By Paula Pyzik Scott

The February 13 breakfast meeting of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce provided chamber updates from director Rene Gabriel and member announcements. A presentation by Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio featured John Warner, President and CEO of Brethren Retirement Community, and Shelby Cole, Sales and Marketing Coordinator. The program provided background information on MHCO services and an overview of the merger that was initiated in 2019.

CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tony Jacoment of Jacoment Martial Arts is offering to hold a free self-defence class for chamber members. Email Gabriel at [email protected] to be included in planning a convenient time and date.

MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Business Collective networking events will be held at 1840 Wine Lounge on the first Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m.

The Ride to Remember is organizing sponsorships for the July 11 event, which supports the construction of bike and pedestrian pathways in Bluffton. For more information, contact Jason Cox, at 419-234-8422 or email [email protected].

America 250 - Pat Rodabaugh noted that donations for the June 19 drone show may be made out to the Village of Bluffton, memo: America 250.

Lima Habitat for Humanity Restore has a new job opportunity: Full-time procurement supervisor, listed on Indeed.com.

The Bluffton Icon is updating a Bluffton history timeline. Post-1950s items are needed. Email suggestions to [email protected].

Brienne Sprunger, Bluffton University’s MBA Director of Graduate Programs in Business, provided members with a listing of university events and noted current job opportunities.

PROGRAM
Shelby Cole provided an overview of MHCO history, beginning with the creation of Mennonite Memorial Home in 1955. In the 1980s the organization began expanding its campus and types of retirement housing offered with the creation of Pembroke Cottages. In 1999 Maple Crest welcomed its first residents and in 2012 Willow Ridge introduced the first Green Homes in Ohio.

John Warner commented on the cohesiveness of the Bluffton community, which he has gotten to know over the 7 years MHCO has been affiliated with Brethren Retirement Community. He noted the outstanding work of MHCO board director Elizabeth Kelly and the challenges of the COVID epidemic, which began just six months after the merger began. Full affiliation of the two organizations was accomplished in 2024.

A nine-member board governs the organization and currently includes a Bluffton resident member and Greg Ring representing MHCO.

At 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, Maple Crest will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the facility’s newly remodeled fitness center, which is expected to open to the general public.