The whole student body of Port O’Connor School, plus faculty, wearing their “drug free” T-shirts during the recent Red Ribbon Week.

-Photo by Lea Ann Ragusin

Hugo Alfonso Lopez Chanchavac, the winner of Dieter Erhard’s (Art Center Seadrift) 12th Art In Concrete project in Guatemala, has finished his visit in Germany. He left quite an impressive work of art … Mascara Maya! It is made of concrete poured into a styrofoam form he carved for it. It weighs about 6,000 pounds.

While in Germany, he enjoyed visiting museums and several castles, including the Emperor Castle of Nürnberg.

Prior to Lopez Chanchavac’s visit, Gilbert Barrera from the Sculptors Dominion (large outdoor sculpture) from San Antonio came to Erlangen, Germany for my Dieter’s Dragonblood show opening. Barrera is studying in Carara, Italy’s premier site for fine marble.

Dieter’s next big personal project is designing a memorial artwalk for a 15th century monastery including three plazas with the themes … Easter, Passover and Christmas. Also being planned is a partner city exchange art project with Riverside, CA and Dieter’s home city of Erlangen in the spring of 2014.

Our loving mother, Bobbie Jo Van, 75, of Tivoli, passed away, Wednesday, October 23, 2013.

She was born to the late Eddie and Flaudie Coleman in Columbus, Mississippi, September 25, 1938.

Bobbie is survived by her husband, Frankie Van, three children, two stepsons, and their spouses: Donny and Sheryl Haynes, of Port O’Connor; Becky Haynes, of Port O’Connor; Pam and Robert Stryker, of Goliad; Ricky and Susie Van, of Navasota; Kendall Van, of Euless; and her brother Larry Coleman of Cabo San Lucas. She also is survived by thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, October 27, 2013 at the Church of Christ in Point Comfort, Texas.

Bobby A. Bubenik, 82, of Seadrift passed away on November 7, 2013. He was born in Aqua Dulce, Texas to the late Aldrich and Christina Bubenik. Bobby served his country proudly as a Sergeant 1st Class in the Army during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Martha Bubenik; sons, Michael Bubenik and wife Dawn of Seadrift, Bobby Bubenik, Jr. of Rockport; daughters, Terry Trichell and husband Lloyd and Lisa French and husband Marshal of Arkansas; grandchildren, Darian and Seth Bubenik, Samantha Velasquez and husband Alex, Jessica, Dylan, Hunter, Erin and Weston and four great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Bridges of Victoria, Phyllis Ward of Orange and Betty Hill of Cuero; brothers, Richard Bubenik and wife Alice of Bloomington, Jackie Bubenik and wife Shannon of OK, Kerby Bubenik and wife Jane of Orange, and Ernie Bubenik and wife Edna of San Antonio.

In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his step-mother Clara Bubenik, infant son, Kenneth Bubenik, sister Rita Wilborn and grandson Kellen.

Funeral services were held on November 10, 2013 at Richardson Colonial Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Green officiating. Burial with military honors followed at the Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Kerby Bubenik, Ernie Burbenik, Richard Bubenik, Bobby Bubenik, Jr., Michael Bubenik and Jeff Spence. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Ridgell, Jack Broome, Troy Howard and Butch Hodges.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of South Texas. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com.

Kozmo is so cool! A gray and black wire hair terrier, he’s about 1 1/2 years and weighs less than 10 pounds, full of energy and personality.

Meet Buck, your next best friend. A high energy heeler/pointer mix about a year old, he is a lovable guy, eager to please.

Come see Buck, Kozmo, and all the other animals at the Port Lavaca Animal Shelter, 201 Stringham Drive (across from the rodeo arena), Monday through Saturday, 10 to 2, or call the Calhoun County Humane Society, 553-8916. You can also view him and other animals ready for adoption on line at www.calhouncountyhumanesociety.org

Thanks and we’ll be waiting for you!