March once considered first month of year by Romans
Who's News
Liliana Johse

It's March and promises of warmer weather are within sight. Did you know that the early Roman calendar considered March as the first month of the year? They actually called it Martius back then, in honor of Mars, the Roman god of war. March is Save Your Vision Month, America's oldest and most-established observance for eye and vision care. It is also Professional Social Work Month.

Christy Marie Lay and Robin Lee Stoddard Jr. share their sacred day of marriage on Saturday, March 15, at 4:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Wharton. A reception, dinner and dance will follow at the Wharton Community Civic Center. Christy is the only child of our friends

James and Peg Lay of Caney Trails. Robin and Christy, remember, there are three things that last - faith, hope and love - and the greatest of these is love. Our best wishes.

Lions are roaring. They are getting ready for the annual pancake extravaganza, the Lions' Pancake Supper is Thursday, March 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wharton Community Civic Center. It is all-you-can-eat for $6 for adults and $3.50 for children under age 12. There will be a silent auction and entertainment for the whole family. Funds raised go to charitable projects in the community, scholarships, eye glasses and Lions Camp. There are 33 million people in the world that need eye care. If you have a child in school who needs glasses, check with your school nurse. Lions also collect glasses no longer needed. Turn them in to be recycled to any Lion member or they can be dropped of to Dr. Keith Ermis at Family Vision on Fulton Street.

It's never too late to congratulate our new graduates.

Chase Gwinner graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor of science degree in bioenvironmental sciences. He plans to continue his education in the fall by pursuing a master's degree. He is currently working at the Toxicology Lab at Texas A&M. He is the son of Brenda and Craig Gwinner.

Lacey Squires, daughter of Regena Bass has moved to Austin and is currently working as a business associate in the OB/GYN department at the Austin Diagnostic Clinic. Lacey graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor of science degree in human development and family studies and a minor in psychology. She made the dean's list the last two semesters. Way to Go!

Jerry Smaistrla delivered four red rose bud vases to mothers who gave birth at the end of January at GCMC to thank them for choosing life from CDA Court Saint Bernadette.

Todd Janik graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor of science in agricultural communications and journalism. He is a winemaker and marketing director at Woodrose Winery in Stonewall. Congratulations!

My fast food days are gone since the grandchildren are grown. The other day I stopped by looking for J.B. You may know his office is located in one. Others who work with him there every morning are Dr. Vic Driscoll, Russell Johns, Tom Pickett and Richard Arnold.

Glen Dyer had last week's program for the Lions Club. His guest speaker was Dr. Thai D. Huyhn, GCMC hospitalist. I believe everybody enjoyed listening about his interesting job as a hospitalist. Glen also had one of his pretty daughters as his guest, Bridget Lawrence of Austin.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church will be celebrating its 60th birthday. The church was built in 1948. The celebration will be combined with the annual Bazaar scheduled for Sunday, May 11. El Grupo Soledad will provide the enternainment. There will be an auction and items are being accepted now as well as any donation. The meal for the day will be a Mexican plate. For donations go by the rectory and speak to

Becky or Santos.

We pray for the confirmation students O.J. Esquivel, Mariela Zavala, Angel Becerra, Amanda Schmidt, Ashley Hernandez and Erin Soderquist.

Congratulations to Maria Garza and Michael Souchek on their recent wedding.

Katie Kidd, bride-elect of Temple Koonce IV, was honored with a come-and-go-shower at the home of Sarah and Harry Goudeau in Hungerford.

Hostesses were Barbara Bickham, Donna Chudalla, Diana Cosper, Flossy Forgas- on, Joyce

Forgas- on, Karen Gubert, Janice Harris, Regina Locke, Sandy Thomas, Susan Wilbeck and Sarah Goudeau.

Mary Ann Dorris is improving and is now home.

Billie and Gerald Donaldson were under the weather.

The Drama and Music Showcase of WCJC is Tuesday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Pioneer Student Center Wharton Campus. Admission. Adults are $4, children under age 12 are $2.

Congratulations to Sue Hall on her new great-grandson. He is named James Hamilton Hall.

Last weekend, we spent a wonderful three days with our son and daughter-in-law Maxyves and Debra Lynn Verzele in Clyde. We were joined later by their youngest

Justin Whitney, who attends Tarleton University in Stephenville. It was pretty cold and very windy but we had a nice birthday celebration while we were there.

A special birthday wish to our County Judge John Murrile who celebrates a birthday next Tuesday. Other birthdays are Kacy Machann, Ed Koehl in Oklahoma City, twin sisters Whitney and Stephanie Rachunek, Debbie Norrell, Shirley Beeson, Susie Mathis, Susan Svatek and to a special neighbor Hunter Smolik. Hunter is one of my favorite friends. He is the son of Cindy and Doug Smolik. Also celebrating are Clark Wilbeck, Melissa Howell, Liz Krenek, Dane Bollom, Jess Fitzgerald, Joyce Gerard, Lester Johns, Kirby Pressly, Yvonne Johse and Donna Mulhausen. Belated wishes go out to Evelyn Cochran and Samuel Maffett.

Missions and Ministry Fair and Banquet is March 6 at College Heights Baptist Church. Missions Fair is at 6 p.m. and the meal is at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per person or $15 per family of three or more. Reservations due in First Baptist Church Office or churches in the Colorado Baptist Association by March 2.

Congratulations to Holly and Ron Koenig and the proud grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Dan Pirrung of Gainesville, Ga., and Mr. and Mrs.

Gary Koenig of Wharton. A new addition to the family arrived.

Tyler Gray Koenig was welcomed home by his older brother Grant Koenig of Wharton.

Please pray for our sick friends and those who are on the way to recovery Manuel and Toni Lozano. Toni suffered a fractured hip and underwent surgery in Richmond. Others include Alec May- field, Barbara Matcheski, Tom French, Tom Johnson, Judge Cynthia Kubicek, Valerie Pagel, Virginia Sanchez, Billie and Lester Newton and Fred Hobbins.

Free Adult Faith Formation Classes are going on during Lent taught by Rev. Bryan Heyer on Lenten Devotions: Stations of the Cross, Fasting and Abstinence, Holy Face of Christ and Five Wounds of Christ. Marian Devotions: Scapular, Rosary, Seven Sorrows of Mary and much more. Classes are held on Thursdays at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Everyone is welcomed.

Henrietta Klecka is now home in East Bernard. I visited with her and her husband

Rudy Klecka and one of their sons in East Bernard. We are happy to report her recovery.

The CDA Lenten bake sale is going on in East Bernard with Monica Kubena as the new co-chair for 2008. Weekly chairs are: Bernice Cavness, Cindy Pribyl, Wende Pope, Helen Pesek, Sheila Bohacek, Debbie Guthman and Wilma Polasek.

Enjoy your weekend and remember: "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see," Mark Twain, American writer.