Free legal aid phone clinic happening this week

Legal Aid will conduct a free legal service phone clinic on Tuesday, Sept. 1 for low-income residents of eight Indiana counties, including Brown County.

The clinic will take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Callers can expect a 10-minute phone consultation where legal professionals will answer general questions and offer legal information.

Individuals seeking legal consultation must register by calling Legal Aid at 812-378-0358 on Tuesday, Sept. 1 between noon and 1:30 p.m. A volunteer attorney will return a call to registered individuals between 3 and 5:30 p.m.

Community foundation focusing on history

Several groups are working to preserve county history to honor future generations. For September, the Brown County Community Foundation will feature ways to help in this effort through volunteerism, financial support and awareness of these important pieces of history. For more information, visit the foundation’s social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and browncountygives.org.

Local groups working on food distribution

COAD and the Northern Brown County Food Alliance are working to provide food distribution and information about food resources to those facing food insecurity. Pop-up pantries have been sponsored in Nashville, Bean Blossom and at Van Buren Elementary School. Plans to expand locations of distribution are continuing.

The “Loaves and Fishes” program will serve dinners at Unity Baptist Church, 7361 Spearsville Road, on the first Monday of the month, beginning Monday, Sept. 14. Reservations for the drive-through meal must be made by 5 p.m. on the Saturday prior. Call 317-979-2413 to reserve a spot.

St. David’s Episcopal Church, at state roads 45 and 135 North, has installed “The Giving Box” in the parking lot in front of Ackerman Hall. Those with emergency food needs may take what they need seven days a week. The box is available at all times. The Giving Box will contain canned meats, vegetables, fruits, soaps, peanut butter, juices, snacks and more.

For more information, call 812-720-4054 or 812-988-0001 or email [email protected].

Input needed on enhancing public spaces

From sports to arts to natural beauty, public ideas are needed for the best use of public spaces in Brown County.

Brown County Parks and Recreation, Purdue Extension, the Brown County YMCA, and the Nashville Town Council & Parks Board are partnering to bring Purdue Extension’s “Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities” program to Brown County.

The purpose is to collect public input on how to manage and develop locally-owned parks and recreational spaces, facilities, and programs in Brown County. This effort also includes recreational services, activities and installations that could be offered by local organizations.

The public is invited to join a session led by parks/recreation-specific groups and volunteers. The planning implications are significant (planning and zoning, town council, county commissioners and council, community foundation, etc.) and input is valuable. Sessions are:

• Tuesday, Sept. 15: 3 to 5 p.m., Southern Brown Volunteer Fire Department, 4040 State Road 135 South; or 6 to 8 p.m., Brown County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 802 Memorial Drive
• Wednesday, Sept. 16: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow St.; or 4 to 6 p.m., Fruitdale Volunteer Fire Department, 5200 State Road 135 North

The parks and rec board will use the findings to finalize and submit a five-year parks master plan to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. This will allow for grant funding and help the county parks board make decisions on land use and program development.

“We want the public to understand that parks and public spaces are not just the obvious things you might immediately think of — like baseball diamonds, trails, etc. –” said Purdue Extension director Kara Hammes, “but also features like public art, streetscapes and more.”

More information will be in next week’s issue of The Democrat.

Call the Purdue Extension Office at 812-988-5495 or [email protected] with questions.

Annual recovery event taking place this weekend

Do Something BC invites the community to the third annual HopeFest 2020, at Eagle Park on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 3 to 7 p.m.

HopeFest is an opportunity to bring awareness, resources and hope to those who are struggling with or affected by addiction.

At 3 p.m. there will be a walk for recovery and addiction protest, live music, testimonials, and vendors at 4 p.m.

Brown County Sheriff’s Department and Recover Out Loud will compete in a softball game at 6 p.m.

Social distancing and masks will be required.

