Move over Florida and California. Most of us recognize that most space launches by NASA are from Cape Canaveral Florida but some are from Vandenberg Airforce base in California. Space X, the first commercial enterprise to deliver supplies and dock at the International Space station up there somewhere, is going to build a launch site in Texas.
It will be near Brownsville and Boca Chica Beach. This is some 152 miles a little Southwest of Matagorda Island right here in Calhoun County. Some of you will remember that was where the first commercial space flight was launched. It was September 9 1982. The launch was from the southern end of the Island. In those days Toddie Lee Wynne lived, part time, on the Island. He was chairman of American Liberty Oil Company and a major investor in Space services Inc. who made the launch.
They were a Houston company and their president was Deke Slayton who was a retired Astronaut. Aries was the rocket used. It was also known as Conestoga. The Aries was made from excess second stages of the minuteman ICBMs. One of the good things about commercial enterprises is they do things economically.
Space Services had tried to make a launch in 1981 with a kerosene-oxygen rocket called Percheron but it blew up on the launch pad. They ran out of money after the 1982 launch. It might be because Toddie Lee had died. Nowadays the company does space related business by purchasing space from other launchers
However, there are similarities to their plans and what Space X is doing.. Ironically their launch vehicle Falcon uses a version of the Oxygen-Kerosene propellant. They have worked the bugs out because they have had many successful launches. Another of their ideas is to reuse the rocket frames after the fuel is burnt up. There was a successful recovery of one in April of this year.
The capsule above the propellant is called Dragon. Since NASA has given up on the Space Shuttle and doesn’t have any capable replacements yet. They use Russia and Space X to deliver supplies to the international space station. It’s a shame that we have to count on Russia they are so busy messing with Eastern Europe that they may not be totally interested. Space X isn’t quite ready to send people up and back. They launch now from the Cape with supplies and are working on people. This New facility down at Boca Chica Beach and their Dragon development plans are about two or three years away. It is nice to know that Texas is still the commercial space champ.
There is one other Ironical thing about Matagorda Island and Boca Chica. The guy who heads Space X is Elon Musk. You may know him as the fellow who is behind the Tesla electric car. Poor old Toddie Lee is probably glad that he is working on space but spinning in his grave about electric cars. The Kerosene in the rocket fuel doesn’t cut it.

Where did Summer go? Seems like only yesterday we were planning for the Big 4th of July Celebration and Poco Bueno. Now the starting of School and Labor Day is here. Time really flies by when you are having Fun! To live in Port O’Connor is one of God’s Biggest Blessings. Something is happening all the time and if you are a part of it, and you should be, you are having the time of your life. Everyone is looking forward to the Big Labor Day Bash.

This past Sunday the Church was Blessed, in the Morning Service, with the beautiful music of RUTH HAMMONS, a visitor to Port O’Connor and she has a fantastic voice. Ruth sang “Tell Me The Story Of Jesus” and “I Love To Tell The Story”. What an inspiring piece of music that really came to life with Ruth’s voice! The Church has been blessed this Summer with many visitors. Some of our former members who have moved away from Port O’Connor have been in our recent services. It is always a treat to see our friends in the service.

Last Sunday, our Pastor Donnie Martin, baptized one of our newest members, RICHARD PATER. The Ordinance of Baptism is always an inspirational event. Bro. Raymond Grant gave an outstanding Children’s Sermon, which equally was enjoyed by the adults.

The ladies of the Church and their friends are enjoying the “Ladies Book/Bible Study” every Tuesday Evening from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The Ladies invite all who wish to join with them in this exciting time of Christian Fellowship of knowledge to come this Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.

The Senior Adult Retreat at Camp Zephyr is only a few weeks away. The Camp begins Monday, September 22 through Thursday September 25. The cost is only $100 per person, which includes your motel lodging and all meals and refreshments. The beautiful music is under the leadership of MARCOS & SUE GOHLKE, the Devotions by GEORGE YARBROUGH and the outstanding Bible Study by DR. JIMMY ARNOLD. For additional information call Doyle Adams at 983-4866. See you in Church Sunday!

A short meeting of the POC Service Club as ably conducted by our Vice President, Carol Haverfield, was held on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at the Community Center. Short, as many of our members were on the last vacation of the summer, and short because of the absence of our President, Janet Johnson who has spent the last two months in the hospital following major surgery. However, it was announced that Janet is on her way home today, which news was greeted with cheers and applause. Greeting each member were several balloons placed on their chairs as they entered the room; and each person was then informed that any hot air available was to be used to blow up the balloons. They were then erected at the front porch of her home giving her a definite welcome back!

