Patsy Irvin, age 81 of Port O’Connor, TX, passed away on May 25, 2012. Mrs. Irvin is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Irvin, Jr.; brothers, Roy Holder, Robert Holder, Edward Holder; daughter-in-law Mary Irvin and is survived by sons, Hiram Duffy and Richard Irvin; daughter, Vicky Skaines and husband Jerry; brother, Tommy Holder; grandchildren, Laura Stanton and husband Erick, Robert Malone, Amber Straten and husband Jason, Adam Straten and wife Lynn, and Mandy Pace and husband Josh; and great grandchildren, Elam, Miles and Jack Stanton, Mariah Perez, Blake Straten, Cassie and Marina Malone, Ethan and Logan Pace.

A Graveside Funeral Service was held on Friday, June 1, 2012 at Brookside Cemetery with Pastor Marcus Goelke officiating.

(Guest Book @ www.canonfuneralhome.com)

La Salle District – Boy Scouts of America

The LaSalle District of the Boy Scouts of America held its annual Leaders Awards Banquet in the Formosa Family Center. Rev. James Amerson, Pastor of the United Methodist Church and Chairman of the LaSalle District, welcomed and thanked everyone for their hard work during the previous year. He also spoke about the community support received and thanked various businesses and organizations, including Formosa for hosting the dinner in their beautiful Family Center.

Two special groups of Cub Scouts were also recognized. First, Cindy Shilinga recognized the three Packs who sold the most popcorn as a fund raiser. They include Pack 422 from Mission Valley who sold $8,385, Pack 101of Inez, whose boys sold $ $20,115 and Pack 364 from Victoria who sold $30,175. The three top Troops, all from Victoria were Troop 364 who sold $9,290, Troop 104 who sold $10,335 and Troop 363 who sold $11,695. Cindy also pointed out that the Boy Scouts collected 5,385 pounds of food for the local food banks last year.

Then Dave Kouba introduced the eighteen boys who earned their Eagle Scout Award. They included Eric Mansker, Troop 363; Case Wayne Stillman, Troop 135; Christian Schneider, Troop 137; Josh Morgan, Troop 368; Brian Wayne Bubela, Troop135; Ian Lueckemeyer, Troop 108; Keith Jahn, Troop 137; Chance Poulton, Troop 135; John Cole Wozniak, Troop 363; Shane Van Thedford III, Troop 135; Steven Sudheimer, Troop 364; William “Billy” Pugh, Troop 101; Nathan Marrriga, Troop 101; Harrison Garrett, Troop 363; Juan Cabrera Jr., Troop361; Nicolas Garza, Troop 364; and Kyle Hardegree of Troop 363. Through their combined efforts, these Eagle Scouts saved the taxpayers of the LaSalle District $35,125.30 in tax dollars with their projects.

Pack 116 from Port O’Connor was recognized as coming in second in Advancement and third in Membership Retention, which go hand in hand. Each boy retained from the previous year does not have to be recruited again.

James W. West Endowment Awards were then presented to Mr. Mike Deming, Rev. James Amerson and Cindy Shilinga, for their work as exemplary scouts.

The Cub Scout Award of Excellence, a district award, was presented by Susan Orr to Beverly and Richard Seals of Pack 364, Kelley Drastata of Pack 105, and Fred Mendez of Pack 106.

The Distinguished Assistant Scoutmaster awards, presented by Ralph Belter, went to Pierce Thedford Jr. of Troop 135, Charles Bonorden of Troop 364, Cindy Bacak of Troop 135, and Wayne Bubela of Troop 135.

Ronnie Williams presented the LaSalle District Award, to Michelle “Shelly” Larson for numerous Leadership positions in several units and Dr. Art Munford for time and effort he put into the new LaSalle District organization. The next went to Cindy Shilinga for the fine job she did as District Information Co-coordinator. The Award also went to Larry Ray Thompson for the work he placed in the College Commissioner of Science, for assisting on Wood Badge staff.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the District Award of Merit. Dave Kouba, District Advancement Chairman, presented one of these coveted awards to Benjamin Huante of Troop 364, sponsored by Our Lady of Victory Cathedral in Victoria.

Ben and his wife, Nora have two sons, Matt and David, both Eagle Scouts. Ben’s primary registration is as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 364. His career began in 1988 when he followed his first son in the Cub Scout program. He served double duty when he had one boy in the Cubs and the younger in the Boy Scouts. Ben served as a Den leader, Advancement Chairman, Weblos Leader and several other positions in the Pack. In the troop he participated in numerous camp-outs and summer camps. He attended Philmont Scout Ranch in 2002 and 2005. He served as Outdoor/Activities chairman, Committee Chairman and as Assistant Scoutmaster from 1999 to present. He is a Brotherhood member of the OA. He is active in the Catholic Committee on Scouting, where he received the Bronze Pelican and recently the St. George Award. He is also a Member at Large of the LaSalle District. Ben is employed as a reliability Engineer at Invista for the last 29 years.

