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The
Pulse Spring 2011
of Wharton County
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Rotary Dinner/Auction - March 3 Gourmet Guys’ Museum Benefit- March 5 Spring 2011
The Pulse of Wharton County 1
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2 The Pulse of Wharton County
Spring 2011
The
Pulse of Wharton County
Volume 2, Number 1
Publishers Chris Barbee, Bill Wallace Contributing Writers Shannon Crabtree Barry Halvorson Leon Macha Quala Matocha Burlon Parsons Brenda Sommer Production & Design Desiree Birdsong Shannon Crabtree Jennifer Davlin Al Dubé Shelly Schulz Advertising Representatives Jennifer Davlin Ricki Johansen Shelly Schulz
The P ulse of Wharton County As The Pulse of Wharton County proudly enters its second year, we’d like thank all the Wharton County residents and our advertisers who helped make this publication a success. This fourth printing of the quarterly magazine designed to help residents track events and plan ahead features an expanded children’s section along with a spring gardening tips from Wharton County’s own Southern Gardener, Leon Macha. Have some suggestions on how we can make this a better publication? Contact us at pulse@pulseofwhartoncounty.com or call the El Campo Leader-News at 979-543-3363 or the Wharton Journal-Spectator at 979-532-8840.
In This Edition Practical Southern Gardener Leon Macha Offers Spring Tips
– Page 14
Save These Dates In March
Page
4
Volunteers Make A Difference In Sports
Page
6
The PULSE OF WHARTON COUNTY is published quarterly as a magazine dedicated to covering the events and residents of Wharton County. The Pulse is produced by Wharton County Newspapers, Inc. including the staffs of the El Campo LeaderNews, Wharton Journal-Spectator and East Bernard Express.
Dine On the Wild Side With Sheriff’s Deputies Page
8
For advertising information: (979) 543-3363 (979) 532-8840 www.pulseofwhartoncounty.com Call today to book a
SKATE BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Wharton County Salutes MLK
Page 10
Museum Focuses on African-American Experience Page
12
Kids Pages Offer Puzzles & Crafts
Page 18
Heating It Up For Hospice In March
Page 22
Come Celebrate The Queen’s Birthday
Page 23
WCYF Supports Education Efforts
Page 24
Calendar of Events
Page 28 Pub Open 7 Days A Week Happy Hour 3-7 Live Music! No Cover!
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The Pulse of Wharton County 3
Save The Dates El Campo Rotary dinner, auction helps community
R
otary Club of El Campo does far more than offer a fantastic meal when they gather for their annual seafood dinner. They raise thousands for community projects too. This year’s dinner, benefit auction and prize drawings will be held Thursday, March 3 at the El Campo Civic Center starting at 5:30 p.m. Expect the unique on the auction starting at 6 p.m. And enjoy a great meal, too.
Gourmet Guys cook up museum funding
T
ransporting attendees to a different location each year, the Gourmet Guys fundraiser will bring the tastes of New York City to the Wharton County Historical Museum March 5 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. It is a tasting event with samples being given at each team table. Tickets to the dinner are $75 each, or $50 for first-time attendees. The price also includes drinks during the evening. Funds generated from the event go to support the museum. The feast is held annually on the first Saturday in March and includes 20 local gourmet cooking teams of one to four people. Each team comes up with their own recipes and purchases their own ingredients. The fundraiser always features a silent auction of special items.
