Town news

Denise and Ed Fett, Bluffton, were in southwest Louisiana and Florida visiting family the last week of May. While visiting the normally sandy white beaches of Navarre, Florida, to attend a nephew's wedding, the Fetts saw firsthand the effects of the devastating oil spill making national news daily.

"We did not see any birds on the beach at all," said Denise Fett. "No sandpipers. No shorebirds."

Navarre is located between Destin and Pensacola Beach on U.S. 98. The Fetts saw cleanup crews on the beach in Navarre, shoveling balls of tar into plastic bags.

"The oil looked like piles of chocolate pudding washed up on the shore," said Fett. "Some of the seaweed was entangled with tar balls."

While the Fetts were visiting the shore, President Obama made two visits to the gulf. The morning of May 28, the President arrived at Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport.

"His (President Obama) motorcade passed in front of my brother's house as he headed to a briefing in Grand Isle, Louisiana," said Fett.

Oil has been spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, 130 miles southeast of New Orleans, since late April 2010 when a fire caused the sinking of a British Petroleum (BP) drilling rig.

An official update on the disaster from BP on June 7, stated that a cap was installed on June 3 to help slow the leak of oil into the ocean. Also, more than 2,600 vessels are involved in the relief effort launched by BP. The cost of the disaster relief effort to date is $1.25 billion.

For the last time ever, Bluffton kindergartners set sail at Mrs. Nancy Fultz's pond, 8050 Dixie Hwy., Bluffton, for the annual boat float on Tuesday, June 1.

It all began in 1973 when Mrs. Fultz invited her class of kindergartners and others to her home for an exciting activity during the last week of school. Over the last 37 years, hundreds of young Blufftonites have participated in the beloved event.

"I have many former students, adults by now, who tell me that they still have their boat from so many years ago," said Nancy Fultz, kindergarten teacher. 

The students begin with pieces of cut wood. Don Fultz, Nancy's husband, cuts the wood. Then, with a little glue, a few nails, string, and some brightly colored paint, the boats are ready to set sail.

This year's final boat float was well attended with parents, pets, students, and snacks. Mrs. Fultz is retiring from Bluffton Elementary School after 42 years in the district.

Friends and family of Chris Bricker gathered at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 28, to remember the Bluffton resident by planting a Buckeye tree in his memory.

About 40 people attended the private Friday evening ceremony.

The Bluffton High School Athletic Department gave Bricker's friends and family permission to plant the tree at Harmon Field. The tree was paid for by friends of Chris Bricker.

"Chris had good friends. Very good friends," said Jay Bricker, Chris' father.

Chris Bricker, 38, of Columbus Grove, died February 26, 2010 as the result of a snowmobile accident. He and his wife Tracie have two sons, Austin and Dakota.

Bricker was active as a coach for both midget football and wrestling in Bluffton. He was a graduate of Bluffton High School and was employed by Grob Systems, Inc., Bluffton. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Bluffton.