davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Urge Rebuilding
E. College Avenue
Soon As Possible
Present Roadway Too
Narrow, impossible
In Wet Weather

Village council was urged Tuesday
night to proceed Immediately with
plans for completely rebuilding East
College avenue from the Nickel Plate
railroad to Geiger street.
Mayor David L. Riser, in making
the suggestion to council, cited the
need for the new roadbed to replace
the narrow street and do away with
complaints that in wet weather sides
of the present road are all but impas-
sable. Several vehicles have become
stuck in the mud when they got over
to the side to allow another vehicle to
pass.
Charles Hankish, Jr., and Ed Bad
ertscher, members of the council S
street commission, proposed road
way approximately 26 to % feet wide
The mayor asserted there are num-
Der of streets in the town that should
be completely renovated. This cannot
be done Immediately but will have to
be accomplished at the rate of about
one per year.
Curbing of the new road on College
avenue was suggested but was ruled
out because of the cost. Council felt
while curbing is solution to better
drainage on village streets, it would
have to be part of long range pro-
gram.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Set Parking Limit
On East Elm And
Thurman Streets

A three-hour parking limit has been
ordered by village council on East
Elm from Main street to Vance
street and on Thurman street from
the parking lot at the rear of the
Town Hall north to Route 103 as a
result of a petition by residents in
the neighborhood.
The petition stated there was un-
due hazards to children and serious
traffic problem from vehicles parked
in the vicinity of farm machinery
dealer in the neighborhood. 1t further
declared that the spraying of tractors
on the street and in the alley along
the place of business was harmful to
clothes drying on lines and also left
a nauseating odor in the community.
AS a result Of the petition council
passed the three-hour parking limit
daily except Sundays and holidays
from 6 a. m. to p. m.
Outdoor spraying of tractors is to
be banned completely
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Expect $50 To Participate
In Bicycle Safety Check

Approximately $50 young Bluffton
cyclists will participate in the Bicycle
Safety Check Saturday from 10 a. m
until p. m. in front of the high
school on College avenue, the sponsor
ing Bluffton Explorer Scout Post
256 estimated this week.
The number could be even higher
Nelson Herr, local bicycle dealer and
repairman, told the Explorer COM
mittee. In SURVEYS of two years ago,
Mr.. Herr said that as many as 135
bicycles were standing in the racks
at the elementary school building on
nicefays.
The bicycle dealer said this week
that the number of bikes in the
community has been increasing stead
lily, and it is evident especially in the
present nice weather.
Herr Joined Mayor Riser in asking
parents to encourage their children
to have their bikes safety checked
Saturday,. Mayor Riser earlier pro-
claimed this as Bicycle Safety Week.
While riding bicycles creditably
on the whole, Bluffton youngsters
should be reminded continuously of
the rules of safety. The worst current
infractions, he said, are bicycles carry
ing more than one Individual riding
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14

Everything, from travel and study
behind the Iron Curtain in. Russia it
self, to measuring the dipole move
ments of molecules in research lab
in this country, will occupy the atten-
ton of Bluffton college faculty men,
bers this summer.
Many will also be involved in con-
tinued program of teaching, study or
research related to normal tasks,
while others will work at such varied
jobs as farming, carpentry and busi-
ness. Many will also be engaged in
conferences or church related work.
Research Assignment
DR.. Richard Weaver has one of the
more interesting assignments for the
summer. He will be working on re-
search fellowship under the Engineer
ing Research Institute of the Univer-
sity of Michigan. His work will involve
the use of an instrument for measur-
ing dipole movements of molecules.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
West Liberty
Couple To Take
Charge OF Home
Mr.. and Mrs. A. r. Duerksen
Will Succeed The Kirch-
hofers At Memorial Home