Alyse Munsch was then introduced as a guest speaker to inform the Club members of the fund she has created for Janet’s aid while she will be recuperating and unable to work. Sadly, bills continue to come in; they don’t seem to recognize that no money is coming in either. Following the information and discussion, the membership voted to make a donation for Janet’s use.

An announcement was made that the next Garage & Bake Sale has been scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2014. It will be held once again in the Pavilion of the Community Center.

The next meeting of the POC Service Club is scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Center. This is the first meeting of our new year at which time we will be apprised of the slate of officers as selected by the Nominating Committee and also nominations from the floor will be accepted with the election of officers following. Additionally, at that time, our yearly dues of $5.00 then become payable prior to voting on officers. We welcome all interested women in this area who desire to be a part of the continuing changes throughout our community as propounded by our Club as well as other organizations. Contact Membership Chairman, Shirley Gordon at the Library, 983-4365, for more information. Hope to see all your smiling faces on the 4th !

SEADRIFT – Tommie Lee DeForest, 72 went to be with his Lord on August 9, 2014. Tommie was born on October 25, 1941 in Seadrift to the late Albert Alvin and Lola Mae Strown DeForest.

Tommie spent 20 years, 5 months and 1 day in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of Chief Boatswains Mate. He enlisted into the Navy at the age of 17 years. Tommie had 5 assignments to Vietnam. 3 of which were aboard ships transporting troops and equipment and providing armed support from sea. Tom’s strong faith in God and love for his country made it easy for him to share his Navy experiences with his family.

Tom was an Assault Boat Coxwain. Some of the medals Tom was honored with during his Navy career include the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal and 5 Good Conduct Awards.

After several jobs following his Navy retirement, Tom retired back to Seadrift. He was a devoted member of the First Assembly of God Church where he taught a Bible class to young people. Tom was always available to help anyone in need. He loved his family and all people, and all who knew him will miss him greatly.

Tommie is survived by his children, Sonya Ellen Windbiel of Seadrift and Tommie Lee DeForest, Jr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico; two grandsons, Levi DeForest of Seadrift and Tommie Lee DeForest, III of Albuquerque, New Mexico; also surviving are two sisters Mary Ellen Poppert (Keith) of Harrison, Arkansas and Ina Louise DeForest of Goliad; two brothers, Alvin DeForest (Arlene) of Goliad and Richard DeForest (Paula) of Cuero and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many friends.

In addition to his parents, Tommie was preceded in death by an infant son, David Alexander DeForest.

A Celebration of Tom’s life was held on August 12, 2014 at the First Assembly of God Church in Seadrift with Pastor Tim Smith officiating. Burial with full military honors under the auspices of the Calhoun County Combined Honor Guard was held at the Seadrift_Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Levi DeForest, Shannon DeForest. Lucas DeForest, Kaid Brand, Lloyd Earl ‘Bucky’ Chatham and Wesley Blevins. Honorary pallbearers were Emilee DeForest, Fischer Saxton and Tommie DeForest III.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Assembly of God Church of Seadrift or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Diane Cohen Weber, our beloved mother, Nana, wife, sister and friend, went to eternal peace on July 20, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 74. She was born in Galveston, Texas June 5, 1940 to Joseph Donald “J.D.” and Marie Theresa (McDonald) Cohen. Growing up in Victoria, Texas she attended Nazareth Academy and Victoria College. She was married for 55 years to Victor “Vic” Alvin Weber, the love of her life. Diane traveled extensively as an Army wife living in Liberia (Africa) Florida, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, and Illinois. She worked at Tesoro and the San Antonio Express-News as an administrative assistant after moving to San Antonio in 1979. She was known as a true lady, a gracious hostess and a devout Catholic. She was active in each parish she attended as a volunteer, a Eucharistic Minister, and was on one of the initial A.C.T.S teams at her parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Selma. Mentoring elementary children at Royal Ridge Elementary and other schools in San Antonio as well as volunteer work with many organizations was her passion. Diane was a past president and member of Alamo Decorative Artists, teaching others to paint and giving away her artistic creations to her family. Known as Nana to her family, she loved being with her grandkids, playing Canasta with friends and family and enjoying time in Port O’Connor. Diane was an amazing gardener with a stunning yard where she often hosted family get-togethers.

She is survived by her husband; brother, Joseph Donald “Jay” Cohen Jr.; daughters Elizabeth “Liz” Hewitt and Catherine Bani- Yassin; son Thomas “Tom” (Julie) Weber; grandchildren Theresa, Victor and J.D. Hewitt; Miriam Bani- Yassin; Claire and Emma Weber; great-granddaughter Akira Hewitt. She was predeceased by her sister Jane Marie Cohen and her parents.