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.
JISD sets nomination period for identifying Kindergarten gifted/talented students
Nomination forms for the Jacksonville Independent School District’s Passport Program (gifted/talented) will be available beginning Nov. 16. The deadline for returning nominations is Dec. 16. Completed nomination forms must be returned to the office of the principal or mailed to Melynda Cundieff, lead G/T teacher, P.O. Box 631, Jacksonville, TX 75766, on or before Dec. 16. For further information, e-mail mcundieff@jacksonvilleisd.org or call 903-541-0213.
THURSDAY
JHS holds college fair
The annual College Fair at Jacksonville High School will be 2:45-4 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria. Admission srepresentatives from colleges, universities and branches of the armed forces will be on hand.
FRIDAY
Free turkey carving class offered
A free turkey carving class will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the Norman Activity Center, 526 E. Commerce St. Butcher Ricky Scales will give a lesson on how to carve a turkey, how to select the proper carving tools and how to sharpen knives and keep them sharp. For more information, contact the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, 526 E. Commerce St., 903-586-2217, or call the Rev. Mark Kusmirek at 903-586-4590.
SATURDAY
Eagle’s Nest celebrates 10th anniversary
Eagle’s Nest Christian Youth Center invites the public to help celebrate 10 years serving the Lord 6-11 p.m. Saturday at the center at the corner of Ragsdale and Larissa streets. The celebration will include a barbecue with free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks; live bands; a skit by the drama team; and speakers Youth Pastor Joey Marshall from Henderson, Pastor Michael Manis of New Summerfield and Eagle’s Nest co-founder Larry McGlade.
Jacksonville Jammers Dulcimer Club holds monthly meeting
The Jacksonville Jammers Dulcimer Club will meet 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday at the Senior Citizens Center, 302 S. Bolton, a week early due to Thanksgiving. The club offers free beginner lessons, and the club will round out the night with a club jam. Visitors are always welcome to attend.
SUNDAY
Bullard ministers invite all to Thanksgiving service
The Bullard Area Ministerial Alliance invites all churches to its annual Community Thanksgiving Service at 6 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church. Pastor Scott Brown of the First Baptist Church will speak whil the host church and Dr. Randy Fitzgerald will lead the worship. An offering will be taken to benefit community services. A fellowship will immediately follow the service.
MONDAY
Ministerial Alliance holds communitywide Thanksgiv-ing service
The Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring a community Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville. The MA urges all church families and the community at large to attend. The speaker will be the Rev. Joel McMahan IV, pastor of First United Methodist Church. A Jacksonville College small ensemble, under the direction of Cheryl Hanna, will perform. There will also be congregational singing. An offering will be taken to benefit HOPE and community hunger projects. Participants are asked to bring canned goods for the HOPE Center. A reception is planned for fellowship after the time of worship. For more information, call HOPE at 903-586-7781, First Presbyterian Church at 903-586-4975, or First United Methodist Church at 903-586-2494.
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 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. Monday at HOPE Partners in Health, 595 S. Ragsdale St. For additional information or to register, contact Wendi Green at 903-683-5416 or e-mailing wl-green@tamu.edu.
WEDNESDAY
Jacksonville FFA holds bake sale
The Jacksonville FFA chapter will have a bake sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Austin Bank. Proceeds will support the chapter’s contestant for the Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show’s Queen’s Contest in March 2010.
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.
District educational improvement council meeting planned
In compliance with Education Code 11.251, Jacksonville Independent School District annually establishes a districtwide educational improvement council comprised of campus- and district-level professional staff, parents, community residents and business representatives. The purpose of the DEIC is to advise the board and superintendent (or designee) on the planning, operation, supervision and evaluation of the district’s education program. The meetings are open to the public. The next scheduled meeting will be 3:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the JISD Central Office Board Room.
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 food item or $1 to be donated to Good Samaritan. 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.
JC to hold ‘Lighting of the Yule Log’
Jacksonville College will hold the “Lighting of the Yule Log” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in Buckner Chapel. The lighting will be followed by Christmas at Jacksonville College at 7 p.m. in Buckner Chapel.
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. Highway 79 and Main Street. An inclement weather date of 6 p.m. Dec. 7 has been set. For more information, contact Melody Walters at 903-284-0010.
Hospice to hold tree lighting
Hospice of East Texas will hold a “Light Up a Life Tree” celebration at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Lon Morris College chapel, 800 College Ave.
ONGOING
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.
