Published: March 29, 2007 08:51 am      

Local Beat - 03/29/07

This column is designed to give our local readers a place to put news and events that are important to them and others in the community.

Local news such as public meetings, luncheons, events and other non-club local items for not-for-profit associations are listed in this column.

Church events are printed separately in Church News published on Fridays.

To have items placed in the Local Beat column, bring them by the office at 405 E. Collin St., fax them to (903) 872-6878 or e-mail to cmcclanahan@corsicanadailysun.com. Items must have the date of the event, a phone number and must be clearly printed or typed.



March 29

Corsicana YMCA will offer CPR Pro/AED ($30) and first aid ($20) courses at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Laura at the YMCA, (903) 872-2412.



Corsicana Masonic Lodge will have two fellow craft degrees at 7 p.m. A meal will be served starting at 6 p.m. All fellow craft and master masons are invited.



Carroll Early Childhood Center will register students who will attend pre-kindergarten for the 2007-2008 school year from 4 to 6 p.m. To enroll in pre-kindergarten, a student must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2007; and qualify for free/reduced lunch, or speak English as a second language. To enroll a student, you must provide an immunization record, a certified copy of birth certificate, the child’s Social Security card, proof of residency and proof of income. For more information, call (903) 641-4150.

Caregivers Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church. For more information, call Carolyn Blackburn at (903) 874-7233.



March 31

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for an evening of karaoke with Country Sue from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



A benefit barbecue will be held beginning at 11 a.m. at C&C Trading Post, South U.S. Highway 287, for the James and Leslie Grigar for Tyler Malone Fund. Barbecue sandwiches, chips and drink will available for $5. There will also be raffle items available. Tyler, a 9-year-old Mildred student, was injured Feb. 7 in an ATV accident that severed his spine and left him paralyzed. For more information, call Kellie Cope at (903) 872-8055 or Don Cope at (469) 644-7005 or e-mail to dkcope8@txun.net.



Hubbard Chamber of Commerce will hold its 19th annual chamber banquet at 6:30 p.m. in the Haralson Family Life Center, adjacent to First United Methodist Church of Hubbard. The speaker will be William C. Dear, nationally-acclaimed speaker, award-winner author, and an international private investigator. This year’s theme will be “Spring Forward.” A roast beef dinner will be served. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased at Magnolias, Foster Properties, Keith’s Ace Hardware, Wells Fargo Bank and Sam’s Nursery. For more information, call (254) 576-2521.

Retreat Volunteer Fire Department will have an all-you-can-eat spring barbecue beginning at 6 p.m. at the Retreat VFD, corner of Farm-to-Market Roads 2555 and 709. Cost will be $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.



Navarro County Animals at Risk Foundation will offer a low-cost pet vaccination clinic from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Farmers Market, next to the Corsicana Daily Sun. Attending veterinarian will be Dr. John Beck. Offered will be rabies vaccine for dogs and cats, parvo/distempter combo for dogs, feline leukemia, feline distemper, microchip (invisible pet ID tag) including registration and worming will also be available. All dogs must be on a leash. All cats must be in a pet carrier.



A free Easter egg hunt will be held for children up to 12 years of age at 2 p.m. at the field behind Olé Food Store and in front of Drane Intermediate School. For more information, call (903) 872-9300.



April 2

The City of Blooming Grove will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the City Hall at 200 Fordyce.



Corsicana Art League will meet at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center, 919 W. Park Ave. The program will be “How to Make Money with Your Art” presented by Mary Ann Ford. Plans for the upcoming art league show and auction at the Warehouse Living Arts Center Theatre will be discussed. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call (903) 875-0519.



Lifeline Children and Family Services, 5301 W. State Highway 31, will hold an information meeting at 6 p.m. The meeting will address questions from the public concerning how to become a foster or adoptive parent.



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



Kerens One-Act Play Dessert Theatre will present “The Insanity of Mary Girard” by Lanie Robertson at 7 p.m. at the Kerens Independent School District Auditorium. Tickets are $5 and will include the performance and dessert. Proceeds will go toward the Dixie Bell UIL Scholarship and Kerens One-Act Play.



Piecemakers Quilt Guild will have its regular meeting at Westhill Church of Christ. Visitors are welcome. Refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will start at 10 a.m., followed by an all-day mystery quilt workshop by Brenda Jeschke. The class is free to PQG members. Those who wish to participate need to bring the usual sewing supplies, sewing machines and material precut as specified in the mystery quilt handouts from the last meeting. For more information, call Nancy Kemp at (903) 489-0026 or Marilyn Baxter at (903) 489-2868.



Navarro County Freedom Fighters Chapter of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association 2 will meet at 7 p.m. at That Church, 3640 N. Business 45. All bikers are welcome. For more information, call James at (903) 327-2929.



April 3

Corsicana Chapter 118, OES, will have a stated meeting at Corsicana Masonic Temple, 201 N. 15th St. All area OES members are invited to attend. Potluck dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting to begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Judith Saunders at (903) 695-2526.



Blooming Grove Historical Society will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Heritage Hall at Blooming Grove United Methodist Church. Rachel Haden will present a program on Dresden Methodist Church. All people interested are invited to attend. For more information, call (903) 695-2724 or (903) 673-2635.



