Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

WHS prom dresses

Are you looking for something to do with your used prom dresses? Why not donate them to the Wharton High School's prom dress drive. Donations of dresses, shoes, hand bags and jewelry can be dropped off in the front office of the high school up until April 18th. For any questions, please contact Brooke Domel, 532-6800.

WISD Open houses

The Wharton Independent School District's upcoming open house schedule continues on Thursday, March 6 at the Sivells School campus with the school book fair at 5:30 p.m. 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. at the Wharton Community Civic Center. Tickets priced at $6 for adults and $3.50 for children and 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.

Junior High musical

Wharton Junior High will be performing the musical "Willy Wonka Jr." from March 7-9 at the Wharton County Junior College Horton Foote Theatre. Performance times are 7 p.m. on March 7 and 8 and 2 p.m. on March 9. Tickets are priced at $5 for adults and $3 for students and children. Wonka bars, including one with a prize-winning golden ticket, will be on sale.

Fibromyalgia Support Group

The March meeting for the Wharton Fibromyalgia Support Group will be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 8, at the Main Branch of the Wharton Public Library, 1920 N. Fulton, in the Harrison Conference Room. The topic this month is - Stress and Chronic Pain: What is the connecton? Can you control the pain, Can you control the stress? For more information, contact Kristine Keeney 532-1996 during the day or Tanya Lovett 532-0510 during the evening.

Chess tourney

The Boys and Girls Club of Wharton will be holding its 5th Annual Chess Tournament on Saturda, March 8 at the Boys and Girls Club of Wharton Dobson Youth facility. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the tournament will being promptly at 9 a.m. The tournament is open to all youth ages 6 to 18 years old who know how to play the game of chess. There is no entry fee and all who participate will receive an award. For more information, contact Barbara Fortenberry at 282-9660, Wednesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Movie night

A Saturday Night at the Movies featuring the family friendly film "Flywheel" will be held starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at the Caney Creek Church on the downtown square in Wharton. The movie is free and snacks are included.

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 Saturday, 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.

Crossover Community youth

Formerly the The First Baptist Church of Boling, the Crossover Community Fellowship Youth Group will be having a bake sale at Vista Bank in Boling on Saturday, March 8.

Greater St. Stephen fish fry

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

Girl Scout cookies

Wharton Brownie Troop No. 7009 and Junior/Cadet Troop No. 378 will have a Girl Scout Cookie Booth set up in front of the Wharton Wal-Mart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 8 and 9.

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.

Louise Project Graduation

The New Zion Bethel Baptist Church located on County Road 235 in the Jake Ford Community will hold its annual Usher Day celebration at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 9. The Gospel message will be delivered by Rev. E.L. Dawson of the Progressive Baptist Church in El Campo.

Louise Project Graduation

Louise Project Graduation will be holding a Fun Run benefitting the Louise Graduation Class of 2008 Project Graduation on Sunday, May 9. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Muldoon's, 110 W. Railroad in El Campo. Last bike out at 10:30 a.m. and last bike in at 1 p.m. All bikes and vehicles are welcome. The registration fee is $15 (suggested donation.) Music and door prizes will follow. A pork stead dinner will be served at $6.50 per plate. For more infortaion, call Mandy Bain at 979-541-6937 or e-mail mrae16@hotmail. com.

Christ in the Passover

What do the 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.

Senior Citizen Bingo

The Wharton County Junior College Senior Citizen Program will be offering bingo for seniors with prizes and refreshments furnished by Angels Care Home Health from 2- 3 p.m. on Monday, March 10, at the WCJC Senior Center in the LaDieu Building, 911 Boling Highway.

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.

Shiloh Baptist Church

The Shiloh Baptist Church will present the Green and Gold Gala honoring Rev. Carl Neal Sr. and First Lady Wanda Neal. The theme will be "Celebrating the Man God Chose to Lead." Guest Speaker is Rev. Gregory Harper, Silverlake Church, in Pearland. The gala will be held Friday, March 14 at 6:45 p.m. at the Rosenberg Convention Center. For ticket information, contact Erma Matthews at 979- 533-1123.