VFW Ladies Auxiliary ends year with special event

The Ladies Auxiliaries of the American Legion Post No. 87 closed the year with a catered dinner and a dance last Saturday at the American Legion Hall. Cheers started at 1 p.m. and an orchestra followed playing some of the most popular big band music for dancing. The new time chosen by the ladies for the dance is most convenient, usually Sunday afternoon, there is not much to do, this way you have a good time and you can drive home early to rest for the following working day. A roast beef dinner was a catered affair. This is usually a dress up affair and the ladies in attendance looked beautiful and festive. The new officers for 2007-2008 were announced by President Mary Martinez and Chaplain "Birdie" Stolle. The elected officers are: president, Mary Martinez; first vice-president, Lois Ashcraft; second vice-president, Carline Kucera; secretary/treasurer, Dorothy Viktorin; historian, Viola Anders; chaplain, "Birdie" Stolle; and sergeant at arms, Monica Melnar.

Some of the guests attending were Stanley and Linda Bartos, Fred and Leonora Lara, Josie Mican, Lorena Taylor, Myrtle Krenek at the door welcoming and registering guests. Edith Labay, Tino Rivera, Jim Melnar, Carline and Herman Kucera, Mr. and Mrs. D. Rivera, Charlie Briggs, Walter and Nelda Stavena, Arnold and Delia Guerra, Sedonia and Raymond Tomczack. Sitting at the same table were Donald and Isabel Barbee, our grandaughter Helene Smith- Vaughan, Chris Svatek, J.B. and me.

VFW elected commander is Fred Lara. Door prizes were given away and guests brought a can good for SHARE.

The Rev. Augustine Nsiah Asante has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Philip the Apostle Church in El Campo. He has been helping with services at Holy Family, St. Joe in Boling and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We wish him luck in his new parish.

I owe an apology to Pat Shannon. She is having her book signing today from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Wharton Historical Museum. The title of the book is Sincerely Mary and the newspaper at the time that was owned by the Shannon family was called the Wharton Spectator. Sorry for the mistakes.

The community is invited to the Posadas hosted by Wharton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Monday 2 p.m. Hot chocolate and pan dulce will be served.

Happy birthday to John Cosper, Neva Smith, Wanda Bonnot, Rosette Hudgins, Catherine Shoppa, Sheriff Jess Howell and Helen Sherrill next Thursday. Also, Louise Hewett, Wayne Taylor, Dr. Herman Wolff on Thursday, sharing a birthday with Dr. John Wissinger. Also celebrating are A.C. Shelton, Mary Fink, Carl Shannon, Scott Wilkins, Michael Evans, Willie Gavranovic, Vanessa Hudgins. KCs celebrating are Rev. Dan Porter, Jerry Zuber, Larry Wendel, Juan Bernal, Bennie Macha, Robert Gonzales, Carter Miska, Robert W. Krenek, Brian Bremser, Jerry Rodriguez and Marcus Melnar. More birthdays this week are A.J. Rath, Pamela Mata, Paul King, Allison Hobbs, Honey Stavena, William Joseph Kieler, Geraldine Dettling, Katherine Wendel, Ethan Massey, Noah Maher, Haymond Sneed, Clay Breeden and Jeff Chumchal. Richard Arnold is having a birthday next Wednesday, a very special wish for Richard.

Celebrating anniversaries this week are Paul and Bunny Fertsch, Charles and Esther Fitzgerald, Ernest and Juanita Chudalla, Richard and Karen Hilderbrand, John and Julie Smolik, Don and Mary

Erdelt and Kathy and Neil Reynolds.

Our first assistant district attorney Ross Kurtz and his beautiful wife Jacquelyne purchased a home in El Campo and moved there. Jacquelyne wanted to be closer to her family in Corpus Christi. Ross is far away from his in New York.

