Community bulletin board and church happenings

Orange County Farmer’s Market open Wednesday, Saturday

The Orange County Farmers’ Market is open for the season on Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. and Saturday from 7-10 a.m. The market ends when the produce is sold out, which is often earlier than the times shown.

The following items are now available: greens, okra (red and green), purple hull peas, snap beans, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, jams and jellies, fig preserves, squash relish, zucchini relish, pickled cherry peppers, local honey, fresh eggs, homemade cookies and bread, fresh herbs, house plants, succulents and more.

The vendors appreciate small bills if you have them.

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.

Miss Bridgefield pageant rescheduled for Nov. 3

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Miss Bridgefield 2012 Pageant at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Bridge City Middle School, located directly behind the Bridge City High School on Texas Avenue. The deadline to enter the pageant is Friday, Oct. 19. The community is invited to attend and support the youth of the community. For more information, please contact the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce at 409-735-5671 or email [email protected].

American Legion to sell plate lunches

The American Legion Post 49, located at 108 Green Ave. in Orange, will hold a plate lunch fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4. Cost is $7 and the meal consists of fried fish, potato salad, coleslaw, green beans, bread and a dessert. Walk-ins are welcome and delivery is available. Call 409-886-1241 after noon on Wednesday, Oct. 3 and before 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4 for orders and delivery.

Thrift & Gift to host community sidewalk sale

The Thrift & Gift Shop in Orange will be sponsoring their bi-annual community wide sidewalk sale on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are taking donations of furniture, clothing, Christmas decorations and other items.

Covered spaces (app. 10x12) are still available to all interested parties for $12. All booth spaces are on a first come, first served basis. The Thrift & Gift Shop, with an assortment of household and vintage items, new quilts, clothing and vintage jewelry, will be open as well. Apply for booth spaces now at the Thrift & Gift Shop, located at 350 37th St. in Orange, or call 886-7649.

Chances will be sold on a newly created large quilt, which is on display in the store, for $1 each. The drawing will be held in December, the winner will be notified.

Lutcher Stark class of 1962 50th reunion

The Lutcher Stark High School class of 1962 will hold their 50th class reunion from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Sunset Grove Country Club in Orange.

Friday evening will be a casual get-together. Saturday will be their main event, with a business-casual buffet dinner, program, visiting, dancing and music by Jim Dunaway.

For more information, please contact Sally Ragland Townsend, [email protected].

Safe Boating Class to be held Oct. 20

Sabine Sail and Power Squadron will host a Safe Boating Class from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Pleasure Island Commission Building, located at 500 Pleasure Island Blvd. in Port Arthur. Cost is $10 and includes a Texas state certification, lunch and snacks. Donations are accepted for lunch.

Minimum age is 13. Texas requires boater education for persons under 18 and born after Sept. 1, 1993 to operate a boat over 15 HP, personal watercraft or wind-driven craft over 14 ft.

Contact Ron Gremillion at 409-548-3271 or [email protected] for more information.

Boy Scouts to host annual flag fundraiser

The Boy Scouts of Troop 62 is now accepting subscriptions for commemorative flag displays in and around North Orange (near Hwy. 87 and Meeks Drive) between IH-10 and South Teal Road. The 3’ by 5’ flags will be displayed on the five flag days of the year (Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Patriots Day [9/11] and Veterans Day). The flags will be displayed no later than 9 a.m. on the commemorative day, picked up before dusk and stored until the next flag day.

An initial $75 tax deductible donation ($50 for renewals) is required. Money orders and checks must be received 14 days prior to posting day in order to ensure timely service. All proceeds go to support Scout activities and programs throughout the year.

For subscriptions, contact Bubba Plexico, Troop 62 Scoutmaster, at 214-770-0568; or Chris Wright, Troop 62 Fundraising Chair, at 409-882-9972.

Service League of Orange searching for “Community Needs”

The Service League of Orange is now accepting requests from non-profit organizations only for application forms to receive financial assistance through their Community Needs Committee. The Service League encourages projects, events and activities that primarily target the good of all of the entire “Orange County” community. To qualify, verification of non-profit status must be submitted with the Service League Needs application by Oct. 1, 2012.

Applications can be obtained by calling Mindy McKee at 409-779-8867 or Carolyn Lemons at 409-670-1839 or emailing requests to [email protected].

Dusty Trails 4-H Pecan Fundraiser

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has our Dusty Trails 4-H Club selling the famous Durham-Ellis pecans from Comanche Texas. The club will be accepting orders until Oct.12, 2012. These pecans will be available for pickup about two weeks before Thanksgiving. Anyone who places an Order with the Dusty Trails 4-H Club will be picking up their order in Orange or Mauriceville.

