Warrior’s Weekend Housing Preparations

Dear Editor,

Spring and Summer are fast approaching and with the change of Seasons comes many of our community-wide events. One of the most cherished events is Warrior’s Weekend. The amount of preparation that goes into an event like Warrior’s Weekend is tremendous and takes many volunteers giving much of their time. So it is never too early to begin.

Last year, over 1200 soldiers and family members attended, not counting the many volunteers. I have personally been involved for several years now, through Tigrett Real Estate, in finding housing for those soldiers and families, as well as volunteers, not staying in our hotels or coming in on buses. Thanks to a generous outpouring of support last year we were able to house over 580 people (soldiers and their families) and at least 20 volunteers including the sand sculptors. It took over 150 places to house this number and we still did not have enough and some were forced to stay in Victoria!

We are beginning to build our inventory for this year and making a list of specific features of the properties so that we can match the soldier’s needs to the places in which they stay. At this time, we are asking anyone who would like to participate in this heartwarming event to call me at 361-983-2671. We can use almost any type of space: an entire house, a bunk house, an upstairs or downstairs arrangement, a guest room, etc.

As always, I look forward to working with you to make this year’s Warriors Weekend scheduled for May 15,16,17, the Best Ever ! Thank you for your patriotism and your continued support.

Sincerely,
Bill Tigrett
361.983.2671 Office

Thank You, Terry Ruddick

On behalf of the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc., and all the residents and visitors to Port O’Connor that will benefit from a new community library and learning center, we would like to offer our sincere gratitude and thanks to Mr. Terry Ruddick and his company, Urban Surveying, Inc., of Victoria for donating surveying services. The work included a boundary or land title survey for six lots bounded by 6th Street and Main Street, a topographical survey of the property, a review of the existing Standard Flood Hazard Determination and a bench mark elevation for construction. This work will now allow the planning process to begin for the location and design of the building. Terry, thanks again for your support of the Port O’Connor community.

Anne and Mike Monnig

Relay For Life

Please consider joining me to support the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer through the Relay for Life. It is the signature event of the organization and gives us the opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember those who have lost the battle, and educate on early detection and prevention of cancer. The Relay for Life is also an opportunity for the citizens of Calhoun County to come together and demonstrate a united effort for a most worthy cause.

The Relay begins on April 10 at 6 p.m. and concludes at 1 a.m. on April 11. You can register a team or join an existing team at www.relayforlife.org/calhouncotx. Should you have any questions on registration, please contact Veronica Keller @ 361-935-8032 or veronica.keller@alcoa.com.

If your business or organization would like to sponsor, provide volunteers, or make a donation, please contact Veronica Keller.

Also, I encourage those who have battled cancer and won to join the Survivor’s team to represent one of the reasons we Relay – to Celebrate survivors! Survivors, we want to acknowledge your victory, and give you a chance to share your story with us.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Veronica Keller, Co-chair – Relay for Life 2015

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Letters to the Dolphin
P.O. Box 777
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
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What a great time we had with about 90 kids and adults here for “Camp Victorious” this past week! They went fishing, played volleyball and basketball, ate great food (better than camp food is supposed to be!), and participated in some awesome services with speaker Travis Glass. We had a penguin show up and four bicycles were given away, plus every kid received some gifts from many generous donors. The ground was still wet, but the skies opened up and the sun filled the days. The Retreat Center, Youth Room, and every other available place was “home” for Friday evening. It was truly a time that these kids will remember a lifetime. Special thanks to all those who came and helped decorate or worked the “Camp”. Eternity will be richer for your efforts!

We have a busy month planned. A men’s group from Mauriceville with Pastor Chad Kibodeaux will be here for a retreat this week. The special speaker will be our friend Evangelist Rod Vincent. Next week we will host another mens group from Faith Chapel, Houston, with Pastor Enrique Porras. Hermano Jesse will be helping with this effort. AND, we have rescheduled our Mens Retreat to April 2 through April 4 at the farm. All men with their boys are welcomed to join in these events. (YES, we are planning a Ladies Retreat in May – will keep your posted!)

March 22 is our Annual Chili Cook-off and again I am personally appealing for some judges who will help me win First Place. Those who have “helped” in the past have judged my chili the worst of the bunch! I have gone to making two entries so at least one of them will not be last place! If you will be a judge (and work cheap) and help this pastor out, please let me know ASAP.

On March 29, we will be collecting our monthly “Kids’ Offering for Food” to provide funds for our benevolence fund. Our pantry is open to anyone with a need in this community, but must be restocked from time to time. These special offerings truly are making a difference.

Also on March 29, we will have a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. for Mike Starkey. Many will remember Mike from his tire shop that was on the corner of Adams and 9th Street. He loved Port O’Connor and wished for his remains to be brought back here. His family will be coming in from all over, but many from Oklahoma. Everyone is welcome to provide comfort to this family with your presence for this special memorial service.

