Monroe County turns 185 in celebration Friday

Monroe County celebrated its 185th birthday Friday. The county in which Bloomington resides was founded on April 10,1818. In previous years, the birthday had been celebrated on the actual date of "birth," but Monroe County decided to change the celebration to Independence Day in an effort to attract more people to the celebration. \nThe 185th Monroe County Birthday took place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Monroe County History Center. The birthday included an arts and crafts fair, food from local restaurants, free music and games for kids.\nThe arts and crafts fair highlighted the celebration with a wide variety of items, including natural soaps and candles, Native American jewelry, artistic birdhouses, pastel portraits, artwork and ceramics. \nLocal and professional vendors came from all over Bloomington to sell and showcase their goods. \n"Its just a hobby; it keeps me out of the bars," said Steve Donnella, an arts vendor from Odds & Ends.\nLocal vendors said they find these celebrations enjoyable and an excellent way to earn some extra money.\n"This is just supplemental income," said retired stay-at-home mother Jozee Borrasso, who has been creating charcoal portraits for many years now.\nMark Riggins, a local artist, sold his pen and ink drawings. He displayed scenic pictures, including images of the Bloomington Courthouse and scenes from the campus. He only makes "extra money" for his efforts.\n"Most of my work comes from people asking me to draw specific images for them," he said.\nBloomington community groups such as the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, which shows independent movies and other theatrical productions; WonderLab, a science museum in town designed for children; the Scottish society of Greater Bloomington and the Greyhound Pets of America-Indiana Chapter also came to participate in the festivities. \nThe Greyhound Pets of America group takes in retired greyhound racers from states like West Virginia and Florida where greyhound racing is illegal so they will not be killed. The Bloomington chapter encompasses all of Indiana except for the greater Indianapolis area. All participants are volunteers who are willing to foster the dogs and find homes for them.\n"We really look hard to find good owners for these dogs," volunteer Paul Cain said. Even though a large proportion of greyhounds are killed in the racing industry, the percent saved has increased over the last 10 years. \n"We never kill any of the dogs that we take in," Cain said.\nThe WonderLab community group offered a chemical reaction display, and there were free Frog Flip and Animal Spitting games for children. Cookies by Design rounded out the days festivities with free cookies and birthday cake celebrating the 185th birthday of Monroe County.