Valentine’s Day is coming soon; and, Ladies, if you are looking for a very special dessert for that special dinner, do plan to visit Speedy Stop and check out the Service Club’s Bake Sale.  The members of the Club have prepared  an amazing display of beautifully decorated cakes, lots of chocolaty brownies and other cookies — maybe even a cherry pie!  Starting at 8:00 a.m. Sat., Feb. 12,  and continuing till the last item is sold, this is the place to find your long awaited sweet.


Under the very capable chairmanship of Sally Ragusin, Club members have been searching their files for that very special recipe, and as this has become a contest among several members as to whose goodie will be sold first, the purchaser really benefits.


Additionally, there will be available for sale several copies of the three editions of the Club’s Cookbook; if you don’t have any of the books on your shelf yet, you will want to get one for your collection.  Also, there will be for sale shelled walnuts by the pound.


Plan to arrive early as the Club members have achieved a reputation throughout the County for their outstanding desserts!

Fish in Foil
In a medium saucepan, combine:
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup clam juice
1/2 cup tomato juice or V-8
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1 to 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes of hot sauce

Stir well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup Chablis or other dry white wine (if desired).

Add:
3 tablespoons capers
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper

Stir well.

Rinse and pat dry:
6 (4 to 6 ounce) orange roughy or other fish fillets
Place each fish fillet on a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Top fillets evenly with sauce. Fold edges of foil over fish and wrap securely.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Remove fish from foil before serving.

Makes 6 servings.

The Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce has a new home.

For about four years the Chamber had no office, then I was told to talk to Mr. Teddy Hawes and the MUD officials, and at that time they gave us an area in the MUD office for our computer, which we appreciated.

Then in the last of 2010, I was told that MUD was remodeling their offices and that when the remodeling was finished the Chamber would be moved to the back of the building. The entrance to the Chamber is at the back door and we want to “THANK” all, Laurie and employees, who moved our furniture for us. We are so proud to finally have a very nice office. I will not stay in the office all the time, as we just do not have enough traffic, but if you ever need to meet me there, please call 361-983-2898. And we hope someday there will be enough visitors to make it worthwhile to keep the office open all the time.

The 2011 Calendar for the Chamber Sponsored Events is as follows:
Annual Memorial Day Kids Fishing Tournament    May 28th, 2011
Annual Kite Flying Contest            May 28th, 2011
Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display        July  2nd, 2011
Annual Lighted Boat Parade down the ICW        Dec. 3rd,  2011
Annual House & Business Lighting Contest        Dec. 15th &16th
Welcome, New Members:
VASQUEZ CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
THE DOLPHIN TALK
KENNY FINSTER
PORT LAVACA WAVE
The February Meeting will be on the 14th.  If you have something for the agenda, please contact Leah Griffin at 361-550-9624.
www.portoconnorchamber.org

The Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual awards banquet, Denim and Diamonds, on Thursday, January 2, 2011 at the Bauer Community Center. Calhoun Air Center (CAC) was among those recognized; the fixed base operator (FBO) was voted as Business of the Year: Level 1.


Since Calhoun Air Center took over the county airport’s management in November of 2008, the airport was voted “Most Improved Airport” in 2009 at the Texas Aviation Conference which is hosted annually by Texas Aviation Association (TXAA). Currently, the airport is in the later phase of a $3.3 million renovation via a grant issued by Texas Department of Transportation, Aviation Division (TxDOT-AV). The airport is not only focused on improving its facilities; a top priority is educating the community’s youth about aviation, aeronautics and engineering. Annual art contests and field trips to the county airport introduce children to the careers available to them in aviation. The events are all made possible by community-wide efforts and support.


“It was an honor to be recognized for the contributions that Calhoun Air Center has made to the residents of Calhoun County. The Calhoun County Airport is a valuable asset to the County’s residents due the efforts of CAC.” said airport manager, Dianna Stanger. Learn more about the FBO and flight school at www.CalhounAirCenter.com

The Fourth Annual Texas200 has been scheduled for June 13 – 18, 2011. Participants have had great cruises the past 3 years; this year the route has been updated. The race will begin at South Padre Island rather than Port Mansfield and will end at Seadrift rather than Magnolia Beach. There will be 5 camps between the start and finish rather than the 4 in years past; Port Mansfield jetties and Cedar Bayou have been added. “Seadrift will enjoy two weekends of water-related activities back to back, Shrimpfest, the Texas Water Safari and the Texas200!” said sailor and 2011 participant, Jack LaBarge, commodore of the Seadrift Sail and Yacht Club. “The club along with the Seadrift Chamber of Commerce welcomes the group which will bring sailors from as far as New York. In addition, we look forward to getting other local organizations involved.”

In the coming weeks, look for updates on the route information with GPS coordinates and Google Earth files online at www.texas200.com. Signup and payment information for 2011 will be posted by the end of January. Participants will shuttle from Seadrift to South Padre Island on Sunday, June 13 and arrive at the finish on Saturday in Seadrift. There will be limited seating on the shuttle bus, past participants will have the first shot, then registration will be opened for everyone.

The dates are etched in stone so make plans, put in for vacation time, etc. A shrimp boil will be served at the end of the race at the pavilion on Seadrift’s bay front. For participants the meal is included in the registration costs; shrimp boil meal tickets will be available for purchase online to the public.

See you at South Padre! Learn more about the Texas200 organization online; view past participants, photos, board of directors, forum, contact info and how the org gives back.