Practice for Bluffton University's 114th performance of Handel's Messiah will begin at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Gilliom Room of Mosiman Hall. Anyone from high school students to adults who has an interest in singing is welcome to attend. This year's performance will occur on Sunday, Dec. 6.

Performing the Messiah has been a long-standing Bluffton tradition, almost reaching back to the founding of the university. Although for a few years it was performed at both Easter and Christmas, Messiah is now solely an Advent/Christmas tradition for Bluffton.

Bobby V. Conrad, 66, of Lima, died Oct. 8, 2009. He was born Feb. 9, 1943, in Lima to Virgil J. and Arvilla E. Naas Conrad. He retired from DOT Lines, Lima. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and was a graduate of Bath High School, class of 1962.

Survivors are a daughter, Christian (Lennel) Conrad, Waynesfield, Ohio; a son, John Conrad, Wapakoneta, Ohio, and granddaughters Katylynn Conrad and Kileen Conrad, and grandson, Linc Conrad. Also surviving is a brother Ronald (Joyce) Conrad, Columbus Grove, Ohio; and a daughter, Cindy Radebaugh, Pandora, Ohio.

Join the crowd? You are invited to join the Supporters of the Bluffton Icon. It's easy and your name goes up in lights, at least on this website.

We have a Facebook friends group called Supporters of Bluffton Icon. We invite you to add you name and we promise not to sell you e-mail address. We'll even send you inside Bluffton info from time to time (Like the little known fact that Ben Kruse reads the Icon from Switzerland).

Added betweem Oct. 25 and Nov. 6

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 c. olive or canola oil
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
2 egg whites
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)

Michael B. Emans, 64, passed away on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, in Olympia, Wash. He was born Nov. 1, 1944, in Bluffton, Ohio, to Charles and Virginia Emans. He grew up in Bluffton where he graduated from high school.

Youth minister, John Collart will present "Building Community, Serving Communities," at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Founders Hall, as a part of Bluffton University's weekly Forum series. The event is free and open to the public.

Note from Oct. 10: A memorial service will be held at 11: a.m. Friday Oct. 16, at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton. Rev. Bruce Steinhard officiating. Friends may visit with the family following the service at the funeral home.

Carol Elizabeth Schifferly, 67, of Bluffton, Ohio, died at 2:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.
She was born in Bluffton on Sept. 8, 1942, to William and Maybelle (Schoonover) Schifferly.
She had worked at Triplett Corp. for 21 years and worked at the Glove Factory, both in Bluffton. She was a member of the First Missionary Church, Bluffton. She had been a Sunday school teacher, song leader and secretary at the church. She had also been a soloist for various functions. She was a graduate of Cory-Rawson High School.

"Who are those guys?"

Remember that line from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? Paul Neuman asks the question after being followed all the way to Bolivia by, well, who are those guys?

I'm asking myself the same question as I write this.

Here's why. Considering the unofficial Icon launch on Sept. 27, here's some interesting info from seven days online:

603 visits

5,741 page views

9.52 pages viewed per visit

7:43 average time spent on the site per visit

And...most of the visitor information is actually since Oct. 1!