Donate blood in March for Red Cross Month
From 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, blood donations will be accepted at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 State Road 46 East.
Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed.
To make an appointment, download the free Red Cross blood donor app at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Conservation district meeting at History Center
The Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District will host its annual meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 15 at the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St.
The event is open to the public and will feature guest speaker Dr. John Foster addressing “The Art of Pollinators.” Food, district updates and door prizes will be included.
Tickets are $5 before the date or $8 at the door. For more information or tickets, call 812-988-2211.
YMCA looking to set up lifeguard class
The Brown County YMCA is organizing a lifeguard education class for Friday, March 17.
Anyone who’s a daily lap swimmer can get certified as a lifeguard and swim laps for free, the Y says.
For more information, stop by the front desk at the Y on Willow Street or call 812-988-9622.
Jackson Fire to host community yard sale
HELMSBURG — From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Jackson Township Fire Department, 4831 Helmsburg Road, will host a community yard sale.
A booth is $20 for a 5- by 10-foot space. A table is not included.
Biscuits and gravy, hot dogs, chips, soda and coffee will be sold.
To reserve a booth space, call Cathy at 317-532-7536.
RSVP for annual Ag Day breakfast
The Brown County Purdue Extension and the Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District will serve a free biscuits-and-gravy Ag Day breakfast at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 21 at the exhibit building, 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds.
Liz and Nate Brownlee of Nightfall Farm will be guest speakers. They’ll discuss Shiitake mushrooms and “diversifying the farm.”
To RSVP, email [email protected] or call 812-988-2211.
Computer basics class series offered at library
From 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, March 23 and 30, beginning adult computer classes will be offered at the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane.
Different topics taught each day include parts of the computer, signing up for e-mail, creating a document, safe online searching tips and library resources. The class series is limited to six participants.
To register, stop by or call the library at 812-988-2850.
Family Heritage Day to happen at History Center
“Township settlement” is the theme for Family Heritage Day at the Brown County History Center Saturday, March 25.
The free event, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include family displays, books on Brown County, a research area with helpers, representatives from surrounding counties, veterans and the Indiana Genealogical Society.
Family historians are welcome to bring in family scrapbooks and set up displays about ancestors. Those gathering histories on lost villages and towns of Brown County are also welcome.
To participate, attend or to reserve a table, call Rhonda at 812-320-6237 or Julia at 812-597-5636. For more information on the event, call Rhonda or Pauline at the History Center, 812-988-2899.
Knobstone Trail group annual meeting set
MARTINSVILLE — The Knobstone Hiking Trail Association annual meeting, lunch and program with guest speakers will take place at the Morgan-Monroe State Forest Training Center, 6220 Forest Road.
The meeting begins at 11 a.m. Saturday March 25. A pitch-in lunch, with main dish and drinks provided, will be served from noon to 1 p.m. and guest speakers will begin at 1 p.m. Featured speakers include Jim Allen, property manager of Yellowwood State Forest since 1996; and Suzanne Mittenthal, founder of the trail association and Hoosier Hikers Council. They will talk about “Founders of the Tecumseh Trail.”
For more information, visit knobstonehikingtrail.org, email [email protected] or call 765-349-0204.
Van Buren firefighters serve chicken dinners
VAN BUREN TWP. — Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department, 4040 State Road 135 South, will serve chicken dinners Saturday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or until they run out.
Each $9 dinner includes two pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, roll and tea. Desserts will be available for a donation.
Celebrate Tolkien Reading Day at the library
Tolkien Reading Day will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Brown County Public Library.
The Tolkien Society organized the event in 2003 to celebrate and promote the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. More information on the society can be found at tolkiensociety.org.
Participants can listen to an audio recording of Christopher Tolkien reading “Of Beren and Luthien.” Bring favorite passages to read, or just come to listen and enjoy an English-style afternoon tea.
For information, call the library at 812-988-2850.
Stone Head preserve work day rescheduled
STONE HEAD — The March FUN (Work) Day at Stone Head Nature Preserve has been rescheduled for about 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26 at the preserve at State Road 135 South and Bellsville Pike.
