Upcoming community events

September 26, 2018

The Keep Rusk Beautiful committee is now accepting entries for the annual Rusk Christmas parade, set for Tuesday, Dec. 4. Businesses, churches, civic organizations, individuals, community groups and others are all welcome to sponsor a float or feature a group in the parade. Call Flowers N Things, (903) 683-2313, or visit the shop, 152 S. Main St., Rusk, to receive a registration form. The Keep Rusk Beautiful committee operates under the umbrella of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce.

The Jacksonville High School Cherokee Charmers are holding a fall indoor garage sale, rain or shine, starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Swink Studio of Dance, 1108 Loop 456 in Jacksonville. Proceeds benefits the group’s upcoming trip to New York.

Every Sunday through the month of September the First United Methodist Church-Rusk will be collecting canned goods for the Rusk Good Samaritan. Any non-perishable food item is appreciated, but some specific items have been requested. Church members are asking for cornbread mix on Sunday, Sept. 30. First United Methodist Church-Rusk is located at 255 S. Henderson St., Rusk.

Through Schwan's-Cares.com, you can order from Schwan's Home Delivery and help Rusk High School meet its fundraising goals. When you order by Oct. 6, 20 percent of product and 40 percent of eGift Card sales will go back to Rusk High School! Rusk High School's campaign ID number is 41346. Schwan's Home Delivery offers over 350 delicious foods, flash-frozen at the peak of freshness and conveniently delivered to your door.

The Covenant Church on the Hill in Rusk will sponsor an ice-cream social and cook-out from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, on the courthouse lawn in downtown Rusk. All community members are welcome. The event will include live gospel singing, bounce houses, washer pitching and other games.

Wells ISD’ PTO group will hold Bingo & Burgers, starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at the WSID cafeteria. Tickets are $30 at the door and include a burger, chips and beverages plus chances to play more than 10 rounds of bingo, as well as a 2 bonus Blackout Games. Prizes will be awarded. Proceeds benefit the WISD Parent-Teacher Organization.

EAA Chapter 1592 is holding a chili fly-in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Cherokee County Airport, 420 CR 1618, off Hwy. 69 S. Visitors will get the chance to enjoy chili, various planes and hear stories of local aviation. Donations are appreciated.

Rusk Police Department’s second annual National Night Out event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 2, on the square in Rusk. The entire community is invited to attend. Anyone interested in participating in or sponsoring the event, call RPD Sgt. Nathan Acker, (903) 683-2677.

The Maranatha Community Worship Center will hold a new beginnings revival from 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 through 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4 at the church at 214 CR 2131, Maydelle. Visit the church’s website, www.maramathacommunityworship.com for details.

Jacksonville residents who would like to learn more or share their concerns about TxDOT’s proposed U.S. Highway 69 bypass relief route, are urged to attend citizen forums on that matter, at the Jacksonville Public Library, 502 S. Jackson St., Jacksonville. The next forums are set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, and 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct 11. Public comments will also be offered at the next regular Jacksonville City Council meeting, at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9 at Jacksonville City Hall. An official concerned citizen’s Facebook page is now public.

Dean Outdoor Education will hold two hunter education classes a month thought Oct. 1. Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website, tpwd.texas.gov and enter Rusk, TX to sign up. Anyone interested in a bow hunter class or basic handgun and LTC handgun classes can call Nile Dean, (281) 622-7666, to set those classes up.

Deadline to enter a four-person scramble golf challenge, benefitting the Tree of Promise is Wednesday, Oct. 3. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, at Birmingham Forest Golf Course in Rusk. Entry fee is $35 per person and includes lunch, door prizes and more. The winning team will be presented with the “Tree of Promise Award.” Award for closest to the hole will also be presented. Call the golf course, (903) 683-9518 or Pat Hardy (903) 530-8400, to RSVP.

Second Glance Resale Store is holding a $5 bag sale during regular business hours on Friday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6 at the store, 700 E. Cherokee St., across from the Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville. Customers will get an eight-gallon bag, which they can fill for only $5. Bags must tie shut at the register to get the special price. Proceeds of sales support the Crisis Center of Anderson and Cherokee Counties.

The First United Methodist Church-Rusk will hold a garage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 at the church, 255 Henderson Ave., Rusk. Sale proceeds will benefit the church’s Christmas outreach program.

The ninth annual Scarecrow Trail will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6-18 at the Ruth B. Nichols Arboretum, 1015 SE 456 in Jacksonville. Admission is a non-perishable food item or $1, per person. Sponsored by the Cherokee County Master Gardeners Association, benefitting HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Enrichment) Inc.

The city of Rusk will hold a free community clean-up day from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6. The event is restricted to citizens living inside the city limits of Rusk and Rusk water customers outside the city limits. Dump locations will be at the Rusk City Barn on U.S. 69 S and at Conley Park on Reeder Street. Call Rusk City Hall for details.

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business at Lunch event, featuring a program on digital marketing strategy, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, at the Norman Activity Center, 525 E. Commerce St., Jacksonville. Speaker will be Paige Goodwin, director of Corporate Accounts at GSM. Cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. Anyone interested in attending can RSVP by Oct. 10, by calling the Chamber, (903) 586-2217.

The Jacksonville Public Library’s final Family Movie Night will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in the library’s auditorium at the library, 502 S. Jackson St., Jacksonville. Concessions will be available.

The Rusk Chamber of Commerce is holding its second annual Eagle Corporate Golf Challenge at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, at Birmingham Forest Golf Course in Rusk. The tournament is a four-person scramble and entry fees are $120 a team. Trophies awarded to the top three places. Deadline to register is Wednesday, Oct. 17. Hole sponsorships are also available. Call the Rusk Chamber, (903) 683-4242 or the golf course, (903) 683-9518 to sign up or for more information.

