The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Final Farmers’ Market of the season

The Orange County Farmers’ Market will close for the season after this week. It will be held Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., and 6:30-10 a.m. on Saturday. The market ends when the produce is sold out, which is often earlier than the times shown.

Satsumas, grapefruit, mustard and turnip greens, sweet potatoes, yellow squash, okra, bell peppers, banana peppers, smoked turkeys and chickens, jelly, fresh eggs, local honey, blueberry juice, blueberry bushes, and house plants.

The market is held in the parking lot in front of Big Lots on MacArthur Drive. For additional information, contact Texas AgriLife at 882-7010.

The market will return in May.

Sign-ups for Christmas baskets scheduled

Christmas Baskets will be given to indigent Bridge City and Orangefield residents who are 60 years and over whose income is below poverty. Sign–up will take place at the Ministerial Alliance building next to First Baptist Church of Bridge City on Nov. 16, 21, Dec. 5 and 7 between 9 a.m. – Noon.

Eligibility depends on proof of income.

You must present a utility bill to verify address and have an ID of all family members.

Donations are needed for this program to continue. Any business, church, individual, or organization may make a donation to the account of Bridge City Orangefield Ministerial Alliance Christmas Basket Fund at the Bridge City Bank.

OISD Board Meeting moved

The monthly Orangefield school board meeting scheduled for Nov. 14 has been rescheduled for Nov. 28.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

Cormier Museum open Saturday

The Orangefield Cormier Museum will be open on Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It is regularly scheduled open on the third Saturday of each month.

There will be a “Christmas in Orangefield” Festival on Dec. 10. A special area will be set up under the canopy for any Artist that would like to show their art, skill and work.

To participate as a vendor contact Deena VanPelt at 1-409-988-5931 or email: [email protected]

To donate to the Christmas Festival contact Chad Jenkins at 1-409-735-2034 or email: [email protected]

To volunteer on special restoration projects at Orangefield Cormier Museum contact Jesse Fremont at 1-409-293-7340 or email: [email protected]

To participate on the Derrick Relocation project contact Bo Henley at: [email protected]

For museum reservations contact Brian Ousley at 1-409-735-2285 or email at: [email protected]; or Harvey Wilson at 1-409-670-8992 or email at: [email protected]

Early Release Friday; OISD, WOCCISD

Orangefield ISD will run an Early Release schedule on Friday, Nov. 18 with elementary releasing at 1 p.m. and the high school and junior high campuses releasing at 1:15pm.

Orangefield ISD will be closed the week of Nov. 21-25 for Thanksgiving Holidays. Students will return on Monday, Nov. 28.

West Orange - Cove CISD will have an early release on Friday, Nov. 18. North Early Learning Center and West Orange - Stark Elementary will release at 11 a.m. West Orange - Stark Middle School and High Schools will release at noon. Buses will run. Classes will resume their normal schedules for Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 22. Thanksgiving Holidays will be observed Wednesday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 25.

Opinions invited on license plate designs

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) invites Texans to share their opinion on proposed specialty license plate designs. The e-View is open for public comment until 5 p.m. (CST), Monday, Nov. 21.

You may see and comment on the new designs by going to http://www.TxDMV.gov. Click on the specialty license plate design feedback banner or enter “e-View” into the homepage search engine.

The e-View is not a vote, but an opportunity for Texans to provide input on proposed designs.

Red Hot Flashers to meet Nov. 17

The Red Hot Flashers will meet Nov. 17, at 11:30 a.m. at Lady Evangline/Billie Becker’s home, Ye Ole Boat House. Ladies are to bring a red hat and Christmas items to decorate their hats for the Christmas party. Lunch will be at St. Mary’s Altar Society’s gift shop. Birthdays are Lady Sunshine, Bobbie Johnson and Lady Contessa, Doris Jones. For additional information, call 988-1956.

Lutcher Stark Bengal Guards ‘35-’44 to meet

The Lutcher Stark Bengal Guards, 1935-1944, will have their monthly meeting on Friday, Nov. 18 at The Sunset Grove Country Club, 2900 W. Sunset Drive. The meeting will start at 11:00 am. Members are urged to attend.

Orange Chapter of DAR to Meet

The William Diamond Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution of Orange will have their monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. at 1000 Dugas Street in Bridge City.

