DECATUR EDC - Decatur Economic Development Corp. finished the year within $4,000 of budget, according to preliminary figures. The EDC board will get a final profit and loss statement at next month's meeting. Declining sales taxes through much of 2009 left about a $12,000 gap in anticipated revenues. Sabrina Taylor with Oncor, who serves ex-officio on the board, said Thursday that a major upgrade to the city's power substation is nearing completion. It is located off U.S. 81/287 and Bennett Road, just west of James Wood Hyundai.
TRICK OR TREAT - The residents of Sunny Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation, 201 E. Thompson in Decatur, were to pass out candy to trick or treaters 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
ALVORD HAUNTED HOUSE - The Alvord eighth grade class was to sponsor a haunted house in downtown Alvord 7 p.m. Saturday.
COSTUME PARADE - Bridgeport's fifth annual Halloween Costume Parade and Trick or Treating was to be 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in downtown. Mayor Don Majka was to lead the parade. Participants should meet in the Duckwall's parking lot at 5 p.m.
TRUNK OR TREAT - The First United Methodist Church in Alvord was to host a Trunk or Treat event 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in the parking lot across from the church. Treats were to be served from car trunks and tailgates. Free hot dogs and soda were to be served, and the Carter Blood Mobile was going to accept blood donations.
CARNIVAL - The First United Methodist Church in Decatur was to hold a Trunk or Treat and Children's Halloween Carnival 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The event was to include a cupcake walk, cookie decorating, maze, carnival games and more. Donations of canned food was to be accepted for WARM.
FALL FESTIVAL - Cornerstone Baptist Church in Decatur was to hold a fall festival 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and it was to include a jump house, food, games and drinks.
RHOME HAUNTED HOUSE - The Rhome Volunteer Fire Department Haunted House was to be 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the fire department. Admission is $7.
CANS INSTEAD OF TREATS - Decatur Middle School students will trick or treat for canned goods Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Cans will be donated to Wise Area Relief Mission.
WIZARD GOES GREEN - The Decatur High School Theatre Department presents "Wizard of Oz" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Admission is $6. All sets and costumes are made from recycled materials.
BASKETBALL SIGN-UPS - Decatur pee wee basketball sign-ups are under way for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls. Deadline is Sunday, Nov. 1. Forms can be picked up at Decatur Intermediate School. Contact Paula Graves at (940) 626-8116 or (940) 389-2414 or e-mail decaturpeeweebasketball@hotmail.com for information.
This week's events ...
BATTLE OF BIG SANDY - The Battle of Big Sandy bonfire and hamburger supper is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Decatur High School. Supper is $5 per plate. The auction starts at 6:45 and the bonfire at 7:15. Cheerleaders are selling Battle of Big Sandy T-shirts, and forms can be picked up at all Decatur schools, Juleez, The Magic Pony and Chalet of Jewelry. Deadline is Monday, Nov. 2. For information, call (940) 393-7241 or (940) 210-1287.
VOLUNTEER FAIR - A volunteer fair is 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Weatherford College. The event will include drinks, snacks and door prizes. Organizations will be on site to discuss volunteering opportunities. Call Megan Brock at (940) 452-4828 for information.
GARDEN CLUB - The Bridgeport Garden Club meets at noon Thursday, Nov. 5. After lunch, Dr. Steve George will present a program on EarthKind Roses. George is the national coordinator of the EarthKind Environmental Landscape Management Program and is a landscape horticulture specialist for Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Dallas. For meeting location information, call Naomi Rawle at (940) 627-2229 or Pat Hiler at (940) 575-9242.
CHALLENGE - Wise Electric Cooperative has challenged other Wise County businesses in a food drive to benefit WARM. Call Lillie Hunt at (940) 627-2167 to participate. A custom trophy goes to the winner. Food will be collected Friday, Nov. 6.
ASMI COURSE - Accident Scene Management Inc. courses are offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6-8, at LaQuinta Inn and Suites in Bridgeport. The professional course is 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday for $15. The basic course is 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and the advanced course is 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Both courses are $45. For information, call Spirit Rider at (940) 389-0200 or Denise Carey at (832) 385-5253. To register, go to http://www.accidentscene.org/schedule.htm#tx.
GARAGE SALE - The city of Bridgeport employees have donated items that will be for sale from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Bridgeport Community Center, 1102 Lawdwin. All proceeds go toward the city employees' contribution to United Way. The sale will be held in conjunction with the citywide garage sale. For information, call (940) 683-3480.
FALL FESTIVAL - The Rhome Church of Christ presents the Fall Family Fun Festival 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The free event will feature food, prizes, games and more.
FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION - The Chisholm Trail Tractor Club annual Fall Farm Equipment Consignment Auction is 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Sheriff's Posse Grounds on Farm Road 51 South in Decatur. Equipment already consigned includes a 1951 Farmall Super A, a 1949 Farmall Mod "C" and a John Deere 3010. For consignment information, call Grady Griffeth at (940) 393-2155. Heugatter Auction Service will conduct the auction.
BARRELS FOR BOOKS - Royal Christian Academy in Boyd will host the Barrels for Books barrel race Saturday, Nov. 7. Exhibition will begin at 11 a.m., and the race will start at 2 p.m. Monetary and raffle item donations are accepted. All proceeds benefit the academy. Call Amy Proudfoot at (940) 389-2441 for information.
Next week's events ...
SUPPORT GROUP - Amputees in Motion (AIM), a support and activity group for North Texas amputees, will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the board room at Wise Regional Health System in Decatur.
PIG TRAINING - Wise County 4-H show pig training is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Paradise ag barn. Instruction will be given on hog selection, feeding, health, daily care and more. Call the Extension office to sign up at (940) 627-3341.
THANKSGIVING DINNER - The First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport will hold its annual community Thanksgiving dinner 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11., in the Bridgeport High School commons area. Cost for adults is $7 in advance or $8 at the door; children 5 to 10 years, $4 in advance or $5 at the door; and children under 4 will eat free. Pre-sale tickets are available until noon the day of the dinner. For information and to buy tickets, come by or call the church office at (940) 683-2780 or contact any church member.
RAINWATER HARVESTING - A program on rainwater harvesting is 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Sheriff's Posse Grounds. Call the Extension office for more information and to sign up (940) 627-3341.
ANGEL TREE - Home Health Care of North Central Texas Inc. is sponsoring an Angel Tree for the elderly and disabled in our community. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 13. Call (940) 683-3300 for information.
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS - Applications for DECATUR Spirit of Christmas are available at CitiBank, DATCU, First Financial, Legend Bank, North Texas Bank and Wells Fargo. Deadline to return applications is Friday, Nov. 13. 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. BRIDGEPORT Spirit of Christmas applications may be picked up at the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce Office and must be returned by Friday, Nov. 13. For information, call (940) 683-2076. BOYD applications are available at all Boyd ISD schools and at city hall. They are due Monday, Nov. 16. RHOME'S Spirit of Christmas applications are available at Rhome City Hall, 105 W. First St. They must be returned to city hall by Nov. 20.
BLOOD DRIVE - The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Wise Electric Coop Community Room. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit bloodisneeded.org to make an appointment.
CHRISTMAS GIFT - First Baptist Church of Decatur is collecting gift-filled shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a Franklin Graham Ministry. Bring your filled shoe boxes to the church by Friday, Nov. 13. For information, call (940) 627-3235.
COAT DRIVE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center, a family violence/sexual assault victims' service organization, is holding a coat drive for the children of clients. Donations of new fall/winter children's coats, monetary donations and/or gift cards are being accepted. Take donations to the Wise Hope Crisis Center, 407 S. Washburn St., in Decatur weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Friday, Nov. 13. For information, call Brittany at (940) 626-4585.
FALL OUT - The Wise Country Fall Out is 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the G.C. Rann Little Theater inside the Wise County Heritage Museum. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under and are available at the museum or at the door the night of the event. Competing will be Billy Blaze, Angela Finch, Amber McGuire, Kim McDaniel, Lacy Franklin, Preston McCauley, Diana Bishop, Jessica Bishop, Leo Solomon, Jordan Sinclair, Kim Saling, Jennifer Ward and Susanne Boston. During the second half of the show, Talmage Morrison and Glenn Walker will present a ukulele concert.
CLASS REUNION - Alvord High School class of 1999 is holding a 10-year reunion at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. For information, e-mail Cortney (Kaumeyer) Savage at ck38@hotmail.com or call (917) 215-8471.
FALL CLEAN-UP - The city of Bridgeport will host a fall clean-up event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. The city is looking for clean teams to help collect trash and debris in all areas of town. Shirts are limited, so sign up to reserve yours. A signed release form is required for each participant. For information, call Natalie Bilby at (940) 683-3413.
Upcoming events ...
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.
5 CEU - 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 more information at (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 in early November. For information, call the CASA office at (940) 627-7535.
In other news ...
CANS FOR WARM - The 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 is also collecting cans.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM - The 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 Governments' 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 cell phone 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.
