On March 24th and 25th The Crossroads of Texas Living History Association and Presidio La Bahia will stage a reenactment of the occupation of the fort by Col. Fannin and the Goliad Massacre of Col. Fannin and his men at Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, Texas. This annual event has been held for the past 26 years and has been of great interest to the public. Last year’s admissions exceeded 4500. Many schools send their students, girl and boy scouts come on field trips and parents bring their children so that all can experience this unique reenactment of Texas history.

During the day Saturday battles will take place around the fort. There will be the sounds of muskets and cannons discharging and the air will be full of black powder smoke. The costumes worn will be those from that period in history. Visitors will have the opportunity to ask the re-enactors about the roles they are reliving as well as attend lectures in the 233 year old Our Lady of Loreto Chapel.

In the evening candlelight tours will be conducted through the barracks, the Mexican officer’s quarters and there will be a hospital scene in the chapel where the Texian prisoners are being held.
Sunday the death march will begin inside the presidio and goes to one of the locations where the massacre actually took place. The program will conclude with a Memorial Service that begins in the chapel followed by a procession to the Fannin Memorial.

Daily admission is $4.00 for ages 12 through 59, $3.50 for 60 and older, and $1.00 for ages 6 thru 11 years old. Five and younger are free. There is an additional $2.00 per person fee for admission to the candlelight tour.

For more information call 361-645-3752.

The Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce is bringing Market Days back to Port Lavaca beginning Saturday, April 7th, back to its original location at the Bauer Community Center parking lot, facing Highway 35.

There will be fun for the entire family with arts and crafts, food vendors and music from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Market Days will continue on the first Saturday, every other month for this year: June 2nd, August 4, October 6, and December 1st.

For more information call the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce at 361-552-2959 or visit the website at www.portlavacamarketdays.com.

We hear a lot these days about “Self-Help” programs and the like. It isn’t uncommon to read slick advertisements in a magazine, or view flashy commercials on TV, seeking to capture the minds and imaginations of folks who are dissatisfied with something about themselves or their lives. I don’t deny the worthiness of man’s desire to improve himself in the areas he finds lacking. Certainly, if one can realistically do something to better himself or his quality of life, there’s nothing wrong with trying to do something about it.

Perhaps you’ve seen the commercial that boasts, “Learn to Speak Fluent Spanish in just Ten Days.” Or maybe you’ve seen my personal favorite, “Let us Show you how to Burn Fat while you Sleep.” While I don’t wish to imply that all “Self-Help” programs are fraudulent, some of them tend to stretch the truth a bit. (To put it mildly.) Nevertheless, whether legitimate or not, such programs seem to draw lots of attention from those hoping to improve themselves in some way, as well as producing a sizeable income for those who offer them. Speaking of the continual growth of the self-improvement industry, Melanie Lindner, in an article entitled “What People Are Still Willing To Pay For,” for Forbes.com said:

Americans spent $11 billion in 2008 on self-improvement books, CDs, seminars, coaching and stress-management programs—13.6% more than they did back in 2005, according to Marketdata Enterprises, an independent Tampa-based research firm that tracks everything from adoption agencies to funeral homes. Latest forecast: 6.2% annual growth through 2012.1

In the area of one’s relationship with God however, self-help or self-improvement is not an option. This is especially true when considering one’s eternal destiny. God isn’t concerned with our futile efforts to appear good by the standards of society, for the world’s standard of goodness can never please a holy God. God’s Word says, “…There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10b—KJV). The Apostle Paul went on to say that, “No one does good, not a single one” (Romans 3:12b—NLT2 ). You see my friends, God isn’t interested in remodeling the sinner’s life; He’s after a complete renovation. Therefore, it takes more to get to heaven than a spiritual tune-up; it takes a spiritual transformation; and that takes place only by turning from one’s sin and turning to Christ in faith for forgiveness and salvation.

Ian L. Wilson illustrates my point quite well with the following:

London businessman, Lindsay Clegg, told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn trash around the interior.

As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage.

“Forget about the repairs,” the buyer said. “When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different. I don’t want the building; I want the site.”

