Photo Galleries

The Open Hands Preschool Vendor Fair was held Saturday, Dec. 8 in the basement at the First United Methodist Church. The family shopping event featured local vendors and crafty persons selling their wares. Open Hands Preschool is a preschool dedicated to providing fundamental educational, spiritual, and social needs for children ranging from ages 3-5.

With the crowd lining up around the building, it was a grand entrance for “Misfit” and “Reindeer Randy” at the Brazil Elks Club Saturday afternoon. Both adults and the children were equally excited at being able to visit with the reindeer and elf. A couple of other friendly critters were also on hand to visit and take pictures with, including “Bandit the Bunny” and “Wofford” from Silly Safaris, out of Indianapolis. Organizers for the event were excited to see the turnout by the community and thanked everyone for taking part.

During the holiday season many people wish that love, success, luck, and friendship come knocking at the door for those they love and fill their hearts with the Christmas spirit. At East Side Elementary the staff recently decorated the doors in the building to encourage the fun of the holidays. Last Friday (Dec. 7, 2018) five winners were selected to receive a $25 Coffee Grounds Gift Card for their efforts, which the winner an choose to get a cookie treat for their classroom if they want. The Pink Angles Division, which included grades 3-5 and also was the Student Choice Winner, was Room A107: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” designed by Caitlyn Long. In the Green Christmas Tree Division, which included grades kindergarten-grade 2, was Room A117: “Andy’s Room from Toy Story” designed by Teacher Stacey Falls. In the White Snowman Division, which included support staff, was the Library Door: “Little Mermaid” designed by Mrs. McIntosh. In the Yellow Stars Division, which included office staff and special teachers, was Room B132: “Mickey’s Disney Christmas” designed by Trinity Kirby.

The Brazil Police Department’s Shop With A Cop started helping ensure children had the best Christmas possible 19 years ago. Earlier this week it took three days for the Shop With A Cop event, starting with a toddler/infant event on Monday, and two nights of shopping with older children on Tuesday and Wednesday. It takes a lot of volunteer hours to create the many activities the program provides. Children and their family members get to enjoy a visit and have their picture taken with Santa Claus, craft time, eat snacks, watch a holiday movie, take part in a bicycle drawing and then meet with their personal “cop” and possibly a volunteer before going shopping at the Brazil Walmart. Each of the 70 children participating this year received $150 to purchase any clothing, shoes, coats, and gloves they might need first, and then they could buy what they wanted with what was left over. Donations to support the 2019 Shop With A Cop program can be dropped off or mailed anytime to the Brazil Police Department, or Human Resource Office at City Hall, 203 E. National Avenue, Brazil, IN 47834. For more information, contact the Brazil Police Department 812-446-2211, or Human Resources 812-448-6960.

Chocolate Walk 2018 Mrs. Claus was also out visiting with people attending the Chocolate Walk in Clay City Saturday evening. The lively crowd was more than twice the size of last year’s event, with more than 49 chocolate stations for people to visit among many other attractions. Although there was a drizzle of rain no one seemed to mind. People of all ages strolled the main street searching for the chocolate to fill their bags, but also enjoying the unexpected pleasure of meeting friends and neighbors along the way. Many stopped to visit, share memories with a few people trading snacks and then parted with hugs. Organizers were excited by the attendance and look forward to the event growing even larger next year.

On Saturday night the first YMCA Clay County Youth Food Delivery Program Christmas Program was held at First Christian Church in Brazil. “Every dollar is going to buy food,” said program volunteer Lisa Beyers. Hundreds of attendees paid $10 per ticket, there was a silent auction and tickets sold for chances on an outdoor play set. Hot chocolate, pies, cookies and other baked goods were served. Live music was provided by the Northview High School Band and Ozlynne Tharp. Sponsors were Reconstruction Services of Indiana, Inc., Andi’s Pies, French Funeral Home, Michelle Engle, RE/MAX Real Estate Associates, Stressed Blessed and Home Improvements, Mayberry Malt and Coffee Shop, Marshall and Brenda Singleton, Shabby Girl Crafts, Eclectic Creations and Triple M Bakery. All the refreshments were donated, space was donated by First Christian Church.

