Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

2008 Bridal Guide

The Wharton Journal-Spectator, East Bernard Express and El Campo Leader-News will be producing its 2008 Bridal Guide next month and is in need of your input. First, if you have been married five to seven years, we would like your personal views on why your marriage has lasted. Second, we need any unique wedding proposal stories. Please include contact names, daytime phone number(s), years married and where you reside. Otherwise, the information will not be published. E-mail or mail the "Secrets to your Successful Marriage" and/or "Unique Wedding Proposals" to lifestyle@leader-news. com or P.O. Box 1180, El Campo, TX 77427. Deadline for consideration is no later than Jan. 25. For more information, contact Quala Matocha, lifestyle editor, 979-543-3363.

Wharton Girls Softball

Wharton Girls Softball has scheduled its final registration date for the upcoming season for today from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Wharton High School old gymnasium. The registration fee is $60 for the first child and discounted for the second child. The league is open to girls 4 years old by Dec. 31 through 14 years old. Copies of birth certifi- cate are required. Those interested in coaching or managing a team should submit a letter of intent. For information, contact Lori Jaquez at 532-4947 after 6 p.m. or Lydia Reyna at 532-3673.

Veterans Service Office

The office of the Wharton County Veterans Service Officer will be open this month on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Jan. 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30. The office is located at 1017 N. Alabama Road. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Harvey Stelzel Jr. is the Wharton County Veterans Service Officer.

Kids Safe Saturday

The Pilot Club of Wharton will be sponsoring a Kids Safe Saturday on Jan. 12 at the Boys and Girls Club of Wharton. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. and the activity is open to students in grades K-4.

Boling Little League

The Boling Little League will hold early registration on Saturday Jan. 12 and regular registration on Saturday, Jan. 26. Registration hours are from 8 a.m. to noon at the Boling High School Home Economics Room.

Bright Minds Scholarship

The Bright Minds Scholarship Fund Dinner and Dance will be held Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Wharton Civic Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner is served from 7-8 p.m. and dancing with music by the Triumphs begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. Call David Gilbert at 532-5964 for tickets or table reservations. Tickets are also available at the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Capital One Bank. Proceeds benefit graduating seniors from Wharton, Boling and East Bernard High Schools.

Annual Fellers Cake Auction

The Annual Fellers Cake Auction to support area Cub Scouting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13, at the First United Methodist Church, 1700 Pioneer in Wharton. Supported by Wharton area businesses, the auction has helped meet the financial needs of Pack 3303. To RSVP plans to attend, contact John Hasenpflug, Cubmaster Pack 3303 by calling 979-531-1301 or e-mail pack3303@ykcwb.com. For those unable to attend but interested in participating in the auction, you can contact Hasenpflug about your bid strategy.

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus No. 3262 of Wharton will be selling whole barbecue chickens on Sunday, Jan. 13 as a fundraising event for their building renovation fund. Serving will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chickens are pre-sale only and available only on drive through basis. For information, contact Richard Zahn at 282-2451 or Marvin Macek at 532-3664 for tickets.

Bereavement Support Group

The Houston Hospice-El Campo is hosting a Life After Loss Bereavement Support Group meeting on Monday, Jan. 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church library in Wharton. The group will meet every Monday for six weeks. The facilitator for the meetings is Rev. Don Storey, Hospice Chaplain. For information, call 1- 800-420-6193.

Wharton Little League Wharton Little League has set two dates for registration. Registration is open to players ages 5-12 (based on age as of April 30). Registration will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19 and Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wharton Civic Center. New players must bring a copy of birth certificate. Register online at eteamz.active.com/whartonlittleleague/ links.

Wharton Fair Fund

The annual Wharton Fair Fund's dinner, dance and auction will be held Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Wharton Knights of Columbus Hall. A barbecue chicken dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 5:30-8 p.m. Plates are available for dine-in or drive through and are priced at $7.50 per person. Meal tickets include admission to the dance. The auction starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by dancing until midnight with music provided by DJ Chris Garza.

