Lately I’ve been through a rough patch that if I’m honest really started three years ago when I left Port Lavaca to return to Chicago, the place of my birth and honestly some place that although I will always love the way you can only love ‘home,’ I wish I never had to return to.

At the time, my writing was going well, I had an adopted family of sorts and although I did not see it then, I was generally content. There were niggles and wiggles and moans to be sure, but as the old saying says, I did not know what I had till it was gone.

I rode those wicked waves till now, waiting on a disability case and battling demons from deep in my psyche.

However, despite my ongoing hardships, I have learned many life lessons. The one I will share with you today is one I hope everyone who reads this will be touched by.

Since 2006, my writing, although not exactly making me rich, has offered one gift which has no price tag: The gift of accepting your passions no matter what comes out of the sweat and effort you put into them.

More than that though, so much more than that…

The respect and awe of myself, but not the grumpy old thirty-seven year old me with the bad wheels and bad past, but the five year old me that peeks out from behind my eyes.

If I was to tell that little kid that he would be a reporter for a newspaper for an all to brief period of five months he would have been ecstatic.

Given the opportunity to impart to him that his name would be on the cover of a book with Doctor Who on it, he would probably go wide eyed and laugh a laugh most of us have forgotten how to long ago.

Because to him it was never about money, fame or all those other silly things we chase. To him it was all about the art, the passion and the pure joy of being involved with subjects he loved.
Van Gough hardly sold any of his paintings in his lifetime and died a ridiculed man with severe depression. And if the first Ghostbusters film taught us anything, it was that Einstein did his best work while he was a patent clerk.

Because it is not about what the TV has us lusting after; it is not about what our peers think of us still playing our music into our forties, and it is certainly not about what others tell you you need to be happy or content.

Now, somewhere in all of us, whether you are sixteen or sixty, this child still lives on.

He or she has no care for the ‘real world’ we must toil in, no interest in politics nor the pain of grown up thoughts, worries and decisions.

He only wants to play in the sun and smile, to dream a little longer, to stay outside to watch the sunset and he only sees the positive and good in the world, despite bumps and roadblocks that appear on his path. Especially in this supposedly recovering economy.

We can embrace this child though, in date nights with our lovers and fishing trips with our friends. We can love him when we engage our passions and show him that although we are indeed striving to achieve adult success, we still have time to get on the floor with him and play, to let our imaginations take the cold gray reality and make it come alive with color and promise.

After all, did not he or she know way more about living ‘life’ than we ever can claim to do now?

The dog days of summer are here, and with them come reports of illnesses and deaths caused by Vibrio vulnificus, nicknamed the “flesh-eating bacteria.” As a marine biologist, I find myself getting frustrated when I read media reports of people infected by V. vulnificus because they often leave the reader with a sense of panic and the idea that our beaches are not safe.

What is Vibrio vulnificus?

V. vulnificus bacteria are naturally-occurring in warm coastal waters around the world. Though this species is present in the Gulf of Mexico year-round, levels are highest during warmer months. Not surprisingly, reports of infections are highest when the water is warmest, with 85% of cases reported between May and October. Exposure of an open wound to saltwater is not the only way to contract a V. vulnificus infection. Concentrations of V. vulnificus also build up in oyster meat and cause illness in people who eat raw or undercooked oysters. There are three types of illness caused by a V. vulnificus infection: gastroenteritis or food poisoning, wound infection, and sepsis. Sepsis, when the infection enters the bloodstream, can occur following either gastroenteritis or wound infection, and is fatal over 50% of the time in people with compromised immune systems due to underlying illness.
How common are infections?

Despite the impression you may have, infections due to V. vulnificus are actually rare. To visualize this, think about how many people visit the bays and beaches along the Gulf of Mexico on any given day – anglers, swimmers, beachcombers, boaters, and more. Tens of thousands? Hundreds of thousands? More? Now think about the comparatively small number of news stories on people who have contracted a V. vulnificus infection. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year sees an average of 50 culture-confirmed cases, 45 hospitalizations, and 16 deaths reported from the 5 Gulf Coast states.

Who is at risk for infection?

Healthy people without any underlying conditions can often be treated with antibiotics if they contract V. vulnificus. Chronic diseases, however, can leave your immune system unable to fight off a V. vulnificus infection. There are certain risk factors that can leave a person more susceptible to severe infection, particularly those requiring hospitalization. Liver disease, including alcoholism, cirrhosis and hepatitis, stands out as the primary risk factor. Cancer, chemotherapy, diabetes, AIDS, kidney disease, hemochromatosis (iron overload disease), and gastrointestinal disorders (even ulcers or gastric surgery – remember that you can become infected by eating undercooked oysters) are all known risk factors. According to the CDC, a study has shown that “people with these pre-existing medical conditions were 80 times more likely to develop V. vulnificus bloodstream infections than were healthy people.”

