The Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the installation of two 1,000 watt green fishing lights at the T-head of the pier at King Fisher Park. The installation was completed on Tuesday, May 15, just in time for welcoming Warrior’s Weekend.

The lights are a grant from the Chamber to Calhoun County. Precinct 4 Commissioner Kenny Finster helped with the cost of installation.

New signs were installed at the entrance to the pier and at the T-head to remind fishermen to “Pack Out What They Pack In” to help keep King Fisher Park clean and ready for the next visitor.

Jim Butler and staff reinforced the pier for the installation of the lights and of the custom light holders that were built by Action Welding. Bourg Electric, represented by Sunny and Russell, connected the electric power.

The scope of the green light shining on the bay at the T-head will bring many excited fishermen to enjoy King Fisher Park.

Joe Wiatt, Chairman
King Fisher Park Committee

In 1912, the Glenwood Stove Company announced an invention that would relieve the average household of a most undesirable chore. The ad explained that Glenwood’s new stove was designed in such a way that the ashes automatically flowed through a sealed pipe into the basement ash bin. As a result, families would never again have to deal with the mess, labor, and concern of keeping a stove clean of ashes.

The original readers of that advertisement could never have imagined the life-altering inventions that would fill the next 100 years. Chances are they would marvel at the thought of how carefree life would be with the luxuries we enjoy today: microwave ovens, IPhones, Internet, and even the simple thermostat on the wall. Compared to 1912, one need not leave the comforts of the living room to accomplish many daily responsibilities.

Yet, our lives are anything but carefree today! According to a recent Gallup poll, over 80% of Americans feel stressed at least some of the time, and nearly half are stressed most of time. Despite our efforts to make life run more smoothly and organized, we often feel overwhelmed by the pace of each day.

Our Creator never intended for us to exist within the constant bustle of a life always moving in fast forward. He has promised to give us rest and peace. But, how do we grasp the promise of God to provide us with peace? How do we rise above “crisis mode” toward “crisis cure”?

First, live by God’s clock. When pressures and responsibilities seem to overwhelm us, there is a tendency to look to the latest time saving invention or time management strategy to bridge the gap. But God calls us instead to change our perspective. He has ordained a pace, a rhythm, to our lives. Woven into that rhythm is a constant recognition that the Creator of the universe guides the events of each day. Remember, it was our Creator that designed a “day of rest”. No one would believe that He was tired or stressed, but He knew He had designed His creatures to need time to reflect. In order to escape crisis mode, we must recognize our need to pause for thoughtful reflection on who God is and what our place in His universe is supposed to look like.

Second, remember your top priority. No one will ever break the crisis mode until they realize their life is ordered by choices that have made and those they are making. When life seems chaotic, spending endless hours on Facebook, texting, or watching TV will only compound the problem. We need to find comfort in trusting God to guide our choices as He sees fit, recognizing our limitations. As we surrender our priorities to Him, the urgency to accomplish our plans will be replaced by a gentle peace of knowing that His unique purpose is at work in us.

Third, find contentment in relationships. We have heard the message everywhere – if we want a happy and fulfilled life, we need this product, this experience, and/or this look. Such are the pressures of living in a materialistic society. But if we yield to these forces, we will find ourselves entrenched in crisis mode. It takes time and money (as well as other resources) to “keep up with the Jones”. And we will find ourselves pressed to become something God never intended us to be. It is hard work living up to someone elses expectations.

We must allow God to define the values and directions of our lives. It is this attitude that will insulate us from crisis mode. When we are content wherever God has placed us, there is no pressure to chase after things we do not need, or live up to expectations God never intended us to keep. Live in peaceful surrender to the promise that God will promote you, bless you, and change you according to His plans for your life.

Staying out of crisis mode is a constant battle. There will always be “ashes to lug”. Financial need, family responsibilities, and job pressures are all a natural part of life. Add the occasional, unseen catastrophe, and things can become overwhelming.

The antidote – “Crisis Cure” – is found in adopting a new perspective, one that looks to God to prioritize our time, guide our decisions, and define our values. When we surrender every need and crisis to His care, we are free to experience the peace that can only come from Him!

Sterling Griffith will present the The Country Opry Show at the Heritage Center, Port Lavaca, Tuesday, June 5, 2012,
starring Blake Anthony, Jaycee Barnes, I. W. Henson, Stacy Stark & sons, Casy Lee Ann, Roy Erwin, Joanne Hickman and Allen Moon.
Show starts 7 PM. Admission $5.00.

