Coastal Bend Traveler

traveler FREE

Coas tal Bend

Stop and Stay A While - Discover the Treasures in the C oastal Bend

Renowned Guitarist Susan McDonald Performing In Beeville

About Us...

At the Coastal Bend Traveler, our mission is to highlight the tremendous amount of attributes, events, attractions and people that make our lives special. Our goal is simple: to encourage tourists to visit and stay a while as well as showcasing to local residents what wonders they may experience in their own backyard. By working closely with local event organizers, Chambers of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureaus, the Coastal Bend Traveler provides up-to-date information on area happenings in each monthly edition as well as around-theclock updates online at www. coastalbendtraveler.com.

The Coastal Bend is a unique, special place, and the Traveler tells our story better than anyone.

Nicole D. Perez and Anthony D. Morris Owners/Co-Publishers

Brenda Poe News/Graphics

Lois Stephens News

Johnny De La Zerda Jr.

Welcome back Winter Texans The start of the year gives us a chance to take a breath, catch up on our sleep and get geared up for the many winter and spring activities taking place in the Coastal Bend. Winter Texans are beginning to arrive at this time as well. Their familiar RVs are traveling our highways and filling our RV parks.

They will find a very warm welcome in the Coastal Bend along with slightly warmer temperatures than in their home states. Make sure to give our part-time Texans a reason to continue coming back to our fine area. We all enjoy their company, and the time spent here does add a benefit to our local economies. Never forget, they are more than visitors. This issue of the Coastal Bend Traveler in particular offers quite a few ideas on how our northerly friends can spend their time here. Enjoy, and welcome back to Texas.

also this issue

News

Aaron M. Lopez Sales

Larry & Lanette Smallwood Consultants

Ph: 361- 668-NEWS(6397) Fax: 361- 664-3875

www.coastalbendtraveler.com Owned/Operated by Real Hometown Media, LLC

2 - Coastal Bend Traveler - January 2012

Get the Scoop

Annual Coastal Bend Travel Fair great event for Winter Texans to learn about the area.

Page 6

The Force of Gospel

Gold memories and great melodies await those who attend the Rockport Gospel Music Festival.

Page 8

On the cover...

Classical guitarist Susan McDonald will perform at Coastal Bend College in Beeville this month.

Page 4

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Binding audiences with chords of music J BEEVILLE, TEXAS

Grammy-nominated guitarist performing at Coastal Bend College Jan. 29

L

isten closely... can you hear the haunting sound of a lone guitar sensuously bringing forth the passion of the tango? Or does the music you hear stimulate visions of a gypsy campfire?

Or perhaps you are simply being entranced by the compelling and emotionally-evocative melodies of classical guitarist Susan McDonald, a native Texan and internationally-known artist whose mesmerizing performances have resulted in such accolades as “one of the very greatest of her profession,” and “...the first woman to follow in the footsteps of Segovia.”

She is a multiple Grammy nominee for her spellbinding work; however, in the humble manner of the true artist, downplays the significance of the nominations.

“Four of my CDs have received preliminary Grammy nominations - in

the classical category, so even if I had won, you probably wouldn’t see me on the awards show,” she said, laughing.

Her father, who was a harpsichord player and composer, instilled an early passion for music in McDonald. She has taken some of his compositions and rearranged them for the guitar.

“He was a great composer but a reluctant performer,” she said.

She has had a love of the guitar since the age of four.

“What happened when I was four was that my big sister got a guitar and had the good sense not to let me mess with it,” chuckled McDonald, “so I got a box and put rubber bands around it, and that was my first guitar. I’ve always been so drawn toward it, it’s just been my passion.”

Those first steps with that rubberband-covered box, and the dedication with which she began

4 - Coastal Bend Traveler - January 2012

u WHERE: Gertrude Jones Fine Arts Auditorium, CBC u COST: No charge u TIME: 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 29

By Lois Stephens playing at the age of six, led her to an invitation when she was 14 to join the guitar ensemble at the University of St. Thomas.

Although at that time she was mostly self-taught, she subsequently studied with guitar master Pepe Romero as well as at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and the Banff Centre for the Arts in the Canadian Rockies.

