Calhoun County Historical Commission invites the public to

The Matagorda Light House Historical Marker dedication on February 22,2025 ,at the Port OConnor Library at 10:00 A.M.

MATAGORDA ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE IN 1848, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACQUIRED LAND ON THE EASTERN END OF MATAGORDA ISLAND TO BUILD A LIGHTHOUSE AS A NAVIGATIONAL AID AT PASS CAVALLO. THE BALTIMORE FOUNDRY OF MURRAY & HAZLEHURST WAS CHOSEN TO PRODUCE THE CAST IRON TOWER. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN JUNE 1852 WITH A 75-FOOT-TALL TOWER; THE REFLECTOR-TYPE LIGHT FIRST SHONE ON DECEMBER 31, 1852, CASTING A LIGHT EVERY 90 SECONDS WHICH COULD BE SEEN FOR MILES. IN THE SPRING OF 1854, THE TOWER WAS PAINTED WITH DISTINCTIVE WHITE, RED, AND BLACK HORIZONTAL BANDS. IN 1857-58, THE TOWER’S HEIGHT WAS INCREASED AND THE ORIGINAL LIGHT WAS REPLACED WITH A THIRD ORDER FRESNEL LENS. AFTER THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR IN 1861, THE LIGHTHOUSE CEASED TO OPERATE. CONFEDERATE TROOPS ATTEMPTED TO DESTROY THE LIGHTHOUSE, DAMAGING SIX CAST IRON PANELS AND REMOVING THE LENS. THE LIGHTHOUSE WAS DISMANTLED IN 1866. THE LIGHTHOUSE WAS REBUILT AT A HEIGHT OF 92 FEET A NEW LOCATION FURTHER INLAND, USING THE EXISTING IRON PANELS AND NEW MATERIALS. THE TOWER WAS PAINTED BLACK, AND THE LIGHT WAS RESTORED ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1873, SERVING THE AREA AND THE COASTAL PORTS OF INDIANOLA AND PORT O’CONNOR. THE LIGHTHOUSE GROUNDS ALSO INCLUDED A LIGHTKEEPER’S RESIDENCE; THE LIGHTHOUSE REMAINED MANNED UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS AUTOMATED IN 1956. THE COAST GUARD PLANNED TO ABANDON THE LIGHTHOUSE IN 1977, WHEN THE HISTORIC FRESNEL LENS WAS MOVED TO PORT O’CONNOR, BUT THE MATAGORDA ISLAND FOUNDATION AND MANY IN THE COMMUNITY RALLIED TO SAVE IT. IN 1984 THE LIGHTHOUSE WAS LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. HAVING SURVIVED SEVERAL MAJOR HURRICANES AND STORMS, THE LIGHTHOUSE SITE, NOW PART OF THE MATAGORDA ISLAND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, REMAINS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE STORY OF TRANSPORTATION, COMMERCE AND ENGINEERING IN THE REGION.

Why has Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) determined that the Lavaca Navidad River Authority’s Application 13728 administratively complete to dam the Lavaca River and divert up to 96,022 Acre Feet per year for industrial use when:

• There has not been one study of the environmental impact to its environmentally sensitive ecosystem from damming the last naturally flowing Texas River to the Gulf?
• We do not know what this will do to the sensitive ecosystem? What will this do to the fish and wildlife of the coastal plains and the Lavaca and Matagorda Bays? Floodplains and floods are an important part of the Lavaca River  to nurture the fish, wildlife, and plants  to survive and reproduce.
• We do not know how far and how much increased salinity travel up the Lavaca River?
• We do not know the effects on the underground freshwater aquifers and recharge zones that are dependent on freshwater flooding? Will the aquifers become more brackish?
• We do not know about sediment and nutrient loading?
• We do not know what the LNRA done to “coordinator for managing and monitoring water quality in the Lavaca Basin?” This is part of the LNRA’s stated mission.
• We do not know how this will affect the fishing for redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and other popular sport fish in both the Lavaca and Matagorda Bays.
• We do not know the resulting financial impacts for the communities along Lavaca and Matagorda Bays.

 This is no small diversion of water.  It is a massive 31 billion gallons of water being diverted each year.  The average annual flow of the Lavaca River is approximately 600,000 acre feet.  The proposed water diversion of 96,022 acre-feet is almost 1/6^th of the annual flow of the Lavaca River.  That is almost 2 months of water flow each year.

The TPWD has designated the coastal waters not specifically names as Major Bays or Bait Areas as Nursery Areas which would include parts of the ecosystem of the Lavaca River upstream just south of HWY 616. Few sites along the Texas coast match this estuary for its wildlife spectacle.  Thousands of herons, egrets, spoonbills, ducks, bitterns, woodstorks,  and shorebirds milling in, above, and around these marshes will thrill even the most stone-hearted observers. The habitat includes herbaceous, shrub, and forested wetlands which perform a vital function – to preserve coastal marsh and estuaries, and riparian woodland that are essential habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Included in the habitat is subtidal and unconsolidated bottom estuaries. The shallow estuaries support surrounding emergent wetlands and numerous species of aquatic wildlife, including blue crab, shrimp, shortnose gar, red and black drum, American Alligator, and mullet.

