In operation only one year, the H-100 has become a force of necessary assistance to a number of people in Port O’Connor. H-100 started last January with a group of anonymous donors who have each given the amount of $100 to be used throughout the year on various causes. And they vary from the PTO at our Elementary School where that sum will be used to provide needed transportation for the students at various outings along with a necessary addition to their scholarship fund; to a donation for the medical expenses of Freda Howard who is recovering from lung cancer. Additionally, the building fund for our Library has received help as has Janet Johnson, who is recovering from a medical emergency. And another sum was given to our local Volunteer Fire Department.

This group of members, who will always remain anonymous, are looking forward to more activity in the coming year; however, that can only be achieved by the addition of people with the necessary funds. Jim Hooper, “Hoop”, of Hurricane Junction formed this group; and honorary plaques thank the many members. But those members can only do so much; more interested and committed people are needed. If you would like to become a part of this worthwhile group, stop in and see Hoop and he can explain further the aims of this organization that can do so much with your help. And all monies will fund only residents and organizations in our area, Port O’Connor.

On November 12th the Intercoastal 4-H club teamed-up with the First Baptist Church Youth Group in POC to collect canned goods and nonperishable foods for our local food pantry. We want to thank everyone who was able to donate to our food drive.

We will begin sewing this month for our Clothing and Textiles project and we are going to make kennel blankets to donate to the Calhoun County Animal Shelter.

Our President, Justin Munsch, will be attending District 11 Crossroads next weekend in San Antonio. Crossroads is a career development and youth leadership conference for Senior 4-H members. We hope you learn a lot, Justin!

A big Thank You to everyone who supported our club members during the 2014 Calhoun County Fair! Intercoastal 4-H members worked very hard on all of their animal projects! We competed in rabbits, roasters, and turkeys (and our club won Grand Champion in each). Congratulations to all of our club members who showed this year! Here are the results:

Roasters: Hannah Hernandez – Grand Champion; Elizabeth Carey – 3rd; Jeremy Thumann – 4th; Brooklyn Redmond – 9th; Sam Thumann – 10th; Braeden Ragusin – 11th

Turkeys: John Rosenboom – Grand Champion; Robyn Stringo – 2nd; Jade Alford – 3rd; Justin Munsch – 5th; Dalton Alford – 6th; Andrew Ragusin – 7th
Rabbits: Shelby Rodgers – Grand Champion; Carly Rosenboom – 19th

Other Awards: Junior Showmanship – John Rosenboom, Carly Rosenboom, Brooklyn Redmond; Senior Showmanship – Shelby Rodgers; Livestock Judging – Justin Munsch (FFA) – 2nd Place Team

Sponsored By The Port O’Connor Lions Club

Please Donate Any Non-Perishable Food Items

To be given to – The Port O’Connor Benevolence Committee For Food For Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets for those in need.

Please bring donated non-perishable food items to Speedy Stop or First National Bank and place in the blue tubs to SHARE YOUR DINNER with those less fortunate.  For cash donations for the Benevolence Fund Committee’s purchase of food items, there are also donation cans available at these two places.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP!

And – We Wish You And Yours A Safe And Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank You!!    – Port O’Connor Lions Club

For Information, please call Joyce Jordan at Cell# 361-655-7999 or Lynn Reeves, President Of Port O’Connor Lions Club and Zone 12 Chairman of District 2-S4 at #361-746-2524.

Join us for the 12th Annual Toy Run. Boats depart Bridge Bait in Freeport at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, December 6, for the trip down the ICW to Port O’Connor to deliver new toys to the Adopt-An-Angel program. Last year we provided Christmas toys for over 2,000 boys and girls ages 2 through 16 and this year we have been asked to help even more. Please donate new toys or money to this great cause. Our elves will assist you with any questions you may have. Just give them a call.

Rain or shine, the Toy Run flotilla departs from Bridge Bait and Tackle Saturday December 6, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.:

Open to boats of all sizes (10 to 100 feet can be accommodated).

Entry Fee – as many toys as you can bring for boys and girls, ages 2-16.

Fuel is available at Sargent and Matagorda on the way.

We stop for lunch at Matagorda Harbor. Bring your own lunch or dine at the Waterfront Restaurant – cost varies depending on your order.

This year’s Toy Run includes an optional 5-card poker-run game. $20 entry fee with cards picked up at Matagorda and Port O’Connor. 50% of the pot goes to help buy toys; 50% goes to the winner.

Catered picnic dinner at Clark’s Inn at 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening, just prior to the Boat Parade. Dinner should be $ (TBA) per person, cash. The after party featuring the band “Red Dog & The Fleas” starts at Hurricane Junction as soon as the parade is over. BYOB.

