All Bluffton Icon News

Gary Crawfis' home movie of 1965 tornado rediscovered

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WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY

James Crawfis told The Icon that it was like finding a buried treasure.

It is exactly that. On an 8 mm home movie camera, James’ dad, Gary, filmed the aftermath of the April 1965 tornado that tore through the Bluffton countryside. The reels remained in a storage box until this year when James transferred the movies to digital.

In fact, The Icon is not aware of any movies shots of the tornado’s after match. Crawfis shared the now-YouTube video with the Icon and we share it here with viewers.

bluffton ohio palm sunday tornado, april 1965

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Bluffton Farmers' Market is in full swing in mid-summer. The Saturday morning market in Citizens National Bank parking lot attracts lots of vendors and customers

3rd overall, Sportsmanship Award winner, 1st place boys' 6 and under, 1st place girls' 6 and under

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Bluffton swim team finished an impressive third place in the July 14-15 Western Ohio Aquatics League meet in Kenton.

It was the highest finish ever for a Bluffton team in the WOAL. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams finished third, as did the combined Bluffton squad.

Final team results

1 – Wapakoneta Waves 3,139.5 points
2 – Westside 3,127.5 points
3 – Bluffton Sardines, 1,939 points
4 – Ada ‘Gators, 1,465.5
5 – Shawnee, 1,105
6 – Kenton, 1,028
7 – Van Wert 867
8 – Sherwood, 574

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You've passed this house on State Route 12 in Pandora many times. Did you know it was once called the "Commercial House?"

Look closely at the photo. We spotted seven people.

Here's a view from a 1907 post card written to Sidney Hauenstein of Bluffton. The message on the right side reads:

"Am going to Cedar Point today. My mother's (cousin?) and I. Come over to Pandora Thursday or Fri. evening if you can. Bessie."

Sounds like an text message 110 years later.

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GVE THNX - Here's a plate with a message that the Icon spotted at the Ada post office. It's on a white Camaro with an orange trim.

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Okay, it's mid-July. Things are pretty slow.

Just for fun, the Icon will provide 4 free tickets to the Shannon Theatre to the viewer who submits, either:

1 - The best headline for this photo, or
2 - A sentence that best explains this photo

To assist, here's some background. The male model is Derek Dukes of Southgate Lanes.

Deadline is Wednesday, July 19, at noon. Send entry with your name to: [email protected], or simply submit your entry on the Facebook comment option.

Looking forward to your entry.

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