This week Fred Steiner's local history-focused website www.blufftonforever.com added links to 10 area history-related websites for viewer access. The addition was due to the interest in history from followers of the website.
History-related links now include:
• Bluffton Public Library
• Swiss Community Historical Society
• Bluffton University Mennonite Historical Archives
Local developer Bob Fett presented a revised set of drawings to the Village of Bluffton Planning Commission on February 21. The panel had called the public hearing to consider Fett's "Overall Development Plan" for a grouping of new residential duplexes he's calling Chestnut Lane. After a round of questions and answers, the Commission's three members approved the plan with conditions, which means Village Council will next evaluate the plan, probably in late March, in a meeting that will also be open to the public.
The Icon recently posted an article on the Pirate athlete with four Super Bowl rings, Neil Schmidt. Columnist Bill Herr has this first-hand account of Schmidt and his family.
During World War II, Neil Schmidt enlisted in the Navy before his senior year at Bluffton High School. After completing his service, he returned to Bluffton to complete his high school education. He starred on both the basketball and football teams in 1946. Those teams won the championship of the Western Buckeye League in each sport.
Effective Monday, February 21, 2022, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is adjusting its visitation guidelines, which will lessen the restrictions on visitors coming into the organization. This change is due to the observed reduction of positive COVID-19 cases within the community.
Please see the link for the health system’s updated guidelines:
The Bluffton High School girls basketball team lost to Kalida 41-36 in girls Div. IV sectional final action on the campus of Bluffton University Monday, February 21.
The Lady Pirates mustered just 12 combined points in the second and third quarters to see their season come to an end.
Bluffton ended up with a 16-7 record after the loss, while Kalida improved to 13-11 with the victory. The victors advanced to the Van Wert district semifinals Thursday, Feb. 24 against Columbus Grove (16-6).
A trio of seniors led Bluffton in their final game for the Pirates.
Photographer Marvin Foster provides a front-row seat perspective--or better--at the February 19 Northwest Conference championship meet at Bluffton High School.
Wrestlers in these photos:
Pirate senior Kaden Basil captured the 175 lbs. NWC crown with a record of 3-0 on the strength of three pins.
Freshman Jett Blackburn won the 132 lbs. league title with a 5-0 record. He recorded two pins and three decision victories.
Pirate sophomore Kyle Basil authored a 4-1 record with four pins at 157 lbs. to finish second.
A new member of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, Brett Eikenbary of Eikenbary Landscape Co., was introduced at the February 11 meeting at Bluffton Town Hall.
The company offers landscape design and construction, landscape maintenance, plantings, lawncare services, hardscape and snow and ice management. A full list of services and newsletter signup is available at eikenbarylandscape.com.
Eikenbary resides in Hancock County with his wife Chase and son Lathen.
At the February Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce meeting, Steve Unterbrink, Executive Vice President of Operations at SumiRiko of Ohio (SRK-Ohio) provided the program, recounting his 33 years with the company and reviewing the changes he's seen during that time.
