AA meets each Saturday night at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Port O’Connor.

POC Lions Club meets the second Wednesday of each month, 4:00 p.m. at Port O’Connor First National Bank

Seadrift Chamber of Commerce meets the third Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m. at First National Bank meeting room, Seadrift

Commissioner’s Court meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 10 a.m., 1st Floor of the Court House, Port Lavaca.

Crossroads Astronomy Club meets at 7:00 p.m., third Mondays, at U of H, Victoria, Room 223 info: wes81461@yahoo.com   935-2016

Calhoun County Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building.

Calhoun County Democratic Club meets the last Thursday of the month at IBC Bank, Port Lavaca, at 5:30 p.m.

Calhoun County Republican Club meets first Monday of each month 6:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church Community Room, 213 E. Austin, Port Lavaca.

CASA (Christians Against Substance Abuse) meets each Thursday from 7-8 p.m. Call 361-652-7451 for meeting place.

Friday Night Youth every Friday except the first Friday of each month, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Fisherman’s Chapel, Port O’Connor

First Baptist Youth Group (Port O’Connor) meets every Wednesday night from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Grades 6th – 12th; Team Kids Grades 1-5

Port O’Connor Cemetery Association meets 3rd Thursday of each month at POC Community Center

Ladies Bible & Book Study is held every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Port O’Connor

VFW Post 4403 meets first Tuesday of each month. 552-3886
Open Mon-Friday; Closed Weekends R. Guitierrez 210-872-1198

Sat., July 19    Car Show with Entertainment by Dee Ann
12 pm – 1 am    Port O’Connor Community Center Pavilion

Tues., Aug. 5    Bunco 7:00 pm        Port O’Connor Community Center

Tues., Aug. 5    Seadrift City Council 7:00 pm        Seadrift City Hall

Thurs., Aug. 7    Port O’Connor Service Club 10:00 am    Port O’Connor Community Center

Sat., Aug. 30    Labor Day Beach Bash in Port O’Connor

Port O’Connor’s grand celebration of Independence Day will be held Saturday, July 5th on King Fisher Beach. The giant Fireworks Show begins at dark, but come early to enjoy the water, the sand, and array of food, drink, craft and novelty vendors on the beach.

This will be the 46th year that the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce has presented the Fireworks Show, a favorite celebration for many in our area.

“It gets bigger and better each year,” said Bill Tigrett, coordinator of fund raising. “That means it’s also more costly, although the Chamber happily presents this free of charge to all comers. But, your help is needed to offset the cost, and any amount you can give is much appreciated.”

Donations can be sent to: POC Chamber Fireworks, Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce, Post Office Box 701, Port O’Connor, TX 77982.

“We’d love to have you come early for the show and spend some time enjoying the amenities of our town,” Bill said. “We have many shops with everything from necessities to sea shells, clothing and gifts, to offer. We’ve got some great restaurants here, too. You might also enjoy the bird walk at Boggy Nature Preserve or watching the pelicans and dolphins on the canal. Whatever you choose to do, we think you will enjoy spending the day here in Port O’Connor.”

Although you can find everything you need here, you may want to come prepared to settle in and watch the show with lawn chairs/blankets, insect repellent, and your own chilled beverages and snacks. The Chamber makes every effort for this to be a fun-filled and safe celebration for you and your family. Ample security will be in place and emergency personnel will be stationed nearby. Port O’Connor welcomes you to come enjoy this exciting Fireworks Show.
Keep in mind that the beach road will be one-way all day and the road will be closed just before the show begins. Due to safety regulations, fireworks may not be shot off on the beach.

Mary Hodges (left) and Ashley Waghorne (right) presented a check for $2,500, the proceeds from their kolache sales, to Rusty Hooks of Combat Marine Outdoors.

This convoluted story begins with chicken eggs. Ashley was busy baking kolaches as Mary went to buy fresh eggs. The kitchen was organized: the stand mixer was in place, something was heating on the stove and two inches of foam rested in the bottom of a large measuring cup. By the time the reason for the kolaches was explained (a thank-you for helping with the milk goat) the measuring cup was at the point of overflowing. It never did overflow, but the results of that chance meeting one May morning proved to be serendipitous!

Two separate, simultaneous mental images were formed. When the Combat Marine Outdoors visited Seadrift for their annual fishing trip, Mary began to think of raising money for these rehabilitation activities. “If I could learn to make kolaches, I could sit at a local business…” (This is a brain over 60 at work!)

Ashley’s thought process followed another path. “Nana’s kolaches will sell…I know I can raise so much more than Josh and I can afford to donate to CMO…all I need is to get on Facebook…If I pre-sell, I’ll avoid any wasted product.” (Notice the younger brain in operation?)

After posting on Facebook, orders flowed in. In less than two hours Ashley had to shut down the requests, but customers know there is always another baking day.

Ashely is a baker extraordinaire and the wife of former Marine Corps Sergeant Josh Waghorne.

Mary is a willing novice to kolache-baking and wife of former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Butch Hodges.

