Free photography course offered
Ryan Ridge will present basics of photography for phone and digital single-lens reflex (D-SLR) cameras from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Brown County Public Library.
He will offer tips to help take better photos and methods to manage and store pictures. The course is free and open to the public.
With questions, call the library at 812-988-2850.
RSVP for Ag Day breakfast by Jan. 23
Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 for the annual Brown County Ag Day Breakfast in the Exhibit Building at the 4-H fairgrounds, 802 Memorial Drive.
The program at 9 a.m. will feature Kevin Baird from the Indiana Department of Agriculture talking about developing an agritourism destination. The breakfast celebrating the work of local farmers will be served by Brown County 4-H Junior Leaders.
To RSVP, email [email protected] or call 812-988-2211 by Wednesday, Jan. 23.
Fourth Wednesday discussion group topics set
“Creativity: How creative outlets enhance one’s life” will be the topic when the adult fourth Wednesday discussion group meets at 1 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Brown County Public Library.
The group meets each month for about 90 minutes to discuss pre-selected topics designed to foster conversation, companionship and laughter.
Future topics slated are: “Hope for the best; prepare for the worst, continuing discussions on emergency preparedness” for Feb. 27 and “Reflection: A discussion of how personal and societal expectations have changed from generation to generation” for March 27.
For more information, stop by the library at 205 Locust Lane or call 812-988-2850.
Food pantry will be open this Sunday
HAMBLEN TWP. — Sprunica Baptist Church’s food pantry will be open from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3902 Sprunica Road, just up from the elementary school.
Chamber of commerce meeting tickets available
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 31 at The Seasons Lodge, 560 State Road 46 East.
Socializing will begin at 5 p.m.; the program will start at 6 p.m. The event includes a cash bar and door prizes.
For $35 per person, guests can attend the annual program/dinner, meet new people, and network to enhance business and make connections.
A retrospective of the past year will be offered as well as a look forward to 2019, “the year of marketing.” Some local businesses will be recognized with awards. The keynote speaker will be John Armstrong, executive vice president and group leader for ICF Olson, recently rebranded as ICF Next.
Armstrong is a former North American leader for IBM iX, IBM’s global digital agency. He leads a team of more than 700 whose work requires understanding of industry, behavioral insight, creativity, design and technology — all focused on helping brands thrive in the new economy.
Komedy Spelling Bea, chili supper date set
Psi Iota Xi’s annual Komedy Spelling Bea and Celebrity Chili Cookoff will take place Saturday, Feb. 2 at Brown County High School. In case of bad weather, it will be rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 9.
The chili supper and a silent auction will start at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria area and the “bea” will start at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family, including guardians and dependents 18 and younger.
Diners are able to vote for their favorite chili by making donations to Psi Iota Xi. All proceeds will benefit Brown County scholarships and local music, art, literature and speech and hearing needs.
For more information, call 812-597-4959 or 812-345-1570.
BETA to visit horse farm in Bean Blossom
BEAN BLOSSOM — BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association) will travel by bus to Hope for Hearts Horse Farm in the Bean Blossom area from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5.
Any teenager is welcome to join and must complete a permission slip and waiver to go on the trip. Parents and guardians of fifth- and sixth-grade students are also welcome with a completed waiver. Forms are available at BETA sessions from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays at 175 N. Jefferson St., or at the junior high or high school offices.
For more information, contact Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 or at [email protected]. Parents can also contact the owner of the farm, Lisa Bowman, directly at (email) [email protected] or 317-496-0189.
Volunteers sought to help ‘fix up’ teen center
From noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 6 and 7, volunteers are welcome to help do outdoor work, repairs, painting, add shelves and do other projects to improve the new BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association) Center at 175 S. Jefferson St.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided. For more information, stop by the center across from The Salvation Army church, or contact Clara Stanley at [email protected] or 312-310-3617.
Maple syrup festival coming to county March 2
STORY — Story Inn will host the National Maple Syrup Festival Saturday, March 2.
Events will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. featuring Native American, early French American and modern day sugaring demonstrations; Indiana artisans; local beer, wine and maple, food and spirits sampling; local music and food trucks.
Story Inn will serve a made-from-scratch, all-you-can-eat pancake buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $5 per person.
Festival gates will open at noon and all booths will close at 5 p.m. Parking is free.
After the festival, a four-course maple dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in the restaurant. Every course will include an adult beverage and Tim Burton will talk about “all things maple.”
For more information or reservations, call the inn at 811-988-2273.
Donate items for silent auction to benefit BETA
BETA (Brown County Enrichments for Teens Association Inc.) is looking for donated items for a silent auction at the Brown County Youth Music Showcase.
The showcase, featuring local youth musicians, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Brown County Playhouse. The concert also benefits BETA.
Auction donations can be dropped off at Farmers Insurance/Christina McGinley Agency, 145 S. Jefferson St., on weekdays. For more information, contact Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 or [email protected].
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.
Local game convention planned in spring
BroCoCon, Brown County’s first game convention, is planned from Friday to Sunday, March 29 to 31 at the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46 East.
The event, hosted by The Toy Chest is intended to be family- and adult-friendly; adults are welcome with or without children.
The convention will include booths set up by category and vendor to learn, play and/or buy games, with popular strategy, family, party and toddler games available.
Game instruction will be provided, with time to learn and play new games, get instruction on strategy games, participate in a scavenger hunt around town and enjoy a 21-and-older after-party, as well as other activities.
BroCoCon tickets cost $10 per adult and $5 per child, with 2 and younger admitted free. The adult after-party, $10, includes a drink ticket. Fees of about $1.50 per ticket will be added.
For more information, visit BroCoCon on Facebook, stop by The Toy Chest, 125 S. Van Buren St., or call 812-988-2817.
History programs for children slated
The Hands on History program, for children ages 8 to 12, is slated monthly on Thursdays in 2019 at the Brown County History Center as follows: April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 29 and Oct. 24.
The program enables children to engage in many of the day-to-day activities experienced by children living in pioneer times. Activities take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Pioneer Village and the History Center, 90 E. Gould St.
Participation costs $5 each. To register, call Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 or visit browncountyhistorycenter.org for a registration form.
