Faces & Places

Public schools week

Jasper Independent School Disctrict will continue celebrating Texas public schools week March 5-9. The public is invited to visit any campus during the normal school hours. Because of security reasons, all visitors must check in with the main office before visiting any part of the campus.

Grief support

the Friends of Job is a new grief support organization to help those who have lost a child, grandchild or sibling. They will meet the first and third Tuesday each month from 6:30-8 p.m. at First Baptist Church on North Main in Jasper. For more information call Sam or Brenda Job, 698-2356.

Morning Mix Tour

Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital will host the Better Business Bureau Morning Mix Tour March 8. It features a free continental breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and an opportunity to network with other business leaders.

Rose Society

The Lakes Area Rose Society will host their monthly meeting March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Jasper City Council room on South Main Street. The program is "rose spraying for pests and diseases." Call 423-4756 for meeting information.

Parnell game night

Parnell Elementary School will host a game night March 8 from 6-8 p.m. with get-acquainted fun math and reading games for parents.

Newton safety seats

Child safety seat inspection will take place in Newton March 8 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Main Street. The inspection is courtesy the Texas Cooperative county extension agents.

Civic Club to meet

The Women's Civic Club will be holding their monthly meeting Thursday, March 8 at the Civic Club building, 156 Milam Street, at 11:30 a.m. The speaker will be Dr. Samia Bostros and her topic will be "Egypt - The Gift of the Nile."

Rayburn Bloomers

The Rayburn Bloomers Garden Club will meet March 8 at the Lake Rayburn Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Pam Sykes of Hemphill will give a program on herbs and their use. Each member can bring a plant to exchange.

Diabetes classes

Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital is offering a free series on diabetes management in the Robert Hall Building on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. Subjects are: March 13, meal planning and nutrition; March 20, medication management; March 27, exercise; April 3, complications.

Booklovers Club

Booklovers Club will resume meetings March 14 on the second Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church's Coleman Hall, 740 Verna.

Membership drive

The Jasper Friends of the Public Library will have a membership drive Friday, March 16 at the Jasper Fire Hall from 5-7 p.m. Membership categories are student $5, friend $10, best friend $25 and patron $100.

Azalea Fest

The Jasper/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will hold Azalea Fest on the square in Jasper March 17. Planning committees are meeting to organize the event, and the chamber is looking for volunteers to assist. Call 384-2762. Vendor applications and guidelines are available online at www.jaspercoc.org.

Book donations

The Jasper Women's Civic Club is seeking donations for a book sale to be held during the Spring Azalea Festival March 17 at the Jasper Fire Hall. Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations can be brought to the Jasper Public Library, 175 East Water Street during regular library hours.

Bluebonnet Garden Club

The Bluebonnet Garden Club will sponsor a booth at the Azelea Fest March 17 and will be selling Bluebonnet seedlings as well as Aggie Bluebonnet seedlings. The club will also be holding a raffle for a painting donated by local artist Pat Tatum for $1 each and available from any garden club member.

Hemphill auction

The United Methodist Men of Hemphill will hold a fund-raising auction March 17 that will include a fishing boat and motor, furniture, office equipment, bikes and colletibles. For more information call 787-2183.

$10,000 Visa card

Jasper High School's Project Graduation is selling a limited number (300) of tickets for a $10,000 Visa card to be drawn April 15. they also have a few 2007 discount cards and a lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. Call JHS at 384-3242.

Benefit auction

The United Methodist men of Hemphill-Sabine County will host an auction March 17. Donations are tax deductible. No clothes, please. Call (409) 787-2183 for more information. Proceeds will benefit scholarships, area charities, recognition of local law enforcement and firefighters as well as church and community needs.

Booster Club garage sale

Jasper FFA Booster Club will be hosting a garage sale March 24. The club is currently seeking donations such as clothes, cash or furniture. Proceeds will benefit scholarships. Call Charla James at 384-7866 or Ed Meyer or Liz Hoster at 382- 1331.

JHS talent

Jasper High School will hold a talent show March 24 in the auditorium; proceeds benefit the JHS Junior-Senior Prom. For more information, call Martha Morian at 382- 1318.

Bloom Fest

San Agustine will celebrate spring with Bloom Fest March 30-31 in Santa Fe Park. This years theme is home and garden. For more information, call 936-375- 3610 or www.sanaugustinetx. com.

Dogwood arts and crafts

The Wodville Business and Professional Women's Club will sponsor an arts and crafts fair March 31 and April 7 from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. during the Dogwood Festival. Crafts must be totally or partially handcrafted. For information on booth space, contact the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce at 409 283-2632.

Relay for Life

The annual Relay for Life that raises money for the American Cancer Society will be held on the courthouse square in Jasper April 27-28. To volunteer, call Mary Marthaler at 384-8751.

1997 Class reunion

The Jasper High School class or 1997 is beginning to plan the 10 year reunion. Pictures can be submitted to Jasperclassof1997@yahoogro ups.com or mail a CD to Nekiva (Scott) Joseph at 3795 Perth Place, Beaumont, TX 77708.

Monthly recycling

Texas Beautiful announced that every third weekend recycle bins will be available at the southeast corner of the Community Church parking lot for things like plastic and steel. Area coordinator Patty Shaw says newspapers can be recycled any weekday by dropping them off at the city transfer station on Hi Truett Road. Proceeds from newspaper recycling benefit the Jasper Library.

Senior Volunteers

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program needs volunteers, age 55 and up, to fill many areas of need in Jasper and Newton counties. Call Ginger Studensky at 384-5704, ext. 271.

Cancer control program

Jasper-Newton County Public Health District's breast and cervical cancer control program offers women free breast exams, mammography and pap smear. Women aged 50-64 with limited income, who have no insurance, Medicaid or Medicare are eligible. Call the Jasper office at 384-6829; Newton office at 379-5291; Kirbyville office at 423-6133 or the Buna office at 994- 5921, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hospice donations

Lakes Area Hospice, a non-profit organization, is seeking donations of bath wipes, adult briefs, antibacterial wipes and gel. www.lakesareahospice.org.

Regional arts

East Texas Regional Art Center, located at the corner of Austin and Crockett streets in Jasper features rotating exhibits from national, regional and local artists. Art classes and workshops are available. The art league meets the first Monday of each month and is open to the public. For more information call 384- 2404 or 489-9460. The center is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment.

4-H activities

Jasper Community 4-H and Cloverbud kids meet the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Jasper. For more information on 4-H call Nicole Hamilton at 384-7866; for Cloverbud Kids call Betty Morton at 384-2604 or Charla James at 384-7866. 4-H shooting sports group meets the fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Junior Livestock barn;call Jimmy or Dru Miller at 384- 9900.

Alzheimer's support

The Alzheimer's caregiver support group meet the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Dickerson Memorial Hospital. There will be guest speakers and refreshments. For more information call Lela at 698- 9308 or Marty at 383-2388.

HELP needed

The Health Equipment Loaner Program (HELP) provides uninsured and underinsured individuals with medical equipment at no cost. Program inventory includes hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, crutches, adult diapers, diabetic testing equipment and other items. The program is made possible through donations ETHAN receives. To make a donation, call 384-2099 or come by 117 W. Houston St. in Jasper.

Caring volunteers

Lakes Area Hospice is in need of volunteers to sit with patients and help support caregivers in the Jasper area. Churches and other groups are encouraged to participate in volunteer training. For more information contact Paula Moore at 384-8855 or 1-800-661-9047.