Orange Worthy Radio

Meals on Wheels Celebrates $5,000 Donation from Rodney Townsend

in Local Roundup

Meals on Wheels Orange Texas proudly recognizes the outstanding generosity of Rodney Townsend, a dedicated board member and local attorney, for his impactful $5,000 donation to support the program’s mission. Townsend’s contribution exemplifies the commitment and passion that board members bring to ensuring the program thrives and continues to serve the local senior community.

The OCAA Meals on Wheels initiative is dedicated to providing wholesome, nutritious meals to seniors in the community while fostering meaningful connections and offering much-needed reassurance to those who may feel isolated or vulnerable. With the steadfast support of board members like Townsend, Meals on Wheels Orange Texas is able to meet the growing demand for its services and expand its reach.

Visit Meals on Wheels Orange Texas’s Facebook page or website for more information about its mission and how you can support it.

Governor Abbott Announces Over $15 Million In Career Training Grants, Including LSCO and VISD

in Government

overnor Greg Abbott today announced 60 career training grants totaling over $15 million have been awarded to Texas higher education institutions and independent school districts (ISD) to train students for high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. These Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants awarded through the the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will help public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools buy equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs that help students across the state go into high-demand industries.

“As Texas’ economy continues to grow, it is critical that we invest in our future workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “This $15 million in career training grants will support career and technical training programs for thousands of Texas students across our great state. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission for its continued partnership with Texas’ high schools, colleges, and universities to help students achieve high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. The work being done at the Texas Workforce Commission and in our educational institutions across Texas ensures Texans have opportunities that lead to a better job and a bigger paycheck.”

This $15 million in career training grants will give Texas students the chance to earn licenses, certificates, or college degrees that lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries. In the first year alone, the new equipment will help train more than 6,900 students.

“As the Texas economy grows, so does the demand for a skilled workforce,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “The JET grant program helps meet that demand by providing opportunities for Texans to gain valuable, hands-on experience that will prepare them to step into those high-demand careers.”

TWC is now accepting applications for the 2025 JET grant program. Texas public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools may apply.

The complete JET application packet can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website. For questions or more information about this opportunity, e-mail RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov.

The 2024 JET grants will be used to purchase and install equipment at the following public junior, technical, and state colleges, including Lamar State College-Orange: a $98,799 grant to train 94 students as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.

JET grants awarded in 2024 will be used to purchase and install equipment at the following Texas ISDs and open-enrollment charter schools, including Vidor ISD: a $254,777 grant to train 100 students as welders.

The full list of funded institutions can be seen here.

Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs to develop career and technical education programs for public community, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.

Stark Museum of Art Brings Live Reindeer to Reindeer Games Day

in Local Roundup

The Stark Museum of Art invites the community to experience live reindeer and other holiday activities at Reindeer Games Day on Saturday, December 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A special sensory-friendly hour will be offered from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. to ensure everyone can enjoy this festive celebration. Admission to Reindeer Games is free of charge.

Reindeer Games Day brings the holiday spirit to life with an array of holiday activities for all ages:

  • Live reindeer at Santa’s Traveling Stable: See Santa’s majestic reindeer and take a moment to capture unforgettable holiday memories.
  • Holiday crafts in the Education Center: Spark creativity as you and your family create festive crafts to take home.
  • Reindeer scavenger hunt: Follow the “Reindeer Trail” throughout Gallery Five and explore the wonders of our special holiday exhibition.
  • Spirit of Bethlehem: View the Christmas story with the Boehm Porcelain Nativity on display in the museum.

While at Reindeer Games Day, guests are invited to view “Reindeer Trail,” a whimsical winter wonderland exhibition which showcases 30 original reindeer created by talented local artists. The exhibition, which draws inspiration from the museum’s rich collection of Western and Native American art, can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. In addition to the creative, artist-designed reindeer, “Reindeer Trail” highlights the cultural and historical significance of reindeer and their relatives through artworks located around the museum. Guests can view historical depictions of these animals throughout the galleries, where reindeer and other wildlife are represented in various styles and media, celebrating the beauty of the natural world.