Story Inn to host monthly wine events

STORY — Story Inn Bed and Breakfast will be hosting a new monthly event called “Story Wine Series” which began Aug. 8, offering wine samples and selling bottles. The next one is Saturday, Sept. 5.

Each event will have between three and five different Indiana wineries participating with samples and shops to purchase bottled wine.

All attendees will receive a commemorative Story Inn wine glass. The final event will be on Oct. 3. Only people ages 21 and older may attend.

Tickets will be presale only and 200 are available. Admission will be $15 a person and the event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact Kate Ebel at [email protected] or 812-988-2273. More information can also be found on Story Inn’s Facebook page.

Native plant sale happening online now

The Brown County Native Woodlands Project is holding a pre-order only, native plant sale. The cost is $10 per plant, or three plants for $25.

For more information and order forms, visit bcnwp.org/nature-daze.

Due to limited quantity, plant availability is subject to change. Look at the “2020 Nature Daze Plant Sale List” document on at the website for plant descriptions and initial quantities available at the beginning of the sale.

Plants are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Fill out the order form on the website and email it to [email protected].

Pick-up will be on Saturday, Sept. 12 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District Office, 802 Memorial Drive.

With questions, email [email protected] or call 812-720-3321.

Catholic church offering classes for adults

St. Agnes Catholic Church in Nashville is offering the rite of Christian initiation for adults next month.

Classes are set to begin in early September and will start with an inquiry phase with church staff. Each person then continues discernment throughout the RCIA process, so there is no initial commitment.

RCIA is also a time for people who are already Catholic to learn and go deeper into the teachings of the church.

Anyone interested in learning more can contact Parish Life Coordinator Mary Schaffner at 812-988-6695 or email [email protected].

Fire department to host BucCornEar Festival

HELMSBURG — The Jackson Township Fire Department will be hosting its annual BucCornEar festival on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The annual festival is centered around educating citizens about fire prevention and safety, but is also a pirate-themed celebration. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best pirate costume.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., breakfast and lunch will be served and popcorn will be provided all day. Games and events will be taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. While admission to the festival is free, there will be a fee for games and food.

For more information about the event, contact the Jackson Township Fire Department on their Facebook page.

Outdoor series planned for Brown County youth

Brown County youth in Grades 6 to 12 are welcome to participate in an Outdoor Adventure Series that begins Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Deer Run Park in Nashville.

Adventures include:

• Oct. 7: Paddling skills and water quality at Deer Run Park
• Dec. 30: Tree ID and survival skills at Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve
• March 17, 2021: Mountain biking skills and impacts of outdoor recreation at Brown County State Park

All programs begin at 1 p.m. and are two to three hours long. Each program costs $10 per child. Equipment is provided.

Registration ends one week prior to the event date. Space is limited. Call 812-988-2211 or email [email protected] for more information.

Nashville Farmers Market still open Sundays

The Nashville Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Brown County Inn parking lot, 51 State Road 46 East.

Shoppers can find seasonal produce grown by local farmers, eggs and baked goods. Local growers also offer vegetable starts for gardens, deer-resistant and native plants for landscaping, house plants, perennials and annuals to spruce up patios and porches.

Local crafters and artists share their talents in a variety of forms: Pottery, quilting, jewelry and more. Locally made goat’s milk soaps and bath and body products are also available.

Vendors are socially distanced to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All vendors wear masks and provide hand sanitizer. Shoppers are encouraged to wear face covers. The market offers free masks to those who don’t have their own.

The market doubles SNAP and WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits up to $10 per shopper per week. Stop by the information booth for details.

Live musical performances returned to the market in July. Follow the Nashville Indiana Farmers Market on Facebook to see each week’s music act or email [email protected] to be added to the weekly market newsletter.

Local bluebird club selling nesting boxes

The Brown County Bluebird Club’s annual bluebird nest box sale has begun. Boxes are all cedar and fully assembled. One box is $15 and two boxes are $25. If interested, call Dan Sparks at 812-200-5700.