As hundreds of Wounded Warriors were being welcomed to Port O’Connor, there were 18 young Marines and soldiers already enjoying a day of fishing out of Seadrift. This smaller, but just as enthusiastic and appreciative group, were part of the 5th annual fishing tournament sponsored by Combat Marine Outdoors.

Combat Marine Outdoors was started in 2005 after Marine Col. Allan Orr spent several months visiting combat wounded Marines and Sailors from the 1st Marine Division at Brooke Army Medical Center. Col. Orr saw that these service members needed an opportunity to get away from the hospital in an environment of friendship, camaraderie and fellowship in order to accelerate their recovery from the traumatic injuries they sustained in combat. In many cases, these service members did not want to leave the confines of the hospital, but it was (and is) crucial to begin to re-inculcate back into society. In every case, the Marines and other service members who participated in the outings felt an enormous sense of accomplishment and a new sense of hope and belonging once the trip was completed.

Since its inception, Combat Marine Outdoors has taken more than 1,000 combat wounded servicemen on these hunting and fishing adventures, with more than 50 ranches participating. In Seadrift, it is the Clibure Ranch that hosts the annual trip. With local veteran Butch Hodges coordinating, there were 10 donated boats and guides taking the 18 men fishing. Despite the windy weather, there were 84 reds and 38 drum caught in the two days of fishing.

While fishing is important, the treatment they received from their hosts and guides and the warm greeting they receive while in Seadrift, helped to demonstrate just how much their service and sacrifice are appreciated by patriotic Americans.

As they arrived in Seadrift on May 15 escorted by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, the entire Seadrift School was on hand to greet them. Principal Dwana Finster presented the Combat Marine Outdoors organization with $250 donated by the school children. The men were then treated to lunch at Barkett’s and stopped by Butch Hodges “barn” in Seadrift before heading out to Cliburne Ranch. There they were greeted by their hosts for the weekend, Mike and Vickie Campbell, and after settling in to their accommodations enjoyed a “pig roast” courtesy of Jerry Pizzitola and Jerry Jr.

On Saturday evening, after a delicious dinner served by Christie of Casa Ol, and great country/western music and singing by talented folks from Seadrift and Victoria (Jackie, Mike, and Jacquline Campbell, David and Randy Boyd, John Sullivan, and Randall Edwards), it was time for a few special presentations to be made. Spokesman for the group was Rusty Hooks, who along with Ret. Master Gunnery Sgt. Art Garcia, was in charge of this year’s fishing trip.

Special recognition was given to several in attendance, including Dave Gonzales of Seadrift, a World War II veteran, the guides who had given of their time and talents, the Pizzitola’s, Josh and Ashley Waghorne, and Butch and Mary Hodges. All the servicemen received hand-made quilts made by Ann Boyd and friends and bound by Frances Russell.
As the ceremonies ended, Rusty Hicks gave a prayer of thanksgiving, and the band struck up the cords of another old-time tune, serenading these special members of our Nation’s Protectors as their few days of respite in our peaceful coastal area came to a close.

For information about Combat Marine Outdoors: www.combatmarineoutdoors.org

Frances Russell, who bound all the quilts presented to the Marines and soldiers, gets a hug

Sgt. Abel Morales of El Paso with Susie Huddler of POC

Army Corporal Matthew Pundyk from Sacramento, CA and Marine Lance Corporal Michael McAuliffe from Tyler, TX

Patriot Guard Riders were treated to lunch in Seadrift by Butch and Mary Hodges.

For a small town, Port O’Connor has a really big heart. Once again we shared that warmth and love with the Defenders of Freedom, the soldiers, heroes and families participating in the eighth annual Warriors Weekend. Reportedly over 800 warriors and their family members, more than 500 boats with captains and deckhands, and at least 500 volunteers sculpted sand, baited hooks, cooked, housed, cleaned fish, made desserts, carried, toted, massaged, bused, carted, fed, entertained, encouraged, served, photographed, hugged, greeted and loved our heroes. A small service for those men and women who put their very lives on the line for our freedom; and yet the undertaking of this event is daunting at best.

The amazing board and leaders who raise funds, plan and calculate the logistics and details deserve recognition and gratitude for all they do. The professionals who fly, drive, escort and run central command are underpaid, overextended and warrant appreciation and respect for their hard work. Still, I think those who live here and participate play a vital role in this weekend functioning. Full guest houses, crazy schedules, traffic jams and lots of new faces are the norm for this weekend. Still, those volunteers receive as much as they give. Warriors Weekend, whether their first or their eighth brings a joy and a blessing unique unto itself. Here are a few personal POV’s from those who found themselves enriched by being a part.

POV#1-
Hometown guy Matt Medford has been fishing the waters of POC since he was 18 months old. As soon as he could hold up a rod, his dad Marty taught him to fish. He has been a full time guide in POC since 2007. His family has provided food and bait, and fed sandcastle crews every year; but this year the fishing guide went fishing with some of our warriors. He reports a medium catch for that Saturday, not as great as some of his guide trips. They landed whiting, sheepshead, reds, hardhead, ladyfish and drum. They were mostly small, but the fun was big Matt said.   Many of the visiting soldiers were just about Matt’s age.  It sure makes you think he states. These solders leave their homes and families willingly to protect us and our great country. Matt was humbled by the chance to fish with them and assures me he would count it a privilege to take them fishing again next year.

