Junior high spring concert slated Tuesday

The Brown County Junior High band and choir will perform a spring concert, “Music Around the World,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 8 in the Brown County High School auditorium.

Admission is $4 per adult and $1 per student.

Republican Party to gather on election night

The Brown County Republican Party will gather to view primary election returns starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 8 at The Seasons Conference Center.

Appetizers, lemonade and iced tea will be served. A cash bar will be available.

Admission is $5 per person. Poll workers get in free with credentials.

Program on trees after free senior lunch

MORGANTOWN — Retired Extension Educator Chris Parker will talk about the benefits of trees and how they relate to our homes after a free senior lunch at noon Wednesday, May 9 at the Morgantown Community Center, 269 W. Washington St. All seniors are welcome.

For more information or to RSVP for the free lunch at noon, call Richard Wells at 812-597-5187.

Radio show about Brown County airs this week

“The Brown County Hour” airs the first Sunday of every month at 9 a.m. on WFHB (91.3 or 100.7), and the following Wednesday at 6 p.m. This month’s show will run again May 9.

Listen to the show at BrownCountyHour.com or by liking the show on Facebook.

Sign up for classes, register for day camp at the Y

Session 4 classes at the Brown County Community YMCA will begin Monday, May 14 and run through Sunday, June 24.

Summer day camp registration is also open. Day camp will begin June 4 and run through Wednesday, Aug. 8. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year, campers will be split into two groups, one for ages 3 to 5 and the other for children in kindergarten through the sixth grade. The first 40 families to register will receive a free YMCA swim bag.

For a complete list of classes and day camp information, stop in at the Y on Willow Street or visit browncountyymca.org.

Get virtual reality experience at the library

The HTC Vive virtual reality kit is available at the Brown County Public Library for a limited time through the Indiana State Library.

Participants can sign up for 30-minute sessions or longer. Sessions will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, May 10-12, May 17-19 and May 24-26.

Experiences include Google Earth; VR Museum of Fine Art; “Buzz Aldrin, Cycling Pathways to Mars”; “Waltz of the Wizard” and other games.

To register or for more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.

Gospel sing open mic every other Thursday

Green Valley Apostolic Church will host an open mic gospel sing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10. All are welcome to come listen and bring a song or two. The church is at 385 S. Green Valley Church Road off State Road 46 West. For more information, call Pastor Paul at 812-720-1291.

Community band accepting new members

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 next concert will be the annual Sweetwater Homeowner’s Association concert June 23. All concert dates are Saturdays.

For more information, email Rhett at [email protected] or Shawn at [email protected].

Free spaghetti dinner for community set Friday

SPRUNICA — A free community spaghetti dinner will be served from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 11 at Sprunica Baptist Church, 3902 Sprunica Road.

The menu includes spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad, dessert and beverages (coffee, tea and lemonade). All are welcome.

For more information, call 812-327-8473.

Pancake breakfast will be served May 12

The Brown County Lions Club will serve breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12 at the Parkview Church Annex, 1750 State Road 46 East across from the state park.

The breakfast includes pancakes or biscuits and gravy for a donation of $4 per child (11 and younger) and $7 per adult at the door. Proceeds will fund local community projects.

Adult tickets are available in advance for $6 each from any Lion, or at Carmel Corn Cottage on North Van Buren Street.

4-H craft fair planned this Saturday

The Brown County 4-H Craft Fair will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at the Brown County Fairgrounds on Memorial Drive. The fair will have more than 50 booths and vendors. Admission is free.

For more information, call 812-988-5495.

Cemetery clean-up planned this Saturday

TREVLAC — The Bear Creek Cemetery group will conduct a spring cleanup at 9 a.m. Saturday May 12. In case of bad weather, the make-up day is Saturday, May 19.

The Bear Creek Cemetery annual meeting will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 10 at the cemetery.

Pioneer Village, History Center host Spring Gathering

Demonstrations and family-friendly activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at the History Center and Pioneer Village for the historical society’s Spring Gathering.

Quilting and weaving demonstrations will be given at the History Center, 90 E. Gould St. The one-room school will be the site of children’s activities. The Pioneer Village nearby will include music by the Salt Creek String Band, Jim Jesse and assistant John working in the blacksmith’s shop, cooking in the village cabin, rope- and candle-making, and processing and spinning flax that was grown last year in the village. In case of foul weather, activities will move indoors.

While all events are free and open to the public, donations are welcome.

Fruitdale firefighters serve fish fry this Saturday

BEAN BLOSSOM — The Fruitdale Volunteer Fire Company will host a fish fry from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12.

The fire station is at 5200 State Road 135 North.

The menu includes fish sandwiches, tenderloin sandwiches, french fries, onion rings, baked beans, slaw, desserts and drinks.

Remaining fish fry dates are June 9, July 7, Aug. 25 and Sept. 8 and Oct. 6.

For more information, call 812-720-0442.

Giving Dinner to raise money for Playhouse

A Brown County Community Foundation Giving Dinner on Wednesday, May 16 will aid the Brown County Playhouse.

The dinner, sponsored by Brozinni Pizzeria and Big Woods Brewing Co., will take place at the Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St. It starts at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. A murder-mystery dinner theater will be presented by The Dinner Detective.

Giving Dinners raise money for community causes and organizations. Diners give a freewill donation. Tickets are limited to the first 100 RSVPs. Make a reservation by May 10 by calling 812-988-4882 or emailing [email protected].

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.

