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The COVID-19 restrictions were upheld during the school board of trustees’ “Swearing-In Ceremony” at the Clay Community School Corporation’s Administrative Building Thursday. Clay Circuit Judge Joseph Trout was on hand to provide the oath of office to elected trustees, including Dr. Michael Shaw, Tom Reberger, Andrea Baysinger and new trustee Ryan Keller.

York Automotive recently opened a 29,000-square foot addition on the south side of U.S. 40, across the highway from its original location.

Republican candidates who won their races during the November election gathered for “Swearing-In Ceremony” Tuesday, December 29 in Clay County Circuit Court (3rd Floor of the Courthouse) with Superior Court Judge Robert Pell presiding. Pictured are Clay County officials Council Member At Large John Nicoson, Commissioner Bryan Allender, Council Member At Large Dave Amerman, County Clerk Amy Jordan, Council Member At Large Patricia Heffner, Commissioner Marty Heffner, County Surveyor Vernon Maesch, and Coroner Nick French. Clay County Commissioner Paul Sinders and Patti Foxx thanked Pell for taking the time to come to the ceremony and fill in for Judge Joseph Trout, who was scheduled to be there but was ill.

Trinity Baptist Church had a two-night "rolling" live nativity scene last weekend, visiting homes in the church's neighborhood.

The Clay County Highway Department’s crews are early this year preparing to remove winter snowfall and ice on almost 700 miles of county roads. Considering 2020 has been a year of disharmony in many areas, getting ready for a potentially temperamental Mother Nature seems a safe bet. The highway department has a building full of salt/sand/calcium mixture at the garage facility located at 409 N. S.R. 59 and a game plan in place. Drivers know to arrive early the evening before a potential winter storm’s projected arrival, in case intersections and other trouble areas along the roads need to be pretreated. Otherwise, as snowflakes flittered down Monday and temperatures dropped, drivers know it’s a waiting game before they attack the falling snow with snowplows, graders, and the sand/salt mixture. The crew knows they will be out there - no matter when winter arrives or how long it takes to clear away the snow and ice - until the roads are safe.

It's beginning to look like Christmas in downtown Brazil, as local businesses prepare for the holidays. the times will update this gallery as more businesses decorate as Christmas comes closer.

The Clay County Courthouse is decorated for the holiday season. The 14-foot tall Christmas tree is once again the centerpiece, with more decorations throughout the rotunda. The trees decorated with handmade ornaments to represent the local elementary schools are not present this year due to COVID-19 and students doing eLearning from home. Enjoy these photos of the decorated courthouse.

The Brazil Times has been keeping an eye on the activity at Forest Park as work crews have decorated in preparation for the Christmas In The Park Light Show this year. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the parade earlier in November, but the fireworks display (8 p.m. Friday, Nov 27) will start this year's event, with the lights coming on at the end at approximately 8:20 p.m. Event organizers said all the displays in the park will be lit up, as well as some new ones. The community is invited to drive thru the park to participate in the spirit of the holidays. Please enjoy these photos that have been taken as the work progressed, right up up until Friday afternoon.

Residents put their masks on and tried to keep their distance during the annual Staunton Community Center Craft Fair Saturday. The Lady Volunteers sponsor the annual event, allowing people to shop local artisans wares and find great Christmas gifts, home decor, or something for themselves during the event at the Staunton Community Center. The Ladies also provide food during the event, using the funds they raise to support community projects.

In honor and recognition of our great Veterans, a Veterans Day Program took place in the Rotunda of the Clay County Courthouse Wednesday. The Jackson Township Concert Band, under the direction of Matt Huber, performed musical selections for the event on the second floor to allow social distancing. Members of the American Legion Post #2 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1127 organized the annual event, which this year dealt with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staunton residents celebrated the Fall season during the Annual 4-Corner Event Saturday, Oct. 24. The four-way stop in the center of town was a community festival complete with free food, games, and fun for everyone, especially the children. The Staunton Town Board sponsors the free event. Participants contributing to it include the Posey Township Fire Department, the Community Center Lady Volunteers, Staunton Christian Church, and Staunton United Methodist Church. Enjoy these photos taken by Times Reporter IVY JACOBS.

A&B Farmhouse owners Andy Stone and Brandon Sneath along with members of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, family, and friends were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new furniture, home décor, and accent business located at 525 East National Ave., Brazil. The business, which plans to expand into upcycled pieces in the future, is open Tuesday through Sunday.

