As the days become warmer and longer, we welcome visitors from all over the state and even the country. Remember to be patient if your favorite restaurant has a waiting list or you must wait a little longer to pump your gas. Many of our businesses depend on the summer visitors to keep the doors open year-round.

The fourth of July weekend always draws a large crowd, and we expect this year to be typical with the holiday falling on a Thursday. Make plans for the annual parade which will start at 9:00 am on July 4th. Decorate your golf cart, boat, scooter, car, or trailer and join us as we make our way down to the beach and around the northern part of town.

The annual fourth of July fireworks show will be Saturday July 6, 2024. As in past years we depend solely on donations to provide this beautiful fireworks show to commemorate our country’s birthday. If you would like to donate you can do so by visiting our website or dropping your extra change in one of the boxes located at several businesses in town.

Memorial Day weekend started the summer off right with the Kid’s Fishing Tournament and the Kite Flying contest. Thank you to our sponsors POC Rod and Gun, The Fishing Center Operations, and Shirley and James Harper for giving the kids and adults something to look forward to every year.

Remember the Port O’ Connor Farmers Market is the second Saturday of the month from 8:00-12:00 at the Kingfisher Beach Pavilion. You can usually find fresh vegetables, jams and jellies, homemade breads, and fresh eggs. Our local artists are there as well with beautiful coastal pieces.

We appreciate our new and renewing members MAS Custom Lures specializes in custom painted fishing lures, especially topwater lures. Boat House Storage takes pride in offering a simple and hassle-free boat storage experience for all of our customers in Port O’Connor, TX . Liz’s Mosaics & Coastal Art creates and sells handcrafted mosaic art pieces. Her artwork is customizable and unique. Drumrunner Lodge – Provides lodging for fishing enthusiasts in Port O’Connor, TX.

For more information on these businesses and our other chamber members please visit our website at www.portoconnorchamber.com.

“Back To School” Sale: The Service Club will be holding its “Back To School Sale” on Saturday July 27, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon at the POC Community Center Pavilion. We will be selling PreK through High School clothing, shoes, accessories, and other school-related items, so please come check us out!

Memorials: The Club made a memorial donation to the POC Cemetery Association in honor of Barbara “BA” Brandon.

Farmers Market: The Club appreciates your ongoing support of our Service Club Booth at POC’s Farmers Markets, the next one being Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. There is something for everyone- homemade baked goods, potted plants, hand crafted items, Service Club Cookbooks, “POC- End of The Road” License Plate Covers, and raffle tickets of $5.00 each for beautiful handmade quilts. There is something for everyone, so please stop by!

Summer Service Club Meetings: The Service Club meets only once a month during the summer: Thursday, July 11, 2024; and Thursday, August 1, 2024- all at 10:00 a.m. at the POC Community Center. All Ladies are welcome!

Service Club Donation Center Expansion and Fall Garage Sale: Our Donation Center addition should be up and running by the end of June, so we will have ample room for your continued donations of gently used clothing, shoes, household and decorative items, lamps, toys, baby items, sports equipment, machinery, working lawn equipment, and like new furniture. We also store a large supply of medical equipment (walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, crutches, knee scooters, etc.), which we loan out to POC citizens who are in need. Our Fall Mega Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2024. For questions, or to donate, please call one of the ladies listed below.
Alane Haardt- 281-416-6028; Nancy Ladshaw- 830-832-0510
Marie Hawes- 361-920-2322; Nan Burnett- 832-276-5948

Thanks to James & Shirley Harper and Jessica Kelier (pictured) for hosting the 26th Kite Flying Contest. And thanks to the judges Eloy; Tyler and Tammy. It was a hard choice with so many colorful kites filling the sky.

Winners were: Ages 2-5 – Ace Clark, Best Homemade; Abigail Lester Highest Flying; Post Hoogendoom, 1st place while being the littlest kid, flying a kite twice his size and all by himself the entire time: Tipton Boriskie, 2nd place Most Effort.

Ages 6-9: Dillon Clark, 1st Best Homemade Kite; Jackson Lester, 1st place for the Most Effort; Mason Keller, 2nd place for Most Effort; Cub Keller, 2nd place Highest Flying; Blake Williams, Best Tricks; Clairie Casteel-Garcia, 1st Overall; Beckett Battenfield, 1st Highest fFying; Parker Groth, Elouise All 3rd Best Effort.

Age group 10-12: Landon Clark, 1st Best Effort; Cora Pohler, Highest; Carrigan Pohler, 2nd Highest; Liana Rodriguez, 1st Overall; Emma Brown, 2nd Effort; Cory Heilker, 1st Prettiest.

Ages 13-Adult: Wyatt Muzny, Best Tricks, and Wyatt has been participating every year for 16 years!; Doug Smith, 1st Highest Flying & Largest; John Munzy, 1st Overall; Jamie Taylor, 1st Prettiest.