The program for the meeting will be “Letters from the Past.” Each member should bring a letter written by an ancestor to read.

Any woman 18 years of age or older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of The American Revolution is eligible for membership. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member is encouraged to attend. If more information is needed, the Chapter Regent may be contacted @ 409-735-5253.

WOS Playoff ticket info and directions

The WOS Mustangs (Visitors) will play Columbus Cardinals (Home) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 at Buddy Moorhead Stadium in Conroe (3200 West Davis). Tickets will be on sale Wednesday, Nov 16, 9 a.m. -noon only - WOS Athletic Office.

Ticket prices: $7 for adults and $4 for students - all tickets at the gate $7.

§ I-10 to Beaumont

§ Take 69, 96, 287 exit (like going to Parkdale Mall)

§ Exit State Highway 105. Make right onto Hwy. 105

§ Hwy. 105 goes all the way to the stadium - You will go through Conroe and pass under I-45. Start looking - the stadium will be on your right.

Ministerial Alliance holds Thanksgiving service

The Bridge City / Orangefield Ministerial Alliance would like to invite the public to celebrate the Thanksgiving season with their annual Community Thanksgiving Service. The service will be hosted this year by Church on the Rock of Bridge City on Sunday evening, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. There will be several churches participating in the service with children’s choirs from St. Paul Methodist and First Baptist Church of Orangefield. There will be an offering taken up that will go to their food pantry for purchase of food for the needy of Bridge City and Orangefield. At this time of year and with the economy like it is, food is the greatest need of the people.

The BC/OF Ministerial Alliance has served the communities of Bridge City and Orangefield for more than 16 years and relies on the generosity of the community to be able to fulfill their mission. The BC/OF Ministerial Alliance is a Christian volunteer based organization. It is a non-profit ecumenical ministry whose purpose is to share compassion and faith while providing services to the indigent families in Bridge City and Orangefield.

OC Republican Party to hold meeting Nov. 22

The Orange County Republican Party their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Salvation Army Complex on the corner of MLK and Strickland. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Light up Bridge City for the holidays

The Bridge City/Orangefield Rotary Club and the City of Bridge City are planning to “Light up Bridge City” for the upcoming Holidays. The plans are to attach “shooting Star” pole decorations along Texas Ave., along with eight foot “Angels” pole decor on the corners of Texas Ave. and Roundbunch. There will also be a dickens Christmas Vignette depicting skaters, a Christmas Tree on the corner of Texas Ave. and Roundbunch.

They are asking for donations from the area businesses as well as individuals in order to purchase the life size silhouettes for the corners vignette. Any amount of donation would be greatly appreciated.

Checks can be made to BC Rotary-Christmas Decor. An account has been set-up at Bridge City Bank for this purpose. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 191 Bridge City, 77611.

For further information contact: Lou Raburn at 409-735-2688 or 882-4142, or Lucy Fields at 697-1206 or 626-1974

American Legion to host pool tournament

The American Legion Lloyd Grubbs Post 49, located at 108 Green Ave. in Orange, will be hosting a pool tournament every Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight. There is a ten player maximum. The community is encouraged to join in the fun and free food to help support the Veterans. For more information, call 409-330-4847.

Orange Community Band to meet every Thursday

The Orange Community Band rehearses every Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, located at 4103 Meeks Drive in Orange. They are in need of players for the following sections; flute, clarinet, saxophone, French horn, and percussion, but ALL are welcome! The band performs Christmas, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veteran’s Day concerts. At least one traditional band concert is performed annually. Please visit us on Facebook at Orange Community Band.

Rape and Suicide Crisis Center to offer support group meetings

The Rape and Suicide Crisis Center of Southeast Texas will be hosting a support group for female survivors of sexual assault the first and third Wednesday of every month, starting at 5:30 p.m. Meetings will be held at the Foundation of Southeast Texas building, located at 700 North St. in downtown Beaumont.

To RSVP or for further information, please contact the Crisis Center at 409-832-6530.

BCISD to administer Credit by Examination

Bridge City ISD, in accordance with Chapter 74.24 TAC, will administer the Texas Tech University Credit by Examination Tests.

Testing dates will be December 6, 7 and 8, 2011 and June 5, 6 and 7 2012.

Students in grades first through fifth will be allowed to take each of the five tests (Math, Science, Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies) at the elementary level without prior instruction.

