Elementary art exhibit this month
GREENFIELD – Young artists will showcase their works in an exhibit at the Twenty North Gallery this month in downtown Greenfield.
The Hancock County Elementary School Art Exhibit will be on display through Feb. 24. A reception will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the gallery, 20 N. State St., Greenfield.
Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. Learn more at hancockcountyarts.org.
Youth essay, speech contest open
FORTVILLE – The Mt. Vernon Optimist Club is hosting an essay contest and an oratorical contest, with cash prizes for youth in the community.
The essay contest topic is “Optimism: How it Connects Us.” Contest is open to students under the age of 19 and cash prizes range from $100 to $300. The winner will advance to a district competition for a chance to win a $2,500 scholarship. The oratorical contest topic is “How to Change the World with Optimism.” Interested students should prepare a four- to five-minute speech; prizes also range from $100 to $300.
Applications, available at the Mt. Vernon High School library, are due by noon, Feb. 9. Visit mvoptimist.com for more information.
Candidates must file by Feb. 9
HANCOCK COUNTY – The deadline for filing to be in the May primary election is coming up.
Candidates wishing to be on the Democrat or Republican primary ballot must file declaration of candidacy paperwork by noon Friday, Feb. 9.
Filing started Jan. 10. Candidates for federal, statewide, state legislative, and judicial offices including county prosecuting attorneys, file declaration of candidacy with the Indiana Secretary of State or the Indiana Election Division. The Secretary of State’s Office and the Indiana Election Division will be accepting filings 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Friday, February 9 at noon.
Candidates for non-judicial county offices, township offices, town offices, school board offices, precinct committeeman or state convention delegate, file their declaration of candidacy at the office of the Hancock County Clerk.
Under Indiana law, election officials are prohibited from accepting filings after the deadline of Feb. 9.
Minor party and independent candidates will file decorations for candidacy for the November general election later in the year, after the May primary election.
Eclipse planning sessions set
GREENFIELD – Churches, businesses and organizations interested in hosting a viewing party or public event for the upcoming solar eclipse can attend an informational session Feb. 8.
The Hancock County Tourism and Visitor Center is hosting the eclipse info sessions at 9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St., Greenfield.
Those planning any public event or hosting any public viewing site for the eclipse must register to be an Eclipse Partner, according to a press release. That can be done by going to the partner tab at eclipseinhancock.org so emergency services, highway department and other agencies can be alerted to where large crowds are expected to gather for the event. It will also allow the event and location to be promoted to the thousands of guests that are expected to arrive in Hancock County.
The total solar eclipse will happen April 8. All of Hancock County’s communities are within the path of totality; Hancock County can see anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 visitors.
For more, call 317-477-8687.
