Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Summer at the library

The Wharton County Library will be holding a Sock Hop program at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 19 as part of this summer's Texas Reading Club Jubilee program. Other public programs scheduled for the week include preschool story time at 9:30 a.m. and young adult activity hour at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 16; craft time at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17 and movie time at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June, 18.

Freedom Fest

Registration for this year's Wharton County Freedom Fest BBQ Cook-Off, Car and Motorcycle Show and vendor booths are now being accepted. Registration forms are available from the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and on the chamber Website at www.whartonchamber.com. Cook-Off entry forms must be received by June 20 and vendor booth spaced but be reserved and paid in full by the same date. This year's Freedom Fest celebration is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Youth football

The Wharton Youth Football League will be holding registration for the 2008 football season and cheerleaders today, 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. For more information, call contact Matthew Watkins at 533-0288 or visit the league's Web site at www.leaguelineup. com/WYFA

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 McDonald's, Custom Creations, 202 N. Houston St. or on-line at www.eteamz. com/wysl. For information, call Anna Rivera at 532-8296 or John Lee at 532-3672.

Select Softball

A Girls Select Age 8-and-under Softball team is currently seeking players for the upcoming season. Players must be age 8 before December 2008. If interested, call Vicky Hernandez at 533-2635 or Dena Green at 832-359-9077.

Boling Bull-Shooters

The Boling Bull-Shooters will hold their 16th Annual Fundraiser today 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 person. All proceeds to benefit youth and community related activities.

Cheerleader fundraiser

The Iago Jr. High cheerleaders are holding a bake sale from 8 a.m. to noon today at Wal-Mart. Proceeds benefit cheerleading camp fees and supplies.

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 today in the O'Quinn Room at the Wharton Civic Center. For information, call 453-0405.

Free concert

Recording artist Erica Lane will perform her music at a free concert at 7 p.m. today at Caney Creek Church. Refreshments will be served following the performance. For more information please contact Caney Creek Church at 532-2533.

Peace Tabernacle bake sale

Peace Tabernacle will hold a bake sale fundraiser today 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 today 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. There will be live music the entire day along with arts and crafts, kiddie games and family fun, a raffle, cake walk and kolaches for sale. 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. For more information, call 532-2491, ext. 600.

Church Revival

The Peaceful Rest Baptist Church, 2903 Jr. College Road, in Wharton is holding a old time religious church service revival for three nights, June 18, 19 and 20 from 7-9 p.m. The evangelists will be E.L. Allen and E. Banies. The public is invited.

Juneteenth Festival

The Wharton Training High School Wolves is holding their 11th Annual Juneteenth Festival June 20-22. There will be a gathering and fish fry at Riverfront Park at 7 p.m. on June 20 free to all paid members and $7 for non-paid members. An Old fashioned picnic is planned for June 21 with a door prize drawing at 3 p.m. A dance will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A church service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 22 at St. Stevens Baptist Church with a farewell luncheon starting at 1 p.m. on June 22 at Wharton Steak and Seafood Restaurant. Lunch is not included in the dues and is optional.

Dance Club

Wallis American Legion Dance Club will be holding a dance in Wallis at the American Legion Hall on Friday, June 21 from 8- 11:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Johnny Underwood. There will be coffee and door prizes. The public is invited. The cost is $7 per guest. For information, contact Alvin Marek at 979-478-6548.

Confederate Veterans

The Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp No. 2105 of Wharton County will be honoring a Confederate Veteran buried at Garden of Memories Cemetery on Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m. The ceremony is open to the public.

Titanic Exhibition

Comfort Wood Chapter, DAR is inviting the public to join them in going to Moody Gardens in Galveston for the Titanic Exhibition on Tuesday, June 24. The group will meet at the Wharton Chamber of Commerce in the morning and carpool. The group will be returning around 5 p.m. If you are interested, please call SeeWee Dupuy at 532-5865 as soon as possible.

Business education

Reservations are now being taken for "Top 10 Mistakes Employers make in Hiring, Firing and Paying Employees" to be presented by Joe Bontke, Outreach Director for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Houston Division Office. There will be two sessions on Tuesday, June 24 from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. at the Northside Education Center in El Campo. Free registration, but seating will be limited, so call (979)543-6750 today. Co-sponsored by City Development Corp. of El Campo, Northside Education Center, the Worksource and the U of H/Coastal Plains Small Business Development Center.

First Methodist VBS

The Vacation Bible School "Power Lab" is being offered at First United Methodist Church, 1717 Pioneer (next to the college) is being held Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27, 9 a.m. to noon each day. Children ages 4 through those just completing fifth grade are welcome to come join in "Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power." Activities include amazing crafts, wacky snacks, mind-blowing Bible adventures, hyperspeed games, incredible music, hands-on mission project, new friends, and more "powerful" fun. For more info or to register call Lillian Carolan, 5323925, or the church office, 532-1100.

ACS BBQ fundraiser

The American Cancer Society Lifesavers Relay for Life team is holding a BBQ Plate fundraiser on Tuesday, June 24 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Country Pride located on the Loop south of El Campo's Wal-Mart SuperCenter. The plate will consist of barbecue brisket, sausage and side dishes. Dessert is banana pudding. Tickets are available at Mid Coast Medical Clinic for $7 each.