Texas Sea Grant oversees this effort to reduce monofilament in the environment by educating the public about the problems caused by monofilament line left in the environment, and encouraging recycling through a network of line recycling bins and drop-off locations. Monofilament is thin, often clear, and is difficult for birds and other animals to see. They can easily brush up against it and become entangled. Once entangled, they may become injured, drown, or starve to death. Many animals also ingest fishing line.

In 2012, volunteers in Calhoun County collected over 62 pounds of used fishing line. Also impressive is the nearly 173 pounds of line they have collected here over the last 5 years.

Collection bins in Port O’Connor are located at The Fishing Center; Froggy’s; Kingfisher Park; Larry’s Marina; Little Jetties; and Powderhorn RV Park.

In Seadirft: Charlie’s Bait Camp; City Hall (indoors); City Harbor; Sail & Yacht Club Area; Swan Point Boat Ramp; Swan Point Park.

In Magnolia Beach: J &T’s One Stop (indoors).

Indianola: Fishing Center

There are bins at the boat ramps in Port Lavaca and at the County Extension Office (indoors), plus bins at Alamo Beach, Six Mile, Olivia and Point Comfort.

The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on May 23 until a still-to-be determined time in July.

“The purpose of moving the closure date this year is tied to when the shrimp are projected to leave the bays,” says TPWD’s coastal fisheries science director Mark Fisher. “Due to cooler spring temperatures and higher salinities, shrimp growth rates appear to be slower this spring.”

The Texas closure applies to gulf waters from the coast out to nine nautical miles. The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced federal waters out to 200 nautical miles also will be closed to conform to the Texas closure.

What a great Mother’s Day celebration we enjoyed at the Chapel this past Sunday! In the morning service, we were inspired and uplifted by the ministry of Evangelist Danny and Sharon Parker from Oklahoma. Their giftings were sincerely appreciated and enjoyed, both their preaching and musical gifts. We will look forward to their return.

Mother’s Day evening featured a great meal and bilingual singing by BeBee Hernandez. BeBee has sung many times at the Chapel, but since their move to Lake Jackson five years ago, we have not enjoyed her ministry. We were excited to see all the mothers being blessed by their families’ love and the ministry of the Chapel. Each mother received a special gift that was greatly appreciated – Thanks, Pastor Joane and Hermana Angie! Not only our mothers and special guests, but also members of the Coast Guard who could not get home to their mothers, came and celebrated with us.

Our attention now is on the Warrior’s Weekend. Our “piece of the pie” is the Saturday morning breakfast. With generous donations from many people in this community, (We will have the list in the next Dolphin Talk.) we fed 1,600 breakfast tacos – with special trimmings! It was a whole lot of work, but it truly was a “labor of love” to our servicemen and servicewomen who give so much for us! I am reminded of the words of Jesus when He said, “Greater love has one than this, that one is willing to lay down his life for a friend.” We owe our service personnel more gratitude than we can muster for their sacrifices for us – the best I can say is, “Thank you; we will be praying for you!”

On Sunday evening, May 19 at 6:00 p.m., the Chapel will be hosting Missionaries Tom and Kathi Moore. This couple has committed their lives to work with the impoverished of Belize. We know that to many people, Belize is a vacation spot, but those who live there know some of the world’s greatest poverty. Everyone is welcomed to come and hear the hearts of Tom and Kathi, who love the people of Belize and are worthy of our loving support.

Due to all the extra activities of May, we will be able to offer Friday Night Youth only on May 31, the last Friday night of this month. We are always aware of the needs of our youth, but we also must provide a safe environment, and that demands we have adults to supervise. So, kids, get ready for a special event on May 31, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. for Friday Night Youth! We will see you here!

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to find people who have a need and present Jesus as the answer to those needs. One will always find a warm welcome here and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

After a God-blessed 75th Anniversary of the Church last month, the Crawfish Festival and Mother’s Day, activities have settled down and everyone is anxiously awaiting Warrior’s Weekend. There is always something happening in Port O’Connor. If you don’t have anything to do, you can bake cookies or a cake for some event or volunteer your services for something else. There is an abundant supply of LOVE in Port O’Connor and you can feel it IF YOU get involved! Most of us are looking forward to Warrior’s Weekend and all the festivities as we honor our Heroes who have served our Nation.

The wheels are turning on this summer’s Vacation Bible School. The 2013 VBS will be extremely exciting. “Colossal Coaster World” is the name! The date for VBS is Monday, June 10 through Thursday, June 13, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Candice Stryker is the leader again this year and she is inviting all children from pre-school through the sixth grade to attend. The church van will be picking up children around 8:00 a.m. and delivering them home about noon. On Thursday evening, June 13, at 6:00 p.m., the children will receive their diplomas and they will be inviting their parents to view their accomplishments and see and hear their program. Refreshments will be served.

It is time to register children for this year’s Summer Camp at Palacios Baptist Encampment in Palacios, Texas. The camp will be Monday, June 17 through Thursday, June 20. All children who have completed the third grade and children in the fourth through sixth grades may go to this camp. If you have children or grandchildren who would like to go, please contact the Church at 983-2727 and pick up a registration form.

Youth Camp, for seventh through twelfth graders, will be at Camp Zephyr in Sandia, Texas on Lake Corpus Christi, July 24-28. If you have an interest in going to this camp, please see Candice Stryker or Raymond Grant.

See you in church Sunday!

Vacation Bible School!
First Baptist Church of Port O’Connor
June 10 – June 13
9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon