Mom Is Now Singing With The Angels

Greetings from the island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing well and starting to dry out from this monsoon season we have had the past 6-8 weeks. On the island, a full 19” of rain has fallen since the end of April. I’m pretty sure that’s enough already.

It is with the deepest of regrets, and the saddest of hearts, to speak of my mom, Leona, making the heavenly journey to be with the Lord on Monday night, May 31, at 11:10 p.m. I am so thankful to have been notified beforehand, and immediately making the trek across the bay to spend her last worldly hours with her, before she joined the angels. Even when the passing of your mother is not entirely unexpected, it is still very difficult, and a heavy heart-breaking burden to bear.

In March 2002, after having worked on my island cabin for two full years, and then making the decision to make the island my full time, and only residence, my mom was both my biggest supporter. . . and biggest worrier. I believe that is just the way of loving and caring moms. In her mind, I was jumping from the frying pan, being a police officer. . into the fire, by living alone and away from help on an island.

Mom loved coming out to the island when she was still in good health. She loved walking on the beach picking up seashells, and catching redfish on finger mullet. Mom caught her very first flounder fishing off my pier in front of the island house, and she was so proud when I had a picture of us together and her holding it up, put in the local newspaper. I believe that one of the very best Thanksgivings we shared as a family, was when everyone came out to the island and we had Mom’s delicious chicken dressing, and fried fresh oysters that we gathered from right in front of the island cabin. It was great!

My mom had one of the kindest hearts that ever walked upon God’s soil. When I would make my weekly trips in to visit with her at the nursing home, she would so enjoy going to Skillets for pancakes, Whataburger for her patty melt sandwiches and Dairy Queen for her small strawberry sundae or banana split. And it was never a quick trip out to the car or leaving anywhere, because she would have to stop and talk to everyone, taking their hand and asking how they were doing. She genuinely cared about everyone. . . such a kind and God loving heart.

I miss you and love you, mom. . I forever will. A piece of my heart is now missing, only to be replaced when I see you again. Please keep an eye on me from above and guide me safely. And give Delton a hug for all of us.

That’s it from the island for now; everyone take care, have a wonderful day and tell your mom that you love her, whether in person or by way of a heavenly message.

The Nickie Campbell Family

On May 22, 2021, the “Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library” held the dedication of the new “Nickie Campbell Memorial Garden”, which they built in honor of, and as a tribute to, a wonderful woman- Mrs. Nickie Campbell. Mrs. Campbell was a long time weekend resident of Port O’ Connor, and dearly loved the area and the Community. She particularly loved and supported the Port O’ Connor Library, and was involved in the building of the new Library, giving generously both monetarily, and of her time!! As an additional tribute, the Friends of the Library donated “The Nickie Campbell Collection Of Wildlife Books and Puzzles”, and presented it to the Library at the ceremony as well.

The dedication was conducted by Mrs. Campbell’s grandson, Michael Atmar. Present for the ceremony were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Sherri Campbell Wood and Dr. Pat Wood, Carrie Campbell Atmar and Terry Atmar; their children Michael and Erin Atmar, Erin and John Beckwith, Hallie and Kevin McKee, and Jack Crawford; and seven great grandchildren. Special guests were Elida and Joe Ragusin and Mildred Hutchison, who have been a part of the Campbell family for fifty years. To honor their Matriarch, the family created and presented to the POC Library a brochure depicting the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly, and dedicated it to her, because she loved to watch their cycle of life.

The Friends of the POC Library made this generous donation, not only to honor Mrs. Campbell, but also for the the entire POC Community to use and enjoy!! They encourage everyone to come to the Library, enjoy her Garden and Outdoor Seating Area, and check out her wonderful books, which explain the beauty of nature. This will be the Legacy of Nickie Campbell!!

Victoria College awarded 323 degrees and certificates to 274 graduates at the end of the Spring 2021 semester.

April Price of Port O’Connor earned an Associate of Arts Degree; From Seadrift: James Tolar, Associate of Applied Science-Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement and Hannah Spencer, Associate of Science.

Graduates from Port Lavaca: Dominic Aguilar; Alaina Aguirre, Felice-Chris Cano; Keith Carr; IYuan-Hao Cheng; Theodore Flores III,; Joe Herrera, Cum Laude; Emily Howard; Jessica Ibarra Mendoza,; Arnold Juarez Casados, Magna Cum Laude; Lane Kocian; Instrumentation, Ku Ku, Associate; Alexis Leonard; Daniel Martinez; Sherman Miles; Melanie Munoz; Amy Rambo; Arturo Rico; Sebastian Rico; Dylon Shefcik, Cum Laude.

The Ladies of the POC Community Service Club have been busy with their many summer activities and projects. We would like to thank Robbie Hawes, Tom Ekstrom, Otto Haardt, and the members of the United States Coast Guard, Port O’Connor Station, for setting out the Club’s 104 US flags along Hwy 185 and the Community Center for Warriors’ Weekend. We appreciate you all!! The Club is happy to announce that, at the public’s request, we will continue our Booth at the monthly POC Farmer’s Market!! Your generous donations and support are very much appreciated!!

The Service Club is seeking input from you, the residents of POC, for suggestions on projects that will enhance and/or improve the POC Community for its residents and visitors. For example, the Club’s most recent project is the commitment to furnish all of the U.S. and Texas Flags for the 2 flagpoles at the Community Center and the flagpole at Front Beach. We would like to thank Mr. L’Roy Bell, who has generously agreed to keep the flags replaced for us on an “as needed” basis. We greatly appreciate you, Mr. Bell!! As everyone knows, Freedom is not free, and the flags that represent it are not free either. They are expensive to maintain, but the Club is happy to commit to this worthy endeavor, and appreciates the generosity of the POC Community for supporting our efforts to make these projects possible!!! If you have suggestions that will help or enhance POC, we welcome your input, and ask that you either personally contact Club Members with your suggestions, or mail them to the Club at PO Box 341, Port O’ Connor, TX 77982.

As we prepare for our October Garage Sale, the Club continues to accept your generous contributions of gently used household, decorative, and kitchen items; small appliances; clothing; shoes; toys; children’s and baby items; furniture; etc. We cannot accept computers, electronics, or mattresses.

To donate, please contact: Alane Haardt- 281-416-6028;
Nancy Ladshaw-830-832-0510; Marie Hawes- 361-920-2322

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SERVICE CLUB HAS MOVED TO OUR NEW BUILDING, WHICH IS LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE PAVILION BY THE POC COMMUNITY CENTER, AND WILL BE COLLECTING, AND STORING, OUR GARAGE SALE ITEMS THERE!!! PLEASE CALL THE NUMBERS LISTED ABOVE IF YOU HAVE DONATIONS. Please do not leave items unattended, and no dumping!!!! (We will no longer accept donations at the County barn by the library!!)

The Club will meet the first Thursday of the month during July & August, with July’s meeting being on July 1, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the POC Community Center. We welcome all who are interested in joining us!!

Too Much Rain!!

We had to evacuate last night from the Indianola Fishing Marina campground around 2 am after hearing water splashing under our camper. What an ordeal! I’m glad we woke up, but navigating the roads was trying. We made it to the LaSalle monument where we parked and tried to unwind enough to get some sleep. Navigating the submerged roads was the worst part. We took this photo this morning after the water had subsided some. Thank you JESUS for our safety!

Posted on Facebook by Stacey Muller on May 22