Ruth Neal proudly shows the butterfly and crosses made by her daughter.

I consider myself lucky to be able to share other people’s stories in this publication. This opportunity has allowed me to learn about a variety of folks all the while finding similarities and truly understanding that it is a small world. I find that with each interview my search in “Discovering Seadrift” expands further — into our county, Southern coast and Texas history.

Recently I’ve been invited to interview residents of Trinity Shores. I’ve walked through the serene green hallways when I interviewed Bernice Cook. I greatly enjoy spending the afternoons speaking to these wise spirits and I wanted to share with The Dolphin Readers one of my recent experiences at Trinity Shores.

Walking into the room of Mrs. Ruth Peterson Neal, I was immediately attracted to the beautifully crafted butterflies which adorned the lamp to my left. They could not go without notice; each had contrasting sizes, radiant colors and sparking jewels. “My daughter made those for me,” explained Ruth. “She lives in Washington and is very crafty.” Indeed, Nina Lee Neal is extremely crafty. She had made the butterflies from plastic bottles; the back of the butterflies had a magnet allowing them to be positioned in various flight patterns. “I love butterflies,” I said to Ruth. “Several years ago I gave my grandmother a birthday card that was decorated with nothing but butterflies on the front. I named two after us and inside I wrote, ‘one day we would be free to flutter together on the earth.’”

The topic lead us to talk about her great-great grandparents, Ole Peterson and Christine Olsen who arrived in Louisiana from Europe via boat in the mid-1800s. Ole was born in Denmark and Christine in Germany. They married once they arrived in the United States. They had one son, Jens Peter Seyer Peterson who was born November 13, 1822 in Copenhagen, Denmark. As I inquired more about her descendants she said, “Would you like to see my history book?” My heart beat faster; if you’re a regular Dolphin reader you already know I greatly enjoy learning about people’s lineage.

For the next hour, I sat on the floor next to Ruth, turning through the pages of what must have been a 5 inch thick binder that contained everything from birth certificates to newspaper clippings, even report cards. Her daughters had beautifully organized the book for her tracing their ancestors as far back as 1822. While most of her descendants ended up in Texas, there were some that navigated as far as Brooklyn, New York and South Gate, California. I sat mesmerized and asked Ruth question after question.

She answered each question and told me about her adventures growing up in Bear County and then her marriage to Alfred Neal. The couple lived in San Antonio, settling in Corpus Christi. Ruth’s husband worked in the refineries in Corpus, he also worked with sheet metal and even repaired military planes at the local airport. I sat up on the edge of my chair the instant she said the latter — “What kind of planes?” I eagerly asked.

“Fighter planes used in the war,” Ruth answered gingerly. Images of the Spruce Goose, B-17 Flying Fortress, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, and B-24 Liberator flooded my mind. I could barely mutter, “Wow,” under my breath. What I would give to talk to Alfred about his experience being a mechanic on these vintage aircraft! And yet Ruth was so casual about it, today it still brings a smile to my face.

The pages that followed were of their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren’s smiling faces. As I stared up at Ruth, I saw clearly how she only viewed the beauty in life and I felt admiration for her. Often times we spend our days and minutes thinking about the ‘why nots’ and ‘could of beens’ instead of focusing on how rich we are with family, friends and being thankful for what we do have. Positivity and liveliness radiated from Ruth and I am lucky to have come across a person such as herself.

As I arrived home and walked towards the front door, a monarch butterfly hovered by me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen a butterfly roaming freely. Just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared. It brought a comforting smile to my face and I was reminded that everything happen for a reason. One day I hope to fly alongside all of the special souls I’ve come across. Till next time.

Ruth’s Family Photo

Louie (1) & Stella (2) Peterson Brown, Eugene (3) Barlow, Robert (4) Peterson Sr., Doris (5) Peterson Hunter, Vol (6) Peterson, Lyda (7) Peterson, Nina (8) Emerson, Ida (9) Barlow Peterson,
Louise (10) Peterson, Ruth (11) Peterson, Charles (12) Peterson, Watson (13) Barlow, Meluin (14) Barlow, Stella (15) Peterson, Seated Uncle George (16) William Peterson.

We are excitedly planning for the Annual Sunrise Service on the front beach Easter morning (7:00 a.m.). Over 400 attended last year and enjoyed the ministry of former First Baptist Pastor Golke, a lot of good singing, and of course, the delicious cinnamon rolls from Cathy’s. This year, I will be preaching; there will be a lot of great singing, and we are looking forward to Cathy’s rolls again! Come, bring your lawn chairs, and participate in this very special annual event!

On Sunday, March 11, during the morning service, we celebrated the life of Annette Green. Some questioned having a Memorial Service on Sunday morning, but we believe that is exactly the way Annette would have liked it. Annette loved the church and those who loved her gathered around her family and expressed their love that morning. The Chapel was blessed to have had Annette as part of our family and her influence continues. Our love and prayers continue to be with Larry and the rest of the family.

Joane and I just returned from Spring Break, which took us to Houston for a day, plus, in meetings, and a 650 mile trip (one way) to see Dad. Thank you for your continued prayers for him and two of my sisters, who take turns caring for Dad at his home. Last Saturday and Sunday were both good days and I even got to take him to the morning service of his church at Oppelo. Joane and I got to have lunch with some of our Houston friends who have family in Russellville. We had a great time, but it is always good to be home!

In our absence, we appreciate the ministry of the Reverends Don and Beth Wiehe. Reverend Don is the Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the South Texas District and has ministered at the Chapel several times. The Wiehe’s and a couple from Seguin spent their spring break at the parsonage while we were away. Kenneth Gregory was their fishing guide and helped them “load the boat”! Thank you for loving our friends in our absence.