These intertidal wetlands experience irregular to regular flooding imperative to a healthy habitat along the entire ecosystem of the Lavaca River and Lavaca and Matagorda Bays.

CALL TO ACTION AND SAY NO DAM ON THE BEAUTIFUL LAVACA RIVER.

• Request a contested hearing with the TCEQ
• Call your State Representative
• Call your State Senator
• Call the Governor’s Office
• Call your local newspaper
• Call your local TV Station
• Visit lavacariverdam.com for more information
• Submitted by Tad Mayfield

Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community

                                Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community”

Library News:

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 special closure on January 18^th, 2025 in observation of MLK day.

While many resolutions can seem cliché, they often stem from a genuine desire for personal growth and improvement. Each new year presents a fresh start, providing us with a chance to reflect on what we want to change or achieve in our lives.

Why not set a reading resolution this year? It is a meaningful and rewarding goal that can expand your horizons and bring a sense of accomplishment. Consider diversifying your reading by exploring new authors, themes, or cultures. You might step outside your comfort zone and discover a new favorite genre, from mysteries and historical fiction to science fiction or memoirs.

Your local library is the perfect place to start. With an abundance of books and resources, friendly staff to guide you, and programs to encourage community engagement, the library can be your gateway to fulfilling your reading resolution. Stop by today to find your next adventure, one page at a time!

THANK YOU to Our December / January Donors

• Mary Ann & Margaret Claiborne for hosting Coffee & Conversation and Bingo
• Roni Warner and Margaret Claiborne for hosting Loteria
• Sam Bell with Harbor Hospice for hosting Bingo
• Traci Manley from Clover Ink Services for donating first aid kits for Loteria.
• Lauren Griffith for donating a beautiful puzzle
• POC’s Secret Santa with Painted Seashells
• The Port O’Connor Librarians Michelle and Margaret for hosting a Christmas movie with snacks and drinks for the kiddos
• POC’s “Hooked On Books” Book Club donated their 2024 money collection to the Friends of the POC Library to be used for their POC Library Expansion Project

POC’s Bunco Group donated their 2024 money collection on #GivingTuesday to be used for the POC Library Expansion Project

• Debbie Lawrence for framing the lovely artwork from Jamey Edwards Art which will be hung in the Port O’Connor Library!
  

  Debbie Lawrence

  

  Fun & Games at the Port O’Connor Library on January 11th! All were welcomed to Mario Kart, Mario Circuit, Connect 4 and more! Prizes and snacks were sponsored by the Calhoun County Public Library.

   

   

   

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

  —-SPECIAL NOTE: Coffee & Conversation has a new start time! The perky people start the morning of fun at 8:30 a.m. Bingo and Loteria will continue to follow Coffee & Conversation. 

  Thursdays: 1:00-3:30 PM – Bridge

  Friends of the POC Library:

  We are thrilled to announce that the first phase of our library expansion is underway! The ground has been cleared and graded, and we are now ready to move on to the next step: pouring the foundation. Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses!

  The Friends of the POC Library made the tough decision to cancel January’s Children’s Program at the library, recognizing they could not be in two places at once. Instead, they directed their efforts toward hosting a fantastic event at Josie’s—the Chili Cook-off.

  This lively gathering supported the Library Expansion Capital Campaign and brought the community together for a day filled with exciting activities and delicious food.

  Attendees enjoyed the thrill of a silent auction, the anticipation of winning raffle prizes, the competitive spirit of a cornhole tournament, and the highlight of the day—sampling an array of delicious chili. The event was not just about fundraising; it was also about fostering fellowship and community spirit.

  Thanks to the support and participation of everyone who attended, the Chili Cook-off was both a fun and successful fundraiser, contributing significantly to the campaign’s goal of enhancing the library for the benefit of all. The Friends expressed their gratitude to the community for their involvement and enthusiasm in making the event a memorable experience.

  The Port O’Connor Friends of the Library is a 501 (c) 3 organization, dedicated to enhancing library facilities, services and resources through fundraising. We welcome all who share our goals and vision to become a member. Please contact us at libraryfriendspoc@gmail.com

• Please note that the 2024-2025 Children’s Program Dates and themes will be published on Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc. Facebook page.  Please watch for future events and details.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.

Memorials:  The Club made a donation to the POC Cemetery Association in memory of Lydia Ortiz and Virgil Dixon Price, Jr.

Farmers Market: Please check out our Service Club Booth at the next Farmer’s Market on February 8, 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 more.

Service Club Meetings:  Club meetings are the first and third Thursdays of the month, with the next ones being February 6, 2025 and February 20, 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.

Fall Mega Garage Sale:  Our next Garage Sale will be on April 5, 2025, and we are already preparing for it!!  The Club appreciates your generous donations of household, decorative, and kitchen items; small appliances; gently used clothing; shoes; toys; children’s and baby items; furniture, medical, lawn, and sports equipment, etc.!!  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

All A’s