By Paula Pyzik Scott
Bluffton and Ada Icon editor

Words of the day
Semiquincentennial and Bisesquicentennial. A.k.a. 250 years. The United States will be celebrating its Semiquincentennial in 2026. Most event organizers are using the shorthand “America 250.” I learned these vocabulary-builders at America 250-Ohio.

Dear Fred
I don’t mind emails addressed to Fred Steiner (founder of the Icons). It comes with the territory. But I’m hoping that more frequent articles from the Iconoclast 2.0 will help more folks discover that Fred has left the building (he lives in Cincinnati now). 

Here’s Fred’s latest contribution to the Icon: The life of my small town changed forever when the railroad arrived.

Many thanks to my correctors
For the last four years, the Icons have been mostly “morning news.” I post items to go live at 6:00 a.m. and often I’m at the keyboard at that time, too. Occasionally, not all my brain cells are firing yet, and readers let me know if I need to correct a photo I.D. or have misspelled a word. Many thanks for taking the time to email me at [email protected]. 

Hello, freelancers
Folks sometimes ask me if the Icons keep me busy. YES! They keep me extremely busy. I am always interested in connecting with freelance writers, photographers, videographers and podcasters. Moreover, in the not-so-distant future, the Icons will need an Iconoclast 3.0.

Hello, advertisers
I love that the Icons don’t have advertising based on browsing history. They’re practically the only websites that aren’t reminding me that I recently bought gloves and winter boots. Was doing more to promote your business a 2025 New Year’s resolution? The Icons have advertising opportunities for all budgets.

Have questions?
When I get questions about the Icons, I’ll share them here. For example, can individuals send obituaries for the Icons? Yes, we post obituaries for a flat fee of $25 ($30 in 2026), which is payable online. I recommend checking with the funeral home to make sure the request isn’t duplicated.

Thanks for reading and advertising on the Icons!

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