The second District Award of Merit went to Helena Edgley of Pack 366. She joined scouting when their son joined in 2005 and went to get her training as Day Camp Director. She also completed the Trainers Edge, Tiger Cub Den Leader, Wolf Den Leader, Bear and Weblos Den Leader. She received her Cub Scout Fast Start in 2005 and her Cubmaster training in 2007.

Her service to Scouting includes holding all of the above positions she trained for. In addition she became Cub Day Camp Director in 2009 and 2010. She is currently Cubmaster for Pack 366 and a LaSalle District Committee Member.

Helena is a CCD Teacher at Our Lady of Victory, Girl Scout cookie chairman and Girl Scout Leaders Assistant. She is a Registered Nurse at Citizens Hospital

District Award of Merit Helena Edgley and Benjamin Huante

Adriana Carriles and McKaelyn Carriles are shown here on June 2 outside Speedy Stop selling T-shirts to raise money for summer camp.

Final preparations are now being made for this year’s Vacation Bible School, which begins this Monday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m. Each day, Monday through Thursday, June 11-14, the children will gather from 9:00 a.m. until noon to witness God’s “Amazing Wonders Aviation”. They will begin their adventure each morning in the Worship Rally Hangar to pledge allegiance to the U.S. Flag, the Christian Flag and the Bible. They will say the motto and sing the school songs. Each of the classes, PreK, Grade 1&2, Grade 3&4, and Grade 5&6, will then go into their individual hangars for Bible study. After Bible study, the classes go into the Missions Hangar, then to the Crafts Hangar, then to the Music Hangar, and on to recreation and snacks – a full three hours of fun and excitement packed adventure. All children, PreK through Grade 6, are invited to join in the excitement next week. Candice Stryker is Director of VBS and she is joined by some 25 volunteer helpers. On Thursday night at 6:00 p.m., everyone is invited to the Big Graduation Program. The students will receive their diplomas and their parents, relatives and friends will witness their children’s program. Refreshments will be served. The church van will be running daily to pick up the children about 8:30 a.m.

This past Sunday night the Church held a special High School Graduation party for Rebekah Grant. Rebekah graduated from Calhoun High School on June 1, 2012 at Sandcrab Stadium.

A large group of Port O’Connor children in grade 3 through grade 6 will depart for a four day Summer Children’s Camp on Monday, June 18 at Palacios Baptist Encampment. They will return on Thursday, June 21.

The Church Youth, grade 7 through grade 12, will depart for Summer Camp at Camp Zephyr on Monday, June 25 and return on Friday, June 29. Camp Zephyr is in Sandia, Texas on the banks of Lake Corpus Christi.

The children and youth are selling T-shirts of various sizes and colors to earn money for camp. The T-shirts are $10 each and on the back of the shirt is the inscription of a flounder and the words “Don’t Flounder Around, Get Hooked on Jesus”. Your purchase will help send a child to camp. Thanks!

Prayer meetings are being held each Tuesday at the church for our September 16-19 Revival. The men meet at 7:30 a.m. each Tuesday morning and the ladies meet at 6:00 p.m. each Tuesday evening. Brother Shannon Talley, Pastor of McAllen First Baptist Church, will be preaching both services Sunday, September 16 and each evening on September 17, 18, 19. Pray for this coming Revival in Port O’Connor.

See you in church Sunday!

Pastor Carl Westbrook will retire on June 24th after approximately forty years of ministry including nine years of service at First United Methodist Church in Port Lavaca.

The church is planning a Retirement and Farewell Reception for him and his wife, Elizabeth, and their family. Friends and colleagues along with members of the surrounding communities are invited to attend on Sunday, June 24th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church located at 814 N. San Antonio St. in Port Lavaca. The church is located one block off Virginia Street behind Memorial Medical Center Hospital.

Those of us in the church will be sad to bid the Westbrook Family farewell and to see Pastor Carl retire, but we wish them well and “Best Wishes” for their retirement years. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Pastor Carl and Elizabeth for all they have done for us and the community. One consolation is – At least they aren’t moving too far away as they will be residing in Victoria.

-Joyce Jordan

Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2200 E Red River St · Victoria

Cattle Boom!
Ranching in Victoria and the Texas Coastal Bend, 1845 – 1929

The La Salle Odyssey
The story of the French explorer La Salle’s doomed 1685 settlement in southern Victoria County, including iron cannons and artifacts excavated from the settlement and the Belle shipwreck.

Early Peoples of the Texas Coastal Bend
Archeological evidence of prehistoric people and culture in the Coastal Bend, dating up to 13,000 years ago. Included are stone projectile points, bone and shell tools and decorative objects.

Brands of the Crossroads
Livestock brands from area ranching families are featured, both currently registered and historic.

Nueva Espana: Spanish Colonial Artifacts featuring the Woodrick Collection
Spanish explorers began mapping the Gulf Coast of Texas in 1519, but it wasn’t until 1722 that a presidio and mission were established in southern Victoria County, mostly in response to the perceived French invasion represented by La Salle’s colony of 1685. Artifacts from the Garcitas Creek, Tonkawa Bank and Mission Valley locations of Presidio la Bahia and Mission Espiritu Santo are featured.

361.582.2511