Club calendar

Saturday, Dec. 31

• River Terrace Estates — Nick Huffman playing the piano; 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.
• River Terrace Estates — Ted Chemey playing the violin; 6:30 p.m. in ALD.

Sunday, Jan. 1

• River Terrace Estates — Chet Baumgartner and Psalms 100 quartet singing; 2:30 p.m. in ALD.
• River Terrace Estates — Life Church members singing; 1 p.m.

Club Calendar

Saturday, Dec. 24

• River Terrace Estates — John Sipes and family singing; 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, Dec. 25

• River Terrace Estates — Chester and Carol Longenberger and family playing piano and singing; 2:30 p.m. in ALD.

What's Up

Scrapbook Club meets 2nd and 4th Mondays
Bring scrapbook supplies to the City Hall Building every second and fourth Monday of the month starting in January.

Cost is $3 per visit and equipment can be shared during this time.

Call 824-6069 to register. Dates are Jan 9, 23 Feb 13, 27, March 12, 26, April 9, 23, May 14, 28.

Crochet classes set
Crochet classes will be taught by Kathy Gehrett on Monday Jan. 13, 20 and 27th from 3 to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the City Hall building.

Cost for three hours of group lessons is $10 due the first day. Yarn and instructions will be provided. Those attending will need to bring their own size H-hook.

Call the park office to pre-register at 824-6069. Class size is limited and open to beginners and advanced students.

Focus on Photos exhibit at CAC Jan. 9-Feb. 17
Area photographers are invited to submit recent work to the Creative Arts Council’s “Focus on Photos” exhibit to be viewable from Jan. 9 to Feb. 17 at the Balentine Gallery at the Arts Commerce & Visitors Centre. Each artist receives one free entry with additional works requiring an entry fee of $5. All entries are due in the gallery on Thursday, Jan. 5, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Work previously shown in a CAC exhibit is not eligible. For more information come to the CAC office during regular hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Monday through Friday.

Professionals may exhibit but are not eligible for prizes. Cash awards will be determined by a panel of professionals for Best of Show, $150; 1st place, $100; 2nd place, $75 and 3rd place, $50.
A reception for the photographers will be held on Sunday, Jan. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m.

What's Up

Ossian Psi Iota Xi Cheeseballs available
Members of Ossian Psi Iota Xi still have cheeseballs available for the holidays. They are $6 each and can be purchased at the Ossian Deli or Ossian Hardware. For more information call Emmaline Hinshaw at 824-2005 or Shirley Richardson at 639-6947.

Black Raspberry Pies available for the holidays
Sigma Phi Gamma has once again made black raspberry pies for the Christmas holidays.

Sigma Phi Gamma supports A Friend’s House as well as other local charities and presents a Senior Girl Award to the Bluffton High School Senior Girl who has overcome the most obstacles in her high school career.

Call 824-2229 to order your pies. If no answer, leave a message. Cost is $11 each. There are only 30 left. Limited supply.

Psi Iota Xi offers flower cards and cheese balls
Members of Bluffton's Psi Iota Xi currently have flower cards and cheese balls available for purchase.
Cheese balls are $6.50 each. To purchase a cheese ball please contact Julie Holte 824-5031 or Jane Waters 820-1447.

Flower cards are good for 12 monthly bouquets of flowers at Posy Pot and can be purchased for $25. To purchase flower cards, contact Liz Moser 824-4634 or Jane Waters 820-1447.

Sonlight Wesleyan Church selling cookbooks
Members of the Ladies Ministry of Sonlight Wesleyan Church is selling cookbooks as a fundraiser. Cost is $15. They can be purchased anytime at the church office at 2350 S. State Road 1, Bluffton.

The cookbook contains 500 recipes including appetizers, main dishes, desserts and more.

All proceeds will go to support the various ladies ministries at Sonlight. For more information email Pat Breeding at sonlightwesleyan@yahoo.com or call 260-824-0068.

Zanesville Living Lights display now through Jan. 1
Living Lights, a free celebration of Christmas featuring thousands of lights and synchronized music (88.9-FM on site), is on display now through Jan. 1. Hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m. during the week and 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.

The “Cocoa Corner” will serve free cookies and hot chocolate Fridays and Saturdays. For more information email rhayes@onlyinternet.net or call 260-638-9007.

Reach Arts Academy holding registrations today
REACH Arts Academy will hold registrations for Wells County Children's Choir and art classes will be held Monday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bluffton Presbyterian Church.

