Donna Michell Hallam, 53, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2011. She was born April 1, 1958 in Port Lavaca to Sylvia “Kay” Hicks and the late Jackson Mitchell.

She is survived by her husband, Jack Hallam of Magnolia Beach; daughter, Tracy Marek and husband, Moby, of Victoria; sons, John Hallam and wife, Sabrina, of Victoria, and Matthew Hallam and wife, Clare, of Coraopolis, PA; sister, April M. Snyder of Port Lavaca; brothers, Troy W. Mitchell of McFaddin and Jackson D. Mitchell Jr. of LaSalle; seven granddaughters, one grandson, five nieces and two nephews.

A memorial service was held November 6, 2011 in Magnolia Beach.

Tickets for the 2011 Victoria Christmas Pageant, titled “Rio!”, will be available beginning Monday, November 14, at 8:30 a.m. Call 578-1568 or come by Northside Baptist Church of Victoria. Tickets can be picked up at the church offices at 4100 N. Laurent or ordered on line at: www.nbcvictoria.org/pageant . There is no charge. Dates for the Pageant are December 5-11 with performances at 6:30 and 8:15.

The Victoria Christmas Pageant is presented annually to the community as a Christmas gift from the Music Ministry of Northside Baptist Church. The production, now in its 27th year, celebrates the traditional Christmas season as well as the sacred story of Christ’s life and resurrection. More than 9,000 people attended the pageant last year, and similar crowds are expected for the 11 presentations planned this season.

Nearly five hundred members of the congregation are involved in the cast, chorus, and production crew. The pageant features elaborate sets, detailed costumes, and live animals.

Fri., Nov. 11 Veterans Day

Sat., Nov. 12 Annual Veteran’s Parade
10:00 a.m. Begins at Sandcrab Stadium, Port Lavaca

Sun., Nov. 13 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Mon., Nov. 14 Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce
6:30 p.m. MUD Office, 39 Denman Drive

Thurs., Nov. 17 Port O’Connor Service Club
10:00 a.m. Back Room of POC Community Center

Thurs., Nov. 17 Winter Texan Expo
10:00-2:00 Bauer Community Center, Port Lavaca

Sat., Nov. 19 Turkey Cook-Off
Josie’s Mexcian Food & Cantina

Sun., Nov. 20 POC Community Thanksgiving Service
6:00 p.m. St. Joseph Catholic Church

Nov. 11-25 Time for submitting Christmas Angel requests

Nov. 21-Dec. 10 Adopt-an-Angel

Thurs., Nov. 24 Thanksgiving

Thurs., Nov. 24 Free Thanksgiving Dinner
11:00 – 6:00 House of Prayer, 502 W. Broadway, Seadrift

Tues., Nov. 29 Christmas Tree Lighting
6:30 p.m. Bayfront Peninsula in Port Lavaca

Tuesday, November 1st was the latest Bunco meeting for our interested players. Unfortunately, Elvira made her appearance, over and over again. Actually, there were times when there were only two players at a table, which meant that each player substituted also as Elvira.

But play commenced for several hours following snacks as provided by Debbie Michalek and Melissa Satterfield. And the winners therefore for Most Buncos was MaryAnn Claiborne; Floating Bunco, Shirley Gordon; winning most games was: Pat Ekstrom, the least games: Evelyn Lewis, and lucky or ? Sue Kubecka took home the prize for the least of everything, or the Booby Prize.
Following an evening of play, Melissa Satterfield was gifted with a cake decorated with gorgeous red flowers to wish her a very happy birthday and she was also the recipient of a resounding “Happy Birthday” as sung by the players.

Grady Jean Clark with the assistance of Kathy Yearwood has graciously offered her home for the December 6th get-to-gether. Games will not be played; just an evening of conversation, nibbles and an exchange of gifts, which will put everyone in the Holiday Spirit. But do remember, play will begin again in January!

Port O’Connor Sunrise - Photo by Mike J. Hessong

Where has the year gone to? 2011 is now coming to an end. Business has slowed down tremendously this past month. To try and promote more business during this slow time of the year, the Port O’Connor Chamber will have a space at the Port Lavaca Winter Expo, on November 17, 2011 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Bauer Building in Port Lavaca on Hwy. 35. If you are a member of our Chamber, your business cards will be displayed. Please drop off your cards at the Chamber office or bring to the Chamber Meeting on November 14.

This month also, the planning of the 2011 Christmas Party and Election for outgoing Directors and Officers will be held. The Community is invited to attend. There will be more details in next Chamber Chat.

The Chamber received a generous donation from POC Style 5K. We want to “THANK” Natasha Helm and all her volunteers. This was a Fantastic Event for POC. If you did not go to King Fisher Beach and see this, you missed a wonderful sight — people from all around our area and some not from our area, made the day a success. It was something that had never happened here before, but Natasha says, she plans on a bigger turn out in 2012.

New and Renewing Members

Bayshore Sportfishing & Lodge; Specialty Printers

Bay Flats Lodge, Inc.; Leah Griffin

Ron Elkins Guide Service; Prokop Custom Homes

If you have not joined the Chamber and would like to, we have made it easier for you: Go to portoconnorchamber.org and fill out the membership application. And you can now pay with Paypal online. Also, in 2012, this will a convenient way to make your fireworks donation.

Meeting for November will be on the 14th at 6:30 p.m. at POC MUD Office. –Looking forward to seeing you there!