On May 19 we will have the privilege of welcoming veterans of our Armed Services to our area.

On that day a small group of veterans from Combat Marine Outdoors will arrive in Seadrift for their annual fishing trip.

And it’s also the day that wounded warriors arrive in Victoria, to be joined on Saturday, the 21, by hundreds more for the tenth annual Warrior’s Weekend in Port O’Connor.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet them!

Are you counting the days down? Come enjoy two days of festival fun and “Dancing under the Pavilion” at our 36th Annual Shrimpfest – June 17th & 18th – on Seadrift Bayfront overlooking the beautiful San Antonio Bay.

We will have Food and Crafts booths, observe or participate in many contests: Horseshoes, Washers, Volleyball (Co-Ed Teams), Shrimp Gumbo Cook-Off, Shrimp Eating contest, Kid’s Fishing Tournament, and the our 1st Annual Shrimpfest Fishing Tournament.

There will be a Kidz Korner with Identikid, Face Painting, Rides & Games, and Inflatable Monster Obstacle.

Our famous Shrimpfest Pageant is back and it will include Miss Shrimpfest (14¬-18 Years), Junior Miss Shrimpfest (11-¬13 Years), Little Miss (7¬-10 Years), Tiny Miss & Little Mister (4¬-6 Years), Teeny Miss & Tiny Mister (1¬-3 years), and Baby Miss & Mister (under 1).

Dance under the stars to La Soledad and The Emotions on Friday and Todd Dorn & The Sea Drifters with closing by Larry Joe Taylor on Saturday.

Gates Open 3pm Friday & 8am Saturday – Gate Fee $5 on Friday and Saturday, $10 starting at 6pm Saturday – Kids under 6 FREE (Must be accompanied by an adult).  Don’t forget to buy your Shrimpfest T-Shirt early May or at event! Come one, Come all!

All Registration forms can be found at www.seadriftchamber.com or call (361) 237-0406.

Clint’s Island Paradise as it was about 10 years ago, painted by Phyllis Hatton.

Some have told me that I am living their dream, while others have said that I must be out of my mind.

In March 2006 I retired from the Victoria Police Dept. after 22 years of service, having performed those duties for exactly half of my life. Though I’ve missed the camaraderie, it was time to move on, and I’ve never looked back.

In January 2000 I had purchased an acre of undivided interest on this barrier island, four miles across Matagorda Bay from mainland Port O’Connor, TX. The property is accessible by boat only, and the proper name for it is Matagorda Peninsula, even though in reality it is an island, becoming so in 1962 when the Corp of Engineers cut a quarter mile wide swath through the peninsula, making this piece of land completely surrounded by water. This enormous dredging project, now called the Big Jetties, created a jetty passageway for ships and tankers to access the local industrial factories via the Gulf of Mexico. The barrier island is roughly four miles long and 3/4 mile wide, totaling 1,500 acres.

With the help of a skilled carpentry friend, Louis Boldt, construction slowly began on an octagon designed two-story cabin, 600 square feet total. I boated 225 bags of Kwik-Crete across the bay, 20 bags at a time (that’s 18,000 lbs!), to pour a slab first, mixing four bags at a time. Keep in mind that ALL materials must come by boat across an often times rough open water bay, so the building process was slow and very laborious.

The day finally arrived when the cabin was dried in, so now I could at least get out of the weather and not have to boat back to the mainland at the end of each day that we were constructing. Other than some native salt water cedars in one area of the island, there are no trees, so I would have to put my own saplings in the ground. But would anything even grow on a barrier island surrounded by salt water?

Finding a source of fresh water would be vital in staying out here and any hopes of growing anything. I learned that provided you get far enough back from the bay shoreline, at least a quarter mile, an underground fresh rain water basin could be utilized. Fresh water is less dense than salt water, therefore it remains suspended above the salt water level. Sure enough, using a gasoline powered post-hole digger with extension, there was fresh water about 12 feet down. A four inch PVC sand point and casing was pushed down, and an above ground 12 volt Flojet pump was used to pull the water up through a half inch PVC pipe inside the casing. A solar panel keeps the single deep cycle battery charged that operates the pump. This fresh water was also used to mix the 225 bags of Kwik-Crete for the cabin foundation. I’ve had this fresh well water system for 16 years total now, using it for all of my outside water needs.

Having fresh water, I then began getting a grass yard and trees started. Laying down about twenty 10”x10” squares, I was able to get a St. Augustine grass yard growing, and it has done really well over the years, bouncing back even after being covered with salt water from hurricanes. In May 2002 I planted six small palms, 16 inches tall, across the front yard, and these palms are now over 20 feet tall! I’ve also been able to grow beautiful Norfolk pines, fig trees, a magnolia and other various plants and bushes.

