Larry and son Josh in Puerto Rico Larry Robinson is a Vietnam Veteran

I’d like to start off by saying thank you to all of the service men and women that have put their lives at risk to keep us safe. They endure battle and heartache for their family, your family and my family. I’m sure there isn’t a minute that goes by that their families don’t miss them, but they still proudly wear a uniform for our freedom.

Articles such as these are always troublesome to write as they hit close to home. My little sister, Gessy Lopez, has served in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years. We are all very proud of her accomplishments; however, our family has gone ten months without seeing our Marine and unsure when we will get to see her again.

I greatly admire those individuals that have the tenacity and discipline to unite and serve our country. One of those individuals is local aviation pilot, Larry Robinson who I met several years ago at the airport in Port Lavaca. Every time I see him, he is either smiling, singing or telling a joke. Not to mention that he always has a fabulous story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Larry was born in Rock Hill, Illinois on September 17, 1944 to Sara and William Robinson. At the age of seventeen, he joined the U.S. Navy.

Larry served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 – 1981 as Chief Quartermaster on four ships; USS Benner DD 807, USS Galveston CLG3, USS Fechteler DD 870 and USS Bryce Canyon AD 36. The sailor has served three tours in Vietnam, mainly shore bombardment and boarding of suspect vessels. He has lived all over the world: Newfoundland, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Spain and finally settled in Port Lavaca with his wife, Lorrie. The couple met while he was stationed in California in 1965 on Long Beach Naval Base. They married and began a family.

He became a U.S. Navy Harbor Pilot in 1974 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as well served as Harbor Pilot at the U.S. Naval Base Rota in Spain and U.S. Naval Base Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico. Larry was qualified to operate or pilot every type of vessel the U.S. Navy had from tug boats to aircraft carriers and obtained U.S. Merchant Marine Masters Unlimited prior to retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1981.

Following the conclusion of his Navy career, he went onto become Master Mariner at the Matagorda Ship Channel Pilots Association. Larry recently retired in September; he was honored for thirty-one years of keeping vessels and the natural environment safe at the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort by the Calhoun Port Authority. I was lucky to attend his retirement party in early September where family and friends gathered to celebrate. In true form the evening ended with Larry singing and dancing with family. The Robinson’s are a large, beautiful family – one couldn’t help but feel the admiration in the room.

Larry earned his private pilot certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at Calhoun Air Center, Calhoun County Airport in February 2010. Larry’s wife, Lorrie, bought him the training package at Calhoun Air Center for Christmas the year prior. Later that year, he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow by the Port Lavaca Rotary Club for his service and support of the community. The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for founder, Paul Harris. He founded Rotary International in Chicago in 1905. The Paul Harris Fellow is awarded to individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris.

A local personality, he has been an active voice at many of our local community activities where he can be found as the master of ceremonies or the singing entertainment. In 2011, he and Linda Seerden won first place in Dancing with the Stars-Victoria Style with their spectacular fox trot performance. Larry has served in multiple non-profit organizations as well as held title of president of the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce.

I’d like to thank Larry for his service and say that I am very pleased to have met a person that is such a great role model. Larry has redefined the term, “over achiever” all the while with a smile on his face. Till next time, you can catch up with us at Calhoun County Airport, just follow the laughter!

Prep Time Begins For Winter Island Season

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and enjoying these brisk cool mornings lately. As I sit at the small kitchen table before dawn Monday morning, waiting for the coffee to perculate in my crusted and rusted camp-style pot, which my sister-in-law Mittie would undoubtedly immediately throw in the trash, the cool morning salty air feels wonderful. Of course, Barnacle remains upstairs fast asleep, no way venturing outside until he gets his normal 12-14 hours of sleep, especially if it’s cool weather beyond that door. Spoiled dog. I’ve also gotten nearly eleven inches of rain the past three weeks out here. The tanks are full and the ground water well supply is looking good.