The appointment of A.. r. Duerksen
of West Liberty, Ohio, as the new
superintendent of the Mennonite
Memorial home, and Mrs. Duerksen
as matron of the home was announced
this week by the board Of directors
Mr.. Duerksen has been associated
for approximately a year with the
Children's Home in West Liberty and
Mrs. Duerksen served as cook at the
home during their stay there. Pre-
viously they operated farm in
Kansas.
The Duerksens are to arrive here
the latter part of June in order to be
prepared to take over their duties
when Mr.. and Mrs. Delvin Kirchhofer
leave on July 2. Superintendent
Kirchhofer has accepted teaching
post near Orrville, Ohio.
The new superintendent and matron
of the home have four children, three
of whom are married and the fourth,
a son, is planning wedding this
month.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Plans Completed
For 18th Annual
July 4th ROdeO
More Than $3.50 In Cash And
Trophies Offered In In
dependence Day Events

With less than 25 days remaining
before the Fourth of July, interest
in the 18th annual Rodeo and the
"Glad I'm American" parade to
procede the annual event is at fever
pitch. Final plans have been COM
pleted by the Rodeo committee it was
learned this week.
A large four-page folder listing
complete Rodeo program, rules and
regulations, event sponsors for both
the Rodeo and the gala "Glad I'm
American" parade was printed early
this week. Five thousand copies will
be mailed to area homes and all
former parade and Rodeo contestants.
Merchants, upon repeiving the fol-
der, are urged to display it on their
store window or in their place Of
business.
Over $3.50 in cash and trophies,
the largest prize listing in the 13-
year history of the Bluffton Rodeo
celebration, will be offered this year
in the Rodeo. In addition, 1882 in
cash, rosette ribbons and trophies will
be offered in the patriotic parade in
10 classes.
The Bluffton Stone Company is
offering $50 engraved golden
trophy to the contestant earning the
most points in the Rodeo. In the
patriotic parade an engraved silver
cup will be awarded to "Miss Liberty
Belle" queen of the Rodeo by the
Vida-Vidella Shop, Bluffton. The
queens floral crown and arm bouquet
and corsages for the maids of honor
and attendants in the queens court
will be awarded by Basinger Florists,
Bluffton.
Complete roster Of personnel to
manage the annual spectacle was
released this week by John Gilbert,
general chairman.
The list released by Gilbert in
cludes: rodeo announcer, Clyde War
rem; ring master, Wade Bechtol;
parade marshal, Carted Shisler; entry
chairman, Frank Steiner; rodeo
timer, Roy Rogers; program chair
man, Woodrow Herr; chute manager,
Millard Herr; parade judges COM
mittee, w. A. Howe, chm; admissions
to rodeo, Don Kagy, chm; fireworks
committee, Lester Niswander, chm.
Point scorekeeper, Edgar Herr;
parade announcer, Norman Triplett;
concessionaire, Aldine Weiss and
Continued on page ~
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Two Vacancies
Still Untitled
On School Faculty

School Superintendent A. B. Murray
this week was still searching for two
more teachers to complete the school
faculty.
He told the board of education Tues
day evening that he had talked with
approximately Is prospects during the
past couple weeks, but still had no
recommendation to make. The OPEN
ings are for home economics teach
er and an instructor for girls health
and physical education.
Among other matters before the
board was action on the superintend-
ent's recommendation for the en-
trance age requirements for children
entering kindergarten next fall. The
boards rule is that the child must be
five years of age on or before October
l to qualify for admission.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Births

The following births were recorded
at Bluffton Community hospital
during the past week:
Mr.. and Mrs. Howard ]. Snyder,
Lima, girl, Martha Jean, born Fri
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ray Niswander
(Alice OYER, Bluffton, a girl, Nancy
Jean, born Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Farling,
Findlay, boy, David Lee; born Sat
urday.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Hauck, Cairo,
a girl, Gayle Jean, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Marvin Welch, Raw
son, a boy, Allen Lewis, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Donald Beck, (Ange-
lene Shulaw), Bluffton, boy, born
Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wayne Jones, Raw
son, boy, born Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. David w. Doty have
welcomed a baby boy, Thomas James,
into their home on Cherry street. de
was born Thursday, June and VIII
be adopted by the Dotys.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Robert F. Wenger
Graduates From D. L.

