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.

NOV. 24

Alto’s Hilltop Baptist Church will host a community Thanksgiving Dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 210 Mill St. Plates will be served drive-thru style, and are available until the food runs out.

NOV. 25

Bowens Temple Church, 334 N. Bolton St. in Jacksonville, will host a community Thanksgiving feast, from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 25. For more information about this free event, contact Gwendolyn Stafford, 903-284-3416.

NOV. 27

Rusk Hometown Christmas Experience, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, features shopping, food, games and music in downtown Rusk.

Rusk’s Hometown Christmas Car & Bike Show Toy Run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, on the Courthouse Square. The event benefits the Dream Tree project and The Good Samaritan.

Explore East Texas’ hardwood bottom lands for toadstools, brackets, and other magic mycelium as part of the “Mushroom March” program from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at Mission Tejas State Park. Then, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., create your favorite local critter during an East Texas Origami class at the park, west of Alto on Texas Highway 21. Bring water, appropriate clothing and footwear for the outdoors. While the events are free, a $3 entrance fee will be assessed for those ages 13 and older.

Jacksonville FFA will host a shootout jackpot, Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Tommy McDaniel Rusk County Youth Expo, at 3303 FM 13 in Henderson. The event is a 2-ring show open to entries of steers, heifers, swine, goats and lamb, with a fee of $60 per entry that covers both rings. To learn more, call 713-252-4657 or visit the Jacksonville FFA Jackpot Shows page.

NOV. 30

Registration deadline for the Dec. 7 Rusk Christmas Parade is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, with a sign-in sheet located at Aly Bee’s in Rusk or visit www.ruskchamber.com to learn more.

DEC. 2

The Jacksonville Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2. Local healthcare workers will serve as this year’s parade Grand Marshals. This year’s theme is “Christmas on Commerce;” cost to enter is $30 members and $35 non-members. Awards will be given for Most Original, Best Themed, best Lighted and Most Spiritual.

The Cherokee County Conservatives Club will host Texas District 8 Rep. Cody Harris during its 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 meeting at Jacksonville College Chapel. The event is open to the public. Cherokee County Conservatives welcomes all conservative Republican candidates running to come and visit with members of our community.

DEC. 4

Registration for this year’s Jacksonville Jingle Jog is from 7:30-8:30 a.m., with a kids’ dash, fun run and 5K event to commence at 9 a.m. at CRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Jacksonville. The family-oriented event is open to all. Packet pick-up is from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3 at the hospital’s fitness center. While there is no entry fee for the kids’ dash, a $20 fee is assessed for an untimed 5K event and $25 for a 5K timed event. For more information, visit CHRISTUStmf.org/JingleJog

Are you the best baker in the area? Bring your best baked item – and a copy of the recipe to your homemade goods – to the Rusk Public Library’s meeting room on Saturday, Dec. 4, to enter the inaugural Holiday Baking Championship. There is a $25 entry fee, with proceeds benefitting the Friends of the Library for purchase of new patio furniture.

A Dec. 4 “Christmas & Cuff” Golf Scramble hosted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at Cherokee Ranch Golf Club in Jacksonville will raise funds for training safety equipment for the department. The 4-man scramble begins with 7 a.m. registration, followed by 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. For more information, contact CCSO Captain Logan Smith, 903-747-5995.

Cherokee Craft & Trade Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in downtown Jacksonville, at the corner of Main and U.S. Highway 79. For details, contact Kim Felt, kimfelt94eicloud.com

This year’s Gallatin Christmas parade begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, with line-up slated for noon at the community center. Anyone wanting to be in the parade is welcome. There will be a reception at the fire station after the parade.

DEC. 5

Come decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and Santa’s Elves, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Lake Striker Resort, 18560 CR 1256 in Reklaw. Registration begins Nov. 1 for the free event, call 281-703-3739 or 903-854-2404. Open to children ages 3 and older; the event is free, but attendees are asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy for the annual Toys for Tots campaign. Santa also will be in attendance, so bring your camera for photos!

DEC. 6

Lone Star Legal aid will offer legal services to seniors ages 60 and over, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, at Rusk Public Library. An attorney and paralegal will be on site to answer questions. To set up an appointment, call 800-354-1889, ext. 1574, or show up at the library.

DEC. 6-8

Cornerstone Baptist Church will host a Bethlehem walk-thru, from 6-8 p.m. nightly, Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 6-8, at the 1720 S. Bolton St. church in Jacksonville.

DEC. 7

The Rusk Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, in downtown Rusk.

DEC. 9

The Troup Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, in the city’s downtown.

DEC. 11

Cherokee County Stock Show and Exposition Inc. has teamed up Cherokee County’s Trail to Christ Cowboy Church for a Saturday Dec. 11 jackpot fundraiser, held immediately following a validation. Check in from 9-11 a.m. Saturday morning, with show starting at noon. Two rings, fee is $25 per entry. Categories are for beef, market goat & lamb, swine. Proceeds benefit the CCJLS scholarship program. Contact Ward McCown for more information, 903-787-2244.

The Cherokee Craft & Trade Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, at 707 College Ave. in Jacksonville.

DEC. 13

The Alto Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, with line up starting at 5 p.m. at the Alto Missionary Church parking lot on Hwy. 294. The event is sponsored by the local Lions Club.

DEC. 13-14

Cherokee Civic Theatre will host auditions 7 p.m. nightly, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 13-14, for the play “Mamaw,” written and directed by local resident Minette Bryant.

DEC. 14

Rusk Band Boosters will host a chicken spaghetti fundraising dinner, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the Rusk Junior High Cafeteria. $10 plates feature chicken spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread, salad, drink and dessert. Proceeds benefit the Rusk Eagle Band.

DEC. 16

Military Veteran Peer Network will host a Dec. 16 ladies night event, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Vet Resource House at 804 S. Main St. in Jacksonville. Free Mary Kay make-overs will be offered by Jessica, with music, snacks and games. RSVP to Angela Erickson, mamabearerickson@icloud.com or call/text to 940-206-4519.

Troup bands will host their 2021 holiday concert, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Troup High School auditorium.

DEC. 18

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be present from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 18, at The Clothes Closet& More, 314 S. Main St.

Locally, Wreaths Across America will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Jarratt Cemetery. Volunteers and wreath sponsors needed. Contact Laura Mullenax, 903-245-8966.

DEC. 19

Rusk’s First United Methodist Church will host a 4 p.m. Blue Christmas service on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 255 S. Henderson St. The service is for those who are carrying pain, hurt or loss during the holiday season.