“Beacon of Light…Anchor of the Community”
Library News:
POC Library Hours: Phone Number: 361-983-4365
Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
*Note Closed on July 4th and July 6th

The diverse array of events and programs at the library truly offers something for everyone. Whether it’s the camaraderie of coffee and conversation, the excitement of bingo, the strategic challenge of Mah Jongg, or the friendly competition of bridge, there’s a space for people of all interests and backgrounds to come together and connect.

Community is at the heart of what we do, and these activities provide wonderful opportunities for people to forge new friendships, strengthen existing bonds, and simply enjoy each other’s company in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

So, please join us! All are welcome to participate and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our community. We look forward to seeing you at the library soon!

Summer Reading Program: May 23 – July 20th
Free Adventures begin at your Port O’Connor Library! Programs will be held on Tuesdays from 1:30 pm – 2:30. Register at cclibrary.readsquared.com
June 4 – The Astonishing Mr. Pitts
June 11 – Texas Floating Classroom
June 15 – Special Saturday Movie Day at the library (not listed on paper flyer)
June 18 – Creepy Crawlers / Movie Day to follow program
June 25 – Blast off to Adventure
July 2 – John’s Got Magic
July 9 – Songwriting Adventures!
July 16 – Art with Kelley / Movie Day to follow program
July 20 – Special Saturday Movie Day at the library (not listed on paper flyer)
Reading Logs due
July 23 – Adventure in Robotics
July 30 – Awards Ceremony

Adult Summer Reading Challenge: May 23 – July 20th
The Port O’Connor Library Branch is excited to announce the start of the Adult Summer Reading Challenge that started in May. Be sure to visit the library to sign up and embark on some exciting reading adventures. So, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to dive into new books and enjoy a summer full of literary exploration.

THANK YOU to Our June Donors

• Thank you to Beverly Clifton for the lovely flowers. We also extend our gratitude to Sally Ragusin, Angela Drexler, and Mary Hays for their donations to the Port O’Connor Library in memory of Susan Wallace. We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love in her honor.

• A big thank you to Pegtastic Jams & Jellies for providing their delicious banana bread for Coffee and Conversation on May 8th.

Wednesdays:
8:00-9:00 AM – Coffee & Conversation – Every sip you take, every creamer you add, we’ll be here for you at Coffee & Conversation
9:30–10:30 AM – Bingo – The fun follows the 8 AM coffee event every Wednesday!
· June 5, June 12th, June 19th, and June 26th.
Note: LOTERIA (Mexican Bingo) to follow bingo.
1:00-3:30 PM – Mah Jongg – Mah Jongg is like duct tape. It fixes everything.
Thursdays: 1:00-3:00 PM – Bridge – Remember, Bridge is not just a game of chance; it’s also a social activity that brings people together for fun and excitement.

Friends of the POC Library: Why are Friends important? One example is they strive to increase public awareness of the library. Friends provide the opportunity for people who have a passion for their library to give time to benefit the library in their community. Overall, Friends of the Library organizations are vital in ensuring that libraries remain vibrant, well-supported, and integral parts of their communities.

Mark your calendars to attend The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library Branch’s Annual Membership Meeting and the Library Open House on June 29th. The Open House begins at 10:00 AM- 11:30 AM with the Annual Meeting following from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Adult Programs: How to Gain Access to Texas Parks and Wildlife
On Monday, May 20th, Tori Haynes provided another engaging and informative program on hunting in Texas on public lands.

For those interested in hunting without a private lease, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) offers extensive resources online. Their website includes much information. Use the link address: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/
For anyone looking to get started or learn more about hunting in Texas, visiting the TPWD’s hunting resources page and exploring their online tools can be incredibly helpful. Whether it’s planning your hunt, understanding regulations, or just finding a place to start, they’ve got you covered.

Submitted by Darla Miles
Friends of the Port O’ Connor Library, Publicity Committee/Historian www.friendsofportoconnorlibrary.org
Facebook Page: Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc.

We were excited to host the Annual Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce Memorial Day Kid Fish Tournament. Thank you to GBRA for the goody bags & Fishing Center Operations for all the bait. We had 51 kids turn out to fish. Thank you to the volunteers Niki Powell, Deanna Toddy, Mark Ueding and every one for coming out. It was a great time had by all!

Age 3-5:
Smallest- Kayden Stratmann; Largest-Mack Fajkus;
Most-Rylan Boysen;
Age 6-8:
Smallest- Kasyn Davis: Largest-Miyah Powell:
Most-Ainsley Frazier
Age 9-12:
Smallest- Knox Sterns: Largest-Jett Fajkus:
Most-Carrigan Pohler