Kidney center opens doors
Who's News
Liliana Johse

Last Thursday I had a pleasant surprise when I visited Wharton Kidney Center and found my old friend Elsa Alvarez. I was also looking forward to visiting with the owner and director Dr.

H. Michael Ogburn. It's been way overdue for the Kidney Center to open. I attended the Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at the beginning of the year and every time I saw Dr. Ogburn, I asked him if it was open. Finally the inspectors came and now it is serving Wharton and other communities of the area. The Wharton Kidney Center has state of the art equipment, with 24 chairs to take care of dyalisis patients. Well trained staff and with a pleasant atmosphere, soothing colors and very convenient location on Fulton Street, I know patients are well satisfied. Currently they are serving 75 dialysis patients.

Elsa is the center coordinator, she knows her job well and is a people's person. She called me and let me know they were finally open. I didn't wait too long and visited the next afternoon. I talked to Dr. Ogburn the next day at the hospital.

Tara Hayes is the social worker and I enjoyed the tour.

Had lunch at Pat-A-Cake last Tuesday after preparing for Wharton County's third annual Health Fair. The organizers and some of the participants got together to relax and enjoy some camaraderie. Those at the lunch were Alicia Coleman with Angels Care; Rebeca Munoz, El Campo Chamber of Commerce secretary; Donna Mikeska, public relations for El Campo Memorial Hospital; Charla Kulcak, STMC; Paul Belyea, American Home Patient; Anisa Vasquez, Wharton Nursing and Rehabilitation social worker; Maggie Mejorado, EMS Coordinator at WCJC; Paula Jones, A-Med Hospice; Becca Socha, El Campo Chamber of Commerce executive director; and yours truly.

Others had left when Anisa and I got there. Tria Svatek of the Czech Catholic Home in Hillje and Tiffani Winkelmann of Houston Hospice.

Pat Myers was in Tacoma, Wash., for one week visiting with her brother. Pat was ready to come back to Texas.

We extend our most warm welcome to Father

John Kunnathukuzhy from India. He is back in Wharton and will celebrate Masses at Holy Family and St. Joseph Mission this weekend. Father John is only here visiting, he was in Wharton residing at Holy Family in 2004 and 2005.

The third annual Health Fair is now over, it was held last Tuesday at the Civic Center and I am sorry if you didn't make it because there were plenty of booths and good information that we all need to know. Ann Gooden, chairman, and Maggie Mejorado were emcees keeping everybody informed and calling winners of door prizes, which were numerous. Next year it will be held in El Campo.

We found friends enjoying good Mexican food at Los Cucos last week. Bubba and Bonnie Broesche and Bob and Mary Zahradnik at one table. At another table we spotted Jana Rachunek with her son Brett, her mother Berniece Nicksick and other young friends. Also there were Rosa and Ronnie San Miguel and their two young sons.

On Saturday we were having a good Mexican breakfast celebrating Hispanic heritage and we spotted Dr. Herman Wolff at Larry's. J.B., our grandaughter, Helene Smith-Vaughan and I were doing the same. They all enjoy those breakfast tacos.

Lester and Yvonne Johse are back from Amarillo where they went to see their daughter Tina Rainwater, husband Lee and two boys Stephen and James. They will soon be getting another member to their family. A baby girl is due in November. The boys are 14 and 12 year old. That baby is for sure going to change their lives.

Dr. Brian Parsley, orthopedic surgeon was on Channel 13 a few evenings ago. Dr. Parsley has many friends and patients in Wharton. He practiced in association with STMC for many years in Wharton and left many good memories. He used to give a cookie party every Christmas at the Civic Center for his patients and friends that were well attended.

He is traveling to Guatemala in the spring in order to do surgeries and rehabilitate people in a poor village, people who don't have the means to pay, where specialists like him are badly needed.

Anyone wishing to write Father Raymond Jackson, this is his address: Rev. Raymond Jackson, CSB Henry Carr Farm, R.R. No. 2- 4653, 9th Line Beeton, On., Canada, LOG 1A0. We are sure he will enjoy to hear from you.

