LUNCHEON - The Social Service Luncheon is noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at Catfish O'Harlies in Decatur. Connie Shawn with the Wise County Extension Office is speaker. For information, call (940) 627-6418.
SINGLES CLUB - The North Texas Singles Club will have its monthly business dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Hot Skillet in Alvord. All singles are welcome. For information, call (940) 872-6627 and leave a message.
CARDS IN THE PARK - The city of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department, Cultural Arts Board and Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce present the third annual Christmas Cards in the Park, a holiday d cor program to offer businesses, civic groups or individuals a chance to share their best wishes for the season with residents and visitors. Displays should be ready to light by Wednesday, Nov. 25. For information or to reserve a space, call (940) 683-3480.
SANTA COPS - The Decatur Police Department will accept applications for the Santa Cops program through Friday, Dec. 4. Donations of unwrapped toys will be accepted at the department though Monday, Dec. 21. For information, call Chief Rex Hoskins or Ashly DoByns at (940) 627-1500.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA - Breakfast with Santa is 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Bridgeport Community Center, 1102 Lawdwin Ave. The event will feature arts and crafts for the children and pictures with Santa. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Everyone 2-years-old and older is required to have a ticket. Space is limited. For information, call (940) 683-3480.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Bridgeport's Home for the Holidays 2009 is Saturday, Dec. 12. The event will feature merchant open houses, free pictures with Santa, the Off 380 Players production of the radio version of "It's a Wonderful Life" and the annual lighted Christmas parade.
This week's events ...
PROJECT GRADUATION - Bridgeport Project Graduation was to meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the commons area. All parents of seniors are encouraged to attend.
BAKE SALE - The Wise County Messenger Thanksgiving bake sale to benefit United Way of Wise County was to be 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY - The Wise County Historical Society meets at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Heritage Museum in Decatur. Manshadow Waylett will speak on Cpl. Samuel Major Sampler, recipient of the medal of honor.
CHAMBER LUNCH - The November Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce luncheon is 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Community Center. Cost is $10, and reservations must be made to the chamber by Wednesday, Nov. 18. Call (940) 683-2076.
RELAY KICK-OFF - The Wise County Relay for Life Kick-off is 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at Decatur Church of Christ. Anyone interested in being on a team or volunteering, or any team that wants to sign up, should attend.
OFF 380 - The Off 380 Players will present "Play On!" by Rick Abbott Nov. 19-22. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 7:30 with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. All performances are at The Bridgeport Stage. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students. For ticket reservations, visit http://www.off380players.org
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS -RHOME'S Spirit of Christmas applications are available at Rhome City Hall, 105 W. First St. They must be returned to city hall by Friday, Nov. 20. DECATUR Spirit of Christmas angels will be displayed on trees beginning Monday, Nov. 23. Coats will be accepted at all Decatur financial institutions through Dec. 10 for the Spirit of Christmas coat drive. Infant through young adult sizes will be accepted.
SPRING REGISTRATION - On-line registration for the spring 2010 semester and winter mini session at Weatherford College has begun for all eligible students. All students may register online except high-school students, international students, first-time students and any student with a registration block. Face-to-face registration begins for spring and winter mini classes Dec 7. Students may access online registration through Campus Connect on the College Web site www.wc.edu. Classes for spring 2010 begin Jan. 11, with late registration continuing through Jan. 15. For information, call (817) 594-5471.
HOLIDAY STORE - Wise Regional Health System Auxiliary annual holiday store is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Decatur Lions Club on State Street. Gifts, peanuts, pecans and baked goods will be for sale. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $5 and will include chili, cornbread, dessert and iced tea and coffee. Proceeds benefit the auxiliary in purchasing equipment for the hospital.
COOKING - Grace Baptist Church of Decatur is taking orders for smoked turkeys, hams and briskets to be cooked Friday, Nov. 20. Meat may be picked up that evening at the church parking lot. Turkeys are $30; hams, $35; and briskets, $40. Proceeds benefit the Grace Baptist Benevolence Fund. To order, call (940) 627-7558.
BARBECUE FOR CHARITY - Wise Electric is taking orders for Thanksgiving smoked briskets and hams. The briskets are $35, and the hams are $40. Proceeds from the sales will benefit Wise County charities. The deadline to order the smoked items is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. They can be picked up by noon Wednesday, Nov. 25. For information, call (940) 627-2167.
DAR - The John B. Denton chapter of DAR will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Wise County Heritage Museum in Decatur. Manshadow Waylett will speak on Cpl. Samuel Major Sampler, recipient of the medal of honor.
Next week's events ...
SHARE DINNER - First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport will host a Thanskgiving share dinner with members of St. Mark Ascension and Zion Valley Cumberland Presbyterian churches on Sunday, Nov. 22, following the 11 a.m. service. Guests are invited to bring a dish to share as well as food donations for the Wise Area Relief Mission. First Presbyterian is located at 1307 Newby St. in Bridgeport.
FOOD DRIVE - Chico school bands are collecting canned food and dry goods until Nov. 23, to provide Thanksgiving dinners to needy families. Drop-off locations are Diamond Supermarket, Mom's House in Chico and Chico middle and high schools. To suggest a family in need, call Wendy Sosa at (940) 389-6955.
