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. 9

The Major Thaddeus Beall Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at the First United Methodist Church, 1031 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville. Program theme is “American Heritage,” with a Christmas music piano concert by D’Anne Tillman, pianist at First Baptist Church of Mixon.

The Troup Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, in the city’s downtown.

DEC. 10

The Butterfly Barn will host a Flannel & Fizz Christmas party, from 3-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at 664 N. Bolton St. in Jacksonville. Special guest Clinton Alford will be performing from 6-9 p.m. RSVP to 903-539-7335 by Sunday, Dec. 5.

DEC. 11

The Shacks on Main will host Reklaw Trade Day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at 140 W Main St. in Reklaw. Browse through 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 and various product distributors.

Mission Tejas State Park will host “Ramble Above the Ravine,” from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. A longer trek is planned over dramatic ravine cuts and hillsides of Steep Ravine Trail, discussing how rainfall carves our piece of the Pineywoods. Meet at the visitor’s center; for the hike, visitors are advised to wear appropriate clothing and foot wear, and bring along water. The mission is located at 19343 State Highway 21 East in Grapeland. While the program is free of charge, admission for visitors ages 13 and older is $3.

Cherokee County Stock Show and Exposition Inc. has teamed up Cherokee County’s Trail to Christ Cowboy Church for a Saturday Dec. 11 jackpot fundraiser, held immediately following a validation. Check in from 9-11 a.m. Saturday morning, with 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. 12

The annual Christmas Cantata at A. Frank Smith will begin at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited.

DEC. 13

The Alto Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, with line up starting at 5 p.m. at the Alto Missionary Baptist Church parking lot on Hwy. 294. The event is sponsored by the local Lions Club.

The Cherokee County Genealogical Society will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 in the community meeting room of the Rusk Public Library, 207 E. 6th Street in Rusk. The program will be presented by CCGS Vice-President and Program Chairman Vivian Cates of Alto. Her topic will be “Some Perils and Pitfalls of Following Family Traditions and Stories in Genealogical Research.”

DEC. 13-14

Cherokee Civic Theatre will host auditions 7 p.m. nightly, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 13-14, for the play “Mamaw,” written and directed by local resident Minette Bryant.

DEC. 14

Alto ISD will present its Christmas Musical 2021, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the Alto ISD Cafeteria. Students from the district’s Pre-K through fourth grade programs, along with the Alto Middle School/High School Band will perform, and hot chocolate and cookies will be sold prior to the start of the program, as well as during a brief intermission between performances.

Rusk Band Boosters will host a chicken spaghetti fundraising dinner, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the Rusk Junior High Cafeteria. $10 plates feature chicken spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread, salad, drink and dessert. Proceeds benefit the Rusk Eagle Band.

DEC. 15

Bentley’s Lawn Care and Sadlers Marine will host the Dec. 15 Morning Brew, from 8-9 a.m. Wednesday at Sadlers Marine, 1914 S. Jackson St. in Jacksonville. It’s a great way to connect and support other local businesses!

Santa will make an appearance from 9-1 on Wednesday, at the Good Samaritan Food Pantry Thrift Store, 190 W 2nd St, Rusk.

A WIC Clinic will be hosted by the Chaparral Center and the Alto Food Pantry, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15. The center is located at 176 W. San Antonio St. in Alto. For more information, contact the WIC Clinic, 903-589-9360.

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.

Troup bands will host their 2021 holiday concert, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Troup High School auditorium.

DEC. 18

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be present from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 18, at The Clothes Closet & More, 314 S. Main St.

Extreme Praise Worship Center will host a Dec. 18 free clothing and coat giveaway at 1716 E. Rusk St. in Jacksonville. Hours are from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Locally, Wreaths Across America will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Jarratt Cemetery in Craft, as well as at 11 a.m. in Oakland Cemetery the same day. Volunteers will lay wreaths on the graves of veterans buried at both places. Members of the Marine Corps League Jacksonville Texas Det.# 1381 will assist with the Jarratt program, while American Legion Post 152 members will assist at Oakland.

Rusk’s First Baptist Church presents “Destination Dig: Unearthing the Truth about Jesus,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Register online at www.ruskfbc.com.

DEC. 19

Rusk’s First United Methodist Church will host a 4 p.m. Blue Christmas service on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 255 S. Henderson St. The service is for those who are carrying pain, hurt or loss during the holiday season.

DEC. 20

The UT Health East Texas digital mammography unit will be parked at UT Health East Texas Physicians Clinic in Rusk, Monday, Dec. 20, offering 3-D screenings for women. To schedule an appointment, call 800-648-8141 and press 3. The Rusk clinic is located at1325 N. Dickinson St. (US Highway 69).

DEC. 24

Christmas Eve services begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24, at First Baptist Church in Rusk.

The Christmas Eve Candle light service at A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church begins at 5 p.m.

JAN. 1, 2022

A first day hike at Mission Tejas State Park, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, takes visitors on some of the mission’s oldest trails, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear, along with water. The mission is located at 19343 State Highway 21 East in Grapeland. While the program is free of charge, admission for visitors ages 13 and older is $3.

JAN. 28-30

DNOW, featuring Breakaway Worship and Robert White, will be hosted Jan. 28-30 at First Baptist Church in Rusk for youths in grades 7-12. Cost is $30 per person. Register online at www.ruskfbc.com.