Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Spay/Neuter assistance

The Matagorda County SPCA has a program to help people who can't afford the cost of spay/neuter surgery for their dogs/ cats. The program includes Wharton, Jackson, Matagorda and the southern part of Colorado County. Call the SPCA at 979-323- 8787 for information about the program or for an application. "If you want to help us out with this effort to get dogs/cats sterilized, please give us a call."

Pre-K, K pre-registration

The Wharton Independent School District will hold pre-registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten through May 29. Pre-registration packages may be picked up between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Hopper Elementary School campus.

Comfort Wood DAR

The Comfort Wood Chapter, DAR meeting will be Thursday, April 10 at 2 p.m. at the Wharton County Library. Mr. William Loocke will present the program. Guests are welcome.

The Traveling Lady

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sinatra and Wanda White will present Horton Foote's The Traveling Lady Friday through Sunday, April 11-20, at the Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors 65 and older, students 24 and younger, or groups of ten or more. Curtaintime 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. Season ticket holders are requested to make reservations to assure availability of seats.

Small business seminars

"Do You Have What It Takes to Start a Small Business? and "What Business Should You Start?" will be the topics of two workshops/ seminars on Friday, April 11 at Northside Education Center, 707 Fahrenthold Street in El Campo. The first from 9-11 a.m. and the second from 1-3 p.m. Registration is free but seating is limited. Call 979-543- 6750 to reserve your place. Handouts, class materials and refreshments will be provided. The City Development Corporation of El Campo makes these training opportunities and resources available through its generous financial sponsorship. The University of Houston/Coastal Plains Small Business Development Center and The Worksource have provided technical support.

Missionary Trip fundraiser

BBQ Chopped Beef Sandwich Fundraiser to benefit Anthony Perez Jr.'s Missionary Trip to Tokyo is set for 10:30 a.m. 2 p.m. on Friday, April 11 at the East Gate Plaza parking Lot in Wharton. Pick up. A $6 donation is requested for the meal. Deliveries will be made for an order of 5 or more. Call Nancy Gutierrez 979-618-6563 for more information

Faith Academy fundraiser

Faith Christian Academy is currently conducting its Spring Candle Fundraiser. They are offering 10 spring scents and 3 sizes from which to choose. Candles can be ordered from any FCA student or the school office through April 11. Call 531-1000 for information.

Fibromyalgia Support Group

The April meeting for the Wharton Fibromyalgia Support Group will be held Saturday, April 12, at the Main Branch of the Wharton Public Library, 1920 N. Fulton, from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Harrison Conference Room. The topic this month is support products; what products are available that can help make life easier for those who suffer from chronic pain an related problems? Where and how can the average person get these products? For more information, contact Kristine Keeney, 532-1996 during the day or Tanya Lovett, 532-0510 during the evening. Alternatively, join the newsgroup at health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Wharton- FibromyalgiaSupportGroup.

Mission workshop

Camp Zion Rising Star United Baptist Church, Spanish Camp Community will hold its annual mission workshop on Saturday, April 12. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Josie Hurd and the summary will be brought by Pastor H. Long of the South Point Baptist Church of Garwood. The workshop will close out on Sunday, April 13 during the 10 a.m. service. Minister Clarence Owens Jr. is the pastor.

Fried catfish dinner

First Baptist Church, 9719 Beadle Street, in Lane City will hold a Fried Catfish Dinner with seasoned potatoes, cole slaw, beans and cake from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. The cost is $7.50 per plate and served drive-through only. For information, contact Jerry Laitkep, pastor, at 543-1652 or 532- 2016.

Racers For Life

Racers For Life will be hosting a BBQ Chicken Plate Fundraiser on Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Plates are $7 for a half chicken, beans and buttered potatoes along with condiments and trimmings. Drive through only at the Hungerford Community Hall. The last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, April 8. Proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Nicole Stavena at 532-1579 ext. 202. You can also purchase tickets from any Racers For Life team member. They are: Joan Andel, Betty Zahradnik, Rhonda Mason, Bobbi Talafuse, Diana Sanchez, Maria Gaona, Debra Ramirez, Dale Watkins, Heather Lorscheider, Zach Lorscheider, Theresa Clark, Nicole and Jeff Stavena.

