Like Santa and Mrs. Claus, Don and Jodi Brauen are busy in their workshop these days. The Brauens, though, aren't making toys. Instead, they're creating tiny white ghosts and snowmen, fat, round scarecrows, angels, and dark red apples hanging side by side on a string - all from the assorted varieties of gourds they raise in a field next to their farmhouse.
Ron Friesen will present a program about vintage 1930s-era toys at Bluffton Public Library on Monday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. Participants are invited to bring their favorite toys to share.
A special event prize drawing will also be held, with the winner receiving four tickets to the Ohio Northern University Freed Center production of Knuffle Bunny.
What was your BHS graduating class? Did you have both baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies? What do you remember about that?
I'm a member of the BHS Class of 1965. We had both baccalaureate and commencement -- but I don't remember much about either.
Share some memories of the old grade school. What grade were you in when they opened the new building? Do you remember the first day...or at least the first few weeks?
On Aug. 26, the Mennonite Memorial Home took residents on their annual excursion to the Allen County Fair. A lot of ground is covered at the fair, and so that residents do not tire out, each one attends in a wheelchair.
Volunteers and family members become personal chauffeurs for a day. Residents enjoyed a fun filled morning visiting the barns, seeing the fair activities and ending with a lunch. This day is a huge success thanks to the help of our volunteers, according to Mary Ann Ring, director of volunteer services at MMH.
Members of the Beaverdam Bunch 4-H Club were very successful at the Allen County Fair this year. Here are the club's results:
Julie Althaus
Market Hog - A, A, Outstanding Swine Livestock Interview, First Place Jr. Swine Livestock Interview
Scrapbooking - A, First Place/Plaque Winner, Ohio State Fair Participant
Sarah Amstutz
Allen County Junior Fairboard President
Market Hog - A, A, Outstanding Swine Livestock Interview, First Place Sr. Swine Livestock Interview
Rumor has it you were in Bluffton recently. Did you get to take a plane ride with your brother, Kevin?
Yes, I did actually! Kevin took my mom and me up for an hour flight around Bluffton and Lima. It was smooth and we even did a touch and go in Lima. We flew over the Lima Prison, the Mall, the Allen County Fair, the reservoir and Suter's corn maze. It was so fun!
How has the town changed since your childhood days? What do you miss?
