Storytimes and Tech programs

Join the Putnam County District Library for Ready To Read Storytimes on Tuesdays @ 10 a.m. at the Pandora branch, 118 E Main St.

PCDL Tech programs are made possible through a grant from the State Library of Ohio and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The library is offering free technology help to individuals who need assistance with their smart phone, tablet, iPad etc. Call and set up a 30-minute session with the technology trainers. 

Appointments are available at the Pandora branch on April 12, April 19 and April 26 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Call 419-384-3232 to make an appointment.

Additional Tech Programs online:

Tech Tutorial with Addie via Facebook & YouTube Wednesdays @ 1:00 pm

April 5 How to use: Gmail app (Part 2)

April 19 Use Public Wi-Fi Safely

Discover Tech. Tips with Shelley via YouTube on Mondays

April 10  Excel tips

April 17  Part 1 Excel Formulas

April 24  Part 2 Excel Formulas

 

The Apollo Career Center board of education will hold a regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. on March 27. The complete agenda is attached HERE. 

This public meeting will be held in the Apollo board room, 3325 Shawnee Rd, Lima. 

In brief, the meeting will include board votes on:

- Treasurer's report

- Advance $25K into the Renovation House Project fund

- Hiring four part-time instructors

- Hiring a maintenance assistant

- Purchase and donations

- Revisted master calendar

Reports will include:

- LPN Program Manager

- Board of Education

- High School Principal

- Director of Adult Programs

- Superintendent

Remember Newsies, the movie? Here's your chance to see Newsies JR live on stage: The Bluffton High School Drama Club will have performances on April 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m., and April 16 at 2:00 p.m. on the Middle School stage. Doors open at 6:30 on Friday an Saturday, and 1:00 on Sunday.

Reserve seating tickets are on sale in the Bluffton Middle School office during school hours. General admission tickets will be available at the door.

TICKETS

• Reserved seating tickets - $10.00
• Adult General Admission tickets - $5.00
• Student General Admission tickets - $3.00

NEWSIES JR.
Disney's Newsies JR. is a 75-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical, based on the 1992 film. Inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies JR. features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.

CONTINUES

When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys' expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what's right.

Including the now-classic songs "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day," and "Santa Fe," Newsies JR. is a timeless story full of spirit and heart.

The show is directed by music teacher Kara Zink; assisstant director is Kevin Gratz.

CAST
Cole Bowers, Riley Greer, Daniel Creeger, Ty Huffman, Ian Rieman, Caitlyn Couch, Rebecca Estell, Ellie Bergstrand, Cora Koontz, Kaleigh Coffman, Amy Jebsen, Avery Kinn, Sabina Clingerman, Ben Hartzler, Theo Andreas, Isaiah Mikesell, Leah Klinger,        Alissa Beck, Genesis Ochoa, Izzy Stechschulte, Asa Clingerman, Raelyn Clinger,    Aubrey Rieman, Makenna Mohr, Brooklynn Bible, Aubrey Clevidence, Liliana Liberato, Claire Phillips, Hannah Creeger, Aubrey Burkholder, Alyssa Hoffman, Ellie Hartzler, Landen Worcester, Jeff Richards.

By Paula Scott

This week Bluffton High School welcomed University of Findlay professor Hiroaki Kawamura and 2022-23 Ohio Saitama University Scholarship recipient Yuki Miyahara to meet with students and the school board to introduce the community to a new partnership between the high school and Ogawa High School in Japan.

At the March 20 school board meeting, school superintendent Greg Denecker thanked Kawamura for inviting the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools to create a new relationship with the Japanese high school and its students. Some 24 Bluffton High School students have signed up to participate.

At the meeting, Miyahara made a presentation about Saitama Prefecture, the region where Ogawa High School is located. She is currently a student at the University of Findlay with a major in Religious Studies and interests in calligraphy and learning languages.

Miyahara compared Saitama prefecture to Ohio, pointing out that the population of 7.32 million is three-fifths the population of Ohio–this number resides in an area about one-thirtieth of the area of Ohio. Among other details, Saitama is known for being the #1 producer of ice cream in the country and for producing one of Japan’s best green teas. It has the largest watershed area in Japan (161 rivers), and hosted several events for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, as well as the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Ogawa Township is known for handmade Hosokawa-shi paper and sake (rice wine)  brewing. Both products benefit from the excellent and abundant water in the township.

CONTINUES

There has been a connection between Ohio and Saitama since 1985. The Ohio-Saitama University Scholarship Program has brought 69 students to Ohio from Japan. In 2018 Findlay and Kawaguchi City officially became friendship cities.

Next, Kawamura explained that in 2020 they began to explore how the exchange program could be expanded to include K-12 education. This year Bluffton became one of three Ohio high schools taking part in this new phase.

He introduced the audience to Ogawa High School, providing photographs and information about his recent visit there. The school has 560 daytime students and 40 evening students. Kawamura brought Bluffton Pirate items to the school, including t-shirts and a YouTube video of 2020 Bluffton graduation celebrations–the wild celebrations made the Japanese students laugh. He noted that you could probably hear a pin drop during Ogawa graduation ceremonies.

Kawamura showed photos of Ogawa teachers and students with their Pirate spirit wear. He commented that he was very impressed by the enthusiasm of the five English teachers who were part of the visit. Explaining that he isn’t a city person, the professor said he enjoyed the surroundings of the school, including rice paddies, mountains and blooming plum trees. Kawamura concluded that when you have great students and teachers who are excited about the program, something good is bound to happen.

Just that day, Kawamura had met with three Bluffton High School students and asked them if they had ever met a Japanese person before. All said no. The experience reinforced his belief that this will be a very important experience for all involved.

Ebenezer Mennonite Church has issued the following invitation:

"You and your family are invited to join us for our Easter Services.  Easter Sunday is the Sunday when Christians all over the world proclaim the good news of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"The congregation of Ebenezer Mennonite Church would like to invite all residents of Bluffton and the surrounding area to participate in this remembrance beginning with a Good Friday service, which commemorates Jesus’ death on the cross, on Friday, April 7, at 6:00 p.m. Easter Sunday services will begin with an Easter Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. followed by a worship service at 10:15 a.m.

"Pastor Nick Ringger will share the sermon announcing the good news that “The Tomb is Empty.” Ebenezer Mennonite Church is located at 8905 Columbus Grove Road, Bluffton, OH  45817. You can contact the church office via phone at 419-358-8588 or email at info@ebenezermennonite.org.