The next community meal is at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 15, at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. The twice-a-month dinner is a program of the Bluffton Area Ministerial Association. Different organizations and churches prepare the meals. Donations are accepted to assist the program of the Bluffton Community Assistance Program food pantry. The July 15 meal will be catered by the Bluffton Baptist Church.

It's vacation month, but the calendar is full at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. Here are some of the activities planned this month:

Calendar events

July 7 - Mystery trip departs, 8:30 a.m.

Blood pressure clinic, 10:30 a.m.-noon

Exercise class, 1:30 p.m.

July 17 - Monthly dinner meeting, catered Anita's Kitchen, 6 p.m.

July 15 - Community meal, 6 p.m.

July 24 - Bus trip to Bearcreek, departs at 9:45 a.m.

Specific details

The "traditional" emergency room entrance to the Bluffton Hospital will be closed during construction this week at the hospital.

Other construction plans include:

Concrete blocks are continuing to be laid for walls

Concrete is being poured for the parking lot on the corner of Kibler and Harmon roads. This parking lot will be for associate, volunteer and physician parking.

Completing underground plumbing for the new surgery area

Pouring concrete floors for the new surgery area

Harold L. Closson, 72, Bluffton, died at 9:30 a.m., July 4, 2010, in Bluffton. He was born July 25, 1937 to George and Mary Catherine Meeks Closson, Sr., in Delphos, Ohio. On June 15, 1957, he married Margie Gerber and she survives.

Mr. Clossen was an electrician. He retired from DTR, Bluffton. He had also worked at Pure Pak and Ex Cell O, Bluffton. He was a member of First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, a volunteer at the Et Cetra Shop, Bluffton and a graduate of Delphos Jefferson High School.

He was an electrician, carpenter and woodworker.

Martha Greding died at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, in Toledo, on June 30, 2010, surrounded by her family.

Martha was born Sept. 5, 1921 in Rawson, Ohio, to Harry and Elsie Thompson. After graduating from Rawson High School, she attended Bluffton College before marrying Paul Greding. They enjoyed 54 years together in Bluffton raising children Paula and Harry and joining in many community activities.

Bluffton Exempted Village Schools announced its 2010-2011 program year policy for free and reduced-price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch^A ^A Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.^A The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used for determining eligibility.^A Children from families whose annual income is at or below the Federal Guidelines are eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk if the school participates in the Special Milk

Message to Icon viewers:

Thank you for your continued support of The Bluffton Icon. Over the Fourth of July weekend we are in the process of switching servers and upgrading our service. Please have a little patience as this process takes place. At the moment, we've successfully switched most of our modules. We are still working on our photos. Because of that we've not added new photos recently. Please stay tuned. You'll see new photos soon!

We encourage viewers to continue to e-mail us material.

Fred and Mary Steiner and Ryan Lowry

In late June the village recognized Jo Souder who provided funds for the Bluffton town hall tower clock restoration. The project was donated in the memory of Lois E. Basinger (1918-2006). Dick and Jayne McGarrity provided the following information about the restoration.

Jo Souder and Lois Basinger shared a passion for antique clocks and travel, having accumulated quite a collection. Often they would purchase a clock that needed repair and take it to Cincinnati or even Chicago for repair.

Icon viewer and former Bluffton resident Keith Jeffers sent us the following update on Dan Lehman, another former Bluffton resident: Here goes Keith's note:

Dear Fred, Thought this might be of interest to the Icon...Dan Lehman is giving some green time in the Gulf utilizing his skills as a boat captain to help clean up the BP oil mess.

Also, it would be my suggestion to make it a bit easier for people to submit old photos and stories about Blluffton to the Icon for your consideration of publication.

On Saturday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m., The Inn at Ohio Northern University will be host a wine tasting and food pairing event featuring wines from Hess, DeLoach & Fess Parker. This will be held outside at the Inn's garden courtyard.

Guests will enjoy an evening of fine wine and gourmet food in a relaxed and beautiful setting. The evening's menu includes:

Hess Winery

Sauvignon Blanc 07
Crisp and Alive, the Grapefruit-Scented Sauvignon Blanc Braces the Palate for a Perky and Zesty Experience.Tempura Battered Orange Chicken