December 2014

Meet Bluffton's newest business of 2015 - that's right.

Bluffton Pediatrics will open on Jan. 5, 2015 at 505 E. Jefferson St., Suite A, in what most Icon viewers know as the front offices of the Diamond Manufacturing building.

Beth A. Bish, CNP, pediatric nurse pracitioner, is co-owner along with her husband, Jim Bish, RN. The business was introduced at a Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast earlier this fall, and Icon viewers will hear more about its services closer to its opening date.

The Bluffton Blaze of Lights is more than just a parade. There's music, entertainment, food, and lots of things that get people into the Christmas spirit.

New to this year's Blaze was a wood sculpture demonstration by John Guagenti. The Icon offers lots more photos. Viewers will find them in the attachment below this story.

And, for parade photos and videos, click here.

James "Jim" L. Lewis, 72, of Ada died at 9:35 p.m.  Dec. 1, 2014, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, surrounded by his family.  He was born Aug. 25, 1942, in Beaverdam to the late Charles and LaVaun Reeder Lewis. On July 27, 1963, he married Betty Gaiffe and she survives.

He retired after 30 years from Ohio Northern University where he worked as a purchasing agent. He was a graduate of Beaverdam High School and a veteran of the Navy during the Cuban missile crisis.

 The churches of Pandora and Gilboa are offering food boxes for households in the Pandora-Gilboa School District.  The boxes are designed to provide nine meals for a family of four. 

In order to pick up a box, you must register by calling 419-384-3038 by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15.  Boxes will be available to be picked up on  Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. at Grace Mennonite Church, 502 East Main Street, Pandora.

Note that pickup is a week earlier than usual due the the Christmas Holiday.

Christmas For Kids will be held at Trinity Lutheran School, 105 Allen Street, Jenera, on Saturday, December 6 from 1-4:30 p.m. The afternoon will provide children in Pre-school through 4th grade a special opportunity to hear the real message of Christmas, along with Christmas crafts, music, refreshments and fun.  For more information, please call 419-326-4402.

A new Bluffton business, Gallery 323, will celebrate an opening Saturday, Dec. 6, from 4-7 p.m.  The studio store, located at 323 N. Main St., will feature art and gifts. The varied inventory includes ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, paintings and prints by area artists.

Saturday’s opening event offers patrons an opportunity for a first look and early selection, along with holiday treats and beverages.

It was the largest Blaze of Lights parade ever. With temperatures in the mid-50s parade watchers were five-people deep along Main Street on Saturday night. 

Float winners were:
First place - Bethel Church of Christ
Second place - St. Mary's Catholic Church
Third place - Trinity Lutheran Church, 

CHECK OUT OUR PARADE PHOTO ALBUM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.

CLICK HERE to view parade videos.

Jeff Kantner of Family True Value Hardware, 109 N. Main St., Bluffton, announces the store's bargains of the month for December.

They include:

• Adjustable wrench set from Master Mechanic, $24.97
• Storage boxes - 40-quart and 18-gallon, your choice, $4.97
• 2-pack AAA flashlight combo, (save 50%), $9.99
• 10-foot candy cane extension cord, (save 50%), $4.99

GREENWOOD, Ind. - Bluffton University running back Eric Fox (Brunswick) was voted as the HCAC Play of the Year. The senior earned the title after voting took place on the HCAC social media outlets of Facebook and Twitter.

Fox's winning play was a five-yard touchdown reception on 4th and goal with a leap into the end zone to knot up the score at 7-7 in Bluffton's 20-14 win over Hanover College.

November was a cold one, according to Guy Verhoff, Pandora weather observer.

The average daily temperature was 35.9 degrees while the normal November average is 41.5 degrees.

Snowfall reached 3.9 inches with the heaviest falling on Nov. 16 (2.5 inches) and Nov. 17 (.9 inches).

November’s maximum temperature was 65 degrees on Nov. 11 and 23. The minimum temperature of November was 8 degrees on Nov. 18 and 21.

Precipitation (rain) measured 1.88 inches, while the normal average precipitation for November is 3.16 inches.

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