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.



THURSDAY

JHS Curtain Club presents Godspell

Jacksonville High School Curtain Club will present Godspell at 7 p.m. Thursday and at 2 p.m. Saturday in the JHS auditorium.  Tickets are $5.



FRIDAY

Jacksonville ETMC Auxiliary holds craft sale

The Jacksonville ETMC Auxiliary will hold a craft sale at 8 a.m. Friday in the Grand Lobby of ETMC Jacksonville, lasting until all crafts are sold out.



Rusk Chamber celebrates Business of the Month

The Rusk KOA will be honored as the November Business of the Month at 10:30 a.m. Friday by the Rusk Chamber of Commerce.



JB Berry Memorial Rally held

The Abate Dist. 11 No Thrills, No Frills Second Annual JB Berry Memorial Rally will begin 4 p.m. Friday and run through Sunday. Gate donation of $15 requestion, and under age 15 is free. Vendor space is available for $40. Events include a ride through the pines, an observation run, bike show, field events, 50/50 drawing, and Sunday services performed by Rebel and Bikers for Jesus. Trophies will be awarded for field events, bike show and tattoo contest. For more information, call 903-279-5652.



Hispanic dance held for Children’s Miracle Network

A Hispanic dance will be held 7 p.m. to midnight Friday at the Palestine Civic Center. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Admission is $15 per couple or $10 for singles. Children under 8 will be admitted free. Food will be available, and a live band will provide the music for the dance.



SATURDAY

Join the send off for JHS football team

A send off for the football team will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Jacksonville High School campus in the parking lot behind the athletics complex. The public is invited to come cheer on the Fightin’ Indian football team and wish them victory in the playoffs.



Joe Wright PTO hosts Family Fun Day

Joe Wright Elementary PTO will host its annual Family Fun Day 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Game booths, basket raffles, food booths, fire truck, and many other fun activities for all ages will be available.  Everyone is welcome to come out and join in the fun.

SUNDAY

First Baptist, Neches, presents “Let’s Rock”

The Hilltop Singers of First Baptist Church of Neches will present the musical “Let’s Rock” at 5:15 p.m. Sunday at the church, 200 Anderson St., in Neches. The choir is composed of children in grades 3-6. For more information, call the church office at 903-584-3453.



NOV. 18

ETMC Auxiliary Board meets

The ETMC Auxiliary Executive Board will meet at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 18 in the Crawford Godfrey Conference Room.  All members are encouraged to attend.



NOV. 19

Cherokee County Democrats have potluck supper

The Cherokee County Democrats will have a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Fellowship Hall of Shady Grove Church of Christ in Rusk. Take U.S. 69 to Rusk, turn east on U.S. 84, toward Reklaw.  Drive approximately 7 miles and turn right on FM 2962.  Shady  Grove is about half a mile down FM 2962 on the left in the trees. Bring family and friends to share in all we have to be thankful for.  Everyone is welcome



JHS holds college fair

The annual College Fair will be 2:45 - 4 p.m. Nov. 19 in the cafeteria. Admission representatives from colleges, universities and branches of the armed forces will be handing out information and ready to answer your questions about their institutions.



Cherokee County Young Republicans meet

The Cherokee County Young Republicans will hold their third meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the LaQuinta Inn meeting room in Jacksonville. The group is currently seeking new members. Precinct 3 County Commissioner Katherine Pinotti will speak and be available for a question-and-answer session.



Jacksonville College presents “The White House: A Presidential Entertainment in Two Acts”

Jacksonville College will present the play “The White House: A Presidential Entertainment in Two Acts” at 7:30 p.m. Nov 19-21, with a 2:30 matinee on Nov. 21. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students. Group rates are available. For more information about the production, call Mary Lewis at 903-589-7132 or e-mail mlewis@jacksonville-college.edu.



NOV. 20

Wednesday Study Club holds bake sale

The Wednesday Study Club will hold a bake sale at 9 a.m. Nov. 20 at Austin Bank. Desserts and casseroles will be on sale.

JHS Cheerleaders sell poinsettias

The Jacksonville High School cheerleaders will sell poinsettias until Nov. 20. Six-inch plants cost $8, and delivery is scheduled for Dec. 1. For more information or to place an order, call Wendy Twedt at 903-752-3255 or Jana Irby at 903-316-4417.



ESL tutor training offered

Gateway to American Opportunities will present an English as a Second Language tutor training workshop 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the Jacksonville Public Library, 502 S. Jackson. Registration is required to reserve space at the training.  For additional workshop information go to www.etvv.org and click on regional literacy initiative or call 903-589-6900.  The workshop is sponsored by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.



