Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

WCJC play

Wharton County Junior College's Green Room Players will be presenting a production of the Neil Simon play "Fools" today and Sunday at the Horton Foote Theater on the WCJC campus. Tonight's performance is at 7:30 p.m. while Sunday's matinee showing will start at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $4. This is a WCJC Center for the Arts Series event.

Bilingual services

The New Faith Church - La Iglesia de Nueva Fe - is now holding bilingual services every fourth Sunday of the month 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.

Health Fair

The Seven Star Baptist Church is hosting its first ever Spring Community Health Fair 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. For more information call 979-532-2533.

Angel Food Ministries

Caney Creek Church's Angel Food Ministries distribution will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 8:30-10 a.m. If you are interested in learning more about this food program please stop by during those hours or Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Church garage sale

A benefit garage sale with nothing priced over a quarter for the Roy Memorial Church of God in Christ, Eric Mosley pastor, is planned for Sunday, April 27. The sale will start at 1:30 p.m. and held at the church, 1308 W. Caney in Wharton. It will feature clothes, shoes, home accessories, soft drinks and snacks with all proceeds going to benefit the church building fund. For information, call 531-1121.

Bingo for seniors The Wharton Junior College Senior Citizen Program will be hosting Bingo for Senior with prizes and refreshments furnished by Avalon Place from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, April 28 at the WCJC Senior Center, 911 Boling Highway. If you are 60 years of age or older, you are invited to attend.

Comfort Wood luncheon

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

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 available 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.

UMC Rummage Sale

The First United Methodist Church in Wharton, located next to the WCJC campus on Boling Highway, will hold a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 3. Proceeds will go to benefit the church's youth programs.

Plant sale

The Wharton Garden Club will be holding a plant and flower show and craft sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Dinosaur Park, located off Richmond Road at the River.

Mission workshop

The First Baptist Church of Glen Flora, Rev. E. Gillis pastor, will be holding its annual mission workshop starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. The public is invited to attend. The church is located in Glen Flora off of FM 102. For information, call Marva Allen at 532-2044.

Turkey shoot fundraiser

The Wharton Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 4507 has rescheduled its Turkey Shoot fundraiser for 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 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.

WCJC Music Recitals

The Wharton County Junior College Center for the Arts Series is sponsoring a pair of music major recitals at the Horton Foote Theater. The Freshman Music Majors Recital will be held Monday, May 5 with the Sophomore Music Majors Recital scheduled for Tuesday, May 6. Both performances will start at 7:30 p.m. and are free to the public.

Family Council Meeting

Wharton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center will hold a 'Family Council Meeting' at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6 at the WNRC Dining Hall. Resident family members are invited to come and meet other family members and loved ones. Refreshments will be served.

Garden Club

The May 8 meeting of the Wharton Garden Club will be a social, that includes picnic lunch, plant exchange and new officer installation. The meeting will start at 11 a.m. and held at Diane Matula's home at 612 N. Resident. Guests are always welcome.

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.

Church Bazaar and BBQ

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church of Wharton is holding its 60th Anniversary annual Bazaar and Barbecue Dinner on Sunday, May 11 on the church grounds at 506 S. East Ave. A barbecue dinner of a half chicken and sausage with all side dishes will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Plates are $7 each and available for dining in or drive through service. An afternoon of activities including an auction, raffle, music provided live by Grupo Soledad, Victor Martinez y Puro Conjuntazo and a DJ, games, cake walk, plant walk, pastry, food booths and more are planned. The auction starts at 1 p.m. Meal and raffle tickets may be purchased at the rectory during office hours and after Saturday and Sunday Mass.

Book Review Club

The deadline for purchasing tickets for the next Wharton Book Review Club program is noon on Thursday, May 8. Tickets are $15 and include the program, featuring "Swing Riders" with Mike and Doc Blakely, and a catered lunch by Chef Shane of WCJC. The program will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 12 in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church. To purchase tickets, call Sally Soderquist at 532-4936, Marion Nordhof at 532-2936 or Sammy Lou Franks at 532-4615. Seating will be ticket sales only for members or guests.

EB Booster banquet

The East Bernard Athletic Booster Club All Sports Banquet will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 at the American Legion Hall. The meal will be chicken fried steak and tickets are priced at $8. Meals will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the High School Office, Savon Drugs, Vincek's Smokehouse and E.B. Rice Marketing through May 7.

JHCWH Golf Tournament

The inaugural Justin Hurst Celebrity Waterfowl Hunt Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 17 at Newgulf Golf Club. The tournament will be a four-man string scramble. Entry fee is $200 per team. Morning and afternoon flights are available. Proceeds will benefit the Justin Hurst Celebrity Waterfowl Hunt Scholarship Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide scholarships for students entering the wildlife management and biology fields. For Information cal, 832-642-0711 or e-mail JHCWH@yahoo.com.

Benefit Golf Tourney

The Boys and Girls Club of Wharton 7th Annual Dave Williams Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at the Wharton Country Club. The tournament is a four-man handicapped scramble. The entry fee is $60 per player or $240 per team and includes card, green fees, food, drinks and souvenir cap. All proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Wharton. To register or for more information call 533-2317.

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.

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 from the homes and 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.

USDA loans

USDA Rural Development is accepting Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan applications through your bank or other authorized commercial lenders. Funding in the amount of $53.7 million is available to create and maintain employment in rural communities. Do you need to expand your business with a new building or property? Is your machinery or equipment in need of replacement or upgrade? The B&I Guaranteed Loan Program can help put you on the right track. Interest rates for loans may be fixed or variable and are negotiated between the lender and borrower. For more information, contact our local USDA Rural Development Office at 361-782-7151, Extension 4. USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

AAU track

Anyone between the ages of 7 and 18 join the Wharton Wave, an AAU Spring and Summer track and field program can do so by reporting to the Wharton Junior 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.

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. Quantities 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."

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