BC Chamber awarding scholarships

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce they will be awarding two $600 scholarships to Bridge City High School seniors and two $600 scholarships to Orangefield High School seniors. Applications are available at the high school counselor’s office, Bridge City Chamber office at 150 W. Roundbunch Road, Bridge City, TX 77611, or can be downloaded at www.bridgecitychamber.com. Completed applications should be turned in to the respective high school counselor no later than Mar. 31, 2020.

 

25th Community Trash Off

The 25th Annual Community Trash Off is scheduled from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 22. Registration forms available online at starkculturalvenues.org/shangrilagardens

 

Kindergarten Roundup

If you have a child or know of a child who will begin kindergarten in the fall, please take note of and share these dates.

Little Cypress Elementary, 409-886-2838: April 2, 9:00-10:00 a.m. or 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Mauriceville Elementary, 409-745-1615: April 2, – 8:30-9:30 a.m. or 5:30- 6:30 p.m. pre-kindergarten sign up will also be this day at MVE, for those who meet the requirements. LCE will hold a Pre-K roundup at a later date.

Those with questions should contact the school your child will attend by calling the number listed beside the school’s name above.

IMPORTANT: Parents or guardians must provide the following when registering their children: The child’s birth certificate, child’s social security card, child’s shot record, parent’s driver’s license, and a proof of residence, such as an electric or other utility bills.

 

Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fair

The Orange County Master Gardeners are holding their 7th Annual Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fair Saturday, March 14, 2020, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cormier Park, 8235 FM 1442, Orangefield. Hundreds of nursery and member grown plants will be for sale including many varieties of citrus, berries, Texas Superstars, perennials, natives, annuals, house and tropicals along with succulents, lilies and many other hard to find and unusual plants. Plant specialists and members will be available to answer questions and to assist you in selecting your plants. Specialty booths will be set up with unique gardening and craft items. For more information check out http://txmg.org/orange or contact us at sheribethard@yahoo.com

 

Lenten Fish Fry

St. Francis of Assisi, Knights of Columbus Council 13825 is selling

fish dinners in the San Damiano Center (behind the Church) located

at 4300 Meeks Drive from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the following Lenten

Fridays:  February 28, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27 and

April 3.

Dinner includes two pieces of fish, french fries,  hush puppies, coleslaw, 

drink and dessert for $10.

 

Free Electronic Filing Tax Service

Jackson Community Center will be offering Free Tax Assistance through Lamar University Community Tax Center. Fast refund and electronic filing are available to eligible families and individuals earning up to $56,000. Date and time:  Beginning February 3, thru April 15, 2020. Open Monday thru Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every other Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 520 W. Decatur Ave. in Orange. By appointments Only. To schedule an appointment and for additional information please contact Elizabeth Campbell, Program Manager at (409) 779-1981 or email jccorange@gmail.com

 

Orange County Aggie Mom Scholarship

 

The 2020 Orange County Texas A&M University Mothers Club scholarship application is available.  For a copy of the application, contact the local high school counselor and/or scholarship coordinator.  Applications are also available at 

https://orangecountymoms.aggienetwork.com/scholarships/.

 

2019 Income Tax Assistance

AARP Tax Filing Assistance will be offered starting 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, February 5, at the Orange Public Library.  IRS-certified volunteers will be available from 12:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday through April 15. April 15 is the last day to file 2019 taxes.

Anyone coming for assistance should bring the following:

Proof of identification (photo ID)

Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents 

Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents

Wage and income statements (Form W-2, Social Security, 1099-R, 1099-Misc, W2G, etc).

Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

Records of any Capital Gains and Losses (stock shares, property)

Forms 1095-A, B or C, Affordable Health Care Statements

A copy of last year’s federal and state returns is very helpful in the preparation of the 2019 return.

 

Follies Community Kickoff Party

Come celebrate another Follies Year with us from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 at American Legion Auxiliary Unit 49 located at 108 Green Avenue in Orange. Sign up to be a part of the follies or just come out to sing, dance and mingle. Karaoke & D.J. by Michael Hudnall. $5 cover charge at the door or pre-purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/vzteaog (online purchases include processing fees). Children 12 and under are free.

Do you have a loved one with a mental illness?

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will be offering an eight-week course to help family members cope with their loved ones who are suffering from Depression, Bipolar, Schizophernia, PTSD, etc. 

This eight-week course is seldom offered in Orange, and it is limited to the first 20 people who sign up. It will be once a week beginning in February 2020. It is free of charge. To sign up, call 409-617-3308 or email namigoldentriangle@gmail.com 

 

Gigantic Book Sale Collection

The American Association of University Women- Orange Chapter is gearing up for its upcoming annual gigantic book sale at Art in the Park on April 4.  This is a fundraising event to give girls from Orange scholarships to college.  AAUW is now collecting donated books, CDs, DVDs, etc. for this fundraiser.  Collection sites are: Looking Good Salon on Northway Shopping Center next to Market Basket; Mann Insurance at the corner of Park Avenue and 15th Street. 

