Crop duster John Sterling educated the 6th graders about his Air Tractor.

Calhoun County Airport hosted its third annual Kid’s Aviation Day on Friday, May 6th. Students from Travis Middle School, Port O’Connor Elementary and Seadrift School arrived at the airport enthusiastic to learn about aviation.

“Kid’s Day is my favorite day of the year,” commented airport manager, Dianna Stanger. “350 kids from Calhoun County schools were exposed to various walks of aviation.”

This year the students rotated around 14 different stations, nearly doubling from the prior year. Present were: the National Weather Service, Girls With Wings, Euro Chopper, Cessna 172 SP, Hawker Beech Premier Jet, Piper PA18A, Air Tractor, Civil Air Patrol, Precinct 2 Commissioner, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Victoria Tower manager, Calhoun County Emergency Medical Service, Six Mile Fire Department and Calhoun County Fire Department.

Principal Lydia Strakos commented, “The students from Port O’Connor said the trip was very informative, many of them are now interested in learning to fly. They greatly enjoyed themselves and can’t wait to visit the airport again!”

Calhoun Air Center strives to encourage, enlighten and introduce them to the avenues readily available to them. The students were given the opportunity to sit inside of the airplanes and helicopter. They learned the differences between each plan and principals of flight.

“I was really impressed with the kids’ level of knowledge about subjects such as the effect of wind. It was great to see their enthusiasm to learn more about a jet’s performance.” said Lynda Meeks, Girls With Wings founder.

What can a helicopter do that a plane cannot?” asks airport manager, Dianna Stringer.

Kevin McCauley

Kevin McCauley, son of Gary and Paula McCauley of Port O’Connor, graduates with a Doctor of Pharmacy from Texas A&M Health Science Center, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy on May 14, 2011.

He is the grandson of Pauline McCauley and the late Ordith McCauley and Glenn Burnham and the late Nancy Burnham. He is also the grandson of Joe and Carroll Bell of Fredericksburg and the great-grandson of the late Clyde and Katherine Purdy of Port O’Connor.

DON’T FORGET —- the Ice Cream Social on Saturday, May 14th at 6:30 p.m at the Port O’Connor School. As sponsored by the Lions Club, homemade ice cream and cookies will be served followed by an evening spent playing Bingo. Contact Jim Butler, 237-8053 or Leah Griffin, 550-9624 for further information.

The latest Hoopism at Hurricane Junction: To beer or not to beer; that’s a question? Hurricane Junction is again the tournament headquarters for the Red Fish Tournament starting on the 16th of June.

A Warning: Last month the son of a local resident in the Coastal Loop Area was bitten by a coral snake; evidently it was moving through the grass and other young boys, attracted by its colors, decided to throw rocks at it. Unfortunately, this boy was in the way. Remember the saying re coral snakes: Matching red and yellow kill a fellow. (I hope I’ve quoted this correctly.). I understand that the venom attacks the respiratory system within 8 to 14 hours, and there is no anti-venom available now for this type of snake bite. Do be careful around overgrown grass and weeds at this time as we are in a totally dry and hot spell, and that’s when snakes make their appearance. And also keep an eye out if you’re watering your lawn, and watch your step as snakes will be seeking water.

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If the reader wishes to add any news at any time to this column, please contact me at the above address or phone number. And thanks in advance.

The meeting of the Service Club was held Thursday, May 5th at the Community Center at 10:00 a.m.

Speaking to the membership was member, Joyce Rhyne, Editor and Publisher of our local paper, The Dolphin Talk; Ms. Rhyne was there to provide additional information regarding the upcoming Warriors’ Weekend. This event will be held here in Port O’Connor on Friday and Saturday, May 20 – 21 with an anticipation of approximately 300 soldiers in attendance.

Carol Fox, Vice President, informed us that applications are still available for the helicopter service for medical emergencies as provided by PHI. Ms. Fox can provide that information to those interested.

With the resignation of Biddie Hileman as Garage Sale Chairman, a new chairman was needed to fill that position. Although it will be extremely difficult to replace Biddie; she had served as Chairman for a number of years, and her diligence and attention to all details was without par. However, Lydia Strakos has offered to fill that position with the assistance of several members whom she has selected.

An interesting side note re the Garage Sale: Our President, Janet Johnson mentioned that the fund raising by the members of the early Service Club was achieved by the making and selling of fried pies to members of this community. And both Charter members Nancy Childers and Shirley Gordon reminisced about this activity which was done in the small room in the Fire Station. Janet further said that as the members became a little tired of the preparation of the many varieties of fried pies, a new money maker was needed to support the Club’s many projects and she recommended having a Garage Sale, which has been functioning for several years.

We are now on our Summer schedule of holding only one monthly meeting. Our June meeting will be on the 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in the back room of the Community Center. We welcome all interested women to our meetings; call 983-4365 or 983-4733 for further information. After all, you just may meet your neighbor here!

On April 11, the Seadrift Masonic Lodge #1098 distributed 32 dental kits to the First Grade children of Seadrift School.

The kits consisted of toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss and more, to promote good dental hygiene as part of the Masonic child and family program.

The officers in the photo above are: Joe Beaver, Worshipful Master; Mick Query, Senior Warden; Grover Grant, Junior Warden; Ted Gill, Tiler; Royce Smith, Junior Deacon. Pictured also are the teachers of the classes.