Partial and total eclipse photos by Hermi Rieveschl, Artist in Residence, Franklin County, IN. | |
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There was a floral display on the courthouse lawn. It was designed by Rae Kunkel and assembled by Franklin County Middle Schools students led by science teacher Beth Brown with pansies and greenery from John Wiesman of ColorWorks Greenhouse. | |
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A map of visitors showed people coming from as far away as Texas, Kansas, Virginia, Colorado, Oregon and Florida.
The weather was ideal – much better than in Texas. High thin clouds did not hind eclipse viewing. As the total eclipse approached, a wall of darkness rolled in from the west, the bees stopped flying, the birds roosted together in trees and the air cooled. A few stars could be seen. The sky stayed light to the east. As the total eclipse ended, the sky to the north turned pink and purple. Pond frogs kept croaking throughout the eclipse.
Photos below: Backyard watch party showed the light change from partial eclipse to total eclipse.
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Clear view of the sky from a hay field with no light interference. | |
Highway department employees and emergency responders were on duty watching over all of us. Below are some of their photos. Brookville firefighters grabbing a quick lunch before the event, Franklin County emergency command center and Brookville Police officers. | |
Metamora along the canal near the Aqueduct was a popular spot for eclipse viewing. | |
Whitewater Canal Trail had 110 visitors with a lot of people from the Tri-state Trails group. Eclipse watch bike riders snacked on Sun Chips, Eclipse Gum and of course Moon Pies. They had their official 2024 Eclipse Passports stamped for participating in this event. | |
Eating lunch on the courthouse steps while visiting from Detroit, Michigan. | |
Yes, it really did get dark at 3:07 pm in Brookville. Check the time on the courthouse clock. | |
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NASA featured Indianapolis in their live reporting. An estimated 50,000 – 60,000 people watched at the Indianapolis Speedway. They saw a total 360-degree sunset and much more darkness for a longer time. There were also fireworks. To watch the coverage, go to https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/live/ Indianapolis is at 2 hours 15 minutes in the video.
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Local Road Closures
State Road 1 north of Brookville will be closed from April 9, 2024, through November 20, 2024, in two stages. The first closure is located approximately one mile north of S.R. 101 and is expected to take up to 13 weeks, weather permitting. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 101 to S.R. 44 to S.R. 1 in Connersville. The unofficial detour for local traffic only will be Reservoir Road. Additional work will take place along S.R. 1 at a later time and further information will be provided.
One-Lane Road Starts Tuesday, April 9
U.S. 52 Near Cedar Grove
Indiana Department of Transportation plans to reduce U.S. Highway 52 in Franklin County to one lane over Big Cedar Creek on or after Monday, April 9, to begin bridge rehabilitation work. Work will take place just west of Cedar Grove. The bridge is between Big Cedar Road and Holy Guardian Angels Church. Project is expected to be completed by early November, weather permitting. Temporary traffic signals will be utilized while work is in progress. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction.
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SR 1 Closes April 15 in Dearborn County
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is scheduled to close State Road 1 at Mt. Pleasant Road on or after Monday, April 15, to complete a slide correction near Guilford, Indiana.
The closure will take place approximately 4.5 miles north of U.S. 50 and is expected to be completed by mid-December, weather permitting. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows State Road 1 to I-74 to I-275 to U.S. Highway 50 and back to State Road 1.
INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.
Reported by Sara Duffy
Information provided by INDOT.
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Irwin Vonderheide Honored | |
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Harmony Lodge #11 honored Township Trustee Irwin Vonderheide with a Certificate of Appreciation.
Submitted by Dave Parker
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Brookville American Legion Scholarships
The Brookville American Legion is offering scholarships for graduating seniors of the Franklin County High School Class of 2024. Interested students should complete the application and submit it to Ms. Shaver at FCHS. Applications are due no later than Friday, April 26.
The Legion is conducting a raffle and will have a Fried Chicken / Smoked Pork Chop Drive-Through on Friday, May 10, to raise money for this project.
Submitted by Mike Biltz
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Community Clean-up Coming
Franklin County Community Foundation will be sponsoring a Community Clean-up again centered around Earth Day. Earth day is Monday, April 22, so the clean-up will be April 20, 21 and 22. Register your team by calling 765-647-6810 or emailing shelly@fccfin.org. Your team can participate any of the days and for any amount of time that you would like.
Franklin County Community Foundation will provide gloves, trash bags and sharps containers for anyone interested in helping. The Town of Brookville has agreed to allow us to use the dumpster in the Town Park that weekend. The Commissioners have agreed to free clean-up trash drop off at the Transfer Station on Saturday, April 20. No tires or hazardous materials allowed!