It’s this time of the year that I have to begin to prepare for the upcoming winter weather. Even though the forecast shows a warming trend later in the week, the days and nights of the cold, windy weather getting here and sticking around for several months are fast approaching.

From now until Spring, there will be at least a dozen times or more that the winter tides will fall low enough that I will not be able to get off the island, as the narrow inlet that leads from the bay into my protected lagoon will not contain enough water to allow passage of my boat. And even if the tide would be high enough to leave, the strong north winter winds often times make it too dangerous to cross the open waters. Trust me, Matagorda Bay is not the place to be in 25-30 mph north or northeast blowing winds. Only a fool would venture out and challenge such rough waters in a boat not designed or capable of handling those turbulent seas. You simply risk becoming a statistic and side column in the newspaper that only family and true friends will bother to clip out and save. Okay, stepping down from that soapbox now.

I’ll begin stocking up on certain supplies and items in order to have them for those extended periods of time that I cannot make it to the mainland. This is when my propane freezer, even though they are very expensive, becomes invaluable to have. Being able to stock up and freeze extra meat, seafood, bread and even milk is a plus for the winter months. Having extra flour, coffee, corn meal, sugar, canned goods and normal household essentials is very important. Unlike on the mainland, I can’t hop in the car, turn the heater on high, and drive to the store to get whatever I might need, including chicken feed and dog food. . . heaven forbid Mr. Boxer miss a meal. Extra propane, gasoline, batteries and replacement parts such as water pumps and fittings are needed. Murphy’s Law ensures that something will go wrong or stop working at the most vulnerable times, including the cold winter months.

The bottom line is that you have to be as prepared as possible. It is this time of year that my preparedness mindset shifts from hurricane season to winter readiness and stocking up on needed supplies.

The Fall humming birds have begun their migration south across the island. I always leave one feeder up year round so I’ll know when the Fall and Spring flights are beginning. My sister Sherry believes they send out scouts searching for feeding locations, before reporting back to the rest of the group. I can see where that would make sense because shortly afterwards there are many more of them showing up. I then put out more feeders and stock up on extra sugar.

I want to let my mom Leona know that she is in my thoughts and prayers. A very serious eye infection is causing her problems that we all know God can heal. I love you Mom.

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

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seadrift will be holding their annual Turkey Dinner on Sunday, October 28 starting at 11:00 a.m. The dinner will include turkey, homemade dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans and all the trimmings for $8 per plate. Plates are dine-in or to-go. Eggrolls will also be available, along with a Bake Sale. A raffle and silent auction will also be held.

Raffle tickets are available for $1 each or 6 for $5 and can be purchased each Sunday after Mass and at 9:30 the day of the dinner. Prizes include a $1,000 gift card and a 55” flat screen TV. Winners need not be present to win. The silent auction will include a handmade quilt, Kendle reader and other items.

On Saturday, October 27 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, October 28, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. a White Elephant/Rummage Sale will be held. There will be household items, jewelry, small appliances, toys, seasonal decorations and lots of interesting items on sale.

The turkey dinner will be the first event held in the church’s new facilities. All proceeds will go toward the church’s building fund.

This handmade quilt was made and donated by a member of the Calhoun County Quilters Guild.

It will be part of the Silent Auction to be held in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Church annual Turkey Dinner and Rummage Sale to be held October 27 and 28.

The 2012 Calhoun County Fair begins with a parade through downtown Port Lavaca at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 13. The admission gate and exhibit buildings will be open Tuesday (Oct. 16), Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on Saturday, the 20, from 1:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Gate passes are: Adults- $3; Students (K-12)- $1; and pre-school and younger- free.

FFA and 4-H Club members will be exhibiting livestock for judging, with the top place animals being auctioned. Contests throughout the Fair include Royalty Contests, Mutton Bustin’ and a Pig Scramble.

As usual, there will be a Carnival with many rides and games. The carnival will be open Tuesday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. and Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Arm bands for the carnival are $20 each Tuesday though Friday and $25 Saturday.