Dateline
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.

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. 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.

Mt. Carmel fund raiser

The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church pre-confirmation class will host a dance and dinner tonight at the American Legion Hall in wharton. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner served starting at 7 p.m. at $6 per person. The dance will last from 8 p.m. to midnight and admission is $5 per person or a new un-wrapped toy. The dance will benefit the Women's Crisis Center of Wharton County. The general public is invited. Music will be provided by JP Express Mobile DJ Service.

Fibromyalgia Support

The December meeting for the Wharton Fibromyalgia Support Group will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Main Branch of the Wharton Public Library in the Harrison Conference Room. The topic this month is: Stress and Chronic Pain: What is the connection? How can you manage both during the Holidays? For more information, contact Kristine Keeney, 532- 1996 during the day, or Tanya Lovett, 532- 0510 during the evening.

Audition Notice: Grease

The Plaza Theatre will hold open, read-from-the-script auditions for the musical Grease at 6 p.m. and Dec. 9 and 10. Director Shannon Pickard needs adults of all ages and ethnicities. Auditioners should be prepared to sing a brief song and may bring sheet music or accompaniment on CD. The choreographer will assess dance skills. Anyone interested in building sets or joining the backstage crew should also attend one of the audition sessions. Performances will be Feb. 8-24. For additional information, please contact Mr. Pickard 979-531-0696 or shannon@shannonpickard.com or visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org.

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

Today is entry deadline for this year's Boling Christmas Parade. 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.

Ballroom dancing

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

Mt. Pilgrim Christmas

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.

Seven Star Baptist Church

The Seven Star Baptist Church is hosting an inauguration installment ceremony for Brother Kenneth Dorsey Sr.'s entry into the ministry at 10 a.m. on Dec. 30. The church is located at 7506 Hawes St. in Hungeford, Rev. Dr. R.I. Campbell III, pastor.

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. It is intended for special activities open to the public rather than regularly recurring meetings.