 

LC-M PSG 2020 meeting

Little Cypress – Mauriceville Project Senior Graduation 2020 meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at Orange First Church of the Nazarene located at 

3810 Martin Luther King Jr Drive in Orange. We are thrilled to have anyone come and join our efforts in raising money to help and assist the fundraising efforts for their big event.

 

W.H. Stark House Tours

The W.H. Stark House is excited to announce 2nd Friday and Saturday Monthly Tours for the 2020 season on Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15. Tours include all three floors of the main House, feature two recently restored rooms, and, as always, display original family furnishings, personal effects, and decorative arts.
Tours can accommodate a maximum of 7 people. Participants must be at least 6 years old and able to walk up and down 44 steps to take a house tour. For safety reasons, parents may not carry infants or younger children on the tour.
Register for a free tour at http://starkculturalvenues.org/whstarkhouse/events/2020/02/second-friday-saturday-tours-february

 

Upcoming Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Classes

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension of Orange County is having upcoming classes starting on January 25.

February 27:  Jam & Jelly Making Class.  Come and learn how to can Jam and Jelly.  You will get to take home your own jar after the class.  This class will start at 2 p.m. and costs $20.  Please register and pay by February 21. 

March 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31:  Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes:  The is a free 5 class series that will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Join us in learning how to prevent type 2 diabetes, eat healthy, and much more to control your diabetes.  Please try to attend all classes in the series to get the full benefit of the series.

March 28:  Cooking Class for Adults with Rocky:    This class will be taught by Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Rocky Bridges.  You will be preparing a 3-course meal, have fun while cooking healthy recipes, and there will be door prizes.  Class and reserve your spot as the class size is limited.  The cost of the class is $25 per person and must by paid by March 20. 

All classes will be held at the Extension office at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center on FM 1442.  Call the office at 409-882-7010 to RSVP unless otherwise stated.

 

2020 Hamfest

Orange, Jefferson Co. & Beaumont Amateur Radio Clubs is hosting 2020 Hamfest from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 22 at Orange County Convention & Expo Center located at 11475 FM 1442 in Orange. Exit 869 from either direction off IH-10.

This event is ARRL Sanctioned. Location is the Orange County Convention & Expo Center

Talk in frequency 147.180 +600 PL 103.5

This is our annual event to promote Amateur Radio to the public and the buying, selling, or swapping of amateur radio gear. ARRL forums start at 8 a.m. and Ham radio license testing at 10 a.m. 

Admission is $8 per person. Kids under 12 are free.

Indoor Dealer/Vendor tables are $15.

Also tailgating is free (limited space).

Friday night Hamfest BBQ dinner (three meat) is $15 a plate. Gumbo pulled pork and sandwiches for sale on Saturday.

Contact Rocky Wilson (409) 988-8906 email n5mtx55@gamail.com or website at http://www.qsl.net/w5nd/

 

Genealogy Conference 

The Newton County Historical Commission is sponsoring the Newton County Genealogy Conference from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Iris and Anne Howard Civic Center, 213 E. Court Street, Newton, Texas. Cost $20 for both days. Call 409-329-2109 with questions or to pre-register. See our Facebook page or website for schedule information.

 

Bridge City Founders Festival

The Bridge City Founders Festival celebrating 50 years and Growing Strong Together will be held Friday, July 3 through Sunday July 5. There will be food, games, activities, contests, fireworks, and more,

 

GriefShare support group

Often friends and family want to help you but don’t know-how. That’s the reason for GriefShare. Our group is led by caring people who have successfully rebuilt their lives. We understand how you feel because we’ve been the same. We will walk with you on the long path through grief toward healing and hope for the future.

We will meet at Community Church on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

 

Noon Lion’s Club meeting

Noon Lion’s Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Domino’s Meeting/Party room located at 2107 MacArthur Drive in Orange. 

 

Friends of the Bridge City Public Library meeting

Friends of the Bridge City Public Library meets once a month on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Join today for only $5 per year. As a member of the Friends you can help with fundraisers, the summer reading program, decorate Library for the holidays, scrapbook events from the year and Bayou Buddy Storytime.

BC Chamber seeks nominations

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce accepts nominations from ALL members of the community for Employee or Business of the Month. To make a nomination, email: bcchamber@bridgecitychamber.com, fill out a nomination form online at bridgecitychamber.com or call 409-735-5671. Include the person’s name, place of employment and why you feel they should receive the award.

 

Hand Quilting Demonstration

Thrift and Gift Shop holds a free Hand Quilting demonstration from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., every Tues. and Thurs. at 350 South 37th Street in Orange (located in the old Salk School). For more information call 409-886-7649.

 

Be A Change Maker

United Way offers a Change Maker option to help. You can ‘round up’ your spare change with every credit or debit card purchase. Find out more by texting UWOC to 43506 or online at https://unitedwayorangecounty.harnessapp.com/roundup/

 

Fly-Ins

Orange County Radio Control Club meets each Tuesday and Saturday at 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the club’s airfield located at 10623 Farm to Market Road 1442 in Orange. Guests are welcome as long as club members are present. Learn more about building and flying remote-controlled airplanes with other enthusiasts.