Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Youth football

The Wharton Youth Football League will be holding registration for the 2008 football season and cheerleaders on June 7 and 14, July 19 and Aug. 2 at Just Do It Now, 235 W. Milam St. Parents are asked to bring a copy of the player's birth certificate along with a photo of the player to be fitted with equipment. The cost is $80 per child and payment plans are available. Call Matthew Watkins at 533- 0288 or visit www.leaguelineup.com/WYFA

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."

Youth Soccer

The Wharton Youth Soccer League is accepting early, mail-in registration through June 30. The league is open to boys and girls ages 4-13 as of Sept. 1. The current registration fee is $30 per player. After June 30, the fee is $40. Registration forms are available at Custom Creations, 202 N. Houston St. For information, call Anna Rivera at 532-8296 or Theresa Hall at 532-8968.

Water Aerobics

The City of Wharton is offering high impact and low impact water aerobics this summer. Water aerobics are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. High impact is from 5:30- 6:30 p.m. and low impact is from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. The cost is $40 per month. An application can be obtained at City Hall or the city's Web site: cityofwharton.com. For more information, call 532-2491, ext. 600.

New AA group A new Alcoholics Anonymous group is forming in Wharton County. The first meeting of the 12-step program for alcohol and drugs is scheduled for today. The group will meet every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. For information, contact program chairman Charles I. at 532-1380.

Summer reading

Wharton County Library is pleased to announce its Summer Reading Program for 2008, The Texas Reading Club Jubilee: 1958- 2008! Open to children and youth to age 18, a special kick-off program is planned for Thursday, June 5 at 4 p.m., featuring Julian Franklin with story puppets and magic show.

Youth Explosion

New Hope Community Church will present an area wide 2008 Youth Explosion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. It will feature the Straightway Ministry, Mime Ministry, Jackee Smith and YDM, GODZ Chosen, Gospel Rapper Q, praise dancing and the area wide youth choir. The public is invited. For information, contact Everett L. Hughes at 979-487-9482.

Jake Ford Reunion

The Reunion Planning Committee is still seeking former and present residents of the Jake Ford Community. The historical and souvenir booklet committee will meet at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 7, at New Zion Bethel Baptist Church. All families are welcome to participate in the planning of this reunion. Contact persons are Thelma Hughes, 532- 4261; Cathy Williams, 979-265-5923; Sam Johnson, 361-853-8752 and Augerine Anderson, 713-721-2380.

Quickbooks class

Quickbooks 2006 hands-on training will be offered at Northside Education Center, 707 Fahrenthold in El Campo, on Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is $99 person, which includes all course materials, training, refreshments, lunch and unlimited access to instructor via e-mail. Only a limited number of slots are still available. Call 979-543-6750 for questions or to register. Training is sponsored by City Development Corporation of El Campo and U of H/Coastal Plains Small Business Development Center.

Turkey shoot fundraiser

The Wharton Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 4507 will hold a Turkey Shoot fundraiser starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at Joe's Place (Macek's), located on County Road 138 in Wharton. There will be a pork steak dinner and dance with tickets priced at $5. A gun raffle is also planned. For information, or to register in advance, call Keith Stolle at 559-2919.

Pastor appreciation

The Center Union Baptist Church will hold their first appreciation service for their pastor and his wife, Rev. and Sister Archie Williams, at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 8. The speaker will be Rev. J.L. White of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

First Baptist VBS

First Baptist Church will be hosting a Vacation Bible School the week of Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 13, from 8:45-11:30 a.m. It is for children who have completed Pre-K through 5th Grade. Pre-registration forms are at the church office, 507 N. Fulton. For information, call 532-4295 or 533-1938.

St. John's Lutheran VBS

A Vacation Bible School is scheduled for June 9-13 daily from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The theme is "Friendship Trek - Jesus Our Forever Friend" and will include Bible stories, music, crafts, refreshments and games. Free and open to the public, it is for ages four through completed 7th grade. For information, call 532-1644.

Hungerford Community VBS The Hungerford Communition Vacation Bible School is scheduled for June 9-13 daily from 6-8 p.m. at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ. It is open to the public and all ages are welcome. Participating sponsor congregations include Jerusalem Baptist Church, Rev. E.G. Williams, pastor; Little Zion Jerusalem Baptist, Rev. Larry Collins, pastor; Center Union Baptist Church, Rev. Williams, pastor; Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C., Elder Grayling Alexander, pastor; and Seven Star Baptist Church, Rev. R.I. Campbell, pastor.

Chamber Business Breakfast

Sarah Page, an economic development specialist with LCRA, will be the guest speaker at a Wharton Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast, 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, at the Wharton Civic Center. Her presentation is called Destination Marketing: Wisdom from Lighting McQueen and the Gang at Radiator Springs. Tickets are $16 each. Contact helpdesk@whartonchamber. com or 532-1862. Wharton Economic Development Corp. is co-sponsor.

Blood Drive

First Baptist Church-Wharton is holding a blood drive on Wednesday, June 11 from 4:30-8 p.m. at the church Fellowship Hall. To schedule an appointment, visit www. giveblood.org, log in to digital donor and enter sponsor code 0772 or contact Herb McCown at 532-3774.

Father's Day bake sale

The American Cancer Society Lifesavers Relay for Life team will hold a Father's Day Bake Sale fundraiser on Friday, June 13 from 8 a.m. until they are sold out. The bake sale will be held in the lobby of Mid Coast Medical Center.

Boling Bull-Shooters

The Boling Bull-Shooters will hold their 16th Annual Fundraiser on Saturday, June 14 at the Boling Community Center. Music will be provided by Lynn Joyce with Douglas Hubenak and Lex Forgason serving as auctioneers. There will be a social hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m., a barbecue chicken and sausage meal served 6:30-8 p.m., auction at 7:30 p.m. and dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets will be sold at the door and are priced at $7 per preson. All proceeds to benefit youth and community related activities.

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.

Peace Tabernacle bake sale

Peace Tabernacle will hold a bake sale fundraiser on Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wal-Mart.

Kolache Klobase Festival

This is the 18th year of the annual Czech Kolache Klobase Festival scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at Riverside Hall in East Bernard. The event will last from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and admission is $7 per person (including parking and all events) and free for children ages 12 and under. A sausage/BBQ chicken plate will be served starting at 11 a.m. with drive through plates and kolaches available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sausage sandwiches and hamburgers will be available during the afternoon. Proceeds benefit the KJT Society No. 40 Hall fund. For information, visit the Web site at www.kkfest.com.

Swimming Lessons

The City of Wharton is offering semi-private swimming lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced swimmers. Individual cost for swimming lessons is $60. Family cost is $60 for the first child, $50 for the second child and $45 for the third child. The session will be for a two-week period on Tuesday- Fridays. Session I will be held June 16-27 and Session II will be held July 7-July 18. An application can be obtained at City Hall or the city's Web site: cityofwharton.com.