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.

APRIL

In observance of Month of the Military Child, MVPN is hosting a Military Art Contest, with winners announced April 29. All artwork will be displayed at the MVPN 804 S. Main St. office in Jacksonville. To learn more, contact Angela Erickson, mamabearerickson@icloud.com

Also, during the month of April, the Rusk Public Library, located at 207 E. 6th St., is selling both books and artwork, which is on display in the community room. The artwork was created by Visionary Crea-tions Peer Support Program at Rusk State Hospital.

APRIL 29

Workforce Solutions East Texas will host a virtual job fair from 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 29. Register at www.easttexasworkforce.org/virtual-job-fairs.

THROUGH APRIL 30

Families with loved ones buried in Unity Cemetery are asked to remove all old flowers between April 25-30 to allow the cemetery caretaker to groom the property for decoration on May 2.

APRIL 30-MAY 1

Life Recovery Church of Jacksonville will host a huge indoor garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, April 30-May 1, at 201 E. Commerce St. The event also includes a bake sale and silent auction, with pro-ceeds benefitting the ladies SWAG (Saved with Amazing Grace) group.

APRIL 30

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will host an April 30 golf tournament at Cherokee Ranch Golf Club, featuring a 4-man scramble.

Alto Tractor Supply will host a blood drive 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, April 30 in their parking lot.

Military Veteran Peer Network East Texas will host a cookout at Jim Hogg Park in Rusk, with food, fun and activities for the whole family. The grill fires up at 4 p.m. To learn more, contact MVPN Coordinator Bradley Erickson, 903-721-2078.

MAY 1

Members of the Rusk Lions Club will be collecting contributions for Texas Eye Bank, along with eyeglasses for Rusk ISD students, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at Brookshire Brothers in Rusk as part of its White Cane Day campaign.

The Alto Lions Club will host a garage sale, beginning 8 a.m. Saturday, May 1, in the parking lot of the office of Cherokee County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace, 123 W. San Antonio Road. Donations are welcome.

There will be a Help Clint Dover Beat Cancer gathering at the Alto Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, May 1st at 5:30 p.m. A spaghetti dinner will be followed with a dessert auction to help the family through the tough months ahead.

Registration for the Tribe Youth Sports program kicks off May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Bowens Temple Church, 308 N. Bolton St. in Jacksonville for the following age groups: Flag, ages 4 to 6, $85 fee; freshmen, ages 7 and 8, $150; sophomore, ages 9 and 10, $150; junior, ages 11 and 12, $150. Participants must provide a birth certificate, a recent photo and a physical form/wellness check.

Practice begins July 26, with time and location to be announced. For more information, contact Derrick at 903-284-1793, or email derrickdonnell33@gmail.com.

In His Image Ministry will host a meet & greet from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 1, at the old Lon Morris Science building, across from John Alexander Gymnasium, 812 Farnsworth, Room 204, in Jacksonville. Yolanda Prince will address the topic of etiquette, and brunch will be served at this mother-daughter event.

The first annual taco cook-off at Commerce Street Drafthouse, hosted by the Cherokee Family Motorcycle Club, will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at 401 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville. Participants will compete in beef, chicken, ground beef and open classes, with prizes including first, second and People’s Choice in each category. To learn more, contact Robert, 903-721-8169, or BB at 903-352-4459.

MAY 2

Reklaw Baptist Church will be celebrating 110 years of serving the Lord on Sunday, May 2, with a 10 a.m. service. A celebration at 2 p.m., will recognize past members and honor Brother Jerry Walles who was the pastor there for over 30 years. There will be a pictorial display of events and photos of weddings that were held in the church.

MAY 3-29

The Heritage Center of Cherokee County will host a month-long Ruth Ross Art Exhibit at the 208 Henderson St. museum in Rusk, with hours set from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as 11a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. A silent auction will be held in conjunction with the event. To learn more, call museum director Betty Marcontell, 903-714-8685.

