What's Up

Coloring Contest underway
The Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department has begun the coloring contest.

Coloring pages have been handed out at area schools . The pages can be printed out from the city’s website by visiting http://www.ci.bluffton.in.us/documents/winter.pdf.

Children 12 and under can color the picture and return it to the park office at 128 E. Market Street by Tuesday, Dec. 18, for a chance to win a four foot stocking stuffed with toys and treats. This is a free event.

Warren Roadrunner trip Dec. 3
Warren Roadrunners will take a trip Monday, Dec. 3, to Grabill to eat breakfast and browse or shop at Grabill Country Sales.

This is a bulk food store that has prepackaged items from small to large including spices, soup mixes, baking supplies, dried fruit, nuts, noodles and coffee beans. All trips leave from the Warren Church of Christ parking lot at 302 N. Wayne St., Warren, at 8 a.m. Contact Colleen Franklin at (260) 414-0223 for details. Call by Dec. 1 to reserve a seat.

Stories with Santa Dec. 8 at Huntington
Huntington City-Twp. Public Library will sponsor a Stories With Santa program at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Main Library at 255 West Park Drive, Huntington. The program will include a holiday-themed story time session, and each child will receive a small gift from Santa, sponsored by the Psi Iota Xi sorority. Parents are welcome to bring their cameras to take pictures of their child with Santa Claus. There is no charge to attend, and kids of all ages are welcome, although the story time session is geared for kids ages 3 and older.

Registration is appreciated, but not required.  Parents may register their children by calling the Library at 260-356-2900.

Live Nativity at Southern Wells Church Dec. 9
A live nativity will be held Sunday, Dec. 9, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Southern Wells Community Church.

Listen to the wisemen as they deliver gifts to the new born King born in Bethlehem! The citizens of Bethlehem  will tell visitors about themselves and the miracle that has taken place in their town!

Hot apple cider and sweet bread will be available for those who visit the live, interactive recreation of the birth of Christ, located at Montpelier Ag Advantage at 240 W. Windsor Street in Montpelier.

Plenty of parking, including bus parking, will be available. This is a free event.

Crochet Registration begins Dec. 10
Crochet Lesson registration will begin Monday, Dec. 10. Learn to create handmade items. Classes are taught by Kathy Gehrett on the second floor of the City Hall building from 3 to 4 p.m.  Cost for three one hour group lessons are $10 due the first day.

Lessons will be Tuesday Jan. 15, 22 and 29. Yarn and instructions will be provided. Those attending will need to bring their own size H hook. Call 824-6069 to pre-register. Class size is limited and open to beginners and advanced students.

Club Calendar

Monday, Nov. 26

• Genetic Syndrome Support Group — Parkwood Church, 3320 Trier Road, Fort Wayne; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 449-0895.
• Swiss Stitchers — Social Corner at Swiss Village in Berne; 7 p.m. Those attending should bring mittens, hats or scarves for a child. These will be distributed in the community to children in need. Come and enjoy a surprise speaker as well as refreshments. Short business meeting and show and tell. The Noble Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild is planning The Gathering of Quilters 2013.  It will take place in Auburn, March 16, 2013. There will be a signup sheet at the November and January meetings. Or go to: www.noblenimblethimbles.com for details, AND online registration. The next meeting will be Jan. 26 (no December meeting).

Tuesday, Dec. 4
Creative Quilters Quilt Club — Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren, 2433 N 400 W., Decatur; 6 p.m. Members should bring their homemade pillowcase for Golden Meadows Home residents, canned goods for Pleasant Dale’s Boxes of Blessing, and a covered dish to share. Committee will provide meat, drinks and table service. Show and Tell will be held. Guests are welcome.

Club Calendar

Wednesday, Nov. 21

• Kitco Lady Retirees — Corner Depot; 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 24

• River Terrace Estates — Sarah Gerber and Friends singing; 3 p.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, Nov. 25

• River Terrace Estates — Connie Strange singing; 2:30 p.m. in ALD.
• Lifetree Café — Ossian Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at 123 S. Jefferson, Ossian; 6-7 p.m. (Enter off parking lot thru the double doors). Topic: “The Mystery of Prayer. Can God be Swayed?”

Monday, Nov. 26

• Genetic Syndrome Support Group — Parkwood Church, 3320 Trier Road, Fort Wayne; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 449-0895.
• Swiss Stitchers — Social Corner at Swiss Village in Berne; 7 p.m. Those attending should bring mittens, hats or scarves for a child. These will be distributed in the community to children in need. Come and enjoy a surprise speaker as well as refreshments. Short business meeting and show and tell. The Noble Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild is planning The Gathering of Quilters 2013.  It will take place in Auburn, March 16, 2013. The next meeting will be Jan. 26 (no December meeting).

