Dateline Wharton
Upcoming events in and around our community

WFD gun raffle

The Wharton Fire Department is holding it's Annual WFD Gun Raffle this month. The raffle will feature 10 guns and only a limited number of tickets will be sold at a price of $10 each. All proceeds will be used to purchase rescue equipment. Tickets can be purchased from any Wharton firefighter or at the fire station and the drawing will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Bridal Guide

The East Bernard Express, Wharton Journal Spectator and El Campo Leader-News will be producing their 2009 Bridal Guide next month and needs your input. We are seeking unique wedding proposal stories to be included in this publication. If you are interested in participating, please compose your story and e-mail to: lifestyle@leadernews. com or mail to "Unique Engagement Proposals," P.O. 1180, El Campo, Texas 77437. Please include contact names, daytime phone numbers, years married and where you reside, otherwise information cannot be published. Deadline for consideration is no later than Friday, Jan. 23. For more information, contact Quala Matocha at 979-543-3363.

WISD substitute orientation

The Wharton Independent School District will hold a substitute teacher orientation at 10 a.m. today at the Education Support Center, 2100 N. Fulton. This orientation is only for those who have not previously substituted in the WISD but wish do to so.

Wharton Softball registration

Wharton Girls Softball will have registration at the Softball Field located at 207 Croom on Thursday, Jan. 15 from 5:30-7 p.m. It is open to girls four years old by Dec. 31 through 14 years old. Copies of birth certificates are required. Those interested in coaching or managing a team should submit a letter of intent. For questions or comments, contact Ronnie Baines at 532-8250 or Lori Jaquez at 532-4947 after 6 p.m.

OSHCON workshop

The Occupational Safety and Health Consultation (OSHCON) program is a free service available to private Texas employers through the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation. A free workshop on workplace safety/health will be presented from 1-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the Northside Education Center, 707 Fahrenthold, in El Campo. It will be presented by Maurice Chance, OSHCON consultant. Seating is limited so those planning to attend are encourage to register today by calling 979-244-8466. Sponsors are the City Development Corporation of El Campo, Wharton Economic Development Corporation, El Campo and Wharton Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture and the UH/Coastal Plains Small Business Development Center. For a preview, as well as more information, go to www.tdi.state.tx.us.wc.safety.

"Some Like It Hot"

The Plaza Classics vintage film series presents the 1959 Billy Wilder comedy "Some Like It Hot" at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Plaza Theatre on the Square in Wharton. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door or in advance at www.whartonplazatheatre.org.

Wharton VFD Extravaganza

The Wharton Volunteer Fire Department 2009 Extravaganza Fundraiser/Awards Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17. Corporate sponsorship package are available and include Gold for $1,000, Silver for $500 and Bronze for $250. Individual Tickets are $25 and include a social hour with open bar, rib eye steak dinner cooked on site, live and silent auctions and capped off with a dance with music by Steel Country. For information or to make reservations, call the fire department at 532-4811, ext. 400.

Boling FD fundraiser

The Boling Fire Department Annual Fundraiser will be held from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Boling Community Center. Open to the public, meal/dance tickets are priced at $7.50. The meal will be catered by Vincek's Smokehouse. Gun raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. There will also be a special gun raffle that night limited to 100 tickets sold for $20 each for the winners choice of a rifle or shotgun valued up to $1,200 (Must be present to win special gun raffle). Contact a Boling Fire Department or Ladies Auxiliary member for additional ticket information.

Ducks Unlimited

The Eagle Lake Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is holding their annual banquet on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Eagle Lake Community Center, 100 N. Walnut Ave. in Eagle Lake. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and an auction at 8 p.m. The event is BYOB with set ups provided.

Advance ticket prices are $45 for an individual, $60 for couples, $270 for sponsors, $285 for sponsor couples and $400 for a corporate table. Tickets include dinner, beer, soft drinks, raffles and other drawings, DU membership and a year subscription to Ducks Unlimited magazine. For information or corporate table information, call Duane Olson at 281-414-4597.

Wallis Legion Dance

The Wallis American Legion Dance Club will be holding a dance with tunes by the Music Masters from 8-11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the hall. There will be free coffee and door prizes will be offered.

MLK Scholarship

The 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship program will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Caney Creek Church. Those wishing to donate to the fund, which provides scholarships to students from Wharton County schools, can make a deposit at the Capital One Bank branch in Wharton.

Family photo fundraiser

The Youth Department of Macedonia Baptist Church, 1019 Spanish Camp Road, Leo Humphrey pastor, is holding a family photo fundraiser on Jan. 18 at the church. Photography by "J" starting at noon. Everyone is invited to come and have a family photo taken to support the youth fundraiser.

Baby photo contest

Entries for the Wharton Journal-Spectator Christmas 2008 Baby Photo Contest are being accepted through Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. Open to all children under 3 years of age, the entry fee is $15 per photograph. There will be prizes of $75 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third. Submit photos to hterry@journal-spectator.com or drop photos off at the WJS office at 115 W. Burleson St.

WHS senior serve

Attention all Wharton High School senior parents, there will be a meeting for all senior parents participating in the 2009 graduating class of WHS Senior Serve at 6 p.m. on Monday Jan. 19 at the WHS cafeteria. Invitations and tickets previously purchased at the table drawing will be given out at 5:30 p.m. and again following the 6 p.m. parent meeting.

GED classes

Just Do It Now, Inc., a faith-based counseling and life recovery center located in downtown Wharton, in partnership with Wharton County Junior College (WCJC), will resume its General Educational Development (GED) classes at its Milam Street location on Tuesday, Jan. 20. WCJC provides the instructor and course materials.

Class size is limited, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is required. The class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., at the Just Do It Now office at 235 W. Milam. GED instruction, including books, is free to eligible candidates. To be eligible for GED instruction, you must be at least 18 years old, not have a high school diploma, and not be currently enrolled in school. Special requirements apply to anyone under the age of 18. For more information, or to register for the GED classes, contact Just Do It Now at 531- 1975, or the WCJC Adult Basic Education department at 532-6514.

Inaugural celebration

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Miss Shelley is hosting an Inaugural Celebration at the East Gate New Prosperity Baptist Church at 411 FM 102. They will be showing the Inaugural Ceremony and viewing the Inauguration Celebration in Washington D.C. The celebration will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person pre-sale or $15 at the door. Join in celebrating this exciting moment in history. For information, call 531-1121.

HLSR art exhibit

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo art exhibit will be open to the public for viewing on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at Wharton Elementary School between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The exhibit will be closed to the public on Tuesday after 1 p.m. for judging by HLSR officials. Advancing entries will be taken to Houston at that time. The Wharton show is under the direction of WISD District Rodeo Art Coordinator Mavis Toney.

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.