Community Briefs for the 5th week of 2019. To add your event, send an email to news@orangeleader.com. Include “community briefs” in the subject line.

 

Thrift  and Gift closed Thursday

The Thrift and Gift will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 31 to allow friends and workers to attend a funeral. The shop will reopen on Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Hours and Days this week are:

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, and Friday
• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, February 2 for the First Saturday Month Sale.

 

Grief Support

Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas offers Spring 2019 Grief Support at its Orange office located at 1502 Strickland Drive Suite 4 in Orange.

Sessions are 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesdays on Feb. 12, Feb. 26, March 12, March 26, April 9, April 23, May 7 and May 21. There is a $10 materials fee. Childcare is not provided. To register call 409-727-6400 or email samaritancenter@sccset.org

 

MHA to host Town Hall Meeting

The Mauriceville Heritage Association will host a Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, February 5, 2019, from 6-7:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Mauriceville Community Center. The meeting will feature an open panel discussion with ITEX Project Manager, Brown Claybar, Commissioner Beachamp, Pct. 2 Commissioner, David Jones, local utility representatives, and other members in the community.

The goal of the meeting is to inform the community and address any concerns regarding a gated age restricted senior living facility proposed by ITEX Group, LLC. off of Hwy 62 North of Mauriceville. The real estate development company believes the project would meet a critical housing need in our community and would like the opportunity to engage with the community regarding the development. Your participation and feedback as community members are essential. Questions can be emailed in advance to: mauricevillecrawfishfestival@gmail.com and will be submitted to the ITEX Group representatives prior to the meeting.

 

OC Historical Society meeting

The Orange County Historical Society will have its first quarterly program of the new year on Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Orange City Library. The speaker will be Henry Lowe who at this time is working towards establishing an African American Museum, which will be located at the intersection of Park and Third Street.

Henry has led an interesting life first working as a quarter horse jockey across the Southwest. Next, he was employed for a short time as a horse trainer and groomer for movie stars Dale Robertson and Robert Mitchum. During this period he became acquainted with World War II hero and movie star Audie Murphy. Henry spent most of the remainder of his working years involved in some capacity at horse racing tracks.

Refreshments will be served during the program. The public is invited.

 

Free Electronic Filing Tax Services

Jackson Community Center, 520 W. Decatur Ave. in Orange, 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 $54,000, beginning February 2, thru April 15, 2019.  Open Monday thru Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every other Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

By appointment only. To schedule an appointment and for additional information please contact Elizabeth Campbell, Program Manager at (409) 779-1981 or email jccorange@gmail.com

 

Parkinson Support Group Meeting

The Orange County Parkinson Awareness Support Group will have their Valentine’s Day Social at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Blue Bird Fish Camp located at Simmons Dr./102 N. Farragut St. in Orange. For more information Please contact Wanda Simar at 409-779-2558 or Ella Guillory at 409-886-4877.

 

2018  Income Tax Assistance

AARP Tax Filing Assistance will be offered starting on 12:15 p.m., Friday, February 1 at the Orange Public Library.  IRS-certified volunteers will be available from 12:15 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday through April 12 and Monday, April 15.  April 15 is the last day to file 2018 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).
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• Records of any Capital Gains and Losses
• 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 2018 return.

 

Bridge City Chamber to Award Scholarships

Attention all Bridge City and Orangefield High School seniors.    The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce they will be awarding two $500 scholarships to Bridge City High School seniors and two $500 scholarships to Orangefield High School seniors.  Applications are available at the student’s high school counselor’s office, Bridge City Chamber office at 150 W. Roundbunch Road, Bridge City, TX 77611, or can be downloaded from the chamber’s website:www.bridgecitychamber.com.  Completed applications should be turned in to the respective high school counselor no later than April 5, 2019.  For more information, contact your high school counselor or call the Bridge City Chamber at (409) 735-5671.

Orange County Texas A&M University Mother Club scholarship

The 2019 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/  .

 

Cooking Class for adults

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office of Orange County is holding a Cooking Class for Adults with Rocky Bridges.  This will be held on Saturday, February 23 at 10 a.m. and costs $25.  You will be having fun while cooking healthy recipes and preparing a 3-course meal.  There will also be door prizes.  Payment is due by February 15.  It will be held at the Orange County Extension Office on 1442 in Orange.  Make your reservations today by calling 409-882-7010 as the class size is limited!

 

First Saturday at Thrift and Gift

Donations keep coming our way in the shop and bargain room. We have ridiculously low prices on Men’s and Women’s clothing, shoes and purses are only $2. Some Glassware marked down. Doors open at 9 a.m. Call 886-7649 for more information. We are located at 350 37th Street in Orange which is between the Salvation Army and Sabine Credit Union on Strickland Drive. Call 886-7649 for more information.

 

Be a Census Taker

Join the 2020 Census team by applying online at 2020census.gov/jobs 2020 Census jobs provide great pay, flexible hours, weekly pay and paid training. For more information call 1-855-JOB-2020 (1-855-562-2020). The U.S. Census Bureau is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fair

The Orange County Master Gardeners are holding their 6th Annual Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fair Saturday, March 23, 2019, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cormier Park, 8235 FM 1442, Orangefield. Hundreds of nursery & member-grown plants will be for sale including many varieties of citrus, berries, cold-hardy avocados, fig trees, Texas Superstars, perennials, natives, annuals, house & tropicals along with succulents, lilies and many other hard to find & unusual plants. Plant specialists & 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 if you are interested in being one of our vendors.

 

Project Gold

Is your child struggling with anxiety, depression or behavioral problems? Did they experience Hurricane Harvey? Project Gold provides evidence-based mental health services for children and adolescents in your area.

We are looking for children ages 5-17 affected by Hurricane Harvey or its aftermath who currently exhibit anxiety, depression and/or behavioral problems. Therapy will be provided using telehealth services (using a Wi-Fi enabled computer or phone) directly in your home. For more information on Project Gold, please contact Hetal Modi at projectgoldbcm.edu Project Gold is sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.

 

Parenting Class

Wells of Agape is holding a Parenting Class from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Life Church Orange located at 18389 Hwy. 62 in Orange. (Near the Hwy. 62 and Hwy. 105 intersection). Lunch is provided. The requirement to receive a Certificate of Completion is $30 per person, cash only. One must attend from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to receive the certificate. To register or more information visit www.wellsofagape.org and select Services Tab or call or text Donna Wells at 4099-221-5425. If no answer, leave a message or text. Childcare is not provided.

 

Fly-Ins

Orange County Radio Control Club meets each Tuesday and Saturday 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.