Her career has spanned performances in both North and South America as well as in Europe, with her recordings being heard worldwide. She has not only opened for groups such as the Dixie Chicks, she has played at Carnegie Hall and the Wortham Center. Diverse audiences from political figures such as President George H.W.

Bush, governors of Texas and various dignitaries in Ecuador and Germany to the residents of a Viennese nursing home and patients at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston have been joyfully enraptured by her music.

She began playing at the hospital while she had a family member there.

“We were very close and I had stopped touring to be there. I would go find some isolated place to practice, and people would hear me. The pieces that they found most powerful and compelling are the ones I put on the CD ‘Comfort.’

That actually got me very much into doing outreach concerts at other hospitals and hospices,” she said. “It changes you so intimately...

There was a pivotal moment when a man - it was his first time outside in eight months, because he had brain cancer - he hadn’t moved or spoken in quite a while and I was really playing more for his nurse.

And out of the blue, he asked me, ‘Do you know ‘Malaguena’?’ That was such a turning point in my

Susan McDonald began playing the guitar at the age of 4. Her father inspired her musically. The music she writes tend to be based on stories and science. She is pictured here as a young child playing a guitar and with her peacock Houdini.

life - it was such a shining light. That was a greater calling than applause. And I really realized that music can do that - reach within people, even in places where it’s not obvious. You never know what someone in the audience might be going through.”

She said one of her most memorable performances was the one she gave in Houston for former Egyptian President Mubarek when he came to speak at the Baker Institute.

“That was kind of interesting because of course, he’s a tyrant; and I was thinking ‘what do I play for a tyrant?’ I have this whole piece I wrote based on Gilgamesh, which is the oldest

known work of literature about a tyrant king in Iraq.

So I played that for him as sort of my own secret protest,” she said, laughing.

“The pieces that I write tend to be based on stories and science - but the piece of a lifetime that I am writing is based on Cabeza de Vaca and is an oratorio for guitar, choir and native instruments. It’s really been a neat project, there’s so much of that story they don’t teach you in Texas history.”

McDonald will perform a free concert for the public at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, in the Gertrude R. Jones Fine Arts Auditorium at Coastal Bend College, located at 3800 Charco Road in Bee-

ville. The concert is courtesy of both the college and The Texas Commission on the Arts. McDonald recently joined The Texas Commission on the Arts’ roster as a touring artist.

For more information about Susan, or to hear samples of her music, please visit www.susanmcdonald.net or “Like” her on Facebook at facebook.com/ guitaristsusanmcdonald.

January 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 5

Annual Coastal Bend Travel Fair benefits Winter Texans

J ARANSAS PASS, TEXAS

Fair is Jan. 25 at Aransas Pass Civic Center

T

o make Winter Texan visitors aware of the various tourism attractions in the Coastal Bend Region, the 2012 Coastal Bend Travel Fair will once again be open to the public with free admission.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Aransas Pass Civic Center, 700 W. Wheeler Ave. The Civic Center inhouse concessionaire will be open in the Redfish Room all day long selling food and drinks.

There will be an emcee/ DJ on stage throughout the day for announcements such as door prize winners and to provide continuous background music.

Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day to visitors.

The event is sponsored by the Texas Coastal Bend Regional Tourism Council.

The 6th annual event is an opportunity for repre-

sentatives from 18 counties to join together to showcase the diverse tourism opportunities available to the Coastal Bend Winter Texan visitors and area residents.

More than 30 vendors

from all over the Coastal Bend participated in last year’s event, including the RV and boat displays in the front parking lot.

Nearly 1,000 people visit the fair from California to Canada to Maine to learn all about the attractions in the Coastal Bend.

This year’s event promises to once again be fun-filled as well as informative.

Chambers of Commerce from the area participate in the fair, encouraging visitors to travel and explore their commmunities. Pictured above is Juan Navejar, executive director of the Alice Chamber of Commerce.

Below, representatives of the Texas Tropical Trail at last year’s fair.

TEXAS CB REGIONAL TOURISM COUNCIL

6 - Coastal Bend Traveler - January 2012

Art of quilting front and center J ROCKPORT, TEXAS

Quilt show Jan. 28, 29 in Rockport

F

or many people, when they hear the word “quilt,” it brings up an image of being wrapped in a colorful, warm blanket by their mother or grandmother.

