BRIDGEPORT
BARBECUE COOK-OFF – The Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department will have its annual cook-off Saturday, Sept. 13, at Northwest OHV Park. Cook-off entries are currently being taken. This year’s event will include a Local Bragging Rights section and a Kid’s Porkchop Cook-off. Raffle tickets are also available for several items. Call Chief Terry Long, 940-210-9495.
GOLF TOURNAMENT – The Bridgeport Lions Club 34th Annual Oilman’s Golf Tournament is Saturday, Sept. 13, at The Club at Runaway Bay. There will be morning and afternoon tee times. Cost for the four-man scramble is $400 per team. Hole sponsorships are available for $250. Door prizes and gift certificates are also being accepted. Contact Kristina Kemp, kemp.kristina@gmail.com, 817-798-3471.
CHAMBER LUNCHEON – The Bridgeport Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon is 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Bridgeport Community Center. Lunch, catered by Subway, is $10. Door prize donations are welcome. RSVP to donnamann@bridgeportchamber.org or 940-683-2076.
CLASS REUNION – The Bridgeport High School Class of 1994 will celebrate its 20th reunion 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Los Vaqueros restaurant in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Tickets are $20 per person. The event is registered on the BHS alumni page, and you may RSVP or purchase tickets from that page. You can also visit the group’s Facebook page or email bridgeport1994@gmail.com.
COAL MINERS’ – The Bridgeport Coal Miners’ Heritage Festival is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, on Halsell Street. There will be a chili cook-off, pumpkin patch pageant, pet parade, photography contest, live performances, washer tournament, jump house, pumpkin activities, merchant sales, college football viewing area and food and craft vendors.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES – Sponsors are needed for the Bridgeport Coal Miners’ Heritage Festival. Levels are $550 for title sponsor; $350 for festival sponsor; and $150 for chili cook-off sponsor. Contact Donna Mann, 940-683-2076 or donnamann@bridgeportchamber.org.
GOLF TOURNAMENT – Bridgeport Masonic Lodge No. 587 will host a scholarship golf tournament Friday, Oct. 17, at Bridgeport Country Club. Tee time is 10 a.m. Cost is $400 per team and includes a catfish lunch provided by Select Energy Services. Contact Joe Smith, 940-393-3588 or joe.smith@dvn.com; Jerrod Mowery, 940-393-2116 or jsmowery@embarqmail.com; or J.W. Irick, 940-368-2765 or jwjlirick@gmail.com.
GOLF TOURNAMENT – The Bridgeport Women’s Club’s 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament benefiting the Bridgeport Spirit of Christmas is Sunday, Oct. 26, at Bridgeport Country Club. Registration is 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Call Susan Miller, 940-366-0186.
DECATUR
CLASSES TO START – The First Baptist Church in Decatur is holding weekly ESL classes starting Wednesday, Sept. 10. Classes are at 6:30 p.m., and there are four levels: primary, beginning, intermediate and advanced. New students need to register. Call 940-627-3235.
FABRIC DONATIONS – Senior Care in Decatur is seeking donations of fleece fabric for resident projects. Donations of 1-yard increments may be made at the facility, 701 W. Bennett. Call Kathy, 940-626-2817.
COLOR RUN – The Decatur Junior Woman’s Club will host the 2nd Annual City on a Hill Color Run and Fun Run Saturday, Sept. 13, location to be determined. A one-mile Fun Run is at 7:45 a.m., and the 5K run/walk follows at 8:15. The deadline for early registration has passed. Late registration will be available the day of the race or at packet pickup Friday, Sept. 12, at Excellent Dental in Decatur. Cost is $20 for the Fun Run and $40 for the 5K.
PARADE ENTRIES – The Decatur High School homecoming parade is 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, in downtown Decatur. This year’s theme is “fandoms,” representing something that has a fan following. Entry forms can be found on the DHS website.
