What a great Vacation Bible School (VBS) we had July 30 through August 5. Devon was the director and worked closely with Pastor Joane to put together the best VBS in recent history! Kids had a lot of fun, learned a lot about the Lord, and were fed some of the best food around. They picked up trash on the Front Beach, enjoyed a “sleep over” and memorized a new Bible verse each evening. Each child was touched by the story of God’s great love for us and each one asked Jesus to become their Lord during this week! The highlight was the Sunday morning Commencement Service where the kids sang for their parents and grandparents and helped pray for them. Several of the parents also made commitments to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. All I can say about this VBS is that we were awed by the workers who gave of themselves, the kids who came, and the blessings of the Lord that we all experienced. We are looking forward to next year’s!

Our next special event is with Missionary Keith Boudrux, who works with international students on the Houston college and university campuses. The Reverend Boudrux has ministered at the Chapel before and has published a book concerning “the seven deadly sins”. He is a gifted speaker and is accomplishing a lot for the Lord with these students from around the world. The Reverend Boudrux will only be in the morning service with us, so please make plans to attend – Sunday, August 19, at 10:00 a.m.

Kids, remember that Friday Night Youth will be the place to be each Friday from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. We know that school will be resuming in a few days, but come on, bring your new friends and introduce them to all of us!

I am traveling out of state for a few days to be with Dad. Many of you have been praying for us and we feel that support and sincerely appreciate it. In our absence, Pastor Joane will be filling the pulpit. (Please don’t tell her I said it, but she is a much better preacher than I!) and you will not want to miss any of the services. Again, thank you for remembering us as we walk this different pathway – different only because we have never walked it before!

The Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to make everyone’s pathway to Glory as smooth as possible! God has been blessing our efforts with several new families, so come and see what is going on. We know you will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel, and we urge you to, “Come, grow with us!”

NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey has announced a new website, www.stormsurge.noaa.gov, designed to provide vital information to help protect communities, people, and property from the devastation of coastal flooding. “NOAA’s meteorologists and oceanographers observe coastal conditions and predict when storm surge may occur,” said Jesse Feyen, a storm surge expert with NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. “This website gives people important information to help them prepare for storm surge. With this advance understanding and knowledge, people will know how to respond to coastal flooding from a storm.”

Guns and Common Sense

In the wake of the horrible tragedy that struck in Aurora, Colorado where twelve innocent souls lost their lives and numerous others were injured, the debate about gun control and the Second Amendment has become news again, and, as ever, it is a heated debate.

Some will claim that stricter gun controls laws would have prevented the shooter in that incident from possessing the firearms or the ammunition needed to carry out his plans. Like any other event, the politicians who have had a beef against gun ownership for years have come forward to claim that they were right all along.

This debate is not an easy one to solve but in the end there is no reason to try to limit taxpaying citizens  rights that were guaranteed to them at the very start of our nation. While we have progressed much since that document was written we are still a very violent society that still has uses for both hunting and self defense firearms.

We have all heard the saying ‘guns don’t kill people; people kill people’ for a long time now, it has become a very well known phrase on a very controversial subject. The reason it might be repeated so freely is that no matter what your stance on gun control, it makes complete logical sense. Guns really don’t kill people, it is the person behind the gun that should really get the blame.

You also have account for the fact that no matter how strict the gun laws become, you may be only hindering law abiding citizens from possessing a firearm, because it would seem someone contemplating or committing criminal acts is never going to follow those rules in the first place. James Holmes, the shooter in the Colorado incident, did get his weapons through normal means, but he also had a nice clean background in neuroscience and no legal entanglements beyond a traffic ticket.

A good example of how much of a difference stricter gun laws might not make is in the Chicago land area in Illinois, where I spent a good portion of my life. That area, especially within the city of Chicago limits, has some of the strictest gun laws around, yet the murder rate is up around thirty-five percent from last year, proof that the bad guys will always get the guns.

Then we have the hunters and the hunting industry that surrounds them. Besides the right to be able to hunt for your own food, hunting is an integral part of quite a few communities’ income across the United States as well as the jobs created by everyone making, supplying and selling the gear needed by hunters each hunting season.

