By all accounts this year's Blaze was a "sell out" for local food vendors. Temperatures hovering in the high 50s-low 60s not only brought out the crowds but attracted a higher number of parade entrants than in previous years.
Tied to the larger crowd, food vendors were happily suprised that they were running out of food. Jeanne Ream, selling hot dogs on Vine Street closed up shop after selling her last 'dog shortly after the parade ended.
A volunteer is needed at the Mennonite Memorial Home to assist residents to the in-house beauty shop on Tuesday mornings, according to Mary Ann Ring, MMH volunteer coordinator.
Volunteering begins at 8:30 a.m. The volunteer will take direction from the beautician and the volunteer coordinator and must be able to push a wheelchair.
This position begins Tuesday, Dec. 6. If you would like to help MMH residents, please call Ring at 419-358-1015.
The December employee of the month for Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio is Emily Koogler.
Emily Koogler of Bluffton, is the Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio employee of the month for December.
Koogler is a licensed social worker at the Mennonite Memorial Home for almost five years. She is co-facilitator of the Alzheimer's support group and has recently started a grief support group for the residents at MHCO.
She lives here in Bluffton with her husband, Aaron, and their son, Titus. In her spare time, Emily coaches junior high cheerleading.
A benefit spaghetti dinner for Butch Sanders and his wife, Debb, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, at The Bluffton Sportsmen's Club depot on Spring Street.
Butch has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer from prolonged acid reflux. Butch and Debb are parents of Dee Helms, Chad Sanders, Nikki Dunifon, and Thad and Ryan Wingfield.
Christmas For Kids will be held at Trinity Lutheran School, 105 Allen Street, Jenera, on Saturday, Dec, 3 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
The program 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.
