August 20, September 17 and October 15 performances
MEDIA RELEASE__John Jantzen and Wendy Chappell-Dickhave given themselves a challenge: to learn 50 songs to celebrate America 250. These selections range from music popular in colonial times up to the Civil War.
Included in the fifty are songs of immigrants, Native Americans and African American Slaves, as well as hymns and courtin’ tunes, all accompanied by dulcimer, guitar and spoons. Many will recognize songs Pa played on the fiddle in the beloved Little House on the Prairie books.
FROM BCS HAPPENINGS_On Thursday, August 20, the Community Meal served by the Bluffton Presbyterian Church will be held at the Senior Center. The meal starts at 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to support the local food pantry.
Lois Jean (Riesen) Andreas died on August 1, 2026, in Bluffton, Ohio. She was born November 22, 1925, in Hillsboro, KS, to Adolf and Justina (Hiebert) Riesen. Lois Jean grew up on the family farm with her brother Willis, sixteen months her senior, speaking only German until she started school. Her Anabaptist faith developed at the Brudertal Mennonite Church, where her lifelong passion for peace and justice began and she was encouraged to think for herself.
Thomas "Tom" J. Basinger, 78, passed away August 11, 2026, at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton. Tom was born March 13, 1948, in Lima to the late Marc and Helen (Glancy) Basinger. On June 23, 1973, he married Sarah Steiner Basinger, who preceded him in death on December 18, 2025.
MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University President Dr. Alex Sider will present the State of the University Address at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Yoder Recital Hall.
Sider's presentation, “Reinvest, Reinvent, Reimagine,” will outline Bluffton's emerging strategic plan and provide a look at the university's vision and priorities for the future.
The address will highlight the ways Bluffton is building on its strengths while considering new opportunities to serve students and strengthen the university for generations to come.
The following Bluffton Village Council meeting was held on Monday, August 10, 2026. Mayor Richard Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
SAFETY SERVICES, PERSONNEL AND FINANCE
Phill Talavania reported a future change in the EMS work schedule. The department currently operates on the California Swing Shift Model, a 9-day work cycle where staff members alternate 24 hours on and 24 hours off for 5 consecutive days, then are off for a consecutive 96 hours. Chief Babcock requested that the EMS staff move to a work cycle of 48 hours on duty and 96 hours off duty. He said that after individual meetings with all his staff, this change was well received. This change was approved and will take effect in January 2027.
