Schedule of Events

Indianola – La Salle Monument, Starting 9:00 a.m.

Welcome – Chairman Phil Ellenberger

Native American Blessing – Isaac Cardenas

Invocation – Rev. Howard Hartzog

Presentation of Color and Pledges – Boy Scout Troop 361

Native American Welcome Song – Boy Scout Troop 361

Introduction of Guests – Chairman Phil Ellenberger

Texas Camel Corp. – Doug Baum

Recognition of Descendants

Traditional German Music – Dennis Reidesel

Indianola Tribute – Leonard McCown

“Indianola” – Brian Burns

Tejano 1890 Period Music – Robert Ojeda

Closing Wreath – Rev. Howard Hartzog

“Taps” – Robert Ojeda

Retiring of Colors – Boy Scout Troop 361

Benediction – Rev. Howard Hartzog

Cemetery Self Tour – Indianola, Cemetery on the Ridge and Zimmerman Cemeteries (map provided)

Bauer Community Center – 2300 N. State Hwy 35

Texas Camel Corp. (outside and ongoing through the afternoon) Educational presentation by Doug Baum on the role of Indianola in the “Great Camel Experiment of the Southwest”

11:30 a.m. – Welcome from the Mayor

Noon – 1:00 p.m. – Traditional German Lunch

Noon – 12:45 p.m. – Texas singer/songwriter Brian Burns

12:45 p.m. – Indianola Poem by Tommy Garrison

1:00 p.m. – Chihuahua Trail presentation by Vicki Scism

1:45 p.m. – Indianola presentation by Linda Wolff

2:30 p.m. – Yolanda Beniquesz – Tejano music and Ballet Folklorico Dancers Perform

3:15 p.m. – African Americans in Indianola by Michael Nash

4:00 p.m. – German Music Presentation by Dennis Reidesel

4:30 p.m. – Music by Jack Motley

5:00 p.m. – Close

Millinery and Fancy Goods. Mrs. Campbell would respectfully announce to the ladies that she is now opening a select assortment of Millinery and Fancy Goods, comprising every article necessary to a lady’s wardrobe or toilet—of the latest and most approved styles. She invited their attention to her stock, and solicits a share of patronage. Store on Main street, opposite Labe & Rouff’s.

Bath House. Mr. Rook has commenced the erection of a bath-house for the accommodation of the public. It will have five or six compartments all of which will be fitted up in good style. This will afford a convenience that has been long desired and Mr. Rook will be liberally patronized.

Light—Cheap Light! Everybody in the country or city can have a good light, equal to any gas light or ten candles, by using Bateman’s Patent Safety Gas Lamp and Bacon’s Fluid Gas, warranted not to explode. For sale at the Gas Lamp Depot, formerly News Depot, Main Street, Indianola, Texas.

Northern Potatoes. Just landed ex schr Anthem 30 bbls Pink Eye and White Potatoes, for sale by Wood & Davis.

German Prunes, to arrive from Bremen per brig Indianola, for sale by H. Runge & Co.

Protect Home Manufacture. We have been appointed agents for the sale of the “Star State Mills Goods,” manufactured at the Texas Penitentiary, and have on hand a superior article of No. 1 Osnaburgs, made from the best of Cotton, which we will sell low, and invite the public to test the quality. H. Runge & Co.

Casimir House,
Indianola [Powderhorn Wharf] Tx.
This large and commodious Hotel, situated near the steamship landing, at Indianola, has gained a wide reputation throughout the country as one of the most popular and well regulated homes in the State. Passengers waiting for the steamers or the stages will find it greatly to their advantage to stop at the Casimir House. The rooms are large and airy, and the table will always be supplied with everything the country can furnish.
C. Villenuev.

Carter House. Corner of Main and Cross Streets, in front of the new Wharf, Indianola, Texas—Joseph C. Carter, of Kentucky, Proprietor. N. B.—Baggage conveyed to and from the boats, free of charge.

Green Tree Tavern.
The undersigned having thoroughly renovated the above Tavern, situated on Powderhorn Bayou, and close to the steamship landing, most respectfully solicits a share of public patronage. His terms are as follows, viz:

Board per month, with Lodging $14.00
Board per month, without Lodging $12.00
Board per Day .75
Single Meals .25
Families and servants boarded as per agreement with proprietor. J. Kelly, Proprietor.

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and trying your best to stay cool and not melt in this even hotter than normal south Texas sauna.

I honestly do not know if it will ever rain a decent amount again. Having gotten a mere 2.7 inches out here since January is hard to even imagine, and I know that other places have it worse than I do. The difference is, I rely entirely on rain water to fill my tanks and replenish the underground well water supply. And given that my well is only eleven feet deep, if rain doesn’t begin to fall very soon, I know the level will eventually drop low enough that I will not be able pull water up. Once a week or so I slowly pump well water into my rain tanks to have a water supply inside the house. Oh well, the Lord will send rain when He deems necessary I guess.

I’m always so hesitant during extended dry summers out here to mention the “H” word as a source of abundant moisture. I’d much rather prefer the “TS” words (Tropical Storm), as I’m confident that my damage would be minimal. It appeared that TS Don was going to provide that needed rain for us, but we ended up getting squat out of him.

