In approximately one month, 300-350 combat wounded heroes will descend upon Port O’Connor attending Warrior’s Weekend XVII. It is very hard to believe that it has been that many years and yet they still love coming. It means a lot to them. Over 100 have signed up that have never been before and we’re pretty excited about that. They will arrive in POC on Friday, May 19th, be taken to lodging and then come to the POC Community Center for a great fish fry that evening put on by Russell Hofer and his team. Word is that both Johnny Cash and Elvis will be on hand to entertain them that evening.

Warrior’s Weekend is in need of boat captains (don’t need to be licensed as a captain), just have a boat and want to do an honorable, patriotic thing and take some heroes out on the water on May 20th for a few hours. You can register at www.warriorsweekend.org. We plan to launch boats from Froggie’s around 8:00 a.m. and the weigh-in will open at 2:00 p.m. So, about 6 hours. You will be given a boat captain shirt, cap and bait tickets along with your deck mate. Also, you and your mate will be invited to dinner both Friday night and Saturday night. Dinner usually begins around 6:00 p.m. You may bring your wife, girlfriend or significant other to dinner and enjoy Johnny & Elvis on Friday night, the 20th.

They are invited both nights. This is a tournament so there will be cash awards to the heroes on Saturday evening.

We are also needing lodging for our heroes in POC so if you have a house or room you would be willing to donate for the weekend, please let us know at warriorswknd@yahoo.com. We will also be placing the flags in the Tribute Field at the Community Center on Saturday, May 13th beginning at 9:00 a.m. We can use as much help as possible as we place over 7,000 flags in the ground honoring the over 7,000 who lost their lives in the War on Terror.

Ron Kocian, President
Warrior’s Weekend, 361-935-7414

While all our local educators as appreciated for all their hard work and dedication, every year a few are honored for their exceptional performance. Those honored at our local schools are: Leslie Shirhall and Rosary Cady from Seadrift School and Erin Gayler and Candice Stryker from Port O’Connor School.

Erin Gayler
Teacher of the Year, Port O’Connor School

Erin Gayler, has been teaching for 13 years. She taught in Tyler and Whitehouse, Texas before moving to Port O’Connor. Erin holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and will soon begin the Doctorate program in Administration and Leadership. Erin interacts well with students and staff at Port O’Connor School. She challenges students to grow in a supportive, respectful classroom environment. We are very fortunate to have her as a member of the POC School team and congratulate Erin on being selected as our Teacher of the Year.

Erin, along with her husband, Owen, and infant daughter, Collins enjoy being part of the Port O’Connor community.

Leslie Shirhall
Teacher of the Year, Seadrift School

Leslie Shirall has been teaching for 20 years, the past 14 at Calhoun County ISD and previously at Texarkana ISD and Nordheim ISD.

Leslie holds an Associate of Science from Victoria College and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Victoria.

Leslie, who teaches Kindergarten, says the greatest reward about teaching is when you can see the progress of the students. “I love watching the students’ faces when they light up after making connections using the materials and skills we have been learning about.”

Leslie’s mother, Dwana Finster, who has been an educator for 45 years, was her inspiration to become a teacher. In addition to her role as teacher, Leslie has been actively involved in community activities. She is currently the Seadrift Cub Scouts Pack 106 Cub Scoutmaster and Seadrift Boy Scout Troop 106 Assistant Scoutmaster and Leader.

Candice Stryker
Dedication to Education Award,Port O’Connor School

Candice Stryker has been at Port O’Connor School since 2021 teaching Art and PE. She has a degree in general business from University of Houston- Victoria and plans on getting a certification in Art. Prior to working at the school, Candice managed a local business for 15 years and volunteered at the school with PTO and helped with art classes. She has been a youth leader at the First Baptist Church Port O’Connor for over ten years and really enjoys working with students and the youth of our community. Candice has done an outstanding job teaching our students about different elements of art and principles of design in addition to coaching our students on the fundamentals of team sports.

Candice lives in Port O’Connor with her husband, Jason, and two children, Clara and Jacob.

Rosary Cady
Dedication to Education Award,Seadrift Schoo

Rosary Cady has been at Seadrift School for 25 years. She works as a behavioral aide, helping everywhere she is needed.

She not only enjoys working with children, but with the entire Seadrift School staff. Being around everyone “makes the day brighter” she says.

School staff describe Rosary as a wonderful person, who is family-oriented, and carries that attitude with her.

Speaking of the staff, Rosary says, “We are like a family”.

Dieter Erhard, Art Center Seadrift, stands by some of the elements of the “Ocean Inside” display. At the top is one of the paintings by Aubrey Parker.

