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. CHICO Spirit of Christmas applications are available at First State Bank of Chico or the elementary school. Turn in applications by Monday, Nov. 9.
GARAGE SALE - The city of Bridgeport employees have donated items that were to be for sale 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 was to be held in conjunction with the citywide garage sale.
FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION - The Chisholm Trail Tractor Club annual Fall Farm Equipment Consignment Auction was to be 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. Heugatter Auction Service will conduct the auction.
FALL FESTIVAL - The Rhome Church of Christ was to host the Fall Family Fun Festival 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The free event was to feature food, prizes, games and more.
BARRELS FOR BOOKS - Royal Christian Academy in Boyd was to host the Barrels for Books barrel race Saturday, Nov. 7, at Keeter Arena on County Road 2048. Exhibition was to begin at 11 a.m., and the race was to start at 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit the academy. Call Amy Proudfoot at (940) 389-2441 for information.
OPEN HOUSE - Merchants on the square in Decatur were to serve refreshments while shoppers enjoy their holiday previews and ideas for decorating this season Saturday, Nov. 7. Stores will be open 10 a.m to 4 p.m.
BAKE SALE - Decatur SkillsUSA is hosting a bake sale 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Walmart. Donations will be accepted.
4-H MEETING - The Chico 4-H Club meets at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Chico Middle School Cafeteria.
VISIT - Congresswoman Kay Granger of Fort Worth will visit with constituents in Decatur Sunday, Nov. 8, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Decatur Visitors Center. Call Joe Lambert at (940) 393-1748 for information.
PIG SALE - The fourth annual Paradise Buyers Pig Sale is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Paradise Project Show Barn. Breakfast and lunch will be served. For information, call Robin at (940) 393-1903.
This week's events ...
RELAY MEETING - The Wise County Relay for Life committee meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in the Wise County Messenger conference room.
TEEN COURT - Wise County Teen Court will hold court Monday, Nov. 9, at Judge Clay Poynor's courtroom in the new Annex Building in Bridgeport. All officers and defendants should be there at 5 p.m. Attorney training will follow the court session. All students who wish to become attorneys for teen court need to be there by 6 p.m.
REPUBLICAN MEETING - The Wise Republican Women and Wise County Republican Party will meet jointly at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the courthouse, second floor. County Clerk Sherry Parker Lemon will speak about elections.
WISE MERCHANTS - The Wise Merchants Association is holding its Breakfast with Business meeting 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Hampton Inn in Decatur. There is no cost to attend. For information, visit http://www.wisemerchants.org
WONDERFUL WISE - The Bridgeport Historical Society presents the visual presentation "The Wonders of Wise County" 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Bridgeport Stage. The Bridgeport Heritage Museum will provide refreshments, entertainment and tours of its new location, 812 Halsell St., from 6 to 7 p.m.
SCV MEETING - The Sons of Confederate Veterans will attend the "Wonders of Wise County" historical presentation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at The Bridgeport Stage rather than have their normal monthly meeting.
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.
ANGEL FOOD - Crossroads Church in Decatur will accept orders and payments online for Angel Food through 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. Cash, check and foodstamp orders will be accepted through noon Wednesday, Nov. 11. Food will be distributed from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the church. The basic box is $30 and provides dinners for a family of four for about a week. Meat and vegetable boxes are also available. See http://www.crossroadsdecatur.com/angel-food-ministries for information, this month's menu and specials, and for the link for online ordering. Call (940) 626-4527.
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.
OFF 380 - The Off 380 Players will present "Play On!" by Rick Abbott Nov. 12-15 and 19-22. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 7:30 with Sunday matinees 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
GT MEETING - Decatur school parents interested in nominating their kindergartner for the gifted and talented program at Rann should attend an information meeting 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in the library. If you cannot attend, call Mrs. Vrba, counselor, at (940) 393-760) or Mrs. Tinker, GT teacher, at (940) 393-7621 to discuss the process. A translator will be available.
LITTLE DRIBBLERS - Deadline to register for Wise County Little Dribblers basketball league is Friday, Nov. 13. Call Paige Ochoa at (817) 996-7420.
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.
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 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, a Franklin Graham Ministry. Bring your filled shoeboxes 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.
POTATO DINNER - The Decatur High School Spanish Club is holding a baked potato dinner 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the commons area of the high school. Tickets are $8. Proceeds benefit the Spanish Club. For advance tickets, contact Mr. Bargas, Mrs. Gasperson or Coach Garza.
BATTLE FOR A CURE - A "Battle of the Bands" to benefit breast cancer awareness is 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Ruben's Ballroom, 1982 E. U.S. 380 in Decatur. Doors open at 6:30. Bands will include December Rose, Last Round, G and the Motes, One Last Soul, Otis The Axe, Subvert, Aftermath and The Donatellos. Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 in advance and can be purchased at Shredderz Skate and Sport in Decatur. For more information, go to http://www.shredderzshop.com
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.
RECYCLE - Wise County Power is having a community recycling event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Texas Recycles Day, Saturday, Nov. 14. The plant will accept oil-based paint, latex paint, wood stain, paint thinner, acetone, paint stripper, aerosol cans, used motor oil, anti-freeze, old gasoline, gas/oil mixtures, pesticides, household cleaners, fluorescent light bulbs (linear and compact), batteries, mercury and/or containing devices and electronics. Travel west on Texas 199. Just west of the Jack/Wise county line, turn right and follow the driveway to the gravel lot on the right where volunteers will unload the items. Hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks will be provided as well as plant tours.
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. Canned food and donations will be collected for WARM. 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. Saturday, Nov. 14. For information, e-mail Cortney (Kaumeyer) Savage at ck38@hotmail.com or call (817) 215-8471.
PARK CLEAN-UP - The Decatur Junior Women's Club will have its annual clean-up day for Crystelle Waggoner Park Saturday, Nov. 14. The park will be closed for play that day. Anyone over the age of 10 is welcome to help.
Next week's events ...
CHAMBER LUNCH - The November Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Bridgeport Community Center. Cost is $10 and reservations must be made to the chamber by Wednesday, Nov. 18. Call (940) 683-2076.
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.
Upcoming events ...
FOOD DRIVE - 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.
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 more information at (940) 627-3341.
DECEMBER PLAYS - The G.C. Little Rann Theater will feature "The Rented Christmas" by the First Baptist Church of Decatur and "Little Women" by Joy Christian Academy during the month of December. "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 Joy Christian 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
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 ...
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.
