Bluegrass festival underway this week
BEAN BLOSSOM — Back for a 52nd year, the oldest, continuous running bluegrass festival in the world returns to Brown County June 9 to 16.
The 52nd annual Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, at the Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground, features eight days of bluegrass for more than 10 hours per day on three outdoor stages.
More than 70 bands scheduled to perform.The family-friendly event will also include music and instrument workshops nearly every day.
Performers include Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Asleep at the Wheel, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Dailey and Vincent, Paul Williams, Seldom Scene, the Malpass Brothers, Blue Highway, Band of Ruhks, Flatt Lonesome, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, the Grascals, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Larry Sparks and Lonesome Ramblers, Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys and many more.
Tickets range from $20 to $35 in advance for daily passes or $25 to $40 at the gate; $100 in advance for three-day combo tickets (Thursday to Saturday) or $115 at the gate; and $200 in advance for all eight days or $250 at the gate. Each ticket includes admission to the festival, workshops, and tours of the Bill Monroe Hall of Fame and Country Star Museum and Uncle Pen’s cabin. For advance tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com/event/3057016.
Cabins and camping are available. For campsite reservations, call 800-414-4677.
For more festival information, visit billmonroemusicpark.com or call 800-414-4677.
Native Woodlands Project series starts Tuesday
The Brown County Native Woodlands Project and Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District will offer a series of seven classes this summer focusing on the benefits of conserving native plants and controlling invasive species.
Classes will be taught from 5:30 to 7 p.m., some indoors at the SWCD office on Memorial Drive and some outside.
Tuesday, June 12: Why should I care about native plants?
Tuesday, June 26: Invasive plant species ID (indoor portion)
Tuesday, July 10: Invasive plant species ID (outdoor portion)
Tuesday, July 24: Invasive plant control methods (indoor portion)
Tuesday, Aug. 7: Invasive plant control methods (outdoor portion)
Tuesday, Aug. 21: Native plant alternatives
Saturday, Sept. 8: Graduation, at Nature Daze event
All who enroll and attend five out of six classes and pass a written, take-home test will be certified as Native Plant Stewards and can become a member of the Brown County Native Woodlands Project. To maintain certification, Native Plant Stewards will need to complete 10 hours of volunteer work annually relating to invasive species control or education.
The series costs $30 per person or $50 per household. To register, contact Allison Shoaf at 812-988-2211 or [email protected].
Small business financing workshop planned
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce will host a small business financing workshop from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 14 at the Brown County Career Resource Center, 246 E. Main St.
Guest speakers will be Ashley Hazelrig from People’s State Bank, Regina Chadwick from PNC Bank and Scott Rudd from the Town of Nashville.
The workshop is for anyone looking for help financing a new business or thinking of upgrading an existing business. All are welcome. A light breakfast is included.
Local produce, meat featured at market this week
BEAN BLOSSOM — The Bean Blossom Farmers Market on Friday, June 15 will include fresh asparagus sold by Mary Lou Nay of Nay-ture Hilltop Farms and green beans, beets and squash from Rainbow Tropical Plants.
The market takes place in the parking lot of St. David’s Episcopal Church, at state roads 135 North and 45, from 4 to 7 p.m. each Friday through Aug. 31.
Ram Family Farms and White House market will sell brats, tenderloins, ground beef and steaks. Homemade breads, pies and cinnamon rolls also will be available.
All market vendors (except artisans and dog biscuit vendor Kaylee Clark) accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) vouchers.
Guest Chef Ben Smith will serve Philly steak sandwiches, salad and chips. Lemon shake-ups also are sold.
The League of Women Voters will be set up at the community outreach booth. Visitors can learn about plans for voter involvement in the upcoming elections.
Indiana Blood Center’s bloodmobile will be at the market July 20.
The market is still seeking growers, producers, gardeners, artists, crafters and music makers to be vendors, or market volunteers for setup and parking, hosting and closing. For more information, visit BeanBlossomFarmersMarket.com or call 812-988-1038. For booth inquiries, call market coordinator Donna Niednagel at 812-272-9254.