A Blufton youth, Robert F.
Wenger, was one of 672 seniors at
Ohio university who were graduated
in commencement exercises Sunday
afternoon on the College Green.
Wenger, the son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Fred Wenger of Beaver street, Bluff
ton, received the bachelor of science
degree.
H. Struve Hensel, Washington at
torney and former assistant secretary
of defense, delivered the commence
ment address.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Final Inspection
OF New School Bldg.
Set For June e
Board Lays Plans For
Formal Dedication
Sunday, August 19

Final inspection and probable
acceptance Of the new elementary
school building by the board of educa-
tion has been set by the architect for
Monday, June %, and the curtain will
be raised for the public at formal
dedication ceremony Sunday, August
10, it was learned at the Tuesday
evening board Of education meeting.
The new building has already excit-
ed many exclamations Of approval at
a preview inspection for alumni men,
bers at their recent 18th anniver-
sary celebration. With many finishing
touches completed since then, and
equipment to be moved in during the
summer, Bluffton residents will be
in for an unusual treat at the dedica-
tion.
How far the board will be able to
make its almost depleted building
fund stretch to add other touches
such as stage curtains, blacktop for
the rear playground and other similar
items is now taking much Of its
attention.
Miss Ocie Anderson advised the
board Tuesday that she is preparing
to stock the new elementary library
and catalogue the books which viii be
moved in. The board took action to
increase its fund for library support
from $500 to $500 this year in order
to help compensate for extra help
which will be needed.
Additional funds forthcoming from
the county budget commission VIII en-
able the employment of a full-time
library assistant for Miss Anderson.
The elementary school library will be
open for the pupils at noon and after
school hours in the afternoon each
day after it is opened.
Mrs. Ray Hilty and Adah
Lehman are presently assisting the
Librarian on a part-time basis.
Other matters under consideration
by the board Tuesday included the
cost Of purchasing curtain for the
stage in the all-purpose room which
viii amount to nearly $500. The
building committee including Kimmel
Marshall and Maurice Bell was au-
thorized to contract for laying four
foot sidewalk in front of the new
building at a cost Of S995.
Because Of insufficient money in
the building maintenance fund the
matter of reglazing the windows and
painting the window frames in the
high school building was held in
allegiance. 1t was estimated that the
work would cost approximately
$4,000.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
CIR Boy Elected FLA
Dist. Vice President

Ivan Dangler, student at Cory
Rawson high school, was elected vice
president of the North Central Dis
trict of the Ohio Future Farmers of
America recently at the groups state
convention in Columbus.
Dangler, who was named a State
Farmer at the convention, has served
as chapter secretary and is presently
an officer in his All club. He has
been on the livestock and poultry
judging teams of his chapter and is
member of the National Honor
Society.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Summer Jobs Of Be Faculty Range From
Russian Travel To Measuring Molecules

to Russia for visits to Moscow, Kiev,
and Leningrad. He will also visit Lon
don, Paris, Bonn and other major
centers. The group leaves from New
York by air on June 20, following an
afternoon of sessions at the United
Nations headquarters.
Edna Ramseyer and Mrs. Elsie
Plank plan late July trip to New
foundland. Ada Lapp will leave for
Texas after the first term of the sum-
mer school. Rev. E. ]. Bohn plans
trip to Kansas shortly to visit various
family members there. DR.. Paul
Shelly and DR.. Richard Weaver and
family will be visiting in Pennsylvania
during the latter part of June.
Directing Workshop
Luther Shelter will be at Indiana
university for the ninth annual work.
shop for mathematics teachers during
the last two weeks of June. He is CO.
Continued on page 12)
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Christine Geiger
Is Queen Candidate

Christine Geiger, daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. Wilford Geiger, has been
chosen as the Future Homemakers
of America candidate for Bluffton's
Rodeo Queen the annual Fourth of
July parade. Several other candidates
for the honor have been announced
earlier.
Attending Miss Geiger on the
parade float will be Pamela Berry,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Dallas
Berry, and Judith Schiffke, daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Bernard Schiffke.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
B&PW Attend
n. Baltimore COnfab

