Free COVID-19 clinic for vaccination, testing
The Indiana Department of Health will host a COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic from Dec. 1 to 4.
The clinic will be from noon to 8 p.m at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 802 Memorial Drive.
Rapid antigen testing and PCR testing will be available.
Free vaccinations will be available for ages 5 and up. Intial doses and boosters will be available for Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson.
Medicare annual enrollment period open
The annual enrollment period for Medicare advantage and prescription drug plans will run through Dec. 7.
Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to review their plans in order to reassess their coverage and consider new options for 2022 if they desire.
New benefits may be available upon inquiry.
For a no-cost review and comparison of Medicare plans, call Christina McGinley at 812-988-6399 or contact her via her website at www.mcginleyinsurance.com.
Chamber of Commerce holiday toy drive
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Toy Drive through Dec. 4, and they need more toys.
Donated toys will go to underprivileged families in the community. Toys and gifts are needed for infants to teenagers and boys and girls. Gifts can include toys, books, crafts, and anything else appropriate for the occasion.
Official vendors for the Drive are the Toy Chest, Weed Patch Music Company, the Clay Purl, and Fallen Leaf Books. Fallen Leaf Books is offering 15 percent off all books purchased for the Toy Drive. Donations from other vendors can be dropped off at the Visitors Center, 211 S. Van Buren St. Toys will be donated to the Salvation Army and the St. Vincent de Paul charities.
The Brown County Music Center is also accepting toy donations in place of purchasing a ticket for the following shows:
The Brown County Music Center is accepting toy donations in place of purchasing a ticket for the Warrant show on Dec. 4.
The Toy Drive will end with a celebratory Light Parade on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. The route will loop from Washington to Jefferson to Mound to Van Buren.
A Holiday Decorating Contest will be judged on Nov. 26. Anyone is welcome to participate by signing up at www.thebrowncountychamber.org/holiday-decorating-contest.html.
Jazz quartet to visit Brown County
BEAN BLOSSOM — Blue Django, a jazz quartet featuring Brown County violinist Carolyn Dutton, will perform on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 11 State Road 45.
The group will play music from the 1930’s Paris jazz scene. The concert will be informal and family-friendly. Masks will be required.
Holiday events, more planned at library
At the Library After School (ATLAS) will take place on Dec. 2, 9 and 16 from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane. Games, crafts and snacks will be available for children ages 6 and up.
A Stuff a Stocking Rest Stop will happen on Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafts and hot cocoa will be available.
Monday Morning Storytime will occur on Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 10:30 a.m. The stories are for children 6 and under.
Homeschool Huddle will happen on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and will include winter crafts and stories.
Night Owl Storytime will be on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. Children under 8 can enjoy relaxing stories and songs. Pajamas, stuffed animals and blankets are welcome.
Holiday cocoa and cookies will be served on Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thrive Alliance seeks older adults for survey
Thrive Alliance is searching for participants living in Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings counties to complete an assessment survey.
The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (COSOA) is meant to compare older adults’ perceptions of the community to other communities across the nation.
Members of the community over the age of 60 may receive an invitation to participate in the mail. If an invitation is not received, those wishing to participate can visit www.polco.us/indiana21.
According to Thrive Alliance, the survey includes questions about the quality of life in the community, local policies, demographics, rating of local government services and resident use of services. A postage paid envelope will be included with the survey.
Alpha courses return to Parkview church
Parkview Church of the Nazarene will host their eighth annual Alpha Course, every Monday through Feb. 7 from 5:50 to 8 p.m. The course includes a meal, a video, and a discussion.
Call the church office at 812-988-7797 or Mark at 812-350-9655 to register. Childcare is available.
Santa’s Zip N’ Sip makes jolly return
Visitors to eXplore Brown County, 2620 Valley Branch Road, can meet with Santa to take photos, as well as zipline over 80 feet in the air. After the zipline tour, visitors can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa in the Harness Hut.
Tours will happen daily during the month of December, except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tours are $35 to $75 per person depending on the zip tour.
Victorian Candlelight Dinners this month
The Story Inn, 6404 State Road 135 South, will host Victorian Candlelight Dinners starting on Dec. 3 that will occur every Friday and Saturday evening through February. There will be two seatings: One at 5 p.m. and another at 7:30 p.m.
