All Bluffton Icon News

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An honor roll for grades 9-12 has been issued by Bluffton High School for the second quarter of the 2024-2025 school year.

9th Grade – All A

Owen Armstrong, Mallory Blackburn, Avery Boehm, Peighton Bowers, Owen Brauen, Caleb Cockerham, Willow Derstine, Phoebe Edwards-Leeper, Camryn Fruchey, Xandra Gatchel, Lane Ginther, Tala Gipson, Klaira Hohenbrink, Camryn Lamb, Emme Lee, Micah Lemley, Maelee Miller, Alexis Mummert, Alexander Nance, Elizabeth Phillips, Isabella Recker, Natalie Richards, Ella Roby, Ethan Smith, Adrean Sprunger, Lilly Swartzmiller, Carli Wise, Jubilee Wolford, Peyton Worcester

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Currently on display at the Sauder Visual Arts Center Grace Albrecht Gallery on the campus of Bluffton University is the "Discovering Order: Exploring and Reinterpreting Nature" visual arts exhibit.

The gallery features ceramic sculpture by Beth Lindenberger and paintings by Jack McWhorter which "consider the concept of the visible and invisible, by referencing organic objects, microscopic organisms and elements drawn from the diverse forms in the natural world."

An artists' reception will be held on Sunday, February 16 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

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Last week Enbridge Gas began the first of 50 days of a gas main and service line improvement project which will impact sidewalks and pavement on Main, College, Geiger and Cherry Streets. Due to winter weather, temporary concrete will be installed on sidewalks and driveways, with permanent finishing to follow once conditions improve. 

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Apollo Career Center has provided an annual report of the number of Bluffton students enrolled in its high school programs. The center serves all or part of six counties, providing 21 career-technical programs.

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By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton varsity bowling team outscored Miller City 2,738 pins to 2,505 pins on January 30.

The win improved the Pirate record to 7-2.

Bluffton won round one with a consistent 890-888=1,778 two-game series. MC rolled an 844-812-1,656 two-game set.

High games for the Pirates were rolled by Coby Dailey (232) and Matt Piehl (206). Wildcat Lucas Klear bowled a 213, while teammate Branden Reynolds shot a 203 high game.

The Pirates entered the Baker Series with a 122-pin lead. Bluffton rolled 192-215-180-215-158=960 Baker set to win round two by 111 pins.

MC bowled a 177-202-179-142-149=849 Baker Series.

“We had a strong performance from our varsity,” said Pirate head coach Ben Nye. “Coby Dailey had his high game and series of the season with a 232 and 426 (total). 

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By Robert McCool

What a delightful book! "Remarkably Bright Creatures" (HarperCollins, 2022) by a debut author, Shelby Van Pelt. This book has been on the New York Times bestseller list numerous times since its publication and the author won a Reader's Choice Award for Best Debut Writer. 

It remains one of the most read pop-fiction books and was the first unanimous selection by Ada Book Club members for 2025. I have to thank Jill Simmons for bringing this book to our attention.

First off, it has the most unique voice for a narrator and commentator on human behavior. Marcellus McSquid (inappropriately named on the plaque above his tank, as he is a Giant Pacific Octopus, not a squid.) opens the book with a commentary on his conditions and the visitors beyond his glass tank. He tells you of his intelligence (for example, his ability to read) and you need to be aware of this throughout the novel as his personal life is explained in too few commentaries.

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