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After 14 rounds, Elizabeth Bourassa, wins second place

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It took 11 rounds and came down “cavalcade” for Nicole Boyle, Bluffton seventh grader, to repeat as the middle school spelling bee champion for the second year in a row.

PRACTICE ROUND VIDEO IS BELOW -

The bee, held Dec. 13, included 14 contestants from grades six, seven and eight.

Runner-up, who continued head-to-head with Nicole for five rounds, is Elizabeth Bourassa, eighth grader.

As the remaining two contestants, Elizabeth misspelled the musical instrument “lyre.” Nicole then spelled “austere,” and “cavalcade” correctly to win the bee.

The Greg's Pharmacy manager has worked here since 1989

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Deb Retterer, Greg’s Pharmacy manager and pharmacist, hangs up her white coat for the final time later this month.

Retterer of Ada, has handled pharmacy needs of Bluffton area residents since 1989 when she joined Greg Conkling in a part-time position.

“When I started in Bluffton John Skelly was also still working part-time for Greg,” she said.  “When John retired in 1992, I became full time.”

Give students a challenge and they'll top it

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Give Bluffton middle school students a challenge and they’ll top it.

According to Robin Ault, 7th and 8th grade language arts teacher, the middle school conducted a food drive and Toys for Tots drive this month.

The middle school student senate sponsored the drives.

Food collected was donated to the Bluffton Community Assistance Program’s food pantry. Mrs. Ault said that the food drive goal was 1,500 items.The goal was topped with 1,505 items donated.

And, 79 new toys were collected for Toys for Toys.

Several photos follow below:

For the "senior" in your life

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Mennonite Home Health and Senior Services of Bluffton have an gift suggestion for  persons seeking the perfect gift for the "senior" in their life this Christmas season.

Mennonite Home Health & Senior Services offers gift certificates for assistance with housekeeping, running errands, personal care, companionship, pet care, or help with Christmas shopping and present wrapping.

 "Our home care assistants can provide a wide range of help to get you or your loved one through this busy holiday season," said Daren Lee of MHCO. Call 419-358-7803 for more details.

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Natasha Smith, a senior at Bluffton High School, is the December Icon student

She says, "I am going on an 18 month church mission, then will return and attend college at Brigham Young University, Idaho. I plan on majoring in art and going on to a career in art therapy.

Four Bluffton students are orchestra members

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Four Bluffton school musicians are part of the Lima Area Youth Orchestra this school year.

The orchestra will present a Christmas concert at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18, in the Lima Senior High School Auditorium.

According to Rachael Lewis, Bluffton strings teacher, Bluffton students in the orchestra are:
• Violins: Isaac Andreas, Amanda Speicher, Grace Paquin
• Cello: Alyssa Speicher

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