Entry deadline soon for IHA exhibition
Indiana Heritage Arts will accept up to three entries per artist wishing to enter the 41st annual Exhibition & Sale until Friday, May 3.
Artwork can be brought in to the Brown County Art Gallery, 1 Artist Drive, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2. Results will be posted Tuesday, June 4 on the IHA Website and Facebook. Cash prizes range from $250 to $5,000 per entry.
Entry forms and fees must be submitted online. Fees are $30 per IHA member, $45 per nonmember.
An opening reception will take place Friday, June 7 at the gallery. The exhibit and sale will be open to the public June 8-22.
For entry forms, details and more information, visit indianaheritagearts.org/2019-exhibition.
Spring Blossom Festival is this weekend
Nashville will celebrate the 90th year of the downtown Spring Blossom Parade on Saturday, May 4. The parade steps off at 11 a.m.; other activities include the sale of pork barbecue sandwiches downtown to support Mother’s Cupboard; an auction to benefit the Boy Scouts; children’s games put on by the Rotary Club; a community concert and other events. See details on page A9.
Library seeks volunteers to walk in parade
The 56th annual Spring Blossom Parade will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4 from the Brown County High School parking lot.
To promote the Brown County Public Library’s 100th birthday on July 20, library staff are seeking 100 volunteers to walk with them in the parade. Volunteers can stop in at the library, 205 Locust Lane, to put their name on the list, or call 812-988-2850.
A library birthday celebration is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20.
State park hosting morel mushroom festival
Brown County State Park will host a Morel Mushroom Festival and “Mushrooms and Mash” event most of Saturday, May 4.
The schedule includes tea time at 10 a.m., a mushroom talk at 11 a.m., a morel sale starting at 1 p.m., a mushroom hike at 2 p.m., and the “Mushrooms and Mash” part starting at 6 p.m. featuring music by the Indiana Boys and Grass Hound, a s’mores fire pit and craft time from 6 to 9 p.m., and a kids’ morel hunt at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $5 per person in advance or $10 on the day of the event; kids 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available at browncounty.com/store or at the Nature Center.
Local artist offering fluid acrylic classes
On Saturday, May 4 from 1 to 3 p.m., Anabel Hopkins will teach a class in acrylic paint pouring. No experience is needed. Participants will take home two pieces of art they will create. The venue will be Chateau Thomas Winery, 225 S. Van Buren St.
All materials and snacks will be provided; beverages will be sold. The cost is $40. Reservations are required at 812-340-8781, call or text. More information and class schedules can be found at Facebook.com/PournMore.
Woodworkers to host cookout, demonstration
VAN BUREN TWP. — The Brown County Woodworkers Club will conduct a special event from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at Bill Freeman’s Shop, 7839 Bellesville Pike. Activities open to the public are as follows:
- 2 to 3:30 p.m. — Log-sawing demonstration
- 3 to 4 p.m. — Lumber sale, tool sale/swap
- 5 p.m. — Cookout for a donation to Happy Hollow Children’s Camp.
Some sales will benefit the children’s camp, at the seller’s option.
Community band concert set this Saturday
The first Brown County Community Band concert this year will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at the Brown County High School auditorium. The theme will be “Heritage: The Music of America.”
The event is the 17th annual benefit concert for Brown County Habitat for Humanity; all proceeds will go to the group. Refreshments will be served afterward.
Nashville Farmers Market opens this Sunday
The Nashville Farmers Market season will open Sunday, May 5 in the Brown County Inn parking lot, 51 State Road 46 East, at the corner of 135 North and 46 East. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Shoppers can get produce, eggs and meat from local farms; vegetable, herb, and flower plants, hanging baskets; ready-to-eat foods, pies, muffins, breads and more from local bakers; farm products, including soaps, syrups, and body products; and creations from local artisans. Brown County’s The Hammer and The Hatchet will perform bluegrass-inspired music.
The opening day children’s activity will be making newspaper pots and planting seeds, donated by Seed Brown County, to grow at home. Seed Brown County will also have free seeds for market guests.
Shoppers can use SNAP funds and WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks at the market.
