Indianola photo by Gary Ralston

Calhoun County Historical Commission invites you to attend the Historic Texas Cemetery Dedication for Indianola, Old Town, and Zimmerman Cemeteries on Saturday, June 9, 2012, from 10:00 to 11:30 A.M. The ceremony will take place at the Indianola Cemetery located at the Highway 316 terminus.

The Historical Commission will present a Restoration Plaque to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas District VII and the Indianola Cemeteries Restoration Fund which provided new fencing and tombstone preservation for the Historic Indianola Cemetery.

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Relics, Old Trails, and Historic Sites Committee will recognize the Indianola Trail with a medallion dedication.

In addition, The Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca is currently featuring “Indianola Civil War Artifacts.” At the Indianola site, a full size camel sculpture has been completed along with a town site diorama, cistern, and court house marker where so many lives were saved in the two hurricanes.

For information, please contact 361-552-5931.

-Mary Belle Meitzen, Calhoun County Historical Commission Vice –Chair

Enjoyable Island Gardening

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well, and please don’t forget your dad on Fathers Day next Sunday. My plans are to spend the day with my dad, Henry, and will certainly enjoy our time together. The gardening skills I’ve developed are all due to learning them from my dad, and I continue to learn from him all the time.

Speaking of gardening, I’m gonna fall short of my goal to grow a three pound tomato this Spring season. I’m growing lots of “regular” tomatoes, grape and cherry size, and a beautiful Orange Blossom variety, having a deep bright orange color, but my Big Zac variety simply did not produce well. I did have one just over a pound, which is a nice tomato, but nowhere near my target weight. But of course I’ll keep on trying; maybe the Fall tomato garden will produce that Texas size whopper. I’d like to find out what our state record tomato is, that would be a nice goal to shoot for.

I’m late getting them in the ground, but this week I started my watermelon and cantaloupe seeds. I’ve had good luck the past few years growing melons here on the island, especially big sweet cantaloupes, so I’m hoping towards the end of the summer I’ll be enjoying some cold sweet melons in the shade.

The seaweed is really washing ashore thick on the beach right now, making it difficult to drive along the surf. It’s time to pull the trailer down there and bring a big load back to the house for composting. My four year old Compost Tumbler finally rusted out a few weeks ago, so I called the company and true to their 5-year warranty, they sent me a new one. Now I’ve just gotta put it together and start a new batch of compost. I do rinse the beach seaweed off with fresh water, but after loads and loads of composting it, the salt still remaining in it simply rusts out the galvanized barrel drum. With ten raised bed planting areas, even though the composter is 180 gallon capacity, I only end up with about 40% of finished and ready to use compost, so I need plenty of it.

The beach finds have been few and far between lately, picking up only some five gallon buckets and plastic containers that I can use for miscellaneous chores and to collect seaweed and dirt. You have to look closely to see what might be entangled in all the seaweed washing in on the beach, and once it stops, there might be some good finds exposed under the grass.

I can’t wait for the surf waters to clear up and turn their emerald green color so I can start wading the guts, hoping to pull in a few nice trout to fry up.

I want to thank islanders Charles and Joy for allowing me to help out with their hosting the Wounded Warriors Wives and their kids, a few weeks ago here on the island. With the help of Helicopter Mike and Crazy Ed, we hauled them to the beach for a few hours and then enjoyed a lunch that Joy had prepared. A wonderful day for a great cause.

Well that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and remember to call your dad next Sunday.

Katie Redding

Katie Redding, 2012 graduate of Calhoun High School is the daughter of Rachel and Bryan Redding of Port O’Connor. and granddaughter of David Hawes and Helen Hawes and the late Albert and Faye Redding.

Katie is the recipient of five scholarships: Christopher Ragusin Memorial Grand Slam; Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce; Port O’Connor Lions Club; Port O’Connor Service Club; and POC/PTO Naomi Albrecht Scholarship.