But in the past few decades, quilting has truly become its own art form, with intricate, brightlyhued designs and its own special set of tools. Quilting has left the bed and can be found in fashionable items such as purses and jackets.

Mary Schott and her award-winning quilt for which she won three ribbons at the 2010 show.

SUBMITTED Quilting groups are everywhere and shows draw participants by the thousands in larger cities such as Houston. Attendees marvel at the artistic skills and techniques used by

it s i V e m Co

the designers, and quilts may sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, as did one handmade quilt made in 2005 by a quilter in New Jersey, which sold for a whopping $15,500 at

auction.

The art of quilting allows one a unique expression of individuality and is an activity in which

See QUILTS, Page 18

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January 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 7

The force of Gospel

Festival in its 17th year J ROCKPORT, TEXAS

Event is free to the public

T

he 17th Annual Rockport Gospel Music Festival is set for Jan. 6 to 8, with more than 25 gospel groups performing, including the Melody Boys Quartet, and it’s free. The festival will take place at Martha Luigi Auditorium (Rockport-Fulton High School) The Rockport Gospel

Force, which sponsors the festival, first began singing together in July 1994. The original group began on a request by the Telestials, a gospel singing group that visited South Texas before there was much gospel music here, said Gary Howard.

“Song of Glory was also traveling with the Telestials and meeting at the high school auditorium for performances,” said Howard, an original member

8 - Coastal Bend Traveler - January 2012

who retired from the Rockport Police Department after 30 years of service.

“They knew us from the police department and asked if we could form a group of officers to sing.

That led us being asked to sing with a group from Tennessee.”

While the quartet began as a group comprised of all police officers with the Rockport Police Department; only three original members, Chief Tim

Jayroe, Howard and Becky Livingston remain.

“Rockport Chief of Police Tim Jayroe, lead, is the only active law enforcement officer left in the quartet. I am a baritone,” Howard said. “The other two members are Abel Almendarez, tenor, who is a Hospice Chaplain, and our newest member Tom Curlee, bass, who is retired from CPL.” Together the four men currently make up Rock-

port’s Gospel Force.

“We said ‘that was fun, let’s keep it going,’” Howard said. “At that time we sponsored an annual music festival and invited others to join us.”

Howard has been recruiting, planning and coordinating the event for 17 years.

Howard said over the years he has learned about other groups from word of mouth and invited those groups to participate in the free festival.

“As soon as this year is over, I will immediately start planning the next year,” Howard said.

The Gospel Force puts on the festival for fun.

“A lot of Winter Texans come to Rockport and we invite them to come listen to music,” Howard said.

The auditorium seats 1,200 people at a time.

Howard expects that over the weekend 5,000 people will come and go, including three charter buses coming from Valley for half a day. While the auditorium does get to be standing room only, Howard said the patrons are always happy to listen.

“My love of Jesus is why I sing. It excites me to know I have a talent God gave me to share with others,” Howard said. “So many people have expressed the appreciation of the variation of groups. And all those reasons are why we continue holding the festival.”

There is no ticket fee to enjoy the music.

“Come sit and listen to 25 to 30 groups,” Howard said. “We do a love offering to help cover the costs, but as long as people turn out for it I will help put the festival on.”

The Gospel Force makes regular appearances at churches, revivals, nursing homes and R.V. Parks to sing for visiting Winter Texans as well as at a variety of other civic and patriotic gatherings. Their only goal is to spread the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ through song, and to be Christian witnesses in their profession and community.

The police quartet has performed more than 1,000 concerts since 1994 in Rockport and a number of other Texas cities including Wimberley, Freer, San Antonio, Bryan, Refugio, Victoria, Sinton, George West, Goliad, Portland, Beeville, Waxahachie, Red Oak, Henderson, Cedar Park, Beau-

mont, South Padre Island and Corpus Christi. The quartet was invited to sing at the state capitol in Austin in March 1997 and February 1999, and

February 2001 for Aransas County Day. The Quartet has released four record-

See GOSPEL, Page 16

Alice Mayor John C. Lemon presents

2nd Annual State of the City Address Alice Country Club Wednesday, January 18, 2012 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Update on On-going and Up-coming projects as well as projects completed in 2011.

