In his opening statement to a small crowd at the POC Library, Reagan Faught, State Parks Region 2 Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) emphasized that public input into the planning of the new Powderhorn State Park (PSP) is essential in making this natural resource into “Your Park”. The public comment meeting was held on Tuesday, September 24 and was the second in the series of public comment meetings the department has conducted.

A cadre of other TPWD staff were on hand to answer questions including a park planner, engineer, architect, GIS specialist as well as PSP Superintendent Sarah Affeldt, and Lead Ranger, Stephen Demarcus. Justin Fleury, Planning & Geospatial Resources Program Director, provided an overview of the history of the property, its features, and the updated park plans.

The 2253-acre park includes 3 miles of Matagorda Bay shoreline, 2.5 miles of Powderhorn Lake shoreline, tidal marshes, freshwater wetlands, coastal prairie, and an enchanting tunnel of ancient live oaks.

“ The park plan includes 90 overnight tent and RV camp sites, 30 day use sites, fishing and kayaking areas, and 8 – 12 miles of hike and bike trails. The old ranch house, which was refurbished by Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation after the property’s acquisition by collaborating conservation organizations, will be utilized as a gathering place for small groups. The main entrance will be on the north side of Highway 185 between The Sanctuary and the VEC transmission station. To reach the State Park, the entrance road will traverse Powderhorn Wildlife Management property for about 3 miles to PSP visitor center with fencing separating the two properties.

The parks staff has worked to incorporate the public’s input from the first series of public comment meetings, and provide planning to address concerns including utility capacity, emergency planning, law enforcement, and traffic safety. Much has yet to be done but a tentative date for the start of construction is September 2027 with the park opening in late 2029 or 2030.

An immediate task at hand is the hiring of a full-time office manager whose duties will include purchasing, budgeting, and oversight of the customer service support team. The job will soon be posted on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website (https://tpwd.texas.gov/jobs). Currently the park has a total of four positions but expects to employ up to eleven when the park is fully open.

Let’s make Powderhorn Our Park! TPWD is accepting questions and comments for this phase of the project until Oct. 31. They may be submitted to: Justin Fleury, TPWD park planner, justin.fleury@tpwd.texas.gov, 512-389-4367; Sarah Affeldt, Powderhorn State Park superintendent, sarah.affeldt@tpwd.texas.gov, 361-557-0006; or Reagan Faught, Texas State Parks regional director, reagan.faught@tpwd.texas.gov, 361-790-0303.

On your mark, get set, go! It’s October 10 and this group of veterans is getting ready to enjoy a weekend full of memorial and fun-filled activities at Polebender’s Lodge which is right on the Victoria Barge Canal. Front and far left is Arturo G. Garcia who is CEO and Co-Founder of Combat Marine Outdoora. He is a wounded veteran who served as a Master Gunnery Sergeant from 1987-2012. He is disabled 100 percent because of his service to our country. We salute all our veterans especially on Veterans Day. Thank you for your service!

All of CMO’s trips are provided at no cost to our veterans by sponsorships and private donations. Not only is CMO in every state, but is in New Zealand, Africa, Alaska, Argentina, and Mexico.

You can visit their web site at www.combatmarineoutdoor.org. -Tanya DeForest

Kenny Rogers

My name is Kenny Rogers and I am originally from Great Falls, Montana. I enlisted in the Army as a Combat Medic in October 1992 and did 26 years of service to this great country. I am very proud to have served and count my blessings everyday to be able to come back to my family after every deployment in a combat theater. I spent three 12 month deployments (two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan) away from my family and I feel honored when people thank me for my service.

I assist in taking veterans out hunting, fishing, or just getting out with other vets to feel appreciated for their sacrifices they have made for their country. Combat Marine Outdoors has amazing donors, sponsors to help make all this happen.

I retired as a ISG (First Sergeant) after 26 years in the great state of Texas. I currently live in Schertz, TX with my wife Betsy and our blended family of five children.

Hunter Corliss

My name is Hunter Corliss. I am a born and bred Texan. As many of you all know, Texas Footfall is like no other! I grew up on the field from 4th grade through my sophomore year. Football was my first love, I like to say. I gave up football after going to the recruiter’s office. Having two military parents taught me that the military is hard on the body so I began weight lifting two weeks after graduating high school. I quickly shipped to South Carolina where I did my basic training. Then I was shipped to Virginia and on to Florida where I spent the majority of my career. I was injured while doing physical training and had hopes that I could continue my military career. God had other plans for me. After eighteen months of surgeries, physical therapy, and bed rest, the Army gave me a discharge. I got shipped to Texas not knowing where life was going to take me. Luckily my family and communities like yours have opened their arms and supported me. Thank you for all your continued love and support for veterans. You save our lives daily and don’t realize it.

