“Music to My Ears”

Just about all of us have a cell phone. I was wondering how many of us “old timers” do not use or even know about some of its features. Maybe you know that you can “google” things on it, like locating businesses or looking up the meaning of a word. But last night I discovered a phone function I can use any time I want to indulge in some nostalgia.

I couldn’t sleep. This song that I had not thought of for many, many years kept running through my head: “Always Late with Your Kisses”. Somehow I remembered the entire song, but couldn’t remember who sang it. So I picked up my cell phone and googled the name of the song. There it was, and I could listen to it! That old song was recorded by Lefty Frizzel in 1951. I also heard him singing “If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time.” This was his country music debut, coming out in 1950 and rising to #1. I remember singing that song when I was only four years old.

I remembered the time I went with my parents to a country music show in Houston. Ferlin Husky was featured (“Wings of a Dove”) along with a young Johnny Cash. I heard a lot of country music during my growing up years. Don’t care much for it now, but must say I really enjoyed hearing the old stuff.

I guess my favorite type of music is Big Band/Swing of the 30’s and 40’s. My favorite songs are “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller, and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by the Andrews Sisters. I listened to those too before I headed back to bed, my nostalgia quotient being filled.

Just wanted to share my discovery with you in case you didn’t know. And for the younger folks who know all about listening to music on the cell phone, maybe you’d want to check out some old-time tunes.

-Joyce Rhyne

Do you ever wonder where the center of activity is in Port O’Connor? This month it has definitely been at First Baptist Church! We have started a new ministry opportunity, our baptismal has been in use, our services have been crowded with worshipers, many, many people have been working on the 24th annual Sweetheart Banquet and our new pastor, Brother Miller has been acquainting himself with his new home town! Wow!

Our Homebound Minister teams have been out in the community this month visiting. Please let us know if you or someone you know could use some cheering up while they are confined to the house or nursing home/rehab center and they will be added to our list. You do not need to be a member of FBC to receive a visit. Call 361-983-2727.

Our Sweetheart Banquet is behind us for another year. This was FBC’s 24th year to hold this event! Over the years, it has grown into the gala it is now. Since it outgrew our church Fellowship Hall and was moved to the POC Community Center, attendance has grown to fill even that space to capacity. Everyone enjoyed beautiful decorations, wonderful entertainment, great food and even better company.

If you missed being there, you missed Dorothy Beeler Ruehman, who entertained us with her beautiful voice. You missed our spectacular decorations, many of which journeyed here all the way from Colorado, courtesy of Fred and Barbara Robbins and a meal that was out of this world!!

There are not enough ways to express THANK YOU to all who come together each year to make this happen. Any event which serves our community takes many hands and many hours to put together. The youth from 4H served drinks and cleaned tables. FBC men served meals, set up and took down tables and chairs and anything else needed.

The Port O’Connor Community Service Club once again worked long and hard, in all areas, over many days to help FBC with this project. These ladies do so many wonderful things for our community. The sewing group at Beacon 44 RV Park made chair covers and ,of course, our members contributed greatly to the successful outcome.

The Christmas Shoe Box Ministry has become a year round project instead of just October and November. Each month we will post suggestions for items to donate. These are suggestions that coincide with sale items available for those months, but any small item that will fit in a shoebox is welcomed. We will also be collecting money to purchase more items and also cover shipping costs. January and February suggestions are knitted hats and scarves, gloves, hairbands, bows, combs, brushes and barrettes. If anyone knits or crochets and would like to make scarves or hats, we have yarn available to use. Call Diane 903-467-6335 and I will bring you some!

It’s not too early to plan for Vacation Bible School. The date set for this year is June 15-19. Now is the time to reserve your grandchildren for that week so they can attend. We have classes available for preschool 5 year olds through those that have just finished sixth grade. Every year is an adventure and this year will be no exception. As the time gets closer, more details will be shared.

If you and your family would like to become part of all this excitement, here are your opportunities. You are invited to attend any of the following. Sunday church services are at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m. Prayer meeting is Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. as well as youth activities. Women’s Bible study (4:00 p.m.) and men’s Bible study (7:00 p.m.) are both on Tuesday. Our church van is available on Sunday mornings to pick up youth for Sunday School. Call the church to get on the list. We are waiting to welcome you.

