This is a reminder, a note to make you aware that yet again too many in the great state of Texas are ignoring one of the greatest sports teams in the history of the state, that right now the final chapters of a great story are being written.

Blink and you just might miss it.

I am talking about the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association.

Five time NBA champions since 1999 (the last in 2014), home of Hall of Fame caliber players like David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. The team that has a reputation for building a winning culture and still retains one of the best basketball minds in history in head coach Greg Popovich.

That however, is history….this is a reminder.

I have been writing this column for Dolphin Talk for a few years now and if you are a regular reader of this newspaper you might have read my love letters to the Spurs before. I would write them after the current NBA season had been won or lost, always thinking that this might be the end of an era, the end of a dynasty gone mostly unnoticed in the land of Texas where football is king.

A funny thing happened on the way to the history books though…the Spurs reloaded in the Summer of 2015 and looked poised once again to rise to the level of a champion.

Key returning players such as the aging yet crafty guard Manu Ginobili, Danny Green and vital piece for the future Kawhi Leonard were re-signed to complement the older but still competent core of Duncan and Parker.

Of course, the Spurs starting five being closer to retirement age then their rookie seasons was one of the reasons I kept feeling the need to write a premature obituary for the team. Despite having excellent coaching and a great team concept, the Spurs could not continue to defy time and their days as a contender seemed limited at best.

This seemed to be confirmed in the 2015 NBS Draft, where the Spurs drafted an overseas center prospect unlikely to have Texas soil under his feet for at least another couple of years as he gained more experience in his home land. Although this practice was a wise one for the long term, it meant the 2015 Spurs would not get a contributing player from the draft for next season as their core grew older.

July quickly came around along with the free agency period and what happened next flipped the script on the demise of this venerable franchise and made my old columns about their downward spiral look like a mad man predicting the end of the world from the bottom of his tea cup.

First the Spurs picked up veteran big man David West, long considered to be a serviceable and contributing big man. This however was not enough to ward off the vultures circling San Antonio.

Then they went and signed power forward LaMarcus Aldrige, a nine year veteran who was one of the biggest prizes of this years free agent market. Aldridge is a legitimate All-Star level player who has all the right skills and the right mind set to push the Spurs once again to the top tiers of the NBA.

No matter what the Spurs will be fun to watch and might just reclaim former glories.

So this is your chance to see this for yourself before it really does fade away…don’t miss it or you may miss a great tale in the lore of Texas sports.

The Lord is working at the Chapel! We are seeing great things accomplished, for which we are extremely thankful. Our greatest joy is in seeing the Spanish speaking services going forward. We have been praying for this for almost the entire 20 years we have been in Port O’Connor. If there is sufficient interest, we will be starting a Spanish Speaking Sunday School Class in the near future. My Spanish is limited to “Menu Spanish;” I can navigate around a Mexican Menu without little problem, but we are honored to have Hermano Jesse and Hermana Angie Alderete here to minister the Word for us. Everyone who speaks Spanish is welcomed to come and be a part of these special services. Services in Spanish are held each Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

The Chapel is taking on a new look. The entire Chapel has been refreshed. There is new flooring, new paint, new lights, and a total make-over that is strikingly updated. God has blessed us with people who are willing to work and are making a difference. Come and see!

Our men are planning a camp out at the Farm on Thursday, September 17 through Saturday, September 19. We are taking our shotguns and plan to harvest a few doves. It will be a lot of fun watching “good shots” miss. We will be joined by men from LaVernia and Nixon, who will come and attempt to show us up. All interested men should contact David at 817/881-3868 for further information.

Friends and family of Kaelin Bell will gather at the Chapel on Sunday, September 20, at 2:00 p.m. for a bridal shower. Kaelin and Josh are planning an October 3rd wedding. This will be a special event in this young lady’s life and all are invited to attend.

We have been hosting several guests in our Retreat Center. We will be hosting a group from New Braunfels later this month and three groups are planning to come in October. Our goal is to have groups come to Port O’Connor to help create an atmosphere of Christianity here. We believe that as these groups come to pray, sing and fellowship the “windows of Heaven” will be opened and blessings will fall!

Thank you for all the gracious words of comfort that have been coming to Pastor Joane as she mourns the loss of her brother Kenny. Kenny was only 62 when he passed and his memorial service was in Houston on September 5. Many have called and come by just to say “we love you” and only those who have experienced this grief know the power of those words! Thank you!