A $20 registration fee is due at registration. Both Nancy Wagner and Sue Coolman will be there to register students and answer any questions. Questions can be emailed to REACHarts@hotmail.com.

A second registration date will be after Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. For more information call 260-346-9924.

What's Up

Letters to Santa now being accepted
Bluffton Parks Department will deliver letters to Santa when you drop them off in the blue Santa’s Mailbox on the front steps of City Hall.

Each child will receive a personalized letter from Santa with a small gift enclosed. No postage needed, just a clearly written return address.

Mailbox is available from Dec. 1 through Dec. 21.

Garage sale at Swiss Village Dec. 16
Swiss Village’s Holiday Garage Sale will be Friday, Dec. 16, in Swiss Village’s auditorium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christmas decorations, fabric, clothing, cd’s, dvd’s, books and more will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale will go toward funding Swiss Village’s activity department.

For more information contact Swiss Village at 260-589-3173.

Snow exhibit at Balentine Gallery through Jan. 30
Current exhibit at the Balentine Gallery at the Arts, Commerce, & Visitors Centre is titlted “Snow.” It will be viewable through Dec. 30.

All of the works featured contain a representation of snow.

Those having items in the exhibit are Della Coolman, Jason Johnloz, Nancy Wagner, Jeanie Biberstine, Carol Stern, Barbara Barbieri, Kyra Zadylak, Kim Higginbottom, Rosie, Veronica and Esther Higginbottom, Gloria Pike, Karen West Dotty Fry back, Rosemary Pope, JoAnn Record and Mary Ellen McEvoy.

Next exhibit at the CAC will be “Focus on Photos,” Jan. 9-Feb. 17.

Christmas Tree Walk Dec. 16
Swiss Village Retirement Community will host a Christmas Tree Walk Dec. 16 from 6– 8 p.m.

The walk will feature trees decorated by local businesses throughout the hallways of Swiss Village. Christmas cookies and wassail will be available in the main lounge.

Parking is available at the Swiss Village Circle Drive Entrance. Swiss Village is located at 1350 W. Main Street, Berne.

For more information contact Michelle McIntosh at 260-589-3173 or visit www.swissvillage.org.

Christmas concert Dec. 18
“The 3rd Row Boys” will be performing a Christmas concert at the Ossian Nazarene Church on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served immediately following their performance.
For additional information, call 622-7449.

Wells County Christmas Bird Count Dec. 19
The Christmas Bird Count for Wells County will be Monday, Dec. 19 from dawn to dusk.

This is a national count. The Wells count and the Adams Wells Cardinal Bird will help for this census.

Counts are needed from all areas of Wells County. Anyone can participate. Residents can count from their windows or cars. If driving, keep track of how many miles.

Those participating in the count can call the census talley people. They are Ruth Oswalt of Poneto at 694-6487 or Kathy Fuller at 824-4525 or email fulkat@yahoo.com.

Club Calendar

Monday, Dec. 12

• Wells County Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group--Wells County Council on Aging; 4-5:30 p.m. All men and other interested persons are welcome to attend the meeting. This will be the annual carry-in luncheon.

Wednesday, Dec. 14

• Poplar Grove Home Ec Club — Corner Depot; 11:30 a.m. Christmas dinner.

Thursday, Dec. 15

• Loyal Neighbor's Club — Home of Ruth Fox; 11:30 a.m.
• River Terrace Estates — Bible Study with Chaplain Jerry Qualls; 6:30 p.m. in ALD.

Saturday, Dec. 17

• River Terrace Estates — Art Beer playing the accordian; 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.
• New Beginning Church members playing guitar and singing; 6:30 p.m. in Healthcare. (Pastor Steve Sutton, Al Grogg, Shawna Hamilton and Neta Niemann).

Sunday, Dec. 18

• River Terrace Estates — Sherri Man and student performing; 2:30 p.m. in ALD.

Club Calendar

Wednesday, Dec. 7

• O.D.O. Club — Christmas party at The Rosewood on Main; 6:30 p.m.
• Bible Study Club — First United Methodist Church; 12:45 to 2 p.m.
• River Terrace — Kole Meyer will bring two German students from Bluffton High School to speak; 9 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10

• Korean War Veterans Assn., Indiana Chapter One — Post 857, 2202 W. Main, Fort Wayne; 10 a.m. meeting. Lunch will be served following meeting. All members are urged to attend the Christmas party. For information call Nancy Sink.

What's Up

Letters to Santa now being accepted
Bluffton Parks Department will deliver letters to Santa when you drop them off in the blue Santa’s Mailbox on the front steps of City Hall.

