At the February 5 meeting of Seadrift City Council, the Council voted to annex two properties at the request of the owners: 1703 W. Bay/Bierman Road and the property to the rear of Beacon 7 RV Park. Four other properties: 75 Armstrong Road, 33 Armstrong Road, 27 Armstrong Road, and 402 Cemetery Road, were also annexed, extending the Seadrift city limits.

The Council accepted the bid of Axis Demolition to remove the tires from the harbor and other places as needed. In addition to removing this source of mosquito breeding, the removal will give access to pilings in need of repair. A grant of $12,384 was received from Formosa Environmental Trust. Councilman Jack LaBarge has worked diligently to find a company that would remove tires (which will soon be mandated by the federal government) at a reasonable price. Axis Demolition bid $12,384 to do the job. The contract was signed after the meeting. Work is slated to begin at the end of this month.

Today’s issue marks the beginning of the Dolphin’s 18th year in print and traditionally I make a few remarks on this date, so here goes…

The past year has been somewhat difficult. Two of our regular writers passed away: Bob Jamison, who wrote feature articles on a variety of subjects, and most recently, Capt. Bob Hill, whose “Port O’Connor Fishing Report” appeared in most every issue. We will miss Mr. Jamison’s musings, and Capt. Bob, who was a friend and help to us for many years.

Another feature, “Now and Then”, will no longer appear since J. Phillip Ellenberger resigned his position at the Calhoun County Historical Society. We are hoping that he will still write articles for us from time to time. Thomas Spychalski is still writing “Fish Out of Water”, but since he has moved out of our area, we no longer have a reporter for Port Lavaca.

Launching into the Age of the Internet a couple years ago expanded our reach. We have readers from all over the country, and other countries, as well. We have been able to connect some of our readers with long-lost friends and relatives and answer questions about our area from people who saw us on the Internet. On the negative side: being able to type in “www.thedolphintalk.com” has meant the number of subscribers to our printed paper has diminished.

What’s most different this year is the publication of Dolphin Talk on a monthly, rather than bi-monthly, basis. I thought this change would leave me a little more time to take care of personal business, but things haven’t changed much. It’s still a pretty big job for one little, old lady. Just when I begin to get discouraged, someone will tell me how much they enjoy this little paper. That gets me going again.

If you are still enjoying reading Dolphin Talk, or if you’re one of those locals who hardly ever read this paper but are proud that we have one, I will humble myself by telling you that another reason for lowering the number of issues per year is financial. Putting out one issue usually costs well over $1,000. Our only income is from advertisers, therefore I encourage our readers to patronize those who advertise with us and let them know you saw their ads in Dolphin Talk.

If you are computer-oriented, please share some of the www.thedolphintalk.com articles with those you think might be interested. And, please “Like” us on Facebook.

If you have any comments or suggestions for Dolphin Talk, please let me know. Thank you for reading Dolphin Talk!

Joyce Rhyne, Editor/Publisher

Margaret Chatham and her husband Robert at the 2011 CCSCA Thanksgiving Dinner where Margaret was honored for her years of service to Calhoun County Senior Citizens.

Margaret Chatham was born on November 14, 1944 in Morgan City, Louisiana to Martin and Laura Rink DeHart.  In July of 1969, she and her husband Robert, who were married in 1965, moved to Seadrift. In 1985, Margaret became Calhoun County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace, a position previously held by her father-in-law Charles Chatham. She served as Justice of the Peace for 14 ½ years.

On April 28, 1987, Margaret was sworn in as Seadrift City Judge and served in that capacity until November 13, 2009. At that time Margaret said, “My retirement as City Judge does not mean I am retiring as a citizen of Seadrift. I plan to volunteer and help as much as I am able.” And that, she did.  She continued her involvement in Seadrift Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, and Calhoun County Senior Citizens until her health would no longer permit.

In late 2008, after suffering several physical problems, Margaret was diagnosed with an inherited, incurable liver disease, and in 2011, as family and friends were organizing a fish-fry benefit for her, Margaret remarked, “I did not ask, ‘God, why me?’ My brother died with similar symptoms in 2004, so I’m hoping and praying that my kids and grandkids will be spared.”

Margaret and Robert’s children are: Glenda Gonzales (husband Paul), Michelle Chatham, Charles “Bubba” Chatham, and Robert “Robbie” Chatham. They have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Margaret’s funeral service was held on January 20 at her church, First Baptist of Seadrift, which overflowed with family and friends, gathered to pay tribute to this dedicated wife, mother, and community servant.

