Sanders for President group meeting at library
The Bernie Sanders for President group meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the lower level of the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane. “Progressive people for Bernie Sanders are welcome,” the meeting announcement says.
Book discussion with author planned
As part of the Brown County Reads program, an effort to get the community to read, discuss and enjoy the same book, adults can read “The Story of Charlotte’s Web” by Michael Sims, then attend a book talk with the author at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at the Brown County Public Library.
Earlier that day, Sims will visit with first- through fourth-graders at Sprunica Elementary School.
‘Dance for the trees’ to draw attention to logging
The Indiana Forest Alliance and Bloomington Old Time Music and Dance Group will co-host a Barn Dance for the Trees Friday, April 1 at Mike’s Dance Barn, State Road 46 West.
The dance is designed to “raise awareness and encourage advocacy concerning the excessive logging in our state forests,” according to the IFA.
The evening will include beginner-friendly square dances, contra dances, mixers and more, with music by Jamie Gans and the Westside Alley Cats. It also will include two short speeches by Indiana Forest Alliance members who live in Brown County and have witnessed the logging of Yellowwood State Forest, the press release said.
The entrance fee of $8 will go to the IFA to aid in its goal of “protecting Indiana forests from excessive commercial logging and exploitation.” For more information, visit indianaforestalliance.org.
Having a ‘ruff’ day? Read to dogs at the library
Children and adults are welcome to visit the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane, from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3, for Sit, Stay, Read!
The program features three certified therapy dogs and good listeners, Mocha, Daisy June and George.
No registration is required for the drop-in program, underwritten by Friends of the Library and made possible in partnership with the Brown County Humane Society.
For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.
Victorian Tea tickets must be reserved soon
The 22nd annual Victorian Tea will be served at the Brown County Art Gallery from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 10.
Tickets must be reserved by Tuesday, April 5.
The event includes refreshments, a favor, a program featuring “An afternoon with James Whitcomb Riley” as portrayed by actor Jeff Kuehl, door prizes and a raffle.
The cost is $35 per person; ticket “upgrades” to $75 allow seating at the Riley Table. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with artists’ vendor tables and punch served.
RSVP at 812-988-4609 or browncountyartgallery.org.
Restaurants to help BCJHS civics team
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, Big Woods Pizzeria, 44 N. Van Buren, and Big Woods Brewery, 60 Molly’s Lane, will donate 15 percent of food purchases (drinks excluded) to help the Brown County Junior High School We the People team travel to the national competition in Washington, D.C.
The donation is only when the customer presents a coupon/token, available on Facebook by searching for “We the People Brown County Junior High and High School.”
Relay for Life teams forming now for May event
Brown County is gearing up for Relay for Life with a meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane.
While the main event is Saturday, May 21, at the Brown County High School track, now is the time for teams to form and start fundraising.
Those who cannot join a team can support the effort by making a donation, sponsoring the event or encouraging survivors to register.
For more information, attend the April meeting, visit relayforlife.org/browncountyin or call 812-325-6651.
Church breakfast free to community
HAMBLEN TWP. — Sprunica Baptist Church, 3902 Sprunica Road, will serve a free community breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9.
Served the second Saturday of each month, the menu includes biscuits and gravy, rolls, eggs and more.
Open house planned at Yellowwood State Forest
MARTINSVILLE — People interested in how Indiana’s state forests operate can share their views at a series of open houses starting this month.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry will provide information about recreational activities, major projects, forest resource management and planning. Participants can talk directly with DNR personnel or submit written comments. Some open houses will include a tour of facilities or a woods walk.
The event for Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood state forests will be Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Training Center at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, off State Road 37, about 6 miles south of Martinsville. For more information, call (765)342-4026.
Ride a Harley, watch belly dancers at event
Brown County Art Guild, 48 S. Van Buren St., will partner with Harley Davidson of Bloomington, Big Woods Brewing and three troupes of belly, flamenco and hoop dancers for the inaugural Brown County Man Cave from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 10.
The event, $21.69 per person, features a Jump Start machine that enables beginners to “experience a big Harley without risk.”
Tickets include food and beer provided by Big Woods and dancing in an art atmosphere.
Guild artist Lynn Dunbar will paint during the event; other painters are welcome.
For tickets, visit browncountymancave.bpt.me.
Annual Soup Bowl Benefit to aid Mother’s Cupboard
From 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 10, The Seasons Convention Center, 560 State Road 46 East, will host the annual Soup Bowl Benefit for Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen.
Tickets — $25 for adults and $5 for kids — can be purchased at Brown County IGA and from Mother’s Cupboard board members, and will be available at the door.
Adult ticket-holders receive a hand-thrown bowl by Brown County potters to fill with soups from local restaurants. The event includes live music performed by bluegrass band Hamilton Creek and a silent auction.
All proceeds benefit Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen, P.O. Box 825, Nashville, IN 47448.
Participating restaurants include the Abe Martin Lodge, Artist’s Colony Inn, Brown County Inn, Big Woods Brewery, Beni’s Catering, Brown County Community Foundation, Cornerstone Inn, Gatesville Country Store, Harvest Moon, Hobnob Corner, Hotel Nashville, Ice Cream Cottage, Out of the Ordinary, Rawhide Ranch, Story Inn, The Pine Room and Trails End.
Potters donating bowls are Judy and Tom Prichard, Linda Morris — Fox Run Pottery, Mindy Weddle — Carmel Ridge Clayworks, Larry Spears Gallery, Pryde Bayliss Pottery, John and Beth Mills — Brown County Pottery, Susy O’Donnell Pottery, Barb Lund Pottery, Walt Schmidt — Hickory Tree Studio, Brown County High School art students, Jan Arbogast, Adam Egenolf — Egenolf Ceramics, Karen Green Stone and Paula Patton.
Mother’s Cupboard, 868 Memorial Drive at the Brown County Fairgrounds, serves free hot meals from 4 to 6 p.m. 364 days a year to anyone, no questions asked — more than 4,000 a month. It also operates a food bank and distributes government commodities. The kitchen is funded by donations from individuals and endowments administered by the Brown County Community Foundation. To volunteer at the kitchen, call Chef Sherry at 812-929-9211 and make a date to help.
Sign up for Spring Blossom Parade soon
The Brown County Lions Club extends an invitation to all organizations to participate in the annual Spring Blossom Parade on Saturday, May 7.
This marks the 53rd continuous year for the parade, and the theme, “Brown County Celebrates our Superheroes,” recognizes the 50th anniversary of the 1966 “Batman” TV series and movie and the 200th birthday of Indiana.
The “Batman” movie will play at the Brown County Playhouse on Friday evening, May 6, and the Batmobile will be on display across the street that evening and in the parade Saturday.
There is no entry fee to be in the parade. Registration and waiver forms are available at the Purdue Extension Office, Visitors Center and online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/browncounty. The registration deadline is April 15. Signed waiver forms will be required from all who will be marching or riding in the parade. A confirmation with more information will be sent to each organization after receipt of their registration form. Any questions about registration should be directed to Lion Gene Niednagel at 988-6865 or email him at [email protected].
In addition to the Spring Blossom Parade, Lion community service projects include Independence Day fireworks, Adopt a Highway, Village Street Sweepers, Adopt a River and River Watch, eyeglass and hearing aid collection, scholarships and grants, and vision screening for children and adults.
Food manager’s certification class offered
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 11 and 12, a food manager certification class will be taught in the second-floor Salmon Room of the County Office Building, 201 N. Locust Lane. The Monday session will end at 12:30 p.m. and the Tuesday session will finish at 2:30 p.m.
All businesses serving food, except nonprofits, are required to have a certified food manager on staff. Certification is good for five years.
The class costs $125, which includes the book and test. The book should be picked up at the health department to study in advance. To take the test only, the cost is $50.
For more information, reservations or to pick up the book, call the health department at 812-988-2255 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
Garden plots for rent at Deer Run Park
Brown County Parks and Recreation has community garden plots available to rent for the 2016 growing season at Deer Run Park.
For more information or to reserve a spot, call 812-988-5522.
Superintendent to speak to parents about referendum
Brown County Schools Superintendent David Shaffer is speaking to elementary school parent-teacher organizations about the school district’s referendum proposal.