North Central Texas WorkForce’s Corsicana Center will host a job fair at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



April 4

Volunteer tax preparation service will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Corsicana Public Library for people who need free assistance.



Richland Cemetery Association board of directors will meet at 7 p.m. at the Richland Civic Center. Members of the association and interested parties are invited to attend.



League of United Latin American Citizens 4707 Council will meet at 6 p.m. at Fiesta Grill for dinner (pay for your own), then the council will have a general meeting at 7 p.m. For more information, call Pedro Cohen at (903) 389-8512.



April 4-19

A certified lifeguard certification course will be held April 4-19 at the Corsicana YMCA. Certification cost is $120 for YMCA members and $150 for non-members. Minimum age is 16 years old to take the course. CPR Pro, first aid, and AED/oxygen certifications are prerequisites for this course. For more information, contact Laura at the YMCA, (903) 872-2412.



April 5

American Red Cross monthly community blood drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at the Navarro Shriners Club, 323 N. Commerce St. You must be 17 years old and present a photo ID to donate. It is advised to eat a good meal and drink plenty of water prior to donating. For more information, call Sue Wilson, Corsicana Area volunteer blood services coordinator, at (903) 874-7823.



Blooming Grove Crime Watch will meet at 7 p.m. at Blooming Grove Fire Station. Speaker will be Precinct 4 County Commissioner James Olsen. Light refreshments will be served.



North Central Texas WorkForce’s Corsicana Center will host a “Workshop 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.



Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will have its monthly meeting of all members in good standing at 7:30 p.m. Members are urged to attend and be a part of the post activities. Nominations and elections for new officers for the upcoming year will be held.



April 6

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will have karaoke with Wayne Farmer from 8 to 11:45 p.m. The VFW Post canteen will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.



April 7

Corsicana Opry will have legendary country music at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Music Hall, 201 S. Beaton St. Spotlighted will be Zanada Tally, Ginny Burnett, Margie Holton, Virginia Martin, Bill Baldwin, Bobby Fluker, Fred Hayes, Billy Lewis, Ron Sikes and Jim Barbas. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission will be $10 per person. For more information or tickets, call (903) 872-8226.



American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for an evening of Pure Country Karaoke with Country John and Connie from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



Easter bunny brunch will be held at 10 a.m. at Historic Hubbard High School, 300 N. Sixth St. West, Hubbard. Cost will be $8 per person. There will be a light brunch and an Easter bunny hunt. Proceeds will benefit the summer reading program. For more information, call Cindy at (903) 874-1175.



April 9

The Republican Party of Navarro County will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on the seventh floor of the Bank of America building, 100 N. Main St. All registered voters are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the Web site at www.navgop.com.



Woodmen of the World Lodge 5 will have an Easter potluck dinner at 6 p.m. at Liberty Hall. All members, their families and guests are cordially invited.



April 10

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



April 11

Volunteer tax preparation service will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Corsicana Public Library for people who need free assistance.



A blood drive with Carter BloodCare will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., hosted by Navarro College, 3200 W. Seventh Ave. The drive will be held in Gibson Hall on the college campus. Donors will receive a free Makeover Madness T-shirt and be entered into the Makeover Madness prize drawing. For more information, visit www.carterbloodcare.org or call (800) 366-2834. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and have a photo ID. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Phil Sims at (903) 875-7543.



April 12

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



Kerens Area Chamber of Commerce will have a “Tooting Your Own Horn” business highlight featuring Family Care of Texas from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Franklin Bank, Highway 31, Kerens. This event will feature refreshments, door prizes, and an opportunity to get to know members of Kerens Chamber of Commerce. Family Care will also provide free blood pressure checks. You are invited to come and bring information about your business. For more information, call (903) 396-2391.



North Central Texas WorkForce’s Corsicana Center will host a “Workshop 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.



April 13

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will have First Class Karaoke with Jerry and Nedra House from 8 to 11:45 p.m. The VFW Post canteen will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.



April 14

A softball tournament hosted by the Relay for Life team from Mildred will take place at Lake Halbert. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. All teams are encouraged and welcome to participate. Entry fee is $150 per team. First and second place teams will receive T-shirts, and first place team will take home a beautiful trophy. Food and drinks will be available, and a schedule will be announced at a later date. For more information or to register a team, call (903) 654-0896 or (903) 654-8740.



Gospel music concert for charity to benefit the Navarro County Food Pantry will take place at Martin’s Music Hall at 201 S. Beaton St. with dining at 6 p.m. and show beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets will be $10 per person and may be reserved by calling (903) 872-8226. Featured performers will be Olivia Buchanan, Debbie Carter, Sherry French, Janet Martin, Virginia Martin, Tandi Muncy, Christi Driskell Self and Alyssa Wilchar.



The 2007 Duck Dash will take place at 12:30 p.m. at I.O.O.F. Park, sponsored by Child Advocates of Navarro County, to benefit abused and neglected children in the community. Over 3,000 rubber ducks will be in the pond. Come join in the fun and race a duck to win prizes. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, so come show your support and help stop child abuse in the county. For more information or to “adopt a duck,” call (903) 872-3772.



