Toy Run/Boat Parade

This year we wanted to try something a little different than in the past years for the Toy Runner’s .These folks make the trip from Freeport to Port O’ Connor and bring a large amount of toys for many children in about a 60 mile radius. The Chamber Of Commerce hosted a BBQ dinner with several sides for these folks. All food was donated, cooked and served by volunteers. I would like to thank everyone who helped provide this meal for these folks. We had many compliments.

Thanks to these folks and if I have forgotten anyone please forgive me.

Connie Barrientes, Eloisa Newsome, Lisa Stringo, Jennifer Hernandez, Stringo Guide Service, Wanda & Virgil Redding, John Hribek, Chris & Jerry Ramby, Marie & Robbie Hawes, Nancy Pomykal, Cathy Osborn, Donny Haynes, DV Stringo, Victor Leach, Barbara Crouch

And a huge THANK YOU to Boat Parade Chairperson, Bill Tigrett. There is a lot of effort in preparing for this event. He has done this for many years and has it perfected. And THANKS to all who participated. I, myself, have decorated our shrimp boat for the event and it is a huge task to get the boat ready to enter.

Mary Jo Walker, President
Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce

Boat Parade

Once again, another successful Lighted Boat Parade! Our community and out of towners look forward to and really enjoy this unique event, and this year was no exception! But it couldn’t happen without the support and commitment of countless sponsors and volunteers.

First, I would like to thank Kenneth and Grady Jean Clark, for allowing the use of The Inn at Clark’s. This location is ideal for the boat registration, Captains meeting, dinner and awards presentations along with the lodging, boat parking, and unloading of all the toys. This Event could not function without the use of this facility. So thank you again!

Thank you, Don and Sheryl Haynes and Robbie and Marie Hawes, for providing the excellent barbecue dinner to all the participants.

Next I would like to thank Paul McGee for Golf Cars from POCO Cruisers.

Thank you Leah Griffin for helping to get all the advertisements and flyers out. Thank you Pat Perez for being my assistant in the Registration of the Boats.

Thank you POC Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for your continued support of the lighted boat parade. Can you believe this is its 23rd year? Special thanks to Mary Jo Walker, and her assistants, for setting up the facilities. Thank you also for your uncanny ability to address and overcome last minute challenges!

Of course I would especially like to thank the judges, Kenny and Dwana Finster, Bobby and Pat Perez, Norman and Donna Boyd, for volunteering their time! And a special thank you to Norman Boyd with TPWD for allowing us to use the conference room and deck for judging the parade.

A Special Thank You to our local Coast Guard Group for being the Lead Boat and being available for any needed assistance.

And finally, Jerry Karnes, Jason and Wendy Fry, and all the other participants in the “Toy Run” boat escapade, thank you for all you do! Every year…regardless of the weather…as you tell us “The show must go on!” Your generous hearts and Christmas spirit are an inspiration to us all. And the surprises you bring to our Calhoun County children are over the top!

Bill Tigrett

Across the Miles

Like to wish all the GREAT People of Port O’Connor a very Safe, Healthy and Happy Holiday Season. I say great because you people truly are. Each month I so look forward to receiving my copy of the Dolphin Talk and getting caught up on what is going on in one of “Gods” greatest little creations on earth. It is simply amazing what goes on in the small town and how close the people of Port O’Connor are. I share the paper with many of my friends and family here in New Jersey and they cannot believe the simple outpouring of Love, Friendship and togetherness within one community. Love It.

To our wonderful, caring family on Lewis St.- not a day goes by that your pictures hanging in our home are not looked at, a very fond memory is laughed at or a loving thought or prayer is mentioned about y’all. Although 2000 miles apart, you are in our Hearts and Minds each and every day.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, we were going to send Uncle Howard a NY Giants ball cap, but I did not want it to be the start of a good burning barrel, Ha Ha.

Love Always
Kenny, Lois, Angela, Ashlee, Jamie Marie Marr, Jr.
oh Ricky too. woof – woof…


Holiday Greetings

I want to wish all my POC friends and long time acquaintances a very Merrry Christmas and best wishes for the new year. You all were my family for 37 years, never to be forgotten. My best to all of you and “good fishing”.

Nelda Holloway
Burleson Texas

POC Board Meetings

At the September 11, 2014 Port O’Connor Improvement District meeting the board of directors voted to allocate $50,000 to over $100,000 dollars ( of the rate payers money ) to pay for outside counsel for representation in the rate appeal. This is the petition that Mr. Brown started after the rate hike as of January 2014. At the meeting John Childers (no longer a member) voted yes, Wanda Redding (no longer a member) voted yes, Teddy Hawes voted yes, Doyle Adams voted no, and Tom Ekstrom abstained from voting.

On December 2, 2014 I sent a request that this item be brought up for another vote by the board because the board had new members after the November elections. The request was granted and placed on the agenda for the December 11, 2014 meeting, item number D 14. A vote was called for and Teddy Hawes voted yes again, Tom Ekstrom this time changed his vote to yes, Doyle Adams changed his vote to yes, Leon Brown voted no, and Marshall Bradford voted no.

The item was passed three to two, now the three member have chosen to allocate over $100,000.00 dollars of the rate payers money to fight the petition by Mr. Brown and keep the January rate increase in place. Just thought you might want to know.

Marshall Bradford Director POC-ID

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Letters to the Dolphin
P.O. Box 777
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
dolphin1@tisd.net