Quiet is the word - pass it on. Three Bluffton second graders have the right idea prior to the all-elementary school Christmas concert on Monday in the BHS gym. Students are from left Haelyn Bischoff, Sophia Bricker and Ella Heiks. Landyn Fleharty is at the top left. For videos of the performance click here.
You can't swim in the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool today, but you can buy a 2012 swimming pass at a reduced rate now until Dec. 31.
Passes purchased in December receive a 10 percent discount (does not apply to a $5 charge for additional children*). The 2012 pool prices follow:
$40 - senior single
$75 - senior couple
$80 - single
$130 - family pass (2 adults and up to 3 children ages 18 in the same household) *Additional passese for children agesa 18 and under can be purchased for $5 each.
Mennonite Memorial Home residents find Christmas all around them this month. The Home is decorated with several Christmas trees on each floor. In addition, countless holiday decorates are scattered throughout the Home to remind residents and employees of the season.
Here is an example of some of the Christmas lights.
Carolyn Scott of Pandora recognized a need and she acted. Now, thanks to her efforts the Pandora United Methodist Church developed the "Sleeping Bag Project."
The project is a local response to the growing problem of homelessness close to home and across the United States.
In brief, the project provides sleeping bags to local agencies that house homeless persons thanks for donations from area residents, organizations and businesses. One Bluffton business, The Curling Iron, N. Main St., is accepting donations as it participates in the project.
Note: a Santa mailbox is in the lobby of the Bluffton Post Office. The post office and The Icon sponsor the mailbox. All letters to Santa placed in the special box will be published in The Icon. Here are recent installments.
To: santa to the north pole
dear santa,
I want a psp touch screen
the newest one or a Ipod
touch
From Kyler to Santa
Dear Santa:
I have been a good girl. These are some of the things that I would like:
Provided by Steiner & Granger
Insurance and Financial Services [email protected]
Often in life, you have investment goals that you hope to reach. Say, for example, you have determined that you would like to have $1 million in your investment portfolio by the time you retire. But will you be able to get to a million dollars?
Encore! Icon viewers response to the Handel "Messiah" video was overwhelming. And, yes, we have one encore. We share this video of "Behold, the Lamb of God." This portion of Sunday's performance was the first number following the intermission.
Bluffton University presented its 116th performance of Handel's "Messiah" on Dec. 11, in Founders Hall. Dr. Mark J. Suderman, professor of music and director of choral activities at the university, conducted the oratorio for the 11th time at Bluffton, where he has taught since 2000.
Pastor Al Schmitzer will preach on Jesus coming as King and the students in grades 5-8 will sing "Lift Up Your Heads" and "Were You There on that Christmas Night" during the 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 14, final Advent service of the season at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jenera.
"The Manger Seen," a Christmas pageant by Peter and Arden Mead, will be presented by the children's Sunday School of English Lutheran Church, Sunday, Dec. 18, at 10:15 a.m.
In the drama, a family tells the story of the birth of Jesus while they set up their nativity set. At the same time a living, costumed tableau is formed in front of the congregation.
The family, the nativity tableau, and the congregation interact through
Christmas carols marking the change of scenes in the drama.
