A major tragedy last week struck a family in the Bluffton school district and a community response is underway to assist them.
The Shawn Justus family of Beaverdam lost their house and all belonging is a house fire on Dec. 18. The residence was on Lincoln Highway between Beaverdam and Cairo.
Beaverdam-Richland Township Fire Department responded to the blaze and called Bluffton and Cairo departments for backup.
The fire was not the only tragedy for the family this year.
Bluffton Class of 1965 held its 50th class reunion Oct. 2 and 3. A tailgate party was held at the Bluffton town hall during the homecoming parade on Oct. 2. On Saturday class members toured the Slaw Cutter. Saturday evening was the reunion with 54 present from the class of 98.
First Mennonite Church will hold a Christmas Eve service of scripture, music and candelighting at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend!
The church is located at 101 S. Jackson St., Bluffton. Parking is plentiful and the church is handicap accessible, with an elevator available at the Jackson Street entrance.
Wanda Stopher is the pastor and Steven Yoder is the associate pastor.
On Sunday, Dec. 27, the church will hold a potluck brunch at 9:15 a.m., with worship to follow at 10:30 a.m. Again, all are encouraged to attend.
Mitchell Ault and Nick Friesen of Bluffton guard Wapakoneta players during the second half of the BHS-Wapak boys' game on Dec. 22. The Pirates beat the WLB team 65-55.
Scattered damaging wind gusts of 50-60 mph
An AEP Weather Alert: Unseasonably warm, moist air will arrive in AEP’s East Utilities today ahead of an advancing cold front.
This will most likely result in a broken line of strong-severe thunderstorms crossing the utilities this evening into tonight. The winds aloft will be exceptionally strong…making it probable that some of the thunderstorms will mix down damaging wind gusts.
Santa Claus came to town on Saturday. He held court at The Dough Hook.
Funny thing, he has a natural appeal to people of all ages. The Icon offers the following selection of photos as proof. You'll see your friends here, and maybe even yourself.
Watch for a second set of photos from an earlier visit at Bluffton Family Recreation.
Lawrence W. Reed, President, Foundation for Economic Education will speak on “Liberty and Character: Two Sides of the Same Coin” in Bluffton University's Forum at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12 in Founders Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
His thesis centers on the connection between liberty and character; without one the other is impossible. No people in history have lost their character and retained their liberties. Reed will explain this assumption through the use of real stories of people who have led inspirational lives.
Roger Sugden’s exhibit titled “Shapeshifters” will be on display January 4-29 in the Grace Albrecht Gallery of Bluffton University’s Sauder Visual Arts Center.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekly and 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. A reception with the artist will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17. The display is open to the public and free of charge.
Dr. George Lehman, Howard Raid professor of business at Bluffton University, will present a colloquium on emotional iontelligence and its use to achieve personal and occupational success January 15 at the university.
His presentation is free and open to the public beginning at 4 p.m. in Centennial Hall’s Stutzman Lecture Hall.
