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DON'T MISS:

'I Love America' Benefits Heritage Center The public is invited to I Love America, A Patriotic Tribute, by the Freedom Four to benefit the El Campo Heritage Center. The event is in the First Baptist Church auditorium today at 7:30 p.m. Donations accepted at the door. The program includes presidential humor anecdotes by Joe Tom Davis. The Freedom Four includes Daniel Berglund, Cecil Davis, Jim Lane and Joe Tom Davis. Pianist is Carolyn Goelzer.

TODAY, APRIL 26

Bake Sale Benefit For Logan Stehno A bake sale will be held today at 8 a.m. in Ganado at the Ganado Grocery Store and beginning at 11 a.m. at Mustang Creek BBQ in Louise. Proceeds will benefit Logan Stehno, son of Jeff and Michelle Stehno. This benefit will follow up with a hamburger plate lunch on Saturday, May 10 at the Louise Fire Station. For information call April at 979-541-6649.

Car Wash Benefits Washington Trip El Campo Middle School 8th grade Washington D.C. trip students hold a car wash today from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in front of Calvin Slaughter Insurance across from H-EB, next to Sunshine Laundry. Disclaimer: The 8th grade Washington trip and/or fundraisers are not sponsored by ECMS.

BBQ/Yard Sale Benefit For Danas Yard sale today from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at Alamo Park. Also barbecue plates of brisket, chicken and two sides. Plates are $7 and can be picked up at Alamo Park. Money donations and prayers are welcome to help Jannie Danas with her trips to hospital for chemotherapy and prescription drugs.

Palacios Main Street Market Days Palacios Main Street Market Days are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today in Palacios. In conjunction with Earth Day Celebration Week, the public can come look for booths with recycled crafts and other items reflecting alternative uses of natural resources.

Christian Youth Community Night Christian Youth Community Night hosted by Bible Truth Church and STAND Youth tonight at 7-11 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of El Campo. All ages 12 and up are welcome for food, games, music and more.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

KC Council 2490 Serves Pork Steak Knights of Columbus Council 2490's barbecue pork steak dinner is Sunday, April 27 at the KC Hall on Armory Road. Serving begins at 11 a.m. Plates are $6.50, to-go only.

MONDAY, APRIL 28

EC Cheerleading Booster Club Fundraiser The Ricebird Cheerleading Booster Club host their Spring fundraiser Monday, April 28 from 5-6:30 p.m. Rotisserie chicken, potatoes, green beans, roll and dessert for $6.75. Pick up at ECHS cafeteria. Contact ECHS cheer families for dinner tickets.

Veterans Service Officer Hours The office of Wharton County Veterans Service Officer Harvey H. Stelzel Jr. is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 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.

Account Set Up For Logan Stehno A bank account has been set up at First State Bank of Louise for Logan Stehno. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to P.O. Box 5, Louise, TX 77455. A benefit is being planned at this time. If anyone would like to donate a raffle item contact Rebecca Bard at 713-458-0709 or by e-mail at rslabay@hotmail.com.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Support Anyone interested in forming a support group for OCD, please call Sandy at 979-648-2113.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

DAV Mobil Office Van In Town Wednesday The Disabled American Veterans Mobil Service office van will be in El Campo Wednesday, April 30 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the El Campo Fire Department Training Field, 1043 N. Wharton, behind Friendship Park. Veterans can get detailed explanations of the full range of benefits available to veterans and their families. Veterans do not have to be members of the DAV to take advantage of this assistance.

THURSDAY, MAY 1

Louise Band Disney Trip Fundraiser A chicken fried steak dinner is Thursday, May 1 from 4:30-6 p.m. at Staff's Food Service, 502 E. Jackson in El Campo. Plates are $7. To-go only. For tickets call Robert Sims at Louise ISD 979-648-2262, Pat Mamerow at Shoppa's Farm Supply at 543-8363 or Tammy Rubesh at the El Campo Memorial Hospital at 543-6251.

National Day of Prayer Morning Service Rev. Bob Hobbins, pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, leads a National Day of Prayer Service in Friendship Park on N. Wharton from 7-7:30 a.m., Thursday, May 1. Take a quick break from your morning walk or commute to work to join with others to pray for our nation and community.

National Day of Prayer Evening Service First Christian Church hosts a local National Day of Prayer observance Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. The service will consist of patriotic hymns, scripture readings and prayers for our nation. First Christian Church is located at Fahrenthold and West streets, directly behind Commercial State Bank.

FRIDAY, MAY 2

Selling To The Federal Government The CDC of El Campo and the UH Small Business Development Center host Selling To The Federal Government on Friday, May 2 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Northside Education Center, 707 Fahrenthold (next to the Boys & Girls Club). Discover what a government contract is, how the government procures services and products, how marketing and selling to the government is unique, what qualifies a small business to sell to the government and other information. Seating is limited, so call 543-6750 for reservation.

Labor of Love Distribution Friday Those who have applied for Labor of Love food program may pick up their commodities at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church from 8-10:30 a.m. Friday, May 2.

COMING SOON

Marrow/Stem Cell Donor Registry Drive A marrow and stem cell donor registry drive is Saturday, May 3 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Commercial State Bank Gold Room. This is a follow-up drive to the Dwight Holub Blood Drive held April 5. This is not a blood drive. A simple swab inside of your cheek and a brief health questionnaire are all that's needed to register. A person of any race, ethnicity or gender who is 18 to 60 (up until 61st birthday) years old and who meets donation health guidelines can become a potential marrow or blood stem cell donor.

