September topic set for discussion group
The Fourth Wednesday Discussion Group, which meets at the Brown County Public Library, will discuss maintaining a positive attitude in a negative world on Sept. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m.
The group meets at the library every fourth Wednesday of each month to discuss pre-selected topics to “foster stimulating conversation, companionship and laughter.” For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850 or check out the website at browncountylibrary.info.
History programs for kids offered downtown
The Hands on History program, for children ages 8 to 12, will take place at the Brown County History Center on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Thursday, 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 hearthside cooking; dyeing yarn and weaving; household chores; Hoosier inventions; wildlife; braille and sign language; the Indiana state flag, seal, song, foods and 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.
Farm Bureau annual meeting to be at fairgrounds
Brown County Farm Bureau Inc.’s annual meeting will be at the Brown County 4-H Fairgrounds on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Registration begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Sarah Wagler will be the speaker. All voting and associate members are encouraged to attend this annual business meeting.
For more information and to RSVP, call 812-988-4671.
Homecoming block party set before football game
A Homecoming Block Party will take place behind Brown County Intermediate School, 260 Schoolhouse Lane, on Friday, Sept. 27 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
All are welcome to join in for karaoke, a dunk tank, face painting and more. Food will be sold.
The football game begins at 7 p.m.; admission is $5 per person.
Fire department to serve fish, tenderloins, more
HAMBLEN TWP. — The Hamblen Township Fire Department, 4650 Sweetwater Trail, will host a fish fry on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Guests can dine in, carry out or drive through to get fish, tenderloins, hot dogs, multiple sides, desserts and drinks
If you choose to dine in, you can get an all-you-can-eat fish meal deal.
Resource/recovery fair happening this weekend
Brown County’s second annual Hope Fest will take place at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 802 Memorial Drive, Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All are welcome to join for a day of fun, fellowship and connections. There will be a bounce house, corn hole games and more family activities.
Hope Fest spreads the word about resources for all stages of addiction recovery, from detox to sober living houses. Visitors can learn about medication-assisted treatments, stigma, and what Brown County is doing during this epidemic to educate, prevent and treat.
The families of those struggling will be able to get connected as well.
For more information or to reserve a $20 booth space, call 317-412-5498.
Saturday Night Magic presents magicians in town
Rich Hill’s Magic and Fun Emporium, 75 S. Jefferson St., will present a magic show on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. starring Obtuse and Crystal James.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children 18 and younger.
Call 812-720-7029 or visit richhillmagic.com to order tickets.
Annual rock and mineral show set for September
The Brown County Rock and Mineral Club will host its fourth annual Rock and Mineral Show at the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.
There will be demonstrations on gold panning, flintknapping, wire-wrapping jewelry and more. Stop by to find fossils, minerals, gems, geodes, healing crystals, opals, agates, turquoise jewelry and handmade rock crafts.
All are invited to come study, browse or shop. A children’s corner will be set up with activities. The event is free for all.
Annual ‘upscale tag sale’ set for this weekend
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Betty Begonia’s Upscale Tag Sale on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow signs to the big red barn at 1641 Oak Grove Road, two miles west of the courthouse stoplight.
A variety of items will be offered for sale, including new and old things, antiques, garden items and more.
What began as a small group of six friends deciding to have a little yard sale has developed over the past 20 years into a much-anticipated barn sale, where upwards of 30 households are typically represented.
Wares are organized and creatively displayed in “room vignettes” to showcase items by type, color and purpose, making for a unique barn boutique for just one day, once a year.
Psi Iota Xi will be selling biscuits and gravy, hot dogs, bratwursts, walking tacos, veggie burgers, chicken salad and homemade pies.
Former Brown County High School band director Dave Shank will perform live music with his band, The Porch Rockers, to commemorate the second decade of the event.
For more information and updates, visit Betty Begonia’s Facebook page at facebook.com/events/538565503618062.
Farmers market Sunday to feature weaving
The Nashville Farmers Market invites the community to a special weaving event Sunday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Brown County Inn parking lot, 51 State Road 46 East.
Market visitors can learn about weaving, spinning and other traditional fiber arts, and take parts in hands-on activities for kids and adults.
Free children’s activities at the market are sponsored by a grant from the Brown County Community Foundation.
The market also has launched a free weekly drawing for “Market Bucks.” Visitors can enter to win market bucks that can be redeemed at any market vendor. Vendors offer an array of local produce, meat, baked goods, plants, and artisanal crafts and gifts.
