Happy Tuesday, Ada! Here are AdaIcon.com's top stories from the week that was, February 9-16. For a chronological look at all Icon content, visit AdaIcon.com/archive.
FROM FACEBOOK__The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs Small Business Info classes begin in two weeks, and there's still time to sign up! Classes are free and will help you create a complete personalized business plan.
MEDIA RELEASE__Kenton/Hardin County Soroptimists are once teaming up with Iron Fit Gym to sponsor Walk for Women on March 7. The Walk for Women is a worldwide event that celebrates Women’s History Month (March) and International Women’s Day (March 8) and is part of Soroptimist’s initiative to empower women and girls.
The Kenton club joins clubs from throughout the world to raise awareness for Soroptimist’s mission and to reach out and engage the community. Women, men, young and old are invited to this free event to inspire women and girls to reach their full potential, one step at a time.
Norma J. Bailey, age 79, of McGuffey, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.
She was born on June 20, 1946, in Kenton, Ohio, to the late Orville “Squirrelly” and Ethel (Prater) Hicks, Sr. On October 25, 1964 Norma married John H. Bailey and he preceded her in death on September 8, 2021.
Norma is survived by two sons: John D. Bailey of Kenton and Jason L. (Michelle) Bailey of Belle Center; two daughters: Sherry (Donald) Taylor of McGuffey and Jeannie (James) Biederman of Mt. Victory; eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
The Ada High School boys basketball team was seeded fifth at the tough seven-team Div. VI Northwest 5 sectional drawing held on Sunday, February 15.
The Bulldogs (13-7) will play at fourth seed Carey (10-9) on Friday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. in a sectional final battle.
The winner advances to play the survivor between third seed Allen East (13-8) and sixth seed Hopewell-Loudon (11-9) on March 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Findlay.
H-L beat Carey 50-40 earlier this season, while AE nipped rival Ada 52-49 Dec. 6.
The theme of love finds its way into many songs over the years. In 1955, the popular hit "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" was first recorded by the group The Four Aces. Later, it became even more loved when recorded by Nat King Cole and Andy Williams. The first lyrics are as follows:
Love is a many splendored thing,
It's the April rose that only grows in the early spring,
Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living.
When Valentine's Day approaches, love comes to mind in many men's thoughts. They take a long time browsing over Valentine's cards in stores, looking to find the perfect expression of their love for the recipient.
Ann K. “Annie” Luellen, age 89, of Ada, passed away at her home on Friday, February 13, 2026. She was born on April 28, 1936, to the late Hubert and Lillian (Haunhorst) Lause. She married Jerleen Moore (deceased) in April 1960, and they later divorced. On November 19, 1983, Ann married Charles R. Luellen, and he survives in Ada.
Ann graduated in 1955 from Alger High School. She worked at Essex Wire for seventeen years and retired from St. Rita’s Hospital in 1998.
McGUFFEY__The visiting Ada High School girls basketball team scored late and dodged a last-second shot to edge Upper Scioto Valley 44-42 in a non-conference grudge rematch at Alumni Fieldhouse on Saturday, February 14.
Ada freshman Tea Grffith sank two clutch, tie-breaking foul shots with 31.7 seconds left to put the visitors ahead for good, 44-42.
Layla Hunsicker intercepted a long Bulldog pass with 8.1 seconds left, giving the Ram girls had a last chance to tie or win it after calling timeout.
