Library News:
POC Library Hours: Phone Number: 361-983-4365
Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
*Note: Special Holiday Closures July 1st & 4th

Are you registered for the Summer Reading Program; Reading is Rad? Flyers were sent home through the school. Mark your calendars for a program at 10:30 every Tuesday except for July 4th. We will meet on July 6th.

The POC Library was happy to welcome Port O’Connor Elementary students for an end-of-school movie day with snacks.

May 19 with 3rd & 4th graders

Wednesdays:
8:00-9:00 a.m.- Coffee & Conversation – Rise and grind coffee grounds with neighbors in YOUR community.
9:30-10:30 a.m.- Bingo for All ages. Join us in an opportunity to enter and win great prizes. Let Bingo be a game-changer for YOU! Special thanks to the generosity of the noted sponsors.
June 14th: Bingo sponsored by Bethany Senior Living
June 21st: Bingo sponsored by Calhoun Home Health
1:00-3:30 p.m.- Mah Jongg – Every player level is welcome, and we tutor beginners!
Fun Fact: Mah Jongg is said to have evolved from a card game first played in China over a thousand years ago, devised by fishermen to distract sailors from the hardships of life at sea.
Thursdays: 1:00-3:30 p.m.- Bridge – Some think this game is “tricky,” but all levels are welcome. Beginners are welcome to play.

June 19th Friends of the Port O’Connor Library Annual Meeting
Going on right now is the Friends of the Port O’Connor Membership Drive. New membership runs from July 1st through June 30th, 2024, with membership for as little as $15. You can sign up at the library or through our website friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org. There is also a link to the website attached to the “friends” Facebook page. The Friends are an important part of the ongoing operation of the library, and your gift continues to give throughout the year providing support for library programs and services.

Donor membership is a wonderful way to contribute to our lovely community throughout the year. Every donation is a gift in helping to support and maintain the library as a busy place. Consider becoming a member or a volunteer and make our library more special than it already is.

Submitted by Darla Miles
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library, Publicity Committee
www.friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org Facebook Page: Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc.

Thank you Seadrift for an amazing Shrimpfest! We had great weather, great music and a great turnout! So many vendors and so many smiles! We love serving our community!

Consider joining us as a Chamber member and on the Chamber Board! Our meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Train Depot on Main Street! More good things to come for Seadrift!

for the 4th Nine Weeks

All A’s
1st Grade: Brendan Brandt, Kai Chance, Avelyn Hay,Elizabeth Tolar
2nd Grade: Jacob Stryker
3rd Grade: Mia Blanco
4th Grade: Amara Brown, Liam Hay. Brooklynn Schoenberger
5th Grade; Ana Brown
6th Grade: Riley Pagel, Clara Stryker

A’s & B’s
1st Grade: Hayden Diaz; Isabel Garza; Oliva Marlin
2nd Grade: Ava Adams
3rd Grade: Kevin Gutierrez.
Cora Haschke
4th Grade: Romy Thornton
5th Grade: Kolt Leiker, Reid Thomas
6th Grade: Marcos Blanco,
Madden Guevara

All A’s ALL YEAR
Brendan Brandt – 1st grade
Kai Chance – 1st grade
Avie Hay – 1st grade
Elizabeth Tolar – 1st grade
Jacob Stryker – 2nd grade
Miah Blanco – 3rd grade
Brooklynn Schoenberger –
4th grade
Ana Brown – 5th grade
Clara Stryker – 6th grade

Perfect Attendance
Kindergarten: Samary Garcia,
Penelope Gonzales
1st Grade: Brendan Brandt
2nd Grade:Jacob Stryker
3rd Grade; Samantha Garcia,
Saydi Ramirez
4th Grade: Amara Brown, Romy Thornton
Torunn Short – PERFECT ATTENDANCE ALL YEAR
6th Grade: Clara Stryker

Calhoun 4-H members had successful Contest Season.

Calhoun 4-H members worked hard this year to prepare for the many spring contests and events they were involved in. These members represented Calhoun County at the San Antonio Livestock Show, Houston Livestock Show, Rodeo Austin, and Texas Elite Showcase in Kerrville, as well as the District 11 4-H Spring Spectacular contest. It takes lots of hard work and dedication to be able to compete with the best of the best from across the whole state of Texas. We are extremely proud of these 4-H members for branching out and showcasing their talents outside of Calhoun County.

