Did time change catch all of you as well? I was not ready to lose an hour of sleep! But, now if we would just leave it like this, I would appreciate just losing this one hour!

God is moving and we sincerely appreciate His graciousness! People’s lives are being touched by the Master and minds are being transformed. Please know that you will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Easter Sunrise Service is in the planning stages. Yes, we will gather at the Front Beach at 7:00 a.m. for a time of singing, listening to great music, and receiving a great message from our First Baptist Pastor! There will be hot coffee, so bring your chairs, or ATV and join us on Easter Sunday, April 4. Pastor Phillips will be greatly anointed and you will be glad to have been a part of our community gathering!

The Chapel Pantry is still fully functioning. We are feeding needy people and having great response from the community in bringing in the food and funds. Thanks for caring for hurting people. If you find yourself or a friend in need of food, please come by and allow us to help.

Captain Robert is returning for another Sea Academy beginning March 19. He tells me that this class if full, but he is scheduling students for future classes. He is planning to return to Port O’Connor on June 11 for his next class here and interested students should call him at 361-758-6189 so you can be ready to get your Captain’s License. The Chapel, in cooperation with Captain Robert, has offered these classes since 2,000 and many people have been greatly blessed by them. Careers have been made, life directions have been changed, and people have progressed in life because they came to the Chapel and got a new start! You will be welcomed!

Our men went to Hallettsville for a Men’s Breakfast on March 6. It was a great time of fellowship on the ride there and back as well as a time of feasting from inspiration and excellent food. The next Men’s Breakfast will be here at the Chapel on May 1, at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

Our ladies are going to Houston, March 19 and 20, for a Ladies Conference, called Abide. They will be having a special time of gathering and enjoying friendships of the past and making new ones. Those interested in attending should contact Pastor Joane at 361-648-4622.

The 19 churches from our area will be having a combined Revival on March 25 and 26. Victoria First will be hosing the event. On Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m., Evangelist Gene Summers will be ministering and on Friday evening, Evangelist Rod Vincent will deliver the Word of God to us. The music will be lead by Pastors George and Linda Kutach. There will be a time of fellowship following each service. All are welcomed. Victoria First is located at 4205 North Ben Jordan Street, Victoria.

Fisherman’s Chapel is moving Pastor Erny’s office. He will be in the JEM Center, Room #1, which is up the ramp or steps and to the end of the porch. Pastor Joane will be occupying the former pastor’s office in the main building after it is remodeled. We sincerely appreciate the work of Tom and Jackie Kasti, who are making it all happen!

Pastor Joane has been ministering on the “Be-Have Attitudes”. also known as the Beatitudes for the past several weeks. She is now talking about “fasting” and for some reason, we are all a lot more hungry than usual! I guess it takes doing without something to make us appreciate it more! You are welcome to come and be a part of these inspirational services.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to make the road from here to Heaven successful for all us travelers! Bible Study begins at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday, wit the Morning Service at 11:00. Sunday evening we meet at 6:00 p.m. and we gather on Wednesdays at 7:00 P.m., after corporate prayer at 6:00. You are invited!

ANTIFA

The radical Lefts group “Antifa” can best be understood by studying their history and who they admire. They take their name from the German, “Antifaschistische Aktion” (Antifascist Action, commonly referred to as Antifa). It was a new paramilitary Communist “street-fighting’”group, formed in May, 1932 by the German Communist Party, KPD (Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands). But to really understand it, we must go back to the defeat of Germany in World War One.

After the defeat and the Abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II, there was great political upheaval. There were Centrists (mostly Socialist Democrats), some “right-wing Monarchists and pro-military groups, and the best organized ‘opposition’ was the Communists. In January, 1919 the strongest Communist Faction, called the “Spartacists” led a failed armed rebellion against the Weimar Republic and its new Constitution. The Weimar Republic quickly failed, mostly due to inflation of its currency caused by Reparation Payments to the Allies demanded by Allies in the Versailles Treaty. Throughout the 1920s there was much street fighting, terrorism, and assassinations as the various paramilitaries of the political factions fought each other for local power. The KPD was Stalinist and supported by the Soviets, mostly fought with the Liberal Socialist Democrats who mostly controlled the Weimar govt. The KPD was Leninist and considered social democrats and liberals as “social fascists”. Lenin taught that “Social Democracy” would only lead to “fascism”; though the original Italian “Fascists” like Mussolini were Marxist communists who just learned from WW I that “nationalism’ was a stronger political draw than the “International Workers Class War”.

