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A story about twins

Earlier this winter, the Icon posted a photo of twin who attended Bluffton schools in 1951. That photo is posted below.

The photo posed the question, how many twins attend Bluffton elementary this year?

The Icon put the question to Tim Closson, principal, and after a moment of thinking, he said, "I believe we have seven sets of twins!"

As a result, here's the photo of this year's twins.

Obtaining this photo was more difficult than you might think.

First, our fickle winter weather with school delays played against us.

Second, potential illness of 14 elementary students became a factor. And, unlike the 1951 photo, privacy issues need consideration.

The plan became this: "The day I learn that all the students are here, I'll call you for the photo," said Closson. That happened Monday, and the rest is history.

It's interesting that this year's twins photo is taken very near the same spot as the 1951 photo. Only the buildings have changed.

And, there is a set of Basinger twins in the 1951 photo and the 2019 photo.

Here's the names of twins at Bluffton elementary this school year:

Front from left, Natalie and Morgan Basinger, Kindergarten; Reid and Evan Montgomery, Kindergarten.

Center from left, Kya and Mya McDougle, fifth grade; Thalia and Calliope Buckell, fourth grade.

Top from left, Emily Hartwell, fourth grade; Hayley and Aubrey Maag, second grade; Mason and Isabella Walters, second grade; and Selena Hartwell, fourth grade.

Here's the 1951 photo and story:

This story is believed to be from the Lim News. Twins and triplets in the Bluffton schools taken in the 1951 school year.

Front from left, Arlene Kay and Marlene Rae Basinger; Carol, Walter and Charles Jordan; Jerry Ray and Garry Jay Althaus.

Back row from left, Rae Ann and Rachael Mae Devier; Connie Janes and Nancy Lane Patterson.

Enrolled in the Bluffton grade school are four sets of twins and one set of triplets, a record for the school. Two pairs of twins and the triplets are in the second grade.

Arlene Kay and Marlene Rae Basinger, age 7, are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Basinger. The Basingers live on a farm two miles west of town.

Their father is manager of the Master Feed Mill in Bluffton. Nearly everyone who knows them have difficulty in telling the girls apart as they are so nearly alike in appearance.

They both like the outdoors and animals and enjoy to help with chores. There are no other children in the family. Mrs. Truman Bixel is their second grade teacher.

Jerry Rae and Garry Jay, age 7, are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Althaus. They live in the country and their father is a farmer. There is considerable difference in the appearance of the brothers as is also in their interests.

Jerry likes athletics and spends much time outdoors, while Garry caters to reading and art. They are the only children in the home. Mrs., Bixel is their second grade teacher.

Carol, Charles and Walter Jordan, age 7, triplets are the children of Mr. and Mrs. James T. Jordan. Their father is a serviceman for the Surface Combustion Corporation, Toledo. In their family are three other children, James Jr., age 8, in the third grade, Sally, age 10, in the fourth grade, and Richard, 16, a senior in Bluffton high school. Mrs. Clayton Murray is their second grade teacher.

Connie Jane and Nancy Lane, age 8, are the twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Don Patterson, South Lawn avenue. Mr. Patterson is the proprietor of Pat’s Barber shop. One prefers outdoors play while the other chooses to play more quietly in the home. They are studying piano with their mother as teacher. Both their father and mother are one of a pair of twins. They have a brother Donny, three years old. Miss Minerva Hilty is their third grade teacher.

Rachael Ma and Rae Ann Devier, age 11, are the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. Carl Devier, 656 South Main street. They enjoy school and like to be in plays. They are the only children in the home. Mrs. Paul Cramer is their fifth grade teacher.

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