It’s almost my favorite time of the year, Citywide Garage Sale Weekend! Bluffton will host its annual garage sale May 5, 6 and 7, typically from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The city will advertise the sale in the newspaper and publish a list of participants on the city’s website.

This event is free to participants. Garage sale listings may be picked up at City Hall.

Not only is next weekend busy with the garage sales, but it also happens to be Mother’s Day weekend.  If you haven’t already planned something special for mom, you should treat her to our Yoga Brunch and Bubbles at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Washington Park.

Enjoy a one-hour all-level yoga class to improve your strength and flexibility while de-stressing your body and mind.  Afterward, enjoy a healthy brunch and fabulous fresh fruit mimosas. Register online at: https://tinyurl.com/ms2au6r5

Saturday, May 7, is also summer swim lesson registration at City Hall from 10 a.m. to noon. Early swim lessons set a positive foundation for a lifetime of participation and enjoyment in and under the water.

Swim lessons are for children who have just finished grades K through 12. Class lessons are held Monday through Friday, June 6 through June 17, at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. or June 27 through July 8 at 11 a.m. at the Wells Community Pool. Diving lessons are only offered during the June 27 – July 8 session. The cost is $20, which is due at registration. Call the pool at 825-1550 for private lesson options beginning May 28. 

Pee Wee Swim Registration for ages 4 through pre-K ­­­— Early swimming fosters a growing sense of self-esteem, confidence, and independence. As a child’s ability to freely move through the water increases, their sense of well-being increases.

Registration will be held at City Hall from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 7, for $6. Lessons will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday the week of June 20. Swim time is from 11 to 11:45 am, and a parent must get in the water with each child. No unattended children are allowed on the pool deck during lessons.

We are almost sold out of animals for our Stuff & Fluff Workshop scheduled 10 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 27. We are only about eight animals left to choose from, so be sure to call us at 824-6069 before they are gone!

The cost to participate is only $15 per child (pay the day of the event, exact change preferred).  This event is open to both boys and girls. 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the board of the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department, typically held on the first Thursday of the month, will be changed to May 12 due to a scheduling conflict.  The meeting takes place on the first floor of City Hall at 6 p.m. 

It looks like the new crosswalks are finished on Main Street.  We reached out to INDOT for information on how to use them. They shared the following video that General Motors funded in partnership with Fort Wayne Trails that you may have seen on WANE-TV: https://youtu.be/vQPdp5MRMfE.

Our office is still buzzing about the big grant award announcement last week on the Interurban Trail.  We wanted to thank the following donors who helped us reach our goal: AdamsWells Internet-Telecome-TV, Bluffton Animal Clinic, LLC, Brad & Molly Hoag, Coldwell Banker Holloway, Dave & Kris Troxel, Diane Humphrey, Dick & Patti Troxel, Family Ford of Bluffton, First Bank of Berne, General Manufacturing, Inc., Gerald & Diann Tonnor, Honegger, Ringger & Co. Inc, Moose Lodge, Inc., Robert Troxel Premier Truck Rental, Steven & Yvette Huggins, and Teachers Credit Union.   Thank you! 

Have a great week, and don’t forget to vote on Tuesday!