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15 minutes with Joe Sehlhorst, Bluffton council member

One of two council incumbents running as official write-in candidates

By Andy Chappell-Dick

This is the third installment of interviews with local candidates for Village of Bluffton elections on November 7. Like Ben Stahl, Joe Sehlhort is running unopposed to reclaim his seat on Council. Neither will appear on the ballot but they are approved as write-in candidates, so take note on how to spell their names. STAHL and SEHLHORST are the youngest current Councilors by an arguably wide margin. Sehlhorst has already served three four-year terms.

Q. What is your 20-second elevator speech for promoting Bluffton?
A. Welcome to Bluffton. If you are here to visit, you will be pleased to see all the shops and restaurants that will be able to meet many of your needs. Have time to take a stroll. We have plenty of sidewalks that connect through our safe neighborhoods and pathways to guide you to our many beautiful parks. Can’t fit that all in just one day and want to see more. Why not consider becoming part of our community. We would love to have you as a neighbor.

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15 minutes with Rich Johnson, Mayor of Bluffton

By Andy Chappell-Dick

In this installment, Richard Johnson opens up from the Mayor's desk. As an elected council member, he was appointed mayor in 2018 when the previous mayor resigned. He won reelection to a full term in 2019, and is running unopposed for a second term.

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Caitlyn Couch is September Student of the Month

The Bluffton High School student of the month for September 2023 is Caitlyn Couch, a senior with a 4.000 GPA. She is the daughter of Roy and Cathy Couch of Bluffton.  

Couch is involved in many activities at school including the marching band, pep band, concert band, jazz band, choir, "Four Guys and a Gal" quartet, Drama club, E-sports, Academic team and a member of the National Honor Society. She received an Academic Award in Spanish/9th grade, English/10th grade & Government/11th grade. This fall she was selected as one of the Senior Homecoming Attendants

She was a member of the Tennis team her Freshman, Sophomore and Junior years. She is employed at St. Mary's Catholic Church and Shirley's Popcorn.

The senior has taken CCP courses through Rhodes State University-Bluffton High School in College Algebra & Trigonometry.  

In her spare time Couch enjoys listening to music, playing the piano, reading, writing and watching movies. 

After graduation Caitlyn plans on attending Capital University and majoring in Music Technology.

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15 minutes with Ben Stahl, Bluffton council member

One of two council incumbents running as official write-in candidates

By Andy Chappell-Dick

This November, Bluffton voters will face three vacancies in Village government.  As it happens, Mayor Richard Johnson and Councillors Ben Stahl and Joe Sehlhort are all running unopposed for reelction. 

Johnson will appear on the ballot as the Republican nominee.  Stahl and Sehlhorst will NOT appear on the ballot, but are approved as official write-in candidates.  No other write-ins are approved. 

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Bluffton High School Class of 1963 celebrates 60th reunion

The Bluffton High School class of 1963 celebrated their 60th class reunion at First Mennonite Church in Bluffton on Friday evening, September 15, followed by a brunch on the following morning.

In person attendance:

1st Row: Pauline Kinsinger, Edie Watts, Linda Baber Zwinski, Deanna Beach Essinger

2nd Row: Brenda Moser, Sharlene Lanning Antritt, Betty Thomas Basinger, Linda Steinman Inbody, Nancy Luginbuhl Frick

Back Row: Bob Blank, Al Traucht, Brice Balmer, Lynn Basinger, Jerry Weaver, Bob Badertscher, Rodger Benroth, Rich Bucher, Ken Lugibihl, Marvin Augsburger, Norman Reichenbach  

Joining the group via Zoom were Diana Hilty Marshall, Coletta Lora Wiebe, Connie Habegger Briggs and Midori Oyamada Shimada.

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What Pirates are wearing for Homecoming spirit week

Monday? Jersey Day.... Tuesday? Wild West.... Wednesday? Disney Day.... Thursday? Picture Perfect.... Friday? Arrrr. It's Pirate Day. Wear your best school spirit and school colors.

Also on Friday: Homecoming parade at 5:30 p.m., then cheer on the Pirates football team when they take on Crestview.

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