Alto ISD is holding a health fair from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23 in the school parking lot in Alto. The walk-through event will feature booths from vendors and organizations, including Dean Outdoor Education.

The Rusk VFW Post 3406’s annual Patriot’s Pen scholarship program is open to students in grades six through eight enrolled in public, private or home school. This is an essay contest, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliary. Top three will receive cash awards. Last year’s scholarships totaled over $2,500. This year’s theme is “Why I Honor the American Flag.” Entry forms can be obtained by contacting the local Commander at 936-371-2099.

Deadline for submission is Oct. 28, 2018.

Central Baptist Church-Jacksonville will hold its annual harvest festival from 5-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, at the church, 1909 E. Rusk St., Jacksonville. Admission will be one non-perishable food item to benefit the HOPE food pantry.

Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s Trunk or Treat event will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct 29, along Commerce Street in downtown Jacksonville. This event is geared toward children ages 12 and under. No dogs. Admission is $1 or one canned good, per family, to benefit HOPE and the Crisis Center. A costume contest, sponsored by JEDCO, will award at $25 gift certificate to the winner. Vendor applications are available at www.jacksonvilletexas.com or at the Chamber office, 526 E. Commerce St.

The Rusk VFW Post 3406’s Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades nine through 12 who are enrolled in public, private or home school study program. This is an audio essay contest, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Last year scholarships totaled over $192,500. This year's theme is “Why My Vote Matters.” Entry forms can be obtained by contacting the local Commander at 936-371-2099. Deadline for submission is Oct. 28, 2018.

The Rusk Rotary Club meets at noon every Wednesday at the Rusk Public Library, 207 E. Sixth St., just off the square in Rusk.

The Sacul Opry starts at 6 p.m. in the Blue Building every second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Sacul is located halfway between Jacksonville and Nacogdoches on State Hwy. 204.

Vietnam vets who received a Purple Heart in the conflict are invited to enter into the VFW’s “Return to Vietnam” drawing for an all-expense paid trip to Vietnam from April 25 to May 8, 2019. Entries must be received by Nov. 30, 2018. Trip itinerary features stops in Hanoi, Saigon, the DMZ, Khe Sanh, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Marble Mountain Cu Chi and Tay Ninh. Winners will be notified via U.S. mail or email. To claim the trip, winners must send a copy of their Purple Heart documentation to VFW Headquarters by Jan. 4, 2019 and have a valid passport by Feb. 8, 2019. Consider the following before entering: the trip features predominantly Vietnamese meals, long bus rides and excessive walking; no handicap-accessible facilities available; and everyone must participate in every inland trip and activity. At least two winners will be selected from each VFW Conference. Entries must include name, address, phone number, email address, VFW Post number and location, military service/unit information, and dates served in Vietnam. Send entries to Adjutant General, Attn: Vietnam Trip, VFW National Headquarters, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas, MO 64111.

The Heritage Center of Cherokee County is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $1. The museum is located at 208 Henderson St., one block off the square in downtown Rusk. Group and private tours are available upon request, by emailing heritagecenterofcherokeecounty@gmail.com.

The East Texas Council of Government’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) provides rural public transportation to Cherokee County senior citizens ages 60 and up. GoBus rides are scheduled Monday through Friday -- 24 hours’ advance notice is required. Rides to Tyler are provided every Tuesday. Standard fees are $8 for adjacent local service, $10 maximum for one-way fare; and $1 for each additional stop. Rides to medical appointments and dialysis are free. Rides to senior centers, for senior who qualify for AAA assistance, are also free. To find out if you qualify for AAA assistance or to schedule a ride before 2 p.m., for next day service, call (800) 590-3371.

Jacksonville ISD’s Athletic Booster Club is still looking for sponsors of one or more player chairs that will be at John Alexander gym in 2018 and beyond. For $125 you can sponsor the purchase of one chair and have either a single first/last name or a Mr. & Mrs. first/last name added to the bottom back of the chair. To sponsor, please send an email to jacksonvilleabc@yahoo.com with the name for the chair and phone number. Checks should be made out to JABC and mailed to PO Box 1867 in Jacksonville.

The Wells Development Corporation is offering personalized bricks at the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza. Any active or honorably discharged military vet, living or deceased of any military branch, including Reserves and National Guard can be honored with a memorial brick. Proceeds of brick sales benefit planned improvements for the city park. Visit the city of Wells’ website, cityofwells.us, to order a brick.

A Cherokee County Peer Support group meets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday of the week at 410 Tilley St., in Jacksonville. The group creates a safe haven for people suffering from mental illnesses like anxiety, bipolarism, schizophrenia and depression. Call (903) 586 3786 for more information. All are welcome.

Cherokee County’s ACCESS offers a recovery group to anyone experiencing depression, anxiety and/or anger from 1-2:30 p.m. every Thursday of the week. This support group is led by an ACCESS counselor and focuses on sharing coping skills needed to overcome depression, anxiety and anger. Call Sarah Tunnell, LPC, at (903) 316 5688 to join or for details.

The Vanishing Texana Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 300 S. Bolton St., Jacksonville. Parking and admission are free. Visit www.vtmjacksonville.org for more information.

The Rusk Public Library’s Thursday morning story time for toddlers and younger children starts at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday morning. The library’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and is located at 207 E. Sixth St., just off the square in Rusk. Visit the city of Rusk’s website, www.rusktx.org, for more information on the Rusk Public Library’s programs.

The Jacksonville Public Library is open from noon to 8 p.m., Monday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. The library is located at 502 S. Jackson St., in Jacksonville. Visit www.jacksonvillelibrary.com for details on programs offered at the library.

If you’d like to see your event in the Cherokeean Herald’s community news, email the details to news@mediactr.com, at least two weeks in advance.