Paula Moncrief was feted with a retirement party at Seadrift City Hall on March 22. Everyone enjoyed the good food and fellowship at the party which was hosted by the office staff.

Paula was hired as Seadrift City Secretary in 1995 and was known for her big smile and always helpful ways.

Thank you for your faithful service, Paula, and here’s wishing you a happy retirement!

Blessed with Great Family and Friends

Greetings from the island everyone. I hope all of you are doing well and enjoyed a wonderful Easter with family and friends. For the first time, I attended the POC Sunrise Service on front beach, venturing across the bay in the early morning darkness, and I’m so glad that I did. I enjoyed the company of friends and we sat and listened to the Word and watched the beautiful sunrise over Matagorda Bay. I’ll definitely be making this service an annual event.

Several weeks ago the family had our yearly little get together at the small family farm in Yoakum, having the relatives over and frying fish, oysters, shrimp puppies and all the sides. It was nice seeing everyone and spending time with mom and dad. It was also pretty seeing everything so green and the huge field of bluebonnets. I’ll still take the salt water over the woods, but it was a nice little change of scenery.

All of my tomato plants are now in the ground and doing very well. I planted 26 total and nine different varieties. During the first week or so, I have to keep them covered during the heat of the day until they can acclimate to the outside conditions.

The seaweed (sargassum), has started washing ashore on the island beach. It’s not in full force just yet, only coming in a few days at a time, but I expect before too long it will be covering the beach, several feet deep in places. The seaweed is an unsightly and smelly occurrence, but it does serve a purpose, eventually settling into the sand and helping with erosion. It’s also fun to see what treasures might become entangled in the seaweed and wash ashore.

Last week the hummingbirds started showing up on the island. I have two feeders out, and enjoy sitting on the porch and watching them buzz around and battle over the sugar water. There is always a dominant one that sits in wait to dive-bomb the others when they try to feed.

With the warm weather and Spring rains, the grass is really starting to grow out here. For extra income, I mow twelve places out here, so the two John Deere riders I have are starting to work overtime. But that’s ok, we can always use the rain on the island to replenish our underground water well systems. The beautiful yellow cactus flowers have also started blooming on the island.

I want to thank Don and Lori for the invite to their crawfish boil a few weeks ago. I had a great time and the mud bugs were delicious. We then ended the night at Britt and Susan’s place, sitting around the fire pit and relaxing. I’ve come to realize that there are special friends worth leaving the island for occasionally.
Thank all of you.

Well that’s it from the island for now. Everyone take care and have a great day.

Clint’s mom and dad,
Leona and Henry

We moved from Austin to POC nearly a year ago – And couldn’t be happier.

Here’s why.

The school. Port O’Connor Elementary is fantastic! Seriously. In Austin, I was touring every private school west of Highway 35, seeking an institution with stellar teachers, small classroom sizes, and a family atmosphere. I needed to feel like my children were safe. I wanted the intimate experience that only smaller schools can offer. The problem is that all those feelings of rainbows, bunnies, puppies and unicorns come at a price – usually thousands of dollars per month. That’s where one parent’s entire salary goes toward the children’s tuition. It’s hard to swallow.

Now, pan to POC – where you receive all such amenities at what’s technically a public school, but it sure feels like private. The faculty and staff are top-tier. Student-teacher ratios are ideal. Everyone feels like family. I know my children are safe. And, as an added bonus – it’s a mere four-minute commute from home to school! Beat that, Austin!

Long days. I honestly didn’t think it was possible, but it’s true. Days seems longer here and every weekend feels like vacation. In Austin on a Saturday, we’d be rushing from Book People to Toy Depot, from Whole Foods to Alamo Drafthouse, from Lucky Robot to Zilker Park (And I name specifics because it’s true). Sure, these are all things we adore about Austin, but I must admit that all that activity makes time fly, and at the end of the day, is that what we really want? For time to pass more quickly?

The beach. Where else can you walk the bayfront after you kiss the children goodbye for school? Or search for seashells after work? Or spend leisurely Sunday afternoons? Enough said.

Salty kids. As much as I want my kids to be cultured and to be raised with a world of diversity at their fingertips (Austin!), I never necessarily wanted them to grow up as “city kids”. I didn’t want them to be gamers or be forced into playground discussions over who does or does not already have the latest iPhone (not to mention, inquiries as to whose dad does or does not own their own tech company, etc.).

Here in POC, I feel like kids can be kids. They play outside. They swing from ropes. They get dirty. They play catch, they fish, they collect rocks. We ride bikes as a family! I’m no expert, but I do think that all these things contribute to a happy childhood. I believe we’re gifting them pleasant memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Prior to our move, they were on a sure path to being indoor-kids. Today, I’m proud to say that’s no longer true. We still love seeing the latest Pixar movie in a luxury theater, don’t get me wrong, but there’s a lot more fishing in between. Which brings us to my next point…

The fishing. I grew up fishing Matagorda Bay with my daddy (prior to moving away and claiming I’d never come back – Ha!). My favorite was always when he’d take me floundering, and I’d lay on the front of the aluminum boat watching the fish, crabs, and stingrays drift past.

