Restaurants help BCJHS history team

To help the Brown County Junior High School We the People team raise money to travel to the national competition in Washington, D.C., area restaurants are contributing a portion of sales on certain dates. Coupons, flyers and tokens are available on Facebook by searching for “We the People Brown County Junior High and High School.”

• From 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, McDonald’s restaurant, 501 State Road 46 East, will serve all-you-can-eat pancake dinners when the coupon is presented.
• From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, Big Woods Pizzeria, 44 N. Van Buren, and Big Woods Brewery, 60 Molly’s Lane, will donate 15 percent of food purchases (drinks excluded) when accompanied by the coupon/token.

Donate blood during drive at Parkview

From 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 State Road 46 East, will host an American Red Cross blood drive.

All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are needed at check-in. To save time, complete the predonation reading and a health history questionnaire online. For more information, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Make an appointment to donate by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

‘American Pickers’ looking for characters with antiques

TV show “American Pickers” will be in Indiana in March and April and is looking for people with valuable antiques to be on the show.

Producers are looking for “characters with interesting and unique items,” such as vintage bicycles, toys, unusual radios, movie memorabilia, advertising, military items, folk art, pre-’50s western gear, early firefighting equipment, vintage musical equipment, automotive items and clothing.

Send name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to [email protected] or call 855-old-rust.

Learn about youth survey results at seminar

The Indiana Youth Institute will host a seminar to help educators, counselors, youth workers and others from across Brown County learn more about what’s going on with young people in the community, based on its 2016 Kids Count data book.

The forum will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 17 at the Brown County Community Foundation, 209 N. Van Buren St.

IYI Vice President of Programs Julie Whitman will provide the most up-to-date information about youth trends in Brown County, such as drug use, poverty, education and health information.

Participants will learn how to make sense of the data compiled by IYI and how to find the most reliable numbers. This information can be used to write grant proposals, understand trends among youth and plan programs to address potential issues in Brown County.

As part of IYI’s Youth Worker Café program, the seminar and lunch are free, but reservations are required. RSVP at iyi.org/YWC.

Fire department’s annual yard sale planned

HELMSBURG — From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Jackson Township Fire Department, 4831 Helmsburg Road, will host its annual community yard sale and breakfast.

A 10- by 5-foot booth space is available for $20. For more information, call Cathy Perkins at 317-532-7536.

Tea shop offers class on oils for health

Sweetea’s Tea Shop, 225 S. Van Buren St., Suite C. in Coachlight Square, will offer a free class on the health benefits of oils, vitamins and tea at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 19.

The class will include some free samples of teas and oils. For more information or reservations, call 812-988-6515.

Rock-a-Thon to benefit community center

SPEARSVILLE — Hickory Ridge Community Center supporters will “rock for dollars” during the fifth annual Rock-a-Thon Saturday, March 19.

Participants will rock from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. They’re asking for people to sponsor them for an amount per hour. Money will go to buy guttering for the community center, 2314 Hickory Ridge Lane.

From 8 to 11 a.m. the same day, the center will serve its monthly breakfast of sausage gravy, biscuits, fried potatoes, eggs and pancakes. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Spring seed swap planned at library

A spring seed swap is planned by the Brown County Seed and Plant Project from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 19, in lower-level meeting room B of the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane.

The free event will include free sharing of seeds and children’s activities. Torrie Birkemeier will give a short presentation on the importance of seed saving, seed and plant stewardship and resources to get started.

Heirloom and locally saved seeds are preferred, but all seeds are welcome at the event. For more information, visit facebook.com/browncountyseedproject.

Revival hosted at Greasy Creek church

Everyone is welcome at revival meetings at Greasy Creek Community Church, 1015 Greasy Creek Road, beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20.

Daryle Douglas of Scipio will be the guest evangelist. Meetings will continue at 7 p.m. nightly from Monday, March 21.

Spring party planned for Mini 4-H members

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 21, Brown County/Purdue Extension 4-H will host a spring party with camp activities for children in kindergarten through second grade. It will take place at 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds.

Activities include crafts, games, snack and story time. Children should bring a sack lunch.

For Mini 4-H members, registration is $5. For nonmembers, call for registration information. Register at 812-988-5495.

Discuss book, watch movie of ‘Charlotte’s Web’

Brown County Public Library staff will lead a brief discussion of “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White, followed by a showing of the original animated movie, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, March 21. All ages are welcome.

This is a part of the Brown County Reads program, an effort to get the community to read, discuss and enjoy the same book. Adults also can read “The Story of Charlotte’s Web” by Michael Sims, and attend a book talk with the author at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31.

Babysitter training offered for youth

Brown County/Purdue Extension 4-H will host training to be the “best babysitter” from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, in the Community Room, 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds. Participants must be at least 12.

Topics include safety, first aid, child development, nutrition, babysitting as a business and entertaining children.

Membership in 4-H is not required.

For more information or to register, visit the 4-H office, call 812-988-5495 or email [email protected].