The market is a rain-or-shine event. For more information, email [email protected] or follow the market on Facebook at NashvilleIndianaFarmersMarket.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s set for this month
COLUMBUS — The Alzheimer’s Association invites the community to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Sunday, Sept. 29 at Mill Race Center in Columbus.
Funds raised from the walk will support needed research, local education and support programs. On-site registration will start at 12:30 p.m.
At the walk, participants will learn about Alzheimer’s diseases and dementia, volunteer opportunities, public policy initiatives, and local programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter.
Participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with promise flowers during the promise garden ceremony.
More than 5 million Americans live with this disease, including 110,000 Hoosiers. The fundraising goal this year is $98,000. Last year, the walk raised $87,000.
Participants are encouraged to pre-register online for free at alz.org/indiana/walk. For updates, visit the Greater Indiana chapter on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There is also a Walk to End Alzheimer’s Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/columbuswalk.
Have your animal blessed at St. David’s
BEAN BLOSSOM — St. David’s Episcopal Church will have a blessing of the animals on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. at the church. It’s at the intersection of state roads 45 and 135 North.
The blessing is in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
All sizes and types of animals are welcome as long as they are on leashes or in cages.
Informational meeting to discuss natural resources
The Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors, in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will convene a local work group meeting to develop local natural resource rankings on Wednesday, Oct. 2 in the Community Room at the SWCD/Extension Office, 802 Memorial Drive in Nashville, at 4:30 p.m.
The local work group includes representatives from cooperating federal, state and local agencies, conservation organizations, and the public to provide localized information on natural resource priorities in Brown County. The local work group can define conservation needs and help localize efforts to address specific resource concerns.
For more information, contact Brown County SWCD at 812-988-2211 or [email protected].
Local food system community meeting set
The Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement and the IU Sustainable Food Systems Science will host a network project meeting to strengthen local food systems on Friday, Oct. 4.
The meeting is for brainstorming, networking and collaboration. It will take place at the Purdue Extension Office, 802 Memorial Drive in Nashville, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Annual outdoor sale at Methodist church
Nashville United Methodist Church will host the 47th annual FallFare on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Village Green at Main and Jefferson streets.
Shoppers can find unexpected treasures, handmade goods, art, produce, antiques and more. There will be a kids carnival, breakfast and lunch.
This event is rain or shine. Every FallFare dollar is a gift to someone in need.
Firefighters will serve fish fries monthly
BEAN BLOSSOM — Fruitdale volunteer firefighters will host a fish fry from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 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.
Fall events set at Hard Truth Hills
The second annual Midwest Distillers Fest will take place Saturday, Oct. 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Hard Truth Hills, 418 Old State Road 46.
Participants can enjoy an immersive craft spirits tasting experience featuring craft distilleries from across Indiana and the Midwest, offering more than 100 different spirits to taste, sample or enjoy as a part of a cocktail.
General admission tickets are $40; VIP tickets are $55 and include an extra hour to enjoy the event with shorter lines and access to limited-edition spirits and cocktails. Designated driver tickets are $10.
For more information and tickets, visit hardtruthhills.com.
Free writing workshop at library
A free writing workshop series in spoken word, poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction will take place at the Brown County Public Library beginning Oct. 10 through December.
The Indiana University Master of Fine Arts creative writing program and IU’s Center for Rural Engagement will host the “Dirt Songs: Telling our stories through poems, prose and the spoken word.” All levels of writers are welcome.
Each program is a stand-alone program, and participants are invited to attend one or all of them. Sessions will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Topics will be announced.
For specific dates, call the library at 812-988-2850 or visit the website at browncountylibrary.info.
Annual rummage sale scheduled at church
The annual Parkview Mega Sale will take place Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 State Road 46 East.
The multifamily indoor sale will feature a variety of items, including new and used clothing, baby gear, toys, books, household items, decor, tools, crafts, furniture and more.
For more information and photos, visit facebook.com/events/2684157058264158.
Fall festivities planned at Deer Run Park
Brown County Parks and Recreation invites the community to join in fall festivities beginning Friday, Oct. 18 at Deer Run Park, 1001 Deer Lane.
The Fall-O-Ween Party will take place Friday, Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is family-friendly, with food, hayrides, a weenie roast and more. An outdoor movie will be shown starting at 8 p.m.