Captain Robert led another successful Captain’s Class here from August 21 through August 28. Eleven men completed the course and are moving forward in their careers. There is one more Sea Academy class scheduled at the Chapel this year. All those interested in obtaining their Captain’s Licenses should mark November 13 through November 20 and call as soon as possible. Captain Robert can be reached by calling the Sea Academy at 361/758-6184 or his personal number at 361/816-3010. These classes have been successfully graduating students since 2000. We do not have the 2016 class schedule yet, but will provide it as soon as possible.

Returning to the Chapel’s pulpit will be the Reverend Jason Goldsberry. He will be here on Sunday, October 11, for the 11:00 a.m. service. Reverend Jason brought a group of men from the San Houston State University Chi Alpha last year and is bringing a similar group this year. He has a heart for missions in Spanish speaking regions but will be speaking bilingually in that service. Everyone is welcomed to come and hear this outstanding young missionary speak.

The Chapel is an interdenominational congregation who strives to help people along their journey to a successful destination called Heaven. Recently we have been preaching a series titled “Finding Our Circle,” where we have identified five circles around a “bulls eye”. The center is a truly intimate relationship with Jesus. Our mission is to show that all of us are “as close to Jesus as we choose!” There were groups of people in Jesus’ day who did not want as much of a personal relationship with the Lord as others, and we see the same pattern today. Our goal is for each to identify where they are presently and are trusting that all of us will want more of the Lord in our individual lives.

The Schedule of Services at the Chapel are follows: Sundays – Bible Study at 10:00 a.m.; Morning Service at 11:00 a.m.; Corporate Prayer at 5:00 p.m.; and Evening Service at 6:00 p.m. Spanish Services meet at 7:00 p.m. each Tuesday; Midweek Service is Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.; and Friday Night Youth happens from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m. Our Fisherman’s Bible Institute will be beginning classes shortly and all interested people should contact Pastor Joane as soon as possible so materials can be ordered. A warm welcome awaits all who come to the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

No todo los días son iguales. A veces son gloriosos y a veces son terribles. Está en nosotros como responder. Como hijos de Dios, tenemos todo en su alcance para poder tener gozo atraves la miseria.

Muchas veces pasamos por tribulación y parece que no hay salida de nuestra situación. Cristo ha prometido estar con nosotros en todos los tiempos. En la gloria o la miseria se puede sentir la gloria de Dios. Jeremías 33:3 dice, “Clama a mí y te responderé y te ensenare grandes cosas que tú no conoces”. Su palabra es vida y poder para vencer cualquiera situación en que te encuentres. Ya es tiempo que le llames. No esperes más. Deja que Cristo llene tu corazón y te de la victoria en tu vida. Él te está esperando. Que Dios los bendiga y les de la victoria. Su hermano en Cristo.

Les recuerdo que tenemos servicios en español en los martes a las 7 pm.

Pastor Jesse C. Alderete
Fisherman’s Chapel
361-481-9485

The Church was packed on Sunday Morning September 6, 2015, and everyone experienced the inspirational Gospel Music and testimonies of “SPOKEN 4 QUARTET”.  The Quartet and their Music was outstanding.  Testimonies given by three of the Quartet members were woven into their outstanding voices in a very touching way.  All of the congregation gave a standing ovation and issued an invitation to come back soon.

The Church has purchased the three lots behind the Church and will soon begin to clean the lots for use by the Church.  We hope to have a beautiful area for outdoor activities including “cook outs”.

The fall Senior Adult Retreat at Camp Zephyr is fast approaching.  The Retreat will be September 21 – 24 on the banks of Lake Corpus Christi.  Senior Adults will enjoy the Bible Teaching of Dr. Jimmy Arnold, Devotions by George Yarbrough,  Preaching by Walter Jackson and Music by Marcos & Sue Gohlke.  Senior Adults over 50 are invited to attend this outstanding 3 day Retreat.  Cost per person is $100 and that includes Motel type lodging, all meals and refreshments.  If you wish to go, you must call 361-547-2448 and make reservations.  If you need transportation, please call the Church at 361-983-2727.  I guarantee you will enjoy the food, fellowship, Bible Study, Preaching and certainly the Gospel Music.

The Church Quarterly “BIRTHDAY BASH”, celebrating all birthdays in July, August and September, is Sunday Evening September, 27, 2015 at 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall.  Come and enjoy a Devotion, a fine meal and a ton of Fellowship!

The Church will observe the “Lord’s Supper” in the Morning Service at 11:00 AM, Sunday September 27, 2015.  All baptized believers are invited to participated.

See You In Church Sunday!!!

Join in on all the fun at this final tournament.

The 10th Annual Christopher Ragusin POC Grand Slam Memorial Fishing Tournament will be held October 2nd & 3rd this year at the Port O’ Connor Community Center Pavilion.

