“Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community”
Library News:
POC Library Hours: Phone Number: 361-983-4365
Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
*Note Closed on July 4th and July 6th

The diverse array of events and programs at the library truly offers something for everyone. Whether it’s the camaraderie of coffee and conversation, the excitement of bingo, the strategic challenge of Mah Jongg, or the friendly competition of bridge, there’s a space for people of all interests and backgrounds to come together and connect.

Community is at the heart of what we do, and these activities provide wonderful opportunities for people to forge new friendships, strengthen existing bonds, and simply enjoy each other’s company in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

So, please join us! All are welcome to participate and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our community. We look forward to seeing you at the library soon!

Summer Reading Program: May 23 – July 20th
Free Adventures begin at your Port O’Connor Library! Programs will be held on Tuesdays from 1:30 pm – 2:30. Register at cclibrary.readsquared.com
June 4 – The Astonishing Mr. Pitts
June 11 – Texas Floating Classroom
June 15 – Special Saturday Movie Day at the library (not listed on paper flyer)
June 18 – Creepy Crawlers / Movie Day to follow program
June 25 – Blast off to Adventure
July 2 – John’s Got Magic
July 9 – Songwriting Adventures!
July 16 – Art with Kelley / Movie Day to follow program
July 20 – Special Saturday Movie Day at the library (not listed on paper flyer)
Reading Logs due
July 23 – Adventure in Robotics
July 30 – Awards Ceremony

Adult Summer Reading Challenge: May 23 – July 20th
The Port O’Connor Library Branch is excited to announce the start of the Adult Summer Reading Challenge that started in May. Be sure to visit the library to sign up and embark on some exciting reading adventures. So, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to dive into new books and enjoy a summer full of literary exploration.

THANK YOU to Our June Donors

• Thank you to Beverly Clifton for the lovely flowers. We also extend our gratitude to Sally Ragusin, Angela Drexler, and Mary Hays for their donations to the Port O’Connor Library in memory of Susan Wallace. We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love in her honor.

• A big thank you to Pegtastic Jams & Jellies for providing their delicious banana bread for Coffee and Conversation on May 8th.

Wednesdays:
8:00-9:00 AM – Coffee & Conversation – Every sip you take, every creamer you add, we’ll be here for you at Coffee & Conversation
9:30–10:30 AM – Bingo – The fun follows the 8 AM coffee event every Wednesday!
· June 5, June 12th, June 19th, and June 26th.
Note: LOTERIA (Mexican Bingo) to follow bingo.
1:00-3:30 PM – Mah Jongg – Mah Jongg is like duct tape. It fixes everything.
Thursdays: 1:00-3:00 PM – Bridge – Remember, Bridge is not just a game of chance; it’s also a social activity that brings people together for fun and excitement.

Friends of the POC Library: Why are Friends important? One example is they strive to increase public awareness of the library. Friends provide the opportunity for people who have a passion for their library to give time to benefit the library in their community. Overall, Friends of the Library organizations are vital in ensuring that libraries remain vibrant, well-supported, and integral parts of their communities.

Mark your calendars to attend The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library Branch’s Annual Membership Meeting and the Library Open House on June 29th. The Open House begins at 10:00 AM- 11:30 AM with the Annual Meeting following from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Adult Programs: How to Gain Access to Texas Parks and Wildlife
On Monday, May 20th, Tori Haynes provided another engaging and informative program on hunting in Texas on public lands.

For those interested in hunting without a private lease, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) offers extensive resources online. Their website includes much information. Use the link address: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/
For anyone looking to get started or learn more about hunting in Texas, visiting the TPWD’s hunting resources page and exploring their online tools can be incredibly helpful. Whether it’s planning your hunt, understanding regulations, or just finding a place to start, they’ve got you covered.

Submitted by Darla Miles
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library, Publicity Committee/Historian www.friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org
Facebook Page: Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc.

We were excited to host the Annual Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce Memorial Day Kid Fish Tournament. Thank you to GBRA for the goody bags & Fishing Center Operations for all the bait. We had 51 kids turn out to fish. Thank you to the volunteers Niki Powell, Deanna Toddy, Mark Ueding and every one for coming out. It was a great time had by all!

