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DON'T MISS: July 6th BBQ Chicken Dinner Sons of the American Legion Squadron 226 host their annual Independence Day barbecue chicken dinner Sunday, July 6 at the American Legion Hall in East Bernard. Serving is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Plates are $7.50. Dine in or carry out. Pastries will be available and a big raffle drawing after Super Bingo.

MONDAY, JULY 7

DAV and Auxiliary Monthly Meeting Wharton County DAV Chapter and Auxiliary 72 meet Monday, July 7 at the VFW Hall. Covered dish meal served at 7 p.m. Meeting will follow.

Cancer Convicts Host 'Golf Ball Drop' The Cancer Convicts Golf Ball Drop fundraiser is Monday, July 7 at the El Campo Country Club. Tickets are one for $5, six for $25 and 25 for $100. Numbered balls (3,000), which correspond with ticket number(s) will be dropped from a hovering helicopter at 5:30 p.m. over the 9th hole fairway on the El Campo Country Club Gold Course. Prizes will be awarded according to the distance from the hole, with 1st prize for a Hole in One or closest being a $2,500 gift certificate. For information call Nancy Fenner at 979-541-9457 or Janiece Holub at 543-8070. Proceeds benefit Wharton County Relay For Life.

Season Football Tickets on Sale July 7 Patrons who bought season tickets last year for Ricebird games have until July 17 to purchase tickets for those same seats. To reserve the same seats come by the Administration Office, 700 W. Norris or call 543-6771 between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The office is closed Fridays. Beginning Monday, July 12 at 8 a.m. the remaining season tickets will be offered for sale on a first-come basis to the general public. Season ticket sales end at 4 p.m. July 31. Season tickets are $16 (for a set of four home games).

'Hope After Shattered Dreams' Meeting Hope After Shattered Dreams ministry is Monday, July 7 at 6 p.m. for anyone who has experienced a loss resulting from, but not limited to death, divorce, job or deteriorating health. Meetings are the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the El Campo Church of Christ, 315 E Calhoun. For information call 543-4279.

WCJC Senior Citizen Bingo Program Senior Citizen Bingo is Monday, July 7 from 2-3 p.m. at the Wharton County Junior College Senior Center, LaDieu Building, 911 Boling Hwy. in Wharton. Senior citizens who enjoy playing bingo with other seniors, 60 years of age or older, are invited to attend.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9

AARP Meeting July 9 El Campo AARP Chapter 1419 meets Wednesday, July 9 at the El Campo Library at 1 p.m. Lunch is at noon. Guest speaker will be El Campo Postmaster, Margret Taylor Sparks. To join AARP call 543-3514.

Legion Monthly Executive Meeting Craig-Harriss American Legion Post 251 holds it Executive Committee meeting Wednesday, July 9 at 7 p.m. in the auxiliary room.

THURSDAY, JULY 10

Rotary Club Meeting Rescheduled Rotary Club members meet Thursday, July 10 at noon in the Duson Room at the El Campo Civic Center.

Thinking of Starting Your Own Business? Don't miss an interactive and information packed workshop on starting your own business. Free registration, limited seating on Thursday, July 10 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Northside Education Center. Facilitator is Dr. Greg Clary, TAMU. Class materials and refreshments provided. Call 543-6750 for free registration.

Chicken & Dressing Plate Fundraiser Allen Chapel Church hosts chicken and dressing with corn, greenbeans, cake and bread plates for $7 on Friday, July 11 from 10 a.m. until -5 p.m. at 816 College. Call Jessie at 979-332-1986 or Zelma at 979-332-2126 for more information or for delivery.

SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Soccer Registration July 1-31 Soccer registration is July 1-31 at the Boys & Girls Club of El Campo for ages 4-18. Soccer camp is July 28-Aug. 1 for ages 3-16. For information call 543-8320.

EC Library Summer Reading Programs Registration for the El Campo Branch Library's Summer Reading programs, "Texas Reading Jubilee: 1958-2008" for ages 6 months to 10 and "Game On! Texas Teens Read!" for ages 11 to 18. Children under age 10 must be registered by an adult. The library has a number of free activities for all ages. Summer schedules are available at the library at 200 W. Church. For information call 543-2362.

Louise Branch Library Summer Program The Louise Branch Library has a summer program for children 6 months to 18 years. Schedules are available at the library. For information call 979-648-2018.

Aquatic Center Summer Hours The pool is open Tuesday-Friday from 6 a.m.-noon and 1- 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. The pool is closed Mondays. Red Wave swims from 8-11 a.m., and swimming lessons started June 10. Aerobics are Tuesday and Thursday at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and arthritis classes on Wednesday and Friday are at 8 a.m. For information call 543-1468.

FBC Louise Summer Youth Program The First Baptist Church of Louise's summer youth RESCUE program offers food, fun and fellowship, organized activities, field trips, VBS, REC and more every Sunday at 6 p.m. for kids in grades 7-12. The focus is on relationships, service and community this summer.

Join The Fun On Wednesdays El Campo Church of Christ has VBS Fun every Wednesday night from 5:45-8 p.m. July 2-Aug. 6. For information call Mindy McCord at 543-4279.

