The twenty-four ladies who attended September’s Hooked On Books Club meeting were delighted to reunite after taking a summer break and enjoyed a delightful meal together. Special thanks to Susan Bertlshofer for opening her beautiful home to us and to her co-hostesses, Sherri Judice, Nancy Ladshaw, Judy Overton, and Shaney Bradford.

The ladies were very pleased with the vintage clothing and hats worn by the hostesses to represent the time period of the novel. They were treated to a magnificent spread of food representative of items mentioned in Sylvia Plath’s only novel, The Bell Jar. The table displayed artifacts, such as bell jars. Chicken, turkey and tuna salad sandwiches were served with chips, Cowboy Caviar and avocados with garnet sauce. Garnet sauce, ketchup mixed with French dressing, was a connection to the novel.

After feasting on the delicious food, a lively book discussion followed with ladies discussing the similarities and differences in Plath’s novel and a book we read in the spring, Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry.

Several members were struck by the central focus of both novels: societal expectations and the pressure to conform to traditional female roles during the mid-20th century. The ladies took umbrage at the main characters’ decline in mental health and her struggle to find success under the oppressive expectations placed on women. Many remarked on the lack of the main character’s struggle to achieve true independence.

All in attendance agreed that it was an engaging and fun-filled afternoon. They thanked their wonderful hostesses for the ingenuity, expert planning, and hard work put into making it all happen. It was definitely an afternoon to remember!

The Club’s next meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. on October 8th and the book choice is The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. If you are interested in joining “Hooked On Books”, please email your contact information to alanehaardt@yhoo.com. All Ladies are welcome!

Care.

It’s a simple word, a four letter word not as nasty as some others you may or may not know, as a matter of fact the definition is the opposite of a curse, but a blessing.

As far as a definitive definition, it is one of those words that goes far beyond what you might find if you looked it up in the pages of Webster’s Dictionary, like love or beauty or even darker subject matter such as hatred, it is too deep and complex to be easily categorized.

Transcending any simple explanation of what its meaning or value is, it instead leads you down a multi-forked path where its meaning shifts and changes depending on the situation.

For me, it definitely is something I’ve been called on to do many times over the nearly fifty years I’ve been living on this planet.

First, I was charged with my mom’s care and the responsibilities within when my father was unable to take that care on himself (see what I mean about the word care constantly shifting tone and description?) be it for selfish or psychological reasons.

Being just slightly older than ten years old when I started, I admit it taught me a certain kind of perspective on reality in terms that for the young is rare due to the horrors of aging being shrouded for most young people until a later date.

It also taught me how to be responsible as well, how to see the phases of human life as something more than some abstract concept early on and how to use kindness as a tool to make others comfortable.

That’s not to say it was not hard at times, it’s never easy to be a caretaker for anyone by any means and that doubles or triples when you’re talking about someone in close relation to you like your own mother.

Exhaustion is also a very fitting word to use in these situations, as it is that in many ways.

Physically it can be a challenge moving and helping a grown adult, especially if they are in pain.

Mentally, it can burn you out when you are constantly on call for them, when any moment can bring a complication or a new problem.

It is a contest of wills, your will to keep a level head and continue giving care with the intent to heal, the other person’s will to fight and be strong, and the ability to know that even though your own freedom may be compromised you can only hope that when you are in the same place someone shows you the same kindness.

As I find myself in this role again temporarily or more long term due to my own predicament, I can only pray for guidance and keep on keeping on.

Finally, speaking on the same subject of caring, let’s be glad that my ‘boss’ and the main cog behind the Dolphin Talk newspaper, Joyce Rhyne is feeling better and is still cranking out the news…we care a lot Joyce.

Classmates and spouses L/R Sandie Mooney Patrick, Linda Harper Milligan, Henry Milligan, Mike Mueller (Friend of the Patrick’s), Barbara Gray Reese, Kenneth Reese, John Patrick, Barbara McCown Livine.

The reunion took place September 7th 2024, at 4:00 p.m.at the home of Kenneth and Barbara Reese where snacks and refreshments and many fond memories were enjoyed. At 6:30 p.m. the group traveled to Port O’Connor, and met at 5D Steakhouse for a wonderful meal and reminiscing of more memories. A great time was enjoyed by all. There are no friends like old friends . . . Yay, Pirates!!!

