Residents in Seadrift may notice a new addition to the Seadrift skyline, as a new 121 foot tall wind turbine was recently erected. The Northern Power wind turbine is located at the North end of Orange Street near the City of Seadrift sewer plant and was installed by Cascade Renewable Energy from Grand Rapids Michigan. Funding for the $719,500 project came from combined grants which covered $700,000 of the total cost. The City of Seadrift will pay the remaining $19,500.

The wind turbine generator is rated at 100kw and will supply 60% to 80% of the electricity to the sewer plant saving the City of Seadrift an estimated $1800 to $2400 monthly. American Electric Power (AEP) is installing the needed transformers and special metering should there be excess power produced so it can go back to the electric grid. Currently there is no provision in Texas to pay producers for any power going back into the grid if it exceeds their needs, unless they are a member of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The grant writing was done by GrantWorks of Austin, Texas.

Dealing With Winter Conditions

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and enjoyed Christmas with family and friends. After spending a few days on the island with fellow islanders Kristy and Bob from Rockport, Barnacle and I made the trek to the mainland Christmas morning to be with the family. It was a very nice visit and the return trip included some of Mom’s wonderful chicken dressing. . . oh my goodness!

Well thus far it has been a fairly mild winter, but at least a few inches of rain has fallen over the past month. Compared to the previous ten months or so, that little bit of rain has seemed like a flood. My rain tanks are at about 800 gallons right now, with a portion of that still being well water that I had to add this past summer during the extended drought. I prefer entirely fresh rain water for my inside house use, so a few more inches of rain should put me there.

The tides have been staying very low the past few weeks, a typical winter occurrence when the northers start blowing in every week or so. There have been several times that I would not have been able to leave the island if I needed to do so, as the low tides prohibit me from navigating the narrow inlet that connects the bay to my lagoon and house. As I knock on the wooden kitchen table, I have yet to encounter a time that an emergency required me to leave the island and I was not able to do so because of low tides. Of course, prayer plays a huge part in that good fortune also.

Within the next few weeks I’ll start my tomato seeds for my spring planting. I’ll plant seeds from about six different varieties, with ten Big Zac plants grown specifically to produce huge tomatoes, my goal being a three pounder. Having a small hot house is ideal for getting my seeds and plants started in winter, and I have 12 volt gro-lites set up to help the seedlings become strong before planting them in the raised beds 6-8 weeks later. I’ll plant a few squash, peppers and potatoes also, but tomatoes started from seed are my spring planting passion.

Well I am without chickens for the time being. All of them turned older than three years and basically stopped laying, except for an occasional egg here and there. I’ll do some maintenance to the pen and coop area, and in April I’ll get fifty new ones, at about five weeks old, and be back in the chicken and egg business. I’m looking forward to getting started with the new batch; I enjoy having them around.

My sister, Darla, flew in from California last week, and she and the family, along with her friend Kathy, came to the island for the day. The weather was beautiful to drive the island and enjoy the beach, and we topped it off with a nice lunch that included homemade lemon ice cream that I made using sweet Meyer lemons. I’m telling you right now, Blue Bell does not hold a candle to the creamy, wonderful taste this ice cream had. Good stuff! For at least a day, Darla enjoyed a nice reprieve from her job as a prison guard at San Quentin Prison in San Francisco. . . who in their right mind would want to have that job?

Well that’s it from the island for now, everyone have a great day and think about getting some tomato plants started in a few weeks.

As my heart beat faster and I attempted to catch my breath with each step I took, I began to wonder, “Why, oh, why, did I not continue my faithful exercise routine through out the holiday season?” I had been doing so well… That’s right folks, I have fallen victim to the thought, “I’ll make it up tomorrow.” Alas, tomorrow never came.

“Well – enough is enough,” I thought to myself. As my mind echoed various scenarios of what 2012 had in store, I pondered about the resolutions which we make each and every year. Are they simply meant to be broken? Then I contemplated about how many of us are keeping up with the tradition. As “survey says!” rang in my mind, I set out to find out the facts. These are some of the responses which I received.

Audrey Huddleston, Port Lavaca

Jasmine: Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

Audrey: At age 37, it is clearer than ever to focus on putting God first, family second and then work! So that was my new year’s resolution. So far, so good… regular attendance at a spirit filled church helps to keep my focus on the Lord.

