April 1st-15th

* Entries are now being accepted for the upcoming 55th Annual Orleans Dogwood Parade, set for Saturday, April 26 th beginning at 2 p.m. Categories include floats, political, walking, equestrian, classic and/or antique vehicles, bands etc.  This year’s theme will be “Dogwoods Thrive in 2025.” The parade will start from the Orleans Jr-Sr. High School, located on the north edge of town. The school traditionally serves as the staging area for the event. Line-up begins at 11 a.m. and continues until 1 p.m. Judging of units begin at approximately 1 p.m. The parade travels down Maple St. (S.R. 37 S.) and through the historic downtown area. Entry forms may now be obtained by visiting the Dogwood Festival website  www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com  Entry forms may also be found inside The Orleans Progress

* Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Caregiver Support Group. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.  Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia among senior citizens.  It involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. Memorial Hospital’s sponsors an Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Caregiver Support Group.  Meeting dates are the first Tuesday of every month.  The next meeting is Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Medical Arts Conference Center, located in the lower level of the Medical Arts Building at 721 W. 13 th St. in Jasper. This support group allows caregivers to come together to share knowledge and experiences in caring for loved ones who are affected by these illnesses.  For more information, please visit Memorial Hospital’s website at www.mhhcc.org and click on “Classes & Events.”  If you would like more information on dementia and being a caregiver, please call 812-996-2862. Pre-registration is not necessary. 

* Memorial Hospital Offers Class For Expectant and New Parents: “Baby Behavior”. Would you like to better understand your baby’s wants and needs? Expectant parents in the last trimester are invited to attend Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s “Baby Behavior” class held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Using current research on baby behavior, our class instructors will help you better understand your baby. The class will teach parents about things such as infant sleep, feeding cues, engagement and disengagement cues, and crying.  The class will help parents become not only more relaxed but more confident in their new role as parents. It is highly recommended parents take this class before the baby arrives. However, if parents are unable to, this class can be helpful for parents within the first 1-2 months of the baby being born as well. This class is being held in Memorial Hospitals Board Conference Room ABC at 800 9 th St. Jasper. It is free to those who are delivering at Memorial Hospital or $15. The “Baby Behavior” classes are conducted by qualified obstetrical nursing personnel. To enroll, please visit Memorial Hospital’s website at www.mhhcc.org and click on “Classes & Events”. If you are unable to access online, please call 812-996-0383-2399.  For specific class questions, please call the OB Lactation Services at 812-996-0383.

* Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Indiana Chapter Banquet will be Saturday April 5 th beginning at 5:00 p.m. and will be held at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds
on US-50 in Bedford. For more information or to purchase tickets call McKenzie Lawyer at 259-1127

* Come to the Melton Public Library in French Lick, to a Lego event. Lego Building fun, will be Monday, April 7th, 330PM-430PM



* Come to the Melton Public Library in French Lick, to make your Easter Pillow. The event is Tuesday, Monday 8th.


*Paoli UM Church will have their annual Backpack of Blessings benefit, Saturday, April 12th at Paoli UM Church, on East SR 56, in Paoli.



* Living with COPD. Did you know that 24 million Americans have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?   This disease may restrict air flow, cause trouble breathing and includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. If you or if someone you care for is living with COPD, join us for an educational meeting on the 2 nd Tuesday of each month.  The next meeting is scheduled for, Monday, April 14, 2024, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center Mary Potter Meeting Room, located inside the hospital at 800 W 9 th St., Jasper, IN  For more information about "Living with COPD", please visit Memorial Hospital's website at www.mhhcc.org and click on "Classes & Events," or call 812-996-5232 or 812-996-1528.  Pre-registration is not necessary, and there is no cost to attend.

* "Preparation for Childbirth" Class. It is known that the more you know about your pregnancy and childbirth, the better you will be able to cope with and adjust to changes during this time. Expectant parents are invited to attend Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center's "Preparation for Childbirth" classes held on  Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  "Preparation for Childbirth" is class to help prepare expectant mothers and support persons for childbirth, including a tour of the Women and Infant Services Unit.  It is recommended that both mother and the support person who will assist the mother during delivery of the baby attend the class. This class is being held in Board Conference Room ABC at Memorial Hospital Health Care Center. It is free to those who are delivering at Memorial Hospital or $65. The "Preparation for Childbirth" classes are conducted by qualified obstetrical nursing personnel. To enroll, please visit Memorial Hospital's website at  www.mhhcc.org and click on "Classes & Events."   If you are unable to access online, please 812-996-0383.

* This year’s Orleans Alumni Banquet, will be, Saturday, June 7th at 6:30 p.m. at Orleans High School, Honor classes will be all those ending in ‘5. Tickets for the banquet will go on sale starting May 1st and must be purchased in advance. Class Representatives for each Honor Class are needed and are urged to contact their fellow classmates concerning the banquet and any other reunion activities being planned that weekend. Those needing more information on the alumni banquet are asked to contact either Mike Magill at 653-1622 or by email magillcm@gmail.com and/or Leslie Padgett, 653-7593, leslie@jssportswear.net