I am enjoying the success of a young Central American actress America Ferrera who recently won an Emmy as best acress in the comedy series "Ugly Betty".

Happy birthday to Linda McCown and her hubby Herb McCown. Linda has a birthday Thursday and Herb on Friday.

If you like to bake, First Baptist Church needs your cakes for tomorrow. They are having the associational dinner. For more information contact Annette Carter at 532-2203.

Last week at total of seven Hispanic countries won their freedom from Spain celebrating on Sept. 15 are: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatema, Honduras and Nicaragua. Then most everybody knows Mexico celebrates on Sept. 16 and Chile won its independence on Sept. 18. For this reason we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in September.

The cultural richness of Hispanic culture has added much to the heritage of this country.

The most important cultural elements are the traditional family values, honor and good manners.

Fiesta Hispano Americana was started keeping in mind the Spanish culture, traditions and history.

It is to teach the younger generation those values and have them learn the rich heritage of the Hispanic countries.

Dr. Billy and Margaret Winkles took a nice trip for one week to Disneyworld. Having an anticipated celebration on their 10th wedding anniversary. They will be married 10 years on Oct. 25. Congratulations!

The 100 Club of Wharton County is having its Awards Banquet Thursday at the Wharton Civic Center beginning with a 6 p.m. social hour and dinner to follow at 7 p.m.

A representative from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be guest speaker. This is a wonderful opportunity to honor good friends and our local heroes.

Regent Hazel Foltyn of El Campo and Vice-Regent Annie Stafford of Boling represented Comfort Wood DAR Chapter at the Fall Forum Leadership Training in Austin.

Welcome to the family of the Wharton Journal-Spectator,

Barry Halvorson, whom I have known for some time. We are happy to have him as part of the team.

Ora Lee Ashmore is recuperating after recent knee replacement surgery.

We all miss her calling bingo at Wharton Nursing and Rehab. She has volunteered doing bingo for more than 20 years.

Ben and Wendy Tamayo of Galveston were Wharton visitors at her parents' Sherrie and Tim Guin's home.

Happy birthdays to: Chris Jedlicka; Leah Frankum; Dr. Keith Dowell, who is celebrating on Wednesday; Charlotte Blazek; Shirlee Smith; Harold Shilk; Lila Gene George; Beth James; Alyssa Garza; Dorothy Williams; Mason Locke; T.G. Koonce IV; and Fern Gavin. KCs having birthdays this week are Joseph Hlavinka, Kenneth Svatek and Joe Esquivel. More celebrations this week include Pam Barker, Marshall Francis, Taylor and Carolyn Cotton, Pat Gassett, Susan Harrison, Nina Klingaman and Vernon Brewer. Having aniversaries this week are: J. Robert and Caroline Osborne, John and Melissa Kalina, James and Peg Lay. Other birthdays this week are: Debbi Abbott, Doug Moses, Justin Siska, Isabel Barbee, Don Erdelt, Robert Roades, Christopher Ondrias, Herb McCown, Ashley Mata, Lora Cline, Shawn Hubenak, Linda McCown, Lida Mills, Debbi Dimmick, Jan Zahradnik, Jobie Phillips and Bradley Martin. Have a great day and a happy celebration.

Beautiful blue cards are arriving in the mail inviting to a baby shower for mother-to-be

Nancy Carlson Alvarez.

It will be held Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. at the home of Jackie Carlson in Wharton. Mom is registered at Babies R US.

The shower is hosted by Shannon Araya, Jama Britton, Susie Carlson, Rosemary Francis, Jenifer Goudeau and Donna Kubesch. This is the first child to the young couple of Nancy and Francisco Alvarez.

The Greenroom Players present Children's Theater next Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Horton Foote Theater of the Duson- Hansen Fine Arts Building on the Wharton WCJC campus. Admission is $5. This is a fundraiser for the Greenroom Players. For additional information call 532-6300. Entitled Wharton County Junior College Nursery Time, children of all ages are invited to join in an evening dedicated to the writing of Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, Disney and many others.