Bluffton the community's oldest tradition on new year's eve

Here's something for your holiday calendar. It's Bluffton's oldest annual tradition.

Traditional new year's caroling/serenading of the two David Rothen hymns of pre-1840s will again be sung on Dec. 31, 2015, led by the Swiss Historical Society. 

Carolers will start at the lobby of Mennonite Memorial Home, 410 West Elm St., Bluffton, at 5 p.m. Copies of the carols in English, German and as a pronouncing guide are attachments at the bottom of this story.

For new singers, if any of you wish to come 15 minutes earlier, that's a chance for new folks to familiarize themselves with words and tunes of these traditional two Swiss-German songs. Music sheets will be furnished.

Gary and Donna Lora will lead the caroling this year. The event includes singing two verses in German and two verses in English, in response to a request from residents who appreciate the music but do not know German.

After moving about in this building as a group, some may want to drive to Maple Crest and continue singing these songs. It can take as little as a half hour, or as long as 1 1/2 hours depending on how long an individualwants to sing.