There is a new county historian in Jennings County.

According to the Indiana Historical Society, Sheila Kell has been appointed to the position.

County historians serve as volunteers appointed by the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Historical Bureau to promote local history in their counties. Among their missions are to connect people and groups with history resources and to promote collaboration between local history organizations.

Kell had an interest in family histories after finding out she was adopted. She has served as county coordinator for Jennings and Jefferson counties with INGenWeb, an online genealogy database project. She also served as genealogy librarian at the Jennings County Public Library.

Kell has been a member of the Jennings County Historical Society board of directors and runs a family history research center from her home in Vernon.

The Bartholomew County Historical Society will be hosting its Open Door Tour of Midcentury Modern architecture next weekend.

The event, held in partnership with Landmark Columbus Foundation, will feature homes, gardens, and businesses. Designs by Eero Saarinen, Harry Weese, local designer Ted Meijers, and Dan Kiley’s Miller House gardens will be featured.

This is a self-guided walking tour and there are accessibility limitations at several of the locations.

There will be a VIP event on Friday, Sept. 15th at the historic Ruddick-Nugent Mansion, with the public tours from 10 to 5 on Saturday, Sept. 16th. The VIP event is $50 and the public tours are $25.

Proceeds benefit educational programs, exhibits and collection preservation for the Historical Society.

You can get advance tickets at Historical Society, Viewpoint Books, Columbus Area Visitors Center.

Or for tickets and more information you can go online to https://bartholomewhistory.org.

You have a chance to learn more about local biology and our environment with a series of nature hikes featuring Ivy Tech Community College Columbus biology professors.

The next hike will start at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at the Owens Bend Park parking lot on north County Road 25E.

Ivy Tech Columbus faculty member Dr. Tom Sobat will lead the hike and provide information on river life on the Flat Rock River.

Hikes are open to all community members. You should dress appropriately, including boots or old shoes and shorts. You will have a chance to get into the river as part of the hike. Ivy Tech will have nets and collection supplies provided.

For more information, you can contact Sobat by email at [email protected].

Japan will be the host country for this fall’s Ethnic Expo festival in Columbus.

Festival organizers announced the host country decision today. The country will be represented at the festival by the Columbus Japanese Business Association. As host country, the food and culture of Japan will be featured in the Host Country Corner of the festival village and will be celebrated with entertainment on the main stage.

Earlier this year, a delegation led by Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, spent a week in Japan, visiting locations such as Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagoya, and Miyoshi, which has been Columbus’ sister city for nearly 30 years.

Ethnic Expo celebrates the traditions and customs of more than 30 countries with residents who live in Columbus.

This will be the 38th annual Ethnic Expo. It will be celebrated October 13th and 14th in the streets around Columbus City Hall.

For more information you can go to www.ethnicexpo.org.

The United Way of Bartholomew County is kicking off its annual campaign next week with a Day of Service and annual luncheon.

Magen Pillar spokeswoman for the United Way explains the Day of Service on September 8th.

There will be an annual campaign kickoff luncheon Friday from 11 to 1 at Amazing Joes Grill. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the United Way campaign. You will also be entered into a drawing to win free dinner for a year from Amazing Joe’s.

You can reserve a spot with seatings at 11 a.m. and noon. You can register here: https://www.classy.org/event/united-ways-kick-off-lunch/e506094

Some customers of Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation are under a boil water advisory until early Saturday morning.

According to the water company, the affected customers are on County Road 500N on U.S. 31 towards Taylorsville and the Highfield West Housing addition stopping at Leisure Lane.

The boil water advisory is in effect until 4 on Saturday morning.

Under a boil water advisory, you should bring water to a full boil for three to five minutes before drinking it or using it in food preparation.

If you have any questions you can call the utility at 812-526-9777.

Greensburg police are asking for your help finding a missing person.

According to the police department, Arleena B. Carr of Greensburg was last seen on August 1st in Indianapolis and was reported as a misisng person on Aug. 18th.

She is a 37-year-old white woman, 5-3 and 157 poounds. She was last seen with short red hair and has hazel eyes.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Arleena B. Carr you should contact the Greensburg Police Department at 812-222-4911.

Photo courtesy of Greensburg Police Department.