Health department offering COVID tests
The Brown County Health Department, 200 Hawthorne Drive, has a limited quantity of home rapid tests that can be given out to Brown County residents.
These will be available at the Brown County Health Department during normal business hours, while supplies last. Home COVID-19 tests are also available to be ordered at www.covidtests.gov for home delivery at no charge.
For more information call the health department at 812-988-2255.
Learn more about literacy nonprofit
READy to R.E.A.D. will host an open house at the Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow St. on Friday, Jan. 27 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Drop by to see their new classroom, chat about literacy, engage in a learning activity with your child, or to show your support.
There will be refreshments and light snacks available.
Upcoming events at the library
The Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, has upcoming events on its calendar for visitors of all ages.
Global Kids Explore the Northern Hemisphere, will be Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m., Kids in grades K-5 will learn how kids play, speak, eat and go to school in different countries in the northern hemisphere through hands-on activities. Registration requested.
Pre-K Days: Global Littles Explore the Northern Hemisphere, Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m., Kids ages 0-5 will learn how kids in other countries live, play, speak and eat. Registration requested.
Open Play Family Literacy, Jan. 25 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Open play with other families for kids ages 0-6, along with literacy tips for adult caregivers. Registration requested.
Monday Morning Storytime meets Jan. 30 and Feb 13, 20, &27, 10:30 a.m., Stories, songs, rhymes and crafts for kids 6 and under with their caregivers.
ATLAS: At the Library After School meets on Wednesdays, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, 8, &15 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Hang time, games, crafts and snacks for kids and teens grades ages to 6 to 12.
Knitting for Newbies meets Fridays, Jan. 27 and Feb. 17 and 24 at 10:30 a.m. Learn the basics of knitting in this 5-week intergenerational class. Practice yarn will be supplied, and you can bring your own needles or borrow some from the library. For ages 5 to adult. Registration is required.
BCPL Craft Club: Felt Trinket Bowls will be Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. Make decorative bowls from felt. All tools and materials supplied. For adults and teens 13 and older. Space is limited. Registration required by Friday, Jan. 20.
For program details and registration visit BrownCountyLibrary.info/events or call the library at 812-988-2850.
Learn more about invasive species
If you would like to learn more about how to identify and control winter creeper, the Brown County Native Woodland Project will sponsor a Weed Wrangle Day at 10:30 a.m. on February, Feb. 10 on the Salt Creek Trial. Participants will pull vines spreading on the ground and use appropriate techniques to cut and treat vines climbing trees near the trail.
Meet at the YMCA, far end of the parking lot by the trailhead. Bring loppers, gloves, and wear warm comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes. Tools and gloves will be provided for those who need them.
Winter Creeper, or creeping Euonymus, is an evergreen perennial vine that was introduced into the U.S. as an ornamental ground cover. It is invasive in natural areas such as our Brown County woodlands. It can tolerate a broad range of environmental conditions ranging from full sun to deep shade, in many types of soil including low nutrient areas. The vine invades forest openings and margins growing across the ground under the leaves displacing native wildflowers and seedlings. As a vine, it climbs trees, clinging to the bark, where it blooms and fruits. Here the berries are consumed and spread by birds and other wildlife. New seedlings can often be found at the base of the trees where the birds have perched. The plant is an evergreen woody vine with glossy, dark green, oval leaves. Fruits are small round pin-re capsules that split open to expose the seeds.
Foster grandparent signups now open
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.
Bible studies ongoing in county
Community Bible Study meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the chapel at Cornerstone Inn, 54 E. Franklin St.
They will study James, 1 and 2, Peter, as well as 1 and 2 Samuel.
After individual study during the week, the group will gather for a group discussion, a teaching and commentary.
For registration and questions, contact Mike Heil at 605-660-8250 or [email protected].
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.
LEAP applications are now open
Applications are currently open for the 2022-2023 Brown County Leadership Education Adventure Program (LEAP) cohort. The program will begin in October 2022 and continue through April 2023.
LEAP develops leadership skills, creates a network for the study of community issues and allows participants to learn the needs of the Brown County community.
Applications can be picked up at the Career Resource Center, the Brown County Music Center or the Brown County Visitors Center.
Contact Christy Wrightsman for more information at 812-988-5880 or [email protected].
