BETA teens to paint mural with artist April 24
From 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, award-winning artist M.K. Watkins was to join teens at BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association Inc.) above the Fallen Leaf Bookstore to paint a mural. All junior high and high school-age teens are welcome to join.
Free class offered about essential oils
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, a free essential oils class will be presented by registered nurse Mary Ann Soll. The event will be at Common Grounds coffee shop in Molly’s Lane downtown. Health-conscious individuals are welcome to come learn about therapeutic benefits of doTerra oils.
Free storm spotter training offered this week
The National Weather Service, partnering with Brown County Emergency Management, was to conduct severe storm spotter training from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. The free training was to be at the Brown County Ambulance Base, 53 State Road 46 East.
NWS meteorologist Dave Tucek will describe cloud patterns, radar signatures associated with severe weather, how to report severe storms and how to remain safe.
“Volunteers observing and reporting severe weather, then distributed by the NWS and local media, helps lead to increased response and safety of everyone in Brown County,” said Susan Armstrong, director of Brown County Emergency Management.
‘Frankenstein’ activities for families at library
The Brown County Public Library will present two more programs in April to celebrate this year’s Brown County Reads book, “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley.
Brown County Reads is designed to bring the community together for a discussion about a common book. Copies of the book can be checked out at the library.
Wednesday, April 25: 3 to 5 p.m., “FrankenTeens,” a hands-on toy creation activity led by children’s and teens’ librarian Emmy Champion.
Saturday, April 28: 2 to 4 p.m., “monster crafts” and “it’s alive” science experiments for the family.
For more information, call the library at 812-988-2850.
New poet laureate will visit local library
From 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 26, the new Indiana poet laureate, Adrian Matejka, will give a poetry reading, followed by a question-and-answer session, at the Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane Refreshments will be served.
Gospel sing open mic planned Thursday
An open mic gospel sing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, will be hosted by Green Valley Apostolic Church. All are welcome to come listen and bring a song or two.
The church is at 385 S. Green Valley Church Road off State Road 46 West.
For more information, call Pastor Paul at 812-720-1291.
Two-day plant sale will aid Friends of the Library
Native perennial plants and some annuals will be sold on the lower-level patio of the Brown County Public Library. Hours will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 27 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28.
Proceeds from the annual sale support the Friends of the Library, herb garden and the Native Woodlands Ravine Project.
Wildflower Foray events span April 27 to 29
The 33rd annual Spring Wildflower Foray will begin and end with plein air painting demonstrations at Brown County State Park vistas. The foray will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, April 27; it will end at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 29.
Participants can experience nature’s beauty on guided hikes, wildflower and bird walks, a boat trip on Lake Monroe, nature photography at T.C. Steele State Historic Site and other programs.
Locations and activities vary widely, including an easy stroll through Stone Head Nature Preserve; moderate wildflower and butterfly hikes in Monroe County areas; birding by kayak and a boat trip in backwaters from the Crooked Creek boat ramp; a mountain bike ride and wildflower walk in Yellowwood Forest; rugged hikes around T.C. Steele and Laura Hare nature preserves, Kent Farm and in Salt Creek’s Middlefork Valley near Story; a cemetery tour near the T.C. Steele historic site, and a dinner and silent auction downtown.
For a map and list of all activities, visit browncounty.com/calendar/event/33rd-annual-wildflower-foray or go to browncounty.com/files/file/wildflower foray schedule.pdf.
Seed share, plant sale, presentations planned
From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 28, SEED Brown County will share heirloom seeds during the annual plant sale at the Brown County Public Library. It will be on the lower-level patio of the library at 205 Locust Lane.
Participants can bring their own seeds to share and learn more about SEED Brown County.
From noon to 1:30 p.m. that day, “Seed Stewardship” and “The SEED Brown County Story” will be presented in lower-level Room B of the library. Concepts of seed saving, what it means to “steward seeds” and why the work is urgent will be covered.
For more information, visit facebook.com/BrownCountySeedProject.
