Holiday Shopping Starts with a BANG!

Like sprinters after the starter pistol, Black Friday shoppers hit the streets running early this morning.
Kohl's was open at 4 a.m.; Radio Shack at 5 a.m. and Lowe's at 6 a.m.
They were handing out Christmas cookies to folks in line at the Wal-Mart at 4:30 a.m.

Retailers around the country are hoping decent weather and drastically reduced prices will help encourage the annual holiday shopping season splurge.

Thanksgiving in Bluffton

Yes, I am working on Thanksgiving. But you should know me by now, I love a nice story.

So, here are a few pictures from the annual Thanskgiving feast at First Reformed Church of Bluffton. (Read the entire story in Friday's News-Banner)

A whole lot of volunteers worked extra hard to make certain anyone who wanted a good, hot meal and a bunch of nice folks to share it with, found what they were looking for.

Thanksgiving: The best holiday of the year.

Here are several pictures from the Norwell Knights girls' basketball game against the Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran Cadets on Wednesday night:
Before the varsity game, Jori Leman stretches during warmups.
Then at halftime of the varsity game, girls from the "Future Lady Knights" program held an exhibition contest to entertain the Norwell fans and provide a preview of some future high school stars.
Also during the game, some members of the Norwell student section dressed up, as has been the case over the last few years. This time the theme apparently was "Toga KNight."
(Photos by Paul Beitler)

Support the Norwell Choir: Have Breakfast With Santa

Have breakfast with Santa Claus, 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, at Ossian Elementary School cafeteria.
The cost is $5 at the door and includes a hot sausage gravy and biscuits breakfast, doughnuts and more, plus a photo of you and Santa.
The Santa Shop will be open and everything inside is just $2, and includes free gift wrapping.
The event is sponsored by the Middle School and High School choirs.

Lancaster Helps Stock Food bank

Lancaster Elementary’s fifth graders Maggie Jutte, Mary Roberts and Brody Myers bag items for delivery to the Wells County Food Bank. Lancaster’s Student Council organized the collection , which resulted in 1028 items. Kindergarten collected 185 coloring books and crayons. First grade collected 186 hygiene products. Second grade collected 100 packages of paper toweling and toilet paper. Third grade collected 118 pairs of hats and gloves. Fourth grade collected 192 packaged food items, and fifth grade collected 247 cans of food. (Contributed)


Thanks for this news from Lancaster! Seems the students are learning some valuable lessons aside from the ABC's. Keep the pictures coming--jerryb@news-banner.com

Muscle Beach Boys Cheer Their Team

Here's a shot from Monday night's Southern Wells girls' varsity basketball game.
The Raiders beached Liberty Christian's Lions 56-21 at the Raiderdome.
With a little help from their official cheer section...
(Photo by Paul Beitler)

Living Truthful Lives

Bluffton-Harrison Elementary has been focusing on the Lifelong Guideline of Truth for the past two weeks. The students pictured were nominated for living their daily lives in a truthful manner. Front row (from left): Emily Burchett, Jason Stiffler, Taylor Martin, Paige Schweiterman, Chase Barnell, Michael Laux, Noah Kleinknight. Middle row: Mackenzie Duncan, Spencer Schwartz, Jasmine Lombard, Blaine Williams, Alexis Mittlestedt, Jacob Tonner, Cassidy Hiday, Quinton Howard, Emily Hiday. Back row: Matthew Stotlar, Megan Boyle, Gabrielle Hamilton, Hudson Shalley, Hayley Moriarity, Zachary Cummins, Nathan Stout, Maranda Craighead. (Photo provided)

Shanley's Soldiers on Display at Bluffton-Harrison

The hundreds of miniature soldiers adorning the cabinet at Bluffton High School (near Stan Gilbert's classroom) are still not even 10 percent of the 9,244 painted volunteers in Frank Shanly's army.
They will be on display here until Christmas. More of his miniatures are on display at the Wells County Historical Museum.

Bacteria Levels HIGH in Walter McKinney Watershed

Correspondent Frank Shanly reports that testing results of water samples taken from area culverts show extraordinarily high levels of fecal coliform and e. coli bacteria.
Read all about it in today's News-Banner.

