Mark Bixel, son of Dean and Brenda Bixel of Bluffton, was the winner of the 2014 Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne Gene Marcus Piano Competition.
He was the first place winner in the Senior Division. First round auditions were held May 17 and 18 with the final round of competition held in June at IPFW.
Mark, 16, will be a junior at Bluffton High School in the fall. He has been studying piano since the age of 4 with his teacher, Kathleen Price of Findlay. He performed Aufschwung, from Fantasiestucke, Op.12 by Robert Schumann for the winners recital.
Fred Steiner, director of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, is the speaker at the July Bluffton Senior Citizens dinner meeting.
Steiner will share information about the chamber with seniors attending the dinner. The event is at 6 p.m., Monday, July 14, at the center. Mt. Cory Temple Fund group will cater the meal. The menu includes ham loaf, potatoes, corn, applesauce, butter rolls and cake.
Mary Hofstetter is the master of ceremonies. Deloris Hermon and friends serve as hostesses.
It looks like rain on the horizon. During the first seven days of July the area experienced only 0.6 of an inch of precipitation. But that may change soon. Here’s the first seven days of July weather summary from Guy Verhoff, Pandora weather observer.
Several residents of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio were winners in the LeadingAge of Ohio "art and writing contest," judged recently. Every participant from Bluffton who entered was a winner. Those persons follow:
There still time to register youth for the BFR Sports and Fitness largest and most popular soccer camp of the summer.
The camp, British Soccer Camp, takes place from June 28 to Aug. 1 at BFR. The camp schedule follows:
First kicks, ages 3-4, 9-10 a.m.
Mini soccer, ages 4-6, 10:30-noon
Half day, ages 6-16, 9 a.m. to noon
First kicks, ages 3-4, 5-6 p.m.
Half day, ages 6-16, 5-8 p.m.
Full day, ages 8-18, 9 a.m.-noon; 5- 8 p.m.
