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.

AAU track

Anyone between the ages of 7 and 13 and not currently participating in a junior high track and field program and would like to join the Wharton Wave, an AAU Spring and Summer track and field program can do so by reporting to the Jr. High Track on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 p.m. and talk to coach Edwards. First time members need to bring a copy of their birth certificate and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For information, contact Curtis W. Evans at 282-9556.

Junior High musical

Wharton Junior High will be performing the musical "Willy Wonka Jr." today and tomorrow at the Wharton County Junior College Horton Foote Theatre. Today's performance time is 7 p.m. with Sunday's performance a 2 p.m. matinee. 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 during each performance.

Fibromyalgia Support Group

The March meeting for the Wharton Fibromyalgia Support Group will be held from 10:30 a.m. until noon today 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 today 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.

Community movie night

A Saturday Night at the Movies featuring the family friendly film "Flywheel" will be held starting at 6:30 p.m. today 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 today 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. today at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wharton, 2820 N. Fulton. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children.

New Mt. Olive

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. today. 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 today.

St. Stephen fish fry

The Greater St. Stephen Church will be having a fish fry today 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. today and Sunday, March 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.

New Zion Bethel 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 Ride 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.

Benefit concert

A concert featuring the Living Testimony Gospel Choir to benefit Texas Southern University will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 9 at St. Stephen's Baptist Church. Door open at 5 p.m. and admission is free. The choir is under the direction of Minister Tarvis Hayes. For more information, contact Hayes at 832-276-4652..

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 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.

BISD Public Schools Week

The Boling ISD will be hosting public schools week March 10-14. Parents and patrons of the district are invited to visit classrooms and observe activities at each campus. Contact Boling High School, 657-2816, Iago Junior High, 657-2826, or Newgulf Elementary, 657-2837, for additional information.

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.

WJHS Open House

The Wharton Junior High open house will be Wednesday, March 12 from 5-6:30 p.m. with progress reports given out at that time. Yearbooks will also be on sale for $35.

Wharton Garden Club

The next meeting of the Wharton Garden Club will be held at the Wharton Historical Museum on March 13 at 9:30 a.m. The program will be presented by La Veri Daily of Tachibana School of Ikebana, and featuring Everyday Ikebana. Guests are always welcome.

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.

Pastor Aide Banquet

The East Gate New Prosperity Baptist Church, Rev. Ruiel Taylor III, Pastor, will hold its Pastor Aide Banquet at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, at the church located in Sorrell. The guest speaker will be Rev. Danny Phillips of Texas City. The cost of the banquet is a $20 donation. For additional information, contact Sis. Robertson 979-627-3028 or Sis. Mitchell 531-9102.

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

The members of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Rev. A.J. Jones pastor, invites the public to join them for their annual usher's day program at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 16. The guest speaker will be Rev. E. Lewis of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Richmond. .

Boling Fishing Tournament

The Boling Booster Club will be hosting its Annual Fishing Tournament on Wednesday, March 19. The entry fee is $250 with tournament proceeds to benefit the club's scholarship fund. For more information, call 979-532-0805.

Comfort Wood DAR

The Comfort Wood Chapter of the DAR will meet at 2 p.m. on March 20 at Hearthstone, 1930 Briar Lane in Wharton. The education program will be presented by Philip Spenrath, ECHS government teacher and basketball coach and feature student essays based on interviews with Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Peace Tabernacle Bake Sale

Peace Tabernacle, 1416 N. Alabama Road, will be having an East bake sale on Friday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Relay for Life

The Relay For Life of Wharton County will be holding classes on the new online Web site. All team captains (new and current) need to attend one of the meetings listed. If you are not able to attend, please send one of your team member in your place. El Campo's training will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 24 at the El Campo Public Library's Meeting Room. Whartons training will be at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25 at the Wharton Public Library's Meeting Room. If you have any questions, contact Relay For Life of Wharton County at events.cancer. org/rflwhartoncotx.

KC Lenten Fish Fry

East Bernard Knights of Columbus Chapter No. 2500 is inviting all to come and eat a good fish dinner at East Bernard's Riverside Hall on Friday's during the Lenten season.