FOOD DRIVE II - Slidell High School FCCLA is helping WARM stock up for the holidays. Bring nonperishable food items and toiletries to Slidell Jr/Sr High or Elementary School by Tuesday, Nov. 24. For information, call Jessica McClure or Mrs. Wright at (940) 466-3118.
MOVIE NIGHT - The Bridgeport Box Office presents the movie "Up" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at The Bridgeport Stage, 1001 Halsell St. Admission is free, but space is limited. For information, call (940) 683-3480.
BLOOD DRIVE - An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 7:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the Wise Regional Health System parking lot.
RING IN THE SEASON - Salvation Army bell ringers are needed to ring the bell in front of Walmart Nov. 27 through Christmas Eve. Call Tana Fedric at (940) 627-5859.
Upcoming events ...
BENEFIT CONCERT - A benefit concert for Leslie Denison and Becca Logan is 2:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Decatur Civic Center. Artists include 6 Market Blvd., Ryan Beaver Band, Deryl Dodd and Mickey and The Motorcars. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. For information, call (940) 210-1141.
5 CEUs - A private applicator license recertification is Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Decatur Civic Center. The $25 registration includes lunch. Topics will include: exploring your forage options; laws and regulations; perennial grass management; sprayer calibration; feral hogs in Texas; and what's legal, what's not. Call the Extension office for information at (940) 627-3341.
DECEMBER PLAYS - G.C. Little Rann Theater will feature "The Rented Christmas" by the First Baptist Church of Decatur and "Little Women" by Joy Christian Academy. "The Rented Christmas" is 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 3 and 4, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for children and are available at the museum or at the church. "Little Women," featuring academy students, is 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students and are available at the door. For information, call (940) 627-5586 or visit http://www.wisehistory.com
TEDDY BEAR DANCE - The Decatur 8er's Square Dance Club Christmas Teddy Bear Dance is Saturday, Dec. 5, at Weatherford College Wise County, 1200 Farm Road 51 South in Decatur. The police department will pick up the teddy bears between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
TOUR - Tickets for the Decatur Woman's Club Tour of Homes Dec. 6 are on sale at Patti's Hair Parlor and The Magic Pony.
APPLICATOR'S LICENSE - A private applicator training and test is 8 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Extension office. This class if for individuals who do not have a pesticide applicator's license but would like to get one. The class is limited to the first 20 paid participants. A registration fee of $45 includes study books and lunch. For information, call (940) 627-3341.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION - Teresa Sattawhite and Joy Woodruff have been named event chairpersons for the Christmas Celebration of the Children Gala Dinner benefiting the abused and neglected children of CASA of Wise and Jack counties. The event is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Decatur Civic Center. CASA Board President Sally Reiger will announce table hosts for the event this month. For information, call the CASA office at (940) 627-7535.
In other news ...
HOUSING REVIEW - The Bridgeport Housing Authority has the 2010/5-year annual plan available at its office for a 45-day period. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 1508 Cobb St. in Bridgeport.
BLUE LIGHTS - Concerns of Police Survivors is encouraging law enforcement families, friends and law enforcement agencies to decorate in blue lights this holiday season. By placing one blue light in a window, it will show support for officers killed in the line of duty and those who continue to work America's streets. By placing strings of blue lights outside the home, at the department, and throughout the community, law enforcement officers will understand that they are appreciated.
TOYS FOR TOTS - Karl Klement Ford in Decatur is a collection point for packaged toys for Toys for Tots. For information, call Angie Mathai at (940) 627-1101.
CANS FOR WARM - Decatur Police Citizens Alumni Association is collecting food for WARM. For information, call (940) 627-5329. First Financial Bank in Decatur, Legend Bank and North Texas Bank are also collecting cans.
WORK FOR SENIORS - Experience Works is offering job opportunities in Wise County. They are a national, nonprofit organization that provides paid on-the-job training and employment services for low-income seniors older than 55. For information, call (866) 712-0978, go to http://www.experienceworks.org or visit North Central Texas Work Force at 1810 FM 51 South in Decatur.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM - Decatur Public Library's free after-school program for students in fifth grade and up is 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students will participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities. For information, call the library at (940) 627-5512 or visit the Web page at http://www.decaturpubliclibrary.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - North Central Texas Council of Government's Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to help elderly and disabled residents of nursing and assisted living facilities in Bridgeport and Decatur. Call Lisa Walker at (800) 272-3921 or e-mail Pat Borgfeldt at ppborgfeldt@aol.com for information.
SUPPORT - Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are 6:30 p.m. each Monday at the Newark Community Center, 404 Hudson St.
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - The Alzheimer's Association hosts a support group at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at Wise Regional Health System's west campus board room in Decatur. Call Kelly Walker at (940) 627-5921 for information.
DONATE A PHONE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center is accepting cell phones and batteries in any condition. The organization works with Shelter Alliance, which allows them to receive shelter funding through cell phone donations. Bring donations to the center office in Decatur, 407 S. Washburn St. Call (940) 626-4585 for information.
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP - A free marriage workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. the second Saturday of every month at the Weatherford College Education Center in Decatur. For information, visit http://www.theparentingcenter.org To register, call (877) 922-4733.
CPR TRAINING - Decatur Fire Department offers CPR training to people living in the Decatur city limits or in the Decatur Fire District. Classes are held monthly from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The cost is $5. For information or to register, call the administration offices at (940) 627-3199 or come by the department at 201 S. Church St.
