Maybe it is just me – but I enjoyed this year’s Warrior’s Weekend more than most of which I have been a part! We had an awesome group of helpers – cooks from Chi Alpha, Huntsville; servers from Houston; egg crackers from all over; and taco rollers mainly from Port O’Connor. We had donations that took care of most all of the expenses. We finished early enough that our workers had time to enjoy visiting with the Warriors and hear them express their appreciation for all the hard work that goes into making an event like this happen. They did not know the names of the “movers and shakers,” but they knew that all the work was centered around them having a memorable time. Thanks to all who helped – whether it was for our Breakfast Taco meal or any of the other many activities. We make Port O’Connor Proud!

The Cross foundation is in the ground and the concrete is poured around it! Now we await the building of the Cross and the extremely important work of putting it up and placing the lights on it. I know some of you wondered if this project would ever happen, but I have been assured that it will be up before school begins this fall. After literally scores of people have worked behind the scenes getting it to this point, and thousands of prayers have been sent Heavenward, the project that some have already payed forward is almost a reality. I trust this community knows that the placing of the cross at the Chapel is something I believe the Lord asked me to do several years ago and something I have worked many hours on to see it happen. Donnie Haynes (Action Welding) has come along side me and helped in many ways, but nothing could have been accomplished without the help of our Lord! When we first began talking about this project, the Corp of Engineers asked if they could put it on the nautical maps. I readily agreed but asked that the following notation be placed on each map – “If you are lost, look to the Cross!” They said they could not accommodate such a request, but we trust this act of obedience will mean a lot to our Fishermen and our Community!

Before this news hits the press, Pastor Joane will have led a group of ladies in an annual Sectional Ladies Retreat. The theme is “Anchored” and the guest speaker is Theresa Hammonds from Angelton. We are expecting about 50 ladies from many different churches, including a group from Houston. There is never a cost for Chapel events, and all are always welcome.

Father’s Day is always a special day at the Chapel. As usual, every dad present will receive a uniquely special gift. Men will be treated with special honor, and it will be a memorable event. We trust that you will bring your dad and be present!

Captain Robert and the Sea Academy is coming back to the Chapel on June 24 and will complete their studies on July 1. Captain Robert has been bringing a Captain’s Class to Port O’Connor several times each year. We started hosting these classes in 2000, and many men and women have benefited from Captain Robert’s teaching.

July is always a very busy month, and we continue with our regular schedule and often add more events. The Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to assist all pilgrims on their way to eternity. We are all headed in that direction, and we all need to be prepared to meet our God! We gather each Lord’s Day at 10:00 a.m. for Bible Study; 11:00 a.m. for Morning Service; and 6:00 p.m. for Evening Service. Again, we meet together, usually with alight meal at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday evening. One will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us”!

Sometimes you do all you can do and it still is not enough…

Last month I told you how I moved from Tennessee back to Illinois and how different it feels from one place to another.

After the packing dust settled and being a month into this new chapter rather than preparing for it, I’d say my two cats have found the move as life changing as I have, if not more so.

The eldest of the two cats, who is a female named Baby who originally was technically my dad’s cat before he died in 2021 of COVID, has had a better time so far as she was able to go from the seclusion of the bathroom to the freedom of the outside world, where three other cats roam.

Sadly, Leo, my little Tennessee kitten I’ve had around me since August of last year and came to me via no one wanting his sweet little soul, had not been able to do the same himself as he and the one male cat already there refuse to get along.

I’ve tried everything to keep my Leo with me, and paid over three hundred dollars to get him fixed and up to date health wise on the same premise, but my health is off and I’m struggling and couch surfing, it’s somewhat beyond my control.

It’s so sad to me, that little guy was the only thing that kept me going through a hard time and was the only thing in the house I left behind actually showing me love, respect, and attention; he is my best friend and a great cat, as I tell people about Leo: “He knows his name and he plays fetch and everything.”

And yes he does folks, that little white and black bundle of purring fur will play fetch like a dog…he’s special in the first place and he’s also special to me, and I may have to say goodbye.

Others notice his disposition too and say he is a really good cat themselves.

It hurts and hurts badly, and as cats and most pets understand very little English, I cannot explain to him that his ‘daddy’ loves him very much, that he is a really good boy and did nothing wrong.

I cannot tell him that since he was a little kitten he amused me with his little ‘ooo-ooo’ sounds and his acrobatics, that once the human being I thought was my friend became abusive, he and my other cat were my only solace at times, the only ones who made sense in all of the drama and chaos.

He would sleep right by me, woke up when I did, used to follow me from room to room and always (both cats really) made sure I was within his sight…when I’d go out to run errands he would sit on the window by the sink and would remain there until I got back.

I still hope and pray for a solution for Leo to stay with me, and I’ll make sure to assure his happiness and safety, but if I have to give him up I will miss my little buddy like mad, my Leo Solo-Mio, my friend for life, even if I end up never seeing him again.

Good boy Leo, daddy loves you and will love you till I’m dead and gone…damn good cat.

Leo

Concerning the Boat Ramp

On any given day a local fishing lodge will have 10 or more cars parked on the ramp property which I assume are clients out on fishing trips. Add to this another 8 or more trucks with trailers parked there as well which belong to the fishing guides hired by the lodge. (I know this is fact because I was told so by the lodge’s owner.) Then, when the guide boats return, the lodge has a specialy equipped 12 Ft fish cleaning trailer that is brought to the ramp area to clean the catches and dispose of the remains into the Bay. How convenient!

Fish carcasses are left in the basin and remain there as there is no current to wash them out into the bay. Now we have a 6 ft alligator that has taken up residency in the basin to feed off the fish carcasses causing a hazard for the public.

Maybe Bill Sanders Park should be renamed after this lodge!

I’m sure our county commissioner is very aware of these happenings. Favoritism? A blind eye in return for favors? Who knows. Are we paying the bills for all the niceties and bathrooms that are being built, maintained, and provided by the county at Swan Point for the enjoyment and aesthetics of this particular lodge by our never ending escalations in our property tax assessments?

More parking area is currently under construction as are more picnic table shelters. The four shelters already built are hardly ever used. Four portable restrooms have been installed and the rental and service contract on these are being picked up by the taxpayers (who else?).

Hmmm….makes you wonder.

Maybe that lodge should park their clients’ cars on its own property, along with their guides’ vehicles and trailers, clean up their own fish scraps, and our elected officials put a stop to it. I guarantee anyone else setting up shop on public property would be shut down immediately.

Name Withheld

Letters to the Dolphin/P.O. Box 777/Port O’Connor, TX 77982

Pictured below is a photo of one table at the 1960 Port O’Connor Eighth Grade Banquet. Left to right: Norma Faye Munsch, Sherry Wilburn, Esmeralda Vasquez, Mary Garza, Janice Albrecht, Teddy Hawes, and David Amason.
-from a Facebook post by Janice Stadler