What a great day to serve Jesus! We have been enjoying the blessings of the Lord at the Chapel and have been more than typically busy. In January, we had four area events that took us from 6-Mile, to Edna, to Clear Lake, and back to Wharton. We have seen some great victories with people finding Christ as their personal Savior! We celebrated Pastor Joane’s birthday with a Baked Potato Bash and hosted several friends, some of which are looking to relocate to Port O’Connor.
We have not slowed down for February! Pastor Joane has ministered somewhere every Sunday of the month. Pastor Erny has ministered in La Grange, as well as at the Chapel. The Chapel Ladies had a “5K Fun Run” and raised money for the household goods needed by our missionaries. They have been raising money for their ladies Conference next month and have ma
de some very delicious baked items (you know I needed to sample most of them). We have three area events including our Sectional Revival and a ladies meeting in New Braunfels. So many opportunities to be blessed and be a blessing that it makes for a full calendar.

On a special note, our Annual Meeting of the Members will be at the Chapel on Sunday, February 23, at 6:00 p.m. All reports will be received and our Board of Directors will be elected. This is always a special time for us and we welcome anyone who has an interest in the business side of the work of the Chapel. We are truly an interdenominational congregation and our books are open for review.

On Sunday evening, February 16, we enjoyed a special event at the Chapel. The movie “Overcomers” was shown and hamburgers, along with all the trimmings. The highlight of the evening was the movie, but also the “coke floats” that were served as well! This was a great time of fellowship and we appreciated the many visitors who came as well. However, we will only allow you to be a visitor once – after that you become a part of our family!

On a sad note, one of our Chapel family members, Dee Dee Dodd, was found having passed away on February 13 about noon. We are planning a memorial service, but the date and time have not been determined. Dee Dee was loved by everyone here at the Chapel and was especially cared for by Suzie Jaycox. We miss her greatly, but have the assurance of a Great Reunion in the Sky very soon!

March is about to blow in and we have several special things planned. Our men will be traveling to Nixon for a time of fellowship around a breakfast. Our ladies will travel to the Woodlands area for a Conference. But, most importantly, our annual Chili Cook-Off will be on March 29. Once again, I am looking for “honest judges” who will see it my way and make sure I have the winning entry! Everyone is welcome to come and bring your pot of chili as long as you are a good loser!

Captain Robert has announced that the next Captain’s Class will be held in March, beginning on March 20. All interested persons should contact Captain Robert at 361/758-6184.

We are always appreciative of those who attend the Chapel. We believe it is a warm place where one can grow in the knowledge of God and His Word. Our service schedule includes Bible Study for all ages at 10:00 a.m. and our 11:00 a.m. Morning Service on Sundays, as well as a 6:00 p.m. Service on Sunday evenings. We also offer an in-depth Bible Study on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., as taught by Pastor Joane. Our midweek service is at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. One will always find a welcome at the Chapel and are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Filomena Carriles, age 64 of Port O’Connor passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020. She was born on April 21, 1955 in Port Lavaca to the late Remigio Morales and Victoria Ureste Morales.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Carriles Sr. of Port O’Connor; sons, Robert Carriles Jr., Ronnie (Tonya) Carriles Sr., and Gilbert (Julia) Carriles all of Port O’Connor; sisters, Odelia (Tony) Galvan of Port Lavaca and Mary Dolores of Wisconsin, Estella (Louie) Robledo, Theresa (Julian) Hernandez, Bertha Clevenger, Debra Morales, Anna Marie Morales and Raquel (David) Hernandez; brothers, Remigio (Olga) Morales, George Morales, Bobby (Patricia) Morales and Thomas (Clara) Morales. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sara Berrios; brothers, Jesse Morales Sr., Jo Ramon Morales and Ray Morales.
A Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Port O’Connor. Burial followed at Port O’Connor Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Robert Carriles Jr., Ronnie Carriles Sr., Gilbert Carriles, Kayne Carriles, Ronnie Carriles Jr. and Manuel Lento. Honorary Pallbearers were Steven Cardenas and Kayden Cardenas.