Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Lions Club

The Wharton Lions Club and Sprint are collecting old cell phones for recycling to benefit the U.S. Military and old eye glasses for those who can't afford them. They can be dropped off at Wharton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at 418 N. Rusk in Wharton.

Boys and Girls Club

Boys and Girls Club of Wharton is now conducting registration for After School Program memberships Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Wharton Dobson Youth Center. Children ages 6-18 (still in school) can register. After School Program will run from Sept. 2, 2008 to May 29, 2009 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for youth K- 6th grade and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. grades 7-12. Children 6 years of age must bring proof of age (birth certificate or school records). For more information, contact the Boys and Girls Club at 282-9660.

Of Mice and Men auditions

The Plaza Theatre on the Square will hold open auditions for the first production in its 2008-2009 season, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, today at 6 p.m. at the theater. Director Janice McDonald seeks a multi-racial cast of nine men and one woman able to play ages 20 through 60-plus. For more information and character descriptions, please visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org . Performances are October 17-26.

STMC blood drive

South Texas Medical Clinics P.A. will sponsor a blood drive at the Wharton Clinic today from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

BHS Student Council

Students interested in being in the BHS student council can start getting points by attending the teacher workdays. These workdays will begin today and run through Friday, Aug. 22. Workdays will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and students can come at their convenience. Students need to be sure and sign in and out in the library. If you have any questions, contact Patti Hubenak at 657-2748.

Spanish Camp school supplies

The Spanish Camp Community Center will be holding a "Back to School Bash" from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 23. School supplies will be distributed and hot dogs will be served. For information, call 832-344-6108.

WCYF 2009 Meeting

The Wharton County Youth Fair will have an informative meeting on the 2009 Creative Arts, Livestock and Poultry rules and regulations at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21 in the Directors Room of the Office Complex at the Wharton County Fairgrounds. All new rule changes will be addressed. Everyone interested in participating in the 2009 Fair are encouraged to attend. For information, call the Fair Office at 979-677-3350.

REVIVAL!

REVIVAL! On the Square is coming. August 22-24, 2008. Booth space is available to local churches and ministries. Contact Caney Creek Church at 532-2533 for more information and event schedule.

Camp Zion Rising Star

The Camp Zion Rising Star Baptist Church will be having their Pastor's 10th Appreciation Celebration. The Pre-appreciation will be Friday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Appreciation Day will be Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Archie, Pastor of Greater New Baptist Church of Alvin as the guest speaker.

Benefit lunch

A benefit lunch for Melody Garcia, daughter of John and Georgia Garcia to help offset medical expenses is being held on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rev. Raymond Jackson Family Live Center at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 506 S. East Ave. in Wharton. The meal will feature barbecue chicken with rice, beans and trimmings with dine-in or to-go with plates priced at $7 each. Desserts will also be available and there will be a raffle held during the meal. For tickets, contact Amalia at 559-0295 or Rosanna at 282-1069.

Angel Food Ministry

Angel Food Ministries August distribution will take place on Saturday, Aug. 23. If you would like information, or would like to pick up an August menu please stop by or call 532-2533.

Boling Ladies Auxiliary

The Boling Ladies Auxiliary is having their Biannual Garage Sale on Aug. 23. from 8 am until sold out. There will be snacks and drinks. It will be at the Boling Fire Station. There will be lots of back to school clothes for all ages, what-nots and many items for everyone.

FCA evening of prayer

The Faith Christian Academy is inviting the community to a special evening of prayer and blessing for the entire student body and their families, staff and their families and the facilities at 6 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the school.

Bethlehem Baptist

The Bethlehem Baptist Church will be honoring Pastor and Sister Ray Felder's 8th Anniversary on Sunday Aug. 24. At 11 a.m., Rev. C Jackson and Tabernacle of Praise will be at the service. At 3 p.m. Rev. A.C. Gardner and Sandridge Baptist Church will be joining them.

Wharton Athletic Booster Club

The Wharton Athletic Booster Club will be holding its next pre-season meeting on Monday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. at the W.I.S.D. Education Support Center on Fulton Street. Beginning Monday, Sept. 8, the WABC will meet every Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the ESC.

