We Dedicate This Issue to Our Founder, Margaret Jennings

In case you ever wondered how this little publication came about: In the fall of 1995, Margaret Jennings, a retired English teacher, and Charlotte Graham, a real estate agent, began to discuss how this community had no way, other than posting signs at Alvin’s and Shamrock, and by word of mouth, to spread the word about fundraisers, club activities, and other happenings. They agreed it would be a good idea for Port O‘Connor to have its own paper.

I just happened to overhear Margaret asking a business person if she would advertise in a local publication if we had one. I had lived in Port O’Connor about a year, had lots of free time on my hands, and my work experience was in print shops, newspapers and magazines. So, naturally, I interjected myself into the conversation, volunteering to be the proof-reader for the paper when, and if, one was started.

I didn’t hear any more about it until about February 1, 1996, when Margaret called and said if I was still interested in helping with a paper, I should come to Charlotte’s house that afternoon. In addition to Margaret, Charlotte, and me, a young lady named Debra Tomas was there. After some discussion, we decided we would give it a try. Margaret said I was to cover the churches, the Scouts, and fishing. And, we were going to have our first issue out in one week!

We received permission from the Chamber of Commerce to use their postal permit, got the issue together, and mailed out on time. We felt it was quite an accomplishment, even if it was only four pages. I remember a lady (Pat Stubbs) at church the next Sunday, telling me how she read and enjoyed every word, “even the commercials”.

Early on, Debra moved from the area. After several years as typesetter, plus handling the advertising, billing and some reporting, Charlotte also moved away. Margaret was always the editor and principal writer. She really knew what she was doing, and worked tirelessly even after becoming housebound due to poor health. She passed away in 2002.

Providing crucial help in various capacities over the years have been: H.B. Thomasson, Joane McDonough, Bill Tigrett, Ann Pesek, Shirley Gordon, Bob Hill, John and Sarah Kay Reneau, Chris Mapp, JJ and Sam Ault, Jasmine and Jackson Gordon, Nancy Pomykal, Doyle Adams, Phil Ellenberger, Sue Kubecka, Kelly Gee, Peter DeForest, Bob Jamison, Chuck and Brenda Carter, Rita Miller, Steve Rhyne, and, most recently, Tayna DeForest. I can’t thank you all enough. Also, thanks to regular contributing writers Clint Bennetsen, Thomas Spychalski, William Brayshaw, Erny McDonough, Alane Haardt, LaJune Pitonyak, Diane Cooley, and our fishing guides who submit articles for our readers’ enjoyment; to club reporters and correspondents from other organizations who keep us informed. And a special thanks to everyone who gives us news to put in the paper,—birthdays, weddings, special occasions, fishing photos, etc. Your input is what makes this a community paper.

My memory is not what it used to be, so if I forgot to mention a contributor’s name, please accept my apologies. But I certainly can’t forget to thank our advertisers. I hope (and have heard affirmatively) that advertising with Dolphin Talk has been beneficial to you. Our only source of revenue is our advertisers. Without advertisers there would be no Dolphin Talk. So, double thanks to all of you!

I am happy that we have been able to expand into Seadrift and now even cover some of the happenings in Port Lavaca and beyond. If you haven’t guessed, there are no “ranging reporters” like big city papers have. You, the reader, fill that position, so please keep your news coming our way. Comments and suggestions are welcome. And, remember, we need your news!

It has been more than a pleasure for me to be a part of this publication for the past 25 years. I hope Dolphin Talk can continue to serve our community for years to come.

Joyce Rhyne, Editor

If you would enjoy reading the full contents of the paper, you can subscribe to the printed monthly issues for $30 per year. Send your name and mailing address to:
Dolphin Talk, PO Box 777, Port O’Connor, TX 77982

Preparing For Coldest Island Temps Yet

Greetings from the island. I hope that all of you are doing well and survived the frigid cold that we had this past week.

