A big thank you to everyone who came out to the member appreciation casino night in February. The Cowboys and Cowgirls enjoyed a rootin’ tootin’ evening where they tried their luck at blackjack, craps, and roulette, roping in some amazing prizes along the way. We had some great loot which included a Blackstone grill, a POC Neon sign, custom POC cornhole set with several cases of beer, an Oyster tray with gift certificate from Beacon 44 Seafood for raw oysters, a portrait sitting session with prints from Lea Ann’s Photography, and last but not at least a spa package with a Bogg Bag from Jo Beth’s Creations and Teresa’s Salon.  It was a great time, as we enjoyed the games, food, drinks and comradery. Our membership is crucial to our success, so we are pleased to host this annual event for our members.

We are busy getting ready for the 13^th Annual Crawfish Fest & Cookoff which is scheduled for April 26, 2025.  Beginning April 1st, you will be able to pre-purchase admission tickets, food tickets, t-shirts, and beer tickets, until April 23^rd at 9:00 pm. Will call will be on April 25^th at the pavilion from 3:00-6:00pm and at the will call entrance that Saturday. Make sure to join in the fun with lots of music, food and craft vendors, crawfish eating contest and horseshoes. This year’s entertainment will be Boudreax and Pousson, from Rockport, Tx.  We are very grateful for our headliner sponsors this year, Diamond J Buildings and Farm Pac Kitchens, as well as all our other sponsors. It will be here before you know it… go to our website to pre- purchase all your items and avoid the lines!

Our newest members to the Port O’Connor Chamber include Garage Transformers, specializing in concrete floor coatings such as Epoxy Floors, Polyurea Floors, Sealed Concrete, Stained Concrete and Cement Overlays. Also new are POC Breezy Cruisers, our newest golf cart rental and Mermaid Delights & Beach Fun Rental, offering a variety of refreshing options, including fresh fruit & veggie smoothies, yogurt bowls topped with fruit, oats & honey, hand-dipped ice cream, and freshly ground coffee served hot or cold, featuring flavored lattes and cappuccinos. More new members include Cat Haus Pottery offering Pottery, Resin Art, Painting, and Mosaics meanwhile POC Oasis provides a dining experience featuring standout dishes like pizza, seafood, & pasta dishes, complimented with a fully stocked bar.

For more information on these businesses and our other chamber members please visit our website at www.portoconnorchamber.com.

Spring Mega Garage Sale:  The Club’s Spring Mega Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 8:00 AM- 2:00 PM at the Port O’ Connor Community Center Pavilion!!! We will have a HUGE selection of household, decorative, and kitchen items; small appliances; clothes; shoes; toys; children’s and baby items; furniture, medical, lawn, and sports equipment, etc., etc., etc.!! There will be something for everyone, so mark your calendars!!  You don’t want to miss it!!  For your convenience, we  have a “Drop Box” in front of our “Service Club Donation Center, and continue to welcome your generous donations!!  For questions, or to donate, please call one of the ladies listed below.

Memorials:  The Club made a donation to the POC Cemetery Association in memory of long time POC resident and Service Club member, Jacque Bechard.  Our sincere condolences go out to Jacque’s family.

Farmers Market: Please check out our Service Club Booth at the next Farmer’s Market on April 12, 2025 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. We will have delicious baked goods, potted plants, handcrafted items, “Service Club Cookbooks“, and “POC- End of The Road” License Plate Covers, and much more.  Please stop by and check us out!!

Service Club Meetings:  Club meetings are the first and third Thursdays of the month, with the next ones being April 3, 2025 and April 17, 2025  at 10:00 AM at the POC Community Center!!  All Ladies are welcome!

Medical Equipment For Loan:  The Club stocks medical equipment of various kinds to loan out to those in need.  For inquiries, please contact one of the Ladies listed below.

