After winning the Texas Collegiate League Championship in the summer of 2010, the Victoria Generals failed to make the postseason in 2011, missing the playoffs by just one game.  The Generals will look to rebound in 2012 and reclaim their championship form.

In doing so, the Generals have announced their first players signings for the 2012 roster.   Jake McMurtry, a right-handed pitcher from Sam Houston State University, will return to the mound for the Generals after having been a part of the team during the 2009 inaugural season.  Also joining the Generals from Sam Houston will be catcher Anthony Azar.

Season tickets for the Victoria Generals 2012 season are on sale now as the TCL plans to release its 2012 season schedule in the coming weeks.  Fans can buy season tickets and team merchandise at the Generals team store located at 3708 North Navarro, Suite A in the Landmark Shopping Center, online at www.VictoriaGenerals.com, or by calling 361-485-9522.

While there are many warning signs of abuse, here are ten of the most common abusive behaviors:

Checking your cell phone or email without permission.

Constantly putting you down.

Extreme jealousy or insecurity.

Explosive temper.

Isolating you from family or friends.

Making false accusations.

Mood swings.

Physically hurting you in any way.

Possessiveness.

Telling you what to do.

If you or a loved one is in a violent relationship, please get help: http://www.teendvmonth.org/about-teen-dating-violence-awareness-and-prevention-month

A little bit of Community News:

The sudden, unexpected death of one of our residents, Jerry Nutt, has created a financial problem for his family, and our community has stepped in to be of help. Jerry was one of the founding members of POC’s BBQ team, the Smokin’ Nuts, who not only competed in many events and won prizes for their skills, but also gave their time and talents for many benefits throughout our area.

Don Haynes, a member of Smokin’ Nuts, has graciously offered to be of assistance in assembling efforts by organizations and individuals to create various benefits for Jerry and his widow. He is being ably assisted by Joyce Jordan, who is acting as coordinator with Don and the community. The first event will be staged by the women of Fisherman’s Chapel, on Saturday, February 11th. This will be a Bake Sale, held once again at Speedy Stop, commencing at 7:30 a.m. and lasting until sold out! The next scheduled happening, as of now, will be a BBQ dinner, bake sale, and auction on Saturday, March 3rd. The dinner will begin at 11:00 a.m., and continue until 4:00 p.m. or until everything is sold.

Port O’Connor is a very unique and unusual area, consisting of caring residents who never fail to be of help to one another. Unique, in the way that when someone is in trouble, help will be given, wholeheartedly and without any thought of recompense. And this help can, and will, continue until the problem is rectified.

Now, back to the Library News! Not sure where to start with which book. Occasionally, I find on the shelves an author I’ve not become familiar with in the past; this is always a possible time of deciding YES or NO, and being occasionally influenced by learning what is on the jacket of the book, but the review always ends with MY impressions and thoughts. One author I have found is Karen Slaughter; we are fortunate in the Library to have three of her books, all of which I’ve read. I discovered that Ms. Slaughter features in her books a character who is one “with a broken wing”; and have found that one of them is carried throughout the books I read. These books are mysteries, I guess that is what you’d call them; I prefer to call them slices of life, both ripe and rotten. Take your pick of Indelible, Faithless, and Fractured. I really think you will enjoy reading and marveling at the skills of this author. Just hope we get more of them on our shelves!

On a lighter (?) note; do you always watch the movie “Gone with the Wind” when it is shown every year on television? If you’re like me, somewhat sentimental, you make certain you do not miss the film. And, you always wonder and marvel at the expertise in the screen play and photography, particularly in the escape from burning Atlanta. So, when I finally remembered that there had been a sequel to Gone With The Wind written, I found it and read the book. The book is entitled Scarlett and has been written by Alexandra Ripley, who has also written several historical (romance?) tales. The plot of Scarlett is intriguing, and the author takes you from Atlanta to Tara to Savannah and finally to Ireland, and gives Scarlett, a spoiled and very selfish Southern heroine, the opportunity to change and grow. Somehow the writing of this book lacks the punch of the original by Margaret Mitchell, but as she only wrote one book, a reader cannot really complain. I enjoyed reading this, and, of course, kept waiting for Rhett Butler to reappear. And so —– !!!

