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

Libraries have always been a place for patrons to come and find the perfect stack of books to read. But technology has enabled us to use library resources in convenient and various ways.

If you are a reader who prefers to hold a borrowed book, please come and browse the shelves. Should you not find what you need, Librarian Michelle Marlin can easily help you borrow from another location or make suggestions depending on your reading preferences.

Sign into a library at your fingertips with apps, such as Hoopla, Libby, Overdrive, or SimplyE. One of the great things about the Libby app is that you can also add other library cards to it and access multiple bookshelves. If you have a library card, you are eligible for these FREE apps. Need help downloading an app? See Port O’Connor’s helpful librarian for assistance.

What is an app like Hoopla? Hoopla is a web and mobile library media platform for audio books, comics, e-books, movies, music and TV. Hoopla allows library patrons to download or stream media content.

Don’t let technology prevent you from using these apps and the library. Visit soon to borrow a book or download an e-book or audio book from a free app on your device today!

POC Library Hours

Take note of the business hours and contact information listed below. Librarian Michelle Marlin is ready to accommodate your needs.

Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Holiday Closures: December 23rd & 24th and December 30th & 31st

Phone Number: 361-983-4365

Friends of the POC Library
:
The Friends is a support group and welcome all who would like to join in supporting the POC Library Branch. Donations are accepted year-round and can be dropped off at the library.

Giving Tuesday was a huge success thanks to our donors! The money raised will be used to support programs and purchases above what the county budget for the library provides. We truly appreciate all the support from the community and hope everyone gets a chance this holiday season to visit the library and see all the magic it holds. Thank you from the bottom of our bookshelves!

‘Tis the season to decorate and folks greatly enjoyed the wreath making workshop. An enormous wreath was gifted to our library and our hearts “grew three times that day,” such as The Grinch’s heart did!

As always, the POC Library Branch hosts programs and meetings in the library’s multipurpose room for the entire community. Members and visitors are always welcome. Please join us!
Mark your calendar for the following FREE, weekly events as well as the special dates:

Weekly Events:

Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. -9:00 a.m.- “Coffee and Conversation” with the “coffee mates”
Thursdays:
Bridge to RESUME in 2023
Fridays:
Mahjongg to RESUME in 2023

-Darla Miles

Ursula Price & Martha Gonzales, Wreath-Maker Extraordinaire

Librarian’s Corner

Congratulations to Margaret Claiborne for being chosen as our newest employee to the Port O’Connor Library Branch. Margaret is the new Assistant Librarian and has been a wonderful addition to the team.

The Port O’Connor Library Branch is grateful to the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, led by Ursula Price, for all of their help and support this year.

We are so grateful to our wonderful patrons and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Michelle Marlin
Librarian, POC Library Branch

Margaret Claiborne

November 9, 2022

I, Dororthy Geraldine “Williams” Wilson, will be 94 years old on my birthday. I was born at Romerville, TX on a tenant farm to Dave and Alma Wooldridge Williams. We moved to Seadrift in the old Tom Dowda place where I grew up with six brothers: Wallace Vaughan, Louis Clifton, David, Dennis, and Donald. There are only two of us still living: Me Geraldine and Donald.

I can be called “Seadrift History”. I have lived here many years. I am the oldest living member of the Seadrift Baptist Church, baptized there at the age of 14.

I worked at the Mary Jane Cafe when the Air Force bus from Matagorda Island made a stop at the cafe. I did wait on the military men. I did sell beer to them at a young age. I did not know the price and I could not make the correct change.

I did enjoy listening to the “Juke Box” and my favorite was “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”.

I am one of the “Seadrift Oldies” – November 29, 1928.

Also, I remember that the “Skinny Wooldridge’s Beer Joint” is now a Baptist Church.

Dorothy Geraldine Wilson

Thank You

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Directors of the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce for their service to our community. Many do not realize that this is not a paid position….It is one that is truly from the heart. These volunteers take time from their personal jobs, their weekends, and their families to work very hard for this community. They plan, prepare, coordinate and execute all of our events. They are always on the lookout for new ideas to better improve our community.

Dawn Ragusin, Sue Glover, Brent Hart, Susan Braudaway, Mike Overton Sr., Belinda Bush, Debbie Michalek and Terri McGuire…. You all are the best!! Thank you so much for the time that you give so selflessly and for all you bring to this community!

We also have so many other volunteers that give so much of their time to help our organization and events. Thank you as well! We could not make this happen without your continual support! We are very grateful for all you do and appreciate your hard work.

Darla Parker,
President, POC Chamber

Thank You

I want to thank all the ladies of the Port O’Connor Community Service Club for a very enjoyable Senior Christmas Luncheon. As always, the food was delicious, the decorations festive, and the service gracious and attentive. I really enjoyed the musicians who serenaded us with Christmas songs throughout the whole event.

I think I speak for all us seniors when I say the Annual Senior Christmas Luncheon was one of the highlights of the season for us.

Joyce Rhyne

Having understood the gratitude of Thanksgiving, we are now ready to experience the JOY OF CHRISTMAS! I have contended for years that the only way any of us will enjoy the JOY OF CHRISTMAS is to humble ourselves before a Generous God, who has graced us with far too many blessings for us to speak! I am so appreciative of the Psalmist who taught us “Not to forget all His benefits”! I can never name them all, but I must not forget them all!

