Published: October 29, 2008 10:38 pm      

Local Beat 10/30/08

Oct. 31

VOICE will host its annual family fun fall festival from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in the Bank of America parking lot. The festival will begin at 2 p.m. this year to especially cater to smaller children during the first hour. Children and families of all ages are welcome and all activities are free of charge. These will be an obstacle course, bounce house, slide, games, face and hair painting, hot dogs, drinks, and prizes. For more information, contact Gina Dieterichs at (903) 872-0180 or gdieterichs@voiceinc.org.



Downtown Trick or Treat will be held from 3 to 5:30 p.m. There will be costume pictures in Pocket Park (photos by Memories by Melissa — two 4x6 for $12), bicycle giveaway, Halloween music by DJ Slicky D, pet costume contest and pet pictures, face painting, haunted house at The Art Spot, and spooky stories beginning at 5 p.m. at the Corsicana Public Library. There will a children’s costume contest at Card and Party Factory (100 S. Beaton St.) with prizes, but pre-registration is needed by Oct. 30 for the contest. For more information, contact event co-sponsors Corsicana Main Street Project at (903) 654-4851 or Corsicana Parks and Recreation Department at (903) 654-4874.



Family Friendly Halloween will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Cook Center on the Navarro College campus, sponsored by the Leo Club and planetarium staff. An eye-popping, child-friendly Halloween show will be presented every half hour in the planetarium, beginning at 4 p.m. with the last show at 7:30 p.m. There will be a costume contest for the kids at 6:30 p.m. with three age groups — 0 to 2, 3 to 5, and 6 to 8. A hay ride will be from 6 to 8 p.m. There will also be face painting and various games. For more information, contact Rita Marie O’Brien, Leo Club sponsor, at (903) 875-7510 or by e-mail to ritamarie.obrien@navarrocollege.edu.



Nov. 1-30

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., will close on Sundays starting the first Sunday of November until further announcement. The 2009 membership cards are in so members may mail their dues to American Legion Post 22, P.O. Box 15, Corsicana, TX 75151. The Auxiliary and Sons of American Legion dues can also be mailed to the post. Post opens at 2 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.



Nov. 1

Sons of American Legion will meet at 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St. The Ladies Auxiliary will meet at 4 p.m. To attend the meetings, membership must be current. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.



Metroplex Jackson Ex-Students Association will sponsor a JESA membership drive at the G.W. Jackson Bears Field. You are invited to come out and enjoy the food, fun and fellowship from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. For more information, contact Charlie George, president, (214) 371-8691; Patricia Barton, (214) 371-2910; Joseph Washington, (214) 375-2549; or Osie Andrews, (214) 458-4020.



Nov. 3

City of Blooming Grove will hold its monthly city council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Blooming Grove City Hall, 200 S. Fordyce St.



Corsicana Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. A meal will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. All masons are invited.



Piecemakers’ Quilt Guild will meet at Westhill Church of Christ. Guests are welcome. Fellowship will start at 9:30 a.m. with the business meeting at 10 a.m. The November program will be a demonstration by Keller Old Town Quilts, as well as a mini store. After the program, there will be Sit-n-Sew time for quilters to work on their own projects. Those participating in Sit-n-Sew need to bring their own projects, supplies and sewing machines, as appropriate. Participants may bring their lunches or order out lunch. For more information, contact Lori Knisley at (817) 915-9287.



Nov. 4

Corsicana Chapter No. 118, Order of Eastern Star, will hold a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Corsicana Masonic Lodge. A potluck supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. All area OES members are invited. For more information, call Bonnie Mathison at (903) 874-0226.



Blooming Grove Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. at Heritage Hall of Blooming Grove United Methodist Church. Shirley McSpadden Frederick will present a program on the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Blooming Grove. All interested people are invited to attend. For more information, call (903) 673-2635 or (903) 695-2724.