Each child will receive a personalized letter from Santa with a small gift enclosed.

No postage needed, just a clearly written return address. Mailbox is available from Dec 1 through Dec. 21.

City Gym Keys go on sale Dec. 5
The Bluffton Parks Department will begin sales of its 2012 City Gym memberships Monday, Dec. 5. There was no price increase.

Keys can be purchased in the Clerk/Treasurer’s office. The cost for a single Wells County resident is $145, a Wells County Family membership is $175, single memberships for non-Wells County residents are $185, and family memberships for non-wells County residents are $215.

Call Bluffton Parks for more details or for a tour at 824-6069.

Toddler Candy Cane Hunt Dec. 6
Bluffton Parks Department will hold a Toddler Candy Cane Hunt Tuesday, Dec 6, at 11 a.m. in the Bluffton City Gym.

Parks Department Volunteer Celebration planned for Dec. 6
The Bluffton Parks Department invites all of its volunteers to the end-of-the-year celebration Tuesday, Dec 6, at 7 p.m. in City Hall.

The LeBeaus to perform Dec. 9
The LeBeaus will perform a Christmas Dinner Concert Friday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. at Christian New Light Fellowship Hall located at 1011 W. Washington Street in Bluffton. Tickets are $12.50 per person and can be purchased at the church or from Dan and Karen Eckelbarger.

The menu will include: chicken breast, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, homemade pie, dinner roll and drink.

For more information or to order tickets call 260-413-1636 or 260-273-0522.

What's Up

Nottingham to present A Christmas Celebration Dec. 2
Members of Nottingham Friends Church will present “A Christmas Celebration” featuring The Singing Friends Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. The church is located on State Road 1, 11 miles south of Bluffton. For more information call Pastor Mike Jewell at 330-844-1627 or David Stalker at 260-368-9103.

Handel's Messiah to be presented Dec. 3 & 4
Handel’s Messiah will be performed by the 100 voice choir of the Mennonite Choral Society Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at the First Mennonite Church in Berne, located at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Ind. 218. The performance will be under the direction of Brent Hyman.

On Saturday there will be professional soloists, harpsichord, pipe organ, cello, and timpani accompaniment. The Sunday family-friendly performance will include only the Christmas portion and two additional choruses, the "Hallelujah Chorus" and "Worthy is the Lamb."
Nursery service is provided. A freewill offering will be taken.

Breakfast with Santa Dec. 3 at Ossian UMC
Members of the Norwell High School show choirs will sponsor Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Ossian United Methodist Church located at 201 W. Mill Street. Cost is $5 per child. Those age six months and younger are free. Pictures with Santa included.

Live Nativity Dec. 4
Listen to the Wisemen as they deliver gifts to the newborn King born in Bethlehem Sunday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. during the Live Nativity in Montpelier at Montpelier Ag Advantage at 240 W. Windsor Street.

Hot apple cider and donut holes will be available. Vehicle parking, including bus parking, is available. The event is provided by the ministry of Southern Wells Community Church.

Library, Altrusa to offer Holiday sing along Dec. 6
Huntington City-Twp. Public Library and the Altrusa Club will sponsor a free, community Holiday Sing Along at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Main Library, 255 West Park Drive, Huntington.

A song leader and accompanist will be on hand and holiday refreshments will be available. No registration is required.

For more information, call the Huntington City-Township Public Library at 260-356-0824.

What's Up

Psi Iota Xi offers flower cards and cheese balls
Members of Bluffton's Psi Iota Xi currently have flower cards and cheese balls available for purchase.

Cheese balls are $6.50 each. To purchase a cheese ball please contact Julie Holte 824-5031 or Jane Waters 820-1447.

Flower cards are good for 12 monthly bouquets of flowers at Posy Pot and can be purchased for $25. To purchase flower cards, contact Liz Moser 824-4634 or Jane Waters 820-1447.

Prayers for Slusher Benefit Dec. 2 & 3
A benefit bake sale will be held Dec. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 214 N. Wayne Street (old hardware) in Warren for Donnie “Ralph” Slusher. He is the son of Don and Janet Slusher of Warren.

Donnie has been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney failure and is going into end stage kidney failure.

All proceeds will go to transportation and the addition of a room to his home for home hemodialysis treatments.

Cat spay-neuter clinic Dec. 2
Friends of the Shelter are again sponsoring a low cost spay-neuter clinic for cats only on Dec. 2 at the Bluffton-Wells County Animal Shelter, 1613 West Cherry St. Pre-register by calling 824-6063.

