All Bluffton Icon News

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20 locations and 30 performers for Play Music on the Porch Day

By Paula Pyzik Scott

August 29 was an extraordinary day in Bluffton. Twenty families invited other music lovers to drop by and enjoy live music on their front porch or back deck. Shady yards and pop-up canopies provided shelter on the sultry day, while food and drink vendors offered pick-me-ups. Thirty performers from as near as the next block and as far as Nashville provided the live entertainment.

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By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

On August 25, 2026, we lost the beautiful and talented Dolly Parton. She left a wonderful legacy as a country music writer and performer. Her kindness was legendary. Dolly worked with so many different artists and covered many different genres, but she was pure country in her early career. On her fifth album with country legend Porter Wagoner in 1970, they recorded the song “Before Our Weakness Gets Too Strong.” In 1971, they won the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a group or duo for the album Once More.

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Photos by Amy Bettinger Mortimer

UPDATED__Here are the Bluffton Pirate cross country participants for the fall 2026 season. The boys and girls teams are coached by Bill Theisen.

HS Cross Country

  • Front Row: Tala Gipson, Xandra Gatchel, Zaeda Hermiller
  • Back Row: Jora Boisvert, Owen Shoemaker, Coach Bill Theisen, Atticus Prothro, Georgia Hagen
  • Not pictured: Micah DeMarco, Toby Clevidence, Levin Essinger, Ian Scott, Tessa Tarplee

MS Girls Cross Country

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MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University is making a college education even more affordable for prospective students while encouraging them to experience the university for themselves. 

Beginning with students entering in fall 2027, Bluffton is offering a $1,000 annual award to eligible first-time freshmen and transfer students who complete a qualifying on-campus visit by Dec. 15 of the year before they enroll. Students entering in fall 2027 must visit by Dec. 15, 2026, while students entering in fall 2028 must visit by Dec. 15, 2027. 

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By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys golf team finished a close third in a Northwest Conference quadrangular match at the Bluffton Golf Club course on Tuesday, September 1.

Gibson Meyer of Bluffton finished second in the field of 23 players by firing a round of 41. He came in one stroke behind match medalist Seth Brandt of Lincolnview, who carded a 40.

Pirate Coby Dailey ended up right behind Meyer with a 42. Ethan Fifer carded a 45. Owen Brauen posted a 50 as the fourth Pirate scorer.

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By Cort Reynolds

ELIDA__The visiting Bluffton High School volleyball team defeated winless WBL foe Elida in straight sets on Tuesday, September 1.

The Pirate spikers improved to 3-4 with the decisive 25-14, 25-6, 25-11 road sweep. The Bulldogs dropped to 0-7 after the non-league loss.

Bluffton’s Karlie Lora knocked down nine kills, mustered nine digs, served three aces and came up with two blocks to pace the victors. 

Peyton Worcester smacked down seven kills.

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