Nov. 5

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a session discussing copyrights and patents from 10 a.m. to noon at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $20. A free basic workshop on how to start a small business will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., also at the chamber. For more information or to register for either workshop, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



Eureka Crime Watch will hold its regular monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. at the Eureka United Methodist Church. Following discussions, decisions must be made regarding Christmas projects sponsored by the group. Everyone is urged to attend and participate in these projects. Refreshments will be served following the meeting.



Nov. 6

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a free session on sales tax workshop — knowing your responsibilities from 10 a.m. to noon at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



Hat Factory employees will meet at 11 a.m. at Sirloin Stockade. Anyone who worked at the factory is invited to attend and visit with everyone. Please bring pictures if you have any for looking back on the “good old days.” Each person is responsible for their own meal. For more information, call Pat Knott at (903) 874-6175, Betty Wendt at (903) 874-7010, or Margie Talkington at (903) 872-9582.



Blooming Grove Crime Watch will meet at 7 p.m. at the Blooming Grove Fire Station. The speaker will be former professional football player Ray Jacobs, who works for the Navarro County Adult Probation Department. Everyone in the community is invited. Light refreshments will be served.



Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas will host a “Workforce Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Interview Tips” at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “Basic PC Skills” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at the center, but seating is limited and you must pre-register for this training. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



American Red Cross Corsicana community blood drive will be held from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Navarro Shriner’s Building, 323 N. Commerce St. Those coming to donate in November will receive a limited edition Food Network’s Paula Deen inspired apron, special recipes and a holiday message of thanks from Deen (while supplies last). Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and have a photo ID.



Nov. 8

Navarro County Genealogical Society will present a free workshop on genealogy research from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corsicana Public Library Civic Room, 100 N. 12th St. A brief NCGS meeting will be held from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Registration for the workshop will begin at 10 a.m. The public is invited to attend the morning session for beginner research (from 10:30 a.m. to noon), the afternoon session for advanced research (from 1 to 3 p.m.), or attend both sessions. Pre-registration is preferred. For more information or to pre-register, contact the Liz Gillispie Genealogy Department at the Corsicana Public Library, (903) 654-4810; or by e-mail at roots@ci.corsicana.tx.us.



The Legionnaires’ monthly meeting will be held at 1 p.m. at the American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St. To attend the meeting, membership must be current. For more information, call after 2 p.m. daily to (903) 874-3938.



Corsicana High School Choir members will be singing for tips from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Black Jack McCanless Steak House and Saloon. You are invited to come out and support the CHS choir as it is trying to raise $22,000 from now until spring break for its performance in New York City. For more information, call (903) 467-6064.



Kerens 4-H, FFA and FCCLA will host a dinner and auction at the Kerens Alumni Center in downtown Kerens. The dinner will be homemade stew and chili for $7; and $3 for children under 10 years old. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. with the auction to begin at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Kerens Friends of Youth organization to help purchase animals and non-livestock projects at the Navarro County Youth Exposition in March. Kerens Friends of Youth also contribute to the students not making the premium auction at the expo.



The annual fall star party will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Cook Center on the Navarro College campus. Dr. Don Winget, professor of astronomy from The University of Texas at Austin and expert in white dwarf stars, will join this year’s viewing party and is bringing his own telescope. The public is invited. For more information, contact planetarium director Bruce Brazell at (903) 875-7592 or by e-mail to bruce.brazell@navarrocollege.edu.



Nov. 10

Woodmen of the World Lodge 5 will have a meeting and catered Thanksgiving dinner at 6 p.m. at Star Hall. All members, their families and guests are cordially invited. Because this is being catered, please RSVP by Nov. 1 by calling Trudy at (903) 874-7050.



Emhouse 4-H will meet at 7 p.m. at the Emhouse Community Center.



Nov. 11

Corsicana Emergency Corps, 416 S. 12th St., will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. The general public is invited to attend. Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (903) 872-5072.



Blooming Grove Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All masons are invited.



Eureka Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All masons are invited.



