Sea turtles are cold-blooded, unable to regulate their body temperature. When winter cold-fronts blow in, sea turtles in our shallow bays become stunned and unable to move. In this cold stunned state, they get hit by boats, or wash ashore. They breathe air, like we do, so they can also drown
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Volunteer boats, especially airboats are needed to search and rescue cold-stunned turtles. Volunteers are needed to provide ground transport to get the turtles to the rehab center. Most often we transport them to Tivoli where they are picked up by Keep Aransas County Beautiful volunteers and transported to the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) in Port Aransas.
Volunteers must attend Annual Sea Turtle Training

Because sea turtles are endangered and protected, anyone handling turtles must complete the training to be added to the federal permit. Padre Island National Seashore’s Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery will deliver two virtual training sessions. Thursday, October 26, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. You can watch it on your own or join us as we live-stream it at the POC Library; Or watch it from your home on Saturday, October 29, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. If you can help, email MidCoastSeaTurtleRescue@gmail.com or call Brigid Berger 713.

Halloween Parade!

Seadrift Chamber of Commerce’s annual Halloween Parade will be on Tuesday, October 31. Registration at the Bridge 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Parade begins at 6:00.

The Costume Contest will be at Bayfront Pavilion at 6:15 and then Trunk or Treat after contest!
Come join in on the fun! Decorate your trunk, put on your best costume, pass out candy! Great, ghoulish fun!

TRUNK OR TREAT Sat., Oct. 28 – 6:00 pm
King Fisher Beach
$100 Prize for Best Decorated Vehicle
Visit: www.portoconnorchamber.com. for details
7:00 pm – Best Dressed Dog Contest

Thankful For Cooler Temps
A happy and sunny Fall morning from the island, everyone.  Actually, as a rare occurrence, I’m in Seadrift this early morning, having ventured across the bay a few days ago to visit with my California sister, Darla, and her husband, David, who drove down to attend the 2nd birthday of my great-niece, Grace.  I also want to wish a very heartfelt HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a wonderful and special lady, Elizabeth. . . I hope you had a phenomenal day!!  I’ll head back to the island this afternoon, before a strong blowing norther arrives later tonight.

Thank the Lord, the island finally received some much needed rain the past few weeks.  It hasn’t been any great amounts, but the 2-3” that has fallen is a very welcome sight and helps out tremendously.  It’s amazing the difference in the landscape and overall feel that a good rain has on the outdoors.  Nature just seems to spring back to life, flowers begin to bloom and the mornings are cooler and fresher.  The fresh water ponds that the cows rely on for drinking water also fill up, and the underground water supply for the water wells are replenished.  No matter where you are, fresh water is simply a must-have part of life.

The tides in the bay and along the Gulf beach have been extremely high lately, I’m guessing mainly because of the strong east winds that we had for several weeks.  I know that a full moon, as well as other factors, play a part in the high and low level of tides along the coast.  Along the beach, the Gulf water was nearly to the dunes several days in a row, making it impossible to drive the beach and look for treasures.  Of course with winter approaching, the tides will begin to stay much lower with the north winds.  Mother Nature is always in complete control of the weather and all related matters, and we simply have to follow her lead and plan accordingly.

I believe that the brutal temperatures that we all endured this past summer are well behind us now, as the northers are beginning to filter down, bringing much needed cooler and pleasant temps.  I love sitting out on the porch during the early morning hours when the temps are in the 50’s and 60’s, enjoying my coffee and not having to deal with the sultry humidity and heat.  I’m a plus size guy, so my robust manly body doesn’t appreciate or take kindly to the sweltering heat.  Give me daytime temps in the 60’s and I’m a happy man!

With winter arriving in a few months, the white pelicans will begin making their migration to the coastal waters.  I enjoy seeing the shoreline waters covered with them, especially when they make their way into the lagoon in front of the cabin, feeding on the baitfish.  The brown pelicans stay in our local waters year-round, but the white ones only arrive for the colder winter months.

Well, that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and have a wonderful day, and enjoy these cooler temps.  Please remember to always say a kind word to those special to you. . . a “thinking of you” or “how was your day”, can be priceless words to hear.

Xandra Ann Mapp, Liz Hewitt and Sam Caldwell will offer their unique approaches to coastal art at Xandra’s new studio and gallery in Port O’Connor

Gallery Opening Saturday, October 21

The three artists have a strong bond with the Port O’Connor region. Port O’Connor residents have known Xandra’s work for years. The artist utilizes acrylics, watercolor, carved woods and many three-dimensional materials to compose her unique works. Her magnificent construction utilizing mirrors is an example of Xandra’s large scale art.

