavy favorites against Vietnam, a team playing in the world cup for the first time–and the U.S. team won 3-0.

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Harry L. Osborn, 76, passed away July 23, 2023 at his residence. Harry was born January 22, 1947 in Canton, Illinois to the late Floyd and Mary Elizabeth (Miller) Osborn. On August 24, 1968 he married Sue Swank Osborn who survives. 

Harry graduated from Washington High School in Washington, Illinois and received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology from Bluffton College. He then attended law school at Ohio Northern University. Harry was an insurance adjuster for State Farm Insurance for 31 years. He had served as a sergeant in the United States Army from 1970 -1973 and later served as police chief for the Village of Bluffton from 1975-1977. Harry was also a member and officer of the Bluffton Fire Department for 25 years. He enjoyed being an active part of the Midwestern Ohio Fire Investigators Association and the Northwest Ohio Fire Investigators Association and was a former member of the Limaland Speedway Safety Team.  

Survivors include his wife, Sue Osborn of Bluffton; two children, Erinn (Brad) Prater of Bluffton and Jon Osborn of Hilliard; four grandchildren, Katie (Jacob Kirby) Prater, Nick Prater, Reese Osborn and Drew Osborn and a sister, Judy (Tom) Gross of Washington, Illinois.

Per Harry's wishes there will be no service or visitation.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Bluffton EMS, 154 N. Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio 45817.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/

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You're invited to a free program on August 3 to learn about honey bees from Robert and Denise Woodruff.

DATE: Thursday, August 3, 2023
TIME: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Children’s Garden, 620 West Market Street, Lima, OH 45801

The Woodruffs are honeybee keepers and will share information about hive equipment and tools, food sources for honey bees, bees themselves, honey, and many other interesting facts. There will also be time to ask lots of questions.

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Rachel A. Radebaugh, 86, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at The Meadows of Ottawa. She was born in Bluffton, Ohio on April 7, 1937 to Gideon and Mabel (Burkholder) Garmatter.  She married Robert L. Radebaugh in July of 1965 and he predeceased her.

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Taking photos on 50 m.p.h. roads between Ada and Bluffton is a challenge, but the summer views never fail to interest the Icon. In July we're saying goodbye to the golden wheat crops.

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The Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will host Hancock County Safety Council, featuring a presentation titled “Preventing Suicide: A Topic for the Workplace” on Thursday, August 10 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Findlay. The event costs $25 to attend and includes lunch. The event will feature main speaker Amber Wolfrom, Adult Prevention Specialist with Family Resource Center.

In this session, attendees will gain increased awareness of suicide statistics for Hancock County and Ohio, explore the risk factors related to suicide and provide local preventative programs and resources for local businesses.

Registration can be done online at https://findlayhancockchamber.com/

About Amber Wolfrom
Amber Wolfrom has 25 years of experience providing and monitoring substance use prevention and mental health promotion efforts in Hancock County.  She has been an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant since 2002 and is a trainer of several evidence-based prevention programs for adults.  Amber has spent her career in behavioral health championing evidence-based prevention strategies, assisting with Hancock County’s Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) transformation, educating about trauma-informed care approaches and working with local businesses and employers to promote the message that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people do recover.

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