EASTER is a special day for us at Fisherman’s Chapel and for our entire community! Our annual Sunrise Service will be on the front beach, weather permitting, and Pastor Donnie Martin will be speaking. There will be special singing from the First Baptist Choir and a solo from the Chapel. Hot coffee, orange juice, and those delicious Cathy’s Cinnamon Rolls will be available for the time of fellowship that follows the service. The last couple of years, we have had more than 500 people who came to sing, “He Lives”! Please, bring your own ground blankets, chairs, golf carts, and anything else that will make your morning comfortable and “Rejoice” with us!

Fisherman’s Chapel has Sunday activities beginning at 10:00 a.m. for Bible Study, 11:00 a.m. for the Morning Service, 5:00 for Corporate Prayer, and 6:00 p.m. for our Evening Service. On Tuesday from 7:00 – 9:00, we offer Fisherman’s Bible Institute, an in-depth study of God’s Word. Our Midweek Service is on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and Friday Night Youth is from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. One will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and you are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

What an exciting last week, as several of us attended the Senior Retreat at Camp Zephyr, on Lake Corpus Christi. On Monday, at noon, Tommy & Brenda Smith and I and Mary Nell McGee and Alice Pittman departed for a fantastic three days at Camp Zephyr. We were treated with great Bible Study each day, led by Dr. Jimmy Arnold, Pastor of Woodsboro First Baptist. Bro. Yarbrough gave the Devotions each day and Marcos and Sue Gohlke sang and led the great Gospel Music. The Sermon each evening was given by Bro. Walter Jackson, Executive Director of Missions for Guadalupe Association and each of his messages touched our hearts.

The weather was not the best, but the fellowship was past the best! The three meals each day were super and the snacks, between meals were out-of- this-world!

The “Camp Auction” was a great “crowd pleaser”. Retreat attendees brought various items, which were auctioned off. Books, tools, clothing, crosses, paintings, cakes, and peanut brittle are just a few items that were sold with all proceeds going to the Camp. The Auction raised almost $6,000 for the Camp! The Camp Motel Rooms have been completely remodeled and they are beautiful.

The Senior Adult fall retreat at Camp Zephyr will be September 28 to October 1, 2015. The cost is $100 per person and includes three nights lodging and three meals each day. Make your reservations early for a room.

This years Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church Fellowship Hall. There will be special areas for each age group of children, special prizes, and refreshments will be served.

This years Annual EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE will be on the front Beach, Sunday, April 5, 2015, at 7:00 a.m. Bro. Donnie Martin, Pastor of First Baptist Church, will be preaching the Easter Sermon. The First Baptist Choir and members of Fisherman’s Chapel will have special music. Pastor Erny McDonough will lead in prayer. Hot coffee will be furnished by Fisherman’s Chapel and fresh rolls will be served by Cathy’s Restaurant.

Everyone is invited and urged to attend this very special service remembering and honoring the birth of our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST.

The First Baptist Church will be observing the “Lord’s Supper” on Sunday Morning, March 29, during the 11:00 a.m. Service. You are invited to attend and all Baptized Believers are invited to participate in the “Lord’s Supper”.

On Sunday Evening at First Baptist Church we will have our quarterly “BIRTHDAY BASH” celebrating the Birthdays of those with birthdays in January, February and March. There will be a short devotion followed by a tribute to the honored Birthday folks and then everyone will enjoy Chili, Beans, Cornbread and desserts. Everyone is welcome at this Fellowship Time!!

See you in Church Sunday!!

On Thursday, March 5, despite the cold and blustery day, several local bird lovers gathered at the POC library to learn more about bird migration. Friends of the Library hosted.

Bridgid and Allan Berger of POC drew from our local authors Doc and Martha McAlister’s book “A Naturalists Guide to Matagorda Island,” to present fun facts and helpful information about migratory birds, the two migration paths that intersect in our area, bird watching and identification, and birding opportunities in the POC area. Little known bird hideaways, surprising bird data and particulars, local lore, spotting specifics and expert assistance were discussed.

They did a wonderful job of sharing their love of birding and the richness present in our area. The photography presentation was amazing, and the birding bookmarks given as door prizes were lovely. The resource book is available at our local library.

If you missed this unique and educational afternoon, you missed a great opportunity. Stay on the lookout for the next community event. POC has lots to offer; you just have to be open to sharing with others, and look for the hidden gems in your own neighborhood.

Thanks to all who made this special afternoon possible.

“The Way I See It” is an attempt by the guest columnist to enlighten readers on a subject, as he views it, and does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

Hillary Implodes. How far will it go?

Hillary Clinton has been sold to us as “The Smartest Woman in the World” and “The First Woman President” by the Lib/Prog Media for 23 years. And if there is single consistent fact in politics, it is the Lib/Prog Media doesn’t like to admit they are wrong. But the wheels are falling off the Hillary for President Bandwagon. Even some at NBC have turned on her.

