Ruby Jones Stanwood

Ruby Etta Jones Stanwood of Port O’Connor passed away August 13, 2011.

She was born August 12, 1941 in Lansing, North Carolina to Lillard Monroe Jones and Celia Stike Eldreth Jones.

She is survived by her husband Joseph Daniel Stanwood of Cedar Park, Texas; two daughters, Maria Amanda DeLeon Kalka of Victoria and Rosa Lee DeLeon of Seadrift; son, Juan DeLeon IV of Port O’Connor; and sister, Bernice Elizabeth Eldreth Scott of Elton, Maryland.

Ruby is preceded in death by son, Joseph Dean Stewart; three sisters, Nona Eldreth Pugh, Marie Eldreth Shiflett; Maxine Jones Demyha; and two brothers, Ralph Eldreth and Bill Eldreth.

Ruby was, for 36 years, the owner of Hurricane Junction in Port O’Connor. She had also worked in Seadrift as the manager of Blasingham Lumber.

A memorial service for Ruby was held at Port O’Connor Community Center on August 25, the Reverend Bill Reeves officiating.

Memorials in Ruby’s name may be made to Fisherman’s Chapel, P.O. Box 538, Port O’Connor, TX 77982 or Hospice of South Texas.

Kathleen Elizabeth Cook Shiller, 92, passed away on August 9, 2011. She was born on Dec. 1, 1918, in Seadrift, to Flossie and William McCindree Cook.

She and her husband, James F. Shiller, owned Shiller Music Company in Lewisville for many years. Her husband preceded her in death in 1994, and in 2004 she moved to Bartlesville, Okla. to be closer to one of her daughters.

Kathleen is survived by her two daughters, Joan Bliss Cochran and husband Jim of San Carlos, Mexico, Judy Buys and husband Maurice Hoss of Bartlesville, Okla.; grandson, Jay Barrett of Cotati, Calif.; sister-in-law Bernice Cook of Port Lavaca; nieces Ginger Balez of Victoria, Barbara Glasgow of Naples, Fla., Elaine Haas of Conroe, Francis Richardson of Trinity, Ethel Montgomery of Grand Prairie, Annie Mae Smith of Corpus Christi, Pearl Stapleton of Seadrift, Grace West of Victoria; nephew Ronald McCown of Houston.

In addition to her parents and second husband, Kathleen was preceded in death by her first husband Henry John Buys; siblings Mabel Cook, Gladys Scivally, William Cook, Annie Pearl McCown, Lillian Belle Roemer, Jamie (Jim) Lee Cook and Artie Glasgow.

Private services and burial will be in Bartlesville, Okla. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or volunteer to visit Alzheimer’s patients.

Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce is hosting business seminars, the first Tuesday of every other month from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The next seminar is scheduled for September 6. The topic will be “Customer Service for Employers”.

If you are interested in signing up to attend, please contact Tina Crow. Call (361) 552-2959 or email tina@portlavacatx.org .

Rose Miller at the Lost Pelican Gift Shop

It’s your friend’s birthday. Your neighbor did you a special favor, and you wish you had a little gift to say “thanks”. Don’t waste fuel driving to Port Lavaca or Victoria to shop. Right here in Seadrift, on the highway (109 E. Broadway), the Lost Pelican Gift Shop has what you need!

A big variety of gift, decorator, and practical items are packed into a small space at Lost Pelican Gift Shop. The shop is divided into sections and features such items as greeting cards, women’s health and beauty needs, snacks, fishing essentials, fashionable clothing (new and resale), pet toys and treats, hand-beaded jewelry, T-shirts (men’s and ladies), totes, gift baskets and fresh plant arrangements, all at very affordable prices. Although she’s happy to have tourists patronize her shop, owner Rose Miller explains, “ I really want to cater to the community and fill the missing void.”

If you don’t see exactly what you want, Rose will create a custom gift basket or plant arrangement especially for you. Also available are balloon bouquets, and as with the gift baskets and plants, Rose will deliver them to your recipients if you wish.

If you’re in the market for custom items, Rose’s husband Kevin can custom make them for you. Rose, who designs and makes jewelry and hand-decorates the T-shirts and totes, welcomes local artists and crafters to display their locally-made items in her shop.

Rose and Kevin Miller relocated to Seadrift from San Antonio where Rose worked as a nurse and Kevin as an aircraft mechanic. They visited our area three years ago and fell in love with the small town, slow paced atmosphere. Two and one-half years ago, they set up their RV at a park in Olivia and enjoyed the peace and quiet on weekends. About six months ago, they were able to move to Seadrift, and finally “get away from the rat race” as Rose described it.

Next to Rose’s gift shop, Kevin has a “Minor Repair Shop” where he does mechanical repairs and fiberglass and welding fabrications. With his mechanical knowledge and background, Kevin can repair most any small engine and appliance. You can contact Kevin at 210-262-3991 or 210-241-8447.

Lost Pelican Gift Shop is open Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 until 4:00 p.m., but will open at any time should a customer call needing an item or special gift. Rose can be reached by phone at 210-241-8447. Rose and Kevin would be happy to meet more of their neighbors, so please stop by and have a look around the Lost Pelican Gift Shop. And remember to shop in Seadrift!

The Heritage Center, 2104 W. Austin, Port Lavaca, TX. and Sterling Griffith will present the Fifth Anniversary Show, The Country Opry Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011.

Show starts 7:00 p.m. Admission $4.00 donation.

Chopped steak dinner will be served from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. for $6.00 donation.

Proceeds benefit the Calhoun County Senior Citizens.

For information call (361) 552-3350.