Tyler Black of Bluffton is the new director of the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District, assuming the position earlier this month. Previously he was the deputy director.
Black is in his fifth year working the park district. He started as the park’s maintenance foreman and transitioned to deputy director in January 2017. He replaces Kevin Haver as director.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in Wildlife and Fish Conservation and Management from the University of Rio Grande located in southern Ohio.
Kriss Heiks, a 1973 graduate of Bluffton High School and 1978 graduate of Bluffton College (University), now living in Boone, N.C., was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that settled in the sinus cavity in the left side of her face.
According to Heiks, essentially the entire left side of her face was removed, including her eye, jaw and nostril.
Reconstruction surgery was performed, but failed due to a problem with her blood vessels, so she expects to undergo radiation, followed by being fitted for a facial prosthetic.
Despite not being able to hold in-person meetings at the moment, Bluffton’s Lions Club continues to work behind the scenes in several efforts in the community.
Here’s an update from the current Lions newsletter of club activities related to recycling:
• A load of batteries was taken to a area recycling location by Brandon Matthews.
• Ed Yeager took 23 pairs of hearing aids to the Findlay Hearing Center. They were extremely grateful and said there a backlog of hospice patients in need of hearing aids.
Jason Althaus, a 2019 Bluffton High School graduate, made the Dean's List at OSU-ATI during the spring term. He is a double major in Crop Management and Soil Conservation.
Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs staffer Nicole McConnahea visited with Derek Dukes of Southgate Lanes, 9700 N. Dixie Highway, Bluffton. Derek has worked at the bowling alley for almost 20 years and has spearheaded marketing for the business including dynamic videos on social media, which had the BCE eager to learn more.
Neil Hauenstein of Bluffton is the winner of the Icon's Street Smart contest. He correct identified each of the nine street photos in the contest. Several other contestants also had correct answers. He was the first person to enter with all the correct answers.
