June 2016

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Stratton Greenhouses, 9915 Lincoln Highway, Bluffton, has a buy one, get one free sale going on, according to Susie Stratton.

• Buy 1, get 1 free sale on 209 wave petunias and full flats of 5" annuals
• 25 percent off containers of flowers
• 50 percent off full 36 count flats of flowers and vegetables
• 50 percent off blueberries and strawberries

Stratton Greenhouses
419-358-6950
www.strattongreenhouses.com

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On Monday Bluffton council awarded contracts for two major village projects to begin this summer.

West side interceptor sanitary sewer project
Council awarded the project to Beaverdam Contracting, Inc. The firm provided the low bid on the project at $1,444,767.

"We received four bids for the interceptor project, ranging from $1,444,767 to $1,743,672," Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, told council members. 

The project is anticipated to begin near the end of the month.

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Jeff Gundy of Bluffton will have a book signing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 18, at Book ReViews, 123 S. Main St., Bluffton, according to Dr. Christina Walton, store manager.

Gundy, professor of English at Bluffton University, has published seven books of poems and four of prose, most recently Abandoned Homeland (Bottom Dog, 2015), Somewhere Near Defiance (Anhinga, 2014), Songs from an Empty Cage: Poetry, Mystery, Anabaptism, and Peace (Cascadia, 2013), and Spoken Among the Trees (Akron, 2008).

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Bluffton council set several committee meetings on Monday. Those meetings follow:

• Thursday, June 9, 5 p.m. - Finance committee, to discuss financing of west side interceptor sewer project
• Thursday, June 9, 6 p.m. - Special council meeting, to vote on second reading of water hike ordinance
• Tuesday, June 14, 6 p.m. - Insurance committee
• Tuesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m. - Street and alley committee, to review sealing of village parking lots
 

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Bluffton council will  hold a special meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 9, in the town hall.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss utilities and to vote on the second reading of Ordinance 9-16, which increases water rates in the village.

The ordinance's first reading passed on June 6.

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Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Co. is throwing a birthday party on Saturday and you are invited.

According to Pete Suter, its Shirley's biggest party of the year. It's a Shirley birthday celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Shirley's, 117 S. Main St., Bluffton.

"And 100 percent of all sales – every dollar spent – goes to the Lima Junior Service League to provide books and reading programs for kids in Lima and Allen County," he said.

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The congregation of English Lutheran Church invites the community to an open house buffet for the new addition to its facility, said Rev. Kevin Mohr, pastor.

The open house is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  Sunday, June 12, at the church 111 Grove St., Bluffton.

 Begun in September of 2015, the just-over 5,000 square foot addition includes a fellowship hall with seating for over 150, a serving kitchen, two classrooms, two ADA restrooms, a lounge/reception area, and an accessible drive-up entry-way  from our new parking lot.

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The Swiss Community Historical Society will celebrate a prominent local farmer, entrepreneur and community servant at its annual June Swiss Day event, Sunday, June 26.

John U. Amstutz, who lived and worked in the late 19th and early 20th century, was a coffin-maker and undertaker for the local region.  

In addition, he provided a variety of community services from his property including a sorghum cane mill and press, a cider press, wood and metal-working shops, a clock shop and general store, a photography studio, and a weighing scale for produce loaded farm wagons.

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The women’s soccer team at Bluffton University will host an ID Camp from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 18.

The camp is open to players aged 15 and up who aspire to compete at the collegiate level. The camp will be an opportunity for high school athletes to improve their skill level through coaching sessions, to understand the training regimen at the collegiate level and to learn about the unique opportunities Bluffton offers student-athletes.

The registration fee is $80 and includes lunch and t-shirt.

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The Bluffton University softball team will host day camps for advanced and youth players.

An advanced day camp will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, July 18-19. During the camp, for students entering grades 7-12, participants will have the opportunity to advance their skills in fielding, hitting, base running and more under the guidance of Bluffton University coaches and players. The cost is $75.

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