Newly Ordained
Reverend Jesse C. Alderete
and wife, Angie
Fisherman’s Chapel

The remodeling of the Chapel is beginning to take shape! Please come by and see for yourselves! The new lights (most of them) have been installed, the ceiling and walls painted, and the old carpet removed and the new flooring installed. There is much more to be accomplished, but we have got the process started! AND, pastor Joane was talking with me today about how this work has been done with the skillful help of our people! It is happening just as it did in Solomon’s day when people with differing skills come together to accomplish something that was the sum total of all their different talents. Thank God for all those who have given of themselves as well as of their funds to make this project a success!

Last month we not only celebrated Mother’s Day and Hermano Jesse’s ordination, but we cracked 300 eggs, used 150 pounds of sausage, and made 3,500 breakfast tacos for our Warrior’s Weekend! What an honor it is for us to be a part of this great event each year. We are able to accomplish this huge task only because we have many people behind the scenes who give and work and make it happen! Thanks! We hosted 60-65 ladies in a Ladies Retreat here at the Chapel. It was a great time and we have been asked to host a similar event again. We will keep you posted so all of you can participate in it as well. On May 31, we had another graduation service for those who had successfully completed this semester’s work in Fisherman’s Bible Institute (FBI). Another class will be forming this fall, so make plans to be a part of our in-depth study of God’s Word.

June is already moving quickly as we have several groups coming for Retreats. In fact, we have some group coming every week and are thankful that the Lord is blessing us through those who come. We are trying to change the atmosphere over Port O’Connor, attempting to make it a God-Honoring community in every aspect! We sincerely believe that the more wholesome activities we have here, the more of the presence of the Lord is here AND that is one of our goals!

We have a sectional Men’s Breakfast that we are attending on Saturday, June 20, at Wharton. Every dad present on Father’s Day at the Chapel will be specially recognized and honored for their tough assignment – being a dad! And to honor our boys, we are having having a “Boys’ Retreat, with the help of the men” on June 25 -27. This retreat will be at the Farm, and every boy with their dad or another responsible man is welcomed to attend. For more information, contact David Walker or any of the other men at the Chapel.

On June 30, and for the next five or six Tuesday evenings, Pastor Joane will be teaching from the book “Conversation Peace”. It is a great book on how to obtain inner peace and how to keep it. The classes and time of fellowship begin at 7:00 p.m. each Tuesday evening and end about 9:00 p.m. For those interested, please call pastor Joane at 361/648-4622 so you can obtain a book – or just show up and enjoy the time with others!

On July 5, we are glad to host the ministry of Evangelist Gene and Mona Summers. The Summers have been in evangelist ministry for many years. Everyone will remember their wit and humor and the strong, anointed ministry of the Word. They will be ministering in both the 11:00 a.m. morning service and the 6:00 p.m. evening service. All are invited to attend these special services at the Chapel.

We have been asked, “Are you going to celebrate Christmas in August again this year?” Assuredly! Bro. Rick Gorden will be coming to Port O’Connor on August 9 for a special time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. We have been doing this for several years, and each year we add more and more opportunities for celebrating. Come and enjoy this special time – mark your calendars! It will be a memorable and fun!

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to help us as we journey from here to Heaven! We have some grand things in the planning stages that will definitely make a mark on Port O’Connor and we welcome you be become a part. Everyone will find a warm welcome at the Chapel and you are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Fisherman’s Bible Institute Graduates (left to right)
Kim Sonnier, Frances Pressley, Patricia McKnight, Darrin Luna

Summer at First Baptist Church, is now in “full swing”.  The Children, those who have completed the 3rd. through the 6th. grade at School, departed for “Summer Camp” this past Wednesday morning, June 10.  They spent three days at Palacios Baptist Encampment and returned to Port O’Connor Saturday afternoon, June 13.  They enjoyed special Bible Study, swimming, games and evening Christian Concerts.

Vacation Bible School, called “Journey Off The Map” was held last week.  Children enjoyed the crafts, Bible study, missions, new songs, snacks and the “bouncer”.  VBS Graduation was Thursday evening, June 18 and children, parents, grandparents and friends all had a great time.

The Church “Ladies Bible/Book” Study continues each Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall.  All ladies are invited to attend this exciting time of learning and the Fellowship everyone enjoys.

All Fathers are urged to attend the Special “FATHER’S DAY” service on Sunday, June 21.  Each Father will be presented with a GIFT from the Church in the 11:00 a.m. service.
On Sunday Morning, June 28, in the 11:00 a.m. service, the Church will observe the Church Ordinance of “THE LORD’S SUPPER”.