Chamber barbecue will be at retreat May 17

The Brown County Chamber of Commerce will host a Connections BBQ Bash from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at Creekside Retreat, 2450 State Road 46 East.

The event will include a pitch-in picnic with barbecue provided by Big Jim’s BBQ and Catering, ice cream from The Chocolate Moose, a cash bar, entertainment by Frank Jones and business-card drawing for door prizes.

Guests are requested to bring a side dish to share and a business card to enter the prize drawing.

IU students to give program on county finances

Graduate students from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) master’s in public administration (MPA) program will be provide a presentation on a prototype for a Brown County “financial decision and support model” on Friday, May 18. It will start at 6 p.m. in the County Office Building’s Salmon Room.

This model forecasts revenue and expenditure and estimates the effects of changes that the tax structure will have. The first step is developing a forecast model for Brown County’s two largest revenue sources: local income tax and property tax.

This project builds on the recommendations from an analysis conducted by a 2017 graduate SPEA/MPA class. It was supported by the Brown County Redevelopment Commission and community members Tim Clark and Brandon Harris.

Craft demonstrations taking place downtown

In celebration of its 40th year as an artist-owned and -run co-op, the Brown County Craft Gallery will have artists demonstrating their crafts on the Brown County Courthouse lawn on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20.

Demos between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. will include a spinning wheel, pottery wheel, metalworking, gourd art and others.

At the same time, the craft gallery at 58 E. Main St. will have an open house with refreshments. All are welcome.

Nature Awareness Weekend at nature preserve

STONE HEAD — The Stone Head Conservancy will sponsor a two days of expert-led nature tours on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20.

The tours will take place at the Stone Head Nature Preserve at State Road 135 South and Bellsville Pike.

More details can be found at stoneheadconservancy.wordpress.com or by visiting the Stone Head Conservancy Facebook page.

Bingo at Van Buren Elementary

VAN BUREN TWP. — Van Buren Elementary PTO will host a charity bingo night Saturday, May 19 at the elementary school, 4045 State Road 135 South. Doors open at 5 p.m.; games run from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be sold.

Proceeds will go toward resurfacing the school playground.

Bean Blossom farmers market starts May 25

BEAN BLOSSOM — The Friday farmers market at St. David’s Episcopal Church parking lot opens May 25 and runs through Aug. 31.

The market, at state roads 135 North and 45, is open from 4 to 7 p.m.

Local artisans can display and sell handmade creations, and area musicians can 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 or call 812-988-1038.

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.

Historical characters 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.

Food managers certification class offered in May

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 22 and 23, a food manager certification class will be taught at the County Office Building, 201 N. Locust Lane. The Tuesday session will end at 12:30 p.m. and the Wednesday session will finish at 2:30 p.m.

All businesses serving food, except nonprofits, are required to have a certified food manager on staff. Certification is good for five years.

The class costs $125, which includes the book and test. The book should be picked up at the health department to study in advance. To take the test only, the cost is $50.

For more information, reservations or to pick up the book, call the health department at 812-988-2255 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

Mushroom sale for charities planned in May

The 21st annual Howard Hughes Memorial Morel Mushroom Sale is planned from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. or until sold out Friday and Saturday, May 25 and 26 in the Brown County IGA parking lot off Hawthorne Drive.

Proceeds benefit Brown County charities. The mushrooms will cost $50 per pound and can be paid by cash, check or credit card. Checks can be made payable to the Brown County Community Foundation.

To pre-order, email [email protected] by Thursday, May 24.

Vendors can reserve for yard sale at elementary school

VAN BUREN TWP. — A yard sale/vendor sale sponsored by Van Buren Elementary PTO is planned from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 2 at the elementary school, 4045 State Road 135 South.

Vendors can reserve a 10-by-10-foot space with a table and two chairs for $25. Proceeds will go toward resurfacing the school playground.

To reserve a space, call or text Maggie at 765-717-2260.

BETA continues free teen guitar sessions

Free guitar lessons taught by Nathan Dillon, director of Everybody Rocks, are offered from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association) Center.

The BETA Center is open from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays during the school year upstairs at 45 S. Jefferson St. The center provides a safe, nurturing place for junior high- and high school-aged teens. With questions, call Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617.

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.

Nissan Z car show planned at lodge in June

A gathering of Nissan Z car enthusiasts is planned for Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16 at the Seasons Lodge.

The event, hosted by the Indy Z Car Club, will begin with check in Friday afternoon, followed by a “wash ‘n shine” and social gathering in the evening. A judged car show will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, followed by cruising in the afternoon and an awards dinner that evening.

Spectators are welcome to attend free of charge. Car entry costs $20.

For more information, visit MidwestZHeritage.com or call Dale Wilson at 317-839-7457.

Register for confidence-building day camp

BEAN BLOSSOM — Children 8 to 12 years can participate in a four-day summer camp with horses to build confidence and self-esteem. The Confident Kids Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily June 18 to 21 at Hope For Hearts Horse Farm, 1005 State Road 45.

Non-riding activities with horses, devotionals, games and crafts will give campers experience with farm life and are designed to build confidence in “who they are as unique individuals.”

The camp costs $160 for all four days. To register, email Lisa Bowman at [email protected] or call her at 317-496-0189.

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.

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 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.

Litter clean-up days slated for July, November

Keep Brown County Beautiful has tentatively scheduled 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 be provided.

Gloves, grabbers, vests and trash bags will be available.

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.

For more information, call 812-988-0140 or 812-327-9617.

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.