After retiring in March 2006, I moved to the island full time, making it my only residence, having no dwellings of any kind on the mainland, and I have no regrets. My inside cabin water is rain water that I collect in two 500 gallon tanks, pumped into the cabin with another 12 volt pump connected to a battery bank with solar panels on the roof. My lights and ceiling fans are also 12 volt, and several inverters tied into the battery system operate any 110 volt items, including a TV that I have primarily to keep track of the tropics during hurricane season. My fridge, freezer, stove, water heater and winter heater all operate off propane, using 5 and 10 gallon tanks that I transport to the mainland to be filled.

Being conservative comes without even thinking about it now. It’s amazing how much a person can conserve, and do without, when you live completely off-grid and rely on Mother Nature for power and water. I have a generator that I use for a washing machine, and for drying them I use a solar clothes dryer … also known as a clothes line. The first few summers I also used the generator to occasionally run a window AC unit, but it hasn’t been turned on in over seven years now. I’ve pretty much acclimated myself to the sultry south Texas weather conditions here on the island. Plus, I hate the noise of a loud generator.

Aerial view of island compound

In 2008 I began my gardening and chicken raising endeavors, constructing raised planting beds, using a portion of island soil and hauling across bags of top soil, and also mixing in organic fertilizers of lime, seed meal and bone meal. I also began making my own compost using fresh grass clippings, cow manure, chicken manure, coffee grounds and sea weed that I collect from the beach and rinse off. I’ve also made raised planters from plastic 30 and 55 gallon barrels that wash ashore, cutting them in half lengthways. With gardening advice from my dad and lots of reading, I have grown wonderful tomatoes, peppers, squash, watermelons and cantaloupes. I also built a small greenhouse where I start everything from seeds before planting into the ground. There is a real sense of satisfaction being able to eat a delicious vine ripened tomato that you started from a tiny seed.

In September 2008 I built a chicken pen and coop, and began raising chickens, starting out with eight, and eventually having as many as fifty chickens. I’ve settled into getting 20 new baby chicks, and a few baby guineas, every three years when it’s time to replace the old ones. I order the chicks/guineas and they arrive at the Post Office, three days old and always very healthy. I love having chickens, and I use the surplus eggs to sell and barter with.
I go by boat to the mainland for supplies and to check for mail every 7-10 days, depending on weather conditions. I enjoy scouting the beach and bay shoreline for what treasures may have washed up. The only wildlife to speak of on the island are a few raccoons, coyotes and unfortunately an abundance of rattlesnakes. I’ve killed 26 rattlers since living full time out here, five of them within twenty feet of my front door! Funny story, years ago I received an email from a guy reading my articles, saying I shouldn’t kill the rattlesnakes, they are living creatures and should at least be re-located. I replied back that I would gladly attempt to capture and relocate them to his yard, I simply needed his address. . he never replied back. Idiot.

I truly love living on this barrier island, and being largely self-sufficient. My goal is to become more and more so, knowing that I’ll never be 100% self-sustaining, but I can try. I cannot imagine having to reside back on the mainland, and God willing, will never have to do so. I rarely get lonely out here on the island, but instead enjoy the peaceful solitude. My saddest day on the island, without question, was my faithful and beloved first mate boxer, Barnacle, drifting off to heaven as I held him in my arms. He now watches over me from above, and looks forward to me getting another puppy soon, and we will name him Corky.

In April 2014 I inherited two 2-week old kittens after they were found in the anchor box of a fellow islanders boat while it was parked on the mainland. Not knowing the kittens were there, the anchor was thrown off the side of the boat and one of the tiny kittens became entangled in the rope and went overboard. The kitten was rescued and I named her Anchor, and her sister I named Jetty. I bottle-fed the sister kittens for several weeks, and now they are beautiful cats that do a wonderful job in keeping my rat population in check.
I’ve met so many wonderful people during my years out here on the island. True islanders are good people, always willing to help when called upon, especially Bubba, Joe, Chuckie and Leo.

Being an off-grid homesteader on a barrier island surrounded by billions of gallons of salt water can be accomplished, it simply takes determination. . . and maybe being a little bit out of your mind.

CLINT BENNETSEN is a retired police detective and now lives full time on Matagorda Peninsula Island, and writes a monthly column for the Dolphin Talk. To comment or ask questions of Clint, he can be contacted at ccbennetsen@yahoo.com or dolphin1@tisd.net.

Commemorative Plaque at King Fisher beach, honoring more than 25 years of community Sunrise Services. Created by Darrell and Jo Beth Staff and Eclipse Tinting & Glass and erected by the Port O’Connor Community Service Club.

Easter Sunrise Service at Kingfisher Beach is a fine tradition in POC. Somewhere between 600-700 people joined together to celebrate the belief that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday over 2000 years ago. People came from as close as across the street and as far as 1,800 miles away to be a part of this special time. Locals, Weekenders, Snowbird Texans, POC children and grandchildren, families and extended families anxiously plan and await the worshipful experience of Easter Sunrise at the Beach.

The POC Service Club erected a stonework cross and commemorative plaque to honor more than 25 years of joining together for this traditional celebration. The beautiful stone cross, reminiscent of Jesus’ empty stone tomb, was created and donated by local artisans Darrell and Jo Beth Staff. The graphics work on the plaque was graciously donated by Eclipse Tinting and Glass of Port Lavaca owners Mike and Tammy Ward and their amazing daughter Cassie.
Doyle Adams and his precious son, who comes yearly to help, and men of First Baptist Church were up well before the dawn as they are every year to set up the sound system and chairs for the services. Cathy Osborne of Cathy’s Restaurant worked early before closing on Easter to provide homemade cinnamon rolls for those attending. Fisherman’s Chapel members brought coffee and juice, cookies and rolls and then served with a smile to start the day. (A special shout out to Susie, James and John for serving.)

Pastors Donnie Martin of 1st Baptist and Ernie McDonough of Fisherman’s Chapel, Raymond Grant and the melodious acapella choir of 1st Baptist all rose early and planned carefully and prepared well to share their heart, their music and their message so early that morning.

Someone asked me who to thank for the lovely morning. I want to thank each of these people. I also want to thank our community. It is a rare treat to see such a gathering of hope, love and joy in today’s world… The group that gathered crossed boundaries of every type including cultural, generational, geographical, and religious. There was no indication of who you associated with or those you didn’t. It was simply neighbors and friends gathered to celebrate a world changing historical event that offers hope, opportunities to give to others and for many, a reason for life. More importantly, there was unity in joy of the morning, differences did not separate and opinions did not cause avoidance.

Despite the fog and mosquitoes, humidity and chill, the atmosphere of sharing was warm and caring and greetings between old friends and friends not yet known was open and easy. Even in a small community, that is a reason for celebration, and may speak to the strength of the message of new hope and new beginnings inherent in the life of Jesus and the celebration of His resurrection. The morning was indeed a sunny one in our small town even without the sun appearing.

So when you are thanking those who worked to coordinate our Sunrise Services, don’t forget to thank God that we still have the opportunity to live where such a celebration is possible.

4H Volunteers at the Garage Sale

Did you see that pink yard flamingo with red high heels fishing with a shiny green pole? Well, I bought it at the POC Service Club Community Garage Sale. No, really, I did! That and many other things I never knew I needed were all for sale. We had our spring garage sale last weekend and the turnout was just great! Many of you donated, shopped, bought treasures and baked goods and even came back for our famous $1 sale. To you we say “Thank You!”. All of the proceeds go to projects and improvements in our community. We will award scholarships to 2016 graduates next month. Our community locator map and pet potty stations installed earlier this year are getting lots of use. The stone cross erected at Kingfisher Beach to commemorate 25 plus years of Easter Sunrise services was a project we were proud to lead. We are in the process of retrenching the sand volleyball court further up the beach, and have other new and varied projects in the works.

The garage sale is a huge undertaking, and would never be possible without lots of assistance. Club members work very hard, but husbands, boyfriends, sons, brothers and friends work just as hard. Community people pitch in and do so much to make us look successful. Coast Guard members give us time and much needed muscle, 4H members pitched in and give time before and on the sale day, and many others give us a helping hand when needed.

This year we had a new partner in the project. It is always a concern what to do with what is left and how to use it to make a difference. Pastor Jason Langley of Project Hope Recovery Center not only offered scrumptious snow cones on garage sale day, but he and his ministry workers helped box all the garage sale leftovers and hauled them to Houston. Those clothes, household goods, electronics and other materials will be put to good use helping people who need a hand up. Project Hope is a Christian Faith based comprehensive program providing solutions to life controlling problems like substance abuse, violence and homelessness. Men and women become emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well and spiritually sound through comprehensive care and services, and can live free from life controlling addictions. The free 12-month residential program serves people within our area and surrounding communities all the way to the Houston area. Rescued lives with new hope is the outcome of the residential treatment program. Treatment Homes may use the goods donated, or may benefit from repurposing them as needed. We are proud to partner with them in this work, and pleased to have a useful way to upcycle the garage sale remnants and leftovers. Thanks Jason and team for all you do!

So, if you missed this sale, don’t worry. We have another scheduled for early October. You can begin dropping off your orphaned treasures at the county barn next week. We promise to do everything we can to find them a happy home and then use the money we raise to add quality to the life we love in our little town at the end of the road. That is the sole purpose of the POC Community Service Club, and we are hometown proud!