Dakota Smith, right, of Seadrift receives his Basic Peace Officer Certificate from Victoria College Law Enforcement Academy Director James Martinez during the Dec. 14 graduation ceremony at VC’s Emerging Technology Complex.

VICTORIA – Dakota Smith of Seadrift was one of 12 graduates of Victoria College’s Law Enforcement Academy to receive their Basic Peace Officer Certificate during a ceremony on Dec. 14 at VC’s Emerging Technology Complex.

All 12 graduates have passed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement examination to become licensed peace officers.

Jackson County Sheriff A.J. Louderback was the commencement speaker for the event.

VC offers two academies a year – one during the fall semester and another during the spring semester. Both academies are held Monday through Friday with classes meeting 8 to 10 hours a day.

For more information on VC’s Law Enforcement Academy, call (361) 572-6449 or email James.Martinez@VictoriaCollege.edu.

POC Service Club is already busy in this new year. We have a big announcement coming up about a family fun day this Spring that we think you will really enjoy. Check back next month for all the details. We are also preparing for our spring garage sale on April 7, 2018. We hope to fund more scholarships and community projects with the proceeds. If you would like to help with our sale, we are still taking donations of like new clothing, décor and household goods. You can call Donna Vuichard at 361-237-0476 if you need assistance in donating to our sale.

Service Club members will be supporting other Spring activities as well. We will be baking for fundraisers, supporting our local PTO at POC Elementary, working with the Crawfish festival and other activities and events. If you find that you want to be more involved in our hometown life POC Service club could be the perfect place to jump right in, meet new friends, learn about local events and lend a hand where needed. We meet at the POC Community Center on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM. Come for a visit and see if you want to consider joining us.

So, until next time, be safe, live simply, love openly, forgive generously and remember this quote from the great artist Pablo Picasso who said ‘The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.’ Come find your giving place and build meaning and purpose in 2018.

We can begin to start getting organized for 2018, now that 2017 is behind us. The Chamber wants to say “THANKS”  to the businesses that so generously offered to help feed everyone at the Annual Chamber Christmas get together on December 8th. The contributors were, Mama’s Pizza, Hoopers, Cathy’s, Hurricane, Subway, Dock’s, Josie’s, Pullins BarBQ, Beacon 44 Seafood, Brandyland Cookies & Treats. This was an awesome assortment of foods.

At the January meeting the officers for 2018 was decided: Darla Parker, President; Mary Jo Walker, Vice President; Rhonna Fishbeck, Secretary; Dawn Ragusin, Treasurer. These officers, plus the Directors for 2018, will be giving their time and energy to promote our community.

The 2018 calendar is as follows:

Crawfish Festival April 28,2018
Memorial Day Kids Fishing Tournament May 26,2018
Memorial Day Kite Flying Contest May 26, 2018
Annual July 4th Fireworks Display July 7, 2018
Trunk or Treat October 27, 2018
Lighted Boat Parade December1, 2018
Chamber Christmas Party December 7, 2018
Lighted House Contest  Dec. 19-20, 2018

Our next meeting will be Monday, February 12th, 6:30 p.m. at the Port O’Connor Community Center. Come and join us!

Dear Friends,

What a beautiful expression of love and friendship sharing your Senior Christmas Dinner with me. Thank you.
I felt a little odd standing on the inside the door receiving instead of delivering. It felt good knowing I have friends who care about my well being. This is what makes Port O’Connor a very special place. Thank you again.

Belated “Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year”!!

Mary Nell McGee

Thank God for living in a little town where people are so caring and responsive to the needs of others.

So many have been so kind and helpful to me since the passing of my wife, Bell. But I could not have made it through her last hours and beyond without the help of our good friends, Kay Middleton and Robbie & Marie Hawes.

Bob Allen

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