Saturday, March 3rd, 2012, was the day of the Jerry Nutt Benefit Dinner, and that day dawned with heavy and strong winds and more than a little chill in the air. As many of the residents of POC are aware, Jerry Nutt had died very unexpectedly in late January, leaving his widow Janice bereft.

Donnie Haynes, a leader of The Smokin’ Nuts BBQ Team, of which Jerry had previously been a member, became aware that Janice had been left without the necessary funds to handle these unexpected expenses.

So, taking matters into his own hands, Donnie asked Joyce Jordan, Vice President of the Lions Club, and a Director with Donnie of the Chamber of Commerce Board, to use her contacts and incredible organizational talent and skills to help rectify the matter. First on the agenda was a Bake Sale in which ladies of the Fisherman’s Chapel, which is Janice’s church, along with some members of the Service Club, generously donated baked goods. And thanks to our unique and caring community, immediate funds were raised to help purchase supplies needed for the Benefit. A substantial donation was given to Janice by the POC Service Club. The large event was to be the Benefit Dinner on the 3rd of March as well as two auctions to be staged, and a second Bake Sale.

The team of The Smokin’ Nuts had (as I had been told) worked throughout the Friday night preceding the Dinner seasoning and smoking and grilling the many briskets that had been purchased for the Event. Several women from the Service Club and their husbands arrived early on Friday morning to set up the Hall at the Community Center for the event; prepare and decorate tables; divide large sized 5 gallon containers of pickles and barbecue sauce into smaller workable trays; and stage the auction items. And early on Saturday morning these same women and husbands were there to divide gallons of potato salad into serviceable trays; and prepare for the serving of Josie’s Mexican Restaurant’s famous beans that had been donated for the Benefit. These “early birds” were able to do what became necessary to “get the show on the road” prior to the arrival of other women who had signed up to serve the food.

Performing for the Event, the musical group, Hiway 316 arrived and started playing foot tapping and very enjoyable songs from years past. This band under the leadership of Rick Smith is from Magnolia Beach and their music is quite good; one song in particular sent chills up my back when Stephanie Crawford sang “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”; remember it?

Later in the afternoon the Live Auction took place and the Auctioneer was none other than our very famous local citizen, Calvin Ragusin. Calvin with the assistance of Joyce Jordan got the bidding going and going and going. He never let it slow down and at times it became quite spirited when several bidders became strong competitors. All of the items in the Auction had been donated by the caring members of our Community; they ranged from guided fishing trips to paintings to all the necessary items for beauty treatments and large bbq grills as well.

Amongst the local celebrities present to enjoy an excellent bbq dinner as well as the music and to bid on the auction were our Commissioner, Kenny Finster, our Judge, Nancy Pomykal and the Editor of our paper, Joyce Rhyne. And Joyce was there to participate in the bidding for many items for her son’s new Saltwater Lodge.

Cleanup started after the departure of the guests and not only were members of the church working, but also members of the Service Club as well as their indispensable husbands. Closing the doors on a very successful event, all breathed a sigh of content and achievement.

I had said in the past that the Port O’Connor Community is very unique and understanding in its care for its residents. We are neither a large nor wealthy area, but we do have the concern for each other; this commitment is shown continuously by many to those in need.

The Smokin’ Nuts

Thanks to ALL the members of The Smokin’ Nuts: Donny Haynes, Tony Pool, Henry Pongratz, Marty Villarreal, & Mike Zacko! They worked tirelessly through the night on Friday and early Saturday morning to cook the BBQ for Jerry’s benefit. A new Smokin’ Nut pledge came early Saturday morning! Thank you, Julian Garcia! You did a great job.

When it started raining Friday night, the team just knew it was Jerry’s doing. Then when the norther came in, they blamed that one on Jerry, too. He used to call that the “Nutt Luck.” He gave us a little of the luck just to keep us hopping! We’re going to miss our friend… RIP Jerry Nutt! We’ll keep the pits smoking, and your memory alive in our hearts!

Thanks for Sidekicks!

My sincere thanks go out to Sue Kubecka who really helped me on our last project – the Jerry Nutt Benefit. She has helped out and is always there to do what is needed until the job is done. We have worked on quite a few projects and not only her talent for getting the publicity out has proven to be a blessing, but her photography talent really makes the difference. Even if she isn’t feeling well, she doesn’t let it be known and keeps going like the energizer bunny.

Thanks, Sue #1!!

Joyce Jordan

Photos by Sue Kubecka