Compared with the renovation God has in mind, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping a warehouse slated for the wrecking ball. When we become God’s, the old life is over (2 Cor. 5:17). He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build.3

Dear friends, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Have you repented of your sins? Have you invited Jesus Christ into your heart by faith? If so, the new will be seen in you.

1Melanie Lindner, Forbes.com
2Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. All rights reserved.
3Ian L. Wilson

Women’s Conference in Port Lavaca

April 13-14

All area ladies are invited to the “In ‘Purse-suit’ of God” Women’s Conference to be held April 13th and 14th at the Alamo Heights Baptist Church in Port Lavaca. Cost is $12 at the door or $10 preregistration.

For more information, please call the church office at 552-2532.

Calhoun County is so rich with its various historical sites, events, and especially the great number of various cultures and families that have settled here. This is indicated by the numerous languages spoken here. This event was organized by a group of volunteers to bring a gathering and celebration to downtown Port Lavaca and Calhoun County. What better way than to “break bread” and have the different cultures present their various food with others and at the same time show our young generations the various ethnic groups that are or have been part of history in this county.

Dr. Peggy Dobbins, a Canadian winter Texan, has been coming to Calhoun County for many years. Peggy and her husband Mike have been amazed at the history, resources and cultures in this county and they have become involved in our community and have invested in a home away from home in Calhoun County.

There is a vast cross section of the various ethnic citizens that have volunteered to promote this event. Each group has brought history, knowledge, experience, and warmth to the organizational table.

For additional information you may contact: Chairing the event is Peggy Dobbins (404-523-6685), with Co-Chair Robert Ojeda (361-827-3627) and Committee Member Rose Pena (361-652-0410).

Robert Ojeda was educated and reared in Calhoun County, moved to California and after receiving his Masters Degree he returned to Calhoun County, becoming involved in the Historical Commission and pursuing the Arts.

Rose Pena, a native of Port Lavaca, has been involved in various organizations within the area. After retiring from Dow-Seadrift Location she went to work at the Chamber of Commerce and there she continued to promote Port Lavaca and Calhoun County.

While in Washington D. C., she met Mr. Sam Elliott and was asked what makes Calhoun County so special. Rose’s response was, “Four Jewels that may be enjoyed and shared: Our Diversified Cultures and Ethnic Groups; Natural Resources Pristine Coastal Lines and great Seafood; Heritage and Historical Events; and Our thriving Industrial Businesses”.

A proclamation was signed by the Honorable Judge Michael Pfeiffer and the Honorable Jack Whitlow, Mayor of Port Lavaca declaring March 17th, 2012 as All Calhoun County Cultures and Cuisines with a Parade of Ancestors. Some of the noted highlights of this proclamation are:

Whereas: Calhoun County more harmoniously encompasses heavy manufacturing and chemical industries, agriculture of corn, cotton, soybeans, catfish, crawfish, shrimp, cattle and horses, commercial oystering and shrimping, recreational hunting, fishing, sailing, kayaking, bird watching and sunning, more miles of shoreline languages spoken and ancestral cultures than any known rural coastal county.

Whereas: We are more likely to remember as well as our grandchildren, and strangers passing through, and are more likely to mark their calendars to return and tell others of an All Calhoun County Cultures and Cuisines with a Parade of Ancestors on Main Street in Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas on the third Saturday of March.

You are invited to join, attend, and participate in the first annual

Calhoun County All Cultures and Cuisines with Parade of Ancestors

Saturday, March 17, 2012

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

“Olde” Down Town Main Street Port Lavaca, Texas

Come, promenade thru downtown in costumes of ancestral, adopted heritage, or favorite historical character.

Parade Starts at 11:00 a.m.

Starting at 100 South Ann Street, right on Main Street, dispersing at Commerce St.

Ribbon Cutting and opening of Ceremony at Main and Virginia St.

Ethnic Food *** Music *** Dance Entertainment Downtown Shopping in Local Stores***All found on Main Street

Sponsored by Calhoun County All Cultures and Cuisines Committee, Members and Volunteers, Main Street Organization, Main Street Businesses, City of Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, DOW Chemical-Seadrift Location, Port Lavaca Wave, Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce