The Bluffton/Pandora Swiss Community Historical Society Christmas open house, “Christmas at the Homestead,” will be on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Schumacher Homestead on Bixel Road.
The public is invited to tour the decorated 1843 house while snacking on homemade treats and listening to songs of the season.
Guests can watch food being prepared in the fireplace, hand dip a candle, play a game of checkers, shop in the gift shop and chat with staff about the history of the house and typical life in the 1840s.
Ebenezer Mennonite Church children’s Christmas program will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Crossroads Ministry Center.
The Disciple Singers Choir will perform the musical “Wise Guys and Starry Skies,” where three kings, a camel boy, and cook travel to find and worship the heavenly king.
The church is located at 8905 Columbus Grove Bluffton Road, Bluffton. An afterglow will be held following the program. Everyone is invited.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Bluffton University men's basketball team showed no signs of rust following an 11-day break since it played at Buffalo, NY on November 21. An 18-7 run late in the first half powered the Beavers to a 91-70 victory at Kalamazoo College on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. Bluffton improved to 3-1 on the season, while the Hornets slipped to 0-3 after the loss.
The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce provides a free map showing many of the locations that traditionally provide holidays displays. The free map is available at the Bluffton Marathon station and also in the red mailbox in front of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church.
The map is also an attachment to this story in a printer-friendly format.
December is full of activities at the Bluffton Public Library. Here's the schedule:
Chill Zone continues on Dec. 1 and 15 at 3:30 p.m.This is a time for teens and tweens (6th grade and up) to snack, talk, play games, watch movies, and make crafts. On Dec. 15, Chill Zone will celebrate the holidays with a party during their regular meeting time.
Since the introduction of Title IX in 1972, there has been a lot of focus on ensuring girls get the same opportunities as boys in public education. However, with so much focus on girls’ achievement many people haven’t noticed boys are falling behind.
Bethel College (Kansas) professor Dr. Doug Siemens explored the role reversal in educational achievement during a Dec. 1 Forum at Bluffton University. Siemens is an associate professor and is director of elementary teacher education at Bethel.
Earlier this year, Blaze of Lights parade director Junior Weihrauch invited the Ottoville Fire Department to have a unit in the Blaze parade.
In Weihrauch’s conversation with Matt Schnipke of the department, Schnipke asked what he thought was a crazy question.
“On Nov. 28 my wife, Jennifer, and I will celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary,” said Schnipke. “This might sound crazy, but would you mind if I propose again to my wife, in front of the review stand, during the parade? I'd like to surprise her.”
The Blaze of Lights is more than just one evening. It's an entire month of lights in Bluffton.
MORE PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF STORY.
The Icon shares some of the photos taken after the Blaze parade. Views includes some of the Dancers' Elite dance troupe, the horse and wagon ride, watching children talk with Santa and Mrs. Claus (from outside the senior center), and Jim Boedicker performing on stage.
