Community garden plots available for rental
Community garden plots at Deer Run Park in Nashville are available for this growing season. Prices range from $25 to $35 for the year. For more information, call the Brown County Parks and Recreation office at 812-988-5522.
Consult with a lawyer for free at library
The Brown County Public Library will host Talk to a Lawyer Day between 3 and 5 p.m. Tuesdays, March 5 and June 4. Local attorneys volunteer to give short, confidential, free legal consultations, sponsored by Legal Aid District 11.
Free consultations are also available from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays, March 25 and April 22 at the Legal Aid Office in Columbus.
For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850 or Legal Aid Office in Bartholomew County at 812-314-2722.
Horse farm hosting Moms Night Out
BEAN BLOSSOM — The next Moms Night Out will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 at Hope For Hearts Horse Farm, 1005 State Road 45.
The farm offers a time of fellowship with dessert, coffee, a non-riding horse activity and devotions/prayers to help women grow as moms.
Although attendance is free, donations are welcome. To register, contact [email protected] or call 317-496-0189.
‘Makerspace’ open house set at junior high
The community is invited to check out the new “collaboration lab” and “makerspace” at Brown County Junior High School, 95 Schoolhouse Lane, next month. An open house will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5. Refreshments will be served.
Brown County Schools recently received a Ready Schools grant, and $100,000 of that grant was allocated for the creation of this space at the junior high.
With questions, call 812-988-6605 or email junior high Principal Brian Garman at [email protected].
Ash Wednesday activities planned in Morgantown
MORGANTOWN — Morgantown United Methodist Church will host an “interactive Ash Wednesday Experience” between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6. This date marks the beginning of Lent, a time for Christians to prepare their hearts for Easter.
The church’s activity room/gym will be open for guests to spend a self-chosen amount of time in prayer, personal worship activities and a variety of “activity stations.” The Rev. Ann Spahr will do the imposition of ashes for those who wish to receive them.
Morgantown UMC is on the northeast corner of State Road 135 (Washington Street) and Church Street. All are welcome.
Ash Wednesday, Lenten schedule slated at Catholic church
An Ash Wednesday service, mass and ashes will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1008 McLary Road.
The church will also have morning prayer at 8 a.m. Monday thru Friday.
Stations of the Cross will be available at 5:30 p.m. Fridays, March 9 through April 12 at the church.
Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. guests can pray the Rosary at the church.
Information: catholicmasstime.org/church/st-agnes-church/5332 or 812-988-2778.
River revival is subject of conservation program
The Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual meeting will start at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St. The evening will include district updates, the swearing in of new supervisors, a soup dinner, keynote speaker Brad Smith of the Nature Conservancy, and door prizes.
The theme of the meeting is “Reviving Indiana’s Rivers.”
Tickets are $5 in advance or $8 at the door. To make a reservation, call 812-988-2211 or email [email protected] by Monday, March 4.
Redistricting program to be presented at library
A presentation on redistricting will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Brown County Public Library. The free event at the library, 205 Locust Lane, is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Brown County.
The featured speaker will be Julia Vaughn of Common Cause and All In for Democracy. Discussion will be about how voting districts can be gerrymandered to favor one party or candidate.
According to the League of Women Voters, fair redistricting criteria are needed to use 2020 census data and ensure that districts represent their constituents.
Blacksmith demonstration, program set at library
A demonstration by blacksmith Jason Nickel and his apprentices will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Brown County Public Library. The demonstration will be followed by a program at 2 p.m.
Traditional Arts Indiana will host the events at the library, 205 Locust Lane; they are free and open to the public. Guests can interact with the artisans while learning more about the TAI apprenticeship program, new Indiana Heritage fellowships, and Hoosier traditional arts practices.
Nickel apprenticed with Monroe County blacksmith Jack Brubaker, becoming lead blacksmith in 2007. He has 30 years of experience “transforming lifeless lumps of metal into beautiful works of art or useful tools,” as expressed by his apprentice, Ansaldo Paolo. Nickel’s other apprentice is Iris Nickel.
Music showcase, silent auction to help BETA
The Brown County Youth Music Showcase, featuring local youth musicians, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Brown County Playhouse. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The event will include a silent auction, which benefits BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association Inc.)
Auction donations can be dropped off at Farmers Insurance/Christina McGinley Agency, 145 S. Jefferson St., on weekdays. For more information, contact McGinley at 812-988-6399.
