Ask Billie

Wharton Rotarians are a busy bunch this week because this Saturday, October 6, 2007, is the date of the 16th Annual Legends of Western Music Gala.

You know all the details such as the time, place, and where to get tickets.

Just by chance if you have been out of town, the place is Wharton Civic Center and the time is 6 p.m. for the social time with great food and drinks and the show starts at 7 p.m.

The entertainers are well known and when Rotarians sell tickets to hear the Bellamy Brothers, not one person has said "who?" Tickets are still available today so call Charles Chambers or another Rotarian.

Why are we talking about this fund raiser today? Are you aware that there would be no Boys & Girls Club in Wharton, Texas today if it were not for Wharton Rotarians and those of you who have supported this organization?

When 5 people sat down to come up with some ideas about a safe place for our kids there was nothing but an idea.

There was no name, no place to meet and certainly not one penny.

Summer recreation was begun at the Dawson gymnasium with money given by Wharton Rotarians. I believe it was $2,000, to cover everything, but we were off and running.

Things happened fast after that and once again we called upon Rotary to carry the project to the next level. Commitments were made for more money than we could ever have imagined.

The Legends of Western Music Gala has been and still is an important partner of the Boys & Girls Club.

I hope our corporate sponsors and all who buy tickets will drive by the Club any afternoon after school and see about 200 kids studying, eating, learning and playing.

It is a heart warming experience and you keep it happening.

One more thing about the Rotary Gala, it is a good buy, a real bargain.

Where else can you go for name entertainment, delicious food and drinks, an evening with friends and no $3 a gallon gasoline? All this for $50 and no gratuity.

Yes, this year will be different in seating arrangement. There will be tables instead of auditorium style seating.

The dance floor will be open because the Bellamy Brothers like to give folks an opportunity to dance if they desire.

On another subject, often when working on several projects, at the same time, the brain and the fingers get mixed up.

You may have noticed that last week.

Yes, we are working on a Wharton County Law Enforcement Memorial.

There have been 5 lives lost in the line of duty in Wharton County, beginning in 1894. They are:

Sheriff Hamilton Bass Dickson, killed in 1894; Deputy Jailer Henry Ross McCain, killed in 1908; El Campo City Marshal James Otway Lee, killed in 1914; Deputy Sheriff Harry Charles McCormick, killed in 1920;

Texas Game Warden Justin Hurst, killed in 2007.

There is a Monument Committee composed of law enforcement officers and citizens representative of Wharton County.

The project will be built entirely with donated funds and materials.