Seadrift is happy to welcome three new teachers to our campus. We have Ms. Megan Taylor joining us from Ganado. Ms. Taylor will be teaching middle school Social Studies and middle school Art. Next we want to welcome Mrs. Krystal Sammons, Mrs. Sammons is coming to us from Aransas Pass ISD. She is our 5th grade Reading and Social Studies teacher. Last but not least, Mrs. Sabrina Caldwell from New Braunfels. Mrs. Caldwell is teaching 3rd grade Reading and Science. We are so thrilled to welcome these amazing ladies to our campus.

Cats.

Some people love them, some actually despise the cute tiny little death machines, and in case you didn’t figure it out by this sentence alone, I am definitely in the camp of the former, not the latter.

I guess it makes sense as when I was but a wee lad still ambulating on four legs myself my best buddy was a ‘tuxedo’ cat named Charlie who, so legend has it, would allow me to pull on his tail without anger or retaliation on his part.

He also allowed me once to paint his white spots with black watercolor paint, something I vaguely remember, especially the fact that it caused more amusement than anger when discovered.

From then on both cats and dogs were my best friends, my companions on many adventures, special gifts from above that got me through a lot of hard times.

There were many cats I’ll remember for the rest of my life but of course some stick out a lot more than others.

Besides Charlie there was E.T., an all black cat you may have guessed was named after a science fiction film that was pretty popular when I was a kid.

He was an awesome cat and loved me a lot but died young as he was an indoor/outdoor cat and even near the house got into fights with other local felines.

That cat came home once after being gone quite a while just to pass away from some bad injuries from a fight the very same night, an act of both bravery to make his way home and sadness at his early passing.

(Note: As an result in my adult life I’d never have any of my cats outdoors.)

Another notable cat was Elmer who ‘talked,’ which meant he would answer any questions you directed at him with a series of meows and yowls.

Now, say what you will about cats’ intelligence levels, all I know is Elmer had something to say on every subject from anthropology to zebra migration, something not every Human can claim…he was one smart kitty.

Lucy was one of the best cats I ever owned too, she was a sweet cat who would cuddle and purr and was so tiny even as she aged so she still looked like a youngster as an adult.

She also had two sets of sex organs, something we found out after getting her fixed and she still went into heat three months after her surgery.

Lucy was a very unique little girl
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My current cat, Baby, has to be mentioned here, I’ve only known her for almost four years but in that time she has been a solid presence in a life that seems upside down most of the time the last three years or so.

We’ve gone two states over and then back again, got through the tumultuous year that was 2020, the death of a mutual family member, and have had to survive together in less than ideal conditions.
These small examples of a childhood filled with these wonderful cats and other animals really makes me appreciate them for being with me (still to this day) during all those hard times and makes me really value the little things in life, like the unconditional love from a faithful pet.

Love and respect is where we find it, so always take time for your pets, they won’t be here forever, so make sure you’re there while they are here.

“Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community”

We are always delighted to see so many people utilize our library! Drop by your library often, not once in a Blue Moon. The next Blue Moon occurs at the end of this month, August 30 & 31. Fun Fact: “Once in a Blue Moon” is a phrase commonly used to describe an incredibly rare event. Blue Moons occur once every two to three years, according to NASA. Don’t let another Blue Moon pass before visiting the library.

Library News:
POC Library Hours: Phone Number: 361-983-4365
Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
*Note: Closed in observance of Labor Day Holiday: Saturday – Monday, September 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

We are incredibly grateful to our amazing Friends who provided a hot lunch after each Summer Reading Program session!

We also extend our thanks to the following people for dedicating time and materials to our community and library:

Michael Price Texana Park Nature Center
Betsy Stovall & Molly Beahm One Sound One Heart Music Therapy Services
John O’Bryant John’s Got Magic
Karen Lyssy Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office
Ryan Smiga Balloon Artist and Robotics Program
Captain Whitney Curry Texas Floating Classroom

Another HUGE thanks to the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library Branch for their support and help throughout the summer.

These programs are made possible by the generous grant from the Lewis R. and Juaniece Madden Foundation.

Megan E. Freeman brought two copies of her amazing book “Alone” to donate and discussed some exciting ideas for future programming.
According to this author, “These two librarians really prove that the library is the beating heart of any healthy community.” We appreciate the compliment!

Once again, one of our generous benefactors, Susan Wallace, made another donation along with dropping off a flower arrangement to the Port O’Connor Library Branch and the Friends of the POC Library!

Even the “small” things make such a difference. We appreciate the bookmarks donated by Carrie Rouse.

The Barnard family donated to the Kid’s Corner Art Station. These supplies will come in handy for the upcoming Children’s Program that the Friends host each month.