Goshen Community Church changes schedule
HAMBLEN TWP. — Goshen Community Church, 2798 Gatesville Road, is changing its worship service times. Sunday school is now at 4:30 p.m. and worship is at 5 p.m.
Jewelry store’s sale will benefit teen center
Touch of Silver, Gold & Old, 87 E. Main St., is conducting its 34th annual sale through Sunday, March 10. The benefiting organization this year will be BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association). Customers will get 25 percent off all merchandise and a portion of sale proceeds will go to BETA. An additional 5 percent discount will be applied when customers bring in nonperishable food to be donated to a local food pantry, or make a monetary donation to BETA.
New Bible study series starts March 12
Laura Stuart and Deeper Truth Ministries will offer an eight-session Bible study, “Raised Together” by Gloria Furman. The first session starts at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 at the Nashville Christian Church Lifehouse, 260 S. Van Buren St. All other sessions will take place in the lower-level conference room at Cornerstone Inn.
The study is based on Paul’s letter to the Colossians, encouraging believers to live together as new creations in Christ.
For more information, call Stuart at 812-720-0556.
Meet your legislators at breakfast in Van Buren
STONE HEAD — The Southern Brown Volunteer Fire Department will host a meet-and-greet with state legislators Chris May and Eric Koch Saturday, March 16.
A biscuit-and-gravy breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. Keith Baker with the Brown County Veterans Coalition will moderate the discussion starting at 10 a.m.
The fire station is at 4040 State Road 135 South across from Van Buren Elementary.
Learn computer basics at free class at library
The Brown County Public Library will offer a “computer basics” class from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. “Technology changes fast,” the program description reads. “Whether you’re just getting started or want a refresher, our computer basics program will get you off and running.”
With questions, call 812-988-2850.
Red Cross urges donations to combat blood shortage
The next blood donation opportunity in Brown County will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 State Road 46 East.
Right now, the American Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types, and blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are asked to make an appointment by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Library to celebrate author Tolkien with activities
The Brown County Public Library will host its annual Tolkien Reading Day Celebration starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23. The theme will be “Tolkien, Silmarillion and the Great War.”
Guests can watch a short film about how World War I influenced Tolkien’s “Silmarillion,” listen to selections from audio collections read by Christopher Tolkien, and review the recently republished book “Song of Middle Earth” by David Harvey.
Other activities include writing your name in Elvish and Runes, and sharing your Tolkien talents with other enthusiasts.
For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.
Get free tax preparation through local library
The United Way of Monroe County is extending its Free Community Tax Service sites to include the Brown County Public Library now through Thursday, April 4.
Volunteers certified by the Internal Revenue Service are offering free tax preparation at 11 locations in Monroe, Owen and Brown counties. This service is available to low- and moderate-income residents for federal and Indiana taxes.
The Brown County library is an intake site; tax returns will be prepared remotely. To participate in this free service, an appointment is needed. Times are offered between 9 a.m. and noon. Call 812-988-2850 to get one.
In addition, anyone making $66,000 or less can file for free through the internet at myfreetaxes.com, the United Way reports.
For more information about how to utilize these services, call the number above or visit monroeunitedway.org/freetaxes.
Fourth Wednesday discussion group topics set
“Hope for the best; prepare for the worst, continuing discussions on emergency preparedness” will be the topic when the adult fourth Wednesday discussion group meets at 1 p.m. 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. “Reflection: A discussion of how personal and societal expectations have changed from generation to generation” is the topic slated for March 27.
For more information, stop by the library at 205 Locust Lane or call 812-988-2850.
Girls program to meet at Bean Blossom farm
BEAN BLOSSOM — Hope For Hearts Horse Farm will offer Confident Cowgirls to help girls build self-esteem and confidence. The program, for girls ages 8 to 12, includes a non-riding activity with the horses, devotional lesson, activity or craft and snack.
The group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at the farm, 1005 State Road 45. The cost to participate is $10.
For more information or to register, email [email protected] or call 317-496-0189.
Local game convention planned in March
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. Most events will take place Saturday.
Hosted by The Toy Chest, the convention is intended to be family- and adult-friendly; adults are welcome with or without children. It 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.
Guests also can 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 kids 2 and younger admitted free. The adult after-party, $10, includes a drink ticket.
For more information, visit BroCoCon on Facebook, stop by The Toy Chest, 125 S. Van Buren St., or call 812-988-2817.
