Church members visit residents
Who's News
Liliana Johse

The First Presbyterian Church hosted the birthday party for the residents at Wharton Nursing and Rehab. Those members who came to celebrate were Robert Cody, well-known musician who played the organ. Bobby Kleas, another music lover who was the back up. Barbara Wingfield, the lead singer. Helen Sherrill, Gertrude Boyd, Mary Mahlmann and Sara Wind also came. It was a fun afternoon that everyone enjoyed.

The census report reveals that one out of four households, 27.2 percent consists of just one person. These factors have contributed to a growing number of individuals who are experiencing social isolation or loneliness. Our elderly friends who are often faced with little or no family in the area, friends who have passed away or health conditions that restrict them from getting around experience loneliness. People can make friends at any age; there's no age limit to enjoying the company of others. We thank the Presbyterians for providing a wonderful time to our elderly residents.

At the Back-to-School Luncheon hosted in the latter part of August at the First Presbyterian Church reverends Lance Ousley and Laura Olson joined Debbie Cenko in welcoming new teachers and employees of the Wharton ISD to the community. We all know they have their work cut out for them. We join and welcome the new teachers in the community.

Last Saturday we joined Marvin Albrecht, Wharton County Historical Museum director, and Frank Solorzano, who organized and put together the first Hispanic Family History Exhibit. Beginning with 70 families, mostly former residents of Newgulf, were the first ones to answer Frank's request with information and pictures of Hispanic people who lived in Wharton County. The history of the people who lived in this county or anywhere is an indelible and integral part of our lives. The love, roots and the history is what drives us to want to preserve it. It was an opportunity for renewal of old friendships and memories. It is a good exhibit that we enjoyed. Even though I am not a native of this county I knew many of the families on the exhibit and learned a lot. Families kept coming in and recognizing old friends. There were people who came from Monterrey, the Valley, Laredo, Zapata, Houston and Corpus Christi. There was a picture of Plutarco Flores born in 1856, a picture of the local popular hang out, Sam's Restaurant in Newgulf, Sam Rodriguez was the last owner, the original owner was Pristine Campos, also the Spanish Church and their Priests, and so much history. A picture of Babydoll Rivera who was the coaching baseball in the Little League, so many memories that you must see. The exhibition will be on display at the museum during the month of September which is Hispanic Heritage Month. Frank began working on it in May. Thanks for all the memories!

Elida Perez retired from WCJC where she was a custodian. She was given a party on Aug. 29 organized by her supervisor Mike Feyen. Foreman Carlton Norris presented her with a money mop and a dust pan. Elida really had a great time. She wishes to give special thanks to Zina Carter, Sheryl Mazhicek, Carolyn Foegelle, Lupe Rivera, Rosa Lopez, Ricki Araguz and Lupe Moreno who also presented her with a ring and earrings from some of her coworkers.

Shane Odem catered the meal. Family and friends joined in the party wishing her luck on her retirement. Elida plans to do volunteer work and I already have her signed up for one important job.

Margaret Mays a CMA (Certified Medical Aid) is also retiring after working in long term care for 18 years. Margaret will work part time and also plan to volunteer for Elm Road Baptist Church.

Temple Koonce the patriarch of the Koonce clan celebrated his 99th birthday on Sept. 11. Friends and family came by his house in Hungerford on that day from 5 to 6 to visit with him. His great-grandaughter, Erin Cullers, was baptized on Aug. 23. Erin is the grandaughter of Ed and Frances Koonce Cullers, her parents are Judd and Gayla Cullers. Congratulations Erin.

Celebrating birthdays this week. Brandi Yackel, Bailey Gubert, Jana Koonce, Jeremy Humberson, Tina Maly, Barbara Malik, Dr. Vincent Huerta, Jo Ellen Cain, Angela Villarreal, Dr. Amirali Popatia in Richmond, Betty Matula, Melissa Locke, Maggie Cheatham, Billie Hensley and Dorothy Hite. KCs birthdays are Joe Macek, James Ferguson, Frank Chilek, Genaro Castro Sr., Charles Erdelt and Robert Gonzales. More celebrating birthdays this week are: Coleman Stein, Emil Soderquist, Dr. Vic Driscoll, Vanessa Baird, Faye Richardson, Martha Dean, Jamie King, Ervin Selcer, Pat Potter, Isabel Barbee, Ada Prasifka and Landon Sneed. Wedding anniversaries Shirley and Dr. Harold Secor, Rowena and Carl Reynolds, Veronica and Andy Kirkland.

