Community calendar for week of Nov. 20

Visitors make their way into the lobby of the new Brown County Music Center before country music legend Vince Gill played the first official show there on Aug. 24. The show sold out within 15 minutes of going on sale in April. The grand opening show and other musical events in the county brought many visitors and more business to shops, restaurants and hotels here. Submitted | Michele Wedel

Music center seeks volunteers for shows

Brown County Music Center is looking for volunteers to assist at upcoming shows.

Volunteers must attend one training and one shadow date (see dates below) before released to volunteer on a regular basis.

  • Volunteer class — Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Shadow — Hard Day’s Night concert, Saturday, Nov. 23, 5 to 9 p.m.

Classes must be attended before a shadow date. All training sessions will take place at the music center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd.

RSVP by emailing [email protected].

Brush cutting along state highways begins

The Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will begin right-of-way mechanical brush cutting across the southeast district this month. Trees, shrubs and other vegetation will be removed along a number of state highways including state roads 46 and 135 in Brown County.

Brush removal typically happens on shoulders with minimal impact for traffic, but drivers should still use caution and watch for crews, a press release from INDOT states.

Brush cutting is done to remove vegetation that blocks line of sight or traffic signs, to reduce asphalt deterioration because of trapped moisture, and to give more shoulder space for drivers. This work is primarily done in the fall and winter to avoid disturbing nesting birds and bats, the release states. The cutting is followed by a herbicide treatment in the spring to prevent any regrowth and eliminate future brush treatment needs. Additional treatments may include manual brush cutting for larger limbs or trees, in addition to mowing and trash pick-up.

For more information on INDOT’s roadside management plan, visit greenercrossroads.com.

Programs for children, teens offered at library

The Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, will begin a reading program on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. The program will also meet Dec. 5 and 19. The children’s program is designed to let kids practice their reading skills while exploring the world around them and sharing with each other. Ages 6 through 12 are invited to participate.

A music and movement class for children 6 and younger happens on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 19 and 26. The class will also happen Dec. 3, 10 and 17. It features story time filled with music, dancing and stories.

For children aged 12 and older, there is a creative builders program happening Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 10 a.m.. It will also take place on Dec. 4, 11 and 18.

STEAM day for children ages 5 to 12 is set for Thursday, Dec. 12 beginning at 2 p.m. Children will experiment with different tools related to science, technology, engineering and math.

Story time and playtime for babies and toddlers are Mondays at 11 a.m. featuring a short story time followed by free play. This program will be offered Nov. 25. It will also be offered on Dec. 2, 9 and 16.

For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.

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. Each session has been focusing on a different aspect:

  • 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.

All welcome at regular discussion group

The Fourth Wednesday Discussion Group will discuss favorite holiday memories as the November topic. The group of adults meets from 1 to 3 p.m. each fourth Wednesday of the month at the Brown County Public Library. The next meeting will be Nov. 27.

The group will not meet in December.

No registration is required for this free program. For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.

Waterway, stream workshop at county building

Purdue Extension Brown County will host a waterway permitting and stream etiquette workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Salmon Room at the County Office Building, 201 Locust Lane.

Topics will include:

  • “Stream Formation and Function, Stream Etiquette,” presented by Toby Adams from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Water
  • “Division of Water Permitting: When is a permit NOT needed and how do I fill out a permit application?” presented by Alysson Oliger of IDNR Division of Water
  • “What is a stream? and Army Corps of Engineers Permitting,” presented by the Army Corps of Engineers
  • “What’s included in the IDEM permitting process?” presented by Aileen Driscoll Farid, Indiana Department of Environmental Management
  • Q&A session, moderated by Kara Hammes of Brown County Purdue Extension.

Coffee and donuts will be provided. For more information, call 812-988-2211.

Alpha Course offered through local church

Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 State Road 46 East offers an Alpha Course on Mondays through Nov. 25 from 5:50 to 8 p.m. 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?” in a non-judgmental, non-denominational place. Each week there is a meal, video and discussion.

All are welcome to attend at no cost. Childcare is provided. To register, call Mark at 812-350-9655 or email [email protected].

All welcome at regular discussion group

The Fourth Wednesday Discussion Group will discuss holiday stories as the November topic. The group of adults meets from 1 to 3 p.m. each fourth Wednesday of the month at the Brown County Public Library. The next meeting will be Nov. 27.

Attendees will share their favorite holiday memories as well as the holiday customs of other countries and cultures.

No registration is required for this free program. For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.

There will be no discussion group meeting in December.

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 offered at Unity Baptist

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 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.