People

Rachel Crawford, an interior designer with the architectural firm of R.D. Neff & Associates in Bluffton, recently passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Examination.

Passage of the Examination and earning the NCIDQ credential signifies that Crawford has met the standards for education, experience and examination for interior designers in North America.

By Mary Pannabecker Steiner

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.

Click here to view photos of the gourds.

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.

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.

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

Bluffton’s Barberettes, a women’s chorus started in 2005 by Jayne McGarrity and Janette Reineke, will begin fall rehearsals Sunday, Sept. 26. 

The group is planning a sesquicentennial program of “Popular Songs from the Last 15 Decades.” The program will be offered to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the winter/spring season.

The group will also perform at other functions, including “The Early Settlers Reunion Pot Luck Lunch” a sesquicentennial celebration at the Ebenezer Church June 26, 2011.

The Bluffton elementary school will hold its "meet the teacher" later this week. Students with their parents may visit the elementary from 2 to 3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 27.

Bus lists will be listed in the elementary hallways during the event. This year the school will not release bus lists to the media due to privacy issues.

OPEN HOUSE: Bluffton Schools will hold open house on Monday, Sept. 13. The following times are scheduled:

Taylor Steele organized scouts, leaders and families from Bluffton BSA Troop #256 to work on his Eagle Scout Project at The Buckeye June 4 through June 8. 

The project, coordinated with the Village of Bluffton, included cleaning and painting (inside and out) of the public restroom facility. The project also included mulching around the Buckeye and other trees along the path on the north side of the Buckeye.

Bluffton Webelos Scouts Kaden Reneker and Christian Groman attended the Webelos Resident Camp at Camp Berry July 11 to 14. The scouts enjoyed camping, hiking, swimming, building and launching a rocket, climbing the tower, learning Indian Lore, archery and BB target shooting.
From left are Cubmaster Eric Reneker, Kaden Reneker, Christian Groman and Webelos leader Darrell Groman. 

Note: This feature is by Paula Scott. It is reprinted with permission from the Bluffton Center For Entrepreneurs newsletter. Mary Maas of M2 Interiors & Design is an affiliate of BCE.

When Mary Maas was working toward her degree in interior design at Bowling Green State University, she was surprised to discover that no businesses in the region specialized in helping seniors make their homes safer and more comfortable.

With experience as a registered nurse, Maas knows exactly how needs and abilities change with age.