1962 Fannin Classmate
Wayne Rogers

Seadrift School’s Principal, Mrs. Bermea and students from Mrs. Calloway’s Second Grade Class are pictured with some of the items donated by First Assembly of God, Seadrift. The church donated 140 pairs of earphones, 144 spiral notebooks, 216 pairs of scissors and 400 sets of earbuds.

Ms. Peters’ Port O’Connor Kindergarten class were practicing the rhyme “Jack Be Nimble”. As reciting it they would say their name in place of Jack. Pictured is Destiny Banda demonstrating

Back to School Bash

The Seadrift Community Church pastored by Mart and MaryAnn Maxwell recently hosted a Back to School Bash.
Fifty back packs with school supplies were donated by the local “Grindhead Coffee” Company, which is owned and operated by Michael and Carrie Powers.

Adding to all the excitement of getting new back packs the kids were treated to games, inflatables, hamburgers, hotdogs, and desserts!

There was a “Pie the Pastor” fundraiser included to raise funds for a needy family.

Prayer was offered at the event for a safe year for school staff and students.
-Tanya DeForest

W.H. Bauer and his wife Louise constituted the head of the most benevolent couple and family in Calhoun County, renowned for their love of their family, city, county, state, and country, as well as the world. The Bauers used their considerable wealth that accrued to the many exploits of W.H. (Bill) Bauer for the betterment of all. They were responsible for improvements like the Bauer Community Center, which serves as a venue for family events, weddings, conventions, city gatherings, and many other celebrations. At one time they contributed financially to the construction of the VFW Post Building. They were also responsible for building the Bauer Exhibit Building at the county fairgrounds which also hosts events related to the county fair, an activity that touches so many of the county’s citizens, especially school children. In addition, they also created the W.H. and Louise Bauer Charitable Trust to benefit many varied projects. In addition, they created the Our Lady of the Gulf School along with Father Dan Morales to nurture the grown of Catholic education in the community.

Mr. Bauer also was a benevolent owner of a major business such as Bauer Dredging in that he paid his employees’ hospital bills and even funeral expenses, acts of kindness of which many people are not aware. Being charitable was second nature to Louise and Bill in many other ways too.

Bill Bauer’s legacy rests on the qualities and abilities he demonstrated throughout his life, beginning with his helping his brother Jim to run the Lavaca Hotel, owned by their parents. The boys strove to increase the Lavaca’s business by competing with the other hotel in town, the Navidad; they would meet Old Salty, the train, and approach newcomers, offering to carry their luggage for a fee. Although Port Lavaca was small, numbering only 1,200 people at the time, it was a large oyster port and the boys were busy in their parents’ business, helping to make it a success. The Lavaca became a commercial center, a dance place, and a gathering place for a host of notable celebrities such as governors of the state when they were serving.

At an early age, Bill’s success was based on his sticking to task and increasing his business by creative thinking. He at one time had a kite shop, and then a business featuring new and renovated bicycles, which were displayed in the hotel itself. Facing competition and winning was always a facet of Bill’s character.

Another legacy of Bill Bauer’s rise as a businessman was the knack for seizing an opportunity. For instance, after graduating from high school, Bill was awarded an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy but, before departing, he happened to stop in at an automobile auction where he bought several autos with money he had saved for prep school. Bauer said that move changed his life and was an education in itself. From this experience he established himself as an astute businessman, one who would achieve prominence as leader in the dredging industry as well as other major endeavors.

Before his success as a tycoon in the dredging business, Bill Bauer had found another venture when he was appointed deputy game commissioner by Governor Ross Sterling. Bauer himself referred to those years as a game commissioner as one of the formative years of his life, one in which he learned to be cognizant of the conservation of natural resources, a passion he showed all through his career and which would prove to be boon to the coastal development. Through his patrolling of waterways, he also appreciated the history of the region, as well as the need for conservation. He also learned to engage with successful men who were prominent and from whom he could discern their path to success.

