All Bluffton Icon News

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Firsts, forgottens and floods

By Paula Pyzik Scott
Bluffton Icon and Ada Icon editor

At the last meeting of the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society, we were treated to a show of old photographs. Many revealed dramatic changes to downtown Bluffton architecture, quizzing each other, "do you know where that is?" The experience has me wondering, what is the oldest house within the village limits? The oldest commercial building?

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James Robert Shapter, age 80, went to Heaven at 12:40 p.m. on January 26, 2026, at home with his loved ones.  He was born April 22, 1945, in Cleveland, OH to Alan Richard “Jimmy” and Barbara Jane Hamilton-Shapter.  

He is survived by his mother, who lived with him, his wife Betty Moore-Cognion Shapter, his son John (LeAnn) Shapter, his grandson Ryan James Shapter, stepdaughter Susan Beth Cognion of Chesapeake, VA., brothers-in-law Roger A. Moore of Sun City, AZ., David J. (Angela) Moore of Beachgrove, TN., and sister-in-law Janet L. Spencer of Clarksville, TN.

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The Honor Roll for the 2nd nine weeks of 2025-26 at Bluffton Elementary has been released. The roll includes grades 4 and 5.

4th Grade

All A:

Kinze Burkholder, Scarlett DeLong-Clem, Alivia Dunlap, Callie Fry, Phoebe Hodges, Nora Kauffman, Juliana Liberato, Camilla McCreary, Lochlan Place, Bexley Riepenhoff, Beau Sutton, Craig Warner

A/B Honor Roll:

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MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University students Emily Jones ‘26, Logan Daugherty ‘27, Jordyn Garmatter ‘26 and Cami Hazelton ‘26 will present a Cross-Cultural Experience Forum at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Yoder Recital Hall. 

The students will reflect on their semester-long cross-cultural experiences in Washington, D.C., London and Athens, discussing academic learning, cultural engagement and personal growth. 

The Forum is free and open to the public. 

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MEDIA RELEASE__The West Central Association of REALTORS announced its annual award recipients during its recent Inauguration and Awards Banquet.

The Rookie of the Year Award was awarded to Zac Kohli with Superior Plus Realtors, honoring exceptional achievement and promise demonstrated early in their real estate career.

The REALTOR® of the Year Award was presented to Lauren Girardot with At Home Realty, recognizing outstanding professionalism, leadership, and dedication to the real estate industry and the community.

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MEDIA RELEASE__Dr. Jonathan Andreas, Howard Raid Professor of Economics, will present a faculty colloquium titled “Creating a Prosperous Culture” at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. 

The presentation will explore economic, social, and institutional conditions that contribute to long-term prosperity and community well-being. 

Faculty colloquiums at Bluffton University highlight scholarly and creative work by faculty members and provide opportunities for campus and community dialogue. 

This event is free and open to the public. 

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