Let your voice be heard! (Choose a NWCS calendar)

Northern Wells Community Schools has options when it comes to their 2011/2012 school calendar and they want your opinion. Review the three possible calendars and choose your favorite: http://www.nwcs.k12.in.us/

Remember 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.

SPC Kent D. Chavis
CMR 415 Box 4673
APO AE 09114

Lcpl Gardner, Benjamin
3D MED BN 3D MLG
Unit 38447
FPOAP 96604-8447

Shaile Perry
8150 Gibson Blvd
Rm E107
Kirtland AFB, NM 87116

Pfc Preston Lewis
Eeri comp 3rd LAR
3D LAR BN unit 41695
FPO AP 96427
Cpl Green C.A.
CLB-2 H-S Co.
Unit 73960
FPO AE 09510-3960

SGT Nathan McCartney
FOB Wilson
428th En Co/863rd En Bn
APO AE 09370

SPC Ryan J Habig
C co 1-14 IN
FOB Warrior
APO AE 09338

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 vial 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. Standard cards that take a 44 cent postage; non-standard sized cards should be taken to the post office to be weighed. Cards mailed to service members stationed overseas should be mailed by Dec. 10, so please submit addresses as soon as possible. New names will appear in bold as they are received.

Optimist Club announces essay contest

Bluffton Optimist Club is once again taking part in Optimist International’s annual essay contest.
The contest is open to all students in Wells County, including those who are home-schooled or who attend private or parochial schools.
Contestants must be no older than 19 as of Dec. 31, 2010 and they must write 700-800 words on the official topic “How my Education is the Key to a Successful Future.”
Appplication forms and rules for the contest are available in the Main Office at each of the county’s three high schools, as well as Farm Credit Services located on Bluffton’s north side.
The deadline for returning applications and completed essays is Friday, Feb. 11, 2011.

WCPL set to have a German-themed Christmas Open House on Dec. 14

WCPL Release:

The Wells County Public Library will be having its annual Christmas Open House on Tuesday, December 14 from 6:30-8 p.m. Drop in anytime throughout the evening to listen to songs, stories, and enjoy holiday refreshments. Don’t be surprised if you spot a few people wearing lederhosen, since this year’s theme celebrates the Christmas traditions of Germany.

More than 30 members of the Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor (man and woman choir) will be performing traditional German Christmas carols and folk songs in the main library beginning at 7 pm. The Fort Wayne Männerchor und Damenchor is the second oldest German singing society in Indiana, tracing its history back to the founding of the Fort Wayne Sängerbund on October 4, 1869.

Before the music starts, children can meet in front of the “starry night” storytime room at 6:30 pm to listen to some popular Christmas stories. Just like German tradition, the children can leave their shoes outside the storytime room in hopes of a small treat from St. Nicholas.

Throughout the evening you can enjoy holiday refreshments and browse the library for holiday books, magazines, movies, music, and more.

No registration needed. Free event! For more information call the Wells County Public Library at 260-824-1612 or visit www.wellscolibrary.org.


Schedule of Events:

6:30-7:00 pm: children’s Christmas stories in the storytime room

7:00 - 7:50 pm: Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor performance

7:00 pm: refreshments served

Throughout the evening: browse the library for your holiday materials


The Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor will be performing at the Wells County Public Library’s annual Christmas Open House on December 14. Stay for an entire evening of German Christmas carols, folk songs, children’s stories, and holiday refreshments. Event is free and open to everyone in the community.

Mad Ants come to Bluffton

The Bluffton Parks & Recreation Dept. partnered with the Mad Ants Basketball organization to host a basketball clinic and family game night last night (Sunday, November 28th). Pictured below are the kids that spent an hour with players and coaches prior to their game with the Bay City Hawks.



Group picture of the families that attended the game following the kids clinic.
A great time was had by all and we plan to offer it again for the community.


Group photo: (front L-R) Victoria Valentine, Jordyn Cummins, Kollin Randall, Caleb Stacy, Madison Berry, Jacob Geisman, Jordin Geisman, Landon McClish (middle row L-R) Kyle Stacy, Zachary Cummins, Logan Baumgardner (back row L-R) Mad Ant Coach Derek Kahn, Player: Obi Muonell, Coaches Dave Fox and Steve Gansey

Santa comes to Bluffton

News-Banner Editor Dave Schultz visited with Santa Claus Friday night as the Big Man arrived in Bluffton just in time to kick-off the holiday season.

Christmas Lights Go On In Bluffton

Mayor Ted Ellis led the countdown on the courthouse plaza Friday evening as the Christmas lights were officially turned on. 

 

Also, I have included a glimpse of the display at Pickett's Run - all the lights that used to be at the wastewater plant have been moved to here this year, and Mayor Ellis encouraged everyone to check out the new display. 

 

Don't forget to shop local over the holiday period - as Mayor Ellis reminded us "If we don't have it in Bluffton, you don't need it all that bad."