Once again Port O’Connor School has participated in the Texas Blue Bonnet Book Club. The Blue Bonnet Club puts out a list of twenty books every year.  These tantalizing tales are chosen by Texas librarians for children to read. Students grade 3-6 are encouraged to read at least five of the books by the end of January, and students all over the state of Texas are asked to vote for the one they liked the best. The winner will be announced in February and honored at the Texas Library Association Conference.

On January 25th Port O’Connor students who had read at least five books were given a fancy nutritious breakfast, received an award, and voted for their favorite Blue Bonnet Book.

Our top Blue Bonnet Reader was Gavin Gosnell.   Gavin has read thirteen Blue Bonnet books! Clayton Maraggia and Drake Dyes tied for second place after reading twelve books. Congratulations to everyone who participated, and special congratulations goes to Mrs. Gosnell’s fourth grade class. They won a pizza party for having 100% participation!

Thank you Mrs. Strakos, Mrs. Brenda, and Mrs. Russell for making these books available to us on our campus, and thank you for the stunning breakfast!  Our school is very lucky to have you!

There will be a Joint Military Academy Day in Katy, Texas at Cinco Ranch High School on Saturday, February 19th, from 2-4 p.m.  This event is open to anyone who is interested in competing for a Congressional nomination to attend the US Military Academy at West Point, NY, the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO, the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, or the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.  Students from the 8th grade through high school, and parents, guardians, and teachers are all welcome to attend.


For more information, please contact Jackie Gloor in Congressman Paul’s Victoria District Office at 361-576-1231, or by e-mail at jackie.gloor@mail.house.gov

Seadrift – Jean Gilbert, 79, of Seadrift passed away January 29, 2011. She was born September 15, 1931 in Houston to the late Albert and Felicia Dierlam. She was the former owner of Jean’s Cakes and Catering in Port Lavaca and was a member of the Eastern Star.


She is survived by  her son, Danny “Butch” Yarborough and wife, Rhonda, of Seadrift; grandchildren, Christie Hicks, Danny Yarborough Jr., John Calvin Yarborough, Donny Yarborough and Amanda Hinds; great-grandchildren, Britni Hicks, Amnesty Yarborough, Kyle Raz, Sara Yarborough, Mason Moncrief, Dayz Hinds and John Paul Morales, and numerous step-grandchildren.


She was preceded in death by her husband, C.W. “Bo” Gilbert; parents; and sister, Edna Bajean.


Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com .

There is a fine line between the emotions of love and hate. Far too often that line is crossed between the persons we like the most. Sometimes there is no reversal but deep down within us is the suppressed desire to reconcile; whether we admit it or not, it surely must exist.


This story is a dramatic account that dates back as far as the Middle Ages. It is well known but still tells the tale of how futile disagreements between families or friends might lead to physical blows and murder.


Two families of significant prominence had their problems for many years. Often, feuds such as the modern stories of the Hatfields and McCoys still feud and possibly have forgotten what they are fighting about. This could be the case between two powerful families that were once very close friends. However, a street brawl breaks out in Verona, Italy between the families Capulets and Montagues. It became so violent the Prince of Verona intervenes and declares further breach of peace would be punishable by death!


The years around l500’s often had the questionable decision about the marital future of their beautiful daughter.  Capulet had been approached by Count Paris for his daughter’s hand in marriage. This seemed very acceptable to Capulet but the daughter was only thirteen years of age. “Wait two more years and she will be yours”, was Capulet’s decision.


Oh but wait! Young and handsome Montague has eyes on the daughter as the two years come closer. When the daughter’s eyes first met Montague’s eyes it was instant love never to be lost. However, there was still the problem with Capulet’s final promise to the Count Paris for his daughter’s hand. The daughter was quite aware of this but the two lovers must find a solution to an insurmountable problem.
Capulet planned a colossal event which some might know today as a debutante ball. But it was actually a common known fact that Capulet would announce the coming marriage of his daughter to a prince. She was most depressed as she had fallen deeply in love with Montague.


The families Montague and Capulet were still virtual enemies so the invitations sent out far and wide did not include any of the Montague clan. But young Montague has another plan in order that he may again be in the presence of the young lady he loves. He dresses in disguise. He is discovered and a kinsman of Capulet pulls his sword and Montague kills the kinsman in a violent sword fight.


It was unknown the young lovers had discussed with their priest they wanted to be together forever. He agreed to marry them and possibly unite the feuding families. After the sword fight, Montague must leave in exile. The priest fears the marriage to Count Paris would reveal the lover’s plan. He talks with the daughter and told her he had a potion that would put her in a deep coma and she would seem dead. She collapsed from the potion and was placed in a tomb.


Word got to Montague of her “death”. He returns and enters the tomb without knowledge of the potion she had taken. In such despair he then takes poison and is dying with her in his arms. She awakes and sees Montague is dying. She draws his dagger and kills herself.


Though a tragedy, it is one of the greatest love stories ever told. In later years it was written in plays and an opera in 1887. The full name of the dying lover was Romeo Montague. The daughter’s first name was Juliet. Thus the play, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare will remain a classic story of boundless time.


Bob Jamison is a freelance writer and columnist.
jbobalong@yahoo.com

Registration is open for the Great Texas Birding Classic, now in its 15th successful year. Check out the online Registration Book 2011  and find out about the different tournament events you could be part of during this April week long event.


There are events for the casual and the expert birder and everyone in between! All age groups and skill levels are welcome.  Winning teams will designate which coastal habitat conservation projects will be funded by this year’s event. Conservation grants are paid for by sponsorships and team registration fees. All team members receive T-shirts with this year’s artwork as well as birding information for spring migration and tickets to the Awards Brunch on April 17th.


Registration deadline is March 7, 2011, so get your team assembled soon…and the first team to turn in their registration will win a special prize!


For more information: http://www.birdingclassic.org/