For more information, visit www.cityofalice.org.

RSVP by calling (361)668-7210.

January 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 9

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24th Tour of Homes features cozy cottage, condos J PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS u WHERE: Port Aransas Community Center u COST: $20 for guided tour; $15 for self-guided tour u TIME: Jan. 28; 9 a.m. for guided tour; 11 a.m. for self-guided tour

T

he Port Aransas Garden Club will be hosting its 24th Annual Tour of Homes on Jan. 28 with several homes in the Port Aransas area.

The 2012 Tour of Homes is held on Mustang Island with tours beginning from the Port Aransas Community Center, 400 N. Alister Street. This year’s tour includes a cozy Old Town cottage, an older island home remodeled with three separate living rooms offering a spectacular beachfront view, new constructions and several remodeled condos.

Morning bus tours begin at 9 a.m. for $20 per person. The self-guided tours begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and are $15 per person. Tour maps are provided at the community center. Tickets for children on self-guided tours are $5.

Bus tours and selfguided tickets can be purchased at Island Art Gallery, 2222 Hwy. 361 and Gratitude, 316 N. Station Street and on tour day at

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the Port Aransas Community Center. Bus tour tickets are limited to 80 per each tour, self-guided are unlimited.

This year, the club is offering the opportunity to purchase tickets early via their Web site. Click on the purchase ticket button below your choice of ticket, and you will be able to purchase tickets for the bus tour and/or self-guided tour through PayPal. All tickets will be available

at the prices shown plus a $2 handling charge per ticket. PayPal receipts are needed when arriving to the Port Aransas Community Center the day of the tour to get your tour map or seat on the bus tour.

Tickets, refreshments and silent auction items will be available at the Community Center during tour hours starting at 8:30 a.m.

Port Aransas Garden Club formed in 1964 to

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This home was toured in 2009 encourage interest in beautification of the city. Proceeds from Club activities are used for landscaping, various civic projects and scholarships for Port Aransas High School seniors.

For ticket information, call Debby Kalke at 361319-2925 or online at www. portaransas.org

Tours originate at the Port Aransas Community Center, 400 N. Alister.

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January 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 13

Art Museum of South Texas offers a variety of activities in January J CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

T

he Mission of the South Texas Institute for the Arts (the Institute), doing business as the Art Museum of South Texas, is to operate educational facilities and an art museum which advance the awareness, knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts for residents and visitors of South Texas. January events are as follows: Jan. 5 The first Thursday of every month is free public admission at the Art Museum of South Texas. The cafe and gift shop are open regular hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On exhibit will be many favorites from the Museum’s permanent art collection. Call 361-8253500 for more information.

Jan. 6 On the first Friday of each month, the Art Museum is open at no charge to participants in the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District’s ArtWalk. Ride the free RTA shuttle to the Art Museum and other museums downtown! Hester’s Cafe and Coffee Bar also will be serving ArtWalk specials.

On January 6, the Corpus Christi Film Foundation will be showing “The Moulin Rouge” at 7 p.m. in the Art Museum Audi-

to 6 will join Art Museum instructor Letty Gomez in creating a marvelous, mixed-media moray collage. RSVPs go to the Aquarium at 361-653-2620.

torium.

Jan. 7 Young artists will create entries for the Visionarios Youth Art Contest, sponsored by Flint Hills Resources. One set of materials will be provided per child registered. Students in grades 1 to 12 are eligible to enter the contest.

Cash prizes will be awarded to winners at the Family Day on Jan. 29, and all work will be exhibited in the Museum from Jan. 29 to Feb. 26. For information, please call 361-825-3504.

Jan. 12 In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, kids ages 2-5 (with an adult helper) will read “The Crayon Box that Talked”

by Shane DeRolf and then create a giant box of crayons as a group project,

14 - Coastal Bend Traveler - January 2012

complete with self-portraits. RSVPs are required to 361-825-3504.

Jan. 29 Sponsored by Flint Hills Resources, the Visionarios annual youth art contest celebrates its 11th year.

Live entertainment and hands-on activities are part of the afternoon, as well as awards presentations to Visionarios contest winners.

The museum is located at 1902 Shoreline Blvd. in Corpus Chrsiti.

