All Bluffton Icon News

MEDIA RELEASE__GriefShare is coming to Bluffton. GriefShare is a support group that meets weekly. The program is a warm, caring environment and you will come to see your group as an “oasis” on your long journey through grief. There are three key parts to the GriefShare experience.

Video Seminar: Encouraging information-packed videos featuring grief recovery experts.

Support Group: Small group discussion about the weekly video content.

Workbook: Journaling and personal study exercises that reinforce the weekly session topics.

MEDIA RELEASE__Christine Denecker, Ph.D., a Bluffton resident, has been appointed as the University of Findlay’s vice president of academic affairs, effective January 1. 

Denecker has served as interim vice president since August 1. She succeeds Darin Fields, Ph.D., who served for 12 years in the role. He remains at UF as an English professor and assists in the institutional research office on University-wide initiatives, including academic program review.  

Shirley Mae Hager, 88, passed away on January 13, 2026, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Shirley was born August 2, 1937, in Lima to the late Marcus and Cleo (Ebling) Bales. On June 8, 1958, she married George "Samuel" Hager, and he preceded her in death on September 28, 2025. 

Morning programs

Winter Storytimes (R) January 14 through February 25! Join Miss Beth for a time of stories, games, crafts, and lots of fun while developing early literacy skills! Little Ones Storytime is open to ages birth-2 and Pre-K Storytime is open to ages 3-5. When registering, please specify if your child has any food allergies, as snacks are often provided. Register in person or online

By Paula Pyzik Scott

A first-class letter sent by the Icon from Bluffton, Ohio to Bluffton, Ohio took four days this past week. Hand-postmarked about noon on Wednesday, January 7, the letter was received at the Icon PO Box on Saturday, January 10.

The letter served as a test subject for the Bluffton, Ohio postmark, as explained in How and when to get a Bluffton, Ohio USPS postmark.

The Quarry Farm Nature Preserve and Conservation Farm, located in Pandora, Ohio, has issued its Winter 2026 newletter (volume 16, issue 1).

Articles include a recap of Global Big Bird Weekend in October 2025, an update on the natural stream Cranberry Run and a spotlight on Guinea fowl, one of the QF residents.

coming up in February and June, The Quarry Farm will be hosting art workshops for student in grades K-12: Create a Bark Mask and Make a Leaf Stepper.

 

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