Give input into INDOT long-range highway plan
COLUMBUS — The Indiana Department of Transportation will take public comment on its Draft Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for 2018-2045 and its public involvement procedures (PIP) next week.
The closest open house to Brown County will be at Columbus East High School on Wednesday, May 15. It will be open between 5 and 7 p.m.
The LRTP establishes a vision for future transportation investments. It can be read at in.gov/indot/3714.htm. Public comments are being accepted through Friday, May 17.
The PIP can be read at in.gov/indot/2366.htm. Public comments on these procedures are being accepted through Friday, May 31.
During open houses, INDOT team members will be available to engage in conversation, address questions and solicit input related to project selection, multimodal transportation, highway safety, Local Public Agency programs, transportation planning and other topics.
How opioid use is affecting your loved ones
The Nashville United Methodist Church will host “You Are Not Alone: How opioid use is affecting your friends and family” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 15. Centerstone will offer this free education session open to all.
“‘Why?’ is often the question we hear from loved ones when a friend or family member has experienced opioid or other drug addictions,” the event description reads. “… Although there is no straightforward answer to addiction, we hope to provide information, answer questions and assist you in talking to someone about their disease.”
A brief demonstration of the anti-overdose medication Narcan and distribution by the Brown County Health Department will follow the presentation.
Local food manager certification classes set
A food manager certification class will be taught at the County Office Building, 201 N. Locust Lane, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 15 and 16. The Wednesday session will end at 12:30 p.m. and the Thursday session will finish around 2:30 p.m., with the test being given at 12:30.
All businesses serving food, except nonprofits or those that only carry prepackaged, non-refrigerated food, 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 seventh edition textbook, reflecting the 2017 food code, should be picked up at the Brown County Health Department on the second floor of the County Office Building to study in advance. To take the test only, the cost is $50.
For more information, to make reservation in the class, or to pick up the book, call the health department at 812-988-2255 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
History programs for kids 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 dates: 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.
Planned topics tied to history will include hearth-side cooking; dyeing yarn and weaving; flag etiquette; household chores; Hoosier inventions; wildlife; braille and sign language; Indiana state flag, seal, song, foods, tree; and one-room schoolhouse.
Participation costs $5 per child. To register, call Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 or visit browncountyhistorycenter.org for a registration form.
Pond management workshop planned
YELLOWWOOD — Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District will sponsor a pond management workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the Yellowwood State Forest shelterhouse. The event is free.
David Osborne of Ripley County SWCD and Wesley Goldsmith of Aquatic Control Inc. will cover topics such as aquatic weeds, fish biology, wildlife habitat, water quality and more.
Bring lawn chairs. RSVP by calling 812-988-2211.
Nature Awareness Weekend planned
STONE HEAD — A Nature Awareness Weekend will take place from 6 p.m. Friday, May 17 through Sunday morning, May 19 at Stone Head Nature Preserve.
All Saturday and Sunday events are free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Stone Head Conservancy, guided events include a bird walk, survey and banding information; looking for frogs, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and damselflies; and bat information presentations.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit stoneheadconservancy.org/NAW.
Ford car show planned at county state park
For more than 40 years, Mustang owners have been gathering at the Shelby American Automobile Club Spring Fling in Nashville. This year’s event will be Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19 in Brown County State Park. It will begin with a “Pony Trails” cruise Friday on country roads. Saturday, a car show starts at 9 a.m. with classes for every type of Mustang in all years, other Ford Motor Company products, such as Mercury, and a class for kit cars powered by Ford. A chili picnic and an evening awards banquet will follow on Saturday.
SAAC club members pay $25 to register for the event. Ford owners ages 18 to 25 can register for $20. To enter the judged vintage or classic motor vehicle exhibition contest, the fee is $50. Viewing the show is free. For more information, email [email protected] or call 812-988-6406.
Electronics day, tire recycling offered
The Brown County Recycling Center will offer electronic recycling from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18 at the Brown County Solid Waste Management District property, Greasy Creek Road and 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. Shredding is free, but donations are welcome.
The next event will be a tire pick-up day Friday, June 28 and a tire drop-off day from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 29. The center will accept car, light truck and bus tires without rims for free. Tires with rims and larger-size tires carry fees.
For more information or to schedule a tire pick-up (on a first-call basis) call the recycling center at 812-988-0140.
All you can eat fish at Hamblen fire department
HAMBLEN TWP. — Hamblen Township volunteer firefighters will host an all-you-can-eat fish dinner on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the fire department, 4650 Sweetwater Trail.
The fish dinner is $10 and dine-in only. Tenderloins, hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, fries, hush puppies and dessert will also be available.
Military members and veterans will get a 10 percent discount. Drive-thru service is also available.
Firefighters will serve fish fries monthly
BEAN BLOSSOM — Fruitdale volunteer firefighters will host fish fries from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, May 18, June 8, July 13, Aug. 24, Sep. 7 and Oct. 5 at the fire station, 5200 State Road 135 North.
Volunteers prepare the food and provide a combo plate for $9, a number of side dishes, drinks and desserts, along with hot dogs and breaded tenderloins.