We were honored to be able to help “officially” 23 families with Thanksgiving Baskets this year. We helped several more from our regular pantry, but we were honored to provide much needed food for people from our community. We have gathered names for the Christmas Food Baskets to be delivered on December 13. You have made this possible! We ordered from the same list this Thanksgiving as in 2021, and the cost was almost $1,400 more! We are grateful that the Ladies Community Service Club continued to support this cause, the Community Thanksgiving Service provided much needed funds, and generous individuals have sent monies to help meet this need. Honestly, after last year’s basket distribution, we approached several friends who helped us have a head start in our fund raising. I know that Port O’Connor people are the best people in America, and you continued making the difference! I will give a more detailed financial report in the next issue of our Dolphin Talk – BUT THANKS!

We greatly appreciated the opportunity of attending the Service Club’s Christmas Party. It was as good a meal as anyone could remember! The singers were excellent and enthusiastic! The fellowship was exciting and warm. Only those who live in POC understand the level of excellence we know will happen at our Community Gatherings! Thanks again, Ladies for our exceptional service!

We learned on Sunday, December 4 that Joe and Anna Nuncio are moving with their three sons to Houston. They have become a part of our family and we feel a large part of our hearts is being torn away. We have promised to pray for them and ask God’s special favor on them. They will be greatly missed at the Chapel!

Special Christmas activities are scheduled for this month. On Sunday, December 18, we gather at 10:00 a.m. for Bible Study; 11:00 a.m. for Morning Service; and at 6:00 p.m. we will have a huge Christmas Party. There will be our traditional “white elephant” gift exchange, the singing of Christmas Carols, and much eating! It is always a highlight of our Chapel calendar, and everyone is invited to attend this special event.

On Wednesday, December 21, we will be gathering outside (weather permitting) to have a pit fire glowing and opportunity to roast one’s own meal. Again, there will be great fellowship and singing of Christmas Carols. I can hardly wait to hear our Dolphin Talk editor sing “Silent Night”! Come and bring friends with you!

Knowing that God, our Creator, put a family together before He built the church, we are planning special events on Christmas Day. We will not be having our 10:00 a.m. Bible Study, thereby allowing families to enjoy their time around the Christmas Tree. And we will not gather for the 6:00 p.m. Evening Service, again to allow for extra Family Time. We will be coming together at 11:00 a.m. for a special Christmas Service. We ask that each one come with an extra grace to express on Jesus’ Birthday!

On December 27, I will be transporting Pastor Joane to Houston for her long-awaited trip to Israel. The chapel gifted Pastor Joane this trip several years ago, but the pandemic stopped her from making the trip. Now, she is off and going to be in the Holy Land returning on January 6. I am thrilled that she gets to make her second “trip of a lifetime”, and she will be enjoying the company of many friends and special tour hosts, Pastors Don and Susan Nordin. I know she will have many stories and lots of pictures to share when she returns. Please keep her and the entire team in prayer for safety in travel and in country. We will greatly miss her, but are overjoyed that she is going. Thanks, Chapel family, for your love and generosity!

The Chapel came into being in February, 1995, and has been an interdenominational congregation for this community. We have seen our Lord accomplish much and have seen people grow in Christ and seen some move away. One will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel for Sunday 10:00 a.m. Bible Study; the 11:00 a.m. Morning Service; and the 6:00 p.m. Evening Service. Wednesday evenings are dedicated to having a simple meal at 7:00 p.m. and a time of ministry from the Word following. All are urged to, “Come, grown with us”!

One more word: How would we react if it was our Birthday, and we gave all the gifts to other people? This year, why not include a special gift for Jesus in your celebrations?

The end of 2022 is almost upon us and the remaining days are filled with so many things left to do and see. Next Wednesday at 5:15, FBC will host a Christmas celebration for TEAM KIDS and youth. There will be plenty of food, fun and games. Starting at 6:00, the Youth will be collecting food at Speedy Stop until 7:00, for the community food pantry. Stop by and donate some non perishable food items.

December 18, during the morning service at 11:00 a.m., the FBC choir will present its annual Christmas music program singing the story of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. Everyone is welcome to join us for that event. In the evening, at 6:00 p.m., FBC will hold a “white elephant” Christmas dinner and gift exchange. There won’t be a regular Sunday evening service. We welcome anyone to join us for a fun evening. Bring a gift and a covered dish to our Fellowship Hall.

Christmas day there will only be a morning service at 11:00 a.m. There will be no Sunday school or evening service. On New Years Day, our regular schedule will again be in place.

Sunday services 11:00 and 6:00, Sunday school, 10:00 Tuesday , women’s Bible study,4:00 and men at 7:00 Wednesday, TEAM KIDS, 5:30 YOUTH, 6:00

If you are looking for a church home, we are waiting to welcome you. Come and join us for any of the activities listed above. God is at work in our church.

Seadrift First Baptist Church invites you to attend this special service on Wednesday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m.

At this service, you have the opportunity to celebrate the Reason for the Season.  Communion will be a part of the service for those who wish to partake. The evening will feature the lighting of candles and families will be able to honor their loved ones by placing their names on a card to hang on the Christmas tree.

Seadrift First Baptist Church is located at 302 West Dallas.