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Bluffton's Woodcock power plant

Posted by Fred Steiner on March 1, 2021 - 10:19am

Jim Diller shared this photo of Bluffton's Woodcock power plant with the Icon. It was originally a color slide taken by his father, Paul.

For viewers who may be unaware, the site of John's Body Shop on Lake Street was once a coal-fired power plant. It was razed in the 1980s.

The photographer captured the plant and the trees in a perfect reflection in the National Quarry on a summer afternoon.

Section: 
Historical Bluffton
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Icon book review: Nomadland

Where positive thinking is an all-American coping mechanism
Posted by Fred Steiner on February 28, 2021 - 10:54pm

Reviewed by Robert McCool
Nomadland (W.W.North, ISBN978-0-393-24931-6) has all that a non-fiction book should have: the what, the who, the when, and most importantly, the why. It is a handbook on “Surviving America In The Twenty-First Century” as it states in its sub-title.

First off, it's a book about a growing subculture here in America, one that carries its home around on its back around the country and settles in no place for long. They refer to themselves as “rubber tramps” because they live on the open road with far-flung destinations.

Section: 
Columnists
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Forgotten Bluffton: A 95-year-old high school tradition

Originally called "Annual Leaves," we call it "Buccaneer"
Posted by Fred Steiner on February 28, 2021 - 8:49pm

Here's a recap of the beginning of a 95-year-old Bluffton tradition, today part of forgotten Bluffton.

In many cases this 95-year tradition is the only thing, except for a scrapbook or two, that most Bluffton High School alumni still have on their bookshelf.

We know it as the Bluffton High School yearbook, aka “Buccaneer.”

The first edition was published in 1925-26.

Section: 
Columnists
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How much is that cat in the window?

Posted by Fred Steiner on February 28, 2021 - 1:22pm

FROM ADA ICON - The Icon visited Ada schools Friday  to take photos of staff and teachers being vaccinated. On the way home we couldn't help but notice this feline in an Ada house window. It was gazing out the window when we arrived at the school and still looking out when we left. The image of the branches in the window reflection make this an even more outstanding scene.

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Mike Lanham was a member of Iron Workers Local 290

Posted by Fred Steiner on February 27, 2021 - 11:01pm

Michael "Mike" "Big Ugly" W. Lanham, 45, died on Feb. 24, 2021, at 4:12 p.m., at his residence, after a long battle of a heart disease and diabetes.   

Mike was born Dec. 22, 1975, in Okinawa, Japan, to Michael Lanham and Linda (Lenny) Kinn. On Oct. 5, 2020, he married Stacey (Allemeier) Lanham who survives in Bluffton. 

Mike attended Bluffton High School. He was a part of the Iron Workers Local 290. 

Section: 
Obituaries
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Michael McDowell was a retired Bluffton school bus driver

Also worked at McBee Grain, was a Columbus Grove HS grad
Posted by Fred Steiner on February 27, 2021 - 4:03pm

Michael W. McDowell, 71, died at 2:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at his home with his wife by his side, after a long suffering battle with COPD.  

Michael was born May 3, 1949, in Lima, to the late Byron Milton and Mary Jane (Roberts) McDowell. On Nov. 10, 2002, he married Robin (Miles) Klingler McDowell. 

Section: 
Obituaries
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