As this was pretty much of a short summer meeting, not too much business was discussed. However, there was follow-up conversation concerning the purchase of American flags that were placed along the highway from 1289 to the Community Center: Members of the Club thought that the flags should be flying for Independence Day, the 4th, and also during that weekend. It was mentioned that perhaps a good place for the location of these flags would be at the Front Beach at the entrance to the pier and also at the end of the pier. They would be wonderfully displayed there for the Fireworks Display on Saturday evening, the 7th of July.

The membership voted once again to make a donation to the Volunteer Fire Department for their annual fund raising on Saturday, July 7th. As the Fire Department will be serving barbecue meat plates with many extras to raise money for their out-of-date equipment, Club members voted to send an appropriate amount for a donation. The Fire Department here in POC has been in operation since 1952 on strictly a volunteer basis. Monies must be raised throughout the community to purchase and update their equipment as the County cannot supply enough money for that purpose. The BBQ Dinner With Plates To Go begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 7th, and if you wish to get your dinner, plan to be there early.

Although this is June and our next Garage Sale is not scheduled until October, many mothers have found that the school clothes their kids were wearing have become a little too small, and also have discovered that these kids have not stopped growing. Therefore, as these moms are cleaning out closets and drawers, please remember that we are continually taking donations for our Fall Garage Sale. Please contact either Lydia Strakos, the Chairman of the Garage Sale, at 983-2003 home or cell 920-5088, or Debbie Busby at 512 914-9521 to arrange for storage. We welcome all usable donations of clothes, furniture, kitchen equipment (i.e., pots & pans too), bedding, pictures, etc. Believe it or not, October is coming faster than you think.

Many residents of POC must be aware by now that the Service Club is writing a book on our history with pages for each family that lent to that history in many ways. I was very much thrilled to learn that a friend’s grandfather had been here back in the era of 1919 and was one of the major factors in building homes at that time. What we are searching for is the opportunity to speak with a descendent of a family here during the early growth of POC. We are looking for information and a picture if possible (very important) of their family members from the early period until the advent of Carla in 1961. If you have that information and desire to be a part of the book, please contact either Janet Johnson, President, 983-4737 or Sue Kubecka, Chairman, 361 798-0560 to arrange for the time of an interview. We really desire to speak with you and learn of your part in our history.

President, Janet Johnson reminded each member that the continuation of one meeting a month will be until September when election of officers will be on the agenda. Therefore, the next meeting will be July 5th at 10:00 a.m. in the Meeting Room of the Community Center.

A few months ago, I was at the check-in station at the Veteran’s Clinic in Victoria. They asked me what health insurance I had. “I have what was promised me when I was discharged from the Army. You are my health insurance!” was my reply. “Well, this is not the same Army you served,” was the answer. I heard an older gentleman, well he was probably in his 80’s, say, “It ain’t your grandpa’s America anymore!”

Shocking changes have occurred in our culture in the past generation or two. Today America is a land of people who are losing hope. American Christians think the “unreached people groups” are in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. But our nation is a land where it is becoming a liability to be called a Christian. We have so many disillusioned teens, addicts, homeless, disaster victims, and cynical college students that Jesus seems no longer to be the society’s answer.

U.S. News and World Report estimated more than 3 million crimes per year are committed in or near the nation’s 85,000 public schools. We now have about 3 million people in our jails and prisons.

A University of Michigan study reports 9 percent of America’s eighth-graders carry a gun, knife, or club to school at least once a month. In all, an estimated 275,000 guns go to school every day.

In a single year in America, the average 16-year-old will witness 15,000 sex acts and references on television.

Since 1960, the rate of illegitimate births in America has climbed by 419 percent. And our churches are no insurance policy against promiscuous sexual activity – a study conducted by Josh McDowell reveals 43 percent of teenagers attending church regularly have sexual intercourse by age 19.

The radical changes in our society have made the work of teaching morality more crucial than ever in America. However, as dark as statistics like this may seem, the only brilliance of hope that exists today is that America will return to being the light of the world.

One of the greatest problems I witness in our society is the negativity that outshines the truth. We have problems in America, but it is only when we are not part of the answer that we become part of the problem. Instead of talking “down” our nation, I believe that if we will begin allowing our spirits to soar with the joys of our great nation, we will see its greatness return.

There are six ways to help change our personal attitudes about the bad we see everywhere we look:

1. Get right with our Creator. When we feel that we are who we have been made to be, then we see things in better light! When we are doing things we know are below our natures, we see the clouds instead of the sunshine. God is so interested in us personally that He is reaching out to us all the time, wanting an intimate encounter with us; so allow it to happen, and we will begin seeing America in a different light.

2. Let go of things that drag us down. Loosen up. Enjoy life. Get out of the driver’s seat and allow God to take charge. Trust Him. Don’t worry. Don’t critically judge others (that’s God’s task). A judgemental spirit precludes a truly joyful one. Allow God to bear the weight of your past life, because your enemy delights in condemnation, but God delights in forgiveness.

