Christmas shopping - it's the home stretch. Still looking for unique items? Look no more. The Bluffton Icon presents its first-ever list of what you may buy in Bluffton this week that carries a Bluffton home-town twist. Here's goes (we may have missed someone, here's our best shot):
Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificates - Available in any amounts. May be purchased at Citizens National Bank. These may be used anytime in the next 12 month in any Bluffton business, or may be redeemed for cash at Citizens National Bank.
Bluffton Community Swimming Pool Passes - The Village of Bluffton offers 2011 swimming pool season passes at a reduced rate (same rate as 2010) now through Dec. 31. Sold in the town hall.
Here are the 2010 rates good through Dec. 31:
Senior single $36 (55 years of age and older)^aEUR"
Senior couple $67.50^aEUR"
Family non-taxpayer $162^aEUR"
Family tax-payer $117^aEUR"
Single non-taxpayer $94.50^aEUR"
Single taxpayer $72
Persons with questions may contact the village office, 419-358-2066.
Bluffton Senior Citizens Center
Ralph Rammel rag rugs, from $9 to $25; Mary Ann Jordan doll clothing, from $15 to $20; Judy Augsburger flower arrangements, $5 and under; Mary Koontz table runners (quilted by Geniece King and Carolyn Green) $20; Mary Koontz towels, $4.
Greg's Pharmacy
Bev Amstutz post cards and greeting cards, 50 cents and up; limited supply of Bluffton jewlry items; Pirate socks; Relay for Life Community Cookbooks, $10.
Deer Creek Shoppes
Oscar Velasquez paintings of Bluffton scenes, ranging from $15 to $79; Bluffton Boss Cream Separator (one-of-a-kind antique), $125.
Forever In Stitches
Raggedy Ruth Designs (patterns for quilted items) $8; wall hangings, purses, place mats, quilts (baby to king-size) ranging from $45 to $600.
Common Grounds
Common Grounds mugs, $12.99; Bluffton Icon coffee (1 pound $13.75; one-half pound $6.90); gift cards in any amount.
The Food Store
The Food Store bags $7.95 to $14.95; aprons $12.99; Tim King organically-grown flour, 99 cents a pound; Marilyn Diller soaps and bath salts.
Et Cetera Shop
Nancy Clemens dish scrubbies, $1.50; variety of Bluffton HS and Bluffton University sweatshirts and tee-shirts, $1 to $2.50; limited supply of 33 1/3 long-play albums of Bluffton College choirs; First Mennonite Church commemorative plate.
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn
Approximately 10 flavors of popcorn, prices range from $4 to $40; tins, bags gift, cards available.
Shannon Theatre
11 movie passes for $20 ($33 value).
First National Bank, Pandora
Stock through Toim Daley, Stifel Nicolaus, Dublin, Ohio, 877-875-9352, approximately $62 per share.
Book ReViews
Books by various local authors including Ruth Unrau, Elaine Rich and Perry Bush.
Bluffton Public Library
Library folding bags, 3 for $10; 2 for $7, 1 for $5; donate a book in memorial or in honor of someone, $25 for more to obtain a book label listing your gift; decorate the library Christmas tree with an ornament with someone's name: $1 for a red star, $3 for white dove, $5 for a silver angel, $10 for a gold angel.
Family True-Value Hardware
Bluffton Slaw Cutters, $7.50 to $10.50.
The Sports Warehouse
A wide variety of Bluffton sports ware in various prices.
The Black Lab
Sue Steiner "Thread Heads," children's sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, wash cloths, comforters, hair pins, from $3 on up; Jean Clum embroidery towels, pillows, sweatshirts, under $20; Denny Edinger, antique furniture, various prices; Diane Neal, handpainted Santas, angels, and elves done on wood, gourds and shells.
Luke's Bar and Grill
"The Buck Stops Here," orange tee-shirts, small to extra large, $12.
Bluffton University Bookstore
Everything from pens, to mugs, hats, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, beaver stuffed animals, note pads, books by local authors; prices range from $1.69 to $49.95.
Bluffton Family Recreation
A variety of items from track passes, fitness class cards, youth classes and memberships; price range from $15 for a one-year family membership, $400.
Gift certificates
The Curling Iron, Jeanne's Kitchen, Tu Pueblo Restaurant, China Wok, Common Grounds, Ten Thousand Villages or almost any Bluffton business.
