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].

THROUGH NOV. 8

Rusk Lions Club will host a drawing for a Mossberg 88 shotgun and a Ruger LCP 380, with tickets on sale through Nov. 8, the day of the drawing. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20, must be 21 or older to purchase. Tickets also are available from any Lions Club member or at Myra K’s Family Salon, Cherokee Parcel Post and Prescription Pharmacy.

OCT. 7

A twice-monthly veterans coffee kicks off Thursday, Oct. 7 at Brookshire Brothers in Rusk. Share your stories, make new friends, find and give support. The group meets at 8 a.m. every first and third Thurs-day of the month. To learn more, contact Army veteran Terry Everest, 707-951-2684 or Cherokee County Veterans Service Officer Andrew Dehart, 903-683-4012.

The Cherokee County Conservative Club (previously the Cherokee County TX Republican Club) will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct 7, at Hong Kong Buffet, 1644 S. Jackson in Jacksonville. Guest speaker Brandon Waldens of Texas Scorecard will discuss the Amendments to be voted on in the Nov.2, 2021, election.

OCT. 9

The 34th annual Jacksonville College scholarship benefit golf tournament honoring Bennie & Carole Lybrand, will be Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Cherokee Ranch Golf Club, 14089 U.S. Highway 79 in Jack-sonville. Registration begins at 7 a.m., followed by an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Fees are $100 per player and includes greens fee, cart and lunch. To learn more, contact Kirby Shepherd, [email protected].

The Cherokee Craft & Trade Fair will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9, at 707 College Ave. in Jack-sonville.

The City of Jacksonville will host a community shred day, from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 9.

Reklaw Trade Days will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, in downtown Reklaw.

OCT. 10

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Loop 256 in Palestine, celebrates the 20th Sunday of Pentecost with 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10:15 a.m. Divine Service of Holy Communion on Oct. 10.

OCT. 11-12

Auditions will be held for this year’s production of “A Christmas Story,” 6:30 p.m. nightly, Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 11-12, at Cherokee Civic Theatre, 157 W 5th St. in Rusk. There will be speaking parts for two men, two women, five boys and two girls, ages 7 and older; crew members also are sought. The di-rector will be Judy Faye Garner.

OCT. 12

The Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates of VVA, Chapter 991 in Palestine, will meet Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the VVA/DAV Hall, 927 Gardner Dr. in Palestine. Fellowship is at 6 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. meal and 7 p.m. meeting. The meeting is open to all veterans and their family.

OCT. 16

The Butterfly Barn, located at 664 N. Bolton in Jacksonville, will host a benefit fundraiser for County Roads Rescue, with a portion of the day's sales dedicated to the rescue. A drawing also will be held for a $50 gift card.

Texas State Railroad will offer the Pumpkin Patch Express Oct. 16, in Rusk. The event includes a 40-minute round trip train ride, along with a pumpkin patch, games, hay rides, prizes and other activities. Reservations can be made at TexasStateRailroad.net or call 855-632-7729 to learn more.

A Pumpkin Spice Fun Run, presented by For the Love of Nutrition, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at 125 E. 6th St. in Rusk. While there is no entry fee, donations will be taken for the Ronald McDonald House in Dallas. To learn more, call 903-245-9877.

Mission Tejas State Park will host "Height Hike – Tallest in Texas," from 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Test your eye for timber and learn how foresters measured height! This moderate one-mile guided hike has some inclines. The park is located on Texas Highway 21 outside Grapeland. While the program is free, park admission is $3 for visitors ages 13 and older.

Lake Striker Resort will host an axe throwing event, Saturday, Oct. 16, at 18560 CR 4256 South in Reklaw. Gates open at 3 p.m., with a $5 admission per person. An outdoor stage features entertainment by Kim Scott, Shawn Clapton and The Gems Dance company. Vendors will be on hand. Coolers wel-come.

Relay for Life of Cherokee County planning committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, at the Cherokee County Annex meeting room. The next meeting is slated for January 2022.

OCT. 18

Book Lover’s Unite Book Club will meet at noon, Monday, Oct. 18 at the Jacksonville Public Library, 526 E. Erwin St.

OCT. 19

Alto Food Pantry will host its 3rd Tuesday monthly food distribution, 2-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 176 W. San Antonio St. in Alto.

OCT. 21

Book Lover’s Unite Book Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 at the Jacksonville Public Li-brary, 526 E. Erwin St.

OCT. 23

The Cherokee County Master Gardeners host its annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Ruth Nichols Arboretum in Jacksonville; the event will coincide with the groups Scarecrow Trail, which is slated Oct. 23-30.

Texas State Railroad will offer the Pumpkin Patch Express Oct. 23 in Rusk. The event includes a 40-minute round trip train ride, along with a pumpkin patch, games, hay rides, prizes and other activities. Reservations can be made at TexasStateRailroad.net or call 855-632-7729 to learn more.

OCT. 23-30

The Cherokee County Master Gardeners will host their annual Scarecrow Trail, Oct. 23-30, at Ruth Nichols Arboretum, 1015 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville. The opening day of the event also features the Master Gardeners’ Fall Plant Sale. The trail is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Admission is $1 or one canned good per person, in support of HOPE – Jacksonville.

Mission Tejas will host an Edible and Medicinal Plant Hike, Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9:30-11 a.m. Trek an easy mile on this introduction to edible and medicinal plants hiding in the Piney-woods. Later in the day, participated in Archery 101, held from 2:30–3:45 p.m. NASP style ar-chery intro and shootout, all skill levels welcome, for ages 7 and older; equipment provided, The park is located on Texas Highway 21 outside Grapeland. While the program is free, park admission is $3 for vis-itors ages 13 and older.