On Sunday Evening, June 28, at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, we will have our Quarterly “BIRTHDAY BASH”.  The Church will celebrate the Birthdays of all those with Birthdays in April, May, and June.  After a Devotion by our Pastor Donnie Martin, and singing “Happy Birthday” to the honorees, everyone will enjoy “PIZZAS & GREEN SALAD” and desserts.  Everyone is invited to “All you can eat Pizza” and the exciting fellowship.

See you in church Sunday!

Research has proven that the importance of the role of Dad has been belittled recently by many in the social media. Dads are vital to the raising of the next generation. It is important for every boy to have a positive male role model in his life for his proper development into manhood. It is imperative every girl have a positive male role model in her life in order for her to become the lady God intended. Pastor Joane and I often have discussed that the male interaction with adolescents is more impacting to the child versus the female input.
Dads, we must make the effort, no matter the challenges, to lead our children. To help us remember the points made in this article, I sue the acronym ‘LEAD THEM’ as a summary.

Love Them

Every child and every person on planet earth needs to feel loved. It matters little for us to love without the other person knowing it! I have ways of loving that are pathways to my heart, but those may not be the pathways to others hearts! We must demonstrate love by spending time with them and listening to them without judging them. Today’s youth are influenced from many arenas, so before we knock them for their ideas, take time to discover from where they are coming.

Encourage Them

By discovering our children’s dreams and interests and being present in their lives, we can provide them with encouraging words and help them overcome fears and insecurities that may be holding them back from accomplishing their potential. Praise and other forms of reward will motivate them to stretch beyond their limitations to become all they were designed to accomplish.

Ask Them

Asking our children questions is a great way to get to know what is going on inside of them and help them to think about what is important. By looking into their eyes when we are talking to them or when they are talking to us helps them know they have our full attention.

Discipline Them

Discipline is never abuse! We must learn many ways to bring correction other than just punishing them. Chores are a good way to teach our children how to take responsibility. Teaching them limits and boundaries are pathways to proper development. Showing them, not just telling them, how to respect others is a very important lesson so they can get along well with others.

Train Them

Train our children not just how to do the things we know how to do, but teach children our personal spiritual beliefs and why we believe them. Be a good role model because they will follow what we do much more quickly than what we tell them.

Have Fun With Them

Learning to play and joke around with our kids is important – play is a child’s work. They need to learn how to relax and unwind from the stresses that they have in their lives. When we were young, playing sports was just that – play. Now kids are being taught that sports must be worked at because it is the road to scholarships. We make work out of what was designed to be fun! Expose them to new experiences. Make it our goal to make memories that will outlast us.

Equip Them

Help our children understand what they are good at and provide them guidance in how they can develop their strengths. Teaching them spiritual disciplines like praying, reading their Bibles, and church attendance will carry them through the rough spots in life. We often only teach them the things that will help them in this life and often neglect to talk to them about eternal issues.

Motivate Them

Often we spend more time trying to correct bad behavior than rewarding our children for good behavior. As a result, they believe that bad behavior will get them the most attention. By teaching our children how to set goals, and rewarding them when they accomplish those goals, we encourage them to “go for the gold”.

I never had a class at any level of my training that helped me learn how to be a good dad! I believe being a real dad is the hardest task on the planet. Being a mom seems to come naturally, but the class named “dad-hood” is easily failed. Our oldest will be 40 this year, and I have often wished I had another opportunity to be a better dad. I believe that when we learn to LEAD THEM, we will have more success stories to tell at Father’s Day celebrations.

Patsy Bryan Turk

PORT O’CONNOR – After a lengthy battle with cancer, Patsy ‘Pat’ Bryan Turk entered the gates of Heaven on Thursday, May 14, 2015 where she was greeted with open arms by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She was born in Nederland, Texas, on June 5, 1938 to the late Oscar and Bertie Bryan, and was the youngest of five daughters.

She was a prominent and devoted member of the Port O’Connor community for over 25 years: Port O’Connor Womens Birthday Club, First Baptist Church of Port O’Connor (where she was also the Church’s Sunday School secretary), the greeter and desk worker at the Senior Tuesday Luncheon Group, a member of the Port O’Connor Community Service Club, and a Bridge Club member.

She is survived by her loving children, Patti Rae Garza (Fabian), John Ray ‘J.R.’ Toups Jr. (Renna), William Dalton ‘Billy’ Toups (Mary), Terry Neal Turk, Gregory Arthur Turk, Trent Ray Turk (Beckie), and Tracey Ranelle Griffith; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Katherine Fontana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 26 years, Jesse Ray Turk; parents; siblings; and numerous other loved family members.

