Why do some people think it is funny or “cool” to destroy property of others ? This is the question I ask myself every time it is reported to me that more private or public property has been destroyed. I know this may sound like an odd question, but “WHAT’S THE DEAL?” To the offenders, I want to ask, Why? What do you hope to accomplish? Does it make you feel good to know that you are tearing up someone’s property? Don’t you realize the property has been bought and paid for by hard earned money? What do you hope to gain? What you are doing is nothing more than being childish and STUPID! That’s right whoever you are….. I said STUPID !
Don’t you realize not only what you are doing is WRONG………, but, it is ILLEGAL as well. That means IT IS AGAINST THE LAW. UNDERSTAND? Section 28.03 of the Texas Penal code states that CRIMINAL MISCHIEF is when someone intentionally or knowingly damages or destroys tangible property of the owner of the property. If the property destroyed is valued at less than $50.00, it is a class “C” misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $565.00 . If the property destroyed is valued above $50.00, but less than $500.00, it is a class B misdemeanor, which can lead to 6 months in jail and a maximum fine of $2,000.00 or BOTH. If the destruction of property valued at more than $500, but less than $1,500, it then becomes a class “A” misdemeanor which has a maximum fine of $4,000.00 or a year in jail or BOTH. It only gets worse, folks. If the property destroyed is valued at more than $1,500.00, the offense becomes a STATE JAIL FELONY, which the offender can be jailed not less than 6 months or more than 2 years and a $10,000.00 fine or BOTH. Taking the signs without the owner’s permission is STEALING. In legal terms, THEFT OF PROPERTY. The same fine classifications apply.

In recent months, real estate signs and political signs have been knocked down, vandalized or stolen . This is just a reminder that this isn’t FUNNY or CUTE . It is mean, thoughtless and COSTLY . Each sign replacement cost the owner money which he or she can’t always afford. The owners of real estate signs, and the political candidates have every right to display the signs and the offenders have NO RIGHT to destroy or steal them.

I urge this idiotic behavior to stop. If it continues, the vandals and thieves will eventually be caught. I assure you when it happens, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If anyone witnesses the destruction or theft of any signs, please call the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department 361-553-4646 or CRIME STOPPERS. 552-CASH (2274). You can remain anonymous and possibly receive a reward.

Think about it offenders. Is it really worth ruining your life by having a criminal record that will never go away? It will be real tough trying to find a job or enter the military. In addition, some universities will not accept someone with a criminal history.

Judge Nancy Pomykal
Justice of the Peace Pct. 5, Calhoun County

The Chapel will be participating in the Jerry Nutt Benefit on Saturday, March 3, at the Port O’Connor Community Center. The Smokin’ Nuts, the barbecue team that Jerry cooked with, will be preparing barbecue brisket; different ones are preparing the trimmings, and the Service Club ladies are preparing the desserts. It will be a meal to remember! Also, there will be both a silent auction and a live auction, with many special items going to the highest bidder. All of this is to raise funds to help Jan, Jerry’s widow, with all the unexpected expenses that she has experienced. We are planning for at least 400 plates, so come and stay because there will be a live band playing during the activities. Please come and be as generous as you possibly can, because this is a very worthy cause.

The Annual Meeting of the Members will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26. During that open meeting (everyone who is interested is welcome), reports will be shared and the Board of Directors of the Chapel will be elected. This is always an evening of rejoicing as we remember God’s past blessings and hear plans for future ministry opportunities.

CHILI COOK-OFF – The Chapel will be having its annual chili cook-off on Sunday, March 4, following the morning service. Everyone is invited to bring your best pot of chili, ready to serve prior to the beginning of the morning service. Judging will begin immediately following the close of service. Everyone present will then get the opportunity to savor the presentations.

Papaw will be 91 on Sunday, March 4. To honor Papaw, we will be serving cake and ice cream during the chili cook-off. All well wishers are welcome! Papaw has served the Chapel faithfully since he and NeNee moved here in 2000. Now that NeNee is in Heaven, Papaw helps with all the building projects around the Chapel. Come, wish Papaw a “Happy Birthday!”

Recently, Joane and I have had to be away from the Chapel for various reasons. In our absence, we were blessed to have Hermano Jessie minister bilingually in our services. Also, Patrick Overton served us well by bringing messages. It looks like our calendar is clearing out, so we expect to be back in the pulpit on Sundays, 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

Fisherman’s Bible Institute is going strong, meeting each Tuesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Pastor Joane is the instructor for these courses which are designed to help students gain a better understanding of God’s Word. There is a time of refreshments and fellowship each meeting time and everyone is invited to attend.

