Business

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HomeTown Pharmacy founder and CEO Frederick Grice has appointed Dianne Malburg as the company’s new president. Hometown Pharmacy has a location at 112 E Main St., Pandora OH and is based at 4171 S. Oceana Drive New Era, Michigan.

Malburg is a senior healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience in the pharmacy industry. She has practiced as a  health-system pharmacist for nearly 10 years as well as owning an independent pharmacy in the Lansing, Michigan area for an additional 10 years.   

 

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The Bluffton Lions Club is seeking nominees for the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award.  The award was established in 1981 to honor a person, couple, or person representing a group, who has selflessly given time, effort, and talent for the benefit of those in the Bluffton area, and whose dedication and achievements have profoundly improved the quality of life of the people in this area. 

The nominee may be living, or deceased within the last year. This year’s winner will be feted at a banquet on April 15, 2025. 

Anyone interested in making a nomination may obtain an application by contacting John Rich (419-358-5405) or visiting the Lions Club website at www.blufftonlions.org/ 

Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2025, and should be returned to Bluffton Lions Club, Box 223, Bluffton, Ohio 45817.

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Corporate leadership roles will be shared across the two organizations

Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) has announced its formal affiliation with the Brethren Retirement Community (BRC) of  Greenville, Ohio, effective December 31, 2024.

The announcement notes, "This partnership marks a significant milestone in MHCO’s nearly 70-year mission of providing a Christ-centered community that promotes personal decision-making and purposeful living for older adults."

Under the terms of the affiliation, MHCO becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of BRC while maintaining its identity and presence in Northwest Ohio. MHCO will continue to operate as a separate legal entity, but corporate leadership roles—such as CEO and CFO—will be shared across the two organizations. This collaboration will enable MHCO to secure better rates for essential vendor contracts, including food, medical supplies and insurance, ultimately benefiting  residents and care partners. 

Additionally, MHCO’s name, signage and dedication to the community will remain unchanged.  A newly formed MHCO Mission Board will ensure local support and oversight of MHCO’s mission within the larger organization. 

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Pandora__First National Bank has announced the appointment of Heather McDonald as the new Branch Manager of the Pandora location, 102 E. Main.

McDonald will oversee daily branch operations and be responsible for establishing and  expanding customer relationships for First National Bank in Pandora and its surrounding  areas.  

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By Paula Pyzik Scott

Three Bluffton shops owned by the non-profit organization Et Cetera Shop, Inc. have been in the news throughout 2024. The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of events that celebrated and highlighted work supported by six area churches and over 100 volunteers at Book Reviews, Et Cetera Shop and Ten Thousand Villages.

The Et Cetera Shop board has also provided the following details on “where the money goes” in and beyond Bluffton. The board is currently comprised of Lori Nester, Beverly Armstrong, Nancy Neff, Tim Byers, Carolyn McDaniel, Linda Nelson, George Lehman and Dick McGarrity.

A percentage is designated by the board to be “tithed” for local efforts to combat the effects of poverty. This year, $6,000 was donated to the Bluffton Community Assistance Program as well as the benevolent funds of the supporting churches, which include English Lutheran, Bluffton Presbyterian, First Mennonite, Grace Mennonite, Lima Mennonite and Salem Mennonite.

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By Liz Gordon-Hancock

The following eleven land transfers took place in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District for the month of December 2024 as reported on the websites of Allen County Auditor Rachael S. Gilroy and Hancock County Auditor Charity A. Rauschenberg.

Address - Sale Date - Sale Price - Land Use - Owner - From / To

Commercial

415 N MAIN ST - 12/12/2024 - $220,000 - Retail - From Jeffrey & Beth Boehr to Emmetts Rentals LLC

Residential

107 SALLY LN - 12/3/2024 - $206,000 - Condominium Residential Unit - From Kenneth & Evelyn Doris Samsal to HKS INVESTMENTS LLC

9740 N DIXIE HWY - 12/4/2024 - $400,000 - Single family dwelling unplatted - From Cindy Luginbhul & Stacy Allgire to Nathan & Heidi Cheney

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