Wednesday, March 5th, was a very special day! I got to sit down with Officer Andrew Dimas in his office at the Seadrift School.

The most important thing I learned about Andrew Dimas was that he was a great cop. What are the makings of a great cop, you might ask? Well, he loves his job. He has a great respect for law and order. He enjoys the school staff. And he’s crazy about the kids! Judging from all the artwork hung in Andrew’s office you can see that the kids are crazy about him!

Andrew’s official title is School Resource Officer. He works at both the Seadrift and Port O’Connor schools.

Andrew wanted to be a cop since he was in grade school. In high school he completed a two-year Criminal Justice Course where he met police officers, deputies, and got to go on a tour of a jail. This course helped reinforce Andrew’s goal of becoming a police officer which led to him being in law enforcement for fourteen years, ten of which he served as a police officer. We salute your service, Andrew!

Andrew, commenting about his job as a School Resource Officer, said: “Working with the children and the amazing staffs at the Seadrift and Port O’Connor schools is the best job I’ve ever had. The kids alone make my day. They are so happy to see me and they’re always so talkative, telling me new things going on with them. Kids make my coming to work so enjoyable. You never know what they’re going to say.”

Andrew has a beautiful wife named Paige. They have two cats (Blu and Benji) and three dogs (Lola, Raven, and Maggie). Andrew loves hunting and fishing. His motto is “Treat others like you would like to be treated.”

Submitted by Russell Cain

Lewis Ray Madden and his wife Juaniece Marek Madden were natives of Calhoun County, she having been born in the Six Mile community and he in Port O’Connor. Both were educated in Calhoun County schools. Lewis graduated from Port Lavaca High School in 1939; Juaniece graduated from the same school in 1950 as the valedictorian of her class. After graduating, Lewis Ray attended Texas A&M University in Kingsville until World War II when he joined the United States Coast Guard, serving until 1946. After his service, he returned to Port O’Connor and went into business. He was part owner of Madden Mercantile, South Beach Terrace, and Port O’Connor Theatre.

Jauniece and Lewis were married January 19, 1951, and moved to Seadrift where they built two businesses, Main Theatre and Western Auto True Value Store. They also owned the Madden Dry Goods Store. Lewis served as a director of Seadrift and First National Bank. He was also a member of First Methodist Church of Port Lavaca.

In 1987, they sold their businesses and moved to their farm on Highway 38 in Calhoun County. After retiring, they became active in community work, especially with the Calhoun County Senior Citizens Center. They also traveled throughout the United States as well as in many foreign countries.

Even though they had retired, they remained active in community projects thereby gaining many honors in recognition of their tireless work. Juaniece was selected as Woman of the Year in 2006 by the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce. She also served as a member of the Senior Citizens Foundation, Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre, Calhoun County Taxpayers League, Golden Crescent Workforce  Commission, the Harbor Children’s Alliance, and the Calhoun County Humane Society.

The Maddens were very hard workers who always promoted their county in whatever endeavors they undertook. Their activities were always centered on Calhoun County, so the creation of the Madden Foundation in July of 2008 was a natural outgrowth of their heritage.

One of the community projects that was emblematic of the Maddens’ desire to give back to the community was their work in making the Main Street Theatre a functioning theatre again after many years of neglect and deterioration.

Russell Cain remembers that in 1991, that both were involved in scrubbing and cleaning the old downtown theatre; they were a part of the involvement of the whole town in the re-doing the Main Street Theatre. Not only did they work physically to renovate the theatre, but they also spearheaded the application for a grant from the Meadows Foundation in Dallas, a grant that was received when the Foundation saw the number of $5 and $10 donations from the people of the county. Those donations represented the widespread community support for the project of renovation. As a result, the theatre was dedicated in 1992.

The first play in the refurbished theatre was performed on the night of September 29 in 1994 and billed as a Gala Grand Opening. The play was directed by Pat Jurek, the theater teacher at Calhoun High School (the former Port Lavaca High School) and Russell Cain’s former teacher. Jurek directed 24 people in the cast. Invitations were delivered on a silver platter by Mrs. Jurek and others. That first performance was that of a murder mystery which took place in a courtroom where a jury chosen from the audience deliberated the fate of the accused. The defendant was a lady accused of doing away with her boyfriend.

The theatre was full that night, which gratified Russell since he was the defense attorney who was able to get her off with a not-guilty verdict. What a grand time was had by the people who attended this initial performance. The community celebrated the return of the theater to Port Lavaca and the prospect of further productions utilizing local talent. In addition, the theater hosts other events of a varied nature.

The Maddens always wanted the best for Port Lavaca and Calhoun County. The Madden Foundation continues to give back to Calhoun County with their support of the Calhoun County Humane Society’s animal shelter, the Heritage Center, a function of the Senior Citizens organization, the Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre, and many other projects.