There was a lot of holiday fun during the Broomtree Ministries’ Parent’s Day out event Saturday and the Brazil church of Nazarene, 1002 E. National Avenue, Brazil. The special event raised money to help support the backpack program at Staunton Elementary, Head Start and it’s program for homebound children. The young at heart could decorate cookies, make a craft project, eat a snack, watch a holiday movie, listen to Christmas carols and spend time in fun fellowship with each other. Some of the people captured in these pictures include Santa Claus, Braxton Kelly, 4, and Gryphon Walls, 8, August Mason, 1, Larissa Lohrman and Andrew Mason, Cameron Pund, Brazil Nazarene Youth Leader Ian Hartsook, Daryl Walls, Mary Treash (Broomtree Ministries founder), Viola Pund (Broomtree Ministries Treasurer), and Lisa Walls (elf). If in learning more about this program in supporting this project call (812) 531-7531 or (812) 236-3570. Or, to find out how you can support this project, send donations to 1520 White Rock Road, Brazil IN 47834, or log on to brazilbroomtree.blogspot.com or send an email to broomtreeministries@gmail.com. Check out The Brazil Times in the coming weeks as Broomtree Ministries of Clay County, Indiana will be announcing some exciting information for the community.

Enjoy these photos taken during the 2018 Christmas In the Park "Silvers Bells" Lighted Parad along US 40/National Avenue on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018.

The 2018 YMCA Turkey Trot 5K was held at the Clay County YMCA on Thanksgiving morning.

The Clay County Courthouse is almost completely decorated for the holidays and will be open to the public on Friday, Nov. 23, for cookies and hot chocolate from 5-7 p.m., before the annual Christmas In the Park "Silver Bells" Lighted Parade travels westward along US 40 from Vandalia Street. Local elementary students send in decorations for various trees so families are encouraged to stop by and find their child's ornament. Times Reporter Ivy Jacobs stopped and took photos for a sneak preview of this year's decorations.

The second annual Mistletoe Market at North Clay Middle School was a busy place Saturday. Funds raised during the craft/vendor fair will support the efforts of CASA Kids Fund, which helps purchase those “little things” that every child wants and should have.

The first annual Brazil Says Thanks Festival wrapped up Saturday evening with music and comedy and lots of coats and blankets. As Country 90 Proof took the stage at the Cow Palace at Forest Park a small crowd huddled to enjoy the music. During the break before Donnie Baker's performance at 8 p.m. comedians Joey Carroll and Jim McCue returned for another round of fun and greetings for all those who came to see Donnie Baker's performance and say "Thanks" to all the veterans who have served. The highlight of the night was when a member of the crowd came dressed up like Donnie's long-lost brother and the duo went onstage to do a first'ever Facebook LIVE from Brazil, Indiana on Bakers' and the Brazil Says Thanks Facebook pages.

Students and staff members at schools throughout Clay County gathered with local residents to honor Veterans in preparation of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice Day Friday. Veterans Day, as it is known now, is commemorated every year on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” to honor the Armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and the soldiers, both living and dead, who serve their country. Enjoy these pictures taken at Clay City High School, East Side, Meridian, Staunton, Van Buren, and Forest Park elementary schools as well as North Clay Middle School on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.

The 2018 Mid-Term Election was a busy day. The foul weather that was expected last week didn’t show up Tuesday, but the voters turned out for the election. The Clay County Election Office confirmed the early voting process was busy making the 2018 election the second highest turn out reported with close to 3,300 voters casting early ballots. On Tuesday, Nov. 6, the eight voting centers throughout the county opened at 6 a.m. in Clay County. At noon, First Deputy Clerk (Elections) Jason Jacobs said no problems had been reported and the voting lines were moving quickly. By the end of the evening, more than 9,000 voters made their voices heard in throughout the county. These pictures were taken by Times Reporter Ivy Jacobs as local residents went to cast their votes and gathered up at the Clay County Courthouse in the Clay Circuit Court Room as the returns came in.

Sticking to the basics was the key to the success of the recent Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 3. Organizers of the event wanted to make sure holiday shoppers would find handmade treasures on sale inside the Bingo Hall at the VFW Post 1127, located at 303 S. Depot St., Brazil. More than 15 vendors offered all types of treats during the busy afternoon of shopping. The Auxiliary will use the proceeds from the event to support various local charitable activities throughout the year.

