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By Paula Pyzik Scott
On Saturday, August 9, the 3rd annual Bluffton History Day was celebrated by the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society (BOHS) at the 1899 Depot at 405 N. Spring St. BOHS used the event to remind guests of how the Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club moved the depot from Railroad St., rehabilitated the building and has lovingly cared for it since the late 1980s.
There was a ceremonial handing over of a large skeleton key from the Sportsmen to BOHS, with Mike Zimmerman and Ron Epp representing the two organizations. The 1899 depot building remains the home of the club, with its headquarters in the basement, and the meeting place for American Legion Post 382 and Bluffton Boy Scouts. It is also available for rentals.
The articles feature Steiner's knowledge of locomotives, excursion trains, trolley service to Lima and Findlay, railroad accidents and more. Steiner's collection of photographs span the late 1800s to his own images from the 2000s.
FINDLAY – The Bluffton High School boys golf team competed in the 12-team Liberty-Benton Invitational tournament at Sycamore Springs Golf Course in Findlay on Friday, August 8.
Van Buren won the title at 318 strokes, with host L-B five shots behind at 323. Ottoville took third (327), followed by Kalida (329), Bellevue (334), Upper Sandusky (342) and Bluffton (349).
Rival Allen East was three shots behind the Pirates at 352, followed by Van Wert (362), LCC (380) and Arlington (405) and Pandora-Gilboa (462).
LIMA__The Bluffton High School girls tennis squad opened its season by finishing fourth in the day-long, six-team Lima City tournament on a hot Saturday, August 9 at the Collett Street Courts.
Wapakoneta won the event with 24 points. Ottawa-Glandorf finished second with 17 points, followed by Elida (14), Bluffton (8), host Lima Senior (6) and Bath (6).
The Redskin girls were represented in all five title matches, winning four.
FROM JOHNNY APPLESEED METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT FACEBOOK__Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your thoughts in our recent survey! After reviewing the results, the Park District will not be changing its name.
The Allen County and Hancock County Board of Elections show the following candidates for November 2025 races for Bluffton area elected offices: Bluffton Exempted Village Schools board, Orange and Richland Township boards of trustees, and Village of Bluffton council. The deadline for filing candidate petitions was August 6. Some applications are currently shown as valid and some are shown as pending.
Bluffton Exempted Village Schools Board
To elect: 3, nonpartisan
BLUFFTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEDIA RELEASE__On Thursday, August 21, we are hosting our next Lunch & Learn on the 3rd floor of the Town Hall building from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., “Let’s Talk Tech (and AI!) with Courtnee R. Morris”
Curious about Artificial Intelligence? Confused by your computer? Just want to learn something new in a fun, judgment-free space? Join us for a relaxed and engaging Lunch & Learn with Courtnee R. Morris—a lifelong educator, tech trainer, and PhD candidate in Instructional Design with a focus on AI.
By Robin L. Brown, LISW-S
Psychotherapist, Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio
For many, family is considered a sacred bond—unchangeable, unconditional and lifelong. But for a growing number of Americans, family relationships are not a source of support, but of deep pain and distance. Family estrangement, once a taboo topic kept behind closed doors, is now a rising and recognized social trend. Research shows that approximately 1 in 4 Americans are estranged from at least one family member. The reasons are complex and the impacts are profound.