Add these names to your Christmas card list this year. Tell them their friends and neighbors in Bluffton and Wells County appreciate their efforts:

ABF AA Andrews, Lynn E
V-4 Division
USS Bataan (LHD5)
FPO AE 09554-1657

PFC Geisel, James P.
502D MI Co, 40th EN BN, TF RAM
FOB HAMMER
APO, AE 09322

SPC Justin O’Reilly
HHC 299th BSB 2 HBCT
Camp Liberty
APO-AE 09344

SSG Martin L. Yake
741st OD CO (EOD)
FOB Fenty
APO AE 09310

MN3 Steven Whitsitt
MCM Crew Constant
FPOAE 09501-1909

Capt Brett Plummer
ASOC/USAF
UNIT 42112
APO, AE 09342

Capt Zofia Plummer
4 ASOG
CMR 420 BOX 315
APO, AE 09063-0315

Spc Josh Shoemaker
Headquarter’s Company
OIF 09-11
Joint Base Balad, Iraq
APO-AE 09391

SPC Habig
2nd SBCT 25IN DIV
Cco 1-14 unit#6260
APO AE 09378

Steve Caylor
770th AEAS Unit 6045
APO, AE 09378

Do you know of a local serviceman or servicewoman who won’t be home for Christmas? Submit their name and complete mailing address to: The News-Banner, P.O. Box 436, Bluffton, IN 46714; or via fax: 260-824-0700; or via email: calendar@news-banner.com; or drop off at our office at 125 N. Johnson Street. (24-hour drop slot at front door).
We will publish their names and addresses in the News-Banner as they are received. We encourage our readers to send them a card. Cards should be mailed by Dec. 10, so please submit addresses as soon as possible. New names will appear in bold as they are received.
We will continue to update this list as new names come in.

Lancaster and Ossian Students Stand Up to Bullies

Students at Lancaster and Ossian elementary schools dressed in pink or red and wore red ribbons proudly proclaiming their support for bully victims.
All part of International Stand Up to Bullying Day. The Norwell students participated with thousands of other kids at hundreds of schools around the world.
Read all about it in Saturday's News-Banner.

Ossian MEGA PARTY!

Ossian Elementary School annual PTO Fundraiser resulted in another MEGA PARTY for this kids this year.
Rather than only rewarding students who raise funds, the entire school gets a day long party which all the kids share. Each class spends a certain amount of time in the decorated gymnasium based on their sales. Sell more, spend more time in the "play-area." It's a win-win for the school and kids.

Angel Trees Popping-up Across Wells County

Karing for Kids Angel Trees have sprouted again. This year the group hopes to provide 8 gifts for each of 400 kids in Wells and Huntington counties.
Do what you can, if you can.
Angel Trees are located at MarkleBank locations in Markle, Bluffton, Huntington and Warren; Markle Health & Rehabilitation; Crossroads Pantry in Markle; Reed's Do It Best in Bluffton; Teachers Credit Union in Huntington; Quilts n' Gifts in Bluffton; Peyton's Northern in Bluffton; Mechanics Unlimited in Fort Wayne; many of the staff lounges of the Wells County and Huntington County Schools; and at the following churches — Markle Church of Christ, Life Church in Bluffton, Ossian United Methodist, St. Joseph Catholic in Bluffton, Uniondale United Methodist and Warren Church of Christ.
People interested in helping wrap the nearly 3,000 gifts needed or in helping another way can contact Rhonda O'Reilly, 1-260-273-0716. Gift wrapping will take place 6-9 p.m. Dec. 19 and beginning at 10 a.m. Dec. 20 at Markle Church of Christ, 455 E. Morse St., Markle.
Monetary donations may be sent to Karing for Kids, 1481 W. 100 N., Bluffton, IN 46714. All donations are tax-deductible.

Snow Hill: Where To Sled In Wells County

Why are these people smiling? It's called Snow Hill, the latest addition to Lancaster Park. The only place to sled in Wells County that doesn't require making your dad pile snow in the backyard.
Read all about it in tomorrow's News-Banner!

Imel Cousins Follow Golfing Course

Wednesday morning was a busy one for two Norwell students.
Senior Kaylee Imel signed with Western Michigan to continue her golfing career and cousin Drew Imel signed with IPFW, to do the same.
We wish both students a big congratulations and good luck in the future!

