Photo by Kenneth Reese

Water Safari Winners
“Boat 124-LOG JAMMIN”

The 2024 Texas Water Safari first-place winners finished with a time of 42 hours and five minutes. Pictured are from left to right Kyle Mynar, Chris Issendorf, and Steve Lajoie. Missing is Norman Maingay who is the fourth member of their team who had to drop out due to the probability of dehydration and heat exhaustion. He was able to complete the first 200 miles of the race. The total distance of the race from start to finish is 260 miles.

Logan Mynar and Gaston Jones were the team captains. They were responsible for meeting them throughout the race at checkpoints, bridges, and other access points along the Guadalupe and San Marcos Rivers to give them food and water. What a job!

Kyle Mynar and Chris Issendorf were the two Texans of the winning team. Steve Lajoie and Norman Maingay were the two French Canadians. For the two Canadians it was their first Texas Water Safari race. They were champion racers in the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. Kyle Mynar has been racing in the Texas Water Safari for thirty years. Chris Issendorf has been racing for ten years.

The Texas Water Safari is a yearly event that was first held in 1963. It is called the “World’s Toughest Boat Race.” It’s starting point is Aquarena Springs in San Marcos, Texas and the finish line this year was at the Bill Sanders Park on the San Antonio Bay across from Seadrift, Texas. It always begins on the second Saturday of June.
-Tanya DeForest

Samantha Binion’s family at the finish of the race.

Samantha Binion

You could travel the world over, but you might be hard-pressed to find a woman with the caliber of Samantha Binion! Loving her family, she revels in the fact that being part of the Texas Water Safari is a family affair. Since her children are older now Samantha is excited that they can take in more of the canoe competitions that she and her husband Wade participate in. When she finished solo this year with the Water Safari the most prized event for Samantha was that her children could be there at the finish line to fully take in the moment with their proud dad.

Being part of canoe racing and specifically the Water Safari is not new to Samantha. Samantha, a native Texan from Rockdale, Texas, met her future husband Wade in College Station while Samantha went to college at Sam Houston State. Wade’s family loved to compete in canoe racing. His dad, Pete, participated in the Water Safari for thirty years, and his sisters Mollie and Pauline and their children have all participated as well. Samatha not only fell in love with Wade, but she fell in love with canoe racing. For over fifteen years now Samantha has participated in the Water Safari. If she wasn’t racing, she would be serving as a team captain on the sidelines.

Samantha’s first-time race was in 2009 with her future sister-in-law Mollie Binion. They placed 30th in the Water Safari. This year Samantha finished solo and placed 56th. This is her seventh time to finish the race with the Water Safari.

In the picture above is one big happy family. Wade and Samantha are at the finish line with their four children: Brighton (11), Bridger (10), Bodie (8), and Berklee (6).
-Tanya DeForest

Shrimpfest Royalty
Queen Evelyn Scroggins
Jr. Miss Shrimpfest:Payten Rivera
Young Miss Shrimpfest:Fallen Rivera
Little Miss Shrimpfest:Kimberly Tolar
Teeny Miss Shrimpfest: Maizlynn Tijerina
Tiny Mister Shrimpfest:Easton Harris
Baby Mister Shrimpfest: Jaxon Luna

Fishing Tournament:
Ropin’ Tails
Stingray Stompers
Gulf Coast Title Company

Horseshoes:
Kelsey Sparks & Jennifer Dempsey

Cornhole:
Brett & Lauren Phillips

Scavenger Hunt:
Hairell Sisters
Dolls and Balls
Seadrift Gangsta’s

5K Winners:
Homer Morales,
Mia Salazar, Briley Christensen & Kendall Bargas
Randall Goode

Congratulations to Talen Henson, Male Athlete of the Year, (pictured with Coach Adam Sternadel, right, and Coach Robert Anderson, and Female Athletes of the Year, Jacqueline Callaway (left, next to Coach Kelly Lilge and Journee Boots, next to Coach Tanya Cady.

The Port O’Connor Library stands as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the community. From the early dreams of a few visionaries to the collective effort of countless supporters, the library is a source of pride and a beacon of knowledge for all who love Port O’Connor.

For almost four decades, the Port O’Connor community, local and otherwise, have strongly supported the Port O’Connor Library Branch. The current building was established through heightened awareness and contributions from people from all walks of life via donations, fundraisers, and events. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, a new library building was dedicated and opened on January 19, 2019.

Due to the dramatic increase in library patron usage, The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library are once again fundraising to expand the current facility. Over the past five years, library patron usage has surged from 5,342 to 11,103, marking a 107% increase. Our library has now outgrown its allotted book space. The proposed expansion plan includes adding twenty new book stacks to accommodate the growing collection.

As can be seen with the construction of new homes and businesses in the area, Port O’Connor is experiencing an influx of individuals who are now working from home and require a private, professional space for internet meetings, such as interviews for jobs and Zoom meetings. Our retirees from professional backgrounds offer their services for counseling in legal and business matters and utilize our library for pro bono client meetings. A private space for these meetings is essential. The expansion includes three private study rooms to accommodate these needs.

The children’s area has become the ‘go to’ place for parents and grandparents who bring their children to the library. The area has limited space with two adult seats. The additional area for children will create a larger space for interactive play and reading and provide comfortable seating for parents and grandparents.

Our library currently lacks a dedicated study area specifically for teens or young adults. We have observed a rise in high school, and local college students visiting the library to work on special projects that require internet access. The library supports those who are in need of of high-speed internet and may not have it available. The Port O’Connor Library Branch’s objective is to establish a designated, multi-purpose space for teens and young adults, equipped with private study areas and internet access.

Due to the increased library usage, an assistant librarian was hired in March 2022. The current 8’x8’ space intended originally for the librarian’s office now suffices predominantly as library storage with little workspace for the two librarians. The proposed plan will include an additional workspace for the librarians and storage space for the library.

The Port O’Connor Library Branch would also like to add a Library of Things, a new concept in libraries, is a collection of non-traditional library items. Items in the library’s collection vary by locality. For example, popular items in Port O’’Connor may include infant and small child life jackets, beach toys or similar sports equipment. A space is needed for storage and organization of these items.

Port O’Connor is experiencing growth, and our library must expand to meet the community’s needs. Please join us for a tour during our Open House on June 29th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. We welcome all who wish to attend our Annual Meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -Darla Mile

Trevon Dale Ragusin, son of Rachel Bowman and Louis Ragusin, graduated as a Texas Scholar from Hope High School in Port Lavaca on May 23rd, 2024.

Proud grandparents include Elida and Joe Ragusin, Audrey and Dale Bowman, and Lisa Blackmon.

He will continue to work throughout this summer as he prepares for college.

Trevon will be attending Texas A&M in Corpus Christi in the fall of 2024, where he plans to major in Marine Biology and pursue a minor in Psychology.