Learn about ‘Giving Dinner’ events this week
An information meeting for those who wish to host, volunteer, cater or attend a Giving Dinner will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the Brown County Community Foundation. The meeting will be in the Howard Hughes Community Room, 209 N. Van Buren St.
The idea behind a Giving Dinner is to gather people for a meal to learn about and donate to the needs of a local charity. In collaboration with the community foundation, hosts identify a benefiting organization, choose a date, the venue, and the menu, and create an invitation list.
For more information, attend the meeting or call 812-988-4882.
Chamber of commerce meeting set this Thursday
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 31 at The Seasons Lodge, 560 State Road 46 East.
Socializing will begin at 5 p.m.; the program will start at 6 p.m. The event includes a cash bar and door prizes.
For $35 per person, guests can attend the annual program/dinner, meet new people, and network to enhance business and make connections.
A retrospective of the past year will be offered as well as a look forward to 2019, “the year of marketing.” Some local businesses will be recognized with awards. The keynote speaker will be John Armstrong, executive vice president and group leader for ICF Olson, recently rebranded as ICF Next.
Komedy Spelling Bea, chili contest this Saturday
Psi Iota Xi’s annual Komedy Spelling Bea and Celebrity Chili Cookoff will take place Saturday, Feb. 2 at Brown County High School. In case of bad weather, it will be rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 9.
The chili supper and a silent auction will start at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria area and the “bea” will start at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family, including guardians and dependents 18 and younger.
Diners are able to vote for their favorite chili by making donations to Psi Iota Xi. All proceeds will benefit Brown County scholarships and local music, art, literature and speech and hearing needs.
For more information, call 812-597-4959 or 812-345-1570.
BETA to visit horse farm in Bean Blossom
BEAN BLOSSOM — BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association) will travel by bus to Hope for Hearts Horse Farm in the Bean Blossom area from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5.
Any junior high- or high school-aged school or home-schooled student is welcome to join and must complete a permission slip and waiver to go on the trip. Forms are available at BETA sessions from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays at 175 N. Jefferson St., or at the junior high or high school offices.
For more information, contact Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 or at [email protected].
Make reservation for daddy-daughter dance
The annual Daddy-Daughter Dance will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 at The Seasons Lodge Conference Center.
Girls 3 and older can dress up, dance and have photos taken with their dad or a father figure. The dance will include snacks, photo station, games, crafts and face-painting. It’s hosted by Brown County Parks and Recreation.
Reservations are required, $20 per couple and $8 per additional child. Visit bcparksrec.com and click on “special events” or call 812-988-5522.
Have breakfast with legislators Feb. 16
The public can meet and talk with state-level elected officials at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St.
Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) and Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) will be at the meeting.
Hosted by the Brown County Veterans Coalition and The Playhouse, the event will be the first in a series of three “town hall”-type community forums planned this year.
Internet safety class planned in February
Ryan Ridge will present a free tutorial on how to protect yourself online from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at the Brown County Public Library. For more information, visit browncountylibrary.info, stop in at the library, 205 Locust Lane, or call 812-988-2850.
Fourth Wednesday discussion group topics set
“Hope for the best; prepare for the worst, continuing discussions on emergency preparedness” will be the topic when the adult fourth Wednesday discussion group meets at 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Brown County Public Library.
The group meets each month for about 90 minutes to discuss pre-selected topics designed to foster conversation, companionship and laughter. “Reflection: A discussion of how personal and societal expectations have changed from generation to generation” is the topic slated for March 27.
For more information, stop by the library at 205 Locust Lane or call 812-988-2850.
Maple syrup festival coming to county March 2
STORY — Story Inn will host the National Maple Syrup Festival Saturday, March 2.
Events will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. featuring Native American, early French American and modern day sugaring demonstrations; Indiana artisans; local beer, wine and maple, food and spirits sampling; local music and food trucks.
Story Inn will serve a made-from-scratch, all-you-can-eat pancake buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $5 per person.
Festival gates will open at noon and all booths will close at 5 p.m. Parking is free.
After the festival, a four-course maple dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in the restaurant. Every course will include an adult beverage and Tim Burton will talk about “all things maple.”
For more information or reservations, call the inn at 811-988-2273.
Donate items for silent auction to benefit BETA
BETA (Brown County Enrichments for Teens Association Inc.) is looking for donated items for a silent auction at the Brown County Youth Music Showcase.
The showcase, featuring local youth musicians, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Brown County Playhouse. The concert also benefits BETA.
Auction donations can be dropped off at Farmers Insurance/Christina McGinley Agency, 145 S. Jefferson St., on weekdays. For more information, contact Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 or [email protected].
Local game convention planned
BroCoCon, Brown County’s first game convention, is planned from Friday to Sunday, March 29 to 31 at the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46 East.
The event, hosted by The Toy Chest is intended to be family- and adult-friendly; adults are welcome with or without children.
The convention will include booths set up by category and vendor to learn, play and/or buy games, with popular strategy, family, party and toddler games available.
Game instruction will be provided, with time to learn and play new games, get instruction on strategy games, participate in a scavenger hunt around town and enjoy a 21-and-older after-party, as well as other activities.
BroCoCon tickets cost $10 per adult and $5 per child, with 2 and younger admitted free. The adult after-party, $10, includes a drink ticket. Fees of about $1.50 per ticket will be added.
For more information, visit BroCoCon on Facebook, stop by The Toy Chest, 125 S. Van Buren St., or call 812-988-2817.
History programs for children slated
The Hands on History program, for children ages 8 to 12, will take place monthly on Thursdays at the Brown County History Center as follows: April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 29 and Oct. 24.
The program enables children to engage in many of the day-to-day activities experienced by children living in pioneer times. Activities take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Pioneer Village and the History Center, 90 E. Gould St.
Participation costs $5 per child. To register, call Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 or visit browncountyhistorycenter.org for a registration form.
Farm will offer locally-grown produce
BELMONT — Community Supported Agriculture memberships for this growing year are being accepted at Schooner Creek Farm.
Each member gets baskets of locally-grown produce each Tuesday from May 7 through Sept. 24. The 21 baskets or “shares” will contain a medley of produce designed for two to four people. A membership costs $625 for the season.
A variety of vegetables and herbs will be grown, such as heirloom tomatoes, Romaine lettuce, shallots, kale, onions, green beans, carrots, zucchini, basil and more. Substitutions in baskets are allowed only in the case of food allergies. Members can stop by the farm, 4 miles from Nashville, to pick up each week’s share.
The farm has used natural, chemical-free methods to grow food since its start in 2011. Non-GMO eggs are also sold sale. For more information, visit schoonercreekfarm.org, @schoonercreekfarmpage on Facebook or email [email protected].
Electronics day, shredding offered at recycle center
The Brown County Recycling Center will offer electronic recycling from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18 at the “far back” side of the Brown County Solid Waste Management District property. The center is off Greasy Creek Road near the intersection at Old State Road 46 East. Televisions and computer monitors will be accepted for $20 each.
From 9 a.m. to noon May 18, the center also will shred paper documents at the front of the property, at 176 Old State Road 46 East.
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.
