What's News for March 12, 2010

Jacksonville Progress

JACKSONVILLE — Get your non-profit organization’s fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress’s What’s News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to living@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content



ONGOING

Raffle set to benefit Relay for Life

The Transformers, the Cherokee County Electric Co-op Association’s Relay for Life team, is raffling an Easter Basket filled with goodies as a fundraiser for the RFL event. The basket is filled with a Bible, a cup, crosses, plaques, a calendar and more! The drawing will be April 1. Tickets are $5 each, and all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. The basket is on display in the Cherokee County Electric Co-op lobby.



FRIDAY

Knights of Columbus hold Great East Texas Catfish Fry

The Knights of Columbus will host the Great East Texas Catfish Fry Fridays through March 26. Each Friday’s dinner, held 5-8 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1023 Corinth Rd. in Jacksonville, includes catfish, cole slaw, beans, dessert and a beverage, and costs $9 for adults and $6 for children. For more information, call 903-586-4538.



SATURDAY

Lucky Day Swap Meet and Irish Stew Cook-Off held

The Lucky Day Swap Meet and Irish Stew Cook-Off will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Dirt Floor Choppers/Alliance Towing , 2015 E. Rusk St. (U.S. Hwy 79), in Jacksonville. Inside and outside spaces are available for $10, first come (or call), first served. Cook-off entries also $10, winner gets half of pot plus trophy for “Best Overall.” Also trophies presented for “Best Tasting” and “Best Presentation.” Minimum of 3 gallon pot to be ready by noon. “Bottomless” taster bowls for $2.50. Cornbread, crackers and beverages furnished. People’s choice determines winners. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and door prizes. Public is welcome. Proceeds will benefit East Texas Avengers Chapter and Texas Motorcycle Rights Association. To reserve your space, call Bossman at 903-721-1120. For info about stew contest, call 903-589-0950.



The Kingsmen sing at Neches Elementary

The Kingsmen will perform at Neches Elementary School auditorium at 7 p.m. Saturday. The concert is sponsored by the Neches Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and younger, in advance; prices higher at the door. Tickets are available at Marie’s Christian Book Store in Jacksonville or Van’s Grocery Store in Neches. For more information, call 903-584-3316 or 903-584-3523.



TCCA presents the Canadian Tenors

Tyler Community Concert Association is presenting the wonderfully talented vocal group The Canadian Tenors, who have recently appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil.  The concert will be held at Caldwell Auditorium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets for the single performance are available for $25.00 and can be purchased at the door, or by contacting the T.C.C.A. office at 903-592-6266, or by visiting the web site at www.tcca.biz. 



MARCH 16

AgriLife Extension office offers Breakfast CEU

The AgriLife Extension will be holding a dutch treat breakfast at Beverly’s Country Cafe in Jacksonville to receive a one hour of Pesticide CEU credit. The class is March 16th from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. For more information, call 903-683-5416.



MARCH 17

AgriLife Extension office offers diabetes wellness classes

The AgriLife Extension office will offer “Do Well, Be Well with diabetes” classes 2-4 p.m. March 17 at HOPE. The free classes will continue at the same time each Wednesday through the month of March. To register, call 903-683-5416.



MARCH 19

Farm Bureau scholarship deadline arrives

The deadline to submit an application for the Cherokee County Farm Bureau scholarship is March 19. Applications are available at the office in Rusk. Members and family of members of Farm Bureau are eligible to apply. For more information call Nikki Penn at 903-683-2576.



MARCH 23

JISD holds K, Pre-K, Head Start registration

Jacksonville ISD is having a Spring pre-enrollment event for 2010-2011 Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Head Start from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 23-24, at the Norman Activity Center, 526 E Commerce St., Jacksonville, TX. Required documents for registration lists are available at the JISD Central Office (1547 E Pine St., Jacksonville) or by calling 903-586-6511 or visiting www.jisd.org.

