The safety of people affected by Multiple Sclerosis continues to be paramount this year. That is why "Walk MS: Terre Haute" will be virtual on April 24.

The Beef House Dinner Theatre near Covington will open its 25th season this month with performances by Blessed Assurance with Kena Clark. On April 15 and 16, doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner served before the 8 p.m. show. Matinees on April 17 and 18 will begin at 2 p.m.

Marshall Autumn Fest organizers are in the implementation phases of the 2021 event. To volunteer during the event, call the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Terre Haute Bridge Club board of directors had its monthly meeting before the start of the Tuesday game. Reopening of the club for live play was the major item up for discussion. A split developed over whether proof of vaccination should be required to gain admission to the club and play in a game. A short-term solution was agreed upon with the noon Wednesday game to begin as it was before the shutdown with masks to be worn and vaccinations strongly advised but no inspection of certificates.

The Indiana State Library in Indianapolis and the Central Indiana DNA Interest Group will host a free online DNA Workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 8.

Community events offered this week throughout the Wabash Valley.

Terre Haute Moose Lodge 1009 is set to host an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. April 17 in the lodge, 3708 Wabash Ave.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler presented 51 Hoosier Homestead Awards to families on March 5 in the Indiana State Museum at Indianapolis.

A major development is beginning to unfold at the Terre Haute Bridge Center as for the second time in the past two weeks a team of relatively new players from the free Sunday afternoon bridge class have placed first in the Tuesday evening Virtual Club Game. These students, who learned the 2 over 1 bidding method from instructor James “Sonny” Kirtley, seem to be challenging the older guard of much more traditional and experienced players. It will be interesting to see if these couple of wins are a fluke or the beginning of a trend.

Our ancestors were plagued by high rates of infant mortality. Last week I described a genealogical study that found (1) when the infant mortality rate in society was high and the deceased infant was newborn under a month in age, he/she was less likely to be named; and (2) about half the time the gender of the unnamed dead infant would not be recorded. This week will continue with the topic of infant mortality.

Community events offered this week throughout the Wabash Valley.

Terre Haute Moose Lodge 1009 is set to host an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 3, in the lodge, 3708 Wabash Ave.

Vermillion County citizens who would like to join Vermillion County Sheriff Mike Phelps in the fight against crime are invited to become members of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association.

Special congratulations to Michael Butts and partner John Burns for finishing first in the Terre Haute/Paris Virtual club game on March 16.

Editor's note: Send news of social, fraternal and philanthropic organizations to Groups and Gatherings, Tribune-Star, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN 47808; community@tribstar.com (email); or 812-231-4321 (fax). Areas covered include Vigo and Clay counties and Clark County, Ill., only. List time, date, address and nature of open event or meeting. Also submit a contact name and phone number. Items must be received 10 days before publication.

Infant mortality. As I’ve been working on various cemetery projects for the WVGS Cemetery Committee, trying to find unmarked burials through funeral home and obituary information, I’m struck by how many dead infants and children there were in the past, and how many of them were unnamed.

Community events offered this week throughout the Wabash Valley.