Shoeboxes with gifts collected at Nazarene church

From Nov. 14 to 21, Parkview Church of the Nazarene will be a collection site for Operation Christmas Child, an international project to deliver gifts to children overseas living in extreme poverty or affected by war, disease and natural disaster.

Donors are welcome to drop off filled shoeboxes or items to put in the boxes, such as school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and small toys.

Collection center hours are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 14 to 16; 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17; 10 a.m. to noon Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19; 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20; and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21.

The church is across from Brown County State Park on State Road 46 East. For more information or to arrange a drop-off time, call Donna at 812-345-6022 or Parkview Church office at 812-988-7797.

Open house at library for county beautification

From 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, Keep Brown County Beautiful will have an open house for all educators in the lower level of the Brown County Public Library. All teachers, educators, homeschool parents and Scout leaders are welcome to learn about the “Waste in Place” curriculum for early to middle school students.

At 5 p.m. Elmo, a bird from the Indiana Raptor Center, will teach how littering is hazardous for wildlife. Light refreshments will follow.

Keep Brown County Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. For more information, call Cathy Paradise at 812-327-9617.

Bicentennial celebration at history center

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St., will host a celebration of Indiana’s bicentennial. Sponsored by the historical society, Peaceful Valley Heritage Preservation and the League of Women Voters, the event features three speakers:

• Pam Raider, vice president of the League of Women Voters, will speak on “Wellness and Heritage in Brown County: a Vision 2020 Project.”
• Mark Dollase, vice president of preservation services for Indiana Landmarks, will speak about efforts to put locations in Brown County State Park on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Brown County commissioner Diana Biddle will speak about the Hoosier Hills Scenic Byway project.

Refreshments will be served by Kevin Ault of Hotel Nashville.

Order a wreath for a veteran’s grave by Nov. 28

MORGANTOWN — Saturday, Dec. 17, is Wreaths Across America Day, a designation begun in Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans.

Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center is a local sponsorship location. Grave wreaths for veterans can be ordered for a $15 donation to the Wreaths Across America Project through Monday, Nov. 28, at the funeral home, 179 E. Mulberry St.

Wreaths will arrive for pickup at the funeral home during the week of Dec 12. For more information, call 812-597-4670.

Pioneer Women quilt show coming to History Center

At 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30, the Brown County Pioneer Women’s Club will host a quilt trunk show at the Brown County History Center on East Gould Street.

Jo Ann Ferguson will share her extensive collection of quilts, patterns and stories. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, call the History Center at 812-988-2899.

Chamber of commerce seeks nominations for award

The Brown County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations until Wednesday, Nov. 30, for its 2016 Business of the Year award.

The award recognizes a local business for exceptional achievement and outstanding commitment to the Brown County business community.

Nominations can come from another chamber business or a business can apply directly for the award.

Nominees must:

• Be an active business located and operating in Brown County;
• Be a member in good standing of the local chamber of commerce
• Contribute to economic growth, stability and improvements in the county;
• Demonstrate support of the area business community; and
• Demonstrate community and civic involvement.

The award will be presented at the chamber annual dinner meeting Thursday, Jan. 26. All nominees will be honored at that time.

BCJHS Reality Store volunteers sought

Brown County Junior High has chosen Thursday, Dec. 1 for the annual Reality Store. Adult volunteers are needed to work with eighth-graders as they try to make a budget work for one month of living expenses.

Two sessions will be offered between 8:20 and 11:24 a.m. Volunteers should arrive earlier and are welcome to stay for a pizza lunch afterward.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Judy East at [email protected].

Food pantry open last Wednesdays of the month

BEAN BLOSSOM — Shepherd of the Hills food pantry, 5802 Old Settlers Road off 135 North, will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 28.

Shoot hoops with local law officers at the YMCA

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, Brown Countians can use the Brown County YMCA facilities at no charge. Nashville Metropolitan and Brown County police will participate in pick-up basketball at that time.

Y facilities open to the public include the swimming pool, weights, cardio machines, indoor track and gym.

For more information, stop by the Y, 105 Willow St., or call Shelle at 812-988-9622.

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, Dec. 10.

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

Community band Christmas concert slated

Brown County Community Band will perform its Christmas concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 in the Brown County High School auditorium.

Celebrate Indiana’s birthday at the library

The Brown County Public Library will celebrate Indiana’s 200th birthday and the holidays from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, with birthday cake, cookies and hot chocolate. All are welcome.

With questions, stop by library at 205 N. Locust Lane or call 812-988-2850.

Breakfast with Santa at state park lodge

From 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park will host breakfast with Santa in Allison Peabody Hall.

For reservations and cost information, call the lodge at 812-988-4418.