Congratulations to Kenny Finster and Teddy Hawes who were honored as Outstanding Citizens of the Year at the 2018 Senior Christmas Luncheon. The Port O’Connor Community Service Club chose to honor them for their selfless service and many contributions to our community.

Seadrift native Kenny Finster has served as the County Commissioner for Precinct #4 for 24 years. . In that time, he has fought for POC and Seadrift and made a difference in our communities and our lives. This local son has fought hard battles and won wars of words and found funding ways to make things happen both in and out of Commissioners Court, all without losing his infectious sense of humor or his 1000-watt smile. In the midst of pressure situations his best funny story and genuine smile would diffuse the conflict and save the day again and again. When others said it could not be done, Kenny found a way.

He has worked on numerous projects, too many too list, and all have been important to him; but Kenny says he is most proud of the new EMS station between Seadrift and POC because it saves lives and will continue to make a real difference in the south part of Calhoun County. He is one of those guys who doesn’t mind hard work and can sweat with the best of them; but, he admits that the Hurricane Harvey recovery work and its myriad challenges was the hardest task he has faced. Preparation and anticipation, meetings and paperwork, devastation and possible years of recovery made it hard both personally and professionally. He wishes the best to the new commissioner and is confident he is leaving the task in good hands.

Now that he is retiring, this husband, father, grandfather and friend plans to take a few months to relax and unwind and then says he will tackle whatever each day brings that just seems right. He is looking forward to new projects and opportunities that may come his way and hopes to finish some past projects on his family land and around home. More time with his busy wife Dwana, his four great kids and five precious grands will be a big plus.

Kenny says a big thanks to all of the citizens that have helped make his 24 years such a success. We say Thank You Kenny Finster for your hard work and perseverance and years of service. You will never be replaced. We hope retirement is full of new memories and lots of fun and we will see you around the neighborhood.

Port O’Connor native Teddy Hawes is part of the third generation of family to leave footprints in the sands here that the waves could never wash away. Teddy’s dad was a shrimper who raised 14 children in POC. Teddy is #5 by birth but #1 favorite if you ask his siblings who are all still living and see each other often. Family is priority to Teddy. His siblings, daughter and grandsons are part of daily life as he works tirelessly at his successful POC Hardware Store.

The small business has big heart and a little bit of everything. If you need it and they don’t have it, they will help you find it. You can also rest assured that if there is someone in a bad way and Teddy Hawes can help, he will help; and never take a penny or a second of credit for it. He wants to give and prefers to do it anonymously.

When not at his store he is hard at work around the house or on his land. A couple of times each year he travels to Guatemala to assist the Catholic Church there with repairs and assistance to those in need. When asked by his grandsons about his trips to Guatemala, he told them his happiest times are playing with kids like his grands and those kids he helps in Guatemala.

Ask anyone who knows him and that is the kind of man Teddy is even when nobody is watching. And he doesn’t want the acknowledgement, he just quietly works to help whenever and wherever he can. He is a faithful part of the St. Joseph Catholic Church family in POC and serves there as well.

In running a successful business, Teddy has hired, trained, and, yes, even fired many of our hometown own. He has shaped the lives of many in and around our community. Young men on the lumber loading team learn to work under his guidance. Youngsters wanting to have a bake sale or car wash learn to be part of community life through his cooperation. Clerks and distributors, businesses and customers learn to be personable and professional when interacting with him.

His business has a big impact in our community. Whenever supplies are needed for community efforts or to help our local folks whether kids or adults, Teddy is always willing to do his part.

He made a face at his sisters and daughter when this award was presented to him, but we like them, know that Teddy Hawes is a gentle man with a servant’s heart. So, if you are the recipient of his kindness, he would say, “don’t thank me, just pay it forward.” Thank you, Teddy Hawes, for all that you do for others.