By Cort Reynolds

Playing at home, the Bluffton High School girls basketball team lost to local rival Allen East 47-35 in the Northwest Conference regular season finale Thursday evening, February 9.

Bluffton finished its regular season 13-9 overall and ended up 1-7 in the NWC with the loss, good for eighth place in the league.

Organizers for the 2023 Festival of Wheels will hold an informational and organizational meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15 at Bluffton Town Hall, 154 N. Main St.

Dan Groman, a Bluffton car enthusiast who has been part of the show since the 1970s, is encouraging those with experience attending, participating in or organizing car shows to attend the meeting.

You do not have to be a Bluffton Lions Club member to support the Festival of Wheels, which has taken place virtually every year since 1957. The car show has been in various locations and has been coordinated by the chamber of commerce, John's Body Shop and the Bluffton Lions.

The Festival of Wheels will be held on Friday, June 16. 

Groman notes that supporting roles will include spreading the word with posters, trophy coordination, setting up tables and tents, and working with food vendors. 

If you have questions or are interested in participating but cannot attend the February 15 meeting, you may email Groman at [email protected].

The closing reception of the “Voices Together” art exhibit will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 with an artist talk at 1:20 p.m. from Gwen M. Stamm, whose artwork is featured. The reception will be at the Grace Albrecht Gallery in the Sauder Visual Art Center.

Bluffton University Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Roy Couch, will perform a varied concert of originals and arrangements at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, in Yoder Recital Hall. The band is comprised of Bluffton University students and area community members.

It's time to think spring. Downtown Bluffton's much loved display of petunias is the result of an annual appeal for sponsors. Here's the scoop on this year's beautification program from Stratton Greenhouses, 9915 Lincoln Hwy., and Roots by Strattons, 111 S. Main:

"We would like to invite everyone to become a Bluffton Flowerpot Sponsor! We are so appreciative of everyone's support from those who have contributed over the years. There have been a few changes this year with how we are handling the Flowerpot Sponsorship, so we really appreciate your understanding and support.

Time is running out to get your baseball and softball registrations in with Bluffton Diamond Sports, which has a February 12 deadline.

Organizers note, "We are switching softball leagues this year, so in addition to adding a younger age group, games will also start later this spring and games nights are a little different."

Seeded 6th at sectionals, to face rival AE

By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton boys basketball team lost 56-53 to Elida in overtime during a non-conference matchup Tuesday night in the Elida Fieldhouse.

Pirate junior Wade Ginther led all players with 20 points. 

Bluffton sophomore Terron Boblitt tallied 11 markers, while senior guard Carson Soper contributed 10 points. Sophomore guard Marek Donaldson chipped in with nine points.

Bluffton dropped to 10-8 with the close defeat. Elida improved to 8-11 with the victory.

By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1976, Elton John and Kiki Dee released the duet Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin under the pseudonyms of Ann Orson and Carte Blanche. The single was never on an original Elton John album, but appeared on the 1994 release Duets.

Elton John sang the same duet with Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show. He performed the duet again with Kiki Dee for the Live Aid concert, but has done performances with RuPaul, Minnie Mouse and the Spice Girls.

On February 3, the Bluffton Area Ministerial Association announced, 

"This morning the Bluffton Area Ministerial Association and Community Assistance donated 11 cases of tissue boxes to Bluffton Schools with the help of Community Markets right here in town.