Jacksonville Independent School District 2010-2011 Pre-Inscripción Pre-Kinder, Kinder (Jardín de Niños), Head Start (Aprendizaje temprano) Martes marzo 23 del 2010 Miércoles marzo 24 del 2010 Lugar: Norman Activity Center, 526 East Commerce St, Jacksonville, TX 75766, Horario: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Documentos: 903-586-6511, www.jisd.org.



MARCH 25

Cherokee County Jr. Livestock Show set

The Cherokee County Jr. Livestock Show will be March 25-27 at the Cherokee County Expo Center on Loop 456 in Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.cherokeecountyexpo.org or call 903-586-5177.



MARCH 26

Tamale supper to benefit literacy held

A tasty, delicious tamale dinner will be held 4:30-8 p.m. March 26 at the Norman Activity Center. Meals are $5 for adults, $3 for children, and include tamales, rice, beans, tostados and salsa. Iced tea and sodas will be available for $1, including refills. All proceeds benefit the Jacksonville Literacy Council teaching programs. Come enjoy the fine meal in the fiesta atmosphere at the Center. Take orders will also be available. The dinner is sponsored by PLAN. For more information or to place orders, call Esmeralda Haddad at 903-721-0718.



MARCH 29

AARP volunteers offer tax preparation

AARP Tax-Aide Volunteers will prepare taxes and e-file returns from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday and March 29 at the Jacksonville Public Library, 502 S. Jackson St. All low- and medium-income taxpayers are welcome to participate in the free service. Tax-Aide counselors can answer tax-related questions, prepare Form 1040s and file returns for free; AARP membership is not required. Participants should bring last year’s tax return, all W-2s and 1099s as well as Social Security or ITIN cards for each family member.



Chili’s hosts Adopt-a-School night

Chili’s will host Adopt-a-School night 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 29. Ten percent of proceeds that day will benefit JISD programs. Coupon must be presented to participate, and they are available at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce office.



APRIL 2

Reese Community Center holds hamburger supper

The Reese Community Center will have a hamburger and pie supper fundraiser 5:30-7 p.m. April 2. Price is $8 per person. Everyone is welcome. The hamburgers are 1/3 pound and come with chips, drink, pinto beans and homemade pie for dessert. Also, whole pies will be for sale. For more information, call 903-586-0393.



APRIL 4

Sunrise service held at Love’s Lookout

A sunrise service at Love’s Lookout Visitor Center is set for April 4. Love’s Lookout is on U.S. Hwy. 69 N in Jacksonville.



APRIL 6

Taco Bell hosts Adopt-a-School Night

Taco Bell will host Adopt-a-School Night 5-8 p.m. April 6. Buy two crispy tacos for 99 cents to benefit JISD programs.



APRIL 10

Annual GopherFest held in Gallatin

The 6th annual Gallatin GopherFest will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 10 on the Gallatin Community Center grounds featuring good, clean family fun. Live entertainment throughout the day includes music by The Papers and Sugar Mountain, as well as the Mr. and Miss Gopher Fest Pageant and the Gallatin Idol talent search. There will also be a chili cook off, games, arts and crafts, raffles, a live auction, a cake walk, a dunking booth and more! All proceeds benefit the Gallatin Community Center. For more information or to rent booth space, call Terrie Sadler at 903-683-3333 or Chase Palmer at 936-537-2448.



APRIL 15

Jacksonville Chamber holds Business After Hours

The Jacksonville Library will host Business After Hours 5:15-6:15 p.m. April 15. The event is held by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce to give business people in Jacksonville an opportunity to network and meet people from other businesses. Door prizes will be awarded. For more information, call the Chamber at 903-586-2217



Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters meet

The Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters will meet April 15-17 at the Cherokee County Expo Center on Loop 456 in Jacksonville.



APRIL 17

Spring Clean Up Day set

The City of Jacksonville and Cherokee County have set April 17 as a clean-up day. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. various drop-off locations will accept the old junk you want to get rid of. You must present a current City of Jacksonville water bill and a driver’s license to leave things at the landfill. Call the City of Jacksonville at 903-586-3510 or your county commissioner for more information.



