Bluffton Anthology - here's what
"Bluffton Anthology - a creek runs through it" will be available next week in selected downtown stores.
Copies may also be ordered from the author, Fred Steiner. A prority mail order blank for persons out of town, and a pick-up order blank for people in Blulffton are attached.
The book sells for $24.95 plus tax.
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
A new book, “Bluffton Anthology – a creek runs through it,” with dozens of short essays about Bluffton, collected by Fred Steiner, will be released next week.
“This collection brings together more than a dozen engaging writers whose own Bluffton experiences deserve retelling,” said Steiner.
“For anyone who calls Bluffton home, these stories need no further introduction,” said Steiner, about the book. “For people needing to have Bluffton explained to them, this is a great starting point.”
Contributing essays are from current and previous residents including:
• Rick Emmert
• Dave Essinger
• Ron Geiser
• Jeff Gundy
• Brendon Matthews
• Ruth Bundy Naylor
• Joanne Niswander
• Rick Ramseyer
• Carolyn Urich Rich
• David Rempel Smucker
In addition, the book includes an essay on Bluffton’s relationship with Riley Creek by the late Robert Kreider, several stories given to Steiner from his late, life-long friend, Charles Hilty, and an introduction by Bluffton science fiction author, Tobias Buckell.
The book includes a section on Bluffton in the 1950s written by Rudi Steiner, now of Homewood, Illinois. That section includes the account of a Bluffton legend: “Did Elvis stop in Bluffton between his Toledo and Troy performances on Saturday, Nov. 24, 1956?”
Several 15-minute interviews in this collection, originally posted on Bluffton Icon, include:
• Ben Luginbuhl once beat Ben Roethlisberger in a game of horse
• Ron Edinger participated in the overthrow of Manuel Noriega
• Richard Minck may have created jewelry for Marlon Brandon
• John Triplehorn sat on the OSU bench with some frozen rabbits in the 1950 OSU-Michigan snow bowl
In a chapter “Bluffton Askew” the book offers additional 15-minute interviews, columns written by Steiner and brief accounts of shorter Bluffton incidents told to him by over 25 persons.
Highlights range from brief interviews and incidents recalled from Megan Weisenbarger Gustitis, Roger Triplett, Jim Kinn, John Moser, Gordon E. Alderfer, Lauren Canaday, Dave Bracy, Diana Hilty Marshall, Jamil Bazzy, Amanda Rhonemus, Scott Hey, Tim Neufeld, Jessica Edmiston, Joe Goodman, Alee Gratz-Collier, Courtney Goode, Micah Sommer, Ben Kruse, James Pannabecker, Sam Diller, Jeremy Szabo and Jaye Bumbaugh.
The book includes 190 pages and will be available in several Bluffton outlets and from Steiner.
Former Bluffton resident, Andre Swartley of WorkPlay Publishing, is the book’s publisher. WorkPlay published Steiner’s earlier books, “A Good Place to Miss – Bluffton Stories 1900-1975,” and “The Bluffton We Never Knew – Photographs from our first half century.” Both titles are available from Amazon.com.
Jill Steinmetz, Bluffton High School graduate, designed the book’s cover.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Friday, June 5, 2026
- Stay tuned for Pirate action at OHSSA state track and field coverage
- Ada Icon headlines, June 5
- Wheeler graduates from Ohio Bankers League Bank Leadership Institute
- Ellerbrock awarded Lima Memorial Nursing Alumnae Scholarship
- Pirate speedsters Wright and Miller each advance to 2 state finals
- Golfers, sponsors invited to support American Legion fundraiser
- Letter: Alternatives to Village mosquito fogging
Thursday, June 4, 2026
- Eileen Ruth Garmatter was a homemaker
- Elnore Ruth (Rosenberger) Yost taught at Marimor
- WGTE and WBGU create broadcasting partnership
- ICYMI: May 2026 Bluffton Icon Highlights
- Shoppers' journey with Bluffton Small Business Passport has begun
- Middle and high school student activities at BPL
- Local artist Crumrine to teach Watercolor Workshop at Library
- Lacrosse or La Crosse: Game versus virus
- 2027 Senior Center trip planning, June 11
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
- Cory-Rawson High School honor roll for fourth quarter, 2025-2026
- Bluffton High School 4th Qtr. Honor Roll for 2025-2026
- June 4 Business Collective speed networking event
- K-2 students invited to weekly dinosaur adventures
- Library program explores indigenous agriculture and heirloom seeds
- May 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district
- Register June 18-19-20 garage sales with Bluffton Chamber
- Create a Bike & Flowers painting at BPL