ChamberFest Brown County benefit concert
The final ChamberFest Brown County benefit concert will be held at the Nashville United Methodist Church, 36 S. Jefferson St., on Saturday, April 2 at 7 p.m. The chamber music trio of Brandon Vamos playing the cello, James Campbell playing the clarinet and pianist Futaba Niekawa will play works by Brahams.
Niekawa is on the piano faculty of Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Campbell is a recently-retired faculty member and Vamos is the cellist of the Grammy-award-winning Pacifica Quartet, the IU Jacobs quartet-in-residence.
ChamberFest Brown County will present these artists in a benefit concert for this year’s week-long festival from Aug. 14 to 20.
The concert is donation-based and all are welcome. A meet-the-artists reception will immediately follow the concert.
Funding available for nonprofits
Requests are now being accepted for over $13,000 in federal funding that is available to emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
Brown County recently received $13,418 in federal funding from the National FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Board, according to Linda Welty the Brown County coordinator for the South Central Community Action Program.
The funding is to be used to supplement emergency food and shelter programs. The SCCAP board made up of local service agencies will determine how the funds are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations. The board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds.
Brown County has distributed these funds previously to Salvation Army, Turning Point and Society of St. Vincent DePaul. These agencies were responsible for providing meals, emergency lodging and utility assistance to residents.
A written request of funds is required, which must include the agency’s name and address, contact person and phone number along with a roster of the organization’s volunteer board, federal identification number and amount of the funding requested and program area (food, rent, utilities).
Under the terms of the grant, organizations selected to receive funds must be nonprofit, have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit, practice nondiscrimination and have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and shelter programs.
If it is a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.
For information, call local Welty at 812-988-6636.
The local board in Brown County is also looking to expand their membership. Please contact Welty if interested in serving.
Free legal aid phone clinic set next month
Legal Aid will conduct a free legal service phone clinic on Tuesday, April 5 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 March 22 between noon and 2 p.m. A volunteer attorney will return a call to registered individuals between 3 and 5:30 p.m.
The next Legal Aid Phone Clinic is on Tuesday, April 26 with the same registration requirements and time frame.
Activities, events at library
The Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, will host several activities and events this month.
BCPL Craft Club will meet on March 30 at 6 p.m. The theme will be Faux Fabergé Eggs. All materials are supplied. Crafts are for adults, teens 13 and up. For more information, visit browncountylibrary.info/craft-club.
A “Wonderful” Walk: Trail Walk and Book Reading event will take place on April 2 at 11 a.m. at T.C. Steele State Historic Site, 4220 T.C. Steele Road. This one mile trail walk will kick off the One State/One Story: World of Wonders statewide read of Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s “World of Wonders.”
The Story Walk grand opening will occur on April 2 at 2:30 p.m. on the Salt Creek Trail. The first station will be just around the bend from the Brown County YMCA parking lot.
On April 2, kids can meet superheroes and princesses during the “Royal Encounter Visits the Library” event. Kids can take pictures, read a story and color with their favorite characters from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tech Day at the Library will be on April 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Technology from the Indiana State Library, including Squishy Circuits, Bloxels, and Code and Go Robot Mouse will be available to try. All ages are welcome. Registration is required by calling 812-988-2850 or visiting BrownCountyLibrary.info.
Harp Start, a program and performance by harpists from IU Jacobs School of Music, will occur on April 13 at 3 p.m. The performance will take place by the upstairs fireplace in the library. Everyone is welcome.
The library is also partnering with United Way of Monroe County to provide free federal and Indiana tax preparation for qualified residents.
To verify qualification, call the library at 812-988-2850 or visit browncountylibrary.info/freetaxprep.
Participants can pick up a free tax prep packet at the library. The completed packet can then be returned to the library.
A volunteer certified tax preparer will complete your tax forms and schedule an in-person appointment where you will approve and sign your tax returns.
The lower level parking lot will be closed until May 20 for construction of the power-producing solar panels in that area.
Electronic recycling, document shredding next month
The Brown County Solid Waste Management District has announced the dates for electronics recycling and document shredding.
On Saturday, April 9 electronics can be recycled from 8 a.m. to noon, or until the trucks are full at the Brown County Recycle Center, 176 Old State Road 46. TV sets and computer monitors will be $20 to recycle.
Document shredding day will also be on Saturday, April 9 from 9 to 11:45 a.m. in the front lot of the recycle center. With questions, call 812-988-0140.
In observance of Great American Clean-Up month, Keep Brown County Beautiful is offering to help clean up properties at no charge to the property owner.
Those interested should call 912-988-0140. Two properties will be chosen based on “need” criteria.
Long-term care planning seminar scheduled
Advisors with WestPoint Financial Group will host a free lunch seminar for long-term care planning on Wednesday, March 30 at noon at the Brown County Library, 205 Locust Lane. The guest speakers are Clara (Hyun Joo) Stanley and Greg Alexander, WestPoint financial advisors specialized in the areas of long-term care and Medicare.
The seminar is open to the public. Free lunch and drinks will be provided. RSVP by March 21 at 312-310-3617 or email [email protected].
Further services may be offered with no obligation to purchase.
The next session will be on Wednesday, April 27 at noon at the library.
Eater egg hunt at Deer Run Park
Brown County Parks and Recreation will host an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m. in Deer Run Park, 1001 Deer Run Lane.
Children ages 2 to 10 can bring their Easter basket and hunt for eggs throughout the park.
Due to the pandemic, the Easter Bunny will not be making an appearance.
