Bluffton University's annual Bach Festival held this weekend concludes the Bach Festival Concert on Sunday, March 20. The event is free and open to the public.
The Sunday concert will open at 2:30 p.m. in Yoder Recital Hall with the second annual Mosiman Young Artist Competition. Ten Bluffton students auditioned for the competition on Feb. 21.
The three finalists chosen to perform at the concert are James Brake, a junior from Ohio City, Ohio, on vibraphone; soprano Sarah Diller, a senior from Bluffton; and Kitanya Murray, a junior from Findlay, Ohio, on saxophone.
Bluffton's historical sesquicentennial ball will be held from 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 25, at The Centre.
"Look through your wardrobe and find some period pieces or perhaps you can sew or rent a costume. Any era will do from the 186's through 2000.,"said Beverly Amstutz of the planning committee.
There will be an 1860 instrumental group, beautiful decorations, and dancing. Also refreshments and all for $10 per person.
"Ask your friends and relatives to attend this fabulous representation of an era from our past," she said.
Mothers of Pre-Schoolers, (MOPS), will hold a mom-to-mom sale for mothers and expecting mothers. The sale is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 19, at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, 8905 Columbus Grove Road.
The event is a huge garage sale sponsored by the Ebenezer Mennonite MOPS. Admission is $2 and proceeds benefit the Bluffton Food Pantry.
MOPS are also accepting non-perisable food items during the event.Lunch is available during the event. Persons with questions should contact Jami at 419-236-2944 or Sarah at 419-230-7216.
The Bluffton University softball team ran into a hot-hitting Alma College squad on Thursday, March 17, 2011. The Scots swept the Beavers as Bluffton dropped to 7-4 on the season. Alma upped its record to 11-2.
Alma jumped out to a 10-0 lead on the strength of back-to-back five-run innings to start the game. The Scots pounded out four hits in the first and five hits in the second for a 10-0 advantage after just two innings.
The Bluffton University baseball team picked up an 11-6 win in its home opener against Oberlin College on Thursday, March 17, 2011. With the win, Bluffton improved to 6-5 overall. The Yeomen (0-1) were playing their first game of the season.
Marilyn Rose Gratz Fett, 78, died at 2:39 p.m. March 15, 2011, at Lima Memorial Health System.
She was born Sept. 30, 1932, in Beaverdam to Virgil and Cleda Swankhouse Gratz, who preceded her in death. On May 6, 1951, she married Louis E. Fett, who survives.
With the schedule of Bluffton sesquicentennial now published, The Icon will continue to update viewers of specifics program information and opportunities that residents have to participate in these program.
For further information on any of the sesquicentennial contact Beverly Amstutz, director of the committee at 419-358-0334.
Here is The Icon's first installment of Bluffton sesquicentennial information in specific detail:
Did you know that Bluffton once had a Silver Fox Farm? It was located at the site of Mennonite Memorial Home at the bend on Elm Street. Here's a photo of some employees and perhaps shareholders.
In the center of the front row is Albert (Bert) Oyer who was the company caretaker. The fox farm, called a fox "ranch" organized in 1927. By 1937 the companyy was estimated in marketing fox pelts valued at $7,500. That year the farm had 225 foxes, which were harvested for fashion clothing.
It only happens once in the lifetime of a community: a one-hundred and fifty year celebration. Put another way, it's a celebration of over 54,750 days of small-town living.
Bluffton sesquicentennial committee, headed by Beverly Amstutz, has been very hard at work for over one year. The committee recently revealed a daily schedule of plans for Bluffton's 150th celebration.
