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.

EB DARE Graduation

The East Bernard Junior High School fifth grade D.A.R.E. class and the Wharton County Sheriff's Office invite parents, family and friends to their annual Drug Abuse Resistance Education Graduation Culmination. The ceremony will be held at the East Bernard Junior High School Gymnasium on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. This ceremony marks the 18th anniversary of the D.A.R.E program in Wharton County.

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 at 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.

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.

Briggs concert

Plaza Live presents Stephanie Briggs and the Oso Feb. 29 at the Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton. Stephanie, who grew up in El Campo, and her husband Matt, formerly from Boling, play eclectic original music that is garnering much critical praise. Doors open at 7 p.m.; Chris and Mike Sears will entertain until the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Plaza box office at Hensley Medical Claims, 212-B North Richmond Road or online at www.whartonplazatheatre.org (a small fee applies for online purchases, which must be made at least 24 hours before showtime). Reservations strongly suggested. Photo ID required to purchase beer and wine.

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.

Crossover Community

The First Baptist Church of Boling is now Crossover Community Fellowship. On Saturday, March 1, parishioners need to pick up Angel Food Ministries Order at CCF's Annex Building between 11a.m. and 1 p.m.. Please bring a box or basket for each unit ordered. On Sunday, March 2, Troy Dollinger will present "The Living Lord Supper' during the 10:45 a.m. service. The presentation of the Living Lord Supper is a powerful and moving depiction of Jesus and his Apostles. It helps the audience understand the true meaning of the Passover. This presentation is from 30 to 45 minutes in length. You will be amazed how the written Word comes to life when spoken in first person.

KJT and JKZT dinner

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. The public is invited to come and join the fun.

Greater St. Stephen

The Greater St. Stephen Church holding their usher fund-raising program on Sunday, March 2. The world will be brought by Rev. E. Lewis of Cornerstone Baptist Church of Richmond.

WCJC Fine Arts

The WCJC Fine Arts Department will present the annual Drama and Music Showcase on Tuesday, March 4 at the Pioneer Student Center. The showcase will begin at 7:30 p.m. Drama Students, the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir and Chamber singers will participate in this concert. Tickets will be sold at the door for $4. The concert will be free to students with a student ID card. This is a Center for the Arts Series presentation.

WISD Open houses

The Wharton Independent School District's upcoming open house schedule starts on Tuesday March 4 at Hopper Elementary from 4:30-6 p.m. . The Wharton High School open house is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m. on March 4. The Sivells Book Fair will be at 5:30 on Thursday, March 6 followed by the open house from 6-7:30 p.m. . The Wharton Junior High open house will be March 12 from 5-6:30 p.m. with progress reports given out at that time. Yearbooks will also be on sale for $35.

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, table sponsorships and charitable donations. 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 Community

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. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Contact persons are Sam Johnson, 361-853-8752, Marie Carr, 979-532-3979 and Augerine Carter Anderson, 713-721-2380.

Macedonia Baptist Banquet

The community is invited to the 24th Banquet of Rev. and Sister Leo Humphrey, pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church. The banquet is set for 7:30 p.m. on March 8 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wharton, 2820 N. Fulton. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children.

New Mt. Olive Baptist

The New Mount Olive Baptist Church's Building Fund Department will present "Lift Up Your Voice and Sing" Musical Women in Color at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. Special guests will be Texas City Recording Artists Voices of the Mainland. New Mt. Olive Baptist Church is located in Wharton, Rev. J. Wright is Pastor and Leatha Green is program chairwoman.

Greater St. Stephen fish fry

The Greater St. Stephen Church will be having a fish fry on March 8 from 10 a.m. until sold out. For information, call Judy Rogers at 979-453-0395.

Glen Flora VFD Chili

The Glen Flora Fire Department will hold a chili supper from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 9 at the Glen Flora Fire Department. Chili will be served with rice, cornbread, tea and dessert. Meals are available dine-in or for pick-up. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Pre-sale tickets are available from members of the department.

Christ in the Passover

What do he Jewish Passover and Jesus' Last Supper have in common? Greg Savitt, with Jews for Jesus, will answer that question as he presents "Christ in the Passover" at First Baptist Church, 507 N. Fulton, on Sunday, March 9 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend this activity and visual display of Passover pageantry from Egypt to Calvary to what it means to people today. For information and to make reservations, call First Baptist Wharton at 532-4295.

Wharton Book Review Club

The Wharton Book Review Club will meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 10 at the Wharton County Historical Museum, 3615 N. Richmond Rd. Merle Hudgins will review "The Path to Power - The Years of Lyndon B. Johnson" by Robert A. Caro. Season memberships are $25. Individual programs and guests are $5 and may be purchased at the door. For information, call Sally Soderquist at 532-4936 or Sammy Lou Franks at 532-4615.

Boling HS blood drive

The Boling High School Student Council is hosting a blood drive on Monday, March 10, in the Homemaking Building from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.. Everyone who donates will receive a blood donor T-shirt. Door prizes will be given. If you have any questions, contact Patti Hubenak at 657-2816. Help save three lives by donating a pint of blood.

Wharton Chamber Banquet

The 89th Annual Banquet of the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture will be on Tuesday, March 11. It will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. with the banquet following at 7 p.m. at the Wharton Civic Center. Tickets are $30 each. Silver table sponsors, with 10 seats, are $400 each. Gold and Platinum event sponsorships are available for $1,000 and $1,500, respectively. There will also be a silent auction. For tickets or sponsorship information, call the chamber office at 532-1862 or e-mail helpdesk@whartonchamber.com.

Sheriff's VIN etching

The Wharton County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Sheriff's Combined Auto Theft Task Force (S.C.A.T.T.) will host a motor vehicle VIN etching from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, at the parking lot of the River Front Park Central Pavilion directly across the street from the Sheriff's Office in Wharton. This service will be provided by employees of the WCSO and S.C.A.T.T. at no charge and vehicle owners will be provided with a card to provide to insurance companies for a possible reduction in premiums. For more information, contact Agent Mike Hines at 532-1550 or 543-1373.