GUN RAFFLE – Decatur Buyers Association is hosting a dinner and gun raffle 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Wise County Fairgrounds. One $50 tickets buys dinner and the chance to win one of 25 guns. Only 500 tickets will be sold. There will also be live music, a silent and live auction, cow chip bingo and more. Tickets can be purchased from any buyers association member, 2-K Pawn, North Texas Bank, Wise County Messenger, Sam’s Hairquarters or Chalet of Jewelry.
HIGH SCHOOL RODEO – Decatur High School rodeo team will host its NTHSRA rodeo in Decatur Sept. 27 and 28. The rodeo will be Saturday night/Sunday afternoon. Organizers are looking for vendors and silent auction items. Contact Stephanie, 940-393-3442, email decaturrodeoteam@gmail.com or facebook.com/decaturrodeoteam.
GOLF TOURNEY – The 5th Annual DHS Golf Booster Club Tournament is Sunday, Sept. 28, at The Club at Runaway Bay. Registration and lunch is at noon followed by a shotgun start at 2 p.m. Entry fee is $300 for a four-person team. It includes mulligans, a meal, goody bags and door prizes. Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place teams. Proceeds benefit the high school boys and girls golf teams. For an entry form, email dhsgolf2014@gmail.com or call 940-389-2561.
SCHOOL CARNIVAL – Carson Elementary School is hosting its annual carnival 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the school. There will be free games and prizes, bounce houses, food, a cake walk and more. All community members are welcome. Interested vendors should email Mac Lowe, macandcody@ymail.com
CHAMBER AUCTION – The Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd Annual Auction is 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Decatur Civic Center. Cost is $40 per person and includes dinner, open bar and entertainment, provided by Pete’s Piano Bar. Theme is “boots, chaps and cowboy hats.” Contact Misty Hudson, 940-627-3107.
PARADISE
FESTIVAL – The Paradise Main Street Festival is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. With the theme, “Pioneer Paradise,” Bob and Jennifer Jackson will offer a hands-on experience with authentic period dress, a tent and artifacts. The featured exhibit will demonstrate fire-making techniques, hide-tanning and flint-lock firearms. There will also be a car show, chili cook-off, talent show and quilt show. Email Donna Weeden, dgweeden@yahoo.com.
VENDOR BOOTHS – Vendors are sought for the Paradise Main Street Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27. Cost is $50 for professional food, $20 for food and other items. Electrical hookups are an additional $10. For a form, visit www.paradisehistoricalsociety.com/upcoming_events.
CHILI COOKOFF – The 2nd Annual Black Kettle Chili Cook-off is Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Paradise Main Street Festival. One winner in each Judge’s Pick and People’s Choice will receive $250 cash. Entry fee is $50. For a form, visit www.paradisehistoricalsociety.com/upcoming_events. Contact Adrienne Faulhaber, daefaulhab@hotmail.com.
CAR SHOW – The 8th Annual Car Show at the Paradise Main Street Festival is Saturday, Sept. 27. Registration is at 8 a.m., with judging at 10 a.m. and awards at noon. Winners in choice and class awards will be recognized. Cost is $15 by Sept. 15 (which includes a T-shirt) or $20 at the event. Additional shirts are $15 each. Contact Deborah Mann, 940-393-1434, dmann@mannair.com.
TALENT SHOW – The Paradise Historical Society is hosting the 3rd Annual Paradise Has Talent contest Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Paradise Main Street Festival. There will be two age divisions and up to a dozen entries per division. Division 1 will include children up to eighth grade, and Division 2 will feature high school students and adults. Cash prizes of $150 and $100 will be awarded in each division. Entry forms can be downloaded at paradisehistoricalsociety.com or from the Paradise Main Street Festival Facebook page. Entry fee is $10. Turn forms in to Karen Bohmfalk by Saturday, Sept. 20. Call 940-210-3181 or 940-969-2131.
RHOME
FALL FESTIVAL – The Rhome Fall Festival is Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27. Sponsors, vendors, pageant and parade entries are welcome. Contact Rhome City Hall, 817-636-2462; Deborah BeCraft, 817-636-2826 or rhomeoldtownfun@hotmail.com; or Debbie Stewart, 817-707-2097 or dstewartibu@msn.com.
