Dieter Erhard will be at the Art Boat next month from April 1st through the 21st. While here he will assemble 2.5’ X 3’ “speech boards”.

Children and adults will be able to push a button in order to hear the sounds or various animals and an explanation of them. Either one animal or a group will be explained. All the animals of Texas will not be on display, but there will be a nice selection of them.

We think this will be of interest to many and a great learning experience for our children.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

February 19, 2024, was the start date for the Seadrift Community Service Club. In February there were eleven volunteers that signed up. Pictured are its officers (L to R): Treasurer Alysa Jarvis, Vice-President Linda Odom, Secretary James Hartman, President Deede McGhee, and Service Officer Lisa Campbell. Currently services offered for its volunteers are as follows: Personal Shoppers, which helps people set up on-line shopping, Helping Hands which is in-home care, Serving Box which are boxes of goods for those in crisis or need, Recycling Runs which involves recycling cans, water bottles, and cardboard, and Golf Cart Runs which is a pic-up service for those without a car. We wish the Seadrift Community Service Club the best as they begin their efforts in making the Seadrift and its surrounding area a better place! -Tanya DeForest

A big thank you to everyone who came out to the Member Appreciation Casino Night in February. When you entered the red carpet, you stepped back in time to the 1980’s. The music had all of us singing our favorites, while the rock star with really cool hair made his way around the casino. Joggers were spotted in wind suits and sweat bands on the dance floor, several ladies arrived, and I had to do a double take as their hair was winged back looking like Farrah Fawcett. It was a great time, as we enjoyed the games, food, drinks and comaradery. Congratulations to our prize winners who took home a pizza oven, solo stove, POC neon sign, spa package, cases of beer and beer pong, and an offshore package including an Epirb tracking device. Our membership is crucial to our success, so we are pleased to host this annual event.

On Thursday, February 15th we were honored to conduct a ribbon cutting for GlowRow and Paddle POC at their location here in Port O’Connor. Congratulations to Zach Jurasek and his employees! The weather is warming up so make your reservations for a lighted night trip or go check out his kayak rental selection.

We hosted a candidate forum at 5D for the three candidates vying for the Constable PCT 5 position. On February 27th, David Cleveland, Chelsi Holt and David Thomas all gave presentations on their backgrounds and qualifications. The audience submitted written questions which were answered by all the candidates.

We are busy getting ready for the Annual Crawfish Festival which is scheduled for April 27, 2024. This year you will be able to pre-purchase admission tickets, food tickets, T-shirts, and beer tickets. Pick up will be on April 26th at the pavilion from 3:00-6:00 or at the will call entrance that Saturday. We have 40 teams entered in this year’s cookoff and registration is closed. Go to our website to find out more information vendor registration and the pre-sale of tickets and T-shirts.

We welcome our new and renewing members, Archery Buildings – Metal Buildings, Barndominium, Boat Storage – They build everything from car ports, barns, shops, and some of the neatest barndominiums you have ever seen. Call Andy today and see how he can help you!

Benny’s Guide Service – Benny Judice is a US Coast Guard licensed captain and fishing guide, specializing in fishing the inshore waters of Port O’Connor. Boat or jetty fishing Benny will help you plan the perfect trip.

Captain Steve Branch / ONFLY – Capt. Steve Branch has been fly-fishing the South Texas coastal waterways for more than 30 years, hunting, fishing and exploring the waters of Matagorda Island, from Port O’Connor to San Antonio Bay, and beyond.

Corvette Correction – Corvette Correction builds frames for early Corvettes, Tri 5 Chevy, early Chevy trucks. We do complete rebuild of the vehicles that have our frames.

Drop Anchor RV Park & Storage – RV Sites with full hook-ups 30/50 amp, water, sewer, Direct Tv, Wi-Fi security cameras, restrooms & showers, individual electric metering, The boat stalls have wide driveways, privacy walls, concrete floors, electricity in stall, wash down stations, security lighting, and security cameras.
First Cast Guide Service – Bay and Jetty fishing out of Port O’Connor. Wade or boat fishing for speckled trout, redfish, black drum, tripletails. Natural or artificial bait. Family, friends or corporate.

Guadalupe Blanco River Authority -GBRA provides stewardship for the water resources in its ten-county statutory district, which begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco Rivers, ends at San Antonio Bay, and includes Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun and Refugio counties.