For more information, call the museum at 979-532-2600. –By Burlon Parsons
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www.facebook.com/pulseofwhartoncounty 4 The Pulse of Wharton County
Spring 2011
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Sideline Supporters Volunteers help student athletes succeed
W
hile you’re watching the local hometown team take on visitors, there is a strong possibility those athletes’ parents will be serving you at the concession stand or helping out on the field or along the sidelines. Among the highlights of the spring sports season are the track meets hosted by El Campo, Wharton and East Bernard high schools. Without the help of parent, faculty and community volunteers, El Campo Athletic Director Bob Gillis said those kinds of events couldn’t be held. In addition to the parents and booster club members, Gillis said the volunteer effort includes teachers from the district’s schools along with the coaching staffs. “We hold the Ricebird Relays in March and that brings in around 30 schools and up to 350 athletes,” Gillis said. “And the booster club does a great job of helping us with organizing and holding the event. “And it is like that all year. We hold a swim meet in December and some baseball and
6 The Pulse of Wharton County
softball tournaments in the spring along with a golf tournament.” The El Campo athletic director said there have been community members helping with various events, in particular the track meet, since his arrival in 1992. For certain jobs favored by long-time helpers, such as picking runners during the track meet, Gillis has enough assistance to develop a waiting list. “They are the first to volunteer every year,” Gillis said. “And they do volunteer every year. I’ve even started teasing them if they ever drop out for a year, they’re going to the bottom of the list.” In East Bernard, Athletic Director Jerry Long’s spring sports schedule includes both a track meet and a power lifting meet. And he too has little trouble counting on the community to lend a hand when necessary. “The people of East Bernard are extremely supportive of the youth of the community,” he said. “And any time we need it, they step up. You’d be surprised but the power lifting meet (which started last year) actually is probably where we need the most help, even more than for our track meet. “But every time we have something, I typically have to turn people away. We never have a problem with getting people involved and that’s why this is such a good place to be. The expectations of the community are high and they expect us to live up to them, but in turn they live up to ours.” In all three cities, the booster clubs not only offer their support during athletic events, but also raise funds for athletic programs and for scholarships.
“That’s something that is important to the entire community,” Wharton Athletic Director Stacy Hunt said. “It demonstrates to the kids the community is behind their efforts.” In addition to working games and meets, Hunt said boosters and families also support the teams in other ways. As an example, he said the parents of the baseball team members, boosters or not, provide the opposing coaches and umpires with a hospitality room during the winter basketball tournaments along with the upcoming baseball tournament. The coaches also acknowledge the success of their programs are built in part on the quality and character of the athletes they are getting from local youth sports programs, again relying on parent and community volunteers. “The parents really set the tone for our athletes,” Long said. “They are involved in their kids’ lives and that, more than anything, allows the kids to understand how important they are to their families and the community.” An added benefit to each of the communities is the economic impact the various tournaments, both high school and youth, have on the community. “Because we have the people willing to help, we’ve been able to bring in a lot of football playoff games,” Gillis said. “Last year, we hosted seven games at Ricebird Stadium and that means people coming to our community, eating in our restaurants, buying gas and doing some shopping. “Last year, the employees at the local Bucee’s service station got a year-end bonus because the company did so well in part due to the extra business. I’ve had the employees of the store stop me in the street asking if we can’t get more games because they like the bonuses.” –By Barry Halvorson
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Feb. 17 6–9 p.m .