The B-29 Doc Flight Experience Tour at Terre Haute Regional Airport was hosted by Hoosier Aviation. The promise to experience a piece of history, to hear and see the sights and sounds of engine before takeoff and experience flight at 8,000 feet. Up where Air Force veterans once sat as they fought in World War II and Korea. Of the 3,970 B29s built, 26 survive in complete form today, 24 of which reside in the United States, and two of which are airworthy, including DOC. One of the most technologically advanced airplanes of World War II, the B-29 had many new features, including guns that could be fired by remote control. Two crew areas, fore and aft, were pressurized and connected by a long tube over the bomb bays, allowing crew members to crawl between them during up to 15-hour flights. The tail gunner had a separate pressurized area that could only be entered or left at altitudes that did not require pressurization. B-29s were primarily used in the Pacific theater during World War II, two of the most famous being Enola Gay and Bockscar, that dropped atomic bombs on Tokyo. The B-29 saw military service again in Korea 1950-1953, battling jet fighters and electronic weapons. The last B-29 in squadron use retired from service in September 1960. Doc’s Friends is on a mission to HONOR the men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedom of others, including those who designed, built, maintained and flew the B-29 during and after WWII. CONNECT people with the rich heritage of the B-29 and allow aviation enthusiasts to experience the thrill of a B-29 up close. EDUCATE today’s and future generations on the contributions of the Greatest Generation during wartime. Enjoy these photos taken by Times Reporter IVY JACOBS, and an upcoming story about this event.

The 51st annual Cory Apple Festival was a fun and busy event this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 140 venders were on hand for visitors shopping and snacking pleasures, and sanitizer stations and signs advising guidelines about hygiene and mask-wearing were available in several places. Enjoy these photos taken Saturday, Sept. 26, by Times Reporter Ivy Jacobs.

Brazil resident Eric Jensen’s simple idea about getting some friends together for a nostalgic cruise in town took on a life of its own and turned into “Cruising Brazil.” The first family-friendly event Saturday, August 29, was so popular many people begged the accidental event organizer to do it again, and he did on Saturday, Sept. 19. No one knows how many people actually showed up to “bop” around town during the second event, but US 40 in Brazil became a mecca for people to gather in fellowship and remember the “good old days.” The traffic was heavier, the crowds were larger watching the fun, and the vast array of street legal vehicles was greatly appreciated by those who pulled up chairs along mainstreet to watch. Enjoy these photos taken by Times Reporter Ivy Jacobs, who rode along with family members to experience Cruising Brazil 2.0. Citing a couple of areas that need work, Jensen was happy with the turn out and is planning to organize another event next year.

The annual Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry, in Carbon Saturday, Sept. 19, is always a busy place, and it was no different this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. With a large crowd in attendance, the drive-thru lines were bustling, which kept the fryers hopping. But there was always time to stop and wave. Even Sparky, The Fire Dog, took time to wave while out visiting with people. The fire department uses funds raised during this event to purchase necessary equipment.

Clay County supporters of President Donald Trump gathered on the lawn of the courthouse Saturday morning. Carrying flags and with a cardboard cutout of the president, the supporters waved to traffic on US 40, with many motorists honking their horns during the event.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1127 reently planned a day of fun activities supporting the WAR DOGS fundraising event. Local auxiliary members served a special breakfast and lunch menu throughout the day until the feature event started around 12:30. That’s when fun really began, and the pies started flying. It only cost $5 to push a cream pie into the face of a bartender, officer, or volunteer who wanted to give their all in support of the WAR DOGS. The U.S. War Dogs Association was established in 2000 as a non-profit organization. The U.S. War Dogs Association consists of former and current U.S. Military Working Dog Handlers and supporting members. With the creation of Chapters, the Association spreads across the U.S., and together they are Remembering, Supporting, and Honoring our Nation’s war dogs and their handlers, past, present, and future. Those wanting to learn more about WAR DOGS can log onto www.supportourpaws.com. Monetary donations can be dropped off at VFW Post 1127, located at 303 South Depot, Brazil, until June 2021.

Brazil Mayor Brian Wyndham talks with the participants in the ninth annual Mayor's Ride in support of the Clay County Human Society Saturday afternoon. Registration started at City Hall at 2 p.m., and kickstands went up at 3 p.m. Participants received a T-shirt, and there was food, and live entertainment afterward at American Legion Post #2.