While we know that the public officials supporting harder gun laws only mean the best for their fellow man, it cannot be an option to take away the personal prospect of self defense, hunting and maintaining our country’s freedom based on tragic events committed by men who would have found what they need to carry out their horrible plans no matter what laws we put in place.

Or how one man’s hobby creates a barbecue in Port O’Connor!

Have you seen the signs on the highway at 14th Street? They announce to all travelers that there is a new eatery in this area that will please your taste buds! As my attention had been captured following a Saturday at the Library, and my nose was inhaling such great scents, I stopped!

And found a large black metal pit barbecue on a stand adjoining a bright yellow mobile kitchen. And an astonishing cook with his wife sitting under a large awning at a table with several friends. Meeting Karen and Leroy Smith was an excellent experience. Leroy is THE guy behind the pit and Karen, his wife of many years and chief supporter, both are local residents. It seems Leroy has been cooking foods over a grill for many years, and his skills have traveled throughout this area and others. Many friends have pleaded with him to cater family events for some time, and this has led Leroy into the business world.

Although open only on Saturdays, Leroy’s has definitely become the standard meal in many homes in Port O’Connor. As he is currently employed by Dow, he will be open only every 2nd or 3rd Saturdays, but his grilling is not to be missed. Speaking with several residents concerning the food, the raves are not to be taken lightly. As stated: the ribs just fall off the bone; the brisket is tender and tasty; the chopped beef makes an excellent sandwich, and the potato salad is a delight!

Leroy is definitely a people person, who seems to warm immediately to any one. Karen, his wife, may be a little more reserved, but she made me feel very welcome as I asked questions and took pictures.

Leroy’s Pit BBQ will be closed for several weeks beginning the weekend of August 11th and 18th, but he should be back in operation on the 25th with tantalizing scents covering the highway and luring you to his place.

Although most chefs are male, the prize for organizing a kitchen goes to the female as she is the one who uses it on a daily basis for a minimum of three meals. And this was no different with Leroy and Karen, as she is accustomed to being in the kitchen constantly and is a completely organized person. So Leroy then found the necessary items now being available on instant access, which now makes the Cook very happy and less stressed.

As you spot the large bbq pit, you also see the bright yellow mobile kitchen adjoining it, decorated with the signs denoting the gastronomic pleasures available. There is a large table covered with an awning adjoining the kitchen that can provide shade from the hot summer afternoons as you get your food. And for your safety, inspectors from the Health Department have made a visit and declare Leroy’s as A+ for food service.

Leroy strikes you as a man who can’t sit still, whether he is moving or not — he grabs your attention. A very warm personality whose aim is to please YOU and that he does. And Karen is a delight to speak with.

Leroy already has plans for our locals during the winter. Will be interesting to see his menu!

I have found this to be a total delight being able to speak with many of our businesses here in Port O’Connor. So if any business would like to be interviewed, please contact Joyce Rhyne, our editor, or me at the following address or phone number: kubeckasue@yahoo.com; 361 798-0560.

Leroy

Karen

Mixed Plate

Start Training For the 2nd Annual 5K

The 2nd Annual P.O.C. 5K and Dolphin Run Kids K will be held Saturday, October 13 at King Fisher Park.  The event committee is looking for event sponsors.  A portion of the proceeds will go to beautify King Fisher Park.  Sponsor benefits include logo on poc5k.com, logo on t-shirt, flyer, and announcement post on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/2nd-Annual-POC-5k-and-Dolphin-Run-Kids-K/121075001317800>.

If you are interested in sponsorship levels please contact:

 runpoc5k@gmail.com.

Artisan and retail vendors are also  encouraged to reserve a space at the start/finish line.

Quick Facts:

• P.O.C. 5K will be held at the front beach.
• The 5K is an optional run or walk.
•A new one mile course will be available for 5K walkers and the Dolphin Run.
• All 5K runners will be timed.
• Over 100 runners participated last year.
• $2,743 was donated to the Port O’Connnor Chamber of Commerce.
• P.O.C. 5K will be promoted on TV, radio stations, and print media in the surrounding counties.

-LaJune Pitonyak, POC Chamber