Liz Hewitt says she was raised on and in the waters of Port O’Connor. She loves to create beautiful works of art with many “found” materials, often of the sea and seashore. Colorful shards of ceramic, seashells, mirrors and fishing lures find their way to new life in Liz Hewitt’s art.

Sam Caldwell has been enjoying the fishing and scenery of the Port O’Connor coast since 1978. His original oils and watercolors have been printed by CCA, Ducks Unlimited and Operation Game Thief to fund conservation projects. Caldwell’s art earned the Texan the honor of Texas State Artist of the Year for 2004.

An original work of each artist will be available in a drawing. The proceeds will benefit the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department.

Xandra’s Studio and Gallery is located at 612 Adams Ave., 7th Street at SH 185 in Port O’Connor.

Another successful event, under our belt… the first POC Boat & Fishing Expo! What started as the mention of an idea, turned into a phenomenal event! This show brought in over 80 (87 to be exact) vendors to our community, displaying what Port O’Connor has to offer. Even more important, it gave our Chamber business members an opportunity, free of charge, to showcase their business and what they offer here in POC. It also gave many vendors, of the fishing and boating world, who had heard, but never been here, the opportunity to visit and see what it is all about! The Expo brought in over 2000 attendees throughout the weekend!

A huge “Cheers” to our Captain Sponsor, Jeco’s Marine & Tackle, for helping us get this off the ground its first year! We absolutely could not have done this without you! Thank you also to First Mate Sponsors, Freedom Boats and Infinium; Steward Sponsors, First National Bank of Port Lavaca, Compadre’s Design Inc. and Ron Hoover Marine & RV of Rockport; and Lil’ Deckhand Sponsors, POC Washateria, Formosa Plastics, and The Spot Coastal Gifts.
Besides vendors, another hit to the Expo were the Guest Speakers and Culinary demonstrations. Thank you to Speakers Adam J, Freestyle Fisherman, Deb Powell, of POC Rod & Gun, Merrill Solesky of Fishing Tackle Unlimited and Owen Gaylor, local Fly Fisherman. Other Thank You’s go to our Culinary demonstrators, Captain Rob Peel of Texas Fins & Feathers (Seafood Stuffed Flounder), Pam Johnson of Texas Saltwater Magazine (Alfredo Rotel Sauteed Fillets), Kathy Pullin of Pullin Premium BarBQ (Chili Enchilada Dog w/ Poblano Pepper Jam), Debbie Ulrich (Tortilla Crusted Queso Fish), and our very own local chef, Kacie Skalak (Herbed Shrimp Pasta and Southern Shrimp & Grits). All their recipes will be posted on the POC Boat & Fishing Expo Facebook page!

Again, another great job to the Chamber Team for organizing, volunteering, working, and cleaning up. It was a FANTASTIC 3 day event. We already have sponsors and vendors reserving their spots for next year! First weekend in October… mark your calendars now!

Congratulations to Chris Hernandez as the winner of our 2023 Polaris Ranger 570 SP Premium Crew seat, with Camo package. The Chamber has been selling tickets throughout the year, and the winner was drawn at the close of the Expo. Chris bought her ticket (one of them) at the sale between Speedy Stop and the POC Hardware Store. Congratulations Chris! We hope you enjoy your new ride!

Coming up next is Trunk or Treat, on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Please, decorate your car, trunk, boat, cart, truck or whatever and join us at the north end of King Fisher Beach on Park Ave. Trick or Treating starts at 6:00 p.m., with a $100 prize winner to the best decorated. Also, at 7:00 p.m., at the Chamber tent, there will be a “Best Dressed Dog” costume contest! Start getting creative now!

Speaking of creative, start making plans to decorate your boat for Christmas! Join us for the Lighted Boat Parade on December 2, 2023. Any size boat is welcome. It’s a great display of Christmas on the water! Many participants of this event come from the Freeport to Port O’Connor Toy Run, held that same day. Over 100 boaters make their way with toys for the underprivileged kids along the Texas Coast. If you are interested in helping them raise money for toys, please consider purchasing a raffle ticket. Lots of great prizes available, and all with just a scan of a QR code. Follow their Facebook page for more information… Freeport to Port O’Connor Toy Run. Raffle will be held on November 5, 2023.

Welcome to our newest Chamber members: 10th Street Lodge, Dean & Peeler Meat Market, Victoria, A Plus Party Rentals, Victoria, and POC Upholstery. Please check them out on the Chamber business listings on our website at www.portoconnorchamber.com.