Dealing with the threat and anxiety of a hurricane along our coast, especially when living on a barrier island, is simply a way of life out here. I’ll admit that for three months out of the year I remain a little on edge and in close watch of tropical activity. I don’t really worry those months, not to the point of being paranoid or getting ulcers, if that were the case I’d have no business even being out here.

I’ve always maintained a level of preparedness for hurricane season, having pre-cut and labeled coverings for every door and window. Cabled ground augers secure the stairs and landing on the house, as well as the storage building. I made certain to go the extra steps and expense in the beginning to build the house and all structures as strong as possible. A direct hit from Claudette in 2003 gave me needed confidence that the house itself can withstand at least a low end hurricane. Of course all docks and fences are the first to go in a big storm, but those are easy rebuilds to me. And I’ll occasionally have water in the downstairs kitchen/bathroom, including three feet with Claudette, one foot with Ike and several inches with Rita, but I can deal with that.

The bottom line is that hurricanes always have been and always will be a source of concern for us along the coast. You basically just have to deal with it, pick up the debris, rebuild if needed and continue on with your life.

Well I’m finding that the two things that will thrive in this heat and dry conditions are my watermelons and cantaloupes. I’m still watering them every few days, but their moisture requirements are much less than most garden vegetables and fruits. I’m excited about several new melon varieties I’m trying this season. You know you’re getting old when a plant in the ground causes an emotional reaction. Such is my life. . . but with no regrets. I have fifteen tiny tomato plants I started from seed, and these will go into the ground for my Fall crop in about four more weeks. I have a semi shaded raised bed area for these.

I tore myself away from the island two weeks ago and attended my 31 year Calhoun High School, Class of 1980, reunion. I surprised myself and truly enjoyed it, seeing classmates for the first time in many, many years, including hometown Seadrifters. It’s hard to explain why, but there are a handful of us that started first grade together nearly forty five years ago, that have maintained a close group bond. I say good for us.

Well that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and eat some cold sweet watermelon.

The celebration began Friday, July 22, at the noon meeting of the Rotary Club of Port Lavaca. State Representative Todd Hunter presented proclamations for the Texas Legislature to Port Lavacan Cherre Cain and recently relocated Port Lavacan Larry Nichols of Galveston. They were being recognized for their service as Chairs of the Calhoun County Historical Commission, Cain for five years and Nichols for two.

During Cain’s tenure she revitalized the Commission by adding over 30 new members. The Junior Historians were funded and formed in conjunction with the CCISD. The Cemetery Committee was formed, faithfully run by Mary Belle Meitzen, and eventually it received recognition for its fruitful work by the Texas Historical Commission. Many historical markers were added to our county and Cemeteries were restored. While Nichols was in the lead, short and long term goals were established: publicize our history, work towards the new museum, collaborate with local and state agencies to re-establish access to the Matagorda Island lighthouse, establish bus tours for Indianola, and such. The caboose was restored.

Later in the afternoon The CC Historical Commission and Friends of the CC Museum held a well-attended program and reception for the two at the Bauer Community Center. The festivities included the American Legion posting of the Colors, Dr. Marcus Caughron singing the Star-Spangled Banner, County Judge Mike Pfeifer’s speaking, and Alivia Jons, Cain’s 8-year-old granddaughter, playing America the Beautiful on the violin. Professor Emeritus of Victoria College, Charles Spurlin, spoke on the Confederate and Union Armies on Matagorda Island from 1861-1865. Museum Director George Anne Cormier talked about the many contributions Cain and Nichols have made to the preservation of the history of this area.

Russell Cain, local realtor, presented original letters from US Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Bill Clinton to the Museum in honor of his wife Cherre and Nichols. The letters were then read by children and grandchildren of the honorees.

Jan Regan, Chair of Friends of the Calhoun County Museum, unveiled the architectural concept for the new museum. Thanks to the Texas Settlement Region’s gift of funds to the Friends, the fundraising has begun. The structure will be built on the grounds of the Bauer Center. (see drawing)

The crowd was ultimately treated to the wonderful bagpipe sounds of military music and Amazing Grace performed by Dan Sheppard. What an event!

The reception followed to the accompaniment of music performed by Victoria resident Brent Van Sickle. Special recognition goes to Tina Crow, Executive Director of the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce, and her staff for the set up and presentation of food and drink for the guests. Ambassadors from the Chamber of Commerce were part of the support for this event.

For more information about the plans and fundraising for the new museum, please contact Jan Regan, 361-552-6313 or jan@russellcain.com.

August 12: James Overton; Sophie Perry; Martin Martinez; Mario Rodriguez
Aug. 13: Marty Lewis; Chaz O’Shields; Autumn Smith
Aug. 14: Sharon Preslar
Aug. 15: Johnathon Pitonyak; Audie Vasquez
Aug. 16: Sue Kubecka
Aug. 18: Mikaela Overton
Aug. 19: Amie Reed; Robbie Hawes
Aug. 20: Bobbye Martin; George Cady; Melanie Vossler; Natalie Harper; Derek Vasquez Jr.
Aug. 21: Jackie Luker; Brandie Baird; Brittney Collins
Aug. 22: Ted Brown; Ryan Hamerly
Aug. 23: Tim Sandoval
Aug. 24: Aireal Pressley; Lloyd Alford
Aug. 26: George Harper