January 2025

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Bluffton Diamond Sports invites you to "start thinking about spring, warmer weather and being back out on the ball diamond!"

Registration is now open for the 2025 baseball and softball season. Visit https://tshq.bluesombrero.com/bds and register by February 23.

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Bluffton American Legion Post 382 chaplain Gary Dipnarine has announced the post will observe the Sacrifice of Four Armed Forces Chaplains during World War II, during the Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 worship service at English Lutheran Church, 111 Grove St.

The public is welcome to attend the service, which begins at 9:00 a.m.

Legion officials and clergymen are planning special programs for the observance of the 82nd anniversary of the sinking of the USS Dorchester and the heroism demonstrated by the four chaplains.

The Legion notes, "Of the many incidents of World War II, probably none stirred the nation more deeply than the story of these four men of God whose heroic efforts were credited with the saving of more than 200 lives.

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Dr. John Fea, distinguished professor of history, Messiah University. will present Bluffton University’s annual Keeney Peace Lecture Forum on Feb. 4.

The 11 a.m. presentation in Bluffton University’s Yoder Recital Hall is titled, “Roads Not Taken: How Evangelicals Embraced MAGA.”

During the event, the author of numerous books on U.S. religious history expands how American evangelicals considered and rejected alternative paths of political witness to the current embrace of fear, power, nostalgia and culture wars.  

Dr. Fea will also present at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, in Ritz Auditorium, Old Main, University of Findlay.

Bluffton’s Keeney Peace Lectureship was established in 1978 by the family of William Sr. and Kathryn Keeney to express appreciation for Bluffton’s influence and to strengthen the continuing peace witness among the community.

Forum provides a public space for interdisciplinary discovery about the personal, local and global challenges faced by students, faculty, staff and the Bluffton community.

These events are free and open to the public.

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Need more details? Visit https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/library-events

Monday, January 27, 2025
ChillZone for Tweens and Teens, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Hot Tea Tuesday! 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Open Chess at the Library, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 31, 2025
Playgroup,10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

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By Cort Reynolds

UPPER SANDUSKY – The Bluffton High School swim teams competed well in a five-team meet at Upper Sandusky on Saturday, January 25.

Lexington swept to first in the combined standings, as well as the boys and girls team races. The host Rams were second in the overall standings.
Bluffton finished third overall. The Pirate girls came in second, and took third in boys.

Ada ended up fourth in all three standings.  

Bluffton’s Aaron Ungashick won the boys 200-yard individual medley.

Junior Jackson Bowlus touched first in the boys 50 freestyle.

Pirate Jenna Downey also captured first in the girls 50 free.

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By Cort Reynolds

PANDORA – The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team decisively defeated non-conference rival Pandora-Gilboa 70-44 on Saturday, January 25.

The Pirates bombed their way to a 23-6 lead after the first period behind five three-point goals, and were never behind. 

Guard Marek Donaldson nailed four first half triples as the victorious visitors built a 32-17 halftime lead. Bluffton pulled away with an 18-8 fourth quarter to win by 26.

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By Cort Reynolds

LIMA – The Bluffton High School wrestling team finished a solid ninth at the 36-team Thunderbird Invitational at Lima Central Catholic on Friday and Saturday, January 24-25.

Delta won the team crown with 290.5 points. Waynedale was second with 247.5. Allen East came in sixth (113), while the Pirates came in ninth at the two-day event with 93.5 points.

Host LCC ended up 11th with 85.5 points.

Bluffton’s Branden Cross came in fourth in the 120 lbs. division to post the top Pirate finish.

Pirate Ronald Kaufman took fifth in the 106 lbs. weight class.

Evan Grothause came in fifth in the 190 lbs. bracket.

Pirate Mason Shank finished seventh in the heavyweight division.

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By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON - The Bluffton High School varsity bowling team defeated visiting North Baltimore in a dual match at Southgate Lanes on Friday, January 24.

The Pirates prevailed by a score of 2,492 pins to 2,295. The win upped their season record to 6-2.

“It was a good night for our varsity team,” said Pirate coach Ben Nye. “The five starters average 900 as a team, so it was a good group effort across the two standard games of bowling.”

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By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School boys basketball team defeated visiting Northwest Conference foe Lincolnview 71-54 Friday night, January 24.

Blake Sommers led four Pirates in double figures with 15 points.
The Pirates improved to 10-4 overall and 2-2 in the NWC with the victory.  

Lincolnview fell to 5-10 overall and 0-4 in NWC play with the defeat.

Bluffton led 16-14 after the first period. The Pirates maintained a narrow 31-28 margin at halftime.
Bluffton outscored the Lancers 20-13 in each of the last two quarters to pull away and win by 17. 

Guard Marek Donaldson scored a dozen points. Carter Hohenbrink netted a season-high 11 points. Kain Wright also tallied 11 markers.

Bean Ginther added eight points, while Landen Worcester contributed seven to the balanced Bluffton offensive attack.

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By Courtney Ferguson
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Fostoria Primary Care

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week, with a mixture of aerobic and resistance training exercises. Adults are recommended to engage in at least two days of resistance training per week, with each session lasting 20-30 minutes. In my experience, most individuals tend to focus on aerobic or cardio-type exercises and have a lesser understanding of the importance of resistance training and the associated long-term health benefits.

Resistance Training Benefits
Resistance training can reduce the risk of chronic disease and prevent disease progression for those affected by chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Performing exercises that place tension on the bones and muscles causes your body to send signals to produce denser bone tissue, preventing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Stronger bones and muscles support the ease with which one can perform activities of daily living, such as climbing stairs or carrying groceries. It also decreases the risk of falls and increases the likelihood that an individual will remain independent later in life. 

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