Christmas Cards for Soldiers UPDATE

Add these names to your Christmas card list this year. Tell them their friends and neighbors in Bluffton and Wells County appreciate their efforts:

Spc Josh Shoemaker
Headquarter's Company
OIF 09-11
Joint Base Balad, Iraq
APO-AE 09391

Capt Brett Plummer
ASOC/USAF
UNIT 42112
APO, AE 09342

Capt Zofia Plummer
4 ASOG
CMR 420 BOX 315
APO, AE 09063-0315

ABF AA Andrews
V-4 Division
USS Bataan (LHD5)
FPO AE 09554-1657

PFC Geisel, James P.
502D MI Co, 40th EN BN, TF RAM
FOB HAMMER
APO, AE 09322

SPC Justin O’Reilly
HHC 299th BSB 2 HBCT
Camp Liberty
APO-AE 09344

SSG Martin L. Yake
741st OD CO (EOD)
FOB Fenty
APO AE 09310

MN3 Steven Whitsitt
MCM Crew Constant
FPOAE 09501-1909

Do you know of a local serviceman or servicewoman who won’t be home for Christmas? Submit their name and complete mailing address to: The News-Banner, P.O. Box 436, Bluffton, IN 46714; or via fax: 260-824-0700; or via email: calendar@news-banner.com; or drop off at our office at 125 N. Johnson Street. (24-hour drop slot at front door).
We will publish their names and addresses in the News-Banner as they are received. We encourage our readers to send them a card. Cards should be mailed by Dec. 10, so please submit addresses as soon as possible. New names will appear in bold as they are received.
We will continue to update this list as new names come in.

United We Stand

Representatives of county government departments met on Monday afternoon at the Carnegie Annex to plan a proposed chicken dinner on the courthouse plaza to assist with fundraising to help United Way. Pictured above, seated from left, are Laura Brubaker (Wells County Auditor) and Nilah Aschliman (Wells County Assessor), and standing, from left, are C. Scott Mossburg and Paul Bonham (Wells County Commissioners) and Alan Gunkel (United Way Campaign Chairman). (Photo by Frank Shanly)

Heroes Tree at Wells County Library

The library has joined with the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University to recognize current service members, veterans and deceased service members by decorating an Our Heroes’ Tree this holiday season.
Help the Wells County Public Library honor the heroes in our community by creating a handmade ornament honoring a military member of your family or circle of friends and bring it to the library before Nov. 24, 2008. You can also just bring a photo to adhere to a ready-made star.
From December 6-8, the Heroes’ Tree will be in the library’s entry in the Creative Arts Center’s Festival of Trees and on display at the main branch through the holidays. Ornaments may be picked up after Christmas.
For more information, call the library 260-824-1612.
(Contributed Photo)

It was standing room only at last week's Wells County wind farm public meeting when Wesco Wind representatives provided specific details regarding their plan. Of the more than 200 people present none expressed opposition to the plan.
(Contributed Photos)

Sandwiches For Hank

Eat a sandwich, help a neighbor. It's just that easy.

On Saturday from Noon to 7 p.m., they will be selling 1/2 lb. Deluxe Cheeseburgers, Hot Roast Beef & Cheddar Cheese Grinders, 3-Cheese Grilled Shaved Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Jumbo Reuben Sandwiches at the Bluffton Elks Lodge 796. The sandwiches are just $5 (hot dogs for the kids are just $2) and all proceeds go to suppport the Esmond Family.

Remembering Our Troops At Christmas

Add these names to your Christmas card list this year. Tell them their friends and neighbors in Bluffton and Wells County appreciate their efforts:

ABF AA Andrews
V-4 Division
USS Bataan (LHD5)
FPO AE 09554-1657

PFC Geisel, James P.
502D MI Co, 40th EN BN, TF RAM
FOB HAMMER
APO, AE 09322

SPC Justin O’Reilly
HHC 299th BSB 2 HBCT
Camp Liberty
APO-AE 09344

SSG Martin L. Yake
741st OD CO (EOD)
FOB Fenty
APO AE 09310

MN3 Steven Whitsitt
MCM Crew Constant
FPOAE 09501-1909


Do you know of a local serviceman or servicewoman who won’t be home for Christmas? Submit their name and complete mailing address to: The News-Banner, P.O. Box 436, Bluffton, IN 46714; or via fax: 260-824-0700; or via email: calendar@news-banner.com; or drop off at our office at 125 N. Johnson Street. (24-hour drop slot at front door).
We will publish their names and addresses in the News-Banner as they are received. We encourage our readers to send them a card. Cards should be mailed by Dec. 10, so please submit addresses as soon as possible. New names will appear in bold as they are received.
We will continue to update this list as new names come in.