WCYF Main Ha ll
I
n an agriculturally-based county where most folks either hunt or live with hunters, the annual Sheriff’s Association Wild Game Supper is a must-attend event. The meal, now in its 12th year, will be held Feb. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Wharton County Youth Fair main hall at the Crescent Fairgrounds, with meal service starting at 7 p.m. The annual fundraiser features a wide range of wild game, all donated throughout the various hunting seasons by local sportsmen. This year’s menu includes barbecued and fried wild pork, a variety of venison dishes as well as squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, alligator, duck, geese and quail. Fried fish, hush puppies, chili, gumbo and etouffee will be available for those who don’t care for the taste of wild game. Beverages will be available for sale, including soft drinks, beer and set-ups. Association President Janet Hoffman said the association is preparing enough food for at least 1,200 people. “This event gets bigger and bigger every 8 The Pulse of Wharton County
year, and we will not run out of food,” she said. The supper began when the Sheriff’s Association, a non-profit community service organization made up of sheriff’s office employees, wanted to raise money for scholarships and other youth-related causes. “This is our major fundraiser for our programs,” Hoffman said. The Sheriff’s Association has made donations for scholarships and to organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs, the Wharton County Youth Fair and Scouting, from money earned at its three annual events: a golf tournament, fishing tournament and the wild game supper. The meal cost is by donation at the door, usually around $5, and the evening’s events also include raffles. Tickets are available from any association member or deputy, at the sheriff’s office, or at the door. You may contact the sheriff’s office at 979-532-1550 or 979-543-1373 for more information. Hoffman said there will be plenty of food for all attendees. “If you leave hungry, it’s your own fault,” she said, laughing. –By Brenda Sommer Spring 2011
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The Pulse of Wharton County 9
MLK March honors freedom
T
his year’s Wharton Martin Luther King Day Freedom March features a combination of innovation and tradition to bring the message of the famed civil rights leader to Wharton County and communities throughout the region. This year’s Freedom March is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 17 around 9:30 a.m. at the Wharton County Courthouse Square. Among changes is a return to the event’s roots with this year’s march proceeding from the Wharton County Courthouse to the Dawson Community Center. For the past two years, the final site has been the Boys & Girls Club of Wharton. “We’re moving it back to Dawson this year,” Just Do It Now Executive Director Greg Baines said. “The location was changed when 10 The Pulse of Wharton County
the school campus was closed. We were hoping to bring it back to Dawson last year, but we really hadn’t finished moving it, so we left it where it was for one more year. This year we’re ready to do it right.” The local MLK Freedom March was founded by Mozelle Stephens, who grew up in the era of segregation. The words of King’s speeches proved so inspirational to her that she led the effort to have a monument dedicated to Dr. King placed on the Wharton County Courthouse lawn in a ceremony attended by King’s son, Martin Luther King III. Taking advantage of the moment, Stephens helped to found the annual Freedom March as well as Wharton County’s Martin Luther King Scholarship program, which awarded its first scholarship in 1988. Spring 2011
Ja n. 17 9:30 a.m .
Wh arton Co. Co ur th ou se Sq ua re
While Stevens continues to serve as the spiritual leader for the march, Just Do It Now has taken over the organizational details, Baines said. “Part of our vision is viewing Wharton as being a cultural hub for the region,” he said. “We want the surrounding communities to regard us as the leader for events like this. “As part of that, we’re looking to grow this event, particularly in the eyes of the young people of the communities. The youth of today are losing the message of Dr. King’s vision and it is part of the responsibility of an older generation to relay that information to them.” A number of invitations have been sent out to various community and regional leaders to speak, but a list of those accepting has not been finalized. In addition, Baines said there Spring 2011
will be a number of other performances offered during the program to follow the march, starting around noon at the Dawson Gym. “Encouraging the local youth, as well as inviting performing groups from other communities, is another way we can engage the young people,” Baines said. And while the focus will be on the youth of the community, Baines said he also wants to build the MLK Day celebration as a multicultural event. “King’s dream wasn’t about one individual or about one group of people. It embraced all regardless of age or race. One of our fondest dreams is for the MLK celebration to become a true reflection of the city and surrounding communities’ population.” – By Barry Halvorson The Pulse of Wharton County 11
Museum
Preserving The Past
at the El Campo African-American Museum 12 The Pulse of Wharton County
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P
