Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

WISD 2008-2009 School 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 through Feb. 15 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Wharton Education Support Center, 2100 N. Fulton Street.

WCYF 2008 Scholarship Applications

The Wharton County Youth Fair 2008 Scholarship Applications are now available for graduating seniors to pick up from their high school counselors. Applications are will also be available for students to download from the WCYF Web site - whartoncountyyouthfair.org. Applications must be turned back to the counselor's office on or before the application deadline of Friday, Feb. 29. If additional information is needed, please contact the Fair Office at 979- 677-3350.

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 through Feb. 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.

I-69/TTC Public Hearings

The Texas Department of Transportation will be holding a public hearing to provide citizens an opportunity to comment on the I-69/TTC draft environmental impact statement on Monday, Feb. 11 at Wharton High School. There will be an open house from 5-6:30 p.m. The public hearing will start at 6:30 p.m. Similar hearings will be held on Feb. 21 in El Campo at the El Campo Civic Center, 2350 N. Mechanic and on Feb. 25 in East Bernard at Riverside Hall, 14643 Buls Road.

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 Tourney

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.

Love Those Crowns

A Black History Month program "Love Those Crowns" featuring church hats worn on the Sabbath will be held on Friday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Wharton County Library, 1902 N. Fulton in Wharton. Everyone is invited to wear a hat.

Fiesto Hispano Dance

The Fiesta Hispano Americana is hosting a Valentine's Day Dance on Friday, Feb. 15 from 8 p.m. to midnight 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.

Program at Mt. Calvary

The Mount Calvary Baptist Church will hold their annual four gospel program at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15. The guest speaker will be Rev. C.L. Wallace of t he Mother Zion Baptist Church. For information, call Rev. R. Harris at 832-595- 4569.

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. For information, contact Frank Reyna at 532- 8441 or Jimmy Schulz at 532-1298 after 6 p.m.

Baptist Church dedication

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.

Pomp and Sacrifice

A Black History Program, Pomp and Sacrifice, will be held on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Wharton County Library, 1920 N. Fulton in Wharton. The program will be a book talk and discussion by Melvin L. Myers, Lt.Col. Retired. Light refreshments will be served.

New Mount Olive Baptist

The New Mount Olive Baptist Church family is inviting the public to join them for Rev. Jimmie Wright and his wife's pre-anniversary and anniversary programs. The pre-anniversary will be held Sunday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The anniversary program will be Sunday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. The Guest speaker for the Feb. 17 program will be Rev. C. Hall Jr. of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Houston. The anniversary program speaker will be Rev. E.G. Williams of the Jerusalem Baptist Church in Spanish Camp. Rev. Wright and his wife have been with the church for 33 years.

I-69/TTC Public Hearings

The Texas Department of Transportation will be holding a public hearing to provide citizens an opportunity to comment on the I-69/TTC draft environmental impact statement on Thursday Feb. 21 in El Campo at the El Campo Civic Center, 2350 N. Mechanic and on Tuesday Feb. 25 in East Bernard at Riverside Hall, 14643 Buls Road. There will be an open house from 5-6:30 p.m. The public hearing will start at 6:30 p.m.

WCJC Student Blood Drive

The WCJC Student Government Association is holding a "have a heart" blood drive on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pioneer Student Center. Contact Patti Lawlor at 532-6441 or www.eblooddrive.org sponsor no. 6022. Free T-shirts to donors. ID is required.

Annual Wild Game Dinner

The Wharton County Sheriff's Association and Sheriff's Posse will hold its 2008 Annual Wild Game Dinner from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Wharton County Fairgrounds in Crescent. A $5 meal donation will be collected and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Raffle tickets are also being sold for $20. For raffle tickets, contact Janet, Calvin or George at the Wharton County sheriff's Office by calling 532- 1550.

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 dinner fundraiser

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 at TheFirst State Bank-Louise branch.