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DON'T MISS:

Volunteers Needed to Judge Speech/Drama

The El Campo High School Speech and Drama Club is seeking an additional 75 volunteers to judge various acting, speaking, and debate events for their annual tournament to be held Jan. 18-19 at El Campo High School. Twenty-four high schools will participate. There will be an informal question-andanswer session for anyone who would like to judge but is unsure how on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 7-8 p.m. at the high school seminar room. To volunteer to judge, call Katrese Skinner at 979-533-1108 or e-mail kskinner@ecisd.org

THURSDAY, JAN. 17

Cholesterol Screening at ECMH El Campo Memorial Hospital's lab offers various blood screenings Thursday, Jan. 17. Call 979-578-5185 for an appointment (limited space available). Fast before the testing procedure for a more accurate reading (do not eat or drink for 12 hours). Cholesterol/Triglyceride test is $5, HDL, LDL & Triglyceride is $10 and the HDL, LDL & Triglyceride and Glucose is $15.

Louise Band Disney Trip Fundraiser Louise Band students will have a chicken fried steak dinner Thursday, Jan. 17 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Staff's Food Service. Plates to-go only at $7 per plate. For tickets contact Robert Sims at Louise ISD at 979-648-2262, Pat Mamerow at 543-8363 or Maria Puentes at 543-6821.

SUNDAY, JAN. 20

MLK Memorial Celebration The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Celebration is Sunday, Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m. at Mother Zion Baptist Church, 112 Neals Lane (at Milam Street) in Wharton. Special guests are the Rev. E.L. Dawson and Progressive Baptist Church of El Campo, vocalist Debra Wilson of Houston, the Rev. Mickey Reynolds and Caney Creek Church, St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, Barrier Breakers Choir and also Wharton Boys & Girls Club Drill Team. Each church is asked to represent with $150 towards the MLK Scholarship Fund. An MLK parade will be Saturday, Jan. 19 at 9:30 a.m., with marching from the courthouse square to Dawson Elementary's gymnasium. Information: Vivian Wyatt at 979-0532-3872 or the Rev. Ruiel Taylor at 979-257-9183.

Louise Lions Host Turkey Shoot The Louise Lions Club will host a turkey shoot Sunday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. at Taiton Community Center on Hwy. 71 North. Bring your shotgun! For more information call Kenny Koenig at 979-541-3521.

MONDAY, JAN. 21

Pick Up 'Celebration of Life' Angels The dates to pick up your 'Celebration of Life' Angel ornament are Jan. 21-25 in El Campo at 1102 N. Mechanic or by calling 979-578-0314.

Rainbow Girls Sell BBQ Sandwiches The International Order of Rainbow for Girls is having a fundraiser on Monday, Jan. 21, drive through at 1901 N. Mechanic St. (Masonic Lodge) from 11:30-1 p.m. Chopped beef barbecue sandwich, chips and dessert for $5. Call B.J. Corwin at 979-541-7906 or Rhonda Ashcraft at 979-541-9333 for tickets or stop in at Dr. Corwin's office at 1005 N. Mechanic.

TUESDAY, JAN. 22

CPR and Basic First Aid Classes The American Red Cross will host the following health and safety course: First Aid Basic on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 6-10 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3000 9th Street in Bay City. The cost of the course is $22. Certification for CPR classes is valid for one year. Minimum of six participants required. For information call the American Red Cross office at 979-245-3056.

DON'T FORGET

Western Rice Belt Conference The Western Rice Belt Conference Consumers Program (Ladies Rice Clinic) is Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the El Campo Civic Center. Ladies' registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The program begins at 9 a.m. This year's theme is "Rice - the Grain of Champions."

Louise ATPE Sells Fried Chicken Plates The Louise ATPE hosts its annual fried chicken dinner Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 4:30-6 p.m. at Staff's Food Service. Plates are $6.50 and proceeds benefit local scholarships. For tickets call 543-6237 and leave a message.

Open Horse Show at WCYF Boots & Bridle 4-H will be hosting an Open Horse Show Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Wharton County Youth Fair arena in Crescent. There will be 30 classes offered, including Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Showmanship and Speed events. The three age divisions are 12 and under, 13-18 and 19 and over with high point belt buckles for all age divisions. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with events starting at 9 a.m. Fees are $10 per class or $50 for all day. For more information, rules and regulations contact Lora Cline at 979-532-1315 or Melissa Locke at 979-532- 0250.

Faith Christian Academy Fundraiser Elvis impersonator Randy Hinson will perform Ol' Time Gospel favorites Saturday, Jan. 26 at the KC Hall in Wharton. Doors open at 6 p.m. Meal, music and silent auction from 6:30-8 p.m. Also a live auction and door prizes from 8-9 p.m. For tickets call 979-531-1000.

