Last week to register for May Spring Blossom Parade
This is the last week to register for the 55th annual Spring Blossom Parade.
Those who miss the Monday, April 16 deadline can still participate by coming to late registration the morning of the parade; however, to be judged, entries must be pre-registered.
Parade day will be Saturday, May 5 in downtown Nashville. All organizations can participate in the event, sponsored since 2003 by the Brown County Lions Club.
While there is no entry fee to be in the parade, signed waiver forms are required from all who participate.
The theme this year is Unity in Diversity to celebrate “who we are as unique individuals and citizens as we come together around shared values.”
Retiring Brown Circuit Court Judge Judy Stewart has been chosen as grand marshal in honor of her service to the community.
Parade registration and waiver forms are available at the Brown County Purdue Extension Office, the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/browncounty.
With questions about registration, contact Lion Gene Niednagel at [email protected] or 812-988-6865.
Attorney general’s office to visit Brown County
The office of Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill will conduct mobile office hours from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 at the Brown County Public Library. Office members will help constituents search the Indiana Unclaimed Property website, discuss the latest scams, and help people file consumer protection complains about businesses.
Paths for People sidewalk highway project meeting
The first official Paths for People committee meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 at the Brown County Public Library, lower-level room C.
The group will discuss plans to place a sidewalk along State Road 46 West between Hawthorne Drive and downtown Nashville, information received from decision-makers so far, and developing a committee for the David Sturgeon Sidewalk Project, which was presented at the Nashville Town Council meeting in February.
Breakfast workshop for businesses to ‘go green’
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce will host a Green Initiative Workshop to show ways in which businesses can become more energy efficient.
The event is planned from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 12 at the Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow St. Breakfast will be provided by McDonald’s.
Speakers will include Phil Stephens from Brown County Solid Waste, Bruce Calloway from Duke Energy’s “Smart Program” and Jeff Goldsberry from Let It Shine Lighting Company.
Everyone is welcome; you don’t have to be a chamber member to attend.
Community band seeks new members of all ages
The Brown County Community Band practices from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays in the band room at Brown County High School. New members, young and old, are welcome.
The first concert this year will be the annual Habitat for Humanity concert at 7:30 p.m. May 5. The next will be the annual Sweetwater Homeowners Association concert June 23. All concert dates are Saturdays.
Library hosts programs on ‘Frankenstein’
The Brown County Public Library will present six programs in April to celebrate this year’s Brown County Reads book, “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley.
Brown County Reads is designed to bring the community together for a discussion about a common book. Copies of the book can be checked out at the library.
Thursday, April 12: 7 p.m., “Crimes Against Humanity? Where Does the Gavel Fall for Morality in Science in ‘Frankenstein,'” a mock trial, with audience members acting as jurors at the end of the presentation.
Friday, April 13: 5:30 p.m., a Frankenstein-themed family movie directed by Tim Burton.
Wednesday, April 18: 2 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m., book discussions, light refreshments served.
Wednesday, April 25: 3 to 5 p.m., “FrankenTeens,” a hands-on toy creation activity led by children’s and teens’ librarian Emmy Champion.
Saturday, April 28: 2 to 4 p.m., “monster crafts” and “it’s alive” science experiments for the family.
For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.
BETA teens planning trip to horse farm
BEAN BLOSSOM — BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association Inc.) will take a field trip to Hope for Hearts horse farm, 1001 W. State Road 45, on Tuesday, April 17. The bus will leave at 3:30 p.m. from the BETA center, 45 S. Jefferson St., and will return by 6 p.m.
All junior high and high school-aged students, including home-schooled teens, are welcome to join. The cost is free to the students and sponsored by BETA.
A release form must be signed and turned in to the junior high or high school offices by Friday, April 13, or on Tuesday, April 17 before the bus leaves. The form can be downloaded from hopeforheartsfarm.org or from BETA’s Facebook page.
With questions, call Clara Stanley (BETA) at 312-310-3617 or Lisa Bowman (Hope for Hearts Farm) at 317-496-0189.
Learn about schoolhouses at Family Heritage Day
The Brown County Historical Society, in collaboration with the Brown County Genealogical Society, will host Brown County Family Heritage Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 14 downstairs in the History Center, 90 E. Gould St.