The Sea Academy will be providing another class for those wishing to earn their Coast Guard approved Captain’s Licenses in Port O’Connor. The class will begin April 13 and all those wishing further information should contact the Sea Academy at 361/758-6184 or Captain Robert, class instructor, at 361/816-3010. These classes have been provided for this community since 2000 and many have been provided a helpful tool in pursuing a dream or making a living.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation which has been in this community for over 17 years. We have attempted to provide quality Christian leadership as we have taught God’s Word in a practical fashion. People’s lives have been changed by the power of the Lord during our services. Everyone will find a warm welcome at the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

A short meeting of the Service Club was held on Thursday morning, February 16th.  Due to the absence of our President, Janet Johnson, our Vice President, Carol Fox was on hand to chair the meeting.  All members were quite delighted to see Carol as she has been away from her home in Port O’Connor and has become a temporary resident of San Antonio while her husband, Gib, undergoes treatment.  It’s always so good to see you, Carol, and we certainly hope that you will be around for a while.

This meeting began with the announcement that our member and Librarian, Shirley Gordon   had been honored by the First Baptist Church at their annual Sweetheart Banquet for her service to our Community with our Library; Shirley has been the Librarian for over 23 years.  Definitely Citizen of the Year!

The main topic of discussion was the upcoming Annual Spring Garage Sale that is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th.  Chairman of the Event, Lydia Strakos had announced that donations of furniture, kitchen items, clothing and art work are arriving for storage prior to the Sale.  She also announced that if you have items to donate, please call either her at 983-2341 or her assistant, Debbie Busby,  512 914-9521 to arrange for storage.

Prior to the ending of the meeting, Joyce Jordan expressed the thanks of those involved with the benefit for Jerry Nutt for the money donation as made by the Club.  She also mentioned the need of a few more cakes for the Bake Sale at the dinner on March 3rd.

Our next meeting will be Thursday, March 1, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the meeting room in the back of the Community Center.  Hope to see a full listing of members there!

BUNCO ! BUNCO!
The next Bunco party will be Tuesday evening, March 6th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the back meeting room of the Community Center. Our hostesses for the evening will be Annette Leach and Carol Haverfield and knowing of the talents of these women, we are in for a fun evening with some delicious foods. We welcome all interested women on that evening; if you are new to our area, this is a good way to meet others. And if playing Bunco is something you’ve never had time for, well, you will certainly enjoy yourself, so come check us out. You could go home a winner too! Call Shirley Gordon at the Library for further information, 983-4365.

Congratulations, Shirley Gordon, Our Citizen Of The Year! Shirley was awarded this honor at the Sweetheart Banquet as hosted by the First Baptist Church on Thursday, February 9th. Shirley joins a long list of other awardees for their service to our Community.

If you happened to wander by Speedy Stop last Saturday on that very cool morning, you would have seen a huge display of those taste-tempting desserts as baked by many of the Ladies of Fisherman’s Chapel and others. This Bake Sale was a benefit staged for the Estate of Jerry Nutt, and the response that day was overwhelming. Our thanks to the charming gentleman who purchased the remaining items on the table. This made a “Clean Sweep” for ALL!

The Service Club and its POC History Book Committee are still searching for a picture of the ranch house on the LaSalle Ranch preferably back in the 40’s. If anyone has a photo in their possession or know of someone who does, and will lend it to be copied, please contact either Chairman, Sue Kubecka, 798-0560 or our President, Janet Johnson, 983-4737. Additionally, we are currently concentrating on the decade of the 40’s and the changes that evolved in this community as brought by the Second World War. Please give either Sue Kubecka or Janet Johnson a call if you were here during that period and could share your experiences with us. We look forward to speaking with you.

Unfortunately, ladies, we are now approaching Spring, which means the time for cleaning closets, cupboards, and dresser drawers and eliminating that dress or other item that just isn’t right. So do remember, the Service Club is holding their Annual Spring Garage Sale on Saturday, April 14th at the Community Center. You may call either Lydia Strakos, Chairman of the Sale at 983-2341, or her assistant, Debbie Busby 512 914-9521 to arrange for storage of any donated items. And thank you.

