Dateline Wharton

WCJC Blood Drive

The Wharton County Junior College Government Association will hold its Fall is Fabulous Blood Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The blood drive will be held in the Pioneer Student Center. For information, contact Patti Lawlor at 532-6441 or www.eblooddrive. org sponsor No. 6022. Free T-shirts for donors. Bring ID.

Substitute teachers

Wharton ISD will hold a substitute teacher orientation at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Education Support Center, 2100 N. Fulton. The orientation is a requirement for substitutes new to the district.

Adult Flu Clinics

An immunization coalition meeting has been set for 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4 in the conference room of the Wharton County Courthouse Annex.

WHS tennis rummage sale

The Wharton High School Tennis Team rummage sale will be held from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Wharton High School "Old" Gym at No. 1 Tiger Avenue. Clothes, furniture, household items, sporting goods and more will be available. All proceeds benefit the WHS Tennis Team.

Faith Christian Trade Days

Faith Christian Academy & For All Seasons will host the 1st Annual Trade Days Fundraiser Celebration on from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the corner of Armstrong & Richmond Street in Wharton. Vendors will include concessions, craft booths, metal art, on-site photography studio, pumpkin patch, children's activities and much, much, more. Admission is $5 for adults with children 12-and-under admitted free. Booth rentals available. For more information call 979-531- 1000.

BHS cake auction

The Boling High School Student Council is holding their annual cake auction at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Boling Lion's Club Carnival at the Boling High School Campus. Anyone interested in buying a cake, but unable to attend, please call Patti Hubenak at 657-2506 or 657-2748.

Benefit concert

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, FM 102 in Wharton, is hosting a benefit concert for Josie Humphrey, a cancer survivor. The event will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the church. All proceeds will go directly to Humphrey to defray medical costs. Call Meta Ross 282-2435 for additional information.

Donkey basketball at WCJC

The WCJC Pioneer Band is bringing Donkey basketball back to the WCJC Gym. This fund-raising event will follow the Lady Pioneers Volleyball match on Saturday, Oct. 6. The game is expected to start at around 5 p.m. Admission is $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Tickets can be purchased from any WCJC band member or at the Fine Arts Office. For information, call 532-6300.

Newgulf night golf

The Newgulf Golf Club's Annual Fall Night Golf Tournament wil be held Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Newgulf Golf Club in Boling. Sign-in is 3 p.m. with a tee time at 4 p.m. The entry fee is $35 per person with brisket dinner and one glow ball included. Carts are $8 and extra glow balls are $5. Players can purchase up to two mulligans for $5 each. The tournament will be a nine-hole scramble starting at 4 p.m., followed by dinner and tthen a nine-hole scramble at night. The tournament is limited to 16 teams and you can form your own team consisting of an a, b, c and d player. The number of teams participating will determine tthe payout. The last day of registration will be Friday, Oct. 5. For information, call 979-657-4639.

Blessing of the Animals

St. Paul Lutheran Church will have its annual Blessing of the Animals at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7 at the church, 325 N . East Avenue in Wharton. Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be provided. All animals are welcome but please have them on a leash or in a container. Please call 532- 2315 with any questions.

St. John's Church Bazaar

St. John's Catholic Church in Hungerford will be holding its Annual Church Bazaar at Hungerford Hall on Sunday, Oct. 7. A meal featuring BBQ chicken, beef and sausage along with the ladies of the parish famous sauerkraut and other side dishes. The meal will be served starting at 10:30 a.m. with plates priced at $7.50 each for both eat-in or plates-to-go. The bazaar auction will start at 12:15 p.m. There will be entertainment during the day including bingo, a country store, kids rides and music by Sil Krenek. The event is open to the public.

Wharton Book Review Club

The Wharton Book Review Club will begin its 2007-2008 year at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 8, at the Wharton County Historical Museum, 3615 N. Richmond Road. Coffee and refreshments will be served with the program starting at 10 a.m. Ted Lashley will present a musical program. Season memberships are $20. Guests and individual reviews are $5. For information, call Sally Soderquest at 532-4936 or Sammy Lou Franks at 532- 4615.

Wharton Garden Club

The Wharton Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11 at the Wharton County Historical Museum. The public is invited to attend.

WHS prom fundraising dinner

The Wharton High School junior class will host a chicken fried steak dinner to raise funds for prom. The dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, October 12 at the WHS Cafeteria. Tickets are $7 pre-sale and the meal will be served pick up only. To purchase tickets please see a member of the junior class or contact Diana Joines or Shelley Meyer at 532-6800.

BBQ fundraiser

A fund-raising barbecue to sponsor Carneica Scott is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 12 at 1325N. Alabama Road in Wharton. Donations are $7 per plate. For information, contact Addie Plaummer at 532-2297.

