25 YEARS of Our Brown County
We had planned to have a party this April to celebrate the 25 th Anniversary of Our Brown County, but we had to cancel. Everything was placed on hold because the country was asked to“ stay at home” to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Business has been far from usual during this shutdown period. Nashville normally draws some spring break visitors during the months of March and April— but not this year. The streets were empty. The new Music Center, which was bringing in sold-out crowds, was forced to go dark. Restaurants had to close their dining areas and switch to take-out menus, or close all together. Shops and galleries closed their doors. The Brown County Playhouse’ s community theatre group had to postpone their plans for a play. Even lodging and campgrounds were closed.
Advertisers anticipate being able to resume some level of normalcy very soon. Some are now selling their goods online, too, and want to get that word out. We have never missed a deadline in 25 years and I felt we had an obligation to both readers and advertisers even though an opening up date was not clear. Brown County is expected to become somewhat of a therapy destination when all the restrictions are lifted because it is such a beautiful place, and is just a short drive from many other communities.
As a publisher / editor, I struggled with what to cover in this issue. It was going to be difficult to interview people and take photos for articles, or talk about events that got postponed. Then it occurred to me that readers might enjoy learning how our writers spent their extended spring breaks. This issue provided the perfect opportunity to focus on those contributors that give this little magazine its character.
This county is made up of a lot of very independent small business owners who are going to hurt badly from this down time. We are a seasonal tourist area and we just had a big chunk of our busy time taken out by lost spring break and IU parent traffic. I encourage everyone who visits to spend a little extra to keep us going. Eat a meal, buy a gift, take a zip line tour, spend the night in a cabin or hotel, or buy a work of art.
I am also asking you to help Our Brown County. Our business took a hit, too. Although this is a free publication, we do offer a year( six issues) subscription of $ 20 to have it mailed directly to your home. We currently have subscribers in about a dozen states.
Just think, for the cost of a fancy coffee drink once every two months, you can have Our Brown County sent to your mailbox. That pays for postage, supplies, and processing time. It helps our little Helmsburg Post Office, too. When you can’ t get out to pick one up, it will come to you
More subscribers mean more small business support.
Thanks to everyone responsible for the past 25 years of Our Brown County and especially to my mom for making it happen in the first place. •
— Cindy Steele
SUBSCRIBE One Year’ s Subscription for $ 20( six issues)
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Mail with check or money order to: Our Brown County P. O. Box 157 • Helmsburg, IN 47435
May / June 2020 • Our Brown County 15