Habitat for Humanity Seeks 2020 partner family

New applications for home ownership are being requested by Brown County Habitat for Humanity. Habitat builds one good-quality, affordable home each year. These homes are purchased by a qualifying individual or family (referred to as a partner family) with a no-interest loan and 250 hours of sweat equity.

To become a partner family, qualifications must be met:

• Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing.
• Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner the construction team throughout the process. This partnership includes performing “sweat equity,” or helping to build their own home or the homes of others in a homeownership program. Sweat equity also includes taking homeownership classes.
• Homeowners must also be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.

For more information, call the Habitat office at 812-988-4926 for an application, and plan to attend the Habitat information session on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Career Resource Center of Brown County, 246 E. Main St.

Programs for children, teens offered at library

The Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, began a reading program on Nov. 21 and will continue to meet on Dec. 5 and 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. 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 to 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., Dec. 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 Wednesdays at 10 a.m. 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 Dec. 9 and 16.

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

Waterway and stream workshop at county offices

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.

Final filmmaking workshops offered at library

The Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, is hosting the final session of the free filmmaking workshops in partnership with the IU Center for Rural Engagement, IU Cinema and Cicada Cinema.

Participants of all levels are welcome to join on Saturday, Dec. 21 of each month and learn about the editing process of filmmaking.

These workshops built 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.

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.

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.