This fine tale of adventure all started many years ago on August 1, 2001.

It was a warm summer evening (a.k.a. hot as [fill in the blank] evening) in Central Texas. What started as a fun trip to Schlitterbahn with my buddies, concluded with the ever-lasting adventure of my life.

She was 17 years young and FOR THE RECORD, so was I.

She made me feel nervous. She made me feel self-conscious. She made me feel life. She is amazing.

On the ride back from Schlitterbahn, I knew it would all come to an end unless I said “Aloha.” OK, that’s my internalized nervous side. What I meant to say is that I said “Can I pick you up in my Dad’s 1998 Chevrolet K-1500 later?”

So sure enough, I asked the question (second one that is) and sure enough, she said “absolutely NOT!”…The End…just kidding LOL!!!
She ACTUALLY said “OK.”

At that point, I had no idea on how to respond. Guess I could have jumped up and down, but instead I said “can I pick you up at 9?” Her reply was “OK.” Guess she likes that reply.

So we parted ways for a little while we got ready for this next adventure…

After taking a shower, I traveled IH-35 to Georgetown in my Dad’s 1998 Chevrolet K-1500 to pick her up. Nothing but “Be Like That” by 3 Doors Down was playing on the radio.

Upon arrival, I asked her “where do you want to go?” She said “let’s go to Blue Hole and jump off the bluffs.” So I said, “OK.” Guess that response ended up with me as well.

On the walk to the top of the bluffs I asked her “I have a question for you, do you like me?” Her response was “maybe.” That was when I asked the question “does this make you my girlfriend?” and her response was “maybe.”

We then arrived at the top of the bluffs and while holding each other’s hands, we took the leap of life and had our first kiss once we arrived in the water.

Four months later, I proposed to her at the same spot.

Since then, we have four beautiful children here on earth and three wonderful angels in Heaven that we hold in our hearts until one day we can hold them in our arms.

Our journey together has taken us from Round Rock, TX to Kingsville, TX to Port Lavaca, TX to Rockport, TX back to Port Lavaca, TX to Seadrift, TX and back again to Round Rock, TX. If that ain’t irony, I don’t know what is.

All I can say is “Love Life.” Life is never easy, but with the love of your life, anything is possible.
After all, I am writing this story to you on August 1, 2019.

God Bless Y’all!

The McDaniels
P.S. This tale of adventure is one of…”It’s your turn”

Mon., Aug. 19        Kids for Christ     6:00 pm    Seadrift First Baptist Church
Tues., Aug. 20; 27; Sept. 3; 10; 19 – 11:30 am Seniors’ Lunch & Bingo at POC Community Center
Mon., Sept. 2        Intercoastal 4-H Club  6:30 pm  Port O’Connor School Library
Tues., Sept. 3        Seadrift Chamber of Commerce  6:30 pm   FNB, Seadrift
Tues., Sept. 3        Seadrift City Council  7:00 pm    Seadrift City Hall
Tues., Sept. 3        Bunco  7:00 pm    POC Community Center
Sat., Sept. 7        Celebration of Life -Tommy Hardegree  12:00-4:00   King Fisher Beach
Mon., Sept 9        POC Chamber of Commerce   6:30 pm  POC Community Center
Thurs., Sept. 12    Town Hall Meeting   7:00 pm  POC Community Center Pavilion
Sat. Sept. 14        Native Americans Calhoun Co,  1:00 pm   Port O’Connor Library
Sept. 19-22        Hummer Bird Celebration   Rockport/Fulton

Boy Scout Troop 106

Troup 106 was formed November 4, 1941 with twelve boys. Attendance was greatest in the 1980’s with an average of 36 boys. Presently there are five boys in attendance.

Annually the Troup has several campouts. Camping sites are along the Gulf Coast.

Scout meetings are held during the school year on Tuesday nights at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Scout Hall.

Patrick Henley is the Scout Master. His assistant is Ron Arlitt. Louis Warren, Colt Treybig, Ralph and Mary Kay Belter are Committee Members.

Patrick Henley was impressed to become a Boy Scout because of an older brother’s Scout uniform hanging up in the closet. Patrick idolized his older brother and finally worked up the nerve to ask his mother if he could join the Scouts. Patrick knew it would be a hardship for his mom to take him to the Scout meetings since they lived out in the country, but his mom said “yes”. The rest is history.

Today Patrick has been the Scout Master since 1995! That’s almost 25 years! “Scouting did something for me. I wanted to give back to the community,” Patrick says.

When asked about his thoughts for future generations, he responded: “Whatever you want the community to be, you’re going to have to do it. Don’t expect someone else to have to do it because no one is going to do it for you.”

Remember while driving our cars, how often we had to clean the windshields? Not any more in parts of Europe. Dieter Erhard (of ArtCenter Seadrift) is among those who have recognized the problem of disappearing insects, and are trying to do something about it.

Dieter is creating a huge bee. Its frame is stainless steel and it will hold about 1,500 fluorescent plexiglass pieces. At the facility of the Barmherzige Brueder in the town of Gremsdorf, people with disabilities will produce them. A public workshop, where visitors names will be engraved onto the plexiglass pieces will bring donations towards the purchase of insect hotels. With the funds earned, he plans to order at least 100 “insect hotels”.

So far 62 of such insect hotels have been ordered through Dieter, from friends or the local Rotary Clubs and their members. On December 8th, all sponsors and recipients will meet at the facility by the brotherhood of the Barmherzige in Gremsdorf. A introduction speech regarding the insects and bees will be held as well as all can visit the workshop at the site. Dieter’s then finished bee will be displayed there to round out the theme and event.

The city of Erlangen wants him and his bee to its sister city in Bozen, Tirol to also promote putting up insect hotels.

These hotels will attract up to 30 different species to breed and multiply.