You are invited to the annual banquet of the Pregnancy Help Center in Port Lavaca on April 5th at the Bauer Community Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Program begins at 6:15pm. The guest speaker will Carol Everett. Table for 8: $300 Table for 12: $400  Individual seats: $40  For more information call 361.551.2102

The April meeting for Calhoun County Democratic Club will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at the Calhoun County Library, in the community room, 200 W Mahan St., Port Lavaca.

Social/potluck is at 5.30pm and the meeting starts at 6pm.

Got questions? Concerned about democracy? Come and join us.

You can RSVP for our monthly meetings here:

mobilize.us/calhouncountydemocrats/event/457242/

Is it just me, or did spring come early this year?  Other than the brief winter storm and few days of below freezing temperatures, it has been such a mild winter.  These warmer temperatures make me excited for spring, because every year there is such a beautiful wildflower show!  Flowers such as bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes will soon be popping up.

Here in Texas, even the bluebonnet has a story behind its importance and adoration.  It is said that a nun in a blue cloak mysteriously appeared to the Jumano tribe in the 1700s.  When she appeared, the fields suddenly filled with deep blue flowers that were the same color as her cloak.

The bluebonnet became the Texas state flower in the early 1900s, and in the 1930s, the Texas Highway department initiated a dramatic beautification program along state roads.  Today, many Texans look forward to seeing the bluebonnets growing across the hill country.  For me, it is the start of spring, and I know when I see bluebonnets that I’ll soon also see many other flowers making their yearly appearance.  My family used to partake in the annual tradition of taking photos in the bluebonnets at a random spot along the highway, joining many others in this local highlight.

While some flowers may not have the best story or myth associated with them, most native flowers will attract different types of wildlife, from bumblebees to hummingbirds.  As we go into spring, look for native flowers when you do your gardening, and who knows?  Maybe your garden will turn into an oasis.

Many flowers have symbolic meanings, or are tied to folklore or mythology, and many floral myths have led to the modern flower meanings and associations.  For example, peonies may represent bashfulness, which comes from the Aphrodite, a Greek god, catching the gods Paeonia and Apollo flirting.  The story goes that Paeonia was embarrassed, but Aphrodite was jealous and turned Paeonia into a red peony.

Apollo, the sun god, seems to be the cause of much pain in Greek mythology, because there was another goddess who was in love with him.  Clytie, a water nymph, was heartbroken when Apollo left her for a sea goddess, and after spending days without food and water watching for Apollo, she turned into a sunflower, with her face permanently facing the sun.

And then there’s Narcissus, the Greek God who was obsessed with himself.  Narcissus was renowned for his beauty, and he knew it.  Narcissus was lured to a pond, where he could only gaze at his reflection.  He became so upset at his reflection’s unrequited love that he turned into a daffodil, which is also called a narcissus flower.

Carnations were often used in ceremonial crowns and garlands, and were used to honor the Greek gods. But they were also used in fortune telling.  Tulips may symbolize undying love and star-crossed lovers.  Lotuses are considered sacred in some Asian cultures.

Bees on a sunflower. Photo credit: Mustang Joe, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

To apply, please call, text, or email Jessika Mendez, WGTEN Chair of Advancement, at jmendez@grnvictoria.com or (979) 257-8905 with your name, email address, and school you plan to attend in Fall 2025 to receive instructions on how to complete the online application.

WGTEN is offering three $1,000 Impact Scholarships in 2025. Eligibility requirements include: Female US Citizen Resident of Victoria, Calhoun, Jackson, Lavaca, DeWitt, Goliad, or Refugio County GPA of 2.75 or higher Plan to attend a community/technical/vocational school or a US college/university that offers baccalaureate degrees in Fall 2025.

WGTEN is sponsoring a $2,000 Outright Grant in 2025. Eligibility requirements include: Female US Citizen Completed at least 60 credit hours GPA of 3.0 or higher Seeking baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited US college/university offering baccalaureate degrees in Fall 2025,

Scholarship applicants must apply online with a biographical sketch, three professional letters of reference, and their most recent official transcript. Eligible students may apply for both the $1,000 Impact Scholarships and the $2,000 Outright Grant.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 15, 2025. Recipients will be announced, and checks awarded at the WGTEN monthly meeting on July 10, 2025. Scholarship recipients will receive a year’s student membership with ABWA and WGTEN. We encourage recipients to be involved with WGTEN by attending monthly meetings and volunteering at fundraisers and/or activities. At least 3 completed scholarship applications MUST be received in order for each scholarship to be awarded. Each check is payable to the scholarship recipient and the educational institution jointly. Checks must be cashed within 6 months of issuance. Checks not deposited after 6 months will be fortfeited.

Weekly Events:
Wednesdays:    8:30 am-9:30 am Coffee & Conversation at POC  Library
Wednesdays:    9:30-10:30 am Bingo followed by Loteria
Wednesdays:    4:30 pm Boy Scouts meet at Scout Hall in Seadrift
Wednesdays:    1:00-3:00 Mah Jongg, POC Library
Wednesdays:    5:30 Team Kids. POC Baptist
Thursdays:    POC Bridge at Library 1:00-3:40 pm
Saturdays:    7:00 pm Friends of Bill W at First Baptist Church POC
Monthly Meetings:
1st Sunday    Intercoastal 4-H
5:30 pm        Port O’Connor Community Center
2nd Monday     Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce
6:00 pm        Port O’Connor Library
3rd Wednesday     Seadrift Chamber of Commerce
6:00 pm        Seadrift Train Depot
3rd Thursday    POC Water Board Meeting
1:00 pm        39 Denman Drive
1st Saturday    Roll Off Bin
8-2 or until full    Behind the POCID office
Sat., March 29    Paul Staggs Concert  6:00 pm Seadrift Community Church
Sun., March 30    Spaghetti Dinner  12:30 pm  Call 361-655-8224 for Tickets
Thurs., April 3    Port O’Connor Service Club  10:00 am  POC Community Center
Sat., April 5    Service Club’s Mega Garage Sale  8:00-2:00  POC Community Center
Sat., April 5    Pregnancy Help Center Banquet  6:00 pm  Bauer Center 361-551-2102
Thurs., April 17    Port O’Connor Service Club  10:00 am  POC Community Center
Sun., April 20    Easter Sunrise Service  6:45 am  Seadrift Bayfront Pavilion
Sun., April 20    Easter Sunrise Service  7:00 am  King Fisher Beach, Port O’Connor
Sat., April 26    Crawfish Fest & Cook-off  King Fisher Beach, POC