POV #2
Jerry Ginzer of Ganado, Texas likes POC, but his usual fishing grounds are near Olivia. A welder by profession, fishing is just his hobby. He has captained a boat of fishing warriors the last two years and said his life is better for having the chance to do so.  Jerry is a Vietnam Veteran himself, and a friend invited him to help with Warriors Weekend fishing to meet some young vets serving now. Jerry fished with a young soldier named Chris from Colorado. Jerry says they caught some great fish. More importantly, Jerry says they had a ball just being out there, and he really enjoyed meeting Chris. It is just a special time, and such a little thing to do for someone who does so much. Jerry says it is much different than his war. These guys need our caring. Chris hesitantly left a wife and young son behind to attend the weekend, but found the whole experience to be a real gift of encouragement and support from others. Jerry counts himself fortunate to be part and is counting on being a part next year.

POV#3
Skip Ellis has a unique understanding of Iraqi and Afghanistan servicemen and women. Skip worked as a truck driver for a large private contract corporation in Iraq for just over two years. He returned home in 2005 a changed man having seen how our soldiers live, the hardships and challenges they face up close and personally. He was shot at, had locals attempt to rob him and his truck and was near more than one explosion. He also saw those young military service people sacrifice, put in danger and at extreme risk. He witnessed how they lived, worked and served.  Skip states it is a bad setting for our soldiers and most people really do not realize it. It took some time for him to restore and recuperate from the experience.

As soon as he heard about the Warriors Weekend, he knew he wanted and needed to be a part. This is his eighth year to share his love of fishing by coordinating the night fishing. Baiting hooks or advising on where to cast, for Skip it is all a labor of love. It has helped him feel better and move forward, and his girlfriend is a volunteer too. Skip says they will be involved as long as those soldiers keep coming. Some injured soldiers needed the night fishing to limit their sun exposure. Others just wanted one more chance to feel the tug on their line. Either way, Skip and a crew of many had lots of rods and reels, caught quite a few fish, and had bunches of happy soldiers casting and catching, laughing and sharing out at The Sanctuary from just after sunset to almost midnight. One volunteer brought his guitar and shared music, another had water and snacks, and still another was helping children and families of soldiers with the ins and outs of bank fishing. Under starlit skies, ‘fish-on’ ringing out on the night air and lots of smiles all around made it hard to tell who was happier to be there. Skip says you can be sure he will be ready again next year. He loves how it feels when he sees those warriors having such a great time.

POV #4
Erny and Joane McDonough co pastor at Fisherman’s Chapel, an interdenominational church in POC. They have many projects and lots of jobs in our community, but none they find as fun and fulfilling as stuffing breakfast burritos for the many heroes of Warriors Weekend. What is not really seen by others is all the preparation and planning it takes for a small church to make a success of such an undertaking. They must raise funds to pay for supplies, recruit labor, order supplies and equipment, troubleshoot and then actually cook and assemble the breakfast before 7:00 AM Saturday morning. Two hundred dozen eggs, 2700 tortillas, cheese by the pound, smoked sausage by the panful, cases of juice and milk and fruit ordered in advance are just the beginning of the project. Missing apples from the grocery delivery called for some heavy hitter problem solving by John and Jeff at SpeedyStop, but that got done. Eggs require cracking early, but Carol made that a party. Pans of eggs need stirring while most are still sleeping, but brothers Kenneth and Dennis and others were there plenty early. So, with smiles and singing and patience galore; Erny and Joane accomplished the task, and you can count on them to be not only willing but happy, ready and able to ‘egg on’ the breakfast crew again next year.

POV #5
Jim and Linda Butler are POCites through and through. Linda works at Clarks Inn and Jim is retired. For the last three years they have worked together to coordinate the golf cart brigade that serves as ground transportation on Warriors Weekend. Originally, the Calhoun County Golf Cart Association volunteered to cart soldiers around. Many of those have moved on to other assignments and jobs, but Jim and Linda love the job of driving soldiers, their families, volunteers, boat captains and crew and others to and from events and locations throughout POC. More than 10 golf carts, a mule and a van driven by local volunteers drove pretty much wherever they were needed. Linda drove two very sunburned soldiers to SpeedyStop for some much needed aloe gel, drove a medical volunteer to gather more supplies needed to deal with scrapes and cuts of the day, and ran around town all day delivering soldiers and their families to motels, condos, fishing piers, beaches and shopping, massages and activities, even to dinner at the community center. Those volunteers started at 6 AM and many had passengers until dark. One of Linda’s pickups was a very frustrated fishing soldier shut out on this day of fishing. He boarded her mule grumbling and down, but after sharing a ride and her heart, Linda dropped him off laughing and claiming he would give fishing and POC a try again. The volunteer drivers said this was a great way to really connect to our guests. They got to really talk with them a few at a time. When asked why he volunteers, Jim said he loves to see how happy it makes the soldiers. They are already planning an even bigger brigade of carts and drivers for next year.