Free gardening workshop offered at park

The Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District will host a free gardening workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Veterans Hall, 902 Deer Run Lane at Deer Run Park.

Topics include no-till methods, broadfork, soil amendments and more. Guest speakers will be USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service District Conservationist Cara Bergschneider and urban soil health specialist Kevin Allison.

RSVP by Friday, March 18 to 812-988-2211 or [email protected].

Heart Smart program offered by extension office

A program of four one-hour sessions to “Be Heart Smart” will be offered from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 29, 31, April 5 and 7, at the Purdue Extension Office Community Room, 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds.

Taught by an extension educator, session topics are “Know Your Risks,” “Know Your Numbers,” “Heart Healthy Cooking” and “Taking Action.”

To register by the Friday, March 25 deadline, drop by the extension office, call 812-988-5495, or email [email protected].

Children’s Easter egg hunts on calendar

• Deer Run Park will host an Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26. The free event is for children ages 4 to 8, and ages 2 to 3 with adult help. Children bring their own basket or bucket to collect eggs hidden around the park. The Easter bunny will visit for photo ops. For more information, call Brown County Parks & Recreation at 812-988-5522.
• Brown County Health & Living Community will have an egg hunt at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, for children up to age 9. The Easter bunny will be present. Prizes will be given, including bicycles. For more information, call 812-988-6666.

Addiction recovery support offered at church

From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, New Life Community Church, 1450 State Road 135 North, will host weekly recovery support meetings, Battlefield For Freedom, for people struggling with addiction; and Healing for the Homefront meetings for people who are affected by another’s drug/alcohol use.

For those who struggle with addiction, more information is available by calling Melissa Tatman at 812-320-9838.

For those affected by another’s addiction, more information is available by contacting Meme at 812-345-1374 or email [email protected].

Garden plots for rent at Deer Run Park

Brown County Parks and Recreation has community garden plots available to rent for the 2016 growing season at Deer Run Park.

For more information or to reserve a spot, call 812-988-5522.

BCHS 1966 alumni sought for 50th reunion

Organizers of a June Brown County High School 50th alumni banquet are seeking help in finding 1966 alumni.

With information, email John Jones at [email protected].

Superintendent to speak to parents about referendum

Brown County Schools Superintendent David Shaffer is speaking to elementary school parent-teacher organizations about the school district’s referendum proposal.

Voters will be asked in May to pay 8 cents more per $100 of assessed property value to maintain staff and current class sizes, support current and new programs, provide for teacher salaries and fund the Brown County Career Resource Center.

Shaffer will speak at Sprunica Elementary School at 6 p.m. Monday, March 28 in the science lab.

He will speak at Van Buren Elementary Schoool at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 in the cafeteria.

Shaffer visited Helmsburg Elementary School on March 1.

Residents can apply for storm shelter funds

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has opened a program to aid Indiana residents who wish to construct and install a severe weather safe room in their home.

Up to 53 applicants will be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of eligible costs, up to $4,500. Funding is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Questions can be directed to the IDHS Mitigation staff at [email protected].

Having a ‘ruff’ day? Read to dogs at the library

Children and adults are welcome to visit the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane, from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3, for Sit, Stay, Read!

The program features three certified therapy dogs and good listeners, Mocha, Daisy June and George.

No registration is required for the drop-in program, underwritten by Friends of the Library and made possible in partnership with the Brown County Humane Society.

For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.

Relay for Life teams forming

Brown County is gearing up for Relay for Life with a meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, at the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane.

While the main event is Saturday, May 21, at the Brown County High School track, now is the time for teams to form and start fundraising.

Those who cannot join a team can support the effort by making a donation, sponsoring the event or encouraging survivors to register.

For more information, attend the April meeting, visit relayforlife.org/browncountyin or call 812-325-6651.

Church breakfast free to community

HAMBLEN TWP. — Sprunica Baptist Church, 3902 Sprunica Road, will serve a free community breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9.

Served the second Saturday of each month, the menu includes biscuits and gravy, rolls, eggs and more.

Open house planned at Yellowwood State Forest

MARTINSVILLE — People interested in how Indiana’s state forests operate can share their views at a series of open houses starting this month.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry will provide information about recreational activities, major projects, forest resource management and planning. Participants can talk directly with DNR personnel or submit written comments. Some open houses will include a tour of facilities or a woods walk.

The event for Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood state forests will be Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Training Center at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, off State Road 37, about 6 miles south of Martinsville. For more information, call (765) 342-4026.

Annual Soup Bowl Benefit date set

From 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 10, The Seasons Convention Center, 560 State Road 46 East, will host the annual Soup Bowl Benefit for Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen.

Tickets — $25 for adults and $5 for kids — can be purchased at Brown County IGA and from Mother’s Cupboard board members, and will be available at the door.

Adult ticket-holders receive a hand-thrown bowl by Brown County potters to fill with soups from local restaurants. The event includes live music performed by bluegrass band Hamilton Creek and a silent auction.

All proceeds benefit Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen, P.O. Box 825, Nashville, IN 47448.