Alane Haardt- 281-416-6028

Nancy Ladshaw- 830-832-0510

Marie Hawes- 361-920-2322

Nan Burnett- 832-276-5948

Port O’Connor Sunrise Service

7:00 am on King Fisher Beach, Port O’Connor

Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community

POC Library Hours:                      Phone Number: 361-983-4365    

Sunday – Monday:                        Closed

Tuesday – Friday:             10:30 AM  – 5:00 PM

Saturday:                             9:00 AM  – 1:00 PM

*Note: The library will be closed April 18 and April 19 for Good Friday and Easter weekend. 

Libraries are more than just places filled with books—they are gateways to knowledge, imagination, and connection. They offer access to educational resources, host engaging programs for children and adults, and provide a welcoming, inclusive space where everyone can gather, learn, and grow.

Activities: All events are FREE and ALL are welcome! 

Wednesdays:

• 8:30 – 9:30 AM – Coffee & Conversation
• 9:30 – 10:30 AM – Bingo – The fun follows the 8:30 AM coffee event every Wednesday!
• Note: LOTERIA (Mexican Bingo) to follow bingo. 
•  1:00-3:30 PM – Mah Jongg

Thursdays: 1:00-3:30 PM – Bridge

On Saturday, March 1st, the library was filled with creativity and laughter as children and parents gathered for a hands-on art adventure. The featured craft was Salt Jellyfish Art, where young artists used bright colors and salt to create stunning, textured jellyfish masterpieces.

For those feeling extra creative, there were additional craft choices, including festive Leprechaun hats to get ready for St. Patrick’s Day. Everywhere you looked, there was a wave of kaleidoscoping colors and smiling faces — and, yes, salt was everywhere! This project was a wonderful opportunity for kids to use their imagination, explore texture and color, and proudly create one-of-a-kind works of art. As always, the fun was made even sweeter with amazing snacks shared by all.

What a blessing it is to see our community come together through art, laughter, and creativity! Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this such a joyful day.

Friends of the POC Library:

The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library are working hard to raise $466,000 for the Library Branch Expansion Project.  Want to see how close we are to our goal? Check out the fundraising thermometer next to the community bulletin board at the post office. With each donation to “The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library,” we are moving closer to building a bigger library for everyone to enjoy!

Every gift makes a difference — thank you for supporting your community library!

We are excited to share some fantastic news about the Port O’Connor Library expansion! The first phase of this eagerly anticipated project has officially begun. The ground has been cleared and carefully graded, marking an important step toward the future of our expanded library space. Next, we’ll be moving forward with the crucial task of pouring the foundation. This marks just the beginning of many exciting changes to come, and we look forward to keeping everyone updated as construction progresses. Thank you for your continued support—stay tuned for more updates and milestones!

The Friends of the POC Library are hosting a raffle! To purchase a raffle ticket, email libraryfriendspoc@gmail.com or contact one of the Friends volunteers. You can also find us at our booth during the POC Crawfish Festival on April 26 at Kingfisher Beach — stop by to say hello and grab your tickets! The raffle drawing will be held at the POC Crawfish Festival, and you do not need to be present to win. We appreciate your supporting the Library Expansion Project!

Should you wish to contribute to our endeavor, visit www.friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org or you can make a check/gift payable to Friends of the Port O’Connor Library and mail to: Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, PO Box 497, Port O’Connor, TX 77982. to contribute.

Submitted by Darla Miles 

Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library, Publicity Committee/Historian  

www.friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org 

Facebook Page: Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc

Spring has Sprung at the POC Community Garden!

The sun is shining, and the Port O’Connor gardeners are back in action, ready to plant, grow, and enjoy the season! Every garden bed is officially full at the POC Community Garden Club, and excitement for spring planting is in the air.

On Thursday, February 27, members gathered for an educational meeting at the garden. Club President Val Tiemann led an informative session titled “Seed Starting Part 2: From the Greenhouse to the Garden.” Attendees learned valuable tips on successfully transplanting seeds and starter plants into the garden, with special focus on:

• Fertilizing techniques
• Thinning out seedlings for healthy growth
• Hardening off plants to prepare them for outdoor life
• Troubleshooting when things do not go quite as planned.

The meeting wrapped up with exciting news about the club’s first field trip of the year, scheduled for March.  Stay tuned for more details!          -Darla Miles