APRIL 19

Chamber sets next quarterly gathering

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce has set its next quarterly gathering for members at noon to 1 p.m. April 19 at the Norman Activity Center. A presentation by Austin Bank will be about identity theft, and new Chamber members will be presented. Cost is $10 for lunch, and advance reservations are required. Call 903-586-2217 for more information or to make your reservation.



APRIL 26

Chili’s hosts Adopt-a-School Night

Chili’s will host Adopt-a-School night 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 26. Ten percent of proceeds that day will benefit JISD programs. Coupon must be presented to participate, and they are available at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce office.



APRIL 30

Relay for Life is held

The 2010 Cherokee County Relay for Life will be on April 30 at Mauldin Field on the campus of Jacksonville High School. All survivors of cancer and any and all with a passion for defeating the disease of cancer are invited to become involved with this committee and this cause. For more information you can email cherokeerelayforlife@yahoo.com or call Cindy at 903-683-7483.



ONGOING

MONDAYS

Cherokee County Genealogical Society meets

The Cherokee County Genealogical Society meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month, September through May, at Bonner Place. Anyone interested in genealogy is invited to attend.



Master Gardeners meet

Cherokee County Master Gardeners Association meets at 10 a.m. the second Monday of each month at the Norman Activity Center. For information regarding the Master Gardeners, e-mail billingsk704@yahoo.com.



New Summerfield Lions meet

The New Summerfield Lions regularly meet on the first and third Monday of every month at the First United Methodist Church in New Summerfield.  For additional information, contact 903-586-3228. 



Al-Anon meets

Jacksonville Al-Anon family group meets at 6:30 p.m. every Monday at First United Methodist Church, on Loop 456 and Corinth Road, in Jacksonville. Use the Adult Sunday school door.



TUESDAYS

Jacks ‘n Jills Square Dance Club offers free lessons

The Jacks ‘n Jills Square Dance Club holds weekly lessons from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Methodist Church, 2020 Beaumont, in Jacksonville. Lessons are at the same time every Tuesday, and the first two lessons are free! For more information, call Carol Green at 903-721-2265.



St. John’s UMC seniors hold fellowship time

The St. John’s United Methodist Church seniors hold a fellowship group at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. Games, dominos, etc., and a light meal are included in the activities. All are welcome to come for the free, fun and fellowship at Terrific Tuesday.



Rusk Kiwanis meets

Rusk Kiwanis Club meets at noon every Tuesday at the Southern Cherokee Federal Credit Union, 602 N. Henderson St., in Rusk. For details, call Kelley Garner 903-683-2414.



WEDNESDAYS

Jacksonville library offers storytime

The Jacksonville Public Library holds storytime for children at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday. For more information, call the library at 903-586-7664.



Jacksonville Rotary meets

The Jacksonville Rotary Club meets at noon every Wednesday at Sadler’s Kitchen. For more information regarding the Rotary Club, contact Tim McRae, president, at 903-586-2241 or e-mail, william.mcrae@billmcraeford.com.



Quilters group meetings

The Bits and Pieces quilters meet at 8 a.m. until noon each Wednesday morning in the family life center at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville and invite you to join in the fun, fellowship, and fancy stitching. Wannabees are welcome. Call 903-258-2937 for more information.



Good Sam Resale Shop hours

The Good Samaritan Food Bank and Resale Shop is open 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays to serve clients. The facility is at 203 W. Second St., Rusk. Families and senior citizens who need assistance with food and other necessities are welcome. For more information or to make donations, please call 903-683-2376.



Rusk Rotary meets

The Rusk Rotary meets at noon every Wednesday at the Southern Cherokee Federal Credit Union, 602 N. Henderson St., in Rusk. For more information, call Roy Reynolds at 903-683-1947.



THURSDAYS

Rusk Lions meet

The Rusk Lions Club meet at noon every Thursday at the Lions Club Hall, 607 W. Sixth St., next door to Dollar General in Rusk. For more information, call Jeff Johnson at 903-683-2204.