Nissan Z car show slated for Seasons Lodge
A gathering of Nissan Z car enthusiasts is planned for Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16 at the Seasons Lodge.
The event, hosted by the Indy Z Car Club, will begin with check-in Friday afternoon, followed by a “wash ‘n shine” and social gathering in the evening. A judged car show will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, followed by cruising in the afternoon and an awards dinner that evening.
Spectators are welcome to attend free of charge. Car entry costs $20.
For more information, visit MidwestZHeritage.com or call Dale Wilson at 317-839-7457.
Class of 1968 will gather for 50th reunion
The Brown County High School Class of 1968 will meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 22 at Creekside Retreat (the former Wabash apartments) across from Salt Creek Golf Retreat. All BCHS past class members are welcome.
Alumni are encouraged to bring old photographs, senior “cords” or other memorabilia. Dress is “very casual” and refreshments will be catered. A donation basket will be on the food table to help cover expenses.
Those attending the alumni banquet Saturday, June 23 can get a discounted room rate. Contact Creekside Retreat, 2450 State Road 46 East, at 812-200-3157.
If anyone has contact information on alumni Sandra Badger, Larry Brown, Philip Fox, Deana Norman, Marilyn Reeves, Vicki Sterret, Sharon Stewart, Christanne Swain Traxler or Mike Waltz, organizers ask that let them know about the class reunion.
Sign-up is recommended by Friday, June 15. With questions, information or to sign up for the gathering, call or text one of the following alumni: Steve Bright at 812-599-6567, June Woods Floyd at 812-391-4189, or Carol Base Roberts at 812-318-0080.
Cocktails with local herbs served at historic site
BELMONT — From 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 16, adults 21 and older can sample two cocktails made with herbs near the formal garden at T.C. Steele State Historic Site.
During “Pick Your Poison,” refreshments will be served under a tent beside the garden. Gin and vodka will be provided by Cardinal Spirits, the event sponsor. Advance $20 tickets are required, with a limit of 20 people total.
For more information, visit tcsteele.org/programs. To register, call 812-988-2785.
VBS offered at St. Agnes Catholic church
“Splash Canyon” vacation Bible school will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, June 18 to 22 at St. Agnes Catholic Church for children ages 4 through sixth-graders.
VBS is free and friends are welcome. Teens work as helpers for the event at 1008 McLary Road. Donations will be accepted for Champ Camp, for kids with tracheostomies and those requiring respiratory assistance.
For more information, call 812-325-9527.
INDOT to hold open forum discussion
COLUMBUS — The Indiana Department of Transportation will host Transportation Talk, an open house discussion on transportation issues, between 5 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 20. The closest discussion to Brown County will be on this date at Columbus East High School, 230 S. Marr Road.
INDOT team members will be available to talk about their respective programs while addressing questions from the public and soliciting input.
Worship concert planned at Nashville Christian
Nashville Christian Church will host a concert by Dan Suttles, a music professor from Liberty University, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 20.
Suttles has performed as a freelance pianist and conductor in more than 100 worship concerts since 2007. The audience is invited to sing along to old hymns and new songs.
Confidence-building day camp with horses
BEAN BLOSSOM — Children ages 8 to 12 can participate in a four-day summer camp with horses to build confidence and self-esteem. The Confident Kids Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Monday, June 18 to Thursday, June 21 at Hope For Hearts Horse Farm, 1005 State Road 45.
Non-riding activities with horses, devotionals, games and crafts will give campers experience with farm life and are designed to build confidence in “who they are as unique individuals.”
The camp costs $160 for all four days. To register, email Lisa Bowman at [email protected] or call her at 317-496-0189.
Reserve by June 18 for alumni banquet, meeting
The Brown County High School alumni banquet and meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23 at the Seasons Lodge. The event will honor graduates of all Brown County high schools. Members of all classes are welcome.
