Area Briefs

Friday, Sept. 26 - MHS Class of 1998 will hold its reunion. Any class of '97 member is welcome, too. Meet at Los Ranchos (in Wal-Mart shopping center) at 6 p.m. and go to the homecoming game after dinner.  Also Saturday Sept. 27 bring your family and a picnic lunch to the park.  Meet at the covered pavillion at 11 am. For more information, contact Sara Newton at 936-348-6038 or snewton@madisonvillecisd.org.

Friday, Sept. 26 - The Madison County Democrats will hold their annual Poor Man's Dinner at the Kimbro Center in Madisonville at 6:30 p.m. Besides the dinner, there will be music and a silent auction. For information, contact Laura Cannon at 936-348-1425.

Saturday, Sept. 27 - The Madison County 4-H Shotgun Club will be holding an orientation for new shooters at 9.a.m. at the shooting range. Participants must between 8 years old or in the third grade to 19 years old. Orientation is required to shoot in the club, and the next opportunity will be in February 2009. For directions and other information, contact David Radenz at 936-348-4263.

Saturday. Sept 27 - As part of National Alpaca Farm Days, the Firefly Trail Alpaca Farm, 4334 Greenbriar Road in Madisonville, will host Open Farm Day on Sept. 27-28 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy special events and fun for all ages. For more information, contact Julie at 936-349-2046, or visit www.fireflytrailalpacas.com.

Saturday, Sept. 27 - The sisters of missions No. 1 and No. 2 of Sweet Zion Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting their third annual women conference at 10 a.m. There will be new speakers and a new theme. Men are also invited to attend.

Saturday, Sept. 27 - The Allphin Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting at the Elwood Baptist Church's Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m. followed by a covered-dish meal. All paper goods, flatware, ice, tea and coffee will be furnished. Make plans to attend.

Monday, Sept. 29 - Hilltop Lakes Lions Club will host a blood drive at the Welcome Center at S.H. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For questions, contact Nancy Ryan at 936-396-1484.

Monday, Sept. 29 - Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, with Pastor F. Foster, will be holding a revival from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. each night. The church is located at 205 South MLK Drive in Madisonville.

Thursday, Oct. 2 - North Zulch High School will host Career Night in the North Zulch High School Cafeteria from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be representatives from various colleges, universities, financial resources, technical institutes, and the military to speak to high school students and their parents.

Saturday, Oct. 4 - The Concord Reunion will be held at First Baptist Church Life Center, 300 South Elm Street in Madisonville, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4 - The Grimes County Bethel Cemetery Association will hold their annual meeting and lunch at 10:30 a.m. at the cemetery. Barbecue cooked by Clifton Marks and his assistants will be enjoyed afterwards.

Saturday, Oct. 4 - The Bedias Women's Club Fashion Show and Luncheon will be held at the Bedias Civic Center.

Saturday, Oct. 4 - The Grimes County Bethel Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting at the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Barbecue, tea and paper goods will be provided. “Look forward to seeing you there,” said Association secretary/treasurer Sheila McWhorter.

Saturday, Oct. 4 - The Robertson County Compassionate Friends, a nonprofit group for parents who have lost children, will hold a Memory Walk in Franklin . Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the walk starts at 9 a.m. For questions, call 979-279-6204.

Sunday, Oct. 5 - Madison County Right to Life will sponsor a Life Chain. For more information, call 348-6644 or 348-5765.

Monday, Oct. 6 - Last day to register to vote in the Nov. 4 general election. To register, go to the Madison County Courthouse and look for the election administrator's office.

Saturday, Oct. 11 - The 30th annual Huntsville Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk will be held in front of the Health & Kinesiology Center on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Both races begin at 8 a.m. To register, call 936-295-4291 or go to www.7hills.us.

Friday, Oct. 17 - Boots, Brew & BBQ Gala at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Madisonville at 7 p.m. Barbecue dinner, dance, silent auction, live auction, raffle. Advance tickets are $25; raffle tickets also available. Call 936-348-6368.

Saturday, Oct. 18 - Madison County Right to Life will host its second annual Celebration of Life Banquet. For more information, call 348-6644 or 348-5765.

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25 - The Midway VFD will be hosting its Fall Fest, with a cook-off, trail ride. Dances will be held both nights. Anyone interested in entering the cook-off or the trail ride please contact Shery at 936-348-7378 or Linda at 936-349-1991. If you would like to have a vendor booth please contact Cheryl at 936-349-6379.

Friday, Oct. 24 - Gala Steak Dinner in Madisonville. Tickets are on sale now for $100 each and may be purchased in person at the Truman Kimbro Convention Center or by mail by going to TexasMushroomFestival.com and downloading a reservation form.

Saturday, Oct. 25 - Eighth Annual Texas Mushroom Festival in Madisonville, 10 a.m - 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 11 - The Women's Club of Bedias will sponsor their Annual Veteran's Day Dinner at Bedias Baptist Church's Family Life Center.

On the first Tuesday of each month, the American Legion Family meets at the American Legion Hall at 800 N. May at 6:30 p.m.

The monthly meeting time for the VFW Post #8233, located at 1300 N. May and Concord Rd., has been changed. The Post will meet every third Tuesday of the month at noon effective Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008.