WISE COUNTY
PATRIOT DAY – The Wise County Veterans Group will present a Patriot Day program 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Wise County Veterans Memorial Park in Decatur. The program is dedicated to all first responders in Wise County in honor of those who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Andrew Rottner, president of North Texas Bank, will be the guest speaker. Everyone is invited, particularly first responders.
OFFICE CLOSED – The Veteran Service Office is closed this week for semi-annual training. It will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Wise County Special Needs Baseball needs volunteers 8:30 a.m. to noon each Saturday Sept. 13 through Nov. 1. Come be a buddy to one of the group’s nearly 100 baseball players. Call 940-577-1848, www.wcspecialneeds.com.
FOSSILS AND ROCKS – The Wise County Fossil, Rock and Mineral Society will meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Wesley Center at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. There will be a potluck supper, and the program is “Show and Brag.” Members and guests are encouraged to bring a favorite rock to show to the group. The Wesley Center is at 200 E. Main St. Call 940-627-2329.
GOLF TOURNAMENT – The Wise County Veterans Group will host a golf tournament Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Club at Runaway Bay. Registration is at 6:30 a.m. Events begin with a putting contest at 7:30 a.m., rules at 7:45 a.m. and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $75 and includes green fees, range balls, cart, awards and lunch. Sponsorships are also available. All proceeds go to the Wise County Veterans Memorial Museum. Contact Wayne Hartley at 940-389-4432 or rwchartley@yahoo.com.
FOOD DRIVE – The Battle of Big Sandy food drive competition between Bridgeport ISD and Decatur ISD is now through Tuesday, Sept. 23. The district with the heaviest donation will be named the winner during halftime of the Bridgeport vs. Decatur game Friday, Sept. 26. Drop-off sites are available at each campus. Proceeds benefit Wise Area Relief Mission.
HEALTH FORUM – The Wise County Health Forum meets 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the lecture hall at Weatherford College Wise County. All Wise County community health stakeholders are invited. The group will share information about latest events and issues related to community public health.
DINNER TONIGHT – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service presents a Dinner Tonight Cooking School 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Weatherford College Wise County. Cost is $20 before Sept. 25 or $25 at the door. To reserve your spot, call Tanya Davis, 940-627-3341.
CLAY SHOOT – The Desk and Derrick Club of Wise County is hosting a scholarship clay shoot Friday, Oct. 3, at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds. All proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for Wise County graduating seniors. Lunch will be provided for all participants. For team registration information, contact Crystal Watkins, Crystal.Watkins@dvn.com, 940-394-2315.
RUNAWAY BAY
FIRE DEPARTMENT RAFFLE – Runaway Bay volunteer firefighters are selling raffle tickets for a gun. Cost is $20 a ticket, and only 300 will be sold. Tickets are available at Bridgeport Guns and Ammo, where the drawing will be held Saturday, Nov. 1. Contact Brian, 940-391-9158; Alex, 940-440-0382; or J.D., 940-577-7101. Proceeds will be used to purchase fire department jackets.
NORTHWEST
CRAFT VENDORS – Vendors are needed for the Northwest High School baseball team’s Fall Craft Show 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Northwest High School. Booths – which include one chair, helpers to unload, parking and wifi – are $75 for 10×10 or $140 for 10×20. Additional items are $10 for electricity, $10 for tables and $5 for chairs. Applications are due Oct. 10. Contact Casci Land, 817-336-6565; Tanda Dovel, 817-996-1790; Suzanne May, 817-897-5303; or Deborah Christenson, 817-726-1075.
CRAFT SHOW – The Northwest High School baseball team’s Fall Craft Show is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Northwest High School. There will be all things girly, painted glassware, vintage decor, shabby chic furniture, harvest and holiday decorations, bling, handbags, children’s clothing, artisan soaps and lotions, spirit wear and homecoming mums. Coffee will be provided in the morning, and lunch will be available for purchase in the afternoon in the food court. Admission is a canned food donation.