We like to think that Bluffton’s many shops create the best Christmas decorated downtown of any small town in Ohio.
In addition to the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce’s residential lighting contest, a separate contest takes place for 41 downtown businesses.
The downtown contest operates differently from the residential contest. Competition downtown involves any business that has Christmas garland purchased two years ago through the chamber garland project.
It's not necessarily the number of lights on your lawn - it's the holiday feeling your display evokes.
This year's Bluffton residential lighting contest offers several new judging catetories and "Small is Beautiful" is one of those categories.
Thanks to a $450 donation from First National Bank, Bluffton’s residential holiday lighting contest prize money totals $800 this year. First National’s donation is assisted courtesy of Kasasa, its rewards checking account partner.
Bluffton Lions will hold a chicken barbecue on Blaze of Lights Saturday. Tickets are $8 and are available from any club member. Dinners will be available while they last from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bluffton Middle School. dinner may be picked up in a drive-through set up in front of the middle school.
The Council for the Arts of Greater Lima will host its third annual Holiday Night at the Museum on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Allen County Museum.
This year’s event will be hosted by Don and Sherri Fischer and include and evening of fine wine and drinks; a dinner prepared by chef Brian Keegan and Barb Cooley; live holiday music by The Ohio State University’s choral ensemble, Carmony; and an auction of local art and gifts, all to benefit the educational programming of the Council for the Arts of Greater Lima.
Last week the Bluffton Girl Scouts enjoyed a “Christmas Camp” overnight at Woodhaven Program Center. The girls spent time roasting their supper over an open fire, doing crafts, games and campfire songs, and even dancing to some Christmas Zumba tunes.
The Pandora United Methodist Church Choir will present the Christmas Cantata, “Behold the Star!” written by Lloyd Larson on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 9:30 a.m. during the worship service.
The church service and refreshments in the fellowship hall afterwards are open to the public.
The choir is directed by Pat Basinger and accompanied by Pat Michel.The church is located on State Route 12 at 108 E. Washington St. in Pandora. The Rev. Duane Kemerley is the pastor.
The holidays bring families and friends together to share in celebrations and special times of giving. But for families dealing with a cancer diagnosis or other major illness, the holidays can be difficult.
The American Red Cross’ Give Something that Means Something winter campaign runs through Jan. 6, 2014, and encourages eligible donors to give something meaningful this holiday season by donating blood or platelets for hospital patients in need.