reserving the past isn’t easy, Rev. Harold Simmons has learned since opening the El Campo AfricanAmerican History Museum, but he remains diligent in his efforts. The 609 Palacios center opened July 2006 drawing on the local community to provide the pictures and memorabilia to fill its 1,400 square feet of space. “Our vision is to preserve our culture and heritage,” museum owner and director Simmons said. Since then the museum has drawn a steady stream of visitors including tour buses from the general Houston area. Artifacts include letter jackets, yearbooks and other items from the thensegregated Greer and Westside schools in El Campo as well as from T.L. Pink and Wharton Training High. There are also wedding photos and copies of “The Camp Fire” – a news publication created “by the students of El Campo Negro Public School.” Other exhibits feature assorted old agricultural and home implements including ice tongs, a sack once used in cotton picking, a butter churn, corn shucker and hand-cranked meat grinder on display as well as posters and other items portraying national events like President Obama’s inauguration and memories of Martin Luther King. The museum lost some of its collection to a pre-dawn fire in April 2009. Simmons doesn’t know how many items were lost to the flames or damaged, but thanked firefighters for quickly controlling the electrical fire and saving as many items as they could. He and museum volunteers quickly worked to reopen the doors and now have a
wall-to-wall collection on display. The museum serves as a tool to educate the young people in the community – especially African-American youth, Simmons said. But the museum’s displays are for all, he added. “It’s not just for blacks. It’s for blacks, whites and everybody. I think the information we have here would be fruitful for the entire community.” The museum is open most days and for tours by appointment. Interested visitors can
call (979) 578-9339, Simmons said, adding although there are no set hours, the museum is typically open during the day. In addition to the displays at the AfricanAmerican Museum, Simmons is currently working to develop the old E.A. Greer campus across the street into a community park. “It’s the old black school and we want to preserve it,” Simmons said, adding he envisions an outside play area for children on the site and eventual development of the building. The museum is a non-profit organization, making donations tax-deductible. – By Shannon Crabtree
At left: Museum founder and owner Harold Simmons looks over some of the thousands of photos available for review. Above: Leroy Scanklin of Wharton gives an impromptu concert. Spring pring 2011
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Gardening
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Spring 2011
For Success Be a Wise Consumer
Would you buy an automobile that was only labeled “Car”? Or a can of food that was labeled “Fruit”? I think not! But gardeners regularly buy plants at their retail store that are labeled “Petunia,” “Pansy” or “Portulaca.” How can you achieve the success you desire if you don’t know what you are starting with? The seed companies that sell growers their starting supplies spend millions developing and improving the plants they offer. From the time the new, improved plants are introduced, to the time it becomes commonly available for sale can be several years. During this time the researchers and growers are constantly evaluating the merits of the plants. It has to be profitable for the grower, which includes that it performs in his greenhouse as well as in the gardens of the final consumer. If it is not a top performer for the gardener, no one will recommend it, and if there is weak demand, there is little profit. There are many reasons why the hottest new introduction can disappear from the market in just a few seasons. This assures you that “Survival of the Fittest” benefits your success in your garden. Here is your plan for your success. Call your nurseries and ask what named varieties of your preferred plant are for sale. Do some research about the good points of these choices. The Internet is a great source. The pros at your local nursery should be Spring 2011
able to fully inform you on the benefits of a particular plant. Don’t be satisfied with the answer, “It grows great!” Seek details about the plant. The information is readily available to the retail nursery and they should readily supply it to you. The really important growing details you should know are: • Sun vs. shade vs. partial sun? • Heat or cold tolerance? • Adapted to our region? • When to plant for the best and longest performance? • Resistance to insects and diseases? Look for full, informative labeling in the pot or flat and on the nursery bench. Shop at places that provide reliable information. The extra you might pay is a small concern when you consider the result. The worst-case scenario is that you buy an unlabeled plant that is past its season, not adapted to Texas coastal conditions, and that you have critters waiting to eat it for lunch. Failure is the outcome you don’t want. Everyone benefits when you are successful in your garden. Be a wise consumer! – By Leon Macha Macha is a Certified Professional Horticulturist and consultant with 36 years of experience in the nursery industry. Copyright 2010, Leon Macha, certiprohort@yahoo.com. The Pulse of Wharton County 15
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Marbled Eggs What you’ll need: Eggs (hard boiled or blown) Food coloring Vinegar Cooking oil Containers for the dye mixture Paper towels A few spoons What you do: 1. In each container combine one tablespoon of each of the following: oil, vinegar, and your choice of food coloring. 2. Add enough water to make the liquid deep enough to cover an egg. 3. Swirl the liquid with a spoon, and quickly lower and raise an egg into it. 4. Pat dry with a paper towel, and repeat with a second color. 5. Swirl into a third color, if desired. Some white areas can be left on the egg. 6. Gently pat dry the completed egg, leaving a bit of the oil to give the egg a varnished look.