* The Orleans Town Crew will collect yard waste, grass clippings, small twigs, garden waste, shrubbery trimmings, which is placed at curb provided they are marked container of sorts that does not weigh more than 50 pounds. Small tree limbs, branches will be collected at curbside if they are reasonably stacked with the base pointing toward the street and only if they have been cut into four-foot lengths and not larger than 3 “ in diameter. Larger tree limbs, tree stumps and tree trunks will NOT be collected by the street employees.  Residents may take those type of items to the town lake area and placed on the brush pile located there by accessing a key at the town office. Limbs and yard debris may be dropped off at the town lake. NO treated or painted lumber allowed. The Town Superintendent will have the final say on what is allowed to be collected. For more information or to schedule a pick-up residents may contact the Orleans Town Offices during regular business hours M-F 812 865 2539; or via email: orleanstownhall@townoforleans.org

* Change the Life You Live: Diabetes Program. Diabetes touches almost every part of your life. It’s a serious, lifelong condition, but there’s a lot you can do to protect your health.  Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center is offering, “Change the Life you Live: Diabetes.”   These classes offer  the opportunity to achieve optimal health while living with diabetes.   The classes are facilitated by Certified Diabetes Educators who teach participants how to control their diabetes using medication, self-monitoring, nutrition, and physical activity.   A variety of classes are offered beginning with Diabetes Pathways, which is a baseline class for those newly diagnosed with diabetes.  Following the completion of Diabetes Pathways, additional classes are offered for a more personalized curriculum.   Participants are encouraged to bring a family member or friend.  Pre-registration is required.  For more information or to register, call 812-996-0521.

* “Wednesday Weight Checks for Baby”. Jasper Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s lactation consultants are offering free walk-in, infant weight checks on Wednesdays except the 1st Wednesday of the month from 9-11 a.m.  Weight checks will be held in the First Level Conference Room. Enter the main entrance of the hospital and stop at the information desk. Signs will be posted directing you to the appropriate location (across from outpatient lab). Lactation consults will also be available by appointment if needed. Call 812-996-0383

* Free HIV and Hepatitis C testing every Monday from 1PM-4PM at IU Health, Paoli Hospital, in the Professional Building No Appt. recquired, more information call 723-7573

April 16th-30th

* Entries are now being accepted for the upcoming 55th Annual Orleans Dogwood Parade, set for Saturday, April 26 th beginning at 2 p.m. Categories include floats, political, walking, equestrian, classic and/or antique vehicles, bands etc.  This year’s theme will be “Dogwoods Thrive in 2025.” The parade will start from the Orleans Jr-Sr. High School, located on the north edge of town. The school traditionally serves as the staging area for the event. Line-up begins at 11 a.m. and continues until 1 p.m. Judging of units begin at approximately 1 p.m. The parade travels down Maple St. (S.R. 37 S.) and through the historic downtown area. Entry forms may now be obtained by visiting the Dogwood Festival website  www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com  Entry forms may also be found inside The Orleans Progress

* Your Health and Diabetes Education. Discovering the diagnosis of diabetes can be overwhelming. Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center wants to support you in this transition of lifestyle, and sponsors a continuing education group for persons with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or anyone who is interested in learning about the disease. This support group is held the third Monday of each month and provides knowledge to help you feel more secure, manage problems, and avoid hospitalization for diabetes-related issues.  The next meeting will be Monday, April 21st, 2025 from 2PM-3PM on the 3 rd floor of the Barrett Building at Memorial Hospital, on 800 West 9 th Street in Jasper. For more information, please contact Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center's Diabetes Management and Prevention Services at 812-996-0521

* Stop The Bleed. In emergency situations, the help given by an immediate responder can often make the difference between life and death, even before professional rescuers arrive.  Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center's Ambulance and Trauma Services is offering "Stop The Bleed®". This informational program focuses on the immediate response to bleeding, recognizing life-threatening bleeding, and appropriate ways to stop the bleeding. The next program is Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 8:00-9:00 a.m. in the 1 st  Level Conference Room at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center, 800 West 9 th  Street, Jasper, IN.  This class is free, but pre-registration is required by  contacting Paige Bastin at pbastin@mhhcc.org

* The Northeast Township Community Center non-profit organization will be hosting their fourth annual Orleans Dogwood Festival Euchre Tournament. The euchre tournament will be held Thursday, April 24th at the Old Leipsic School, on 4757 East County Road 800 North. Registration will be from 6-6:25 p.m. and games will start at 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation to play is $10 per person and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Come out and join the fun, bring your own snacks and quarters for a euchre! Ages 16 and older please. For questions, or if you would like to lend a card table, call Tara Jenkins at 653-8062.

* Friday Community Health Screenings. Jasper Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center is sponsoring a "Friday Community Health Screening" on Friday, April 25 th, from 7AM-9AM at Memorial Southside Office, 1100 W. 12 th Ave., Jasper, IN. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and will have cholesterol (including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) and blood glucose checked via finger stick.  A 12-hour fast is required; however, you may drink water and take prescribed medications.   Cost is $30 and may be paid at the screening.  The screening lasts approximately 15 minutes, and pre-registration is required. To register for the screening, or for more information, please visit Memorial Hospital's website at  www.mhhcc.org and scroll to bottom of the page and click on Classes and Events.  You may also register by calling the Health and Wellness department at 812-996-2399 or toll-free at 800-852-7279, ext. 2399

* A Karaoke/Bake Sale and Silent Auction will be held, Sunday April 27th  1:30-5:00 p.m. at the French Lick Senior Center, on South Bears Bend Rd, in French Lick. Proceeds go to Susie Hardest who is fighting cancer