Most of the citizens of Port O’Connor know that at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the churches and many other groups and individuals get together and try to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to the needy, not the greedy, of this community. This year, our funds are extremely low, so low, in fact, that we may not be able to provide a basket for everyone who requests one. We need about $4,500 each year to accomplish our goal of providing a food basket that will help families with much more than just a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. We know that kids are out of school for several days and that adds additional meals for needy families.

There is the P.O’C. Benevolence Fund that has been established for many years at the local bank. Those who wish to help by giving a cash donation can simply take it to First National Bank or can give it to any of the local churches who will then deposit it in the account. There are those who have given canned goods and those can be dropped of at Fisherman’s Chapel, which is the distribution point.

Those needing, and we are stressing NEEDING food baskets, must call Pastor Erny at 361/218-6693 by November 20. Distribution will be on November 22.

We will be starting a list for Christmas Baskets, which must be requested by December 15, in order for distribution to be made on December 20.
We know that our economy has been greatly diminished this year, but together we can accomplish anything. Thank you for your help!

-Erny McDonough

The First Baptist Church youth group and the Intercoastal 4H teamed up on Wednesday, November 9th to collect canned goods and non perishable foods to help restock the Port O’Connor food bank.

Donations are going towards this year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for those in need. There is a donation can located at Speedy Stop for the months of November and December. The groups, along with the girl scouts, will be at Speedy Stop on December 7th from 5:00 -7:00 collecting food again.
-Candice Stryker

Perfect Beach Bonfire Weather

Greetings from the island everyone; hope all of you are doing well and enjoyed a nice Halloween and then Veterans Day weekend. I enjoy seeing the posted pictures of all the kids dressed up in their various costumes and outfits to go trick-or-treating.

The weather is starting to feel great out here on the island, nice cool mornings and late evenings and nights. This type of Fall weather has been wonderful for several beach bonfires that I have had with good friends lately. Just being on the beach itself is good for the soul, I am a true believer in that, and then add a cozy night bonfire while sitting around it and talking and dancing with friends, it simply does not get much better than that. I just have to keep plenty of Aleve on hand, to help with the soreness after constructing these towers of beach wood to burn. But it’s all good, plus I need the exercise.

We all occasionally go through rough and trying times, so I enjoy helping out friends that might be treading water during these instances, in an effort to bring them happiness. . and the beach and bonfires are a sure way to do just that. True good friends are hard to come by, and I am honored to have those that I do.
Well, the chickens only have another few weeks of island life, then they are off to other places. Approaching three years old, their egg productivity has dwindled way down, to the point I’m spending more on feed than the eggs that I sell bring in. So two separate islanders will take them to their mainland properties and enjoy them with getting the occasional eggs they might lay. In April I will begin again, ordering more baby chicks to continue with my chickens. So it will be a while before anyone gets island fresh eggs, including myself.

I’m happy to see through Facebook that the local communities of POC, Seadrift and Port Lavaca are playing the “decorated rock” game. Small rocks are painted with different sayings and drawings, and then hid around town to be found by others. The finder should then take a picture of the found rock, post the pic on Facebook indicating where it was found, and then re-hide it themselves. It’s a great way for community and small town involvement, and is one of the many reasons we should all be thankful to live in these wonderful small towns, or the island. And yes, I have found a painted rock on the island, and have re-hid one. So start looking for those rocks!

My Fall tomato plants look absolutely wonderful, nice and lush and green, but the blossoms simply will not set tomatoes. I believe it’s too cool of weather, having gotten a late start was a negative thing for me. Oh well, the chickens will enjoy eating the plants.

Corky is adapting very well to the island; that dog loves the beach and water. I can see that not even five months old yet, he is going to be a big boxer. And I also found out that he discovered there could possibly be discarded food in the outside trash can, and he will pull out every single article contained therein until he finds it! So guess who had to invest in a new trash can with a very securable lid. This dog is a handful.

I want to wish my mom, Leona, a very happy belated birthday. Having just turned 24, with the responsibility of raising five young kids those years ago, had to be a nearly impossible task. You did a wonderful job and you are an amazing woman. I love you, Mom.

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

Each holiday season for the past many years, a group of volunteers has come together to present a gift of Christmas music to our area. Under the direction of Nancy Childress, they spend many hours of practice to create a truly inspirational and entertaining program.

This year, the musical program consists of the following: “Advent Round”, “A Carol Celebration”, “Were You There on That Christmas Night?”, “I Saw Three Ships”, “Mary, Did You Know?” (Kathleen Shott, soloist), “Cradle Carol”, “Soon and Very Soon” and “Peace, Peace”.

Performances are free and are scheduled as listed:

Sunday, December 4:
9:00 a.m. St. Patrick Church, Seadrift
6:00 p.m. First Assembly of God, Seadrift
Thursday, December 8:
6:00 p.m. Trinity Shores, Port Lavaca
Friday, December 9:
2:00 p.m. Seadrift School
Sunday, December 11:
11:00 a.m. First United Methodist Church, Seadrift
6:00 p.m. First Baptist Church of Seadrift

Seadrift Community Choir Members
Frances Brown
Lorena Barjenvruch
Rosa Mary Caddell
Vickie Campbell
June Cantrell
Nancy Childress
Carolyn Cowan
Sally Cross
Schuler DeBruin
Mary Dillon
Gina Fisher
Tommy Fisher
Becky Gray
Raul Gurierrez
Patrick Henley
Jesse Hubbell
Lynda Hunter
Joyce Key
Patricia Massey
Linda Middaugh
Vicky Morgenroth
Lynn Pfeifer
Barbara Reese
Gary Reese
Kathy Riske
Kathleen Shott
Barbara Stanfill
Melba Tanner
Cindy Timian
Caroline Tumlinson
Carolyn Van Hoozer
Geraldine Williams
Glenn Williams

WOW!! What a success the “Trunk or Treat” event turned out to be. This year after the Port O’Connor School Halloween Carnival the Chamber sponsored the first ever “Trunk or Treat” in POC. “THANKS” to Mary Frances Bauer for being the chairperson and suggesting we promote this idea in our community. If you missed it, for Halloween, people decorated and dressed up, lining up at King Fisher Park. I don’t think anyone imagined that the turnout would be such a hit. So much imagination was used and so many children enjoyed, I should correct that, not just children, I along with other adults was amazed. Winners for best decorated “trunk” were: Darla Parker and Michelle Davis; runner up: Hurricane Junction; honorable mention: POC Coast Guard. So hope you plan on being there next year. Goes to show, you are never too old to dress up and get in the spirit of Halloween.

On November 12th, was the Bar-B-Q Cookoff, in which POC Service Club, POC Library and POC Chamber worked together to help raise more funds to help in building a new Library in the community. Thanks to all who came out and supported the cause.

Annual Christmas Party

At the December Chamber of Commerce meeting, Dec.12th, the Annual Chamber Christmas Party and Election of five board members for 2017 will be held. If you would like to be on the ballot or know of a current member that would like to be on the ballot, please contact –361-983-2898–or email–361poc@gmail.com by December 1, 2016.

You do not need to be a Chamber member to attend this event, “EVERYONE IS INVITED” so please come and enjoy visiting with neighbors and community.
Where: The Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. For more info give us a call.

Everyone have a safe Thanksgiving.

New and Renewed Members:
Cathy’s Restaurant
J & H Seafood
POCTX

Trunk or Treat on King Fisher Beach