COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Health dept. sets vaccination Clinics, Foundation plans 2023 annual report, Village Art Walk slated Friday

Health dept. sets vaccination Clinics

The Brown County Health Department will be offering vaccination clinics on June 23rd &July 21st with extended hours to 6 p.m. Beat the rush and get your students vaccinated for the coming school year. The Brown County Health Department Nursing Division vaccinates those without insurance and those on Medicaid and private insurance. To schedule an appointment please call 812-988-2255. Appointments will be required.

Foundation plans 2023 annual report

The Brown County Community Foundation’s (BCCF) Annual Report to the community will be hosted at the Brown County Historical Society at 6p.m. on June 29th. It will be an evening of local awards, honors, and a great night of philanthropy in Brown County. The event is open to the public, but guests are asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected] or calling 812.988.4882.

From the annual volunteer of the year award to the prestigious John D. Rudd Award, BCCF will be sharing stories of impact from Brown County. These stories will also include updates about BCCF’s work in Brown County including nonprofit support, scholarships, grants, and much more.

BCCF Board of Trustees Chair Dwight Thompson said he hopes residents will “Come learn more about this important organization in Brown County and the people that are making it all possible. Our community is stronger together through philanthropy and BCCF is building a better Brown County.”

The Brown County Community Foundation has the best interests of the community at heart. By supporting charitable organizations in broad areas of community need – education, social services, health care, arts and humanities, and environment – we help build a stronger, healthier Brown County. If you have any questions, please contact us at 812-988-4882.

Village Art Walk slated Friday

The next downtown Friday Village Art Walk takes place on June 23 from 4-7 p.m. Ten galleries remain open, several offering refreshments or special demonstrations or “make and take” activities. All venues are within walking distance from each other. Come meet the artists and enjoy the ambiance of Nashville.

Upcoming events at the library

The Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, has upcoming events on its calendar for visitors of all ages.

Monday Morning Storytime, Tuesday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m. (rescheduled for Juneteenth holiday), Stories, songs, rhymes, movement and crafts for kids 6 and under with their caregivers.

“Mr. Punch” Puppet Show, Thursday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m., Join Adzooks Puppets for “Mr. Punch,” a classic and silly puppet show for all ages. Everyone is welcome. Registration is requested but walk-ins will be welcomed as space allows.

Friendship Jewelry Extravaganza, Tuesday, June 20 from 1 to 2 p.m., Make fun jewelry to share with your friends. For kids ages 6-12. Registration requested

Teen Trivia &Game Night, Wednesday, June 21 from 4 to 6 p.m., Test your trivia knowledge about friendships in books, movies, music and television, or play board games and have snacks with friends. Registration requested

Puzzle Pandemonium, Monday, June 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Form a team of 2-5 jigsaw puzzlers and compete to find the fastest puzzler of all. Be ready for some fun twists, turns and surprises along the way! For all ages. If you can puzzle you can play. Registration requested

Comic Book Workshop, Thursday, June 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Join Do Art Productions for a comic book workshop. Jerry will share their process as a comic book artist and take us through the process of creating a full comic strip together! For kids grades 4-12 and adults. Registration requested

Book Club Social Hour, Wednesday, June 21 from 2 to 3 p.m., No discussion, but a great opportunity to sign up for Adult Summer Reading and pick up the July Novel Book Club selection.

Get Your Legal Affairs in Order, Tuesday, June 20 at 6 p.m., Learn about healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and living wills — what they are and if you need one — from Elder Law Attorney Blake C. Reed. Sponsored by Legal Aid Pro Bono Indiana. Registration requested.

Cordry Sweetwater Branch

CSW Bookies Book Club, Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m., Join the discussion of Born a Crime by Trevor Noah at the Cordry Sweetwater Branch Library. Everyone is welcome.

Brown County Public Library · For our complete schedule of events or to register for a program, visit our online events calendar at BrownCountyLibrary.info/events or call 812.988.2850.

Summer Reading Program

The Brown County Public Library is gearing up for its annual Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme, “All Together Now,” celebrates community and the spirit of working and playing together. The program runs June 17-July 29 and is open to readers of all ages — littles, kids, teens and adults — with fun programs, parties and prizes along the way. Kids and teens will start the summer on June 17 at a Summer Reading Kick-off Party featuring Chocolate Moose ice cream and a visit from Kim Freeman, local author of “Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better.”

With the goal of keeping kids reading throughout the summer, the Summer Reading Program is designed to make reading fun! By reading and recording a set number of minutes per age group, young readers will not only improve their literacy skills, but will also receive prizes along the way. After completing their reading minutes, they will entered to win grand prizes like local store gift cards, art supplies and Holiday World tickets at the End of Summer Reading Party on July 29.

And Summer Reading isn’t just for kids — adults can also win by reading and earn entries for prize drawings of gift certificates to local book stores and the grand prize, a Brown County Goodies Gift Basket. Adults will have their own prize drawing at an End of Summer Reception on Thursday, August 3rd.

Summer Reading registration begins June 1. Participants can register online or in person at the Library, but everyone will need to visit the Library to pick up their Welcome to Summer Reading packets — and get some new books to read.