Clay City residents celebrated Labor Day 2020 at Goshorn Park n Sunday, Sept. 6th. There were lots of people in the park enjoying the weather and being outdoors. Food was plenty, as many were enjoying the Clay City Lions’ Club drive-thru Chicken Breast and Tenderloin Dinner from 4-8 p.m., and the Clay City Band Boosters served Eel Ears and other goodies until the fireworks started at 9:30 p.m. See more pics in a Photo Gallery online at www.thebraziltimes.com.

A new business in Brazil may appeal to the creative talent in each of us. Lori Crowder has opened D&L Creations Paint Studio in Crowder Plaza next to Crowder Lawn and Garden on State Road 59 South in Brazil. The emphasis is on attending classes and paint parties and creating an object of art to take home with you, whether that is painting or ceramics, Lori said. “This is something I have always wanted to do,” Lori said. “I got into crafting a few years ago and I just wanted to bring something to Brazil, for people to come out and paint. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the public is invited to go and learn how to create something beautiful. Take out kits are also available. “It’s a kind of therapy,” Lori said. See the photo gallery for more photos.

Brazil resident Eric Jensen, who accidentally organized the “Cruising Brazil” Saturday night, was unable to be found among all the people who showed up for a trip back to nostalgiic days of "bopping around town. Jensen posted the idea on Facebook and idea just “grew legs and took off.” It was unclear how many people showed up to participate in the fun, or just to watch the cars go by, but there were hundreds of cars and two lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic to watch the during fun event. Many of the parking lots along US 40 in Brazil became small car shows as more vehicles of all kind pulled over and people walked around to look at them, and talk about the "good old days." Engines roared, horns honked, people waved and yelled greetings to those they knew, and cameras and phones were everywhere recording the family event. Many people enjoyed the event so much, they want to do it again, and bring their friends next time.

Members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Center Point Community Fire Department, the Posey Township Fire Department, Clay City/Harrison Township Fire Department, Poland Volunteer Fire Department and the Cory/Perry Township Fire Department assemble Friday afternoon to escort 9-year-old Keaton Jackson as he returns home from Riley Children’s Hospital following treatment for cancer. Jackson has been battling cancer for about two years, but on Friday he was told he was now cancer-free.

Rodgers CPA Group LLC, 112 West National Ave., Brazil, held a grand opening celebration Tuesday, Aug. 18. Members of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses in the community stopped by to wish the new business good luck. The CPA firm will provide payroll, bookkeeping, business and individual income tax preparation, business and non-profit consulting and tax preparation service Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Extended hours will be available during January-April. Learn more at rodgerscpasgroup.com.)

On Saturday, Dan and Gloria's dream of opening a home for homeless female veterans became a reality when "A Place Called Hope" opened in Clay City, serving the entire state of Indiana.

Although it was a dreary Saturday (Aug. 1) for the Yesteryear Tractor Show at Goshorn Park in Clay City, a trio of youngsters showed off their love of steel farm equipment in the gazebo as the rain fell. The number of items on display was smaller than usual, but a curious crowd still stopped by to take in the vintage farm equipment (some made here in Indiana), lawn and garden implements, a few classic cars and trucks, and even a few snowmobiles. Due to COVID-19 the annual awards ceremony and luncheon was not held. Event organizers are determined to be back next year with a bigger and better event that showcases items from Clay, Putnam, Owen, Green, Vigo, and Parke counties, and beyond.

Brazil Times Reporter Ivy Jacobs stopped by Forest Park Friday (July 31, 2020) to talk to Linda Ray about some of the changes in the annual Strawberry Festival. The event has moved to the Pavillion/Cow Palace in the park, which allows for a new drive-thru service, local vendors, all-weather seating and better social distancing for COVID-19, and a stage for live music. Entertainment provided by local Elvis Tribute Artist Eric Brown. Funds raised during the fundraiser supports various local projects and the annual Christmas Celebration.

Members from Dick Johnson, Jackson, and Center Point volunteer fire departments joined Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department for extrication training at firefighter Jeremy Elwell’s property located at the intersection of U.S 40 and County Road 300 West Sunday afternoon. Members of the Brazil STAR Ambulance were standing by to provide re-hab for firefighters in the intense heat. “We attempted several techniques and ended it with ‘Crack the Egg’ technique,” said Posey Fire Chief Cody Barnard, who oversaw the event with Safety Officer Earl Hutcheson. “It didn’t work as planned, but that’s why we train.” Due to safety issues, Posey Township Fire Department provided close up photos of certain elements of the training to The Brazil Times for this gallery of photos.