Brown County’ one-room schools and early high schools will be featured. Images of old schoolhouses and many school class photos will be on display. A research table will be available for those who wish to look up family history. Books will be sold and free handouts will be given.
To reserve a table to display family history, call Rhonda at 812-320-6237 or email [email protected].
Dance barn open Saturdays through April
Mike’s Dance Barn, 2277 State Road 46 West, is open on Saturdays through April.
A cover charge of $8 until 9 p.m. includes dance lessons at 6:30 p.m. and Mike’s house band performing at 7:30 p.m. Food can be purchased from the kitchen.
A dance review with Billy and Carla is planned from 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 21.
Dance lessons for $6 are available Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
For more information, call the dance barn at 812-988-8636.
Local Democrats to host dinner, silent auction
Indiana House Minority Leader Terry Goodin will be the featured speaker at the Brown County Democratic Party’s “Hoosier Blue” dinner. It will be served at The Seasons Conference Center Saturday, April 14.
It will include dinner at 6 p.m. and a silent auction of art, services and goods donated by local artists and businesses.
Tickets cost $25 at the door or can be reserved on the “Brown County Democrats” Facebook page, at facebook.com/groups/141577542521049.
Local poets to speak during National Poetry Month
Brown County poets Andrew Hubbard, Carol Marks and John Sisson will host a poetry reading and conversation about poetry in April, National Poetry Month, at the Brown County Public Library.
A program from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15 will include question-and-answer time; and people from the community are invited to bring a poem of their own to read to the group.
Meet in the lower-level meeting rooms at the library.
For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.
Basic computing class offered at the library
A free basic computing class will be taught by Ryan Ridge from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 in the lower level of the Brown County Public Library.
Whether a person is just starting with a new device or using a computer as a paperweight, this class will teach the ins and outs of basic computing.
With questions, stop in at the library, 205 Locust Lane, or call 812-988-2850.
Reserve for tea and history program at lodge
A lunch program on the history of Brown County will start at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 19 at The Seasons Lodge.
Brown County Historian Diana Biddle will be the speaker. Light soup, chicken salad and egg salad tea sandwiches, ham wraps, cheeses, vegetables, desserts and teas will be served. The cost to attend is $19.95.
To make a reservation, call 800-365-7327.
Register children for Hands on History program
Activities will focus on pioneer gardening during the first Hands on History program this year at the Brown County History Center Thursday, April 19.
April and May programs are designed for homeschooled children, as they take place from 1 to 4 p.m.
On April 19, Alyssa Besser of the Brown County Purdue Extension office will lead children ages 8 to 12 in planting and starting a garden. Watering cans and row markers will be made; popcorn will be popped over the fire in the pioneer cabin.
Participation costs $5 each. Activities take place monthly in the Pioneer Village and the History Center, 90 E. Gould St. Preregistration is required. To register, call Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 or visit browncountyhistorycenter.org for a registration form.
Meet candidates at breakfast April 21
SPEARSVILLE — Voters can meet candidates in the upcoming election at a sausage gravy breakfast April 21 at Hickory Ridge Civic League and Community Center.
The breakfast will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at 2314 Hickory Ridge Lane, off Hornettown Road.
The menu includes biscuits, sausage gravy, fried potatoes, eggs, sausage links, pancakes and drink for $5 per adult and $3 per child age 12 and younger.
Litter clean-up day slated for April 21
Keep Brown County Beautiful will conduct a community clean-up day in two locations beginning at 9 a.m Saturday, April 21.
To participate, meet at either McDonald’s restaurant in Nashville or the Shelterhouse of the Brown County Community Church in Helmsburg.
At both locations, free coffee and breakfast will be provided. Afterward, participants will go in groups to pick up litter from Adopt A Roads, their own road, or roads chosen by KBCB for clean-up.
Gloves, grabbers, vests and trash bags will be available. McDonald’s will allow participants to return litter-filled bags free of charge for disposal.
An affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, KBCB seeks to educate the community about roadside litter and recycling. Projects focus on recycling, beautification, education and reducing litter.
Keep Brown County Beautiful has tentatively scheduled more community clean-up days for July 21 and Nov. 3. Meet-ups will begin at 9 a.m. at McDonald’s, where free coffee will again be provided.