Wharton VFD BBQ cook-off

The Wharton Volunteer Fire Department 2007 BBQ Cook-off is set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 and 13 at River Front Park across from the Wharton County Sheriff's Office in Wharton. Check-in is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.on Friday. Judging will be Saturday with beans at 11 a.m., chili at noon, chicken at 1 p.m., ribs at 2 p.m. and brisket at 3 p.m. The awards presentation will follow the brisket judging. The entry fee is $100 per team and registration is limited to 30 teams on a first come,first serve basis. For more information or an application, contact the Wharton Fire Department at 532-4811, ext. 601.

Upcoming WCYF dance

The Wharton County Youth Fair has a big event coming up on Saturday, Oct. 13 as they present a concert/dance with music by the Triumph's at the fairgrounds. For more information on the event, please call the fair office at 677-3350.

Greater St.Stephen fish fry

Greater St. Stephen Church will be having a fund-raising fish fry on Oct. 13. It will be held at a private residence at 1517 Columbine starting at 10 a.m. until sold out. Plates are priced at $7 each and will be available to eat in or to-go. For more information, call Sister Rogers at 532-0370.

Housing finance seminar

The Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation will hold a class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wharton Civic Center, 1924 N. Fulton St. for individuals wanting to buy a home. Participants may be eligible for down payment assistance of up to $10,000. To register, call 281-484-4663.

Holy Cross Parish Bazaar

Riverside Hall will be the site of the Holy Cross Parish Bazaar on Sunday, Oct. 14. A meal will be served starting at 11 a.m. The menu includes barbecue beef, chicken and sausage with homemade dressing and side dishes. Czech pastries, refreshments and country store items will be available during the day and hamburgers will be served starting at 3 p.m. There will be an auction starting at 12:30 p.m. Games and entertainment will be offered during they along with live music starting at noon with the Texas Legacy Czech Band. The Dujka Brothers will play starting at 3:30 p.m. and No Limit will play starting at 6 p.m.

Old Bethlehem Baptist

The members of the Old Bethlehem Baptist Church are welcoming everyone to attend the church's Homecoming Family and Friends Day starting at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. The word of God will be preached by Rev. Donell Archier, pastor of the Oliver Chapel Baptist Church in Houston. Old Bethlehem Baptist is located on County Road 100 in the New Gulf community with Rev. Ray Felder, pastor.

Wild West evening

The East Bernard Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture invites everyone to an Evening in the Wild West on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at Riverside Hall. A social mixer will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. with the banquet from 7:30-9 p.m. There will be silent and live auctions and the entertainment line-up includes Pam Hubenak, Doc Blakely and Mickey Reynolds. Tickets are $15 for individuals and $200 for a corporate table and available at Amegy Bank, Savon Drugs and Vincek's Smokehouse.

Parenting topics

A free program on "Building and Nurturing Self Esteem in Children" will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Texana Center Conference Room, 3007 N. Richmond in Wharton. Pizza and drinks will be served and door prizes given away. For more information, call Anita Garza at 532-3098. The parent class is funded by DFPS S.T.A.R./U.C.A.P.

Carmel Parish Bakesale

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Bakesale is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19 starting at 7 a.m. at the Plaza Theater. The parish is also accepting donations of baked goods for the sale. Contact Connie Rodriguez at 532-4052 or Cathy Pennington at 532- 5176 to arrange a donation.

Holy Family blood drive

Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton will sponsor a blood drive from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21 in the CCD Building. For information, or to schedule an appointment, contact Shirley Chilek at 532- 3356.

Wharton VFD Annual Dinner

The Wharton Volunteer Fire Department will host its Annual Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Wharton Fire Department. The meal will feature a half barbecue chicken plate with bread and tea and will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the cost is $7 per plate with dine-in and drive-through plates available.

DAV Super Raffle

The Disabled American Veterans of Wharton County will be holding a 100 Gun Super Raffle. Tickets are $20 each with the drawing held Dec. 3. Proceeds will benefit the DAV Chapter 72 Transportation Fund. The raffle is being sponsored by Everyday Heroes Inc. For tickets, contact Bruce Williams at 979-282-9837 or Chester Houston at 979-531-0916.

B&G Club registration

The Boys & Girls Club of Wharton is now registering for the 2007-2008 After-School Program. Membership fee is $20 per person and operating hours are from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The club is open for kids ages six to 12 and is open until 7 p.m. for teens.

Varner-Hogg

The Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site will now be open five days a week from Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tours of the Plantation House available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admittance into the park is $1 per person. Tours are $6 for adults, $2 for students and free for children under 6. For additional information, contact Angela Pfeiffer at 979-345-4656, opt. 5, ext. 3.

Community Calendar

A calendar of local events is maintained by the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. Before scheduling an event, check with the chamber for possible conflicts. And notify the chamber, 532-1862, as early as possible to get your event on the calendar. There is no charge.

Dateline Wharton is a calendar of upcoming events in Wharton and surrounding communities. Normally space permits only events that will occur in the next two weeks. It is intended for special activities open to the public rather than regularly recurring meetings.