Make holiday cocktails at distillery this month
Join Hard Truth Hills, 418 Old State Road 46, for a two-hour interactive experience with cocktails, trivia, gingerbread decoration, gift-wrapping races and a white elephant gift exchange on Dec. 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 from 7 to 9 p.m.
For $35, each guest will learn how to make four holiday-themed cocktails while keeping warm with two cocktail samples, two full drinks and a buffet of holiday snacks.
To participate in the white elephant gift exchange, guests are asked to bring a silly, inexpensive — $5 or less — gift.
Mixology classes are for guests 21 and older.
Reservations are required. Guests must bring valid I.D. and the credit card on the reservation to check in for the event.
To make a reservation as a gift, contact the tours and tastings center at 812-720-4840.
Local inn hosting special holiday dinners
STORY — The Story Inn, 6404 State Road 135 South, will host Victorian candlelight holiday dinners on Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Guests can enjoy the special dining experience in a dining room illuminated exclusively by candles and oil lamps. Inn staff will be dressed in authentic Victorian garb and traditional Christmas music will be played from the piano.
For more information, call 812-988-2273 or visit storyinn.com.
Live Christmas show set at Playhouse
All through December, the annual holiday show “Believe: The Magic of Christmas” will be at the Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St. The family-friendly production features singing, dancing, special effects lighting and more. Dates include:
- Fridays, Dec. 13 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturdays, Dec. 14 and 21 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
- Sundays, Dec. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $21.50 for adults and free for children 10 and younger. Beer, wine, champagne, mixed drinks and concessions are sold in the auditorium.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit browncountyplayhouse.org.
Audubon Society hosting event at state park
All are welcome to take part in the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 a.m. at the Brown County State Park Nature Center.
This is the world’s largest citizen science project. Join birders and explore the park’s natural areas, trails, lakes and shores to estimate the numbers and kinds of birds spending holidays in Brown County.
Lunch will be at the Abe Martin Lodge as lists are tallied and submitted to the Audubon Society.
Beginner birders are welcome; bring binoculars.
For more information, call the park at 812-988-5420.
Craft show to benefit feeding program
Creekside Retreat, 2450 State Road 46 East, will host the Holiday Arts and Craft show on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The show will feature local artisans. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the purchase of food for the Brown County Weekend Backpacks program, which sends local children home with backpacks of food for the weekend. Food donations also may be dropped off at Creekside beginning Sunday, Dec. 1 to Dec. 14.
For more information, call 812-200-3157.
Holiday open house to feature many artists
YELLOWWOOD — Artists Monique Cagle, Rosey Bolte, Dixie Ferrer, Amy Greely and Michele Pollock will join together on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a holiday open house at Sleepy Cat Studio, 4687 Yellowwood Road.
Visitors will be able to view and purchase an array of unique, handcrafted fine arts.
For more information, visit sleepycatstudio.com.
Eat breakfast with Santa in the park
The Abe Martin Lodge in the Brown County State Park will host a breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Adults meals are $13.99; they’re $6.99 for kids ages 4 to 10. Reservations are recommended. There is a $7 entry fee at the park gate.
For more information, call 812-988-4418.
Local church to host Christmas choir, service
SPEARSVILLE — The Adult Choir and the Youth Choir of Unity Baptist Church, 7361 Spearsville Road, will join together to celebrate the birth of Jesus through song on Sunday, Dec. 15, 9:30 a.m.
This will be an extended part of the regular Sunday worship service. Sunday School for all ages will follow.
Unity Baptist will host a Christmas Eve service on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. The service will feature singing Christmas songs, scripture readings, special music and candle lighting.
Share light from the Grotto of Bethlehem
All are welcome to pray for peace with the flame from the Grotto in Bethlehem at St. Agnes Youth Barn, 1008 McLary Road, on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.
Bring a lantern, three- or seven-day candle to receive the flame from Bethlehem and take it home, or pass the light in your area.
For more information, call 317-430-4834.
After-hour holiday shopping at Toy Chest
Visit the Toy Chest, 125 S. Van Buren St. after hours on Tuesday, Dec. 17 to do holiday shopping at the second annual Sip n’ Shop. Complimentary beer and wine will be served while shoppers browse the store from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more information, call 812-988-2817.
Winter hike series beginning at state park
Meet at Strahl Lake in Brown County State Park on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. for the first hike of the park’s Winter Hike Series.
Hikers will visit Kelp Village, a small village once existing in the boundaries of the park. The hike is approximately 1 1/2 miles on easy terrain. Participants need to dress for the weather and “bring their archaeologist’s eye” as they explore the area in search of ruins.
For more information, call 812-988-5240.
Santa Claus to visit Hard Truth Hills
Visit with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Hard Truth Hills, 418 Old State Road 46.
No reservations are required. For more information, visit hardtruthhills.com.
Local church to host Christmas service
BEAN BLOSSOM — Bean Blossom Community Church, 5046 State Road 135 North, will host A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.
The community is invited to join for an evening of scripture reading, singing, candlelight and worship. A reception will follow. The event is free for the community.
Comedy show set at Story Inn
STORY — Story Inn Restaurant, 6404 State Road 135 South, will host comedians David Brooks, Patrick Murray and Peter Hienz for a holiday comedy show on Saturday, Dec. 28 from 8 to 11 p.m.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $15 for online pre-sale or $20 at the door.
Call 812-988-2273 or email [email protected] to reserve a space.
This event is sponsored by Eight One Two Hop Farms.
New Year’s Eve festivities scheduled
New Year’s Eve party plans are developing in Brown County:
- Hard Truth Hills — New Year’s Lumberjack Bash, 9 p.m. to midnight, $10-$35. Tickets and information: hardtruthhills.com.
- The Seasons Lodge — Dan Kirk Band, rock-n-roll music, 9 p.m. to midnight, dinner buffet from 5 to 9 p.m., $24.95.
- The 19th Hole — New Year’s Eve Bash, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., serving food until 11 p.m., drink specials, party favors and more.