In lieu of flowers or plants, please make a donation to the Calhoun County Humane Society in Port Lavaca or The Hospice of South Texas.

The family would like to offer their gratitude to Hospice of South Texas and her attending physician Dr. Leigh Ann Falcon for their care, attention, professionalism and unwavering compassion for their mother.

Interment of ashes will take place at a later date.

Ray Middleton

PORT O’CONNOR – Ray Middleton 93 of Port O’Connor passed away June 5, 2015. He was born April 25, 1922 in Houston, Texas to the late Gus and Ruth Heinz Middleton. Ray was an owner and operator of Mar-Ray Tow Boat Company in Houston and he was also a Shriner for 60 years.

Ray is survived by his wife Kay Middleton; step-children, Linda (Kelly) Pitts, Sandi (David) May, Robin (Carl) Stringer, and Lewis (Patsy) Tyra; grandchildren, Kelly (Kim) Pitts, Allison Stringer, Trey Tyra, Andrea Tyra, Davy (Kylee) May, and Melanie May; great-grandchildren, George and Charles Pitts, Ava and Allysa Alvarez; brothers, Allan Middleton, and John (Scooter) Middleton; nephews, Ryan and Adam Middleton.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his brother, Alfred Middleton.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at the Port O’Connor Community Center.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com

Bobbie Jo Spaulding Deal

Bobbie Jo Spaulding Deal of Seadrift, Texas passed away May 9, 2015, ten days before her 74th birthday. Bobbie was born in 1941 in San Juan, Texas.

Bobbie is survived by her son Mark and her daughter Debbie; three sisters: Dorothy, Shannon and Phyllis; grandchildren Jayson, Peace and Tasha Rodriguez; and two great-grandchildren.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents Joe Spaulding and Oleda Dobbs Spaulding; one daughter Janette Faye; one son Eddie (Bubba) Deal, and one sister Diane Lynn.

A memorial service was held Sunday, May 24, 2015 at Assembly of God Church in Seadrift.

Genevieve R. Scott

PORT O’CONNOR – Genevieve ‘Jenny’ Ramos Scott passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2015. She was born on December 7, 1927 in Matagorda to Luciano ‘Chano’ and Dolores Dominguez Ramos. She was a lifetime resident of Port O’Connor and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Jenny enjoyed spending time with her family and nieces and nephews. Jenny enjoyed attending community events, going to the beach (especially to watch the 4th of July fireworks, from her favorite table next to the pier), making a round through town, and dancing.

In 1953, Jenny met and married the love of her life, Richard Eugene Scott of St. Paul, Minnesota. The marriage was complete by the birth of their children, Rick Allen Scott, Sr. and Debra Iletta Scott Gayle (Daniel).

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and the following siblings; Elvira Ragusin, Aurelia Breeden (Thomas), Mary Esther Zarate, Dolores Trent (Bob), Joe David Ramos, Sr. (Dorothy), Lydia Ann Ramos (infant) and Elvalena Zuniga.

Jenny is survived by her children and sister, Rosalie Stringo Bryant; brother-in-law, George Zarate; sister-in-law, Lola Kelleher; grandchildren, Roxanne Gayle Ochoa (Aaron), Julie Murphy Carriles (Gilbert), Scott Allen Gayle, Rick Allen Scott, Jr., great-grandchildren, Kayne Carriles, McKaelyn Carriles, Antonio Gloria, Kyndra Carriles, Isaiah Ochoa and Helios Ochoa; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Tommy Chen officiating. Burial was at Port O’Connor Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Ricky Ragusin, David Stringo, Patrick Ragusin, Darl Trent, Leslie Michael Stringo and Joe David Ramos, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Daniel Gayle, Scott Gayle, Rick Allen Scott, Jr., Aaron Ochoa, Gilbert Carriles, Jody Strattman, Gary Prince and Glenn Prince.

Virginia Kirchner

SEADRIFT – Virginia Marie Dittfurth was born in Yorktown on December 2, 1924 to the late Henry and Nathalie Ideus Dittfurth. She passed away Friday June 5, 2015 at age 90. Virginia graduated from Yorktown High School in 1943.

She met the late Oswald Henry Kirchner and they were married on November 19, 1944. Together they raised five children who survive, Nancy (George) Taylor of Coleman; Gary (Debbie Sue) Kirchner of Port Lavaca; Kenneth (Jan) Kirchner of Seadrift; Peggy (Wilmor ‘Buster’) Hadley of Seadrift; Deborah (Frank) Ross of Victoria; step son, Oswald (Celine) Kirchner of San Antonio. They were blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Virginia enjoyed being outdoors, working in her flowers and vegetable garden. Loving animals, she took care of sheep, chickens and rabbits, naming most of them.