Here are two quick and easy ways to dye Easter eggs that are fun for the whole family! 20 The Pulse of Wharton County
Spring 2011
Color me surprised! Tie-Dyed Eggs What you’ll need: Paper towel Food coloring Eggs (hard boiled or blown) Rubber gloves (to protect hands) What You Do: 1. Wet the paper towel, then squeeze out as much water as you can. 2. Wrap the whole towel around the egg (hard boiled), crumpling it a little. 3. Place the egg, wrapped with the paper towel, into a bowl. 4. Drip drops of food color here and there on the paper towel. 5. Let the whole thing dry, then remove the paper towel to see the designs. Spring 2011
The Pulse of Wharton County 21
Fire up the grills for Hospice
T
eams firing up the grills for the seventh annual Heating It Up For Hospice cook for far more than bragging rights – they raise funds for those who offer comfort to the terminally ill. This year’s event, March 25-26, will be held at Muldoon’s in downtown El Campo and typically nets more than $50,000 each year for Houston Hospice – El Campo. Serving Wharton, Matagorda, Fort Bend, Colorado, Austin, Brazoria and Jackson counties since 1998, volunteers from the El Campo office provide quality care, comfort and social services to those individuals who are terminally ill, have limited or no pay source and wish to die at home. Hospice also offers grief education and support groups to help bereaved people understand the grief process. But Heating It Up for Hospice is far from a solemn occasion. From the Friday check-in to Saturday’s awards ceremony, events focus on fun. “It’s a celebration of life,” said Reneau Gold, executive director of Hospice. In addition to cook-off competition categories, participants can show their style in showmanship or people’s choice. O t h e r activities include a 5K Stride & Stroll, a motorcycle fun
run, live and silent auctions, a children’s play area in nearby Alamo Park and a Friday night dance. “There will definitely be music,” Gold said. “Last year we had more than one (act).” Event planning was still under way as of presstime. Hospice is looking for everything from corporate sponsors to cook-off teams or just members of the public willing to come out that weekend to show their support. “We do two fundraisers per year. The barbecue cook-off is our major fundraiser. It’s the one we depend on to keep us going,” Gold said. Despite economic downturns over the last two years, Heating It Up For Hospice has done better each year, she said. “We’ve been blessed,” Gold said, adding “The people of El Campo are just so generous. We’re looking forward to March.” Most of the typically more-than 40 cookoff teams come from Wharton, Colorado and Matagorda counties. And many work hard to ensure the visiting public gets a show along with a sample of whatever’s on the grill. “Participation in showmanship is high,” Gold said. Donations collected at the fundraiser help Hospice provide bereavement services, medication and medical supplies, visits by registered nurses, social services, pastoral care and home health aides. For more information on the event, entry fees or hospice services contact, Houston Hospice – El Campo, 1102 N. Mechanic, at (979) 578-0314 or e-mail elcampohospice@yahoo.com. For cook-off information, ask for Reneau Gold. -By Shannon Crabtree
March 25–26 M uldoo n’s
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Keeping In Step Join Danish community for springtime celebrations Driving just a few miles south of El Campo, Danevang is one stop you should plan to make for a couple of special events, one in March and another in April. With its rich heritage, this small community knows how to celebrate and bring forth the traditions of old to the present day and time. Both events, the Fastelavn, 2-4 p.m. on
March 5 Da neva ng
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Saturday, March 5 and the Queen’s birthday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with noon meal on Saturday, April 16, are family-oriented and will be held at the Danevang Meeting House. “And you don’t have to be Danish to attend,” said organizer Bridget Jensen. “Everyone is invited.” Fastelavn is considered the Danish version of Lent. “It will be lots of fun for the kids,” Jensen said. This event, based on folklore, will be recreated by breaking a candy-filled, barrel-shaped piñata. Face painting and a costume contest with prizes are also planned. The birthday of Queen Margrethe II will be celebrated in style, beginning with the return visit of the Scandinavian Folk Dancers from Houston. Both children and adults will have the opportunity to join in as this group invites audience participation during part of its performance. “The dancers get people up from the audience to dance,” Jensen said. “They