BULLETIN BOARD
DON'T MISS: Louise Substitute Teacher Training Louise ISD and Region III Service Center offers a free three-hour course on substitute teaching from 1-4 p.m. today at the Louise Elementary/Junior High School. RSVP to Rebecca Taska at 648-4200, ext. 103.

TODAY

Garwood Lions Host Hamburger Supper Garwood Lions Club hosts a hamburger supper Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the Garwood Fire Station from 5:30-8 p.m. Eat in or take out.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21

X-Treme Jazz Family Night Fundraiser X-Treme Jazz Family Night fundraiser is Thursday, Aug. 21 at McDonalds, 1240 N. Mechanic, from 6-9 p.m. Proceeds benefit X-Treme Jazz competitive teams.

ECMS/ECHS Back-To-School Info Orientation for El Campo Middle School 6th, 7th and 8th graders new to the district is Thursday, Aug. 21 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the El Campo Middle School cafeteria. High School freshman orientation is Friday, Aug. 22. Students with last names A-L report to Ricebird Gym at 9 a.m.; those with last names M-Z report there at 1 p.m. Morning session ends at 11:25 a.m.; afternoon session at 3:25 p.m. Freshmen pick up their schedules and IDs the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 25 in the cafeteria; other students get theirs that day at Ricebird Gym.

Louise ISD Back-To-School Info Louise Elementary holds Meet the Teacher Thursday, Aug. 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in each child's classroom. Parents should bring their child's labeled school supplies at that time. Louise Junior High orientation is the same day at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Students can pick up their schedules at that time. Parents can put money in their child's cafeteria account during either event.

Youth Fair Rules & Regulations Under Review The Wharton County Youth Fair holds an informative meeting for the 2009 Creative Arts, Livestock and Poultry Rules and Regulations Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Director's Room of the office complex at the fairgrounds. All new rule changes will be addressed. Everyone interested in participating in the 2009 Fair is encouraged to attend. Fair Office: 677-3350.

FRIDAY, AUG. 22

'I Believe' Christian Concert 'I Believe' Christian Concert is Friday, Aug. 22 from 2-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. at the Victoria Community Center Dome. Free admission and door prizes. Bring school items to donate to Kids Connections. Featuring Pastor Dale Freidrich and The Jesus Train, Parkway Church Praise Band, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church Adult Choir, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Praise Band and many more. To be a sponsor or volunteer, call Russell Pruitt at 361-575-2666 or Linda Zamarripa at 361-576-3804.

Elks Host Sweetheart Dinner The Elks Lodge hosts a Sweetheart Dinner Friday, Aug. 22 at the lodge. Stuffed pork chops, crawfish etouffee and red beans and rice for $7 per person. Members are encouraged to attend and bring guests. Call 543-1688 to confirm if attending.

Revival On Wharton Square Revival Aug. 22-24 on the Wharton Courthouse Square with Evangelist Sammy Nuckolls, Tim and Shanna Steerman, Erica Lane and the Red River Band. Friday, Aug. 22 at noon until 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23 from 5-8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. until noon. Free community event.

SUNDAY, AUG. 24

BBQ Chicken Dinner Sunday Knights of Columbus Council 2490 barbecued chicken dinner is Sunday, Aug. 24 at the KC Hall on Armory Road. Serving begins at 11 a.m. Plates are $7 to go only.

MONDAY, AUG. 25

Myatt Elementary Still Registering Myatt Elementary School is still taking registration for pre-K, K and 1st grade students at 501 W. Webb. Call 543-7514.

El Campo Schools Start August 25 The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 25. The school day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. for all campuses. New students need to be accompanied by a parent/ guardian and bring a copy of their birth certificate, Social Security card, records from previous schools and immunization records. Call 543-2871 for more information.

Louise ISD Bell Rings Early The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 25. The school day begins at 7:55 a.m. and ends at 3:31 p.m. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. New students need to be accompanied by a parent/ guardian and bring a copy of their birth certificate, Social Security card, records from previous schools and immunization records.

COMING SOON

Children's Programs At EC Library The El Campo Branch Library has resumed its programs for children with Storytime Tuesday mornings at 10:15 a.m. for children ages 3-5 and Toddler Time for children ages 6 months to age 3 on Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. Schedules are available at the library, 200 W. Church. For information call 543-2362.