Jan. 14 A tour of the current Museum exhibits are led

by AMST student docents on the second Saturday of every month. The tours Your Hometown are free with your memPharmacy & More bership (or paid museum admission) and are a great way to gain insight featuring and understanding of DEMDACO the current exhibitions. designs for Tours will take place, on the hour, from 1 to 4 p.m. the home For information, please contact 361-825-3500.

Gonzalez

Jan. 21 The Art Museum is partnering with the Texas State Aquarium for a special new program.

After learning about the moray eel from Aquarium educators, students ages 4

301 E. Main St. Alice, Texas

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More space available for Winter Texans at Jim Wells County Fairgrounds

J ALICE, TEXAS

More RV hookups will be allowed

I

n the past, the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds were used primarily once a year, for the Jim Wells County Fair.

“The fairgrounds were pretty much used only for that one week,” said Jim Wells County Judge L. Arnoldo Saenz. “Other than that, the area was used sparingly. During the week of the fair, we would have a waiting list of anywhere from 70 or so people who wanted to bring in their recreational vehicles and enjoy the area.”

Recently, Judge Saenz and the commissioner’s court decided to move forward on improvements to the fairgrounds which have begun to pay off in the form of increased use.

“Our goal is to provide a facility which can be used for a variety of reasons,” Saenz said.

“We have updated it and gotten better buildings out there. Air conditioning has been installed in some of the buildings, the roping arena has been expanded, and other improvements are still in the works. All of this has led to a better utilization rate.”

Another key addition has been the installation

of 40 more recreational vehicle utility sites.

“With the new hookups, we have been able to cut the waiting list down to 40 or 50 instead of 70, the utility availability has helped to boost the number of visitors attending the fair,” Saenz said.

With the oil industry booming, the demand for housing and space for trailers and RVs has increased dramatically.

“We do not want to get in the way of private sector efforts to accommodate the housing needs for Jim Wells County,” Saenz said.

“The private sector will be out front as always, but if there is a need for space, we will have it

available. We are going to start off slow, but hope to pick up after a while.

There are many Winter Texans who come into Jim Wells County, and this will give them another place to park their recreational vehicles.”

Saenz said the eventual increase in utilization of the facilities at the fairgrounds will serve as a boost to the local economy. xans er Te Wint lways Are A ome!

Welc

“When these vacationers and Winter Texans come in, they bring in outside revenue,” Saenz said. “Pumping in money from outside the county boosts our economy.”

For information or to reserve a space at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds, contact Ventura Garcia at 361-668-5704.

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The Alice Countr y Club offers year-round golfing, superior dining facilities & much more.

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January 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 15

GOSPEL, From 9 The 17th Annual Gospel Music Festival will be held January 6-8 at Martha Luigi Auditorium at Rockport-Fulton HS: Jan. 6: • 6 - 6:15 p.m. Welcome and Announcements with David Fountain, Emcee • 6:20 – 6:35 p.m. Crimson River Quartet • 6:40 – 6:55 p.m. Jerry Bennett • 7 – 7:15 p.m. FourTwelve (Shiloh) • 7:20 – 7:35 p.m. Telestials • 7:45 – 8:00 p.m. Brian Arnold • 8:05 - 8:20 p.m. Rockport’s Gospel Force • 8:25 - 8:40 p.m. Delivered • 8:40 - 8:55 p.m. Goldens

ings: “The Next Time He Comes,” “I’ve Got a Mansion,” “And Cried Holy”and “We Shall See Jesus.”

Meet the Gospel Force Chief Tim Jayroe began his career in law enforcement with the Tyler Police Department where he served for 18 years. While there, Jayroe worked in the patrol, criminal investigations and narcotic divisions. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant with the Tyler Police Department. Chief Jayroe came to the Rockport Police Department in July 1989. He is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy and holds a Masters Degree from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Commander Gary Howard began his career in law enforcement with the Aransas County Sheriff’s Department where he worked for five years and then worked for the Rockport Police Department from May 1983 until

