Dear Dolphin,

I would like to say a big “Thank You!” to everyone who donated to the Benefit for my mom (Jacque Bechard). We had some delicious baked goodies and some of the BEST Brisket you can find in these parts! I was overwhelmed by the show of care and support by our truly amazing community. I am blessed to have lived here all my life and be a part of this special and unique community.

There are so many people that helped to make the Benefit possible, I dare not attempt to list all the names. (You know who you are.)

So, from my heart to the citizens of this wonderful town I am glad to call Home…

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!!

Judith Bowman

Dear Readers,

She’s still cooking! I just want to let all of you know that Carmine Gibson, former Port O’Connor resident and owner of Carmine’s Cajun Kitchen, can be seen cooking her famous jambalaya on You Tube.

Although Carmine has been through some rough times, she looks and sounds wonderful! On her video she shares her recipe and cooking techniques. It’s almost like being at her Port O’Connor restaurant where you always felt welcome and were treated like family and friends – except you don’t get to eat her wonderful food.

She asked me to spread the word and I could not think of a better way than through the Dolphin Talk. She said that she plans to do a video once a week.

So, let’s all keep her cooking by watching her on You Tube! Just go to: www.youtube.com and type in Never Trust a Skinny Cook and look for Carmine’s Jambalaya.

She also asked that you please subscribe to her channel and you’ll get updates every week. It’s free! To make comments or give her a thumbs up, you just click on Sign Up or if you already have a G-mail account with Google, just click Sign In.

I know you will enjoy watching Carmine as much as I did!

Flo Smith

My Man of the Year

Calvin and Sally Ragusin

In this day in time, there are very few who help support their families and community. For those who do, they are rarely recognized for their outstanding contributions. I’m fortunate to have a family full of these people! To give without expecting anything in return is a true gift that this man acquires. He is an extremely hard worker who looks at all angles for a possible positive outcome. He doesn’t just look at today, but strives to make tomorrow a better place for his grandkids, family, and community. This man has been involved in helping to create the first recreational park here in Port O’Connor, to help build the community, and supports all the local businesses.

I will have the first Photography Studio built in Port O’Connor and I can thank this man for building it from the ground up. So my man of the year is my Father-in-Law, Calvin Ragusin. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for all the hard work and dedication you’ve shown to me and my family. I am forever grateful.

Love,

Lea Ann Ragusin

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Dolphin Talk, P.O. Box 777, Port O’Connor, TX 77982 or dolphin1@tisd.net

L-R: Ron Wall, Vice President, Supply Chain, Halliburton, Ramona Hollan, Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, Director of Resource Development, Beverly Stafford, Director of Corporate Affairs, Halliburton. The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, was invited to participate in Halliburton’s 18th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Kingwood Country Club. FBGC received a donation of $25,000 to help the Kid’s Backpack Program from the Tournament held, Thursday, October 6, 2011. Currently the Food Bank is partnering with school districts to serve weekend backpacks of food to 775 children in 10 counties including, Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Victoria and Wharton Counties.

“He has done great things, He has done great things…Bless His holy Name” is a chorus that we sing around the Chapel. We know that all good things come from our generous and gracious Lord, and we feel like we are living under the cloud of His blessings! Our regular services have been extra special during these last few weeks, with the congregation being faithful and several visitors joining us in praising the Lord. If you are not a part of a local congregation, please know that you will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel, whether you are “local” or not!

We are excitedly anticipating the ministry of the Reverend Jeanine Sullins, director of Home of Hope. Home of Hope is being established to provide a safe place for women and girls that are being rescued from sexual slavery. On October 23, Reverend Sullins will be providing information and answering questions in the 10:00 a.m. service, and will minister in the 11:00 a.m. service. At 6:00 p.m., we will be having an All Church Fellowship, and the Reverend Sullins will provide the devotional. It will be a great day, and we trust you will come and be a part of it!

We just enjoyed a two evening Sectional Revival at Victoria First. This Section involves 20 churches, from here to LaGrange and from Nixon to Wharton. Our revival was lead by the Reverend Rod Vincent. It was a time of spiritual refreshing and renewal. We would anticipate this becoming an annual event, so be looking for the announcement next year.