Voters will be asked in May to pay 8 cents more per $100 of assessed property value to maintain staff and current class sizes, support current and new programs, provide for teacher salaries and fund the Brown County Career Resource Center.
Shaffer will speak at Van Buren Elementary School at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 in the cafeteria.
He visited Helmsburg Elementary on March 1 and Sprunica Elementary on March 28.
‘American Pickers’ looking for characters with antiques
TV show “American Pickers” will be in Indiana in April and is looking for people with valuable antiques to be on the show.
Producers are looking for “characters with interesting and unique items,” such as vintage bicycles, toys, unusual radios, movie memorabilia, advertising, military items, folk art, pre-’50s western gear, early firefighting equipment, vintage musical equipment, automotive items and clothing.
Send name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to [email protected] or call 855-old-rust.
Preservation society to meet in April
The Peaceful Valley Heritage Preservation Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in a lower-level meeting room of the Brown County Community Foundation, 209 N. Van Buren St.
The agenda includes updates on current preservation projects and other business.
All are welcome. The organization serves to recognize and preserve historic, cultural and natural resources of Brown County. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month.
For more information, contact Ruth Reichmann at [email protected] or 812-345-1383.
Learn more about money management
From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, the Brown County Purdue Extension Service will offer a financial management class. Topics will include budgeting, saving and getting the most out of your paycheck.
It will take place in the second-floor Salmon Room of the Brown County Office Building, 201 N. Locust Lane.
The class also will be offered from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in the Community Room of the Brown County Purdue Extension Office, 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds.
Earth Day Festival activities at Harmony Church
NEW BELLSVILLE — Harmony Church will host a concert featuring the Amanda Webb Band at 7 p.m. Friday, April 22.
A Labyrinth walk and tree planting ceremony is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Festivities also will include a pitch-in feast Sunday, April 24 at noon to be followed by a healing aromatherapy experience led by Ingrid Skoog.
Harmony is on Mt Liberty Road at Bellsville Pike. For more information, call Gretchen Laymon at 812-988-1714.
Benefit for backpack program honors superintendent
A spring benefit concert honoring David Shaffer, retiring superintendent for Brown County Schools, and benefiting the Brown County Weekend Backpacks Program is slated from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 29, at the Brown County High School auditorium.
Students, staff and any local residents can participate in the free event, which will need volunteer workers and musicians. The concert will focus on classical music, but all music genres are welcome.
Donations will be accepted at the door, with all proceeds to benefit the BCWB program. Operating throughout the school year, BCWB provides meals for at-risk students in the Brown County school system. The goal: “No child deserves to go to bed hungry.”
To help with the concert, call coordinator Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 or email her at [email protected].
Indiana Wine Fair tickets on sale now
STORY — The annual Indiana Wine Fair will take place at the Story Inn Saturday, April 30, rain or shine.
Vintners will dole out one-ounce pours amid food and live music. The first 4,000 general admission ticketholders to enter receive a keepsake wine glass.
Participants must be at least 21. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.; wine service ends at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30 at the gate and $10 for designated drivers. A free shuttle will run to and from downtown Nashville every 15 minutes.
For more information, visit indianawinefair.com or call 812-988-2273.
Shop at craft fair to benefit 4-H program
A craft fair supporting Brown County 4-H will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds.
For more information, call 812-988-5495.
Farmers market to open in May
BEAN BLOSSOM — The Bean Blossom farmers market will open Friday, May 13 in the St. David’s Episcopal Church parking lot, on State Road 45 just off State Road 135 North.
Information on what will be sold will be coming in April.
BCHS 1966 alumni sought for 50th reunion
Organizers of the Brown County High School 50th alumni banquet are seeking help in finding 1966 alumni.
With information, email John Jones at [email protected].
The reunion will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 24, at Creekside Retreat, 2450 State Road 46 East, and include hors d’oeuvres, beverages and a cash bar. All classmates and others associated with the class are welcome.
To RSVP, contact Buzz King at [email protected] or 812-988-4294.
Residents can apply for storm shelter funds
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has opened a program to aid Indiana residents who wish to construct and install a severe weather safe room in their home.
Up to 53 applicants will be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of eligible costs, up to $4,500. Funding is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Questions can be directed to the IDHS Mitigation staff at [email protected].
