Letter to the Editor:

Angels on earth came to my rescue when I had a minor automobile accident at the County Fair. Thanks to Joe and Samantha (Cady) Beaver from Seadrift for contacting Melvin Garrett of TriWholesale, who towed my car out of a bad spot. Thanks to those three I was able to hear the bands at the Fair, and then drive my car home. -Ann Lerma. Port Lavaca

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (exception at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests; therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.
Dolphin Talk, PO Box 777, Port O’Connor, TX 77982
dolphin1@tisd.net

A male Bronzed Cowbird checking out its habitat. By Mike Williams

The blackbirds. Most of us see them daily, all black, often noisy, and gregarious. We know that there are small ones and large ones, but that’s about as much we pay attention to them. But there is a world of difference between these different species, and some neat behaviors that we can learn about. There are many species from two very distinct groups of birds that make up the blackbird clans.

The largest of these birds belong to the corvid group which includes jays, crows, and ravens. We normally only see one corvid species along our immediate gulf coast, the American Crow, the bully of the bird world some say. They are big, and noisy, but they are arguably one of the smartest birds out there.

American Crows inhabit many of our habitats, including our more suburban areas. They live near the coast in tree lines near the coastal marshland, in the bottomland hardwood forests, open farmland, as well as our backyards. They seldom visit the beach fronts. They scavenge and steal, as well as forage for their food. Their diet is made up of a myriad of foods, including earthworms, insects and other small animals, seeds, and fruit but also garbage, carrion, and chicks they rob from nests. They are masters at survival.

American Crows are very social birds and can form large flocks sometimes in the thousands. They are also very inquisitive, somewhat mischievous, and very quick learners that can solve problems. They defend what’s theirs aggressively, and don’t fear chasing away larger birds, including birds of prey such as hawks and owls.

Then there are the black birds that belong to the icterid group. This is a rather diverse group of birds, including blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and even the colorful orioles. The most noticeable of the icterid black birds are the Great-tailed Grackles. They are not as large as crows but often mistaken for them. The males are a dark shiny black, often with blue and green sheen to their feathers. Females have more subdued blacks and browns.

Their cousins, the Boat-tailed Grackles, are very similar but sound a bit different and have dark eyes instead of yellow. Boat-tales are only found along the immediate coast and marshes, and not inland. Great-tailed can be found everywhere. The Common Grackle is their smaller cousin, which only resides here during the winter months, often in large flocks. They look similar are but about two thirds the size.

To round out this group are the smallest of this bunch. There’s the Red-winged Blackbirds with their bright red patch on their upper wing, the aptly named Brown-headed Cowbird with their dull brown heads, and the less common Bronzed Cowbird with their hunchbacked appearance and bright red eye. Both cowbird species are considered parasites as they use the nests of other bird species to lay their eggs in and often let those other birds raise their young. This was not a problem in the past when they naturally followed the roaming buffalo herds, but as buffalo were replaced with stationary cows, cowbirds no longer roam vast areas but affect the same area birds over and over. This has led to a reduction in songbird populations, and since this was a man-made problem, in some areas cowbirds are being manually controlled to save rare or endangered species.

No matter what people feel about this group of birds, the fact remains that they are smart, resourceful, and highly entraining to watch. I love watching them out the window from my office here at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory!

A male Great-tailed Grackle isn’t quite approving of the situation!
By Martin Hagne

POC’s Book Club, “Hooked On Books”, held its November Meeting on November 9, 2021, at the home of Hostess, Connie Britton. Co-Hostesses were Nancy Ladshaw, Annie Seay, and Mary Ann Claiborne. The 18 Ladies who attended enjoyed a beautiful and delicious array of hors d’ouvres, desserts, and wine, while laughing, visiting, and “catching up!!!! Following the meal, the group held a lengthy and lively discussion of November’s Book, “Love and Ruin”, by Paula McClain, which captures the ups and downs of Ernest Hemmingway and his third wife, Martha Gellhorn, with Key West, Colorado, Cuba, and World War II Europe as the backdrop. The discussion questions were challenging and thought provoking, and all agreed that it was an excellent book- well written, fact based, and very engaging!! We would like to thank the Hostesses for a fabulous time, and for their hard work in putting it all together!! It was a most excellent meeting!!!

The Club’s next meeting, and annual Christmas Party, will be held on December 14, 2021 at 1:00 PM, and their “Book of the Month” is The “Christmas Box” by Robert Paul Evans. If you are interested in joining “Hooked On Books”, please send your contact information to alanehaardt@yahoo.com. All are welcome!!

