School back in session, activities around community increase

Happy New Year to all. As of this writing, school has resumed for students and teachers in Boling and Wharton. With the return to classes also comes the increase in activities.

The Boling Junior FFA will have their next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Boy Scout Troop No. 123, including Life Scouts Marcus Lopez, Ryan Pinson and Matt Lopez of Boling, got busy helping those in need.

On Dec. 29, the troop put their slogan "Do a Good Turn Daily" to work assisting Boling resident Mary Powell.

Powell's yard needed an end-of-year cleaning, so the troop tackled the task putting rakes, weed-eaters, mowers and pruners to work.

Powell's neighbors, Joe and

Sandra Torres, gave a helping hand. Sandra cooked lunch for the troop while Joe used a tractor/loader to work on the back yard where he removed several rotten trees and an old shed.

Thanks to DrawWorks of Boling for the use of their equipment.

Mylinda Bullock, the troop advancement officer and member of First Baptist Church of Boling, organized this community service project by going to the church and asking about elderly or disabled residents in need of assistance.

Powell was the first recipient of the troop's "Do a Good Turn Daily" community service. Troop No. 123 will be back at her home on Jan. 12, to complete the back yard.

The troop invites anyone who would like to lend a helping hand to come join them on Jan. 12 at 315 Texas Avenue.

Leslie Lopez, Scoutmaster for Troop No. 123, would like to thank the neighborhood kids who also helped work on Powell's yard: Chris Hensley, Devin Bannert, Lenzi Torres, Dee Dee Torres, Joe Torres, John Spacek and Miles Tolbert.

It is the troop's intention to continue to lend a hand to the elderly or disabled residents of Boling who need yard work performed.

You can contact Lopez or email me at the address listed at the end of this column.

On Jan. 26, Faith Christian Academy will host its annual Barbecue Chicken Fund-raiser Dinner at the KC Hall in Wharton.

Dinner and raffle tickets are now available. There will be several raffle items, and the top prize is a Toro Commercial Zero-Turn Lawnmower.

Entertainment for the night will be provided by "Elvis," who will perform a full gospel concert.

The Iago Junior High School basketball teams got back to business on Jan. 3 against Danbury. The boys traveled to Danbury where the 7th Grade lost a tough game 33-6. Trevor Grissom scored 4 of their points, and Jared Hubenak scored 2 points.

The 8th Grade boys defeated the Panthers by a score of 25-18 to move to a record of 4-1 for the season.

Jacolby Hodges was the high point man with 10 points, and Darion Lunford added 6 points. These young men are coached by Mike Glasser and Caleb McCain.

The Lady Bullpups played at home where the 8th Grade 'B' team lost in the final seconds of overtime by a score of 12-10.

Tiffany Gillis scored 4 points while Rebekkah Rowlands, Tierney Steiner and Gretchen Freudensprung each added 2 points.

The 7th Grade Lady Bullpups played a very physical game, but lost by a score of 41-10. The 7th Grade team is coached by Sharon Baker.

The 8th Grade 'A' team also lost a hard-fought game by a score of 36-22. Gabrielle Hemphill was once again the high-point scorer with 8 points.

Holly Welch added 5 points including one 3-pointer. Alexsis Aguilar scored 4 points, and Jenny Pospisil and Emma Sparkman each added 2 points. Erin Hollis finished off the scoring with a free throw.

The 8th Grade teams are coached by Judy Womack.

The next games for the Bullpups and Lady Bullpups are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 7 in Houston against YES College Prep Southeast.

Please remember to e-mail information and news to me at judith_womack@yahoo.com.