The market will be open every Sunday from May through October. Vendor offerings change weekly.
Local farmers, food and vendors of all types, artisans and community members are welcome to sign up. Vendors are not required to attend every week. Weekly fees range from $10 to $12.
Volunteer opportunities range from acting as market ambassadors greeting customers and answering questions to being part of children’s activities or joining the logistics team. No experience, muscle or every-week commitment is required.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit nashvilleindianafarmersmarket.com or facebook.com/nashvilleindianafarmersmarket.
Learn about folk artists around the state
Jon Kay of Brown County, director of Indiana University’s Traditional Arts Indiana program, will speak about “Traditional arts and how it fits into our cultural heritage” at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5 at the Brown County Art Gallery.
Traditional Arts Indiana is dedicated to expanding public awareness of Indiana’s cultural practices and nurturing a sense of pride among folk artists. From fiddlers and dancers to netmakers and quilters, this traveling exhibit profiles their work.
Learn to grow medicinal herbs at library
Rregistered nurse Susan Clearwater will share her methods of organically growing many types of medicinal herbs and provide information to “empower people to develop their own herb gardens.” The free program will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 5 in the lower level of the library. With questions, call the Brown County Public Library at 812-988-2850.
View students’ work at Brown County Art Gallery
Local students’ art is on display starting this week in the Brown County Art Gallery, 1 Artist Drive. The Mabel B. Annis Student Art Competition hangs through Sunday, May 5. All seventh- through 12th-graders in Bartholomew, Brown, Greene, Jackson, Johnson, Morgan and Monroe county schools were eligible to participate.
The competition is judged and includes six categories, painting, drawing, 3D, print, photography and video. More than $1,500 in prize money will be awarded to students, and Indiana Heritage Arts will again present a $150 IHA Teacher of the Year award in the junior high and senior high divisions.
Farm selling shares of 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.
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.
For more information, visit schoonercreekfarm.org, @schoonercreekfarmpage on Facebook or email [email protected].
Discounted history tours planned May 8
At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, the Brown County Visitors Center will offer guided history tours for $5 per participant. The discount is in celebration of “Wayback Wednesday” through Visit Indiana.
The one-mile walking tour begins and ends with history films at the Visitors Center, 211 S. Van Buren St. Information will include humor and the history of land, people, industry and the art colony formation.
For reservations, stop by the Visitors Center, visit squareup.com/store/brown-county-visitors-center or call 812-988-7303.
Community garden plots open for rental
Community garden plots at Deer Run Park in Nashville are available for this growing season. Prices range from $25 to $35 for the year. For more information, call the Brown County Parks and Recreation office at 812-988-5522.
Free classes for first responders planned
EMS training will be offered free for first responders at 7 p.m. Wednesdays each month in the training room at the Brown County ambulance base, 53 State Road 46 East. Classes count toward continuing education for recertification.
Sessions are scheduled as follows: May 8 — anaphylaxis; June 12 — injury to muscle and bones; July 10 — childbirth/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/pediatrics; Aug. 14 — airway and rescue breathing; Sept. 11— special operations and hazardous materials (hazmat) situations; Oct. 9 — bleeding and shock; Nov. 13 — cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/automated external defibrillator (AED); Dec. 11 — cold weather emergencies.
Lions Club breakfast to help fund projects
The Brown County Lions Club will serve a pancake or biscuits and gravy breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at the Parkview Church of the Nazarene Annex, 1750 Old State Road 46.
Tickets are $6 in advance for adults and children 12 and older, or a $7 donation at the door. For children 11 and younger, the cost is $4. Advance tickets are available from a Lion or at Carmel Corn Cottage downtown.
Wine fair returns to Story Inn on May 11
STORY — The Story Inn will host the 17th annual Indiana Wine Fair Saturday, May 11.
Guests will get 1-ounce pours and a Story Inn souvenir wine glass. Food trucks and live music also are part of the event, which runs from 1 to 7 p.m.
All guests must be at least 21 years old (no babies). Presale tickets, $65, are available only to those who plan to drink; designated driver tickets are $10. No tickets will be sold the day of the event. Search for tickets at eventbrite.com.
