Wow! Wow! Wow!!! The fourth of July firework celebration was amazing. It is such a nostalgic feeling to see groups of families lined up on the beach to celebrate our country’s birthday. This is a huge undertaking, and we are so appreciative to all the volunteers and sponsors who make this happen each year.

The celebration continued the morning of July 4th as we held our second annual Fourth of July Parade. We started out on Old Main in front of the library and headed toward front beach led by the red fire engines. The parade stretched out as golf cart after golf cart followed behind. The decorations were so patriotic and made all of us glad to be Americans.

Mark your calendars for our first Port O’Connor Boat and Fishing Expo to be held on October 6-8 at the Community Center and Pavilion.  We are accepting sponsorships and vendor applications. The boat and fishing expo will showcase boat manufactures, retail goods, fishing tackle, guide services, food demonstrations and much more. If you would like to be a vendor or a sponsor you can get an application on our website at under events, boat and fishing expo.

Our project at the end of Main Street and Park is near completion. The new concrete cap has been poured and the landing with steps and a kayak ramp are ready for use. We will be adding a couple of benches and the county will be putting in a parking area. Hopefully everything will be completed in the next couple of weeks.

Remember the Port O’Connor Farmers Market is the second Saturday of each month. We have 20 to 30 vendors each month with fresh produce, artwork, jellies and jams, fresh eggs, salsas, and other unique items. Come out and support your neighbors.

We welcome our new and renewing members, Pittman Construction provides carpentry, plumbing, and electrical services. Vantage Marine has been providing sales and services for bay boats and motors since 1978. Crawfish Cajun Catering is a food truck serving some of the best Cajun food and crawfish boils in the area. Fishing Center Operations includes a boat launch, fish cleaning tables, live and dead bait, as well as inshore and offshore tackle, and on the water fueling.

To see more information on these members and all our chamber members please visit our website at  www.portoconnorchamber.com.

Mrs. Nancy Childress (center) received the Community Builders Award from WM Frank Diggs during Awards ceremony at Seadrift Masonic Lodge #1098. Nancy is an outstanding leader of the Seadrift Community Choir as well as, an outstanding member of United First Methodist church in Seadrift. She is also a retired teacher from Seadrift Elementary and is a volunteer member of,” Feed the Sheep” organization helping folks in need in the Seadrift/Port O’Connor area.

Zavien Garcia

“Batter Up!”

Zavien Garcia, who lives in Seadrift with his dad Victor, mom Cecilia, and baby brother Zander, lives and breathes baseball! He wants to be a professional baseball player someday. In the meantime, he shows up for practice twice a week with his baseball club the “South Texas Rampage.” Zavien plays either pitcher or you’ll find him playing first base. He even plays baseball with his baby brother Zander who “pitches the ball at me.”

We don’t want to forget that Zavien has two pets: a dog named “Spot” and a turtle named “Squirtle.” For fun Zavien likes to fish and play video games.

At the Seadrift Scout Troupe 106 you can find Zavien at their club meetings. Zavien is a “weeblo” and has earned 25 badges!

This fall Zavien will be going into the fourth grade at the Seadrift School. He says his favorite subject is P.E. because he loves to participate in various sports. Zavien also says he loves school because he “gets to be with all my friends.”

Maybe someday we’ll get to see Zavien playing on his favorite baseball team the Astros!

El Dorado, Kansas, resident Carol Jean McGhee Garriott passed away on July 5, 2023. She was 88 years of age.

Carol was born November 16, 1934, at 12:01 a.m. in the midst of a blizzard, at the home of her mother’s doctor in Eureka, Kansas, the 3rd daughter of Clarence and Ruth Vining McGhee.

Preceding Carol in death were her parents; infant brothers Gean Winston and Rolland Claire; sisters Melba McGhee Harlan and husband Norman; niece Vicki Harlan Mackey Christian; Gail McGhee Martin and husband Clyde; niece Shannon Martin Hyle; nephew Owen Lee Martin; ex-husband Floyd; brother-in-law John Garriott; friend of 50 years Hal Larson, and her dear friend Lon Cantrell.

Surviving family members are nieces Karen Martin Kolavalli, her daughter Chhaya Kolavalli and partner Jameson Hubbard; Virginia Martin Allain, husband Dennis; Cynthia Martin Ross, children Kristy Ross Duggan, husband Bill, children Will and Kaci; Nikki Ross Teel, husband Harley, children Justin and Alex; Susan Leigh, children Paul Calhoun, partner Jay Davis; April Wickwire, husband Kevin, children Katie and Adam; Robin Kane, children Shay and Kim; Samantha Hyle Noble; Diana Hyle Platt, husband Caleb; nephew Tim Harlan, wife Kristy, and children; nephew Bob Harlan and children; sister-in-law Sue Garriott; nephew Shawn Garriott, wife Staci, and children; niece Lisa Garriott Adams, husband Scott, and children; plus many great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Best friends she couldn’t have made it without: Lola Hicks, Lilah Weber and children Alison Young and Scott Young; Carol Lee Roberts; June Cantrell and her children Marguerite, Jon, Alan, and Cristin and their families; and multitudes of other friends she cherished as well.

There will be Celebrations of Life for Carol in El Dorado, Kansas, and Seadrift, Texas. Details pending.

Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory at www.heritageofandover.com.

CJ is remembered in Seadrift by her newsletter “Livin’ on the Bay” and her position as Seadrift Librarian.