Katie plans to attend Victoria College and pursue a degree in Business Management.

Jessica Glover

Jessica Glover, 2012 graduate of Calhoun High School, is the daughter of Bonnie and Jack Glover of Seadrift.

Justin Owens

Justin Owens, 2012 graduate of East Central High School, is the son of Darryl and Theresa Owens of San Antonio.

Ty Williams and Jessica Williams

Ty Williams and Jessica Williams, children of Dr. Wesley and Tracie Williams of Argyle, Texas and grandchildren of Charles and Joy Fryou of Port O’ Connor, have both graduated from Texas Tech University, Lubbuck, Texas. Ty graduates with Doctors of Jurisprudence degree from School of Law and Jessica with Doctors of Pharmacy degree from School of Pharmacy. Their parents and grandmother are all graduates of Calhoun High School.

Sarah Elizabeth Reeves

Sarah Elizabeth Reeves, granddaughter of part-time Port O’Connor residents, Herb and Adell Reeves” Paw Paw & Mimi” of Port O’Connor /Katy, Texas, and daughter of Steve & Stacy Reeves of Katy, graduated from Katy High School on June, 3rd with honors, and recognition as a Distinguished graduate . She sang the National Anthem at Graduation. Sarah is an outstanding vocalist, and was a member of the Katy High School Choir all four years. She also was in the Chamber Choir, and Cantante (auditioned for special Choral Performing show Groups in the KHS CHOIR). Her senior year she was Choir President. She received the choir’s highest awarded scholarship.

She has been accepted to Texas State in San Marcos, and plans to study Opera and Music. Sarah has been a part of her Youth Group in her home Church, First Baptist of Katy, and just recently was a featured singer in a benefit for the Homeless held by some of the youth in the church at the Church.

Sarah is the 4th generation Reeves who has adopted Port O’Connor as her “home away from home”, starting with her great grandparents, Preston and Hazel Reeves back in 1969. Sarah has been coming to Port O”Connor with her Dad and Mom, and big brother John to Paw Paw’s and Mimi’s Reeves Boggy Lookout on Taylor Street since she was a baby, and loves her adopted home of Port O’Connor!

Sportsman Scholarship Recipients 2012

The Sportsman Scholarship (In memory of Jesse Giessel, Nick Pack, and Dusty May) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarships. We usually give $1000 to three recipients; however over the years we have received more and more applicants. Therefore the directors have decided to award $500 scholarships to six recipients.

This year scholarships went to:

Jessica Glover

Quentin Henderson

Shannara Welch

Darrion Crowley

Kelli Rothman

Phillip Lyssey

The boys would be proud of all the applicants and recipients of the scholarship given in their honor. Since Jess was from Port O’Connor, I’m sure he would like to see more local seniors apply for this scholarship. There was not a single applicant from here.

Port O‘Connor Chamber of Commerce Presents Scholarship

The Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce was pleased to present a $500. Scholarship to Senior, Ms. Katie Redding, during Scholarship Day at Calhoun High School. Mrs. Joyce Jordan presented the scholarship on behalf of the Chamber. The Officers, Directors and Members of the Chamber of Commerce extend a heartfelt “Congratulations” and “Best Wishes for the future” to Katie.

Seadrift Chamber of Commerce Presents Eight Scholarships

The Seadrift Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present Scholarships in the amount of $250 each to: Tania Kawana, Shannara Welch, Jessica Glover, Christine Williamson, Leah Sparks, James Buitran, Darrion Crowley, and Quentin Henderson.

Congratulations, graduates!

Port O’Connor Lions Club Presents Scholarship

Mrs. Carol Haverfield & Katie Redding

On Friday, May 18th, the Port O’Connor Lions Club was proud to present the first scholarship awarded by the club to Katie Redding, a very deserving Calhoun High School Senior during Scholarship Day.

The presenter of the $500. scholarship was Mrs. Carol Haverfield.

Congratulations and Best Wishes in your future achievements, Katie. We are very proud of you.