Fire station to host indoor yard sale in April
HELMSBURG — The Jackson Township Fire Department will host its annual Cabin Fever Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6.
Booth space (10 by 5 feet) costs $20. Bring your own table; if you don’t have one, you may rent one for $10. Setup takes place between 7 and 8 a.m. To reserve a spot, call Cathy at 317-532-7536.
The fire station, 4831 Helmsburg Road, will serve a biscuits-and-gravy breakfast, hot dogs and snacks throughout the day.
Women’s event will benefit nonprofit horse farm
BARGERSVILLE — Hope for Hearts Horse Farm will host its annual Women’s Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Sycamore of Mallow Run, 7070 W. Whiteland Road.
For $5 at the door, the event will include swag bags for the first 300 guests, silent auction items, free haircuts, styles, manicures, massages and makeovers, “make it/take it” crafts, “hug a horse,” boutiques and food vendors; wine tasting from Mallow Run Winery, and samples of chips and a variety of salsas.
All proceeds will go to support the horses and programs at Hope for Hearts Farm, a nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
For more information, visit hopeforheartsfarm.org, email [email protected] or call 317-496-0189.
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 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 The bus will leave BETA (175 S. Jefferson St.) at 4 p.m. and will return by 6 p.m.
Any teen-aged student is welcome to join; parents/guardians (also welcome) must complete a permission slip and waiver for anyone taking the trip. 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.
With questions, contact Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 or [email protected]. To contact the farm owner, Lisa Bowman, directly, email [email protected] or call 317-496-0189.
Register now for Spring Blossom Parade in May
The 56th annual Spring Blossom Parade will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4 from the Brown County High School parking lot.
The registration deadline is April 15. There is no entry fee to participate. With questions, call Gene at 812-988-6865.
The parade is sponsored by the Brown County Lions Club. This year’s theme is “Brown County Blooms.”
History programs for children offered downtown
The Hands on History program, for children ages 8 to 12, will take place monthly on Thursdays at the Brown County History Center on the following date: 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 per child. To register, call Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 or visit browncountyhistorycenter.org for a registration form.
Library plant sale to take place in April
Four community groups will combine to sell plants at the Brown County Public Library Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.
Favorite perennials, native plants and “some surprises” will be sold from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday from Brown County gardens and area nurseries. All proceeds support the library and the ravine project.
The sale is being organized Friends of the Brown County Public Library, the Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District, SEED Brown County and the Brown County Herb Society.
Farm selling shares of locally-grown produce
BELMONT — Community Supported Agriculture memberships for this growing year are being accepted at Schooner Creek Farm.
Each member gets baskets of locally-grown produce each Tuesday from May 7 through Sept. 24. The 21 baskets or “shares” will contain a medley of produce designed for two to four people. A membership costs $625 for the season.
A variety of vegetables and herbs will be grown, such as heirloom tomatoes, Romaine lettuce, shallots, kale, onions, green beans, carrots, zucchini, basil and more. Substitutions in baskets are allowed only in the case of food allergies. Members can stop by the farm, 4 miles from Nashville, to pick up each week’s share.
The farm has used natural, chemical-free methods to grow food since its start in 2011. Non-GMO eggs are also sold sale. For more information, visit schoonercreekfarm.org, @schoonercreekfarmpage on Facebook or email [email protected].
Electronics day, shredding offered at recycle center
The Brown County Recycling Center will offer electronic recycling from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18 at the “far back” side of the Brown County Solid Waste Management District property. The center is off Greasy Creek Road near the intersection at Old State Road 46 East.
Televisions and computer monitors will be accepted for $20 each.
From 9 a.m. to noon May 18, the center also will shred paper documents at the front of the property, at 176 Old State Road 46 East.
Dawg Gone Walk, Fiesta planned in May
At the annual Dawg Gone Walk and Fiesta from noon to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19, dogs and their owners can take part in games, contests, pampering stations, information booths and shopping at Deer Run Park.
Funds raised will go directly to the feeding and care of homeless pets at the Brown County Humane Society animal shelter, thus helping maintain and improve its 98-percent save rate.
Tickets will be $15 per dog from March 20 to May 14; after that, tickets will cost $20 each. A goody bag worth up to $50 will be given to the first 125 to register.
For more information or to sign up, visit bchumane.org/dawg-gone-walk-fiesta or call 812- 988-7362.
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.