Submitted by Shelly Lunsford
Franklin County Community Foundation
The Whitewater Canal Trail and Trout Unlimited will be participating in the clean-up on Saturday, April 20th. We will meet at Yellow Bank Trailhead (Moster Turf) on US Highway 52 at 9 am until 12 noon. Everyone is invited to join us.
Submitted by Shirley Lamb
Whitewater Canal Trail
Photo by The Observer: Annual road clean-up by the Holman Family.
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Franklin County Arts Council
Dinner & Theater
Join the Franklin County Arts Council on Saturday, May 11 (Mother’s Day Eve!) as we travel to Richmond for a group excursion to dine at the Old Richmond Inn and then head over to the Richmond Civic Theatre to see the hilarious musical comedy, "Something Rotten!" The cost for the dinner and show is $50.
Reservations at the Old Richmond Inn are for 5:15 pm for a plated meal. Tax and gratuity are included in the package price. We will be seated in a separate room for our group. The show offers front row seats for the popular musical spoof set in Renaissance England, which played on Broadway and was nominated for numerous Tony Awards. It features two brothers - Nick Bottom and Nigel Bottom - who are trying to find success writing plays, but are outshined by the rockstar playwright, William Shakespeare.
Call Patti Wilhelm at 765-309-1473 to reserve a spot! If you need transportation, let us know.
Submitted by Patti Wilhelm
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School Board Meeting Moves To High School
The Franklin County School Board meeting on April 15 at 7:00 pm has been moved to the high school auditorium.
From Tammy Chavis, Superintendent
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Chicken/Pork Chop Dinner – April 12
Do you want the convenience of picking up a delicious fried chicken or smoked pork chop dinner after a busy week at work? Dine in or carry out on Friday, April 12, from 4:00-7:00 PM. 10-piece chicken $15. 5-piece chicken $8. Two chops $10. One chop $7. Potato Wedges $5. Pint of Cole Slaw, Gizzards or Livers $5. Support your local veterans.
Submitted by Mike Biltz
Lego Expo at Brookville Library April 13 10 am - 2pm
Euchre Tournament – April 13
6:30 – 11:00 pm at Brookville Masons Harmony Lodge#11 F.&A.M., 10193 State Road 101, Brookville, IN 47012. Open to public. $20 entrance includes $5 50/50. Cash prizes for 1-3 place. No alcohol allowed. Snacks welcome. Soft drinks provided.
Submitted by Dave Parker
Steve Covington & The Humble Strays - April 13
Americana from the Ohio Valley. Food available from The Metamora Inn. Table reservations on our website. Click to see the 2024 showbill.
Bluegrass Night Vern McIntyre
& Appalachian Grass - April 20
Our monthly Bluegrass Series continues with Vern McIntyre, a legend throughout the region. Food Available from The Blue Umbrella Bistro & Bakery.
Submitted by Metamora Performing Arts
Historical Society Dinner Program - April 15
The Franklin County Historical Society will host a dinner/program at the Brookville Library on Monday, April 15, 2024. At 6 PM a box supper will be served. Cost $10. Make your reservation to 765-647-7365 by April 12. At 7PM Indiana Artisan Tracy Burns will present a “HISTORY OF TRADITIONAL RUG HOOKING.” The public is invited.
Submitted by Martha Shea
High School Food Pantry - April 16
Just a reminder, the food pantry is open in the cafeteria at Franklin County High School on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month from 4:00-5:30 PM.
From Franklin County Community School Corporation
Benefit Yard Sale - April 24 - 27
Creekside Church will hold a benefit yard sale April 24-27, Wed-Fri (8 am-1 pm) and Saturday (8 -12) at 11001 Bossert Rd. Corner of Highland Center and Bossert Roads. Furniture, antiques, clothing, jewelry, books, household, toys, games, crafts, holiday decor. All proceeds benefit Grain of Rice Project.
Submitted by Judy Siebert
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Plant a Tree for Arbor Day - April 26
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway & Food Drive is April 26, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. at the office. Bring canned good items or a cash donation for 5 free trees to Franklin County SCWD, 10165 Oxford Pike, Brookville. Canned goods and cash will be donated to RedLife Food Pantry in Brookville.
Submitted by Ashlee Zins
District Coordinator, Franklin County SWCD
2024 Franklin County Quilt Show
Mark your calendar. May 17, 10-5, May 18, 10-4. Old Brookville High School Gym. 1010 Franklin Ave. Sponsored by Franklin County Extension Homemakers and Quilt Batts Quilt Guild. Amish Quilt Challenge, food, vendors.
Submitted by Dotti Roleson
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Three bands will perform on Family Fun Day and Rodeo. Cost is only $5 to listen to these artists. Rodeo is $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Submitted by Brian Baxter
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