FRIDAYS

Eagle’s Nest youth center hours

The Eagle’s Nest Christian youth center is open for Jacksonville youth 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The center is at the corner of Nacogdoches and Ragsdale streets in Jacksonville. Call operator Larry McGlade, 903-539-1996, for more information or to donate to the center.



Good Sam Resale Shop hours

The Good Samaritan Food Bank and Resale Shop is open 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays to serve clients. The facility is at 203 W. Second St., Rusk. Families and senior citizens who need assistance with food and other necessities are welcome. For more information or to make donations, please call 903-683-2376.



Literacy Council offers English classes

The Jacksonville Literacy Council is offering English classes at 10 a.m. each Friday at the Literary Council office, 215 E. Commerce St., Suite 215 A in Jacksonville. The class is open to any interested people and will teach basic speaking, reading and writing in English as well as citizenship participation. Please call 903-586-6125 to enroll or for more information. Leave a message if the answering machine answers.



RSH volunteer council opens resale shop

The Resale Shop sponsored by the Volunteer Council for the Rusk State Hospital Inc. is open the first and second Friday of each month from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.  The Resale Shop is located at 545 Castner St. in Rusk, just off U.S. Hwy 69 N (turn west on Castner just north of the Sonic).  All proceeds go to support the patients and programs at Rusk State Hospital.  For more information call 903-683-7327.



SATURDAYS

SCV meets

Attention Southern history lovers. Gen. Joseph L. Hogg Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, meets the second Saturday every month in the Bullard-Jacksonville area. Call J. D. Campbell, 903-894-6727, for details.



Heritage Center open weekends

The Heritage Center of Cherokee County Museum is open to visitors 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and 1-5 p.m. every Sunday. The center is at 208 S. Henderson St., just off the square in Rusk. For more information, call 903-683-5643 or log on to www.hccc-museum.org.



WEEKLY

HOPE offers transportation schedule

The HOPE van offers rides to anywhere in the Jacksonville city limits during regular business hours Monday through Thursday. Anyone needing a ride can call 903-586-7781 or 903-393-1921 to make an appointment or to be picked up.



Community Kitchen for HOPE open

The Community Kitchen for HOPE serves breakfast and lunch, free of charge, Monday through Friday to anyone who shows up. Breakfast is served 8:30-9:30 a.m. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The kitchen is at 595 S. Ragsdale St., Jacksonville.



Rusk offers public transportation

The city of Rusk’s bus service operates within the city limits Monday through Friday. Boarding fee is $1 and entitles the rider to two stops. Additional stops cost 50 cents. There is no charge for the return trip home. Rusk senior citizens and disabled can call 903-683-2213 for pickup or for more details.



YMCA holds after-school care

The YMCA will begin offering after-school care in Jacksonville this fall at West Side Elementary. The cost is $30 per child, with a discounted rate for each additional child. To apply for care or to work part-time at the after-school program at West Side, call the YMCA in Tyler at 903-593-7327.



Alcoholics Anonymous offers Jacksonville Recovery Group

Alcoholics Anonymous conducts meetings every week at 316 West Larissa St. The meetings take place Monday through Saturday at noon, and Nov. 2 through Sunday at 8 p.m.



Healing Room offered

River of Life Christian Church in Rusk has recently opened a Healing Room in which they offer prayer free of charge to anyone in need of healing. If you would like to come for prayer, the Healing Room is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday though Thursday or by appointment. Call 903-683-3132 for details.



CONTINUAL

Calendars to benefit Literacy Council for sale

The Jacksonville Rotary Club is selling a 2010 calendar featuring old photos of Cherokee County for $5, of which $3.50 will be given to the Literacy Council. The calendars can be purchased from a member of Rotary, John Thomason at Creative Graphics or Tim McRae at Bill McRae Ford.



