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Local News

Friday, November 27, 2009

Bluffton readies holiday displays
Oiler's Lube Express - Findlay
BLUFFTON -- Not ever satisfied with any old holiday display, Bluffton will be showcasing its Blaze of Lights for the 23rd season starting Saturday.

The three main attractions include a display of nearly 10,000 lights, a folk art display, and a live nativity. Those are supplemented by traditionally decorated homes and yards around the village.

The big light display, called "The Gift of Giving -- Christmas Light Spectacular" will be on East College Avenue across from the football field. Those watching can also listen to an FM radio broadcast.

The live nativity will be staged from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and on Dec. 11 and Dec. 19 at Bluffton Baptist Church, 345 County Line Road.

Also, on Dec. 9, 10 and 11, indoor walk-through nativity displays will be held at First Mennonite Church, 101 S. Jackson St.

The Ream folk art display is at the Presbyterian church lawn at the corner of Main and Cherry streets.

The Ream display serves as the focal point for the Blaze of Lights. Harry and Dorothy Ream's 165 hand-painted wooden pieces will be illuminated by lights through Jan. 1.

The display began as a Ream yard Christmas tradition in 1938, and grew over time. Harry, who made each figure from Dorothy's ideas, gave the collection to the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce after Dorothy's death in 1984.

Christmas decorations also can be seen in yards throughout the village. People viewing Sunset Drive yard displays by auto may listen to two FM radio features.

Saturday's scheduled events include:

• 3 p.m. -- Main Street closes for parade.

• 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- Lion's Club chicken barbecue at Bluffton Elementary School, 102 S. Jackson St.

• 5 p.m. -- Blaze parade.

• 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- Downtown entertainment including Bluffton High School show choir and Sister's Song (Sweet Adelines).

• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Senior Citizen Center, 132 N. Main St.

• 6:55 p.m. -- Reading of the Christmas Story.

• 7 p.m. -- Lights go on.

• 7:30 p.m. -- Horse-drawn wagon rides begin at town hall and last until 9 p.m. Tickets for those age 11 and older are $4; for those age 10 and under $2; and infants on laps ride free.

Bluffton merchants will be open late Saturday to accommodate holiday shoppers.

Lights won't be the only holiday activities in Bluffton. Several concerts will take place through the season.

Bluffton University will host the 114th rendition of Handel's "Messiah," sung by the Choral Society, at 4 p.m. Dec. 6 in Founder's Hall. Admission will be free, but free-will offerings will be accepted.

A Festival of Lessons and Carols, including Accent!, Bel Canto and Camerata Singers, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at Yoder Recital Hall. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Call the university box office at 419-358-3239 for reservations.

The Bluffton schools concert schedule will include: Elementary, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the high school gymnasium; Middle School choir concert at 6 p.m. and band at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the middle school cafetorium; High school choir concert at 6 p.m. and band at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the middle school cafetorium.


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State Farm Agent Holly Spann
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.