The fourth annual Fear Run at Deer Run Haunted Trail will be open from 8 to 11 p.m. on Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26. The ticket booth will be at the upper concession stand. Adult entry is $7, or $5 for children younger than 12.
For more information, call 812-988-5522.
Two fall festivals set in Helmsburg
HELMSBURG — Two family-friendly fundraising events are set for Saturdays in October at the Jackson Township Fire Department, 4831 Helmsburg Road.
Attend the eighth-annual BucCornEar Festival on Saturdays, Oct. 19 and 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy food, games and activities. There will be a live house burn, a live power line demo by REMC, corn shucking and shelling, and a firefighter challenge.
The Friendly Forest, for all ages, will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings in October: Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28. Come in a costume to trick or treat and enjoy snacks and drinks. The cost is $1 per child, adults free.
For more information, visit the fire department’s Facebook page.
Neighborhood yard and craft sale date
HELMSBURG — The Helmsburg General Store, 2268 W. Main St., will host a neighborhood yard and craft sale on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All are welcome.
For questions or to reserve a selling space, call 317-989-4421. Spaces start at $5.
Trap shoot, pistol competition set for October
The Brown County Shrine Club will host a still board, trap shoot and pistol competition on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pittman Farms, 6088 State Road 46 East.
Prizes will be awarded at each round. All proceeds will benefit the Brown County Shrine Club.
For more information call Aaron Harden at 812-720-1616 or Gerhard Weber at 812-988-6559.
Free filmmaking workshops offered at library
The Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, is hosting free filmmaking workshops in partnership with the IU Center for Rural Engagement, IU Cinema and Cicada Cinema through December.
Participants of all levels are welcome to join on the fourth Saturday of each month and learn about filmmaking. Residents may participate in one or all of the sessions. Each session has been focusing on a different aspect:
- Oct. 26 — Lighting
- Nov. 23 — Sound
- Dec. 21 — Editing
These workshops build upon the rural arts series that IU Center of Rural Engagement launched last year as a way to engage Brown County residents in the art of filmmaking, empowering participants to share their own stories and bring their creative visions to life.
For more information, call 812-855-4992.
Save the date for food certification class
The dates for the next ServSafe Food Manager Certification class will be Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 29 and 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The test will be given on the 30th starting at noon.
The cost is $125. This cost may be increasing in 2020. Class size is limited to 12 people.
The class will use the 7th edition of the ServSafe Food Manager text with updates for the 2017 Food Code.
All food establishments, unless nonprofit or serving only prepackaged food requiring no refrigeration, are required to have a certified food manager on staff. When Indiana adopts the 2017 Food Code, it will be a requirement to have a certified food manager onsite at all times that the establishment is open for business.
Reserve a space by calling 812-988-2255.
Alpha Course offered through local church
Parkview Church, 1750 State Road 46 East, began an Alpha Course on Monday, Aug. 5 that will continue on Mondays through Nov. 25 from 5:50 to 8 p.m.
The Alpha Course offers a non-judgmental, non-denominational place to explore and discuss these questions with fellow seekers. Each week there is a meal, video and discussion. The group will discuss answers to questions such as, “What is the meaning of life?” “What am I doing here?” or “Is there a God?”
All are welcome to attend at no cost. Childcare is provided.
To register, call Mark at 812-350-9655 or email [email protected].
Medicare seminar offered in Nashville
A free Medicare 101 seminar will be offered the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at McGinley Insurance Agency, 145 S. Jefferson St., diagonally across from The Salvation Army.
The seminar is for people who are new to Medicare or not happy with their current plan, and those who have questions about anything related to Medicare.
With questions, call 812-988-6399.
Youth program begins at Unity Baptist Church
HAMBLEN TWP. — The Word of Life youth program has begun at Unity Baptist Church, 7361 Spearsville Road. It will meet on Wednesday nights from 6 to 8:15 p.m. through the end of April 2020.
The program includes age-appropriate biblical learning through fun and dynamic activities. A meal is provided. All youth from ages 4 to 17 are welcome.
For more information, email [email protected].
Game library available at the local Toy Chest
The Toy Chest, 125 S. Van Buren St., has created a game library that locals can use for a $10 annual membership fee.
Game library members can check out one game at the Toy Chest register. Games can be kept for a week or they can be renewed for another week. If the game is late, $1 will be charged each day up to the price of the game.
See the Toy Chest Game Library Facebook page for new game and other announcements.
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.
