Tony Seiler changes the marquee on a foggy morning in downtown Greenfield at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts. The building was one of several features listed on worldatlas.com that make Greenfield one of Indiana’s “most welcoming” communities.
Submitted photo
Greenfield named a “most welcoming” town
GREENFIELD – Greenfield was named one of 10 of Indiana’s most welcoming small towns on worldatlas.com, a website with maps, graphics, flags, photos and descriptions of places.
The site includes a photo of the Hancock County Courthouse and states it’s on the list for the caring community, local parks and quaint historic buildings. “Visitors to Greenfield will feel at home in the town’s cozy ambiance and community events for every season,” it states, and describes features like the Riley Festival, the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, and Twenty North Gallery.
Other Hoosier communities on the list were Nashville, Charlestown, Shipshewana, Crawfordsville, Angola, Madison, French Lick, New Harmony and Corydon. The site does not state how communities were selected.
Libraries host winter reading clubs
HANCOCK COUNTY – Local libraries are planning winter reading clubs, with prizes for simply curling up with a good book during the cold, dark months.
Adults and teens 12 and older can participate in Vernon Township Public Library’s Winter Reading Program, happening now through Feb. 29. Readers will complete the log reading challenges on a Bingo card through Beanstack, an online tracking system. Drawings for gift card raffles will be pulled March 1. Visit vtpl.lib.in.us for details.
The libraries in Greenfield and New Palestine will open their winter reading program for all ages Feb. 1-29. Participants will be rewarded for logging the books they read or listen to and earn tickets for prize drawings. Everyone who reads at least five hours will earn a mystery prize. For updates, visit hcplibrary.org.
Food distribution program at MVHS
FORTVILLE – The Gleaners/Mt. Vernon food bank is available at Mt. Vernon High School.
The drive-through style food pantry distributes dry, non-perishable food, meat and more to districts in the Mt. Vernon district twice a month. Cars should line up at Door 20 of the school, 8112 N. 200W., Fortville.
Upcoming dates include 9-11 a.m. Jan. 9 and 4-6 p.m. Jan. 23. Visit mvcsc.k12.in.us/community/gleanersmvcsc-food-pantry for details.
Book donations accepted at HCPL
GREENFIELD – Clean out your shelves and get a tax break for helping the Hancock County Public Library. Drop off gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and video games at the Bookmobile garage (north side) of the HCPL, 900 W. McKenzie Road, Greenfield between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 13.
A volunteer will assist with deliveries; request a tax receipt at the same time.
Because of limited space, donations can only be made on specified dates.
The Friends of the Library is a non-profit, charitable group of volunteers who raise money through the sale of donated items. Proceeds help fund concerts, children’s performers, and special projects at the library. For more, visit hcplibrary.org.
Preschool open houses coming up
GREENFIELD – Local preschools are hosting open houses soon.
Cougar Cubs Preschool will host two open houses Cougar Cubs East will be 5-6 p.m. Jan. 22 at 1331 N. Blue Road, Greenfield. Cougar Cubs West will be 5-6 p.m. Jan. 24 at 700 N. Broadway St., Greenfield. The Greenfield-Central preschool offers developmentally-appropriate curriculum focused on early learning standards in a play-based, inclusive environment. For questions, email DawnSonsini, [email protected] or call 317-462-4491.
Greenfield Parks and Recreation Preschool has also announced plans for an open house for the 2024-25 preschool year. The event will be from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 21 at the lower level of the Patricia Elmore Center, 280 Apple St., Greenfield. Enrollment opens Feb. 22 at parks.greenfieldin.org.
The Daily Reporter is accepting preschool open house information for an upcoming feature story. Send details of events and enrollment deadlines to [email protected].