What's Up

FW Phil’s ‘Passion & Paradise’ concert set for Nov. 17
“Passion and Paradise,” the third concert in the Masterworks Series by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, will be presented at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m.

James Judd will be guest conductor and Grammy-nominated guest cellist Sharon Robinson will present the works of Lilburn. Lalo and Sibelius. Tickets starting at $16 will be available at the door or arranged for in advance at 260-481-0777 or at www.fwphil.org.

December Dash 5k and One Mile Jingle Bell Jog Dec. 1
December Dash 5k and One Mile Jingle Bell Jog will be held Saturday Dec. 1 at  8:30 a.m. in downtown Bluffton. Meet at the city building. Each registered participant will receive a December Dash T-shirt. The 5k awards to the top three male and female finishers and the top three age group winners (nine and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & over).

Register online at www.active.com or print off a form from the city’s website at www.blufftonindiana.net to mail in. Cost is $15 for the 5K pre-registration, $10 for the One Mile Jingle Bell Jog, or $18 for the 5K on race day.

Toddler Candy Cane Hunt Dec. 4
A toddler candy cane hunt will be held Dec. 4 from 11 to 11:45 a.m. The kids can enjoy playing in the city gym from 11-11:45 a.m. Enter glass door on west side of city hall). The parks department will bring the children upstairs at 11:45 a.m. to hunt for candy canes.

Paws & Claus Dec. 19
Good cats and dogs are invited to visit Santa at the annual Paws and Claus event Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Bluffton City Gym. Bring a camera or purchase photos from the photographer on site. Pets will receive free treats and pet care providers will be on hand.

What's Up

Weekday walkers welcome
The Weekday Walker program has begun in the city gym from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. every weekday now through March.

Adults may enter the glass door on the West side of the building and sign in on the wooden door to the gym. 20 laps equal one mile. Free. For more information call 824-6069.

Badminton begins
Badminton will be held every Thursday night from 7-9 p.m. in the Bluffton City. This is a league for beginners and experienced players. All equipment is provided. Cost is $5 the first night. Questions call 824-6069.

Arts Place Holiday Benefit Auction Nov. 16
Arts Place will host its 30th annual holiday benefit auction Friday, Nov. 16, in Goodrich Hall at Arts Place, Portland Center, located at 131 East Walnut Street in Portland. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bidding starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Free refreshments will be provided throughout the evening.

All proceeds from the auction will support the programs and activities of Arts Place in Indiana and Ohio, including Arts in the Parks, CreativeWorks, gallery exhibits, the annual performance series and more.

Individuals and area businesses donate all auction items, including: trips, gift items, collectibles, gift certificates, museums passes, sports tickets and much more.

To donate an item or service for the auction, or for more information, please contact Sue Burk at 260-726-4809 or sburk@artsland.org.

Tickets are being sold at Arts Place for a 50/50 raffle. Tickets will be available at the auction. Cost of the raffle tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5.

Vendors needed for Nov. 18
Vendors are needed for the Flea Market and Craft Show planned for Sunday,  Nov. 18, at the Lions Club in Montpelier.

Tables are available inside or outside. For application information call 765-728-2104 or 765-728-2575 and leave a message.

Toddler Holiday Crafts Nov. 20
A variety of crafts will be available for tots on Tuesday, Nov. 20, from 11-11:30 a.m. and again on Thursday, Dec 13, in the city gym. Cost is $2 per child due the day of the event.
Please pre-register by calling 824-6069.

Festival of Gingerbread opens Nov. 23
The 27th annual Festival of Gingerbread opens Nov. 23 and runs until Dec. 9. This Fort Wayne holiday classic features over 100 creations crafted by persons from pre-schoolers to professional chefs.

On Tuesday, Nov. 20, a Preview Party Gala will be hosted by the museum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. On Lighting Night, Nov. 21, admission will be reduced to $2 with a sneak peek of the houses from 5 to 9 p.m. Santa will also be on hand that evening.

In addition to the Festival of Gingerbread, the new exhibition gallery “Allen County Innovation” is now open for the public to view. One low admission price provides entry to both the festival and museum with proceeds from the festival going to support of the museum and its collection.

The schedule for Festival of Gingerbread weekend events can be found on the History Center’s website at www.fwhistorycenter.com.

Contact the History Center at (260) 426-2882 or visit the website. Photos of past events can be found on the organization’s Facebook page.