New soil and water manager hired

The Board of Supervisors of the Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District has hired a new district manager.

Allison Shoaf, who has led the office for five years, is leaving for a new opportunity with the Natural Resource Conservation Service. This federal government position will allow her to continue to help residents in Brown, Monroe and Greene counties with conservation efforts on their land.

Stepping into the BCSWCD district manager position will be Liz Marthaler. She earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from Ball State University, worked with the Bartholomew County SWCD as a watershed coordinator, and has most recently served as an interpretive naturalist at Brown County State Park. You might have seen her showing off the timber rattlesnakes in the Nature Center or leading a nature hike around Ogle Lake.

Marthaler is a native of western Bartholomew County and describes herself as an outdoors person who enjoys hiking, kayaking and fishing in her free time.

“Having grown up visiting Brown County often with my family, I am excited for the opportunity to work with such a unique community,” she said.

Ice Cream Cottage closes for good

The Ice Cream Cottage closed its doors on Nov. 15. Owner Donna Dick announced in a Facebook post that she is retiring after 25 years of serving customers.

The restaurant in the little yellow building on Van Buren Street is a longtime winner of Chocolate Walk People’s Choice awards.

The Ferguson House shop moves

After 21 years in the historic building of The Ferguson House at 78 W. Franklin St., the shop is merging with its sister shop, Foxfire Gift and Home, at 59 E. Main St.

The same products now in The Ferguson House will be offered in the new location.

The Ferguson House shop rents The Ferguson House building; the building is owned by Andi Rogers Bartels.

For more information on the shop’s moving progress, visit facebook.com/Foxfire.TheFergusonHouse.

Ashley Spicer hired to lead HR

Big Woods Restaurant Group, Quaff ON! Brewing Co. and Hard Truth Distilling Co. Inc. has hired Ashley Spicer as human resources manager. She most recently served as a human resources business partner for Cook Medical.

Spicer received her degree in healthcare administration with a minor in human resources and biology from Indiana University. She earned her master’s degree in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan.

Hard Truth releases new whiskey

Hard Truth Distilling Co. has released a new addition to its flavored spirits collection: Hard Truth Peanut Butter Whiskey.

Hard Truth Peanut Butter Whiskey is bottled at 70 proof with 35 percent ABV. It is available in 750 mL bottles and will be sold at all nine Big Woods Restaurant Group locations, Hard Truth Hills, and retailers throughout Indiana.

“Hard Truth Peanut Butter Whiskey has an auburn appearance and offers an aroma of deep-roasted peanuts, corn and oak,” a press release said. “Honey-roasted peanut flavor is accompanied by a creamy, sweet quality with hints of oak and corn. The drinking experience features a rich mouthfeel reminiscent of having eaten a spoonful of peanut butter, with a long, salty and sweet finish.”

All Big Woods restaurant group locations also launched a new Hard Truth Peanut Butter Whiskey cocktail addition to their regular menus: the Hard Truth Peanut Butter Highball.

In the coming weeks, Hard Truth Distilling Co. also will launch Schoonover Straight Bourbon Whiskey.