Bluffton's Valentine's royality

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Royal couples and very, very congenial people reside in Bluffton. In case you aren't aware, this year's King and Queen of Maple Crest's Senior Village Valentine's Day celebration are, Arthur and Jo Ann Hilty. Named Ms. Congeniality is Anne Buller. The Valentine's Day party is an annual event at Maple Crest.

On Monday, Feb. 14, Maple Crest Senior Living Village, in Bluffton, hosted ITS annual Valentine's Day Party. Sixty residents attended and were treated to an evening of music, food and fellowship.

Decorative cupcakes and cream puffs made by the Maple Crest kitchen staff were served for refreshments. The first set of entertainers included Susan Liska and Meri Skilliter singing dramatic songs about relationships while Tyler Domer accompanied on the piano. Next the quartet of Jeff Boehr, Dave Brauen, Everett Collier and Kevin Gratz sang love songs to the court and the crowd.

Residents cast ballots to vote for this year's court. Winners crowned were: Arthur and Jo Ann Hilty as Valentine King and Queen and Anne Buller as Ms. Congeniality. The former court members from 2010 were present to turn over their titles: Richard and Virginia Augsburger (former King and Queen), and Donnas Stone (former Ms. Congeniality).

Candy roses and valentine bears were among the prizes awarded. Margie Badertscher won the bear couple in honor of her 72 years of marriage to Harold. She claimed one secret to their long marriage was that she was as good at farming as he.