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 news@thecherokeean.com.

DEC. 1

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

The lighting of of the Rusk’s 26-foot tree, located between J&J Jewelry and Salon Grace on Main Street, will be held prior to the 6 p.m. annual Christmas parade, “Lights! Santa! Action!” on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the courthouse square. Parade entry forms are available by contacting the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, 903-683-4242, or Alyssa Walley at 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

Rusk Chamber of Commerce's "The Hometown Christmas Experience," will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, in downtown Rusk. A variety of activities are planned, along with vendor booths and entertainment for visitors as they shop local businesses in and around the downtown square. Contact the Rusk Chamber, info@ruskchamber.com, to learn more.

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

CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Jacksonville’s annual Jingle Jog will be a virtual event this year, due to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the area. Slated to begin Saturday, Dec. 5, the event’s virtual registration and results submission deadline has been extended through midnight on Dec. 12, in hopes that you will join with us in raising more funds for the Jacksonville Rotary Club Scholarship. Learn more by contacting via email to itri365meredith@gmail.com

DEC. 10

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas parade, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec 10, in Downtown Jacksonville. This year’s theme is “All I want for Christmas,” with Cardinal Health sponsoring the theme float. JISD teachers will serve as grand marshals of the parade. Entry forms are available online or at the chamber office, 1714 E. Rusk St. in Jacksonville.

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. 12

Caddo Mounds State Historical Site will host a volunteer workday at Snake Woman’s Garden, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Volunteers will repair fences, weed, mulch, harvest gourds and construct an arbor, as well as process, preserve and label garden seeds. In order to make COVID safety easier, we ask volunteers to bring a sack lunch. Water and canned drinks will be provided. Masks required, social distancing employed. For more information, call 936-858-3221.

DEC, 14
The Alto Lions Club will host its annual Christmas Parade 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14. Contact Larry or Kyle Griffith at 936-858-4257 or show up with your entry at Missionary Baptist Church on Hwy. 294 W. at 5 p.m. First place winner receives a $50 check.

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.