POCID to Form Citizen Task Force

As we prepare for hurricane season, we look to lessons learned from Uri, and one of the important components of emergency response was the help that Port O’ Connor citizens provided for each other. The extreme and prolonged cold weather produced by Winter Storm Uri was no match for the warmth of Port O’Connor residents as they cared for their neighbors’ homes by turning off the main water valve and draining the lines of water, preventing burst pipes, or reducing the damage caused by pipes that had already burst.

The impact of the storm to homes was somewhat minimized due to the selflessness of these full-time Port O’Connor residents: Troy Beaudry, Casey Byrd, Rex Griffith, Ken McFadden, James Prince, Jack Schuhmacher, and Bill Yost. Carl Critendon went above and beyond by working 24 hours a day for two days repairing District wells during the critical points of the extended freeze. The Board of Directors of Port O’Connor Improvement District extends their deep gratitude for these heroic individuals and the countless unnamed residents for their service to the community.

Winter Storm Uri was a major storm that had widespread impacts across our nation from February 13th through February 17th. As freezing temperatures continued for several days across Texas and many people suffered prolonged power outages, a small force of local, full-time residents swung into action to assist their neighbors who were out of town.

When the pressure at a water plant dips below 20 psi, a boil water notice must be issued by Texas state law. Free flowing water in homes can contribute to the lowering of pressure. Due to the quick response of these individuals turning off water to homes, the amount of time the water treatment plant recorded a significant loss of pressure was reduced, and the boil water notice was able to be lifted sooner.

“We weren’t expecting such a significant cold-weather event, but Texas weather is anything but predictable, so we just did what good neighbors do. We take care of each other in Port O’Connor, and I believe that’s what makes this community such a great place to live,” said Jack Schuhmacher.

Port O’Connor exemplifies the spirit of Texas where you have the privacy you desire when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and where you know you can always get help when you need it. It is this spirit that makes Port O’Connor such an attractive option for people who want to spend their weekends and summers here as well as for those who have decided to make Port O’Connor their home.

“It is impossible to put into words how much we appreciate all of you. ‘Thank you’ just doesn’t seem to be enough. Thank all who got out in the cold to help Port O’Connor. What a wonderful community we live in! We are definitely blessed,” said Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Nancy Pomykal.

Due to the invaluable assistance from the community members during Uri, the POCID Board has decided to create a Citizen Task Force to assist district personnel in time of need. If you are interested in joining this Citizen Task Force to support District goals and activities when needed, please contact Oscar Pena at 361-983-2652.

Island Rain and Beach Combing

Greetings from the island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing well and staying dry with this unprecedented rainfall that our area, including the island, has been having lately.

In my 21+ years total out here, this is the wettest that I have seen the island. As of this writing on July 9, the island has received 38 inches of rain since the last week of April, and 15 inches of that in the last five days! Even with 4WD, our makeshift island dirt roads are pretty much un-driveable right now, having become deep rutted and water filled sludge trails.

Our water tanks and the underground water table for fresh water wells should certainly be topped off after these last several months of rain. And the fresh water ponds for the cows are all full before the heat of summer sets in, so that’s a very good thing. Of course the island and roads will eventually dry out, probably faster than what you would think, so the deluge of rain is simply a current inconvenience that will work itself out. Mom always told me that you face life’s hardships the best you can, and then be happy that you overcame them and moved on.

As has been the case for the last five years or so, only a very minimal amount of sargassum sea grass has washed ashore on the beach this year. During my first 15+ years out here, EVERY late Spring and into Summer, a huge amount of sargassum would wash ashore. . I’m talking tons of it to the point that it was stacked 2-3 feet deep along the entire stretch of island beach. I don’t know if the changing currents are diverting it elsewhere now, or what the reason is. I just know that I miss using it to add to my raised beds for vegetable gardening.

What has continued to wash ashore, at least on an occasional basis, and are a joy to find during beach combing walks, are seashells and sea beans. It’s rare after all of these years that I’ll pick up a lot of seashells, unless it is a really unique one, or if I’m doing it so that kids can have and enjoy them. A few weeks ago while walking the wrack line (line of debris left on the beach by high tide), I came across a beautiful and colorful conch type shell, one that I had never seen before. I later learned that it was called a Triton Trumpet (Google that name), and I was so thankful to have found it. I keep it for others to see on my outside display shelf unit.

I also enjoy collecting the sea beans (actually seeds that fall from trees and bushes into rivers and waterways around the world, and eventually wash ashore on all the ocean beaches). They come in different varieties and shapes and names, and are fun to collect and display. If I’m ever in doubt the name of a particular sea bean, my go-to sources for info are Mike and Sam Burnett; they are beyond knowledgeable about sea beans and all beach related finds.

Well that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and please have a most wonderful day.

Beverly Clouse

“An Endearing Heart”

After spending time with Beverly in preparation for this article, I could see that she had an “endearing heart.” Some things were very special to her, especially her family history of which she is extremely proud. Before I share with you about her family history, I would like to share a little about Beverly herself.

Beverly was born on May 6, 1938 in Oklahoma City. She grew up around the oil fields of Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Beverly ended up raising four children who gave her nine grandchildren who gave her sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Beverly lives in Seadrift and has served the Seadrift Methodist Church for over thirty years. She has served in Vacation Bible Schools and the “Feed My Sheep” food distribution program at the church. Beverly has also served as an usher and liturgist. She loves being in the church’s chimes program.

Some of Beverly’s family history dates back to the American Revolutionary War! Four of her ancestors served in the Revolutionary War. In the Civil War, she had ancestors who served on both sides of the war. During World War 1, Beverly’s maternal grandfather and her great uncle were enlisted soldiers. World War II found Beverly’s two uncles, Wallace Pence and Harold Varley, as enlisted soldiers. Harold was a translator in the Army and saw firsthand the after-effects of the war at the Dacau Concentration Camp. Also, during World War II, Beverly’s husband, Howard Clouse, served in the Navy as a tail-gunner on a fighter plane in the South Pacific.

Beverly recalls the most beautiful sight she has beheld was coming back to the States after being in Germany with her husband on a military tour. She said she was overwhelmed at the sight of being back in America as the plane neared the New Jersey coastline.

The picture of Beverly wearing a uniform dress was taken when she was five years old. Her maternal grandmother made it for her. It was a replica of a women’s Army uniform with her uncle Harold’s patch from his military unit. The other picture of Beverly was taken at her Seadrift residence. She is holding that same dress she wore as a child!

Caitlin and Christopher Dobsky are happy to announce that they were married on the 17th of April, 2021.

The ceremony occured at the Carby Chapel at Lutherhill Ministries in La Grange, Texas and was officiated by the groom’s grandfather, Richard Van Horne. They were happily surrounded by their friends and family and thank all for the kind and loving thoughts sent their way. Caitlin, daughter of Brenda and Chuck Carter, is a Geologist at Golder Associates Inc. in Victoria.

Chris, son of Michelle and David Dobsky of Houston, is an Insurance Producer for Siegeler Insurance Agency in Port O’Connor and Victoria. They enjoy spending time together outdoors and spent their honeymoon in Arizona and Utah.