Attend free class about internet safety
The Brown County Public Library will teach a two-hour class on internet safety Tuesday, May 14 starting at 4 p.m. Ryan Ridge will be the presenter. For more information, call the library at 812-988-2950.
‘How opioid use is affecting your friends and family’
The Nashville United Methodist Church will host “You Are Not Alone: How opioid use is affecting your friends and family” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 15. Centerstone will offer this free education session open to all.
“‘Why?’ is often the question we hear from loved ones when a friend or family member has experienced opioid or other drug addictions,” the event description reads. “… Although there is no straightforward answer to addiction, we hope to provide information, answer questions and assist you in talking to someone about their disease.”
A brief demonstration of the anti-overdose medication Narcan and distribution by the Brown County Health Department will follow the presentation.
Food manager certification classes set in May
A food manager certification class will be taught at the County Office Building, 201 N. Locust Lane, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 15 and 16. The Wednesday session will end at 12:30 p.m. and the Thursday session will finish around 2:30 p.m., with the test being given at 12:30.
All businesses serving food, except nonprofits or those that only carry prepackaged, non-refrigerated food, 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 seventh edition textbook, reflecting the 2017 food code, should be picked up at the Brown County Health Department on the second floor of the County Office Building to study in advance. To take the test only, the cost is $50.
For more information, to make reservation in the class, or to pick up the book, call the health department at 812-988-2255 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
History programs for children offered downtown
The Hands on History program, for children ages 8 to 12, will take place monthly on Thursdays at the Brown County History Center on the following dates: 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.
Planned topics tied to history will include hearth-side cooking; dyeing yarn and weaving; flag etiquette; household chores; Hoosier inventions; wildlife; braille and sign language; Indiana state flag, seal, song, foods, tree; and one-room schoolhouse.
Participation costs $5 per child. To register, call Kathy Sparks at 812-988-2377 or visit browncountyhistorycenter.org for a registration form.
Pond management workshop planned
YELLOWWOOD — Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District will sponsor a pond management workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the Yellowwood State Forest shelterhouse. The event is free.
David Osborne of Ripley County SWCD and Wesley Goldsmith of Aquatic Control Inc. will cover topics such as aquatic weeds, fish biology, wildlife habitat, water quality and more.
Bring lawn chairs. RSVP by calling 812-988-2211.
Nature Awareness Weekend planned in May
STONE HEAD — A Nature Awareness Weekend will take place from 6 p.m. Friday, May 17 through Sunday morning, May 19 at Stone Head Nature Preserve.
All Saturday and Sunday events are free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Stone Head Conservancy, guided events include a bird walk, survey and banding information; looking for frogs, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and damselflies; and bat information presentations.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit stoneheadconservancy.org/NAW.
Ford car show planned at state park
For more than 40 years, Mustang owners have been gathering at the Shelby American Automobile Club Spring Fling in Nashville. This year’s event will be Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19 in Brown County State Park. It will begin with a “Pony Trails” cruise Friday on country roads. Saturday, a car show starts at 9 a.m. with classes for every type of Mustang in all years, other Ford Motor Company products, such as Mercury, and a class for kit cars powered by Ford. A chili picnic and an evening awards banquet will follow on Saturday.
SAAC club members pay $25 to register for the event. Ford owners ages 18 to 25 can register for $20. To enter the judged vintage or classic motor vehicle exhibition contest, the fee is $50. Viewing the show is free. For more information, email [email protected] or call 812-988-6406.
Electronics day, shredding, tire recycling offered
The Brown County Recycling Center will offer electronic recycling from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18 at the Brown County Solid Waste Management District property, Greasy Creek Road and 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. Shredding is free, but donations are welcome.
The next event will be a tire pick-up day Friday, June 28 and a tire drop-off day from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 29. The center will accept car, light truck and bus tires without rims for free. Tires with rims and larger-size tires carry fees.
For more information or to schedule a tire pick-up (on a first-call basis) call the recycling center at 812-988-0140.
Firefighters will serve fish fries monthly
BEAN BLOSSOM — Fruitdale volunteer firefighters will host fish fries from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, May 18, June 8, July 13, Aug. 24, Sep. 7 and Oct. 5 at the fire station, 5200 State Road 135 North.
