The June meeting for Calhoun County Democratic Club will be held Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the Calhoun County Library, in the community room, 200 W Mahan St., Port Lavaca.
Social/potluck is at 5.30 pm and the meeting starts at 6 pm.
The next meeting will be August 1st as the July meeting will be on a holiday..
More info: CalhounTXDemocrats.org

Weekly Events:
Wednesdays:  8:00 am-9:00 am Coffee & Conversation at POC Library
Wednesdays: 4:30 pm Boy Scouts meet at Scout Hall in Seadrift
1:00-3:30 pm- Mahjongg at POC Library
Thursdays: POC Bridge at Library 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 7:00 pm Friends of Bill W at First Baptist Church, POC

Sat., May 27     Memorial Day Observance 10 am   Port Lavaca Bayfront Park

Sat., May 27    Kids Fishing and Kite Flying King Fisher Beach

Sat., May 27    Seadrift Market Days 8:00 – Noon    Train Depot

Thurs., June 1    POC Service Club 10:00 am  POC Community Center
Mon., June 5    Republican Club  6:00 pm  Drifters Hall, 5287 FM 3084, Port Lavaca
Tues., June 6    Democratic Club  6:00 pm  Calhoun County Library, Port Lavaca
June 6 – July 25    Summer Reading Program  10:30-11:30 am    Port O’Connor Library

Tues., June 6    Bunco  6:30 pm   POC Community Center

Thurs., June 8    Environmental Issues Forum 6:30 pm VFW, 16 Konrad Rd., Port Lavaca

June 8 & 9    Seadrift Shrimpfest   Seadrift Bayfront

Sat., June 10    Farmers Market  8:00-Noon  Kingfisher Beach, POC

Sat., June 10    Summer Movie Day  10:30-11:30    POC Library

Sat., June 10    Parks & Wildlife Water Safety  1:30 pm  POC Library

Sat., July 15    Summer Movie Day  10:30-11:30    POC Library

In approximately one month, 300-350 combat wounded heroes will descend upon Port O’Connor attending Warrior’s Weekend XVII. It is very hard to believe that it has been that many years and yet they still love coming. It means a lot to them. Over 100 have signed up that have never been before and we’re pretty excited about that. They will arrive in POC on Friday, May 19th, be taken to lodging and then come to the POC Community Center for a great fish fry that evening put on by Russell Hofer and his team. Word is that both Johnny Cash and Elvis will be on hand to entertain them that evening.

Warrior’s Weekend is in need of boat captains (don’t need to be licensed as a captain), just have a boat and want to do an honorable, patriotic thing and take some heroes out on the water on May 20th for a few hours. You can register at www.warriorsweekend.org. We plan to launch boats from Froggie’s around 8:00 a.m. and the weigh-in will open at 2:00 p.m. So, about 6 hours. You will be given a boat captain shirt, cap and bait tickets along with your deck mate. Also, you and your mate will be invited to dinner both Friday night and Saturday night. Dinner usually begins around 6:00 p.m. You may bring your wife, girlfriend or significant other to dinner and enjoy Johnny & Elvis on Friday night, the 20th.

They are invited both nights. This is a tournament so there will be cash awards to the heroes on Saturday evening.

We are also needing lodging for our heroes in POC so if you have a house or room you would be willing to donate for the weekend, please let us know at warriorswknd@yahoo.com. We will also be placing the flags in the Tribute Field at the Community Center on Saturday, May 13th beginning at 9:00 a.m. We can use as much help as possible as we place over 7,000 flags in the ground honoring the over 7,000 who lost their lives in the War on Terror.

Ron Kocian, President
Warrior’s Weekend, 361-935-7414

While all our local educators as appreciated for all their hard work and dedication, every year a few are honored for their exceptional performance. Those honored at our local schools are: Leslie Shirhall and Rosary Cady from Seadrift School and Erin Gayler and Candice Stryker from Port O’Connor School.

Erin Gayler
Teacher of the Year, Port O’Connor School

Erin Gayler, has been teaching for 13 years. She taught in Tyler and Whitehouse, Texas before moving to Port O’Connor. Erin holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and will soon begin the Doctorate program in Administration and Leadership. Erin interacts well with students and staff at Port O’Connor School. She challenges students to grow in a supportive, respectful classroom environment. We are very fortunate to have her as a member of the POC School team and congratulate Erin on being selected as our Teacher of the Year.

Erin, along with her husband, Owen, and infant daughter, Collins enjoy being part of the Port O’Connor community.

Leslie Shirhall
Teacher of the Year, Seadrift School

Leslie Shirall has been teaching for 20 years, the past 14 at Calhoun County ISD and previously at Texarkana ISD and Nordheim ISD.

Leslie holds an Associate of Science from Victoria College and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Victoria.

Leslie, who teaches Kindergarten, says the greatest reward about teaching is when you can see the progress of the students. “I love watching the students’ faces when they light up after making connections using the materials and skills we have been learning about.”

Leslie’s mother, Dwana Finster, who has been an educator for 45 years, was her inspiration to become a teacher. In addition to her role as teacher, Leslie has been actively involved in community activities. She is currently the Seadrift Cub Scouts Pack 106 Cub Scoutmaster and Seadrift Boy Scout Troop 106 Assistant Scoutmaster and Leader.

Candice Stryker
Dedication to Education Award,Port O’Connor School

Candice Stryker has been at Port O’Connor School since 2021 teaching Art and PE. She has a degree in general business from University of Houston- Victoria and plans on getting a certification in Art. Prior to working at the school, Candice managed a local business for 15 years and volunteered at the school with PTO and helped with art classes. She has been a youth leader at the First Baptist Church Port O’Connor for over ten years and really enjoys working with students and the youth of our community. Candice has done an outstanding job teaching our students about different elements of art and principles of design in addition to coaching our students on the fundamentals of team sports.

Candice lives in Port O’Connor with her husband, Jason, and two children, Clara and Jacob.

Rosary Cady
Dedication to Education Award,Seadrift Schoo

Rosary Cady has been at Seadrift School for 25 years. She works as a behavioral aide, helping everywhere she is needed.

She not only enjoys working with children, but with the entire Seadrift School staff. Being around everyone “makes the day brighter” she says.

School staff describe Rosary as a wonderful person, who is family-oriented, and carries that attitude with her.

Speaking of the staff, Rosary says, “We are like a family”.