Nov. 11-20

VOICE will offer the Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program, a state-approved program for minors charged with attempted purchase, consumption, or possession of tobacco and is designed to the mandates of Texas law. VOICE staff is certified to facilitate this program. The class will be an eight-hour program divided into four two-hour sessions. This session will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 11, 13, 18 and 20. Participants are required to attend all sessions. Classes are $100 (cash only) for all sessions. All participants must pre-register. For more information, contact John Goodnight at (903) 872-0180 or jgoodnight@voiceinc.org.



Nov. 13

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a combination workshop on how to get government contracts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $25. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas will host a “Workforce Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Resume Preparation” at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “WorkInTexas.com” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at the center, but seating is limited and you must pre-register for this training. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Dawson Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All masons are invited.



Nov. 14

Blooming Grove Community Library will have a raffle drawing at 4 p.m. for a Nintendo Wii game. Winner need not be present to win. Tickets are on sale through Nov. 13 at $2 each or three for $5. This is an effort to help the library meet its year-end budget goals. Tickets may be purchased at the Blooming Grove Prosperity Bank, Blooming Grove City Hall, Amy’s Cuts, Navarro Mills General Store, Frost Community Center and Frost City Cafe.



Navarro Regional Hospital Auxiliary will have a bath and beauty sale from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the hospital dining room. Proceeds will benefit the Winona Stewart Scholarship Fund for Navarro College students going into a medical field. For more information, call Connie Beal at (903) 654-6802.



Nov. 15

Navarro College Micronesian Education Committee invites all Micronesian islanders to a free event beginning at 5 p.m. at The Cook Center on the college campus. Come learn more about what Navarro College has to offer such as free ESL and GED classes. There will be presentations given on continuing education classes, college admissions, financial aid opportunities, along with career pathways through the business, professional and technical education programs. For more information, contact Sina Ruiz, director of career and tech prep, at (903) 875-7481 or sina.ruiz@navarrocollege.edu. You may also visit the Web site at www.navarrocollege.edu.



Nov. 18

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a workshop on developing policies and procedures for small business from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $25. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



Kerens Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served after lodge. All masons are invited.



Nov. 19

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a session on creating a business plan from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $20. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



Nov. 20

Downtown Lighting Ceremony will be held at the intersection of Beaton and Collin streets. Pictures with Santa in Pocket Park will be from 3 to 5 p.m. (photos by Memories by Melissa — two 4x6 for $12). Beginning at 5 p.m., there will be free chicken and refreshments, music presented by Sam Houston Elementary Choir, Corsicana High School choral program and Corsicana Swing Orchestra, carriage rides by Star Buck Carriage, and visits with Santa. The lighting ceremony and fireworks display will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, call Corsicana Main Street Project at (903) 654-4851.



Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas will host a “Workforce Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Interview Tips” at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “Basic PC Skills” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at the center, but seating is limited and you must pre-register for this training. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Nov. 24

Barry Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All masons are invited.



Nov. 25

Navarro Regional Hospital Auxiliary will have a bake sale in the hospital dining room beginning at 8 a.m. until sold out. Proceeds will benefit the Winona Stewart Scholarship Fund for Navarro College students going into a medical field.



Winkler Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All masons are invited.



Nov. 26

Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas will host a “Workforce Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Resume Preparation” at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “WorkInTexas.com” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at the center, but seating is limited and you must pre-register for this training. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Dec. 9-18

VOICE will offer the Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program, a state-approved program for minors charged with attempted purchase, consumption, or possession of tobacco and is designed to the mandates of Texas law. VOICE staff is certified to facilitate this program. The class will be an eight-hour program divided into four two-hour sessions. This session will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 9, 11, 16 and 18. Participants are required to attend all sessions. Classes are $100 (cash only) for all sessions. All participants must pre-register. For more information, contact John Goodnight at (903) 872-0180 or jgoodnight@voiceinc.org.



Dec. 10-11

Navarro Regional Hospital Auxiliary will have a “Books R Fun” sale in the hospital dining room beginning from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Winona Stewart Scholarship Fund for Navarro College students going into a medical field.