: Cape May Warbler, a songbird seen migrating along the Upper Texas Coast. Photo by Sheryl Travis.

Spring migration is just around the corner! In the spring, hundreds of bird species begin their migration from southern regions to northern regions to prepare for the breeding season. One major question I always get from kids and adults is “how do birds know when to migrate?” Birds rely on a mix of instincts, environmental cues, and navigation mechanisms to know when and where to migrate, some of which still puzzle scientists to this day.

Birds have an internal circadian rhythm that helps them understand changes in daylight duration. They also use environmental cues like temperature, food availability, and wind/weather patterns. Additionally, birds use the sun and stars, earth’s magnetic field, and landmarks like coastlines and mountains to help guide them on their long journeys.

Another aspect of migration that might get overlooked by some, is the preparation birds partake in before leaving. If a bird is preparing to go on a long migration, they’ll need to add fat before taking off. This is why you may observe birds foraging for food more often in the late winter/late summer months to prepare for spring and fall migrations. Many birds are also going through molt, which will give them new feathers that are ready for flight. This makes their journey easier because they gain a fresh new set of flight feathers that are stronger than their old feathers.

North America has four main flyways that birds utilize during migration. Flyways are the major routes that migratory birds, and sometimes other animals, follow during their seasonal migrations. These pathways are shaped by geography, climate, and the availability of food and resting sites. They often span continents and include breeding, stopover, and wintering locations. The four main flyways in North America are the Pacific Flyway, the Central Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway, and the Atlantic Flyway.

Brazoria County is located in the Central Flyway zone and we are right near the coastline, offering a plethora of different habitats. Upper Texas Coast habitats include coastal prairies, hardwood forests, marshes, lakes, bayous, bays, and the gulf shoreline. This makes the Upper Texas Coast one of the most diverse regions for birds in North America.

If you’re in the Brazoria area during March-May, I would strongly suggest you go birding for a chance to see a variety of neotropical birds and many more. Peak migration for our area is mid/late April to early May. Gulf Coast Bird Observatory celebrates spring migration with our annual event, Spring Fling. This event takes place at Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary in Quintana. We always have knowledgeable volunteers and staff on hand at Quintana to answer your questions, help identify species, keep a daily list, and sell water, snacks, and field guides.

Spring Fling takes place during April 5^th – May 3^rd from 9am – 4pm. We know we’re going to see some great birds and hopefully you will too!

February was a very busy month at the Chapel. We celebrated Valentine’s Day with a special meal of lasagna and our folks responded to the evening by bringing visitors. We enjoyed a Super Bowl Party and watched a disappointing game. An old friend left planet earth for Heaven, and we mourned his passing. We conducted our Annual Meeting of the Members, and all rejoiced in the excellent reports and the spirit of unity. AND, we spent many hours and several days preparing for Vicky and Dom’s Wedding. 

 March came in like a lion – very windy. It was however a beautiful sitting at Breckenridge Park for the beautiful wedding ceremony. I got the honor of walking our stunningly beautiful bride down the isle and then Pastor Joane and I had the privilege of preforming the wedding jointly. The pictures on Facebook do not totally depict the evening’s elegance. The meal was so delicious that we brought the leftovers back to the Chapel and shared them for our Wednesday evening fellowship! Pastor Steve Linney filled the pulpit on “Time Change Sunday” to give Pastor Joane an opportunity to recoup from the wedding activities.  

 On Monday, March 10, Pastor Joane’s close friend, Anita Castro, came to have a few days off and relax with us. Anita and Pastor Joane met on a mission’s trip to Haiti several years ago and the friendship has increased since them. Anita is now a missionary to Thailand and is about ready to go back for her second term. She shared with the Chapel her efforts in planting seeds with their “friendship” style of ministry. She was well received and the Chapel family gave her a generous offering to further her work for the Lord. 

 We hosted a great Retreat with folks from around Texas and beyond. We were introduced to a couple that we have a mutual friendship in a Pastor in Spring. Jim and Brenda Dunn were so inspired from the time in POC that they are planning to return soon to spend a couple of months in our great community. We are looking forward to them coming! 

