Sat., Nov. 21    Turkey Cook-off 7:00 am    Josie’s Parking Lot, Port O’Connor
Thurs., Nov. 24    Thanksgiving Day
Sat., Nov. 28    Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt  9:30 am    King Fisher Beach ($15 per person)
Thurs., Dec. 3    POC Service Club  10:00 am    POC Community Center
Fri., Dec. 4    Seniors’ Christmas Luncheon Drive Thru  11:30 am    POC Community Center
Sat., Dec. 5    Toy Run Arrives  afternoon    The Inn at Clarks
Sat., Dec. 5    Lighted Boat Parade  6:00 pm    Port O’Connor ICW
Mon., Dec. 7    Pearl Harbor Day
Mon., Dec. 7    Intercoastal 4-H Club  6:30 pm    King Fisher Beach Pavilion
Mon., Dec. 7    Republican Club  6:00 pm    Red Barn, 3187 Hwy 35, Port Lavaca
Tues., Dec. 8    Hooked on Books Club  alanehaardt@yahoo.com
Wed., Dec. 9    Community Christmas Tree Lighting  6:00 pm    First United Methodist Church, Seadrift
Fri. Dec. 11    POC Chamber Christmas Party  6-8 pm        Port O’Connor Community Center
Fri., Dec. 11    Wine Glass Painting Party  6:30 pm    Seadrift Civic Center, 361-746-8488
Sat., Dec. 12    POC Farmers Market  8:00 – Noon    King Fisher Beach Pavilion
Sat., Dec. 12    Seadrift Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt  Noon – 3 pm    361-746-8488
Sat., Dec. 12    Photos with Santa 3:00-5:00 pm
        Lighted Vehicle Parade 6:30 pm
        Caroling at the Bay Front Pavilion
Dec. 16 & 17    Port O’Connor House/Business Judging

Warrior’s Weekend is going to have approximately 25 Purple Heart recipients down to POC for a fishing tournament on the 7th of November.

Their weekend will start out by attending the Aaron Watson concert at Schroeder Hall on Friday night the 6th and culminate with their attendance at the Warrior’s Weekend Golden Crescent Honor Pavilion at the Warrior’s Weekend Field of Honor on John Stockbauer Street in Victoria.

We are extremely proud of the Honor Pavilion as it is dedicated to all those killed in action (KIA) from our 7-county area and since World War I.  That ceremony will begin at 7:00 pm on the 7th and will be highlighted by the showing of the documentary, Above the Best which depicts actual combat footage our troops were involved in while in Afghanistan.

The pilot of the Apache helicopter shown in the film along with the Master Sergeant who was on the ground directing him will be on hand to answer any questions.  This should be quite a night.  We will also dedicate the Warrior’s Weekend Field of Honor that same evening.

The Purple Heart recipients should arrive at Froggies ramp around 7:30-8am on the morning of the 7th so if you would like to come and greet them or when they come in around 2-2:30 pm with their catch, I’m sure they would love it.

We truly believe the presentation Saturday night will be worthwhile to see, so come on down and make an evening of it.
    We will also be honoring our 1st Responders at the Field of Honor this year so you can purchase a flag to honor your favorite 1st Responder (Police of any organization, Doctors, Nurses, and Firemen/women)  All flags are to be posted on October 1th–the 1st Responder flags will be Texas flags as opposed to the veteran’s flags being American flags.  You still have time to sponsor a flag for either a veteran or a 1st Responder (Police of any organization, Doctors, Nurses, and Firemen/women)  All flags are to be posted on October 1th–the 1st Responder flags will be Texas flags as opposed to the veteran’s flags being American flags.  You still have time to sponsor a flag for either a veteran or a 1st Responder.

We will be holding 1st Responder Day on October 28th which is National 1st Responder Day.  Law Enforcement and Fire personnel will be attending from all over.  You may also sponsor a brick paver or a plaque to support the Honor Pavilion.

