Trace of snow. That must mean it's December. Here's the high, low and precipitation recorded by Guy Verhoff, Pandora weather observer, for the first six days of the month
Seventh grade Elizabeth Nisly correctly spelled "incendiary" and "malleable" after sixth grade Jason Bracy incorrectly switched the "e" and "I" on "variegated." Elizabeth's correct spellings earned her the Bluffton Middle School spelling bee crown of 2010.
She will represent Bluffton in the county spelling bee in February. Jason will be her alternate. Katie Scott, seventh grader, was third.
The bee, held Dec. 8, went 10 rounds before the final two competitors each spelled seven words correctly; then came "variegated."
Gary Wetherill reads Twas the Night Before Christmas as attentive listeners, from left, are Seth Pannabecker (seated), Jackson Steinmetz, standing, Kate Pannabecker, Mia Pannabecker and Tate Steinmetz.
Wetherill's storytelling is among highlights of this weekend's Swiss Community Historical Society open house.
The historical society invites residents to a Christmas season open house at the historic 1843 Swiss farmstead, 8350 Bixel Road, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11 and 12.
Hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
One in a Number, a Bluffton women's choir will perform during the December Bluffton Senior Citizen dinner meeting.
The dinner is at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Center. Schnipke Inn, Ottawa, is catering the dinner. Treva Kinsinger, who turns 90 in December will receive a life membership at the dinner.
MC is Don Wymer. Hostesses are Kay Burkholder and friends.
Several other events take place this month at the Center.
The next community meal is Thursday, Dec. 16, according to the members of the Bluffton Area Ministerial Association, who sponsor the event. The meal is from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and has no charge. It is held at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center.
Persons may, however, provide donations to assist the Bluffton Community Assistance Program food pantry.
The Kenton at Bluffton varsity/junior varsity boys basketball game has been moved from Tuesday, Jan. 4 to Monday, Jan. 3, at Bluffton. The start time for the jv game will remain the same at 6 p.m. Here is the revised boys' schedule.
Like most young children, Lily Schumacher enjoyed helping out in the kitchen.
But about the time she reached third grade, she took matters into her own hands and embarked on a baking spree. Six years later, she's still mid-spree. Her baking knowledge far outweighs that of many adults.
Book ReViews, 123 S. Main St., is making Christmas shopping easier this month.
The used book store created a special Christmas in the Back Room section. The room has a wide assortment of seasonal books, decorations and gift items.
Store hours are Mondays to Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop's phone number is 419-358-6999.
Kid's shopping day at Et Cetera Shop, 111 S. Main St., is Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon, according to Chrissy Lugibihl, shop manager.
"For youth grades kindergarten through sixth grade, ever gift you buy on Saturday is 25 cents, no matter what the price tag states," says Lugibihl. There is a limit of 10 gifts per child.Clerks will assist children with finding gifts if needed.
"Parents, we invite you to shop in Ten Thousand Villages or Book Reviews while you wait," she said.
