The Port O’Connor Community Garden Club has some exciting news to share! The Club held “Build a Bed” workdays and the first of the raised beds are assembled. A big ‘Thank You’ to Bobby Vickery and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s department for their support in building our raised beds as well as to all the gardeners and community members that helped. We are close to fulfilling our mission! Now on to filling the beds….

Speaking of “filling”…… the POCCGC is hosting a “Come Help Us Grow” dinner and silent auction on January 28th at the Community Center. Local chefs will prepare a meal sure to “fill” you up! The monies raised will help us “fill” the beds with soil, compost, mulch and great nutrients for a spring garden! Pam Johnson from Texas Saltwater Magazine, Danny McGuire from Texas de Brazil, and Kim Dickens from Josies Mexican Food and Cantina have planned a wonderful four course meal. An open bar, appetizers and a silent auction will start the evening. Auction items include art work, a 22 rifle, guided fishing trips, and fun baskets. Table sponsors and individual seats are available. If you would like to come join the fun, have a shot at some great auction items, dine on some great cuisine and signature cocktails, let Cindy Hanson or Nancy Ladshaw know and get in on this limited seating opportunity. Contact Nancy at txgal07@icloud.com or Cindy at cindyfriemel@yahoo.com to reserve your seat.

The Club hosts monthly meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The monthly meetings provide members with information and the opportunity to network with other gardeners. The membership fee is $20. January’s meeting hosted Robbie Hawes for a Q & A session on growing vegetables in Port O’Connor. He provided great information and answered a lot of questions. Our meeting in February is on the 21st- come join us!

Seadrift City Council

The City of Seadrift started the new year with their monthly city council meeting on January 5, 2023. The first item on the city’s agenda was a prayer by Becky Gray followed by the pledges to the American and Texas flags. Other items on the agenda included grants, projects, and substandard structures.

The Seadrift Mayor, Elmer DeForest, is highly optimistic about 2023. This is what he had to say about the new year, “Some long awaited projects are beginning to move along. The seawall is being bid out in January and February. The harbor project is nearing being bid out. The city has been awarded an additional $2.8 million in mitigation funds for water works and sewer improvements. The new wastewater treatment plant will be bid out this spring. The city was just awarded a $300,000 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) to upgrade the sewer lines on the southwest side of the city.”

=Tanya DeForest

A New Year’s Prayer

Read by Seadrift resident Becky Gray at the January Seadrift City Council meeting

Heavenly Father, we are blessed to gather peacefully tonight for the betterment of our community. As this new year begins, we are thankful for the council members, mayor, city and county workers, and first responders who listen and work together to improve the lives and conditions in our town. We know there will be challenges and struggles throughout the year. There will be failures, weakness, and neediness, but we pray tonight, that during these times when tough decisions are needed to be made, all your servants will call on your name for help and guidance. Dear God, help our community to listen to Your voice, grow from any failures, and not be quick to judge. Let us remember that all things are possible with God. Lastly, we pray for an abundance of good times this year and for safety from all that Mother Nature sends our way. We pray for these things, Lord. Amen.

The Multipurpose Room of the Port O’ Connor Library was the setting of January’s Book Club Meeting, and Margaret and Mary Ann Claiborne treated the Ladies to a delicious spread of hors d’oeuvres and desserts. It was all wonderful, and the Ladies thanked the Hostesses for their hospitality and delicacies!

The Ladies then held a serious discussion about January’s book, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11 by Kevin Tuerff. The book is the author’s true story account of when 38 commercial airliners were diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001 closed US air space to all air traffic. The crew and passengers (known as “the Plane People”) totaled close to 7,000 people, and ended up being stranded in Gander for 5 days. Their stories of how they were wholeheartedly welcomed by the wonderful people of Gander, and the outpouring of love, hospitality, and generosity bestowed upon them have endured, and inspired this book, as well as a hit musical and a Feature Film, both titled “Come From Away”. The book also inspired the movement of “Pay It Forward 9/11” in which Americans are encouraged to honor the sacrifices of those impacted on 9/11, by doing good deeds for others each year on the anniversary of 9/11. The Ladies agreed that the book’s tribute to the selfless acts of the wonderful people of Gander, and its message of practicing “The Golden Rule” and doing good deeds for others, was truly inspirational and heartfelt!!

