The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Museum of the Coastal Bend and San Antonio Bay Partnership are providing two opportunities this month to learn more about Texas’s many bird species.

On Thursday, April 21, the museum is screening the documentary “The Messenger,” a film about how songbirds are impacted by humans. A reception will be held at the Museum of the Coastal Bend starting at 5pm. At 5:30pm, Dr. Susan Heath, Avian Conservation Biologist with the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, will give remarks about threats to Texas’ coastal birds and how we can help. Following the speaker, the 90-minute documentary will be shown in Johnson Symposium, which is also located on the Victoria College campus. After the film (7:55-8:30pm), the public is invited to participate in a panel discussion on solutions for songbird survival. Panelists are Dr. Sandra Cochran, DVM, on the impact of spaying & neutering cats; Brent Ortego, TPWD Wildlife Diversity Biologist, on habitat loss & enhancement; and Dr. Susan Heath, on protecting coastal bird species. This program is free and open to the public.

On Saturday, April 23, you have a unique chance to visit the TNC Mad Island Marsh Preserve near Palacios to observe Smithsonian Migratory Bird biologists studying the many species of birds on their spring migration. The field trip runs from 8:30am-2:30pm includes lunch and presentation “The Amazing Journey of Migratory Birds”. Registration is $50 per person This fund raising event supports the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, the Museum of the Coastal Bend and San Antonio Bay Partnership. Space is Limited. Purchase tickets at www.sabaypartnership.org

“This field trip is an incredible opportunity to see Texas birds up close, and to experience the science that helps tell us about their lives,” says Isabel Ray, museum curator of education. “Here on the Coastal Bend, we’re lucky to be surrounded by so many species.”

For questions about the field trip or film contact Brigid Berger 713 825 1929 brigidberger@comcast.net To learn more about museum events, contact Isabel Ray at 361 582 2559 or isabel.ray@victoriacollege.edu.

The Museum of the Coastal Bend is located at 2200 East Red River in Victoria. Regular museum hours are 10am-4pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is pay-what-you-want. For more information, including a calendar of events, visit the website: www.museumofthecoastalbend.org.

Expression of Satisfaction…
Capt. Chris Martin
Bay Flats Lodge

Heavy Red Action with Capt. Harold Dworaczyk, Bay Flats Lodge

The dictionary defines the term “prospecting” as exploring an area, especially for mineral deposits; or to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits. Many coastal anglers have probably adopted a similar meaning for the word, only in a somewhat different context, as they are often required to explore and inspect many different areas and regions on a regular basis while searching for those silver-backed Specks and golden Reds.

More times than not, winds dictate how the fishing is going to work on any given day down here along the coast. That is why it is so very important for anglers to remember to fish the conditions, and not “the spot”. Many may even prospect new locations for each wind condition.

Here’s what I mean: Go to your kitchen pantry, open the door, and take note of the many different varieties of food groups. Now imagine each of the boxes, or cans, as being different varieties of wind conditions (instead of food groups).

As example, while taking inventory of the pantry, you happen to note you’ve four boxes of SSE wind at 3-mph, but only one box of NW wind at 20-mph. If while on your next fishing trip you find you are faced with a NW wind at 20-mph, you only have one box to choose from in the pantry that contains many different varieties.
This situation places a lot of anglers in a sudden state of turmoil as to where to go from there, and many begin second-guessing other available options – all the time not knowing for sure because they have not properly prospected other areas or regions.

Another common example might be that you have been waiting all week to go fishing. You get down to the hotel and awaken at 3:30 am the next morning only to discover that the wind has the palm trees thrashing from side-to-side, and you immediately realize that your favorite fishing spot is undoubtedly blown-out. Or, maybe it’s not blown-out. You may realize your favorite spot is sufficiently protected from a wind coming from this direction, so you pack up the gear and your buddies, and you’re off on your way across the bay, only to discover upon arrival at your favorite spot that another early-riser beat you there, or that someone pitched a tent overnight in order to beat everyone there. There goes your spot – enough said!

This is why it is always a good idea to prospect, remembering never to limit yourself based solely upon those areas which are most familiar to you. Always make it a practice to build wind conditions into many different scenarios (many different varieties).

Now that conditions are getting warmer, we wish to remind everyone not to get too comfortable with the fantastic Spring weather! Yes, it feels good not to be under the confines of several layers of clothes, but this time of year can present drawbacks as well. Remember to protect your arms and legs with long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and protect your exposed skin with an ample of amount of sunscreen during the day. You’ll be glad you did!

Remember to practice CPR, “Catch, Photo, and Release”, whenever possible on trophy Trout and Reds…Guide Chris Martin, Port O’Connor/Seadrift region. www.BayFlatsLodge.com…1-888-677-4868

School Year: 2015 – 2016 – 3rd 9 Weeks

A Honor Roll

First Grade: Clay Brumfield, Briley Clark, Aspen Crittenden, Colten Evans, Alexis Green, Matilyn Gibson, Keegan Goode, Brice Petrisky, Ashton Sternadel, Callum Taylor, Lorena Torres, Dusty Waghorne

Second Grade: Layne Brown, Jada Dean, Kylee Gray, Zoey Henning, Jaxson Key, Layla Myers, Christina Ragusin, Kyle Staggs

