The "IRL (in real life)" exhibit by Nicole Maye-Luga at Sauder Visual Arts Center's Grace Albrecht Gallery on the campus of Bluffton University runs through Sunday, December 8.
From the artist: "Reality is authentic. My paintings offer glimpses into everyday life, portrayed through oil...my goal is simple: to portray life as it is, without embellishment or distortion. Through keen observation and dedication, I aim to convey the beauty of ordinary moments."
The closing reception will be held on Sunday, December 8 from 1:00-3:30 p.m.
The Pandora United Methodist Church Choir will be presenting their Christmas Cantata "Season of Praise" written by Joseph M. Martin on Sunday, December 8 at 9:30 a.m. during the worship service.
The church service and refreshments after are open to the public. The choir is directed by Pat Basinger and accompanied by Pat Michel. The church is located on State Route 12 at 108 E Washington Street in Pandora.
Click photos to enter Gallery mode and view at your own pace.
By Paula Pyzik Scott
For Bluffton’s 2024 Blaze of Lights festival and parade, it seemed like a little North Pole weather drifted south to Ohio on November 30. But most folks were bundled up and prepared to handle temps in the mid-20s.
The Blaze of Lights is steeped in tradition–including parade narration and recitation of the Christmas story by the Town Crier (Kevin Gratz), music including the Bluffton High School Show Choir, a big, dynamic parade with float competition and the lighting of the Ream Folk Art display at Main and Cherry streets.
The event is also spiced with a handful of innovations each year. For 2024, there was a new house for Santa, Mrs. Claus and their guests in the alley across from the Ream Folk Art Display. An Allen County Regional Transit trolley provided rides to see more holiday lights. The parade’s grand marshal was Bluffton’s first Olympian, Trevor Bassitt–who ran the 400m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ▶︎
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 301 N. Main St., Jenera, will hold special Advent services on the first three Wednesdays in December, each beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Amidst the excitement of Bluffton's Blaze of Lights festivities, this elegant celebration can be found in the window of Studio Silhouette. It makes us wonder, has the Blaze ever been the setting for a human-scale wedding?
PHOTOS by James Crawfis / Click photo to open gallery viewer
By Cort Reynolds
WAPAKONETA __ The Bluffton High School football team had its highly successful 2024 season ended in the Div. VI state semifinals by Coldwater 28-6 on a cold and windy at Wapakoneta’s Harmon Field on November 29.
Bluffton finished its historic season with a 13-2 record after the defeat.
Coldwater advanced to the state finals at 14-1 with the win. Their only loss came to multiple-time defending state champion Marion Local (15-0).
The Cavaliers advance to play perennial power Kirtland Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m. in Canton’s Tom Benson Stadium. Kirtland defeated Galion Northmor in their state semifinal Friday at Minerva, 41-7.
Bluffton received the opening kickoff, but their initial drive was derailed at the 45 by a bad snap that lost nine yards. After a very short punt in the snow, Coldwater took over at the Cavalier 43.