The student must score at least 90 on each of the five four tests to be considered eligible for grade level acceleration.

Students in grades sixth through 12 will be permitted to take an examination to earn credit for an academic course for which they have had no prior instruction.

Students must score at least 90 on the test to receive course credit.

Additional information and registration forms can be obtained by contacting Gina Mannino at: [email protected].

LIT registering students; requiring vaccination

Lamar Institute of Technology is currently registering students for its Winter Mini and Spring 2012 semesters.

Students must be admitted to LIT before they can register for classes. The class schedule is currently available on LIT’s Web site, http://www.lit.edu, or on campus.

Beginning with the Spring 2012 semester, all new and transfer college students under the age of 30 must provide proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination 10 days before the start of the semester.

The Spring 2012 semester begins on Jan. 17, 2012, so students must be vaccinated by Jan. 7 in order to attend classes for the Spring semester.

Students may file an affidavit or a certificate signed by a licensed physician stating that the physician believes that the required vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student.

Students may also request an affidavit form from the Texas Department of State Health Services at http://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm where they may state that they decline the vaccination for reasons of conscience.

WO Chiefs Annual Christmas Dance

An annual Christmas dance for former West Orange High School Chiefs is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10 at the American Legion on Green Avenue in Orange.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The dance starts at 8 p.m. Cost is $10 per person, casual attire, BYOB and snacks welcome. A cash bar with beer and set-ups will be available.

All former Chiefs and guests are invited. It is also open to the public. Music by the Ken Marvell Band. For more information call Jimmy Guidry at 409-738-2294 or e-mail at [email protected]

Application deadline for Hotel/Motel Tax funds nearing

The Orange County Hotel/Motel Tax committee has released applications for non-profit entities within Orange County to apply for a portion of the County’s Hotel/Motel Tax funds. Any 501(C)(3) organization in Orange County that attracts visitors to Orange County Texas can make application to the committee. There are a number of restrictions by state law as to how the funds can be utilized. First, the funds must be used in a manner that encourages overnight visitors to Orange County. Secondly, expenditures must fall within one of the following categories.

Convention Centers and Visitor Information Centers: the acquisition of sites for and the construction, improvement, enlarging, equipping, repairing, operation and maintenance of convention center facilities or visitor information centers, or both;

Registration of Convention Delegates: the furnishing of facilities, personnel, and materials for the registration of convention delegates or registrants;

Advertising, Solicitations and Promotions that Directly Promote Tourism and the Hotel and Convention Industry: advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to attract tourists and convention delegates or registrants to the county;

Promotions of the Arts that Directly Promote Tourism and the Hotel and Convention Industry: that the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of the arts, including instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture, design and allied fields, painting, sculpture photography, graphic and craft arts, motion picture, radio, television, tape and sound recording, and other arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of these major art forms,

Historical Restoration and Preservation Activities that Directly Promote Tourism and the Hotel and Convention Industry: historical restoration and preservation projects or activities or advertising and conducting solicitation and promotional programs to encourage tourists and convention delegates to visit preserved historic sites or museums.

Sporting Event Expenses that Substantially Increase Economic Activity at Hotels: Expenses including promotional expenses, directly related to a sporting event in which the majority of participants are tourists who substantially increase economic activity at hotels and motels within the county.

Certain Portions of Sporting Facilities: Expenses for a certain percentage of a facility’s patrons that are directly contributing to increased local hotel activity.

Shuttle Services for Convention Activities: Shuttle services for an event is an eligible expense provided the shuttle services begins or terminates at a local hotel facility.

Applications can be downloaded from the Orange County Economic Development Corporation web site at http://www.orangecountyedc.com. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Dec. 5, 2011 at the OCEDC offices; 1201 Childers Road, Orange, TX 77630 or interested persons can call the OCEDC offices at (409) 883-7770 and have an application mailed to you. The Hotel/Motel Tax Committee will review the applications and hold a public hearing in December. The committee will then make recommendations to the Orange County Commissioner’s Court for expenditure of the funds.

One major project that will be considered for funding will be the CHAMPS project to be located on Highway 1442. This proposed facility was the focal point for the passing of the tax. This will be a multi-million dollar project that will serve many uses for Orange County. It has not been determined how much of the tax funds will be dedicated to that project. All remaining funds will be dedicated to the various projects around Orange County.