• 9 - 9:30 p.m. Melody Boys Quartet Closing Prayer Jan. 7: • 10 a.m. Welcome and Announcements with David Fountain, Emcee • 10:10 – 10:40 a.m. Watchmen of Texas • 10:45 — 11:15 a.m. Song of Glory • 11:20 – 11:40 a.m. Jerry Bennett • 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. The Strackbeins • 12:20 – 1:05 p.m. Delivered 24/7 • 1:10 - 1:40 p.m. Hearts of Grace • 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. 4 His Love • 2:35 – 3:05 p.m. John Springer Family • 3:10 – 3:40 p.m. FourTwelve

(Shiloh) • 3:45 - 4:15 p.m. Goldens • 4:20 - 5:05 p.m. Rockport’s Gospel Force • 5:10 - 5:30 p.m. Brian Arnold • 5:35 - 6:05 p.m. Crimson River Quartet • 6:10 - 6:50 p.m. Telestials • 6:55 - 7:25 p.m. The Williamson’s • 7:30 - 7:50 p.m. Jerry Bennett • 7:55 - 8:45 p.m. Melody Boys Quartet • 8:50 - 9:20 p.m. Brian Arnold • 9:25 p.m. “The Surprise” Closing Prayer Jan. 8: • 3:00 p.m.. Welcome and Announcements with David Fountain,

Emcee • 3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. David Fountain • 3:35 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. Goldens • 4:00 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. Hearts of Grace • 4:25 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Brian Arnold • 4:50 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. The Williamson’s • 5:15 p.m. – 5:35 p.m. Jerry Bennett • 5:40 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Delivered • 6:05 p.m. – 6:35 p.m. Reunion • 6:40 p.m. – 7:10 p.m. Crimson River Quartet • 7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. “The Surprise” with David Fountain Closing Prayer

The Houston Peacemakers

his retirement in December 2008, totaling 30 years of service in law enforcement. Howard at the time of his retirement was the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division. He is a 1992 graduate of the Texas Law Enforcement Management Institute. Howard graduated from Texas A&M University (Corpus Christi) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Becky Livingston is the pianist for the Gos-

16 - Coastal Bend Traveler - January 2012

pel Force quartet. Becky has been with the quartet since its beginning in 1994.

Becky was born and raised in Rockport, and she is the pianist for the First Baptist Church of Rockport.

Abel Almendarez is a Chaplain for Vista Care Hospice of Corpus Christi.

He is also a part-time Pastor for Senior Adults at First Baptist Portland.

He was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas, and received a teaching degree from Texas A & M University-Kingsville. He taught Special Ed both at

Harlingen and GregoryPortland schools. Abel has also earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Theology.

Tom Curlee is a member of the First Baptist Church of Portland, Texas.

He grew up in Edna, Texas and is a graduate of Texas A & I College in Kingsville, Texas. Tom is retired from CPL but continues to do consulting work for Port Industries of Corpus Christi. In addition to singing Tom enjoys golfing, hunting and fishing.

Story by Brenda Poe

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Banquete Cemetery

In June 1832 the colony of Irish families settled along the Nueces River by John McMullen and James McGloin was linked to Mexico by completion of the Matamoros Road. Mexican officials sponsored a Fiesta near this site as a goodwill gesture to the colonists. The village that later grew up here was called “Banquete,” the Mexican name for the 4-day celebration. Banquete was settled before the Civil War (1861-65) as a stock raising and horse trading center. During the war, it was an important stop on the trade route to Mexico. Oldest marked grave in Banquete Cemetery (1 mile east) is that of Joseph P. Madray (b. 1840), a local rancher who was serving in the Confederate army when he died of typhoid fever, June 2, 1863. Also buried here are other Confederate soldiers and prominent Banquete residents, including members of the Bennett, Elliff, Saunders, and Wright families. By tradition, the cemetery property was once the site of stockpens belonging to Sally Scull, notorious horse trader and cotton freighter of the civil war period. Pioneer rancher B.A. Bennett (b.

1824) deeded one acre for the community burial ground in 1910. In the 1950’s, another acre was added to the cemetery, which contains about 200 marked graves.

Location: from Banquete take SH 44 about 1 mile east, just past high school to marker on south side of highway.

