BETA programs, teen center open at Deer Run

BETA teen center will be open in the old office of the Brown County Parks and Recreation department at Deer Run Park, 1001 Deer Run Lane, starting on Tuesday, June 1.

BETA will be open on Tuesdays from noon until 6 p.m. for teens to meet, hang out and participate in activities. The building is next to Victory Skate Park; skateboards are welcome.

BETA will provide sandwich lunches, snacks and drinks throughout the afternoon.

• BETA’s new program director, Jessica George, will be on site from noon to 3 p.m. George has been involved with Do Something Brown County and is currently working on a degree in social work/pre-law at Indiana University Bloomington.
• Brown County artist MK Watkins will have a studio set up at the Deer Run building for teens to do artwork with her from noon to 3 p.m. There will be an opportunity to work with Watkins on a large group painting as well as materials available to work on individual projects.
• Musician Michael Wimer will be giving drum and keyboard lessons and doing jams with teens from 3 to 5 p.m. BETA will provide keyboards and guitars will be available for students who want to participate but don’t have their own instrument.

Email BETA at [email protected] for more information or call 440-864-2345.

Free trash disposal day happening this week

Keep Brown County Beautiful and a Brown County Community Foundation grant will enable a free Dumpster Day on Friday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Brown County Recycle Center, 176 Old State Road 46.

Dumpsters will be set up behind the recycle center and are able to accept trash for no fee. Tires, TV sets, computers and monitors, hazardous materials and building materials are prohibited, but other items are allowed.

This service is free for all Brown County residents, but donations will be accepted to help defray the Dumpster costs.

For more information, call 812-988-0140.

Annual quilt show returning this weekend

The Pioneer Women’s Club will present a quilt exhibit at the Brown County Historical Society, 90 E. Gould St., on Fridays and Saturdays, June 4, 5, 11 and 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Vendors — including the Yellow Door Quilt Store, Quilting Memories, Granny Sue Quilts, Tree City Stitches and PWC Bargain Store — will have items for sale.

The donation quilt and treasure basket drawing will be Saturday, June 5. Six treasure baskets will be offered. The raffle cost is $1 for one chance or $5 for six. Winners will be contacted by phone or email if not present.

The use of face coverings will be guided by the current county restrictions at the time of the exhibit.

New rock collecting event to be at the park

Brown County Rock & Mineral Club will partner with Brown County State Park for a first time ever event, Rockfest, on Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nature Center.

Focusing on children and junior “rockhounds,” there will be displays, demonstrations, talks and activities on everything to do with rocks, minerals, fossils, geodes, gold panning, rock crafts and geology.

The rockclub normally meets the third Saturday of every month at the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St. For more information, visit browncountyrock.webs.com.

VBS happening on Saturdays in June

FREETOWN — Becks Grove Christian Church, 8009 Becks Grove Road, will have “Rocky Railway” Vacation Bible school from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays in June, starting June 5. It’s open to children ages 5 to 12.

For more information, call 812-498-1088.

Strawberry festival happening on Sunday

BEAN BLOSSOM — St. David’s Episcopal Church will have its annual Strawberry Festival on Sunday, June 6 from noon to 3 p.m.

Strawberry shortcakes will be for sale for $6 each. The dessert includes a homemade shortcake, ice cream, strawberries and whipped cream. All proceeds will benefit St. David’s Outreach ministries. All are welcome to enjoy a delicious dessert, sit a spell, visit with friends and listen to The Traveling Mayberries band.

St. David’s is at the junction of state roads 135 and 45 in Bean Blossom.

Free legal aid phone clinic set for next week

Legal Aid will conduct a free legal service phone clinic on Tuesday, June 8 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 consultation must register by calling Legal Aid at 812-378-0358 on June 8 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 development group meets monthly

HELMSBURG — Helmsburg Community Development is a nonprofit group working to redevelop Helmsburg. The group aims to improve infrastructure, revitalize businesses in the area and bring in new homes and families.