For additional information, registration and a complete calendar of Summer Reading programs and events visit BrownCountyLibrary.info/srp23 or call the Library at 812.988.2850.

Book Bike schedule

Wednesdays, June 21 &28 from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. at select locations weather permitting

Simply place a hold on your materials by noon Wednesday and select “Book Bike” as the pickup location, then meet the Book Bike at one of our Book Bike stops at Johnson Street Park, Willow Manor Apartments or Hawthorne Hills Apartments.

The Library will be closed Monday, June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday.

Friday hours change

The main branch of the Brown County Public Library has shifted its Friday hours to open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. After monitoring library traffic for several months, it was determined that these new Friday hours will better accommodate patron schedules, and allow for longer after school hours for students when the school year resumes. Hours for the other days of the week will remain the same.

The Main Library hours are:

Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Closed Sunday

Additionally, the Cordry-Sweetwater Branch Library will not be opening on Saturdays this summer. This volunteer run branch will keep its current schedule of Tuesday, 2-5 p.m. and Wednesday &Thursday, 3-6 p.m. The CSW Branch is open to all Brown County residents and, while it has its own book and DVD collection, there are also weekly deliveries of additional materials from the Main Library. Items needing returned to the Main Library can also be dropped off at the CSW Branch.

Catch a buzzzzz at Pollinator Fest

Saturday July 22 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Brown County 4H Fair Grounds Exhibit Hall &Pavilion 802 Memorial Drive, Nashville.

Why are Pollinators Important? Hint: One in three bites of food needs pollinators. Special Programs: 1:30-2:30 p.m. How to support pollinators one yard at a time &kids program on nature with live critters.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Brown County

Watch our website: www.lwvbrowncounty.org

Family Fun Fest planned at church

Becks Grove Christian Church is having their 2nd annual free family fun fest on Saturday June 24th from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be free food and games and a dunking booth to dunk your favorite pastor. All are welcome.

Sprunica Baptist sets sermon series

Join us at Sprunica Baptist each Sunday in June at 10 a.m. as we answer four important questions about God

June 25: Did God create man or did man create God?

Sprunica Baptist, 3902 Sprunica Road, Nashville, IN

Community Center outlines calendar

The June calendar is busting with activity for the Community Center’s members and volunteers.

June 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Senior day with cards, cook out, and a walk around the track

June 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Senior day with cards, puzzles, and potluck

When the center is not reserved for an event, the playgrounds, walking track and horseshoe pits (bring your own shoes) are available for use by the community.

The Hickory Ridge Community Center is located at 2314 Hickory Ridge Lane, Morgantown IN 46160. More information can also be found at hickoryridgecommunitycenter.org.

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 percent 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.

Are you concerned about a loved one?

Project Lifesaver International, founded in 1999, is a private not-for-profit organization, working with search and rescue teams nationwide.

TRIAD was awarded a grant from the Brown County Community Foundation in 2021, to partner with our local sheriff’s department, to bring this training and technology to Brown County.

Individuals in the program wear a personalized, wrist-watch sized radio transmitter that allows first responders to rapidly locate them. The sheriff’s department has received the training on how to operate the tracking equipment. Additionally, the sheriff’s department has added drone technology, which can aid in rapidly covering difficult ground.

The sheriff’s department has also received specialized training on ways to address behavioral and communication challenges specific to people with a variety of cognitive conditions. This training is a bridge critical to gaining the person’s trust and facilitating a safe return home.

The cost of the program is borne by the sheriff’s department, TRIAD, and as affordable, to individual families. The foundation grants, of which three were received, offset the cost of the program to individuals, either in part or in full. We do no means testing, but let families choose their level of financial ability. The program is completely voluntary and one can enter or exit the program at any time.

To get more information, please call TRIAD, at 812-988-0109 and leave a message.

Motorcycle, car, truck show coming

Nashville #135 Annual Car, Truck, Jeep, and Motorcycle Show will be Saturday, June 17 at the Nashville Masonic Lodge, 19 Artist Drive. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be “People’s Choice Judging” classes, activities, door prizes, music and on-site food. Trophies will be awarded at 3 p.m. Contestants must be present to win.

For additional information or pre-registration contact, call or text Matt Willoughby at 812-801-6329 or email [email protected]

Fruitdale VFD serving up fish fry

On Saturday, June 17th the Fruitdale Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their second fish fry of the year. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this drive through event will feature fish (Alaskan Pollock), sides, drinks, desserts, and delicious tenderloins too. Located at 5200 N. State Road 135 in Bean Blossom.

Support group meets for grieving parents

Even though the grieving process one goes through when losing a child doesn’t take a break, the South Central Indiana Chapter of Compassionate Friends will not be holding their regular meetings at the NUMC for the next 2 or 3 months. Should you experience a loss and need to talk with someone, please contact Chris Kraft, Shirley Drake or Bill Schnackel. The chapter will announce the continuation of meetings in the BC Democrat once details are finalized.

Have questions? Please contact: Bill Schnackel, 765-490-0789, [email protected]; Chris Kraft, 815-814-8138, [email protected]; or Shirley Drake Jordan, 386-559-1030, [email protected]

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.