Nominate businesses for Chamber’s Beautification awards
Through Thursday, Aug. 31, the Brown County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the second annual Brown County Beautification Awards.
After nominations close, the public will decide the winners, to be announced at the Chamber’s annual meeting Thursday, Feb. 1.
Awards will be given in two categories:
The Landscaping & Flowers Award will recognize creative use of flowers and plantings and well-maintained landscaping.
The Building Design Award will recognize a structure that is well-maintained, appropriate to the neighborhood and enhances the surrounding area.
To make a nomination, visit bcchamber.typeform.com/to/wTMOyc and select the category (landscaping & flowers or building design).
Information needed includes the business name, address and phone, the owner’s name, why the business deserves to win, and your name and email. With all information entered, click the submit button and “Enter” key.
Or upload photos of each nominee at facebook.com/browncountychamberofcommerce/ using the hashtag #beautifybrowncounty and select the category.
Fundraiser, ‘friendraiser’ to aid mission trip
Richard and Lisa Hall, new permanent residents of Brown County, will host a fundraiser and barn sale from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3 at 1743 Helmsburg Road.
Bring lawn chairs and listen to music, shop, buy raffle or 50/50 drawing tickets, enjoy refreshments and the music of Billy Blanchard and a gospel trio, and play cornhole and horseshoes. Jackson Township Fire Department will bring a fire truck and The Chocolate Moose will sell ice cream.
All money raised will go toward Lisa’s trip to South Africa in October to minister to HIV caretakers and orphans through Horizon International and Women of Worth. Parking will be available on Owl Creek Road.
To learn more about the ministry, visit horizoninternationalinc.com.
Farmers 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.
Live music is provided. 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.
Food management certification class offered
The next ServSafe Food Managers class will begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 30 and 31. Offered by the Brown County Health Department, classes are conducted on the second floor of the County Office Building, 201 Locust Lane.
The first day, class ends at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. The second day, class ends with a certification test given at noon after the class, to end at 2:30 p.m.
The course will be based on the seventh edition of the ServSafe Food Manager’s Text. Participants who have the previous (sixth) edition can use it; updates will be provided to make the text current.
All together — classes, text and test — the cost is $125. If just the test is needed, participants can audit the class for $50.
To register, contact the health department between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at 812-988-2255.
Red Cross faces blood shortage
The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and has issued an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types.
As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard.
To schedule an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Vendors, donors, volunteers wanted at ox roast
CORDRY-SWEETWATER — The Cordry Sweetwater Lot Owners Association, 8751 Nineveh Road, will host an ox roast from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2.
The festival will include food, games, vendors, music, bounce house, balloon animals, raffle and a silent auction.
The band 9 O’Clock Curfew will perform from 3 to 5 p.m.
To volunteer, email Mitzy at [email protected] or call 317-333-3726. To be a vendor or to donate items for the silent auction, email Elaina Deiner at elaina_deiner@yahoo. com or call 317-719-6128. For more information, visit cordrysweetwater.org.
State park hosts live raptor programs in fall
Brown County State Park will host live bird shows with representatives from the Indiana Raptor Center through fall.
Shows at Abe Martin Lodge begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, and Friday, Nov. 24.
Starting at 2 p.m., Saturday shows at the Nature Center include Oct. 7, 14 and 21.
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.
Call in to request housing vouchers on Sept. 8
On Friday, Sept. 8, the South Central Community Action Program will accept applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) waiting list for Brown County and Owen County.
Application requests will be taken by phone only from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 8. The number is 812-375-2216. Only the first 200 requests will be accepted. No calls will be taken after 4 p.m.
Applications that are returned by the due date (which hasn’t been announced yet) will be placed on a waiting list based on the preferences claimed, then by time and date the application is received. Being placed on the waiting list does not guarantee that applicants will qualify for assistance.
With questions, call 812-339-3447 ext. 701.
Community band beginning rehearsals
Brown County Community Band rehearsals began in mid-August. They take place on Thursdays at Brown County High School from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The first concert of the season is Saturday, Oct. 7.
The new director is Shawn Bentz; he directs, arranges music and plays in the Columbus City Band.
New band members are welcome. Call or text Phyllis Sindlinger for more information at 812-340-4440.
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, Sept. 9.
Served the second Saturday of each month, the menu includes biscuits and gravy, rolls, eggs and more.
Learn about land management at Nature Daze
The Brown County Native Woodlands Project will host its annual Nature Daze from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. The free event for landowners will meet at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa, 2230 Clay Lick Road.
Activities include interpretive hikes, a free picnic-style barbecue lunch, children’s day-long activities, native plant sale, door prizes, chainsaw safety information by state forester Derrick Potts, and guest speakers encouraging property management to ensure healthy native habitat.
