NerdWallet, an internet company has identified Bluffton school district as its 11th “Best School District in Ohio for Your Buck.” That ranking includes 608 Ohio school districts. Those top 11 districts are listed in an attachment at the bottom of this story.
The 2016 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce membership window stickers are starting to appear on member doors and windows. The stickers were distributed at the Dec. 11 chamber breakfast.
Members who did not attend will have stickers mailed to them next week. The 2016 sticker is a change from the previous sticker. The new one, in Bluffton High School red and white colors, features the chamber's new "Explore Bluffton" logo.
Like previous stickers, it features the clocktower of the town hall.
Plans are already underway for the 2016 Bluffton National Night Out and you can get in the act before Dec. 31, according to Rick Skilliter, Bluffton police chief.
The 2016 event takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool. It is a joint project between Bluffton and Pandora police departments in cooperation with Bluffton, Pandora and Beaverdam-Richland Township EMS.
To cap off the evening, at dusk on Aug. 2 will be a fireworks display, sponsored by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Bluffton students experienced outstanding scores in the Ohio Department of Education’s 2015 spring tests, according to figures released in November by the ODE.
Greg Denecker, Bluffton superintendent, told The Icon: "We are very pleased with our results and are continuing to work hard to prepare our students, not only on these assessments but to help prepare our students for success after graduation.
"These scores are a real tribute to our student, staff, parents, and community which all work together to have an excellent educational environment."
The Bluffton/Pandora Swiss Community Historical Society Christmas open house, “Christmas at the Homestead,” will be on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Schumacher Homestead on Bixel Road.
The public is invited to tour the decorated 1843 house while snacking on homemade treats and listening to songs of the season.
Guests can watch food being prepared in the fireplace, hand dip a candle, play a game of checkers, shop in the gift shop and chat with staff about the history of the house and typical life in the 1840s.
Webb Insurance, North Main Street, is the second place winner in the downtown Christmas window decorating contest. This year's theme was "A Christmas from the Past." Downtown business owners voted on the top three windows.
The Icon provides two views of the window: one taken from outside and the other inside. Both are in attachments below.
First place was Curling Iron. Third place was Town and Country, which will be posted tomorrow.
