Val "John" Harris, 84, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025 at the Meadows of Ottawa. John was born September 8, 1940 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Jack and Lucille (Ambos) Harris who preceded him in death. He was a 1958 graduate of Lima Senior High school and on August 29, 1964 he married Joyce (Eikenbary) Harris.
CORRECTION: Neil Schmidt was a double-sport athlete at Purdue. His brother Pete went to Bowling Green State University.
By Fred Steiner
Bluffton Icon founder
Seems like several football season ago, I stood on a September Harmon Field Friday night sideline.
During a timeout, the focus of the group surrounding me quite naturally turned to a peculiar discussion: Ranking the greatest Pirate football players to sink their cleats into the 100-yard-lawn where we stood.
JUNE 28 FACEBOOK ANNOUNCEMENT—Due to unforeseen issues with the pool, we will not be opening today, Saturday, June 28th. There will be no lap swim or open swim today. We apologize for the inconvenience.
JUNE 27 MEDIA RELEASE__More than 500 swimmers and their families will descend on Wapakoneta July 11-12, 2025, for the annual Western Ohio Aquatics League (WOAL) Swim Champs. WOAL is for swimmers aged 5-18 who are members of one of the league’s teams.
Wapakoneta Village pool is the host site for the 2025 Swim Champs and will host seven teams: Ada Gators, Bluffton Sardines, Findlay Frogs, Kenton Stingrays, Shawnee Tide, Wapakoneta Waves, Westside Wave and Van Wert Marlins. Teams will compete for the 2025 league title.
JUNE 27 MEDIA RELEASE__The fifth annual free concert by The '60s Survivors Band will be held at the Presbyterian Church Gazebo on Thursday, July 17 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The community is invited to "BYO: Lawn chairs, beverages and smiles."
Smokestack Traditional BBQ and Bluffton Baking Co. will begin serving at 5:30 p.m.
CLICK gallery to enlarge and view at your own pace
Service club partners with Village of Bluffton and Bluffton Soccer Club
By Paula Pyzik Scott
Legacy Park, a new youth soccer facility under development on Snider Rd., has been designed to consolidate U8-U12 team activities in one location. But soccer players aren't the only ones who will benefit from the park. The park will provide additional facilities for the enjoyment and comfort of all during soccer games and throughout the year.
The Thursday, July 17 meeting of the Gardeners of the Bluffton-Pandora area will be about Growing, Harvesting, and Using Herbs, with an emphasis on the square stalked mint family. Guest speaker is Marge Lafollette, Allen Co. Master Gardener Volunteer.
The meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the Bluffton Community Garden, 9900 Block of S. Main St., Bluffton.
Meetings are held outside at the Community Garden, so bring a chair and a friend, and plan to explore the various garden plots after the meeting. Meetings are free and open to the public.