Yard sale includes spring crafts, bake sale
HELMSBURG — A spring sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at Brown County Community Church, 2370 Main St.
The event includes a bake sale and handcrafted items in the Fellowship Hall. Yard sale items will be sold in the Shelter House.
Visit Healthy Kids Day April 28 at the YMCA
The Brown County YMCA will host Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 28 and sign up children for its summer day camp.
Activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. include games, music, a bounce house, rock climbing and the Diamonds cheer team showing its award-winning routine for national competition.
The first 40 families to register for summer day camp will get a free YMCA swim bag. The day camp runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays Monday, June 4 to Tuesday, Aug. 7.
For more information, stop at the Y, 105 Willow St., or call 812-988-9622.
Community skate night set for April 30
FRANKLIN — The Brown County Intermediate School Partnership Committee will host a Brown County community skate night from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 30 at the Franklin Skate Club, 2680 N. Morton St.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Skaters should wear a school shirt if they have one.
Costs will be $3 per skater and $2 for skate rental. The event will include free face painting by Emily Earnshaw.
For more information, call the Franklin club at 317-738-3775; or with questions, call skate night Chair Dustie Condon at 317-727-5582.
Library hosting special preschool storytime
Children 6 and younger and their families are invited to a special storytime at the Brown County Public Library. The group will read all five Indiana Firefly Award-nominated picture books, sing songs, do crafts and vote for their favorites.
The event will run from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 1. To learn more, call the library at 812-988-2850 or visit in.gov/library/firefly.htm.
Learn about internet safety at the library
A free class will be taught on internet safety at the Brown County Public Library from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 1.
Learn how to spot online dangers and protect yourself from potentially devastating situations online during the two-hour class. For more information, visit browncountylibrary.info or call the library at 812-988-2850.
Theological discussions planned at restaurant
Monthly theological discussions are planned from 6 to 7:45 p.m. on first Thursdays of each month through December at Out of the Ordinary Restaurant and Hickory Sports Bar.
The next “pub chat” will be May 3. Mike Day is the facilitator. With questions or ideas for discussion, call St. David’s Episcopal Church at 812-988-1038.
Friday farmers market returns on May 4
BEAN BLOSSOM — The Friday farmers market at St. David’s Episcopal Church parking lot will resume on May 4 and run through Aug. 31.
The market, at state roads 135 North and 45, provides a venue for local farmers to sell fresh produce and meat. It’s open from 4 to 7 p.m. weekly.
It also affords local artisans a place to display and sell handmade creations, and area musicians to showcase their talents. A booth is reserved each week for different nonprofits. The Children’s Garden and Playground offers customers and vendors a safe place for their children to play.
For more information, stop by the market on Fridays or call 812-988-1038.
Concert, dinner to honor retiring teachers, staff
A concert to honor retiring teachers and staff will start at 5 p.m. Friday, May 4 in the Brown County High School auditorium.
A dinner for teachers and staff, donated by local businesses, will start at 4 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
The PTO Council, a network of all parent-teacher organizations in Brown County Schools, will host the events to help raise funds for a community costume exchange around Halloween in the fall.
To perform in the concert, email Clara Stanley at [email protected] or call her at 312-310-3617.
Spring Blossom Parade steps off May 5
The 55th annual Spring Blossom Parade will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5 in downtown Nashville. All organizations can participate in the event, sponsored since 2003 by the Brown County Lions Club.
While there is no entry fee to be in the parade, signed waiver forms are required from all who participate.
The theme this year is Unity in Diversity to celebrate “who we are as unique individuals and citizens as we come together around shared values.”
Retiring Brown Circuit Court Judge Judy Stewart has been chosen as grand marshal.
Parade waiver forms are available at the Brown County Purdue Extension Office, the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/browncounty.
Community band concert set next weekend
The first Brown County Community Band concert this year will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5 in the Brown County High School auditorium.
The annual concert is a benefit for Brown County Habitat for Humanity. Refreshments will be served afterward.
