For the past 30+ years Seadrift School Students have made their annual trip to the First National Bank in Seadrift to sing Christmas carols. The students along with their teachers enjoy this tradition. We would like to thank the ladies at the bank for their kindness and generosity. May you all have a wonderful holiday season!

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2 King James Version

“Lights, camera, action!” What an interesting experience I had on December 1st watching a scene from a “movie” being filmed! About 50 actors and crew had descended on Port O’Connor to film the first installment of a Pure Flix series.

Star of the film is Randal Reeder, a native of LaPorte, Texas, who began his TV experience at the age of 20 as a pro wrestler on ESPN’s Global Wrestling Federation TV Worldwide. Randall has appeared on numerous TV shows including Walker, Texas Ranger, King of the Hill and 21 Jump Street. His movie credits include Deadpool and Deadpool 2. He has been directed by the likes of Oliver Stone.

His director on this current project is Sam Medina. Sam made his directing debut in the upcoming action/thriller Code Name The Dragon. Sam is also an actor. He played the lead antagonist opposite Mark Wahlberg in director Peter Berg’s action/thriller Mile 22.

Filmed around Port O’Connor, on the bay and at Froggie’s Bait, the show is called Sons of Thunder. Randall says this faith-based action film is sort of a cross between Highway to Heaven and The Equalizer.

When I asked how Port O’Connor was chosen as the filming site, Randall said he was looking for a place with boats, and his friend, Andy Lack, told him Port O’Connor had lots of boats.

The scene I watched being filmed was at Froggie’s Bait where the lead actor, Randall, was aboard Robbie Sander’s boat the Beverly Sue Kelly. It was only a two or three minute scene, but had taken over an hour to set up. I was informed by the film writer Amos Elseth that it takes a full week to film a 45-minute episode.

Later as I watched the Boat Parade off Froggie’s dock, I was informed by Port O’Connor local, Suzie Jaycox that she was given a speaking part in a scene that afternoon inside Froggie’s. I certainly want to watch to see if that scene made it into the final cut.

Check out Pure Flix on the internet to find out how to subscribe to faith, family and fun entertainment.

The 2018 Lighted Boat Parade, was one of the best!! The weather turned out to be beautiful for the Freeport to POC Toy Run, most of whom participated with locals in the parade. This year we had 28 boats enter, along with the Coast Guard leading down the ICW.

Thank you to Hooper’s Bar and Grill, who hosted the parade judges, serving some fabulous food.

This years Judges included Harry & Leah Bates, Larry & Rosemary Lopez, Gary Reese, Darla Parker and Michelle Davis. Winning plaques were awarded at Madden’s this year for the Best Overall decorated boat, Doug Mueller; Most Spirited, Lance Boomhower on the Mud Slinger 3: Most Unique, Eric Thomas Rogers on the Get Skinny Fishing; Best Commercial, Matagorda Bay Pilots on the Karankawa; Best Large Pleasure, Jason & Wendy Fry on the Just One More; Best Medium Pleasure, Peyton Martin on the Tritoon; Best Small Pleasure, Chris Wolf on the Zero Down; and the Distinguished Service Award, United States Coast Guard.

A HUGE thank you to Bill Tigrett, Belinda Tigrett, and Ronna Fishbeck for their extensive help in organizing and hosting this event. I learned this year, until you are behind the scenes…. You have no idea just how much work they actually do! Great Job Bill Tigrett and Team!!!!
Darla Parker, President, Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce

Here they came – boat after boat, heading towards Clark’s Marina on December 1st, the culmination of the 16th Freeport to Port O’Connor Toy Run! The dock was lined with volunteers waiting to unload the toy-filled boats, destined for needy children. Everyone knew that whatever the weather, Jerry Karnes and his armada of brave and generous boaters would arrive with loads of Christmas toys.

Approximately $70,000 worth of toys were delivered to brighten the holiday for over 2,000 children. Those who were invited to share in the bounty included: Port O’Connor School, Aransas Pass School, Seadrift School, Bloomington School, Port Lavaca Schools, Tivoli School, Brown Santa, Blue Santa, Foster Care, Episcopal Church, Kids Connection, The Harbor, and Lily’s Faithful Angel.

Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce would like to say THANK YOU to  Kacie Skalak and her team of workers, Karie Skalak, Weslie Mollere and  Michelle Davis, for feeding the Toy Runners and Ronna Fishbeck for helping Kacie get the food line set up and ready to serve. The Chamber has fed these gracious folks the last several years to show our appreciation from the community for helping out so much to put so many smiles on kiddos’ faces Christmas morning!

Thank You goes out to Josies Mexican Food and Fishbeck Rentals for the donation of the briskets,  Alex Doolin for preparing the meat and to the Port O’Connor Service Club for baking desserts for all to enjoy! Great team work is key to making all of this come together and go smoothly.

Mary Jo Walker
Vice President, Chamber of Commerce