Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

The Traveling Lady

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sinatra and Wanda White will present Horton Foote's The Traveling Lady Fridays through Sundays until April 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 10 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.

Baked potato fundraiser

Pre-sale baked potato orders for the Wharton County Senior Citizen Center fundraiser can be picked up today. 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.

Blood pressure check

The CVS Pharmacy location in Wharton, 1710 N. Richmond Rd., will be holding free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings on Thursday, April 16. Visit the company Web site at CVS.com for more information.

Red Cross open house

The American Red Cross Rio Colorado Chapter will hold a ribbon cutting and open house at their offices in the County Building at Burleson and Rusk, 116 E. Burleson, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16. It is open to the public and refreshments will be served.

Extension fundraiser

The Wharton County Extension Education Association will hold a Taco Salad Lunch fundraiser on Thursday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Extension Office on the corner of Rusk and Burleson in Wharton. Meals are presale and drive through only. For tickets or more information contact Margie Brenek at 532-2285 or Peggie Hobbins at 657-4691.

American Legion fundraiser

The American Legion Post No. 87 will hold its annual fundraiser, a chicken spaghetti dinner with salad, from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 17 at the Legion Hall. Plates are priced at $6.50. For information, contact Johnnie Gonzales at 282-9610 or 282-8680; Fred Lara at 532-1621 or James May at 532- 4866. The Ladies Auxiliary will have a bake sale during the dinner.

Tiger Sharks

The Wharton Tiger Shark swim team will be holding registration from 4-7 p.m. on April 17 at the Wharton Civic Center in Meeting Room B. New swimmer tryouts will be held May 6-8. Adults wishing to lap swim may also register for $10.

WCJC new campus

A grand opening celebration of the Wharton County Junior College Bay City campus is scheduled from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 17. The program will begin at 6:20 p.m. with remarks by President Betty McCrohan, Board Chairman P.D. "Danny" Gertson III, and Foundation President Ann Uher. Also scheduled is a reception, networking and campus tours. Open to the public, it will be held at 4000 Avenue F, Suite B, in Bay City.

Golf fundraiser

The StraightWay Training Center is holding a "Teed Off About Taxes" golf tournament on Thursday, April 17 at the Weston Lakes Country Club in Fulshear. Golfers and sponsorships are currently being sought. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, call Rhonda Meek at 281-798-2101.

Farmer's Market program

The Wharton County Farmer's Market is sponsoring a program featuring Brad Stufflebeam, owner of Home Sweet Farms, at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 18 in the Pat-a-Cake Party room, 119 South Fulton. Stufflebeam is a professional organic horticulturist and has been farming for more than 16 years in Texas. He is the former president of the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (TOFGA) and a full-time farmer in Washington County. He serves his local community and the Houston area through a unique Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. He has been featured in numerous national articles and books and his enthusiasm and passion as a local grown food advocate has inspired others in their quest for good food and small family farming. The public is invited to hear Brad speak on the benefits of fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, eggs, and other products.

Fish Fry

Camp Zion Rising Start UBC will sell fish dinners on Friday, April 18 at the church, located on FM 1161 in the Spanish Camp Community. Serving will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes fried catfish, potato salad, green beans, bread, dessert and a drink. A donation of $7 is required. For information, call 531-1288 or 532-1909.

LULAC Chapter

The League of United Latin American Citizens Wharton Council No. 4910 will hold a membership drive from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 at 600 W. Burlenson Street. Membership dues are $21 per person. For information, call 453-0745.

Blood Drive

Holy Family Catholic Church will be having a blood drive from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 20 in the CCD building. To make an appointment or for more information, call Shirley Chilek at 532-3356. Walk-ins also welcome.

Children's Ministries fundraiser

The First United Methodist Church Children's Ministries program has planned a Chicken Fried Steak Dinner Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. Meals will be offered dine in or drive through and tickets are priced at $8. There will also be a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will go to help renovate and purchase new playground equipment. For tickets or information, contact the church office at 532- 1100, Cindy Ward at 282-2412 or Kim Williams at 532-0179.

Blood Drive

Gulf Coast Regional Blood center will be administering a blood drive to benefit Martha Allen, a local Wharton resident. She was recently diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and blood is needed on a daily basis for her right now. Please help by donating blood from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 21 at the C.W. Dawson Elementary Science Lab. If you have any questions, you call Linda at 532-6201.

WCJC Blood Drive

The Wharton County Junior College Student Government Association is sponsoring a Diamonds are for Donors Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, in the Pioneer Student Center. Contact Patti Lawlor at 532-6441 or www.eblooddrive. org sponsor No. 6022. Free T-shirts to donors. Bring your identification.

