Community Briefs for the 8th Week of 2020

Published 8:06 pm Tuesday, February 25, 2020

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United Way presents Pete’s Dueling Pianos

The United Way of Orange County will be presenting Pete’s Dueling pianos on May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall on Highway 87 in Orange.

There will be a catered meal, live entertainment, auction items, and door prizes.

Auction Items and door prize gifts are greatly appreciated. Donors will be recognized on the program if the donation is received by Apr. 20. Sponsorships can not be shared. All sponsorships must be paid in full no later than Apr. 27. Individual tickets must be reserved and paid by Apr. 27. To sponsor or donate auction items or door prizes, please contact us at (409) 883-3591 or mmcallister@unitedwayorangecounty.org.

 

Food Pantry

5K Ministries Food Pantry, located at 9125 Skeeter, Orange, TX 77632 at the corner of Hwy 62 and Skeeter 3 miles north of the intersection in Mauriceville, is open 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Fridays. For more information, call 409-745-7110

 

Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fair

The Orange County Master Gardeners are holding their 7th Annual Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fair Saturday, March 14, 2020, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cormier Park, 8235 FM 1442, Orangefield. Hundreds of nursery and member grown plants will be for sale including many varieties of citrus, berries, Texas Superstars, perennials, natives, annuals, house and tropicals along with succulents, lilies and many other hard to find and unusual plants. Plant specialists and 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

 

Spring Garage Sale 

VFW Post 2775 Auxiliary will host their Spring Garage Sale Saturday, March 28 at the VFW Hall at 5303 N. 16th Street from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Proceeds go toward programs and scholarships.  Vendors will be able to set up on Friday, March 27 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  Tables rental is $15; additional space for clothes racks or tent frames will be an additional $5 fee. Parking Lot spaces will be available with cost depending on space needed.  Make checks payable to: VFW Auxiliary 2775 / c/o Mary Snapp / 7927 Sandra ln / Orange, TX 77632–register early for a guaranteed spot.  For further information contact Mary at 409-745-2214 or call 409-697-0380

 

NAMI Peer-to-Peer

NAMI Golden Triangle the local organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will offer NAMI Peer-to-Peer beginning March 25. It will be held on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Putnam Place, 310 N. 37th Street Orange, Texas. NAMI Peer-to-Peer is an eight-session recovery-focused course for adults with mental health conditions. 

  • Free and confidential
  • Held weekly for two hours
  • Led by peers with mental health conditions
  • A great resource for information on mental health and recovery
  • Offers respect, understanding, encouragement and hope
  • Builds on the strength and resilience of participants

To sign up call 409-617-3308 or 337-660-3358 or send an email to namigoldentriangle@gmail.com

 

Taste of the Bayou

Bridge City Chamber of Commerce proudly presents Taste of the Bayou from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Monday, April 20 at Bridge City Community Center located at 105 Parkside Drive in Bridge City. Sample tasty dishes from local restaurants. The event includes live music, a silent auction as well as beer and wine. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call 409-735-5671 or visit www.bridgecitychamber.com

 

Free Electronic Filing Tax Service

Jackson Community Center 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 $56,000. Date and time:  Beginning February 3, thru April 15, 2020. Open Monday thru Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every other Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 520 W. Decatur Ave. in Orange. By appointments Only. To schedule an appointment and for additional information please contact Elizabeth Campbell, Program Manager at (409) 779-1981 or email jccorange@gmail.com

 

Orange County Aggie Mom Scholarship

 

The 2020 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/.

 

2019 Income Tax Assistance

AARP Tax Filing Assistance will be offered starting 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, February 5, at the Orange Public Library.  IRS-certified volunteers will be available from 12:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday through April 15. April 15 is the last day to file 2019 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, etc).

Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

Records of any Capital Gains and Losses (stock shares, property)

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 2019 return.

 

 

 

BC Chamber awarding scholarships

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce they will be awarding two $600 scholarships to Bridge City High School seniors and two $600 scholarships to Orangefield High School seniors. Applications are available at the high school counselor’s office, Bridge City Chamber office at 150 W. Roundbunch Road, Bridge City, TX 77611, or can be downloaded at www.bridgecitychamber.com. Completed applications should be turned in to the respective high school counselor no later than Mar. 31, 2020.

