BULLETIN BOARD
DON'T MISS:

Back To School Supplies Drive The Pilot Club of El Campo is sponsoring a back-toschool supply drive. Collection boxes are located at Commercial State Bank, Lacks Furniture, NewFirst National Bank and Walgreens. Contact person is Brenda Steelman, 979-541-4316. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FRIDAY, AUG. 29

Ricebird Redout At Ricebird Game Ricebird Redout is Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Ricebird field. El Campo's Ricebirds play the Brazoswood Buccaneers. Adults who enter through the home gate on West Norris with an adult ticket will receive a free Redout shirt while supplies last. Get there early-don't miss out!

SUNDAY, AUG. 31

St. Mary's Festival/Homecoming Fundraiser St. Mary's Parish Annual Festival and Homecoming at the Nada Community Center is Sunday, Aug. 31 with a meal of barbecued beef and sausage from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Plates are $7 and include tea and dessert. Drive-through plates to go will be available until 1 p.m. The bazaar will offer pastry booths, a country auction at 1 p.m., food and refreshments served all day and evening, train ride, Bouncin Buddies Water Slide (children bring swimsuits), special appearance by Rainbow the Clown and entertainment by DJ Big Mo and karaoke by Frankie C. New this year is the antique tractor and equipment exhibition from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The parade of tractors is at 11:30 a.m. A raffle drawing at 8:30 p.m. for 26 nice prizes concludes the festivities.

MONDAY, SEPT. 1

DAV and Auxiliary Meet Monday Wharton County DAV Chapter and Auxiliary 72 meet Monday, Sept. 1 at the VFW Hall. Covered dish meal served at 7 p.m. and meeting to follow.

Labor Day Solid Waste Schedule The Labor Day holiday schedule for solid waste collection is: no service Monday, Sept. 1. If your trash pickup is Monday it will change to Tuesday, Sept. 2. Tuesday trash pickup will change to Wednesday, Sept. 3, and Thursday and Friday will be usual service. Containerized commercial garbage service will not change. No bulky/brush pickup this week.

'Hope After Shattered Dreams' Meeting Hope After Shattered Dreams Ministry meets Monday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the El Campo Church of Christ, 315 E. Calhoun. Anyone who has experienced loss resulting from, but not limited to death, divorce, job or deteriorating health is welcome to attend. For information call 543-4279.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2

Ricebird Booster Club Meeting The Ricebird Booster Club meets Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. in the classroom located in the weight room behind home stadium.

COMING SOON

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.

Labor of Love Distribution Friday Those who have applied for the Labor of Love food program may pick up their commodities at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Sept. 5.

Fiesta Festival On The Square In Wharton A parade before the Fiesta Hispano Americana Festival is Saturday, Sept. 6 on the Square in Wharton. Raffle tickets will be sold for a 2008 GMC Sierra Extended Cab Truck or a $16,000 gift certificate. Tickets are $100 and only 500 will be sold. The winner will be drawn Saturday. To buy tickets call 979-541-7439 or 832-455-4553.

BBQ Chicken & Sausage Dinner The boxing program at the Boys & Girls Club of El Campo hosts a barbecued chicken and sausage dinner fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 6 from noon-2 p.m. at Alamo Park pavilion on Alamo Street behind the El Campo Post Office. Tickets are $6 per plate. For information call Silvester Arrambide at 543-6357.

WC Texas Exes Kick-off Meeting/Party Wharton County Texas Exes host a kick-off meeting and game-watching party Saturday, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. at the FireHouse Bar & Grill. The first event of the year will be to reconnect with your fellow Wharton County Longhorns. For information call Lane Lauritsen at 979-635-4432 or lanelauritsen@remax.net.

Rice Belt Coin Club Coin Show Rice Belt Coin Club hosts the 24th Annual Coin Show at the American Legion Hall on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission, everyone is invited, free parking and door prizes every hour. A free dated buffalo nickel or liberty head to children. Buy, sell or trade U.S. and foreign coins and currency. On-site security and refreshments. For information call Steve Harris at 543-1230, Gerd Conner at 543-3493, Preston Hicks at 543-5635 or Johnnie Bartosh at 543-3600. Call Johnnie Bartosh for dealer tables.

Derby Doll Booster Club Meeting The Derby Doll Booster Club meets Monday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the ECHS new practice gym.

Ricebird Cheerleading Booster Club Meeting The Ricebird Cheerleading Booster Club meets Monday, Sept. 8 at 7:15 p.m. at the El Campo High School seminar room.

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.

After School Activity Period Program After School Activity Period begins Monday, Aug. 25 and continues every Monday and Wednesday from 3:15-5:30 p.m. at 810 Palacios. All students are welcome to attend. For information call 543-3588 or 543-5548.

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. Raffle tickets for a $1,300 shotgun are $25 each. Advertising sponsorship signs are available for $300. To sign up as a sponsor or to participate in the shoot, or to get raffle tickets call Michael Jones at 543-5998 or John Petty at 543-3373.

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.

ECHS Class of 1978 Needs Addresses The ECHS class of 1978 holds a reunion Oct. 11. All classmates are invited; however, current addresses are needed. Call Martha Bartosh Cerny at 543-5197 or Donna Schoenfield Kocurek at 543-5510 if you have an address change.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 its 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.

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