New business to host open house
GNAW BONE — An open house with live music, light refreshments and tours of the grounds is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 24 at the Gnaw Bone Creek Trading Post, 5515 State Road 46 East.
A ribbon cutting will take place at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.
For more information, contact the Brown County Chamber of Commerce by email at [email protected] or by phone at 812-988-0234.
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.
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 are offered between 1 and 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 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 sign up or for more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.
‘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 this weekend
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.
Book sale fundraiser planned at Village Green
The Brown County Literacy Coalition will have its annual book sale fundraiser from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27 at the Village Green Pavilion in downtown Nashville. Proceeds will support tutoring of local students and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which sends free books to Brown County children younger than 5.
‘Success defined in Brown County’ at program
Brown County Schools will outline its Ready Schools Initiative grant proposal on Wednesday, May 30 in the Brown County High School cafeteria.
District leaders have been working for months to answer the question, “How is success defined in Brown County?” and to develop a strategy for helping all students achieve “success.” That plan will be the basis of the grant proposal, which BCS will submit to the Regional Opportunities Initiative.
The plan will be outlined during this program from 4 to 6 p.m. All are welcome.
Yard sale planned at elementary school
VAN BUREN TWP. — A yard sale/vendor sale is planned from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 2 at Van Buren 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.
Area ‘cousins reunion’ planned June 2
SPENCER — The 2018 Freeman and Miller “cousins reunion” will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 2 in the Westbrook Shelter at McCormick’s Creek State Park.
The families are rebooting a tradition when descendants of the Rev. John Freeman and Samuel Miller would gather at the park for food and fellowship. Lunch will be served at noon.
For more information and to RSVP, email [email protected].
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.
Homecoming scheduled at Baptist church
HAMBLEN TWP. — Unity Baptist Church, 7361 Spearsville Road, will host its annual homecoming gathering Sunday, June 10.
Worship service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by Sunday school for all ages and a pitch-in dinner at noon. Visitors are welcome and need not provide a dish for the dinner.
For more information, call 812-988-9902.
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.
Native Woodlands Project to offer class series
The Brown County Native Woodlands Project and Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District will offer a series of seven classes this summer focusing on the benefits of conserving native plants and controlling invasive species.
Classes will be taught from 5:30 to 7 p.m., some indoors at the SWCD office on Memorial Drive and some outside.
Tuesday, June 12: Why should I care about native plants?
Tuesday, June 26: Invasive plant species ID (indoor portion)
Tuesday, July 10: Invasive plant species ID (outdoor portion)
Tuesday, July 24: Invasive plant control methods (indoor portion)
Tuesday, Aug. 7: Invasive plant control methods (outdoor portion)
Tuesday, Aug. 21: Native plant alternatives
Saturday, Sept. 8: Graduation, at Nature Daze event
All who enroll and attend five out of six classes and pass a written, take-home test will be certified as Native Plant Stewards and can become a member of the Brown County Native Woodlands Project. To maintain certification, Native Plant Stewards will need to complete 10 hours of volunteer work annually relating to invasive species control or education.
The series costs $30 per person or $50 per household. To register, contact Allison Shoaf at 812-988-2211 or [email protected].
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 children for 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.
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.
