Eastern Woodlands Indians along Deer/Riley Creek at the Swiss House during Fall Festival
From left: J.J. "Sunfish" Garmatter, Austen "Feared Bear" Herron, Nick "Little Deer" Luke, Casey "Little Squirrel" McGuire, Clay "Whispering Blue Jay" Burkholder, Misha "River Trout" Groman and Christian "Red Fox" Groman.
The Bluffton Boy Scouts, under the direction of Assistant Scoutmaster Gary Wetherill, had made authentic costumes and learned about the Eastern Woodlands Indians which lived in our area from the mid-1700s through early 1800s.
The creek was originally known as "Tawa Creek." "Tawa" is the Ottawa Indian word for "Deer." Deer Creek was renamed "Riley Creek" when Captain and Deputy Surveyor James Riley's son accidently fell in the creek and almost drowned while being surveyed in 1820.
The scouts discussed Indian life and played Indian games with the public who visited the Schumacher Home during Bluffton's Fall Festival.
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- October 21 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Village of Beaverdam requests suggestions for park grant application
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- October 21 Bluffton Schools 2-hour delay
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 14-18
- Ada Icon headlines, October 19
- JessExpress Travel is the Icon's newest advertiser
- Gatchel 7th in girls, Pirates 4th at NWC cross country meet
- Veterans invited to Pandora-Gilboa banquet, November 10
- Wearable sculptures featured in exhibit On Soft Ground
- Historic depot rentals offered for meetings and parties