Open House April 29 & 30

Experience the sensation of looking up from the ocean as Dieter Erhard brings the water to the boat at Seadrift’s Art Boat. Looking up from the Royal Blue interior, the movement of the ocean is captured by hundreds of fluorescent discs moving with the current. The interior of the boat is lit entirely by UV black lights, giving the shimmering appearance of the under-sea experience. Lurking below the surface of the water, you will see a huge Medusa, the most dangerous jellyfish-like creature in the ocean.

Also on display are the paintings of Aubrey Parker of Olivia, which are highlighted by the fluorescent paint, which is incorporated into each painting.

After the Open House, you will still be able to view the underwater scene by means of a switch outside the port hole of the boat.

Boy Scout Troop 106
FRONT ROW: Jaxon Smith, Jackson Rieger, Zane Henning, Xyler Quintanilla, Mateo Vallejo, Colton Wade, Jacob Boots BACK ROW: Leslie Shirhall – Cubmaster, Ralph Belter – Committee Chair, Patrick Henley – Commissioner,. Cooper Rodriguez, Cash Shirhall, Rebecca Rodriguez – Scoutmaster. Not Pictured: Kendell Cady, Talen Henson, Zavier Garcia, Christopher Heath

On Saturday March 25th Seadrift Boy Scouts Troop 106 held their 42nd Annual BBQ Plate Fundraiser. Cubmaster Leslie Shirhall said they can’t thank the community enough for its continued support. Each year community members come together to support the local Scouts by generously giving of themselves, whether it be monetary donations or giving their time and energy to help put events like this one together.

Over 1,200 plates were purchased this year and Auctioneer Jason Brumfield assisted attendees who kept their paddles raised in good-hearted competition while attempting to win yummy treats, hand crafted bedding, guided fishing trips and a variety of other items generously donated by community businesses and residents. Cubmaster Shirhall stressed the troop’s appreciation for the community and its continued support and stated that they couldn’t do what they do without it.

As of this printing, the troop has three Scouts currently holding Star Rank who will achieve Eagle Rank this month. After April 26, Cooper Rodriguez, Cash Shirhall, and Kendell Cady can begin work on their Eagle Scout project with the goal of finishing up this year.

Spring Rain and Migrating Birds

Greetings from Matagorda Peninsula Island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing very well, and enjoyed a wonderful Easter Sunday and weekend Good Friday holiday.

In the years past, I’ve made the trip across the bay to attend the Sunday morning Easter Sunrise service in POC on Front Beach, a wonderful gathering put on by the various churches in town, and attended by many early morning risers. But for the past several years, I stay on the island and get up early, and with coffee mug in hand, I drive the short distance down to the island beach. Corky and I sit in the buggy and wait for the morning sun to slowly make its beautiful orange glow, east rising appearance over the Gulf of Mexico, giving thanks that He Indeed Has Risen! As I’ve often said, there’s just something a bit more special about seeing the sunrise/sunset over the water, especially on Easter morning.

The island finally got some measurable rain last week, with a much needed 1.5” falling from the sky onto the parched barrier island. It’s amazing the noticeable difference a good rain makes, with the grass becoming greener and the little yellow island flowers showing up everywhere. The mower definitely starts getting a workout as well, but I’m happy to see the rain and Spring colors.

Another Spring bonus sight every island year are the beautifully colored migrating birds and hummingbirds. Most of the birds are the small finch type size, but there are also the yellow-winged blackbirds and Baltimore Orioles that visit the island as a stop-over on their way northward. Without doubt, the most colorful migrating bird that I have seen, and hope to see every Spring, is the Painted Bunting. This small bird is an explosion of various colors, reminding me of a vibrant rainbow. It’s so enjoyable sitting and watching all of these different birds fly around looking for bugs, and to watch the hummingbirds fight over the sugar water in their feeder.

Well, the 16 tomato plants are now in the ground, having been planted in the 18” deep raised beds and 25 gallon tubs, 40 days after being started from seeds. I’m already prepared with an organic solution spray to fend off the dreaded tomato hornworms, which cause misery for me every year by stripping the plants of their leaves, and then eating the green tomatoes. The hornworms begin their life as larvae, hatched from eggs being laid in the soil by a Five-Spotted Hawk moth, also known as a Hummingbird moth. If not checked every day, the hornworms, which grow quickly in size as they eat the plant leaves, will completely strip a tomato plant of all its leaves. They are my tomato growing nemesis!

Well. that’s it from the island for now. Everyone take care and have a wonderful day.