In an article titled “Spirit of the Bay”, writer/photographer E. Dan Klepper, catches much of the spirit of our county in both words and pictures. Local fishing guide, Capt. Bob Hill, transported Mr. Klepper to Matagorda Island, the special emphasis of the article. Other attractions featured are Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse, Calhoun County Museum, and Art Center Seadrift.

Referring to our area’s designation as “the Texas angler’s best-kept secret,” he goes on to say, “But the region offers a whole lot more to do than just drop a line in the channels and shallows. You’ll find the amenities and activities throughout the county’s golden triangle – Port Lavaca, Seadrift, and Port O’Connor – to be comfortable, tasty, and inspired.”

A from-the-water shot of Clark’s Bait House in Port O’Connor is just one of several beautiful photographs depicting our area. The writer gave his recommendations to Captain Bob’s Port O’Connor Charters, Reel Time Lodging and Guide Service, Bubba’s Cajun-Style Seafood, and Josie’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina.

Texas Highways, the monhtly magazine of the Texas Department of Transportation, is available at HEB, WalMart, Target, and many other stores. For subscription information: www.texashighways.com

Mother Nature’s Natural Island Wonders

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and enjoying your Veterans Day holiday. Our veterans and active personnel deserve so much gratitude for making our country the great place to live that it is today. Thank you!

Well the dog days of summer are definitely in the rear view mirror now. We are at the time of year where a norther will make its way down every week or so, and each one gets a little cooler. It’s just about time to put those warm flannel sheets on the bed.

The island will become less and less populated with the fair-weather weekend islanders not wanting to brave the cold winds and rough waters. Umm, YAY!

The Monarch butterflies are currently making their migratory trek across the island en route to the Mexico City area. I love watching them every Fall as their beautiful color cover the native grasses and beach dune sea oats and morning glory vines. Tens of thousands inundate the island, probably as a rest stop-over before continuing their south bound journey.

The dove have also been flying in great numbers across the island the past few weeks. I don’t hunt them and they must know that, as on a regular basis there will be dozens landing around the yard and in the palm trees, sensing I suppose, that this is a safe haven for them. Several have even taken up residence inside the enclosed chicken pen area.

I’ve taken up the hobby of sea-bean collecting along the beach and dunes out here on the island. I’ve always occasionally picked them up, but fellow islander, Kristy, has re-inspired my interest and has helped make it a beach passion, and I thank her so much for that.

In reality, they are actually seeds that fall from trees and vines along tropical shores and rain forests all over the world. With the aid of wind, currents and tide, the sea-beans make their way into the oceans and eventually wash ashore on beaches perhaps hundreds or thousands of miles away.

I enjoy making different types of displayable pieces from the sea-bean species of hearts, hamburgers, purses and the more rare Mary’s bean. Thanks to Mike and Sam Burnett for providing me with an excellent book on sea-bean collecting.

Flounder gigging is closed for the month of November, but I was able to put a few in the freezer last month. It was entertaining one night watching a buddy, Bob, so very cautiously approach and gig his very first flounder, a nice 20 inch, 3+ pound flatfish.

Well that’s it from the island for now; everyone take care and stay warm.

View the different varieties of sea beans at:
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/young_naturalist/plants/sea_beans

The LT’s (Lynn & Lorrie Turner) won the Chili Cook-off

The 3rd Annual Gumbo and Chili Cookoff was held Saturday, October 28th on a delightfully pleasant day. Delightful aromas of wonderful cooking filled the air outside Hurricane Junction where the event was held.

A number of teams entered both contests and all except one was staffed with a gentleman cook. Wonder what that is telling us? Contestants included the delightful Marie Richter, who kept her eyes on her crew, The Sandy Bottoms, to make certain that the gumbo being prepared was done in the proper manner. And it was, winning 3rd place in the contest for Marie, Leah Griffin and Holly Dyers.

The winner of the trophy for 2nd place gumbo was Connie Rowney and crew of the Coastal Oaks Cowboys, and as I understand it, their gumbo was excellent as was there chili! And taking home 1st place honors in the gumbo cookoff was the team composed entirely of the female persuasion, three outstanding cooks from Josie’s, namely Christina Evell, Kim Dickens and Eloisa Newsome.

On the Chili side of the competition, a number of different teams with some unusual names: 3rd place winner was Mike Messey of the Coastal Oaks Cowboys; although there were some excellent female cooks on that team, Mike says he did it all himself! Karl and Sara Oertli of Needs More Garlic, last year’s winners, carried home 2nd prize this year, but not for lack of talent. And the Champion for 2011 was the team named The LT’s, with Lynn and Lorrie Turner manning the pot.

Other teams entering, but, sadly not winning were The Chili Machos, Peyton Place, and Road Kill; do hope to see them again, but wonder about Road Kill?

This event provides the opportunity to get together with friends or the challengers of other teams; enjoy a delightful sunny day; and just plain have fun competing. There were many winners that Saturday, but the biggest winner of all is the Library here in Port O’Connor. All of us are so grateful to Hoop for this contribution, and hopefully, soon in 2012, we can really get the ball rolling for the enlargement of our Library.

Josie’s Girls, Winners of the Gumbo Cook-off. Kim Dickens, Eloisa Newsome, and Christina Evell

Showmanship Award: The Sandy Bottoms - Leah Griffin, Marie Richter, Holly Dyes

Needs More Garlic - Karl & Sara Oertli

Chili Macho - Scott, Merl, LInda, Harry

Coastal Oaks Cowboys - Mike Massey & Connie Rowney

Joye Faye Odell Lambright, 69, of Seadrift passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2011. She was born on September 20, 1942 in Lindsey, Oklahoma to the late Beulah Arter Odell and Wilbur Odell of Seadrift. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Seadrift where she was a children’s Sunday school teacher for many years.

Joye is survived by her husband, Ollie Lee Lambright, Jr. of Seadrift; daughters, Tina Rinald and husband Randall, Sr. of Seadrift, Valarie McGuill and husband Philip of Victoria; sons, Bobby Lambright Sr. and wife Esmeralda of Port Lavaca, Craig Lambright and wife Serina of Seadrift; sisters, Carylon White of Bloomington, Sharon Pilzer of Placedo, Patricia Owens of Olivia, and Pamela Jeter of Seadrift; brother, Larry Odell of Seadrift; thirteen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. In adition to her mother, Joye is preceded in death by her brother, David Odell.

Funeral service was held November 1, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Seadrift, Rev. Dennis Wittnebert and Brother Gerry Wiley officiating. Burial followed at Seadrift Cemtery.

Pallbearers were Kyle Rinald, Bobby Lambright Jr., Thomas Lambright, Christopher Tanton, Kevin Sprague, Drew Lambright, Odis Lambright, and Marcus May. Honorary Pallbearers were Justin Lambright and Cameron Turner.

Fred Allen Keith, 73, of Seadrift, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2011.

He was born May 1, 1938 in Virginia to the late James Geoffrey Keith and Ruth Nannie Marshall Keith Nash. His father was killed in a coal mine cave in when Fred was just a young boy. He was a retired Iron Worker and served in the U.S. Army in Germany after the war.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Keith; sons, Jimmy Keith, Preston Keith and Freddy Keith; sisters, Janice Marlene Messer and Barbara Judith Keith; step-brothers, Paul Keith, James Keith and Randall D. Nash, and 4 grandchildren, Brittany Keith, Preston Keith Jr., Zachary Keith and Crystal Keith.

A memorial service was held November 2, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Seadrift with Rev. Gerry Wiley officiating.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com