The Bluffton School Board met on Monday, August 17, with President Roni Kaufman calling the meeting to order.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Paula Parrish reported that fund transfers from general to activity accounts are the normal budgeted amounts for FY 26-27. The American Red Cross Scholarship for 2026 came in at $500.00. The financial forecast for August was submitted and approved by the Board. The State budget is through FY2027 and the forecast also incorporated this information.
Edible Art Apple Pie Baking Contest hosted by America 250 in Bluffton
MEDIA RELEASE__If you love baking sweets and apple pies are one of your favorite desserts, then you should find your best recipe and participate in the America 250 in Bluffton Apple Pie Baking Contest on Saturday, September 26 (also Bluffton Fall Festival).
Showcase your pie-baking skills and creativity in a fun and delicious way! Contestants need to submit an entry application, bring their best homemade pie and present it to a panel of judges for evaluation. The criteria for judging include Appearance, Crust, Filling, and Overall Flavor/Taste.
APPLICATION Submit an application with this online form and bring one homemade apple pie to the 1861 Wine Lounge between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Judging begins at 11:00 a.m.
Crash & Burn, Hogan’s Alley, and FMC Brass will be among 30 bands performing at Bluffton's 2026 Play Music on the Porch Day festival on August 29. The event is part of a worldwide movement featuring music in neighborhood settings.
This is the third year for the event in Bluffton, also known locally as PorchFest. The schedule and map as of July 31 is attached above (CLICK to enlarge).
MEDIA RELEASE__On September 12 (hours TBA), the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society is offering members and the public an open house to see buildings acquired for the new BOHS museum. Occupied by Stratton Auto Sales for several years, the service station was originally built in 1967 as a Sohio (Standard Oil Ohio) gas and service station, while the adjacent building was built in 1974 for a Lawson’s Dairy Store.
In my role as Chaplain at Mennonite Memorial Home, I was blessed to meet many special residents. Some modeled not only great faith, but also special talents. Grace Moyer Frounfelker was one.
Very sharp of mind in her nineties, she was a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and had been living in Bluffton. She was active at First Mennonite Church. She and her husband had lived in a wilderness area out west. He was an outdoorsman and psychologist and wore a beard before beards became commonplace among men.
LIMA__The Bluffton High School girls golf team defeated Northwest Conference foe Lima Central Catholic by 11 strokes on Thursday, August 14 at the Oaks Golf Club in Lima.
The Pirate girls won the league dual match, 216-227, playing under head coach Richard Streicher.
The Pirate girls are slated to play at Fremont St. Joseph’s on the Sycamore Hills golf course Thursday, Aug. 20.
FREMONT__The Bluffton High School boys golf team finished a solid seventh in the 19-team Fremont St. Joseph’s Central Catholic Invitational tournament at Sycamore Hills Golf Club on Friday, August 14.
The top seven teams all finished within a 14-shot range of each other in the tightly-bunched field.
A sober examination of American society today must acknowledge a state of political confusion and public anxiety. Abroad, we are in a war of choice with Iran with no developed exit strategy. We have drawn closer to Communist China than at any time since Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People's Republic of China. Meanwhile, we increase our distance from NATO allies, and have been less than enthusiastic about supporting Ukraine against invading Russian forces.