WYFL Texans tickets

The Wharton Youth Football League is selling tickets to the Houston Texans-Tampa Bay Buccaneer Aug. 28 pre-season football game. Tickets are priced at $30 and must be purchased by Aug. 20. The ticket sales will benefit the local youth football program. For tickets, call Matthew Watkins at 533-0288.

Nan Ya blood drive

Nan Ya Plastics Corp. USA will be having a blood drive on Aug. 25. The donor coach will be in the parking lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHS Varsity Cheerleader Car Hop

The WHS Varsity Cheerleaders will be holding a car hop at the Sonic Drive-In from 4:30-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Bible Study

Wharton County Community Bible Study, an interdenominational Bible study available to all, begins its 2008-09 study from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 325 N. East Ave. This year's study will include the Old Testament books of 1st and 2nd Kings and the minor prophets. Registration is $20; scholarship are available. Registration begins at 6:45 p.m. at the first scheduled meeting on Aug. 26. For information, contact Howard Singleton, 532-9800; or Pat Herring, 532-5915.

Plaza Classics films

The Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton will hold an organizational meeting for its Plaza Classics film series on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. at the theater. Anyone interested in joining the committee that will host the series is invited to attend. The meeting will include a viewing of Horton Foote's 1992 film adaptation of John Steinbeck's of Mice and Men starring Gary Sinese and John Malkovich. For more information, contact committee chair Mystan Gurkin, 531-1410 or mgurkinmd@yahoo.com.

FCA Back to School Shower

The Faith Christian Academy is holding its Second Annual Back to School Shower from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28. Check the school's Website for teacher wish lists.

Jews for Jesus

Jews for Jesus will present Jewish Gospel music and drama to express the thrill of knowing the Messiah Jesus and the love that compels them to tell others. The "Liberated Wailing Wall" will perform at First Baptist Church, 607 N. Fulton at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Fiesta Parade

Parade applications for the Fiesta on the Square, scheduled for Saturday Sept. 6 in Wharton, are now available. The sign-up deadline is Sept. 1. Entry is free. For information or for an application, contact Felicia Compian at 832-445-4553 or e-mail fiestahis panoamericana@yahoo.com.

Fiesta vendor booths

Booth vendor applications for the Fiesta on the Square on Saturday Sept. 6, are now available. Deadline for applications is Aug. 30. For information, call Teresa Mata at 533-0025 or fiestahispanoamericana@yahoo.com.

Business seminar

The Wharton Economic Development Corporation, Wharton Chamber of Commerce and City Development Corporation of El Campo will be hosting a free business seminar on Sept. 6. Participants may register by calling 532-0999 or 543-6727. A free lunch is provided by Capital One Bank of Wharton. Learning new practices and changing for growth is critical for a business to survive in this global economy.

Boling Golf Tournament

The Boling Community Center 10th Annual Benefit 4-Person Scramble Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13. Tee time is 8 a.m. The entry fee is $65 per person or $260 per team. Team prizes are $600 for first, $400 for second and $300 for third. Top drawing prize is a 2004 EZ-Go golf cart. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. To enter a team, buy a raffle ticket or for information, call Elizabeth or Gary Mach at 657-2705. All proceeds benefit the Boling Community Center Complex.

K of C Bazaar

The Knights of Columbus Council 3262 will hold its 2008 Bazaar and celebration on Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 2820 N. Fulton in Wharton. A barbecue meal of beef and sausage with all the trimmings will be served starting at 11 a.m. with plate priced at $7 in advance and $7.50 at the door. Drive through plates will be available. An auction will be held starting at 12:30 in the air-conditioned hall and there will be games for children. A raffle drawing will follow the auction.

Wharton Booster golf

The Wharton Athletic Booster Club will be hosting its Inaugural Golf Tournament fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 20. All proceeds will go to benefit the WJHS and WHS athletic programs including the WISD Strength and Fitness Center and scholarships for graduating seniors. If you would like to enter the tournament or make a donation, contact Billy Bahnsen at 832-498-0643 or by e-mail at bbahnsen@payceproducts.com no later than Sept. 15.

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@journal-spectator.com.