Miss M'Della Moon, member of
the Bluffton Business and Profession
al Women's club, spoke on Health
and Safety at the Leadership Train
ing Conference Sunday at North
Baltimore. Bernice Yeager, Lima,
director of district one, presided.
Attending from Bluffton. were:
Misses Mildred Kolhoff, Dorothy
Greding, Meredith Stepleton, Theresa
Slusser, Sylvia Biederman; Mesdam-
es Ethelyn Rice, Pearl Bogart Mann,
Evelyn Beals, Carrie Stratton and
Carolyn Basinger.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14

two and three abreast on the streets
and cutting from one side Of the
street to the other.
Assistant Scoutmaster Ben Schif.
fke, who is aiding the II Explorer:
in making the check, announced thaf
prizes for first and second place fol
children under IL years and also fol
children over II years will be award
ed for the highest scores made on all
three phases of the tests.
In addition to safety devices such
as brakes, seat and handlebar adjust
ments and reflectors to be checked,
Continued on page 6)
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14

SEVENTY FIVE members of
Bluffton Girl Scout Troops and 25
staff and program aids recently
completed four days of outdoor
life at their annual Harmon Field
Day Camp.
The photos above show typical
activities of the camp: At the top
a group of girls gather around
their leader, Mrs. Clayton Hark-
ness, to try-out Buddy Burner"
stoves made from tin cans. The
group, left to right, includes Kar-
en- Burkh0lder, Deanna Beach,
Connie Habegger, Marcia Travis,
Elaine Baker and SharIene Lam
ming.
The middle photo shows one of
the new tents i'm use for the first
time this year by a group of Mrs.
ElOise Travis scouts. Left TO right
they are Nancy Patterson, Betty
Ruth Steiner, Kay ZimmerIy, Sue
Clauss, Nancy Baumgartner, Con-
ME Patterson and Beverly Ben
roth.
Raising the flag at the campsite
in the photo on the left are Janis
Gable, Jacqueline Tschantz, JAN
is Steiner, Mary Smucker and
Carol Jordan.
(Neu-Art Studio Photos
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Two More Building
Lots Change Hands

Buttons residential building boom
continued to SNOWFALL this week with
the announcement of the purchase OF
two lots at the northeast edge of the
town on which new homes will be con-
structed Immediately.
Bert Martin, Bluffton, and Leroy
Kirian, Lima, both purchased one
acre lots from w. j. Burkholder, who
lives just across the county line north
of town. The lots are located on the
County Line road to the rear of the
Burkholder residence.
Both parties are busy drilling wells
on their properties and the new homes
are expected to be started shortly,
Burkholder said.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Council Approves Water Line Extension
l,4OO Feet South OF Corporation Limit
Owners OF % Building Lots
To Share Cost OF Ex-
tension Project

