“Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community”

Library News:

Warm winter greetings from your library! The mission of the library, at its heart, has always been the same – to support and enrich the community. Books are still a centerpiece of what comes to mind when one hears the word “library,” but these days, the scope is wider. Today, libraries support literacy, learning and a more educated community by creating experiences that give adults and children new insights into a vast and changing world.

Libraries are opening minds and changing lives without charging a monthly membership fee, expecting people to make a purchase once they walk in the door, or asking to hold a credit card deposit. The library is still the one place where people can come to gather and participate, no transactions required
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Why are you waiting? No on-line appointment or sign up is necessary! As the weather settles in, come down to the library for light and warmth in the form of great books, conversations, and programs.

POC Library Hours:
Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Phone Number: 361-983-4365

Friends of the POC Library:

The Friends of the POC Library is a support group and welcome ALL who would like to join, contribute, or attend a sponsored event with this organization in supporting the POC Library Branch for the enrichment of all ages in our community. The Friends make every effort to offer quality events for residents and the greater community. Cultivate relationships and interests by attending events regardless of how you learn about dates and times, whether through word of mouth or published information. Rest assured that ALL events are free, do not require membership or sign up, nor are they private or exclusive. Members and visitors are always welcome. Please join us!

Do you have an idea for an event, speaker, or program? Simply visit with one of the librarians, or send a direct message on Facebook to our page, Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc.

On January 18th, patrons celebrated the 4th birthday to the Port O’Connor Library Branch! The celebration included many folks. Built through the collaboration and generosity of the POC Community and supporters, it has truly benefited residents and visitors for years. Indeed, our local library branch is quite an impressive and beautiful addition to Port O’Connor.

(Pictured (L-R): Assistant Librarian Margaret Claiborne, Shaney Bradford, Connie Britton, Sherri Judice, Alane Haardt, and Librarian Michelle Marlin)

Wednesdays:
8:00 a.m. -9:00 a.m.- Coffee & Conversation continues to meet each Wednesday. What are the “coffee mates” doing for the month of February? Sending out a whole lot of LATTE! (Pardon the pun.) Come by and have a hot cup of coffee with a cool “blend” of people!

9:30 – 10:30 Bingo! Make a note for this event that follows the 8 am coffee event on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Special thanks to the generosity of the noted sponsors.

1:00-3:00 p.m. – Mahjongg resumes for 2023 on Wednesdays instead of Fridays.

Thursdays: 1:00 -3:30 p.m. – Bridge – Play Bridge while developing friendships and creating a strategy.

Specific Dates for POC Multipurpose Room:

• POC Garden Club: Tuesday, February 21st at 6:00 p.m. – Botany plants lately? Thyme to gather with those interested in getting their hands “dirty” in the community garden’s success. The February 9-11th workdays accomplished much, but there is still much to do. Watch for information on upcoming workdays.

• Super Saturday Children’s Program: March 4th., 10:00 – 11:30
: March Winds & St. Patrick’s 10:00 – 11:30
The Children’s Program provides monthly offerings to help young ones of all ages experience holidays, traditions, customs and celebrations. Fun, exciting and educational programs have provided learning opportunities. The theme for January’s Super Saturday event was Game Day.

At the Library: Shaney Bradford deals cards for those willing to challenge her to a fun game of Uno.

Submitted by Darla Miles
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library, Publicity Committee

Victoria College has recognized the outstanding academic performance of 128 students by naming them to the Fall 2022 Dean’s List. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average over a minimum of 12 academic credit hours within the semester and must not have any unsatisfactory grades in any classes. From our area:

Josiah Flores, Brannon Garza, Keri Grantland, Zoe Herrera, Paul Jenkins, Cade Kveton, Hse Paw, Soe Paw, Pierston Salinas, Kenneth Sanchez, Marlene Sanchez, Jax Stringham, Kelli Flint, Cassandra Gordillo, Ethan McCrory, Melody Morgan, Jayda Nguyen.

The Calhoun County Republican Club will be hosting Jeramy Kitchen with Texans for Fiscal Responsibility on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility is an independent educational non-profit organization seeking to illuminate the actions of government, educate and equip citizens to effectively advocate for pro-taxpayer reforms, and hold lawmakers accountable for their actions.

A catered meal is available with a reservation for 12 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Please call (361)552-6313 for more information. This meeting is open to the public.

Location: Drifters Hall 5287 Fm 3084, Port Lavaca,

Love is one of those things where your relation to it largely depends on where you stand and your point of view.

Perception is everything as some people report feeling lonely and unloved while in a committed relationship or in a room filled with friends while others feel fulfilled with just loving themselves or that one thing that grabs most of their focus, be it a partner, their passion in life, a pet, or a child under their care.

It’s muddled by today’s sometimes too on demand world…in fact, while writing that last paragraph above I got a notification from Bumble, one of the myriad of dating apps available that I really really should pay them for a premium account in case I am missing out on meeting the love of my life, which in my case might be my cat, and I’m pretty sure she is not on Bumble.

There are ups and downs to that last confession as although my cat will never be ready for date night or dinner and dancing, neither will she lie to me about how much that new food dish cost or get into spats with me, or worse than that, finding another Human has been giving her treats and belly rubs while I’m out.

If I’m honest I’ve never reached contentment with my place (or rather my lack of one) in the romantic and dating sphere, I’m more like the male version of one of those women you see in movies and TV shows who feels time is running out for her to find the ‘one,’ the love of her life…well, like that minus the actual dating and misguided sexual romps those protagonists usually get up to.

In my case it’s more like I’m dating my Xbox and my ‘romps’ are to see what’s in the fridge at three a.m. on a Saturday.

Admittedly it does get old, I hate being the only one steering the ship of life solo a lot and I did really want a family of my own, something already in the rearview mirror pretty much at my age and one that becomes more impossible with each passing year, something I really can do nothing about.

There are upsides too of course, I don’t have to worry about trying to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift or worry about any of that belly petting or any other bits of the darker, more hurtful sides of dating breaking my heart.

Again, it’s all based on perception and how much you let it get to you, as well as how much you push yourself to find things to love in your life, be it by yourself or with a chorus singing your praises as you go.

Take care, as the world tries to sell you on it all too, they’ll tell you to search for it, pray for it, buy this brand of jeans or cologne or you’ll never get it, but that’s nonsense.

It’s there, it just depends on what exactly YOU define as love and what YOU do in fact love, be it your art, your partner, that lovely cat, or, despite cliches, once you find love within, you may find it without the nonsense the outside world lays at the doors of love.