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.

4-H Poinsettia sale

The Wharton County 4-H Exchange Program will be selling holiday poinsettias for $10. The last day to order is Nov. 16 with the poinsettias delivered on Nov. 28. Proceeds from this fund raiser will go toward the 4- H New Hampshire trip. To place an order, call the Wharton County Extension Office at 532-3371.

Dracula at the Plaza

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 Friday, Oct. 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.

Books of the World Project

The Rotary Club of Wharton and the Interact Club of Wharton High School will be collecting used books for the "Books of the World Project" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, at the Wharton County Junior College parking lot at the corner of the Boling Highway and Alabama Road. The used books will be taken to Mclean Cargo in Houston. Volunteers will hand stack the books onto shipping pallets which will be loaded into 40-foot ocean containers. Through this Rotary project, these discarded books will be distributed to teachers in South Africa who desperately need them in their schools. For more information, contact Bruce Williams at 979-282-9837 or 713-898-1941.

Spaghetti Cook-off

Teams representing the county's various law enforcement agencies will hold their second annual Spaghetti Cook-off today at the main hall of the Wharton County Fairgrounds in Crescent. The gates will open at 2 p.m. with judging at 5 p.m. and spaghetti served at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Wharton Feed Store, at Briggs and Veselka CPA in El Campo, from any Wharton County 100 Club officer or at your local law enforcement agency. For ticket information, call 532-3856 in Wharton or 543-1040 in El Campo.

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. today. 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.

Boling High Class Reunion

The Boling High School Class of 1992 Reunion is scheduled for today at the Boling Fire Station. The doors will open at 11 a.m. and the cost is $10 per family including food and drinks. All members of the class are invited. For information, call Teresa Castillo (Merecka), 533-0235; Shawn Chilek, 657-0051; Laura Rolf, 533- 3135; Charlotte Rowland (Wheeler), 657- 0621 or Glenn Wittig, 657-1122.

Avila benefit dance

A benefit dance for Cat Avila is scheduled for today 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.

Bowen performance

Texas Musician Wade Bowen with special guest Ryan James will headline tonight's musical entertainment at the Needville Harvest Festival. The show starts at 8 p.m., rain or shine, and admission is $10 per person. For more information, visit the festival website at NeedvilleHarvestFest.com.

American Legion Dance Club

The Wallis American Legion Dance Club will be holding a dance from 8-11:30 p.m. today at the Wallis American Legion Hall. Music will be provided by Daniel and the Boys. The public is invited. The dance is free to club members and $7 per person for the general public. For information, call Alvin Marek at 979-478-6548.

First Baptist Church of Boling

Dr. Gary Wood, author of "A Place Called Heavy/I Died and Went to Heaven, will speak at the morning service on Sunday, Oct. 21 at First Baptist Church of Boling. A covered dish luncheon will follow the morning service. Dr. Wood will give his testimony during the evening service starting at 6 p.m. Refreshments will follow the evening service. For information, please call 281-705-8296.

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.

Mt. Scilla homecoming

The members of Mt. Scilla Baptist Church is inviting family, friends and loved ones to come and celebrate 140 years of worship at their homecoming worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21. Rev. Carl Spradley, pastor.

Seven Star homecoming

Seven Start Baptist Church will host its homecoming seed time rally at the 10 a.m. morning service on Sunday, Oct. 21. The church is located at 7506 Hawes in Hungerford, Rev. Dr. R.I. Campbell III, Pastor.

New Gulf Elementary book fair

Everyone is invited to attend the Scholastic Book Fair's Book Fair Blizzard at the New Gulf Elementary Library. The book fair will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily Oct. 22-Oct. 26 and from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 22 during the New Gulf Elementary Parent's Night .

Boling Little League election

The Boling Little League Board Elections will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Boling Fire Station. The cost to vote is $1.

Wharton PD blood drive

The Wharton Police Department and city employees will be holding a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Wharton Police Station. To schedule an appointment, visit www.giveblood.org and enter sponsor code 0152 or contact Randy Whitlock at 532-3131, ext. 516.

WCJC Chamber Singers

The Fine Arts Department of Wharton County Junior College presents the Chamber Singers in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Horton Foote Theatre. Music styles include patriotic, folk, spiritual, chamber and Jazz. Tickets are $4 at the door and free for students. This is a Center for the Arts Series presentation.

Drainage plan meetings

In order to obtain more public input and participation in the Wharton County drainage master plan, a series of public meetings have been scheduled, one in each commissioner's precinct, to provide general information about the study. All concerned citizens are welcome. Engineers and county officials will be available to make presentations, answer questions, and gather any additional and pertinent information. The meeting schedule is: Boling Community Center - Oct. 25, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; Louise Fire Hall - Oct. 29, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; El Campo WCEC Edison Room - Oct. 30, 7-9 p.m.; East Bernard Community Center - Oct. 31, 7-9 p.m.

Halloween Bash

The Wharton Training High School Alumni and Ex-Students Association is hosting a Halloween Bash from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 26 at the Wharton American Legion Hall, 221 W.Park. The public is invited. Tickets are $6 pre-sale and $6.50 at the door. For information or to purchase tickets, call 281-853-7092.

The Peddler Show The Peddler Show returns to Rosenberg and the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds this Oct. 26-28. In celebration of the 30th year of the show, all shoppers turning 30 in 2007 will received free admission. Regular admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for children under 12. Shopping hours are 1-9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For additional information, visit www.Peddler- Show.com.

Glen Flora VFD 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.

Peace Tabernacle fall festival

Peace Tabernacle Church will hold its annual fall festival from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. There will be games, food and rides. The church is located at 1416 N. Alabama, phone 532-4933.

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.

Camp Zion Rising Star Homecoming

Camp Zion Rising Star Baptist Church will have its Homecoming for Family and Friends Day at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. Everyone is invited.

Shiloh Baptist Homecoming

Shiloh Baptist Church will hold its 53rd Annual Homecoming Service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. The guest speaker will be Rev. Donald Archie and congregation from Alvin. Dinner will be served. Rev. Carl Neal, pastor, Deacon Leroy Watkins, chairperson.

St. John's Fall Carnival

St. John's Lutheran Church will be holding a Fall Carnival from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. There will be free games, prizes, a hayride and pony rides. Food will also be available. The church is located at 614 Pecan St. For information, call Carol Koenig at 532- 4012. .

Texas Home Health

Texas home health is sponsoring a fund raiser for the Wharton County Senior Meals on Wheels Program on Wednesday, Nov. 7. It will be a drive through pickup lunch served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wharton County Junior College LeDue Building. Tickets are pre-sale only and cost $6. The goal is to sell 700 tickets for the Wharton Senior Meals on Wheels Program, please help us reach our goal. Delivery is available to Wharton, El Campo and East Bernard businesses with 10 or more purchases. Contact Jena Myska at 713-705-3332 for tickets.

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 email a copy to you. Call 532-1862 or e-mail 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.

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.