What’s Happening in Cherokee County

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. 30

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Loop 256 in Palestine, will celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany on Jan. 30, beginning with 9 a.m. Sunday School, followed by Divine Service of Holy Communion at 10:15 a.m.

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. 3

Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library will offer a “Diabetes & Heart Disease” program, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, hosted by the U.T. Tyler Health Sciences Center.

Donkey basketball comes to Rusk, Thursday, Feb. 3, at the old high school gym. Matches begin at 7 p.m., with the first round scheduled between Rusk FFA and the RHS Theatre program, a second match between cheer squads and the athletic department, with winners from each round playing for bragging rights. Tickets are available at the high school’s front office, as well as Brookshire Brothers in Rusk. Tickets are $10 advance and $12 at the door.

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

First Assembly of God Church of Jacksonville will launch a weekly 10 a.m. Bible study program on Monday, Feb. 7, at Postmaster’s Coffee Shop, located at the intersection of U.S. Highways 69 and 79. The program is in an informal, inviting setting for those to break open the word of God.

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. 8

Rusk Ministerial Alliance pastors will host a Community Call to Prayer, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. with the first meeting hosted by the First Baptist Church, Rusk. Meeting is open to anyone sensing a burden for revival and spiritual awakening.

FEB. 9

“People in Cherokee County Extension and farming community,” a Black History Month program presented by George Martin of the Cherokee County Historical Society, is slated from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Cherokee County Annex, 165 E. 6th St. in Rusk.

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 will mentor 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
“People in Cherokee County Extension and farming community,” a Black History Month program presented by George Martin of the Cherokee County Historical Society, will be offered at 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Heritage Center of Cherokee County, Texas, museum, located at 208 Henderson St. in Rusk.

Rusk Civic Center will be the site of separate Valentine’s 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. 16

A free Heart Strong health conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the Cherokee County Annex meeting room, 165 E. 6th St. in Rusk. Guest speakers Dr. Kendra Verhelle and Steve Goode will lead the seminar, which offers participants an opportunity to learn, connect and get energized to live healthy in order to prevent heart attacks and strokes. To register, call 903-683-5416.

FEB. 17

The Jacksonville Chamber banquet has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17, at The Legacy Venue, 728 CR 1511 in Jacksonville. The event kicks off with a 5:15 p.m. social hour, followed by the buffet line at 5:45 p.m. and the program at 6 p.m.

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, 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at Small Town Books, 152 S. Main St. in Rusk.

Reklaw Trade Days kicks off their first event of 2022 at The Shacks on Main, held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at the intersection in Reklaw. With more than 70 vendors and food trucks, there is something for everybody.

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 19

The 8th annual Kiwanis Shootout is slated for Saturday, March 19, at the Beal Ranch, FM 2274, off U.S. Highway 79 East.

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, at the Footbridge in Rusk. The event begins at 8 a.m. with the Fun Run event, followed at 8;30 a.m. with 5K and Ruck March events Sponsors, volunteers and coordinators invited to help with the event. Registration fees are $30 early bird (before May 1), $35 from May 1-21, and $45 race day.

JUNE 11

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