Seed library, local food discussion planned
At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, SEED Brown County will host a local food project orientation at the Community Foundation building, 209 N. Van Buren St.
SEED is planning seed-grower training, workshops and a partnered grower program to train the community to develop local seeds and food.
The free event is a kind of roundtable discussion, said organizer Torrie Birkemeier. It’s intended to start a public conversation on logistics for the seed library.
Plots available at community garden
The Brown County Community Garden at Deer Run Park has several plots available for the 2017 growing season, in varying sizes.
The cost ranges from $20 for a 15-by-15-foot plot to $30 for a 14-by-30-foot plot.
If interested, call the Brown County Parks and Recreation office at 812-988-5522 “as soon as possible because they are going fast,” said staff member Andy Rudd.
Master Gardener class offered this spring
Brown County will host a Master Gardener course this spring at a greatly reduced rate.
Offered by the Purdue Extension office, the Master Gardener program provides a framework for participants to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects.
In turn, participants volunteer and help others grow by sharing knowledge while providing leadership and service in educational gardening activities in their communities.
Topics covered in this 13-week course include soils and plant nutrition, plant science, plant disease diagnosis/control, insect pest diagnosis/control, weed identification/control, pesticide safety/pesticide alternatives, woody ornamentals, vegetables, herbaceous ornamentals, home lawns and animal pests.
Classes are taught by Purdue specialists and local experts and will meet Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning Feb. 1 and concluding April 26 at the Brown County fairgrounds.
Purdue Master Gardener certifications usually cost between $100 and $160, but due to available funding, this year the cost will be $50.
Space is limited to 20 participants. To reserve a space, call the Brown County Purdue Extension office at 812-988-5495.
Tavern hosts monthly spiritual discussions
At 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, The Pine Room, 51 E. Chestnut St., will host Theology Pub, a discussion group supported by St. David’s Episcopal Church. It meets the first Thursday each month to wrestle with tough issues and current events.
The group is “spiritual, not religious,” an event flier says.
For more information, visit facebook.com/pubtheologybc.
Winter dog hike, contest planned at state park
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, Brown County State Park Nature Center will host a winter dog hike and competition.
Sign up to receive a map and score sheet between 9 a.m. and noon at the Nature Center. Coded points will be on select trails and at unique park locations.
Score sheets are due by 4 p.m. and high score winners, announced at 4:30 p.m., win a free night’s stay at Abe Martin Lodge in a pet-friendly room or a 2017 Indiana state park pass.
Pets must be leashed at all times and all other park rules apply, including cleaning up after pets.
For more information, email [email protected] or call the Nature Center at 812-988-5420.
‘Komedy spelling bea,’ chili cook-off date set
Psi Iota Xi sorority will sponsor its annual Komedy Spelling Bea chili cook-off and silent auction Saturday, Feb. 4 at Brown County High School.
The cook-off, in the high school cafeteria, and silent auction, near the front entrance, begin at 5 p.m.; the “bea” will take place in the auditorium starting at 7 p.m.
Entrance to the event costs $5 per person or $20 per family. Diners can vote on the chili by adding cash to their favorite choices’ cup, and the contestant with the most cash wins. Local “celebrity” contestants will be in both the cook-off and the “bea.”
Proceeds will go toward Brown County scholarships to help with local music, art, literature, speech and hearing needs.
4-H SPARK clubs start spring programming
SPARK clubs are beginning to meet for the spring session. The clubs are a 4-H program, but they are also open to children who are not already enrolled in the traditional 4-H summer program.
“Best Cooks in Brown County” will meet on Tuesdays Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 and March 7 after school until 5 p.m. A Brown County Schools bus will provide transportation to the Extension office for fifth- through 12th-graders; participants in the third and fourth grades will need to be driven by their parents.
“Spring Acres of Adventure” will meet Mondays in February and March after school. Details have not been finalized yet.
“Best Babysitter” will teach ages 12 and older how to safely babysit younger children. It will be taught during spring break Tuesday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To get help signing up through the 4-H online portal, or with questions, call 812-988-5495.
Explore concept of reincarnation at library
From 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, a group will explore the topic of reincarnation in meeting room A, downstairs at Brown County Public Library.
For more information on the free event, call 812-702-0870.
Agricultural and natural resources advice sought
The Brown County Purdue Extension is seeking volunteers interested in providing help and advice to meet educational needs about agriculture and natural resources in the county.
Anyone who has experience in farming, gardening, beekeeping, timbering or in other areas related to county natural resources and agriculture can contact extension educator Alyssa Besser at [email protected] or 812-988-5495 or attend a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 for more information.
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, Feb. 11.