Age 3-5:
Smallest- Kayden Stratmann; Largest-Mack Fajkus;
Most-Rylan Boysen;
Age 6-8:
Smallest- Kasyn Davis: Largest-Miyah Powell:
Most-Ainsley Frazier
Age 9-12:
Smallest- Knox Sterns: Largest-Jett Fajkus:
Most-Carrigan Pohler

Wade Couch of San Antonio, TX hosted a beach clean up in Port O’Connor on Saturday, May 11. For his 7th grade National Junior Honor Society service project, he knew he wanted to give back to this beloved community. Wade’s family has a house in Seadrift and spends most of their free time in Calhoun County. It was a windy day, but Wade and several volunteers gathered including Malcolm Hein with Sharkies Bar & Grille. They collected over 400 lbs. of trash at Pass Cavallo and 100 lbs. between King Fisher Beach and Boggy’s. A majority of the trash was plastic and they also found the following items: Over 30 sandals & shoes, 3 toothbrushes, 2 needles, coffee pot, mop, hundreds of bottle caps and bottles, plastic leg of a baby doll, 3 balloons, 3 lighters, 1 paint bucket, 3 fluorescent lights & 3 spools of fishing line.

Wade’s family host the Mullet (June 20-22) and Little Mullet (June 29) fishing tournaments each year in Port O’Connor. The Mullet is a 501c company that donates the proceeds back to Calhoun county each year. Last year’s proceeds went to The Port O’Connor Community Center, Calhoun County 4H Sportfishing Club & Castaway Charities. The following sponsors are a big reason why the Mullet tournaments are a huge success each year:

D&D Pest Services LLC
Levantino & Company PC
Miami Energy Services
Service First Mortgage Company
CT Fieldscapes
Pure Restoration and Construction
ABM Insurance -Misty Alanis
Chas S Middleton- Dane Mount
Mowdy Boats of Texas
Port O’Connor Rods
FishHide Sportswear
Fayco Printing
Castaway Lodge
River West Builders
Sea Tow Middle Coast Texas
Rohe Builders
Rustic Reminder’s Taxidermy
Momentum Rental and Sales
Sharkies Bar & Grill — with Malcolm Hein.

Hooked on Books group

May’s Hooked on Books selection was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmis. Nineteen members had “Supper at Two” instead of “Supper at Six”. All firmly agreed the meeting was quite a success. Hostesses were Val Tiemann, Cindy Hanson, Jayme Edwards, Kristina Lewis, and Miranda Edwards who embraced the theme of Lessons in Chemistry with such creativity and attention to detail.

Evidence of planning for the event was found in food, decorations and costuming. My, how the ladies love details related to our reading selections! To the crowd’s delight, Cindy Hanson’s attire mirrored the lab coat worn by the protagonist, Elizabeth Zott. The coat was cleverly labeled with a name tag, “EZ.” Her hair was adorned with a pencil in her bun.

The food was served on a tablecloth which displayed the Periodic Table since Elizabeth referred to it often in her occupation as well as her cooking show. Lasagna and a cucumber and tomato salad was offered as it related to the meaningful incident regarding her daughter’s meal for school. The scrumptious brownies and cookies were not undervalued as Elizabeth Zott was as a female scientist in the 1960s. They were quickly devoured.

To our surprise, the hostesses included past meeting pictures on the TV screen which added a lovely nostalgic touch and fostered a sense of connection and camaraderie among the members. So much reminiscing took place. It was such a treat and seemed like absent members were with us as we chatted about old times and readied for the book discussion. It’s moments like these that truly enrich the book club experience.

Overall, most agreed this fast-paced book has a strong female lead and touches on a multitude of complex subjects of gender and society, which made it a great book for discussion.

As always, the Book Club takes summer break during June, July, and August. However, there’s another intriguing discussion in store for September’s Hooked on Books meeting with our next selection, The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath. Her work is sure to inspire deep reflection and lively dialogue.

For those interested in joining the club, the summer break offers a perfect opportunity to read ahead and become a part of this vibrant literary community. Join us in September. All are welcome. Interested? Contact:
alanehaardt@yahoo.com.