It’s that time again, time to spend a beautiful Texas winter day on the bay collecting abandoned crab traps. The crabbing closure will be February 19th – 29th with the main event day on Saturday, February 20th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Only the Port O’Connor Texas Parks and Wildlife Department docks will be facilitated by TPWD staff, however, Charlies and the Austwell boat ramp will also have dumpsters for trap disposal.

There will be gloves, tarps, hooks, and bottled water available at the TPWD-POC facility Friday, February 19th.

Last year there were 210 traps removed from the San Antonio Bay system and 556 coast wide. To date we have removed 10,174 abandoned traps from the San Antonio system, and 31,793 coastwide since the program began in 2002. San Antonio Bay system has accounted for 32% of the traps removed coastwide and Galveston Bay system 40%.

Members of the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department

On Saturday, January 9, 2016, about 20 chili and gumbo cooks prepared to demonstrate their unusual talents. And it was a chilly and windy day as these folks from various areas of Texas gathered underneath Hooper’s Bar & Grille to set up their tables loaded with spices and other accouterments and the necessary cooking element with a huge pot. And some had two pots, as the chef was entering both chili and gumbo divisions.

Hoop has sponsored this event for several years, and the response from the entrants has been remarkable. Particularly when the weather does not reciprocate.

This year there were five divisions of items to be entered: pinto beans, chili, gumbo, Bloody Marys, and Margaritas, and I watched with interest the final decision as it was reached on the faces of the judges. There were several winners representing our area and the amazing cooks here: Peyton Martin and family who garnered a win with chili and the Texas Chicks. However, most of the winners were members of various divisions of the Central Texas Chili Group and they were certainly welcomed here in POC.

Terry Wright of the Central Texas Chili Group based in Lockhart was there to oversee this cook off as he has done throughout the years. His group during the past several years has awarded 42 scholarships of $500 each, mainly to graduating high school seniors, but also some to college students, and one to an adult returning to college. The members of this group were well represented in the cook off; what brings them all together is the interest in cooking and the desire to be of help to others.

This year the cook off benefited our Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department with a check for $2,340. which was gratefully received. And, per Terry, he and his group will be back again next year. Just hope the weather is more welcoming!

BUNCO was held on the evening of February 2nd with the theme being Valentine’s Day. Hosted by two Sweethearts, Biddie Hileman and Sally Jones, hearts were everywhere with much accompanying food that was enjoyed by all. Continuing with the fun that evening were the winners and Biddie captured the prize for Most Games with Diane Cooley being the Bunco leader. Sadly, the Booby Prize was relegated to Mary Ann Claiborne, but as Elvira did NOT make an appearance that evening, the participants all celebrated.

Hostesses for the March 1st game will be Judy O’Overton and Diane O’Cooley with their version of an Irish celebration for St. Patrick’s Day. Further information of the Bunco Group can be received by contacting Shirley Gordon at the Library!

Semi-new in town, but actually just returning, are Port O’Connor twins Kacie and Karie Skalak with the advent of their newest partnership, Dock’s Bar & Grill. The establishment with a laid-back coastal vibe, is located at 13th & Jefferson and will feature a full, fresh menu, bar area and TVs playing any and all sports, weather and local channels. Daily lunch and dinner specials will be offered. And for even more good times, there will be live music on the deck. Watch for the opening of Dock’s Bar & Grill in March and expect to enjoy great food, cold beer and great times! Welcome back to POC, Karie and Kacie!

Now that we almost have warm weather, it’s become time for our diligent ladies to start cleaning out closets and drawers to get rid of all those extra unneeded and unnecessary items. The POC Service Club is accepting clean and usable items at the County Barn, adjacent to the Library on 6th Street. And if you’ve found you also have some larger items, such as furniture, that are difficult to handle, please contact Marie Hawes, President of the Service Club at 361 920-2322.

Looking at the weather forecast for the coming week with a high of 80 degrees, maybe Pawtucksony Pete wasn’t too far wrong. However, weathering frosty ground in the morning while walking my small, four-legged monster, I saw four robins early one morning. Let’s hope our warm weather continues.

kubeckasue@yahoo.com
361 798-0560

Marjorie Alberta Hawes

Marjorie Alberta Hawes of Port O’Connor, age 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 13, 2016. She was born February 11, 1923 to the late Claude and Grace Goode in Yoakum, Texas.

She graduated Salutatorian from Bloomington High School in 1940, planning to continue her education to become a teacher; however, love won out and she chose marriage and family instead. She married Joe D. Hawes on Septemer 28, 1940 and they were together for 68 years until his death in 2008. Together they ranched and shrimped, and raised five children: sons David Hawes (wife Emma) and Robbie Hawes (wife Marie), and daughters Mary Sue Thumann (husband Elmer “Jr.”), Molly Lou Rader (husband Bill, deceased), and Becky Carville (husband Robin).

Honeyo, as she was called by most who knew her well, was survived by her children, 15 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe, two great-grandchildren Brooke Hawes and Richard “Clyde” Hawes, brothers Claude Goode and Henry Lee Goode, and sisters Mary Nell Hawes and Grace Albrecht.

The family would like to thank the wonderful care-givers at Trinity Shores Lighthouse Wing for their love and care of our mother during her last year.

A Rosary was held on Tuesday, February 16 at Richardson Funeral Home in Port Lavaca. A graveside service was held at the Port O’Connor Cemetery on Wednesday, February 17, with Fr. Roger Hawes officiating.

Pallbearers will be grandsons: Chris Hawes, Daniel Hawes, Shane Hawes, Cody Hawes, Jody Hawes, Jeff Thumann, Jay Thumann, Billy Rader, Jonni Carville, and Willi Carville. Honory Pallbearers will be granddaughters: Rachel Hawes Redding, Lydia Hawes Huber, Jennifer Thumann Harrity, Jalaine Thumann, and Conni Carville Hebert.

The family requests that any memorials be made to Hospice of South Texas, the Port O’Connor Library, or a charity of your choice.