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 Otherwise, the information will not be published.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..

Veterans Service Office

The office of the Wharton County Veterans Service Officer will be open this month on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, today and Jan. 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.

Celebration of Life

Those purchasing "Celebration of Life" ornaments will be able to pick them up this week thorugh Jan. 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 tonight 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. There will also be a raffle drawing with tickets priced $10 each or three for $25 for a $5,000 giveaway. The Pilot Club invites you to mark you calendar and join them. For more information, call Louise at 282-2000.

Community Block Grant The Galveston County Community Action Council will host a series of public hearings in each of its four counties of operation - Galveston, Fort Bend, Wharton and Brazoria. The purpose of these hearings is to discuss the FFY 2008 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) performance statement and budget in he amount of $739,845, and solicit comments from the public on the budget. Each hearing is scheduled for today from 4-5 p.m. The Wharton County location will be 213-B N. Richmond Road, phone 543-1561. For questions or additional information, contact the GCCAC Main Office for Neighborhood Services at 409-762-8418 or 1-800-300-3004 for long distance calls.

District Improvement Assoc.

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 today through Jan. 31 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Voter registration

Citizens of Wharton County are invited to a voters registration and information meeting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25 at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church Hall, 506 S. East Ave. For more information, call Frances Cerrillo at 979-253-1177. The last day to register to vote is Feb. 4. Early voting for the primary runs Feb. 19 to Feb. 29 with Election Day being March 4.

Wharton Little League Wharton Little League has one remaining registration date for the upcoming season on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wharton Civic Center. Registration is open to players ages 5-12 (based on age as of April 30). New players must bring a copy of birth certificate. Register on-line at eteamz.active. com/whartonlittleleague/links..

Open Horse Show

The Boots and Bridle 4-H will be hosting an open horse show on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Wharton County Youth Fair Arena in Crescent. There will be 30 classes offered, including Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Showmanship and Speed Events. The three age divisions are 12-and-under, 13-18 and 19-and-over with high point belt buckles for all age divisions. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the events starting at 9 a.m. Fees are $10 per class or $50 for all day. For more information, rules and regulations, contact Lora Cline at 532-1315 or Melissa Locke at 532-0250.

Boling Little League

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

Faith Christian 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@FaithChristianAcademy-Wharton.org.

Joint Worship Service

East Gate/New Prosperity Baptist Church and College Heights Baptist Church will celebrate a joint worship service Sunday morning, Jan. 27, at East Gate's new facility on FM 102. Sunday School will start at 8:45 a.m. and morning worship will be at 10 a.m. The service will be followed by a fellowship meal. this year, Rev. Ruiel Taylor will be the host and Rev. Don Hurley will be bringing the morning message. The commujnity is invited to attend this time of celebration.

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.

Panhellenic Association

The Texas Gulf Coast Alumnae Panhellenic Association was formed to promote the ideals and leadership opportunities offered to college girls through the sorority system. Alumnae of sororities are invited to the next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the First United Methodist Church in Wharton. The church is located on the Boling Highway between Wharton Funeral Home and Wharton County Junior College. For more information, contact Betty Joyce Sikora at 532-2435.

First Baptist blood drive

The First Baptist Church-Wharton will hold a blood drive from 4:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the church's fellowship Hall. To schedule an appointment, visit www.giveblood. org and enter sponsor code 0772 or contact Herb McCown at 532-3774.

South Texas blood drive

South Texas Medical Clinics, P.A. will sponsor a blood drive at the Wharton clinic on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Glen Flora Musical

The First Baptist Church in Glen Flora, Rev. E. Gillis pastor, will be hosting a musical on Saturday. Feb. 2. The musical will begin at 7 p.m. and the public is invited.

'The Traveling Lady'

The Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton will hold open auditions for Horton Foote's The Traveling Lady on February 3 and 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wharton County Historical Museum, 3615 N. Richmond Road in Wharton. Performances are slated for April 11-20. Director Candyce Byrne needs women who can play ages from mid to late twenties through "incredibly old," men who can play ages late twenties through late sixties, and a girl who can play age six. For more information about the play and characters, please visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org. Anyone interested in joining the backstage or front-of-the-house crews should also attend one of the auditions. Ms. Byrne will arrange special appointments for those for whom the audition dates are inconvenient. She can be contacted at 979-532-1084 or footlite@warpspeed1.net.

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.