To make a donation or to get more information, please contact any of these Toy Run Team members:

Jerry Karnes “Santa” and Founder cell phone 281-684-1117 or email jkarnes@texapp.com

Jason Fry “Green Elf” Logistics cell phone 281-960-8047 or email jason.fry@shell.com

Wendy Fry “Red Elf” Logistics cell phone 940-390-3747 or email wendywill@swbell.net

Host Hotel The Inn at Clarks phone 361-983-2300 Web: http://www.theinnatclarks.com/

There are many other hotels as well as affordable rental properties with boat slips on the ICW:

www.portoconnor.com

The Adopt-An-Angel program is part of the “Port O’Connor Community Center Fund”, a 501 (c)3 non-profit whose tax ID is #74-28885222.

Guides getting it done for their clients. Capt. Jeff Larson

Capt. Jeff Larson

October was another good month for Casting, Blasting and Swacking! What’s Swacking, you may ask? It’s the sound that a bow hunter hears when he releases his notched arrow and the arrow hits its mark. “SWACK”

Dove hunting remained strong throughout the county, as long as, you were on a grain field like sunflowers or had a water tank surrounded by goat weed. Fishing was consistent throughout the whole month. Wade fishermen were able to string numbers of trout, specifically 5, to round out their new limit. All fishermen were able to catch plenty of reds, black drum and flounder. Needless to say, October was a great month to harvest a mixed bag of game and fish. We just hope you were able to enjoy the great outdoors. The jetty guides were able to stay on slot redfish and bull reds throughout most of the month. Of course that depended on how well the customers could handle those days where the big rollers were coming through the Jetties. There were a couple of days where we were unable to set anchor for more than 30 minutes before someone was pleading to go back into the bay. There is nothing worse than being seasick, so I always pull anchor and head back in for the sick customer. The few October cool fronts helped push a few birds down for opening weekend of duck season. Depending on your shotgun skills and your pre season practice, determine if you bagged a limit of birds. October’s cooling weather patterns also helped concentrate schools of flounder. They staged themselves in the sand flats and on the ICW to head out the passes. There was a number of flounder giggers who were able to get their limits fairly easy as November approached.

This month has been a great month for sportsmen. Fishermen and Hunters have been successfully targeting their game of choice. The hard chargers have been combo’n it up. Its a great time when sportsmen get to stay out all day targeting fins and feathers. Saltwater Lodge has a group of guides that specialize in Cast and Blast weekends. Call the office to set up your cast and blast. I would suggest you take off on Monday because when you run and gun all weekend you are worn out by Sunday.

I hope everyone was able to take advantage of the preseason kid weekend. The best hunting program that I believe TPWD offers the State is the Youth Hunting Weekend. This program gives families an opportunity to instill the hunting heritage into their children. This program is just as important as any school program that is mandated by our State Education Dept.. I don’t know of any school public or private that teaches kids about hunting. The Hunter Safety Program is about all I am aware of for kids. Please call and correct me if I am wrong. Youth weekend is a time to teach kids gun safety, the ethics & economics of hunting, how to navigate Texas roads and terrain, weather patterns and how all these dynamics combined affects the State and the animals hunted. Don’t forget the biology lesson. When the kids harvest an animal they can see first hand how deer run, birds fly and fish swim. Kids may not get into the cleaning part of the harvest but a lot of the kids do like it. This is were we can see if we have a possible Veterinarian on our hands. Texas can always use more animal doctors. Youth Weekend kills 2 birds with one stone, family time and education. This is what memories are made of for kids. So take a kid hunting.

Now November. November fishing has been awesome! Duck Hunting is always my favorite! I have not received any reports about Deer Hunting in Calhoun County but East Texas deer are showing signs of the rut and my buddies that hunt south are just waiting for Christmas. So take a break and get outdoors.

Just a reminder to fishermen, Don’t forget to winterize your boats. For instance, my Evinrude has a way to winterize the engine. It’s not looking like I will be storing it anytime soon. If you are headed to the Lease for a couple of months, take care of your boat. If you are not sure how, call your local boat dealer. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So they say, whoever they are.

Scott is on standby at the Lodge to help you book your Cast and Blast. Thanksgiving is booked up, so call to get the available guides and lodging dates remaining.
The Saltwater Lodge reservation line is: 361- 785 – DUCK (3825)

Wishing you heavy game bags, a cooler full of deer sausage and a Happy Thanksgiving.

Captain Jeff Larson
281-217-0399