Hello, neighbors!

Hope you're having a good week. The trees are beginning to show their fall colors, and there's plenty going on around town.

If you haven't visited Denver Siekman Park lately, this might be a good time to stop by.

I took a drive out to the park on Monday and snapped a few pictures. The trees are just starting to change colors, so there's still more fall color to come.

It's a nice place to get outside, take a walk or hike the trails, and enjoy the views overlooking the river. There's also a pavilion if you'd like to pack a lunch and spend a little time outdoors.

With the cooler fall weather here, it's worth taking a little time to get out and enjoy one of our local parks.

📚 Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest – Ohio County Public Library

Last chance to enter! Submit your artificial pumpkin decorated as a favorite book character by October 23. Voting begins October 24, and winners will be announced October 31. Remember, no real pumpkins!

🏆 Main Street Pumpkin Contest – Friday, October 31
Rising Sun Main Street invites everyone to bring a carved or decorated pumpkin to the Main Street Pavilion from 4:00–6:00 PM. Prizes include $50 for 1st place, $25 for 2nd, $10 for 3rd, plus seven $10 gift certificates from local businesses. Get creative and join the fun!

🎓 Earn Your HSED/GED – Education Bootcamps – River Valley Resources and the Education Center of Rising Sun are offering one-week bootcamps to help students prepare for their HSED/GED. Sessions: November 2–6 and December 7–11, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. daily. Location: Education Center of Rising Sun, 591 Smart Drive. Students must attend all five days. Advance registration required. For information or to register, call Heidi at 765-265-4129.

📚 Ohio County Public Library
• 9:00 AM – Walking Club
• 9:30 AM – Chair Yoga
• 1:00 PM – Learn to Crochet

🏛️ Rising Sun–Ohio County Tourism Board Meeting 4 p.m. at the Tourism Office.

🎨 Free Art Classes – Ohio County Public Library – Youth Art Class (grades 6–12), 10 a.m.–noon. Adult Art Class, 1–3 p.m. Registration required. Call (812) 438-2257 to reserve your spot.

📚 Children's Story Time – 12:30–1:30 p.m. at the Ohio County Public Library.

💉 Flu & COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic – 2–6 p.m. at the Ohio County Health Department, 117 Sixth Street, Rising Sun.

📚 Ohio County Public Library
• 9:00 AM – Walking Club
• 9:30 AM – Chair Yoga

🐺 Red Wolf Rampage 5K & 10K Walk/Run – 9 a.m. Red Wolf Sanctuary, 3027 State Road 262, Rising Sun, IN. Register in person by 8:30 a.m. Proceeds support the sanctuary's wildlife preservation, education, and rehabilitation efforts. Sanctuary tours will also be available. For more information, visit www.redwolf.org/red-wolf-rampage.

🎨 Black Cat Painting Class – 10 a.m. at the Ohio County Public Library. Create a charming black cat painting on canvas board with step-by-step drawing and painting instruction. Ages 15 and up. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Contact library staff to reserve your spot.

🌊 River Sweep Litter Cleanup – 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Rising Sun Riverfront Park, shelter near the playground and boat ramp. Co-hosted by Scout Troop 605 and Pack 650. Volunteers needed! For more information, visit www.orsanco.org/river-sweep or text (513) 703-9129.

🎃 Trunk-or-Treat on Main Street – 1–3 p.m. Rising Sun Main Street. Hosted by the Southeastern Indiana Board of Realtors. Enjoy hot dogs, trick-or-treating, and more! For information, call (812) 438-2306.

🎵 Pavilion Entertainment at Rising Star Casino Ky Myle Band
4:00–7:00 PM

Enjoy an evening of live music with Ky Myle Band. A blend of country, blues, roots, and rock featuring acoustic/mandolin instrumentation and close vocal harmonies.

📚 Ohio County Public Library
🚶 Walking Club — 9:00 AM
🧘 Chair Yoga — 9:30 AM

Looking for pumpkins this fall? Stop by Zack’s Pumpkins at 4217 Pleasant Ridge Road in Rising Sun! Zack has been selling pumpkins for several years to help pay for college. Pick up a pumpkin for your porch or Halloween decorations while supporting a young local entrepreneur!

The Community Marketplace is a new section featuring local homes, items, services and other community listings. Interested in having something featured in an upcoming issue? Reply to this newsletter or email me with the details.

Have an event, announcement, or story idea? Just hit reply—I’d love to hear from you!