Dusty Trails 4-H Club will be selling pecans, flavor pecans, specialty nuts and mixes at various prices. Raw pecans are $9 for a one pound bag, $28 for a three pound box and $43 for a five pound box. To place an order call the Dusty Trails 4-H Club, Jessica Mayfield 409-886-5906 or orders can also be taken by any of the club members.

KOCB searching for community projects

Keep Orange County Beautiful has access to limited funding to assist the cities of Orange County, or the county itself, in disposing of abandoned tires dumped on the side of the roads.

Such a project provides a discernible environmental benefit of providing proper disposal of these tires and reduces health threats associated with illegally dumped tires. These dump sites can become breeding grounds for mosquitos and rodents that carry diseases, plus tire fires can result in the contamination of surface water, ground water and soils.

Funds may also be available to clean up trash dumps on public property.

If you or your community affiliations have potential projects that fit this description, please bring them to the attention of the KOCB board at 330-9373.

Eagles to host pool tournament

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2523, located at 803 N. 28th Street in Orange, will be hosting a pool tournament every Friday starting at 8 p.m. Prize money goes to first and second place winners. The community is invited to come meet the members of Aerie 2523 and join in the fun. For more information, please call 409-886-7381.

Mauriceville AA meets

An Alcoholics Anonymous meeting is held each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Mauriceville at the United Methodist Church on Highway 12. For more information call 409-670-6265.

BCHS reserved parking passes now available

The 2012-2013 reserve parking passes are now available. Please contact Cil Dixon in the Bridge City Athletic Department to purchase your pass. Limited quantities are available, so don’t want too long. If the passes do not sell out before our first home game, they will be selling them at the gate.

OISD offer free athletic home event passes to senior citizens

Dr. Stephen D. Patterson, Orangefield ISD Superintendent, has announced residents of Orangefield ISD who are 60 years of age or older qualify for a Senior Citizens Pass. The pass entitles senior citizens to free admission to home activities and events sponsored by the Orangefield Independent School District.

To obtain these passes, residents should go to the OISD superintendents office, located in the administration building, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Proof of age and residence will be required for all Senior Citizens Pass request.

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.

Henry Blackaby to hold conference at LC Baptist Church

Henry Blackaby, author of “Experiencing God” and other study books, will be the main speaker at the Regional Blackaby Conference hosted by the Little Cypress Baptist Church on Oct. 5-6. The two day session begins Friday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. The Saturday session begins at 9 a.m., and will include a break and lunch, ending at 3:15 p.m. Doors will open early for registration and seating is based on first come, first served. LCBC is located at 3274 Little Cypress Drive. For more information, call 409-883-8905.

Book signing, t-shirt sale Oct. 6

Joseph Henry, author of ‘Back to the Basics - It’s God’s Way or the Highway,’ will be doing a book signing and t-shirt sale from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Eagles Lodge and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8 at the Thrift and Gift Community wide sidewalk sale. For more information, please call Mr. Henry at 409-886-0075.

Cowboy Church to host last Playday Buckle Series

Cowboy Church of Orange County will be hosting its next Playday Buckles Series Sept. 29 and Oct. 20. Events will be cloverleaf barrels, poles, straight barrels, and speed race. Buckles will be awarded for overall high point for each age group, also first, second and third place awards.

Three of the four events and two of the three playdays must be completed to be eligible for the awards. Mutton bustin’ will also be awarded a buckle and prizes. Special classes include lead line and stick horse race with awards given also. All participants must compete in two of the three playdays to be eligible for awards. Sleeved shirt required, also current negative coggins and a signed release.

For more information, contact Jackie at (409)423-9724, or visit the Cowboy Church of Orange County website.

First UMC to host MOPS

The local Mothers of Preschoolers group (affectionately known as MOPS) invites you to join them one Tuesday a month 9:30 a.m. to noon September through May in the First United Methodist Church Praise Center located on the corner of 5th and Pine.

MOPS is designed to nurture EVERY mother with children from infancy to kindergarten through guest speakers, mentor moments, creative activities, breakfast, discussion time, play groups and more.

Members come from all walks of life, but share one desire---to be great moms! You don’t have to be a Methodist, just a mom. Free childcare is provided during meetings. For more information and dates, please contact FUMC Orange at 409-886-7466 or find more information on the web at http://www.mops.org or http://www.fumcorange.org.

St. Paul UMC to sell cookbooks

St. Paul United Methodist Church is selling homegrown, local cookbooks. All of the recipes come from members. The cookbook has tried and true recipes. The cost is $20 and all proceeds go to our mission funds. Please call the church 735-5546 or come by from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and pick up a copy.