Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

WISD 2008-2009 Calendar

The Wharton Independent School District 2008-09 School Calendar Committee has designed three different calendars for next school year. The public is invited to vote on a preference during the week of Feb. 11- 15 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Wharton Education Support Center, 2100 N. Fulton Street.

Heather's Dream

The Heather's Dream Cancer Support Group for cancer patients, survivors and families will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. first Monday of every month at the Wharton County Library in Wharton. For information, call misty at 361-258-1611.

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.

New Zion Bethel fish fry

The New Zion Bethel Baptist Church is hosting a fish fry from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. Plates are $7 and delivery is available. Menu consists of fried fish, potato salad, green beans, bread and homemade cake. To pre-order you plates, contact Joyce Mitchell at 532-2674 or Stella Durley at 532- 3292.

KC Lenten Fish Fry

East Bernard Knights of Columbus Chapter No. 2500 is inviting all to come and eat a good fish dinner at East Bernard's Riverside Hall this Lenten season; which runs from Friday, Feb. 8 through Good Friday, March 21. Serving will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The public may dine in or take plates to go. There will be a drive-through plate to go line serving you at your vehicle. Plates are priced at $7 to go, while prices inside the hall are $8 for all you can eat, $3.50 for children ages 6-11, and free for children under age six. Fish will also be available at $7 per pound and can be picked up inside the hall. The menu will include fresh catfish fillets, French fries, hush puppies, cole slaw, pinto beans, tartar sauce, ketchup, cocktail sauce and iced tea (inside only.) Other drinks and beverages will be available for purchase inside the concessions area. Proceeds benefit local scholarships and charities.

Grease is the Word

Betty and Sylvan Miori present the musical Grease, book and music by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey; additional music by Robert Stigwood, Friday through Sunday, February 8-24, at the Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $13 for seniors 65 and older, students 24 and younger, or groups of ten or more. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. For tickets, call 979-282-2970 or visit www. whartonplazatheatre.org.

Fibromyalgia Support Group

The February meeting for the Wharton Fibromyalgia Support Group will be held Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Main Branch of the Wharton Public Library, 1920 North Fulton, from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Harrison Conference Room. The topic this month is: Stress and Chronic Pain: What is the connection? What can you do to control the pain? For more information, contact Kristine Keeney at 532-1996 during the day or Tanya Lovett at 532-0510 during the evening.

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.

Legion Post No. 226

American Legion Post No. 226 of East Bernard will hold its Annual Scholarship Fundraiser at the Legion Hall on Sunday, Feb. 10. A barbecue chicken meal with all the trimmings will be served starting at 11 a.m. with both dine-in and drive through available. Plates are priced at $7. There will be an auction at 12:30 p.m. followed by a free dance with music by Texas Legacy Czech Band. Proceeds will benefit the post's scholarship fund. The legion hall is located 1.5 miles south of East Bernard on Highway 60. The public is invited.

Wharton Book Review Club

The Wharton Book Review Club will meet at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 11 at the Wharton County Historical Museum, 3615 N. Richmond Rd. Reese Vaughn will review Elmer Kelton's memoir "Sandhills Boy." Season memberships are $25. Guests and individual reviews are $5. For more information, call Sally Soderquist at 532-4936 or Sammy Lou Franks at 532-4615.

Republican Candidate Forum

The Wharton County Republican Party will host a candidate forum on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Wharton Civic Center. District Attorney candidates Dawn Allison and Josh McCown will field questions during the forum and all local Republican Party candidates will have an opportunity to address the voters. The forum is free and open to the public.

Wharton Garden Club

The Wharton Garden Club is hosting a program by Dee Golden on landscaping at the Wharton County Historical Museum on Thursday Feb. 14. Refreshments will be served at 9 a.m. and the program will begin at 9:30 a.m. Guests are always welcome.

Tango and Salsa lessons

Phil Hoke will be teaching the tango and salsa at the First Presbyterian Church, 1602 John Knox, Wharton. Lessons will be held Friday Feb. 15, from 7-8 p.m. It's $3 per person and singles or couples are welcome. For more information, call 532-3375.