3. Praise. We must learn to exalt those around us throughout the day. People are doing some remarkable things. Just this morning, I heard a 5 year old boy on national television sing Lee Greenwood’s song, “I’m Proud to Be an American”, without missing a single word! That is truly praiseworthy! Look at what was accomplished recently when our community came together to bless our Wounded Warriors! We are making a difference – spotlight that! Remember the sound of the tone made by tapping a glass depends on its fullness. When we are full of joyful praise, others will hear it!

4. Pursue Wholeness. Why are so many of us living at levels that are far below where we want to be? If we would work hard at accomplishing what we believe will make who we were created to be, then we could be like the young lady from North Carolina, who, although abandoned by her parents, worked hard to keep herself and her school work going, recently received a full scholarship to Harvard University.

5. View negative circumstances as opportunities. The past couple of weeks, I have been teaching that it is the devil that tempts us to do wrong and the Lord who tests us. Temptations are meant to make us fail, but tests are brought our way to show us just how good we can do! God has promised that every negative circumstance we face will have a successful outcome when we allow Him to guide our lives. God has something good to bring us from whatever life throws at us!

6. Count blessings. Could things be better? YES! Could things be worse? YES! Now, on which do we want to concentrate? I choose to count my blessings, and I do not see as clearly those things I could curse!

America is still the greatest nation on planet earth! Even with all its problems, people are dying every day attempting to become a part of our great “melting pot”! If we will just get an “attitude adjustment” about our great America, I believe we will also sing, “God bless America” with the same fervor as those who sang it with Irvin Berlin, who wrote it in 1938!

“And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.”
Lee Greenwood

Summer Program for Kids of All Ages!

Austwell, Texas – Every Thursday from June 21 thru August 9, 2012, starting at 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge will offer kids (and parents!) a chance to experience one hour of exploration of our incredible refuge and an opportunity to learn something fun about the outside world. The Refuge Explorers program will have a different theme every week including learning about pollinators, endangered species, and fishing! Here is our schedule of events.

June 28 – Fishing Games and Fun

July 5 – Junior Duck Stamp Activities

July 12 – Sea Turtles and their Lives

July 19 – Learn to Birdwatch!

July 26 – Identifying Tracks and Skins

August 2 – Mythbusters: Wildlife Style!

August 9 – Endangered Species: What Can We Do to Help Rare Wildlife

These programs are free for the public. All programs will involve some outside time (weather permitting). Please dress in clothing that can get dirty and is comfortable. Parents and/or guardians should stay with the kids while at the refuge. For more information please contact Aransas NWR at 361-286-3559.

DIRECTIONS:

From the South: follow Hwy. 35N to the FM 774 exit. Turn right on FM 774 and drive on the highway winding through the farm fields till you get to FM 2040. Do not get off FM 774 until you get to FM 2040! Go another 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Center to register.

From the North: travel south on Hwy. 35 to Tivoli. Continue past Tivoli for approx. 1 mile to the FM 239 exit (on your left). Follow FM 239 to Austwell. When you enter Austwell, FM 239 turns into FM 774 at the curve. Continue on FM 774. Follow 774 & take a right at the stop sign. Go down the end of the street. Take a right again. This takes you out of town for about ½ mile to the FM 2040 turn. Go left on FM 2040 for about 6 miles to the Refuge gate. Go to the Visitor Center to register.

A 30-cubic-yard roll-off bin will be located behind the fence on 16th and Harrison for Port O’Connor MUD customers to bring bulky waste to be hauled off.

The bin will be there for one day, on Saturday, July 14. The bin may be used from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

MUD customers only may deposit large items like carpet, furniture, mattresses, stoves, etc. Auto batteries may be left outside the bin.

MUD customers must sign in with their name and Port O’Connor physical address.

No commercial waste – this is for residential waste only.

No paint, tires, gas cans or any unacceptable waste in the bin.

Ann J. Pesek, 95, of Victoria passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012. She was born January 19, 1917 in Hallettsville, Texas to the late Louis Gerlich and Anna Ressler Gerlich. She was a homemaker and a member of Our Lady of Victory Cathedral and served in the Altar Society. Ann was also a member of the St. Mary’s Altar Society and Quilting Group, a 75 year member of KJZT and a member of the Raisin and Coletoville E.E.A. Club.

Survivors are daughters, Jo Ann Bone (Glen) of Victoria, Charlene Parker (E.H.) of Beeville; son, Ray Allen Pesek of Port O’Connor; daughter-in-law Robin Pesek of Goliad County; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles J. Pesek; son, Dennis Wayne Pesek; one brother; and four half-brothers.

Funeral Mass was held June 18 at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral. Burial followed at Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Victory Cathedral, Our Lady of Victory Altar Society, Hospice of South Texas, or donor’s choice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com