How can I minimize my risk?

There will likely be more stories of V. vulnificus in the news before summer is over, as the salinity of our bays are at 15 to 25 parts per thousand, optimum conditions for these bacteria to thrive. Don’t feel hesitant about enjoying our coastal waters; follow the guidelines for minimizing your risk:

• Don’t go in the water with an open wound or broken skin, even if you do not have one of the aforementioned risk factors.

• If you cut or scrape yourself while at the beach or fishing, wash the area thoroughly with soap and clean water and do not expose it to saltwater. It’s smart to bring along a jug of tap water and a bar of soap in case you’re in an area without available bathrooms.

• Apply an antibiotic ointment as soon as you can and watch for redness or any signs of infection.

• If the area does become infected, see a doctor right away.

• This bears repeating: see a doctor as soon as you notice any signs of infection.

As a side note, last year my kids and I were at the beach when I got hit by a stingray barb on the outside of my foot. (Yes, I was doing the “stingray shuffle”!) I went straight to the bathroom, washed my foot and stayed on the sand for the rest of the day. My foot still bears the scar from the barb, but it never became infected and it hasn’t scared me away from my beloved Texas coast. For more information on V. vulnificus, visit www.safeoysters.org and www.cdc.gov/vibrio.

The Annual Flip Flop Festival will be held September 4th – 5th at the Port Lavaca Bayfront Peninsula, with an IBCA sanctioned BBQ by the Bay and a day full of fun and games, food, shopping and entertainment.
Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce

Thank you, Robbie &Marie!

The youth group and First Baptist Church would like to thank Robbie and Marie Hawes for donating and installing the basketball goal that was recently damaged during Tropical Storm Bill. Their time and effort given plus the use of their heavy equipment is greatly appreciated.

The basketball goal at the church is a favorite hangout for many of the youth in Port O’Connor and was greatly missed after being damaged.

The Hawes’ generous act of love has not gone unnoticed and we want to share our gratitude.

Thank you,
FBC Youth Group

Former Port O’Connor Residents, Tina & Mary Christy

Dear Family & Friends,

Tina wanted me to put this picture in the paper to show how well I am fighting my cancer. I am not doing chemo anymore cause it’s not working, just slowing it down some, but my tumors are still growing on my liver and in my lungs. All they are doing for me now is keeping me pain free, and they are doing a good job of it, so I hope to live longer than I should; I want to see 60. Tina has been a big help with me; she has done me very proud. No child should be doing some of things Tina has to do and has done for me. She tries not to show how it is affecting her, but there are times when I can tell it gets to her, but she is a trouper!

My hubby is wonderful as well. He is helping Tina with her schooling and me with my cancer. He does a lot to keep Tina’s mind off my problems and keeps her in training (Mixed Martial Arts). She recently won her cage fight. It was a great fight. Tina finished school here on July 15 and she starts college in September. She was accepted at Coventry City College and will be taking art and design – a three year course.

Greetings to all,
Mary Christy-Johnston (Great Britain)

Port O’Connor Friends,

I composed this letter on the 6th of August, 2015, which marks my 10th year anniversary as the Postmaster of Port O’Connor, Texas.

From the first warm welcomes to the last heart felt goodbyes, I cannot think of a better place to have worked and I want to thank all of my Port O’Connor Postal Friends for a wonderful 10 years of serving the Community as your Postmaster.

As I end my 35 year Postal Service career I look forward to spending more time with my wife Patricia. We want to see more of our great country and spend time spoiling grandchildren. Catching up on our fishing is also on the list and you may see us time to time here in POC, so be so kind as to leave a few fish for us.

Thank you everyone and God Bless!
Johnny M. Johnson
Postmaster (Retired)
MSG, USAR (Retired)
Port O’Connor, TX 77982

At the Seadrift Library

The Seadrift Library ordered a new book, It’s All About Muhammad, a well written, historically and philosophically correct book using only Muslim sources by F. W. Burleigh. Anyone interested in understanding Islam, especially “Fundamentalist Islam” that seeks to worship Allah exactly as Muhammad taught and did, needs to read this book.

“Burleigh spent years carrying out a line-by-line study of more than 20,000 pages of the original documents of Islam to bring forth this work. Based on solid scholarship, the book is written in a lively and thoroughly engaging style”… from jacket notes.

Regardless of your religious or political views, I strongly recommend that every adult read this book.

