Who's News
Butcher celebrates his 60th birthday
Liliana Johse

Let's Rock and Roll.

That's what the invitations read, with a theme of cars and juke boxes from the 50s. Pat- A-Cake's party room was likewise decorated with cars of that year. The tables with party favors with lots of suckers with prints that read "60 sucks."

A big birthday bash for a special guy. Chuck Butcher really turns 60 on his real birthday which is supposedly next Wednesday, that is if he was telling us the truth.

Close to 100 guests were in attendance last Saturday with the party going early from 5 to 9 p.m. Plenty of school superintendents and principals from various districts attended. Chuck is the Boling Independent School District superintendent. At one time he was the Brazos principal we were told everybody loves him. A guy that possess a great sense of humor and a great personality. Bonny Ferrell, Brenda and Donald Sciba, Annie Stafford, Edgar Roades, J.B. and I and later on we were joined at the table by Virginia McVey and her daughter Pam Moss. Pam is a nurse, works in Houston for Southwest Surgical Associates, mainly for Dr. Thomas Wyli Moore, general surgeon at Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land. We enjoyed our group at the table. Other guests were Russell Hubenak and his beautiful wife Patti. Debra and David Allen, Wade and Kim Stidevent, Dan and Merri Hillis, Jeanene Kutach, (daughter Stephanie is coming back to Wharton to enroll in radiology at WCJC). Met Linda Butcher's handsome son Ryan O'Connor of San Antonio where he is getting his master's degree. He will become a writer. Other guests were Frank Rejsek and wife Sonnia of East Bernard, Linda and Sammy Turner of Markham, Lloyd and Diane Nelson, Keith and Shannon Jedlicka, Stephanie and Bryan Blanar, Shawn Stockwell of Pearland, Jim Mullino, (missed seeing Cindy.) Chuck's children Chris and Elaine. Donald and Melody Egg, Winston and Catherine Stein of Brenham, Leslie Butcher of Houston, Larry Poe, John and Beverly Luther and many more. There were people from everywhere. Drinks and refreshments were served as well as snacks before a delicious meal served buffet style in the main room of Pat-A-Cake. Tony and Dianna outdid themselves making sure everybody was well taken care of, and we were. There was a time after dinner when presents were opened and his former co-workers and friends really took care of Chuck roasting him and giving up some of his well guarded secrets. There was also time for Rock and Rolling starting with Chubby Checkers' "Let's do the Twist." Russell Hubenak took care of the music just right for the celebration.

Chuck's wife Linda Butcher was very gracious multiplying herself visiting with everyone. It was wonderful evening spent with some of the nicest people many of them new to us but full of fun. Many happy returns Chuck.

The Wharton County 100 Club Awards Banquet is always one of the highlights of the year. The recognition of law enforcement officers who put their lives in harm's way in order to keep us safe. With a big attendance the Wharton Civic Center honored the officers present and those who departed prematurely. Jeanene Merka and Doris Huddlestone at one of the tables at the entrance were on the welcome and registration commitee. Pretty Lynne Howard we met as we came in. In another group were the handsome couple of officer Tommy Johnson and wife Rachel, who are expecting their first baby Jan.1. June Jansky always such a wonderful and friendly person, I love her. Brandi Cruz and Steven Jimenez, a cute couple engaged and soon to be married were there. She is daughter of my friend Debbie Woods and Johnnie Cruz. We had a table with Captain Richard Coleman and his wife Alicia, another very special person. Their pretty and talented daughter Alia Coleman received one of the scholarships given that night. She is pusuing a career in criminal justice, she would like to work as a correctional officer. Alia is a student at WCJC. Others at the table were Maggie Rodriguez, patrol officer Heard Decline and his wife Barbara. Also there were Sgt. Ben Guanajuato and patrol officer Robert Mencias. Betty Harris was with patrolman Darryl Swanks, who was recognized as the Wharton Police Department Officer of the Year. Betty is Darryll's mother. He received a plaque and a gun. The dinner was catered by Vincek's, which is always a good meal. Enjoyed visiting with Dick and Caroline Ottis, Dick was working the bar, so was Jim Cook. Both guys looking good and always so gallant. Attorney brothers

Robert and John Roades were solo without their ladies. So was Pat Kubala, sitting not too far from us. Harry Priesmeyer has now transferred to Wharton where he is working at The Work Source. Tim and Pam Barker, Billye Barker and Margaret Scheller were there as were Judy and Ervin Selcer, Vic Driscoll and Ruby Whitley, Bill Copeland and T.J. Sparkman. Sorry I can't mention everyone we saw because it would be impossible to do so. It was a wonderful evening.

This is Wednesday evening when I continue to write this column. J.B. and I just got back from saying our last good-bye to a dear friend, a true gentleman, a good honest person. The Wharton Journal-Spectator Publisher Fred Barbee left us last Tuesday for greener pastures. Our deepest condolence to the Barbee family and the staff of the Wharton Journal, El Campo Leader-News and the East Bernard Express. May the light that shines guide him home to the loving hand of God. Fred will be deeply missed.