JAG Metals – JAG Metals – A metal building components business. We provide complete weld-up and bolt-up engineered metal building packages, metal building components, and structural steel fabrication services for general contractors, architectural and engineer firms, construction companies and DIY homeowners.

Kim Goulden Fishing – Kim Goulden is a full-time guide sharing a passion for saltwater fishing with anglers of all levels by offering year-round guided fishing adventures.

Lifted Aesthetics Firm – IV hydration, Vitamin Injections, Neurotoxin, Dermal Fillers, Chemical Peels, Microneedling
Jayme Edwards Fine Arts & Prints – Jayme Edwards is a local artist who works in traditional and digital mediums. She is inspired by animals in God’s creations, and also likes inventing fun characters.

Individual/Couple Members- Robert & Patricia Strong, Bryan & Kim Zgaby, Debbie & Rick Ulrich, Todd & Ange Tullos, Mark Reed, Tracy & Mike Reed, Ted & Weslene Gaetjen, Connie & James Britton, Kevin & Melissa Cross, Mike & Cindy Fitzgerald, Tori Haynes, Kimberly & Terry Sontag, Brenda & Robert Suehs, Nicole Collins & Jeanne Newberry.
For more information on these businesses and our other chamber members please visit our website at www.portoconnorchamber.com.

One thing that instills pride in a coastal community is its harbor. Seeing our harbor get its much-needed improvements is a delight! Knowing that things are shaping up not only for the harbor, but for our seawall as well is a double delight! Pictured below are (L to R) Gary and Jason Shirley, owners of Shirley and Sons. Their company is based out of Cleveland, Texas. Shirley and Sons are responsible for the new bulkheading at the harbor and are currently contracted to build a new breakwater at the end of the harbor’s 2nd Street extension. When they are through, they will begin improvements at the west end of the seawall installing a new pier, another entrance from 11th Street, solar motion lights, picnic shelters, limestone on the parking area, and cable fencing.

Thank you, Councilman Kenneth Reese, for filling us in on the details of what is going to happen at the west end of the seawall. Kenneth also informed us that the official title of this project is “A.D. Powers Bay Front Park West End.” Our hats off to everyone working at the harbor and the seawall in making us “Seadrift Proud!” And thank you, Gary and Jason Shirley, for coming to our little town and being a big blessing!                      -Tanya DeForest


Dredging at Seadrift Harbor

Meet the gentlemen who are responsible for the dredging at Seadrift Harbor. They are from (L to R) Derrick Johnson, Matt Glaze, Dylan Turner, and Vincent Akin. Derrick, Dylan, and Vincent work for Derrick Construction Company. Matt Glaze works for Urban Engineering. Our hats off to these gentlemen for coming into Seadrift to oversee the dredging of our harbor and the ship channel. It is much needed and much appreciated! -Tanya DeForest

Alysa Jarvis
Willing to Serve

My husband and I purchased our home on Bay Avenue in July2020. We had been searching for a place to retire, and from the first time visiting Seadrift, we knew this was the place to be. The people we met were friendly and welcoming, and along with the beauty of San Antonio Bay and the relaxing coastal atmosphere, Seadrift feels like home. People are surprised when I tell them I was born in Calhoun County, then I have to say Alabama. Although Alabama is my birthplace, I have lived the last 35 years in Texas. I graduated from Texas State University with a business degree in Computer Information Systems. After graduation, I worked for VALIC, an American General company, in Houston until I left the workforce to be a full-time mother and home educator. From Calhoun County, Alabama to Calhoun County, Texas, I have come full circle.

Even before finalizing the purchase of our home in Seadrift, I began attending the City Council
meetings and the Republican Club meetings. I’ve continued to attend City Council meetings, but I also
attend the weekly Commissioners Court meetings and the monthly CCISD meetings. I currently serve as the Secretary of the Republican Club, the Precinct 10 Republican Chairman, and Treasurer of the newly formed Seadrift Community Service Club. I am also a member of the Seadrift Chamber of Commerce.

Seadrift is over 100 years old and has literally weathered many storms but has continued to maintain its sense of community and neighborliness. I only seek changes that will improve the well-being of our town. Repairing deteriorated streets and improving drainage are two top priorities. Seadrift needs to grow by attracting new residents, new businesses, and more visitors. This will be the best way to increase revenue for the city without increasing taxes on citizens. More revenue will provide funding for much needed infrastructure. Furthermore, the city should aggressively seek all available grants offered.