The Sturmabteilung (Storm Detachment), or “Brownshirts” were the original paramilitary of the National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZIs) was just coming into being. The Red Front Fighters League was formed by the KPD with the ‘Clenched Fist Symbol’ still popular with BLM and many other Marxist groups. It is interesting that the Communists on the “Left”, the Social Democrats on the “Center” and the National Socialists on the “Right”, were all Socialists! All Marxists, only divided by degree and minor variations of Theory. We are already seeing Antifa and BLM are as willing to riot and use violence and terrorism to get attention, political power, and things from the “Social Democrat” Biden Admin as they were to attack the Trump Admin. Antifa are Marxist “purists”, Leninists who believe any faction that is not Communist, is automatically “Fascist”. And our “Media” has pushed the Communist lie since 1945 that “Fascist” are somehow “Right-wing”, and not just a schism of Marxism – Totalitarian Central Govt, Power to the Party, Citizens have no natural Rights, all rights come from the Central Govt, no belief in Natural Law is allowed.

Today, none of “Traditional Political Definitions” are “true”, they have been redefined by the Current Truth of the Radical Left. To the Neo-Bolshevic Leninists, Anything that resists their idea of Marxism (communism) is “Fascist”, so “Antifascist Action” (Antifa) is required to use any violent action (By any Means Necessary) to gain power for Their Party. And as their power and influence grows, it will get worse. Also, the Soros Orgs have spent $millions to get Lefty Lib DAs and AGs elected in Leftist cities and States who will not prosecute Antifa. And Antifa always claim any of their “Red Front Fighters” who are charged with the crimes they commit are only “Political Prisoners” of the “Fascists”.

You have to understand “Their Definition” of the words to understand the “Truthism” of their “GroupThink”. And any of the Socialist Progression must be to their vision of Proper Marxism- Communism, not any Democrat Socialism. And like the original Antifa would ‘ally’ with the Nazis against the Social Democrats, these current Antifa ally themselves with Anarchists and Black Racists, or even “Fascists” like the Boogaloo Boys, if they think it suits their purpose at that time. Their Goal is to destroy Capitalism, Christianity, Democracy, and any Social or government stability. Just like their original name-sake in Germany. And there are other Antifas in many European countries, with the same intent.

I highly recommend checking out the book, UNMASKED, Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy, by Andy Ngo, for more details on “our current” Antifa. It is available in the Seadrift library.

We had our one week of winter and it really caught our attention this year!!  Hardly anyone in our community escaped without some kind of damage to pipes or trees and plants.  Now we are really appreciating these sunny 700 days.

Spring must be near because Easter is just around the corner. FBC will hold the children’s egg hunt on Saturday, April 3, at 2:00 p.m. for preschool through 6th grade. Bring your children/grandchildren and their baskets (we will have free baskets available if needed). Each age group hunts in their own area and there are special prizes for those that find the golden eggs. Afterwards there will be refreshments for everyone. Come join the fun! The next day, Easter Sunday, make plans to get up early and attend the Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. at Kingfisher Beach. This year, there will be a new and improved audio system with four speakers. This should allow everyone to hear the entire service.  FBC pastor, Bro. Phillip Miller, will bring the message. Stay afterwards to enjoy Cathy’s cinnamon rolls, coffee and orange juice. At 10:00, join us at FBC for Sunday school for all ages and then church at 11:00.

Our choir members were delighted to learn that we can again begin practicing and singing for Sunday morning services. Making a joyful noise to the Lord is a true blessing and the choir members have missed being able to do so these last many months. If you would like to participate, come join the group any Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. FBC’s awesome choir director, Bro. Raymond Grant, is waiting to welcome you. Solos are not mandatory!