To RSVP, email [email protected]. For more information, call 812-988-0140 or 812-327-9617.
Writers conference planned at History Center
Guest speakers will talk about the business of writing, marketing yourself and your book, and writing for children at a conference in Nashville from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21.
The conference at the History Center, 90 Gould St., costs $35, which includes snacks and drinks. Lunch is on your own downtown. The conference will end with a panel discussion.
For more information, email [email protected]. To register, use [email protected] for PayPal.
Free storm spotter training coming in April
The National Weather Service, partnering with Brown County Emergency Management, will conduct severe storm spotter training from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. The free training will be at the Brown County Ambulance Base, 53 State Road 46 East.
NWS meteorologist Dave Tucek will describe cloud patterns, radar signatures associated with severe weather, how to report severe storms and how to remain safe.
“Volunteers observing and reporting severe weather, then distributed by the NWS and local media, helps lead to increased response and safety of everyone in Brown County,” said Susan Armstrong, director of Brown County Emergency Management.
New Poet Laureate will visit local library
From 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 26, the new Indiana Poet Laureate, Adrian Matejka, will give a poetry reading, followed by a question-and-answer session, at the Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane Refreshments will be served.
Two-day plant sale will aid Friends of the Library
From 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 27 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, native perennial plants and some annuals will be sold on the lower-level patio of the Brown County Public Library.
Proceeds from the annual sale support the Friends of the Library and the Native Woodlands Ravine Project.
Seed share, plant sale, presentations planned
From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 28, SEED Brown County will share heirloom seeds during the annual plant sale at the Brown County Public Library.
On the lower-level patio of the library at 205 Locust Lane, participants can bring their own seeds to share and learn more about SEED Brown County.
From noon to 1:30 p.m. that day, “Seed Stewardship” and “The SEED Brown County Story” will be presented in lower-level Room B of the library. Concepts of seed saving, what it means to “steward seeds,” necessity and why the work is urgent will be covered.
For more information, visit facebook.com/BrownCountySeedProject.
Community skate night planned for April 30
FRANKLIN — The Brown County Intermediate School Partnership Committee will host a Brown County community skate night from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 30 at the Franklin Skate Club, 2680 N. Morton St.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Skaters should wear a school shirt if they have one.
Costs will be $3 per skater and $2 for skate rental. The event will include free face painting by Emily Earnshaw.
For more information, call the Franklin club at 317-738-3775; or with questions, call skate night Chair Dustie Condon at 317-727-5582.
Friday farmers market returns May 4
BEAN BLOSSOM — The Friday farmers market at St. David’s Episcopal Church parking lot will resume on May 4. It will run through Aug. 31.
The market, at state roads 135 North and 45, provides a venue for local farmers to sell fresh produce and meat. It’s open from 4 to 7 p.m. weekly.
It also affords local artisans a place to display and sell handmade creations, and area musicians to showcase their talents. A booth is reserved each week for different nonprofits. The Children’s Garden and Playground offers customers and vendors a safe place for their children to play.
For more information, stop by the market on Fridays or call 812-988-1038.
Fruitdale firefighters plan fish fries, turkey shoot
BEAN BLOSSOM — The Fruitdale Volunteer Fire Company will host fish fries from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on one Saturday each month through Oct. 6.
The fire station is at 5200 State Road 135 North.
Fish fry dates are May 12, June 9, July 7, Aug. 25 and Sept. 8.
The menu will include fish sandwiches, tenderloin sandwiches, french fries, onion rings, baked beans, slaw, desserts and drinks.
A turkey shoot is planned at the fire station on Saturday, April 21. For more information, Call 812-720-0442.
Mother-Daughter tea time planned at Seasons
The Seasons Lodge’s Fireplace Lounge will host a mother-daughter tea on Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dara Delong will present her handmade jewelry. Door prizes will be provided. The menu includes fresh strawberry soup, ham salad on a mini croissant, banana bread, tea sandwiches, white chocolate chips scones with Devonshire cream, rocky road brownies and other treats. The cost is $19.95 per person.
For more information, visit seasonslodge.com or call 800-365-7327.
Historical characters to be presented at the library
A free program about historical Brown County personalities will be presented by Rick Kelley, Lou Ann Mihay and Jeff Tryon at the Brown County Public Library.