Third Grade: Maci Bryan, Briley Christensen, Braylyn Galloway

Fourth Grade: Andrea Hataway, Trinity Morgan, Jonathan Nguyen

Fifth Grade: Tres Canales, Eda Gilliland, Ayden Maddux, Jacob Nguyen, Hector Perez

Sixth Grade: Evan Clifton, Maritza Jaramillo

Seventh Grade: None

Eighth Grade: Keegan Brumfield, Lydia Cowan, Ethan Mikolas, Liliana Torres, Casey Wooldridge

A/B Honor Roll

First Grade: Marisol Banda, Kendell Cady, Kayden Garza, Alaina Morgan

Second Grade: Sarah Armbruster, Kingston Cady, Cody Castillo, Gunner Evans, Dayz Hinds, Emma Lancaster, Logyn Middaugh, Matthew Morgan, Isaac Perez, Kevin Turner, Maddie Webel

Third Grade:

Taylor Blevins, McKenna Boedeker, Conner Cobb, Brilee Crittenden, Layton Davenport, Natalie Hunt, John Jacobs,
Kidron Lehtinen, Mackenzie Moncrief, Dillon Morales, Sabrina Nguyen, Trevon Ragusin, Nevaeh Rangel, Ethan Saenz

Fourth Grade: Rhiannon James, Braeden Ragusin, Morgan Russell, Mia Salazar, Tyler Salinas, Natalia Zarate
Fifth Grade: Isabella Arraiga, McKenzie Bierschwale, Keaton Cady, Zayda Estrada, Creasie Gohlke, Kathy Huerta, Vivian Ledesma,
Tim Pham

Sixth Grade: Noah Estrada, Tyger Whatley-Ballard

Seventh Grade: Spencer Allen, Colin Carabajal, Alex Flood, Caleb Lehtinen, Jamie Martinson, Fernie Mendez, Stormy Mills,
Franklin Murcia Rivera, Jason Nguyen, Jacob Ruiz, Kristopher Salinas, Joseph White

Eighth Grade: Bryant Bordovsky, Emily Cain, Destiny Chandler, Brenda Ledesma, Hunter Mitchell, Danny Munoz, Alyssa Reyna,
Amber Rodriguez, Michael Sachtleben, Morgan Sanders

Port O’Connor School A Honor Roll
1st Row: Aubrey Ragusin, Gracie O’Shields, Landon Jones, Connor Ferrell, Kyndra Carriles, Grace Brown, Nicholas Ragusin

2nd Row: Emily Ferrell, Byron Ferrell, Luke Doggett, Blake Bowman, Shelby Wehat, Brayson Thumann, Alex Lopez

3rd Row: Maddix Delgado, Stephen Bowman, Cole Spicak, Jaydin Rhoads, Lyric Lopez, Rylie Ragusin, Justice Epley

4th Row: Gage Spencer, Matthew Stapp, Kyle Doggett, Alex Mallory, McKenna Guevara, Dane Spencer

Port O’Connor School AB Honor Roll

1st Row: Jackie Gutierrez, Mato Sanchez, Leland Carriles
2nd Row: Christopher Richter, Keegan Short, Landin Rhoads, Antonio Gloria, Hagen Rhoads

3rd Row: Ashton Albrecht, Alexzaria Lopez, Annabelle Thurman, Ayden Brown

Port O’Connor School Perfect Attendance

1st Row: Laela Aranda, Abygail Gonzales, Lena Luers, Madden Guevara, Avery Gosnell, Marcos Blanco, Dalton Fowler

2nd Row: Landon Jones, Leland Carriles, Kyndra Carriles, Audrey Rhoads, Kobe Guzman, Christian Gutierrez, Bradley Eure, Pryncess Few

3rd Row: Maddix Delgado, Lyric Lopez, Alex Lopez, Adamariz Zuniga, Mato Sanchez, Nicholas Ragusin, Aubrey Ragusin, Shaneesa Mallory

4th Row: Ashton Albrecht, Christopher Richter, Hagen Rhoads, Alex Mallory, Antonio Gloria, Cole Spicak, Landin Rhoads, Keegan Short

5th Row: Matthew Stapp, Sergio Sanchez, Dylan Ramirez, Alexzaria Lopez, Kyle Doggett

Bringing Up Grades (BUG) Award
Ethan Redding
Also pictured: Principal Tiffany O’Donnell

SEADRIFT – Elvira O. Carabajal age 72 went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 22, 2016. She was born September 11, 1943 in Driscoll, TX to the late Fernando Ovalle, Sr. and Socorro Ovalle. Her family was very important to her especially her grandchildren. She was a devoted Catholic and homemaker.

She is preceded in death by her father, husband, Juan A. Carabajal, brother, Fernando Ovalle, Jr., sister, Josephine Ovalle, and grandsons Jesus Camacho and Dillon Flores.

She is survived by her children Leonardo Flores, Jr., Andres Flores, Mary Ellen Gonzales (Mike), Patsy Morales (Homer), Socorro Gonzales (Claudio), Dolores Mendez (Fred), Lionel Carabajal (Amy). She is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held March 24, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Church in Seadrift. Burial followed at Seadrift Cemetery in Seadrift.

Pallbearers were Lonnie Flores, Ernest Flores, Eric Morales, Claudio Gonzales Jr., Joseph Mendez, Marcus Carabajal, Michael Flores, and Carlos Gonzales.