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January 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 17

QUILTS, From 7

ap-pli-que (noun): a cutout decoration fastened to a larger piece of material. anyone can participate, regardless of gender or age. It also can be a wonderfully fulfilling and creative group activity that one particular group has turned into a “labor of love.”

u WHERE: RockportFulton HS cafetorium u COST: $5; children 12 and under free u TIME: Jan. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Jan. 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The members of Piecemakers by the Bay will share their passion for quilt making with the public at their biannual quilt show “Our Coastal Beauty,” to be held Jan. 28 and 29 at the RockportFulton High School Cafeteria Common Area, 1803 Omohundro in Rockport, Texas. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday. Admission is $5, children 12 and under are admitted free.

“The quilt show showcases the quilts of the area - it is a gallery show with judging. There are about 11 different divisions and awards are given for Best of Show and Viewers’ Choice,” Jan Svatek, chairman for this year’s show, said.

Unfortunately for those hoping to purchase quilts at the show, these works of art are not for sale. However, attendees may buy a chance to win a one-ofa-kind pieced and handappliqued quilt named “Our Coastal Beauty,” designed by Svatek, and constructed by the group.

This beautifully-fashioned item features appliques of the birds, animals and scenery of the area as well as traditional pieced work designs, also called patchwork.

“It’s a lovely quilt, 82 by 102, and the raffle tickets are a bargain. They’re $1 each or six for $5,” Svatek said. The money raised will go to continue the community service work of this organization.

The members of the group provide monetary donations from money raised during the quilt show and raffle to local service organizations.

Svatek said she has only been a member for a few years and “It’s a great bunch of women. I’ve never seen a group that does this much charity work.”

The group also provides donated quilts through themed workshops in which they make “Quilts 4 Kids,” “Habitat House Quilts,” “Quilts and Pillows for Nursing Homes,” “Fire Quilts (donated to

18 - Coastal Bend Traveler - January 2012

This quilt will be raffled on Sunday, Jan. 29, during the show. The raffle quilt was designed by Jan Svatek and constructed by a committee of Piecemakers members.

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fire victims),” and one of their special favorites, “Quilts 4 Heroes.”

“It’s very touching, they meet the soldiers as they get off the plane and hand them the quilts - and there isn’t a dry eye in the house,” Svatek said.

There will be 45-minute classes at the quilt show, with everything included.

The group also is expecting a variety of vendors who will sell quiltingrelated items.

“There are all kinds of specialized tools for quilting now, plastic templates and such - a lot of people

don’t know about them and we’d like to let people know - because a quilt that used to take our grandmothers days or even weeks to do can be done much faster these days,” Svatek said.

The non-profit group, which was founded in 1991, also regularly offers classes and information on many quilting-related topics. For more information about the group or the show, please contact Svatek at jansvatek@yahoo. com or visit http://www. piecemakersbythebay.org/.

Story by Lois Stephens

EclEctic EvEnts ( he I n t ht tl ig o p S

Thursday, Jan. 5 - Corpus Christi - Free Day at the Art Museum of South Texas The first Thursday of every month is free public admission at the Art Museum of South Texas. The cafe and gift shop are open regular hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On exhibit will be many favorites from the Museum’s permanent art collection.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Art Museum of South Texas, 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd.

Call 361-825-3500 or visit www.artmuseumofsouthtexas.org/ for information.

Friday, Jan. 6 - Beeville - Moonlight Bowling Bee Family Fun Center hosts Moonlight Bowling from 8 to 11 p.m. every Friday at Bee Family Fun Center, 3900 N. St. Mary’s, Beeville, 361-358-5959.

Saturday, Jan. 7 - Goliad - Music at the Winery Texas South Wind Vineyard & Winery will hold its monthly “Music at the Winery” event featuring wine, music and relaxation from 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 7, at 16375 Hwy. 183 S, Goliad. Call 361-526-4662 or visit www.texassouthwind. com/ for information.

Sunday, Jan. 8 Victoria - Bridal Showcase The Pilot Club of Victoria will hold its annual Bridal Showcase from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Victoria Community Center. The event will feature more than 75 booths with the Fashion Show starting at 2 p.m. For more information call (361) 676-2573.

Wednesday, Jan. 11 - Corpus Christi - “Fiddler on the Roof ” Performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Selena Auditorium, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi www.americanbankcenter.com.