Financial Aid News For WCJC A college financial aid presentation is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 at ECHS in the seminar room in Building A. Wharton County Junior College representatives will provide information and tips on finding and applying for financial aid. Parents and students are encouraged to attend. If you need more information call the guidance office at 543-2871.

St. Philip Students Sell Cookie Dough, etc. St. Philip Catholic School students are selling cookie dough, snacks, pies and cheesecakes. Call any St. Philip student by Jan. 30 with an order. Delivery will be at the end of Feb. Call Gail Warschak at 543-8882 or Polly Wilkins at 543-1431.

Organization Sweethearts Need Forms Your El Campo Leader-News will feature the Valentine Sweethearts of Beta Sigma Phi sororities, Catholic Daughters, Junior Catholic Daughters, El Campo Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary and Pilot Club. Honorees should pick up a form at the newspaper office and return it before 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25 with a 4x6 color or black-and-white photo. For information call Lifestyle Editor Quala Matocha, 543-3363.

Funds Raised For Ranger Tommy Johnson Sr. An account to help with medical expenses has been set up for Tommy Johnson Sr. at Commercial State Bank. Also a benefit dance, stew supper and auction will be held Saturday, Feb. 9 starting at 4 p.m. at Muldoon's Saloon and Steakhouse. Tommy Johnson is a retired Texas Game Warden and current Special Ranger for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association. Raffle tickets are available at the Wharton County Sheriff's Office, Ryan Services at 543-3703, R&R Printing, R&M Firearms, D-A-M Services or at the Farmers Coop of El Campo.

Erwin/Williamson Account Established Funds have been established at The First State Banks of Louise and El Campo for Robbie Erwin and Garrett Williamson. All proceeds will be used for medical bills. They were injured in a Christmas Eve automobile accident.

2008 Wharton County Relay For Life Calendars 2008 calendars depicting activities and participants from 2007 Relay For Life of Wharton County participants and survivors are available for a $15 donation. For a calendar call Nicole Stavena at 979-578-9282, 979-532-1579 ext. 202 or e-mail relayforlife@jwnet.net. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Wharton County. Visit the new Web site at http://events.cancer. org/rflwhartoncotx. Locally produced and distributed by The Anglers, a Relay for Life team.

Senior Class of 2007 Yearbook You may now stop by the ECHS office and pick up your 2007 yearbook. If you have not yet purchased one, extra copies are available for $70.

El Campo EMS Quarterly Blood Drive El Campo EMS sponsors its quarterly blood drive Monday, Jan. 28 from noon-6 p.m. at the El Campo Fire Department building, 220 Merchant. Call to schedule or reserve a time. Blood is needed for Abrianna Rodriguez, age 3, who was recently diagnosed as a hemophiliac. She is scheduled for surgery Thursday, Jan. 10 at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Abrianna will need blood prior, during and after surgery. Blood can be given in her name. All blood types will be accepted and credited to her account reference no. 3645436. Call EMS 543-3335 non-emergency number to reserve your time.

Spay/Neuter Assistance Available The Matagorda County SPCA has a program to help financially disadvantaged people in Wharton, Jackson, Matagorda and the southern part of Colorado County get their dogs or cats spayed or neutered. Please call the SPCA at 979-323-8787 for information or for an application, or to help with the effort.

Veterans Service Officer Hours The office of Wharton County Veterans Service Officer Harvey H. Stelzel Jr. is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Jan. 30. Office hours are 7:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. The office is located at 1017 N. Alabama Road in Wharton. Phone 532-1311.

Tell L-N About Your Wedding Proposal The El Campo Leader-News, Wharton Journal-Spectator and East Bernard Express will be producing their 2008 Bridal Guide next month and need your input. First, if you have been married 5-7 years, we would like your personal view on why your marriage has lasted. Second, we need any unique wedding proposal stories. Include contact names, daytime phone number(s), years married and where you reside, or else the information cannot be published. E-mail or mail the 'Secrets to Your Successful Marriage' and/or 'Unique Wedding Proposals' to lifestyle@leader-news.com or P.O. Box 1180, El Campo, TX 77437. Deadline for consideration is no later than Jan. 25. For information contact Quala Matocha, lifestyle editor, at 979-543-3363.

'Experience El Campo' Now Online Experience El Campo - 2007, the magazine produced by the El Campo Leader-News staff in cooperation with the El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, is now online at www.experienceelcampo.com. The Chamber and newspaper are currently wrapping up writing and production on the 2008 edition of the magazine, which will be published in February. Many local business Web sites will have the online edition of the magazine.