Friday Night Youth (FNY) will be meeting these next three Fridays from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. There are still a number of our community’s youth that cannot get to even our home football games. At the Chapel, they can still meet friends, eat, and enjoy games together. Everyone is welcome and events are planned with youth in mind.

The Fisherman’s Bible Institute (FBI) has ordered the workbooks, and we are expecting their arrival any day. When we do, we will begin our FBI classes each Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Our instructor, Joane, will make the Scriptures come alive, and our students will learn a great deal from this three year intense Bible Study program. This is not any way meant to teach one all about the Bible, but will serve as an excellent “Bible Survey” for those who wish to learn more about God’s Word. Jesus told us that Heaven and Earth will one day pass from existence, but what we learn from God’s Word will always remain important. If you have not yet signed up for this study, please call Joane as quickly as possible at 983-2619.

Following our evening service on October 9, which was a service of praise for the rain, we gathered for birthday cake and ice cream. The honorees were Autumn, Devon, and Tyler. Since Tyler was the youngest, the ladies shared a “Texans” cake with him. A good time was had by all.

Folks, we have been praying for rain – now we need to express our thanks for it! So often we ask for God’s blessings, but when they arrive, we forget to say “thanks”! Let us be grateful participants of God’s gracious acts toward us!

On a personal note, Joane and my schedules for the rest of October are hectic, to say the least! Joane has a three-day ladies retreat in Kerrville, Harbor training (3 days) in Austin, a Harbor Fair booth (all week), a visit from her sister (2 day- too short), and together we have a ministers’ retreat (three days) in Kerville and a wedding renewal in Houston. Throw in three trips to San Antonio for V.A. medical appointments with Papaw, just so we will not be bored! We never said we needed much rest – so pray for us!

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to glorify the Lord by helping people by the Master’s blue print. You will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Jesse Thompson

The Port Lavaca Rotary Club will be featuring Jesse Thompson at their Friday, November 4 meeting, at noon.

As Business Economist of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch, Mr. Thompson conducts research covering aspects of the Houston and Gulf Coast economy, and assists in the collection of information for the Beige Book publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

A native Houstonian, Jesse Thompson earned a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Houston, with special focus on empirical microeconomics, public eocomics, larbor and education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics.

He is the author of the monthly Houston Economic Update and co-author of Understanding Earnings Instability: How Important Are Employment Fluctuations and Job Changes?

His current research projects include: A Leading Economic Indicator for the Houston Economy, and A Study of Shale Gas, Petrochemicals, and Gulf Coast Exports.

For additional information about Port Lavaca Rotary Club, please call Russell Cain at 361-552-6313 or 361-920-6313.

Final preparations are underway for the Church’ Annual “Great Day in the Morning” which is Sunday, October 30, 2011. The attendance goal is 100 in Sunday School and Church. Letters will be mailed to all Church members and friends of the church, reminding them of this very special Sunday. Sunday morning services will feature Gospel music by the Choir and other special groups. Brother George Yarbrough will be preaching an inspirational message that you don’t want to miss. Immediately after the service there will be “Dinner on the Ground”. The Church Fellowship Committee will be serving a fried chicken dinner with an array of vegetables, salads, and desserts. Everyone is invited to attend the services and the dinner. Invite your friends, relatives and neighbors. Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m. and morning Church service at 11:00 a.m.

Sam Craig will be preaching and singing in the 11:00 a.m. morning service on Sunday, October 16. Sam is an outstanding Christian Music Recording Artist and Missionary. Don’t miss this service.

“Operation Christmas Child” has begun and information about packing your “shoe box” for children is available at the church. The packed shoe boxes are delivered around the world to needy children before Christmas. The boxes will be picked up from the church on November 14. Operation Christmas Child demonstrates God’s love to hurting children in a tangible way by partnering with churches worldwide to deliver gift-filled shoe boxes and Good News of Jesus Christ.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m. for the Annual Port O’Connor Thanksgiving Service. This year the service will be held in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The speaker will be Brother Erny McDonough, Pastor of Fisherman’s Chapel.

See you in church Sunday!