Dr. Christina Gringeri, associate professor of social work at the University of Utah, will present "Social Work in the Twenty-First Century: Riding the Waves of Immigration, or Missing the Boat?" at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, in Bluffton University's Founders Hall. Free and open to the public, the forum is part of the Smucker Lecture Series.

Gringeri's address will explore the profession of social work and where it fits in the immigration debate in the United States. She will also speak at an afternoon workshop focusing on health care reform in the U.S.

Bluffton University will present a Graduate Programs Open House from 4:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 24 at the Putnam County Educational Service Center, 124 Putnam Parkway, Ottawa.

"This is a convenient opportunity for Putnam County residents to learn about the options available at Bluffton which will enable them to earn a master's degree," said Ted Bible, director of Bluffton's adult and graduate education office.

Icon viewers:

Just a comment about cleaning the Little Riley Creek or any other flood control measures. Water has no problem getting into town or through town. The problem is getting water out of town. The bridge on Bentley Road north of town is not capable of allowing water out of town.

The bridge was not constructed properly to let a 50-year flood out of town much less a 100-year flood.

If you notice, water has to go north of the bridge to cross the Bentley. I was told by the regional planning commissioner water should go over the bridge.

By Joanne Niswander

I've just come back from my first real walk of the spring - with no coat, only a light sweater (and that was a little much). All of you Ohioans who have spent the winter inside, walking the treadmill or the indoor track, know how refreshing it is to be able to step outside with no coat and breathe in something other than cold air and snowflakes.

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You don't have to be older than 60 to appreciate this photo, but you do need to be that old to say you attended school in the building.

The stately Bluffton Victorian school, located on the site of the current elementary, was razed in 1954 to make way for the new building.

We welcome comments from viewers who attended classes in the building.

Photo from a colorized postcard owned by Fred Steiner

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Danielle Rhonemus, 16, a junior, is the Bluffton High School February student of the month.

She is a member of the Concert Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Drama Club, Art Club, Latin Club, Math Club, Chess Club, Student Senate, Junior class secretary and the National Honor Society.

She is the BHS band field commander, is an S.O.S. tutor, and is a member of the District III honors choir. She is active in the Bluffton Presbyterian Church.

The driver claims she's not a Harley fan, but the license plate says she is. We spotted this plate on North Main Street.

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Three Bluffton second graders were the school winners of an Allen County engineers-sponsored poster contest this winter. From left are Ben Baxter, third place; Danielle Novak, second place; and Annalise Nisly, first place.

Allen County engineers Nathan Davis and Scott Little talked to each of the second grade classes in January. They read a book titled "Not All Engineers Drive Trains" to the classes.

The Bluffton University Camerata Singers will sing in the 10:30 a.m. worship service of Grace Mennonite Church, Pandora, on Sunday, March 21, according to Dennis Schmidt, pastor.

Camerata Singers is a select 29-member choir conducted by Judy Hall, adjunct professor of music for Dr. Mark Suderman while he is on sabbatical this spring. Allison Ringold, adjunct piano instructor, is the group's accompanist.