Canned Good Food Drive St. Robert's Youth Group holds a canned good food drive Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. outside of Palais Royal. For every canned good you bring you will be entered into a drawing for a prize. Proceeds benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Robert Bellarmine Conference. For questions call 979-253-8233.

EC/Hillje SPJST Monthly Meeting El Campo Hillje SPJST Lodge 40 holds its monthly meeting in Hillje at the Lodge Hall Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. Members are asked to bring a meat dish or a casserole. The lodge will furnish desserts.

55th Annual Blessing Day BBQ/Parade The 55th Annual Blessing Day in Blessing is May 4 with a barbecue lunch and a parade down Main Street. Serving is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at $6 a plate. You can dine in the air-conditioned Blessing Community Center, eat outside or take home. A parade begins at 2 p.m. There will be booths with crafts, games, rides, drinks and food for sale all day. Proceeds are for scholarships for Tidehaven High School seniors. For booth information call Aven Rhoades at 361-588-7424; for parade information call Penny Bloom at 361-588-6211 or 979-240-3943.

ECHS All-Sports Banquet May 5 El Campo High School All-Sports Banquet is Monday, May 5. Viewing of boards and meal will begin at 5 p.m. at the El Campo Civic Center. Tickets are $7 each and available at the high school office from Coach Gillis at 543-1867, Laura Deiss at 543-8467 or Peggy Fucik at 543-1543.

GED/ESL Education Classes GED and ESL classes are held at El Campo Adult Learning Center, 802 Depot, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or at El Campo Housing Authority, 403-A Ricebird Lane Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon. ESL night classes are at St. Robert's Catholic Church, 512 Tegner, Monday and Thursday 6:30-8:30 p.m. For information call 979- 532-6301 or 1-800-561-9252, ext. 6301. New student orientation date for GED day classes is Monday, May 5.

Wharton Book Review Club Meeting The Wharton Book Review Club meets in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church, Wharton on Monday, May 12 at 10 a.m. The program will feature 'Swing Riders' with Mike and Doc Blakely and includes a catered lunch by Chef Shane of WCJC at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 and deadline to purchase them is noon, Thursday, May 8. To buy tickets call Sally Soderquist at 532-4936, Sammy Lou Franks at 532-4615 or Dorothy Hensley at 543-5837. Seating will be ticket sales only for members or guests.

EC Youth Football Registration El Campo Youth Football registration is Sunday, May 10, 9 a.m.-noon and Wednesday, May 14 from 5:30-8 p.m. at H Builders, U.S. 59 bypass. Ages 6-12 as of Aug. 31, 2008. Fee of $85 due at registration. Bring certified copy of birth certificate. For information call 543-5517.

El Campo Softball League Sign-up Men, women and coed summer softball leagues start May 21. If interested in participating call Leonard Sternadel at El Campo City Hall, 541-5000.

Daiten Hubenak Medical Fund A fundraiser for Daiten Hubenak, son of Darren and Donna Hubenak of El Campo is Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the KC Hall in El Campo. To help with the event or donate contact Clayton Ryan at clayton.ryan@sbcglobal.net or Amy Ryan at aryan07@sbcglobal.net or leave a message at 979-578-9490. There will be a live auction and a gun raffle and a free stew supper will be served. Funds go to the family to help defray the medical expenses from cystic fibrosis treatment.

Spay/Neuter Assistance Available The Matagorda County SPCA has a program covering Wharton, Jackson, Matagorda and the southern part of Colorado County to help people who can't afford to spay/neuter their dogs/cats. Please call the SPCA at 979- 323-8787 for information or for an application, or to help with the effort.

Early Help For Children Important Region III Education Service Center Early Childhood Intervention Program provides support and services to families with children, birth to age 3, with developmental delays and disabilities. For questions call Region III ESC ECI at 1-888-909-3512. ECI screenings and evaluations are at no cost.

USDA Rural Development Loans Offered USDA Rural Development is accepting business and industry guaranteed loan applications through banks or other authorized commercial lenders to create and maintain employment in rural communities. Loans can be used to expand a business with a new building or added property, to buy machinery or equipment, etc. Interest rates may be fixed or variable and are negotiated between the lender and borrower. For information, call the USDA Rural Development Office at (361) 782-7151, Extension 4.

Ricebird Boosters Raise Scholarship $$ The Ricebird Booster Club is selling raffle tickets to help its scholarship fund. Last year, the booster club raised enough money to award scholarships to every athlete who applied and hopes to do the same this year. Tickets are $20 each and go toward 17 prizes. 500 tickets will be sold. The drawing is June 14 at the Booster Club Golf Tournament. For information or to buy tickets, call Bobby Bullard at 541-3160 or stop by Tina's Shear Satisfaction or the El Campo Leader-News.

Northside Education Center May Classes Northside Education Center is offering several helpful classes starting in May. Microsoft Word will be offered May 7 and Microsoft Excel will be offered May 21. Both classes are $30 and will be held from 9 a.m.-noon. Starting May 5, Introduction to Sign Language will be taught on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. for six weeks. Cost is $75 to register, book is $20. To register call 543-6750.