Community Foundation upcoming events, volunteer of the year
The Brown County Community Foundation recently introduced the Organizations for Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) program, which aims to enrich the skills of local nonprofits.
ONE recently hosted a Zoom networking event that included a review of the results from a nonprofit survey from 2021. The next networking event will be a breakfast at Rafter’s at the Seasons Lodge in April.
A two-day training class for small nonprofits led by the IUPUI Fund Raising School and the Lily Family School of Philanthropy will occur on April 26 and May 24.
To sign up for the events, visit browncountygives.org/one. Attendance at both training sessions is required to participate.
For any questions, contact the foundation’s finance and program manager Jenise Bohbrink at 812-988-4882.
The community foundation is also asking the community for nominations for the 2022 Volunteer of the Year. Local nonprofits can nominate up to two volunteers who have demonstrated “a commitment to service in the Brown County community,” according to BCCF.
In order to nominate a volunteer, a single page letter describing the reasons for nominating the volunteer must be mailed to P.O. Box 191 Nashville, Indiana 47448 or emailed to [email protected] by April 15. The letter must include the nominee’s name and the nominating organization along with the submitter’s name, phone number and email.
The winner will have $500 donated to the charity of their choice. Winners will be announced during the Annual Report to the Community in June.
For more information, call the community foundation at 812-988-4882.
Earth Day celebration at YMCA
The Brown County Food and Farm Council will host an Earth Day celebration at the Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow Street, on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This community event will feature demonstrations, exhibitors, door prizes and activities for children and adults.
The Y’s community garden will also host special demonstrations and provide a sneak peak of more opportunities to come this growing season.
Those interested in becoming a vendor can visit the Brown County Purdue Extension Office or email [email protected] for a registration form. There is no charge for exhibit space.
Multiple local Bible studies
Over the next few months, multiple Bible studies will be available to residents.
Laura Stuart and Deeper Truth Ministries will offer the women’s Bible study every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Nashville Christian Church Lifehouse, 216 S. Van Buren St. The study will continue weekly through April 12. “The Forgotten Jesus: How Western Christians Should Follow an Eastern Rabbi” by Robby Gallaty, will be studied. Participants may order study books through a variety of places, including www.lifeway.com or www.christianbook.com. For questions about the study, please contact Stuart at 812-988-9072.
All ladies are invited to join a Bible study of the “Invincible” DVD series by Robert Jeffress, which will happen every Tuesday to May 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Rising Hope Baptist Church, 1267 Old State Road 46. Personal study guides and Bibles will be provided. Those interested should call 812-720-1570 and leave a message.
All people are invited to visit and learn more about Community Bible Study, a caring, in-depth, interdenominational study. The intent of the study is to be an “every person’s Bible study in their community.” The Nashville Remote Core Group is a part of the Bloomington Coed Class. The Nashville group meets Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Chapel at The Cornerstone Inn, 54 E. Franklin St. The current study will end April 19 and then resume again in mid-September. Everyone is welcome. For questions, contact Mike Heil at [email protected] or Shelley Heil at [email protected]. More information can be found at www.communitybiblestudy.org.
Brown County women are invited to attend Joy in the Morning, a non-denominational Bible study for women, at the Bean Blossom Community Church, 5046 State Road 135 North, on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. The next meeting is March 20. Coffee and fellowship begins at 10 a.m. Childcare is provided and transportation is available if needed. Besides the occasional purchase of the study guide, there is no cost to attend; an offering is taken for childcare. If you would like to attend and need a ride send an email to [email protected].
High school band seeking information
The Brown County High School Band is seeking information from the community as they prepare for their spring concert in May.
The band will honor those in the community whose lives were lost to COVID-19 with a dedicated song and a picture slideshow during the spring concert on May 12. The concert will take place in the auditorium at the high school.
Those interested in having their loved one honored should send names and photos to [email protected].
Class of 1973 reunion
Brown County High School class on 1973 will have their annual party this year.
They will celebrate on Saturday, June 11 in the Woodland Room at the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46 East from 4 to 7 p.m.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Checks can be made payable to Jed Bessire and mailed to P.O. Box 366, Nashville, IN 47448.
For questions, call Jed at 812-988-4408.
High school 50th reunion
Brown County High School class of 1972 will have a 50 year reunion this year.
To celebrate this milestone, there will be a casual event on Friday, Sept. 9 followed by a dinner on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Both events will take place at 1641 Oak Grove Road. The classes of 1971 and 1973 are also invited to attend.
Join the “Brown County HS Class of ‘72 Reunion” Facebook page for updates and reservations.
Project Lifesaver applications open
TRIAD and the Brown County Sheriff’s Department have announced that applications are now open for Project Lifesaver.
Those with loved ones at risk of wandering would obtain a personalized wrist-watch sized radio transmitter fitted to their wrist that would be used to locate them if they go missing.
This program is available to any Brown County resident due to a grant support from the Brown County Community Foundation and its partners.
For more information, call TRIAD at 812-988-5606.
Counseling service available 24/7
A free mental health crisis hotline is available through Be Well Indiana.
The Be Well Indiana Crisis Hotline is confidential and available 24 hours a day. Individuals who call the crisis helpline can seek support for several distress reactions including anxiety or fearfulness, issues with sleep, isolation, intrusive thoughts, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, fatigue and sadness.
A trained counselor will speak with callers and refer them to additional crisis counseling or mental health resources if needed.
Individuals can call 211 to reach the helpline.
Get on the calendar: Community Calendar is for events and happenings that involve and are open to the community. The deadline to make the April 6 edition is noon Thursday, March 31. Email [email protected] or call 812-988-2221.
