On Saturday morning June 8th, a call came through the 866-Turtle5 Hotline reporting a sea turtle nesting near the Big Jetty on Matagorda Peninsula. The caller, Billy Hegemeyer, said, “We watched her come up the beach, dig the nest, lay the eggs, and return to the water. We have lots of pictures and video.”

In the Hegemeyer’s videos, you can hear Sarah Hegemeyer describing exactly what they needed to do to keep the turtle and her eggs safe. Most importantly, the Hegemeyers kept their distance so the turtle wouldn’t get frightened back into the water without nesting. Only after the turtle layed her eggs and was returning to the water did they spring into action. They carefully laid sticks and debris in a wide circle around the nesting area and then they called for help.

Calling the Texas Sea Turtle Hotline and pressing 3 (for Matagorda, Espiritu Santo, and San Antonio Bays) gets you to the volunteer coordinator for San Antonio Bay Partnership’s Mid-Coast Sea Turtle Rescue here in Port O’Connor.

Our organization was started because of the 550+ sea turtles that died in 2021 Winter Storm Uri when there was no rescue in our area. Since then, we’ve built a corp of local volunteers who respond to help cold-stunned and stranded turtles. Getting a call about a nesting turtle wasn’t something we were prepared for, but with a couple of phone calls, Moriah Tyroch was on her way up from Corpus. As a staff member at Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) and a volunteer at Padre Island National Seashore, Moriah is specially trained to find, dig up and transport sea turtle eggs.

On the Texas Coast, the primary nesting turtle is the Kemp’s Ridley, the smallest (2 ft, 70 to 100 lbs) and most endangered of the world’s seven sea turtle species. In the1970s the National Park Service at Padre Island National Seashore established a program to increase nesting and form a secondary nesting colony. (The main nesting beaches are in Mexico.) Dr. Donna Shaver, Division Chief, has spent over 40 years developing and running the program which collects, incubates, and releases turtle hatchlings back into the Gulf of Mexico.

When we arrived at the Hegemeyers home on the bay side of Matagorda Peninsula, they were excited to take us in their vehicles to the nest sight. Even with the nesting area well marked, it was a challenge finding the eggs. Using a stick, Moriah gently and methodically probed the sand feeling for the cavity. Once located, she removed the sand above it until she reached the first of the eggs. Gently, she removed each egg and placed them in the Styrofoam cooler that she had lined with cool sand. We all counted as each one was added. 80 eggs in total went into the cooler that was suspended by bungies within a PVC frame and padded with soft foam. Back to Port O’Connor and the eggs were placed in Moriah’s truck for her to deliver them to the specially designed incubation facility at the National Seashore near Corpus.

The park service conducts public releases and posts the announcements on the Hatchling Release Hotline (361) 949-7163 and on their social media pages.

If you would like to see a video of the Hegemeyer’s turtle nesting on Matagorda Peninsula, go to www.SABayPartnership.org/sea-turtle-rescue

Remember, if you see a sea turtle on a beach, dead or alive, call the Texas Sea Turtle Hotline 866-887-8535. All sea turtles are endangered, protected, and closely studied throughout the world.

Brigid Berger Texas Master Naturalist and Mid-Coast Sea Turtle Rescue Coordinator

Moriah Tyroch, ARK retrieves turtle eggs while Brigid Berger, MCSTR keeps them shaded.

Congratulations to Clay Brumfield for representing Calhoun County 4-H at the 2024 Texas 4-H Round Up – Public Speaking Contest in College Station the first week of June.

Did you know that in Calhoun County there is a place where people can go to get a free shower along with toiletries and a change of clothes? Located at 1504 West Austin Street in Port Lavaca, it is open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm. The shelter is a 501-C3 and is funded by local churches, individuals, and the Memorial Medical Center. It was started in 2022 as a faith-based nonprofit and is staffed by volunteers. If you would like to volunteer contact Joel Flores at 361-550-9322.

The official opening date was March 5, 2024. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was June 5, 2024. Pictured are members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Oasis volunteers. From left to right are Ernest Yanez, Nancy Jaster, Cristal Fruedensprung, Monica Escalante, Judy Torres, Sasha Rodriquez, Joel Flores, Pam Flores, Laura King, and Cathy Buehring.

Since the Oasis Showers has been opened it has a regular flow of neighbors who need its services. The vision statement of the Oasis Showers is to refresh, to reconnect, and to restart individuals for a better life in Calhoun County. -Tanya DeForest

Barbara Ann Brandon, age 89, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2024.

Known to many as BA, she was born to Jimmy and Emma Lee Parker in Gruene, TX on September 30, 1934..
She attended school in Marion, TX where she ran track and received numerous medals.

Her history with Port O’Connor began in 1967 when her brother was stationed here with the Coast Guard. After several years of fishing trips and vacationing in POC, she moved here full-time with her husband, Harvey Brandon.
BA had a love of being outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, gardening, or just sitting on her porch visiting with friends.

