Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Ballroom dancing

Ballroom dancing classes will be held Fridays in October at First Presbyterian Church. The charge is $3 per person. Couples and singles are welcome.

Colon cancer program

Lions Club members, friends and spouses are invited to the noon, Thursday, Oct. 11, meeting at Hinze's Restaurant's private room. Dr. Henry Lopez Roman, oncologist, will be speaking about colon cancer.

Alzheimer's Caregivers

A meeting of the Alzheimer's Caregivers Network scheduled for 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, at the St. Thomas' Episcopal Church Parish Hall. The group is for those who are taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's Disease, any form of Dementia or Parkinson's. There will be time for sharing resources, voicing concerns, and making contacts for networking among other caregivers. It is always good to know that others are sharing similar experiences and we can learn from one another about resources that are available. The public is invited.

WHS prom fundraiser

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 presale 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.

Camp Zion fish fry

Camp Zion Rising Star Baptist Church will be having a fish fry on Friday, Oct. 12. It will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations are $7 per plate. Call 532-1909 for deliveries of five or more plates.

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 at the Wharton Community 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., 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.

WHS senior parents

The Wharton High School Class of 2008 Senior parents will have an organizational meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15, at the WHS auditorium.

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.

Senior flu shots

The Wharton County Junior College Senior Citizen Program and Girling Home Care will be offering flu shots for seniors from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the LaDieu Senior Center on the WCJC campus. Bring Medicare card and driver's license. Cost of $20 for those without Medicare. Blood pressure checks with EMS students. For more information, call 979-532-6430.

Senior Bash reunion

The "Senior Bash" reunion of area nursing facilities will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the American Legion Hall. The activity is chaired by Bessie Matthews of the Wharton Nursing and Rehab Center with the cooperation of all the nursing homes participating. Music will be provided by The Sulaks, Bill Havins and Ozzie Ullmann. There will be food, refreshments and fun. Contact Matthews at 532-5020 for information.

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.

American Legion fund raiser

American Legion Post No. 87 will hold a chicken spaghetti dinner with salad on Friday, Oct. 18. meals will be served from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are $6 each. Desserts will be available. Contact Johnnie Gonzales, 282-9610 or Fred Lara, 532-1621, for information.

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.

You'll believe a bat can fly

The Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton will present Bram Stoker's classic horror tale, Dracula, this month. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, Oct. 19 and 25 and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays, Oct. 21 and 28. Special midnight show at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. General admission is $10, seniors, students and groups of 10 or more $8 each. Theatergoers are encouraged to come in costume. For reservations or tickets, please visit www.whartonplazatheatre. org or call 979-282-2970.

Tiger Stars dance camp

The Wharton High School Tiger Stars Drill Team will conduct a dance camp for grades K-8 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20. Girls attending will learn a Tiger Stars routine and perform in the Showcase that evening. Pick up a information packet in the school offices - Hopper, Sivills, Dawson, Wharton Junior High and/or Wharton High School. Come join the fun and be a Tiger Star for a day.

Avila benefit dance

A benefit dance for Cat Avila is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20 at the American Legion Hall in Wharton. Food will be sold starting at 5 p.m. Music will be provided by DJ Infiel from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission is a $5 per person donation. An auction is also scheduled.

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.

Glen Flora VFD Annual fund raiser

The Glen Flora VFD will hold its annual fund raiser from 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Wharton County Youth Fairgrounds. Activities for the evening will include games, door prizes, dancing and an auction. For more information or to make a donation, please call Peggy at 979-332-3458 or 979-677-3502.

Wharton VFD Annual Dinner

The Wharton VFD Annual Dinner will be held 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.

Christmas Bell parade

The Wharton Chamber of Commerce's "Ring the Christmas Bell" Parade will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20. The route will be from East Milam Street, then around the courthouse square, turning south on Fulton and west on Burleson. There will be entertainment before the parade, and, a community Christmas Tree will be officially lighted about 6:45 p.m. Santa will be available after the parade for children and for photos in the gazebo. Parade entry forms are available at the chamber office, 225 N. Richmond Road, Wharton. You can pick them up at the chamber office or the chamber can mail, fax or e-mail a copy to you. Call 532-1862 or email helpdesk@whartonchamber.com.

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.