Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

WCYF 2008 Scholarships

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 at 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.

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 today 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.

Bluegrass gospel

The MacDonald Family singers will be at Caney Creek Church, 118 W. Milam St. in Wharton for the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Feb. 17. This bluegrass gospel group performs all over the country and will play in Wharton Sunday morning and El Campo in the evening. See their Web site at www.macdonaldfamilysingers. com.

Bethlehem Baptist 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.

The Burden Lifters

The Burden Lifters of Brenham will be hold a CD debut celebration performance at 7 p.m. tonight at New East Gate Prosperity Baptist Church in Wharton, Rev. Rural Taylor, Pastor. Guest performers will include Candi, host of Candi's Gospel Show and Candi's Productions in Houston and Collaboration of Praise, Spirit Truth and Praise and God's Gospel Children, all from Wharton. Special appearance will also be made by radio talk host Dr. Roy Green, Jr.

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.

Black history at Avalon Place Avalon Place will be holding a Black History Month celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 20 starting at 6 p.m. A free dinner will be served and the guest speaker is Chester Houston. The public is invited. For details, call 532-1244.

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.

2008 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 School 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 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.

Wharton KC 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.

CCA First Fundraiser The CCA Texas San Bernard Chapter will hold its first ever Fundraising Banquet and Dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28 a Riverside Hall in East Bernard. The menu includes rib-eye steak and shrimp and will be catered by Sportsman's Restaurant. There will be live and silent auctions and raffles. Banquet tickets are priced at $35 in advance (with a Feb. 21 cut off date), reserved tables for eight at $280, $40 at the door and $15 for ages 17 and under at the door. Corporate tables are priced at $400. For information, contact Richie Domel at 979-472-5211 or Coleman Todd at 713-626-4222.

Wharton Friends of FFA Dinner

The Wharton Friends of FFA will be having a drive through only fried fish dinner on Friday, Feb. 29 from 5-7 p.m. The meal is being catered by Vinceks and includes fish, buttered potatoes, green beans and hush puppies. Tickets are $7.50. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship program. For more information, contact any FFA member or Rhonda Clayton at 532-3719.

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. This year tour will honor Waymond Altenburg and benefit the Wharton County Historical Museum. Tickets are $75 per person with discounted tickets available for first time attendees. A silent auction is also scheduled. Tickets are available at the Museum or by calling 532- 2600 for more information.