The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-01-01
Mainly Personal

A RECENT SUGGESTION that
Bluffton and what is known here
abouts as The Settlement might have
contributed more than its normal
share of doctors, lawyers, teachers
and other professional people, and
that a sociological survey might
prove the interesting conjecture that
the areas Swiss heritage has contri-
buted to its culture, has added a lit
tie impetus to some thinking that ap-
parently has already been done along
that line.
Up pops Professor Howard
Raid to say that a group of men
out at the college have been talk
ing about such things for some
time and some of the COM
munity's business men have also
shown an interest in the posi-
bilities of preserving some of
this distinct community atmos-
phere.
Aside from the purely academic in
terest in the subject, the Business
mems Association has discussed the
possibilities of making from it an ed
ucational tourist attraction. Once
the Dixie is re-routed around Bluff
ton, who in the state will recall the
towns existence, they ask.
Well, Professor Raid can see both
sides of the picture and if Bluffton
has something of interest to Ohio
and tourists from elsewhere he is not
one to hide it in the library under
the simple heading of "a Sociological
Study of The Settlement"
For example, says Professor
Raid, ii has been suggested that
a "Swiss Museum" be established
somewhere in Bluffton and that
heirlooms of past generations of
Swiss migrants be preserved
here where they may be enjoyed
by those interested. Some of
the old country's tradition is kept
alive in song and story on Swiss
Day" observed here and in neigh
boring Berne. This might be
developed as has been Tulip
Time in Holland, Mich.
All of these things tie in with the
suggestion of the sociological survey
idea, which would establish many in
teresting facts about the community.
And this might be developed into a
colorful story that would win wide
recognition for the area.
Business men, who regret see
ing the passing of the tourist
outside the corporation limits
and off the Main street, envision
a large sign that would urge him
to Visit Interesting Button
Ohio's early Swiss colony -.
Museum of Swiss ~heirlooms." or
something of that nature. Even
the gift shops might
someday capitalize on this with
"old world" shop windows and
distinctive souvenirs.
AN INITIAL STEP might be made
in this direction right now through
the channels of the Ohio Sesqui-cen-
tennial Commission which has offered
to provide highway signs marking
Ohio towns with interesting histori-
cal backgrounds. 1t would seem that
Bluffton might qualify for one of
these markers. At least application
could be made.
Whether or not the Swiss museum
idea develops and the sociological
survey is ever made depends upon
how much pride really exists in the
heritage.
LAST WEEK we mentioned Mrs.
George Carmack's special interest in
this years Rosebowl game due to the
fact that she and Red Williamson,
Badger coach, were school mates a
few years back in Wayne, Ohio.
Then who should stake her claim to
fame for having known the immortal
Ivan than u own spouse who proud
ly advised US she had rubbed Shout
ders with Red having been a sorority
sister of his wife at Bowling Green
university.
And now we learn that Mrs.
Kimmel Marshall has also earned
the right to root for Wisconsin
having known Mr.. Williamson in
high school days at Bowling
Green when Red, bless him, was
making straight AS in all his
subjects. Unlike many football
heroes, it appears Red William
son was not one to falter when
he ran up against a chemistry
exam or to be easily blocked by
an algebra problem. Mrs. Mar
I'm -- Al IL