Interurban Replica Tour: Under Construction

Those blue seats you see outside of the car will be installed down the middle of the interior, two rows back-to-back facing out. There will be 20-24 seats.

Interior photos of the Interurban replica

These pictures of the Interurban passenger car replica show the detail of construction and an interior photo with Steve Frauhiger of Habegger's Ace of Bluffton admiring the work. "You've done a great job," Frauhiger told Christianson.

Jerry Chrisitanson express thanks for his helpers!

Jerry's helpers ...

Jerry Christianson, Bluffton Street Fair manager and organizer of the Interurban passenger car replica that is being built for the upcoming 100th edition of the fair, gathered several men who have made key contributions to the effort. From left, Kent Beer of Appliance One, who donated his large garage to be used; Christianson; Steve Frauhiger of Habegger Ace of Bluffton, which provided all of the building materials at cost; Kent Thompson of Fairway Floors, who donated the materials and labor to install the floor; and Terry Troxel of First Bank of Berne, which made a $1,000 cash contribution to the effort. Chrisianson also expressed his appreciation to Mark Double, who did much of the interior work, Mike Nebil did the painting and Denny "Red" Squires will install a rubberized roof. Baller Signs is contributing the signage that will be part of the car.

Street Fair tumblers will benefit scholars

[Gathering to announce the availability of the souvenir Bluffton Street Fair tumblers Tuesday were, from left, Street Fair board president Jon Brown, Don Skinner, who designed the anniversary logo that has been encased in the tumblers, and BHS Class of 1968 members Norm Kain and Dave and Elanda Poff. Elanda is also holding a cardboard cutout of class member Glenn Talbert, whom she credits with coming up with the idea for the tumblers.]

As promised, there will be a number of special souvenirs to mark the 100th Bluffton Street Fair this year, one of which is available now.
The Bluffton High School Class of 1968 has produced a commemorative insulated “Tervis Tumbler” with the street fair’s 100th logo embroidered and encased in the tumbler’s side. The tumblers are selling for $15 a piece, with all proceeds to benefit the two Wells County Dollars for Scholars programs.
The idea was hatched on a beach in Venice, Fla., according to Elanda Poff, one of the organizers. She credits class member Glenn Talbert for the original concept.
Poff also noted that the tumblers, which “keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold,” comes with a lifetime guarantee.
The class has rented space to sell the tumblers during the fair at the former Pathway Bouquet building at the corner of Market and Johnson Streets. Tumblers may be obtained prior to the sale “while they last” the class members note, by contacting Norm Kain at 824-5914 or Dave Poff at 824-0872.
Kain said that the class would welcome other classes or groups to help them distribute and sell the tumblers. “And we want to make sure everyone understand this will benefit both the Bluffton-Southern Wells and the Norwell Dollars for Scholars programs,” he added.
Persons or groups interested in helping to sell the tumblers can also contact either Kain or Poff.
The organizers also hope the space they will rent during the fair will be a place their classmates can gather while visiting the fair.
“It’s been a fun thing for us and we want to help out the scholarship programs,” Poff noted.
Street fair president Jon Brown expressed his appreciation to the class and is hopeful other groups will come up with similar efforts. “We like the idea that the scholarship program will benefit from the fair’s anniversary,” Brown said. “This is what it’s all about.”

Artists Wanted!

Bluffton Parks and Recreation is looking for adults to sell their arts and crafts for a one-day Art Bazaar to be presented during Bluffton’s Street Fair on Saturday, Sept. 25.
The event will be held in the Bluffton City Gym (128 East Market St.) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25. Cost for a space will be $10, with the deadline to register being Sept. 17 to the Parks Department office at (260) 824-6069 or by email to parks@ci.bluffton.in.us

Taking shape

The replica of the Interurban passenger car being built for the 100th Bluffton Street Fair is beginning to look like one. Street Fair manager Jerry Christianson, who is organizing the project, says they’ve located the seats for the interior and that “everything’s on schedule.” At left Bob Mullen attaches a panel to the front face, while above, Mullern and Ding Bulger take measurements for the next step. The two are part of the all-volunteer crew based out of the local Elks Lodge that is building the replica which will be featured in the opening night parade and then on display throughout the fair. (Photo by Mark Miller)