Bluffton EMS chief, Jan Basinger, provided The Icon with the November EMS report:

Stephen J. Halle, 62 of Bluffton and formerly of Lancaster died at 4:12 p.m., Dec. 4, 2011, at Richland Manor, Bluffton. He was born July 26, 1949. in Mesa, Ariz., to Lee Jaygene and Marva Willis Halle. His father preceded him in death and his mother survives in Willard, Mo. On Feb.18, 1972, he married Brenda Saunders in Mesa, Ariz. and she survives in Bluffton.

There is a tie in the Icon NFL Contest for Week 5. Ben Reineke, Dan Smith and Nancy Armour all accumulated 10 points this week and all picked the same 4 tie-breakers.

Other contestants:
9 points - Andy Althaus, John Clevidence and Mike Burris.
8 points - Bill Edwards and Philip Keeler.
7 points - Becky Warren, Duane Bollenbacher, James Crawfis, Jim Dillman and Mark Sommers.

How do you choose three winners with so many impressive Bluffton holiday lawn decorations glowing in the night? That task was settled over the weekend by representatives of the Blaze of Lights committee.

This year the committee selected first, second and third place winners based upon several judging categories including points for "Wow! What a great display!"

The Bluffton elementary fourth and fifth grade school honor roll was recently released. Students on the honor roll follow:

Saturday Morning Junior League
Scores bowled on: Nov.26
Boys High Game
Dustin Falk 174
Kaden Reneker 169
Brandon Hemry 168
Kyle Kirkendall 166

Girls High Game
Kayleigh Coughlin 97
Ashleigh King 87
Amy Marquart 82
Kennedy Coughlin 71

Boys High Series (2 Games)
Dustin Falk 343
Kaden Reneker 328
Tyler Snyder 313
Kyle Kirkendall 300

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Participants in the Sielschott, Walsh, Keifer, & Regula CPA ribbon cutting on Dec. 1 included members of the Sielschott staff and members of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce.

From left, Aphaphanh Nussbaum, Natalie Scott, Liz Schmerge, Melissa Bowman, Barb Cosart, Beda Sielschott, Austin Sherer, Tracey Regula, Fred Rodabaugh, Bob Sielschott and Jared Walsh with scissors, Jamie Mehaffie, Branden Fortman, Katie Keifer, Matt Luke, Sally Siferd, Brendon Matthews and Phil Zimmerly.

When did you graduate from BHS? Does that seem like a long time ago?

I graduated from Bluffton High School in 2003. It does not seem like it was that long ago, but time has passed quickly.

What were you involved in during your growing-up years?

During high school, I was involved in show choir, band, choir, musicals, Latin Club, National Honor Society, was an elementary and high school office helper, and took post-secondary classes at Bluffton. I also worked at The Food Store, which was a lot of fun!