Our current Council and Mayor have done a remarkable job with the grants awarded so far, but I believe there are even more grant opportunities for which we can apply. I would be honored to represent the citizens of Seadrift as Alderman on City Council, and I ask for your vote on May 4.

Eldon Gaines
Continuing to Move Forward

Please allow me this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Eldon D. Gaines also known as Dale. My family has lived in this area for generations. I am also a lifelong resident of the City of Seadrift and have been employed at Orion Marine Group for the last 25 years. I have worked for both the City of Seadrift and Calhoun County Precinct 4. Having served on the City Planning Committee, I understand the needs and expectations of a city of our size. These items, sometimes necessary and sometimes wishful, come at a price, of course. Good leadership at the local level is vital to obtaining these goals in a responsible and timely manner.

During my tenure on the city council over the last two years, I’ve personally witnessed the array of challenges and the gratifying positive impacts that come with fulfilling the duties of this office. Infrastructure is one of the items that I continue to see as being of great importance in growing a brighter future together.
If given the honor of being elected for a second term, I will faithfully serve and make thoughtful decisions, always having the best interest of the citizens of the City of Seadrift at heart.

Thank you for your support, and remember to vote on May 4th, 2024.

Ranier Brigham
“The Redfish Fisherman”

Ranier Brigham loves the Seadrift community. That’s why he wants to keep serving as a Seadrift councilman for the City of Seadrift. He will be running again for the position of Seadrift Councilman in the May 4th Seadrift City election.

“I want to make sure that the city keeps moving forward. The city has a drainage as well as a harbor project that I want to continue to be part of,” he stated. He, also, wants to make sure that Seadrift continues to have a good police department.

Ranier has been a Seadrift resident for thirty-two years. He retired from Union Carbide after twenty-seven years of service. He is a man of many talents and has been a rigger, machinist, pipe draftsman, pipe fitter, and has done industrial cleaning. He has served on the Seadrift council for ten years. He is currently over Public Safety, which includes the Volunteer Fire Department as well as Roads and Drainage.

For twenty-three years Ranier has been a full-time redfish fishing guide-that’s why he’s called the Redfish Fisherman!”

Paul Gonzales
Giving Seadrift a Voice

My name is Paul Gonzales, I am running for the position of Alderman on City Council for the City of Seadrift, TX. I am a graduate of Calhoun High School with a bachelor’s degree in management and a Minor in Ethics from Manhattan Christian College, Manhattan, KS. I’m retired from the Army National Guard. While serving in the military I learned to work as a team and to let everyone have a voice in the decision-making process. During my military career I worked with Federal and State legislatures to resolve budget and contract issues.

After retiring from the military in 2012 my wife (Glenda Chatham) and I returned to Seadrift, TX to be with family and friends. I currently work for the TX Dept of Transportation in the Procurement and Contract Division. I am a member of the First Baptist Church in Seadrift where I served on the Budget and Finance Committee and The Kids for Christ Committee.

I would like to utilize my professional experience, team building skills, and work with everyone who wants to have a voice for the City of Seadrift. I would like to see how our city can recruit new businesses. I also want to see that our Police Department is visible in our community while keeping our children and residences safe. I want to work and help to improve our drainage system and seek alternate ways to fund street improvements without raising taxes.

I would be honored to represent the City of Seadrift and provide you a voice on the City Council as Alderman. I would appreciate your support and vote on May 4.

Jesse Hubbell
My name is Jesse Hubbell, and I am running for the office of Mayor for the City of Seadrift. I grew up in Seadrift, went through elementary school, attended all 3 years at Fannin Junior High School and then graduated from Calhoun High School. I earned my degree in management development from San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas. I lived in the Houston area for about 30 years, before my wife and I built a house and settled here in 2017 just before Hurricane Harvey hit the area. We have no plans to leave. Seadrift is our home.

Throughout my entire career I have found out one of the most important things to do is to listen to others and if you can help them, then do so. I have been involved in public service for over 40 years; the last nine as chief appraiser here in Calhoun County. My knowledge and experience in cooperating with local government officials and the public, budgeting, purchasing, public speaking, managing and motivating personnel during these years will help me in serving the citizens of Seadrift in a positive way. I want Seadrift to become an even better place to live, work and play. I would appreciate everyone’s vote in the upcoming election.