Today is Spouses Day, plan a date; CDA dance set for Feb. 9

Can't believe that this will be my last column for the month of January. Where does time go? Today we celebrate Spouses Day. Plan a date out or other outing with your spouse. If not, plan it for a later date so you can get a sitter, if you need one. Have a happy day and keep warm.

In 10 more days is the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday is Feb. 6.

The Blessing of Throats and Candles is from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1 after weekday Masses and during office hours at Holy Family Church.

CDA No. 1990 Mardi Gras Dance and Cake Auction is Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Wharton KC Hall. The dance is from 8 p.m. until midnight.

Gerard Caspar, Tuff Country will provide the music. There will be nice gifts given away and many gift certifi- cates at the dance. Need not be present to win.

Tickets for the raffle are each $1 or a book of 6 for $5. For tickets for the dance call Gayla Shimek and Clarice Kutach or buy from any Catholic Daughter.

East Bernard CDA Chicken Noodle Soup and sandwich supper and raffle is Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the American Legion Hall in East Bernard.

Serving begins at 5 p.m. until sold out. Eat in or take home in your own containers. Pastries will be available, whole or by the slice.

There's a raffle at 7 p.m. There are 76 prizes donated by members and merchants. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.

I would also like to remind you to register to vote in the presidential election. Any U.S. citizen 18 years or older needs to get a registration card.

Les and Billie Newton are now receiving rehab.

Our dear Valerie Cheatham underwent a procedure for shoulder repair. She is now home and doing well.

Best birthday wishes to Waymond Altenburg today, Jack Thornton, Christine Stransky, Shannon Moses, Andrew Howell and Kyle Johnson. KCs with birthdays are Tim Duyka, Daniel Mascheck, Bennie Brod and Gerard Krenek.

Other birthdays include Beverly Koonce, Billie Newton, Marie Sherrill, Lawrence Brock, Elisa Webster, Georgie Stelzel, Katrina Kohleffel, Patricia Potts, David Copeland and Lois King on her 90th.

I am asking for prayers for Bart

Fabacher. He is a young U.S. Navy pilot who recently crashed his helicopter in Corpus Christi, he was the only survivor and badly hurt suffering multiple fractures and second degree burns to his face. Bart is Pat Wright's son-in-law.

He is in San Antonio. Please keep Bart and the family in your prayers.

More birthday celebrations this month are Kent Hill, Kyle Socha, Billy Watkins, Sarah Wasicek, Lanyie Smolik, Laurie Grainger in St. Louis, Mo., Dale McCrohan, Garret Freeman, Jeremy Copeland, twin brothers James and John Fitzgerald, Tom Gladden and Donnie Wessels.

Celebrating wedding anniversaries this week are Clark and Susan Wilbeck, Robert and Emilia Kolacny tomorrow. Also Ronnie and Honey Stavena and Mark and Barbara Goodell. Bill and Carla Hobbs celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary Jan. 31. Congratulations! Rain or shine we wish you a very happy day!

We are thankful to report that

Jeffrey Blair came out with just a scratch after an automobile accident in Fort Bend County as he was driving home on Highway 59. His car was totaled, but he is OK. He went back to work on Tuesday.

These past weekends we have been doing our grandparent duties helping move granddaughters to college. A couple of weeks ago we were in College Station moving Helene Nicole to her dorm at Texas A&M. Last weekend we spent it in San Antonio helping her older sister Jacqueline move into her dorm at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

The girls had never been to San Antonio so we did the Alamo, had dinner at the Riverwalk.

Even with the cold weather we enjoyed it and they really had a good time.

The 100 Club of Wharton County is having its winter membership banquet on Thursday, Feb. 7. This year the banquet will be in El Campo with social hour beginning at 6 p.m. Wharton County Sheriff's Association will be preparing a tasty meal. Josh McCown will be the guest speaker. It is always very interesting. The 2008 election of 100 Club officers will be held.

Blaine Carroll Johnson arrived to the home of Tommy and Rachael Johnson. She was born Jan. 2. Rachael, Blaine and Tommy are doing great, the new parents are getting adjusted. We sure hope to meet the new member of the Johnson family soon. Maternal grandparents are Virginia Tripson and L.D. Heimann of Wharton. Paternal grandparent is Tommy Johnson Sr. of George West. Great-grandparents are Estelle Heimann of Wharton and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson of Louise. Our congratulations to the happy family and to uncle Erick Heimann of Wharton.

I want to remind the pet owners to please take care of your chained dogs left in the rain, mud and the cold. There are plenty in our area or wherever you look. They don't deserve to be left unprotected.

Have a nice weekend, keep dry and warm.