First Day hike set at Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park will host a special First Day hike on Wednesday, Jan. 1. A section of the park road will closed off so that visitors on foot or bikes can enjoy vista views from four spots, including Hohen Point, which is the most expansive view in the park. Run, walk or ride anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The route is 2.3 miles and is along easy terrain.
This hike is free with the $7-per-car park gate entry fee. Call 812-988-5240 for more information on the state park and activities.
Hike on New Year’s Day at Hard Truth Hills
Visit Hard Truth Hills, 418 Old State Road 46, for a New Year’s Day “Hike-N-Holler” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Participants will prepare with a warm drink and a make-your-own trail mix buffet before hiking the trails at Hard Truth and looking for “lost lumberjacks.” Once the lumberjacks are found, hikers can join in a campfire singalong.
The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for kids and non-drinkers. Family tickets are $35 and includes up to five tickets with a maximum of two adult beverage tickets.
Visit hardtruthhills.com/eventcalendar/hike-n-holler for more information or to register.
Start 2020 with hike at Stone Head preserve
STONE HEAD — Stone Head Nature Preserve, 4645 Bellsville Pike, will host a hike on Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 1 to 2 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy a winter walk among the wetlands and forests of the preserve.
The Christmas Bird Counters will join the hike, scouting many winter birds along the way as well.
Visit stoneheadconservancy.org for more information.
Fees waived for new members at YMCA
Register for a YMCA membership by Jan. 15 and the joiner fee will be waived for new members.
Members have access to the aquatics and fitness centers and gymnasium, and receive discounts on all classes and programs.
Visit the Y at 105 Willow St. or call 812-988-9622 for more information.
Students get in free to all school athletic events
Brown County students can now get into any athletic event for free as the district works to increase student attendance at games.
Superintendent Laura Hammack announced the news at the Dec. 5 Brown County Schools Board of Trustees meeting.
“We’re not seeing enough kids at games. We’ve noticed a decline at football games, some of our larger attended events,” Hammack said.
The high school, junior high and intermediate school athletic directors proposed the free ticket idea. Any student from kindergarten to 12th grade will now get into games for free.
“It just makes sense. There will be a negative impact on the bottom line for the games, there’s no doubt, but the benefit of having students at games far outweighs what that financial impact will be,” Hammack said.
“We’re thrilled to get this deployed and we think this will increase student participation. If it doesn’t, it’s OK. It’s still the right thing to do, and we need to do some more things to make sure we get kids engaged.”
The change is effective immediately.
“Hopefully, we’ll really start to see some crowds at these events. Our kids are working hard and they are winning. We need to have some crowds to be able to celebrate their successes,” Hammack said.
Child care available weekdays at YMCA
The Brown County YMCA offers child care for two hours at a time while parents are in the building.
The service is free to Y members and for $2 per child for non-members. Children ages 6 months to 8 years old are welcome. Child watch hours are from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
For more information, stop in at the Y, 105 Willow St., or call 812-988-9622.
Kyokushin karate training offered
Sensei David Michaelis is offering training in traditional kyokushin karate.
Classes are for students 16 and older twice a week, at 6 p.m. Thursdays and 4 p.m. Sundays.
Michaelis has trained and taught kyokushin karate for more than 35 years. Kyokushin, Japanese for “the society of the ultimate truth,” is a style of stand-up, full-contact karate. It is intended to foster humility, perseverance and nonviolence and to provide a foundation for improving physical and mental discipline.
For more information, email Michaelis at [email protected] or call him at 812-988-9409.
