By Jena O’Brien, university
public relations student assistant
Lessons on community, business and leadership merged this year during the annual Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) conference in Vancouver, Canada.
During the conference, seven Bluffton University students, including Wyatt Baer, a senior accounting major from Marshallville, learned how business majors can leverage their strengths to improve society.
The students were also able to network with business professionals and community leaders also in attendance.
Santa Claus will visit Bluffton on Saturday during the Blaze of Lights. He will be in the Blaze parade at 5 p.m. Following that youngsters of all ages can sit on his lap in the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. Here's a view by Jamie Nygaard from last year's visit from Santa.
Saturday's 31st annual Blaze of Lights offers several opportunities to "eat locally" according to the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Here's a lists of businesses offering food:
Bluffton Lions Club Foundation: Chicken barbecue, 4-7 p.m. Drive up behind the Dollar Store parking lot. Eat in at tables on the lower level of Bluffton Presbyterian Church. See a Lions member for tickets or call Greg Denecker at 419-358-5901.
The third annual Riley Creek Old Time Christmas Tour is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, according to Tom McCullough of Pandora.
McCullough said that event is free and open to the public. The event is held the same day as the Christmas open house at the Homestead - Swiss Community Historical Society's open house. Watch for details about that event coming on the Icon.
This year's open house tour includes:
• Bridenbaugh one-room school,
14022 Road 6
Corner of Road 6 and Road M6
Bluffton Primary Care, 161 Garau St., will host a community open house featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus on Monday, Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The community is invited to visit the newly renovated office and meet the physicians and care team.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. with the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Children who are visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus will receive a gift while supplies last.
The office is accepting new patients and offers evening appointments. To schedule an appointment call 419.369.2280.
Riley Creek United Methodist Church invites the community to its 46th annual Christmas carol sing on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
"Like an old-fashioned songfest around the piano, the program will feature congregational singing of many traditional carols, as well as readings from Scripture about Jesus’ birth, special performances by the Pandora United Methodist Church Choir, Ottawa Saints Peter and Paul Choir, other musicians, and a candle lighting ceremony," said Rev. Duane Kemerley, pastor.
