Got Chicks?

Almost! Pairs of American Oystercatchers are incubating eggs at the edge bays and sloughs right here in Port O’Connor & Seadrift. Oystercatchers are distinctive looking birds. With their bright orange bill and eye ring, black head, brown back and white chest they look almost clown-like. Both the male and female incubate the eggs and often call to each other with a long loud “wheer-wheer-we-heh-heh-heh”. They earn their name from their eating habits, using their large dagger-like bills to either pry or bound open oysters & other mollusks. They also probe in the tidal zone to retrieve tasty morsels like marine worms and amphipods that live in the sand or mud-flat.

If you see an oystercatcher sitting along the shore line, keep your distance. If the parent is flushed from the nest, the eggs or chicks can fall victim to prey such as gulls, cats, hogs and coyotes. Once hatched oystercatcher chicks can walk after twenty four hours but it takes nearly two months before their bill is strong enough to open an oyster.

Watch for these beautifully strange looking birds and remember to Fish, Swim & Play from 50 yards away! This article provided by Mid-Coast Chapter Texas Master Naturalists. Learn how you can become a Texas Master Naturalist at www.MidCoast-TMN.org

Kathy Lavern Blevins, 64 of Seadrift, TX passed away on March 16, 2015. She was born July 3, 1950 in Apalachicola, Florida to the late Jesse and Capitola Polous. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her husband Kenneth (Peanut) Blevins of 47 years of marriage; daughter, Vanessa Burke (Johnny); son, Allen Dale Blevins (Krystal) and four grandchildren, Brandi Lee, Jordan Blevins, Graysen Blevins and Kambrie Blevins; brothers, James Polous (Mag), John Joe Polous; sisters, Ruth Neal, Irma Nell Peddie (Carl), Linda Faye Lolley (Jesse), Margaret Aileen Boatwright (Larry), Vicki Lynn Segree (Ronnie), and Jeanette Spann (Chris) all of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Ray Polous, two sisters, Elizabeth Gilbert and Catherine Polous.

Funeral services were held at on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Seadrift. Burial followed at the Seadrift Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Wesley Cunningham, James Cunningham, Darrell Blevins, Christopher Tanton, John Ballard, Jeremy Cady and Jamie Morgan.

Chili Cook-off Winners
Fisherman’s Chapel held it annual Chili Cook-off in March. Judged as the winning cooks were (left to right): 1st place, Joane McDonough; 2nd place, Angie Alderete; 3rd place, Vicky Cobb.

What a great Easter Sunrise Service we enjoyed on the Front Beach! The weather was not perfect, but good enough for over 450 people to gather to praise the Risen Savior! Pastor Donnie preached a wonderful message; the Baptist Choir did an awesome job, and Cathy’s cinnamon rolls and coffee were excellent. It was a great way to begin a Resurrection Sunday.

The Chapel had a great day Easter Sunday with lots of activities. Regrettably, the mother of the twins we were to dedicate to the Lord got sick after the Sunrise Service, so we will reschedule that event for a later day. The Kids’ Egg Hunt, which was sponsored by the Teen Class, went off splendidly, with about 1,000 eggs hunted and found. We especially appreciate those who made a decision to follow Jesus in the morning service – Heaven will be richer for it!

The Chapel men enjoyed a few days at the farm with a retreat. There were 17 men and boys who killed a snake, shot at rabbits and clay pigeons, but mainly enjoyed each other’s company. We are looking forward to the next one, which is being planned for early June. Everyone is invited to come and share in this event, and who knows, you might get the opportunity to do something you have never done before – like shoot a shotgun or AR – who knows?

Recently we had the privilege of helping host an Area Revival in Port Lavaca with Evangelist Don Brankel. I have personally been acquainted with Bro. Brankel for over 50 years and have always known him to be a great preacher of the Word. He regularly preaches conventions, camp meetings, and great revivals around America. It was an awesome move of the Lord with many people moved in a positive way toward eternity.

Recently, Pastor Joane and Hermano Jesse ministered in the services. We also had the former pastor of Cornerstone in Port Lavaca, Bro. David Ennis, preach for us. It is always good when we hear from other ministers about the goodness of our Lord.

On Sunday, April 12, we had a special farewell service in Nixon for Pastor Geraldine Brooks, who has served that congregation along with her husband for the past 13 years. It was a very emotional time, but a great time of remembering God’s faithfulness and remembering His continued care. We do not know what tomorrow holds for Sister Brooks, but our prayers will continue going with her.