Ladies Community Bible Study Begins Ladies community Bible Study begins a 30-week study of the gospel of Matthew Aug. 28. Class meets each Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon at Memorial Baptist Church, 1009 N. Wharton. A children's program for ages 3-5 is available, as is as nursery. The class welcomes all those new to studying the Bible. For information and to pre-register call Marilynn at 543-7111 or Jo Etta at 543-3152.

Ricebird Booster Club Meeting The Ricebird Booster Club meets Monday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. in the classroom located in the weight room behind home stadium.

Chicken Fried Steak Fundraiser El Campo Ricebird Band Boosters host a chicken fried steak fundraiser Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Pick-up only at Staffs Food Service, 502 E. Jackson. Presale tickets, call Maria Barnes at 541-5926 or Wanda Evanicky at 979-578-0793 or 979-559-0298. Plates are $7.

EC Aquatic Center Fall Hours El Campo Aquatic Center fall hours start Monday, Aug. 25. Every Monday the pool will be closed. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6-11 a.m. and 4-7 p.m., Friday from 6-11 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Be sure to wear proper swim attire and don't forget, no food or drinks are allowed. Concession stand is available. For questions call 979-543- 1468.

Heritage Center Clay Shoot The Rotary Club of El Campo and Garwood Sporting Clays are teaming up to raise money for The Heritage Center of El Campo with a sporting clays shoot Saturday, Sept. 13 from 3-7 p.m. The $75 entry fee includes 100 targets and a barbecue dinner. Advertising sponsorship signs are available for $300. To sign up as a sponsor or to participate in the shoot, call Michael Jones at 543-5998 or John Petty at 543-3373.

ECHS Class of 1963 Needs Addresses The ECHS Class of 1963 holds a reunion in October. Addresses are needed for about nine classmates. Contact Jane Newton Reynolds at janereyn@onr.com.

Stray Pet Outreach Team Newsletters Wharton County SPOT - Stray Pet Outreach Team - is sending out newsletters. If you want to be on the mailing list and learn more about SPOT and how you can help, e-mail wcspot@hotmail.com.

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.

Lillian's Birthday Memorial Toy Drive Lillian's Birthday 1st Annual Toy Drive will be held during August in memory of Lillian Hansen's birthday. Donate a new toy for kids at Texas Children's Hospital Cancer Center and Texas Children's Hospital. Drop boxes are located at The First State Bank, Blessing and El Campo branches; First United Methodist Church, El Campo; First Convenience Bank in Walmart, El Campo; Palacios Veterinary Clinic; and NAPA, Palacios. For information call Shana Hansen at 979-578-0900.

Memorial Bricks For Your Veteran Based on requests, American Legion Post 251 is enlarging its Veterans Memorial site to include 160 additional memorial bricks at $100 each. A brick may contain three lines with 15 letters/spaces per line. Deadline is Jan. 15. After deadline, the cost will increase to $150. Contact Noel Fuller at 543-3684 or Merrill Adamcik at 543-5513.

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.

Pre-Register For QuickBooks 2008 QuickBooks 2008, a hands-on training seminar is Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Northside Education Center, 707 Fahrenthold. Includes instruction, manual, refreshments, light lunch and follow-up consultation. Cost is $99 and must be pre-paid. Call 543-6750 to register.

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.

EC Class of 1963 Host 45th Reunion The El Campo High School Class of 1963 is planning their 45th year reunion Oct. 4. Addresses are needed for Elizabeth Miles Benner, Rachel Romero Martinez, Forrest Weltzbarker, Patricia Hutson, Ricardo Plaza de Luco (foreign exchange student from Santiago, Chile), Sarah Price, Linda Rutledge and Bill White. If you have any information on them, e-mail Jane Newton Reynolds at janereyn@onr.com or call 512-771-7842, Marilyn Guess Korenek at 543-4309 or Tony Dettling at 210-764-2259.

Locals Going To 'Women of Faith Conference' The 2008 Women of Faith Conference, "Infinite Grace," is Oct. 24-25 at the Toyota Center. If interested in going contact Linda Alderson at 543-7342 for tickets, hotel information and travel arrangements. A limited number of tickets are still available at the group rate of $65.