State summer cooling credit still available

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority is offering a bill credit for summer cooling costs through Friday, Aug. 25.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program provides a $134 credit to eligible households to use toward their electric bill. Local service providers also have a limited number of air conditioners for people with medical needs.

The Brown County office where program applications can be made is the South Central Community Action Program, 746 Memorial Drive in Nashville. It’s open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed during the noon hour for lunch. The phone number is 812-988-6636.

For more information on program eligibility, visit in.gov/ihcda/2329.htm.

Bean Blossom market open Friday nights

BEAN BLOSSOM — The Bean Blossom Farmers Market takes place in the parking lot of St. David’s Episcopal Church from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays.

Food and artisan good vendors sell fresh produce, crafts, desserts and hot food for dinner, with a place to sit, a playground and a kids’ activity table.

For booth inquiries, contact Sharon Kitchens at [email protected]. To learn more about the market, visit beanblossomfarmersmarket.org or call 812-988-1038.

State park hosts live raptor program

Brown County State Park is hosting live bird shows with representatives from the Indiana Raptor Center through fall.

Starting at 2 p.m., Saturday shows at the Nature Center include each Saturday in July, and Oct. 7, 14 and 21.

Shows at Abe Martin Lodge begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, and Friday, Nov. 24.

The presentations are included with park admission.

Donations to the raptor center are welcome. For more information, call the Nature Center at 812-988-5240.

Monthly magic appearing downtown

“Saturday Night Magic” shows will take place at 6:30 and 8 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Rich Hill’s Magic and Fun Emporium, 75 S. Jefferson in Antique Alley. Aug. 26 is the next show date, with magicians Eric Rose, Obtuse and Rich Hill.

The family-oriented show features close-up magic and humor with different professional magicians each month. Seating is limited to 25 per show.

Tickets are $8 per child younger than 18 and $12 per adult. For advance tickets, visit richhillmagic.com, call 812-720-7029 or stop by the shop.

Summer day camp offered in town

Brown County Parks & Recreation offers a summer day camp for kids in preschool through sixth grade from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 4, excluding holidays.

Registration costs $10 per family. Daily rates are $25 for the first child and $20 for each additional child. Weekly rates are $95 for the first child and $75 for each additional child.

Reduced rates are available for those who qualify for free or reduced lunches through Brown County Schools. For more information or to register, call 812-988-5522.

Practical history sessions for children planned

The Brown County Historical Society’s children’s program, Hands on History, is offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays,  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 vary each session; they include 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.

Two Red Cross blood drives planned

The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now.

The next local donation opportunity will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 28 at the Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow St.

Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 State Road 46 East, will host a blood drive to honor fallen officers from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16.

To schedule an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Chicken dinner fundraiser served by firefighters

VAN BUREN TWP. — Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department, 4040 State Road 135 South, will serve chicken dinners from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Live entertainment will be provided from noon to 2 p.m. by Chris Miller.

For more information, call 812-988-0118.

Talent-packed Vesper service to kick off fair

The Brown County Fair will start with musical performances for the Vesper service from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 30.

Performers, by church they represent, include:

• Greasy Creek Community Church — The Rev. Sim Brock, banjo
• Parkview Church of the Nazarene — Dick Hartung, harmonica
• Spearsville Wesleyan Church — Tim White, Tim and Teresa Brock, vocals and instruments
• Duncan Community Church and Christian Center — The Rev. Andra Smith, solo
• Unity Baptist Church — Quartet and kids choir
• Country Gospel Church — Vocals and instruments
• Heart of Christ Ministries — The Rev. Melissa Duncan, solo
• The Salvation Army — Lt. Kenneth Alip, keyboard, Marty Dwyer, vocals, and Jake Tarter, guitar
• The Bridge of Brown County — Zamar band, vocals and instruments
• Nashville United Methodist Church — Tammera Lane, vocals and instruments
• New Life Community Church — Mel Chance & the Mizfits, with Curtis Moore and Lou Stant, vocals and instruments
• North Salem United Methodist Church — Mark Dunn, music
• The Pentecostals — Quartet and Praise team

Donations sought for humane society sale

The Brown County Humane Society will have its annual Barn Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 10 to 12  It’ll be at the barn at the shelter, 128 State Road 135 South. All proceeds will benefit animals at the shelter.

Donations will be accepted at the barn the week prior to the event: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4 and 5; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, Aug. 6 to 8.

Donations can include almost any gently used item, except clothes and shoes. Books, CDs, furniture, kitchen items, appliances, toys, bikes, decorations and tools are accepted. All donations are tax-deductible.

Large items are also accepted, such as cars, boats, trucks, bedroom suites and high value items. To arrange a donation of those items, contact Megan Gushwa at [email protected].

For more information, visit bchumane.org/barn-sale/.

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, Aug. 12.

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

Legal Aid clinics offered in this district

COLUMBUS — Nonprofit agency Legal Aid provides free legal services and lawyer referrals to low-income residents of District 1, covering Brown and seven other counties in south-central Indiana.

Ten- to 15-minute consultations will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Legal Aid Office, United Way Building, 1531 13th St., Suite G330. Remaining dates of the Monday clinics are: Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Oct. 27 and Dec. 18 (third week due to Christmas).

Consultations are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance registration is needed. For more information, call Kelly Baer at 812-314-2730.

Bluebird nest box kits for sale

The Brown County Bluebird Club is selling cedar bluebird nest boxes for $15 each or two for $25 to raise money for the club. Email Dan Sparks at [email protected] or call 812-200-5700.

Book-a-Librarian service offered

Individuals or small groups can make an appointment with a Brown County Public Library librarian through the free Book-a-Librarian service. Sessions are limited to 30 to 60 minutes and are best used for instruction on how to use the library catalog, databases, digital resources and the Internet. Call 812-988-2850 for an appointment.