Montpelier Lions Club Breakfast Dec. 3
A Lions Club Breakfast will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, from 7 to 10 a.m. featuring sausage gravy, biscuits, hash browns, juice and coffee. The club is located at the corner of High and Jefferson streets in Montpelier.

Gospel Barn’s dinner concerts Dec. 3 & 4
Two Christmas dinner concerts will be sponsored by the Gospel Barn at the 4-H Community Building in Bluffton on Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3.

Both concerts will feature the Browns from LaMar, Iowa. Tickets are $35 per person with reserved seating. For more information or to reserve a ticket call Mike and Karen Todd at 260 827-0362.

Breakfast with Santa Dec. 3 at Ossian UMC
Members of the Norwell High School show choirs will sponsor Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Ossian United Methodist Church located at 201 W. Mill Street. Pictures with Santa included!

Breakfast menu will include: biscuits and gravy, hash browns, smoky links, cereal, donuts, Dutch Crunch dessert, coffee, milk and juice.

Club Calendar

Saturday, Nov. 26

• River Terrace Estates — Petroleum Ladies singing; 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, Nov. 27

• River Terrace Estates — Jess Higgenbottom and Company; 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 28

• Swiss Stitchers — Social Corner at Swiss Village in Berne; 7 p.m. Luann Gerig Fulton will be the speaker. Please bring a Christmas fat quarter to exchange. Refreshments will be served. Show and Tell, Row Robins and discussion about the Opportunity Quilt for the 2012 show. As always visitors are welcome. This will be our last meeting for the year.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

• River Terrace Estates — Laura Keller speaking about her experiences in Iraq; 1 p.m., in Chapel.
  

Wednesday, Nov. 30

• River Terrace Estates — Cole Meyer's exchange students from Bluffton High School; 9:30 a.m. in AL.

Club Calendar

Saturday, Nov. 26

• River Terrace Estates — Petroleum Ladies singing; 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, Nov. 27

• River Terrace Estates — Jess Higgenbottom and Company; 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 28

• Swiss Stitchers — Social Corner at Swiss Village in Berne; 7 p.m. Luann Gerig Fulton will be the speaker. Please bring a Christmas fat quarter to exchange. Refreshments will be served. Show and Tell, Row Robins and discussion about the Opportunity Quilt for the 2012 show. As always visitors are welcome. This will be our last meeting for the year.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

• River Terrace Estates — Laura Keller speaking about her experiences in Iraq; 1 p.m., in Chapel.
  

Wednesday, Nov. 30

• River Terrace Estates — Cole Meyer's exchange students from Bluffton High School; 9:30 a.m. in AL.

Club Calendar

Saturday, Nov. 26

• River Terrace Estates — Petroleum Ladies singing; 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, Nov. 27

• River Terrace Estates — Jess Higgenbottom and Company; 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 28

• Swiss Stitchers — Social Corner at Swiss Village in Berne; 7 p.m. Luann Gerig Fulton will be the speaker. Please bring a Christmas fat quarter to exchange. Refreshments will be served. Show and Tell, Row Robins and discussion about the Opportunity Quilt for the 2012 show. As always visitors are welcome. This will be our last meeting for the year.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

• River Terrace Estates — Laura Keller speaking about her experiences in Iraq; 1 p.m., in Chapel.
  

Wednesday, Nov. 30

• River Terrace Estates — Cole Meyer's exchange students from Bluffton High School; 9:30 a.m. in AL.

What's Up

Prayers for Slusher Benefit Dec. 2 & 3
A benefit bake sale will be held Dec. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 214 N. Wayne Street (old hardware) in Warren for Donnie “Ralph” Slusher. He is the son of Don and Janet Slusher of Warren.

Donnie has been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney failure and is going into end stage kidney failure.

All proceeds will to to transportation and the addition of a room to his home for home hemodialysis treatments.

Donations are welcome.

Cat spay-neuter clinic Dec. 2
Friends of the Shelter are again sponsoring a low-cost spay-neuter clinic for cats only on Dec. 2 at the Bluffton-Wells County Animal Shelter, 1613 West Cherry St. Pre-register by calling 824-6063.

Club Calendar

Saturday, Nov. 26
River Terrace Estates — Petroleum Ladies and Rev. Greg Andrews Sermonette (Kay Bowers or Martha Paxson); 9:30 a.m. in Healthcare.

