Although supposedly Fall is in the air, we still have many days of high 70’s and even 80’s. And our Thanksgiving Holiday is fast approaching. To help put you in the mood, you might want to read and check out some of our holiday decorating books in the Library. One very stylish book is entitled Decorating with Wreaths, Garlands, Topiaries and Bouquets as assembled by Carol Endler Sterbenz with photography by Steven Mays. Glancing through the autumnal section, one sees a number of garlands and topiaries that can be assembled. However, studying the pictures carefully, I would suggest that these ideas not be attempted by a decorating amateur, but one who is very talented and proficient.

However, The New Captured Harvest by Terence Moore has pages of instructions and the varying techniques necessary to create the many swags and table decorations pictures – even one using artichoke hearts for the bottom of a candle holder. Photographs are stunning and there are detailed instructions that don’t appear to be that difficult.

Opening Wreaths and Garlands by Malcolm Hillier, the page showing the “hot chili bonanza” wreath popped up. A detailed listing of necessary items to form this wreath is listed along with an easy to follow set of instructions. The wreath is stunning with the pictures of the various chilies to be arranged are extremely colorful. It really looks like something that a total klutz like me could attempt.

And, perhaps saving the best for last, are two seasonal books from the collection of Better Homes & Gardens entitled Celebrate the Season 2002 and 2006. Although these books primarily emphasize the Christmas Holidays, there are sections concerning Thanksgiving, and Hanukkah with many recipes and menus, delightful and sparkling decorations and even specially designed stockings to decorate your mantle. Easy to read; excellent instructions; and two just plain fun books to read.

But if you’re looking for a book to curl up in your rocker in front of the fire (wishful thinking here), and phase out for a while, check out Fern Michaels’ No Place Like Home or Leslie Meier’s, Turkey Day Murder. Ms. Michael’s book is a love story featuring a set of triplets who wants to get their widowed father into another relationship and return their special grandmother to their home from a nursing facility. And Ms. Meier’s book features a Turkey Day menu replete with instructions too.

We have a number of books, both hard cover and soft cover, available for sale at the prices of $1.00 for hardcover and $0.25 for the soft. They make excellent companions when you go on a trip and don’t want to worry about a due date from our Library. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.

“When an old person dies, a Library burns down”
Karin Gillespie

Thank You

We would like to express our appreciation to all those who comforted us at our time of loss of Wyatt Cole O’Neill. Thank you to the Service Club, the staff of POC school, and everyone for providing the great meal and fellowship at the school after the funeral. We would like to thank the POC Volunteer Fire Department for their service, support, and presence with our family when it was most needed.

Thank you to all of our friends and family for your support and prayers during our difficult time. It means so much to see this small community come together to help and support us in our loss.

Nathan and Jenny O’Neill
Billy and Carol Goode
Dennis and Susan O’Neill
Jeremy and April O’Neill

Helicopters

Both my wife and I enjoy hearing helicopters flying around POC again. That tells me that maybe work on the offshore rigs has picked up. I sure hope so because a lot of local oilfield workers and welders could use the work.

Being a old chopper man from the Korean war days, I wonder if these choppers have their own separate sound like our H-19 Surkoskys had. We would be in the hanger or out on the flight line and hear one of our birds coming in. Someone would say that’s 272 or 165.

I was over there after the war was over and our duty was to transfer troops or do search and rescue. We had no weapons aboard except the pilot’s 45 pistol. Some day I hope to take a trip to the Army Air Museum at Fort Rucker, Ala. where they have old 272 on display along with a picture I took of it during a test flight.

G.B.Robertson

Ineptocracy

Ineptocracy: A system of government where the Least Capable to Lead are elected by the Least Capable of Producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are Rewarded with goods and services paid for by the Confiscated Wealth of a diminishing number of Producers.

In my opinion, President Obama was elected the first time because he promised he would take care of everything. To the college student who wants very much to believe in Utopia, he was the new savior. To the welfare recipients, he would pay for everything. I saw an interview where this woman was so ecstatic she was almost in tears. The reporter asked her what she thought of the new President. She replied he was going to pay for everything, they had nothing to worry about. The reporter asked where the money was coming from, she didn’t know but President Obama was going to take care of them.