The sun was shining, and there was a cool breeze for the crowd gathered at the Saline City, Indiana Truck Tractor Pull Saturday, July 25. The annual event is usually held n the Sping but was rescheduled due to COVID-19. The event was held in memory of event announcer Bill Mishler, who passed away in June. Mishler’s family was present to receive a plaque in his memory, and Bill’s brother Jim sang the National Anthem before the event began. Enjoy these photos taken by Times Reporter Ivy Jacobs.

Max and Honey’s You Pick Flowers and Pumpkin Farm opened Friday (July 24), and is a family-owned farm located in northern Clay County. Owner Valerie Smith said the unique flower shop located on the family-owned farm is named after her grandparents, Max and Honey. Valerie lives on the farm with her husband Derek and the couple’s four children, who are helping out at the new business. Among the 20 flower plant varieties to choose from, the pumpkin patch will be available in the fall, along with lots of fall activities. Max & Honey’s You Pick Flowers is located at 12783 North Private Road 385 East, take North County Road 1300 East to NPR 385 East, turn south, and follow the signs. Learn more by logging onto https://www.maxandhoneys.com/

The Clay County 4-H Fair is under a cloud this year — the threat of coronavirus that hangs over the entire world, or so it seems. For that reason, the fair events have been largely closed to the public and shows have been divided into sessions this summer and in the fall. Here are photos The Brazil Times has been able to take and to obtain.

On Saturday, Northview High School graduated its Class of 2020 in three separate programs in order to practice safe distancing. See the story in the news section.

On Saturday, July 18th, the Class of 2020, Clay City High School, held its annual commencement int he Eel Dome. Here are photos taken at the ceremony. Please also see the story in the news section.

The Famiy Worship Center, 8157 North County Road 425 West, Brazil, was a busy place Saturday during the vendor fair in the parking lot. Members of the community parrused the vendors, crafters, and food trucks while enjoying the sunny weather. The fundraiser is being used by the church to support various projects in the coming year, said Pastor Larry Richmond. Some visitors wore face masks and practiced social distancing during the welcomed return to what felt like a “normal” event in the community during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Enjoy these photos taken by Times Reporter IVY JACOBS at the event on July 11, 2020.

Due to the Coronavirus the number of days were fewer, there was no carnival and the crowds were smaller yet everyone seemed to have a good time at the Brazil Rotary Club's 85th annual 4th of July Celebration.

With frequent rain showers and dreary skies overhead, volunteers and firefighters at the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department served fish dinners and smiles to a long line of hungry supporters Saturday night during the annual benefit. Although COVID-19 and the construction of the new firehouse created some unusual problems to tackle, organizers said the two-lane drive-thru was a success. It is estimated that more than 400 cars waited for up to an hour to pick up dinner.

Forest Park was filled with “amazing grace” as people gathered for song and worship during the First Christian Church’s Sunday service on June 28. The soggy weather didn’t stop people from bringing their lawn chairs to the Cow Palace for worship and to meet their neighbors, many for the first time since COVID-19 forced churches to close to help stop the spread of the virus. More than a hundred people, inside the park pavilion and many more sitting in their cars in the parking lot and scattered around the park enjoyed the event. Enjoy these photos taken during the event.

On Thursday night, Launch Academy held a social distancing graduation program in the pavilion at Forest Park.

As the temperatures rise and people are looking for something to do after being in self-isolation as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forest Park Pool is a busy place. A couple a new program is available: Aqua Fit - ($2 for YMCA members and $5 for non- members) Monday 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., and Wednesday 5-6 p.m. Friday, June 12th from 7-11 p.m. will be Movie Night. Tickets are being sold in advance for $5. Check out the park pool Facebook page for more information.

Students, teachers, and administrators across the nation are struggling with the end of a school year without being there during COVID-19, but many have found unique ways to share camaraderie and wish each other a great summer. The staff at Meridian Elementary got out the markers to create signs and took their "goodwill wishes" for students and their families Friday afternoon during a drive-by parade.

On Thursday, Northview High School seniors picked up their caps and gowns at Northview High School.