Dieter Erhard, Art Center Seadrift, stands by some of the elements of the “Ocean Inside” display. At the top is one of the paintings by Aubrey Parker.

Open House April 29 & 30

Experience the sensation of looking up from the ocean as Dieter Erhard brings the water to the boat at Seadrift’s Art Boat. Looking up from the Royal Blue interior, the movement of the ocean is captured by hundreds of fluorescent discs moving with the current. The interior of the boat is lit entirely by UV black lights, giving the shimmering appearance of the under-sea experience. Lurking below the surface of the water, you will see a huge Medusa, the most dangerous jellyfish-like creature in the ocean.

Also on display are the paintings of Aubrey Parker of Olivia, which are highlighted by the fluorescent paint, which is incorporated into each painting.

After the Open House, you will still be able to view the underwater scene by means of a switch outside the port hole of the boat.

Boy Scout Troop 106
FRONT ROW: Jaxon Smith, Jackson Rieger, Zane Henning, Xyler Quintanilla, Mateo Vallejo, Colton Wade, Jacob Boots BACK ROW: Leslie Shirhall – Cubmaster, Ralph Belter – Committee Chair, Patrick Henley – Commissioner,. Cooper Rodriguez, Cash Shirhall, Rebecca Rodriguez – Scoutmaster. Not Pictured: Kendell Cady, Talen Henson, Zavier Garcia, Christopher Heath

On Saturday March 25th Seadrift Boy Scouts Troop 106 held their 42nd Annual BBQ Plate Fundraiser. Cubmaster Leslie Shirhall said they can’t thank the community enough for its continued support. Each year community members come together to support the local Scouts by generously giving of themselves, whether it be monetary donations or giving their time and energy to help put events like this one together.

Over 1,200 plates were purchased this year and Auctioneer Jason Brumfield assisted attendees who kept their paddles raised in good-hearted competition while attempting to win yummy treats, hand crafted bedding, guided fishing trips and a variety of other items generously donated by community businesses and residents. Cubmaster Shirhall stressed the troop’s appreciation for the community and its continued support and stated that they couldn’t do what they do without it.

As of this printing, the troop has three Scouts currently holding Star Rank who will achieve Eagle Rank this month. After April 26, Cooper Rodriguez, Cash Shirhall, and Kendell Cady can begin work on their Eagle Scout project with the goal of finishing up this year.

Spring Rain and Migrating Birds

Greetings from Matagorda Peninsula Island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing very well, and enjoyed a wonderful Easter Sunday and weekend Good Friday holiday.

In the years past, I’ve made the trip across the bay to attend the Sunday morning Easter Sunrise service in POC on Front Beach, a wonderful gathering put on by the various churches in town, and attended by many early morning risers. But for the past several years, I stay on the island and get up early, and with coffee mug in hand, I drive the short distance down to the island beach. Corky and I sit in the buggy and wait for the morning sun to slowly make its beautiful orange glow, east rising appearance over the Gulf of Mexico, giving thanks that He Indeed Has Risen! As I’ve often said, there’s just something a bit more special about seeing the sunrise/sunset over the water, especially on Easter morning.

The island finally got some measurable rain last week, with a much needed 1.5” falling from the sky onto the parched barrier island. It’s amazing the noticeable difference a good rain makes, with the grass becoming greener and the little yellow island flowers showing up everywhere. The mower definitely starts getting a workout as well, but I’m happy to see the rain and Spring colors.

Another Spring bonus sight every island year are the beautifully colored migrating birds and hummingbirds. Most of the birds are the small finch type size, but there are also the yellow-winged blackbirds and Baltimore Orioles that visit the island as a stop-over on their way northward. Without doubt, the most colorful migrating bird that I have seen, and hope to see every Spring, is the Painted Bunting. This small bird is an explosion of various colors, reminding me of a vibrant rainbow. It’s so enjoyable sitting and watching all of these different birds fly around looking for bugs, and to watch the hummingbirds fight over the sugar water in their feeder.

Well, the 16 tomato plants are now in the ground, having been planted in the 18” deep raised beds and 25 gallon tubs, 40 days after being started from seeds. I’m already prepared with an organic solution spray to fend off the dreaded tomato hornworms, which cause misery for me every year by stripping the plants of their leaves, and then eating the green tomatoes. The hornworms begin their life as larvae, hatched from eggs being laid in the soil by a Five-Spotted Hawk moth, also known as a Hummingbird moth. If not checked every day, the hornworms, which grow quickly in size as they eat the plant leaves, will completely strip a tomato plant of all its leaves. They are my tomato growing nemesis!

Well. that’s it from the island for now. Everyone take care and have a wonderful day.

The City of Seadrift was blessed to have many people attending a hearing to fund/defund the Seadrift police. The crowd was estimated to be between 100-125 people. The hearing was on a Tuesday night right before the Seadrift Council meeting on April 4th.

Calhoun County officials Judge Richard Meyers, Sheriff Bobbie Vickery, and Commissioner Gary Reese were present. One local Seadrift pastor, Reverend Tim Smith, was present as well as ex-Seadrift mayor Mark Daniels and prominent business owner Bubba Hall. The Calhoun County Republican Party chairman Russell Cain and its vice-chair Connie Hunt came to the hearing. The Seadrift school principal, Linda Bermea, was present and Calhoun County School Board member Cindy Alford came with the ISD Police Department Chief Randy Duke. Area police officers came to the hearing to show their support.

Points that were made were as follows:

1.The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department cannot afford to hire any sheriffs to help cover Seadrift if the Seadrift Police Department was dissolved.

2.Complaints about Seadrift’s police force could be handled by a liaison citizen committee.

3.The City of Seadrift police utilizes body cams/dash cams. There has been no evidence of any police misconduct.

4.The Calhoun County Independent School District (ISD) Police Department relies upon the partnership of other local law enforcement agencies in the county to assist them to make our schools safe.

5.It was noted that the support for the Seadrift Police Department was overwhelming.

Seadrift has had law enforcement since its inception as a city in 1912. The need has dictated the size of the police department. Also, any available funding goes a long way in affording local law enforcement. An interesting article on-line you can google is “Rural Challenges: West Texas’ smallest departments face difficulties policing rural towns.”

The Seadrift Police Department has worked hard to get grants for necessary equipment to adequately meet Seadrift’s need for law enforcement. On the average the police department receives 300 calls monthly. The calls range from civil matters to felony assaults.

The first Saturday in May, May 6th, is Election Day for Seadrift! Early voting starts the week of April 24th from 8:00 to 5:00, except Tuesday and Thursday of that week when it’s 7:00 to 7:00. Also, on May 1st and 2nd early voting is from 8:00 to 5:00. Voting on Election Day takes place from 7:00 to 7:00.