Family seeks information about grave desecration

The family of Carmen Leanna Jenkins is looking for the person or persons who have been desecrating Carmen’s grave. Carmen passed away Dec. 20, 2008, and the lights from her grave have been stolen several times. A reward has been offered for the capture of whoever is taking them. Anyone with information can contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department at 903-683-2271.



Account set up for cancer patient

An account has been set up at Austin Bank for longtime Jacksonville Independent School District employee Brenda Bailey Hampton. She was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.



American Legion gets P.O. Box for new members

The American Legion, Post No. 868, has a new post office box for new members. Please send correspondence to P.O. Box No. 2333, Jacksonville, TX 75766.



Ride for Life accepts donations

Ride for Life Donations for the family of Melisa Wells Whiteley, recently deceased granddaughter of Pansy Suggs and daughter of Doug and Paula French, will be accepted at Texas National Bank under Ride for Life account under the name of Melissa Wells Whiteley. All donations will go toward burial expenses. All donations are appreciated.



Post 9/11 GI Bill offered

The VA is accepting applications for the Post 9/11 GI Bill now. Individuals with active duty service since Sept. 11, 2001, may be eligible for this benefit and can apply online at www.GIBILL.VA.gov. The program provides tuition assistance, a housing allowance, a books and supplies stipend, and the option to transfer these benefits to family members under certain circumstances. By law, the new benefit is effective Aug. 1. For more information, visit the GI Bill Web site or call 1–888–GIBILL–1 (1–888–442–4551).



CCT seeks stage help

The Cherokee Civic Theatre is always looking for volunteers. If you have ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes, give the theater a call at 903-683-2131; leave a message and one of the theater’s volunteers will return your call; or log on to www.cherokeetheatre.net.



Cherokee Rangers shooting club

Anyone interested in joining the Cherokee Rangers Old West shooting club can call the club range master at 903-539-8316. Members are anyone who enjoys firing a wide variety of classic firearms from the Old West era at its safe secure firing range in the Rusk area, which offers 10 different target stages. The club is family oriented and stresses firearm education and safety.



Car seat safety classes

Living Alternatives Inc. in Jacksonville holds two Safe Rider car seat safety classes a month. Attending parents can receive a new infant/toddler convertible or booster seat for attending at no cost. Seating is limited so call 903-586-9016 to register for a class. Living Alternatives is at 807 S. Jackson St., Suite 204, Jacksonville.



Adopt-a-Street program offered

The city of Jacksonville-sponsored organization, Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, is asking for citizens’ help in getting rid of the litter along the streets and roads. If you would like to adopt a street or road in the city or in Cherokee County, call the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, 903-586-2217.



Klein cookbooks for sale

Klein cookbooks supporting the Klein Animal Shelter are now available for a minimum donation of $12 and can be purchased at 208 E. Tena St. in Jacksonville. The book provides a plentiful supply of palatable treats approved by both people and pets. Keep your VIP (Very Important Pet or Person) howling for more by serving them recipes prepared from this oh-so-unique-collection of delectable treats.



Ministerial Alliance meets

The Ministerial Alliance provides an opportunity for the leaders of local churches to meet for prayer, fellowship and planning. All pastors are welcomed. This is a great chance to meet and hear the concerns and needs people face as well as the many ways God blesses them in the community. If anyone has questions, they can call the Rev. Mark Kusmirek at 903-586-4538 or Paul Pavletich at 903-586-2291. Please forward your e-mail to pastor@oloschurch.com.



Experience Works helps job-seekers

If you are over 55 years old, living on a limited income and having difficulty finding a job, Experience Works offers part-time, temporary work while you look for permanent employment. For more information, call 800-880-5292.



HAMM open for tours

The Historical Aviation Memorial Museum is open for aviation fans from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum includes exhibits, meeting rooms, a gift shop, the largest collection of aviation art in East Texas, aircraft memorabilia and military aircraft. The museum is closed Monday. Admission is $5 for adults, free for active military personnel with I.D., $3 for ages 13-17, $2 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Group tours are available by calling 903-526-1945. The Web site is tylerhamm.org.

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