Early in 2011, local Captain Tom Hans spearheaded an operation involving a group of local volunteers to catch broodstock of spotted seatrout for Lake Jackson’s Sea Center Texas where Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has engineered a Stock Enhancement Program to replenish bay waters. At that time, Mrs. Jennifer Butler with the TPWD came to POC and commandeered the operation and instructed fishermen on the procedures involved to safely guarantee the success of catching and transporting the fish to be used. The result of two fishing excursions netted over 100 fish to be used as broodfish for our area. The results of this endeavor are shown in the chart below as reported by Mrs. Butler. The numbers represent the total amount of fingerlings released at an average size of 35 millimeters each since that time.

As the year 2014 comes to a close, it is encouraging to find that almost all of the releases have taken place in our local bays compared to the total fingerlings released statewide. TPWD is aware of the decimation of the trout population in our area and is involved in a concerted effort to reverse this trend.

The present broodfish on hand have had a banner year of production. However, as they age, the fish are not as prolific and need to be replaced with younger trout. Upon being informed of this, Captain Hans lined up some volunteers and secured the permission from the Ineos Plant supervisor to allow the TPWD fish tank truck access to a fishing area. Local Captains Kirk Morgan and Doug McClung and Tom Hans joined Corando Chapa of Ineos in catching forty more broodfish to replenish the aging stock. It will be rewarding to find that some trout that have been caught locally and more catches in the future will be a result of this ongoing program to restock our bays.

Several books have the tendency to become very topical at certain times of the year; one, in particular now, is O’Henry’s THE GIFT OF THE MAGI. It tells the story of a young couple, deeply in love and somewhat lacking in finances, who want to give something very special to each other. The wife has beautiful long hair that creates a stunning image; her husband a gold pocket watch that had been in his family for a number of years. And so, each sacrifices their special possessions to give to the other.

But, December means lots of cookbooks and those specializing in Christmas decorations that arrive in our Library. One of the newest is BETTY CROCKER’S NEW CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK. But one of my favorites is the CHRISTMAS COOKING book from Better Homes & Gardens. Each features different aspects of our wonderful Christmassy Season; the book from Betty Crocker also displays menus for a wonderful dinner featuring either turkey or roast beef. My favorite book! And, having grown up on Betty Crocker’s original cookbook back in the 40’s!!!!!!, I know you cannot go wrong!

And, additionally, many books with a Christmas theme are on the shelves now, just in time to read and give you that extra-special Christmassy feeling. Be sure and tap into the books, old and new, from Debbie Macomber as well as those from Linda Lael Miller. You won’t be disappointed as you read and enjoy the special stories that each displays.

Do come and check out our Library that will be garbed in its own Christmas Dress in December. Many old fashioned decorations plus those that had been made by some of our younger set several years ago will be featured on our tree, hopefully to the delight of the onlooker. Music and Carols will ring out greetings to you as you enter the door and our main table will be offering snacks to enjoy. Besides, if you have never been in our Library, it’s time to come and check it out; we have lots of fiction, new and older, biographies, art books and of course, some excellent cookbooks, including my favorite, GULF COAST COOKING, which features our own, Mrs. Raby’s recipe for crab cakes. And there are lots and lots of DVD’s available to take home, ranging from those applicable for children to those of interest for our many adults.

Merry Christmas to all our readers and those who walk into our library. And we look forward to seeing you once again in 2015!!!!

I know I’ve used the following quote for several years, but it really makes sense. Just think about it!

“When an old person dies, a Library burns down!”
Karin Gillespie

Seadrift Volunteer Fire Department will be holding a Fund Raiser on January 31, 2015 to help raise money to assist with maintenance, repairs and supplies to better serve the Seadrift community.

A Chili Dinner, Open House, and Bake Sale will be held at the Seadrift Fire Station.

Chili Dinner tickets are $6.00 and can be purchased from your volunteer fire fighters and at the door.

Seadrift VFD Fund Raiser
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015
6:00 p.m.
Seadrift Fire Department
102 E. Dallas Avenue

Sunday, November 23, 2014, dawned chilly and overcast, rain too, but that didn’t stop a group of enthusiastic chefs entered into the Fourth Annual Turkey Cookoff sponsored by Eloisa and Joe Newsome of Josie’s. Five official entrants plus 1 unofficial (Joe Newsome) braved the somewhat inclement weather to prepare their prize winning or almost prize winning turkeys as the air teemed with the aroma of turkeys plus all kinds of wood & hickory smoke. Fun seemed to be the overwhelming aim of each cook and helper as they all joked back and forth with each other and sampled some of the offerings of each cook.

Besides of having a great deal of fun and amusement and sending delightful aromas into the air, this was all for a good cause as the entry fees along with visitors’ donations were sent to our Volunteer Fire Department, AND the cooked turkeys were then sent to the Benevolence Fund to be distributed in Thanksgiving Baskets. So no one loses and everyone benefits. Our thanks to Eloisa and Joe Newsome for their dedication and courage in putting this on.

The following teams were entered and their places shown:

1- Team Butterballs, chef, Leroy Smith, entered his turkey; and he won first place once again. Sadly, Leroy was not present to accept a trophy due to the illness of his daughter.

2- The Trophy Hunters, with John & Kim Jones; using their Cajun Microwave; they had 3 turkeys, all being well roasted; First Place for pit turkeys!

3- Cobbler by Sheila and Mike McCreight!

And three folks were called upon to determine which turkey and cobbler were the winners: Sylvia Ragusin Martinez, Paul McGee, and Alyse Munsch all admirably performed that difficult task.

Special thanks to Rosemary Stringo for the design and supply of the hoodie sweats with the prominent labeling of Turkey Cookoff-4th! I’m certainly going to enjoy mine during the early morning walks with my monster-minischnauzer! Those sweat tops are not just warm, but very decorative as well.

And now everyone is waiting for 2015 and Good Weather!

Hosts Eloisa & Joe Newsome

John & Kim Jones & Cajun Microwave