Robert with wounded warrior and his big catch.

Robert and Sharon Snider started working together in Austin, TX at the IBM Campus. Sharon continues to work for IBM Research from her home office in Seadrift, TX as an accessibility software engineer working with teams across IBM to develop accessible applications that everyone can use, including the aging population and persons with special needs.

Robert retired from IBM in November of 2017 to Seadrift and is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed master captain and President of Spirit-Bay Empowering Adventures, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides people with special needs the opportunity to enjoy outdoor adventures, such as educational wildlife tours, guided fishing trips, and hunting trips, free of charge. Rob also has been involved in the Wounded Warriors program, taking wounded veterans out fishing in his boat.

In their spare time, Sharon and Robert both love to fish, photograph wildlife, and go camping. They learned about the Texas Master Naturalist program while searching for information on the internet for native and edible plants a couple of years ago. They found the Mid-Coast Texas Master Naturalist website online and decided to join last year. Sharon says, “We really enjoyed the initial training for the program and its wealth of information, as well as the abundance of volunteer opportunities the program offers. “

The Mid-Coast Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist is currently recruiting for their 2019 class. The Mid-Coast Chapter covers 8 counties, including Calhoun County. Each year up to 16 people receive 40 hours of training from the 50-60 hours offered about two Saturdays per month between the months of February through May. Trainees go on several boat trips and many field trips to places not generally open to the public to learn about everything from birds, to native plants, archaeology, marine life, trees, estuaries, and our local ecosystems. After training, members volunteer on nature projects 40 hours and receive at least 8 hours of additional advanced education each year. For more information on becoming a Texas Master Naturalist, go to the website at www.MidCoast-TMN.org. Click on “Want to Join” for more information and
to fill out an application.

Captain Whitney Curry and Students aboard the Texas Floating Classroom at Seadrift.

While National Estuary Week is officially in September, October is when San Antonio Bay Partnership (SABP) brings the Texas Floating Classroom to the mid-Texas Coast. The boat called The Archimedes travels from Corpus Christi to provide hands-on educational experience about the ecology of the bays.

SABP chairman Allan Berger credits local donors for making the program possible. “Our sponsors have been very generous! A significant donation from the Formosa Environmental Trust allowed us to expand the program this year to include Rockport, Seadrift and Palacios. Donations from Dow Trust, Wood Family Memorial Trust, San Antonio River Authority, Caterpillar and several individuals and businesses allowed us to make over 50 boat trips.” Additionally, the acquisition of a traveling touch tank, was made possible by a Dow Gives Grant. This greatly extend the program’s reach by being able to take the bay critters to the student when students could not come to the bay.

Archimedes Captain Whitney Curry says the feedback from the students and teachers continues to be overwhelmingly positive. Before/after testing indicates that educational objectives are being met and the many smiles indicate that all aboard have had a fun experience. Two public tours on October 20th allowed folks of all ages to experience the wonders of San Antonio Bay as well.

If you missed this year’s program and want to be notified next October, contact Allan Berger at allanrberger@comcast.net You can become a sponsor by making your contribution online contribution for this or other SABP programs at sabaypartnership.org/support us.

Formosa General Manager Rick Crabtree (right) presents SABP Chair Allan Berger with a generous donation allowing more student experiences aboard the Texas Floating Classroom.

Hostesses for November’s “Hooked On Books” Book Club Meeting, Ursula Price & Shaney Bradford, delighted members with a taco bar & other delicious goodies. There to enjoy the refreshments, visiting, & book discussion were: Michelle Marlin, Cindy Boone, Michelle Lippold, Ursula Price, Nan Burnett, Shaney Bradford, Agnes Hannes, Charlotte Fitzgerald, & Alane Haardt.
December’s Meeting & Christmas Party will be held on 12/11/18. For information on joining this fun & lively group, please contact Alane Haardt at alanehaardt@yahoo.com.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

The Calhoun Republican Club will hold its monthly dinner on Monday, December 3, at the Episcopal Parish Hall, corner of Guadalupe and Hwy 238 (Austin St.) in Port Lavaca.  Dinner ($11)at 5-6 p.m. by RESERVATION ONLY.  Dinner reservations must be called in or emailed no later than Monday, November 26.  Call Lisa at 552-6313 or email Connie at chunt36@yahoo.com.  (If possible, please pay  by check to CCRC.) We are expecting a large crowd so be sure and reserve your dinner in time.

This will be a very special Christmas Party.  We have a Secret Special Guest and several surprise speakers.  Lots of fun for everyone, especially the Secret Guest.  Don’t miss it.

The meeting will begin promptly at 6 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge.  Complimentary tea and coffee.