WOW what a summer.
Well the year didn’t start off so good, but my summer ended with an awesome life time memory.
In February I was told that my loving grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and her time with us would be very limited. So in March my wife and I hopped on a plane from New Jersey and headed south to Port O’ Connor to visit with one of God’s most beautiful creations, my grandmother Ruth Young. During this visit my wife and I would also find out just how many other lives in Port O’ Connor that she touched, by the out pouring of well wishes, visits, cards and letters.
Well unfortunately eight days after her birthday in March, the Lord called her to his home. I guess he needed someone for a good card game. (Ha Ha).
Well several months after her passing, I was communicating with my mother and her husband in Victoria, I had come to the realization that none of my grandmother’s final wishes were being followed through with, regards to personal items and her home. So after several emails back and forth, my wife had made it clear that I needed to go to Texas and talk with my mother.
So as you can clearly see the first half of the year was not what you would expect to be a good one.
The first of September I boarded an early morning flight to Port O’ Connor, I had my cousin Judy Wilson pick me up at Corpus airport and on the way back to Port O’ Connor we just had to stop in Tivoli and get some of the best Mexican food in a long time.
Judy had brought me back to the family homestead on Lewis St. and for the first time entering Granny’s place and knowing that she was not there was very tough, but with family support on Lewis St. my stay was going to be good.
On Friday I awoke early to a home cooked breakfast and coffee compliments of Aunt Evelyn. I also got a lesson in meter reading for the electrical company and what to do if a bull gets in your yard. I guess Cousin Judy and Dwayne got a real laugh. Being a police officer now 24 years in a small town right across the water from New York City, I have never had to deal with cattle in a yard. So after taking care of things at Granny’s place I was off to Victoria to have a much needed conversation with my Mother.
Well unfortunately this was a one hour trip that ended in a heated conversation, and her husband informing that the house and property are up for sale.
This is so against what my grandmother had wished and planned for. As my grandmother knew that upon my retirement my plans were to move to Texas and occupy that home. (So I hope the House doesn’t sell.)
Well now the fun truly began. I returned to Port O’ Connor believe it or not within an hour and Cousin Judy and I went to Cathy’s for lunch. Had one of the best burgers and fixings in a long time, and Judy and I just chatted.
With the exception of my wife and children not being with me, I got to spend one of the most relaxing, fun filled, weeks in a long time. One that will be within my heart for life time.
A city mouse got to live a week in Port O’Connor, Texas.
I stayed with Uncle Howard & Aunt Evelyn Lewis in their home. Spent the week socializing with Cousins Dwayne & Linda, John & Wanda hearing all the stories about my Grandparents Roy & Ruth Young.
Judy and I did some running here and there.
But one thing that was outrageous was Saturday going to Sunday Beach with cousins Vonnie and Karen on their boat. All I can say is WOW. It was unbelievable how so many people came together by boat, weighed anchor and you could just see a good time was had by all. When we got back to the Lewis home, I was like a little kid, so excited. Guess I was a good Yankee that Saturday, because they invited me to go back on Sunday when the bands were playing. Again another great day, all the BBQ, horseshoes, refreshments and meeting all those people, Karen’s family from Victoria, this guy Buckshot, who named me “New York City” for the weekend. Simply awesome.
Well the rest of the week until I left was just as wonderful. Got to continue, my stay with family, playing cards with Jim and Ruby.
Thank You to my Family for the “Family Support” and to the people of Port O’ Connor for showing this city mouse that there is a wonderful life in such a small town in Texas.
Not only did I return from Port O’ Connor with a lifetime of memories, but pink shirts from the fire department.
See Y’all soon.
Ken Marr, Jr., Grandson of the late Roy & Ruth Young
My Two Cents Worth
Try to do a kind deed ever day. It will make the world seem to be a better place.
Motion for someone to back out at the store, slow down in traffic and let someone merge in. If you’re in that much of a hurry, maybe you should have left sooner.
Everyone have a happy holiday season.
G.B. Robertson
The family of Bob Irvin expresses our most sincere gratitude to the amazing community of Port O’Connor who went above and beyond by opening their doors and hearts and helping our family in every way.
It is a blessing and privilege to live in a community that cares for another the way the residents of Port O’Connor do.
Thank you again for you love and support.
What Europe And America Have In Common
Europe and the USA have many things in common, one of which noted currently is the massive debt crisis both are experiencing because of politicians who fail to learn from history. George Santayana noted that those who fail to learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. In both Europe and the United States, power-hungry politicians have been trying to buy votes with money we don’t have, taxing not only this generation but every generation in the future, guaranteeing a lower standard of living for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
These short-sighted politicos, thinking only of the present, seem to think they can go on forever, steadily increasing the public debt, by just printing more and more money without an equal increase in goods and services, hoping to find someone to buy our consequently less and less valuable bonds. As history has repeatedly shown us, this does not work. Every society that has tried this has collapsed.
A prime example is the Soviet Union. If socialism were a better system, we would all be speaking Russian. Previously democratic civilizations and nations that have tried this have collapsed into dictatorship. Some noteworthy examples are the Greeks, the Romans, and the post-World War I Weimar Republic of Germany, the latter printing so much money that its currency became virtually worthless, bankrupting the country, and resulting in the establishment of Hitler’s Nazi (National Socialist) party dictatorship that brought on the horrors of World War II.
It is time to rid ourselves of such history-ignoring, out-of-touch-with-reality, power-mad politicians, ousting them from power, and never let them in office again.
Harold Bob Jones
haroldbobjones1234@yahoo.com
Make POC More Peaceful
To all of you airboat-at-4 A.M. operators. Do you have any idea how much you disturb the peace and quiet of most of Port O’Connor every morning with your unmuffled engines? They can easily awake someone miles away. What makes POC special is that it is a quiet little town. . . until you guys get cranked up that is. Would it kill you to put mufflers on your engines?