We welcome any visitor in this area to our Library. We currently have 5 computers available for use, and an outstanding selection of books and DVD’s. Just takes a current Library card and we will be happy to issue one!

We still have books for sale at the Library, thankfully, with donations from residents coming in regularly. Luckily for Shirley and me we have received a number of current books that cover a variety of subjects; even some for handcrafting special items. The monies received from these sales go to add to our DVD collection and to purchase additional books – many times those missing from a series. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed!

“When an old person dies, a Library burns down.” -Karin Gillespie

The Port O’Connor Library is located at 6th & Adams next door to the Fire Station. Our hours are:

Monday: 9 to 1; and 2 to 6

Tuesday: 9 to 1; and 2 to 6

Wednesday: 1 to 6

Thursday: 12 to 5

Friday: Closed

Saturday: 9 to 1

Sunday: Closed

Valentine from 1909

St. Valentine’s Day
By Bob Lindsey

it doesn’t matter how old you are when love strikes…
and make no mistake about it, it does strike…

like a fish taking a hook on the first cast…
an analogy for you guys (makes it easier to understand)

like a bolt of lightning on a clear summer’s night
(for you gals)

this special day is meant for those
who have had love strike

14 Feb 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day to our wonderful children, Emily, Derek, and Sofia Vasquez! You guys are such a huge blessing in our lives and we love you so much!
Love, Mommy and Daddy

Happy Valentine’s Day, Uncle Cotton. Lots of love. Tina

To Uncle Paul and Aunt Sara Apostalo: We love you both very much!
Debbie and Steve

Happy Heart Day to my favorite fisherman! I love you, Bill Yost.
Love, your 1st mate,
Julie

Happy Anniversary February 14 to Elida & Joe Ragusin!

I would like to wish all the Ladies in the P.O.C. Service Club a Great Valentine’s Day. I like ya’ll a lot!
James Hardcastle

Happy Valentine’s Day, Uncle De and Aunt Linda Lewis. Lots of love.
Tina

To Dawna R:
You have always stuck by me through the good times and bad. I will love you forever and always; you are the sunshine that lights the days of my life.
Tom S.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Grandma Shaefer! We are all so blessed to have you in our lives. We love you! Love, The Vasquez Clan

Happy Valentine’s Day, Derek! You are the love of my life, my best friend and partner. I can’t imagine my life without you. I love you so much and look forward to growing old with you. 🙂
Love, your wife, Audie

Happy Valentine’s Day to Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Howard and Judy Lewis.
Lots of love, Tina

Happy Anniversary February 12 to Sharon & Jerome Preslar!

Happy Valentine’s Day PawPaw Christy. Lots of love. I miss you loads.
Bright Eyes Tina

Love to my grandparents, Mary Carmen and Eleuterio Zavala.
Jasmine

Dearest Cheryl, you are my very special Valentine and I love you more each day. I wish you a very happy Valentine’s and while you’re reading this, Happy early Birthday! Love you….

Ray,
God didn’t make little green apples and it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summer time. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Edith

Dwayne, you’re the best friend a girl could ever wish for.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Grandma Cindy! We know you’re watching down on us with a smile, Not a day goes by that we don’t think of you. We have not and never will forget you. We love and miss you so much.
Love, Emily, Lil’ Derek, & Sofia

Happy Valentine’s Day, Grandpa David! We hope you have a wonderful day! We couldn’t ask for a better grandpa! We love you!
Love, Emily, Lil’ Derek & Sofia

A Valentine for Evelyn Lewis:
First, I want to thank God for sending you down the road so we could meet over seventy years ago; then I want to thank you for keeping the magic alive in our marriage over sixty-five years. You have been my one and only Valentine.
From a very loving husband,
Howard