Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Wharton Farmers' Market

The Wharton Farmers' Market continues this weekend at the Wharton Courthouse Square. The market features garden fresh food and handmade craft items and will be held from 9 a.m. to noon each Saturday through mid-December.

WISD Christmas Bazaar

The Wharton ISD is hosting a Christmas Bazaar featuring various crafts and holiday gift ideas prepared by the district's Pre-school Programs for Children with Disabilities and Academics for Life Classes today from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the WISD Central Office. During the bazaar, many of the students that prepared the crafts will be singing holiday songs during the sale. Caroling will include the Dawson students at 9:30 a.m., Hopper students at 10 a.m. and Sivells at 10:30 a.m. The central office staff is providing cookies and refreshments and there will be a holiday raffle featuring items donated by local businesses. Proceeds will benefit enrichment and community activities for the students.

First Baptist Blood Drive

'Tis the season for sharing - and for holiday hugs. The First Baptist Church - Wharton is holding a blood drive from 3:30-8 p.m. today in the church fellowship hall. Those who donate or attempt to donate in the month of December will be able to write notes of well-wishes to patients spending the holidays in the hospital. Notes from gold-level Commit for Life members will be attached to cuddly stuffed animals and hand-delivered to patients. To schedule an appointment, visit www.giveblood.org and enter sponsor code 0772 or contact Herb McCown at 979-532-3774.

WCJC Candlelight Concert

The WCJC Music Department will present the annual Christmas Candlelight Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the First Baptist Church in Wharton. The WCJC Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will be joined by the Sivells Third Grade Choir and a community handbell choir. This is a Center for the Arts Presentation. The concert is free to the public.

Olive Wood sale

The Catholic Daughters and Knights of Columbus will be participating in East Bernard's Shop the Block from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6. As part of the Joint Outreach Project, the organizations will be holding an Olive Wood sale at a booth located by B&K Furniture. They will be selling hand crafted olive wood project co-sponsored by the Diocese of Victoria. Proceeds go directly to the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation for the urgent needs of Christians in the Holy Land. These Christians suffer discrimination, unemployment, land confiscation and the inability to travel within their own homeland. The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation provides financial, moral and spiritual support to the Christian artisans in the Bethlehem region and is the only organization endorsed by the Latin Patriarchate (Diocese) of Jerusalem to sell olive wood gifts in the United States.

Toy and food drive

The city of Wharton Youth Advisory Commission is sponsoring a Toy and Food Drive for the holiday season. The drive will benefit the Women's Crisis Center and SHARE. Beginning Dec. 7, the drive will run through Dec. 18. Non-perishable food items and/or toys can be dropped off at the following locations: Wharton City Hall, 120 E. Caney, Wharton Chamber of Commerce, 225 N. Richmond Road or the El Campo Chamber of Commerce, 201 E. Jackson in El Campo.

Fish and chicken wing fry

The Greater St. Stephen Church will be holding a fund-raising fish and chicken wing fry starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 at a home at 1517 Columbine in Wharton. Plates are priced at $7 each. For more information, call Sister Rogers at 532-0370.

Ballroom dancing

Ballroom dancing will be held on Fridays, Dec. 7 and 14 at the First Presbyterian Church, 1602 John Knox. The charge is $3 per person. Couples and singles are welcome.

WHS parents

To all parents of the 2008 graduating class of Wharton High School, table drawing for the annual Senior Serve Fund Raising Dinner and Talent show will be held on Monday, Dec. 10, in the Wharton High School Cafeteria. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and table drawings will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. If you are planning to attend Senior Serve on Saturday, Feb. 2, it is important to come to this meeting.

WISD Christmas Concert

The Dawson Elementary Beginner Band, Wharton Junior High School Band, and Wharton High School Band invite the community to attend a combined Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec 14 in the Wharton High School Auditorium. There will be a reception immediately after the concert in the foyer. Please come share the holiday cheer and show your support of your Wharton Band.

Boling Christmas Parade

The entry deadline for this year's Boling Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 8. The parade is hosted by the Boling Fire and Rescue Department and Ladies Auxiliary and scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 on Texas Street in Boling. After the parade, Santa will be at the Boling Fire Station for photos and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Lee Mrunstik at 979- 657-8716.

Mt. Pilgrim program

The Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Iago will be hosting a Mission Christmas program at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 at the church. The theme is "Who is the Gift of Life," John 14:6. The speaker will be Rev. Carl Neal Sr., Shiloh Baptist Church in Boling. Mt. Pilgrim is located at FM 2817 in Iago, Rev. Charley Barnes, pastor.

Nan Ya blood drive

Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, US will be hosting a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 18 in the front parking lot of their Wharton Plant. Everyone is welcome to come and participate in the blood drive.

T.L. Pink Holiday Banquet The T.L. Pink Alumni and Ex-Students Association will celebrate its 19th Annual Holiday Scholarship Banquet at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22 at the Wharton Civic Center. Rev. Danny Davis will be the guest speaker.

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.

East Bernard Masonic Lodge

The East Bernard Masonic Lodge No. 817 meets the third Thursday of each month. There is a meal, open to the public, served starting at 6:30 a.m. with a lodge only meeting at 7:30 p.m. The lodge building is located at 715 Morris St. in East Bernard. For more information, call Michael McKinnon at 713-542-1148.

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.