News in Brief - Oct 2 '26

John Fuhs Memorial Casting Kids Contest

Get ready for a morning of outdoor fun and friendly competition! The Spencer Exchange Club and Sweet Owen Bassmasters Club invite young anglers to cast their lines at the upcoming John Fuhs Memorial Casting Kids Contest. The exciting community event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Owen County Fairgrounds, specifically in the west end of the Commercial Building.

Designed for kids in age groups 7–10 and 11–14, the contest challenges participants to showcase their precision through casting, pitching, and flipping to a target. Best of all, there is no entry fee, and rods and reels will be provided, making it an easy and accessible way for youth to test their skills and make a splash.

Organizers have spots available for a total of 10 kids in each of the two age groups. Walk-ups will not be accepted. Email vandermoere@live.com to secure your child’s spot.

Cataract Bean Dinner Festival

Excitement is building across northwestern Owen County as plans are finalized for the 57th annual Cataract Bean Dinner Festival, scheduled for Oct. 2 through Oct. 4 in Cataract.

Beyond its status as a cherished autumn tradition, the three-day festival serves as the critical financial backbone for the Cataract Volunteer Fire Department. Supplying a remarkable 60 percent of the department's yearly operating budget, this major fundraiser generates the revenue necessary to keep station doors unlocked and emergency water-pumping trucks ready for action.

Visitors can enjoy the department's famous dining hall hours on Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The menu features more than 850 pounds of slow-cooked ham and beans, accompanied by a bustling lineup of food trucks and vendors offering everything from BBQ and burgers to kettle corn, tacos, and sweet treats.

Shoppers will also find plenty to explore with over 125 vendor booths showcasing handmade crafts, artwork, antiques, apparel, and tools, while a dedicated shuttle service will help visitors navigate the weekend's festivities.

Join Girl Scout Troop #2682

Calling all girls in grades first through sixth: Girl Scout Troop #2682 is inviting new members to embark on a journey of friendship, leadership, and fun. Meetings are held every other Tuesday after school at Patricksburg Elementary School, located at 9883 S.R. 246, running throughout the school year from September to May.

Members will have the opportunity to make new friends, explore the outdoors, earn badges, learn new skills, do fun crafts, help the community, and participate in the classic Girl Scout Cookie season. Building girls of courage, confidence, and character, the troop offers a supportive environment where girls can be kind, be brave, and be themselves.

For more information on joining Girl Scouts, contact troop leader Rebecca Chinn at 812-585-0912.

OVMS secures grant for new wrestling mat

Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) recently shared a note of appreciation following a generous $5,000 donation from the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF). The funds contributed toward purchasing a brand-new wrestling mat, covering approximately one-third of the total cost.

The upgraded mat will benefit athletes of all ages, serving students at OVMS, Owen Valley High School, and local community wrestling clubs for practice and competition. School leaders expressed gratitude for the OCCF’s continued investment in local youth, noting that partnerships of this kind help expand opportunities for student-athletes throughout the community.

Patriot Band & Guard shine at Contest of Champions

Congratulations to the Owen Valley Patriot Band & Guard on a solid performance at the recent Decatur Central Contest of Champions.

Competing in ISSMA Class C, the ensemble brought home an impressive second place overall finish, as well as capturing first place in Visual.

PES goes ‘Gaga’ over new recess addition

Recess at Patricksburg Elementary School (PES) just got a major upgrade. Students are trading standard playground games for a high-energy craze, thanks to the arrival of a brand-new Gaga Pit.

Made possible by a generous donation from the Owen County Boys & Girls Club, the octagonal pit has quickly become the school's most popular spot. Blending the elements of dodgeball and handball, the fast-paced game challenges students to run, jump, duck, and slap a soft ball while keeping it below opponents' knees, all without picking it up.

Celebrate the Class of 2027 with personalized yard signs

Owen Valley High School (OVHS) is offering custom graduation yard signs to help families honor and celebrate seniors in the Class of 2027. Each full-color, two-sided, and waterproof sign is personalized with the graduate's name and photo and is proudly manufactured by OVHS Patriot Manufacturing students.

Signs cost $40 each, and all proceeds directly benefit student activities at the high school. Orders and payments are due by Friday, April 9, 2027. Checks should be made payable to OVHS, and cash payments are accepted in the OVHS Main Office. To place an order or learn more details, visit https://forms.gle/pqaAzeKkznqeebyM9.

Owen County Alliance Christmas Assistance Program

Making Christmas magical for kids in Owen County, the Owen County Alliance Christmas Assistance Program is ready to help local families. Sponsors will provide Christmas gifts for children ranging from newborns up to 18 years old.

Enrollment for the program opened Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 31.

Families who apply by Oct. 31 are guaranteed to have their child sponsored. Applications can be completed online by visiting https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/6t5YfjUJ2g.