 

Kindergarten Roundup

If you have a child 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 2, 9:00-10:00 a.m. or 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Mauriceville Elementary, 409-745-1615: April 2, – 8:30-9:30 a.m. or 5:30- 6:30 p.m. pre-kindergarten sign up will also be this day at MVE, for those who meet the requirements. LCE will hold a Pre-K roundup at a later date.

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

IMPORTANT: 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 bill.

 

Lenten Fish Fry

St. Francis of Assisi, Knights of Columbus Council 13825 is selling

fish dinners in the San Damiano Center (behind the Church) located

at 4300 Meeks Drive from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the following Lenten

Fridays:  February 28, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27 and

April 3.

Dinner includes two pieces of fish, french fries,  hushpuppies, coleslaw, 

drink and dessert for $10.

 

Gigantic Book Sale Collection

The American Association of University Women- Orange Chapter is gearing up for its upcoming annual gigantic book sale at Art in the Park on April 4.  This is a fundraising event to give girls from Orange scholarships to college.  AAUW is now collecting donated books, cds, dvds, etc. for this fundraiser.  Collection sites are: Looking Good Salon on Northway Shopping Center next to Market Basket; Mann Insurance at the corner of Park Avenue and 15th Street. 

 

Mystery Dinner Theater

Southeast Texas Hospice will host Mystery Dinner Theater production of I Wed Three Wives at 6:30 p.m. on Monday April 27 and Tuesday, April 28. Make your reservations today at 409-886-0622 or 800-749-3497

 

LC-M PSG 2020 meeting

Little Cypress – Mauriceville Project Senior Graduation 2020 meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at Orange First Church of the Nazarene located at 

3810 Martin Luther King Jr Drive in Orange. We are thrilled to have anyone come and join our efforts in raising money to help and assist the fundraising efforts for their big event.

 

Upcoming Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Classes

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension of Orange County is having upcoming classes starting on January 25.

February 27:  Jam & Jelly Making Class.  Come and learn how to can Jam and Jelly.  You will get to take home your own jar after the class.  This class will start at 2 p.m. and costs $20.  Please register and pay by February 21. 

March 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31:  Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes:  The is a free 5 class series that will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Join us in learning how to prevent type 2 diabetes, eat healthy, and much more to control your diabetes.  Please try to attend all classes in the series to get the full benefit of the series.

March 28:  Cooking Class for Adults with Rocky:    This class will be taught by Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Rocky Bridges.  You will be preparing a 3-course meal, have fun while cooking healthy recipes, and there will be door prizes.  Class and reserve your spot as the class size is limited.  The cost of the class is $25 per person and must by paid by March 20. 

All classes will be held at the Extension office at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center on FM 1442.  Call the office at 409-882-7010 to RSVP unless otherwise stated.

 

Bridge City Founders Festival

The Bridge City Founders Festival celebrating 50 years and Growing Strong Together will be held Friday, July 3 through Sunday July 5. There will be food, games, activities, contests, fireworks, and more,

 

GriefShare support group

Often friends and family want to help you, but don’t know how. That’s the reason for GriefShare. Our group is led by caring people who have successfully rebuilt their lives. We understand how you feel because we’ve been the same. We will walk with you on the long path through grief toward healing and hope for the future.

We will meet at Community Church on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

 

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. 

 

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.

 

BC Chamber seeks nominations

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce accepts nominations from ALL members of the community for Employee or Business of the Month. To make a nomination, email: bcchamber@bridgecitychamber.com, fill out a nomination form online at bridgecitychamber.com, or call 409-735-5671. Include the person’s name, place of employment and why you feel they should receive the award.

 

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.

 

Be A Change Maker

United Way offers a Change Maker option to help. You can ‘round up’ your spare change with every credit or debit card purchase. Find out more by texting UWOC to 43506 or online at https://unitedwayorangecounty.harnessapp.com/roundup/

 

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.