Community Calendar for week of July 20

Early Education Center open house

The Brown County Early Education Center will host an open house on July 19 from 3 to 6 p.m., highlighting the new 3- to 5-year-old classroom.

Parents and families are welcome to attend.

Celebration of Success happening this month

The Brown County Career Resource Center will hold a Celebration of Success for its 2021-2022 graduates on July 19 at 6 p.m.

All CRC students and their families are invited to attend. The celebration will take place in the main gym of the Educational Service Center, 260 Schoolhouse Lane.

For more information, call 812-988-5880 or email [email protected].

Upcoming events at library

The Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, has several events planned for the upcoming weeks.

STEM Design Challenge Day will be on July 19. Bring your STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) knowledge to this design challenge day. Kids in grades three to six will meet at 11 a.m. and teens in grades seven to 12 will meet at 1 p.m.

Novel Bunch Book Club will meet on July 20 at 2 p.m. They will discuss “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk” by Ben Montgomery. Everyone is welcome.

Malcolm Dalglish’s “Wild Wild Word Show” will take place on July 20 at 6 p.m. A blend of mime, rhyme, rhythm and song, Dalglish’s show combines story ballads and fast-paced antics with the sounds of hammer dulcimer, spoon and bones playing. All ages are welcome. Registration is requested by visiting browncountylibrary.info/events. Walk-ups are welcome as space allows.

At the Library in the Summer will meet on July 21 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Drop in crafts, games, snacks and hang out time will be available for middle and high schoolers.

Lego Club will meet on July 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at the BCPL.

“Virtual Reality Experience Days” will occur throughout July. People of all ages can enter the world of virtual reality through Oculus Quest 2. Try out a travel experience like Google Earth VR, or play interactive games like “Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs,” “Fruit Ninja,” “Real Fishing” and more. Sessions are 30 minutes each. Registration is requested by visiting browncountylibrary.info/events.

Monday Morning Storytime will be on July 25 at 10:30 a.m. The morning will include stories, songs, games and crafts for kids 6 and under.

BCPL Craft Club will meet on July 27 at 6 p.m. They will be making coiled rope bowls. The craft is for adults and teens 13 and older. Registration is requested at browncountylibrary.info/events.

“Professor Steve’s Unseen Forces Show” will happen on July 28 at 5:30 p.m. The show will include science, interaction and fun for all ages — including Professor Steve’s Amazing Flying Toilet Paper. Registration is requested at browncountylibrary.info/events.

An End of Summer Reading Party is planned for July 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be ice cream, games, prizes and an adult summer reading prize drawing at 1:30 p.m.

Grave marking ceremony planned for this week

The Indiana Society, Sons of the American Revolution, will host a grave marking ceremony on July 23 at 2 p.m.

The ceremony will honor Job Hamblen at the Hamblen-Taylor Cemetery on Sweetwater Trail where he is buried.

High school football combine happening this month

Brown County High School football Coach Konnor Graber will host a mock college and National Football League football combine for student athletes on July 27 from 3 to 5 p.m.

The event will consist of agility and strength competitions. Event categories will include a 40 yard dash, short shuttle, three-cone drill, broad jump and bench press. Each category will have one winner.

Graber explained that the combine will build morale for the team through competition and prepare high schools students for an actual combine they will be required to do if they desire to play college football.

The combine will be a fundraiser for the team with local sponsors. A cookout for the team and parents will follow the event.

Regional sewer district webinar

The Brown County Regional Sewer District informative webinar originally planned for July 18 about the recently completed engineering planning and water quality study has been postponed. A new date and time will be announced as details are finalized.

In the spring of 2020, the regional sewer district was awarded a grant from the Regional Opportunities Initiatives, Inc. through its Ready Communities Initiative. The ROI grant enabled the BCRSD to retain a consulting engineering company to evaluate water quality in the streams and tributaries throughout Brown County and undertake a wastewater infrastructure strategic engineering evaluation of on-site septic treatment systems.

Lochmueller Group, a multi-disciplined engineering firm from Indianapolis, began its work in April, 2020. The strategic planning and engineering study was completed this spring.

The need for a “clean, usable, enjoyable, healthy and safe natural environment is broadly recognized as a high priority for Brown County residents,” according to BCRSD member Clint Studabaker.

Specific online webinar details for time and locations will be announced at a later date. Visit the BCRSD’s website at browncountyrsd.org for more information.

Back-to-school grants available for veteran families

Applications will be accepted until Sept. 15 for $500 grants to help cover back to school costs for veteran families.

Operation Back to School Military Family Relief Fund will award the grants to Indiana veteran families experiencing financial hardship. Families can apply for $500 per dependent child for back-to-school expenses. Dependents eligible include children in kindergarten through 12th grade, up to age 18 and full-time college students, up to age 23. Students must live in the veteran’s home.

To apply, documents needed are DD-214, W-9, Direct Deposit form, proof of income, band statement and proof of child’s residency.

For more information and to apply, visit in.gov/dva/about-idva/links/military-family-relief-fund/.

Free summer meals at YMCA, other locations

Students 18 years old and younger can get free meals and snacks at more than 1,000 locations statewide through the Indiana Department of Education’s Summer Food Service program.

Families can visit IDOENutrition.com to search by the meal served and days of the week where meals are offered. They can also call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-86603-HUNGRY or text “summer meals” to 914-342-7744.

As part of the program, the Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow St., will have breakfast available at 8:30 a.m. and lunch available at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday until July 30.

Discipleship Bible study starts this month

The study on biblical discipleship that inspired Fertile Ground Ranch Discipleship Ministry (FGR) will be taught on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m., beginning July 19.

The study will be led by Bill Schlipp, FGR founder. The group will meet at the FGR farmhouse on the east side of Brown County. Bring a Bible and a notebook. A study guide will be provided.