New Summerfield Lions hold bake sale

The New Summerfield Lions Club will hold a Thanksgiving bake sale at 5 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Tri-County Livestock Barn on U.S. 79 E. For more information call 903-586-3228.



NOV. 21

HIL/MA Counseling Intervention and Services hosts ‘A Walk in the Park’

The HIL/MA Counseling Intervention and Services of Texas will sponsor “A Walk in the Park” Nov. 21 at the second phase of Nichols Green Park. There will be fun, prizes, ribbons, a free T-shirt and all ages are welcome to participate. For more information, call 903-525-9136 or 903-586-1041.



NOV. 23

AgriLIFE Extension hosts Cooking Well with Diabetes Class Series

The AgriLIFE Extension of Texas A&M; will provide a free Cooking Well with Diabetes Class Series for those looking to do well and be well while having Type 2 diabetes. The last class in the series will be 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 23 at HOPE Partners in Health, 595 S. Ragsdale St. For additional information or to register, contact Wendi Green by calling 903-683-5416 or e-mailing wl-green@tamu.edu.



NOV. 27

Deadline for entries to parade due

The deadline to submit entry forms for the annual Christmas parade is Nov. 27. Please submit entries to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, 526. E. Commerce St., by this date. The Jacksonville Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 3, followed by the lighting of Hazel Tilton Park at 7 p.m. An inclement weather date of 6 p.m. Dec. 7 has been set. For more information, contact Melody Walters at 903-284-0010.



NOV. 30

Chili’s hosts Adopt-a-School Night

Chili’s will host Adopt-a-School night 4-10 p.m. Nov. 30, with 10 percent of sales going to Adopt-a-School projects. Coupons are available at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, 526 E. Commerce St.



DEC. 1

Applications for Outstanding Citizen Award due

Nomination forms for the 2009 Outstanding Citizen Award are due 5 p.m. Dec. 1. Nomination forms are available at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, 526 E. Commerce St. For more information call the Chamber at 903-586-2217.



Rusk holds Christmas parade

Rusk’s annual Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 1, with the theme “A Country Christmas.” Entry fee is one canned fod item or $1 to be donated to Good Samaratin. For more information, call the Rusk Chamber of Commerce at 903-683-4242.



Cherokee County Republicans meet

The Cherokee County Republican Club meets 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at The Legacy, 782 CR 1511 in Jacksonville. For additional information and reservations contact President Steve Looney 903-586-3228. The cost will be $16 per person which includes a traditional Christmas meal with trimmings.  Bring a wrapped gift for the gift exchange.



DEC. 3

Annual Christmas parade held downtown

The Jacksonville Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 3, followed by the lighting of Hazel Tilton Park at the corner of U.S. 79 and Main. An inclement weather date of 6 p.m. Dec. 7 has been set. For more information, contact Melody Walters at 903-284-0010.



DEC. 4

Free movie shows on courthouse lawn

A free showing of “Meet me in St. Louis” begins after dusk Dec. 4 on the courthouse lawn. Senior Finale will take pictures with Santa before the movie. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, call the Rusk Chamber of Commerce at 903-683-4242.



DEC. 7

Chamber seeks applicants for job shadowing

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce seeks applicants for its Adopt-a-School job shadowing. Applications are due Dec. 7 at the Chamber, 526 E. Commerce St. For more information, call Pam Anderson at 903-541-0013, Alisha Matejka at 903-586-1526, or the Chamber at 903-586-2217.



JAN. 9

Rusk Chamber holds annual banquet

The Rusk Chamber of Commerce will host “Unmask the Night,” the 69th Annual Chamber Banquet, at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Rusk Jr. High cafeteria. For more information, call the Rusk Chamber of Commerce at 903-683-4242.



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

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

Fall swing dance classes offered

Under the direction of Charlene McCauley, fall swing dance classes meet 8-9 p.m. Wednesdays at St. John’s Church, 2020 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, for six weeks. The class will cost $110 per couple or $55 a person and participants must have at least 12 weeks of swing lessons previously. To sign up as a review student, send your enrollment to Charlene McCauley at 697 CR 4218, Jacksonville, TX 75766, or for more information, please call 903-372-1767.



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 Dick Stone, president, at 903-586-1471 or e-mail, richard.stone@lpl.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.



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 hours

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 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 hours

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 public transporation

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 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



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.