Volunteers will use loppers and chainsaws to remove saplings from the Zimmerman Wetland Bird Habitat and “paint” the tiny stumps to avoid re-sprouting. They can also work on anchoring the “Troubled Bridge Over Water” at the east end of the wetland.
High-top rubber boots and gloves are recommended; bring something to drink.
Storm spotter training offered in March
COLUMBUS — At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, Bartholomew County Emergency Management will offer a free weather spotter class in the Learning Center auditorium, 4555 Central Ave.
The National Weather Service relies on trained volunteers to supplement radar information during a severe storm or tornado event. Open to the public with no prior registration required, the NWS class will provide information about severe thunderstorm development, identification of important features, safety tips and more.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 812-379-1680.
Exhibit featuring newspaper history to open soon
The Brown County Historical Society will host an event with free pizza and wine tasting to celebrate the opening of a new exhibit about the history of the Brown County Democrat.
The opening reception will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 31 on the second floor of the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St.
Brown County Winery and Big Woods Pizza will provide refreshments. Society member Pete Bullard will demonstrate printing with a 200-plus-year-old printing press.
History Day judges sought for spring contests
The Indiana Historical Society is calling for volunteer judges for the 2017 National History Day in Indiana contests.
Judges are needed for the South Central regional contest at Brown County High School in Nashville on Saturday, April 1; three other regional contests; and state competition at Ivy Tech’s campus downtown in Indianapolis May 6.
More than 5,400 students are expected to participate, creating documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances and websites. “Taking a Stand in History” is this year’s theme.
Volunteer judges will work in teams to evaluate projects, interview students and rank winners. Regional winners will advance to state. The top two entries from each junior and senior category at state are eligible to compete in The Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest in June at the University of Maryland.
Typically, NHDI judges have a background or interest in education, social studies or media. Teachers who volunteer as judges will be eligible for Professional Growth Points.
Sign up to judge at indianahistory.org/historyday. For more information, call 317-232-1882.
Purdue teaching food preservation basics
A workshop to learn the basics of canning and freezing fruits and vegetables will be offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1 at the Brown County Purdue Extension office at the fairgrounds.
For more information or to register, call the extension office at 812-988-5495 or email [email protected] before Monday, March 27.
Get tech help for free at library in April
Anyone with questions about using their phone, e-reader or tablet can come to the Brown County Public Library for two free “help days” in April. Stop by the library with the device between 2 and 4 p.m. Monday, April 3 or 6 and 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20.
To learn more, call the library at 812-988-2850.
Dance barn hosts Dance for the Trees
Mike’s Music & Dance Barn, 2277 State Road 46 West, will host a Barn Dance for the Trees Friday, April 7. The event is presented by the Indiana Forest Alliance and Bloomington Old Time Music & Dance.
A $10 buffet will be served at 6 p.m. and dancing begins at 7 p.m.
Annual Soup Bowl benefit date is April 2
Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen will have its annual Soup Bowl benefit fro 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at The Seasons Lodge in Nashville.
Tickets are $25 and available at the Brown County IGA and from Mother’s Cupboard board members. Tickets also will be sold at the door; children’s tickets are $5.
Guests will receive a unique hand-thrown bowl by Brown County potters and fill those bowls with soups from local restaurants. There will be live music by The Misfits, and unique items in a silent auction, as well.
Mother’s Cupboard provides free hot meals from 4 to 6 p.m. 364 days a year to anyone who asks for food. Last year, more than 47,000 meals were served. 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. The kitchen’s new location is on the Brown County Fairgrounds off Old State Road 46.
Women get pampered at Hope for Hearts fundraiser
BARGERSVILLE — Hope for Hearts Horse Farm will conduct its fifth annual Women’s Extravaganza fundraiser at The Sycamore of Mallow Run, 7070 W. Whiteland Road. The event is free and open to all women from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8.