Navarro County Genealogical Society will sponsor a workshop from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Corsicana Public Library Civic Room. The speaker will be Lynna Kay Shuffield, longtime genealogist and research consultant, speaker, workshop leader and writer. Topics will include research at special collections and archives, 20th century military research and war dead, and Civil War research. Cost will be $20 per person if registered before April 1 and $25 per person if registered after April 1 or at the door. Box lunches will be $8. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Genealogy Department at (903) 654-4810 or e-mail to roots@ci.corsicana.tx.us or Debra Hardin at jd.djhardin@sbcglobal.net. Make checks payable to Navarro County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 2278, Corsicana, TX 75151.



American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for an evening of karaoke with Wayne Farmer from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



April 17

Kerens Masonic Lodge will have a regular stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served after the meeting. All master masons are welcome.



April 19

North Central Texas WorkForce’s Corsicana Center will host a “Workshop 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.



R.O.S.E. Downtown Association will have its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Martin’s Music Hall, 201 S. Beaton St. Snacks will be served. All businesses in the downtown area are invited.



April 19-28

Warehouse Living Arts Center Theatre, 119 W. Sixth Ave., will present Corsicana playwright Norma Russell’s “Home to Roost” at 7:30 p.m. April 19-21, 24, 26-28, and at 2 p.m. April 22. The cast includes Rusty Bryan, Cindi Bowling, Gail Christie, David Driver, Sandra McClure Mahood, Joey McClure, Kyle Montgomery, Tamera Montgomery, Tim Nicholson, Betty Northcott, Cathy Russell, Amy Swann and Alyssa Wilchar. Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for students and seniors 65 and over, and $7.50 for kids 12 and under. For tickets or more information, call (903) 872-5421.



April 20

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will have Pure Country Karaoke with John Tilley from 8 p.m. to midnight. The VFW Post canteen will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.



April 21

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for an evening of First Class Entertainment with Nedra and Jerry House from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



Community Care Club of the Richland-Chambers Reservoir south side communities of St. Elmo, Winkler, Midway and Streetman will hold its fourth annual spring bazaar from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Southern Oak Volunteer Fire Department at the Southern Oaks entrance on Farm-to-Market Road 416, east of Streetman or west of the intersection of FM 488 and FM 416. There will be homemade breads and sausage on a stick sold. A handmade afghan will be raffled off and there will be fun for all. For more information, call Edna at (903) 599-4008.



April 23

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



April 24

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



April 26

VOICE will have the third annual spring luncheon at noon at First United Methodist Church, 320 N. 15th St. this year’s guest speaker will be Texas author and world traveler Joyce Brooks (www.joycebrookstravel.com). For more information or to purchase your table, call Gina Ward at (903) 872-0180 or e-mail to gward@voiceinc.org.



North Central Texas WorkForce’s Corsicana Center will host a “Workshop 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.



April 28

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for an evening sock hop with Country Sue’s Karaoke from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. The ladies auxiliary will host the evening having a hula-hoop contest, best dancers, best dressed, etc. There will be fun and prizes. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



Shakers and Scrapers Car Club will have a raffle at the open car show at Derrick Days. Tickets are $1 each or $5 for six. You do not have to be present to win. All proceeds will benefit the Navarro County Food Pantry.



A three-on-three basketball tournament, sponsored by the City of Corsicana Parks and Recreation Department, will be held beginning at 10 a.m. between Sixth Avenue and Collin Street, during Derrick Days. Teams need to report by 9 a.m. No entry fee. There will be advanced, recreational, and women’s divisions. There will be cash prizes and trophies. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Slicky D. Registration deadline will be April 26. For more information, call (903) 851-1182.



May 1

Corsicana Chapter 118, OES, will have a stated meeting at Corsicana Masonic Temple, 201 N. 15th St. All area OES members are invited to attend. Potluck dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting to begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Bonnie Mathison at (903) 874-0226.



May 5

Dresden Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting beginning with a memorial service at Dresden Methodist Church at 11 a.m. followed by a covered dish lunch at noon and a business meeting at 1 p.m. Your attendance will be appreciated.



May 12

The Coyote Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force will host its ninth annual Corsicana Airsho from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Corsicana Municipal Airport. The event will include flying and static displays of World War II airplanes, warbirds, classic tail-draggers and general aviation planes. There will be formation flight teams, airplane rides, radio controlled airplanes and classic cars. Food and drinks and a host of vendor booths will also be available.



May 18-19

Navarro County Relay for Life will be held at Tiger Field, West State Highway 31, Corsicana. The survivors’ lap will be the first lap of the relay beginning at 7 p.m. May 18. The luminaria ceremony will be held at 9 p.m. May 18. For more information about the cancer survivors’ lap, contact Jamie Kitchens at (903) 875-9729 or by e-mail to jamiekitchens@sbcglobal.net. For general information about the relay or the luminaria ceremony, contact Rhonda Davis at (903) 875-7011 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, (903) 874-1883 after 5 p.m., (903) 654-0885 or by e-mail at rdavis@natenv.com.