Valentine’s Day was last Tuesday, and I and other fortunate ladies were recipients of bouquets of white and red carnations. This remembrance came from the caring Principal and Teachers of our School, who were so kind to honor us Volunteers. Thank you so very much.

If you’ve seen the sign denoting the POC Liquor Store on Adams Street, you will be aware that there is another business opening in our Community. This store is being managed by Janet Johnson, and if you’ve missed seeing her charming smile, she was there that Saturday, February 18th to serve you. Watch for the Grand Opening later!

SAVE THIS DATE SATURDAY, MARCH 3rd! This is the date of the Barbeque Dinner, Silent and Live Auctions and Cake Sale for the benefit of Jerry Nutt’s Estate. Grilling is being done by Donnie Haynes and The Smokin’ Nuts, our local prize winning bbq team. And if you see Joyce Jordan running around town in a slightly distracted manner, she is the Coordinator of this Event, which means “It’s all on her shoulders”! But those shoulders happen to belong to a very organized lady, so all is well. The event starts at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Center, live music being performed by the HiWay 316 group, and a totally delicious dinner of brisket, salad and beans will be served. If you would like to make a donation for either auction or to the event, please contact Joyce at 361 655-7999. Hope to see you there!

A Fun Last Note: On my way into town Friday, I needed to slow down and stop for four pedestrians crossing Adams near Art’s BBQ. As those folks crossing were somewhat slow, they did leave others waiting on the other side of the road. We are accustomed to stopping for pedestrians here, but those with feathered wings? Guess there’s a “flock” of guinea hens that do enjoy seeing the other side of the road from time to time!

kubeckasue@yahoo.com
361 798-0560

If the reader wishes to add any news at any time to this column, please contact me at the above address or telephone number. And thanks in advance for reading.

AA meets each Saturday night at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Port O’Connor.
AA Meetings are held each Monday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 4th & Cleveland, in Seadrift. Fellowship begins at 7:00.
POC Lions Club meets the second Wednesday of each month, 12 Noon, at Cathy’s Restaurant
Commissioner’s Court meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 10 a.m., 1st Floor of the Court House, Port Lavaca.
Crossroads Astronomy Club meets at 7:00 p.m., third Mondays, at U of H, Victoria, Room 223 info: wes81461@yahoo.com 935-2016
Calhoun County Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building.
Open Arms (Families Surviving Infant Loss) meets every third Tuesday at Central Church of Christ, 801 E. Airline, Victoria, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Calhoun County Democratic Club meets the last Thursday of the month at IBC Bank, Port Lavaca, at 5:30 p.m.
Calhoun County Conservative Club meets 2nd Tuesday each month, 11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Center in Port Lavaca
Friday Night Youth every Friday except the first Friday of each month, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Fisherman’s Chapel, Port O’Connor
POC Sports Association meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at POC Community Center.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.) meets 3rd Monday each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Parkway Church, Victoria. Support group meets at Laurent Towers fountain from 6-8 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month.

Sat. Feb. 25
Barnacle Bandit Blowout
Port O’Connor Community Center

Feb. 27-March 19
Toy Drive for Gina’s Closet
Memorial Medical Center, 2nd Floor Nurses Station, 552-0369

Thurs., March 1
Service Club Meeting
10:00 a.m.
Back Room of POC Community Center

March 2
Texas Independence Day

Sat., March 3
Benefit for Jerry Nutt Estate
11:00-4:00
Port O’Connor Community Center

Sat., March 3
Boy Scouts’ Barbecue Dinner
4:00-6:00
Seadrift School Cafeteria

March 5 & 6
Childrens’ Theatre Auditions (361-649-6116)

Tues., March 6
Seadrift City Councl
7:00 p.m.
Seadrift City Hall

Tues., March 6
Bunco
7:00 p.m.
Back Room of Port O’Connor Community Center

Sun., March 4
Chili Cook-off
11:00 a.m.
Fisherman’s Chapel

Fri., March 9
T.E.A. Party
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Heritage Center, 2104 W. Austin, Port Lavaca

March 10 & 24
“Pink for Cindy” Bake Sales
8:00-11:00
Speedy Stop, Port O’Connor, 361-920-1589

March 10
Fishing Tournament for Relay for Life
Port O’Connor Pavilion

Fri., March 16
Roll-off Bin Available for MUD customers
8:00-4:30 16th & Harrison