Patrick Overton led our congregation on a “field trip” on Wednesday, March 14, to 6-Mile to hear the Reverend O.C. Bates. Reverend Bates was a great blessing to those in attendance. On Sunday, March 18, Patrick ministered in the Chapel’s pulpit in the evening service. Thanks, Patrick!

What a great time was had with a packed house on Saturday, March 17, as youth from around the area converged on the Chapel for a great Gospel Rally. Area Youth Director Travis Glass led the service, which featured the youth band from Freedom House, grilled hot dogs, (Thanks, Julian!) and Travis’ message from God’s Word. It was a great time, with several local kids joining in. Look for the announcement concerning our next Youth Rally.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation with a heart big enough to reach everyone in this community and beyond. You will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

The Heritage Center, 2104 W. Austin, Port Lavaca, TX. and Sterling Griffith will present the The Country Opry Tuesday, April 3, 2012.

Show starts 7 PM. Admission $4.00 donation. Chopped Steak Dinner served from 6 PM until 7 PM for $6.00 donation.

Proceeds benefit the Calhoun County Senior Citizens.

For information call (361) 552-3350.

On Friday evening, March 30, thirty teams of local citizens will gather at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds to begin a walk that will last throughout the night.

They will be participating in an annual fund raising event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Their reasons for participating are to honor cancer survivors, those who are currently fighting this disease, and remember those we have lost.

The American Cancer Society is the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit source of funds for scientists studying cancer. They help cancer victims find support and treatment, educate the public on healthy living and cancer detection and offer advice to caregivers.

You are welcome to come by the Fairgrounds; meet cancer survivors, and encourage the relay participants.

We have all read stories and seen movies about locating the strange message in a bottle, perhaps thinking that somehow, someway, someday you would really be so lucky as to find a cast-off bottle.   But this happened several months ago to a local lady, Karen Barton.

Karen is well known throughout the area for her talent in sculpting unusually beautiful crosses from driftwood she has found on some of our beaches.  Many of her items are on display for sale at The Treasure Chest in Port O’Connor.  Karen finds much of the driftwood she uses on Sunday Beach, and one day, she really found a bonanza.

“Well, is that all you’ve got?” was the reaction of Karen’s son and friends that day when she showed them the bottle she had just found. But it was not just an old bottle; there was a message inside. It was beautifully written on graph paper, in French. Translated to English it read:

“Dated April 1, 2010
SHIP BRO CECILE
COMPANY, BROSTOM AB

My name is Jean-Paul Sundstrom; I’m a sailor on board a commercial ship.  We’re heading from HOUSTON (U.S.A.) to SANTOS (BRAZIL).

To all of you, I hope that you can live in a better world, without war, without misery, where everyone has enough to eat.

Refuse all forms of slavery, keep your dignity, and listen to your heart, which alone holds the key to happiness.  A successful life is a life led following your aspirations, always acting in accordance with your values, giving the best of yourself in whatever you do, remaining in harmony with who you are, and, if possible, a life that has provided the opportunity to transcend ourselves, to dedicate our lives to something other than ourselves and to contribute something to humanity, even very humbly, even if it’s very small.

Man is made not to drag chains, but to open his wings.

The most beautiful projects are from the heart, and it’s from these projects that we keep the most beautiful memories.

My God protect you.

To my son Kevin, born September 12, 1987.

My address is Saint-Martin-de-Re, FRANCE”

Karen graciously welcomed me to her Swan Point area home to discuss the bottle and its message. She also spoke  proudly of her family and their accomplishments. Karen is one of the owners of Dick’s Food Stores along with her brother, Ronnie Hyak, with one store that has recently opened here in Seadrift, from its home base in Victoria.  The family that operates these stores includes her father, George Hyak, and her uncles, Albert and Bill Dick. These were the gentlemen who began the original group of stores, forming their partnership with a handshake in 1936.  The first store was located in the south end of Victoria and operated for several years, until the floods hit that area and caused the relocation of many of its shoppers.  That left the store on Crestwood, which is still in operation today.  These stores are known throughout Victoria for the excellence of their meats and produce, having a vast display of many other items, and the friendliness and cooperation of their employees. Dick’s Seadrift store has continued their excellent reputation in their meat market with an incredibly friendly butcher.  Karen’s son, Colin, is managing the store, but “Mom” does keep an eye on operations.

Karen was proud to tell me more about her father, George Hyak.  George served in the Second World War, as did many men from the Victoria area, and saw far more of Europe than many of us will ever see. He participated in the landing at Normandy on D-Day in 1944, fighting his way onto Omaha Beach, and continued with his unit, where they were part of the stalwart Americans in the Battle of the Bulge.  From there this portion of our Army fought their way into Germany and liberated one of the concentration camps, before turning it over to Eisenhower.

Karen is planning a visit later this year to see her daughter who has just relocated to London with her family.  She intends to retrace the footsteps of her father from his service in the Military during the Second World War throughout France and Germany.  She is also planning to try and locate the writer of the “message in the bottle” in his area of France.   What an incredible trip she will have!  And I certainly hope that we will hear from her following her trip.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with Karen (and her friendly Schnauzer, Buddy). She is not only an extremely artistically talented woman, but friendly and charming as well.  I ran into Karen later that afternoon at the store where I found my dinner for later that evening and received another warm greeting.

Karen Barton & Buddy

The Bottle

The Message

Driftwood Cross by Karen Barton

Photos by Sue Kubecka