Community calendar for week of May 15

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.

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 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.

Register for workshop at visitors bureau

Marketing professionals will teach how to use social media to promote art, art businesses and events during a free workshop Thursday, May 17 at the Brown County Visitors Center, 211 S. Van Buren St.

Refreshments will be served at 5:15 p.m. and the program will begin at 5:30 p.m. The event is geared toward artists and galleries and is co-sponsored by the Nashville Arts and Entertainment Commission, Art Alliance Brown County and the CVB. The public is welcome.

The workshop will be led by Brooke Weichselfelder from the CVB and Chuck Wills of the NAEC. Wills is a musician and event producer and promoter. He owns a technology consulting firm that builds applications and websites and provides social media training to nonprofit organizations. Weichselfelder manages social media, website and mobile applications for the CVB.

Participants can bring their devices to the workshop. To register, visit browncounty.com/workshop.

All welcome at chamber barbecue 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.

Pancake breakfast will be served May 19

The Brown County Junior High School administrators will serve breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19 at the junior high school, 95 Schoolhouse Lane.

The breakfast will include unlimited pancakes and sausages for $7 per person or $20 per family (two adults and children). Proceeds will go to the BCJHS Student Activity Fund. The event will include musical performances and a silent art auction by junior high students.

With questions, email [email protected] or call Amanda Grider at 812-344-9763.

Hamblen firefighters serve fish fry this Saturday

GATESVILLE — The Hamblen Volunteer Fire Department will host a fish fry from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 19, Armed Forces Day.

The fire station is at 4650 Sweetwater Trail.

In honor of Armed Forces Day, a discount will be given to all veterans and members of the military.

An all-you-can-eat fish filet meal is available for dine-in only.

Blood drive planned at Masons Lodge

The Nashville Masons will host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at the lodge, 19 Artist Drive.

The drive is sponsored by the Indiana Blood Center. All donations stay in Indiana.

Donors can make an appointment or just show up. To schedule an appointment, call Kevin at 574-242-0604.

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.

Bingo for charity 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.

Ministry to celebrate grand opening May 20

GNAW BONE — Heart of Christ Ministries, 5181 State Road 46 East, will celebrate its grand opening Sunday, May 20 with a fellowship dinner after the 10 a.m. service. All are welcome. The ministry is in the former Country Gospel Church building.

New service times are 10 a.m. Sundays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and 6:30 p.m. Mondays for men’s and women’s Bible studies.

For more information, call 812-350-6792.

Seed share, plant swap, wild food walk set

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.

Dawg Gone Walk returns to Deer Run Park

The Brown County Humane Society’s Dawg Gone Walk & Fiesta will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20 at Deer Run Park. This is one of the biggest fundraisers for the local humane society shelter.

A variety of contests will be offered to dog participants, along with the walk.

The cost is $15 per dog if registered before May 15 or $20 afterward. Visit bchumane.org for more information.

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.

Workers needed for cemetery cleanup May 21

A cemetery clean-up day is planned at 10 a.m. Monday, May 21 at Southview Cemetery, on a hill just north of town at Jackson Branch and Jackson Branch Ridge roads.

Workers with shovels, pruners, weed-eaters, buckets, water and soft-bristle brushes to clean stones are needed. Call the Brown County Cemetery Preservation Society for more information at 812-320-6237.

Free program planned for senior caregivers

Thrive Alliance will host a free program for caregivers from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 22 at the Brown County Public Library.

Free care for loved ones will be provided by Just Friends staff.

Program topics will include “Caregiving with Dignity” and “Caring for the Caregiver” by Gary Goshorn; “Continuum of Care: Why pays for what and when does that happen” by Kimberly Self; and a discussion about forming a monthly support group.

Door prizes will be given by Brown County Health & Living Community.

RSVP by Friday, May 18 to 812-372-6918 or [email protected].

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.

‘Meet, Greet and Eat’ at Helmsburg shelterhouse

HELMSBURG — The Helmsburg Community Development Corporation will host a “Meet, Greet and Eat” cookout from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 24 at the Brown County Community Church shelterhouse.

“It’s an open invitation for anyone in Brown County to come meet their neighbors here in Helmsburg,” said Director of Community Relations Allison O’Shea.

Meat and drinks will be provided. Bring a dish or snacks to share.

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 preorder, email [email protected] by Thursday, May 24.

Bean Blossom farmers market starts May 25

BEAN BLOSSOM — On Friday, May 25, the Bean Blossom Farmers Market will open for its sixth season from 4 to 7 p.m. The market will continue Fridays through Aug. 21 at St. David’s Episcopal Church parking lot at the corner of state roads 135 North and 45.

On opening day, Helmsburg fourth-grade students will share native plants from a yearlong project in which they prepared the soil, planted seeds, and grew plants in a pollinator garden. SEED Brown County will share seeds and knowledge of growing in the Outreach Community Service booth. Reusable market shopping bags will be given to the first 70 customers.

Opening day music will feature Don Ford and Joe Bolinger of the Indiana Boys. St. David’s Café will be open with guest chef, Kyle Dahncke, for dining indoors or out on the Gathering Place deck.

The market is still seeking growers, producers, gardeners, artists, crafters and music makers to be vendors, and market volunteers for setup and parking, hosting and closing. For more information, visit BeanBlossomFarmersMarket.com or call 812-988-1038, or call market coordinator Donna Niednagel at 812-272-9254.

Yard sale planned at Van Buren Elementary

VAN BUREN TWP. — A yard sale/vendor sale 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.

Respond by June 1 for class of 1978 reunion

A 40-year class reunion for the Brown County High School class of 1978 is planned from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 at Salt Creek Golf Retreat, 2359 State Road 46 East.

Send checks for $27 per person made to “Salt Creek Golf Retreat” to Nancy Miller, 559 Sunset Lane, Nashville, IN 47448, by June 1. This will cover the cost of the room, hors d’oeuvres buffet, bartender for cash bar, tables, chairs, etc. Once Miller has a head count, the hors d’oeuvres buffet can be determined.

Updates will be posted to Facebook at “Brown County High School Class of 1978.”

Pioneer Women’s Club to host quilt show in June

The Pioneer Women’s Club is preparing for its annual quilt show, June 1 through 3 at the Brown County History Center.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. The cafe will open at 10:30 a.m. with soup, sandwiches, sides, homemade pies, cookies and brownies available.

Quilts can be entered in 11 different categories.

Members of the club will have demonstrations in quilting, weaving, spinning, and sewing. Besides live music, a raffle, quilts and demonstrations, gift shops and vendors will have merchandise available.

Admission is $5 per person or free for children 12 and younger.

The club meets each Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St.

Radio show about Brown County airs regularly

“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. The next shows will air June 3 and 6.

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

Register for summer day camp at the Y

The Brown County Community YMCA will offer summer day camp on weekdays June 4  to 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 day camp information, stop in at the Y on Willow Street or visit browncountyymca.org.

Cemetery group annual meeting slated June 10

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

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 Monday, June 18 to Thursday, June 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.

Register for Bean Blossom’s VBS in June

BEAN BLOSSOM — Bean Blossom Community Church will host vacation Bible school from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 18 to Friday, June 22.

The theme for VBS is “Shipwrecked.” The church is located at 5046 State Road 135 North.

Parents can pre-register children 4 to 12 years by visiting beanblossomchurch.com/vbs.

With questions, call church Outreach Director Jessica Miller at 208-290-2406.

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.

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].

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.

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.