Apollo Career Center, 3325 Shawnee Road, Lima will hold its annual Christmas at Apollo Craft Show on Saturday, December 7, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Admission is $3, children 12 and under are free.
The proceeds from the craft show are divided among the Apollo student clubs to fund community service projects and assist students competing at state and national competitions. One of the largest shows in the region, Apollo Career Center hosts over 100 crafters selling home-made and hand-crafted wares.
The Village of Bluffton, Bluffton Soccer Club and Bluffton Lions Club have formed a partnership to build a 10-acre park on the north side of Snider Rd. across from the Bluffton Family YMCA. The park will be home to the first all-accessible playground in the village as well as seven new soccer fields, a shelter house, and a one-mile pathway.
A matching holiday fundraiser from December 3-31, 2024 will give donors the opportunity to have their contributions doubled by an anonymous friend of the Bluffton Soccer Club. That means a donation of $1=$2 and $50=$100. Pledges can be extended over 3 years.
5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, Bluffton Public Library, registration required
The Friends of the Bluffton Public Library is hosting a CO 90 Fused Glass workshop with Judith Greavu on Dec. 5. This fundraiser is a one session 3 hour class in creating an expressive glass pendant or medallion.
Multiple pieces of glass will be arranged, stacked and glued in preparation for kiln firing or fusing into one piece. It is suggested that participants base their designs on moods, feelings, or actions associated with a favorite book.
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.
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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. ▶︎