Speakers include Will Drews with the Knox County Soil & Water
District, state park naturalist Patrick Haulter, Brent Luttrell with South Central REMC, Kris Medic with the Bartholomew County Purdue Extension, Torrie Birkemeier with SEED Brown County, and Dan Shaver with The Nature Conservancy’s Brown County Hills Project.
To sign up or get more information, visit bcnwp.org, email [email protected], or call 812-988-2211.
Patriot Day Walk planned to remember 9/11
MORGANTOWN — To commemorate the 16th anniversary of 9/11 and Patriot Day, Meredith-Clark Funeral Home will sponsor a Remember 9/11 Patriot Walk to honor those who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001. It will also pay tribute to those who defend and protect our nation.
Morgan, Brown and Johnson county communities are welcome to participate in the walk, which begins and ends on the lawn of Meredith-Clark Funeral Home, 179 E. Mulberry St.
The opening ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11.
During the morning walk, four stops will be made based on events that transpired that day. Stops include words of reflection followed by a moment of silence and lowering of the American flag to half-staff.
After the walk, baked goods and refreshments will be served at the funeral home.
For more information, call the funeral home at 812-597-4670.
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, Sept. 14 and Oct. 19. Programs are geared for ages 8 to 12.
Topics for remaining sessions are one-room school days (Sept. 14); and harvest (Oct. 19).
Registration is required, and the fee is $5 per child, per program.
To volunteer to help with the program, call Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 or email [email protected]. To register online, visit browncountyhistorycenter.org.
Applications open for conservation mini-grants
The Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting applications for grants up to $3,500 for projects that enhance or educate people about natural resources and/or water quality.
Grants will be awarded to private landowners and local organizations on a first-come, first-served basis with costs shared 50/50. Plans for the project should be included with the application.
Applications are due by Friday, Sept. 22. Those who qualify will be asked to present proposals to the BCSWCD board. After all presentations, the board will determine the impact of each project on the county’s natural resources.
Best management practices that control erosion, enhance water quality, positively impact the land or otherwise improve natural resources are good choices for consideration.
For an application, email [email protected] or stop by the office, 802 Memorial Drive (shared with the Brown County Purdue Extension) at the fairgrounds. With questions, call the office at 812-988-2211.
Vendors, volunteers sought for BucCornEar festival
HELMSBURG — Jackson Township Fire Department, 4831 Helmsburg Road, will host its sixth annual BucCornEar Festival from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.
Vendors are needed, including home-based businesses, volunteer groups, service organizations and activity providers. The fee is $20 for at 10-by-10-foot area. No food vendors are allowed.
No admission is charged to the family-friendly event, which celebrates pirates, popcorn and fire prevention while raising money for the volunteer fire department’s community education and training programs.
Firefighters will be on hand in pirate attire, and photo ops to meet Smoky Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog will also be available. A live power line demonstration and house burn are also planned. Carnival games, contests and challenges will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Biscuits and gravy will be sold from 8 to 10 a.m., plus hot dogs and coney dogs, pulled pork, baked beans, cheesy macaroni, assorted chips, drinks and ice cream.
For those interested in volunteering at the festival, a training session is slated at 6 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 20. If unable to attend, inform a JTFD member, stop by or call the station at 812-988-6201.
For vendor applications, call the station at 812-988-6201, email [email protected], or visit facebook.com/jtfd5inc.
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. Sept. 23 is the next show date, featuring magicians Daniel Lee, Crystal James and Rich Hill.
The family-oriented show features close-up magic and humor with different professional magicians each month. Seating is limited to 25.
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.
History Center, Pioneer Village host fall gathering
The Fall Gathering at the Brown County History Center and Pioneer Village will include demonstrations such as blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, music, rope making, quilting, hearthside cooking and candle dipping. They’ll take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at the village in downtown Nashville.
A rock and mineral show will be set up in the History Center on Gould Street at the same time.
Chocolate walk to benefit animal shelter
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, the Brown County Humane Society will conduct its annual Chocolate Walk downtown.
Get tickets online in advance at bchumane.org.
Craft, antique bazaar planned at History Center
The third annual Abe Martin Village Bazaar is planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. It’s hosted by the Brown County Historical Society.
Items will include ceramics, art, gifts, antiques and other goods.
Free legal clinic planned at public library
Legal Aid, a nonprofit agency, will host a free legal aid clinic from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Brown County Public Library.
People who attend will receive a 10-minute consultation to answer general questions, offer legal information or to receive other limited assistance or advice. There is no need to register in advance.
Legal Aid provides free civil legal services, lawyer referrals and domestic violence-related legal representation to low-income individuals in Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Rush and Shelby counties.
With questions, contact Legal Aid staff attorney/referral director Kelly Baer at 812-314-2720.
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.