Tickets for the banquet are $25 each, to be reserved by Monday, June 18. The meal will include a fried chicken dinner with biscuits, apple butter and dessert cobbler.
The agenda is:
- 3:30 p.m. — meet and greet
- 4 to 7:30 p.m. — silent auction
- 5 p.m. — 1968 class photo
- 5:30 p.m. — dinner and program
- 8 p.m. — election of officers for 2018-19
- 8:15 p.m. — door prizes, conversation
Casual dress is recommended. The program will include “Brown County Schools Through the Years,” a multimedia presentation; roll call of classes; recognition of guests (oldest/youngest, greatest distance traveled, former class officers, teachers, administration, etc.); and 50th anniversary recognition of the Class of 1968.
Gifts to support the programs and projects of BCHS and the BCHS Alumni Association are welcome. Make checks payable to Brown County Alumni.
The alumni association also needs auction items, old photographs for a slideshow, classmate contacts, banquet set-up and clean-up assistance.
For more information or to register, contact Linda Hobbs at [email protected] or 812-320-1828.
Recycle shoes, cellphones at high school gym
From 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday — June 18, 20 and 22 — the Brown County High School volleyball team will accept new or gently-used shoes, as well as cellphones in any condition, for recycling.
Bring items to the high school gym, 235 Schoolhouse Lane.
Shoes must be in wearable condition. Donated shoes are repackaged and given to Third World countries as start-up inventory for micro-enterprises that are managed by the local people.
All phones will be recycled. The condition of the phone dictates its recycle value; unlocked phones in good condition are worth more than locked or damaged phones. Remove personal information from phones before donating.
Register children for Bean Blossom church VBS
BEAN BLOSSOM — Bean Blossom Community Church will host vacation Bible school from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 18 to Friday, June 22.
The theme is “Shipwrecked.” The church is at 5046 State Road 135 North.
Parents can pre-register children ages 4 to 12 by visiting beanblossomchurch.com/vbs.
With questions, call church Outreach Director Jessica Miller at 208-290-2406.
Weekend Backpack group will meet June 20
The annual meeting and “thank you” to volunteers and supporters of Brown County Weekend Backpack Inc. will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 20 at Nashville United Methodist Church.
Fruit cobbler and ice cream will be served at the church, 36 S. Jefferson St. Enter through the back door.
A short business meeting will include election of officers and board, voting on bylaw changes and distribution of the annual report. A five-minute video will show the story of putting together food bags for the children of Brown County. The event also will include door prizes and a showing of the food pantry.
Sign up for CPR/AED training class
A cardiopulmonary resuscitation/automated external defibrillator training class will be conducted by Brown County Health Department Nursing Supervisor Jennifer Unsworth.
It will start at 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 22 in the second-floor Salmon Room of the County Office Building, 201 Locust Lane. Training usually takes about three hours and is limited to eight students.
To receive a certification card, a check or money order for $17 made out to IU Health Bloomington Hospital will be needed at class time. No cash or credit cards will be accepted.
To sign up, stop by the health department or call Unsworth at 812-988-2255.
Brown County Country Club sets open house
The Brown County Country Club (BC3) will host an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 28 at 2381 Country Club Road.
Owners, the Shively family, will be on hand to give grounds tours and information about BC3’s history. The Brown County Discgolf Alliance will demonstrate disc golf on the country club’s course and Jeanette Molina Catering will provide refreshments.
Touch-A-Truck fundraiser set for June 30
Children and adults can look over and learn about more than 20 trucks at the Brown County Touch-A-Truck fundraiser Saturday, June 30.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., fire trucks, a school bus, dump truck, excavator, ambulance, 1930 Austin, military truck, forklift and other vehicles will be parked in the Brown County High School parking lot. A “quiet hour” has been set aside from 10 to 11 a.m.
Firefighter hats and construction hats will be given to the first 200 children. The Boy Scouts will have a food tent.
