It's A Joyful Day
Bishop Popp celebrates 65 years of serving the Catholic Church
      The Most Rev. Bernard F. Popp celebrated 65 years as a priest Sunday, Feb. 24 in his hometown of Nada. He concelebrated Mass with the Revs. Joseph Vrana and Anthony Boateng-Mensah at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Deacon Edward Wendel assisted.
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Wharton County Triumph
      Ron Petersen of Houston, who grew up in Iago, is part of the nine-member Triumphs. The group played to a large St. Philip School Dinner and Dance crowd Saturday night at the El Campo Civic Center. Petersen, who plays sax, keyboard, tambourine and sings with the popular group that helped B.J. Thoma...
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Hudgins couple to be honored at Wharton Chamber Banquet
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com
      The Wharton Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 89th annual banquet by honoring two county residents who have helped preserve the area's history. Joe and Merle Hudgins will be the honored recipients at the banquet, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11.
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St. Philip Mexican Fiesta
      The St. Philip School Dinner and Dance Saturday night at the El Campo Civic Center featured mariachi music and Mexican food this year. The fundraiser also featured drawings, a life and silent auction and dance music by the Triumphs.
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Jackson Jensen has skating party for fourth birthday
      Jackson Hugh Jensen celebrated his fourth birthday Saturday, Feb. 23 at Silver Wings Skating Rink. His actual birthday was Feb. 24. The party was given by his parents, Brian and Stephanie Jensen of Danevang, and his little sister, Brianna.
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Laura Beth Hermansen & Shawn Hickl recite vows
      Laura Beth Hermansen and Shawn Travis Hickl were united in marriage at 3 p.m., Feb. 23, 2008 at Christ Lutheran Church in El Campo. The Rev. Pete Lopez Jr. performed the double-ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Leslie and Donna Hermansen of El Campo. Parents of the groom are David and S...
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Transformer party honors Oziel Vazquez Jr.
      Oziel Vazquez Jr. celebrated his ninth birthday from 4:30-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at Mr. Gatti's. His actual birthday was Feb. 20. His parents, Osiel and Tina Vazquez, and little sister, Anahi, hosted the Transformer themed party.
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Teachers host baby shower for couple
      Brent and Natalie Irby were given a baby shower Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 20 at the Brazos Elementary School Library. Natalie's fourth grade team teachers hosted the party. The theme, taken from the nursery rhyme Rub-A-Dub- Dub, includes various colored rubber ducks.
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State Choir Qualifiers
      After competiting in the UIL Solo and Ensemble contest Feb. 8, nine El Campo High School choir members will be advancing to the state level of competition Memorial Day weekend. These students are: (front, l-r) Amanda Driscoll, Natalie Campbell, Ashley Faultry, Arshisa Foley, Danerrika George, (bac...
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ECHS Rates First
      El Campo High School choir members traveled to West Colombia to compete in UIL Solo and Ensemble contest Feb. 8. Fifteen choir members received a first division rating and nine qualified to attend the State Solo and Ensemble competition in Austin on Memorial Day weekend.
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ECMS Division Winners
      Members of the El Campo Middle School choir traveled to West Columbia to compete in the UIL Solo and Ensemble contest on Feb. 9. Thirteen choir members received a first division top rating. Eighth grade winners are (front, l-r) Cheyanne Salinas, Percilla Thompson, Andrea Gaona, (back) Katelyn Wood...
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ECMS Tops At UIL
      The following seventh grade choir students from El Campo Middle School were among those who received first division top rating at the UIL Solo and Ensemble contest at West Columbia Feb. 9: (front, l-r) Maria Hernandez, Angelica Gaona, Destiny Olsovsky, (center) Gloria Munoz, Sara Leal, (back) Carr...
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HOSA State Advance
      El Campo High School Health Occupation Students of America attended the Area 2 HOSA Conference Jan. 25-26 in Brenham. Advancing to the HOSA State Conference in Austin, April 10-12 in the Career Health poster contest are Alma Lopez, left, and Amelia Gray, who placed first and second respectively.
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DIAPER SET
      Derek Mersmann Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Mersmann of Van announce the birth of their first child, a son named Derek Josef Mersmann. The baby was born at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces. Maternal grandparents are William and Diane Harrell of Spring. Paternal grandpa...
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Macha speaks to gardening group about trimming hedges
      Members of the Green Thumb gardening club met Wednesday, Feb. 20 at the home of Marian Vick. Eighteen members answered roll call and reports were given and approved. Florence Adamitis read a humorous poem entitled "Analyzing Myself." She also read a prayer entitled "Your Tender Love.
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Fiala named to Dean's List at Texas Lutheran
      Texas Lutheran University student Steven Fiala of El Campo was recently named to the university's Dean's List for the Fall 2007 semester. A graduate of El Campo High School, Fiala is the son of Allen and Debbie Fiala. The Dean' List was announced by Dr. John T Masterson, executive vice president...
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