Our next Book Club Meeting is at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2022, and our book is The Heart by Maylis de Kerangal. If you are interested in joining “Hooked On Books”, please email your contact information to The Multipurpose Room of the Port O’ Connor Library was the setting of January’s Book Club Meeting, and Margaret and Mary Ann Claiborne treated the Ladies to a delicious spread of hors d’oeuvres and desserts. It was all wonderful, and the Ladies thanked the Hostesses for their hospitality and delicacies!
The Ladies then held a serious discussion about January’s book, Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11 by Kevin Tuerff.  The book is the author’s true story account of when 38 commercial airliners were diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001 closed US air space to all air traffic.  The crew and passengers (known as “the Plane People”) totaled close to 7,000 people, and ended up being stranded in Gander for 5 days.  Their stories of how they were wholeheartedly welcomed by the wonderful people of Gander, and the outpouring of love, hospitality, and generosity bestowed upon them have endured, and inspired this book, as well as a hit musical and a Feature Film, both titled “Come From Away”.  The book also inspired the movement of “Pay It Forward 9/11” in which Americans are encouraged to honor the sacrifices of those impacted on 9/11, by doing good deeds for others each year on the anniversary of 9/11.   The Ladies agreed that the book’s tribute to the selfless acts of the wonderful people of Gander, and its message of practicing “The Golden Rule” and doing good deeds for others, was truly inspirational and heartfelt!!
Our next Book Club Meeting is at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2022, and our book is The Heart by Maylis de Kerangal.  If you are interested in joining “Hooked On Books”, please email your contact information to alanehaardt@yahoo.com.

“Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community”
Library News:

What do libraries offer? Libraries change lives for the better. They not only provide access to books and other resources but also help people to help themselves and improve their opportunities, bring people together, and provide practical support and guidance. People enjoy our local library for many reasons, such as good times selecting a great book and visiting with a great mix of friends who wander in or meet for a specific purpose.

Are you a bibliophile? (AKA: bookworm) Bibliophilia is the love of books. A bibliophile or bookworm is an individual who loves and frequently reads books. Is bookworm an insult? Originally, ‘bookworm’ was an entirely negative term: ‘worm’ was an Elizabethan insult that meant “wretch,” and to be called a ‘bookworm’ was an insult. The term still carries a tinge of disapproval—who wants to be called a worm? —but is widely considered to be more positive than it once was.

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

Friends of the POC Library:

The Friends of the POC library is a support group and welcome all who would like to join or contribute in supporting the POC Library.

Start the year off with turning the page in a new book at YOUR POC Library branch. In addition to the day-to-day services and resources offered by the library, The Friends are planning many wonderful events in 2023 for the whole POC Community to enjoy. Our programs and activities are free, open to the public, and all are welcome!

Sweet real estate deals took place at Port O’Connor Elementary with Gingerbread House Construction before Christmas Break dismissal. Several Friends carried on the tradition of teaming with small student groups to help manage the building kits while students placed gingerbread walls and roofs. Ultimately, students took care of the heavy lifting, decorating with candy. Every house had a unique style and curb appeal.

Children were having a ball for the Game Day event held in he Multipurpose Room at the library on Saturday, January 7th. The fun games, activities and snacks were well “received” by those who attended.

Weekly Events:

Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.- Coffee and Conversation: Local “coffee mates” and very welcomed visitors meet to take time to visit over a hot cup of coffee.
9:30 Wednesday Morning Bingo! Make a note for the 2nd and 3rd Wednesday of each month and many thanks to the generosity of these sponsors.

• January 11th: Bingo follows the coffee event & is sponsored by Bethany Senior Living

• January 18th: Bingo follows the coffee event & is sponsored by Port Lavaca Nursing & Rehabilitation

Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
“Mahjongg” – Resumes for 2023!

Thursdays:
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.- “POC Bridge Club” –Resumes for 2023!
Children’s Event: Saturday, February 4th: Valentine Creation

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

All are invited to a free “Come Grow With Us” seminar hosted by the Jackson County Master Gardeners Association. At 10AM on Monday, January 30, 2023, Cindy Meredith (theherbcottage.com) will give a talk titled “Growing and Using Herbs in South Central Texas” in the auditorium of the Jackson County Services Building, 411 N. Wells, Edna, TX.

The owner of The Herb Cottage in Lavaca County, Meredith has been in business since 1998 and has a wide range of knowledge in growing herbs and using them in the kitchen and landscape. For questions, please call 361-782-3312.