Although the event is free, donations are welcome to support Brown County Weekend Backpack Inc., which sends backpacks of food home with local students in need each weekend.
Radio show about Brown County airs regularly
“The Brown County Hour” airs the first Sunday of every month at 9 a.m. on WFHB (91.3 or 100.7), and the following Wednesday at 6 p.m. The next shows will air July 8 and 11.
Listen to the show at BrownCountyHour.com or by liking the show on Facebook.
Sheriffs’ Youth Leadership Camp planned at Waycross
JACKSON TWP. — The 39th annual Indiana Sheriffs’ Association Youth Leadership Camp will include a session at Waycross Episcopal Camp. It will begin with registration from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, July 9 and conclude at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 11.
The camp is for boys and girls who are currently in the seventh or eighth grades and interested in learning more about a possible career in law enforcement.
“The camp provides a meaningful experience and relationship with other campers from throughout the state, as well as sheriff officers who serve as counselors and instructors,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers.
Information and application forms have been mailed to every middle and junior high school counselor in the state.
To download an application, visit indianasheriffs.org/youth-leadership-camp.aspx#content.
Litter clean-up days slated for July, November
Keep Brown County Beautiful has tentatively scheduled community clean-up days for July 21 and Nov. 3. Meet-ups will begin at 9 a.m. at McDonald’s, where free coffee will be provided.
Gloves, grabbers, vests and trash bags will be available.
An affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, KBCB seeks to educate the community about roadside litter and recycling. Projects focus on recycling, beautification, education and reducing litter.
For more information, call 812-988-0140 or 812-327-9617.
Kids’ summer day camp available at Y
The Brown County Community YMCA is offering summer day camp on weekdays through Aug. 8. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This year, campers are split into two groups, one for ages 3 to 5 and the other for children in kindergarten through the sixth grade.
For day camp information, stop in at the Y on Willow Street or visit browncountyymca.org.
Bluebird nest boxes for sale this spring
The Brown County Bluebird Club is selling cedar bluebird nest boxes for $15 each or two for $25 to raise money for the club. Email Dan Sparks at [email protected] or call 812-200-5700.
Book-a-Librarian service offered
Individuals or small groups can make an appointment with a Brown County Public Library librarian through the free Book-a-Librarian service. Sessions are limited to 30 to 60 minutes and are best used for instruction on how to use the library catalog, databases, digital resources and the Internet. Call 812-988-2850 for an appointment.
Register for cardboard boat fundraiser by Sept. 14
SWEETWATER — Brown County Parks and Recreation will host a cardboard regatta competition, Corrugated Chaos, Saturday morning, Sept. 22.
The race will begin at 10:30 or 11 a.m., with sign-in at Sweetwater Beach beforehand.
The challenge is to design and build a boat out of corrugated cardboard, powered by one to four crew members, capable of traversing and racing a 100-yard-long course in the lake.
Awards will be given for most creative design, fastest in the county, as well as “Gilligan” (most likely to leave you stranded) and “Titanic” (most spectacular sinking) awards.
The registration deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14. The cost is $10 per boat entered, or $25 per business.
Proceeds will go toward grounds upkeep and program improvements at parks and rec.
For rules and to register, visit bcparksrec.com/corrugated-chaos-in-brown-county or stop by the parks and rec office, 1001 Deer Run Lane.
Seed-saving demonstration planned at market Oct. 7
Torrie Rae of SEED Brown County and Ben Cohen of Small House Farm in Michigan will present a seed-saving demonstration at the Sunday farmers market Oct. 7.
From noon to 2 p.m. at the Brown County Inn parking lot, 51 State Road 46 East, visitors can get lessons on processing homestead-size seed harvests. Rae and Cohen will share information about the seed library and provide plants and seeds to process. Everyone is encouraged to bring plants and seeds to process from the seeds and plants they received through Brown County SEED earlier in the year.
For more information, visit facebook.com/BrownCountySeedProject.
