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 are available from any Lions Club member.

NOV. 6

St. John’s United Methodist Church will host its annual fall bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at 2020 Beaumont St. in Jacksonville. A variety of items, including baked goods and homemade jellies, are available.

The community of Earle’s Chapel will host its first Founder's Day festival, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. The festival – which honors the settlers who created the community – also 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. Registration fees are $30 virtual; $35 regular registration, $40 day of event. To register, please contact the Palestine Chamber of Commerce at 903-729-6066 or email [email protected]

This year’s Coats for Kids distribution will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at The Clothes Closet and More, 314 S. Main St. in Jacksonville. The ministry is accepting new and gently used coats, with an expressed request for children’s sizes. They may be dropped off during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the Main Street site.

“Hunting Season/Pampering Season” free introduction to oils seminar will be held from 10-11 a.m. at Lake Striker Resort, 18560 CR 4256 S. in Reklaw. An additional 11 a.m. seminar on how to make your own sugar scrub is $5 per person. Sign-up deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 3; call 281-703-3739 to register.

NOV. 7

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, located at 1515 South Loop 256 in Palestine, will celebrate All Saints Day – an ancient observance originated as a commemoration of martyrs, those believers who died for their faith. Sunday, Nov. 7 with 9 a.m. Sunday school and Divine Service of Holy Communion at 10:15 a.m.

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. 9

The Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates of VVA Chapter 991 in Palestine will hold November meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9, in the VVA/DAV Hall at 927 Gardner Dr. in Palestine. Fellowship starts at 6 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving-themed dinner and 7 p.m. business session. VVA Chapter 991 serves Vietnam Veterans from the local seven-county area. All Veterans are welcome.

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 Shacks on Main will host Reklaw Trade Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 140 W. Main St. featuring 70+ booths filled with holiday decor, flea market finds, antiques, collectibles, refurbished and repurposed furniture, handmade crafts, woodwork, knives, jewelry, trailers of good ol' junk, various product distributors. Food trucks also will be on site.

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.

Elijah’s Retreat, at 257 County Road 3110 in Jacksonville, will host a Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. The event features food, fun and entertainment; no admission is charged, however, tickets will be sold for food and games, according to organizers. A raffle contest features a $1,000 first-place prize; additional prizes will be drawn for $500 and $250. Proceeds will benefit the retreat, which supports families facing autism. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for five, and can be found online at https://form.jotform.com/212647077712154?fbclid=IwAR1M4WEej7oA8c0mMPyaIj_RWThlbOlwyLcArwxiSlstISwYkTQgYkomWlU

Rusk Public Library will host a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, complete with a showing of the classic Peanuts holiday cartoon. Gather at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, in the library meeting room.

The Jacksonville Garden club will celebrate local veterans with a 1:30 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Patriotic Pathway Memorial at Buchner Park. Names will be listed of bricks purchased and installed along the park’s sidewalk. All are welcome.

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.

Nov. 15

Harvest of Hope Bingo, benefiting Relay for Life of Cherokee County’s efforts in battling cancer, will be held at Singletary Memorial Library in Rusk. The $20 tickets include 10 games, dauber and snacks. Limited tickets are available, free admission for registered cancer survivors. For more information, contact Amy Walley, 903-683-5416.

The Troup Community Development Corporation will host its annual “Holiday in the Country” evening, from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, in downtown Troup. Stroll the downtown area and get into the Christmas spirit as local shops remain open to visitors.

NOV. 16

Crystal Bateman of Austin Bank will present the Nov. 16 “Topic@12” session on “How to create a business flyer,” as part of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s information luncheon series. The session is from noon to 1 p.m., at the Chamber offices, 1714 E. Rusk St., with a $15 fee covering a catered lunch from Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop. RSVP to 903-586-2217. Participants are asked to bring their laptops.

Rusk Public Library will host its sixth annual community Thanksgiving luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, in the community meeting room. The lunch is free to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend.

“Let’s Mingle & Jingle” in downtown Jacksonville, as local downtown businesses offer their festive shopping experience from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16.

NOV. 19

An East Texas Beef and Forage Clinic sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offices of Cherokee, Smith, Rusk and Panola counties will be held at South Main Church of Christ, 402 S. Main St. in Henderson. Various topics will be addressed by agents, with registration set for 8 a.m., while clinics held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CEU credits will be offered. A $20 registration fee includes lunch. RSVP to 903-657-0376 by Nov. 15.

NOV. 27

Rusk’s Hometown Christmas Car & Bike Show Toy Run is slated from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, on the Courthouse Square. The event benefits the Dream Tree project and The Good Samaritan.

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. 4

Are you the best baker in the area? Bring your best baked item – and a copy of the recipe to your homemade goods – to the Rusk Public Library’s meeting room on Saturday, Dec. 4, to enter the inaugural Holiday Baking Championship. There is a $25 entry fee, with proceeds benefitting the Friends of the Library for purchase of new patio furniture.

A Dec. 4 “Christmas & Cuff” Golf Scramble hosted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at Cherokee Ranch Golf Club in Jacksonville will raise funds for training safety equipment for the department. The 4-man scramble begins with 7 a.m. registration, followed by 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. For more information, contact CCSO Captain Logan Smith, 903-747-5995.

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

Cherokee County Stock Show and Exposition Inc. has teamed up Cherokee County’s Trail to Christ Cowboy Church for a Dec. 11 jackpot fundraiser, held immediately following a validation. Check in is from 9-11 a.m. Saturday morning, with the show starting at noon. Two rings, fee is $25 per entry. Categories are for beef, market goat & lamb, swine. Proceeds benefit the CCJLS scholarship program. Contact Ward McCown for more information, 903-787-2244.

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.

DEC. 16

Military Veteran Peer Network will host a Dec. 16 ladies night event, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Vet Resource House at 804 S. Main St. in Jacksonville. Free Mary Kay make-overs will be offered by Jessica, with music, snacks and games. RSVP to Angela Erickson, [email protected] or call/text to 940-206-4519.