Meetings
• Marion County Resources Coalition, 11:30-1 Monday, April 24
• MCAD Board, Noon, Wednesday April 26
Save the Date
• April 22: JHS Prom
• April 25: NHS Induction Ceremony, 6 p.m. JHS Commons
• April 27: Strategic Planning Public Meeting
• April 29: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery historical marker dedication 11a
• May 2: Planning & Zoning, 5p Transportation Building
Earth Week
Marion County and the City of Jefferson will celebrate Earth Week April 21-30.
The City will have dumpsters available at the Jefferson Community Center (Haywood Street) and near the Police Station (N Alley Street). Staff will be on hand to help unload.
County Dump locations will be open all week, during regular dump hours and no dump tickets are required.
No locations can take brush, tires, shingles, paint products, batteries, fiberglass boats or oil.
Jefferson Rotary Club will hold an Electronic Recycling Day from 9 a.m.-noon April 22 at the First National Bank parking lot. Help unloading will be available.
Award Winner
Bill Smith and Andy Looney’s play “Lox and Loaded” was the overall Winner in the International Playwriting Competition in Carlow, Ireland. The decision was made up of 75% judges and 25% public votes. The judges’ decisions were unanimous and “Lox and Loaded” also won the popular vote.
Fish Fry
First Methodist Church will hold a Fish Fry from 5-7p Friday, April 21. Dine in or Take Out is available. Adults $12.00 and children 12 and under $6.00
Tacos
The Order of the Eastern Star will have their annual Taco Supper from 5-7pm Saturday April 22nd at the Masonic Lodge on N. Alley Street. Cost is $8 and includes 3 Tacos, Dessert, and Drink. Proceeds go to Scholarship Fund.
Pastured Poultry
Shady Grove Ranch is offering a Pastured Poultry Workshop – Saturday, April 22 at 9 a.m..
A half day training workshop with East Texas Farmer Matt Cadman, who has 13+ years experience raising poultry on pasture using rotational systems here in East Texas.
Will cover a variety of topics on meat birds, egg layers, and turkeys. Lunch included. Located at Shady Grove Ranch in Jefferson, Texas. Limited attendance. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time. Early Bird Pricing available. www.ShadyGroveRanch.com or 903-665-7076
Hazard Help
Mark your calendars for the 2023 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Spring Webinar Series. Starting April 27th, FEMA experts will provide information and insights on building successful applications within HMGP as part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA). Register at https://bit.ly/3GS8YuD. These webinars are designed for leaders and key stakeholders in states, local communities, tribes, and territories interested in learning more about and applying for HMGP.
Building a Successful Safe Room Application: Thurs., April 27, 2023; from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. ET
Building a Successful Acquisition Application: Thurs., May 4, 2023; from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. ET
Building a Successful Flood Risk Reduction Application: Thurs., May 11, 2023; from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. ET
Building a Successful Planning Application: Thurs., May 18, 2023; from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. ET
These webinars will be recorded and made available https://bit.ly/3L9aACD. For questions regarding the series or to request special accommodations, please contact fema-hmawebinars@fema.dhs.gov. To learn more about HMGP, visit fema.gov.
Luncheon
Women of Jefferson will hold their annual Salad Luncheon from 11a-1p Wednesday, April 26, at First Baptist Church, 523 Jefferson. There are five differrent salads available, all from Original 1933 Study Club Recipes. Cost is $10 per person. Delivery and takeout is available. Proceeds go to the WOJO Scholarship Fund. For more information, or to order ahead, contact Melissa at 903-742-2041.
Anniversary
The Willow Tree will celebrate their 7th anniversary from10a-6p on April 27.
Strategic Plan
Jefferson is creating a comprehensive plan, and the process is a great opportunity to make your voice heard and shape the future of the city. You are invited to a public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Jefferson Tourism and Visitor Center to share your feedback with the steering committee, partners, and students from Texas A&M University. The comprehensive plan guides community growth for the next 20 years and covers a variety of topics including transportation, housing, economy, health, and the environment.