This event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the joy of creativity and the magic of the holiday season. Whether you’re discovering hidden treasures in the exhibitions or crafting your own holiday keepsakes, Reindeer Games Day promises something for everyone.

Admission is free, and we encourage visitors to dress in their most festive attire for fun photo opportunities throughout the “Reindeer Trail” exhibition.

For more information about Reindeer Games, “Reindeer Trail” exhibition or the Stark Museum of Art, please visit starkmuseum.org. The Stark Museum of Art is located at 712 Green Avenue in downtown Orange, Texas and open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free of charge.

Tony Award-Winning Musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Comes to the Lutcher Theater for Two Performances

in Local Roundup

The Lutcher Theater welcomes the critically acclaimed Broadway tour of “Dear Evan Hansen” for two performances on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by “The Washington Post,” “Dear Evan Hansen” has captivated audiences worldwide with its deeply moving exploration of our interconnected, social media-driven lives. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, this groundbreaking production resonates with audiences of all ages by offering a raw, heartfelt perspective on themes of belonging and connection, seen through the eyes of both parents and young people.

With a Grammy Award-winning score featuring unforgettable songs like “Waving Through a Window” and “You Will Be Found,” “Dear Evan Hansen” delivers an emotional and profound experience that has left audiences across the globe inspired and in awe.

“We are thrilled to bring this transformative production to our community,” said Lynae Sanford, executive director of the Lutcher Theater. “‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is more than a musical – it’s a cultural phenomenon that fosters meaningful conversations about mental health, relationships, and the power of community.”

The Broadway production focuses on Evan Hansen, a high school student who always feels like he’s on the outside looking in. Evan finally gets what so many of us are searching for – the chance to finally fit in. What follows is a poignant, funny, and powerful musical about how, even though it can be hard, we can find each other – and ourselves – along the way.

As part of a holiday promotion by the Lutcher Theater, students can now enjoy “Dear Evan Hansen” for half the cost. Premium section seats are available to students for $45. When purchasing, select at least one blue seat on the map and choose the student ticket option. Do this for each student ticket you are purchasing.

Tickets for “Dear Evan Hansen” range from $45 to $90 and can be purchased at lutcher.org or by calling the Lutcher Theater Box Office at 409.886.5535.

The Lutcher Theater is located at 707 Main Avenue in Orange, Texas.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens Announces Partnership with Chevron Phillips Chemical

in Business

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is pleased to announce a partnership with Chevron Phillips Chemical – Orange Plant through their sponsorship of Shangri La’s 2024 Community Decorate-a-Tree Event. This generous gift provides an opportunity for the community to engage in the spirit of the season, sustainability, and local camaraderie. The Community Decorate-a-Tree Event takes place in conjunction with Shangri La Gardens’ beloved community event, Christmas Strolls.

“We are thrilled to sponsor Shangri La’s Community Decorate-a-Tree Event in conjunction with the incredible Christmas Strolls that Shangri La provides our community. This event brings Christmas joy to tens of thousands of Orangeites and Southeast Texans each December, and it is our honor to support this unique holiday experience in our quest to be the Neighbor of Choice in our Orange community,” said Carrie Phillips, plant manager of the Chevron Phillips Chemical Orange Plant.

Chevron Phillips Chemical’s generous sponsorship provides live trees that dozens of community organizations, school groups and businesses decorate with primarily recycled and repurposed materials. This annual event celebrates environmental stewardship and the incredible ingenuity of talented community members across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana.

“Community Decorate-a-Tree and Christmas Strolls bring such immense joy to the Orange community. These events celebrate the spirit of the holidays and provide opportunities for families to experience all that the gardens and our community have to offer. We express our gratitude to Chevron Phillips Chemical – Orange Plant for their generous sponsorship of the live trees. Their gift will increase the holiday joy experienced by our visitors this season,” said Angie Mason, executive director at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

Christmas Strolls are open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 6-9 p.m., with the last entrance at 8:30 p.m. The final opportunity to view the decorated trees and experience Christmas Strolls is December 21. Admission to Shangri La Gardens is free of charge.

Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center is located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas. The gardens are closed to the public on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, please visit shangrilagardens.org.

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