By Myron Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE
President and Chief Executive Officer, Blanchard Valley Health System
This past week, I visited Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to speak with our congressional delegates and attend the American Hospital Association annual meeting. Throughout the week, several congressional representatives spoke from both sides of the aisle on healthcare through deep, rich, and strongly opinionated conversations. In the end, more discussions are needed and, as with any good resolution, both parties need to listen and find balance.
MAY 5 MEDIA RELEASE (LIMA)__Crime Victim Services is seeking volunteer facilitators to mediate conversations between crime victims and those who harmed them.
BLUFFTON – Strong pitching was on display as the Bluffton High School baseball team swept a doubleheader from visiting Arcadia Saturday, 7-0 and 5-0.
Pirate pitching blanked the Redskins for all 14 innings of the twin bill, allowing just five hits in two games.
The shutout victories lifted the Pirate season record to 10-11. Arcadia fell to 7-12 after the defeats.
In the opener, Bluffton scored four runs in the third inning to break up a scoreless game. The Pirates added three more runs in the fifth to win going away, 7-0.
ADA – The Bluffton High School boys and girls track and field teams lapped the field to secure first in the annual 16-team Ada Invitational meet at War Memorial Stadium on a sunny Saturday, May 10.
Bluffton won the boys and girls team crowns in decisive fashion.
The Bluffton boys took first with 151 points, far ahead of second-place Van Wert (69). Mohawk and Arlington tied for third with 61 points. Spencerville came in fifth (53).
MAY 9 FACEBOOK__Bluffton's Community Garden has just 3 large plots and 4 raised bed plots left for the 2025 season.
If you've ever wanted to grow some big sprawling watermelon, or pumpkin vines, or maybe you've wanted to grow a large batch of tomatoes & peppers for canning, or an even bigger batch flowers for lots of flower arrangements, then renting a plot at the Community Garden may be the solution.
Contact us if you want to garden in a full sun location. When they are booked, that's it until 2026.
PHOTOS L-R) Truett Diller, Adrian Murray, Aubrey Burkholder, Elizabeth Suter / CLICK to enlarge
MAY 7 MEDIA RELEASE__ The Bluffton American Legion Post 382 would like to congratulate four students from the Bluffton High School Junior Class for being selected to attend the Ohio American Legion Buckeye Auxiliary Girls State and Ohio American Legion Buckeye Boys State.
Aubrey Burkoder and Elizabeth Suter will be attending Buckeye Girls State at Bowling Green State University, June 8-14, 2025.
NEW: View the April 2025 highlights at the Bluffton Public Library on the newspaper shelves.
By Paula Pyzik Scott
Bluffton Icon editor
At the May 9 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce meeting I talked with someone who regretted not tuning into the Icon more often. Friend, this list is for you! These are the April 2025 articles that I find have special and lasting local interest.
The Bluffton Farmers Market, a program of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, is back. Dozens of vendors and three live musicians are here Saturday, May 10 until noon.
The market is located at 102 S. Main St. between the post office and Citizens National Bank.
Hours are 8:00 a.m. to noon every Saturday through October.
PHOTOS by Paula Scott, Jamie Nygaard and Dennis Morrison / Click gallery to enlarge photos and view at your own pace
By Paula Pyzik Scott
The 2025 Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club Trout Derby may not have had good weather for sunbathing, but it was an excellent day for fishing. After rain in the a.m. on Sunday, May 4, the 2:00-4:00 p.m. Derby window was cloudy and cool.
