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It all started in 1944

Sunday marks the 75th year of a Bluffton institution - the trout derby

The photo, taken by Leland Gerber, shows Kimmel Marshall (left) and an unidentified sportsman promoting the 1955 trout derby.

• CLICK HERE for details on this year's derby.

Sunday is the 75th anniversary Bluffton Sportsmen's Club trout derby. Eugene Benroth once said that the derby, which he played a huge part of promoting, was started during World War II as a way to bring the community together during a trying time.

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The winning caption: "You wouldn't believe us if we told you."

The Icon received over 50 entries in our "Write a caption for this photo" contest.

The photo was taken at the First National Bank's 100th anniversary celebration. In the photo are two former Bluffton mayors and the current mayor, from left, Fred Rodabaugh, Richard Johnson and Roger Edwards.

Mike Hight of Bluffton is the caption-writing winner with this entry: "You wouldn’t believe us if we told you."

He wins five passes to the Shannon Theatre.

Runners-up follow:

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He delivered over 1,500 babies

A chat with Dr. Howard Shelly, small-town general practitioner, who made Bluffton such an interesting town

CLICK HERE for Dr. Shelly's obituary.

Note: The Icon interviewed Dr. Howard Shelly several years ago. The interview focused on his career as a small town doctor. The interview follows:

I grew up in eastern Pennsylvania in a Mennonite community. I had seven brothers and one sister and they all came to Bluffton College. My oldest brother, Maynard, came to Bluffton College and became a minister and I followed in his footsteps.

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Write a caption - win some Shannon Theatre tickets

The Icon needs viewer assistance.

Write a caption for this photograph. The winning caption writer will receive four tickets to the Shannon Theatre. Entry deadline is noon Monday, May 6.

Send you entry to: [email protected]. In the message line write: Caption contest.

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Icon visits Roy Lichenstein shrine (she'll get over it)

There are times when you just have to get out of town.

If you noticed a scant posting of stories over the past seven days there's a reason: The Icon editor flew the coop.

Headed west on U.S. 30 to Homewood, Illinois, to visit Rudi (brother) and Cheryl Steiner. Then took the toll road to Shorewood, Wisconsin, to visit Mary (sister) and Guy Lord.

While in Wisconsin, visited the Milwaukee Museum of Art and stopped briefly at the Roy Lichenstein shrine (see photo). Don't know who broke her heart, but we are confident that she'll eventually get over it.

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Bluffton's memorable Richard "Dick" Jordan

But the best part of Dick – the part we will miss the most, is his explanation of obscure, yet significant Bluffton footnotes

When I think of Dick Jordan, several things come to mind.

• His license plate: 528 YZ. That was the family address on South Main Street.
• The Masonic Lodge. “A society of secrets, not a secret society,” or so he claimed.
• His Jordan triplet two brothers and one sister. My brother, Rudi, their contemporary, often said that Mrs. Jordan (their mother) should have been given sainthood. “She had Jordans three at one time.”
• His chuckle, reminiscent of the late Arden Baker’s.

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