Svatek celebrates 70th birthday with bash

Dolores Svatek did have a big birthday bash last Sunday at the American Legion Hall celebrating her big 7-0. She certainly enjoyed dancing to her favorite polka music with the rest of her guests, but who wouldn't enjoy the beats of a polka. I am a big convert and love to see a good pair of dancers on the floor. The party started at 2 p.m. and lasted until 6 p.m. Everybody was enjoying the visits with friends and the friendly atmosphere. A fried fish supper with all the trimmings was served at the end of the dance. Family members and friends were doing all the cooking. Larry and Diane Kalina, John and Patsy Kincer, Gregg Hlavinka, Dennis Cervenka, Clint and Heather Kalina were all outside cooking. Our table had Mary Ann Erdelt, Patsy Valenta, James and Annette Hlavinka and Donna Svatek. The birthday girl, Dolores, spent some time with us and her two sisters, Helen Bowen and Gladys Cerny. Johnnie Sr. was part of the welcoming committee visiting with all the guests. We had a great time visiting. Other guests were Bill and Alene Hubenak, Johnnie and Margie Dornak, Carmen and Marcus Longoria, Patsy Zuber, Carlton West, Lorna and Marvin Kaiser, Dorothy and Louis Sulak, Bernadette and Jodi Svatek, Rosalie and Laddie Svatek, Hattie and Leon Kristinik, Sandra Svatek, Johnnie Ray Svatek, and Julius and Pauline Kalina.

Julius just had a procedure done in a Houston hospital the day before, he was feeling good. Others were Henrietta and Milton Machacek, Annie Hobizal, Elo and Helen Stolle and Dennis and Connie Keuneke.

Of course there were many more I missed.

Steve Howard was one of the guests and came from Bernardo, he is one of Bobby Jones' best friends. He handed me a video with Bobby's picture on the cover that says: A tribute to Bobby Jones. It is a two-sided DVD label. He gave me a copy.

That evening the dance floor was full of Bobby's followers, the Svateks being some of them. We wish Dolores and her family as well as everybody else a very happy 2008.

Enjoying a nice meal in a friendly place in town we visited with Dorothy and A.J. Bennetsen, their daughter Beverly Baker and her daughter Hayley Baker, other friends there were Honey Stavena, and Don and Judy Mueller. Bob Baker and his son were on their way back from New Mexico where they went bow-hunting for two weeks.

Annette Hlavinka and Bill Hubenak were recognized for their birthdays at Dolores Svatek's party. Bill had a birthday on Friday. Many happy returns!

Glen Flora resident Esther Mathews, her son Dr. J. Kyle Mathews and wife Cindi of Plano spent the Christmas holidays in Hawaii. They had a wonderful time seeing the beautiful beaches, the foliage and the flowers. The state flower is the yellow hybiscus.

They saw the whales and went to the crater of a volcano. They admired the lava rock and said it was a sight to see. They also saw the black beaches, great waterfalls and the wild chickens that roam the island. They toured a lavender farm. The temperature there was 72 degrees most of the time. Esther wishes everyone could see this beautiful paradise. Glad to have the Mathews back.

Holy Family's 25th and 50th Anniversary Reception and Parish Dinner is Sunday, Feb. 3, beginning with 10 a.m. Mass. All parishioners are invited.

The Pilot Club is sponsoring its annual Chili Supper next Wednesday starting at 5 p.m. at the K.C. Hall. There will be a drive-through and eat-in. Get tickets from any Pilot Club member.

Our friend Pat Shannon has been a hospital patient for treatment at GCMC. Pat should be going home in a few more days. She looks great and she has done a wonderful job compiling her book Sincerely Mary.

J.B. and I have enjoyed what we have read. I am learning more about Wharton people and I think the pictures are great. It is an easy book to read.

Our congratulations go out to Pat Kubala and his wife Becky Kubala. Pat became an acolyte, in a ceremony performed by Bishop David E. Fellhauer of the Victoria Diocese at St. Joseph's Church in Moulton. Pat is a parishioner at St. John Catholic Church in New Taiton. His next step on the journey will be his ordination to the diaconate.

Tricia Vasut's son Karl Vasut is opening a computer repair and service at his mom's store in downtown Wharton. Karl is a student at WCJC attending school in the morning and doing computer repair in the afternoon.

Happy birthday this week to Josephine Pitman, Evelyn Vacek, Susan Hlavinka, Dorothy and Bernice Twardowski, Ann Kramr, Cynthia Beseda, Agnes Minks, Georgene Chumchal, Edith Rachunek, Therese Roades, Velma Treybig, Danette Thornton, Alec Mayfield, Tim Guin, Mollie Williams, Sherry Jones, David Petrosky Jr., Pam O'Quinn and Audrey Fain.

Kirby Chambers celebrated her birthday with a skating party at Silver Wings given by her parents Scott and Tammy Chambers. Kirby is a student at St. Philip in El Campo, this was her 7th birthday, and the theme was High School Musical. Pizza and cake were enjoyed by her guests. Special guests were her grandparents, Jimmie and Donna Chambers; aunt, Stephanie Chambers; and cousin Laura Guffey. She received many presents and had a great time.

Others who had birthdays this week were Elizabeth Wasicek, Sharon Socha, Stephen Winkenwerder, Jenna Hubenak, Dorothy Kennedy, Billye Jean Barker, Lucas Erdelt, Everett Mathis, Royce Johansen, Daniel Terronez, Tim Krenek, Vivian Salinger, Rowena Reynolds, Coi Guttenberger, Todd Menefee, Laurence Morgan, David Schroeder, Eileen Wilkins and Janie Amador.

KCs having birthdays this week are Alvin Matthys and Norbert Olivo today, Joaquin Lara, Tim Krenek, Jerry Svatek and Brian Stolle.

Happy anniversary to Randy and Cindy Michael, Dr. Bobby and Brenda Ogdee in Abilene and Louis and Cynthia Ondrias.

High school seniors attending accredited schools and who are related to a living Catholic Daughter member in good standing are reminded that the deadline to return applications for the Texas State Memorial Scholarship is Jan. 27. Details and applications can be obtained from local scholarship chairperson Dolores Svatek by calling her at 532-1312. The tickets for the Mardi Gras giveaway are now on sale. Gloria Garza is the chairperson. You may call her at 532-0578. The Mardi Gras dance and cake auction will be held Saturday, Feb. 9 at the K.C. Hall from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Music will be provided by Gerard Caspar, Tuff Country. Clarice Kutach and Gayla Shimek are the ticket chairpersons. If you would like to volunteer to decorate please call Regent Carmen Longoria at 532-1476. You may also send in dues for the year 2008. Dues are $20 Please send to CDA Court Our Lady Queen of the Clergy, No. 1990, P.O. Box 415, Wharton, TX 77488,

Mariachi practices are held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Family Life center.

Next Friday the 71st Texas Gulf Credit Union Annual Meeting will be held at the Wharton Civic Center. Billye S. Anderson retired from her Texas Gulf FCU volunteer board of director position. She served 4 years and will be missed. She moved from Boling. New board member volunteer is Philip Hundl.

Enjoy your weekend, and please keep your pets protected from the rain wind and the cold, especially when they are tied with heavy chains. They have no voice, we are the only ones