Bill Brayshaw, Seadrift

New Basketball Court
at King Fisher Beach

Thanks from Port O’Connor Chamber

The Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce would like to give a HUGE shout of APPRECIATION to the following for their contributions to our organization.

THANK YOU to Ben and Frances Alexander for their very generous donation. These funds will be focused on providing the electrical work and picnic tables for our park. Also, a big thank you to the POC Sports Association for their donation of funds to replace the basketball goals. The original court was removed and relocated within the park. The new goals have now been installed and ready for use. And, last but certainly not least, we want to give kudos to our County workers, who work so hard in this heat, putting in the basketball goals and replacing the barbeque pits.

The Chamber has worked vigorously the past few years to accomplish our park project, and with the help of these contributors, we are now able to put the finishing touches into place.

Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce

Thank You

We would like to express our sincerest thanks to everyone who helped make our benefit a great success! We are overwhelmed at the amount of support for Debbie Gayle in her battle against pancreatic cancer! We truly appreciate the support from our family, friends, and community, the surrounding area and beyond.

We would like to thank all those who came out on June 27 to show support by making donations for brisket plates, baked goods, silent auction items, t-shirts, koozies and/or Debbie Gayle Strong bracelets, and also to enjoy the live music. We would also like to thank those who participated in the raffles and who have made donations by mail or at First National Bank.

We are certainly thankful for everyone who helped to make the benefit a success! We would like to specifically thank these individuals and businesses who helped with various aspects of the benefit: Madden’s Lounge (John & Ashley Harper), Ricky Scott, Ricky Scott Jr., Gilbert & Julia Carriles, Veronica Ragusin, Misty Redmond, Sylvia Martinez, Frankie & Mary Helen Holland, Denise Holland, McKaelyn Carriles, Antonio Gloria, Kyndra Carriles, Sofia Vasquez, George & Debbie Albrecht, Pagie Hardin, Pat Hatcher, Bubba & Sylvia Hall, Dakota Cabrera, Calvin & Sally Ragusin, Josie’s Mexican Food, Esmeralda Stringo, Jorge & Adrian Suarez, Paul & Liza Carriles, Stephen & Barbara Robinson, Teresa Scott, Nicholas Raby, Derek & Audie Vasquez, Marie Hawes, David & Rosemary Stringo, Frieda Runk, Lydeia Alford, Lloyd Alford, Cecilia Castillo, Jade Alford, Rosy Weaver, Michelle Manning, Kristin Rendon, PO’C Service Club bakers, Capt. G’s Shrimp Basket (Greg & Elizabeth Williams, Deanna Williams, Esther McDonough), Joseph Thuet, Paula Loya, Amy Hartl, Jana Gregory, Kelly Lindgren, PO’C Liquor (Noral McCauley & Alyse Munsch), Old Country BBQ Pits, anonymous donors of Helen Thomas quilt, Invista C12 team, Jay Runk, Triple F Photography (Maggie Franck), James & Shirley Harper, Henry Goode, T-Tops & More (Craig & Mickie Vossler), JoAnn Dyson, and Rock House Antiques and Vintage (Veronica Johnson), Peggy Gayle, Will Ragusin, Taylor Ragusin, Dawn Ragusin, LeaAnn’s Photography (Nick & LeaAnn Ragusin), Jenny O’Neill, Salt Blossom (Beverly Clifton), Action Welding (Sheryl Haynes), Julie Munsch, Angelica Kurtz, Amy Gosnell, Beacon 44 Seafood Market (Mary Jo Walker), Madeline Bourg, Salty Dog Outfitters (Pat & April Ragusin), Stringo Guide Service (Leslie & Lisa Stringo), Erica Moreno, Shearly Marvelous (Shawna Raby), Treasure Chest (Joanie Morgan), Shoalwater (Steve Bell), Simplified Soaps (Ashley Waghorne), Aimee Sternadel, Terry Diehl, Lisa Rux, Renee Hawes, Sylvia’s Hair Salon (Sylvia Rodriguez), Angela Kupcho, Ted & Linda Brown, Freda Howard, Jessica Helms, Cut It Loose Hair Salon (Julissa Lopez), Sisters Gift Shop, Beachcomber Shell Shop (Mr. & Mrs. Turk), Jo Guajardo, Mary Moreno, Deborah Chavana, and Donna Vuichard.

We would also like to show appreciation to those who helped us advertise the event on Facebook and in the Dolphin Talk, Port Lavaca Wave, and Victoria Advocate.

Sincerely,
Daniel & Debbie Gayle
Aaron & Roxanne Ochoa
Scott Gayle

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Letters to the Dolphin
P.O. Box 777
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
dolphin1@tisd.net