Dwana Finster, Seadrift

Jasmine: Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

Dwana: Yes, my New Year’s resolution is to have a positive attitude and always look for the good. I have a wonderful support system so this is important. I have always tried to make simple but reasonable resolutions so that they could be kept.

Debbie Dugan, Seadrift

Jasmine: Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

Debbie: Yes, I made a resolution this year, but only one: to get more exercise (again). I want to continue my walk/running that I started last year. I really liked it.

Jasmine: Have you kept past years’ resolutions?

Debbie: Depended on if I made my resolution reasonable. If after the New Year, I realized it was unattainable, I let it go and just opted for always trying to better myself in some way, shape or form.

As I received more and more responses, I realized I was not alone. While I am not accustomed to making or keeping New Year’s resolutions, I found it interesting that most people have the same viewpoint.

LaJune Pitonyak, Port O’Connor

Jasmine: Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

LaJune: No, I did not make a resolution. Why would I? I have a very hard time staying on track. And, no I have never made a resolution that I’ve kept or finished, it’s just too easy to say, “Yes, I will have another slice of pie.”

Well said, LaJune, well said! This response along with others, I found extremely comical, yet true.

One of the interviewees replied back, “I just realized I forgot to make a resolution!” Another response held a familiar ring, “Don’t make them. Don’t have to keep up with them!”

So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen… Most of us don’t make resolutions, much less keep them. I am adamant about setting goals whether for each passing year, five years or every decade; somehow resolutions – not so much. Kudos to people such as Audrey, who continue to carry on the tradition. As well, Debbie, who has found a positive outlook on the annual tradition and makes the best of it.

Now, for the question milling around in the back of your mind, where did the origin of this tradition begin? Interesting that you ask.

Babylonians, around 2000 BC

March 23 marked the beginning of the Babylonian New Year celebration which lasted for eleven days. Each day had a special and unique festivity. Historians say present day celebrations are small in comparison.

Romans, 153 B.C.

Ah-ha! The first month of the year was named after Janus, (sound familiar?) the deity of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances by the Romans. Janus was deemed to have two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back; thus he became the ancient symbol for resolutions. While traditions today include eating black eyed peas the Romans gave their enemies gifts such as branches from sacred trees in hopes of forgiveness.

Present day

Welcome 2012! Perhaps if we take minor tasks, daily to-dos and honey-dos, one day at a time we will ultimately reach farther than anticipated and accomplish the goals which we set twelve months prior. While my calves may be sore for the following week, I’m glad I’ve kept my unofficial “resolution” thus far. No matter what occurs, I will continue to go for the gold. I hope you will as well. Email me and let me know how your resolution(s) are progressing. After all, goals are equivalent to resolutions. Whether 2012 or beyond… My goal will someday (hopefully sooner, than later) be achieved. Till next time.

“If we write our dreams and goals down, we dramatically increase our odds of realization. If we share them with others, they become potent and alive.”
~Kristin Armstrong, Full Cup, Mile Markers blog, Runner’s World.com

“Be always at war with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors,
and let each new year find you a better man.”
~Benjamin Franklin

The Seadrift City Council convened in open session at 7:00 p.m.January 3rd. After the flag pledges and invocation by Pastor Gary from First Baptist Church, the Council went into an executive session for consultation with their attorney. About 45 minutes later, Council reconvened in open session. The executive session dealt with the annexation issue with a briefing from the attorney. Once in open session, the Council dealt with agenda items. Later in the meeting, the Seadrift City Council voted to annex the Blasingim East Side Subdivision consisting of 15 lots and the Richard Callender Bay Front Subdivision on Bierman Road consisting of 22 lots. Additionally the City passed two Resolutions regarding future annexations. One resolution deals with the area lying west of the Callender Subdivision boundary on Bierman Road and the second resolution deals with the properties fronting Armstrong Road between the Henderson Subdivision and Cemetery Road and the properties fronting Cemetery Road from Armstrong Road to where the city limits crosses Cemetery Road.

In other action the Council set spring cleanup dates for March 19th through 23rd with cut brush, tree trimmings and limbs to be piled on the side of the road before March 19th. Brush piles cannot contain any other type trash and the brush piles cannot be placed beneath overhead power lines, cable lines or telephone lines. There will also be a dumpster at the County Barn during that week for items to be brought in. Paint, oil, tires, batteries, and etc. cannot be picked up.

