Victoria College’s Workforce and Continuing Education Department is now offering High School Credit Recovery Courses online with ed2go.

These courses offer a flexible and affordable online option for students who need to make up credits or retake courses to improve their grades. Students may choose from a wide range of core curriculum courses including algebra, geometry, biology, chemistry and English.

For students who may have struggled with high school curriculum in the past, each course comes with a unique support system designed to help all students succeed. Courses are offered through Career Online High School, a division of Smart Horizons Career Online High School, and are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

This course is part of VC’s growing selection of more than 300 instructor-facilitated online courses. Through well-crafted lessons, expert online instruction, and interaction with fellow students, participants in these courses gain valuable knowledge at their convenience. These online courses offer students the flexibility to study at their own pace combined with enough structure and support to complete the course along with access to the classroom at anytime from anywhere with an Internet connection.

New sessions of each course begin every month and each course lasts six weeks. Courses are entirely web-based with comprehensive lessons, quizzes, and assignments. A dedicated professional instructor facilitates every course; pacing learners, answering questions, giving feedback, and facilitating discussions.

To learn more, call Victoria College at 361-582-2528 or visit online at:
www.victoriacollege.edu/ce

God is doing some awesome things around this world. This past Sunday evening, we hosted Missionaries Ernie and Sandra Peacock. The Peacocks resided in southern Mexico for 17 years and helped to plant over 250 churches throughout Mexico and Latin America. They have been invited to work with the Assemblies of God in Spain, training and mentoring church planters as part of a new initiative to plant 1,000 churches throughout Spain by the year 2020! We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with them as they help build the Kingdom of God throughout the world.

Our Fisherman’s Bible Institute class had to move its meetings to Thursday night this past week because Pastor Joane was ministering to over 30 ladies at a Women’s Conference at El Campo. The reports of what the Lord did for those ladies are still coming in, but we do know that after the message, many of those ladies spent over a hour praying around the altars. Heaven will reveal the true results.

Captain Robert had another very successful Sea Academy class at the Chapel last week. All seven students completed the assigned course and are awaiting their Coast Guard Licenses. The next class here at the Chapel is scheduled for June 22-29. All interested students should contact Captain Robert at 361/816/3010 or the Sea Academy at 361/758-6184.

We have been working hard in the Retreat Center. With the leadership of Julian, we have finished the ceilings and sheetrock for two of the three bedrooms and the great room. We hope that this week we will be able to have it ready for painting – I know that this is a high goal, but Dad always told me if my goals were not high enough, I would never get done what I can accomplish!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and we are planning to have some special surprises for our mothers. Every mom present will be presented with a token of our appreciation and an evening dinner is planned in their honor. Our special guests for Mother’s Day will be Gene and Mona Summers. They have been here several times before and are always a great blessing. Why don’t you come and bring your mother to this special celebration?

Friday Night Youth is going in high gear with activities, food, and fellowship for all kids in this area. Each Friday from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m., kids of all ages gather at the Chapel for an evening of Godly Fun! Remember, we allow our workers to rest on the first Friday of each month, therefore, no FNY on May 4. But, be looking for more information about a Youth Rally on May 18 – more details later.

The Chapel is a loving group of Christians who gather with one goal: to love one another! We welcome all to come join in the activities, whether it is the Sunday Morning Bible Study at 10:00 a.m., the Morning Worship Service at 11:00 a.m., the Sunday evening service is at 6:00 p.m., or the Wednesday evening service at 7:00 p.m. You will always find a warm welcome here and are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

The headline above is the subtitle of the book, “Vera Kara’s Family”, a novel based on the memories of a Central Texas lady, granddaughter of an Austrian Baron and daughter of the Austrian brew master to Czar Nicholas.

The story begins in the early 1900’s, in a German settlement in the Volga River Valley of Russia. It continues with the family’s escape across Siberia to China where Vera was born in 1921, the rebuilding of their wealth and its loss to the Communists, and then centers on the Vera’s life as she settles in Texas, experiencing  the joys and sorrows that comprised her life. As the book jacket says, “Although the Kara story could be one of hate and regret, it is instead one of hope for tomorrow, as the family rebuilds after each tragedy by relating life’s disappointments to the dust bin of yesterday.”

Author Agnes Hannes, who is a part-time resident of Port O’Connor, was distantly related by marriage to Vera Kara. Eight years in production, the book is based on extensive interviews of  Vera and her son, plus research of historical events that make up much of the story.  It also includes photos of many of the people and places in the Kara Family odyssey.

When not in Port O’Connor, “Aggie” Hannes resides in LaGrange, Texas.  I met Aggie at the Treasure Chest’s anniversary celebration in March.  Her friendliness and her enthusiasm about the life of her friend Vera Kara easily persuaded me to purchase and read Vera Kara’s Family. While I don’t usually take the time to read books for pleasure, once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. History, adventure, romance, and love of family all come together for a memorable reading experience.

Vera Kara’s Family can be purchased in paperback or Kindle eBook at www.amazon.com.

Author Agnes Hannes

Mary Belle Meitzen, Chairman of the Calhoun County Historical Commission Cemetery Committee, announced last week that the official document from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) certifying the Port O’Connor Cemetery as a recorded Historic Texas Cemetery has been received.

The receipt of this official document is the culmination of research begun in 2007 by the Cemetery Committee, working with Bob Allen of Port O’Connor, who located and recorded the graves.

This designation is reserved for cemeteries that are at least 50 years old and documented through the Historic Texas Cemeteries process to record their historic association and significance.

“This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of these important cultural resources,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC. “Knowledge and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of a historic cemetery.”

“Further protection for the cemetery would be provided by an association,” said Chairman Meitzen.

An Official Texas Historical Marker will be installed at the cemetery in the future, and a dedication ceremony will be held at that time.

You can view individual grave sites at: www.findagrave.com