Hillary-Watchers from way-back can tell you that she was the Goldwater Girl that was radicalized before she went to Wellesley, and the transition was completed there. Her thesis was on Saul Alinsky, a radical socialist who was developing tactics to fool and trick Americans into accepting it. Her thesis was ‘withdrawn from publication’ after Bill Clinton and she became major political figures. She was offered a job with Alinsky’s Chicago operation, but chose Yale law school instead. While furthering her education, she met Bill Clinton. She claimed to recognize him as a future president and “hitched her wagon to a star”.

She was a dedicated radical at Yale, working on legal defenses for Black Panther terrorists. She was hired as a lawyer by the Democrats working on the impeachment of Richard Nixon, but was fired because “She was a liar”, her supervisor, Jerry Liefman, a life-long Democrat said, “She was an unethical, dishonest lawyer. She conspired to violate the Constitution, the rules of the House, the rules of the committee, and the rules of confidentiality”. Now that is really saying something, an attorney too dishonest for the Democrats? At least in the mid-70’s.

Bill Clinton lost an early election in Arkansas and his advisers placed part of the blame on his “hippie wife”, so she gave up the long straight hair, granny glasses, long tie-dyed dresses, and even shaved her legs. Political Success trumps Radical Leftist Chic. She could never pull off “Southern Belle”, but tried hard to look like the wife of ‘a moderate Democrat politician’, not Sasquatch or a hillbilly moonshiner. She made several fortunes while at Rose Law Firm, from ‘cattle-futures’, and other questionable deals, but mostly as Bill’s ‘bagman’ for political influence pedaling. She also learned to “never write anything down”.

As First Lady and self-appointed “Co-President”, Hillary came into her own power. HillaryCare was a bust, but Travelgate, Vince Foster assassination, Bimbo eruptions, the constant trail of Arkansas scandals, even Bill’s impeachment, all kept her in the news, gave her plenty of TV time to make excuses and blame The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, encourage the Liberal Media’s knee-jerk defense of her, and create this Feminist “Poor Hillary, she deserves to be President” meme until it has become part of our culture.

That liberal hysteria got her elected as carpetbagger Senator in New York even after her fit of kleptomania leaving the White House. She was reasonably careful as a Senator with her eye on the Presidency. With the Media scourging George Bush and all Repubs, she was the “shoo-in” in 2008, until a “well-spoken, young, light-skinned black man” with better Alinskyite/socialist credentials entered the race. Her campaign exposed Obama as being Constitutionally ineligible, but Race Card trumps Feminism in the New Democrat Party. She was given Secretary of State as a consolation prize.

Obama says she was a good SecState for HIM, but for America, not so much. She totally blew it. Benghazi is a career-killer. And it is just the tip of the iceberg of Hillary’s miscontrol of Obama’s anti-American Middle Eastern policy. With Muslim Brotherhood’s Huma Abedin as her major adviser, Hillary screwed up everything she touched. The Secret Email Accounts were just an attempt to control access to their communications. Huma is on the same server. Obama’s White House staff have been asked about his Email and refuse to answer. Ambassadors were disciplined for the same thing for their personal Emails, but Hillary is ‘above the law’. She, Huma, and Obama needed the deniability and easy-to-delete communications. They got caught because Hillary’s home-made server is easily accessible to hackers. That makes it a security risk and a crime. They can deny, lie, and whine about it, but the facts are those Emails are out there. That is why Hillary is beginning to back down on all of her excuses. The Democrats and the Lib Media will defend her from accusations of criminal and even treasonous behavior as long as they can protect Obama, but now the “cat is out of the bag” and with Warrants for her server and for the Email accounts that she sent messages to, all may come out. Not only the incompetence, lying, criminality, and treason, but the cover-up! That is what the Dems fear the most. The lying, criminal, Contempt of Congress cover-up. Valerie Jarrett threw Hillary under the bus last Monday, Hillary’s “Use-By Date” expired long ago, especially for the Obamunist Inner Circle. But she has kicked over the fire-ant hill, and all are being bit and stung.

I am not going to try to go over the tidal wave of info, excuses, counter accusations, and phony Media poses, because when it comes down to this political dog-fight, Hillary is over. Even many in the Lib/Prog Media know it; she must be sacrificed to defend The Party. If the real Republicans really defend the Republic and the Constitution, and actually get to the bottom of this, it may be possible to expose the criminality and corruption of the entire Obama Administration. But, never underestimate the ability of the RINOs to snatch “Defeat from the jaws of Victory”. Even if she can weasel out of this Insecure Server Scandal, the millions of dollars she took in bribes for the Clinton Foundation, many from foreigners, including Muslims, some with ties to Wahhabis and Muslim Brotherhood, are going to keep investigators busy for years.

Just my opinion based on my observation and reading, we will see how it plays out. Even Hillary can’t survive this Political Holocaust!