By Fred Steiner

Bluffton in the 1950s. Were you there? Tell us about it. Or, tell us who to talk with about it.

The second "Bluffton: A Good Place To Miss" collection of stories is coming together this winter. Its focus is the years when men's ties were as wide as white wall tires: Jan. 1, 1950, to Dec. 31, 1959, to be specific.

As we collect stories, we invite Icon viewers to offer suggestions. We're looking for everything from swimming in the Buckeye's floating pool, experiencing a Saturday night on Main Street, watching television for the first time or recalling a time when Interstate 75 didn't exist and all the traffic from Michigan to Florida passed through Main Street.

We'd like to hear about lots of other things, too. What was it like attending school in the old grade school? Did you ever ride a Nickel Plate Railroad passenger train? Did you attend Bluffton's rodeos? Did you wear a beanie as a freshman at Bluffton College? Was Cappy Clark your midget football coach and were you a Beaver, Pirate or Buccaneer? Were you in Founders Hall the night Bevo Francis outscored the entire Bluffton College men's basketball team? You get the idea.

Here's the plan: If you have a story for us, or suggestion for someone to interview, let us know. The great thing about a book on Bluffton in the 1950s is that people who experienced it are still around to tell about it. We simply have to find them.

No story is too short or too long or too crazy. If you weren't around in the '50s you'll just have to wait until Thanksgiving when the book is released.

Contact me at: [email protected], or call me at 419-889-3065. I'm ready for you.