He was reelected by these same welfare recipients, the blind straight party voters, plus this time the illegal forgiveness played a large part. Everyone wants something for nothing.

I deeply resent (as do most retirees) being called a “Benefit Recipient”. We all worked for upwards of 40 years, paid our dues, thinking the money would be there when we became too old to work. Oh, NO!! The great welfare society ran out of money, so they gave Social Security and Medicare IOU’s and bought more votes.

INEPTOCRACY!! We are headed for a big fall.

Connie Hunt
Port Lavaca

Thank You, Coast Guard

One more time the members of the POC Service Club have our branch of the Coast Guard to thank. Our semi-annual Garage & Bake Sale was held Saturday, November 9th, and was preceded by two days of hard work by our members. However, much of that work had been alleviated by the nonstop assistance of two very able and strong gentlemen from the Coast Guard: Andre Moore and Cesar Tamayo. These charming men spent several hours loading boxes onto trucks at the County Barn and then unloading those same boxes at the Pavilion and placing them on the many tables. Thank you so very much for your help. And, I’m sure you can all look forward to another batch of cookies.

Sincerely,
Janet Johnson, President

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Letters to the Dolphin:
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PO Box 777 Port O’Connor, TX 77982
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Cub Scout Pack 116 enjoyed their tour of USCG Station Port O’Connor this week. Den Leader, Chief Petty Officer Adam Authement along with Petty Officer Wynne, Petty Officer Cannon and Fireman Caylor gave the scouts a glimpse into the fine service provided by our USCG.

Chief Petty Officer Authement stands at attention with Scouts and parents at a flag lowering ceremony.

Farmersville, Texas, Oct. 30 – Gov. Rick Perry today awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor posthumously to Audie Murphy, the most highly decorated American soldier of World War II. The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the Texas Military Forces.

“More than four decades since his untimely passing, Audie Murphy lives on in the hearts and memories of a generation of Americans,” Gov. Perry said. “He personifies the traits that led America to victory in the Second World War and on other battlefields around the globe. Audie Murphy remains a shining example for anyone who believes in the importance of service, for generations now and into the future.”

Born in Kingston, Texas, Murphy joined the Army infantry in 1942. He saw his first combat as a private in Italy in July 1943 when the 3rd Infantry Division invaded Sicily, and he subsequently took part in the landing at Salerno, the Volturno River Campaign, the landing at Anzio, and the march on Rome. He went on to receive continued promotions and decorations for valor before returning to the United States in 1945. He earned 28 medals before he turned 21 years old, including several from France and Belguim, for his valiant and courageous actions in combat during World War II.

Murphy joined the Texas National Guard in 1950, after the outbreak in the Korean War, eventually attaining the rank of major. He transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve until his death in 1971. In addition to the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, he has also been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts.

In 1949, Audie Murphy published his autobiography, To Hell and Back. The book quickly became a national bestseller, and in 1955, after much inner debate, he decided to portray himself in the film version of his book. The movie was a hit and held Universal Studio’s record as its highest-grossing motion picture until 1975. Murphy would go on to make 44 feature films in all. In addition to acting, he became a successful country music songwriter, and many of his songs were recorded by well-known artists, including Dean Martin.

Audie Murphy died in a plane crash on May 28, 1971. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on June 5, 1971, with full military honors.

The Harbor Children’s Alliance & Victim Center serves the victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. Among the services they provide are: 24-hour crisis intervention, accompaniment to medical exams, court, and law enforcement agencies.
The Harbor Children’s Alliance & Victim Center is dependent on monetary donations from the community. Your donation is tax-deductible under the 501 (c) (3) of the Federal Tax Code. Additionally, they depend on the help of volunteers in the community.

They are located at 215 W. Railroad St. in Port Lavaca. You can also help by donating: recordable DVDs, postage stamps, WalMart gift cards, HEB gift cards, bottled water, canned sodas, individually packaged snacks and new gift bags. Please call 361-552-1982 for more information.

24-Hour Crisis Hotline:
361-552-HELP (4357)