Making connections, June

James Simmons Jr. Juneteenth Committee, followed by Wharton Eye Associates and Roberson Air Conditioning, led the month of June with the most referrals from our website, whartonchamber.com/whartontexas.com.

Referrals are from our on-line membership directory, where people click on a member listing to call on the phone, or click to their websites, to contact the member or ask for more information.

Here is the top 25 for June, with the member name followed by the number of referrals:

1. James Simmons Jr. Juneteenth Committee, 299. 

2. Wharton Eye Associates, 279.

3. Roberson Air Conditioning, 260. 

3. TNT Western Wear (tie), 260.

4. Hinze's Bar-B-Que, 250.

5. H.E.B. Grocery Co., 249.

6. Jeffrey & Pat Blair, 238. 

7. Maxim Production Co. (tie), 236.

7. South Texas Oil & Distributing (tie), 236.

8. General Sales Co. (tie), 235.

8. RE/MAX Professionals (tie), 235.

9. Law Office of James Perez, 233.

10. Habitat for Humanity East Wharton County (tie),   231.

10. Vincek's Smokehouse (tie), 231.

11. Pekar's Body Shop (tie), 230. 

11. RV Village-Wharton (tie), 230. 

12. Gulf Coast Casa, 229. 

13. El Campo Cycle Center (tie), 226. 

13. John Roades, Attorney at Law (tie), 226. 

14. Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse, 225. 

15. Dobbins & Sheek, CPAs, 223. 

16. Big Country Home Inspections (tie), 222.

16. Prosperity Bank - Wharton  (tie), 222.

17. Richmond Road Truck & Auto Parts (NAP A), 221. 

18. Paul Webb, Attorney at Law (tie), 218. 

18. The Orchard at Caney Creek (tie), 218.

19. Hudgins-Groover Real Estate (tie), 216. 

19. Wharton County S.P.O.T. (tie) 216.

20. MEHOP,  211.

21. First Baptist Church  (tie), 210.

21.Restoration City (tie), 210.

22. J.T.'s This & That (tie), 208.

22. Mattress Discounters of Texas (tie), 208.

23. OakBend Medical Center, 207. 

24. El Campo Memorial Hospital, 206. 

25. Gulf Coast Family Medicine, 205. 

Thank you, the many people who use our membership directory. And thank you, f our chamber members for making Wharton work.

"Players win games, teams win championships."

Mark Sanders and Fishkin

My normally stoic brother Mark sent me a note that he lost his beloved cat, Fishkin, at age 15. I am repeating what I wrote back to him (with permission). The story starts in the early 1990s:

I had dog-proofed the backyard with a fence. I completed two years of allergy shots for hay fever — with dog and cat added. My friend the veterinarian, Dwight King, knew I wanted a dog and that I was finally ready for one. 

He thought he had one: There was a lady who had a reputation: if you went to heaven, it would be better to come back as her dog. The lady had Bridgette as a puppy, but Bridget became too big, and too wild and needed to find a new home. Bridgette was living temporarily at the vet clinic until such.

Dwight told me Bridgette was a “typical teenager” and that I was a perfect fit to adopt. My deal with Sandy was to go take a look at her at the vet clinic and speak to her about what I saw. 

Well, when I saw that head wagging back and forth, and those ears flopping back and forth, as she walked toward me. …

I had a lot of explaining to do. It was a love affair. And a learning affair. Bridgette knew no boundaries. But it all came together, finally, after she shredded our garden hoses, ripped electric plugs out of their sockets, and tore newspapers into fine strips that covered the floor. And the toilet paper. 

Bridgette loved Sandy. But Bridgette followed me everywhere. I still miss her. But I am better for it. 

Thank you, Bridgette.

What you can do to help our furry loved ones: support Wharton County Spot and Friends of Wharton, Texas Animal Control.

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofWhartonAC

https://www.wcspot.org/

The photos: The official portrait of Bridgette K. Sanders, and a pencil drawing of Fishkin, done for Mark by one of his clients.

The state of our schools

How are our public schools doing? How did students fare through Covid? Where should Wharton ISD go from here?

Public education is foremost on the minds of many people — Wharton is no exception. Toward that end, Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture has invited Dr. Michael O'Guin, Wharton ISD school superintendent, to be the speaker at out next Lunch and Learn. It will be from 11:30 am to 1 pm Tuesday, Aug. 3, at Wharton Civic Center. It comes with lunch, and you can get your tickets now. The link is 

Because of Covid,  2020 has become the year we would like to forget but will remember forever. And many challenges lie ahead. Dr. O'Guin will tell us where we are and the road to get to where we need to go.

The Lunch and Learn will be at the Wharton Civic Center. Tickets are $10. You will get a covid-safe box lunch. 

Get your tickets at the chamber office; email helpdesk@whartonchamber.com for more information. Purchase on line at: https://cca.whartonchamber.com/webforms/EvtRegistration3.aspx?dbid2=TXWha&evtId=10035262 

Successful towns have successful schools. Please attend.

Sponsors are : Wharton Journal-Spectator My Storehouse Mini Storage , H-E-B, Exelon, Wharton County Junior College, Mid-Coast Title Co. Inc. and InsuranceNet 

Other stuff: Thanks to those who came to the chamber ribbon cutting at Dominque Gordon's DesignerISH  held Thursday evening at Eastgate Plaza. Her clothing store and boutique helps fill a great need, women's apparel, and Dominque was born to do it. 

The next chamber ribbon cutting is Thursday, July 22, at Nedra Johnson's Simply Divine Event Center. The ribbon cutting is at 5 pm, and an open house from 4 to 6 pm. Her new location, 300 W. Milam St., is out of this world beautiful. Nedra helps bring life to Wharton. And we thank her for it.

"Players win games, but teams win championships."

New members; ribbon cuttings planned.

Two of our new chamber members will be welcomed with ribbon cuttings July 15 and July 22.

A Thursday, July 15, ribbon cutting will be at DesignerISH, a women's clothing store and boutique at 329 E. Boling Highway at Eastgate Plaza. The ceremony will be at 5 pm. Dominque Gordan is the owner. 

A Thursday, July 22, ribbon cutting will be at Nedra Johnson's Simply Divine Event Center, 300 W. Milam St. She will have an open house from 4 to 6 pm with the ribbon cutting at 5 pm.

We also are celebrating Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture memberships of Baird Rental Properties, Gracie James Boutique, and Choice! Energy Management. We hope to see ribbon cuttings scheduled of these three new members, too.

This is exciting stuff! Small businesses are the lifeblood of any community and, actually, the entire nation. Wharton is growing, and we will keep growing.

"Players may win games, but teams win championships."