“Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community”

Our beautiful POC Library, and its support group, the Friends of the POC Library, have started the New Year off with a “Bang”, and, in addition to the day-to-day services and resources offered by the Library, are planning many wonderful events in 2022 for the whole POC Community to enjoy!! Our programs and activities are free, open to the public, and all are welcome!!

The Friends of the POC Library’s fundraising event, “Giving Tuesday”, which was held in the fall, was a huge success, and the group appreciates everyone who stepped up to the plate, got involved, and donated their time and money to this very worthwhile endeavor!! The Friends were also the grateful beneficiaries of the “Chili Cook-Off” sponsored by Josie’s Mexican Food and Cantina on January 15,  2022, which was also a huge success!! The Friends would like to wholeheartedly thank the Owners and Staff of Josie’s for sponsoring this fabulous event, and for choosing them to be the beneficiaries of the proceeds!!! They would also like to thank the Cook-Off Teams, those who donated raffle items and money, those who purchased raffle tickets and Silent Auction items, and all who attended and supported the event in any way!! The Friends appreciate the Community’s support!!

Library Hours:
Sunday and Monday- Closed
Tuesday through Friday 10:30 AM- 5:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Wednesdays: 8:00 AM-9:00 AM- “Coffee and Conversation”
Fridays: 1:00-3:30 PM- “Mahjong”
Fridays 7:00-8:30 PM- “S.M.A.R.T. Recovery” Meetings led by Robert Smith, 401-575-9778
January 24, 2022- 6:00-7:30 PM- “Book Signing and Program by Author, Historian, and Musician, Curt Locklear” Refreshments will be served starting at 6:00 PM; Program begins at 6:15 PM.
February 7, 2022 6:00-7:30 PM- “Book Signing and program by Author and Historian, Charles “Bill” Innocenti” for his novel, When Love Refuses to Die. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:00 PM;
program begins at 6:15 PM.
February 12, 2022 10:00-11:30 AM Children’s “Valentine Activity”
February 14, 2022 6:00 PM Chamber of Commerce Meeting
March 12, 2022- 10:00-11:30 AM Children’s “Seeds and Plants Activity”
April 9, 2022- 10:00-11:30 AM Children’s “Create and Perform A Puppet Show”
April 18, 2022 6:00-7:30 PM “Book Signing and Program by award winning author, Myra McIlvain” for historical fiction novels which are set in the 19th Century town of Indianola, and along the Texas Gulf
Coast”. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:00 PM; program begins at 6:15 PM.
May 10, 2022 6:00-7:30 PM “Book Signing and Program by Alison Moore and Phil Lancaster” for her novel, Riders On The Orphan Train. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:00 PM; program begins at 6:15 PM.
May 14, 2022 10:00-11:30 AM Children’s “Arts and Crafts”
Submitted by Alane Haardt
Publicity Committee
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library

Seadrift Students of the Month of December
Mrs. Ochoa        –    Keegan Goode
Mrs. Cady        –    Jasenia Adame
Mrs. Sternadel        –    Kylee Gray
Coach Anderson        –    Boston Dunn
Coach Sternadel        –    Yuliana Hernandez
Mr. Kuhn        –    Ashton Sternadel
Coach Lillge        –    Ava Salazar

For the Week of:  December 13 – December 17, 2021
Pre-Kindergarten – Elana Wooldridge & Lane Saylors
Kindergarten –  Peyton Blevins & Frances Odell
First Grade – Angela Nguyen
Second Grade – Violet Henson & Zavien Garcia
Third Grade –  Ady Heath & Yaya Anzaldua
Fourth Grade – Gilliana Gonzalez & Jacob Boots
Fifth Grade – Emalyna Pedrotti & Xavier Arredondo
Gym – Jessah Benitez
For the Week of:  January 10 – January 14, 2022
Pre-Kindergarten –  Kannon Hunt & Avery Martinez
Kindergarten – Bristol Moyers & Zane Henning
First Grade –  Falen Rivera & Angela Nguyen
Second Grade –  Violet Henson & Aaron Hartman
Third Grade –  Sophia Huerta & Brooklyn Gregory
Fourth Grade –  Kaylee Roman & Alie Villarreal
Fifth Grade – Gavin Gonzalez & Holley McGill
Gym – Evelyn Scroggins

The POC Community Service Club announced the recipients of their “2021 Community Champion Awards” at their annual “Senior Citizens Christmas Luncheon” on December 3, 2021. The following four POC citizens were chosen to receive the Awards, based on their many hours of service and dedication to, involvement in, and unwavering support of, the many activities, organizations, and community projects that benefit and enhance life here in our wonderful POC Community!!!  Each honoree was presented with a plaque, a cash gift, and a big “Thank You” for their commitment and service!!!

Michelle Marlin

Club Vice-President, Alane Haardt, presented Michelle Marlin, with her award. Michelle is honored for her dedication and community service as the Librarian of the POC Library, Volunteer EMS & Firefighter with the POC Volunteer Fire Department, Nationally Certified EMT, and helper and friend to all!! Thank you, Michelle!!

Robbie Hawes

Club President, Marie Hawes, presented her husband, Robbie Hawes, a well-deserved, and long-overdue, award to honor him for his countless hours, and many years of hard work; mechanical, building, and engineering expertise; and unwavering support of the Service Club and the POC Community at large!! This man, a lifelong POC resident, can do just about anything, and has contributed immeasurably to the betterment of Port O’ Connor during his years here!!! Thank you, Robbie, for everything!!

Otto and Alane Haardt

Club President, Marie Hawes, presented a combined award to Otto and Alane Haardt to honor them for their active involvement, many hours of community service, and their “team effort” in supporting the Service Club and many other Organizations, events, and activities in POC!! Thank you, Otto and Alane!!

2022 Port O’ Connor Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

From left to right Debbie Michalek, Brent Hart, Ronna Fishbeck, Darla Parker, Belinda Bush, Terri McGuire, Dawn Ragusin, Susan Braudaway, Sue Glover, Mike Overton.

On November 27th we held our First Annual Poker Run Tournament. We had a nice turnout even though the weather was pretty nasty. Congratulations to our low hand winner Madeline Proctor who had a pair of twos and our high hand winner with a full house, Jeanne Newberry. We look forward to this being an annual event on Thanksgiving weekend.

We hope you got a chance to watch the Annual Boat Parade on December 4th. The boat parade was awesome as usual, but the true spirit of this event happened earlier in the day. Around 2:00 p.m. the boats turned the corner at Clark’s loaded down with toys and bikes stacked on the bows. An overwhelming sight for sure. A huge thank you to our friends from Freeport and surrounding areas who make the long trip to deliver toys for our community. After they unload the toys, they immediately start decorating their boats for the parade. A long day for our Christmas heroes!!!!

The Chamber has purchased and donated to the Port O’Connor Community Center, a 70” Smart TV along with a HDMI extender. This will be great for memorial services (pictures), business presentations, leader boards for fishing tournaments, and so much more! The HDMI transmitter will mirror your laptop or phone screen onto the TV screen. It has been installed and now available for those users of the building.

Please enjoy the lighted Christmas trees at the Community Center. Thank you to Michelle Davis, Darla Parker and Hayden Reigert for putting up the trees and Malcolm Hein, for getting the electrical out to the trees.

The annual Christmas party was held on December 10th and five members were elected to the 2022-2023 board. The re-elected members are Dawn Ragusin, Darla Parker and Brent Hart. Our new members are Terri McGuire, and Ronna Fishbeck.

Please continue to visit our webpage at www.portoconnorchamber.com
for more information on local events.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!