Monroe Lake will kick off its annual Winter Exploration Hike Series in January. This series features off-trail hiking through areas of Monroe Lake that are rarely visited.

Jill Vance, Monroe Lake’s Interpretive Naturalist, leads the hikes. “I don’t plan a set path,” she notes. “We go where the terrain and inspiration take us. The primary purpose is just to get outside and explore; I never know in advance exactly what we might find or see.”

Because the hikes are off-trail through often rugged terrain, Vance does not recommend them for young children, people with mobility concerns, or those with no prior hiking experience. Each hike lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.

Hikes in the series are free but they do require advance registration. Each hike is limited to 20 people. Registrants are sent an email with driving directions to the meeting location and additional details the day prior to each hike.

• Tues., Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m.: Upper Friendship Fields and Forest (Stillwater-Northfork Wildlife Area), register by Jan. 10 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-1

• Tues., Jan. 26 at 1:30 p.m.: Lower Friendship Fields and Floodplains (Stillwater-Northfork Wildlife Area), register by Jan. 24 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-2

• Tues., Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m.: Combs Road (Southfork Marshes), register by Feb. 7 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-3

• Tues., Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.: Kirks Ford Road (Southfork Marshes), register by Feb. 21 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-4

• Tues., Mar. 1 at 2:30 p.m.: Geode Hill (Fairfax SRA), register by Feb. 28 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-5

• Tues., Mar. 15 at 2:30 p.m.: Moores Creek (Moores Creek SRA), register by Mar. 13 at http://bit.ly/wehs2016-6

Questions about the hike series can be directed to Jill Vance at [email protected] or 812-837-9967. Entrance to all of Monroe Lake is free during the winter months.

On Tuesday, March 15th, beginning at 5:30p.m, Gabriel Colman, owner and curator of The Venue, will speak from of his own personal experience with Rotary. Parking is available in the area and light refreshments will be served.

Event description:

“Most people think that Rotary is nothing more than a do-nothing luncheon club for wealthy, white, male, conservative-Republican businessmen. While there certainly are members of Rotary who are white, male, and Republican businessmen, that represents only a small portion of the membership, and far from being do-nothing, Rotary is an intentional organization of major import that deals effectively and ethically with most of the major issues of our day. As President of his club, Gabriel Colman will, having debunked the false myths, confidently solicit your support and participation in Rotary. It will be an eye opener. Join us.”

As you may have heard, Seven Oaks Classical School has been approved for a Fall 2016 opening! Enrollment opened on February 1st and will close on March 17th. We have set up information sessions in the Monroe County Library Auditorium to explain the enrollment process and address any questions you may have.

Tim Grimm (www.TimGrimm.com) is a star – seriously . . . He’s acted alongside Harrison Ford and as FBI agent Dan Murry, died in Ford’s arms (Clear and Present Danger : -) and has performed in a few other notable movies. But we in the Southern IN area – know him as a GREAT Singer-Songwriter who has produced some of the best programming to be found . . . anywhere. Hoosier Prine, Hoosier Dylan, Hoosier Springsteen are a few of his shows as having a hand in the Wilderness Plots show (with Carrie Newcomer, Mike White, Krista Detor and Tom Roznowski). TONIGHT, Tim is bringing Jason Wilbur along and his son Jackson AND Jan Lucas will be there entertaining as well. We suggest that you come early to insure a seat for this one. Grimm is a supporter of local talent and we LOVE IT when he brings us one of his Showcases!