With the schedule of Bluffton sesquicentennial now published, The Icon will continue to update viewers of specifics program information and opportunities that residents have to participate in these program.

For further information on any of the sesquicentennial contact Beverly Amstutz, director of the committee at 419-358-0334.

Here is The Icon's first installment of Bluffton sesquicentennial information in specific detail:

Community art exhibit

Calling all artists.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Did you know that Bluffton once had a Silver Fox Farm? It was located at the site of Mennonite Memorial Home at the bend on Elm Street. Here's a photo of some employees and perhaps shareholders.

In the center of the front row is Albert (Bert) Oyer who was the company caretaker. The fox farm, called a fox "ranch" organized in 1927. By 1937 the companyy was estimated in marketing fox pelts valued at $7,500. That year the farm had 225 foxes, which were harvested for fashion clothing.

It only happens once in the lifetime of a community: a one-hundred and fifty year celebration. Put another way, it's a celebration of over 54,750 days of small-town living.

Bluffton sesquicentennial committee, headed by Beverly Amstutz, has been very hard at work for over one year. The committee recently revealed a daily schedule of plans for Bluffton's 150th celebration.

The Bluffton Icon connects its views to the most up-to-date 2010 U.S. census information about Bluffton, our school district and Richland Township.

For example, according to the census:
o Bluffton's 2010 population is 4,125 (2896 in 2000), for a 5.9 percent increase. The that population, 3,305 are adults and 820 are youth under 18.
o Bluffton has 1,522 housing units and 94 are vacant
.o The Bluffton school district has 2,552 housing units and 136 are vacant.

5 Gibbys. Is that something like a "full house" in cards? The Icon spotted this plate in a Bluffton University parking lot.