The benefit consists of a day of pampering for women. It includes free manicures, massages, makeovers, brow waxing, haircuts and styles, shopping with on-site boutiques and vendors, silent auction items, “swag bags” for the first 300 people, “hug a horse,” make-and-take crafts, wine tasting by Mallow Run Winery and food for sale by Jivy’s BBQ.
The event is a fundraiser for women, children, veterans and families that need the Hope for Healing program but can’t afford to pay for it.
Donations to Hope for Hearts Horse Farm, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in Brown County, are tax-deductible.
For more information, visit hopeforheartsfarm.org, email [email protected] or call Lisa at 317-496-0189.
Victorian tea date set at art gallery
The Brown County Art Gallery will host its 23rd annual Victorian tea from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 9.
For $37, the event includes shopping and punch with local vendors at 12:30 p.m.; tea served at 2 p.m.; Debra Slone’s “Thoroughly Modern Addie” exploring women and the vote; favors; a raffle and door prizes.
For required reservations or more information, call the gallery at 812-988-4609.
Register now to be in Spring Blossom Parade
Registrations are being accepted until Saturday, April 15 for the Brown County Lions Club’s Spring Blossom Parade.
The parade will go through downtown Nashville Saturday, May 6 starting at 11 a.m.
The theme, “Reaching for the Stars,” recognizes the 40th anniversary of the first “Star Wars” movie.
There is no entry fee to be in the parade. Registration and waivers are available at the Purdue Extension Office, Brown County Visitors Center and online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/browncounty. Signed waivers will be required from all who will be marching or riding in the parade.
With questions, contact Lion Gene Niednagel at 988-6865 or [email protected].
Practical history sessions for children planned
The Brown County Historical Society’s children’s program, Hands On History, will return this spring, summer and fall.
It will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 14 and Oct. 19. Programs are geared for ages 8 to 12. Registration is required and the fee is $5 per child, per program.
Topics will vary each session. They include pioneer gardens, nature study, early transportation, Native Americans of Brown County, pioneer household chores, one-room school days and harvest.
To volunteer to help with the program, call Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 or email [email protected].
To register online, visit browncountyhistorycenter.org.
Great American clean-up slated in April
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, the local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful will host a Great American Clean-Up at the Village Green Pavilion at Main and Jefferson streets.
It includes live music and free food for volunteers.
Participants can register at 9 a.m. to pick up litter, prepare flower beds, plant, paint curbs or receive another assigned job, rain or shine.
Keep Brown County Beautiful focuses on recycling, reducing litter, beautifying and educating, to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors of Brown County.
To RSVP for the clean-up, email [email protected]. For more information, call Allison Shoaf at 812-988-2211.
Health department offers CPR/AED training
The Brown County Health Department is offering training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. The training is not for businesses.
Class will start at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 28 in the lower-level meeting room of the County Office Building, 201 Locust Lane. It costs $7, which pays for the certification card.
Class size is limited to six; call 812-988-5483 for availability.
Historical society 60th anniversary recognized
The Brown County Historical Society will celebrate its 60th anniversary from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30, with music, refreshments and tours of the Pioneer Village.
The event, at the History Center, 90 E. Gould St., is free and open to the public.
Andy Rogers, the only surviving founding member of the society, will be honored at 2:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall.
Hamilton Creek Bluegrass Band, Zelton Kay on his dulcimer and the Salt Creek String Band will perform. Members of the Brown County Radio Hour will give tours of the recording studio and set appointments for those who would like to record family histories.
The Pioneer Village and Owl Creek Schoolhouse also will open for the season.
For more information, visit browncountyhistorycenter.org or call 812-988-2899.
‘Healing Day’ planned in May
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Laughing Womyn Ashonosheni will host a free “Healing Day” at Owl’s Nest on Owl Creek Road.
No appointments will be scheduled and no session fees charged.
Shamanic healing, crystals, gemstones, chakra clearing, ritual action, releasing karma, past-life clearing and other methods are used. Healers and emerging healers are also welcome to participate and learn.
For more information, visit laughingwomyn.com/events.html or call 812-988-2149.
