The following events and closures are scheduled for November 25-30 at the Bluffton Public Library:

Monday, November 25

Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle, 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm

Tuesday, November 26

Open Crafts and Game Space, 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Open Chess, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Wednesday, November 27

Last day to bid on Holiday Gift Silent Auction items, all day

Library closing at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 28

A thicket of Christmas-themed wood cut-outs look like they grew out of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church lawn. Photographer Jamie Nygaard captured the dedicated volunteers who wield post drivers and cordless drills to install the Ream Folk Art display. The Blaze of Lights festival and parade are this Saturday, November 30.

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON __ In the championship game of the 2024 McDonald’s Holiday Classic tournament, the Bluffton High School girls basketball team were dominated for three quarters by Allen East, fought back to come within 4, but lost 40-28 on Saturday, November 23.

Et Cetera Shop, Inc. will wrap up its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration with Redo, Renew, Repurpose from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Bluffton Family YMCA, 215 Snider Road, Bluffton. 

Redo, Renew, Repurpose will showcase creators and the things they’ve made by repurposing used materials. Although the event is intended to simply highlight how to make something new and useful from old items, some vendors will be selling their creations. 

Many with displays have purchased their materials from the three stores that operate under the umbrella of Et Cetera Shop Inc., including Et Cetera Shop, Ten Thousand Villages and Book ReViews, all in Bluffton.

Children in Bluffton Family YMCA’s afterschool program have been creating items from materials found at the Et Cetera thrift shop. Some of their projects will be displayed during the event.

Individuals who create items from recycled materials are invited to display and sell their creations. Displays are limited to a card table or 6-foot table and artists must provide their own table. Artists who wish to sell their crafts must manage their own sales. To sign up to participate, contact Joyce Schumacher at [email protected]. Use “repurpose” in the subject line. 

PHOTOS by Marvin Foster. SLIDESHOW click on photo to enlarge and view at your own pace

Advance to state semis vs. Cavaliers

By Cort Reynolds

FINDLAY __ The Bluffton High School football team defeated Patrick Henry 24-7 in their Div. VI, Region 22 final matchup at Findlay’s Donnell Stadium Friday night.

The Pirates scored 14 fourth-period points and made two big defensive stops in their own territory to put the Patriots away.

Bluffton improved to 13-1 and advances to the state semifinals vs. Coldwater Nov. 29 at Wapakoneta. 

Coldwater defeated Anna in their regional final Friday, 45-21.

Fourth-seeded Patrick Henry ended its season 11-3 after the loss. 

Bluffton led 3-0 after the opening period on Jackson Brauen’s 29-yard field goal. The Pirates racked up 89 first quarter yards compared to just 33 by Patrick Henry. ▶︎

Owen D. Ziessler, 83, passed away November 23, 2024, at Willow Ridge - Betty House.

Owen was born February 9, 1941 in Findlay to Winfield and Helen (Beck) Ziessler who preceded him in death. On May 11, 1963 he married Kay (Zimmerly) Ziessler who preceded him in death on January 9, 2023. 

By Heather Auxier, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Blanchard Valley Pain Management

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neurological condition that causes severe pain in a limb. The pain is disproportionate to the injury or trauma that caused it. This affects roughly 200,000 people in the United States. 

The Village of Bluffton Council will hold a regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25. 

The attached agenda includes two items of legislation:

SLIDESHOW: Click on photos to enlarge and view at your own pace.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

A local online business, SuperCuteDresses.com, recently hit a major milestone in its development with the assistance of the Bluffton Post Office.

The Icon met Luke Ringger, who owns the business with his wife Kariann, at the Bluffton Post Office to see a celebration with Post Master Jared Caprella and Tom Pennington, a Territory Representative for USPS.

The milestone? Shipping 10,000 packaging in 2024, which Ringger notes was done “flawlessly.” And that was with just 9 months under their belts. Rather than celebrate an odd number at the end of the year–kind of like waiting for your car odometer to turn over 100,000–he chose to present the U.S. Post Office representative with a plaque expressing the company’s gratitude at the 10K mark. ▶︎

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) continues to look for dedicated volunteers to fill a variety of roles.

The organization updates its volunteer opportunities list regularly. Heather Schalk, volunteer services manager, said volunteers today often want flexibility. Some want to volunteer for several hours each week, while others might have less availability but ask to be on the list for a one-time opportunity, like a special event. Schalk meets with each new volunteer individually to get a sense of their interests, skills, and schedule.

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