Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Summer at the library

The Wharton County Library will be hosting Lisa Janstram and a program of storytelling, puppets, music and more at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 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 23; craft time at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24 and movie time at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25.

Habitat for Humanity

Low income ($14,350-$37,920 per year depending on family size) persons who are interested in buying a home to be built with Habitat for Humanity should call the message phone at 282-9302 and leave your name and phone number to begin the application process. The home will be built in Boling in 2009.

Freedom Fest

This year's Wharton Freedom Fest will be held on Friday and Saturday and feature games, music, food, a barbecue cook-off on Frdiay and motorcycle show on Saturday. Highlights include a Veterans Salute and parade at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, a Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:30 p.m. Saturday and two street dances, led by Aces Over Eights and Steel Country, respectively. The Footelighter's production of "Enchanted Sleeping Beauty" will coincide with the other activities, with showings at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.

WCJC blood drive

The Wharton County Junior College Spirit of America Blood Drive is planned for today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pioneer Student Center. Contact Patti Lawlor at 532-6441 or www.eblooddrive.com sponsor no. 6022. Donate twice before Sept. 30 and receive a $20 Target gift card. Free T-shirts to donors.

Sleeping Beauty Von-Wil Ford presents the Litefooters summer musical, Enchanted Sleeping Beauty, June 26 through 29 at the Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton. The Brothers Grimm fairy tale is adapted by Vera Morris with music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors 65 and older or groups of ten or more, $5 for students 24 and younger, and $3 each for members of authorized youth groups. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during Freedom Fest on Saturday, June 27; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28. For tickets, call 979-282-2970 or visit www.whartonplazatheatre. org.

Softball tournament

The Wharton Freedom Fest Softball Tournament will be played Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29 at Pleasure Park. A Men's Class C tourney, it will use ASA rules modified. The entry fee is $125 per team along with umpire fees. Award are 15 T-shirts for first and second place and 10 All-Tournament T-shirts. For entry information, contact Curtis Evans, 282-9556 or Curtis Edwards, 532-0491.

Women's Conference

The 20th Century District Association Mission Society is inviting the public to their annual Women's Conference starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 28 at the Camp Zion Rising Star United Baptist Church. The contact person is Julia Moses, 532-5291.

Holy Family Bazaar

The 20th Annual Holy Family Catholic Church Bazaar in Wharton will be held Sunday, June 29 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2820 N. Fulton. A barbecue pork steak and sausage meal with side dishes will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. An auction, country store and various games will be offered throughout the afternoon. Pre-sale meal tickets are priced $7 and available at the rectory during business hours and after all Saturday and Sunday masses. Plates will be $7.50 at the door.

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.

Agriculture scholarship

The Wharton County Beef and Forages Committee is taking applications for the Wharton County Beef and Forages Committee Scholarship. One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded and paid over two semesters. To be eligible, a student must have completed at least 60 credit hours or be enrolled in a graduate or veterinary school program. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in an agriculturally related field. Applications may be picked up at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Wharton County office or online at wharton-tx.tamu.edu. Applications are due July 1, 2008. For more information, call 532- 3310.

St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Holy Trinity Conference will be having their next meeting on July 1 beginning at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall. Anyone interested in helping the needy in our community is welcome to attend. If you would like more information regarding the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or you are in need of assistance, please call 979-533-9494. If no one answers, please leave a clear message and phone number you can be reached at.

Barbecue chicken

The Sons of the American Legion Squadron No. 226 will host its annual Fourth of July barbecued chicken dinner on Sunday, July 6 at the American Legion Hall in East Bernard. Plates, which are $7.50 each, will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with both dine-in and carryout available. Homemade pastries can also be purchased. A large raffle is also planned, with over $3,000 worth of prizes offered. Only 750 tickets will be sold. There are no pre-sale tickets. All tickets will be sold at the door. Proceeds benefit the Sons of the American Legion's various charities and scholarships.

Home-based business

A "So You Want to Start Your Own Home-Based Business in Texas!" interactive and information workshop is scheduled for 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 10 at the El Campo Northside Education Center. Registration is free but seating is limited. To reserve a space, call 979-543-6750. Class materials and refreshments provided.

Hunters Education

A Hunters Education course will be held at the Wharton County Sheriff's Office, 315 E. Elm, on Saturday, July 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 13 from 1-5 p.m. Seating is limited. The cost is $15. For information or to reserve a seat, call Brenda or Vanessa Monday thorugh Friday at 532-1550.

Biblical Womanhood

A seminar on Biblical womanhood will be held on July 12 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wharton Public Library Meeting Room. For reservations, call Kathy Wozniak at 832-643-1357 or Pat Joyce at 532-2283. There is no charge but a light lunch will be provided and the organizers need to know for how many to prepare.

Football camp

The Wharton Youth Football League will hold a pre-season skills and drills camp at Wharton Junior High on July 12 and July 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration fee for both days is $25. The camp is open to boys ages 6-12. The camp will introduce players to the fundamentals of football. For more information, call Pete Esposito at 979-559-0074 or e-mail pd_espo@yahoo.com.

Junior Art League

The Wharton Junior Art League is conducting a workshop July 14-18. Reservations are limited. Call 532-2380 or 532-1435 for information.

Vacation Bible School

St. Paul Lutheran, First Presbyterian and St. Thomas Episcopal Churches are hosting their annual joint Vacation Bible School the Week of Sunday, July 20 to Thursday, July 24, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran will be the site of this year's event with the exciting theme of "Rainforest Adventure!" Dinner will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. and then youngsters will engage in activities ranging from Bible storytelling to crafts and games, music and science experiments. All children from pre-K to entering 6th grade are invited to attend. St. Paul is located at 325 N. East Ave. at the corner of Alabama and East. Anyone wishing to register or needing more information may call director Debbi Dimmick at 532-0155 or the church office at 532-2315.

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.

Community Calendar

A calendar of local events is maintained by the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. Before scheduling an event, check with the chamber for possible con flicts. And notify the chamber, 532-1862, as early as possible to get your event on the calendar. There is no charge.

Dateline Wharton is a calendar of upcoming events in Wharton and surrounding communities. Normally space permits only events that will occur in the next two weeks. It is intended for special activities open to the public rather than regularly recurring meetings. To place an item in Dateline Wharton, drop the information off at the Journal-Spectator Office at 115 W. Burleson or an e-mail to bhalvorson@journalspectator. com.