Rain showers did not dampen spirits at the June 12 & 13 Shrimpfest. Lots of folks had a great time at the waterfront with good food, good music, games and fellowship. Thanks to all who helped with this year’s event. – Seadrift Chamber of Commerce

First place horse shoes
Cullen and Candis Klesel

Second Place Horse Shoes
Rhonda Braun & Cheryl Henning

Third Place Horse Shoes
Clay Sparks and Derek Sparks

First Place Washers
Evan and Amanda Mutchler

Second Place Washers
Ben Plummer & Ronnie Gooden

Pvt. Ethan T.Q. Bowman
U.S. Amry

Pvt. Ethan T.Q. Bowman of Seadrift, graduated from U.S. Army Basic Training for 19 Delta Cavalry Scout with the 194th Armored Brigade, 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry Regiment on May 21, 2015, at Fort Benning, GA. He will be furthering his training at Fort Hood, TX.

Pvt. Bowman is a 2014 graduate from Calhoun High School. He is the son of Dale & Audrey Bowman of Seadrift and the grandson of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph S. Beaver, Sr. of Seadrift and the late Mr. & Mrs. Howard J. Bowman of Seadrift.

In the photo above, Seadrift City Secretary Paula Moncrief swears in new city council member Geoffrey Hunt, 31, of Seadrift. Hunt grew up in Seadrift and has two young daughters, Natalie and Olivia Hunt. He is a licensed Captain for Point Comfort Towing and has been employed with them for eight years, Geoffrey Hunt is the oldest son of Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Wesley J Hunt.

“I have grown up here and watched our city and its infrastructure as it has developed and improved, and I am happy to be a part of the future of our town,” Geoffrey said. “I take great satisfaction in learning and furthering my education in any aspect of my life, and I will always take any challenge head on and strive to come out of it with a positive result.”

Councilman Hunt will have to attend a State mandated seminar from the Texas Municipal League, learning the laws of how to govern small Texas cities.

From Rainy Spring To Hot Summer

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well,  and making plans to either spend  the day with or contact your dad on Fathers Day in a few days. My plans are to run in and go with the siblings to visit our dad, Henry, in Brazoria.

Well, the last few weeks in May brought a lot of rain to the island, and everywhere else as well.  But as I sit here on the morning of June 12th, I need rain again!  I certainly did not think that I would be saying that so soon after the 8-10” that fell a few weeks ago.

The ground dried out so quickly because of the very warm sunny days and wind that has occurred since the rain stopped. It’s amazing how fast the hot weather will suck the moisture out of the ground. It just seems like overnight the weather went from pleasant to dang hot!  Oh well, welcome to South Texas.  But the forecast shows rain might be falling for a few days starting tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

My raised bed gardens, and yard, really took off and began to flourish after all the rain we got. The tomato plants grew a foot overnight it seemed, and began putting on clusters of nice full fruit. I tell you what, there is no better feeling than making a sandwich and walking outside and picking a fresh tomato off the vine, and slicing it up to put on that ham and cheese or BLT.  Yes sir, that’s a true feeling of gardener satisfaction and pride.

The melons took off as well, but so did the grass on the ground outside of the raised beds, meaning all the melon vines are entwining through the grass and fighting for sunlight and moisture.  I can’t mow the grass due to the vines mixed in with it, so I will see how the crop produces this year. Next year, a month prior to planting, I’ll kill off all the grass, so that should help.  Every single year, in my gardening endeavors, I realize there is a way to improve on my crop success.  Never too old to learn.

Well, there is no shortage of firewood on the beach right now!  The flooding rivers further north have emptied a deluge of debris in the bays, and this debris, or at least a lot of it, has washed ashore on the beaches. Mostly tree limbs/trunks and large logs, but also an assortment of plastic containers and household items. It’s sad to think that some of these items were once an everyday part of people’s lives, and now it sits hundreds of miles from where it was.  And the loss of these material things have no comparison to the loss of lives that also occurred. Godspeed to their recovery.

Despite the heat, my 25 chickens are still laying very well, averaging 18-22 eggs every single day!  These are the best breed of laying chickens that I’ve had out here on the island, and I’ll certainly get the same breeds again when it’s time to replace them in a year or so.

Well that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and stay cool, and have a great day.

Gosh, nearly half of 2015 has passed us by!

The 2015 Annual Kid’s Fishing Tournament had a good turnout of children, even with the threatening weather overhead. I understand there was over 40 contestants and the Kite Contest was also able to be held with a good turnout. Please read the separate articles on these events.

Now for the Best and Biggest Fireworks Display ever, coming July 4th! Hoping you have made your plans, and can’t stress enough, for everyone to stay safe on this very busy weekend.

A reminder if you have not submitted your 2015 membership application and dues: These were due in April, and unfortunately if your are not a member we can not give out information on your business. Not missing one customer will pay for your yearly dues, so if you need an application give us a call. The Chamber is for you.

If you would like to be added to our address book, please email –361poc@gmail.com–361-983-2898.  Next meeting will be July 13th-6:30 p.m. –Meeting room at Community Center.

New & Renewed Members:
Cliff Blank Rentals –Commercial & Residential
The Two R.V. Park
Sylvia’s Hair Salon
S & J R.V. Hook-ups
June’s Pickup & Delivery & Wash & Fold

Kite Flying in POC

The weather was great for the Memorial Day Kite Flying contest sponsored by the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce. Everyone came out and had a great time. We sure did enjoy seeing all the beautiful kites and most of all watching everyone having a great time flying kites with their family and friends. There were a variety of kites flown and we had flyers from 4 years of age to adults.

Special Thanks to Shirley’s Small Fry’s for providing the water and to the Chamber for the great trophies, as well as the judges Andy and Danielle Wall. Fun was had by all and thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the wonderful day. Look forward to seeing everyone again next year, until then have a great summer. -Veronica Ragusin

Memorial Day Kite Flying Contest participants

Kids Fishing Tournament

Winners:

3 to 5 yr old
Smallest – Marshall Plummer
Biggest – Riley Pagel
Most – Megan Ulrich

6 to 8 yr old
Smallest – Blake
Biggest – Xitlalic Valderrama
Most – Shelby Wheat

9 to 12 yr old
Smallest – Jacoby Read
Biggest – Caleigh DeBord
Most – Elli Plummer

Donnie Klesel of POC Chamber of Commerce with one of the winners of the Memorial Day Kids Fishing Tournament.