Speaking in Port Lavaca Thursday, July 28, Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez (Ret.) recalled his personal journey from poverty during his childhood in south Texas through opportunities offered by an education in Texas public schools and colleges to a military career culminating in command of United States forces in Iraq. General Sanchez, now a candidate for the U.S. Senate, told the Calhoun County Democratic Club that the nation must continue policies that “allow us to break the cycle of poverty” such as that he knew in his childhood.

Poco Bueno 2011

Port O’Connor once again doubled, tripled, or maybe quadrupled its size over the past weekend as folks who like to fish and like to see big fish and big boats crowded the docks, stores, restaurants and beach to join in with numerous Poco Bueno participants and their associates as they celebrated the 2011 Poco Bueno Tournament.

Caracol hosted the Poco Bueno parties where the participants and their families and friends gathered each evening. And as usual, The Fishing Center was super crowded with onlookers having fun as they awaited the weighing in of the catches.

There was a bit of disappointment, as only one big Blue Marlin was brought in this year. The 447.5 pound fish was brought in on Jim Harris’ Bella Donna, with Ryan Harris, the winning angler.

The winning Tuna, at 141 pounds, was caught by Legacy; Dolphin, at 48.5 pounds, by Bill Stalker, and Wahoo, 58.5 pounds, by Reel Bounty.

Waiting at the dock with the weighmasters were representatives of Fisherman’s Chapel, who transported the donated marlin and many of the fish brought in by the inshore fisherman to the Chapel grounds where members and friends filleted and packaged to give to those in need.

Poco Bueno photos by Bill Tigrett.

Captain Chris Martin of Bay Flats Lodge in Seadrift was pleased to take part in the recent release of trout into the San Antonio Bay-Matagorda Bay complex. On July 8 and 13, Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Hatcheries released 288,925 trout fingerlings into the bay. Bay Flats Lodge guides have been volunteering guides and services to TPW hatcheries for the past two years to catch the brood stock.

This was the first time that the Coastal Hatcheries program has released fingerlings into the San Antonio-Matagorda Bay complex – the beginning of a long term commitment to enhancing the fishery in the area.

Survival rate is variable, based upon several factors: holding capacity of the location, food availability, predators, the handling/stress of the stocking, etc. Handling/stress is the only variable that differentiates hatchery fish from wild fish that are already present in the ecosystem. There is some initial mortality, but once the fingerlings are fully acclimated to the environment, they have just as much chance of surviving as any natural fish.

Friday Night Youth is teaming up with the Victoria Sectional Youth Representative to host a huge youth rally on Friday, July 29, at 6:30 p.m. It will be held on Port O’Connor’s King Fisher Beach.

The live band, “After the Well”, will be playing for that evening’s activities. They have appeared at numerous Youth Conventions and Camps across America. The well-known and extensively traveled special speaker is Wayne Thompson, a youth leader from San Marcos.

There will be a “3 on 3” basketball tournament beginning at 3:30 p.m. Only eight teams will vie for the special trophy. Each team will consist of 5 to 7 players, ages 13 to 17. To register your team and for additional information, please contact Patrick Overton at 512/665-3357.

Youth of all ages are welcomed to come to Port O’Connor’s beach early for a time of fun in the sun. There will be hot dogs cooked on open grills and the volleyball net will be set up.

Travis Glass from El Campo is the Sectional Youth Representative. This will be a very special event and all kids are welcomed to be a part of this historic event. For additional information, please call Travis at 361/782-1626.

Whatever your age, you will be glad you were a part of this special event!

More than 50 years have passed since the Seadrift Railroad Depot building was moved to Pine and Baltimore (Sgt. Rodney Taylor Ave.). On July 8, it was returned to its original location, 201 S. Main, only 100 feet from where it was originally built in the early 1900s.

Back in its heyday, the depot saw passengers arrive in Seadrift from places along the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railway line and shipments of cotton and seafood sent to far-away destinations. It also welcomed passengers, and supplies of gravel, hay and fuel into Seadrift.

Mayor Elmer DeForest remembers when he was a child taking family members there to board the train for Houston. He was among those who witnessed the depot’s move in the 1950s, when it became a home for members of the Blevins family. In 1961, Hurricane Carla tore the gable roof from the building, and it was replaced with a hip roof. Changing the roof gave the building a different appearance, causing some to doubt that this is truly the original building, but Mayor DeForest and others who witnessed the event, assure that it is.

Moving the depot was the first step in an effort to preserve the history of Seadrift. As one of the few historical buildings left, the depot will be made into a museum, visitor center, and Chamber of Commerce office. It is hoped that Seadrift citizens will donate antiques, photos and other items that are a part of Seadrift history to be displayed in the museum.

The building renovations will be paid for with grants and hotel/motel funds (which cannot be used for anything but the promotion of Seadrift), and by donations from private citizens. Several citizens and businesses have already contributed. Included are: 16 hours of labor donated by Larry Kelley; $3,015 labor donated by Urban Surveying; $1,000 off moving charge by Fowler House Movers; $1,600 toward foundation and basic repairs donated by Pete Barthelme; and two 100-year-old doors and a 100-year-old fireplace mantle donated by Miss Lillian Stubbs.

It is hoped that many in Seadrift will be a part of this historic venture. Inquire at City Hall as to what you might do or how you might donate to this important project. The goal is to complete it by the December 2012 Seadrift Centennial.