The Bluffton Lions Foundation will host the 6th annual Ride to Remember in a virtual format this summer.
The public ride that was scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 11, will now be a ride that riders will complete on their own anytime from now until the end of July.
Maps with routes will be provided, but riders may also complete routes in their own communities, or through spinning indoors. The registration fee for the virtual ride will be a donation to the Bluffton Pathways Project, which will be collected during the online registration process.
Former pastor of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Ralph Quellhorst, 82, died June 23, 2020.
He was born in New Bremen, Ohio in 1937. Ralph is the son of the late Clarence and Aurelia Quellhorst. He graduated from Heidelberg University in 1959 with B.A degree in Speech, a B. Div. from Eden Theological Seminary in 1962, M. Div. from Eden Theological Seminary in 1974, and D. Min. in 1976 from Eden Theological Seminary. Rev. Dr. Quellhorst was a retired minister in the United Church of Christ.
Bluffton school board will conduct an evaluation of Greg Denecker, superintendent, and Paula Parish, school treasurer, in an executive session on Monday. The evaluation is completed annually.
The board will also prepare for negotiations with public employees and that will go into executive session also.
In other action, the board will act on a resolution recommending to opt out of career-technical education for seventh and eighth graders during 2020-21.
Breakfast and lunch prices for 2020-21 will be considered at the follow:
Summer is a great time to explore the art spread across the Bluffton community – especially for viewers unable to visit art galleries elsewhere in Ohio.
As a weekly series, The Icon will feature the art created by John Peter Klassen, a long-time Bluffton College art professor.
For some viewers, this series is familiar. For others, it may be a first-time experience.
Did Jamie Nygaard or Rae Staton take your photo on your front porch this spring?
Similar to the bears in the window, front porch photos emerged as a nationwide response activity to the covid-19 pandemic.
The two Bluffton photographers used their camera skills to raise money for a worthy local cause as they accepted donations by photographing residents on their porches.
Jamie had 60 photo sessions and Rae 26 photo session. Their efforts generated $5,100 for the Bluffton Community Assistance Program’s food pantry. Jamie raise $4,000 and Rae $1,100.
Bluffton Public Library’s 2020 Summer Program features opportunities for patrons to watch live videos of local animals.
Live stream with llamas and staff of Hard Rock Llama Company of Ada on July 7; live stream with a variety of farm animals from The Quarry Farm of Pandora, Ohio every Friday; and watch a video from Pet Partners, the therapy dogs and handlers who bring us Paws 2 Read throughout the year, starting on July 13.
The Icon introduces our newest column of book reviews. Robert McCool of Ada is our reviewer.
Reviews by Robert McCool
Who says that summer reading has to be as bubbly and frothy as the foam on top of your iced latte?
I find it better to immerse myself in a good story, like my toes being buried in warm beach sand. But with the current covid-19 restrictions on all of us I have to depend on curbside service from my local library, and recommendations from my favorite librarians.
Fairytales and Fables
Bluffton Family Recreation's summer camp theme
Monday to Friday, June 29-July 3
Dragons, princesses, heroes and princes. Campers will adventure into the stories of many fairy tales and their characters. Throughout the week campers will play Save the Princess, color roses using food coloring and building their own castle out of cardboard boxes.
Daily schedule:
7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Pre-camp
9:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. - Traditional camp
3:30-5:30 p.m. - Post camp
Last week's winner:
Gary Wetherill is last week's winner. His entry to the photo below reads: "I gotta start mowing more often." Gary wins four passes to the Shannon Theatre.
Gary Wetherill is the winner of our recent "Write a caption contest." His entry reads: "I gotta start mowing more often." Gary wins four passes to the Shannon Theatre.
Honorable mention, goes to:
• Greg Ring: Make hay while the sun is shining and the tractor is running."
* Duane Bollenbacher: "It's going to take me all day to round up all these little boogers!!"
BELOW IS THIS WEEK'S CAPTION CONTEST CHALLENGE
The Icon took this photo on Saturday in front of the farmers' market.