The next concert will be the annual Sweetwater Homeowners Association concert June 23. All concert dates are Saturdays.
Tie-dye bandanas with local fabric artist at BETA
Brown County artist Daren Redman will tie-dye bandannas with teens at BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association) from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. BETA is upstairs at 45 S. Jefferson St. All junior high- and high school-aged teens are welcome.
Fruitdale firefighters plan fish fries, turkey shoot
BEAN BLOSSOM — The Fruitdale Volunteer Fire Company will host fish fries from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on one Saturday each month through Oct. 6.
The fire station is at 5200 State Road 135 North.
Fish fry dates are May 12, June 9, July 7, Aug. 25 and Sept. 8.
The menu will include fish sandwiches, tenderloin sandwiches, french fries, onion rings, baked beans, slaw, desserts and drinks.
A turkey shoot is planned at the fire station on Saturday, April 21. For more information, Call 812-720-0442.
Giving Dinner to raise money for Playhouse
A Brown County Community Foundation Giving Dinner on Wednesday, May 16 will aid the Brown County Playhouse.
The dinner, sponsored by Brozinni Pizzeria and Big Woods Brewing Co., will take place at the Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St. It starts at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner from 7:30 to 9:30. A murder-mystery dinner theater will be presented by The Dinner Detective.
Giving Dinners raise money for community causes and organizations. Tickets are limited to the first 100 RSVPs. Make a reservation by May 10 by calling 812-988-4882 or emailing [email protected].
Mother-daughter tea time planned at Seasons
The Seasons Lodge’s Fireplace Lounge will host a mother-daughter tea on Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dara Delong will present her handmade jewelry. Door prizes will be provided. The menu includes fresh strawberry soup, ham salad on a mini croissant, banana bread, tea sandwiches, white chocolate chips scones with Devonshire cream, rocky road brownies and other treats. The cost is $19.95 per person.
For more information, visit seasonslodge.com or call 800-365-7327.
Historical characters presented at the library
A free program about historical Brown County personalities will be presented by Rick Kelley, Lou Ann Mihay and Jeff Tryon at the Brown County Public Library.
The presentation is slated from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20.
With questions, call the library at 812-988-2850.
BETA continues free guitar sessions
Free guitar lessons taught by Nathan Dillon, director of Everybody Rocks, are offered from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association) Center.
The BETA Center is open from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays during the school year upstairs at 45 S. Jefferson St. The center provides a safe, nurturing place for junior high- and high school-aged teens. With questions, call Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617.
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.
Seed share, plant swap, wild food walk at market
SEED Brown County will provide a mobile seed library for people to get heirloom vegetable seeds for planting at the Sunday, May 20 farmers market at the Brown County Inn.
SEED encourages other people to bring plants and seeds to swap and share at the market, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 51 State Road 46 East.
Plants will be sold through market vendors, so what you don’t swap, you can leave. After the swap, a guided wild food walk will take place.
For a current list of seed varieties, visit seedbrowncounty.org. For upcoming events, visit facebook.com/BrownCountySeedProject.
Food managers certification class offered in May
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 22 and 23, a food manager certification class will be taught at the County Office Building, 201 N. Locust Lane. The Tuesday session will end at 12:30 p.m. and the Wednesday 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.
BCHS Class of ’68 seeks alumni names
The Brown County High School Class of 1968 reunion will be at 6 p.m. Friday, June 22 at Creekside Retreat. An alumni banquet will be served Saturday, June 23 at The Seasons.
Alumni are encouraged to bring old photographs, senior “cords” or other memorabilia.
If anyone has contact information on Sandra Badger, Larry Brown, Philip Fox, Deana Norman, Marilyn Reeves, Vicki Sterret, Sharon Stewart, Christanne Swain Traxler or Mike Waltz, let them know about the class reunion. Send contact information to Steve Bright on Facebook or call him at 812-599-6567, or call June Woods Floyd at 812-391-4189.
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.
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.
This is not the same camp as the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Youth Academy, which will be June 4 to 8 at CERAland.
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.
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.