Margaret A.D. Chatham

Margaret Ann DeHart Chatham, 68, of Seadrift passed away January 17, 2013. She was born November 14, 1944 in Morgan City, Louisiana to Martin and Laura Rink DeHart. Margaret was very dedicated to serving her community and Calhoun County. She was retired Seadrift City Judge and Justice of the Peace Calhoun County Precinct #4. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Seadrift, Seadrift Chamber of Commerce, Loins Club and Senior Citizens Center.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Gene Chatham; daughters, Glenda Chatham Gonzales and husband Paul, and Michelle Chatham; sons, Charles “Bubba” Chatham and Robert “Robbie” Chatham; sister, Betty Sons; brothers, Allen DeHart and Martin DeHart, Jr.; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held January 21, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Seadrift with the Rev. Poodle Wittnebert and Rev. Gerry Wiley officiating. Burial followed at the Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Carlton Hall, Phillip Stout, Chris Gonzales, Blaine Harvey, Martin DeHart, Corey DeHart and Ricky Carter. Honorary Pallbearers were Jack H. Mayfield, Tad Mayfield, Rayburn Haynie, Tom Chaney, Butch Hodges, Trent Chatham and Tommy Henderson.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at:
www.richardsoncolonial.com

Women of Aviation Worldwide Week

Calhoun Air Center is proudly sponsoring free flights. We will be introducing women of all ages to their first flight in honor of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week (WOAW).

Air Race Classic Team XXtreme Aviatrixx and Calhoun Air Center flight instructors will be flying on March 9th & 10th at Victoria Regional Airport and Calhoun County Airport. Together they will be defending World titles! They will also be going for additional titles, while enjoying the gift of first flights in a helicopter or airplane.

Plus there are contests you can enter in the following categories: art, writing and photography! Women of Aviation will award prizes! This is an event not to be missed. Rides are free for qualified participants. Please call in advance to schedule.*

When
March 9th – 10th, 2013
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Where
Victoria Regional Airport
Toni McCarthy at 361.575.2359
276 Hangar Drive South, Victoria, TX 77904
and
Calhoun County Airport
Steve Plunkett at 361.552.1228
4876 FM 3084 Port Lavaca, TX 77979

No age limit!

* Weather permitting. Event will not be rescheduled.

Come join us!

www.calhounaircenter.com
Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/calhounaircenter

The flight is free the experience is priceless!

2011 Women of Aviation Worldwide Titles

2011 ‘Most Dedicated Female Pilot Worldwide’

Winner – Dianna Stanger,

Port Lavaca, TX, USA Eurocopter EC120 (98 flights)

2011 ‘Most Creative Aviation Advocate’

Jasmine Gordon,
Port Lavaca, TX, USA

2011 ‘Most Female-Pilot-Friendly Airport Worldwide’

2nd runner up – Port Lavaca (KPKV), TX, USA (98 flights)

Chores of Maintenance Never Ending

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the warmer weather we have had lately. The latter part of December and first week of January produced some real winter weather, and it looked as though a cold and nasty few months were in store for us, but not so much now. I’m certainly not complaining, and we still could very well see some cold weather before Spring. The island saw just over three inches of rain last Wednesday, always a welcome sight.

After living full time on this barrier island for nearly seven years now, one point of fact has ALWAYS remained constant: everything requires diligent maintenance. This is such a harsh environment, with a never ending salt water mist from the Gulf of Mexico drifting through the air across the island all the time. And with strong north winds, Matagorda Bay produces the same corrosive results.

The salt mist from the Gulf creates havoc on any type of metal or electrical components, even penetrating treated wood over time. Anything situated or facing south gets the full force of the salt, corrosion and cancerous rust. Solid steel frames of vehicles, nails, screws, joist hangers, hinges, door knobs and locks, all fall victim to corrosion and eventual failure and replacement out here. Electrical wiring and switches are probably the worst. The salt mist and corrosion can penetrate tiniest breaks and crevices in wiring and switches, causing them to malfunction and lead to break downs.

I should own stock in Corrosion X and WD-40, as I use these religiously here on the island. A constant routine of maintenance and keeping all metal and electrical parts lubricated will certainly prolong the life of everything, but Mother Nature will ALWAYS have the last word.

These corrosive and harsh conditions are why I’m in the process of having to replace my island cart used for transportation. I’m biting the money bullet and after researching different utility type vehicles, I ordered a Club Car XRT buggy from Corpus Christi Golf Cars and manager Mike Smith. I rarely plug a business, but these people deserve it. Down to earth, no drama and the best price. The aluminum frame, bed and rims should hold up much better out here on the island. I’m looking forward to many years of enjoyment and use from this little buggy.

Well I’ve started my tomato seeds in the little hot house. I’m trying an assortment of varieties, including the Big Zac, my ever aspiring attempt to grow that three pound tomato. I’ll do it eventually, not giving up on that goal.

That’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and have a great day.