What do the words slave, denim, cobalt, idiom, hyphen, algebra, opossum, dichotomy and aggregate have in common?
Here's what: Twelve-year-old seventh grader Elizabeth Nisly spelled each word correctly on her way to become Bluffton's first-ever Allen County spelling bee champ this past weekend.
The title advances her to a regional spelling bee contest on March 19 at OSU-Lima. There the top three middle school spellers from six or seven counties compete.
By Kirstie Runion, Bluffton University Icon Intern
Peanut cream, hickory nut, chocolate, pecan, coconut cream-the list of entries in this year's Maple Crest Pie Baking Contest can make anyone's mouth water.
"Who doesn't want a warm pie after a winter like this?" said Julie Stratton, director of marketing and public relations at Maple Crest.
Andrea Spallinger, a Bluffton High School senior, was named student of the month for January. Andrea is a member of SADD Club, Ebenezer Mennonite Youth Group, the Beaverdam Bunch 4-H and the Renaissance Committee.
She has also participated in girls' cross country and was named the most improved member of the team. She has received an academic award in Home Economics during the annual BHS academic awards assembly.
By Keisha Holtsberry, sports information assistant
The Bluffton University men's basketball team hosted Anderson University on Monday, February 7. The Beavers fell behind 10-0 less than four minutes into the game and were down 45-19 at the break. A frantic second half comeback came up just short as the Ravens held on for an 86-78 victory in a rare Monday night contest in Founders Hall. Bluffton slipped to 14-7 overall and 7-7 in the HCAC. The Ravens improved to 15-6 overall and 11-3 in conference play.
The Bluffton University women's basketball team knocked off Heartland Conference rival Anderson University, 56-52, on Monday, February 7. It marked the Beavers' second win over Anderson in the last 20 contests with the Ravens. Bluffton improved to 9-12 overall and 6-8 in the HCAC. Anderson dropped to 4-10 in the conference and 6-15 on the season.
In the first six weeks of 2011 the Bluffton-Pandora area has experienced 25.1 inches of snowfall. According to Guy Verhoff, Pandora weather observer, 16 inches of snow fell in January. Add to that 9.1 inches recorded in the first seven days of February.
Here's the weather summary for the first seven days of February, from Verhoff:
