As I sit at my desk typing this article, I’m a little amused that I find myself a little over a week into the year 2013. In my pre-teen years, I remember one of my late uncles telling his son, “When you graduate from high school, I’m going to buy you a brand new car for graduation, even if it’s 1970.” Not only was I amazed that my uncle would buy such an expensive gift for my cousin’s graduation, but I was also fascinated by how far into the future 1970 seemed to me. I guess I had the idea that the world would probably have flying cars by then. However, now I understand my immature outlook on time of so many years ago, for children have little concept of the importance of time and its fleeting nature. Yet from the perspective of a senior adult, I still find myself thinking, “It’s 2013. How have I gotten this far down the road of life so quickly?”

The fact is that time stops for no one. Time marches ceaselessly onward without pause or pity for the pleadings of those who wish they had more of it. The question is not, “How much more time do we have left?,” but, “How can we wisely use the time we have left?” The apostle James says, “…For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14b). We must be careful not to presume too much about life and time. The writer of Proverbs gives us helpful counsel when he says, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1).

So how should we approach life and time, as we enter 2013? I believe Francis Havergal (1836-1879), a songwriter of two centuries ago, had the right perspective on facing a new year. She believed the most important concern we should have when facing a new year should be our personal relationship with God. That doesn’t mean that other things aren’t important, but simply that one’s relationship with God should be of first priority. Take a tip from Havergal’s prayerful poem, and as follows:

Another year is dawning,
Dear Father let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with thee.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness,
The glory of thy face.

Another year of leaning
Upon thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service,
Of witness for thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Father, let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven,
Another year for thee.

-Francis Ridley Havergal

May God become nearer and dearer this year than ever before, and may the Lord of heaven and earth bless us with His presence, provision, and power.

Bunco met Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 with hostesses Diane Cooley and Pat Ekstrom. Please contact Shirley Gordon at the Library for further information. And in February, the 5th, Biddie Hileman and Sally Jones will be co-hostesses. As these two really put on a display of food and decorations, and that Valentine’s Day is later that month, the results will once again be amazing! Don’t miss this evening of pure enjoyment and do call Shirley for more info!

The next meeting of the POCSA meeting will be Monday, January 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Center. Contact Calvin Ragusin at 655-0498 for further information; membership in this worthwhile organization is only $10.00 per year and we need your assistance!

Wonder if my wish of the extra-kindness and pleasantness from strangers in the stores will carry over this month and next?

And our Lions Club is asking for vendors to participate in their Spring Arts & Crafts Fair as scheduled for March 16, 2013. Of course, one thinks it’s really too early to plan, but March is just 1 ½ months away! Contact Joyce Jordan, President, 655-7999 if you think you’d like to have a booth as she needs to get commitments ASAP.

With the change of our newspaper only being printed once a month, a reminder to the members of the POC Service Club is due. The meeting on Thursday, January 3rd was canceled due to the sickness of many members including our President.

And if you missed the regular meeting on Thursday, the 17th, please note that we are now back to our regular schedule of two meetings a month, on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Hope to see you then!
Getting together with several other women about what to do with all that turkey resulted in several very tasty ideas; Pat Ekstrom makes a turkey casserole with French green beans and dressing topped with cream of mushroom soup, and Janet Johnson’s vote is for a good turkey pot pie with lots of sauce. If any reader has another memorable recipe, please pass it along.

A note for party planners: If you’re thinking about a party of any size, do contact the folks at Jocelyn’s for a party tray of goodies. They will be more than happy to work with you for any size of tray needed and with a variety of delicious foods too.

WHAT A SMALL WORLD WE LIVE IN! And I can really testify to that! I was walking down Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans when my phone rang. Thinking it was from my husband wondering where on earth I was (although you really can’t just hike down any street in the French Quarter without looking in the windows of all the shops), I didn’t pay any attention to the readout on my phone. Answering it, I was questioned “Is this the Liquor Store in Port O’Connor?” Well, that was a bit of a shock so, of course, I said “No”. And then I was re-questioned, and once again, I denied it. And started asking questions of my own, and the answers I received were even more unbelievable. It seems this gentleman was on-line, and had a copy of the Dolphin Talk before him with my review of the POC Liquor Store as owned by Noral McCauley and managed by Janet Johnson. He picked up my name and phone number from the ending of the review. And when I asked him if he was calling from Victoria, he said, “No, he was in Puerta Vallarta”! I’d say that the fame of our area has grown and grown; this gentleman told me that he owns a house here in POC and that he planned to be here later this year. I definitely want to meet this traveler!

kubeckasue@yahoo.com
361 798-0560

Port O’Connor Lions Club membership chairman Carol Haverfield (left) and Stan Eldridge, Texas Lions Club Eye Bank Trustee, present a Lions Pin and Certificate of Membership to Diane Cooley.

The Port O’Connor Lions Club was honored to have Stan Eldridge, Texas Lions Club Eye Bank Trustee, as Guest Speaker at their January 9th meeting.  Mr. Eldridge spoke about the wonderful things being done by the International Lions Clubs who have helped so many people to see through funding such as cornea transplants, eye exams, and eyeglasses, etc.

Clubs raise money in various ways for donations to the Lions Eye Bank of Texas which is located in Houston.  People who can’t afford sight restoration and problems with eye sight get help from the Lions Clubs and Lions International.  One current project is the 2013 Lions District 2-S4 West Bowl-A-Thon sponsored by Victoria Boulevard Lions Club and Victoria Lions Club to be held on Saturday, February 9th at Century Lanes in Victoria with registration at noon.  The Port O’Connor Lions Club has supported this fundraiser every year so far.  Proceeds benefit the Lions Eye Bank of Texas at Baylor College of Medicine.

White Cane Day on Saturday, March 30th is another fundraiser whereby donations are accepted and a “White Cane” is given to the donors.  White Cane Day gives Lions a chance to meet the public and collect much-needed funds for education, sight restoration and conservation projects.  It offers a way for individuals to donate funds to this worthy cause to help someone else.  Even small donations add up.
In addition, used eyeglasses donated to Lions Clubs are refurbished for those in need.   Mr. Eldridge accepted around forty pairs of eyeglasses that had been generously donated by local citizens and deposited into the Port O’Connor Lions Club’s Eyeglass Donation Box located at Cathy’s Restaurant.  If you have any used eyeglasses, we appreciate accepting them so that they can be forwarded for refurbishment and distributed to people who can use them.  These eyeglasses are distributed not only within the United States, but around the world to wherever they are needed.  So if you have any used eyeglasses lying around, please drop them in the Eyeglass Donation Box and we will get them forwarded on their way to those in need.

The Club also discussed the ongoing plans for the Arts & Crafts Festival being held on Saturday, March 16th at the Port O’Connor Community Center Pavilion.  Reservations are being taken and we have vendors with really exciting items, but we still have some space available for vendors.  Items for sale don’t have to be handmade, just good quality items – new or antique.  The booths under the pavilion are $25.00 with one table and 2 chairs supplied and with two more tables available at $5.00 each.  The booths are approximately 12’x12’ and some vendors have reserved two booths.  Booths outside the pavilion are $20.00 with vendors bringing their own equipment.  In addition, we are inviting food vendors to participate and we have some reservation spaces available.  If you are planning on participating, please get your reservation in now by phoning the number shown below as reservations are “first come, first serve” regarding placement of booth location and requirements.

During the meeting Carol Haverfield, Membership Chairman, along with Stan Eldridge assisting, presented a Lions Pin and Certificate of  Membership to our newest member, Diane Cooley who is sponsored by Grady Jean Clark.  Welcome, Diane!

At the end of the January 9th meeting, Stan Eldridge was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation as Guest Speaker by Jim Butler.

For information on the Port O’Connor Lions Club, donation of eyeglasses, or the Arts & Crafts Festival,  please phone Joyce Jordan, President, at cell #361-655-7999.

Submitted by:  Joyce Jordan

Did you know there is a resource in our area which assists small businesses and those considering opening their own business? The University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Council is part of a nationwide small business program serving the small business community and federal, state and local governments. The center offers counseling, training and technical assistance to existing and start-up businesses in an 11-county area.

The center in located at 3402 N. Ben Wilson Street in Victoria. To make an appointment for business services or register for a workshop, call the center at 877-895-7232 or email at sbdc@uhv.edu .

Several free seminars are planned for the next month, including the following:

1/22/2013 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. SBA & Certifying Your Business SBA staff will provide seminar on the contracting certifications available to small businesses through SBA’s 8(a) BD, Hubzone, WOSB, and Veteran Owned Business certifications.

1/24/2013 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. SBA – Federal Taxes for Small Businesses & Home-Based Tax Breaks Information for start-ups and existing small businesses about federal taxes for small businesses and home-based tax breaks.

2/6/2013 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Starting Your Own Business Are you thinking about starting a business of your own? Congratulations! It’s a huge step, and you’ll need to be prepared. That’s where UHV SBDC comes in: Learn the aspects of starting a business, plus get the answers and information you need to startup your business.

2/15/2013 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. What’s Your Sign? When we need a product or service, our initial mental response is an image. What does your business signage say about your business? Are you attracting the right customers? Join us for this workshop to learn the value of good signage and best practices to increase your business’ awareness.

2/20/2013 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Building Communities through Small Business Development and Affordable Housing Sponsored by the Federal Reserve and UHV Small Business Development Center. Includes luncheon. UHV MultiPurpose Room 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. Victoria.

If you have questions that you would like the presenters to address, they can be sent in advance to sbdc@uhv.edu with the workshop name on the subject line.

Seminars may be cancelled if minimum number of registrants is not met. Jean Smith of UHV-SBDC says that if there is enough interest, the council can arrange to have seminars offered in the Port O’Connor area.

If you knew that every two seconds someone needs blood, what would you do? Follow in the footsteps of thousands of South Texans who donate blood. In honor of National Blood Donor Month, the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) is celebrating those donors for their generous donation.

STBTC is also kicking off the new year by giving all presenting donors in January and February a SPURS T-shirt and a chance to win a pair of SPURS tickets.

Donors must show identification, before beginning the donation process. Anyone 16 years old weighing 120 pounds (with a parental consent form), or at least 17 years of age or older, who weighs at least 110 pounds, and is in good general health may donate blood. For more information call 800-292-5534 or visit southtexasblood.org.

The next blood drive in our area is at First United Methodist Church, 814 N. San Antonio  in Port Lavaca on Wednesday, January 23 from 4:15 p.m. until 6:45 p.m.