She always looked forward to the Warriors Weekend event each year and enjoyed helping out where needed to prepare for the warriors’ arrival.

She is preceded in death by her husband, both parents, three brothers and a niece.

BA leaves behind to celebrate her memory, her two sons, Jamie Dierlam of Redmond, WA and Ray Dierlam of Houston, TX; sister Rita, and brother-in-law John Fluck of Vista, CA; sister-in-laws Peggy Krueger of Seguin, TX and Joy Parker of Fernley, NV; grandchildren Dustin Dierlam (Charlie) of Felton, TX, Samantha Codgill (Derrick) of Freeport, TX, Beau Dierlam of McAllen, TX, Heather McDade of Denham Springs, LA, Toby Stary of Inez, TX and Chelsea Rogers of Yorktown, TX; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

She was an inspiration to us all and we will miss her immensely.

In honor of BA, donations can be made to Hospice of South Texas.

We want to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Detar Cancer Center and Hospice of South Texas for the care she received with a special thanks to Lynn Rhodes for her endless care and support.

Thank you all the friends who visited or brought meals. our kindness will not be forgotten.

Andrea Ellen Sydor Gutierrez, 76, of Seadrift passed away April 26, 2024 in San Antonio.

She was born July 14, 1947, in Portland, Oregon to Anthony Andrew and Ellen Aust Sydor.

After graduating from Grant High School in Portland in ‘65 Andrea wed David Ethan Granum and raised three children. Michelle Jean(‘66), Charles David(67), Chance Micheal Patrick(‘72-’94). From ‘67 thru ‘74 the family crisscrossed the United States living in a 18 foot travel trailer towed by a pickup as David installed telephone switching equipment in small towns for Stromberg-Carlson, making it possible for direct dial telephones in rural communities.
Settling in the Foothills of the Uinta Mountains the family took up running a small farm. Andrea worked tirelessly, not only on the farm and the kids, but also as a news reporter for the radio station KNEU “The Country Canoe” and as a free lance newspaper reporter with stories picked up by The AP for nationwide publication, of which she was quite proud.

In ‘79 the family moved to Killeen, TX and Andrea secured a position in the newsroom at KIXS/KIIZ radio. Working her way up to news director for the station. She also worked for the Killeen Daily Herald as a print reporter. After leaving the news business, she worked for Busby and Associates as a private investigator.

She received the Texas Gavel Award in 1982 given by the State Bar of Texas for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism.

She then moved to Austin, TX where she worked as a supervisor for the City of Austin Health Department.

In Oct. of 1998 her second husband Emeterio Berlanga was tragically killed due to a boating accident on Lake Travis.

Her military career began in 1981 when she joined the Air Force Reserves. She completed her basic training as an honor grad and went to Lowry AFB, Colorado for training in Intelligence Operations. From there she returned to the 704th Fighter Squadron under the 924th Fighter Group at Bergstrom AFB in Austin. She received Outstanding Airman Of The Year for The Tenth Air Force and Tactical Air Command. When Bergstrom was deactivated, Andrea began cross training for medical services with the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas. She earned The Air Force Meritorious Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force Achievement Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award with 3 devices; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 device; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 devices; NATO Medal with 2 devices; plus many more accolades too numerous to list. She participated in the Bosnia/Herzegovina Campaign in support of Operation Joint Guard and Operation Joint Forge. Andrea’s most rewarding military missions was humanitarian efforts at Pine Ridge reservation helping the Oglala Souix with medical services and also Northern Alaska. She served with the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Lackland AFB until she retired on June 7, 2003, as a Master Sergeant.

While stationed at Lackland AFB, she met Raul G. Gutierrez, Sr. while she was working in Medical Services, and he was working in Medical Logistics. They were married April 18, 2002 and just celebrated their 22nd anniversary.

With a keen sense of humor and quick wit Andrea was not only funny and entertaining, she was very smart and was always wanting to learn more. She used her incredible tact to lead and compassion for others to leave an indelible mark for good in people’s lives. She will be missed by many. She was a big fan of Elvis Presley, loved playing hearts, fishing, traveling to different countries (a favorite trip being to Italy), and she was happiest when she was riding her Harley 883 CC Sportster. Andrea was an incredible friend. She loved many, she loved fiercely and was a complete and loyal friend. Andrea is loved by many and will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Raul G. Gutierrez, Sr.; daughter, Michelle Grimm (Garth); son, Charles Granum, brothers, James Cox, Roberto Sonny Camp; grandchildren, Natasha Simoneaux (Sean), and her two best friends Louine (Lou) Travis, and Teresa Reeves.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son Chance Granum.

A rosary was recited Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home followed by a memorial service at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church c/o Our Lady of the Gulf in support of the Ukraine effort, 415 W Austin, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 or www.milossanctuary.org.

Words of comfort and special memories may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com