By Paula Pyzik Scott

The October 10 breakfast meeting of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce provided the following information on local businesses and upcoming chamber events.

CHAMBER LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
Director Jim Enneking announced that he will retire at the end of the year, with current assistant director Rene Gabriel stepping into his role. A new assistant will be hired.

NEW MEMBER
Enneking introduced new member Rachel Miller, a professional photographer under the business name Rachel Miller Creative.

NEW BENEFIT
Enneking introduced a new member benefit, discounted access to Magai AI, a multi-platform AI resource.

PHOTO CONTEST
The chamber will be coordinating a year-long photo contest beginning on November 1. 

HOLIDAY UPDATE
Enneking provided an update on plans for the Christmas season:

• 200 tickets will be sold for the 3rd annual Jingle Bell Stroll on November 20
• Blaze of Lights attractions will include the return of horse-drawn wagon rides
• Blaze sponsorships are currently being coordinated
• The theme for decorations and floats is “Home for the Holidays”

AMERICA 250 IN BLUFFTON
Melinda Bowden announced that the local America 250 committee is looking for drone event sponsors. The group is posting information to the Facebook page Bluffton, Ohio Celebrates.

TRAFFIC SURVEY
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn shared a flyer inviting residents to complete a traffic study survey. The survey can be found HERE.

DOWNTOWN DECORATIONS
Fire Chief Jon Kinn advised downtown businesses that garlands will be hung about November 15 and that the fire department will be doing an audit of the hooks on storefront canopies.

PROGRAM ON ORTHOPEDICS
Dr. Lucas McKean, an orthopedic surgeon with Blanchard Valley Health System provided a program including advances in joint replacement surgery, opportunities to assess bone health and the use of prehab to improve surgery outcomes.