William Sneed

Known as Bill, this veteran was born in New Orleans, moved around, and ended up working on the family farm.

At 14 years old he joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet. Bill was exposed to military aircraft and became very interested in the Air Force and becoming a pilot someday. He went to Viet Nam while in the Air Force and later transitioned to the Army for flight school. Bill went to flight school in Mineral Wells, TX. For Instruments (secondary flight school) he went to Ft. Rucker in Alabama. Upon graduation he went to gun school in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. There he learned to fly helicopter gun ships. In 1969 Bill went back to Viet Nam. This time he was a fire team leader and flew gunships. Bill was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross Medal for heroism in getting his crew and gunship back to safety after being severely damaged
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After 1,000 hours of combat flight, Bill feels very blessed to have came home to his wife Janie and family.

Bill is thrilled to be with the Combat Marine Outdoors. This will be his first time fishing. He wants to thank everyone who made this retreat possible.

Our Second Annual Port O’ Connor Boat and Fishing Expo, was a great success and we want to thank our sponsors Mowdy Boats of Texas, Freedom Boats/Premiere Yamaha, Jeco’s Marine & Outdoors, Ron Hoover RV & Marine, First National Bank of Port Lavaca, POC Washeteria, POC Rentals, The Spot Coastal Gifts, and Infinium. We would also like to thank all the volunteers that helped with setup and cleanup and making sure the boat show ran smoothly: Steven Guevara, Kimberly Lucas, Darla Parker, Ross Harlow, Jessica Keller, Mike Overton., Terri McGuire, Troy Wygrys, Ray McDaniel, Judy Overton, Tracy Manley, Kacy Skalak, Michelle Davis, Susie Oneshi, Russell Johnson, Maeghen Strahm, Haygen Burkett, and Allysa Alexander. We hope you enjoyed the show and we are excited to start planning for 2025.

Halloween is quickly approaching so get your decorations and costumes and join us during Trunk or Treat at King Fisher Beach (Park Avenue) on Saturday October 26th.. Look for the Chamber tent and bring your pup by at 6:30 for them to showcase that costume.

Our Annual Chamber Business meeting will be December 9, 2024 and we have five positions up for re-election. If you are interested in serving on the Chamber or would like to nominate someone please email or call the office.

We appreciate our new and renewing members Marvelous Gardens Nursery & Floral is your new go-to destination in Port Lavaca for all things gardening and landscaping. WP Outfitters provides fishing, hunting, lodging and meals for those looking to have a great experience on the Texas Coast. Grindhead Coffee – Seadrift Mobile coffee trailer serving hot and iced coffees, lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, chai tea and more. Hurricane Junction is the place to eat where every meal has a reel story. Sonny Cook Marine – Marine Sales and Service and Flats Cat Boat Dealer in Port O’ Connor.

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

 

Fall Mega Garage and Bake Sale: Thank you all who turned out for our Fall Mega Garage Sale and Bake Sale. It was a huge success with record attendance! We appreciate you, and could not do all the good that we do without you!

Add-On Awards for 4H Students: The Club awarded add-ons to the 12 POC students for their 2023 Calhoun County Fair Animal Projects. Congratulations to all of these students – we are proud of all of you!

Incentive Awards: For their hard work for the current grading period, the Club presented incentive awards to the 63 Port O’Connor students. Keep up the good work, everyone!

Memorials: In memory of Donny Haynes and Grace Stone, the Club made donations to the POC Cemetery Association.

Farmers Market: Our next Farmers Market will be on Saturday, November 9, from 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon. We will have delicious baked goods, potted plants, hand crafted items, Service Club Cookbooks, and “POC – End of the Road” License Plate Covers and 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 November7 and November 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the POC Community Center. Please come join us. All ladies are welcome.

Medical Equipment For Loan: The Club has a variety of medical equipment (walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, crutches, orthopedic boots, knee scooters, etc.) which we loan free of charge to POC citizens who are in need. For information, please contact one of the ladies listed below.

Spring Mega Garage Sale: Our next Garage Sale will be on April 5, 2025, and we appreciate your generous donations, as always! For your convenience, we have a “Drop Box” in front of our Service Club Donation Center. For questions or to donate, please call 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