The group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Brown County Community Church, 2370 W. Main St. in Helmsburg. The next meeting is June 9.

For more information and updates, follow the Facebook page “Helmsburg Community Development.”

Vacation Bible School scheduled at St. Agnes

St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1008 McLary Road, will have “Knights of North Castle” VBS from Monday to Friday, June 14 to 18, from 9 a.m. to noon each day.

Children ages 4 through sixth-graders are welcome to attend. Teens can work as helpers.

For more information, call 812-325-9527.

Elder abuse awareness session offered online

Thrive Alliance will have a virtual session on the topic of elder abuse on Tuesday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m.

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, providing an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons.

Loretta Mize and Shelby Eggers of Thrive Alliance will teach how to detect signs and symptoms of abuse, identify the newest scams, intervention strategies, local resources and where to find additional information.

Visit thrive-alliance.org/news for the Zoom link. The event is free.

Class of ’73 reunion happening this year

The Brown County High School class of 1973 will reunite this month by the pool at the Brown County Inn.

The reunion will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 12.

Classmates can send $12 to Jed Bessire at P.O. Box 1366, Nashville, IN 47448 or pay $15 at the door to get in. Questions can also be sent to the P.O. box.

There will also be a silent auction to raise money for the class’s 50th reunion. Inexpensive, like-new donations for that auction can also be sent to Bessire.

Class of ’80 reunion weekend set for this month

Brown County High School class of 1980 will have a reunion on Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20.

A dinner will be at the Seasons Lodge and Conference Center, 560 State Road 46 East on Saturday. The dinner fee is $25 per person. A cash bar will be open at 6:30 p.m., dinner is served at 7 p.m.

Payments can be made via PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo or by mailing a check to 849 Pheasant Run, Bourbannais, IL. Checks made payable to BCHS Class of 1980.

A family picnic will be in the Brown County State Park recreational building on Sunday at 2 p.m. There is a $7 park gate entry fee.

For more information, email Jeff Williamson at [email protected].

VBS happening at local church this month

SPEARSVILLE — Unity Baptist Church, three miles north east of Bean Blossom on Spearsville Road, will hold Vacation Bible School from Sunday, June 27 through Thursday, July 1 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

It’s open to preschoolers to 12th-graders. Children must be potty trained. Food will be provided.

Fourth of July fireworks happening this year

The Brown County Lions Club will display their annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Brown County High School football field on Sunday, July 4 at dark.

The Scouts of Troop 190 will sell food and glow bracelets to earn money for camp.

The fireworks are paid for by small business donations and with money collected by Lions members wandering through the crowd.

All are encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines.

History programs for kids starting in July

The Brown County Historical Society will offer two Hands on History day programs for 2021. The first will be Thursday, July 8 from 1 to 4 p.m.

The program is open to children ages 10 to 14 who look forward to exploring historic hands-on adventures. The program on July 8 is “Westward Ho!” taking a look at what would be packed as a pioneer family moved to a new home. Children will use simple looms to create a textile.

Early registration is required, as enrollment is limited to 10 children. The cost per child is $5.

The second program, on Oct. 21, will be “You are Here!” This session will take a look at some historic sites, events and noteworthy Hoosiers in Indiana history.

Contact Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 for additional information.

Snake Fest planned at park’s Nature Center

Visit the Nature Center at Brown County State Park Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Snake Fest. Visitors can get up close and personal with a variety of snakes and other reptiles, learning about what they are and where to find them.

The event is free, but there’s a $7 entry fee at the park gate, or use your annual park pass.

For more information, call the state park at 812-988-5420.

Nashville Farmers Market now open Sundays

The Nashville Farmers Market will be open every Sunday through October 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. Various meats are also offered. Local growers will sell shrubs, perennials and annuals for shoppers’ gardens.

Local crafters and artists share their talents in a variety of forms: Handwoven goods, soy and beeswax candles and more. Locally made goat’s milk soaps and bath and body products are also available.

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 will be scheduled every weekend. 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 is underway. 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.