Sun. Dec. 17    Seadrift Choir Performance 11:00 am    First United Methodist Church
6:00 pm    First Baptist Church
Mon., Dec. 18    Seadrift Students Sing at FNB, Seadrift 9:30 am    Fifth Grade
2:00 pm    Third Grade
Tues., Dec. 19    Seadrift Students Sing at FNB, Seadrift 9:30 am    Second Grade
2:00 pm    Fourth Grade
Tues., Dec. 19    Powderhorn Christmas Bird Count brigidberger@comcast.net
Wed., Dec. 20    “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 6:30 pm    Port O’Connor Elementary
Wed., Dec. 20    Christmas Caroling Around POC Fisherman’s Chapel
Dec. 20 & 21    POC House Lighting Contest 361-220-1583

Justice Epley with his Grand Champion Market Steer

11-year old Justice Epley took top honors at the Calhoun County Fair this year with his black American breed steer, Toro. This was his first year raising a steer, having raised hogs in the past. He has been a member of Seadrift’s Lakeside 4H Club since he was five years old (starting as a Clover kid).

The Market steer division is broken up in to two classes: American and Exotic breeds. Then the classes are broken down further into weight categories, light weight and heavy weight. This year there were 10 market steers in the Calhoun County show – five of the ten came from Lakeside 4H. Of these, two were in the Exotic class and three were in the American class.

Justice has already picked out his steer for next year’s fair. The money he got for Toro this year will go to future fair projects and also his college education.

Lakeside may be a small club, but the kids are very active, not only in the fair but other 4H activities and in community service as well.

Members of Lakeside 4H and their placings at the 2017 Calhoun County Fair:

Canion Epley – Reserve Champion Market Steer American breed, 2nd place heavy weight American steer, Senior Showmanship steer; Terrick Martinez -1st place light weight American steer; Ethan Wooldridge – 1st place heavy weight Exotic steer, Reserve Champion Exotic steer; Casey Wooldridge – 3rd place light weight Exotic breed steer; Mackenzie Moncrief – 3rd place Breeding heifer; Cierra Harper – 8th place turkey; Aiden McClelland – 7th place turkey; Bryant Bordovsky – 3rd place Market Swine; Brianna Bordovsky – 1st place middle weight market swine and Senior Showmanship Swine’ Grand Champion breeding Gilt; Clay Brumfield – Reserve Champion Market Lamb; Keegan Brumfield – 4th place Market Lamb; Morgan Russell – 3rd light weight Goat; Nevah Rangel – 14th place Rabbits; Layton Davenport – 31st place Rabbits

Kaleigh Diaz, Jeannette Ramirez and Jaylin Ramirez

Port O’Connor was well represented in the Fair Queen Contest at the recent Calhoun County Fair. 17-year-old Jaylin Ramirez, daughter of Ray and Vidall Ramirez, was crowned Fair Queen. Jeanette Ramirez, Calhoun High sophomore and daughter of Chuck Ramirez, took 1st Runner-up honors. And sophomore Kaleigh Diaz, daughter of Karie Skalak was named 2nd Runner-up, Most Photogenic, and Fair Queen Ambassador.

In addition to the titles, the young ladies will receive scholarships.

What better way to kick off the Christmas season than with our 2017 Lighted Boat Parade! This event, our 26th annual, is sponsored by the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce.

It will be held on December 2, 2017, scheduled to start at dusk (approximately 6:45 pm) in the ICW. Boats will parade from Larry’s Harbor to just past Clark’s Inn. The parade is open to all boats of all sizes that meet the minimum U.S. Coast Guard Safety Requirements. There is no entry fee. Please, give us a call, decorate your boat and join us!!

The Captains Safety Meeting will be held at the Inn at Clark’s at 5:30 p.m. on December 2nd, along with late registration and assignment of parade positions. The U.S. Coast Guard will have a member at the safety meeting in case of any questions or concerns.

Locals and tourists alike look forward to this annual event, and it is hoped that many boat owners will participate. Plaques will be awarded in several categories – Best Overall * Most Spirited * Most Unique * Best Commercial * Best Large Pleasure * Best Medium Pleasure * Best Small Pleasure. This year, as in the past several years, we are happy to announce that the U.S. Coast Guard, along with most of the boats and owners who participate in the Toy Run, are planning on being a part of this great tradition.

It looks like this year is no exception – This is going to be a fantastic lighted boat parade.

If you would like to participate, or for more information, visit the Chamber website, www.portoconnorchamber.com and download the registration form or contact the Boat Parade Chairman, Bill Tigrett at 361-983-2671.

Public viewing areas: Froggie’s -south end of Byers St.; Fishing Center- south end of 13th St.; Clark’s Inn & Boat House Bait- south end of 7th and 8th Streets.