MAY 5

Wednesday night Adult Bible classes, which begin at 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1515 South Loop 256 in Palestine, focus on “The Nature & Life of the Church,” a study of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians.

MAY 6

The Cherokee County National Day of Prayer Rally will be held at noon Thursday, May 6, at the Chero-kee County Courthouse in the first floor courtroom.

The inaugural RHS CoEd Senior Basketball Game against the high school staff will take place 2 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at Rusk High School coliseum. Tickets can be purchased at the door, $2 student and $3 parent.

The Soil and Water Conservation District will host its annual banquet 6:30 p.m. May 6 at Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid St. Tickets are available at the door or by contacting Jennifer Pacheco, 903-245-9877.

The Cherokee County Conservative Club (previous CCTRC) will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at Rancho Grande restaurant, 705 S. Jackson St. in Jacksonville. Cherokee County 2nd Judicial Court Judge Chris Day is the guest speaker. Members and the public are encouraged to attend.

River of life Christian Center, at 677 S. Dickinson Dr. in Rusk, will host a May 6 food distribution, in which the site will be open to visitors, rather than set up as a drive-thru. Clients will be able to choose their own food. COVID protocols will be in place, masks are optional.

MAY 7-9

The Cherokee Civic Theatre will present “Love, Sex & the IR$,” a tale about love, money and assumed identity, May 7-9. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee offered on Sunday.

MAY 8

The Jacksonville Tribe Youth Football association will host a mother-son dance, “I love you to the moon and back,” 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 1, at 201 Memorial Dr. in Jacksonville. The event features a DJ, photos for purchase and refreshments. Tickets are $5 per person.

MAY 12

A memorial ceremony for fallen police officers will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, at Love’s Lookout Visitor Center, 43822 U.S. Highway 69 North, sponsored by the Jacksonville Police Department.

A kick-off party for the 2021 Tops in Texas Rodeo will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at Commerce St. Drafthouse, 401 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville, and will feature live music.

MAY 13-15

The 59th annual Tops in Texas PRCA Rodeo will be held May 13-15 in Jacksonville, with a free family night planned Thursday, May 13. To learn more, visit www.TopsInTexasRodeo.com or visit the Facebook page, “TopsInTexasRodeo.”

MAY 15

A Chapel Market Day is slated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at 3620 FM 1857 in Rusk, sponsored by Baughs’ Market and Specialty Foods. The free event features vendors, food and fun.

MAY 16

The Shiloh Cemetery Homecoming will be held on Sunday, May 16. There will be a business meeting, followed by a covered dish luncheon.

MAY 21

Legacy at Jacksonville will host a First Responders Fish Fry from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, May 21, at 810 Bellaire in Jacksonville. While the meal is free for local first responders, plates are $5 for non-responders.

MAY 21-23

The 16th annual “Spring Thing” food and diaper rally, held at 22053 CR 2147 in Troup and hosted by 42 Taillights M/C, benefits Wonder Women Outreach ministry. The free event – which has primitive camping, running showers and bathrooms and a shaded play area for children – features horseshoes, bike games, live entertainment and Sunday church. A diaper raffle (cost is a package of diapers or $10 per ticket) also will be held. Cost is $25 per person for the whole weekend. $5 discount on entry fee with food donation.

MAY 27

Lake Striker Resort will host a Backyard Carnival as part of its March 27 Crappie Fish Tournament. The carnival benefits the various organizations that participate, with games priced a $1 or less. Resort officials will host a decorating contest, with prizes awarded to the best three decorated booths. Email lakestrikerresort@gmail.com to reserve a booth.

MAY 29

A 5K Warrior Run is planned Saturday, May 29, with proceeds going to support the work of the Military Veteran Peer Network. Fees range from $30 for early bird registration before May 1; $35 per person for registration May 1-21; $45 event day registration; and $25 for virtual participation, with a May 15 sign-up deadline. To learn more, contact Jennifer at fortheloveofnutrition@gmail.com or the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, info@ruskchamber.com.

