Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community
Library News:
POC Library Hours: Phone Number: 361-983-4365
Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
*Note special holidays:
Closed: December 24th – 26th
OPEN: December 27th and December 28th
Closed: December 31 – January 1st
OPEN: January 2, 2025

Finding your niche in a new place can be daunting, but the rewards of connecting with like-minded individuals are immeasurable. Whether it’s through shared hobbies like bingo, bridge, Mah Jongg, gardening, hunting, or collective efforts, such as rescuing stunned turtles or the collection of abandoned crab traps, every step, large and small, towards involvement strengthens the bonds within a community. Visit the local library to learn about volunteering or attending one of the numerous activities offered to the community. Ultimately, it’s the friends we make and the activities in which we engage that truly enrich our lives. Dr. Seuss said it best in Oh, the Places You’ll Go! “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose…”

THANK YOU to Our November/December Donors

• Mary Ann Claiborne & Olivia Marlin for helping to get the interior holiday decoration started in the library

• Mary Ann Claiborne and Margaret Claiborne for sponsoring Coffee snacks, Bingo and Loteria on Thanksgiving Eve

• The Warner Family for donating lovely crosses for Wednesday’s games

• Cathy Holder Osborn and Cathy’s Restaurant for a generous donation of a gift

• Michelle Marlin and Margaret Claiborne for donating a brand new Christmas tree, decorations and several outdoor inflatables to the POC Library

(L-R): Assistant Librarian Margaret Claiborne, Library Director Dina Sanches, and Branch Librarian Michelle Marlin

Wednesdays:
• 8:30 – 9:30 – Coffee & Conversation (see SPECIAL note below)
• 9:30–10:30 AM – Bingo – The fun follows the 8 AM coffee event every Wednesday! Many thanks to our generous sponsors.
• Note: LOTERIA (Mexican Bingo) to follow bingo.
• 1:00-3:30 PM – Mah Jongg

SPECIAL NOTE: Coffee & Conversation will have a new start time in 2025! The perky people start the morning of fun at 8:30 a.m. Bingo and Loteria will continue to follow Coffee & Conversation. Mah Jongg will also change days/times. More info to follow later.
Thursdays: 1:00-3:30 PM – Bridge

Friends of the POC Library: As we reflect on the close of 2024, the Friends send a heartfelt thank you and Happy holiday greeting to the entire Port O’Connor Community, members of The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library Branch, and visitors for your support and participation in the 2023-2024 Children’s and Adult Programs. Your involvement means so much to us, and we hope you found the events engaging and enjoyable. We’re excited to share that more memorable events are planned for 2025, and we look forward to continuing to connect with YOU at the library.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 11, 2025 for the Friends’ Chili Cook- off at Josie’s Cantina sponsored by the Central Texas Tolbert Chili Group, a benefit for The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library. Details forthcoming on The Friends of the Library Facebook page and friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org.
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” all around Port O’Connor, with colorful lights and festive decorations bringing holiday cheer to every corner. Our beautiful library is equally enchanting, transformed into a magical “Christmas Wonderland.” To celebrate the season and end 2024 on a high note, the children enjoyed a joyful Christmas Party, filled with laughter and holiday spirit. Truly, this time of year is the most magical of all!

Super Saturday Children’s Program
SPECIAL NOTE: January 11th Children’s Program is canceled. Feel free to drop by the Chili Cook- off at Josie’s Cantina.

Submitted by Darla Miles
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library, Publicity Committee/ Historian www.friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org
Facebook Page: Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc

The Model A Club’s Thanksgiving tour this year consisted of 17 people and 9 Ford Model A’s from 1928-1931. Victoria was the hub of celebrating their 200th Anniversary. This tour combined the Brazos Valley A’s and the Greater Houston Model A Clubs with Tour Directors Ray and Sherry Hinnant coming from College Station, joined by other members from Brenham, Houston, Katy, Angleton, and the Victoria area.

The driving tour on Saturday took them to Seadrift to view the Art Center, then to see the La Salle Monument, and on to Port Lavaca for a wonderful lunch at Scully’s Seafood Bar and Grill before crossing over the bridge to Point Comfort and taking back roads on the return to Victoria. The driving tour was about 130 miles round trip.

January 15th thru February 14 is the filing period for running either for Seadrift mayor or councilman. The Seadrift election will be held on the first Saturday of May. You can pick up an application at the Seadrift City Hall.

Mary Neil

It’s “Ninety and Counting” for Mary Neil who has a zest for living and a devotion to the Lord! Mary along with her family and many friends came together on December 7th to celebrate her ninetieth birthday at Seadrift’s Assembly of God fellowship hall. Mary has been a longtime resident of Seadrift where she was born and raised.

Mary and her husband W.F. had two children, daughter Frances and son Miley. They in turn gave their parents five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

Mary was a homemaker and a lifelong member of the Seadrift Assembly of God Church. Her husband W.F. worked as a tugboat captain, was a truck driver, and had been employed by Parks and Wildlife.
-Tanya DeForest