There was a special place in her heart for all of her family. She knew the special things that each one liked. If one grandchild wanted to spend the night it was better to have them all. A new baby added to the family made her day. Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays always meant a lot to both her and Dad, just having the whole family together. We were given lots of love, taught respect, and that ‘a little work won’t hurt you’.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Grace Funeral Chapel. Burial followed at Seadrift Cemetery.

Sustainable Texas Oyster Resource Management, LLC. (S.T.O.R.M.)

Jeri’s Seafood, Inc. and Sustainable Texas Oyster Resource Management, LLC. (S.T.O.R.M.) thank Representative Joe Deshotel, Chairman of the House Land and Resource Management Committee, for his courage in filing HB 3335 and standing up to the bullying tactics of Prestige Oysters and its hired henchmen.

HB 3335 recognized the authority of Navigation Districts to lease their submerged lands to the private sector for oyster cultivation, just like one Navigation District did for Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) to cultivate oysters. The bill also authorized and directed TPWD to make rules about cultivating oysters on privately owned land that would ensure responsible oyster management practices and a healthy bay system.

But thanks to underhanded tactics – such as the hiring of discredited private investigator Wayne Dolcefino to intimidate members of the Texas Legislature – Prestige Oysters was also able to kill a bill containing industry agreed upon language to establish an oyster mariculture program and an oyster license buyback program at TPWD that helped everyone and hurt no one. In fact, Lisa Halili of Prestige Oysters testified personally against an effort by House Culture Recreation and Tourism Chairman Ryan Guillen to establish such a program.

However, the bill killing did not stop there. Thanks to amendments added and supported by Prestige Oysters that were designed to aid its efforts in a frivolous lawsuit, an important bill the Port of Houston needed also died.

Aided by freshman Galveston County Representative Wayne Faircloth, Prestige Oysters worked against the concept of private property stewardship of oyster beds using free market principles in favor of taxpayer-funded programs of which Prestige Oysters (which claims to be the largest oyster company in the United States) is the primary beneficiary.  It is puzzling why Rep. Faircloth, a self-proclaimed conservative who states on his campaign website that “I believe that capitalism in a free market economy is the path to prosperity,” worked against the private property free market principle in favor of the status quo of more government subsidies for the oyster industry.  In fact, the budget supported by Rep. Faircloth includes almost $700,000 for the recovery and enhancement of public oyster reefs – the same reefs being plundered by irresponsible oyster fisherman like those behind Prestige Oysters.

Prestige Oysters and its allies are no friends to Galveston Bay and the Texas oyster industry.  As the largest importer of oysters harvested from neighboring states, Prestige Oysters enjoys immense profits from its out of state oyster importing business – against which  Texas privately grown oysters must compete. Prestige Oysters and its allies testified against the establishment of an oyster mariculture program that would have benefited the entire Texas oyster industry by granting more private lease sites for oystermen to invest private capital, build reefs, and grow their own oysters sustainably.  Days after testifying against the mariculture bill, Prestige Oysters, the Halilis and their allies proposed language that contributed to the defeat of an industry supported and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) supported oyster license buyback bill – a bill that would have reduced harvest pressure on wild public reefs. Their sneaky addition of language to the bill would have allowed only those seven persons or corporations that currently have oyster leases to qualify for all new leases issued on private or state owned submerged land, with or without landowner consent.

Their language would have been a greedy, unethical use of the legislative system to create bad law by allowing a few people to control all the leases, creating an oyster cartel in Texas, because Prestige Oysters, the Halilis and their allies currently control a large majority of the current private leases of state land.
We at S.T.O.R.M. agreed to withdraw our HB 3335 and substitute it with Chairman Guillen’s mariculture bill. We supported other beneficial bills, such as the oyster license buyback program, oyster harvest vessel monitoring system, and everyone on board responsible for shell and undersize oyster harvest violations. We had no issues with the Port of Houston’s bill until the Halilis were allowed to amend the bill in an underhanded attempt to take Navigation Districts submerged land rights away.

We can verify every statement we make, the Halilis cannot. Do not believe the false misleading claims of Prestige Oysters, the self-proclaimed largest corporate oyster company in the United States, or its front group, Concerned Citizens of the Texas Gulf Coast.

Get the facts at http://www.oysterstorm.com.
Op-Ed paid for by S.T.O.R.M.