Russell Cain, Calhoun County Republican Chairman; Connie Hunt; State Representative Todd Hunter; J.T. Kisiah, IV; Caitlin Carter; Brooke Sassman; Rebecca Vaughn; Sara McClellan; Tom Thomlinson; Mrs. Tracie Massey, Club Teacher/Sponsor

A luncheon was held June 12 at the Heritage Center to recognize the accomplishments of the 2010-2011 Young Republican Club of Calhoun High School. County Republican Chairman Russell Cain gave the opening remarks, followed by Ben Zeller, District Representative to the Republican Executive Committee, who commended the students for their interest and involvement in the political process.

State Representative Todd Hunter, himself once a member of his high school Young Republican Club, gave the keynote address. In addition to recognizing the students and their achievements, Rep. Hunter updated the audience on the current Legislature and status of various bills.

Mrs. Tracie Massey, sponsor of the Club, related some of the projects and accomplishments of Club members this past school year. Among them were: serving as election judge and clerks; voter registration; booth helpers at the Calhoun County Fair; holding a mock election at the high school; vote canvassing and election phone bank; Calhoun High School Breaker Beauty; meetings with public officials; and a field trip to the Texas State Capital.

Members of the Young Republican Club in 2010/2011 were: J.T. Kisiah, IV; Dylan Sassman; Shantel Noel; Rilea Whitaker; Hailey Smalley; Jessica Hart; Eddie Francis; Angelo Gonzales; Sara McClellan; Caitlin Carter; Brooke Sassman; Tom Tomlinson; Rebecca Vaughn; Kinsley Scott; Jenny Hargus; and Brianna Bergstrom. J.T. Kisiah, IV, a 2011 graduate, was the 2010/2011 President of the Young Republican Club. Caitlin Carter is the incoming president for 2011/2012.

The Port O’Connor Lions Club has donated a podium to the Port O’Connor Community Center. The podium was made by Bill Roe, Past District Governor of the Lions Club.

Leah Griffin (right), Lions’s Club President, presented the podium to Grady Jean Clark (left), Vice President of the Community Center Association and Janet Johnson (middle), Secretary/Treasurer of the Association

June 24: Daniel Gayle; Tien A. Nguyen; Richard Wall; Holden Spears

June 25: Jamie & Jennifer Luker; Alfred Doolin; Dyllan Rodriguez; Willie C. Gaines

June 27: Justin Tigrett; Ryan Preslar

June 29: Amy Gosnell

July 1: Amber Lopez; Claudine Covarrubias; John Reneau

July 4: Christopher Brunotte; Charles DeLoach; Barbara Goodrum

July 5: Shirley Gordon; Michael Lucey

July 6: Teddy Hawes

July 7: Janet Johnson; Tyler Hawes; Gordon Valigura

July 8: Karie Skalak; Eldon Gooden; Kacie Lucey; Sharon Wood

Wednesday, June 8th, was the first Summer meeting of the Historical Book Committee, and we were extremely pleased to have as guests and speakers, Paul and Sarah Apostolo. Paul and his family are long-time residents here, and he regaled us with stories of life back in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Additionally, committee member Agnes Valigura was present to add some of her experiences to these stories. With these reminisces of both Paul and Agnes, we were able to see Port O’Connor in another life.

Paul spoke of growing up here and attending school, and he was able to name some of the businesses in operation at that time. He stated that many of the residents raised their own vegetables and livestock for meats, and if a family needed something at the store; i.e., coffee or flour or sugar, a bartering took place with the store owner. He also reminded us that automobiles were not prominent on the streets of Port O’Connor; one relied on bicycles, carts pulled by oxen or other animals or just your own feet. Fishing boats were powered by oars or sails; only a few of the large ones had motors. Although we were somewhat aware of these facts, they were definitely brought home to us through the stories of Paul and Agnes. But when he told of the means used for finding schools of fish via airplane power, smiles and expressions of awe were evident on the faces of all present.

Mr. and Mrs. Apostolo were the first of the guest speakers to come to a “Book” Meeting; we hope that the next meeting in July will cause another resident to come and share some of his/her experiences with us. As we listened to those stories of life here, it became so easy to put ourselves into this much earlier time of our community, As Paul concluded his stories, each member present recognized that she had more questions to be resolved later.

As the Port O’Connor Service Club is now on its Summer schedule of holding only one meeting a month, the next meeting will be July 7th at 10:00 a.m. in the back room of the Community Center. We welcome all interested women at any time at our meetings; contact Shirley Gordon, Membership Chairman, 983-4365 or Janet Johnson, President, 983-4733 for further information. Do plan to come and say hello.

The Sportsman Scholarship (In Memory of Jesse Giessel, Nick Pack, and Dusty May) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarships.

There were so many applicants it was decided to split up the recipients and award $500 scholarships to the following six students.

Caitlynn Davenport from Seadrift, plans to attend Victoria College, studying business.

The other five winners, from Port Lavaca, include Matthew Hahn, attending Tx.A&M, studying Agricultural Engineering; Heather Jennings, attending Blinn, studying Radiology; William Keller, attending Tx.A&M, studying Wildlife & Range Mgmt; John Kurtz, attending Victoria College, studying Criminal Justice; and John Kisiah IV, attending A&M, studying Business.

We are very proud to be able to present these scholarships to such enterprising students, and wish each of them the best in all of their endeavors.