Landowners Immediately south OF
village corporation limits were grant
ed permission to extend the water line
from the corporation limits to the
south end of tax lot Is in the Howard
Stager Subdivision by the village
council at its meeting Tuesday might.
Howard Stager, representing the
group of landowners, known as the
South M ain Street Improvement
Group, presented petition signed by
owners of the % lots which will be eff
fected by the water line extension.
This group will share the entire cost
and maintenance of the water line.
Plans call for an extension of 14261a
feet of four-inch cast iron pipe, two
fire hydrants and two shut-off valves
to service the section. Three-quarter
maximum taps will be used by prop
erty owners.
In presenting the plan to council
Stager pointed out that the group had
gone before the Allen County Commits
sioners to investigate the possibility
of extending water facilities. A max
imum cost of $135 will be assessed
each property owner signing the origi-
nal petition. That sum divided %
ways, will pay the entire cost of the
line.
In the petition it states that when
any of the properties in the section
change hands, new occupants will be
entitled to all rights and provisions in
the original petition and will be sub
ject to share cost of repair and main
tenance. A cost of $3.50 will be assess
ed new consumers on the line.
Plans call for an extension by the
board of public affairs of the present
line from a point near the residence
of Mrs. F. r. Hagerman, approx
mately 240 feet to the corporation linn
it. The new line will connect to that
point and continue down the east side
of the road the 1861 feet to the end
of Stager's lot.
Clayton Harkness, representing the
board of public affairs at the meeting,
said water users on the new line would
be charged 1870 more then users in
side the corporation limit. Tapping on
would also be 1870 higher than in
Bluffton, which would bring the cost
to $55.
Council adopted the plan unani-
mously and authorized the board of
public affairs to assign Ralph Diller,
superintendent of the water depart
ment, to supervise laying of the new
water line and also to supervise its
care and maintenance.
One member of the council queS-
toned Stager about tapping into the
towns sewer system. THAT is not
necessary" Stager replied. County
regulations permit residents outside
the corporation to install leech beds
and septic tanks where they will not
interfere with drilled wells.
The only stipulation to laying the
line, Stager pointed out, was that
while the ditch for the line was being
made workers should stay as close to
the property line as possible to avoid
damage to the highway. This was a
requirement of the county commits
sioners, who have taken over mainte-
nance of old Route Is from the state.
Signing the petition were the follow
ing: Howard Stager, KWK Construc-
ton Co., Kenneth Basinger, William
Mericle, Lavina Lugibihl, Myron Lug
ibihl, E. ]. Wahli, Raymond Dirmeyer
and Ward Marshall.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Receives Commission
In Air Force Reserve

Roy E. Reichenbach, Route 1, Bluff
ton, was one of az members of Ohio
State university's graduating class
who were commissioned as second
lieutenants in the Air Force Reserve
during June commencement exercises
Friday on the campus. All have COM
pleted four years training in the Air
ROTC program.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Sewer Tap Fees
Payable In Advance

Because in the past persons ap-
plying for permission to tap Bluffton
sewers have neglected to return and
pay the necessary fee, Mayor David
L. Riser said Tuesday that new
regulation now requires that sewer
tap fees be paid in advance. Under
the new setup "a charge of SIS will be
payable upon application, the May
or said.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
VALUE LUDWIG ESTATE

Estate of the late Elmer c. Lud-
wig. Bluffton, has been valued at
500 O.839.52 in an inventory filed in the
Allen County Probate Court. The
estate included $4,000 in real estate,
S8,878.26 in accounts and debts re-
ceivable, $5,163.26 in stocks and
bonds and $2,298 in personal goods.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Opens Barber Shop
At Mount Cory

Ralph Patterson, former Bluffton
barber who operated a shop more
recently in Vaughnsville, has leased
shop in Mount Cory, it was learned
this week.
The shop in Mount Cory is located
in the Lehr Green building adjacent
to Dukes restaurant, and is equipped
with new barbering equipment.
Prior to operating the shop in
Vaughnsville, Patterson was with the
state highway department.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14

unable to attend. Eight others are
deceased.
The photo above shows the class at
the recent reunion. Members left to
right (front row. are William Stet-
tier, Albert o. Badertscher, Mrs.
Mary Matter, Mrs. Clara Long and
Mrs. Sylvia Chidester. Back row
Albert Kohler, Mrs. Josephine Huber,
Mrs. Kathryn Kohler, Lee Coon,
and Paul Andrews. The Rev. V. C.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14

Oppermann, pastor of the church, is
shown in the center, rear.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ed Good and John
Hirschfield also attended but were
not present when the picture was
taken, and Mrs. Bessie Stettler, Lima,
was unable to attend
The class was the first one con-
firmed by the Rev. Frank Goetsch.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1956-06-14
Confirmation Class Of so Years Ago
Enjoys Unusual Reunion Dinner

There probably not too many church confirmation classes
with record equal to that of the class 1906 at
EmmanuePs Evangelical and Reformed church.
On the classs 50th anniversary 13 of its 21 original
were honored with reunion dinner served by the Friendly
Couples class at the church. One member living in Lima was