Proceeds go to the general fund which pays for equipment and training. For more information, visit facebook.com/Fruitdale-Volunteer-Fire-Company or call 812-988-1696.
Dawg Gone Walk, Fiesta tickets available
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 until Tuesday, 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.
Concert to benefit Playhouse leader Zody
The Brown County Playhouse will host a concert to benefit Executive Director Suzannah Zody from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19. Zody has been unable to work for several months due to a medical emergency.
Performers will include Dave Gore and Robbie Bowden; Chuck Wills & Friends; Kara Barnard & Friends; Hamilton Creek; and Jenn Cristy & Eric Brown.
Donations will be accepted at the door or online at browncountyplayhouse.org/on-stage/for-suzannah-s-sake-benefit-concert.
If unable to attend, donations can be made by check payable to the Brown County Playhouse, attn: For Suzannah’s Sake, P.O. Box 2011, Nashville, IN 47448.
Learn about, hear harp music at library
Two harpists from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music will demonstrate the capabilities and intricacies of the ancient harp at the Brown County Public Library. The free program will take place upstairs near the fireplace starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 23. The musicians will bring two concert grand harps.
Mushroom sale to benefit local charities
The Brown County Community Foundation and Brown County YMCA will sponsor the 22th annual Howard Hughes Memorial Morel Mushroom Sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25 in the Brown County IGA parking lot off Hawthorne Drive. Proceeds benefit Brown County charities.
To pre-order mushrooms for $50 per pound or $25 per half-pound, email [email protected].
Friday farmers market will open May 24
BEAN BLOSSOM — The farmers market at St. David’s Episcopal Church will open for its seventh season Friday, May 24 at the corner of state roads 45 and 135 North. It will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. each Friday through Aug. 31.
Local growers and merchants will sell fresh produce, meats, home-based products, plants, eggs, food and drink, and craft items. Music will be provided by local musicians.
A community outreach booth will allow nonprofit organizations and service groups to share information. To schedule a slot, call Donna Niednagel at 812-988-6865.
Market organizers seek growers, producers, gardeners, artists, crafters and music makers to be vendors. Volunteers are also needed to help with set-up, parking, hosting and closing. Vendor contracts are available at BeanBlossomFarmersMarket.com or by calling 812-988-1038.
John Hartford Memorial Festival returns
BEAN BLOSSOM — The “most laid back festival in America” returns for a ninth year to Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground, State Road 135 North, from May 29 to June 1.
The four-day, family-friendly John Hartford Memorial Festival will feature more than 40 performers on three outdoor stages, 24-hour campground jamming, children’s activities, workshops, an all-star collaboration and fiddle and banjo contests.
The lineup of performers includes Sam Bush, the Tim O’Brien Band, Della Mae, Vince Herman, Great American Taxi, Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, the Larry Keel Experience, the Rumpke Mountain Boys, Special Consensus, the Way Down Wanderers, Chicago Farmer Band, Strung Like A Horse, JigJam and the Tillers.
Four-day festival tickets can be bought at johnhartfordmemfest.com/tickets for $135. Single-day tickets are $45 to $55 online or $55 to $65 at the gate while supplies last. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information, visit johnhartfordmemfest.com.
BCHS Class of ‘73 reunion set for June 8
A party for the Brown County High School Class of 1973 will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8 by the pool at the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46 East.
An RSVP is needed by Friday, May 31 with check or money order for $10 per person made to Jed Bessire, P.O. Box 1366, Nashville, IN 47448.
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. Tuesday, 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. Monday, April 22 at the Legal Aid Office in Columbus.
For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850 or the Bartholomew County office at 812-314-2722.
Conservation district offers youth nature camp
Children ages 9 to 12 can register for “Nature’s Survival Skills,” a junior nature camp, from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14. The deadline to register is Thursday, May 30.
The camp is sponsored by the Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District. It will include outdoor physical activity and hands-on learning about survival tricks and strategies in nature. Information about schedules and the meeting place will follow registration. The cost is $15 per child; family discounts are available.
With questions, email [email protected]. Registration forms are available at browncountyswcd.com, at the SWCD office, 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds, or by calling 812-988-2211.
Free Dumpster Days planned for June
The Brown County Recycle Center will place Dumpsters at two locations on Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15, where any county resident can dispose of items for free.
One container will be placed at the Recycle Center at Old 46 and Greasy Creek Road; the other will be at the Sweetwater Drive entrance to Cordry Lake.
The containers could be removed early if they fill up.
Bluebird box sale to benefit local club
Fully assembled cedar boxes intended for bluebirds to nest in will be sold to benefit the Brown County Bluebird Club. They cost $15 each or two boxes for $25. With questions or to place an order, email Dan Sparks at [email protected] or call 812-200-5700.
Recycle center will take bagged trash for $2
The Brown County Recycle Center now accepts trash at its drive-through during regular hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
Drop-off costs $2 per bag. The center offers prepaid sticker books for $10 or $20, with five or 10 yellow stickers to affix to trash bags up to 55 gallons.
For more information, call the center at 812-988-0140. The center is at 176 Old State Road 46.
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.