Gift pick-up will take place at the Owen County Fairgrounds in Spencer during the week of Dec. 14. Parents and guardians will receive a call when their child's gifts are ready for collection. For more information or assistance, contact Amanda Knight at 812-821-7310 or Angie Temples at 812-829-7905.

Gosport’s annual Pumpkins in the Park

Mark your calendars for an afternoon of autumn festivities at the upcoming Pumpkins in the Park event, taking place Oct. 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. in Gosport Town Park.

For just $10 per child, kids can enjoy a wide array of activities, including a bounce house, face painting, pumpkin painting, story time, games, wagon rides, piñatas, and potato sack races.

In addition to the children's activities, the event features a silent auction and a chili cook-off, where the winner will take home a $100 cash prize. Entry forms for the cook-off are currently available at the bank in Gosport.

Concessions will also be available for purchase, with a $5 meal option that includes a drink and your choice of a bowl of chili, a chili dog, or two hot dogs.

Come out and support the community while enjoying a fantastic fall day!

Get carving for annual MCSP Falloween Event

McCormick's Creek State Park (MCSP) is calling on local businesses, organizations, and artists to showcase their creativity by donating a Jack-o-Lantern for this year's Falloween Event. Participants will compete for a chance to win a 2027 Annual Entrance Pass to Indiana State Parks.

Registration is due by Friday, Oct. 16, and interested participants can sign up by emailing Jfiler@dnr.IN.gov. When registering, remember to send a logo for your business or organization so it can be displayed next to your pumpkin. Pumpkins must be dropped off at the Nature Center between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Oct. 23, and participants are asked to label the bottom of their pumpkin in permanent marker.

The Jack-o-Lanterns will be on display during the Pumpkin Parade event on Oct. 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., where guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design. Additionally, all Jack-o-Lanterns will be shown on the DNR Facebook page. Enter if you dare!

Unearth your roots at Genealogy Day Lock-In

Whether you are a seasoned family historian or just beginning your journey, the Owen County Public Library (OCPL) invites community members to join the second annual Genealogy Day Lock-In on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer.

Presented in collaboration with more than 80 libraries across the country and originally organized by The Genealogy Center at the Waco-McLennon Public Library in Texas, this premier event connects fellow family history researchers and enthusiasts for a day of discovery.

Participants can choose to attend either on-site or virtually to enjoy six expert-led programs recorded exclusively for the event. Topics range from organizing your digital files and learning advanced search techniques to researching your Scottish or Revolutionary War ancestors. For more information, call the OCPL at 812-829-3392.

Annual Arts in the Park & Classic Car Show

Join the Sweet Owen Arts Commission for the second annual Arts in the Park & Classic Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cooper Commons in Spencer.

This free-admission family event offers a full day of entertainment and community activities, including all-day live performances headlined by The Indiana Boys, an art fair featuring local and regional vendors, live art demonstrations, a collaborative community quilt project, various food trucks, and kids' activities.

Car enthusiasts are invited to showcase their vehicles for a $5 registration fee. Awards will be presented across four categories at 3:30 p.m., with all registration proceeds directly benefiting the Sweet Owen Arts Commission to support its mission of promoting the arts throughout Owen and surrounding counties.

Whether you are hunting for unique local art or admiring vintage horsepower, there is something for everyone to enjoy. To learn more about the Sweet Owen Arts Commission, visit www.sweetowenarts.org.

Trail and staircase improvements at MCSP

Visitors to McCormick's Creek State Park (MCSP) will soon enjoy improved accessibility and enhanced trail conditions, thanks to generous funding from the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) and the Indiana Parks Alliance. Earlier this spring, the park was awarded two separate grants to help fund these vital infrastructure updates.

Work has been ongoing along Trail 3 to improve the surface and drainage, as well as making the trail fully ADA accessible from the Canyon Inn parking lot. In addition to the trail renovations, repairs have also been completed on the stairs leading from the main road parking area down to the falls.

MCSP extended its sincere thanks to both organizations for their continued support and investment in the park.

Nominations being sought for Owen County SWCD Supervisors

The Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is now accepting nominations for two positions on the Owen SWCD Board of Supervisors, through Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.

SWCD Supervisors are appointed and elected officials of the Indiana government, responsible for the management of Indiana’s soil and water resources and the environment in which we live. Serving on the SWCD Board is a great responsibility but also is an opportunity for a person to make a difference in their county. Any qualified person interested in serving a three-year term may be nominated.

Minimum qualifications require a nominee to be of voting age, an occupier of a tract of land in Owen County, and to maintain their residence in the County.

Nominations must be submitted on the nomination form and received by close of business on Oct. 16, 2026, at 4 p.m. Forms are available online at owenswcd.org, on Facebook, or at the River House Office, 788 Pottersville Road, Spencer.

Appointment and Election of Supervisors will take place at the Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District 2026 Annual Dinner, Meeting, and Expo, Feb. 25, 2027.

For more information, please contact the Owen SWCD office at 812-829-2605 or 812-606-6505, or email owenSWCD@gmail.com.