We will be hosting another Sea Academy with Captain Robert on April 24 through May 1. As always, Captain Robert takes a personal interest in every student and will make sure that each one successfully completes the course of study. Having been holding Classes at the Chapel since 2000, several hundred students are now qualified to work in the boating industry in various capacities. Those interested should contact Sea Academy at 361/758-6184 or Captain Robert directly at 361/888-3010.

Fisherman’s Bible Institute is about to complete another year of study. Pastor Joane has been instructing those attending in practical application of the Word of God. Everyone who has done this study now or in the past has told how much it has assisted them in their walk with the Lord. A new class will be forming this fall and everyone should avail themselves of this unique opportunity – getting the benefits of Bible School right here in Port O’Connor!

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and we are preparing special gifts for every mother present. Moms are precious to the Chapel, and we try to treat each one for uniqueness and gifting as they have one of the most difficult tasks in the universe – raising children to become productive adults! There will be special events in all the services of the Chapel, and everyone is urged to come and bring your mom.

Immediately after Mother’s Day is Warrior’s Weekend. We have been asked to provide 2,500 breakfast tacos for those attending. This will take a lot of effort from a lot of people and we unashamedly ask for help from this community! You have always come through in the past and we are confident that continued assistance will be coming. The Egg Cracking Party will begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 14, so plan to come and enjoy this unique opportunity.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is simply to help people reach Heaven and enjoy the trip! Everyone will find a warm welcome at the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

A Benefit for Debbie Scott Gayle, currently battling pancreatic cancer, will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at Madden’s Lounge in Port O’Connor. Lunch plates will be sold and there will be a silent auction and bake sale. There will be entertainment in the evening.

Debbie’s family and supporters will have a booth at the Crawfish Festival to sell raffle tickets for a Yeti Tundra 75 cooler, T-shirts, and “show-your-support” bracelets.

Also, supporters may contribute donations to a fund at First National Bank or contact family members about raffle tickets or donating items.

Contact info:

By phone Rick Scott 361.649.0343, Roxanne Ochoa 361.903.0387, Ricky Scott 361.935.8087, Scott Gayle 361.649.4515

Email roxgayle@gmail.com

Or find us on Facebook

Thank you!!!

You have a birthday this year. It may already have happened or it may yet to be, but we all have one this year. Of course when you are young the big birthday is either this year, as that birthday approaches, or next year as you think of becoming older and wiser and whatever else your young heart is desiring.

As you get older the next birthday somehow gets a little less exciting. In a mathematical sense the importance of birthdays seems to become as the inverse of your age. In other words the importance fades as your age grows.

In fact it rather changes as the decades change. I would call this the “Big O” problem, Some will remember the ditty “Lordy Lordy Joe is now forty”. At some point in time we begin to think in ten year increments instead of one year. I don’t remember my 36th birthday but I do remember my fortieth and so on.. That is not senility; it is just the way it is.

By the time of the big Three O I had already lost in a local county election. However, in my county I did get more votes that Mr. Goldwater. The big Five O birthday is a memorable one. I became an official member of the OFC. That is the old f..ts Club. By that time I had left the executive suite and had returned to my main love and became one of those meticulous engineers.

By the time of my big Six O I was in Texas and wondering why I hadn’t moved South sooner. I was also becoming somewhat surprised that I had made it that far in life. In my more rebellious youth, I was certain I wouldn’t live long so I thought it was necessary to live fast. That was somewhat of a mistaken assumption. It is more fun to stop and smell the roses and the coffee.

Then I actually passed the big Seven O and was semi-retired. It was semi because the workaholic tendencies of my youth faded much slower than my youth had faded. Sadly, it was in that seventh decade that many of my earlier choices to not live the healthy exercised life began to catch up. Many of my friends died. The aches and pains began to multiply. They were trying to match up with my decades.

Now as I approach, or by the time you read this, pass the big Eight O it has become time to reflect on decades past. The future ones are a little too scary to think about.

The net of it all the reflection is that I have lived a most interesting life, lived in many interesting places, met and had most amazing friends. I can actually say that I have explored a most exciting world. This makes me ask what else could I have wanted. And my answer is I wouldn’t have changed this life a bit. I wish the same for you.