September 2024

  • /

In this series, the Icon presents the Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow comprehensive plan in eight segments, which can be found in full on the Village of Bluffton website HERE. The Bluffton Public Library has two print copies.

Notable characteristics

  • Leading Employers
  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Healthcare

672 residents both live & work in Bluffton
2,100 Jobs in Bluffton

Local economy and employment
Bluffton’s thriving economy is fueled by agriculture, manufacturing, education and healthcare. Major employers include Bluffton Hospital, Bluffton University, and numerous manufacturers.

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

LIMA __ The Bluffton High School golf team won a four-team Northwest Conference quadrangular match at the Oaks Golf Club on Thursday, September 5.

The Pirates finished first easily with just 176 strokes. LCC was a distant second at 207 shots, followed by Delphos Jefferson (214) and Spencerville (315).

The Pirates improved their record to 11-2 overall and 7-1 in the NWC after the sweep to stay atop the conference standings. 

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON __ The Bluffton High School volleyball team defeated visiting Elmwood in straight sets during a non-league match Thursday evening.

The Pirates swept the Lady Royals 25-13, 25-13, 25-19.

The home win improved the Pirate record to 8-1 this season. Bluffton has won seven straight matches since a four-set loss to Shawnee on August 19.

The Royals fell to 1-6 after the loss.

Ayla Grandey hammered 13 kills to pace the Pirate hitting attack. 

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON __ The Bluffton High School boys soccer team rallied late but came up just short vs visiting power Ottoville, losing 3-2 in a non-league match on Thursday, September 5, at Steinmetz Field.

The Pirate record dropped to 1-5 with the tough defeat. The Big Green improved to 5-1 after the win.

Ottoville led 2-0, but the Pirates scored twice in the final 10 minutes to make it close. However, a 77th-minute goal by the Big Green proved to be the difference.

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

LIMA __ The visiting Bluffton High School girls soccer team came within a moment of a shutout win before tying non-conference foe Bath 1-1 on Thursday, September 5.

After a scoreless first half, Pirate Mya McDougle scored the game’s first goal in the 55th minute on a feed from Keyrsten Kleman to put Bluffton on top 1-0.

But Bath’s Mara Davis tied it in the 79th minute with a last-gasp goal to force the tie.
With this result, the Pirate record is 4-1-1 overall, while WBL foe Bath is 2-3-2 overall. 

  • /

11:00 a.m., September 17 in Yoder Recital Hall

Dr. Robert Postic, professor of political science at University of Findlay, will present the Forum “The Enduring Legacy of the U.S. Constitution,” on September 17.

During this Forum, Postic will describe the persistent resilience of the U.S. Constitution despite past and present challenges to the democratic polity it preserves. 

Free and open to the public, this presentation also serves as Bluffton’s Constitution Day Forum. 

  • /

Marjorie Pauline Basinger Hilty, 95, passed peacefully on June 15, 2024 at Willow Ridge Betty House in Bluffton, Ohio.

She was devoted to her family and friends. Marjorie was a thoughtful and generous person. Those who knew her would describe Marj as feisty, kind, smart, and hardworking. She was dedicated to a Life of Peace and Active Good Will.

Marj was born February 18, 1929 and raised in Pandora, Ohio, the daughter of Clement and Lucille (Metz) Basinger, who preceded her in death. Her Brother, Dr. Clair Basinger, and Sister, Phyllis Frank, also preceded her in death.

  • /

2:00-3:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 at Bluffton Public Library
Registration required

Watercolor Workshop: Seagulls (R)($) will be held on Thur., Sept. 12 at 2:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. at Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St.

Local artist Jeanne Beutler will teach this workshop on the lower level of the library. Walk away with your own watercolor piece of art, including a mat.

  • /

Proposed Citizens Not Politicians Amendment

LIMA—The League of Women Voters of the Lima Area will sponsor a public presentation on the proposed Citizens Not Politicians Constitutional Amendment, which will be on the Ohio ballot in November. The presentation will take place at the Lima Public Library Memorial Room (1st floor) on Monday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m.

  • /

GAMBIER __ The Bluffton University volleyball team went the distance in a five-set win at Kenyon that marked program victory #1,000 for the Beavers. Bluffton moved to 4-1 on the season, while the Owls of Kenyon fell to 0-4.

The visitors took set number one, 25-20, and had leads of 23-21 and 15-10 in the second and third sets, but Kenyon used a pair of late runs to take a 2-1 lead over the Beavers. Bluffton bounced back with a 25-19 victory that sent it to the fifth where the Beavers left nothing to chance with a dominating 15-7 shellacking in the clincher.

Pages