As I sit here at my little kitchen table on the 13th, ( Happy 59th Birthday to me ), the arctic cold is set to really start arriving tomorrow afternoon, Valentines Day. The cold blustery winds however, showed up a few days ago and have dropped the wind temps down into the low-mid 20’s, that’s what 25 mph winds do when it’s already dang cold. Unfortunately, the coldest temps have yet to get here, and the forecast shows it to be 21 & 23 degrees the next several nights, and that’s not factoring in the wind! Geez!! If these temps hold true, it will be the coldest temperatures I’ve seen since living on the island.

In preparation, I’ve gathered up lots of grass/hay and covered the floor of the chicken coop for the chickens, ducks and guineas, in hopes that it will keep them warm enough. I’m sure that they will be fine, their thick layers of feathers can withstand a lot of cold. On Valentines afternoon I’ll disconnect the water pumps for the outside underground well and the one for the rain tanks, and open all of the faucets inside and outside of the house to drain them. If I don’t do this, the pumps and any exposed pvc pipes will surely crack.

I should have enough propane for heat to last me through this unprecedented cold spell, at least I sure hope so.

Living on the coast of south/central Texas, and especially out on a barrier island, we simply are not used to these frigid temps down here, experiencing them maybe only every dozen years or more. I don’t see how those people up north deal with those god-awful winters every single year. I’ll take the heat and sweat and mosquitoes over that frigid bone numbing blizzardy mess any day!

Well that’s gonna be it from the island for now, I gotta go make sure that I’m properly prepared for the extreme cold headed this way. I’m sure this time next week it will be back to sunshine and warm, just gotta make it through this arctic blast first. Everyone take care and stay toasty warm.

Representing the Coast Guard

The above photo, which includes men from Port O’Connor, was chosen to become part of a military memorial to be dedicated later this month at the Angleton courthouse. It was submitted to the memorial committee by Ricky Day and will represent the Coast Guard branch of the military.

Taken around 1930, the photo was given to Ricky by his aunt, Ruth Day Coufal. Pictured in the front row, at left, is William F. Day, Ricky Day’s grandfather and brother of Ruth Day Coufal. Mrs. Coufal and Miss Lucille Whittaker identified the men in the photo. Ruth Day and Lucille Whittaker were childhood friends, both being born in Port O’Connor. Ruth Day Coufal and Lucille Whittaker both passed away in 2012.

William F. “Bill” Day served two tours in the Coast Guard. He enlisted in the last year of WWI and served from Feb. 5, 1918 to April 30, 1921 and then a second tour from Aug. 1, 1926 to Sept. 1, 1939. He was serving at Station Saluria until it was destroyed in the 1929 storm; he then moved to Freeport.

Bill Day was a commercial fisherman in Port O’Connor and found the reef that bears his name. He had kept it a secret for a long time and was taking some exceptional oysters off of it at the time. The other fishermen tried to catch him on that reef for a long time, but he would keep a good watch out for others and move off of it if he saw someone coming. He owned a Texas Scow Sloop like in the picture below.

Seadrift is honored to have as its Public Works Director Robert Bryant. Pictured with Robert is his lovely wife Christy and their son Aiden. Robert and his crew were recently awarded by the City of Seadrift awards for their outstanding service and it wasn’t the first time they had been awarded for their excellent service for the community!

Robert was born and raised in Lubec, Maine. He came to Seadrift in 1999 and has been employed by the City of Seadrift for almost 22 years! Robert and his wife Christy have three boys, Cory, Matt, and Aiden. When Robert’s not working he loves to spend time with his family and playing golf.

-Tanya DeForest

It’s not everyday you get to hold a bundle of three, but for proud grandparents, Terry and Sheralyn Maddux of Seadrift, their visit to see their “threesome” proved to be a delightful reality! Starting from the left is Cooper Wade. Center-stage is a girl Davey Leland. To the right is Milam James. The proud parents are Sage and Hunter Maddux.
-Tanya DeForest