The presentation is slated from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20.
With questions, call the library at 812-988-2850.
Bluebird nest boxes for sale this spring
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.
Seed share, plant swap, wild food walk at market
SEED Brown County will provide a mobile seed library for people to get heirloom vegetable seeds for planting at the Sunday, May 20 farmers market at the Brown County Inn.
SEED encourages other people to bring plants and seeds to swap and share at the market, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 51 State Road 46 East.
Plants will be sold through market vendors, so what you don’t swap, you can leave. After the swap, a guided wild food walk will take place.
For a current list of seed varieties, visit seedbrowncounty.org. For upcoming events, visit facebook.com/BrownCountySeedProject.
BCHS Class of ’68 seeks alumni names
The Brown County High School Class of 1968 reunion will be at 6 p.m. Friday, June 22 at Creekside Retreat. An alumni banquet will be served Saturday, June 23 at The Seasons.
Alumni are encouraged to bring old photographs, senior “cords” or other memorabilia.
If anyone has contact information on Sandra Badger, Larry Brown, Philip Fox, Deana Norman, Marilyn Reeves, Vicki Sterret, Sharon Stewart, Christanne Swain Traxler or Mike Waltz, let them know about the class reunion. Send contact information to Steve Bright on Facebook or call him at 812-599-6567, or call June Woods Floyd at 812-391-4189.
After-school activities offered Tuesdays for teens
Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association, or BETA, offers after-school programs from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the BETA Center, 45 S. Jefferson St.
Free, healthy snacks, games, arts and music programs are available to junior high, high school or home-schooled students. Drum lessons are taught from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. by Guy Knaus and free guitar lessons from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. by Nathan Dillon, director of Everybody Rocks.
BETA also offers free tutoring at the junior high from 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays with paraprofessional Sharon Snodgress, and at the high school before school and during hallway time Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with National Honor Society students. Call Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 with questions about tutoring.
For more information, call Guy Knaus at 812-671-5233.
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.
Sheriffs’ Youth Leadership Camp session planned at Waycross
JACKSON TWP. — The 39th annual Indiana Sheriffs’ Association Youth Leadership Camp will include a session at Waycross Episcopal Camp. It will begin with registration from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, July 9 and conclude at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 11.
The camp is for boys and girls who are currently in the seventh or eighth grades and interested in learning more about a possible career in law enforcement.
“The camp provides a meaningful experience and relationship with other campers from throughout the state, as well as sheriff officers who serve as counselors and instructors,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers.
Information and application forms have been mailed to every middle and junior high school counselor in the state.
This is not the same camp as the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Youth Academy, which will be June 4 to 8 at CERAland.
To download an application, visit indianasheriffs.org/youth-leadership-camp.aspx#content.
Register for cardboard boat fundraiser by Sept. 14
SWEETWATER — Brown County Parks and Recreation will host a cardboard regatta competition, Corrugated Chaos, Saturday morning, Sept. 22.
The race will begin at 10:30 or 11 a.m., with sign-in at Sweetwater Beach beforehand.
The challenge is to design and build a boat out of corrugated cardboard, powered by one to four crew members, capable of traversing and racing a 100-yard-long course in the lake.
Awards will be given for most creative design, fastest in the county, as well as “Gilligan” (most likely to leave you stranded) and “Titanic” (most spectacular sinking) awards.
The registration deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14. The cost is $10 per boat entered, or $25 per business.
Proceeds will go toward grounds upkeep and program improvements at parks and rec.
For rules and to register, visit bcparksrec.com/corrugated-chaos-in-brown-county or stop by the parks and rec office, 1001 Deer Run Lane.
Seed-saving demonstration planned at market Oct. 7
Torrie Rae of SEED Brown County and Ben Cohen of Small House Farm in Michigan will present a seed-saving demonstration at the Sunday farmers market Oct. 7.
From noon to 2 p.m. at the Brown County Inn parking lot, 51 State Road 46 East, visitors can get lessons on processing homestead-size seed harvests. Rae and Cohen will share information about the seed library and provide plants and seeds to process. Everyone is encouraged to bring plants and seeds to process from the seeds and plants they received through Brown County SEED earlier in the year.
For more information, visit facebook.com/BrownCountySeedProject.