Sign up to attend, or request more information, by contacting Schlipp at [email protected] or 630-776-5582. He will provide directions to the farmhouse.

FGR is a Brown County-based Christian ministry whose mission is to follow the command of Jesus Christ to be and make disciples. More information is available at fertilegroundranch.org.

Pie auction happening at fair

Brown County Indiana Habitat for Humanity will have a homemade pie auction in the Stage Pavilion at the Brown County 4-H Fairgrounds, 802 Memorial Drive, on Monday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

For questions, contact the Habitat office at 812-988-4926.

Annual free shopping event returns this month

The annual back-to-school event On the Road Again will be at the Educational Services Center, 260 Schoolhouse Lane, on Saturday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is hosted by God’s Grace. Guests receive a shopping list at the door. Children can receive gently used outfits, coats, new underwear and socks, a pair of new gym shoes, pajamas, and a bag of personal hygiene items.

Licensed professionals are also onsite to provide haircuts. Personal shoppers are on hand to guide shoppers in making choices, finding correct sizes and carrying selected items.

There is no cost to participate. For more information, call 812-988-9764.

Free programs at Trafalgar library

The Trafalgar Country Gardeners and the Johnson County Public Library — Trafalgar Branch are sponsoring a free program at the library, 424 S. Tower St., later this summer.

During “Indiana Grown,” attendees can learn about the state-run initiative designed to bring consumers closer to agricultural producers. The presentation will take place on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.

For more information, call 317-517-0566.

Free picnic set for this summer

Brown County TRIAD will hold its annual free picnic on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 State Road 46 East.

The picnic will include free food, door prizes and music. Everyone is welcome.

Color Walk set for this summer

Colors will soon fill the air again as the Brown County Community Foundation’s Color Walk is set to take off later this summer.

The Walk will be Aug. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting and ending at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 802 Memorial Drive.

The Walk is approximately a two mile route along the streets of Nashville where walkers will be blasted at various stations with vibrant colored powder. The powder is non-toxic, safe and biodegradable.

An after party at the fairgrounds will feature live music, food booths, activities and more. Participants can walk at their own pace. Toddlers and strollers are welcome.

The event is happening with the support of Brown County Bikes. Some activities they will provide will include learning bike safety basics, bike maintenance workshops, pump track and bike skills courses, and demo bikes to ride.

Over the last five years, the community foundation has provided $183,943 in grants for 130 children to attend preschool in Brown County Schools. Money raised from the Color Walk will support those preschool grants.

Tickets are only required for the Color Walk. Tickets are $10 to $40. The event and fairground activities are free. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/brown-county-community-foundation-2022-color-walk-and-community-event-tickets-324045247057.

BETA, parks and rec to host music event

BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association) will join Brown County Parks and Recreation to host “Music in the Park” at Deer Run Park on Saturday, Aug. 6.

The event will feature bluegrass music, food, bounce house and fire trucks. The goal of the event is to raise awareness about the needs that programs such as BETA and parks and recreation face when trying to find volunteers and programs.

BETA, an after school program for teens, is accepting applications for volunteers and staff to help with the program in the upcoming school year. Those interested can visit the BETA Facebook page for more information.

Hope Fest returns this summer

The fifth annual Hope Fest is scheduled for later this summer at Deer Run Park.

The resource and recovery fair will be on Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Deer Run Park, 1001 Deer Run Lane.

Support services will have booths with information. The day will also feature music, food, giveaways, activities for kids, a dunk tank, recovery testimonies, cornhole and more.

Hope Fest is put on by Do Something Inc., a local nonprofit which operates the Launch House in Nashville that helps those in addiction recovery.

Become a foster grandparent

Thrive Alliance and AmeriCorps Seniors are currently looking for foster grandparents for children.

Thrive Alliance and AmeriCorps Seniors work with public and faith-based schools, Head Start Centers and youth serving facilities in five counties, including Brown, being role models, mentors, tutors and friends.

Those interested should call 812-374-2711, 812-372-6918, or visit fostergrandparentsthrive.org.

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.

Grants available for septic, well repairs

The Great Lakes Community Action Partnership Decentralized Water Systems program recently announced the availability of grants for water well, in-home water treatment and septic system repairs.

The maximum loan amount is $15,000 with a 1% interest rate. The maturity may not exceed 20 years and will depend on repayment ability.

To be eligible for the grant, the applicant’s household income cannot exceed $33,470. In addition, applicants must own and occupy the home or be in the process of purchasing the home for occupancy. New home construction and community water systems are not eligible.

For more information and to apply, call the Brown County Health Department at 812-988-2255.

Nashville Farmers Market continues

The Nashville Farmer’s Market will continue through Oct. 30.

The market runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday in the parking lot of the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46 East. Parking is free. The market is the place to shop local and support local growers, bakers and makers.

Each week market vendors offer an ever changing selection of locally grown plants from local gardens, seasonal produce, breads and baked goods, pastured meats and eggs, arts and more. Live music will also be performed.

SNAP shoppers can have their benefits doubled at the market information tent. All shoppers can enter to win the market’s weekly $10 raffle. The market is a rain or shine event.

COVID-19 testing ceases

As of July 1, the Brown County Health Department, 200 Hawthorne Drive, has ceased testing for COVID-19, as the demand for testing continues to decrease.

Residents are asked to check availability with pharmacies and primary care providers for any future testing.

The health department has a very limited quantity of home, rapid tests that can be given out to residents. Home tests can also be ordered at covidtests.gov for home delivery at no charge.

The health department is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The health department will offer the Pfizer vaccine to children 6 months and older. To make an appointment call 211 or visit www.ourshot.in.gov. Vaccinations are administered Monday through Friday from 1 to 3:20 p.m. at the health department.