PHOTOS by Matt DeRitter / CLICK to enlarge gallery
By Olivia Maag
Bundled-up chocolate lovers trooped down Bluffton’s Main St. with bright red Explore Bluffton tote bags to participate in a Valentine’s trick-or-treat. All 150 event tickets sold, allowing individuals to pop into 21 participating locations to do a little shopping or visiting and enjoy a unique piece of chocolate along the way.
MEDIA RELEASE__The Swiss Community Historical Society will hold a Victorian Valentines Workshop for Kids on Saturday, February 14 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Swiss Heritage Center (Schumacher Homestead), 8350 Bixel Rd.
Children ages five and older are invited to attend. The registration fee of $1 for members and $3 for non-members includes materials, such as paper doilies, stickers and ribbons to craft several Valentines.
Esther Howland received the designation of the “Mother of the American Valentine,” for popularizing Valentine’s Day greeting cards in the late 1800s.
MEDIA RELEASE__The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the return of one of the community’s most delicious and eagerly anticipated events, the 2026 Chocolate Walk. This ticketed event is scheduled for Thursday, February 5 from 12:00-7:00 p.m.
The Chocolate Walk invites chocolate lovers and community enthusiasts to indulge their taste buds while exploring local shops and businesses. Participants will enjoy a leisurely stroll from stop to stop, collecting a variety of unique chocolate treats from classic candies to decadent cookies and brownies at each participating location.
MEDIA RELEASE__Chaplain Gary Dipnarine of Bluffton American Legion Post 382 has announced that the post will observe the Sacrifice of Four Armed Forces Chaplains during World War II, during the Sunday, February 1, worship service at the Bluffton First Methodist Church, 116 Church St.
The public is welcome to attend the service, which begins at 10:30 a.m. All veterans are invited to attend and will meet at 10:15 a.m. in winter dress.
The Shannon Theatre will play a free film each quarter as part of Bluffton's America 250 celebrations.
The first film is True Grit (2010), showing this Saturday, January 31 at 10:00 a.m. Doors open at 9:00 a.m, and admission is free.
The film was produced, written, and directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen; it stars Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld. It is based on the 1968 novel by Charles Portis, which was also made into a 1969 film with John Wayne, Kim Darby and Glen Campbell.