The Wharton Chamber of Commerce Mixer was well attended. Had the chance to visit with many friends and meet some new ones. The long table in the meeting room had a big spread of snacks, cheeses, fruits and sweets. Wines and punch were also served. Plenty of nice door prizes. The first one was won by Bud Northington. I left before the other winners were called. The party went on late in the evening. Some of the guests I was able to see and visit with were: Peggy Duyka; Sheryl Roach; June Jansky who was a wonderful hostess; the expectant mom to be, Abby Burditt; Charla Kulcak; the very British Tony Bone and wife Diana; Ray Linseisen; Bud Northington; Steve Zetsche; Jackie Jansky; Billie Jones; Richard Arnold; Tracey Jansky; Tim Barker; Judge Randy Clapp; Ann Gooden; David Copeland; Judy and Don Mueller; Melissa Gonzales; Chamber Executive Director Ron Sanders; Sybil Inman; Art and Sharon Schultz; Alicia Coleman; and Bruce Williams. As I was leaving, our Ricki Johansen was coming in. Those are some of the few names I caught. It was a very nice affair.

We thank Lorena Taylor, her sister Edith Labay, Mary Tydlacka and Josie Mican, members of the Czech singers who come every month to the nursing home. We missed Dolores Svatek and Leona Tydlacka. Thank you ladies for giving your time to the shut ins. The rest of the choir was Edith Ondrias, Bessie Hlavinka, Irene Macha, Lena Brandl, Frances Holub, Innocence Minks, Genevieve Maerz, Marie Laitkep, Marie Riojas, Betty Flores and Carmen McCarthy.

Saint Bernadette Court No. 1108 CDA in East Bernard hosts a meeting and party Monday at Holy Cross meeting room. It features a pot luck meal and gift exchange.

Next time you see Debbi or Dr. Dimmick ask them about the newest member of the family. Audrey Rehe Dimmick arrived Dec. 4 at 8:31 a.m. Parents for the second time are

Cassie and Dr. Josh Dimmick who reside in Pearland. The baby was welcomed home by an excited older sister, four year old Madison. Dad Josh is doing his dermatology residency in Galveston. Aunt Kaydi Dimmick is also very proud with her new niece.

The Wharton Chamber of Commerce had a double ribbon cutting last Wednesday. Kidz Party House and Party packages and Daniel's Cake World. These two businesses are a perfect combination because if you have a party you are going to need the other. Owners Gloria Reyes and Daniel Ramirez will be happy to help you plan. After the ribbon cutting done by Ron Sanders, chamber executive director, some of the chamber members and friends present were Tod Mund, whose oldest daughter Erin will be graduating in the spring, Melanie Socha, Andy Hollingsworth, Jackie Jansky, Becca Klima, Billie Jones and I. Daniel's family members present were Anita Ramirez, Joel Ramirez Sr. and Joel Ramirez Jr. Gloria's family at the event were her mother Lupe Henriquez, Mary Mata and Ramona Mata. Other chamber members were David Schroeder, Theresa Wittig, Cuca Morin, WJ-S's Holly Terry and Prudencio Arriaga. Some delicious finger snacks, punch and cakes were served which we really enjoyed,

Our grandaughter Helene SmithVaughan will be flying back to Nicaragua today in order to spend Christmas with the rest of her family. Helene will be coming back in early January to start her junior year at Texas A&M. She finished her associate's degree early at WCJC. Our home now will be empty. We are very proud of her accomplishment.

With an attendance that was overflowing outside the church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast was celebrated with great pomp at Our Lady of Mount Carmel last Wednesday. Started with mananitas at 5 a.m. and mariachis at the Grotto of Our Lady in the evening, Mass was con-celebrated by Rev. Bryan and Rev. Augustine with the mariachi music.

A prayer was done by some of the members of the youth group dressed as the Aztec Indians who prayed while dancing to their musical instruments. It was done very nicely. Lectures were done in English and Spanish. Flowers were brought to be offered to Our Lady de Guadalupe at the altar.

After Mass a reception was offered in the Rev. Raymond Jackson Family Life Center. As is customary in Mexico a dinner of tamales and refreshments were served and the mariachis entertained with more music.

Have a wonderful weekend, try to keep warm as we are expecting low temperatures.

Don't forget your pets, please protect the elderly and the dogs that are with heavy chains outside and no shelter, especially out in the country. See you next week.