Participating restaurants include the Abe Martin Lodge, Artist’s Colony Inn, Brown County Inn, Big Woods Brewery, Beni’s Catering, Brown County Community Foundation, Cornerstone Inn, Gatesville Country Store, Harvest Moon, Hobnob Corner, Hotel Nashville, Ice Cream Cottage, Out of the Ordinary, Rawhide Ranch, Story Inn, The Pine Room and Trails End.

Potters donating bowls are Judy and Tom Prichard, Linda Morris — Fox Run Pottery, Mindy Weddle — Carmel Ridge Clayworks, Larry Spears Gallery, Pryde Bayliss Pottery, John and Beth Mills — Brown County Pottery, Susy O’Donnell Pottery, Barb Lund Pottery, Walt Schmidt — Hickory Tree Studio, Brown County High School art students, Jan Arbogast, Adam Egenolf — Egenolf Ceramics, Karen Green Stone and Paula Patton.

Mother’s Cupboard, 868 Memorial Drive at the Brown County Fairgrounds, serves free hot meals from 4 to 6 p.m. 364 days a year to anyone, no questions asked — more than 4,000 a month. It also operates a food bank and distributes government commodities. The kitchen is funded by donations from individuals and endowments administered by the Brown County Community Foundation. To volunteer at the kitchen, call Chef Sherry at 812-929-9211 and make a date to help.

Food managers certification class offered

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 11 and 12, a food manager certification class will be taught in the second-floor Salmon Room of the County Office Building, 201 N. Locust Lane. The Monday session will end at 12:30 p.m. and the Tuesday session will finish at 2:30 p.m.

All businesses serving food, except nonprofits, are required to have a certified food manager on staff. Certification is good for five years.

The class costs $125, which includes the book and test. The book should be picked up at the health department to study in advance. To take the test only, the cost is $50.

For more information, reservations or to pick up the book, call the health department at 812-988-2255 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

Preservation society to meet in April

The Peaceful Valley Heritage Preservation Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in a lower-level meeting room of the Brown County Community Foundation, 209 N. Van Buren St.

The agenda includes updates on current preservation projects; guest speaker Mark Dollase of Indiana Landmarks, a state preservation organization; and other business.

All are welcome. The organization serves to recognize and preserve historic, cultural and natural resources of Brown County. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month.

For more information, contact Ruth Reichmann at [email protected] or 812-345-1383.

Brown County Lions Club invites parade participants

The Brown County Lions Club extends an invitation to all organizations to participate in the annual Spring Blossom Parade Saturday, May 7.

This marks the 53rd continuous year for the parade, and the theme, “Brown County Celebrates our Superheroes,” recognizes the 50th anniversary of the 1966 “Batman” TV series and movie and the 200th birthday of Indiana.

The “Batman” movie will play at the Brown County Playhouse Friday evening, May 6, and the Batmobile will be on display across the street that evening and in the parade on Saturday.

There is no entry fee to be in the parade. Registration and waiver forms are available at the Purdue Extension Office, Visitors Center and online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/browncounty. The registration deadline is April 15. Signed waiver forms will be required from all who will be marching or riding in the parade. A confirmation with more information will be sent to each organization after receipt of their registration form. Any questions about registration should be directed to Lion Gene Niednagel at 988-6865 or email him at [email protected].

In addition to the Spring Blossom Parade, Lion community service projects include Independence Day fireworks, Adopt a Highway, Village Street Sweepers, Adopt a River and River Watch, eyeglass and hearing aid collection, scholarships and grants, and vision screening for children and adults.

Learn more about money management

From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, the Brown County Purdue Extension Service will offer a financial management class. Topics will include budgeting, saving and getting the most out of your paycheck.

It will take place in the second-floor Salmon Room of the Brown County Office Building, 201 N. Locust Lane.

The class also will be offered from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in the Community Room of the Brown County Purdue Extension Office, 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds.

Benefit for backpack program honors superintendent

A spring benefit concert honoring David Shaffer, retiring superintendent for Brown County Schools, and benefiting the Brown County Weekend Backpacks Program is slated from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 29, at the Brown County High School auditorium.

Students, staff and any local residents can participate in the free event, which will need volunteer workers and musicians. The concert will focus on classical music, but all music genres are welcome.

Donations will be accepted at the door, with all proceeds to benefit the BCWB program. Operating throughout the school year, BCWB provides meals for at-risk students in the Brown County school system. The goal: “No child deserves to go to bed hungry.”

To help with the concert, call coordinator Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 or email her at [email protected].

Indiana Wine Fair tickets on sale now

STORY — The annual Indiana Wine Fair will take place at the Story Inn Saturday, April 30, rain or shine.

Vintners will dole out one-ounce pours amid food and live music. The first 4,000 general admission ticketholders to enter receive a keepsake wine glass.

Participants must be at least 21. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.; wine service ends at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 at the gate and $10 for designated drivers. A free shuttle will run to and from downtown Nashville every 15 minutes.

For more information, visit indianawinefair.com or call 812-988-2273.