Served the second Saturday of each month, the menu includes biscuits and gravy, rolls, eggs and more.
More reading tutors welcome for local students
Brown County Literacy Coalition tutors will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, downstairs in the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane.
Anyone interested in tutoring first- through third-grade Brown County children is welcome.
Discussion at the meeting includes sharing successes and challenges when working with the kids and tutoring methods. Refreshments are provided. Meetings are the second Saturday of every other month.
For more information, contact the coalition at [email protected] or call 812-988-6960.
Free chocolate lovers’ weekend at winery
Brown County Winery will have its annual Valentine’s chocolate and wine pairing event, Chocolate Lovers’ Weekend, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.
It is free and open to the public. For more information, visit browncountywinery.com or call 812-988-6144.
Lil’ BUB benefit for Brown County Humane Society
BLOOMINGTON — The Brown County Humane Society will team with world-famous cat Lil BUB to help cats in Brown County that test positive for the feline leukemia virus.
From 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, Lil BUB will host a Valentine’s Day meet and greet at her own Lil’ BUB’s Lil’ SHOP, 236 N. Morton St. in Bloomington.
The event is part of the county humane society’s campaign “Don’t Let a P+sitive Be a Negative,” which advocates for the adoption of cats that test positive for the virus.
Feline leukemia can weaken a cat’s immune system, potentially shortening its life. Some shelters consider cats with the virus unadoptable and automatically euthanize them. BCHS does not.
In 2016, BCHS received a grant from the Lil BUB’s BIG Fund for the ASPCA to help cover adoption fees for sick and special-needs animals, including cats with feline leukemia.
Tickets are $125 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com by searching for Lil BUB.
To learn more about feline leukemia, watch videos at bchumane.org/felv and lilbub.com.
Women’s ‘Love your Heart’ program planned
Cathi Barzilauskas, a registered nurse with I.U. Health, will conduct a healthy heart presentation for women from 2:30 to 4 p.m Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Brown County Public Library.
Those who attend can learn to recognize signs and symptoms of a heart attack or heart failure. Discussion will be about risk factors that increase chances of having heart disease; and healthy target figures for blood sugar, blood pressure and weight.
With questions, call the library at 812-988-2850.
Make jewelry from beads and wire at free program
From 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, a free jewelry program will be offered for adults and teens at the Brown County Public Library, 205 N. Locust Lane, led by local artist Cheri Platter, materials will be provided for making small items such as earrings and a bracelet.
Stop by the library to sign up, or call 812-988-2850.
Benefit will include local distillery’s bourbon
COLUMBUS — Local bourbon maker Bear Wallow Distillery will participate in Bourbonfest, a benefit for the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at The Commons in downtown Columbus.
Besides bourbon tasting, it will include live music by The Tiptonians, food samples and bar snacks.
Tickets are $50 for VIPs, $30 for general admission and $15 for designated drivers. For tickets, visit thecip.org/bourbonfest or call 812-376-2638.
Radon test kits still available for free
January is National Radon Action Month. Free radon tests kits are available in the Brown County Health Department, on the second floor of the County Office Building, 201 Locust Lane.
Radon is an invisible gas that forms naturally when radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater. It can’t be seen, smelled or tasted. Radon in air can come through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes. When breathed in, radioactive particles from the gas can get trapped in the lungs, increasing the risk of lung cancer.
Testing for radon requires opening a package, placing a small measuring device in a room and leaving it there for a few days.
To get a free test kit, ask at the health department desk, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
YMCA considering starting babysitting co-op
The Brown County YMCA is gauging interest in starting a local babysitting co-op, in which parents would take turns watching each other’s children.
The YMCA has space to serve as the host site, said Shelle Hertz, program director.
If interested, contact Hertz at the Y at 812-988-9622 or [email protected].
Get tickets for conservation district annual meeting
The Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District will host its annual meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 15 at the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St.
The event, open to the public, will feature guest speaker Dr. John Foster addressing “The Art of Pollinators.” Food, district updates and door prizes will be included.
Tickets are $5 before the date or $8 at the door. For more information or tickets, call 812-988-2211.
Jackson Fire hosts community yard sale in March
HELMSBURG — From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Jackson Township Fire Department, 4831 Helmsburg Road, will host a community yard sale.
Biscuits and gravy, hot dogs, chips, soda and coffee also will be sold.
To reserve booth space, call Cathy at 317-532-7536.
Historical society 60th anniversary recognized
The Brown County Historical Society will celebrate its 60th anniversary at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30, with music, refreshments and tours of the Pioneer Village.
Andy Rogers, the only surviving founding member of the society, will be honored.
The event, at the History Center, 90 E. Gould St., is free and open to the public.