Sunday, Nov. 27
River Terrace Estates — John Mark Yoder and Family singing; 2:30 p.m. in ALD.

Monday, Nov. 28
Swiss Stitchers — Social Corner at Swiss Village in Berne; 7 p.m. Luann Gerig Fulton will be the speaker. Bring a Christmas fat quarter to exchange. Refreshments will be served. Show and Tell, Row Robins and discussion about the Opportunity Quilt for the 2012 show. This will be the last meeting for the year.

What's Up

FW Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ lists dates
Tickets are now on sale for the Fort Wayne Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” to be presented at the Arts United Center in Fort Wayne. There will be 8 p.m. performances on Dec. 2, 3, 9 & 10; 2:30 performances on Dec. 3, 4, 10 & 11 and a 7 p.m. on Dec. 6. The Dec. 2 and 3 performances at 8 p.m. will be with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Sugar Plum parties are available for $8 per person. Tickets start at $28 for adults, $23 for seniors, $18 for youth and $13 for children. To arrange for tickets call 260-484-9646.

Sheep and Goat Seminars Nov. 30 and Dec. 7
Learn more about goat production through a series of webinars sponsored by Purdue University Extension Service, Kentucky State University and the University of Kentucky.

This is a two-hour long, two-part series that will focus on kidding care and birthing in does and ewes, feeding, management, marketing and economic projection issues in raising goats. The seminars will be held Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Blackford County Courthouse Annex at 119 N. High Street, Hartford City. To reserve a spot by Nov. 23 call 765-348-3213 or log onto www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/blackford.

CTS Christmas Party Dec. 3
The CTS Christmas Party will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. at Back-40 Junction in Decatur. A $10 gift exchange is optional. Call 824-4991 or 824-5237 for reservations.

What's Up

Church open mic night Nov. 20
Ossian Church of the Nazarene Church, 302 N. Metts St., will present a church open mic night Sunday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. It is a night of worship where entertainers will share the microphone for an evening of blended worship. Call the church office at 260-622-7449 for more information or to be included on the list of entertainers.

Model Toy Train Show Nov. 26
A model toy train show will be held at Frecker Arena at 620 W. Lincoln Highway (930) in New Haven Saturday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults and free for children age 12 and younger. For more information call 260-692-2445 or 260-692-2446 or email dbauman@hotmail.com.

Free banquet at C&C Bible Nov. 29 and Dec. 1
The public can attend a free banquet Tuesday, Nov. 29, or Thursday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at C & C Bible Fellowship, located at 4383S. 150E., Berne. To make a reservation, call 260-589-9022.

South Adams Middle School students honor local veterans

Berne Tri-Weekly News:

"Respect, respect," were the words calling a silent hush over the audience of energetic middle school students in the South Adams Middle School who had come to remember Veteran's Day on Friday morning.

Several local veterans were lined in front of the students who recited the Pledge of Allegiance and placed their hands on their chest in response to the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner," sung by the South Adams High School choir.

Veterans attending the service included Glen Beavers, John Flueckiger, Cliff Zurcher, Jeff Brown, Dave Henderson, Dean Hall, Don Brandt, Bob Ralston, John Price, Ron Bollenbacher and Les Wagner.

"Today is a very special day," said middle school principal Jeff Rich to students gathered for the service. "This is the day when we honor and salute all who have worn military uniforms with honor and distinction. We are here to honor them and all of the two million vets throughout the United States."

‘I served’ brings pride, satisfaction

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Although military service to the nation is the central honor commemorated on Veterans' Day, the guest speaker at Adams Central's annual observance on Friday spoke to students about engaging in any type of public service as a higher calling of citizenship.

Retired U.S. Navy lieutenant-commander Cameron Collier of Decatur, a graduate of AC and the naval academy, told a large audience, primarily students, "What makes one able to say he or she lived a life full of pride and satisfaction? Being able to say, 'I served.'

"What does it mean to be a servant? Doesn't this mean giving of ourselves, our time, our money, our talents, our energy, and perhaps even our lives?

Project ‘nailed’ at AC

Decatur Daily Democrat:

"We nailed it!"

"The stars aligned and it was not by accident."

Those comments, first by Adams Central school board member Steve Maller, then by AC Superintendent Mike Pettibone, were typical of the commendations at Sunday's dedication and open house at the $10 million addition to and renovation of the AC building in Monroe.

More than 150 people attended the ceremony, held in what's called Main St.: the new entry and exit area on the north side of the building. Others visited the school for tours during the two and a half-hour event.