As I write this column on Thursday evening (8:55 p.m.) the Mets and Rockies are hitting foul balls about a quarter of a mile to my east. I can see the lights of the field and a bit of the scoreboard from where I sit.
No, I'm not in Bluffton or anywhere even close to the 45817 zip code. I'm not watching the TV screen. Thanks to the World Wide Web, the posting of this column is coming from LaGuardia International Airport, NYC.
The year 1861 was a significant one for this community for several reasons. First, the unincorporated village of Shannon was renamed Bluffton. The name change was because another Shannon also existed in Ohio and the United States Post Office asked the younger of the two locations with the same name (us) to change it.
This, of course, took place in 1861, 150 years ago, thus we celebrate our sesquicentennial this year.
Here's a photo that falls into the "where in Bluffton was this fire?" category.
John Geiser, BHS grad, sent it to us recently. Here's what he says about the photo:
"I ran across some pictures when scanning slides left from my dad that have both my brother and myself puzzled. These were taken in the time frame of '61 to '63.
"My mom is standing in the one but the location is a mystery. I also have a couple pictures of dad's business from that era also. Notice the phone number on the spoon holder (advertising handouts in the late 1950's).
Icon viewers have expressed disappointment over learning that several area health agencies have pulled the plug on the plan to reopen the Buckeye for public swimming during Bluffton's sesquicentennial year, the Icon has learned. For a quick recap click here.
Fred's diary for April 1 -So, I'm minding my own business, heading toward the chamber office on a Friday morning. Thought I'd stop at the corner of Main and Cherry and pick up a cup of Icon coffee to go.
The usuals were there. Except Eric Rummel was AWOL. Alison King and I exchange a quick dose of Bluffton slander and libel. Could be argued that it was straight gossip; it was all the truth.
Conversations ranged from how many time her brother, Ben, calls or texts her in a week, to the best coupons currently offered and why people go for them.
What's your favorite gourmet popcorn flavor? Hmm, too many flavors. Can't choose just one.
Congratulations to Pete and Kim Suter of Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Co., downtown Bluffton. The company is among finalists for the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business of the Year Award. Other businesses nominated are Biggby Coffee and Vino Bellissimo, both of Lima.