 The Chapel is helping me celebrate 61 years as a credentialed minister. I was just a kid in High School who believed I had heard the Lord ask me to preach the Gospel for Him and I responded. When I met with the “Leaders,” I did not have much formal training but a lot of youthful zeal. I have been asked how I could be a preacher for so many years, to which I reply, “I started very young and have not yet died!” The Leaders took a great chance on me for which I am honored, and I have sincerely attempted to be who the Lord has called me to be.  

  We sincerely appreciate those who are providing food and funds for the Pantry ministry. We are averaging just over three families each week and we always attempt to provide as much as they will need for at least a week. We could not be your hands extended if you were not giving – so thank you for partnering with us to bless the most needy in our community. When you know a family who is in need of food, please send them our way! 

 Easter is coming on April 20. We are already planning the Sunrise Service at the Front Beach, which will begin at 7 AM. The Chapel will continue their usual schedule of Bible Class at 10 AM; Morning Service at 11 AM; and Evening Service at 6 PM on Easter. It will be a full day, but why not – Jesus put in much more effort than we will! 

 The Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to help everyone make their eternal destination in Heaven with our Lord. One will always find a warm welcome, whether for Sunday services or Wednesdays at 7 PM. All are urged to, “Come, Grow With Us!”

Wednesday, March 5th, was a very special day! I got to sit down with Officer Andrew Dimas in his office at the Seadrift School.

The most important thing I learned about Andrew Dimas was that he was a great cop. What are the makings of a great cop, you might ask? Well, he loves his job. He has a great respect for law and order. He enjoys the school staff. And he’s crazy about the kids! Judging from all the artwork hung in Andrew’s office you can see that the kids are crazy about him!

Andrew’s official title is School Resource Officer. He works at both the Seadrift and Port O’Connor schools.

Andrew wanted to be a cop since he was in grade school. In high school he completed a two-year Criminal Justice Course where he met police officers, deputies, and got to go on a tour of a jail. This course helped reinforce Andrew’s goal of becoming a police officer which led to him being in law enforcement for fourteen years, ten of which he served as a police officer. We salute your service, Andrew!

Andrew, commenting about his job as a School Resource Officer, said: “Working with the children and the amazing staffs at the Seadrift and Port O’Connor schools is the best job I’ve ever had. The kids alone make my day. They are so happy to see me and they’re always so talkative, telling me new things going on with them. Kids make my coming to work so enjoyable. You never know what they’re going to say.”

Andrew has a beautiful wife named Paige. They have two cats (Blu and Benji) and three dogs (Lola, Raven, and Maggie). Andrew loves hunting and fishing. His motto is “Treat others like you would like to be treated.”

Submitted by Russell Cain

Lewis Ray Madden and his wife Juaniece Marek Madden were natives of Calhoun County, she having been born in the Six Mile community and he in Port O’Connor. Both were educated in Calhoun County schools. Lewis graduated from Port Lavaca High School in 1939; Juaniece graduated from the same school in 1950 as the valedictorian of her class. After graduating, Lewis Ray attended Texas A&M University in Kingsville until World War II when he joined the United States Coast Guard, serving until 1946. After his service, he returned to Port O’Connor and went into business. He was part owner of Madden Mercantile, South Beach Terrace, and Port O’Connor Theatre.

Jauniece and Lewis were married January 19, 1951, and moved to Seadrift where they built two businesses, Main Theatre and Western Auto True Value Store. They also owned the Madden Dry Goods Store. Lewis served as a director of Seadrift and First National Bank. He was also a member of First Methodist Church of Port Lavaca.

In 1987, they sold their businesses and moved to their farm on Highway 38 in Calhoun County. After retiring, they became active in community work, especially with the Calhoun County Senior Citizens Center. They also traveled throughout the United States as well as in many foreign countries.

Even though they had retired, they remained active in community projects thereby gaining many honors in recognition of their tireless work. Juaniece was selected as Woman of the Year in 2006 by the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce. She also served as a member of the Senior Citizens Foundation, Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre, Calhoun County Taxpayers League, Golden Crescent Workforce  Commission, the Harbor Children’s Alliance, and the Calhoun County Humane Society.

The Maddens were very hard workers who always promoted their county in whatever endeavors they undertook. Their activities were always centered on Calhoun County, so the creation of the Madden Foundation in July of 2008 was a natural outgrowth of their heritage.

