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.

Black history at Avalon Place

Avalon Place will be holding a Black History Month celebration today 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.

WCJC Blood Drive

The WCJC Student Government Association is holding a "have a heart" blood drive today 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.

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.

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.

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 Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The anniversary program will be Sunday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. 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.

WCYF Progess Show

The WCYF Progess Show is scheuduled for Saturday, Feb. 23. All steers, beef merit heifers, lambs and goats and their exhibitors are to attend and participate in the progress show unless an excused absence is approved by the specific department chairman. If you have any questions, call the Fair Office at 979-677-3350. Beef merit heifers showmanship is at 8:30 a.m. Steers weigh-in at 7:30 a.m. Lambs weigh-in 7:30-8:30 a.m. Showmanship starts at 8:30 a.m. at Johnson Arena. Market goats weigh-in from 8-9 a.m. with showmanship following the lambs at Johnson Arena.

Jr. Breeding Beef deadline

The junior breeding beef entry deadline is Saturday, Feb. 23 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Crescent Fairgrounds. Any exhibitor wanting to show a Jr. breeding beef heifer at the fair must bing a copy of original registration papers and pay $15 entry feel.

Dairy shows

The dairy and dairy merit progress show is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24. All dairy and dairy merit heifers and their exhibitors are to attend and participate in the progress show unless an excused absence is approved by the specific department chairman. If you have questions, call 979-667- 3350.

Horse Progess show

The Any exhibitors interested in showing in the Open Horse Show at the Wharton County Youth Fair needs to sign up at the progress show on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. in the Johnson Arena at the Wharton County Fairgrounds in Crescent. An entry fee of $15 must be paid at the progress show. There are halter, showmanship and riding classes to participate in. Check the fair rulebuck on line for rules and fees or call Melissa Locke at 532-0250 or Lora Cline at 532-1315. Any exhibitor that is showing in the Horse project at the Fair must attend and participate at the progress show to be eligible for the Fair.

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.

Babe Ruth registration

The Wharton Babe Ruth League's final registration will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Wharton High School Baseball Field has set two dates for registration. Registration is open to players age 13-18. 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. For information, contact Frank Reyna at 532- 8441 or Jimmy Schulz at 532-1298 after 6 p.m.

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. For information, contact Richie Domel at 979-472-5211 or Coleman Todd at 713-626-4222.

Friends of FFA Fish 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. RSVP at 281-275-3039.

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.

St. John's KJT and JKZT

The St. John's KJT and JKZT will hold their annual B.B.Q. Chicken and Sausage Dinner on Sunday, March 2 at the Hungerford Community Center. Serving will begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue until the food is gone. Plates to go also will be available. There will also be an auction, a free dance until 5 p.m. with polkas, waltzes and country music by the Twilights and a raffle drawing at 5 p.m.

Lions' Pancake Supper

The Wharton Lions Club Annual Pancake Supper is scheduled for Thursday, March 6. Serving will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available from any Lions Club member. The club is currently soliciting donations of auction items and table sponsorships. All proceeds go to the Lions various local projects.

VFW fundraiser

A VFW fundraiser featuring chicken fried steak with all the trimmings is scheduled for Thursday, March 6. Serving will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with both to-go and dinein available at the American Legion Hall in Wharton. Plates are priced at $7 and the fundraiser is being held in memorial of VFW Life Member Arthur Bremser.

Jake Ford Reunion

All residents and former residents interested in renewing old friendships and discussing a possible community reunion for the Jake Ford Community are being asked to participate. You are welcome to join the group on Saturday, March 8 at 2 p.m. at New Zion Bethel Baptist Church. Contact Sam Johnson, 361-853-8752.