What’s Happening in Cherokee County

The Cherokeean Herald welcomes announcements for publication in our weekly edition. Please submit calendar information by noon Friday for publication in the following Wednesday’s edition of our paper. Send information to [email protected].

DEC. 11

There’s still time the Rusk Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural holiday decorating contest, with a deadline set for 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. To enter, simply send name of entry (individual or business) and address to [email protected]. There’s no fee to enter; members of the Chamber’s Christmas Committee will select their top three favorites, which will be announced Friday, Dec. 18. Winners receive a yard sign and certificate. To learn more, email [email protected] or call 903-683-4242.

DEC. 11-13

"Miracle on 34th Street" will be staged at the Cherokee Civic Theatre, Dec. 11-13. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Purchase tickets at www.cherokeetheatre.net.

DEC. 12

A Christmas-themed golf tournament hosted by Birmingham Forest Golf Club will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12. Call the course at (903) 683-9518 for additional information and to sign up.

Caddo Mounds State Historical Site will host a volunteer workday at Snake Woman’s Garden, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Volunteers will repair fences, weed, mulch, harvest gourds and construct an arbor, as well as process, preserve and label garden seeds. In order to make COVID safety easier, we ask volunteers to bring a sack lunch. Water and canned drinks will be provided. Masks required, social distancing employed. For more information, call 936-858-3221.

Santa Claus will be posing with children as part of a “Pictures with Santa!” project, Saturday, Dec. 12, from noon to 4 p.m., at Jacksonville’s Blessed Nutrition shop, 1808 S. Jackson St.

Jacksonville High School’s Cherokee Charmers will present “A Charming Christmas Spectacular,” 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the high school auditorium. Tickets are $5 students, $7 general admission, and will be sold at the door. A free video will be created on postermywall.com.

DEC 14

The Alto Lions Club will host its annual Christmas Parade 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14. Contact Larry or Kyle Griffith at 936-858-4257 or show up with your entry at Missionary Baptist Church on Hwy. 294 W. at 5 p.m. First place winner receives a $50 check.

DEC. 14-15

Mark your calendars for the Dec. 14-15 auditions for Minette Bryant’s musical “1601,” held 7 p.m. nightly at the theatre. The event is limited to auditioners only – no parents or friends. Looking for three teen girls, two teen boys, an adult male, an adult female, and two people of any age/gender to be onstage/offstage crew. The teens are singing and acting roles, while the adults/crew are acting only. See you there!

DEC. 15

The UT Health East Texas digital mammography unit will be on site Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the UT Health East Texas Physicians Clinic in Rusk, 1325 N. Dickerson St. To schedule a mammogram, contact 800-648-8141, then 3.

DEC. 18

Get your thrills during a “Ghosts of Christmas Past” walking ghost tour, planned Friday, Dec. 18, in Rusk. More details to come!

DEC. 19

A group of local volunteers will honor Cherokee County veterans as part of this year’s Dec. 19 National Wreaths Across America Day, by laying wreaths at Jarratt Cemetery on County Road 1514, off FM 22 near Craft. To volunteer or to sponsor, contact Mullenax at 903-245-8966, or visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TXJRAT. To purchase a wreath for a loved one's grave, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX0957P

The VFW Auxiliary invites vendors to set up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jacksonville VFW Hall #3984, Saturday, Dec. 19. Booth fees are $30, with some outside spaces available. Proceeds go to the operation of the post and VFW charities. Deadline to sign up is Dec. 10. Contact Brenda Daniels, 903-810-4026, or email [email protected].

The City of Wells will host a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the park adjacent to Wells City Hall.