One of the community projects that was emblematic of the Maddens’ desire to give back to the community was their work in making the Main Street Theatre a functioning theatre again after many years of neglect and deterioration.

Russell Cain remembers that in 1991, that both were involved in scrubbing and cleaning the old downtown theatre; they were a part of the involvement of the whole town in the re-doing the Main Street Theatre. Not only did they work physically to renovate the theatre, but they also spearheaded the application for a grant from the Meadows Foundation in Dallas, a grant that was received when the Foundation saw the number of $5 and $10 donations from the people of the county. Those donations represented the widespread community support for the project of renovation. As a result, the theatre was dedicated in 1992.

The first play in the refurbished theatre was performed on the night of September 29 in 1994 and billed as a Gala Grand Opening. The play was directed by Pat Jurek, the theater teacher at Calhoun High School (the former Port Lavaca High School) and Russell Cain’s former teacher. Jurek directed 24 people in the cast. Invitations were delivered on a silver platter by Mrs. Jurek and others. That first performance was that of a murder mystery which took place in a courtroom where a jury chosen from the audience deliberated the fate of the accused. The defendant was a lady accused of doing away with her boyfriend.

The theatre was full that night, which gratified Russell since he was the defense attorney who was able to get her off with a not-guilty verdict. What a grand time was had by the people who attended this initial performance. The community celebrated the return of the theater to Port Lavaca and the prospect of further productions utilizing local talent. In addition, the theater hosts other events of a varied nature.

The Maddens always wanted the best for Port Lavaca and Calhoun County. The Madden Foundation continues to give back to Calhoun County with their support of the Calhoun County Humane Society’s animal shelter, the Heritage Center, a function of the Senior Citizens organization, the Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre, and many other projects.

The contributions of Juaniece Madden to the furtherment of her community was recognized by her being named the first recipient of the Port Lavaca Rotary Scholarship, the first woman to receive this honor.

Juaniece and Lewis Madden always admired hard workers who were also making Port Lavaca and Calhoun County better places. They were a couple dedicated to whatever job they could do to help further that end, whether it was scrubbing the bathroom floors in the theatre downtown alongside Russell Cain, Fay Sterling, and Ray and Tina Davila, or helping the project raise funds.

We have missed the Maddens, but the Madden Foundation represents that legacy of hard work and service. Their foundation has meant jobs for the many who staff the various non-profits supported financially. The Madden Foundation is a non-profit that is on sound financial footing, as evaluated by those who evaluate such organizations. Their saving and investing have meant much to those organizations and to the people served by them. The Foundation is thus a model for others to follow.

Port Lavaca Mentor passes. Connie Hunt has been a mentor to so many Republicans in Calhoun County and throughout Texas.

Connie entered her eternal home on February 28, 2025, in Copperas Cove, Texas.  Connie Jane Prince was born March 7, 1936, in Memphis, TN.  Connie is survived by her husband Ed Hunt, currently living in Copperas Cove, Texas.  Connie is preceded in death by her son Corbin Hunt. Connie will be greatly missed by a multitude of family and friends from all over the world.

Connie married Edward Hunt October 30,1954, and they lived all over the world while Ed was in the service; first serving in the Navy and then enlisting in the Army.  Connie worked in offices wherever Ed’s service took them.  Ed and Connie settled at Magnolia Beach in Calhoun County some 30 years ago.  Ed and Connie celebrated 67 years of marriage last fall.

Connie was very active with the Conservative Club and the Republican Party.   Connie was a proud supporter and contributor to the “We the People” program at Calhoun High School and was proud to create a field trip experience through the Republican Club that has allowed high school students from Calhoun to travel to the State Capitol in Austin to observe Congress in action and to experience the State Museum.

Connie was a good and faithful servant, and God has been so good all these years even as she faced heart concerns and illnesses. Throughout her life, Connie shared her talents and devotion within her church community, she was always ready to serve in any capacity.  Her energy and dedication were a blessing to those around her.  She sang regularly with a voice that was truly a gift from God.  She was seven days short of her 89th birthday. She truly had God with her always.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22.

Memorial Service was held March 15 at Cowboy Fellowship Church

Gravesite service pending at a later date in Briggs, Texas.