Remembering the Dream

Citizens of Wharton County are invited to the 2008 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Celebration on 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20 at Mother Zion Baptist Church, 112 Neals Lane. Special guest will be Rev. E.L. Dawson and Progressive Baptist church of El Campo. The theme will be Marching from Dream to Reality. Other guests include Vocalist Debra Wilson of Houston, Rev. Mickey Reynolds and Caney Creek Church, St. Stephen's Missionary Baptist Church Barrier Breakers Choir and the Wharton Boys and Girls Club Drill Team. Each church is asked to represent with $150 towards the MLK Scholarship Fund. A parade celebration is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan 19, marching from Wharton Square to Dawson Elementary Gymnasium. For information, call Vivian Wyatt @ 532-3872 or Rev. Ruiel Taylor at 979-257-9183.

Celebration of Life

Those purchasing "Celebration of Life" ornaments will be able to pick them up the week of Jan. 21-25. Pick up locations are NoNam's, 247 W. Milam in Wharton, 532- 3111; 1102 North Mechanic in El Campo, 979-578-0314; and Green Brothers Jewelers, 2121 Ave. G in Bay City, 979-245-2598.

Pilot Club Chili Supper The Pilot Club of Wharton will hold its 25th Annual Chili Supper on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2820 N. Fulton in Wharton. Serving will be from 5-7 p.m. with drive through available. Tickets available from any member. Meals are priced at $8 with a menu of homemade chili, rice, beans and pie. The Pilot Club invites you to mark you calendar and join them.

Boling District Improvement

The Boling District Improvement Association will hold its annual public meeting 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Boling Community Center. The membership in this Association shall be open to all residents and employees over the age of 18 of Boling and the adjoining area and communities within the Boling Independent School District. Annual dues for membership in the Association is $1 and payable before the meeting starts. A report will be made by the officers to the current members as to the status of the association, its plans, activities and current operation plan. There will also be an election of directors. Due to new community center insurance requirements, public may not bring any alcohol (beer or liquor) on the premises.

Art Exhibit

The Houston Livestock show and Rodeo Art Exhibit will be on display at the Education Support Center for public viewing Jan. 23-31 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Faith Christian Elvis concert

Elvis Impersonator Randy Hinson will be performing Ol' Time Gospel Favorites in concert for this year's barbecue chicken dinner fundraiser to benefit the Faith Christian Academy of Wharton County on Saturday, Jan. 26. The doors will open at 6 p.m. with serving starting at 6:30 p.m. The night will include the meal, music and a silent auction until 8 p.m. A live auction and door prizes will be featured from 8-9 p.m. Tickets are $10. To purchase tickets, call 979-531-1000 or e-mail info@FaithCh ristianAcademy-Wharton.org.

Community Bible Study

Community Bible Study is inviting the public to come to a special visitor's night from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 325 N. East Avenue.

Wharton County Job Fair

The Wharton County Job Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Wharton Civic Center, 1924 N. Fulton St. Admission is free to those seeking a job or seeking a better job. Free booth space is available to employers. Free seminars on such topics as resume writing and dressing for success also will be free and scheduled throughout the day. For more information, contact 979-532-0999 or wedco@intertex. net. Sponsors are Wharton Economic Development Corp., City Development Corp. of El Campo, Wharton Chamber of Commerce, El Campo Chamber of Commerce, The Work- Source, Experience Works, Wharton County Junior College, and the City of Wharton.

CDA Mardi Gras Dance

A Mardi Gras Dance has been scheduled for 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wharton. Music will be provided by DJ Gerard Caspar, Tough Country. Tickets are $5 per person or $10 per couple. The event is being sponsored by Court No. 1990 of the Catholic Daughters of America.

Tommy Johnson Benefit

A benefit dance, stew supper, auction and prize drawing to help cover the cost of medial expenses for Tommy Johnson Sr. is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9. The benefit will start at 4 p.m. and will be held at Muldoon's Saloon and Steakhouse, 110 W. Railroad in El Campo. All profits will benefit the Tommy Johnson Benefit fund. Johnson is a retired Texas State game warden and Ranger for the Southwest Texas Cattle Raiser's Association. Raffle tickets are currently on sale at the Wharton County Sheriff's Office, Ryan Services, R&R Printing, R&M Firearms, D-A-M Services or by calling 979-543-3703. Tickets are priced at $10 each.

Fishing Tournament

The Boling Booster Club will be hosting its Annual Fishing Tournament on Wednesday, March 19. The entry fee is $250 with tournament proceeds to benefit the club's scholarship fund. For more information, call 979-532-0805.