Wednesdays:
8:00-9:00 AM – Coffee & Conversation – Attend this weekly meeting to find out what your neighbors and community have “bean” up to lately.
9:30–10:30 AM – Bingo! Fun Fact: derived from the 17th-century English card game of whist.
Make a note for this event that follows the 8 AM coffee event on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Special thanks to the generosity of the noted sponsors.
• August 9th: Bingo sponsored by Bethany Senior Living
• August 16th: Bingo sponsored by Calhoun Home Health
1:00-3:30 PM – Mah Jongg – Did you know that Mah Jongg’s rules and objectives are like the Western card game Rummy? Both games are based on skill, strategy, and luck?
Thursdays: 1:00-3:30 PM – Bridge
Did you know playing Bridge is good for your brain? Playing Bridge provides endless learning and intellectual stimulation. Older people who play Bridge report feeling mentally sharp and believe that it prevents or delays cognitive problems. Bridge can play an immense role in keeping you mentally sharp.

Friends of the POC Library:
The Friends of the POC library is a support group and welcomes ALL who would like to join, contribute, or attend a FREE, sponsored event. Programs are for the enrichment of our community. Cultivate relationships and interests by attending events and visiting our lovely library.
The Friends are very grateful to those who contribute with time or contributions to one of the busiest hubs in the community. Thank you for helping us to maintain our mission: “To stimulate increased public usage of the library among all segments of our population, enriching the lives of the people and community of Port O’Connor, Texas and its visitors.”

An example which keeps on giving is our beautiful Nikki Campbell Memorial Garden at your Port O’Connor Library which is truly the gift that keeps on giving by nourishing and sustaining our Monarch Butterfly population.

Information on the 2023-2024 Children’s Programs will be sent home through Port O’Connor Elementary and appear on the Port O’Connor Library Branch and Friends of the Port O’Connor Library Branch sites.

• Mark your September calendar for the Scavenger Hunt on the 9th. It is an extremely popular program.

Submitted by Darla Miles
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library, Publicity Committee
www.friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org
Facebook Page: Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc.

Elmer DeForest
“A Texas Man”

“In Texas, there is a certain honor of being a Texan that is doing something the best that you can.” Matthew McConaughey

Elmer DeForest was born in Victoria, Texas and raised in Seadrift, Texas. He has a colorful family history that he’s proud of.

His paternal great grandfather John Henderson came to Texas in the early 1830’s when Texas was still part of Mexico. He fought in the Texas War for Independence with Mexico and later became a Texas Ranger in the Republic of Texas.

In the 1890’s Elmer’s family came into the Seadrift area. Some of his family’s occupations were carpenters, boat builders, and fishermen. Elmer summed up his own upbringing with “I was raised in Seadrift and grew up on the water.”

Getting his draft notice in July 1968 changed everything in Elmer’s life. In his own words Elmer recounts what happened next, “The next day (after getting his draft notice) I drove to Victoria to the recruiting offices. I went to the Navy recruiting office, but the door was locked. So, I walked to the Air Force recruiting office and signed up. The rest is history.”

Elmer served in Viet Nam, Arizona, New Mexico, Mississippi, and Alaska with numerous short-term trips to Europe, England, and the Middle East. He was trained in avionics, and electronic, nuclear, and biological warfare.

A notable experience that Elmer had in the military was being involved in Operation Eagle Claw. The operation was an attempt to rescue hostages that were being held in the U.S. Embassy in Iran. Eight American servicemen were killed in the rescue attempt.

A down-side to Elmer’s military experience was the toll on his health because of his exposure to agent orange, a defoliant that was used in warfare in Viet Nam. He almost lost his life to cancer.
After getting out of the Air Force Elmer worked for General Telephone in Port Lavaca. He then worked for Dupont and retired in 2002. In 2003 Elmer began doing consulting for a company called Snell Infrared. In 2008 he became mayor of Seadrift and prides himself in being a “handyman extraordinaire” doing honey-dos for his wife Tanya.

Elmer DeForest
During the Vietnam Era

Many know the Bible verse and song lyrics, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose.” This is especially true for the twenty-four plot owners of our community garden who are saddened for the first summer growing season to end and a new one to begin with fall planting.

While the gardeners are generally depressed at the thought of no more fresh garden tomatoes, a few are thrilled to still have cucumbers, melons, squash, and okra hanging on. Some plot gardeners have replanted to extend the growing season. However, ‘tis the season of scorching summer heat. It seems its purpose is to produce popcorn instead of corn on the cob.

The club was fortunate to have our local pro Terri McGuire in July complete a session with gardeners. She guided gardeners with a hands-on inspection, instruction, and a plan for the final stages of the summer growing season. ‘Tis the season to start preparing the beds for a fall plant in the very near future. So, hopefully, tomatoes are not that far away from appearing again.

Please mark your calendars for the next meeting. In lieu of the member meeting this month, the board will be meeting August 15th at 6pm at the POC Library Branch to review the site rules, elect board members, and discuss new business and our next fundraiser. Also, the annual meeting is September 19th at the garden and the time to renew garden plots.

Anyone interested in joining the garden club can contact Cindy Hanson at 361-676-3093. All are welcome and members do not have to have a plot at the garden site to join. The new membership year starts Oct. 1st, and we are anticipating a healthy and productive fall plant.