Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

Wharton OEM

The Wharton County Office of Emergency Management is reminding county residents needing information or assistance from damage caused by Hurricane Ike should call 531-1016. Coastal residents needing information should call the Red Cross at 1- 800-GET INFO (1-800-438-4636.) At present time, the county has does not have information on how long it will be before power is restored. People using generators are urged to use caution and make sure the generator is property ventilated. Death can result from carbon monoxide poisoning.

WISD make up days

The two school days lost to Hurricane Ike by the Wharton ISD will be made up before the district's students have to take the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, TAKS, test in the spring. The district is offering local residents their choice of two of three scheduled off days as make ups. They are Jan. 16, a staff development day; Jan. 19, MLK Day; and April 10, Good Friday. The deadline for submitting a recommendation is Monday, Sept. 29. The district is asking that suggestions be called into or e-mailed to the Superintendent's Administrative Assistant Linda Lins by phoning 532-6201 or llins@wharton. isd.tenet.edu.

Spiritual workshop

East Gate-New Prosperity Baptist Church is inviting the public to share in a spiritual workshop presented by the church's mission auxiliary today. The theme is "Eight Ways God Speaks to Men" and covers several topics with a summarization presented by Rev. Robert Maxey of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church in Texas City. Registration is $10 and runs 9-9:30 a.m. with the workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A lunch will be served. The church is located at 329 FM. 102, Rev. Ruiel Taylor III pastor, Rosa Green president and Janet Sanford sponsor.

Church barbecue and bazaar

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Damon has postponed their planned barbecue and bazaar on Sunday, Sept. 21 until Nov. 2 due to Hurricane Ike. The event will be held on the church grounds at Parrott Ave. and Railroad St. A meal of barbecue beef, chicken and sausage with side dishes will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and priced at $8 per plate. Soft drinks and adult beverages will also be available. An auction begins at 1 p.m. under the pavilion and there will be live music from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the Sil Krenek Band. Other food options include homemade pastry, barbecue on a bun and funnel cakes for sale while activities include a raffle, kids zone games and more.

Horse project

The Horse Project is open to all age 4-H and FFA participants who have a horse and enjoy riding. Students must sign up by calling the Fair Office at 677-3350 by Monday Sept. 22. They will then be working toward earning the "Horseman of the Year" championship belt buckle by earning points doing various activities throughout the year. The horse show at the Wharton County Youth Fair has been expanded with more classes in three age groups. This will provide more opportunities for students to learn about horses and improve their riding skills. For information, go to the Horse Show, Dept. at the WCYF Website www.whartoncountyyouthfair.org or call Melissa Locke 532-0250 or Lora Cline, 532-1315.

Senior Bingo

The Wharton County Junior College Senior Citizen Program is inviting area seniors to play Bingo with other seniors with prizes and refreshments furnished by Wharton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center from 2- 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 at the WCJC Senior Center, LaDieu Building, 911 Boling Hwy. If you are 60 years of age or older you are invited to attend.

WISD substitute teachers

The Wharton ISD will hold a Substitute Teacher Orientation for those who have never substituted in Wharton schools at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Education Support Center. To register, call 532-3612.

Casablanca The Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton cordially invites you to the premiere of the Plaza Classics film series on Friday, Sept. 26, featuring a screening of the 1942 Warner Brothers favorite Casablanca starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door or at www.whartonplazatheatre.org (a small fee applies for online purchases, which will end at 4 p.m. on the day of the show). The box office opens at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. The Plaza concession stand offers traditional movie fare at vintage prices as well as beer and wine.

Toddlers of Faith

The Toddlers of Faith Daycare, a ministry of New Faith Church, 2412 N. Walnut St. has an open house scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 26. Interested persons are invited to attend for a tour and refreshments. Call 531- 1453 or stop by the church for information.

WHS Tennis rummage sale

The Wharton High School Tennis Team Rummage Sale will be held from 7-11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the WHS "Old" Gym, No. 1 Tiger Ave. Items include clothing, furniture, household items, sporting goods and other. All proceeds benefit the WHS Tennis Team.

Wharton Rotary Gala

The Wharton Rotary Club presents the 2008 Rotary Gala featuring a performance by Alseep at the Wheel on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Wharton Community Civic Center. The evening will begin with a social hour and hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Admission is $60 per person. For tickets, contact any Rotary Club member or call 532-4572 or 532-8840.

WCYF golf tournament

The Wharton County Youth Fair Third Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Newgulf Golf Course. The entry fee is $65 per person or $260 per team. To enter a team, call the fair office at 677-3350.

Angel Food Ministries Angel Food Ministries is introducing new Senior Box Meals. Ten no sodium added, low fat, nutritionally balanced meals for only $25. That is only $2.50 per meal. Distribution will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 8:30- 10 a.m. Regular boxes are still only $30 and there are 5 different specials that can be added this month. For more information contact Caney Creek Church at 532-2533.

New Mount Olive BC

The New Mount Olive Baptist Church Choir is presenting the program "What Train Are You On?" at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. The church is loated at 1941 County Road 448, Rev. Jimmy Wright, pastor; Deacon Tim Green, president.

Dawson Elementary meeting

A meeting to discuss the future of Dawson Elementary is scheduled to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29 at the Wharton ISD Administration Office at 2100 N. Fulton St. Anyone interested may attend.

First Baptist Blood Drive

The First Baptist Church of Wharton blood drive has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 4:30-8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. To schedule an appointment, visit www.giveblood.org and login to Digital Donor. Enter sponsor code 0772 or contact Herb McCown at 532-3774.

The Bellamy Brothers

The Wharton County Youth Fair is sponsoring a performance of the Bellamy Brothers at the Wharton County Fairground Crescent Hall on Saturday, Oct. 4. Advance tickets are $20, door tickets are $25 and reserved tables are $300. Call 677-3350 for information.

St. John's Church Bazaar

The Annual St. John's Catholic Church Hungerford will hold its annual church bazaar on Sunday, Oct. 5. The meal is priced at $8 and will be served starting at 10:30 a.m. The menu includes barbecue chicken, beef, sausage and all the trimmings including the ladies famous sauerkraut. There will be an auction starting at 12:15 p.m. and all types of entertainment including bingo, a country story and kids rides and activities. The public is invited to attend.

Chamber business luncheon

The Wharton County Chamber of Commerce will hold its next Business Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Wharton Civic Center. The topic for the luncheon is the impact the new railroad will have on Wharton. Tickets are $15 each and includes a roast beef dinner catered by Hinze Bar-B-Que. Tickets are on sale at the chamber office. The chamber can be contacted at 532-1862, helpdesk@whartonchamber.com or whartonchamber.com.

Proptoberfest

The EAA Chapter 896 is celebrating Oktoberfest aviation style with their inaugural Proptoberfest fly-in featuring German cuisine, Bavarian music, alcohol-free beer and airplane noise. It will be held Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Wharton Regional Airport. Arrival is at 10 a.m. with dining at noon.

Holy Cross Parish Bazaar

Riverside Hall will be the site of the Holy Cross Parish Bazaar on Sunday, Oct. 12. Dinner will be served starting at 11 a.m. The menu includes barbecue beef, chicken and sausage with homemade dressing and all the trimmings. Hamburgers will be served starting at 3 .m. and Czech pastries, refreshments and country store items will be available all day. There will be a grand auction starting at 12:30 p.m.; games and activities for children from noon to 5 p.m. and live music starting at noon.

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.