Can you name the community that fits this description? (it may surprise you)
You know your town pretty well, right?
Allow the Icon to pose this question: “Can you name the community that fits the following description?”
Spoiler warning: There’s an Icon in Bluffton and Ada. This column posted on both Icons today. The answer is at the bottom.
The community we describe has the following characteristics:
1 – There's a Main Street streetscape program with bricks between sidewalk and street
2 – A university
3 – An Exempted Village School District
4 – A post office with a historical community mural
5 – Its Main Street is a state route
6 – There’s a bowling alley on the edge of town
7 – A farmers’ elevator is located next to a railroad
8 – The community is approximately four miles from the Lincoln Highway
9 – It’s school athletic teams play in the Northwest Conference
10 – The first four numbers of its postal Zip Code are 4581_
11 – There’s a large, stately Presbyterian Church on Main Street
12 – There’s also a movie theatre on Main Street
13 – The village has an “area” chamber of commerce
14 – A railroad with a usable, historic restored depot is in the community
15 – On the outside of town you’ll find a locally owned greenhouse
16 – Its Main Street business district has approximately 40 small businesses including a florist, Edward Jones agent, optometrist, coffee house, Chinese restaurant, Mexican restaurant, Family Dollar, weekly newspaper and public library
18 – A preschool operates in the village
19 – There’s a College Avenue and a country church named St. John
20 – Its police department is equipped with Ford Police Utility Interceptor vehicles
21 – A non-profit Main Street business sells recycled items
22 – The phone book includes Zimmerlys, Rodabaughs, Neiswanders, Klinglers and Badertschers
23 – The village has a Lions Club
24 – There’s two football fields: one for the high school and one for the university
25 – The adjoining township to the community is named Orange Township
26 – Voters in the village enacted a village income tax
27 – Lima and Findlay are approximately 30 minutes away
What town is The Icon describing? Two communities: Ada and Bluffton.
There’s more similarities, but we’ll stop here.
This comparison of Bluffton and Ada was presented at the Nov. 8 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast, as an introduction to the speaker, David Retterer, mayor of Ada.
Who would have believed it? (Examine the two photos below)
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Monday, August 10, 2026
- Pirate girls tennis 2nd at Lima City tourney
- Professor Parquet on the passing of Don Nelson
- Bluffton historical society to discuss upcoming events, fundraising
- Bluffton Public Library hosts Mobile Health Clinic on Aug. 13
- 2026 PorchFest preview: Tommy Jenkins, Cat Dailey, Szabo Trio
- Chair massages offered at the Senior Center
- Bluffton Senior Center to host Spa Day
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Friday, August 7, 2026
- BHS Junior Class to hold Post Prom fundraiser on Sept. 13
- Aug. 23 anniversary celebration at Tri-County Family Assembly of God
- Pirate boys golf 10th at L-B Invite
- Save these dates: Four more months of America 250 events in Bluffton
- Lens turns Bluffton's NNO fireworks to neon
- Should all beavers beware of Buc-ee's logo litigation?
- Letter: As Ohio grows, conservation must become part of the conversation
- 2026 Lincoln Highway Buy Way sales August 13-15
- History you can taste: Bluffton celebrates local businesses on Aug. 8