On November 20, 2018 Commissioners Court approved the Calhoun Parks Board recommendation of an improvement plan for Boggy Nature Park.
Boggy Park was acquired by Calhoun County in 2006 “for a park and wetlands wildlife habitat; and for public access to Boggy Bayou and Matagorda Bay…” according to the transfer deed.

The Park is heavily used and currently shows the wear. As the community continues to grow, the pressures on it will only increase. Recognizing this, a citizens group developed the plan to protect and improve this outstanding community asset.

The nine-point improvement plan was presented to the Calhoun County Parks Board for its review and endorsement.
The approved improvements include:

1. Upgrading roads to Matagorda Bay shoreline and Boggy Bayou shoreline so that it is passable during wet conditions.

2. Converting access to the upland area to foot traffic

with walking routes along an interpretive nature and birding trail.
3. Improving day use by installing additional picnic tables and restroom facilities.

4. Developing an outdoor environmental education area.

5. Seek inclusion in TPWD’s Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and developing a bird watering and feeding station to enhance the habitat and bird viewing.

6. Seek inclusion in TPWD’s Texas Paddling Trial System as part of a “Powderhorn Ranch Shoreline Trail”.

7. Adding signage regarding Park rules, safety, and restrictions to illegal dumping.

8. Addressing shoreline erosion with groynes and beneficial use of dredge materials.

9. Improving security and surveillance to curtail inappropriate activities and use.

Additional details are available at sabaypartnership.org/Programs.

The Plan will serve as the guiding document for implementation, a process that may be accomplished in several steps as funding is obtained.
The Parks Board is working to develop a funding and implementation plan for Commissioners’ consideration. A cost estimate of the plan is being developed and grant opportunities are being reviewed.

The approved improvements are necessary to protect and enhance the Park for its acquired purpose. Implementation of the Plan improves the infrastructure to better handle that traffic, but ultimately, I am also asking for the community’s support in treading more lightly on the Park so that it is protected for all of us to enjoy.

Allan Berger, Parks Board Chairman

On February 2nd, Warrior’s Weekend will hold our third Muster at the VFW Hall in Port Lavaca. As we move into our 13th year of Warrior’s Weekend, the support of the good folks of Calhoun County is vital.

Our wounded heroes are already signing up for this year’s event and we can’t let them down. Sponsor tables that seat 8 are only $400 and include a rib eye steak dinner and open bar. The doors open at 2:00 p.m. and there will he games until dinner at 5 o’clock.

So please help support your wounded heroes through Warrior’s Weekend while having a great evening out.

We are also looking for donations for our raffle and live auction that night. Please call me at 361-935-7414 or email us at warriorswknd@yahoo.com.

Ron Kocian. President, Warrrior’s Weekend

Ride That Wave!

Taking Wounded Warriors fishing on their special weekend in May could require riding a wave or two!

Helping them do just that are Ron Kocian and Dian Patterson. This year will mark the 13th Annual Warrior’s Weekend.

In order to provide lodging for the warriors the dynamic duo came before Seadrift City Council asking for assistance. The Council agreed to award Warrior’s Weekend with a grand total of $4,000 from the City’s Hotel/Motel tax fund.

Thank you, Seadrift! -Tanya DeForest
Photo submitted by Kenneth Reese

Winter Life on the Island

Greetings from the island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing well and had a great Christmas with family and friends. We had our family get together for Christmas early this year while my California sister, Darla, was down to spend time with Mom. All of us got together in Seadrift and had a great meal and fellowship, and Mom was very happy for everyone to be there.

On Christmas day, I was blessed to be invited by my good friend, Margie Braudaway, to join her and all of her family in POC. So Corky and I made the trek across the bay and enjoyed the day and evening with all of them, and had several delicious meals. I took my famous Clint’s Queso; it was a big hit. I was so happy to see and hold Susan and Britton’s granddaughter, Keeley, of whom I had only seen pictures. She is the most beautiful and precious little girl you have ever seen. Thank you, Lauren and Kevin, for being there with her Christmas day.

Winter life continues on the barrier island. The often times nasty weather and very low tides from December-March makes for challenging living out here. Most everyone else, I refer to them as fair-weather islanders, usually shy away from the island during the winter months, opting to run out for a day or two when the weather breaks. I, of course, don’t have that option, but that’s okay, I’ll gladly accept the bad weather to be here. But I have seen islanders Chuckie and Leo pound across that rough bay to get here when I would have never left the dock. Just gotta always be careful.

I’m proud to have called this island my full-time home for nearly 13 years now, having been out here 19 years total this month. It certainly is not the easiest life to endure, but the positives far outweigh the negatives for me. Bouts of loneliness do occasionally set in, especially during the cold, rainy and windy winter months when I am stuck inside for several days at a time, but as we ALL have to do in life sometimes, I just suck it up and trudge on, and things always get better. I’ll turn 57 in a few weeks, and with age I have developed a trait of patience, something invaluable to have when living alone on a barrier island.

I have met so many people out here in my years on the island, some of whom have become close trusted friends, and people that I can count on when needed. I’ve seen Chuckie grow from a 10 year old kid to an intelligent and hard working entrepreneur. . . and I’ve seen fellow islanders. . Bob, Butch and Ben, all age and pass away. Life is short and unpredictable; enjoy time with those that you know love you and will always be there for you, and spend more time on the beach! Always a happy place.

“Also, for those interested, I just learned that the Texas Country Reporter show that came out to the island and did the segment on my island life, will air it on TV statewide on February 9th & 10th, and it will air on the RFD channel on Feb 15th. I’m very nervous about it, I hope it turned out ok.”

That’s it from the island for now. Please don’t forget about your sweetheart on Valentines Day. . candy, flowers and a card might get you that new gun! Everyone take care, enjoy life and have a great day.

Clint on TV!

You’ve enjoyed reading about “Island Life” for several years here in Dolphin Talk. Now you can see Clint Bennetsen and his island home on television!

He has recently been interviewed by Texas County Reporter and will be appearing in an upcoming episode:

Saturday, Feb. 9 at 5:00 pm -KHOU Channel 11 Houston
Sunday, Feb. 10 at 12 noon -KVCT 19 Fox, Victoria
February 15 on the RFD channel

The Intercoastal 4-H club had their monthly meeting January 7, 2019.

We will be holding a Youth Dance on February 16.  Proceeds from this fund raiser will go towards our Relay for Life team-honoring Carly Rosenboom.  We will hold more fund raisers to raise money for our team-dates TBD.  Our  next meeting will be February 4, 2019 in the school library at 6:30. If you would like to join 4H please attend.

McKenna Guevara
Intercoastal 4H Vice President/Reporter