Ladies luncheon

Faith Christian Academy will host a Ladies Luncheon benefiting the scholarship fund at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. The lunch will be held at The Lodge, located at 1521 FM 1301 in Wharton. There will be a silent auction for all ladies to enjoy. Special guest speaker, Audrey McClung will provide an inspirational message. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the school located at 5227 FM 1301 in Burr. For more information call 531-1000.

Business planning "Business Plan Pro" training will be conducted on Saturday, April 12, at Northside Education Center, 707 Fahrenthold Street in El Campo. This program, produced by Palo- Alto software, walks you through the process of preparing and actually writing your business plan for presentation to lending institutions. Session runs from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30-4 p.m. A light lunch will be served. Handouts, class materials and refreshments will be provided. There is no registration fee but seating will be limited, so call (979)543- 6750 to reserve your place today.

Shiloh Baptist

Shiloh Baptist Church in Boling will continue the 4th year Appreciation Services for Pastor Carl Neal Sr. and family with the Anniversary hour at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 13. The theme is "Celebrating the Man God Chose to Lead." Pastor Curtis Lucas and the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Richmond, will be the guest.

New Zion Bethel BC

New Zion Bethel Baptist Church is inviting the public to the church's Pastor and wife 15th Appreciation Day at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 13. Guest Speaker will be Pastor Herman Clay III of the Sanctuary of Praise Fellowship Church in Houston. New Zion Bethel is located on County Road 235 in the Jake Ford Community.

Turkey shoot fundraiser

The Wharton Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 4507 will hold a Turkey Shoot fundraiser starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 13 at Joe's Place (Macek's), located on County Road 138 in Wharton. The shooting will include both meat and money rounds. Preregistration is available. For information, or to register in advance, call Keith Stolle at 559- 2919.

Book Review Club

The Wharton Book Review Club will meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 14 at the Wharton County Historical Museum, 3615 Richmond Rd. Dr. Paul Spellman will be telling of his research and reviewing his latest book, "The Lost Treasure of Buffalo Gap." This is the title of his new historical fiction book for children scheduled for publication later this year. Tickets for the review may be purchased at the door for $5. For more information, call Sally Soderquist at 532-4936 or Sammy Lou Franks at 532-4615.

First Baptist CDC fundraiser

First Baptist Child Development Center is having their Spring Fundraiser, a chicken fried steak plate dinner, from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. It will be drive-through only at First Baptist Church, 507 N. Fulton. Tickets are $7.50. For tickets, call First Baptist CDC Office at 532-1462.

Harassment class

On Tuesday, April 15, Joe Bontke, Outreach Director for the Houston EEOC District Office will discuss "Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation Laws," including handouts and question/answer sessions at Northside Education Center, 707 Fahrenthold Street in El Campo. Anyone involved in Human Resources or Operations Management should attend. Session is free but seating will be limited, call 979-543-6750 to reserve your place. The City Development Corporation of El Campo is sponsoring the session.

Baked potato fundraiser

The Wharton County Senior Citizen Center will hold a baked potato fundraiser on Wednesday, April 16. Potatoes ordered in Wharton can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the WCJC LaDieu Building, 911 Boling Highway. East Bernard orders can be picked up at 11 a.m. at Savon Drugs and El Campo orders can be picked up at 11 a.m. at the South Texas Medical Clinic. Tickets are $6 each and pre-sale only through Friday, April 11.

Chicken spaghetti

The American Legion Post No. 87 will hold its annual chicken spaghetti fundraiser on Thursday, April 17. Serving will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $6.50 each. For information, contact Johnnie Gonzales, 282- 9610 or 282-8680, Fred Lara, 532-1621 or Jim May, 532-4866. The Ladies Auxiliary will have a bake sale during the dinner.