This will be our LAST year. We have had a great 10 years and cannot begin to show our gratitude to the many businesses and people who have supported us along the way. Without YOU, none of this would have been possible.

Many may not know what we have been able to accomplish over the years by holding this event. Over forty $500.00 scholarships have been given to graduating and continuing education students; 40 Christmas Angels have been adopted; donations to various clubs, organizations and churches; donations to help defray medical and funeral expenses; bought heaters during the winter, and much more….

If you have ever wanted to fish in the tournament, we hope you do so this year and help us go out with a bang!!! We are looking forward to a huge turnout. You can register at the Captain’s Meeting on October 2nd starting at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 3rd:

Weigh In 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Live Auction 7:00 p.m.

We will have live music…featuring Bill Pekar and Rainey Brother along with DJ Josh for intermission. Music and Dance will start around 9:00 p.m.

For more info and entry form, call Amy at 361-935-8745; email: amtaylo3@yahoo.com

Bouquet of Reds for the Mrs.
…Thinking of You?
-Capt. Jeff Larson

Do you remember the old saying about owning a boat? The best day of owning a boat is the day you buy it and the day you sell it. I can’t really say that about Mowdy Boats of Texas. I was lost  the day after I sold my boat. Felt like, I lost my Golden Retriever. The C25 went to a great guide who has been running it every day since he purchased it. Captain Derek Dick took over the 2014 helm and keeps the boat in immaculate condition. The only thing that kept me from breaking down was ordering a new C25.  Robbie Gregory was like my therapist. He lifted my spirits calling me, telling me it’s almost ready, we are adding this and that, do you want a power pole, etc. He even let me park his personal boat at my house  while I was in this transition.  All kidding aside, The Mowdy Guide Team along with long time friend Mike Kopecinski  loaned me their boats to run charters. And for all of that, I have to say thank you for getting me over the NO BOAT HUMP.

August wrap up: The action was as hot as the weather. This whole year wade fishing has been the key to catching trout.  Charles, Mike, and I took a scouting trip to San Antonio Bay and hit several reefs which were not as productive as we would have liked, however, we could not stay very long because the wind kicked up so we had to run back in due to thunderstorms. Triple tail is a species that I personally do not target but talking to other local guides who do know the game, they were catching plenty when the wind would lay mid day. The pictures I saw, they were huge. Flounder were epic along with tailing reds in the flats.  The Jetty Guides were boxing all the species as well, plus Black Drum and a few Sheepshead. The wells produced big numbers of trout in West Matagorda plus drifting the new artificial reef paid dividends.

September is in full swing.  Name your quarry and get busy.  Alligators anyone?  They are everywhere and they are monstrous.  They all look like the new State Record to me especially while wade fishing. The Saltwater Lodge has two guides with plenty of permits if you want to harvest one or two for a pair of custom made boots. Capt. Jake and James have their honey holes and their sights on breaking the State Record.

Teal Season is going to be crazy with birds.  You will definitely find out who can shoot and who didn’t break out their gun until the night before the opener.  Here’s a test for you: Hunt Teal with a .410.  This will prolong your hunt long enough to see the sunrise.  We have a mid-week .410 shoot just to hone our skills before big duck season. Inland hunting seems to produce more birds during this special season. However the bay can produce near limits if your group can shoot really well.

Flounder gigging is the best we have seen in awhile so don’t forget to add that to your trip.  Nothing beats Stuffed Texas Flounder or Baked Flounder with lemon wedges.

This time of year it is like, “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Except Calhoun County’s version is more like Duck, Dove, Fish. You can spend as much time in the outdoors filling your freezer or you can relax and play couch quarterback.  Port O’Connor, Seadrift and Port Lavaca is an outdoor Haven. It is an exciting time of the year for Family, Friends and enjoying the great State of Texas.  There are plenty of Fall Festivals that can coincide with Your Saltwater Lodge hunting and fishing trips. It’s like when Bruce Buffer calls out at the UFC fights “ IT’S TIME!!!” to book your outdoor excursions at the Saltwater Lodge. We are set up for accommodating large or small groups. We are located in the hub of the magic circle.  We can hunt and fish south toward Rockport or head North toward Matagorda.

Call Scott at the Lodge: 361 785 DUCK  (3825)

Big Thank You to Robbie and the gang at Mowdy Boats and Marty and his crew at Coastline Trailers for getting me back on the water.  I appreciate all yall’s help.

Cap. Kolten Braun with some big flatties. -Capt. Jeff Larson