Everything Under The Sun: Things to do in Ellis County

ONGOING ITEMS

Project Graduation cards on sale

Waxahachie High School’s Project Graduation cards offer 60 discount offers from local vendors. Each card is $20; discounts redeemable January-December 2021. Purchase at First Financial Bank, Waxahachie Gymnastics Center and the Waxahachie Sun.

Ongoing food resources

• Waxahachie CARE, 1208 Ferris Ave., 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday curbside. Call 972-923-2273.

• The Salvation Army, 620 Farley St., 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 972-937-7727.

• Mobile pantry, 9:30 a.m. the third Saturday of every month at Creekside Church in Midlothian.  

Baylor Gift Shop open

The Gift Shop at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Delivery available to hospital rooms. For personalized shopping assistance at the shop, call 469-843-4090.

Free vaccinations

The Texas Department of Health Services offers vaccines Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at its office at 108 E. Kilpatrick St., Cleburne. By appointment only. Call 817-517-2306.

Rapid COVID-19 testing

Ennis Doctors Center, 802 W. Lampasas St., Ennis, is offering PCR Rapid COVID-19 testing with results in as little as 15 minutes. Free to uninsured patients, with no copay or deductible payment for most insurance plans. Call 972-875-4700 to schedule.

Calendar collection

Do you have calendars coming in you won’t use? Bring them by the Waxahachie Sun, 200 N. Rogers St., Suite B, where a collection box is set out. The Daughters of the American Revolution will deliver to the VA hospital for patients’ use.

Free COVID-19 testing

Several locations are available for free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing.

In Midlothian, free testing is held at the Midlothian Senior Center parking lot, 4 Community Circle Drive. Appointments are available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with upcoming dates listed at www.gogettested.com.

In Ennis, free testing is held at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 2301 Ennis Parkway. Appointments are available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with upcoming dates listed at www.gogettested.com.

In Waxahachie, free testing is held at the Waxahachie Sports Complex. Appointments are available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with upcoming dates listed at www.gogettested.com.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13

Contest deadline

Entries are being accepted for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay and Oratorical and Art Contest sponsored by the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, for the contest, which will be conducted via Zoom at noon Saturday, Jan. 16.

For more information about the Essay and Oratorical and Art Contest, contact Dr. Jamal Rasheed at 469-337-7989 or jamal5@sbcglobal.net.

Virtual ribbon cutting

The Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual ribbon cutting for Divine Flowers & More at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13.

THURSDAY, JAN. 14

Retirement drive-thru event

The Waxahachie Fire Department will host a drive-thru goodbye event to honor Assistant Fire Chief Randall Potter at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14. Potter is retiring from the fire department after more than 40 years of service. The drive-thru will take place at Station No. 2, 1601 Cleaver St. in Waxahachie.  

Airport board to meet

The Mid-Way Regional Airport Joint Airport Board will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, in the upstairs common area at the airport, 131 Airport Drive, Midlothian.

Heritage Preservation

Commission to meet

The city of Waxahachie Heritage Preservation Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, in the council conference room, City Hall, 401 S. Rogers St.

FRIDAY, JAN. 15

Community Market

Unity Thrift, 109 N. Elm St., Waxahachie, is hosting a Community Market in its garage area the third weekend of each month, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday. For more information or to reserve a vendor space, contact Unity Thrift via its Facebook page or by stopping in at the store and speaking with Virginia.

Deadline to apply for county grant

The deadline is Friday, Jan. 15, to apply for the Ellis County grant program to aid healthcare entities, small businesses and nonprofits. Funding available through the CARES Act. Visit online at http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/ and scroll down for the link to information on the Ellis County Economic Relief Grant.

Virtual ribbon cutting

The Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual ribbon cutting for Flora, 500 W. Main St., at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.

Virtual ribbon cutting

The Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual ribbon cutting for Landez Boutique, 201 E. Main St., at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.

Virtual ribbon cutting

The Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual ribbon cutting for Crux Storage, 110 Lucas St., at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.

SATURDAY, JAN. 16

Essay and Oratorical

and Art Contest

The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay and Oratorical and Art Contest will be hosted Saturday, Jan. 16, by sponsor, the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library. The contest will be conducted via Zoom.

For more information about the Essay and Oratorical and Art Contest, contact Dr. Jamal Rasheed at 469-337-7989 or jamal5@sbcglobal.net.

THURSDAY, JAN. 21

WHS drama presents ‘Matilda’

The Waxahachie High School Department presents “Matilda” from Jan. 21-24. Purchase tickets at www.whsdramadept.org or at the door.

THURSDAY, JAN. 28

Annual PIT Count

The annual Point in Time Count is HUD’s annual survey of homeless individuals. This year’s count in Ellis County takes place from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at First Baptist Church in Waxahachie. Held in coordination with the Ellis County Homeless Coalition’s annual Let’s Get Warm Giveaway at the church. For more information, email info@elliscountyhomeless.com or call 469-428-7320.

FRIDAY, JAN. 29

Last Call sale

The Last Call Ultimate Boutique Sale takes place Jan. 29-30 at the Waxahachie Civic Center. Hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Let The Sun shine on your event! If your organization, group or church is planning an event, please let us know and we will include it in our “Under the Sun” calendar. Email information to joann@waxahachiesun.com.