Members of families who endured child loss and their supporters joined the Clay County Parent Bereavement Support Group for the first Memorial Walk Saturday. Participants gathered at First Presbyterian Church on North Walnut Street and then walked to Craig Park for a biodegradable balloon release, before walking back to the church for a pitch in dinner. However, once gathered at the group's monument at Craig Park, many families stayed to watch the balloons lift into the sky and visit with others. For more information about the group or having the name of a child placed on the monument, contact French Funeral home at 812-446-2591 to learn more.

On Friday,Nov. 2, a pep rally was held at Northview High School before the volleyball team traveled to Muncie for the 2018 State Finals.

There was a lot of spooky fun going on in the community this Halloween. These are some SNAPSHOTS of people out enjoying the holiday, including a couple submitted by a family who set up a haunted house with a very large ghoul at their home on Meridian Street. Enjoy the fun.

Did you stop to smell the fall leaves this weekend? Mother Nature’s creativity is on display throughout Brazil and Clay County, which is why most people believe fall is their favorite season of the year.

National Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually during Oct. 23-31 to honor people who have been killed due to the violence of drugs and to raise awareness of the dangers of bad decisions involving drugs, alcohol and tobacco in fifth-grade students before moving on to the secondary level of their education. In Clay County, students from all the elementary schools attend Red Ribbon Day events at the courthouse. In 2018, the National Ave./US 40 was temporarily closed to allow students to march to the courthouse before the event began Wednesday, Oct. 24th.

Firefighters struggled with temperatures in the high 80s while battling a fully involved structure fire shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7. Several departments assisted members of the Clay City volunteer fire department with manpower and equipment to get the blaze under control. Major hot spots in the area of the home's attic were a focus of the firefighters at the scene.

Clay County’s only “bed-and-breakfast” castle, located at 8780 East County Road 75 North, Bowling Green, was built in 2012 and hosts the event which has continued to grow each year. This year officials believe more than 2,500 visitors attended the Saturday events, and more are expected Sunday.

On Saturday, the third annual Route 40 Fest, organized by Brazil Main Street, was held in downtown Brazil. These are some random photos taken by The Brazil Times staff members at the event.

On Friday, Commander Ray Kerr (retired), a World War II Navy fighter pilot and native of Brazil, returned home with an escort of 300 motorcycles to receive a standing ovation and cheers from hundreds of people gathered at Forest Park.

On Saturday, July 28, 2018, Tri-Delta had the 2018 Delt Dash 5K to raise money for the Clay County Youth Food Delivery Program.

The 2018 Clay County 4-H Fair Queen and Princess were crowned Saturday night in North Clay Middle School. Congratulations to Queen Alisha Long and Princess Sierra Paul.

On Memorial Day the sixth annual Food for Families 5K was held at Forest Park in Brazil, Indiana. The walk/run event raised money for the various groups that feed the hungry in Clay County.

On Saturday, May 26, 2018, Clay City High School graduated 55 seniors.

The first Difference Makers banquet took place at Pappy’s Bar-B-Que in downtown Brazil Thursday night. The celebration honored the 11 finalists nominated by the community for their tireless efforts to make our community better. The Brazil Times along with co-sponsors for the event included Ivy Tech Community College, Hearing Aid Warehouse, H&R Block, The Villas of Holly Brook, Smith’s Small Engines, Four Loving Paws, and Pappy’s Bar-b-que. When visiting these businesses please say thank you to them for helping make the Difference Makers possible. Pam Fischer, director of the Launch Academy in Brazil and the founder of the Be Nice, Be Kind campaign in Clay County, was the keynote speaker. She spoke about the importance of volunteerism in our community and how important it is for people to step up and be involved. John Moore was selected as the 2018 Difference Maker during the event. Bob Slack and Wanda L. Underwood nominated Moore.

Heavy rains caused many schedule changes on April 3, 2018.

On Jan. 19, Meridian Elementary School held a parents' meeting followed by an Olympic Torch Ceremony. Students carried torches to the gym to light the Olympic flame. Each classroom represented a country in the Winter Olympics. Torches were made of paper cones with yellow tissue for flames illuminated by battery powered tea lights.