interact with the audience and anyone who can walk can do these dances. There’s a lot of clapping and stomping, too.” There will be other entertainment as well. Tickets for the noon meal will be available at the door and will feature a traditional Danish meal of pork loin, red cabbage, potatoes and some traditional Danish condiments, cakes and other desserts. Coffee cake and other refreshments will be served in the morning. At the conclusion of the meal, adults can join in raising a glass of the Danish liqueur akavit to “toast” Danish Queen Margrethe II, who turns 70 this year. She was born April 16, 1940 at Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen to Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Ingrid. According to Jensen, the Queen “is very artistic. She designs costumes for ballet and she just put out a book of Hans Christian Anderson. She made the collages to put in the book.” The Danish Heritage Museum, which houses artifacts and historical documents, will be open during the day. -By Quala Matocha The Pulse of Wharton County 23
WCYF ‘Best Little Fair in Texas’ Where new & old friends meet
I
t’s been called the “Best Little Fair In Texas” and has proved successful in promoting the youth in Wharton County through the scholarship money it garnishes. Run by a volunteer staff with more than 1,000 members, it generates thousands of dollars for Wharton County youth each year. Running for 11 days last year, the fair generated $45,000 for 53 scholarships. With the first scholarships given in 1981 totalling $4,000, the Wharton County Youth Fair has given $1,191,300 since then. This year’s youth fair is set for May 1 to May 7. The annual WCYF Barbecue Cookoff will be two weeks earlier this year, April 15-16, due to Easter falling on the weekend before the fair. There was a time that the county fair was the event of the year in any area. Most were held in the fall after the harvest had come in. Folks would gather from all over their respective counties to celebrate the harvest, meet old friends they might only see once a year and have some fun. Most of those fairs met their demise in the 1950s and 1960s – few survive today. Since 1975 the Wharton County Youth Fair has continued the fair tradition and more. The fair brings the county together and is held in the spring when most of the planting has been done. To keep costs down and scholarship dollars up, the WCYF is a volunteer operation. Activities for this year’s fair begin Friday, April 15, when the two-day WCYF Barbecue Cook-off begins. Around 100 teams from Wharton and surrounding counties compete for prizes and bragging rights for their barbecued
24 The Pulse of Wharton County
chicken, ribs, brisket and showmanship expertise. Friday night features some food tasting and boot scootin’ around the pits. Judging takes place the next day and that’s when the Go Texan events of team penning, dominoes, horseshoe and washer pitching contests are held. The day concludes with a Ranch Rodeo at 3 p.m. Check-in of projects begin Thursday, April 29 with check-out May 9. Friday features some project judging and at 7:30 p.m., Wharton County Junior College hosts the NIRA Rodeo. Finals take place the next night. Rodeos have always been a big part of any county fair and the WCYF is no different. On Sunday after the NIRA college rodeo is complete, the fair hosts the CRC Youth Rodeo at 4 p.m. followed by the Chute and Barrel Rodeo at 6 p.m. There will be a Reunion Rodeo at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday featuring Bull Blowouts at 7 p.m. each night. Filling the rodeo arena on Monday night is Family Fun Night at 7 p.m. This event features mutton bustin’, a pig chase, ladies calf dressing and youth steer saddling. From Sunday on there is daily musical entertainment in different venues and at different times. Youth will present their animal and creative arts projects for judging throughout the week. Ranging from rabbits and chickens to replacement heifers and steers, various shows are held during the week. The top winning animal projects go into the highlight of the week for the youngsters. The Sale of Excellence is held at noon Saturday. Projects that do not make the list
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Above, last year’s cooking crew stirs up some yummy chicken and dumplings for lunch during the Senior Citizen’s Day event. Cooks include (l-r) Rosemary Nohavitza, Kathryn Sellers, Harry Goudeau, Sarah Goudeau, Duck Nohavitza, Stanley Sellers, Flossy Forguson, Alvin Cada and Norbert Eggemeyer. In addition to a tasty lunch, senior citizens are treated to entertainment and games of bingo. They also recognize the oldest woman and man attending and the longest married couple living in Wharton County.