The contributions of Juaniece Madden to the furtherment of her community was recognized by her being named the first recipient of the Port Lavaca Rotary Scholarship, the first woman to receive this honor.

Juaniece and Lewis Madden always admired hard workers who were also making Port Lavaca and Calhoun County better places. They were a couple dedicated to whatever job they could do to help further that end, whether it was scrubbing the bathroom floors in the theatre downtown alongside Russell Cain, Fay Sterling, and Ray and Tina Davila, or helping the project raise funds.

We have missed the Maddens, but the Madden Foundation represents that legacy of hard work and service. Their foundation has meant jobs for the many who staff the various non-profits supported financially. The Madden Foundation is a non-profit that is on sound financial footing, as evaluated by those who evaluate such organizations. Their saving and investing have meant much to those organizations and to the people served by them. The Foundation is thus a model for others to follow.

Port Lavaca Mentor passes. Connie Hunt has been a mentor to so many Republicans in Calhoun County and throughout Texas.

Connie entered her eternal home on February 28, 2025, in Copperas Cove, Texas.  Connie Jane Prince was born March 7, 1936, in Memphis, TN.  Connie is survived by her husband Ed Hunt, currently living in Copperas Cove, Texas.  Connie is preceded in death by her son Corbin Hunt. Connie will be greatly missed by a multitude of family and friends from all over the world.

Connie married Edward Hunt October 30,1954, and they lived all over the world while Ed was in the service; first serving in the Navy and then enlisting in the Army.  Connie worked in offices wherever Ed’s service took them.  Ed and Connie settled at Magnolia Beach in Calhoun County some 30 years ago.  Ed and Connie celebrated 67 years of marriage last fall.

Connie was very active with the Conservative Club and the Republican Party.   Connie was a proud supporter and contributor to the “We the People” program at Calhoun High School and was proud to create a field trip experience through the Republican Club that has allowed high school students from Calhoun to travel to the State Capitol in Austin to observe Congress in action and to experience the State Museum.

Connie was a good and faithful servant, and God has been so good all these years even as she faced heart concerns and illnesses. Throughout her life, Connie shared her talents and devotion within her church community, she was always ready to serve in any capacity.  Her energy and dedication were a blessing to those around her.  She sang regularly with a voice that was truly a gift from God.  She was seven days short of her 89th birthday. She truly had God with her always.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22.

Memorial Service was held March 15 at Cowboy Fellowship Church

Gravesite service pending at a later date in Briggs, Texas.

Our beloved father and grandfather, Henry Berthold Bennetsen, 92, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2025.  Henry was born on November 26, 1932 on the family farm in Yoakum, Texas to Otto and Albina Bennetsen, and he was the oldest of twelve children.

Henry attended school at the Yoakum Pilot Grove School, and attended Lutheran church.  Henry married Leona Lucille Frieda on Mothers Day, May 8, 1955 at the Lutheran Church in Sublime, Texas.  To this union was born five children; Rex Bennetsen, Sherry Bennetsen Taylor, Delton Bennetsen, Clinton Bennetsen and Darla Bennetsen George.

Henry’s life revolved around Jesus Christ, his family, love of gardening and being one of the finest fiddle players in the country, having at one time being in the Southernaires Band and opening for such  headliners as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash at the Louisiana Hayride Music Show.  Henry also worked for many years at Brown & Root and was a commercial shrimper in Seadrift, where he raised his family.  Henry later lived for 50 years in the Brazoria, Tx. area married to Doris Steadham.  After Doris’ passing, Henry moved back to Seadrift where he enjoyed the last seven years of his wonderful life.  Henry is now reunited in heaven with his band buddies, fiddling his favorite song, the Orange Blossom Special.

Henry is survived by four children; Rex (Mittie) Bennetsen of Victoria, Sherry (Rod) Taylor of Seadrift, Clint Bennetsen of Rockport and Darla (David) George of La Mesa, California.  Also three brothers; Raymond, Leon and Kenneth Bennetsen of Yoakum, and two sisters; Doris Ann McCord of Sweet Home and Carrie Lynn Spencer of Yoakum.  And 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, along with NUMEROUS nieces and nephews.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents; son, Delton Bennetsen; three brothers, Morris, Melvin and Charlie Bennetsen; three sisters, Helen Mareth, Annie Mae Bennetsen and Jerlene DeBault; and a grandchild, Christopher Bowman.

A private ceremony with family was held on March 12, at the Seadrift Cemetery, with Pastor Tim Smith officiating.  Funeral services were handled by Grace Funeral Home in Port Lavaca.  And a special Thank You to the wonderful people of Hospice of South Texas, and also to private caregivers Gwyn Cormier and Linda Twiner.