SHARE YOUR SCHOOL MEMORIES - The Wise County Messenger is putting together a back to school issue to be published next Thursday, Aug. 6. We'd like to hear if you have any memories of favorite teachers from your school days. E-mail us at news@wcmessenger.com or drop off your submission by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, to have your memory considered for inclusion in the paper.
AGGIE SENDOFF - The Cross Timbers Aggie Club will be having a "sendoff" party for A&M students to start the new school year. The Aggie Howdy Party for Wise, Jack and Montague County Aggies is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at the Bridgeport Lions Club in Bridgeport. The event will include a hamburger supper, door prizes, games and Aggie Tradition lessons. Parents and siblings are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Susan Miller at (940) 627-7658.
FOSTER OR ADOPT - There will be a foster/adoption families get-together at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at Pizza Hut in Decatur. Anyone who is currently a foster/adoptive parent or prospective in Wise County is invited to attend. Cost is approximately $4 to $6 per person. Children are welcome to attend. For more information, e-mail Amanda Johnson at amanda@wisechemsafe.com or call Pat Reed, director of CASA of Wise County, at (940) 627-7535.
NAME THAT SCHOOL - You have until noon Thursday, July 30, to submit suggestions for the name of the new Decatur elementary school scheduled to open in the fall of 2010 on County Road 4191. Community members can fill out a form on the district's Web page, http://www.decaturisd.us or follow the link from the sidebar ad on the Wise County Messenger Update home page. Only names submitted online will be eligible for consideration.
STORY TIME - Encore Theater 4kids will present a special story time at the Decatur Public Library at 10 a.m. Friday, July 31. Characters from the Beauty and the Beast Encore production will make a guest appearance to read stories and sing songs. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (940) 627-5512 or visit http://www.decaturpubliclibrary.com
OFFICE CLOSED - Precint 2 Justice of the Peace Terri Johnson's office will be closed Friday, July 31, for staff to attend a legislative update class. The office will re-open normal business hours Monday, Aug. 3, at 8 a.m.
READING CAMP - Safari Reading Camp is open to students entering third grade as a tool to help on the reading portion of the TAKS test. The camp meets Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the Church of Christ on Farm Road 51 in Decatur. There are two sessions, one at 9 a.m. and one at 10:30 a.m. Contact Ruby Quanz for more information.
ADOPT A PET - The Wise County Animal Shelter is waiving adoption fees through the end of August.
Next week's events...
SCHOOL SUPPLIES - Cornerstone Baptist Church is giving out school supplies for kindergarten students, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, in the church parking lot.
CHAMBER MIXER - A multi-chamber mixer is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center. RSVP to Linda Dillinder at (940) 433-2055 by Friday, July 31. To donate a door prize for the mixer, call the Bridgeport Chamber office at (940) 683-2076 or e-mail bridgeportchamber2@embarqmail.com.
BRIDGEPORT REUNION - The Bridgeport class of 1979 will host its 30-year reunion 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Bridgeport Golf and Country Club. Classes of 1976-1978 are also invited. Cost is $25 at the door. RSVP by e-mailing bridgeportclass79@yahoo.com or call (940) 389-5355.
Upcoming events...
COUNSELING - Free group counseling for adult victims of childhood/teen sexual abuse will be offered by Sue Newcomb, LPCI, at Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, 604 N. Trinity, in Decatur. Call (940) 627-6924 to pre-register. Space is limited. Sessions will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays, Aug. 10 through Sept. 28.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center, a family violence/sexual assault victim's services organization, is holding a school supply drive for the children of their clients. The organization is asking for donations of school supplies, regulation size backpacks and varying sizes of new children's shoes. Donations can be taken to the Wise Hope Crisis Center, 407 S. Washburn St., in Decatur, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Tuesday, Aug. 11. For more information, call Brittany at (940) 626-4585.
SKEET SHOOT - A skeet shoot benefiting Paradise FFA will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at 631 County Road 3470 in Paradise. The event is open to all ages and is wolf-chase format. Entry fee includes a meal, and a concession stand will be at the event. For information, call Kay Moore at (817) 343-0484.
CLEAN-UP DAY - The city of New Fairview will host a Citywide Clean-up Day Aug. 15. Residents will need to bring their driver's license or utility bill that shows a physical address within city limits. Items that will not be accepted include tires, batteries, hazardous materials, wet paint, oil refrigerants or anything containing refrigerants.
MARINE REUNION - The Third Marine Division Association is holding its 55th annual reunion Aug. 24-30 in San Antonio. For more information, call Mike Sohn at (210) 654-3310 or e-mail him at jumient2@hotmail.com.
CLASS OF 1999 - The Bridgeport High School Class of 1999 will have its 10-year reunion Sept. 11-12. If you have not been contacted, e-mail bridgeport1999@hotmail.com.
RAFFLE TICKETS - The Decatur Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association is selling raffle tickets for a Stoeger Condor 12-gauge over and under shotgun. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased at the First Financial and North Texas Banks or from any DCPAAA member. Drawing will be Oct. 6. All proceeds go to the Decatur Police Department to help provide training equipment.
In other news ...
FIGHT MOSQUITOS - Decatur mayor Joe Lambert is asking residents to take care of their property to limit breeding grounds for mosquitos. Tips include cutting weeds, getting rid of standing water, trimming brush and cleaning out any "junk" that might be stacked in your yard.
SUPPORT - Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are 6:30 p.m. each Monday at the Newark Community Center at 404 Hudson St.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT - The Alzheimer's Association hosts an Alzheimer's support group at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Wise Regional Health System's west campus board room. For more information, call Kelly Walker at (940) 627-5921, ext. 3923.
HOUSING AUTHORITY - The Bridgeport Housing Authority is now accepting applications for one-bedroom apartments. Applications can be picked up at the office, 1508 Cobb, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
FOSTER OR ADOPT - CASA is taking applications for the Arrow Child and Family Ministries foster/adopt training in September at the Decatur Public Library. The classes will be each Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. To sign up, call Joy Woodruff at (940) 393-5231 or the CASA office at (940) 627-7535.
DONATE A PHONE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center is accepting cell phones and cell phone batteries in any condition. The organization works with a company, Shelter Alliance, which allows them to receive shelter funding through cell phone donations. Bring donations to the Wise Hope Crisis Center in Decatur at 407 S. Washburn St. For information, call (940) 626-4585.
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP - A free marriage workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at the Weatherford College Education Center in Decatur. For more information, visit http://www.theparentingcenter.org To register, call (877) 922-4733.
CPR TRAINING - The 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 more information or to register, call the administration offices at (940) 627-3199 or come by the fire department at 201 S. Church St.
