Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

WHS Class Reunion

Members of the Wharton High Graduation Class of 1988 are being asked to help plan the upcoming 20th Class Reunion planned for later this year. Those interested in participating are asked to contact Rachel Cruz at rzurc@sbcglobal.net or Donald Allen at 453-0353 or bgcwharton@sbcglobal.net.

Youth baseball

A Wharton age 6 and under select baseball team is now being organized. Interested persons can contact Robert Acosta at 533- 9221 or Bobby Munoz at 453-0073 for information. You are asked to contact Acosta or Munoz before the end of the current Little League season.

Pajama drive

Donations are still being accepted for this year's 2nd Annual Pajama Drive. The Caney Creek Church is the drop site for 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.

Hidden Garden Tour

The Fourth Annual Hidden Garden Tour will continue this weekend 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.

Garden Club The Thursday, 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.

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.

Bake sale

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

Senior's 42 tourney

The Wharton County Junior College Senior Citizen Program is inviting seniors to compete in a 42 tournament with prizes, gift bags and refreshments furnished by Angels Care Home Health. The tournament is set for Friday, May 9 with sign-in and rules and regulations meeting from 1-1:30 p.m. and tournament play from 2-4 p.m. at the WCJC Senior Center located in the LaDieu Building at 911 Boling Highway on the college campus. To register, call 532-6430. Open to persons ages 60 or older.

WTHS Bake Sale

The Wharton Training High School Alumni and Ex-Students Association will hold a bake sale starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 10 at the East Gate Shopping Center in front of Palais Royal. It will feature an assortment of baked goods. Contact persons are Chester Houston at 532-0916 and Earline Phillips 532-5214.

Mural dedication

A mural dedication for the mural of churches recently hung on the side of the building at the northwest corner of N. Fulton and W. Milam across from First Bank will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10. Pastors of all the churches represented in the mural have been invited to participate in the dedication. Refreshments will be provided in the lobby of Caney Creek Church at 118 W. Milam following the ceremony. For information, call First Baptist Church in Wharton at 532-4295.

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.

Musical Encores! auditions

Auditions for South Texas Summer Musical Encores! 2008 summer productions Aida and High School Musical are scheduled for Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 13 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, 201 E. Jackson in El Campo.

Auditions are open to all Wharton County area high school and college students intending or currently majoring in musical or performing arts. To schedule an audition, students should contact Encores! Artistic Director Nathan Hand at nhand@springisd. org and prepare a one-two minute monologue and a minimum of sixteen bars of a song from any musical of their choice. An accompaniment will be provided. Visit www. southtxmusicalencores.org for audition information.

Panhellenic meeting

The next meeting of the Texas Gulf Coast Alumnae Panhellenic meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 at the First United Methodist Church in Wharton. We will elect new officers and review the past year's business. All members are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, call 979- 532-2435.

Senior Class Mass

The Catholic Daughters Court St. Bernadette No. 1108 is sponsoring a mass and worship service in honor of the 2008 Senior Class at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard. All seniors and their families are invited to attend.

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.

Wharton Booster Banquet

The Wharton Athletic Booster Club will be hosting the Wharton High School Varsity All-Sports Banquet on Tuesday, May 20th, at the Wharton Civic Center. A barbecue dinner from Hinze's will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. Varsity athletes attend free of charge. For all others, the cost is $7.00 per adult or $5.00 per student. Tickets are available for purchase at the WISD Education Support Center and the Wharton High School Office. Please come out and support our athletes.

Wharton Babe Ruth

The deadline for registration for the Wharton Babe Ruth program for players ages 16-18 is May 21. Registration forms can be picked up at Tiger Park after 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For information, call Anton Peter at 532-8178.

B and G Club Golf 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.

Grove Hill Baptist

The Grove Hill Baptist Church will celebrate its annual Family and Friends Day at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 25. The Rev. Gaston of the New Revelation Baptist of Rasharon will be the guest speaker along with his congregation. For information, call 979-453-0514.

Summer reading

Wharton County Library is pleased to announce its Summer Reading Program for 2008, The Texas Reading Club Jubilee: 19582008! The first day of registration is Tuesday, May 27; and children and youth to age 18 are invited to register.

The special kick-off program is on Thursday, June 5 at 4 p.m., featuring Julian Franklin with story puppets and magic show. A complete schedule of programs will be given out at registration.

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.

Prayer Breakfast

The T.L. Pink National Alumni and Ex- Students organization is sponsoring its annual Prayer Breakfast from 8:45 to 11 a.m. on June 14 in the O'Quinn Room at the Wharton Civic Center. For information, call 453-0405.

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.