San Antonio Livestock Show
Clay Brumfield – Food Challenge Contest – 1st Place in the Junior Appetizer Division, 3rd Place Overall. Public Speaking Contest Participant
Junior Shoot Out Contest Participants – Zachary Power, CK Hopper, Cooper Oliver, Hayes Sullivan
Justice Epley – Breeding Heifer Participant; Received $250 scholarship from the Simbrah-Simmental Super Bowl Show
Nicole Brown – Market Swine Participant
Livestock Judging Participants – McKenna Guevara, Madden Guevara, Bryce Sandy, Clay Brumfield, Nicole Brown

Texas Elite Showcase – Kerrville
Breeding Gilt Show Participants – Avery Svetlik, Adley Svetlik

Houston Livestock Show
Cooper Oliver – Ranching & Wildlife Young Guns Contest – Reserve Grand Champion Sr. Male – Skeet
Simon Beard – Ranching & Wildlife Archery Contest – Grand Champion Jr. Barebow
Justice Epley – 3rd Place Breeding Heifer
Jaxon Ondreas – 82nd Place Cockerels, made the Poultry Sale
Max Ondreas – 32nd Place Pullets, made the Poultry Sale
Wildlife Contest – Hayden Ezzell – 11th Place; Madden Guevara – 13th Place; 6th Place as a Team
Clay Brumfield – Grand Champion Jr. Public Speaking (received $2,500 scholarship, a plaque, a banner, an iPad, wireless earbuds, and a portable charger).
Food Challenge 5th Place Junior Team: Keeley Brumfield, Clay Brumfield, Braylee Wooldridge, Alice Wooldridge
Participant Junior Team: Max Lara, Bryce Sandy, Dalton Garner, Paula Davila
Market Swine Participants – Blake Brown, Nicole Brown
Livestock Judging Participants – Nicole Brown, Justice Epley, Madden Guevara, McKenna Guevara

Rodeo Austin
Justice Epley – Reserve Champion Senior Heifer
District 11 4-H Spring Spectacular
Clay Brumfield – 1st Place Intermediate Public Speaking
4-H Talent Showcase – 1st Place Intermediate 4-H Skit Division – Beth Boone, Keeley Brumfield, Clay Brumfield

Kenneth Reese
“Proud to be Elected”

Kenneth Reese has been on the Seadrift Council since 2017. He was recently reelected to another term and was the top vote getter in the 2023 City Election. When asked to give his thoughts about being a councilman Kenneth had this to say, “It takes commitment, the want for the betterment of our city, being ready to work for the city, being available, and being willing to meet with people and find answers for their questions.”

When Kenneth was first elected as councilman, he said he was “proud to be elected to represent the voter’s wishes.” Kenneth’s family supports his efforts to help the city even though it takes up some of his time. Kenneth said that he wants to see the city grow and improve.

Kenneth has been involved in several projects over the course of his tenure as councilman. In 2017 Kenneth helped set up and oversaw Seadrift’s Solid Waste Department. He also helped set up Seadrift’s Brush Site. That year he was also over the Seadrift Harbor. In 2018 Kenneth helped with Harvey-related projects such as the further eroding Seadrift Seawall, the Harbor with its damaged pilings and unseen obstructions, the damaged Seadrift Pier, the bayfront West End Erosion Project, and taking pictures for DPS of the Seadrift Twister (Easter 2018). In 2019 through 2023 Kenneth has overseen the Seadrift Utilities Department. Projects included the 3rd St. Public Restroom, the 12th St. Pier Area Restoration, Seadrift’s new wastewater treatment plant, getting water to Falcon Point, needed repairs from Winter Storm URI, the Seawall, and Seadrift’s wastewater outfall project.

When asked what his favorite project was Kenneth replied that it was getting the solid waste department started. Kenneth got to be a driver of the city’s waste truck when the need arose. He said, “I always wanted to drive a fire truck, but I had to settle for the garbage truck. It was fun to drive.”

Kenneth’s most challenging projects were meeting with engineers concerning the Seawall and the Harbor clean-up after Harvey. Kenneth and then Seadrift Harbor Master Ricky Carter spent several days probing the entire harbor. They found a ton of debris including boat rigging, roll-up doors, mattresses, and knocked- over pilings.

Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “Help others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public service improves the lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life.”