Port O’Connor Community Service Club Presents Three Scholarships

Michaela Harper, Katie Redding, Mrs. Debbie Busby, & Christina Williamson

During Scholarship Day at Calhoun High School on Friday, May 18th, the Port O’Connor Community Service Club was proud to present scholarships to three Seniors – Michaela Harper, Katie Redding, and Christina Williamson in the amount of $500. each.

The scholarships were awarded by Mrs. Debbie Busby on behalf of the club.

We in Port O’Connor are very proud of you and wish you all the best in your future achievements. Congratulations!

Memorial Day weekend 2012 turned out to be a fantastic time in Port O’Connor. In addition to fishing and playing on the beach, the annual events: Kids Fishing Contest, Kite Contest, and POCSA Cook-Off were enjoyed by many.

The Chamber of Commerce appreciates Valerie Nelson for taking charge of the fishing tournament on short notice, and also Rebecca Gregory, Mary Jo Walker and Jimmy and Barbara Crouch, who made the tournament possible. The Kite Contest had a great turn out and with a good breeze for the flying. Thanks to James and Shirley Harper and Ronnie Ragusin for handling the kite event for us. The Chamber appreciates the work of all these volunteers!

The POCSA BB-Q Cook-off was a blast as usual, with the judges having a hard time picking the winners.

Chamber news:

We recognize Double H Guide Service for their renewed membership. And many thanks to the Richards family for their donation to the 4th of July Fireworks.

The Chamber’s June meeting will be held on June 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the back room of the POC Community Center. You’re welcome to join us!

-LaJune Pitonyak

Kite Flying Contestants

The Chamber of Commerce Kite Flying Contest had a great turnout this year. Every year since the event restarted it has grown. Mother nature was on our side again this year and she provided a wonderful environment for flying just about any kind of kite. Even the smallest flyers were able to fly their kites and enjoy the fun along with the more experienced flyers.

We would like to thank everyone for coming out to fly their kites. There were all ages represented this year, as well as a variety of different kites from the smallest little butterfly kite to the oh so grand trick kites that always give a great performance. A good time was had by all. This year all the participants received recognition for just coming out and flying their kites. Trophies were given for first and second place in several different categories.

Shirley and James Harper and Roni Ragusin came out again and ran the contest and had a great time watching all the wonderful kites and enthusiastic flyers enjoy the day and have fun with their families.

A special thanks to The Chamber for providing the trophies and mugs to give away to the participants. Also to Shirley’s Small Fries Daycare for providing the drinking water, which was much needed.

-Roni Ragusi

“It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” Judged Best Brisket and Best Ribs at POCSA BB-Q Cook-Off

On May 26, 2012 the Port O’ Connor Sports Association held their annual BB-Q Cook-Off at Kingfisher Beach. We always have a great time hosting this event!

Eleven teams participated, a few new faces, but mostly patrons! We would like to THANK EVERYONE who came out to support us by either participating in the Cook-Off or purchasing some delicious chopped BB-Q sandwiches!

The Sports Association would like to give a special thanks to Josie’s Mexican Food and Cantina for donating the briskets we used for our BB-Q sandwiches!

-Amy Gosnell

“Tippin T Cookers” Judged Best Chicken, 2nd Ribs & 2nd Chili

“Wired Up” 1st in Chili and 3rd in Gumbo

“Smokin’ Nuts” Judged 1st Beans & 2nd Chicken

“Grand Slam Cookers” 1st in Gumbo, 2nd Brisket, and 3rd in Beans

“Band Aid Crew” 2nd Beans, 3rd Chili, 3rd Brisket, and 3rd Ribs

“Smell My Pitts” 2nd Gumbo & 3rd Chicken in the POSCA BB-Q Cook-off

The judges at the May 26th POCSA BB-Q Cook-off had a difficult job choosing their favorite brisket, ribs, chicken, chili, gumbo, and beans.