Senior Citizen 42

The Wharton County Junior College Senior Citizen Program is hosting a 42 Tournament for seniors with prizes, gift bags and refreshments furnished by Girling Health Care on Friday Feb. 15 at the WCJC Senior Center located in the LaDieu Building at 911 Boling Highway. Sign-in and rules and regulations will be from 1-1:30 p.m. with play from 2-4 p.m. If you are 60 years of age or older you are invited to attend. To register, call 532-6430.

Valentine's Day Dance

The Fiesta Hispano Americana is hosting a Valentine's Day Dance on Friday, Feb. 15 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wharton. Power Mix DJ Jamie Compian will provide the music. Admission is $5 per person and free for ages 10 and under. Proceeds from the dance will benefit Fiesta Hispano Americana's scholarship fund. For more information, contact Teresa Mata a 533-0025. The public is invited to attend and volunteers are encouraged to help support the auction and raffle. The kitchen will open at 7 p.m.

Babe Ruth registration

The Wharton Babe Ruth League has set two dates for registration. Registration is open to players age 13-18. Registration will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 24 from 2-5 p.m. at the Wharton High School Baseball field. New players must bring a copy of a birth certificate. The registration fee is $80. All forms are available to print on the league Web site, www.leaguelineup.com/whartonbrb. Those interested in coaching or managing a team should submit a letter of intent. We are looking for men and women who are interested in joining our Wharton Babe Ruth board. There will be a Babe Ruth League meeting on Monday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wharton High School Baseball Field. For information, contact Frank Reyna at 532-8441 or Jimmy Schulz at 532-1298 after 6 p.m.

Bethlehem Baptist Church

The Bethlehem Baptist Church in Newgulf, Rev. Ray Felder, will hold a dedication service for their new church building at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17. The featured speaker will be the Rev. Edwards from Needville.

Boling Fair Fund Social

The 2008 Boling Fair Fund Social, Barbecue, Auction and Dance will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23. The social is from 4-5 p.m. followed by the meal from 5-8 p.m. The auction is scheduled for 6:30-9 p.m. with the dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, are priced at $7 per person and includes both the meal and the dance. Music will be provided by Party Time DJ Russell Hubenak. The auctioneers are Douglas Hubenak and Lex Forgason. This is the Boling Fair Fund Inc.'s 24th annual fundraiser.

St. Philip Fiesta Dinner

The St. Philip Catholic School will sponsor a "Mexican Fiesta" dinner and dance Saturday, Feb. 23 at the El Campo Civic Center. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased by calling Kim Singleton at 979-532- 5652. Tickets are also available at the school office. Anyone wishing to make a cash donation or donate an item to the auction should contact Michelle Korenek at 979-541-3228 or Dana Jenkins at 979-578-1430.

Benefit for Garett Williamson

The Louise Volunteer Fire Department will host a benefit event for Garett Williamson, son of Zach and Libby Williamson on Saturday, Feb. 23. A barbecue dinner of beef and sausage, buttered potatoes, pinto beans, pickles, onions and bread priced at $7.50 per plate will be served from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Meal tickets are available at The Short Stop in Louise or any First State Bank- Louise branch. There will also be an evening of entertainment including silent and live auctions, music provided by Rudy and Alys and karaoke. For information or tickets, call 979-648-2525 or 979-648-2011.

Domino Tournament

The Wharton Knights of Columbus Council No. 3262 will host its 28th Annual Straight Domino Tournament on Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2820 N. Fulton. Registration is from 8-9 a.m. The cost is $12.50 per person. Prizes will be awarded to the first four places. Food and drinks will be available. The public is invited. Proceeds will go toward scholarships and other charitable causes.

Security Management lecture

The University of Houston-Victoria School of Arts and Sciences will be hosting a lecture on Security Management from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the UH System building in Sugar Land, 14000 University Blvd. There will be food and door prizes. RSVP at 281- 275-3039 or e-mail to scattergoodl@uhv.edu by Feb. 15.

Gourmet Guys World Tour

The Gourmet Guys 7th Annual World Tour will be held on Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Wharton County Historical Museum. Local chefs will provide "A Culinary Carnivale" featuring Tastes of Brazil. Tickets are $75 per person with discounted tickets available for first time attendees. Tickets are available at the Museum or by calling 532- 2600 for more information.