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senate District 18

November 3rd was a special day for freedom-loving people of Calhoun County! The Calhoun County Republican Club hosted our State Senator Lois Kolkhorst from Brennan, Texas as the guest speaker. The event was held at the VFW Hall in Port Lavaca.

After a delicious meal catered by the Pantry Restaurant, Senator Kolkhorst came up to the front to speak. Before she got started she presented Connie and Ed Hunt a proclamation commemorating their son Corbin Hunt for his service to the community and his fellow firefighters. Corbin passed away September 20, 2020. Connie Hunt is the secretary of the Calhoun County Republican Club and vice-president of the Calhoun County Republican Party.

State Senator Kolkhorst touched on a wide variety of subjects including immigration, property taxes, and voter integrity. Her district which is Senate District 18 will continue to include Calhoun County in spite of changes in the make-up of the district. Senator Kolkhorst spoke about losing some counties and gaining others due to the changes.

The meeting was well attended. Everyone appeared to have a good time. A Christmas party is planned for December. The Calhoun County Republican Club generally meets on the first Monday of each month. Russell Cain of Russell Cain Real Estate is the president.

-Tayna DeForest

“Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community”

There is constant activity going on at the POC Library, with patrons accessing library services, monthly Adult and Children’s Programs, meetings by different organizations, checking books in and out- all keeping our wonderful Librarian, Michelle Marlin, busy and on the go!! The Friends of the POC Library have been busy as well, and recently purchased a new “State of the Art” multimedia system for the Library’s Multipurpose Room, which will enhance the Library’s many programs, presentations, and activities!! Please make a point to check it out by attending our wonderful Library programs, and mark your calendars for the following events!! Our programs are free, and open to the public!!! All are welcome!!

Wednesdays- 8:00-9:00 a.m. – “Coffee And Conversation”

Fridays- 1:00-3:30 p,m, – “Mahjong”

Fridays- 7:00-8:30 p.m. – “S.M.A.R.T. Recovery” Meetings led by Robert Smith, 401-575-9778

November 13, 2021- 10:00-11:30 a.m. – “Children’s Thanksgiving Feast”

November 16, 2021 6:00-7:30 p.m. – “The History Of The Matagorda Lighthouse” presented by Brent Hart. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:00 p.m.; program begins at 6:15 p.m.

November 30, 2021 “Giving Tuesday” Campaign Benefiting The Friends Of The POC Library

December 11, 2021- 10:00-11:30 a.m. – “Children’s Christmas Activities”

January 8, 2022- 10:00-11:30 a.m, “Children’s Game Day”

January 15, 2022- 7:00 a.m.-???? “Chili Cook-Off” Benefiting the “Friends Of The POC Library”

January 24, 2022- 6:00-7:30 p.m.- “Book Signing By Author And Historian, Curt Locklear” Refreshments will be served starting at 6:00 p.m.; program begins at 6:15 p.m.

February 7, 2022- 6:00-7:30 p.m.- “Book Signing By Author And Historian, Charles “Bill” Innocenti” refreshments will be served starting at 6:00 p.m; program begins at 6:15 p.m.

PLEASE BE AN ANGEL!!!!

The “FRIENDS OF THE PORT O’ CONNOR LIBRARY” is raising funds to support and enhance the operations, programs, and services of the POC LIBRARY through our “GIVING TUESDAY” Campaign. This one-day fundraising event will occur on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021, and encourages patrons and library lovers to make a gift to the “Friends of the Port O’Connor Library”. This Campaign serves to remind us that libraries play a vital role in our lives, serving as important cornerstones of our communities, and the “Friends of the POC Library’s purpose is to support the POC Library so that it can better serve its constituents!!

To participate in this worthwhile event, you can do one (or more} of the following:
Drop a Check to:
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library
P.O. Box 497
Port O’Connor, TX 77982

Or Slide a check into the lock box at the POC Library.
Also, on November 30th, we will be cleaning the Library and working out in the garden area, and you can participate in “Giving Tuesday” by donating your time. Please RVSP to Belinda Bush at 817-980-0550 or Cindy Hanson at 361-676-3093 if you want to help. We appreciate our Community Supporters!!! Please follow us on Facebook:     Friends of the Port O’Connor Library

Submitted by Alane Haardt
Publicity Committee
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library