July 2025

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JUNE 9 MEDIA RELEASE__On Saturday, July 19 at the Marathon Center for Performing Arts in Findlay, a free creative writing workshop will focus on genre fiction: Science-Fiction/Speculative Fiction, Fantasy and Romance--among others.

This workshop is a free in-person event and open to all writers High School age and older.

SCHEDULE

Morning: Craft talks with Writing Prompts

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Lunch on own in downtown Findlay, with time for writing.

Afternoon: Facilitated small-group workshops, followed by an open mic

For more information or to register, contact Dave Essinger, [email protected].

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Meet the Ada Icon and Bluffton Icon's newest advertiser: Viva Maria restaurant, 125 S Main St,  Ada, 567-940-8482.

Owners Dominic and Susan Fricano provide dine-in and carryout service with a full menu of classic Italian and all-American favorites: pizza, pasta, wings, subs, stromboli and calzones, salads, desserts and a kid’s menu. Drive thru pickup and delivery is also available.

And as they will tell you: “Don’t forget the cannoli!” 

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By Paula Pyzik Scott

Smart Growth America, a non-profit agency focused on the impacts of urban sprawl on the environment, quality of life and economic sustainability, recognized Bluffton, Ohio for its recently established complete streets policy.

In its 2025 Best Complete Streets Policies report, the organization rated Bluffton fourth among 43 communities assessed by the agency.

The top-scoring Complete Streets policies adopted in 2023 and 2024 are:

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Kimberly Lynn Stover, age 55, of Clearwater, Florida passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Kim was born on November 17, 1969, in Lima, Ohio to John E. Stover and Cheryl L. Frymyer. She attended school in Bluffton, Ohio before relocating to Clearwater, FL. She later lived in Georgia for nearly a decade before eventually returning to Clearwater.

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BLUFFTON SENIOR CENTER NEWS — On July 17, the Village of Bluffton will serve the Community Meal at 6 p.m.

All Community Meals are free and open to the public. A good will offering will be taken to assist the local food pantry. 

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More than 44,000 Ohio households served in 2024

The Ohio Department of Development and Area Agency on Aging 3 are once again offering assistance to help Ohio's families stay cool during the hot summer months.

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FROM FACEBOOK — The Gardeners of the Bluffton Pandora Area will host the program Growing, Harvesting, and Using Herbs on July 17 at 6:00 p.m.

The talk will have an emphasis on the square stalked mint family. Guest speaker is Marge Lafollette, Allen Co. Master Gardener Volunteer.

Meetings are held outside at the Community Garden, so bring a chair and a friend, and plan to explore the various garden plots. 

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JUY 9 MEDIA RELEASE__The Richland Township trustees will hold a special meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 14 at the Township Garage, 8435 Dixie Hwy, Bluffton, OH for budget purposes.

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JULY 8 MEDIA RELEASE__The Village of Bluffton Council will hold its Annual Budget Hearing to discuss the proposed 2026 Tax Budget.  

The hearing will be held on July 14, 2025 at 7:15 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Town
Hall and is open to the public.

A copy of the proposed 2026 Tax Budget is available for public examination in the office of the Village
Fiscal Officer, 154 N Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio during normal operating hours.

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I'm on a mission: to add as many local menus as possible for restaurants, carryouts, food trucks and caterers to BOTH Ada Icon and Bluffton Icon.

Call me at 567-400-4266 for promotional rates good through August 31. Because we're all hungry!

--Paula Scott, Icon editor

P.S. Follow me on www.linkedin.com/ for more behind the scenes updates from the Icons.

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