FBC of Louise Host VBS First Baptist Church of Louise hosts Vacation Bible School July 6-9 from 6-8:30 p.m. The theme is God's Big Backyard. Classes are available for children 4 years of age through high school. For information call Debbie Townsend at 979-648-2027.

First Baptist Church VBS July 7-11 First Baptist Church of El Campo hosts Vacation Bible School July 7-11 from 9 a.m.-noon for age 4 years through 8th grade.

Memorial Baptist Club VBS July 21-25 Club VBS: Cactus Canyon is from 6-8:30 p.m. July 21-25 at Memorial Baptist Church for ages 4-those who have completed 6th grade. Call the church to register or for information.

COMING SOON

Car Wash For X-Treme Jazz Cheerleaders X-Treme jazz cheerleaders hold a car wash Saturday, July 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. behind McDonalds. Donations will be appreciated.

Hunter's Education Course Hunter's Education Course is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 12 and 1-5 p.m. the next day at the Wharton County Sheriff's Department, 315 E. Elm in Wharton. Call Brenda or Vanessa at 543-1373 Monday through Friday to schedule, seating is limited.

Cordova Benefit Hamburger Meal A benefit hamburger meal with all the trimmings is Saturday, July 12 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at St. Roberts Parish Hall. Pick-up only. Plates are $6. Proceeds benefit the Cordova family. The Cordova home was hit by lighting Saturday, June 21 and has fire and water damage. For tickets contact Vicky Limas at 257-8247 or go by Noble Finance.

American Legion & Auxiliary Meeting American Legion Craig-Harriss Post 251 and its Ladies Auxiliary hold their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, July 15 at the Legion Hall with a social at 6:30 p.m. a meal will be served at 7:15 p.m. Ladies Auxiliary members are asked to bring desserts.

Louise HS Reunion, 1986-1990 Louise High School class reunion is July 19 at Greek Brothers in El Campo. Classes 1986-1990 are invited. Addresses are needed if you haven't received your invitation or if you know someone from these classes, contact Shannon at 979-578-1090 or Dina at 979-648-2163.

Louise High School Reunion For 1997-1999 Louise High School Reunion for classes of 1997, 1998 and 1999 is Saturday, Sept. 20. Addresses, phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses for all classmates are needed. Call Janet at 979-618-0451 or Melissa at 713- 677-9059.

BBQ Chicken/Sausage Dinner Fundraiser A barbecue chicken and sausage lunch benefit for Hazel (Boone) Perry is Sunday, July 27 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the KC Hall in El Campo. Plates to-go only for $6. For information call Bessie Boone at 543-5166 or Cindy Strnadel at 543-6530 or 541-4541.

Civic Center Renovations, Museum Closed Due to Civic Center renovations, the museum is closed through Nov. 4. During July the wall mounts will be taken down and crated and the animals will have crates built over them, to protect them while the new roof is built. To volunteer to help pack, call 543-6885.

Raffle Tickets For Hubenak Fundraiser Raffle tickets are available with 10 prizes: Nine guns and one rechargeable flashlight. Tickets are $20 each. Winners will be drawn the day of the event - Wednesday, Aug. 6 - at the KC Hall in El Campo after a free stew dinner and live auction. Tickets available at D-A-M Services or Ryan Services in El Campo or by calling 979-578-9490 or 979-578-2608. Ask for Clayton or Amy. All proceeds will go to the family to help defray the medical expenses of cystic fibrosis treatment.

WCJC Foundation 2008 Gala The Wharton County Junior Foundation 2008 Gala is Friday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond. Tickets are $85 each. Sponsor tables (seating for 8) are $1,500 and $2,500. The gala features a reception, dinner, auctions and a comical performance by the Capital Steps. Tickets went on sale May 1. Call Cheryl Machicek at 979-532-6322 for information.

Brick Deadline Nears For Heritage Center Imprinted bricks are being ordered to be ready and in place as soon as the El Campo Heritage Center opens this fall. They can include the name of the purchaser, a business, graduating class or any honoree. The bricks, which cost $100, will be used in the Heritage Center garden, between the Boys & Girls Club and the center's front porch. For information, call Hubert Kaiser at 543- 7313.

Derby Doll Booster Club Membership Drive Derby Doll Booster Club membership dues, along with money raised throughout the year, are used for scholarships, contest expenses, costumes and props. Platinum Derby $100, Gold Derby $50, Silver Derby $25 and Family membership is $15. Platinum, Gold and Silver donors names appear in the home games football program. Call Delores Cox at 543-8273 by July 31.

BEEs Sell Decorative Street Lamps Let's continue to beautify the downtown El Campo area with decorative street lamps, available from the BEEs. The lamps are a special and lasting way to honor or memorialize someone special in your life. They can be purchased individually or by a group. For information call Carolyn Kelly at 543-2397 or Ruth Sacco at 543-5339 or any BEE board member.

EC Ricebird Red Out Shirt Sponsors Sought Advertise your business name on the back of the El Campo Ricebirds Red Out 2008 shirts. A minimum of 25 shirts at $12 each. Order extra for your employees and family members. Call 541-6356 to order shirts to be given away at the first home football game Friday, Aug. 29 against the Brazoswood Bucs.

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 free.

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

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.