Tom Gleinser
The Rich Pay No Taxes?
Several weeks ago G.B. wrote a letter about how the “rich” pay no income taxes. I believe this is disinformation from the Occupy Wall Street socialist crowd, and from Obama’s campaign speeches, but lacked provable sources.
Last week President Obama went to Osawatomie High School in Kansas to give a campaign speech on his economic policies. Since his record is abysmal failure, he must place the blame on someone else, so he is again using the “popular” but false Left Liberal Socialist mantra of Blame the Rich and Tax Them More.
Peter Ferrara, of FORBES Magazine wrote “Obama Channels Hugo Chavez, Shows Why He Can’t Lead On The Economy” 12/08/11 and said, “Even before Obama was elected, under those ‘failed policies of the past,’ the top 1% of income earners in 2007 paid 40% of federal income taxes, while the CBO just reported that they earned that year 17% of the income. Moreover, that 40% of federal income taxes paid by the top 1% was more than paid by the bottom 95% combined, according to official IRS data. While the top 1% paid 40% of federal income taxes, the bottom 40% paid no federal income taxes as a group on net. Today 47% pay no federal income taxes.” See: http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterferrara/2011/12/08/obama-channels-hugo-chavez-shows-why-he-cant-lead-on-the-economy/2/.
Is it any wonder that they will support constant Govt growth and debt creation to expand the Welfare State and dependency on Govt programs? They are selling themselves and their children into Debt-Slavery for their “free ride”.
G. B., please note that his article is based on IRS and Congressional Budget Office data, not the ravings of a failed presidency that will continue to use hysteria, false promises, and outright lies to win re-election and continue its “Change” of our Constitutional Republic into a totalitarian socialist state, micro managed by huge Federal bureaucracies that neither understands or cares about the people that live in rural areas, who don’t support their Marxist theories. I suggest that you try to confirm your data in the future.
I agree that a disproportionate amount of the financial assets are controlled by the 1%, but the reasons for this is the de-industrialization and centralization of commerce that has been caused by run-away Govt bureaucracies, union power, and greedy politicians that have made so difficult for industries to produce or small businesses to get started without massive borrowing. The revolving door between the Investment Banks, Federal Govt, Lobbyists, and the Federal Reserve has centralized economic power in the hands of elitists that are creating unimaginable and unpayable debt to support domestic welfare programs to buy votes, as well as international aid and wars to expand their economic influence and create more debt, all the while creating “Fortunes” for the insiders that manipulate this fiat ‘debt-money’. Also this debt-driven financial explosion has allowed corporate expansion that has bought up many smaller companies, while destroying their competitors. It is a closed system that makes it difficult for a small local company to create the jobs and wealth that allow owners, investors, and senior workers to move up the ‘economic ladder’. Even small businesses must have lawyers and accountants to comply with the myriad, and ever increasing, regulations and taxes. More Govt is NOT the answer, it is the root of the problem.
Socialism is not a path to some “Sustainable Utopia”, but transition into economic collapse for the Middle-class and Dictatorship of the Proletariat for the Elitists.
Bill Brayshaw, Seadrift
Holiday Request
Dear Fellow Port Lavacans, Calhoun and surrounding Counties residents,
I am asking the public to come forward and support our Port Lavaca Theatre. It was some 17 years ago when presented our first play the night of January 16th. It was also the play I was in during high school in 1965. Pat Jurek did a great job directing then and in 1994.
What the Theatre needs is many $5 and $10 donations. It was the public giving in numbers that enabled Juaniece and Lewis Madden to obtain the grant from the Meadows Foundation from Dallas that put us over the top. The Meadows Foundation made this grant based on the fact there were so many in the community who were directly involved: Faye Sterling, Tina and Ray Davila, Mary Ruth Tasler, Ted Wilson, Jim and Liz Rudellat, Lorraine & Lewis Fabergle, Tiney and BB Browning, Alcoa, Union Carbide, IBC, First National Bank to name some of the leaders.
The theatre gives young people a sense that their opinion is valued, and that they are valued. It helps grow their self esteem. We are going to have 4 plays in 2012 and a special musical production is a possibility. The ticket sales do not cover the costs of purchasing the rights to produce the play, or the expenses occurred throughout the year.
So again, we are asking that you contribute what you can, any amount, to help support the Theatre. We can also accept donated property Any amount is tax deductible in that Port Lavaca Main Street is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
The Port Lavaca Theatre needs your help. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL. This is for future generations when we are not here.
Thank you.
Russell Cain, President Port Lavaca Main Street, Inc.
2025 Hwy 35 N; Port Lavaca, TX 77979
A Christmas Letter
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the season.
Maybe you’ve forgotten that I wasn’t actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate my birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Of course, I do appreciate being remembered any time.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth, just Get Along With Each Other And Love One Another.
Now, having said that, let me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting my birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity Scene on your own front lawn.
If all my followers did that, there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish. I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.
If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you pray for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that one or two in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and depressed? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary – especially one who takes my love and Good News to those who have never heard my name.
9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to a charity which believes in me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don’t forget, I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember:
I Love You,
Jesus
-submitted by Connie Hunt
The Wise Men came bearing gifts for the Christ Child.
Today we can’t place our gifts directly in Jesus’ hands, but we can honor Him by giving to those in need.
Your monetary gift, no matter how small, will make a difference in the Port O’Connor community.
Port O’Connor
Benevolence Fund
P.O. Box 638
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
Letters to the Dolphin:
Dolphin Talk, P.O. Box 777
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
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.