Southern Wells Raiders Head to Semi-State

Here's some photos of last Friday's Regional Championship win by the Raiders over Triton, 32-0.
Southern Wells Raiders have won their second sectional championship, second regional championship and it sure would be nice to see them win their second semi-state championship.
Regardless of the end result the Raiders have played their hearts out this season, just as they do every year.(Photos by Glen Werling)

BHS Students Learn Proper Child Care

Sixteen Bluffton High School students embarked on a month-long study of what it takes to educate preschoolers.
Educational themes include water, opposites, Sports, the Five Senses and Christmas. First class was last week and the final class is December 11.

McKinney Ditch Test Results Expected Soon

Wells County Health Department is sampling water in the McKinney Ditch area for signs of e.coli contamination. Results of those tests are expected this week. Watch for further coverage on this developing issue in this weeks News-Banner. (Photo by Frank Shanly)

Remember Our Troops At Christmas

Do you know of a local serviceman or servicewoman who won’t be home for Christmas? Submit their name and complete mailing address to: The News-Banner, P.O. Box 436, Bluffton, IN 46714; or via fax: 260-824-0700; or via email: calendar@news-banner.com; or drop off at our office at 125 N. Johnson Street. (24-hour drop slot at front door).
We will publish their names and addresses in the News-Banner as they are received. We encourage our readers to send them a card. Cards should be mailed by Dec. 10, so please submit addresses as soon as possible. New names will appear in bold as they are received.

Add these names to your Christmas card list this year. Tell them their friends and neighbors in Bluffton and Wells County appreciate their efforts:

ABF AA Andrews
V-4 Division
USS Bataan (LHD5)
FPO AE 09554-1657

Bluffton Girls Basketball

The Bluffton Lady Tigers opened their 2008-09 season Tuesday, at home. However, they lost 39-28 to the Blackford Lady Bruins in the return of Bluffton coach Vicki Van Matre after a five-year break.


Bluffton's Natasha Patterson (left) and Sara Waters do the bump during player introductions for the opening game of the Lady Tigers' basketball season Tuesday night at the Tiger Den.
Bluffton senior Shelby Lesh (left) exchanges high fives with Natasha Patterson as player introductions continued. Behind them is Carlie Crosbie (21).
The starting five of the Bluffton Lady Tigers — Carlie Crosbie (21), Natasha Patterson (23), Caylynne Johnson (32), Shelby Lesh (22) and Sarah Tullis (34) pay respects with their other teammates during the National Anthem prior to tipoff.
Back in the huddle again, Bluffton girls basketball head coach Vicki Van Matre gives pregame instructions to her players.
(Photos by Paul Beitler)

Southern Wells Wind Farm Public Meeting

Learn a little about wind farms, or learn how they can benefit area farmers at the first Wells County Wind Farm meeting sponsored by Wesco Wind.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 6:30 p.m., tomorrow at Southern Wells Elementary cafeteria.
Wesco Wind representatives will be available to explain the plan in further detail and answer questions.

Buckhorn Employee Shaves Head for United Way

Every year, Buckhorn Inc. employees are among the strongest donors to United Way. This year was no exception, with a 74% participation rate. Employees who gave at the Fair Share rate (one hour’s pay per month) were put into a drawing for one of three prizes – 4 Colts vs. Bengals tickets, a $200 gas card (both of which were donated by Buckhorn suppliers) or an extra paid vacation day. In addition, the shift that had the highest percent of participation will be given a Pizza Party. To make sure that his shift got the pizza party this year (and they have won it for the last few years), Brian Fuller, a supervisor at Buckhorn, upped the ante by telling his shift that he would have his head shaved if they won. They won the pizza party so Brian had his head shaved.
Ken Yake donated his services for the “unveiling.”
Brian was a good sport and said “it is for a really good cause.”
(Contributed by Pamela Beckford, United Way of Wells County)