OCT. 24

"A Walk through History" – Remembering those buried at Cedar Hill, will be presented from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the cemetery in Rusk. Program participants will be in period dress, offering stories of those buried at Cedar Hill. Author Deborah Burkett will share research done for her latest book, "Re-membering Those Buried beneath the Cedars." Afterward, refreshments will be served at the Heritage Center of Cherokee County Museum in downtown Rusk.

OCT. 25

Trunk or Treat, held at Commerce and Main Streets in downtown Jacksonville, kicks off at 5 p.m. Mon-day, Oct. 25.

OCT. 26

"County Business at Lunch" will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Postmasters Coffee Co., 402 Rusk St. in Jacksonville. Several county officials will be guest speakers at the event. Advanced registration, with limited seating. Tickets are $20 Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce mem-bers, $25 prospective members. Contact the Jacksonville Chamber for more information.

The annual Hay Show & Sale will be held Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the Cherokee County Exposition Center in Jacksonville. A 6 p.m. catered dinner is followed immediately by a hay auction, with Grand Champion, Reserve Champion and Blue Ribbon hay auctioned during the event. Proceeds benefit the youth of Cher-okee County via a scholarship program

OCT. 29

Rusk will host its annual Scare on the Square, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, on the courthouse square downtown. Businesses there – and throughout the city – will be passing out candy, including All Aboard Nutrition (from 3-5 p.m. at 595 N. Main), while the local library will have Halloween shows in the meeting room.

OCT. 30

Primitive Fire ― History in Action will be held from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30 at Mis-sion Tejas State Park. The park is located on Texas Highway 21 outside Grapeland. While the program is free, park admission is $3 for visitors ages 13 and older.

The City of Reklaw will host its second annual Trunk or Treat event, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at 140 W. Main St. (intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and Texas 204).

Texas State Railroad will offer the Pumpkin Patch Express Oct. 30, in Rusk. The event includes a 40-minute round trip train ride, along with a pumpkin patch, games, hay rides, prizes and other activities. Reservations can be made at TexasStateRailroad.net or call 855-632-7729 to learn more.

NOV. 1

Bluebonnet 4-H Club will host a Nov. 1 queen’s contest drawing for custom processing for white tail deer from Dyess processing. Tickets are $4 or 5 for $20. To learn more, contact Amanda Hobson, 214-592-6801.

NOV. 6

The community of Earle’s Chapel will host its first Founder's Day festival, Saturday, Nov. 6. The festival will feature barbecue, a barrel train, carnival games, a petting zoo and an appearance by the Earle's Chapel VFD fire truck.

A 5K event/10 ruck march benefitting the Military Veteran Peer Network and VFW Post 8924 will be held Saturday, Nov. 6, in Palestine. Hosted by the Palestine Chamber of Commerce, where events initiate, the run begins at 7:30 a.m., while the ruck march starts at 7 a.m. Vendor booths will be on site at the VFW hall. Registration fees are $30 virtual and early bird (before Oct. 9); $35 regular registration, $40 day of event. To register, please contact the Palestine Chamber of Commerce at 903-729-6066 or email [email protected]

Texas Arbor Day and sha-ho tree planting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Caddo Mounds State Historic Site outside Alto.

NOV. 8

Lone Star Legal aid will offer legal services to seniors ages 60 and over, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, at Rusk Public Library. An attorney and paralegal will be on site to answer questions. To set up an appointment, call 800-354-1889, ext. 1574, or show up at the library.

NOV. 11

A Veterans Day celebration is planned from noon-2 p.m. at 1051 N. Houston St. in Bullard. For more information, contact Kandy Flores, 903-590-6134.

NOV. 13

The Cherokee Craft & Trade Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, at 707 College Ave. in Jacksonville.

Holidaze 2021 fashion show & auction, benefiting the Good Samaritan Food Pantry of Rusk, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid St.

Harvest of Hope Bingo, which benefits Relay for Life of Cherokee County’s efforts in battling cancer, will be held Monday, Nov. 15, at Singletary Memorial Library in Rusk. The event includes 10 games, dauber and snacks. Limited tickets are available, at $20 each, free admission for registered cancer survi-vors.

NOV. 27

Jacksonville FFA will host a shootout jackpot, Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Tommy McDaniel Rusk County Youth Expo, at 3303 FM 13 in Henderson. The event is a 2-ring show open to entries of steers, heifers, swine, goats and lamb, with a fee of $60 per entry that covers both rings. To learn more, call 713-252-4657 or visit the Jacksonville FFA Jackpot Shows page.

DEC. 2

The Jacksonville Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2.

DEC. 5

Come decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and Santa’s Elves, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Lake Striker Resort, 18560 CR 1256 in Reklaw. Registration begins Nov. 1 for the free event, call 281-703-3739 or 903-854-2404. Open to children ages 3 and older; the event is free, but attendees are asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy for the annual Toys for Tots campaign. Santa also will be in attendance, so bring your camera for photos!

DEC. 6

Lone Star Legal aid will offer legal services to seniors ages 60 and over, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, at Rusk Public Library. An attorney and paralegal will be on site to answer questions. To set up an appointment, call 800-354-1889, ext. 1574, or show up at the library.

DEC. 11

The Cherokee Craft & Trade Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, at 707 College Ave. in Jacksonville.