Volunteers prepare the food and provide a combo plate for $9, a number of side dishes, drinks and desserts, along with hot dogs and breaded tenderloins.
Proceeds go to the general fund which pays for equipment and training. For more information, visit facebook.com/Fruitdale-Volunteer-Fire-Company or call 812-988-1696.
Dawg Gone Walk, Fiesta planned in May
At the annual Dawg Gone Walk and Fiesta from noon to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19, dogs and their owners can take part in games, contests, pampering stations, information booths and shopping at Deer Run Park.
Funds raised will go directly to the feeding and care of homeless pets at the Brown County Humane Society animal shelter, thus helping maintain and improve its 98-percent save rate.
Tickets will be $15 per dog from until Tuesday, May 14; after that, tickets will cost $20 each. A goody bag worth up to $50 will be given to the first 125 to register.
For more information or to sign up, visit bchumane.org/dawg-gone-walk-fiesta or call 812- 988-7362.
Learn about, hear harp music at library
Two harpists from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music will demonstrate the capabilities and intricacies of the ancient harp at the Brown County Public Library. The free program will take place upstairs near the fireplace starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 23. The musicians will bring two concert grand harps.
Mushroom sale to benefit local charities
The Brown County Community Foundation and Brown County YMCA will sponsor the 22th annual Howard Hughes Memorial Morel Mushroom Sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25. Proceeds benefit Brown County charities.
To pre-order mushrooms for $50 per pound, email [email protected].
Friday farmers market will open May 24
BEAN BLOSSOM — The farmers market at St. David’s Episcopal Church will open for its seventh season Friday, May 24 at the corner of state roads 45 and 135 North. It will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. each Friday through Aug. 31.
Local growers and merchants will sell fresh produce, meats, home-based products, plants, eggs, food and drink, and craft items. Music will be provided by local musicians.
A community outreach booth will allow nonprofit organizations and service groups to share information. To schedule a slot, call Donna Niednagel at 812-988-6865.
Market organizers seek growers, producers, gardeners, artists, crafters and music makers to be vendors. Volunteers are also needed to help with set-up, parking, hosting and closing. Vendor contracts are available at BeanBlossomFarmersMarket.com or by calling 812-988-1038.
BCHS Class of ’73 reunion set for June 8
A party for the Brown County High School Class of 1973 will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8 by the pool at the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46 East.
An RSVP is needed by Friday, May 31 with check or money order for $10 per person made to Jed Bessire, P.O. Box 1366, Nashville, IN 47448.
Consult with a lawyer for free at library
The Brown County Public Library will host Talk to a Lawyer Day between 3 and 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 4. Local attorneys volunteer to give short, confidential, free legal consultations, sponsored by Legal Aid District 11.
Free consultations are also available from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, April 22 at the Legal Aid Office in Columbus.
For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850 or the Bartholomew County office at 812-314-2722.
Conservation district offers youth nature camp
Children ages 9 to 12 can register for “Nature’s Survival Skills,” a junior nature camp, from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14. The deadline to register is Thursday, May 30.
The camp is sponsored by the Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District. It will include outdoor physical activity and hands-on learning about survival tricks and strategies in nature. Information about schedules and the meeting place will follow registration. The cost is $15 per child; family discounts are available.
With questions, email [email protected]. Registration forms are available at browncountyswcd.com, at the SWCD office, 802 Memorial Drive at the fairgrounds, or by calling 812-988-2211.
Bluebird box sale to benefit local club
Fully assembled cedar boxes intended for bluebirds to nest in will be sold to benefit the Brown County Bluebird Club. They cost $15 each or two boxes for $25. With questions or to place an order, email Dan Sparks at [email protected] or call 812-200-5700.
Recycle center will take bagged trash for $2
The Brown County Recycling Center now accepts trash at its drive-through during regular hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
Drop-off costs $2 per bag. The center offers prepaid sticker books for $10 or $20, with five or 10 yellow stickers to affix to trash bags up to 55 gallons.
For more information, call the center at 812-988-0140. The center is at 176 Old State Road 46.
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.