Booktalk at library

Pat Shannon will be at the Wharton County Library on Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m. to "booktalk" her book Sincerely Mary. The public is invited to join Ms. Shannon as she gives an insider look at her mother-in-law, Mary Lee Shannon - former owner and editor of the Wharton Spectator.

WCJC Boosters

The deadline for purchasing tickets for The Wharton County Junior College Booster Club's 45th Annual Athletic Banquet is Friday, April 25. The banquet is set for Tuesday, May 6 at the WCJC Pioneer Student Center, Wharton Campus. Athletes and guests will be honored with a reception at 6 p.m. and banquet at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. Athletes are admitted free of charge. Call 532-6322 for additional information or to purchase tickets.

Health Fair

The Seven Star Baptist Church is hosting its first ever Spring Community Health Fiar entitled "Spring into Good Health" on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The health fair will be held at the church, 7506 Hawes Street in Hungerford. The target audience includes children, adults and senior citizens with an anticipated audience of Spanish speaking families. The Gulf Coast Blood Donor coach will be available during the fair. The public is invited.

Saturday night movie

Caney Creek Church is sponsoring Saturday Night at the movies at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. The movie title is "The Moment After II." Free snacks, popcorn and drinks are provided. Pre-movie activities start at 6:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m. There will be an opportunity to discuss the movie afterwards. The public is invited. If you missed the "The Moment After" last month, you can catch it on Wednesday night, April 23, at Caney Creek Church. For more information call 532-2533.

Comfort Wood

Comfort Wood Chapter, DAR will have their annual Memorial/Scholarship Luncheon in the Hudgins Room, WCJC at 12:30 p.m. Thursday May 1.

Hidden Garden Tour

The Fourth Annual Hidden Garden Tour will be held from 2-5 p.m. the weekends of May 3-4 and May 10-11. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Advance tickets are available during business hours at the Wharton Chamber of Commerce, Wharton County Historical Museum, Charles Chambers State Farm Office and all local banks. Tickets and maps are avaialble on tour days at each garden during tour hours. This year's featured gardens include Coi and Guy Guttenberger, 331 Lazy Lane, Maureen and David Voulgaris, 1600 E. Boling Highway, Pat and Doc Blakely 2639 County Road 154, Avalon Nursing Home, 1405 Valhalla Drive and Becky Smith and Suzanne Dworsky, 662 Mesquite Hills in Hungerford. Proceeds will benefit beautification projects in Wharton. Wharton Hidden Garden Tour Inc. is a 501 (c (3) organizations. For information visit the Web site at www. whartonhiddengardentour.com.

Bake sale

A pre-Mother's Day Bake Sale will be held starting at 7 a.m. on May 9 in front of he Plaza Theatre. The sale is being sponsored by the Catholic Daughters Court No. 1990.

Fiesta Hispano Americana

Fiesta Hispano Americana Contestant registration has begun. Little Mister and Miss Contestants ages are 5-9. Jr. Miss Contestants ages are 10-13. And Queen contestants ages are from 14-18. The deadline for entry is May 31. For information, contact Felicia Compian at 832-455-4553 or visit www. fiestahispano-wharton.com.

Bilingual services

The New Faith Church - La Iglesia de Nueva Fe - is now holding bilingual services fourth Sunday at 7 p.m. New Faith Church is located at 2412 N. Walnut St., Felicia Matthews, pastor. Call 531-1453 if you need more information or for transportation.

Heather's Dream

The Heather's Dream Cancer Support Group for cancer patients, survivors and families will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. first Monday of every month at the Wharton County Library in Wharton. For information, call Misty at 361-258-1611.

Pajama drive

The Caney Creek Church will be the drop site for the 2nd Annual Pajama Drive to collect new sleepwear to be distributed to children removed form the homes an placed in foster care. Every size is need from infants to teenagers and this year donations of stuffed animals for younger children is being requested. Donations can be dropped off at the church, 118 W. Milam, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The drive is organized by Emily Gertson and Shelley DeLuna. For information, call Gertson at 531-9565.

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.

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 18. For any questions, please contact Brooke Domel, 532-6800.

Cooking with Faith

Faith Christian Academy "Cooking With Faith" cookbooks are on sale at the school located at 5227 FM 1301 in Burr. Cookbooks are $15 each and are full of delicious recipes from the school's students, staff and families. Quanitites are limited. For information, call the school office at 531-1000.

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. Please 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."