for the main sale are still available for purchase in the Freezer Sale after the Sale of Excellence. Fair week also features four pageants for youth of different ages. Saturday, the Little Miss and Little Mr. Pageants start at 4 p.m., the Junior Miss Pageant at 5 p.m. and the Princess Pageant begins at 7 p.m. The WCYF Queen Pageant is Sunday at 7 p.m. Special days include Pre-school and Special Student Day on Wednesday, Senior Citizens’ Day on Thursday and School Day on Friday with an Academic Rodeo from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. A special Tejano Day and dance will be held Saturday. Gates for the special days are open from 9 a.m.
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until closing. Midway entertainment begins on Sunday, May 2 and the carnival opens on Wednesday, May 5. All events to the fair are included in the admission price. The admission prices for the 2011 WCYF are $25 for season passes; day passes are $10 for adults and $5 for students ages 6 to 12; youngsters up to age 5 are free, as are military members with an active I.D. While visiting Wharton County, take a drive to Crescent and join the fun and entertainment of the Wharton County Youth Fair. –By Burlon Parsons
The Pulse of Wharton County 25
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Did you Know...
Facts About Wharton County
• In 1905 and 1906, the Pierce Ranch in Pierce imported 30 Brahman bulls and three females of several Indian types. These were personally selected by Able P. Borden, manager of the Pierce Ranch. The docile, intelligent breed of beef cattle, which have a greater ability to withstand heat than European cattle, are now found across the nation.
• Flamboyant cattle baron Abel Head “Shanghai” Pierce (1834-1900) already owned most of Matagorda County and part of Wharton County after amassing wealth through what later came to be called “cattle rustling.” The town of Pierce, on U.S. 59 between Wharton and El Campo, was created in the 1880s by the notorious Shanghai Pierce, who planned for it to become the county seat.
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Calendar of Events Jan. 2011
•Wharton Fire Department Extravaganza: This annual fundraiser for the Wharton Fire Department starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Wharton Civic Center, 1924 N. Fulton.
•ECHS Senior Serve: Senior Serve, a popular, fun annual steak dinner and talent show put on by El Campo High School seniors to raise funds for Project Graduation, takes place from 6-10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 at the El Campo Civic Center.
•Pilot Club Chili Supper: This fundraiser will be held Wednesday, Jan. 26, starting at 5 p.m. at the Wharton Knights of Columbus Hall, 2820 N. Fulton. Proceeds go to support Wharton County Youth Fair participants. •Wharton Fair Fund and Dinner Dance Auction: This fundraiser will be held Saturday, Jan. 29 starting at 6 p.m. at the Wharton Knights of Columbus Hall, 2820 N. Fulton. Proceeds go to support Wharton County Youth Fair participants.
•KC Polka Fest: The Knights of Columbus Council No. 2490 hosts a polka festival all day long on Sunday, Jan. 30 at the KC Hall on Armory Road in El Campo.