Vacation Bible School dates have been set for this year. It will be held Sunday, July 11 through Wednesday, July 14. Make plans for your children/grandchildren to attend. Last summer with masks and social distancing, all activities were held outside. The children loved it, but, thankfully, this year we will again be inside for most of the time. Thank you, Lord, that restrictions are easing. If you would like to volunteer to help, contact Candice Stryker (361)655-8224.

Besides the activities already mentioned, we have several other opportunities for you to participate in at FBC. The mask mandate has been lifted, but some still may feel more comfortable wearing them. Hugs and handshakes are optional!

Sunday:            T                            
Sunday school – 10:00
Church – 11:00        :
Bible Study – 6:00  
Youth activities – 6:00 
   
Tuesday: Women’s Bible study at 4:00 and Men’s at 7:00

Wednesday: Prayer meeting – 6:00
Youth activities – 6:00

Letter to the Editor:

I just want to say it’s been a pleasure writing the Chamber Chat for the Dolphin Talk. I began doing the article when the paper was first published in 1996; then Nancy Pomykal took over for a few years, then I picked it up again.

I love Port O’Connor, so it was never a chore for me to do this. In February the Chamber signed a letter of support of the Chamber Chat. If you would like something included in the article, please contact Sue Glover, txborn65@gmail.com, as it was decided that each month a board member would participate in the writing of the Chamber Chat, so I will no longer be doing this article.

Again “THANKS” to Joyce Rhyne for all she does for the Chamber. I am still the Chamber Office Manager, so if I can be of help, do not hesitate to email–info@portoconnorchamber.com–or call 361-983-2898. The Chamber is here for the community, and what a wonderful community we have, and I am proud to be a part of it.

La June Pitonyak

Letter to the Editor:

I just about froze to death for days. Now my water pipes are broke from them being frozen. I don’t have water to take a bath.

When we were kids at home, the only water we had came into a gutter down into a cistern. Rain water.
We only bathed once a week on Saturday, in a wash tub. Dad was the last to bathe.

It didn’t kill any of us. We just smelled like we were dead.

Dorothy Geraldine Wilson
Seadrift

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

I think I have finally smoked my last cigarette and it is funny it was not half as hard as it seemed when I wrote this four years ago for this column, on one of my previous attempts to quit: “…The idea [of quitting smoking] fills me with apprehension and fear, even though from the past experience I have in the matter I know exactly what I’m up against.

Three days till the nicotine is out of my system, probably quite a few weeks on the patch, and tons of battling the psychological components of smoking that are most likely the hardest element of quitting to experience. There will be those strange dreams where I’ll sneak a cigarette in some surreal scenario, then wake up with that phantom feeling of guilt that will come with it.

I’ll have to arm myself like I’m preparing for a war, which I will be. Cinnamon gum and coffee stirrers to keep my mouth feeling busy, holding pens and pencils in my hands so they do not feel left out and of course answering the constant question of: “What do I do now?”

Because cigarette smoking kind of cements itself in our lives.

Stressful day? Cigarette.

Bad news? Cigarette.

Bored? Lots of cigarettes
.
Thing is, despite the actual physical addiction lasting just three days time, it is the habit itself that makes it so hard to quit. The cigarette when you wake up, the one after you have eaten, the one before you go to bed and the ones when you can fit them in while working. They all give our brains a dose of ‘rewarding’ chemicals that makes it feel relaxing, peaceful and desirable.

For the most part it is an illusion, whether you believe it to be an illusion of an addict’s mind or one that is ingrained into a person by repetition, which is usually the cause and solution to most of the things we wish we could change about ourselves or the world around us.

So the battle becomes much less with tobacco and nicotine than it does with those inner voices and thoughts that allow us to continue our bad habits, even if we know those actions are taking a toll on our bodies or our mental health.”

For some reason, almost a sort of miracle for me in the midst of such loss and chaos for me in the last year or so, I was able to drop the actual smoking and then only have the patch on for a few days because as of this writing I am more than one month into not smoking cigarettes and two weeks or more without nicotine, although I am not as sure about the latter but it has been a while none the less.

I felt this was important to touch on because this year and for some this entire life has been rough on us, and I feel it is our duty to point out the victories no matter how small that keep us going or the gains no matter how small especially when times are tough.