Wildflowers
Wildflowers & Wine Saturday, April 29, in Avinger from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wine-tasting opens 11 a.m., finest Texas wineries, $10 entry provides glass, wine bag. Canine beauty pageant, 10:30 a.m. Community parade, 4 p.m. Kids’ fishing hole. Prize raffle. Art & Photography Show. Music by 92.3 FM, The Depot. Event T-shirts for purchase in April. Visit avingertxchamber.org/wildflower-trails for details, vendor and sponsor forms.
Spring Market
The Mims 2nd Annual Spring Market, sponsored by the VFD Ladies Auxiliary to benefit the Mims VFD & EMS will be from 10a-2p April 29, at the Mims Community Center. There is still time to sign-up to be a vendor, call 903-256-7306..
Art Show
Art & Photography Show and Treasure Hunt, April 27-29 in Avinger. Art & Photography Show: adult and youth categories, cash awards, art delivery April 24, public show April 27-29. Three-day Treasure Hunt, new clue daily, cash prize. Visit avingertxchamber.org/wildflower-trails for details and entry forms.
Farm Tours
Shady Grove Ranch is offering their Classic Farm Tour – Saturday, April 29 at 10 a.m.
Our most popular tour with all sorts of information about regenerative agriculture and how it benefits you the consumer, the livestock we raise, and the environment and food system.
Learn about pasture-raised chickens, turkeys, eggs, pork, and grass-fed beef during this fun and interactive farm tour. Located at Shady Grove Ranch in Jefferson, Texas. Limited attendance.
They are also offering “Homeschooler Farm Tour” – Thursday, March 30 at 11 a.m. A hands-on tour designed for kids! Learn all about egg production and processing, and inspect, package, and design your very own carton of fresh eggs to take home! No classroom field trips, please.
Parent must be in attendance with their children. Located at Shady Grove Ranch in Jefferson, Texas. Limited attendance. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time for either event. Early Bird Pricing available. www.ShadyGroveRanch.com or 903-665-7076
Gospel
Lake O’the Pines Baptist Church is holding an Outdoor Gospel Singing event starting at 4:30p Sunday April 30, at Johnson Creek Park Amphitheater. Hot Dogs and refreshments will start off the afternoon at 4:30p, followed by Lake Baptisms at 5:30p and ending with Gospel Singing starting at 6p. Everyone is invited to attend, and if you’d like to sing, please contact the church at 903-755-2793.
Game Fest
The Longview Lobo Game Fest 2023 will take place at Foster Middle School from 10 am to 3 pm. May 6. The festival will feature a range of activities that cater to hardcore gamers, casual players, and those who are simply curious about the gaming industry. Activities include: Vendor Hall, Hall of Gamers, Cosplay Contest, Student Showcase, Mock Gaming Classes, Breakout Sessions, and a Guilty Gear Strive Tournament (chance to win $1,000).
Vendor Registration Form: https://bit.ly/3A9YEtY Gaming Tournament Registration Form: https://bit.ly/3MOLLNt
Longview Lobo Game Fest 2023 is a family-friendly event that offers something for everyone.
Urban Ag
This Urban Agriculture program will cover the “NRCS High Tunnel Cost-Share Program” and “Improving Vegetable Crop Yields and Soil Health through Sustainable Soil Management.” This hybrid program will be taking place on Friday, May 12th at 1:30 PM: the in-person location is at the Kellyville Community Center in Jefferson TX, and the program will be virtually streamed via Zoom. (Note, there will be an ~ 15-minute live demonstration outside that will not be available via Zoom, this information will be covered verbally, but the live demonstration will only be available in person). This program is free, but registration is required and due by the end of May 11th. Call or email Mary Derting to register. Email: mgderting@pvamu.edu, Phone: (903) 665-2421 (ext.2)
Farmers Market
The Mims Community Center 12728 Fm 729 north side of Lake O the Pines, is holding a farmers market every Saturday through spring growing season and early fall every Saturday from 10am to 2pm. $25 to reserve a space for the 2023 season.
Edible and usable items preferred. Plants for spring gardening will lead off the start of this project with baked goods, fresh eggs and much more. For additional information, call 903-930-5104.
Update Us
Send Shoutouts and event notices to JeffersonJimplecute@gmail.com or tag Hugh Lewis on posts on FaceBook. Notices are free and will run continuously as space is available prior to the event.