Noral McCauley, owner, and Janet Johnson of POC Liquor Store

There are two attendants at the POC Liquor Store who each offer a friendly smile constantly and a desire to help as a visitor enters. The first is Janet Johnson, the manager of the store and the second is Noral McCauley, the owner. Before the opening of the POC Liquor Store, Janet had been the manager of Alvin’s since its inception in 2003. And anyone visiting the store at that time, whether to purchase a delightful wine or a certain type of liquor, to ask questions about what’s going on, or just to ask for directions, Janet always greeted everyone with an incredible smile and willingness to be of help.

However, in November of 2011 Speedy Stop decided that the area where Alvin’s was located was needed for an expansion of the store. So Janet soon found herself without a job, but she had received offers from five different individuals to manage another store here in Port O’Connor. And knowing Noral McCauley for a long period of time and being quite impressed with his business acumen, Janet decided to wait for the opening of Noral’s store.

Janet has been a resident of POC since the 50’s; working at the Fishing Center and other businesses for a number of years. Also she helped her husband, Lewis with his fishing guide business and working with his clients. When Lewis suffered a stroke several years ago, Janet became his caregiver. Additionally, she is the parent for her great granddaughter, Hailey and has cared for her since birth. Janet is also the President of the Service Club and is always there working on their projects.

Noral McCauley, the owner of the POC Liquor Store, however, has a very unusual and interesting background. He claims residency in Port O’Connor prior to his birth as his parents settled here in the 70’s from Illinois. Noral’s grandparents were operating the Tarpon Inn for Mr. Mitchell, the owner, and his father then worked in Joe Bright’s lumber yard and his mother also operated a catering business. Noral received his education locally, and following graduation from high school, began working. He has had a varied career working in the oilfields, helping his grandparents in the liquor store at the Tarpon, helping to build the swimming pool at Alligator Head, and then finally working with Shane Bell at Shoalwater Marine in the 80’s and 90’s. Working at Shoalwater he sold boats and also designed them, using the Yamaha boat motors. But Noral wanted to be his own boss and so in 2006 he opened Overboard Marine where he and his helpers do engine work, maintenance and minor repairs. Noral is also a single father and is extraordinarily proud of his daughter, Kaleigh, a talented musician, who is married to a Marine. Unfortunately, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, is quite a distance from Port O’Connor and doesn’t lend itself to daily visits.

Noral’s belief is that if you always do people right, goodness comes back to you. And he maintains how lucky he is as he rejoices daily in his work and the ability to perform the varying tasks required correctly.

POC Liquor Store is located at 8th and Adams Street in a large white building that was formerly known as Squid Row, a drive-through for beer and sodas. As you enter the Liquor Store, you are impressed by the space, the openness with corresponding light and a huge area for stocking all kinds of items. And, if somehow you are unable to find a certain brand, either Janet or Noral will be happy to try and locate a requested item.

I’ve written in the past of various businesses in our area and the owners and operators of each business to try and convey to the reader a little something extra about the person. If an owner would like to be interviewed, please give me a call or contact me at the below address.

kubeckasue@yahoo.com
361 798-0560

The Memorial Medical Center in Port Lavaca held its annual Health Fair on May 10th, combining fun and learning about various and diverse aspects of personal health care.

Beyond the free popcorn and the bouncy castle, there was also a message to local residents to be aware of the individual health of themselves and their loved ones.

Booths and tables at the fair featured subjects from drug abuse to sleep disorder, each with a message of hope as well as facts. The fair’s slogans, “so much…so close” and “making miracles happen” relay the inspiration for the health fair.

In addition to walking away with valuable information on a variety of subjects, testing was also made available free of charge to all attending. Visitors could test their blood pressure, glucose or cholesterol levels and their body composition.

Fair goers could also enter to win some of the various health related door prizes available at the fair, such as free personalized screening from many area medical offices or one of the various prize packages donated to the cause.

Entertainment was also provided, with the CHS jazz band performing as well as being able to get a good look at the Port Lavaca Fire Department main engines. Children could also get their face painted while meeting some local favorites such as a mouse from the Calhoun County Library, a shake and tater tot from Sonic’s and the fire department’s resident mascot dalmatian.