Community Briefs for the 15th Week of 2019. Send your announcements to news@orangeleader.com, include “briefs” as the subject.

Parenting Class

Wells of Agape is holding a Parenting Class from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 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 our website 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.

 

SE Texas Hospice Mystery Dinner

The Fifth Gospel is the Southeast Texas Hospice Annual Mystery Dinner to be held at 6:30 p.m. for two nights only on Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall. To make your reservations today, call 409-886-0622 or 800-749-3497.

 

Boot Scootin

Boot Scootin is from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. on April 13, 2019, at the Brown Estate. LSCO Foundation annual fundraiser for scholarships. For more information contact Phyllis Ford at 409-553-6955

 

10th Annual Golf Tournament

Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce will hold it’s 10th Annual Golf Tournament is May 6 with morning registration at 7 a.m. GOACC will donate a percentage of Net Proceeds to the Non-Profit of the Year Recipient, Gulf Coast Cajuns Chapter. For more information, help with registering or becoming a sponsor contact Lauren at the GOACC at 409-883-3536 or membership@orangetexaschamber.org

 

Day of Caring

United Way of Orange County has partnered with iConnect Outreach, Nehemiah’s Vision, and Orange County Disaster Rebuild to coordinate volunteers from our community to work on Harvey damaged homes. Volunteers will paint, construct, cleanup, and help make a difference for some Orange County families. Day of Caring will begin at 7:45 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Volunteers who can only work half a day are still encouraged to signup.

The deadline to signup is Monday, April 15.

Sign up forms can be found HERE

For questions, contact Maureen McAllister at 409-883-3591 or mmcallister@unitedwayorangecounty.org.

 

LCMISD Kindergarten Round Up

If you who have or know of a child who will begin kindergarten in the fall, please take note of and share these dates.

• Little Cypress Elementary, 409-886-2838: April 11, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. or 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Those with questions should contact the school your child will attend by calling the number listed beside the school’s name above.

Parents or guardians must provide the following when registering their children: The child’s birth certificate, child’s social security card, child’s shot record, parent’s driver’s license, and a proof of residence, such as an electric or other utility bills.

 

Employment Courses

Vidor ISD Community Education and the Vidor Chamber of Commerce are hosting a series of courses to help you get a job.  Classes are only $5 each, so join us on Thursday evenings in the Vidor High School library at 6:30.  Coming up:  April 11 Phones and Digital Services in the Workplace, April 18 Facebook for Business and Beyond, and April 25 Customer Service. 

 

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, 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

 

2018  Income Tax Assistance

AARP Tax Filing Assistance will be offered 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.

Getting Healthy

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office of Orange County is holding a couple of getting healthy programs.  They can be taken as 2 programs that work together or you can take just one or the other:

 

Walk Across Texas Kick-off:  This is a free program that will start on April 22 at 5:30 pm.  Walking is one of the least expensive and easiest ways to get fit.  Start now and reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.  Join other Texans and Walk Across Texas! towards a healthier lifestyle.

Step Up, Scale Down:  In just 12 weeks, find the path to better health through this course based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines and scientific research.  Form habits to help you maintain a healthier weight, stay active, and reduce your risk for chronic diseases!  This program starts on April 23 at 5:30 pm and costs $40.

 

Both programs will be held at the Orange County Extension Office at 11475 FM 1442, Orange.  Please call 409-882-7010 to register and if you have any questions.

 

BC Public Library Seeking Donations

The Bridge City Public Library is having our annual Summer Reading Program, “2019 Universe Stories.” The Texas Reading Club is designed to encourage youth to read for pleasure and to promote library usage. The library is asking local patrons and businesses for help donating to our program. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Deadline for donations is May 31. The library will mention all our donors in our local newspaper after the Grand Finale in July 2019. If you have any questions, call Kelle Miller at 409-735-4242.

 

Walk and Talk

Raymond Gould Walking Track

Beginning at 9 a.m.

April 10, 17, 24

We will discussions on exercise tips, beneficial foods, you are encouraged to bring a friend. For more information on these programs, and to let us know you are attending, please contact Tommy Byers at 409-882-7010.

 

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 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

 

Judge James B. Scales Memorial Golf Tournament

The Bridge City Chamber will hold the Judge James B. Scales Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 26, 2019, at Babe Zaharias Golf Course in Port Arthur.  Tee time is 8 a.m. for this four-person scramble. The cost is $60 per player which includes green fees, cart, beverages, food, and door prizes. Mulligans may be purchased for $5 each with a limit of two per player.     Hole sponsorships in the form of tee box signs are available for $100 each. All proceeds go to the Bridge City Chamber and Historical Museum formerly the Prairie View Teacherage. For more information or to register, call the chamber at (409) 735-5671 or Golf Tournament Chairman Jerry Jones at (409) 735-6801.  Registration forms can be found on the chamber’s website: www.bridgecitychamber.com.

 

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.

 

GOALS

GOALS (Greater Orange Area Literacy Services) is interested in replacing several spots on the Board due to some who have moved or plan to move.  The mission of GOALS is to help those in Orange County who are unable to read to learn to read, to assist ESL (English as a Second Language) students with the learning of English, and to provide tutoring for those wishing to take the GED (General Educational Development) equivalency test to obtain a high school diploma.  GOALS is a nonprofit organization founded by Bonnie Hopperton 25 years ago.  The GOALS office may be contacted at 409.886.4311 and asking for Rhonda Powell, Director.  Powell also can give guidelines for those wishing to volunteer to tutor or possibly secure a spot on Board. 

 

Hand Quilting Demonstration

Thrift and Gift Shop holds a free Hand Quilting demonstration from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., every Tues. and Thurs. at 350 South 37th Street in Orange (located in the old Salk School). For more information call 409-886-7649.

 

Orange County senior citizens meeting

Orange County senior citizens are meeting on the 2nd Monday every month at 9:30 a. m. at Salvation Army Bldg. on the corner of MLK and Highway 90 in Orange. Bingo, Prizes, Pot luck Lunch. All are invited to attend. For more information please call, Dermal at 730-5722.

 

Clay Shoot

Mark your calendars for the Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas 8th Annual Charity Clay Shoot on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 1-In-100 Gun Club. Funds provide services for children’s programming. For more information, call 409-727-6400

 

Noon Lion’s Club meeting

Noon Lion’s Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Domino’s Meeting/Party room located at 2107 MacArthur Drive in Orange.

 

NAACP meeting

NAACP meets at 7 p.m., every fourth Thursday, at the WOCCISD Administration Building located at 902 West Park Ave. in Orange. All are encouraged to attend and join. To join, contact Franklin Gans at 409-221-8438.

 

Friends of the Bridge City Public Library meeting

Friends of the Bridge City Public Library meets once a month on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Join today for only $5 per year. As a member of the Friends, you can help with fundraisers, the summer reading program, decorate Library for the holidays, scrapbook events from the year and Bayou Buddy Storytime.