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].

JAN. 20

This year's TEEA Chili Luncheon & Bake-off will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 20, at the Cherokee County Annex, 165 E. 6th St. in Rusk.

A free veterans’ luncheon will be held at noon, Thursday, Jan. 20, at the Palestine VVA/DAV Hall, located at 927 Gardner Dr. the monthly luncheons are provided by several Anderson County healthcare providers. This month, a presentation on glaucoma will be presented by Dr. Jumah Absy, OD, of the Gold Eye Clinic in Palestine. The luncheon is open to all veterans, veteran’s families, and anyone interest-ed in veteran health issues.

The Jacksonville Public Library, located at 526 E. Commerce St. near the Historic Tomato Bowl, will present Disney’s “Luca,” 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20. Nachos will be served for dinner, according to organizers.

JAN. 21

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site will host kick-off events for its Grass House rebuild, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21-22, at the Texas Highway 21 site.

JAN. 22

An “(UN) Apologetic Evangelism Conference” will be held Saturday, Jan. 22 at Central Baptist Church, 1909 E. Rusk St. in Jacksonville, for students and adults. Keynote speakers are Frank Turek and Greg Koukl, with several breakout speakers lined up. Cost is $35 students, $45 adults. To register, vis-it https://texasbaptists.regfox.com/2022-unapologetic-conference-jacksonville-registration

Mission Tejas State Park will host two programs on Saturday, Jan. 22: At 9:30 a.m., join in the fun as park rangers discuss “Primitive Fire, History in Action” at the amphitheater. Check out the tried-and-true methods of starting a fire as guests build a natural tinder nest with native materials and then learn about creating a friction fire from start to finish. Then, at 2:30 p.m., take a guided tour at the Nabedache Loop, and discover unique habitats hidden behind the pines on a one-mile hike!

While events are free, there is a $3 per person admission for visitors ages 13 and older. The park is located on Texas Highway 21, west of Alto.

JAN. 24

The BMA Theological Seminary in Jacksonville begins its Spring Semester Jan. 24.

JAN 26

Trinity Assisted Living will host the Jan. 26 “Coffee with a Cop” social, from 8-9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 131 Zimmerman St. in Jacksonville.

The Greater Rusk Area Garden Club will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the Rusk library. Members and guests are encouraged to attend.

JAN. 27

The Friends of the Library will meet at the Rusk Public Library, 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, and invite new members to attend. To learn more, call 903-683-5916.

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.

JAN. 29

Chapel Market Days will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Baugh’s Market and Event Center, 3620 FM 1857 in Rusk.

An “Intro to Bushcraft – Beginner Shelter” demonstration will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Mission Tejas State Park. Sharpen your outdoor skills, as you help build a primitive shelter from foraged natural materials with a ranger! While events are free, there is a $3 per person admission for visitors ages 13 and older. The park is located on Texas Highway 21, west of Alto.

JAN. 31

The Friends of the Rusk Public Library will hold a Jan. 31 drawing for a beautifully stitched, neutral baby quilt, with tickets at $10 each. The quilt is on display at the library; proceeds benefit the library’s children's programs.

FEB. 4

The 2022 Annual Seed Swap hosted by Cherokee County AgriLife Extension will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at the Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid St., offering a variety of seeds, transplants and information provided by the extension office, members of the Cherokee County Master Gardeners and other donors, all free of cost.

FEB. 5

Small Town Books, located at 152 S. Main St. in downtown Rusk, will host a Feb. 5 discussion on how to make wine, everything you need to get started and growing grapevines in East Texas. Cost is $15 per person. To learn more, call 903-393-6933. The class is presented by Baugh’s Market.

FEB. 7

Jacksonville High School will host its annual JHS Freshman Fair, 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at the JHS Cafeteria. The event features information on all core subjects, endorsement pathways, clubs and organizations offered at the school. It is open to eighth grade students and their parents.

FEB. 7-11

Little Pirate Cheer Camp will be held Feb. 7-11 in Wells. A $25 fee includes a shirt for attendees. Participants will perform at half-time games on Feb. 11, as well as at the pregame pep rally. Register by Jan. 28.

FEB. 10

A monthly Alzheimer’s support group meeting will be held at Bonner Street Plaza Nursing & Rehabilitation, 421 S. Bonner St. in Jacksonville, on Thursday, Feb. 10.

CASA of Trinity Valley will host a “CASA 101” training session, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at 506 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville. The non-profit outfit trains and mentors volunteers to advocate for children in foster care, for which there is great need in Cherokee County. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 903-284-6245 or visit www.casaoftv.org.

FEB. 12

Rusk Civic Center will be the site of separate Valentines Day dances for local youth. A Mother-Son dance will be held from 1-2:30 p.m., followed by a Father-Daughter dance from 3:30-5 p.m. at the 555 Euclid Dr.; cost is $15 per couple, with $5 tickets for each additional child. The Rusk Band Boosters are sponsoring the afternoon dances, which feature refreshments and photos. Then, from 6-9 p.m., a Valentines Dance will be held for seventh- and eighth-graders, with tickets only $10 each. Door prizes, snacks, a photo booth and a DJ will be available.

FEB. 26

Troup FFA will host its Alumni and Friends Banquet, 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Troup High School Cafeteria, 927 Arp Dr. A free dinner and live and silent auctions are planned, with donations currently accepted for the auctions. Contact Caitlyn, 903-245-4794 or email [email protected], for more information.

MARCH 12

Baugh’s Market will present a yogurt-making class at Small Town Books, 152 S. Main St. in Rusk.

MARCH 14

The Rugged Cross Farm will host a farm day camp focusing on goats, beginning 8 a.m. Monday, March 14, at CR 4405 in Jacksonville. Goat basics – husbandry, feeding, and care – will be presented, with activities including milking, making soaps and ice cream production.

MARCH 26
Lake Striker Resort will hold a Crappie Fishing Tournament, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at 18560 CR 4256 South. Registration is $10 per person before March 26, with entry-day fees of $20 per person. Sign up is from 7-8 a.m. Door prizes will be distributed, with prizes offered to the top three contestants.

MARCH 30-APRIL 2

The 2022 Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show will be held March 30-April 2 in Jacksonville.

APRIL 7

A beginning soap-making class, presented by Baugh’s Market, is slated at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 7 at Small Town Books, 152 S. Main St. in Rusk.

APRIL 9

An April 9 barbecue competition hosted by the Jacksonville Citizen Police Academy and the Jacksonville Police Association will be held from 4:30-9 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in downtown Jacksonville. For more information, contact event coordinator Dillon Rodriguez at [email protected] or call 903-284-1685.

APRIL 20

The East Texas 100 Club’s second annual Sporting Clays Tournament will be held Saturday, April 30.

MAY 28

The 2nd Annual 5K Warrior Run is planned for Saturday, May 28, in Rusk. The event begins at 8 a.m. Sponsors, volunteers and coordinators invited to help with the event.

JUNE 11

The 38th Jacksonville Tomato Fest will be held Saturday, June 7, along East Commerce Street in Down-town Jacksonville. It will cap a weeklong series of events throughout the city, beginning June 4.