Bill Bauer was always ready for his next venture which was the establishment of Bauer Dredging, originally Bauer Smith Dredging to acknowledge the partnership between Bauer and his brother-in-law Harry Smith. In the early 1960s the company became Bauer Dredging when Harry Smith was bought out by Bauer. In the partnership, Smith’s mechanical expertise was a valuable asset to the company, and the two made a formidable team as they and the company rose to prominence. Once again Bauer was in his businessman mode as he guided the company to success, making it eventually a recognized world leader in its field. From its beginning in 1936 through 1965, Bill Bauer was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Office of the company. In the coming years, he garnered world recognition through his association with organizations such as the World Dredging Association in 1970, an honor from an international organization based in the Netherlands.

The creation of Bauer-Smith Dredging as a force in the world began with a $750 purchase of a small dredge that he had noticed in Freeport. The dredge, christened the Texana, had a capacity of 120 horsepower but it was the cornerstone of a fleet of dredges which brought fame and fortune to the company. The purchase set in motion what became a worldwide dredging phenomenon. It was indicative of Bauer’s legacy of hard work and creative thinking to make Bauer Dredging a force in that industry. These qualities, along with making him well versed in those matters and, even earlier than that, in accompanied his father to meetings of organizations with that aim. Eventually, he served as a director of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association for thirty years. His legacy includes that determination to make the inland waterways viable and a boon to the economy of the coast. That legacy is central to Bauer’s achievement in making the Intracoastal Waterway located along the Gulf Coast of the United States a navigable waterway running approximately 1,300 miles from Saint Marks, Florida to Brownsville, Texas.

Another part of Bill Bauer’s vision for the future of his community was evident also in his determination to bring to the Calhoun County area the first large industry when he was the driving force behind the effort to bring the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) to Point Comfort. The company had been courted by many cities along the coast but Bauer’s characteristic determination and hard work made sure that ALCOA located its first natural gas-powered smelting plant to Calhoun County. This vision for the future of the the western Gulf coast was transformative for the area, confirming Bauer’s faith in his community and its interests. Mr. Bauer was a president of the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce for many years, always trying to better the community in ways like this.

Bill Bauer’s legacy includes another facet, one on recognizing the importance of banking and continuing his penchant for innovation. When he bought First State Bank, he instituted financial services not heretofore used. For instance, he financed shrimp boats and shrimp processing firms. Thus the community and the bank profited so that the bank became the bank of choice for many outside Calhoun County.

After his connection to First State Bank ended in the late 1960s, Bauer gained control of First National Bank, eventually establishing an additional bank, the Seaport Bank which served the communities of Seadrift and Port O’Connor. He was Chairman of the Board there too.

Besides working to better the financial resources of the county, Mr. Bauer was intent on education. In 1965,he was appointed to the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System by John Connally. As a regent, Bauer believed that the role of the regents was the promulgation of policy, not the running of the school, a function that should be performed by the administration. In his capacity as a regent of the UT System, he saw many students attain a college education. Furthering college educations for the students of the state was one of Mr. Bauer’s passions and a prime feature of his legacy for future generations.

When W.H. Bauer sold Bauer Dridging in 1966, he bought the ranch in Jackson County that had historically been in the families of Lafayette Ward, who had brought unique breeds of cattle to the area. The ranch itself and businesses in Jackson County benefitted from the transaction from the sale to Bauer. The ranch also demonstrates Bauer’s connection to the land and its development, emphasizing as he did the use of the latest techniques in farming and ranching. He also insisted on a clean, orderly environment for his properties, reflecting the hard work and in doing one’s best that are also part of his legacy. He insisted also on the use of the latest technology in the management of the ranch.

Living on the ranch and making it an example of excellence, Bill Bauer enjoyed the new phase of his life, not the least of which was his time spent with this wife Louise. The Bauer’s were a devoted couple and their lives were enriched by their time together.

Epilogue

William Henry was born on February 14, 1907, in Port Lavaca, Texas, a native of Calhoun County. He passed away on June 27, 2000, and interred in Greenlawn Gardens, just outside Port Lavaca. Louise Stjepcevich Bauer was a native of Galveston, born October 10, 1913, who passed away July 18, 2004, and was buried beside her husband in Greenlawn Gardens. Their legacy endures.

The Lavaca Hotel
Still a place of business
at 101 Commerce and Main
in Port Lavaca

Moving Shell
Across Lavaca Bay