Letters

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Presented by Bluffton resident Mitch Kingsley at February 24 Bluffton Council Meeting

“Any ‘lesson’ runs the risk of being a scolding. When I wrote this up I did not have any bad actors in mind and had no intention of scolding anyone. As mentioned in the text, when the proposal was brought to council it seemed good to go.

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A history of "Sharing Hopes And Nourishing Needs Of Neighbors"

By Duane Bollenbacher and Patien Dulaney

Duane:
In 1997 a group of young couples and individuals in Bluffton formed the Bluffton Junior Chamber of Commerce (the Jaycees). After one year they decided they did not like paying big dues that were sent out of town. So in 1998 they formed a local service club--called the Bluffton Area Service Organization, or BASO. They existed for a couple years and they got busy, most of them with young children and disbanded. When the Exchange Club was formed, BASO gave them ideas for activities and turned over the money in their account.

There were 25 members when the Exchange Club officially started on April 25, 2003. The activities were dictated by International Headquarters and 90% of the expensive dues went out of town. As the President and other officers became busy elsewhere, our numbers dwindled extensively but we still tried to do all the nationally-dictated activities. We finally got down to a very small number, myself being the only remaining charter member from the Exchange Club just three years prior. 

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Cole May, newly appointed Resident Preacher of Bluffton Presbyterian Church, will begin a series of sermons titled, “Profiles”, examining some of the great men and women of the Bible.  The message at the service Sunday February 16 at 10:15 will focus on Elijah. 

Cole is originally from Lima and has most recently lived in Harrod with his wife Janelle and four children, Greyson, Hudson, Emmree and October-Grace.  The older children attend Bluffton Schools.

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The following 2024 highlights were shared with members of the Bluffton Council at their final meeting of the year.

By Joe Sehlhorst
Village of Bluffton Council Member

December 2023

• Brightspeed fiber installation: Brightspeed is installing fiber throughout the town. The project spans 13 miles, with 84% being aerial installations, targeting 1,840 service locations.

• Cemetery rate updates: Burial rates have increased from $500 to $600, and infant burial rates have increased from $300 to $400. Currently, 65 plots are available for purchase.

January 2024

• Building and Zoning updates: In 2023, $23.7 million was invested in commercial and residential improvements. GROB Industries is planning a 90,000 square foot expansion valued at $18 million.

• Sanitary Compliance: Compliance efforts are 74.3% complete, with 34 sump pumps removed and connected to the sanitary system.

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By Joyce Schumacher

What do a style show, a garden walk, a comforter knotting party and a repurposing event have in common? They were all part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Et Cetera, Inc., including the three stores, Et Cetera Shop, Ten Thousand Villages, and Book ReViews. 

The event planners thank everyone who attended events of the year-long celebration. Thank you to First Mennonite Church, the Bluffton Middle School, Bluffton gardeners, the Arthur Lugibihl Community Center in Pandora and Bluffton Family YMCA for hosting events.

With your support, the celebration was a success! Thank you!

For celebration highlights, check out our Yearlong 50th anniversary celebration of Et Cetera Inc. Facebook page and website.

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PHOTOS by Bluffton Icon / Click on gallery to view at your own pace

Redo, Renew, Repurpose event shares products and techniques

By Wendy Chappell-Dick
Manager of Bluffton Ten Thousand Villages

“What a nice dress you have on today.”

“Thank you! I got it at the Et Cetera Shop.”

This declaration is heard often in Bluffton, where purchases at our beloved thrift store are a thing of which to be proud, not embarrassed. This kind of cultural shift is essential as we make changes to protect our environment. Most changes aren’t easy. The triumph of the Et Cetera Shop is that shoppers come, not out of duty, but out of need, curiosity, and just plain fun. Bluffton, a little village in Northwest Ohio, has many people intent on reducing waste, recycling and, more importantly, by re-using what would have been trash. This wide-spread mindset is the result of a fifty-year community effort involving three stores and over one hundred volunteers. 

The Et Cetera Shop has been re-selling gently used books, household items, electronics, bedding and clothing ever since it was founded in a small storefront on Main Street. It has expanded to become three separate stores: a thrift shop, a used bookstore called Book Reviews, and a Fair Trade gift boutique called Ten Thousand Villages, which sells many recycled items from around the world. This expansion has been possible only with the enthusiastic support of churches and willing helpers along the way.

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