Fred's diary for April 1 -So, I'm minding my own business, heading toward the chamber office on a Friday morning. Thought I'd stop at the corner of Main and Cherry and pick up a cup of Icon coffee to go.

The usuals were there. Except Eric Rummel was AWOL. Alison King and I exchange a quick dose of Bluffton slander and libel. Could be argued that it was straight gossip; it was all the truth.

Conversations ranged from how many time her brother, Ben, calls or texts her in a week, to the best coupons currently offered and why people go for them.

What's your favorite gourmet popcorn flavor? Hmm, too many flavors. Can't choose just one.

Congratulations to Pete and Kim Suter of Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Co., downtown Bluffton. The company is among finalists for the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business of the Year Award. Other businesses nominated are Biggby Coffee and Vino Bellissimo, both of Lima.

HELP WANTED: Viewer participants requested. No experience required.

The first day of April beckons. Wisely, or otherwisely, The Icon invites viewers to offer April Fool's stories for this online news source.

Quite honestly, my April Fool's well is as dry as Bluffton during Prohibition. Can't think of anything worthy of print. Oh, there's the usuals...

A flock of 1,000 or more turkey vultures are headed to Bluffton. Last seen in Gomer flying this direction.

The wedding couple - click on image to enlarge

Remember the couple who planned to get married in the Shannon Theatre on St. Patrick's Day and then honeymoon in Ireland?

Click here for a refresher.

Well, they did it. The men in the party were dressed in kilts.

Bluffton University graduate David Dellifield of Ada (a 39 year-old, non-smoker) was diagnosed with Stage 4, well-differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma (throat cancer) on Feb. 2, after going to the doctor for a swollen lymph node and earache.

Dellifield had already begun training for the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. He had already put 125 miles in since 1-1-11. This race will be his 5th FULL Marathon (26.2 miles) since the Flying Pig in May 2009.

Next time you want someone to shut up simply say, "Jetzt aber, still." Christine Habegger Purves, writing about some Swiss dialect phrases in the recent Swiss Community Historical Society newsletter says that means: "Now be quiet," or more rudely, "shut up."

There's more and here it comes:

Langi zeiti. A long time.

Es macht mir nuet aus. It makes no difference to me.

Vas gish vas hest. What you get is what you have.

Uf zwei bei wie a 'n' a haube hung. With two legs just like half a dog.

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