There is plenty going on with Warrior’s Weekend in the face of Covid 19 and all other obstacles.  Please join us.

Ron Kocian, President, Warrior’s Weekend www.warriorsweekend.org

On August 29th we celebrated the life of Greg Odom. A previous resident and long-time local supporter; friend of all things Port O’Connor. He was well loved by all with a fun and outgoing personality. He freely gave whenever there was need and was the first to support fundraisers and functions that benefited local kids.

In honor of his memory, friends of Greg Odom came together that night and hosted a fundraiser like no other. In the time of Covid when everything is unsure, these men and women did not let fear keep them out, but celebrated Greg’s life with a bang. There was food, fun and raffles, however, when all was said and done $22,700 was raised for our little school – a school that Covid has denied the chances of any current fundraisers, including our 70+ year Halloween Carnival tradition. The money raised from this night will go to fund beloved computer programs, future field trips, teacher supplies, and much, much more.

Port O’Connor Elementary and the PTO are honored to be the recipients of such generosity and truly humbled by the outgoing support we receive from our small community, not just this year but every year. It is with much gratitude that we thank all of those that were involved with this benefit and hope everyone knows how appreciative we are.

A big thank you to Ross Brunner, Joe and Elosia Newsome, Bilfinger Weston Team, James Mercer, Brad Schroeder, Momentum Rentals, Socorro Cantu and everyone who donated raffle items. We are blessed to have such a wonderful community! -Candice Stryker

Port O’Connor always turns out to honor our wounded warriors, as we trust you will on November 7th. (See Warrior’s Weekend article at left.) And this November we will also have a chance to show our appreciation and support for law enforcement.

In this disturbing time of dishonoring and de-funding the police, John Collins, a Spicewood realtor, decided to see what he could do for a much-aligned group of officers from the Austin Police Department. (The APD has had its budget cut by millions of dollars.) With the help of friends and generous businesses, John will be treating eight Austin police officers, the ADP Chaplain and ADP Psychiatrist to a stress-relieving trip to Port O’Connor on November 11 through 13.

Fishing and hunting trips will be guided by Thomas Mikes’ Nervous Water Fishing and Keith Hudson’s Pin Feather Guide Service. They will be relaxing at the waterfront Inn at Clark’s between trips.
Feel free to come by and let them know you support the difficult job they are doing. We support our law enforcement!

Dog on left: “Hello! Will you take me home with you?” Dog on right: “I already know you don’t want me.”

A few weeks ago, I was invited to tour the new facilities of the Calhoun County Humane Society. My tour guide was Juaniece Madden, who recently passed on to her reward. Juaniece devoted her time and resources to the Society for many years. Every day, she arrived at 6:00 a.m. to tend to the animals, and then came back again in the afternoon. Her special interest was cats. She fed them, groomed them, cleaned litter boxes, and let them out to play. She had two cats at home that she had adopted from the shelter.

Everyone on the board and staff is an unpaid volunteer, working strictly for the love of animals. The Society was formed in 2005. They operated out of a 3,200 sq. ft. facility owned by the City of Port Lavaca, and shared with its animal control.

With grants and gifts, in 2014, they were able to purchase the land for the new facility. Fund raisers, donations, memorials, and with a gift of $100,000 from Naomi Albrecht, Port O’Connor resident and core member of the Society, their goal of $566,389 was reached and building began.

The 5,289 sq. ft. facility is located at 106 Haley Lane in Port Lavaca. Had I not heard barking, I would not have known there were 25 dogs inside, it was so clean. Volunteer Kim Tatum showed me around. There were large fans running to keep the dogs cool and there were two big fenced-in areas where they are let out to exercise twice a day. The cat room was quiet, containing only a few kittens. And they had their own indoor play area.

The Calhoun County Humane Society strives to provide the community with healthy animals at a reasonable and affordable fee. They have a no-kill policy. Animals rescued and brought to the facility will remain there until a permanent home is found for them unless they are aggressive or have a non-curable condition.

calhouncountyhumanesociety.org