What’s Happening in Cherokee County

November 18, 2020

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 news@thecherokeean.com.

NOV. 19

Morning Brew, a Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce coffee social hosted by Compacity, begins at 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at 215 Kickapoo St., Unit 1. To learn more, call 903-586-4882 or email pam@compacity.pro.

The Wells Interfaith Pantry will host a food distribution day, from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at its location next to the water tower on Homer Road. Patrons are asked to remain in their vehicles as part of pandemic protocols.

The Housing Council of the Cherokee County Human Needs Network and the Texas Target Communities at TAMU will host a Zoom meeting regarding Jacksonville housing needs assessment, 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. Zoom meeting link: https://tamu.zoom.us/j/96177340280?pwd=NE5RVE9KaDdGcXFDY1RwVnU4b2VaZz09, passcode: 915465

NOV. 20-23

Old Farmhouse Pottery will host its 29th annual open “yard” event beginning 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, through 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at 232 County Road 1805 in Maydelle. To learn more, contact 903-795-3779. Masks required.

NOV. 21

A Concerned Citizen Beautification Day will be held at Nichols Green Parks 1 & 2, from 8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21. Dress accordingly for painting, power-washing and graffiti removal.

Members of the Cherokee Tribe of Texas, including Chief Ron Trussell, will be the special guests at Rusk’s Heritage Center of Cherokee County, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.

According to museum director Betty Marcontell, members will be outfitted in tribal dress, and will answer questions about the Cherokee. The museum is located at 208 S. Henderson St. To learn more, contact Marcontell at 903-714-8685.

NOV. 23

The H.O.P.E. Center of Jacksonville will host its annual Thanksgiving Dinner, with Jacksonville city officials helping to prepare and serve the meal, held 11:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at 595 S. Ragsdale St. This year's meal will be served to-go, as part of the center's effort to uphold health precautions in light of a COVID-19 pandemic.

NOV. 25

Vegetable Day at The River Church will be held behind the city hall building, from 8 to 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25. Line up along East 2nd Street to follow the queue to the distribution site.

NOV. 28

Santa House opens from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Rusk Public Library, with cookies served. Guests are invited to take photos with Santa, who will appear at the library each Saturday through Dec. 19.

A tree-lighting ceremony will be held as part of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce's "The Hometown Christmas Experience," from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, in downtown Rusk. Vendor booths, food trucks, live local entertainment, a cornhole tournament, toy run and an antique car & bike show are planned. Contact the Rusk Chamber, info@ruskchamber.com, to learn more.

DEC. 1

Rusk Public Library will host an open house, from 11:30 am. To 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1. Visitors are invited to join the staff for lunch.

Rusk's annual Christmas parade – "Lights! Santa! Action!" – begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1. downtown. Entry forms are available by contacting Alyssa Walley, alybeesflowers@yahoo.com.

DEC. 4

Friends of the Rusk Public Library will host a First Friday dance, 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, at the Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid St. In Rusk. Admission is $5 a person. The Caddo Creek Band will perform.

DEC. 5

The Daily Grind coffee shop and café will host an interactive murder mystery dinner, Saturday, Dec. 5. Call the eatery, (903) 683-1500, to sign up or for more details.

A golf tournament at Birmingham Golf Course, a Christmas Tree Stroll at the Rusk Civic Center and a holiday murder mystery at The Daily Grind are all on tap Saturday, Dec. 5. Contact the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, info@ruskchamber.com, to learn more.

CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Jacksonville will host its annual Jingle Jog event Saturday, Dec. 5. Entry is $25 per person, with forms available for the 5K/Fun Run family-friendly event at the hospital’s fitness center from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 4 or online at www.active.com. Race day registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with a kids dash beginning at 9 a.m., immediately followed by the 5K and Fun Run.

DEC. 10

The Troup Chamber of Commerce will host the town’s annual Christmas parade Thursday, Dec. 10. Entry line-up begins at 5 p.m., with the parade following at 6 p.m. For entry forms, call 903-574-3928 or email sloudamy@trouptx.com.

DEC. 11

The deadline to enter the Rusk Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural holiday decorating contest is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. To enter, simply send name of entry (individual or business) and address to info@ruskchamber.com. There’s no fee to enter; members of the Chamber’s Christmas Committee will select their top three favorites, which will be announced Friday, Dec. 18. Winners receive a yard sign and certificate. To learn more, email info@ruskchamber.com or call 903-683-4242.

DEC. 11-13

"Miracle on 34th Street" will be staged at the Cherokee Civic Theatre, Dec. 11-13. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Purchase tickets at www.cherokeetheatre.net.

DEC. 15

The UT Health East Texas digital mammography unit will be on site Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the UT Health East Texas Physicians Clinic in Rusk, 1325 N. Dickerson St. To schedule a mammogram, contact 800-648-8141, then 3.

DEC. 19

The VFW Auxiliary invites vendors to set up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jacksonville VFW Hall #3984, Saturday, Dec. 19. Booth fees are $30, with some outside spaces available. Proceeds go to the operation of the post and VFW charities. Deadline to sign up is Dec. 10. Contact Brenda Daniels, 903-810-4026, or email danielsbrenda1952@gmail.com.