The children of Nieves Samora celebrated her 80th birthday in Wharton beginning with Holy Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and a dinner reception afterwards at the church hall. Friends and relatives from Palacios, Wharton, Alvin, Boling, Alabama, San Antonio and many other cities attended. More than 200 guests were present to help with the celebration. One of her friends she hadn't seen in 60 years, Virginia Mata from San Antonio was a big surprise. A dinner of turkey and dressing all the trimmings, a three-layer cake and a checker board cake, for dessert, tea and punch. Her children are Lupe Samora, Diana Rodriguez, Rosella Sims, Norma Navarro, Maria Coto, Robert Samora, Patricia Samora, Vicky Samora and Christi Padron. Nieves is the grandmother of my co-worker Alexia Crisp.

More birthdays this week include Debra Evans, Charles Hilderbrand, Seth Weaver, Mary Hohensee, Gloria Pavlas, Jimmy ALford, Larry Wadler, Austin Shelton, Ruth McGwier, Charles Fitzgerald, Calvin Hale, Joy Bentley, Scott and Whitney Pagel, David Ondrias, Shelby Bock, Judy Mueller, Carlton and Dawn Hudgins, James Lay, Evelyn Carroll and Mike Patranella. Happy anniversary to Joe and Minerva Munoz, Tom and Rosette Hudgins, Timothy and Lauri Rachunek, Jimmy and Karen Alford, Charles and Mary Ann Erdelt, Don and Susie Carlson, Raymond and Gail Harrison.

Louis Marshall at 532- 3954 has CDs available of the Wharton County Courthouse Inauguration. Give Louis a call if you would like to get one.

Members of the Wharton County Retired Teachers met in El Campo. Henriette Jalowy is the club president. Jean Inmon of East Bernard was welcomed at the meeting as a new member. Dana Riley read the minutes of June 6 that were approved. A fried chicken dinner was served to 49 members and guests in attendance. The next meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 in East Bernard First United Methodist Church fellowship hall. The fall district meeting is planned from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 3 at St. Peter's Lutheran Fellowship Hall in Hallettsville.

September birthdays in East Bernard are Edie Szymanski, Daphne Fucik, Henriette Jalowy, Kathy Ondras, Christina Stolarki, Joyce Orsak, Laura Oliver, Kathy Kucera, Gloria Giannetti, Darlene Divin, Dolores Pietsch, Judy Srubar, Debbie Guthman, Suzanne Hough, Patricia Michulka and Rosalie Jasek.

The CDA September meeting will be next Monday at 7 p.m. at the KC Home. September refreshments will be done by Lupe Quintanilla, Lena Quintanilla, Beatrice Rachunek, Dorothy, Edith and Laurianne Rachunek, Adelina Raitt, Belinda Rodriguez, Ramona Ramirez and Tina Padia. Our get well wishes to Ann Macha, Agnes Matula, Gladys Gavranovic, Donna Zahn and Dorothy Viktorin. CDA members celebrating birthdays this week. Debra Evans, Doris Drapela, Adeline Miska, Maria Kocian, Bernadette Horelica, Maria Sikora, Dolores Hlavinka and Gloria Pavlas. Members with perfect attendance are: Viola Anders, Maxine Janish, Bessie Konvicka, Carmen Longoria, Lupe Mata, Janie Munoz and Donna Svatek. Our congratulations. This month the count starts for a new year.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church reports that Safari Sunday was a huge success with people signing up to get involved in various ministries.

Amber Barbee organized a great event. There was plenty of good food to go around. Many new faces. They are looking forward to having a good year ahead, working together and reaching out in the community. Maggie Dodd celebrates a birthday next Thursday. Gail and Raymond Harrison are celebrating their wedding anniversary tomorrow.

The Alzheimer's Association presents a special program. Stress Management for the Caregiver will be presented Thursday, Sept. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Parish Hall. Recognize the signs of stress, how to control it, and how to be connected to the resources available to caregivers.

For reservations for this program, call 713-314-1363 or e-mail brenda.carr@alz.org. This program is funded in part by the Houston Galveston Area Council.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is having a covered dish meal to welcome Father Dominic, Father Augustine and Father Brian and also Sister Ana Maria, Sister Midori and Sister Josefine to the Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It will be held after the 11:30 a.m. Mass at the Father Raymond Jackson Parish Center. Bring your favorite covered dish and join us for fellowship.

We wish you all a happy and restful weekend. Today Nicaraguans celebrate the Independence Day from Spain. See you next week.