Friday, Jan. 13 - Victoria - Theatre Victoria Presents “King of Diamonds” Experience the Feel of Neil Diamond in this exciting non-stop live tribute show that tells Neil Diamond’s life through his songs. http://www.

ec·lec·tic /iklektik/ - Adjective: Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

)

Friday, Jan. 6 - Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi Downtown Artwalk

A self-guided tour of art galleries, museums, gallery for the evening shops, and many other venues which open, free to the public, 5:30 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month. With more than 65 venues stretching 23 city blocks it is quite a “walk,” so free transport is provided by the CCRTA. The ArtWalk Express – Route #79, which services the outlying venues during walk hours, connects at La Retama Park with the DTown Tram, moving through the Central Downtown area with on-board entertainment provided by local band “HOBO.” Visit www.artwalkcc.com for information.

weldercenter.org/, Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St., Victoria, TX 77901 phone: 361-570-TKTS (8587) fax: 361-5764456 email: info@theatrevictoria.org. For more information (361) 576-6277.

Friday, Jan. 13 - Goliad - Senior Citizen Craft Item and Bake Sale.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 601 W. Pearl, Goliad. Call 361645-2501 for information.

Saturday, Jan. 14 - Robstown - Nueces County Junior Livestock Show Parade Line-up will begin at the corners of Matiana Ortiz Blvd. and Main Ave. at 9 a.m. and proceed to the Fairgrounds. For more information call Josie at 361-387-3933.

Monday, Jan. 15 - Corpus Christi - Aaron Lewis Solo and Acoustic Aaron Lewis is best known for fronting the band Staind, whose top singles include “Outside,” “It’s Been Awhile” and “So Far Away.” In 2011, Lewis released a solo record, Town Line, that introduced fans to his country roots. 8 p.m. American Bank Center Selena Auditorium, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi. Visit www.americanbankcenter.com for information.

Friday, Jan. 20 - Corpus Christi - Lunch Amongst the Masters: “The Art of the Dive” Artists Guy Harvey and Kent Ullberg will speak on their art and the deep-sea dives they have experienced all over the world. The talk is in conjunction with the Art Museum’s newest exhibition: The Art of the Dive/Portraits of the Deep. Lunch is catered

by Hester’s Cafe and Coffee Bar. Noon. Price: $15-members/$20-nonmember. Please RSVP to 361-825-3504. The Art Museum of South Texas, 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd. http://www.artmuseumofsouthtexas.org/ through Sunday, Jan. 22 - Victoria - The Nave Museum , “Co-Modify: A Collection of Artists” Artists’ Statement: “Our society is increasingly

going away from experience-based traditions, and tradition-based knowledge. Instead, advertising, mass media, and celebrities guide our choices.

It seems, in this post-cultural society, for every common-sense daily practice of the past, there is a mass-produced industrial imitation. We embrace the imitational commodities at the expense of the original rituals rooted in our past, and at the same time, we invent new rituals in the search of a feeling compatible to memories of a comfortable cultural past; like Oreos and milk.” Exhibit is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Nave Museum, 306 W. Commercial St., Victoria Call 361-575-8227, or visit www.victoriaregionalmuseum.com for information.

Sunday, Jan. 22 - Corpus Christi - FrankenBike #1 FrankenBike is a free bike swap meet held once every 2 to 3 months in Corpus Christi, Texas, that is open to anyone who wants to buy, sell or trade bicycles and bicycle-related gear or parts. Noon to 5 p.m. at Texas House of Rock, 511 Starr St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401.

Visit http://corpuschristi.frankenbike.net/ for information.

Wednesday, Jan. 25 - Aransas Pass - Coastal Bend Travel Fair More than 35 booths offer information on attractions, communities and events in South Texas for Winter Texans and other visitors. Aransas Pass, Texas, Phone: 361/701-0555 http://www.txcoastalbend.org/ Saturday, Jan. 28 - Port Aransas - Port Aransas Garden Club Tour of Homes Tour several beautiful homes in the Port Aransas area. Phone: 361-749-5919 Jan. 30 - Port Aransas - Port “A” Merchant’s Dine Around Enjoy samplings of island cuisine at a variety of local restaurants and enjoy tasty tidbits of desserts and beverage samples at Port Aransas shops. www.portaransas.org

January 2012 - Coastal Bend Traveler - 19

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