Currently Seadrift is experiencing a bountiful harvest of oysters! It’s much to the delight, not only for those who work the boats and fish houses, but for all those who savor the delectable taste of oysters. One bite is all that’s necessary to create an oyster-loving fan! -Tanya DeForest

Capt. Chuck with front row (L to R) Kolt Leiker, Nicholas Ragusin, Madden Guevara, Beth Boone, Laney Leas; Back Row: RJ Shelly, Emilee DeForest, Chuck Naiser

Hello guides and gals! This is Beth Boone from the Calhoun County 4-H Sportfishing Club. We are a new 4-H Club with a common interest in fishing and all things fishing-related. Sportfishing meetings and programs have been held in Port O’Connor. All Calhoun County 4-H members are eligible to participate in Sportfishing. Students 3rd through 12th grade are eligible to join 4-H by calling 361-552-9747.

The idea of forming a Sportfishing Club through 4-H has been the vision of our Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agents for a while. In 2020, we were able to make it happen thanks to a generous donation from the Jere Parrish Youth Stewardship Fund. Mr. Parrish was an avid Sport Fisherman who loved the Texas coast. In honor of Mr. Parrish’s life and love of fishing, his friends and family contributed to a Memorial Fund through the FlatsWorthy organization. The funds that the Calhoun County 4-H Sportfishing Club received will be used to purchase bait, tackle and supplies for the Sportfishing Projects. The club’s first fishing outing was held on Friday, December 18. The fish were biting along the shoreline that day. Each of our five fishermen and fisherwomen caught at least one fish. We caught Mangrove Snapper, Piggy Perch and Redfish.

I am pleased to share the creation of the new 4-H Sportfishing Club with our community. The Calhoun County 4-H, along with the FlatsWorthy organization and the Jere Parrish Youth Stewardship Fund, is educating youth to appreciate and conserve the natural resources in our coastal community.

On behalf of everyone with the Calhoun County 4-H Sportfishing Club, I would like to wish you all a “reely” great new year.

Beth Boone,11 years old
VP of the Calhoun County 4-H Sportfishing Program

The Port O’Connor Cemetery Association would like to thank everyone for their continued help and support. We try hard to keep this small part of our history in the best shape possible.

If you have not visited our cemetery, it is located off Monroe and Cemetery Road. Please stop by and view the historical marker.

Remember, all contributions are very much appreciated and are tax deductible. Please make all donations to:

Port O’Connor Cemetery Association
c/o Marie Hawes
PO Box 73
Port O’Connor, TX 77982

Dealing With Winter Island Obstacles

Greetings from Matagorda Peninsula Island. I hope that everyone is doing great, staying warm and staying healthy.

Well the cold and windy northers are coming about every week out here now, with most of them dropping the nighttime and early morning temps into the mid-high 30’s. I’m thankful to have good quilts and a little propane heater to keep me warm at night, and a 75 lb Corky doesn’t hurt either. The constant 20-30 mph north winds howling across the bay is what makes it feel really cold, easily dropping the temperature 10-15 degrees more.

Another thing these hard blowing northers drop every winter is the tide. With at least one norther a week, the bay water tides have been staying extremely low, making it very difficult to leave or return to the island when I need to do so. The narrow inlet leading into the lagoon where my house and pier are located becomes impassable at times, with there being less than a foot depth of water. There are occasions that I have to lift the motor and get out of the boat and push and pull the nearly 21 year old heavy Haynie Bigfoot through the inlet. And there are other times that I’m not even able to do that, and have to anchor outside the lagoon and wait for higher tide to be able to enter back to the cabin. These tides and weather obstacles are just part of living full time out here, and I truly would not change any of it. . . except maybe wish for a secondary airboat during the winter months.

I enjoy driving along the beach during these times of very low winter tides, and being able to see the first gut in the surf, where normally there would be several feet of water, and now it is completely dry. All types of seashells and marine life become exposed and visible, and I witness many of them burying themselves in the wet sand until the tide returns higher. I rarely collect seashells anymore since I have plenty at the cabin, but I will pick up and keep some of the nicer and unusual ones (and give away most of those), if they are the shell only, and not inhabited by a mollusk or hermit crab. There’s just something relaxing and consoling about slowly walking along the beach and looking for nature’s little treasures. I think that I shall forever want to do just that.

Well, that’s it from the island for now. We are all going through some trying times right now, with the political uncertainties and Covid situation. . . just please keep the faith in God and be prepared, and always protect your family. Everyone take care and have a great day.

POC Community Service Club members wrapped up 2020 with a fun Christmas Party on December 17, and are ready to meet 2021 head on with their usual “hard working” and “can do” spirits”!!

As always, in 2021 the Club will continue to support and enhance the POC Community through their various Community projects, which are supported by their many fundraising endeavors. In addition, the Club is also raising funds to erect a metal building behind the Calhoun County Pavilion, which is desperately needed to store items donated for their biannual Garage Sales, secure their equipment and essential items, and to provide a place to hold their bimonthly meetings.

The Club will be having their annual “Spring Mega Garage Sale” on Saturday, April 17, 2021; and continue to accept and appreciate your generous contributions of gently used household, decorative, and kitchen items; small appliances; clothing; shoes; toys; baby items; etc. We cannot accept computers, electronics, mattresses, or furniture.

To donate, please contact:

Alane Haardt at 281-416-6028 or

Marie Hawes at 361-920-2322

The Club will also have a booth at each “POC Farmer’s Market” the 2nd Saturday of every month. Please come out and support us!!

If you are interested, please join us at our meetings, which are held the first and third Thursdays of every month at 10:00 a.m. at the POC Community Center. All community-minded ladies are welcome!!

Service Club members at their Christmas party

New Service Club Officers

L-R Nan Burnett, Marie Hawes, Alane Haardt, and Nancy Ladshaw

The Port O’ Connor Community Service Club elected their new Officers for 2021-2022. They are: Marie Hawes, President; Alane Haardt, Vice-President; Nan Burnett, Treasurer; and Nancy Ladshaw, Secretary.

The Club meets the first and third Thursdays of each month (winter meeting times) at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Center. All interested ladies are invited to attend and see if they’d like to join.