Staff will be dressed in authentic Victorian clothing with traditional live music from the piano. The evening will feature a special menu that can be found at www.storyinn.com/dining.
Call 812-988-2273 or visit storyinn.com for reservations.
All aboard: Santa Train chugs into Nashville
The Santa Train will visit Jackson Township Fire Department, 4831 Helmsburg Road, on Dec. 3 from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Due to COVID-19, families will not be allowed to go on board the train this year. They are invited to come watch Santa and Mrs. Claus roll in to Helmsburg. Santa’s elves will be there ahead of their arrival and children will be able to drop their letter to Santa in a North Pole mailbox at the stop.
The event is free.
Christmas in Antique Alley returns for second year
The second annual Christmas in Antique Alley will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4 from noon to 4 p.m. Antique Alley is a village of shops in Nashville.
Along with shopping at over 14 unique stores, visitors can enjoy the lights and decorations, and listen to live Christmas music performed by Indy Crossbones, a trombone quartet.
There will also be a meet and greet with Santa and a visit from some miniature donkeys from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Antique Alley courtyard.
Christkindl Market to debut this weekend
This year’s Christkindl Market will include decorated booths, live music, tree lighting, a traditional Chistkindl Market Angel along with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
This traditional European holiday market will take place on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4 from noon to 8 p.m. in the Coachlight Square.
Visitors can purchase gifts and experience family-friendly entertainment.
Santa Claus will be at the Visitors Center, 211 S. Van Buren St., from noon to 8 p.m. on the days of the market.
For more information visit, www.browncounty.com/do/christkindl-market/.
Brown County Children’s Auction returns this week
The Brown County Children’s Fund Live Auction will be on Friday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46 East.
Participants can bid on items donated by local artists and merchants. All proceeds will buy clothes for local children.
Auction items can be dropped off at Out of the Ordinary, 61 S Van Buren St. Cash donations will be accepted at PNC Bank.
Some items are available for online bidding now. Visit facebook.com/bcchildrensauction for more information.
Visit Friendly Forest Winter Wonderland
Jackson Township Fire Department, 4831 Helmsburg Road, will host the annual Friendly Forest Winter Wonderland on Dec. 3, 4, 10 and 11 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Families and children of all ages are welcomed to walk through the forest full of holiday lights and decorations while listening to Christmas music.
This event is free.
Stuff a Stocking happening this month
The seventh annual Stuff a Stocking event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children will follow a map to over 25 shops to gather treats, ornaments and toys in a Christmas stocking.
Pre-sale tickets are on sale now for $20 and will be $25 on the day of the event. Only 300 tickets will be sold. Online pre-sale tickets will end on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. and can be purchased at www.browncountygives.org/stuff-a-stocking.
Will call tickets can be picked up on Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. in the Howard F. Hughes Community Building in the lower level of the Brown County Community Foundation, 209 N. Van Buren St.
Annual Steele’s Country Christmas scheduled
T.C. Steele State Historic Site will present Steele’s Country Christmas on Dec. 5. Visitors can attend from noon to 2 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m.
Visitors can experience the fully decorated studio and house to see what an Indiana Christmas was like in the 1920’s. St. Nicholas and Belsnickel will also be there visiting. Holiday crafts and music will be available.
Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and $8 for children. Members of the Indiana State Museum can purchase tickets for $3 each.
For tickets and more information call 812-988-2785 or visit indianamuseum.org/historic-sites/tc-steele.
Ho-ho-hungry? Enjoy breakfast with Santa
The North Pole will come to the barn at Timber Ridge, 425 Hornettown Road, on Dec. 11 from 8 to 10 a.m.
Visitors can eat breakfast and take photos with Santa. The menu will include biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, french toast, sausage along with coffee, juice or water to drink.
Children can write a letter to Santa and his elves will mail back a response.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Reservations can be made at www.eventbrite.com/e/breakfast-with-santa-tickets-215377629287?fbclid=IwAR2-l3J6ttvOmAb_zeiGrMxFhfHnKzOWB_FOJ-wJxq3zg2GzYeEGbEk73TI.
Get on the calendar: Community Calendar is for events and happenings that involve and are open to the community. The deadline to make the Dec. 8 edition is noon Thursday, Dec. 2. Email [email protected] or call 812-988-2221.
