Looking for something to do early in the new year?
Here are five events planned in the area to kick-start 2016.
1. READ Jackson County’s second annual 5K Run for Literacy will begin at 11:10 a.m. New Year’s Day at the Freeman Field Sports Complex, 2740 State Road 11, Seymour.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Registration for the 5K run/walk begins at 10 a.m. Friday, and there is a $15 entry fee. Online registration is available at indianatiming.com.
Information: READ Jackson County director Matt Nicholson at director @readjacksoncounty.org or 812-528-6319.
2. The Christmas Bird Count will be conducted New Year’s Day at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, 12985 U.S. 50 East, Seymour. Those interested in participating in the annual bird inventory of the refuge should plan to meet at the refuge visitor center at 7:30 a.m. Friday to form groups and be assigned areas. The count will last the entire day, but staying the whole time is not required.
Participants should bring binoculars and wear warm clothing and waterproof footwear, as the trails will probably be wet. A hot lunch will be provided free of charge by Muscatatuck Wildlife Society volunteers.
Information: Email [email protected] or call park ranger Donna Stanley at 812-522-4352.
3. Strengthen your funny bone with PG-rated, family-style comedy with nationally touring headliner Mike Armstrong and ventriloquist Bill McClain. Two New Year’s Eve shows are slated for 7 and 9:30 p.m. today at YES Cinema, 328 Jackson St., Columbus. They also are scheduled at 8 p.m. Friday at Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 741, 930 Washington St., Columbus. Tickets are $20 and available at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Eagles and Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center.
Information: 812-376-7075
4. Holiday at the Farm will be conducted at the nonprofit Shireman Homestead, 7060 W. County Road 200N, Columbus. If you call ahead to 812-372-2946, the Christmas activities are extended Friday (and through mid-January Fridays through Sunday) from 5 to 7 p.m. Activities include a horse trick show, horse-drawn carriage ride, treat and ornament houses, decorated Western town, luminaria walk, rehabilitated barn animals and more. Admission is $10.
Information: shireman homestead.com
5. Jackson County Public Library is offering two health-related programs in the Seymour Library meeting room. Lesley Kendall, registered dietitian and Schneck Medical Center Nutrition Services clinical coordinator, will demonstrate how to cook recipes and share samples during the program “Cooking and Eating for a Healthier and Slimmer You” from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Then from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Becky Schepman, an American Fitness Professionals and Associates certified group fitness instructor, will teach a simple exercise routine to do every day during the program “Simple Daily Workout to a Healthier and Slimmer You.”
Registration is preferred for these programs.
Information: myjclibrary.org/events or 812-523-4636