Fort their 21st wedding anniversary our best wishes for many more to Don and Rosie Guthrie. Sylvia Guerrero celebrates a birthday today, Mike Merka tomorrow, Carolyn Spears, Carlene Cotton, Drew Merka and Corky Altenburg. CDA members celebrating are Nancy Krenek tomorrow, Loraine Anders, Delia Guerra and Maxine Janish. Others celebrating are Ruben Rodriguez, Joyce Forgason, Miles Locke, Fern Koons, Betty Leach, Marshall Locke and Cindy Roddy. Also, Cindy Ramirez, Nicholas, Sara and Elizabeth Stransky. Ruth Andrews, Harriet Davis, Lola Grays, Consuelo Jasso, Willie Scurlock and Willie Mae Thompson celebrate birthdays this month at Wharton Nursing.

Irene and Henry Svatek celebrated their 60 years of Holy matrimony with a Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church. They went out to dinner with their family after church. Judy and Harold Shilk, Patty and Paul Shannon celebrated anniversaries. Also Frank and Cecilia Jedlicka celebrate their 59th. Also James and Annette Hlavinka, these couples are role models in our community.

The East Bernard Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is having an evening in the Wild West on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Riverside Hall. The social mixer will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Banquet is from 7:30 to 9 p.m. A silent and live auction will be held. Entertainment will include Pam Hubenak, Doc Blakely and Mickey Reynolds. Tickets are on sale at Amegy Bank, Savon Drugs and Vincek's Smokehouse. Individual tickets are $15 corporate tables are $200. Hope to see you there.

Tomorrow St. John's Church Bazaar is being held in Hungerford at the Community Center. Barbecue beef, chicken, sausage and all the trimmings will be served. Serving begins at 10:30 a.m. with an auction at 12:15 p.m. There will be games for all the family and include a country store, bingo, brown grab bags and cake walk to name a few. Pates are $7.50.

The following Sunday, Oct. 14, Holy Cross in East Bernard is having their bazaar with a barbecued beef, chicken and sausage dinner. Serving begins at 11 a.m. at Riverside Hall.

The American Legion held their monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of the month. The spaghetti dinner is Oct. 18. Help will be needed for this event. The monies collected is going to be used to buy new tables for the hall. Help will be needed to do the cleaning on Oct. 19. They are accepting donations. Bring a friend and invite him or her to join the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliaries. We need new members. We now have enough veterans in the community who can and need to join. Same goes for the ladies.

A big thank you to the Wharton Pilot Club for donating quarters for the residents bingo, to Texas Home Health for sponsoring the September residents birthday party. A special thanks to Catherine Gallier their marketing person. The ladies of Schlumberger, thank you for helping beautify the deck for the summer. They brought beautiful plants that are still very much alive.

Barbara and Phil Stephenson, Willie Mae and Vernon Brewer, Pat and Dale Potter, Ron and Sharon Socha, Ryan and Rachel Weaver, Jim and Paula Cooper, Dustin and Katherine Wendel, Joe and Sheryl Rhodes, Chad and Rebecca Bowers are some of the couples celebrating anniversaries.

Birthdays this week include Anne Sherman, Joe Bentley, Janice McMicken, Rachel Ondrias, Chad Lechler, Ronnie Wittig, Becky Kubala, Andrew Cruz, Bill Joines, Peg Lay, Carrie Mund, Jessica Norrell, Jan Ondrias, Lacey Kubicek, Kelli Treybin and Ashley Sparks. A happy birthday wish to our grandson Justin Whitney Verzele at Tarleton University in Stephenville on his 20th birthday Columbus Day.

KCs having birthdays this week: Paul Castro, Gerard Stewart and Pete Ramirez. Happy birthday and anniversaries everyone.

The KCs are busy again getting ready for 2007 Feast of Sharing on Nov. 22. This will mark the 21st anniversary of the founding of the council's community service program serving the elderly and the needy on Thanksgiving Day. The dinner takes on a special meaning when 75 plus community volunteers show up at the KC Home to help serve and deliver the meals.

Last year nearly 900 meals were served. There are many schedules you can help with if you wish to volunteer.

Contact any KC member for more information. Marvin Macek is the grand knight.

Don't forget that next Wednesday is the Senior Bash at the American Legion starting at 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Chairperson is Bessie Mathews, activity director of Wharton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. All area nursing homes will be part of the Senior Bash coming as far as Edna and Bay City. There will be refreshments food and entertainment for a good time.

Lucille Hart will sing the National Anthem with Sherrell Spears will say the prayer and calling bingo. Rudy and Dorothy Sulak and Ozzie Ullman will provide us with good music. Come and join us. If you plan to be there, call Bessie at 532-5020. We need to have a head count.

See you on Wednesday, and tomorrow at the Hungerford Hall. Have a Good Week.