Now, it’s my husband that’s my guide. He enjoys the outdoors, and living on the water has brought him much happiness. Fishing as a family and teaching our kids how to fish has become a favorite activity. Plus, the convenience of being right here on the water is all the more reason to turn off that tv and catch some fish!

Sure, there are many things we miss about the city, but for life here at the end of the road, the pros far outweigh the cons. Happy mom. Happy dad. Salty kids. Just living the POC Life – We love it here.

JD Busby is a writer from Austin, Texas, where she earned her Master’s Degree from St. Edward’s University. She and her husband now live in POC with their two children.

Janet Johnson

Janet Johnson was an outstanding and caring resident of Port O’Connor from the ‘50’s until her death earlier this year. This charming, little (in stature only), Cajun lady, was born and lived in a small town in Louisiana. She’d heard of the Texas coastal region around here being a place where a person could prosper, no matter their previous circumstances, and this enabled her to relocate here with her young children – Walter, Billy and Debbie Shotwell.

Janet immediately found employment in many places here in POC. She was one of the many helpful people in the old Strykers. As manager of Payne’s Fishing Center, Janet was known as the voice of Port O’Connor – she’d broadcast the current wind and wave situations, plus sites of fish activity for listening fishermen.

Following her marriage to Lewis Johnson, a retired Navy man, she and Lewis kept a bait shop located on the Intercoastal at the site of the former Bobby’s Baits, and she prepared delicious sandwiches and treats for all their customers. Lewis was renowned throughout this area as an exceptional fishing guide, and the couple hosted many sports writers in their home – Bob Brister being one of them.

Janet and Lewis raised two children of their own – Leafy and Charlie. Janet became a strong voice in the local elementary school’s PTO and took extreme pride in the achievements of her children. Her commitment to her children, grand-children, and great-grand-child was exhibited fully when Hailey Mang, her great-granddaughter came to live with her and Lewis. Hailey showed much scholastic promise, and Janet was so very proud of her, telling us all of what was happening in Hailey’s life.

Lewis and Janet attended many Naval reunions throughout the country. She’d speak with longing to return to those places in Florida, Charleston, and other areas that she enjoyed. She and Lewis had fun renewing old friendships with his former friends and shipmates.

The couple and their children were all here to ride out the strong visitor, Carla, when she came to call. Many homes were destroyed in that storm – many residents were left not just homeless but also without food or water. Janet always spoke with pride of the actions of the Salvation Army – how quickly they came into our area to help. One of the incidents shared was of how everyone had looked for glass bottles, formerly vessels of soft drinks and beer, which were then turned into necessary water bottles for survivors.

Our charming and lovely lady became a member of the POC Service Club. Although she was not a Charter member at the Club’s inception, she was there to fulfill her responsibilities as a member, becoming Secretary, Vice President, and then President for many years. Her primary aim was to have each and every member participate in the various activities of the Club – not to have the President or a few women run everything. Her delight was to see “newbies” and older members all working together on a service project. Additionally, she served as Secretary and Treasurer of the POC Community Center and worked well with many people to help see our community home built.

In her later years, Janet became the manager of Alvin’s Liquor Store, where she welcomed each and every person with a stunning smile and an offer to help. Her genuine goodbye to each was, “Hope to see you once again,” and was accompanied with another memorable smile. When Alvin’s closed, Noral MacCauley persuaded Janet to come work for him at another beverage store. To this day, Noral speaks of his admiration for Janet and her knowledge of the business that she was able to impart to him.

During Lewis’ illness, Janet was his primary health giver. The consuming job was always done with kind words a smile on her face. It can be difficult for a wife to assume that responsibility without additional professional help, but somehow, that indomitable woman was able to accept that role and do it well.

Janet was a member of Port O’Connor’s First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School. She also possessed a strong artistic talent which she exhibited in many ways throughout the years – one being the beautifully formed letters in her handwriting, as she took the proper amount of time in forming them. Her major talent, however, was showcased in ceramics. She was known for her unique ceramic Santa Clauses and spent many hours crafting these items for customers far and wide. Friends would gather at her shop during the season to help her fill her many orders. Her nativity figurines, which she donated to the Port O’Connor Service Club, are always on display at their annual Senior Citizen’s Christmas Luncheon.

I was privileged to serve with Janet as her publicist, her unofficial photographer for the Service Club, and also as her by-the-side assistant – which meant copying papers, filing, and sometimes drawing up an agenda. I treasure those moments I spent with her, hopefully being of help.

I, and so many others, will miss this icon of Port O’Connor, who follows in the footsteps of our two previous and adored women – Clara Hawes and Agnes Valigura.

Memorial services for both Janet and her daughter Debbie LeBouf will be held at the First Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22nd.