The 33rd annual Fair on the Square will be held Saturday, May 29, on the courthouse square in Rusk, with food, fun and entertainment on tap, including a car show, a cornhole tourney, vendors and more.

Rusk KOA Holiday will host a hot dog & hamburger Memorial Day celebration, from noon to 2 p.m. at the 745 FM 343 East campgrounds in Rusk. Vendors, entertainment and games will be set up, with a car show held in conjunction with the event. Contact 903-683-6641 for more information.

Lake Striker Resort will host a Memorial Day Celebration, beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 29, at the 18560 South CR 4256 resort in Reklaw. The evening includes fireworks and an outdoor concert featuring Casey Martin Band and special guest Committed Cowboy Band. Entry to the family event is $10 for ages 13 and older; no charge for those younger than 12, with tickets available at the gate or online at www.stubwire.com.

JUNE 5

Jacksonville Education Foundation will host a fishing tournament 6 a.m. to noon, Saturday, June 5, on Lake Jacksonville; a $150 fee will be assessed per each 2-man team. Proceeds will fund scholarships and classroom grants. Interested sponsors may contact stephanie.mcneill@jisdfoundation.org.

Registration for the Jacksonville Tribe Youth Sports program kicks off Saturday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Bowens Temple Church, 308 N. Bolton St. in Jacksonville for the following age groups: Flag, ages 4 to 6, $85 fee; freshmen, ages 7 and 8, $150; sophomore, ages 9 and 10, $150; junior, ages 11 and 12, $150. Participants must provide a birth certificate, a recent photo and a physical form/wellness check. Practice begins July 26, with time and location to be announced. For more information, contact Derrick at 903-284-1793, or email derrickdonnell33@gmail.com.

JUNE 5-12

The city’s annual Tomato Fest – now in its 37th year – returns to Jacksonville, with a week packed full of activity from June 5-12. Events include a farmers’ market, tomato-eating contest, car show, farm to table, arts & crafts and more.

Life Recovery Church of Jacksonville is hosting a fundraiser for its Men of Purpose group, offering a $1,000 Visa gift card drawing during the Tomato Fest. Tickets, which are $10 each, are available at 201 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville or by contacting David, 903-284-3814. Meanwhile, the women’s SWAG prayer group will host a drawing for a Pioneer Woman Bundle and Pampered Chef items, with tickets at $10 each or 3 for $25, with tickets available at Tomato Fest.

The Jacksonville Garden Club will be selling bricks with information of loved one who served in the military. The bricks will be placed near the Patriotic Pathway in Buckner Park in honor of all veterans and active. For more information, contact us through Facebook Message at Jacksonville Garden Club (Tex-as).

JUNE 6

A “Mr. & Miss Tomato Fest” pageant for youths up to age 18 will be held as part of this year’s Tomato Festival in Jacksonville. The event is Sunday, June 6, at Woodland Height Baptist Church, 273 E. Loop 204 in Jacksonville, with boys and girls divisions. Entry is $50 per child. Contact Stephanie Toch, 903-284-7458, or email stephf_86@yahoo.com.

JUNE 20

Lake Striker Resort will host a murder mystery dinner, 6 p.m. Sunday, June 20, at 18560 County Road 4256 South in Reklaw. Ticket sales begin June 1 at noon, at $20 per person ages 12 and older.

JULY 10

Registration for the Jacksonville Tribe Youth Sports program kicks off Saturday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Bowens Temple Church, 308 N. Bolton St. in Jacksonville for the following age groups: Flag, ages 4 to 6, $85 fee; freshmen, ages 7 and 8, $150; sophomore, ages 9 and 10, $150; junior, ages 11 and 12, $150. Participants must provide a birth certificate, a recent photo and a physical form/wellness check. Practice begins July 26, with time and location to be announced. For more information, contact Derrick at 903-284-1793, or email derrickdonnell33@gmail.com