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•100 Club Spaghetti Cook-off: •WCJC Band Concert: Wharton County Junior The Wharton County 100 Club College’s band holds a concert from 7-9 p.m. Law Enforcement Spaghetti Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the Horton Foote Theatre, 2011 Cook-Off fundraiser is 5-10 WCJC Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building in p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3 at the Wharton County Wharton. Admission is free. Fairgrounds in Crescent. •Pancake Supper: First Lutheran Church’s annual •Chamber Gala: The El Campo Chamber of Scandinavian Pancake Supper is 4:30–6 p.m. Commerce and Agriculture hosts its annual gala Sunday, Feb. 27 at the church at 304 Oscar in from 6-11:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 at the El Campo El Campo. Civic Center. Presentation of the annual Citizen of •Rotary Fundraiser: Rotary Club the Year and Achiever of the Year awards takes of El Campo hosts its annual place during a gala featuring live music. seafood dinner, benefit auction Mar. and prize drawings starting at 5:30 •WCJC Play: Wharton County Junior College
Feb.
presents the play, “Something Old, Something New,” from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8 at the Horton Foote Theatre, WCJC Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building in Wharton. Admission is free.
2011
p.m. Thursday, March 3 at the El Campo Civic Center.
•DVFD Dance: Danevang Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual dance from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Armory Road in El Campo.
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•Lions Club Pancake Supper: The Wharton •Chamber Banquet: The Wharton Annual Lions Club will hold its annual pancake supper Chamber of Commerce banquet is Thursday, fundraiser at the Wharton Civic Center, 1924 N. March 17 at the Wharton Civic Center, 1924 N. Fulton. The annual banquet includes a social hour, Fulton, Thursday, March 3. silent auction, dinner and a program. •Chamber Banquet: The Louise-Hillje Annual Chamber of Commerce banquet is 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 24 at Saint Andrew’s Parish Hall in Hillje. The annual banquet includes a social hour, silent auction, dinner and a program plus the Citizen and Educator of the Year awards. •Hospice Fundraiser: The Heating It Up For Hospice barbecue cook-off is all day Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26 at Muldoon’s Saloon in El Campo. Live music and food at this two-day •Danevang Fastelavn Celebration: The event benefits terminally ill patients and their community of Danevang celebrates Fastelavn, families. the Danish version of a pre-lenten party, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at the Danevang Meeting House, just off Hwy. 71 in Danevang. •WCJC Jazz Band Concert: The Wharton •WCJC Choir Concert: Wharton County Junior County Junior College jazz band holds a concert College’s choir holds a concert from 7-9 p.m. from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 in the Horton Tuesday, March 8 at the Horton Foote Theatre, Foote Theatre, WCJC Duson-Hansen Fine Arts WCJC Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building in Building in Wharton. Admission is free. Wharton. Admission is free.
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•Fair Fund Dinner/Dance: The •Queen’s Birthday Celebration: The community Five Star Fair Fund Dinner and of Danevang celebrates its Danish eritage by country’s queen’s birthday Dance is 6-10 p.m. Saturday, honoring that Apr. April 9 at Taiton Hall. Proceeds Saturday, April 16 2011 benefit Wharton County Youth at the Danevang Fair participants. Meeting House, just off Hwy. 71 •Youth Fair Cook-Off: This two-day annual in Danevang. The event, held April 15-16 at the fairgrounds in event, starting at Crescent, officially opens the annual Wharton 10:30 a.m., includes a meal, dancers and other County Youth Fair. entertainment. •Holy Days Concert: Wharton County Junior College’s Holy Days concert is 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton. Admission is free.
Is your organization holding an event? Get the word out in the Pulse of Wharton County! E-mail your event’s details to pulse@pulseofwhartoncounty.com
For $6 a year, we will mail you the latest edition of The Pulse of Wharton County each quarter! Contact: Diana at 543-3363 officemanager@leader-news.com Frances at 532-8840 francesd@journal-spectator.com Spring 2011
The Pulse of Wharton County 31
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