The Mayor reviewed current grants:

• The FEMA round 1 grant $166,000 administered by Texas Department of Agriculture for installing the emergency generator at the sewer plant is complete with left over funds being used to retrofit 9 of the 11 lift stations with generator plugs so they can also pump to the sewer plant during times of long term power outages.

• The DRETP-CDBG grant $700,000 administered by the State Energy Conservation Office for the wind turbine is nearing completion with the turbine now erected and is awaiting hook up to the electrical grid by AEP and final checkout. The turbine should be running by the end of January with the closing of the grant scheduled for April 30, 2012.

• The FEMA round 2 grant administered by the General Land Office is in application for $1,000,000 to replace the existing seawall at AD Powers Bay Front Park from 3rd to 12th Streets. If awarded, the City hopes to apply for matching GLO grants to extend the seawall eastward to the bridge and westward from 12th to 15th streets.

• The City was just awarded another CDBG grant for $263,000 administered by Texas Department of Agriculture for replacement and upgrading of deteriorating sewer and water lines in various parts of the City. This grant is currently in the engineering/design stage.

• The CDBG Planning grant $25,000 is in final stages of developing a long range plan for proposed improvements to different areas of the city.

• The Bay Avenue Bridge is scheduled to be replaced with a concrete, two-lane bridge in 2014 with the Texas Department of Transportation directly involved in this project.

• The Pier funded by a Coastal Impact Assistance Program through Calhoun County will be three hundred feet long and eight feet wide with a T-head fifty feet long and twelve feet wide. Construction could possibly begin in the second quarter of 2012.

• The CDBG grant $619,000 administered by Texas Department of Agriculture for sewer and infrastructure improvements for the commercial construction planned at Swan Point Landing for the creation of 31 jobs will be terminated January 9th, 2012 unless Swan Point Landing can get an extension from TDA and/or the Governor’s Office.

The City election was set for May 12th from 7am – 7pm. Filing deadline is February 6th to March 5th by 5pm for the Mayor and two Council members. Absentee voting times will be April 30th to May 8th during normal City Hall hours with two extended days yet to be determined. Council authorized the City Secretary to hire an election judge and clerk and also authorized the election judge to administer the election, in the Seadrift area, for an election to be held to establish the Calhoun County Ground Water District as authorized by the Legislature last year.

There were no sealed bids for the former blue police truck and council authorized it to be rebid for the February 7th meeting. Minimum bid is $8,787. Bids must be received by 4pm February 7th.

In other action, Council authorized

• Councilman Don Miller to begin getting estimates for repairs to the Civic Center so it can become useable to rent out for functions, parties and etc.

• Councilman Johnny Mikolas and Harbor Master Ricky Carter to purchase a new Beacon Light for the Harbor.

• Councilman Jack LaBarge to take appropriate action to replace and/or install culverts at 15th & Dallas, 14th & St. Louis, 7th & Washington and 8th & Washington and put up warning reflectors at the drainage crossing at 14th & Bay and to begin progress on planning to upgrade the crossing with larger culverts or a concrete block drainage due to the increased drainage down this route after the drainage upgrades on 14th Street from Broadway south.

• Councilman Jack LaBarge and Public Works Director Robert Bryant to purchase a box blade for the tractor not to exceed $1,000 to help with increased efforts maintaining streets.

Council heard a report from Councilman Don Miller about his search for grants to construct a restroom facility at AD Powers Bay Front Park near the Pavilion. Some promising grants appear to be available. The restroom agenda item was tabled until Don requests it be put back on after getting more specific grant information.

On December 12th, the Annual Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party and Election of Officers and Directors was held at the Port O’Connor Community Center.” THANKS” to all who made this event possible. There were 60 people in attendance.

2012 Officers are: President, Leah Griffin; Vice-President, Donald Klesel; Secretary, Barbara Crouch; Treasurer, Bill Tigrett.

The Board of Directors for 2012 (photo above): Seated is Lifetime Director, Agnes Valigura. This lady has been committed to the Chamber since its beginning.
Standing: Left to Right-Donald Klesel, Donnie Haynes, Linda Butler, Joyce Jordan, Barbara Crouch, Leah Griffin. Standing:
Back Row-Left to Right-Linda Bonar, Patti Elkins, Ann Brownlee, Bill Tigrett.

-La June Pitonyak